Monday, July 1, 2013
From The Doctor's Diary - 55- The Right Word
I was invited to speak at a convention in Tiruvananthapuram in Kerala, India. The message that the Lord had given me to preach was the following:
"We are doomed to die!" he said to his wife. "We have seen God!" But his wife answered, "If the Lord had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and grain offering from our hands, nor shown us all these things or now told us this." (Judges 13:22,23)
This is a happening in the Old Testament of the Bible where a childless couple meet an angel of the Lord who gives them the message that they are going to be blessed with a child. When Manoah, the man realizes that they had seen the angel of the Lord, he felt they were going to die, but his wife corrected him saying that,"If the Lord had meant to kill us, he would not have ......... shown us all these things or now told us this."
My message that day was about dreams and visions that the Lord gives his children. I said, "If the Lord shows a blessing coming to you, pray that it may come to pass, whereas if the Lord showed something calamitous was going to happen, pray fervently that it may not happen and the Lord will hear your prayer and the disaster will be averted." I stressed the point that....."If the Lord had meant to kill, he would not have shown......" and when I repeated it, a man in the crowd raised his hand and shouted, "Praise the Lord."
Later, after the meeting was over, the same young man approached me, shook my hand and said, "Thank you, that message was definitely for me. I had seen a couple of dreams last week, in which I saw my wife die. I have been very sad and depressed because of the same since almost a week. I believe the Lord has spoken to me and heard my prayer and will bless my wife with a long life. I prayed with him briefly.
Travelling back, that evening, I marvelled at how much the Lord cares for each of his children. The Holy Spirit had chosen just the perfect verses to speak to one of his, who was burdened and feeling low.
God is good, all the time. Praise his Holy Name.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
From The Doctor's Diary- 54- A house for sale
An old lady wanted to sell me her house. She waited for me to finish the morning consultations at my clinic in Kerala. When I saw her, I remembered that she was one of my patients but had not consulted me for a long time. When she told me she wanted me to buy her house, I smiled. I didn't want a house; even if I wanted, I didn't have the money to buy it. I told her the facts. She insisted that I take a look. Just to get her off my back, and considering her advanced age, I said I'll consider her request, though I had no intentions of going to her house. She gave me an address and I saw that it was on my way to work. I was tired from the morning work and drove home for lunch and the rest of my day was busy as well. The next morning, as usual I drove to work, having forgotten all about the lady and her house. But just as I passed the house, all about the lady and her talks suddenly came back in a flash. The house was just adjacent to one of the biggest Pentecostal Institutions in Kerala. I had by then passed her house, but felt a strong urge in my spirit to stop by and take a look. I put my car in reverse gear and stopped just outside the gate. She answered the door bell and was happy that I had come. As I entered the house, I saw 3 Bibles and 2 Christian song books lying on a table.
So you are a Christian? I asked. She laughed and said, "No, I am not." Then how and why these Bibles? I asked. She answered, "Since my house is so close to this Institution, many Pastors and Evangelist stop by to see me and pray for me."
Surely they must have spoken to you about Salvation through Jesus Christ."I interrupted her. "Yes, yes", she said, but I don't believe in all those things.
Then what's your belief about life after death? I asked, now realizing why the Lord had sent me to her house. I believe that after I die, I will be absorbed into the atmosphere, she said with confidence.
Here was an amazing scenario. This lady had been living so close to an Institution that churned out 100's of new Ministers of the Gospel every year and had been visited by many Pastors who must have spoken to her regarding salvation through Christ and she had presented several copies of the Living Word Of God, yet she was utterly lost and in her own imaginary world.
God, in his mercy, was giving her another chance to accept Christ as Saviour and had brought me to her house to speak once again of his agape love in sending his Son Jesus to the cross for her sake. I took time to present the Gospel message to her and explained to her God's purposes in sending her to me and then sending me to her; the sale of the house, I said, was just a side story. She listened patiently, but seemed unhappy that I was not interested in buying her house. I left shortly after that, urging her to accept the things I had spoken to her.
A few days later, I came to know that she had sold her house and had moved to her brother's house in another district of Kerala. Whether she accepted God's gift of salvation remains a mystery to this day.
So you are a Christian? I asked. She laughed and said, "No, I am not." Then how and why these Bibles? I asked. She answered, "Since my house is so close to this Institution, many Pastors and Evangelist stop by to see me and pray for me."
Surely they must have spoken to you about Salvation through Jesus Christ."I interrupted her. "Yes, yes", she said, but I don't believe in all those things.
Then what's your belief about life after death? I asked, now realizing why the Lord had sent me to her house. I believe that after I die, I will be absorbed into the atmosphere, she said with confidence.
Here was an amazing scenario. This lady had been living so close to an Institution that churned out 100's of new Ministers of the Gospel every year and had been visited by many Pastors who must have spoken to her regarding salvation through Christ and she had presented several copies of the Living Word Of God, yet she was utterly lost and in her own imaginary world.
God, in his mercy, was giving her another chance to accept Christ as Saviour and had brought me to her house to speak once again of his agape love in sending his Son Jesus to the cross for her sake. I took time to present the Gospel message to her and explained to her God's purposes in sending her to me and then sending me to her; the sale of the house, I said, was just a side story. She listened patiently, but seemed unhappy that I was not interested in buying her house. I left shortly after that, urging her to accept the things I had spoken to her.
A few days later, I came to know that she had sold her house and had moved to her brother's house in another district of Kerala. Whether she accepted God's gift of salvation remains a mystery to this day.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
From The Doctor's Diary- 53- Unity
There are three distinctive parts to the Prayer of Jesus found in John Chapter 17; Jesus praying for him to be glorified by the Father, Jesus praying for his disciples and Jesus praying for all who would believe in Him through the message of the disciples.
One of the things that stands out in this prayer is Jesus praying for unity, first among his disciples and then among all who would believe in him.
I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name - the name you gave me - so that they may be one as we are one. (John 17:11)
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:20, 21)
From the above verses, we can infer that, "If the world has to believe that God sent Jesus, there would have to be unity among the disciples and believers."
Jesus wanted the Father to protect the disciples by the power of his name, so that they would be one. A difference in opinion among the first disciples would be disastrous and Jesus prayed specifically that, that may not happen. Because of Jesus' intercession, the disciples were able to take the good news to the nations even amidst persecution. Sadly, unity is one of the things that is lacking now among believers; this Jesus knew from the beginning, would happen and so he prayed. Even among Bible believing Christians there is so much of discord.
Even now, Jesus expects and intercedes for all believers to be one. The enemy on the other hand is always working to divide the body of Christ. Whatever be the Bible adhering denominations that we attend or refrain from attending, the things that would matter in the end would be what Jesus once spoke to his disciples and the people who crowded to hear him....
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7)
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9)
The Apostle Paul's prayer for the believers in Philippi speaks how much he desired unity among them.
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. (Philippians 2:1, 2)
Christians Unite!, so that Christ may be known to the world and God be glorified.
Friday, June 8, 2012
From The Doctor's Diary-52- Make yourself available to the Lord
My audio messages are put up on a site called Podomatic and when I checked one day, the new audio messages were played 3 times from a place on the map which I couldn't identify easily. On placing the cursor on the place, the name " Magyarország" came up. Now that was some place that I had not heard of before. I googled the name and found it to be the Hungarian name of Hungary. Wow. I was amazed. I checked another site through which I can track my visitors and found someone from Szeged,Hungary had visited my site and downloaded 2 documents, one named Poison and the other, my daily devotional "365 Blessings." Praise the Lord.
What immediately struck my mind was how the Lord uses our gifts and talents for his glory according to his desires. Wonder whether the visitor realized that all this was no coincidence. The fact that stands out clearly is that if we make ourselves available to the Lord, he will use us. Brings also to mind the story that Jesus once said, "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money." (Matthew 25:14-18)
The time is coming when we will have to give an account to the Master who is returning, regarding the talents that he has entrusted us with. Regardless of where we are, we must make ourselves and our Christian work available to the Lord for his use. He will use us and our work, if we are willing to make ourselves and our work available to him. He is not bound by time or space as we are. All glory be to the Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent Triune God.
What immediately struck my mind was how the Lord uses our gifts and talents for his glory according to his desires. Wonder whether the visitor realized that all this was no coincidence. The fact that stands out clearly is that if we make ourselves available to the Lord, he will use us. Brings also to mind the story that Jesus once said, "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money." (Matthew 25:14-18)
The time is coming when we will have to give an account to the Master who is returning, regarding the talents that he has entrusted us with. Regardless of where we are, we must make ourselves and our Christian work available to the Lord for his use. He will use us and our work, if we are willing to make ourselves and our work available to him. He is not bound by time or space as we are. All glory be to the Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent Triune God.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
From the Doctor's Diary- 51- Deliverance from the enemy that pursues
A new venture for Christ was initiated by me and family
in March 2012 and as the work took root, there was immediate opposition from the
enemy. And this time it was bad. It started with a headache that I experienced
while at the clinic. By the end of the day it was severe and I took some
analgesics for the same and went to sleep with my head feeling heavy. When I woke
up the next morning, the ache had eased a bit but my neck was stiff and I had
excruciating pain on turning my head to the left side. It was terrible and I
took more analgesics. I checked my blood pressure and found it unusually high.
I was in a dilemma; was the high blood pressure causing the pain or was it the
other way around? I could not even wear my tie as the pain increased
immediately. We prayed as a family and also asked for prayer support from our
church members. I took some tablets for
the high blood pressure too. While in prayer, one of those days, the Holy
Spirit impressed upon me that this was an attack by evil spiritual forces
against the gospel work that I had initiated recently.
The neck pain and stiffness continued for a week. On our
day of worship, we as a family sat together and worshipped the Almighty instead
of attending Church. I spoke the Word from Mark 16, wherein we read of the women going early in the morning to Jesus’
tomb to anoint his body with spices. The thing that they were worried about
though was……"Who will
roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" (Mark 16:3). But the miracle had already taken place. To their
amazement, they saw that the large stone was rolled away for them.
After worship, as I
relaxed, I noticed that the stiffness in my neck was no longer there. I could
move my neck freely. God had wrought a miracle. I praised God for his mercy and
compassion. That afternoon, we had to go out for lunch with a few friends.
After lunch, I felt a distressing pain on the right side of mid-back area. Now
what was this I thought? I had received deliverance just a couple of hours
back. “The enemy doesn’t give up easily”, was what the Lord brought to my mind
as I sat in prayer. As I pen this, I remember how Pharaoh and his men pursued
the Israelites, though the Israelites had found freedom from the Egyptians by
observing the Passover. God did a miracle then and the Israelites walked
through the Red sea to safety, while the pursuers were drowned. Here and now, I
rebuked the evil forces while in prayer and by the end of the day, I was free
from the back pain as well. God is good, all the time. I praise his holy name.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
From The Doctor's Diary- 50- The Fowler's Snare
Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. (Psalm 91:3)
It was another day as usual for me. I left the kids at school at 9 am and was travelling to the clinic in my car. Nearing a junction on the way, I could see a fight going on between 2 guys. A couple of vehicles had stopped because of the brawl. Suddenly one of the guys picked up a large stone to throw at the other guy. By this time, I had slowed down and was waiting for the vehicles ahead me to go on. Fearing that the other guy may throw the stone, this guy started running with the other fellow chasing him. As they neared my vehicle, I prayed that the stone may not land on my car.
They ran behind my car and I thought they must have gone the other way, when suddenly the guy who was running fearing the guy with the stone just opened the door next to my driver's seat, sat down and locked the door, shouting at me, "Drive."
I tried to remove the seat belt that I was wearing, but he put his hand over my hand and wouldn't let me unbuckle it. I couldn't open my door and get out because of the seat belt.
"Drive", he said and don't stop till I tell you. Meanwhile a few people had restrained the guy with the stone and was holding him back. "Oh Jesus", I said in my heart, "What is this happening?"
I slowly moved the vehicle forward, thinking of what to do next. No solution seemed to spring up, so I asked him what the brawl was about, but he didn't answer and just kept saying, "Drive" "Don't stop".
I thought he must either be drunk or had some mental ailment. Not knowing what to do, I just prayed loudly, "Jesus, please help me."
As soon as I said that, he retorted,"I am Jesus, I will help you."
That alarmed me and I wondered whether I was dealing with a demon afflicted guy. But then immediately he said, " I am thirsty, I need to drink some water."
Is this Jesus intervening as soon as I called?, I asked myself. And then I said, "There's a restaurant ahead, I'll buy you a drink there. He agreed.
I had driven half a mile already and there was a restaurant to the left of the road. I slowed down my car and asked him to get out while I parked the car a little to the side of the road. He said "ok" but then warned me not to deceive him. But as soon as he got out, I pulled the door shut and put my foot on the accelerator and sped away. Looking behind in the mirror, I could see him run after me for a little while but then stopped, knowing it was a futile exercise on his part.
I just couldn't stop praising Jesus thereafter for the rest of the journey. I laughed, I cried and I just kept talking to Jesus. Now, what was that? I kept asking him. But one thing stands true in all this drama. I called out to my Savior and he delivered me. ASAP- Always say a prayer. It works. Our Savior neither slumbers nor sleeps. Praise the Lord.
It was another day as usual for me. I left the kids at school at 9 am and was travelling to the clinic in my car. Nearing a junction on the way, I could see a fight going on between 2 guys. A couple of vehicles had stopped because of the brawl. Suddenly one of the guys picked up a large stone to throw at the other guy. By this time, I had slowed down and was waiting for the vehicles ahead me to go on. Fearing that the other guy may throw the stone, this guy started running with the other fellow chasing him. As they neared my vehicle, I prayed that the stone may not land on my car.
They ran behind my car and I thought they must have gone the other way, when suddenly the guy who was running fearing the guy with the stone just opened the door next to my driver's seat, sat down and locked the door, shouting at me, "Drive."
I tried to remove the seat belt that I was wearing, but he put his hand over my hand and wouldn't let me unbuckle it. I couldn't open my door and get out because of the seat belt.
"Drive", he said and don't stop till I tell you. Meanwhile a few people had restrained the guy with the stone and was holding him back. "Oh Jesus", I said in my heart, "What is this happening?"
I slowly moved the vehicle forward, thinking of what to do next. No solution seemed to spring up, so I asked him what the brawl was about, but he didn't answer and just kept saying, "Drive" "Don't stop".
I thought he must either be drunk or had some mental ailment. Not knowing what to do, I just prayed loudly, "Jesus, please help me."
As soon as I said that, he retorted,"I am Jesus, I will help you."
That alarmed me and I wondered whether I was dealing with a demon afflicted guy. But then immediately he said, " I am thirsty, I need to drink some water."
Is this Jesus intervening as soon as I called?, I asked myself. And then I said, "There's a restaurant ahead, I'll buy you a drink there. He agreed.
I had driven half a mile already and there was a restaurant to the left of the road. I slowed down my car and asked him to get out while I parked the car a little to the side of the road. He said "ok" but then warned me not to deceive him. But as soon as he got out, I pulled the door shut and put my foot on the accelerator and sped away. Looking behind in the mirror, I could see him run after me for a little while but then stopped, knowing it was a futile exercise on his part.
I just couldn't stop praising Jesus thereafter for the rest of the journey. I laughed, I cried and I just kept talking to Jesus. Now, what was that? I kept asking him. But one thing stands true in all this drama. I called out to my Savior and he delivered me. ASAP- Always say a prayer. It works. Our Savior neither slumbers nor sleeps. Praise the Lord.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
From The Doctor's Diary- 49- A healing
O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. (Psalm 30:2)
A few days back I suddenly had pain in my neck and shoulders. It was very distressing and I wondered what the cause could be. I took pain killers for a couple of days but the pain remained and it troubled me when I moved my neck. It was really painful when I woke up in the mornings.Prayer didn't seem to decrease it any.
I usually fast on Sunday mornings and we went as a family to our church to conduct the worship. After the worship, we were back home and relaxing after lunch when my wife casually asked, "So how's your neck pain?" It was then that I realized that I was free from the pain and that the Lord had healed my during the worship.
Yes, Jesus heals. All Glory to my Master & King.
A few days back I suddenly had pain in my neck and shoulders. It was very distressing and I wondered what the cause could be. I took pain killers for a couple of days but the pain remained and it troubled me when I moved my neck. It was really painful when I woke up in the mornings.Prayer didn't seem to decrease it any.
I usually fast on Sunday mornings and we went as a family to our church to conduct the worship. After the worship, we were back home and relaxing after lunch when my wife casually asked, "So how's your neck pain?" It was then that I realized that I was free from the pain and that the Lord had healed my during the worship.
Yes, Jesus heals. All Glory to my Master & King.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
From The Doctor's Diary-48-God's Protection
For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. (Psalm 27:5)
Have you ever thought about how much God does to keep you and your family safe? Well, we do not really think much about it until some "near escape event" happens in our life and then we are forced to think of how much "He Cares".
Several accidents have happened in the lives of my Church members this year and God has been gracious to keep all of them safe; save a few scratches here and there. One brother was on his bike traveling early one morning with a pillion and didn’t notice a wire lying broken on the road. As he drove his vehicle the wire just whipped his neck and threw him and the pillion on the ground. The wire slashed the front of his neck but did not cut threw or he would have died immediately. God intervened just at the right moment.
This month when I was conducting a baptism, there was a phone call which brought distress to all of us. An auto in which 3 adults and a child of our church were traveling overturned when the driver suddenly applied the brakes because a snake slithered across the road. God intervened promptly and all were saved except for a few scratches.
One of our members, on a rainy night, last week, went out of his house to feed his dog and stepped on a poisonous snake and he became aware of it because it lashed at him with its tail. God had positioned the snake in such a way that he had stepped on its head. Just imagine if it was the other way around.
Another brother who is a welder, had a spark of fire hit him directly in his eye. God saw to it that the spark hit only the conjunctiva and not the cornea for then he would have lost his sight in one eye.
These are just a few of the wondrous deliverances that the Lord has done for us as a church. All who have experienced these near fatal accidents have testified in church about 2 things- 1) It is the mercy of God that they escaped. 2) It is the fervent prayers of the church that is a shield for them.
If you read the verses at the top of this message and think about the near escapes in your life, you will realize that God’s Word is 100% truth and nothing else. Also do understand that we and our family are shielded by God’s mercy & by the prayers of God’s faithful ones and it is not our righteousness or integrity that is working overtime which is keeping us safe.
Have you ever thought about how much God does to keep you and your family safe? Well, we do not really think much about it until some "near escape event" happens in our life and then we are forced to think of how much "He Cares".
Several accidents have happened in the lives of my Church members this year and God has been gracious to keep all of them safe; save a few scratches here and there. One brother was on his bike traveling early one morning with a pillion and didn’t notice a wire lying broken on the road. As he drove his vehicle the wire just whipped his neck and threw him and the pillion on the ground. The wire slashed the front of his neck but did not cut threw or he would have died immediately. God intervened just at the right moment.
This month when I was conducting a baptism, there was a phone call which brought distress to all of us. An auto in which 3 adults and a child of our church were traveling overturned when the driver suddenly applied the brakes because a snake slithered across the road. God intervened promptly and all were saved except for a few scratches.
One of our members, on a rainy night, last week, went out of his house to feed his dog and stepped on a poisonous snake and he became aware of it because it lashed at him with its tail. God had positioned the snake in such a way that he had stepped on its head. Just imagine if it was the other way around.
Another brother who is a welder, had a spark of fire hit him directly in his eye. God saw to it that the spark hit only the conjunctiva and not the cornea for then he would have lost his sight in one eye.
These are just a few of the wondrous deliverances that the Lord has done for us as a church. All who have experienced these near fatal accidents have testified in church about 2 things- 1) It is the mercy of God that they escaped. 2) It is the fervent prayers of the church that is a shield for them.
If you read the verses at the top of this message and think about the near escapes in your life, you will realize that God’s Word is 100% truth and nothing else. Also do understand that we and our family are shielded by God’s mercy & by the prayers of God’s faithful ones and it is not our righteousness or integrity that is working overtime which is keeping us safe.
From The Doctor's Diary- 47- Demon's Everywhere
It was around 6 am one Sunday. We were getting ready to leave for our morning worship. My wife and children were still dressing.
Those days we were living in a neighbourhood with many non-Christian homes surrounding us. They never approved our kind of worship. We suspected them of working against us through witchcraft too, praying to their idols to thwart our worship and work for the Lord.
This morning as I opened the front door and walked out to get my car ready, I saw a Hibiscus flower lying on my doorstep. Very unusual I thought. How could this land up on my doorstep so early in the morning.
Surely these are my enemies putting this (idol) prayed over object at my doorstep. Creating obstacles for me.
Anger surged through me. I stamped on the flower and rebuked the demon vociferously in Jesus name. Still seething with anger, I was contemplating my next move.
"Dad", my elder daughter called ,as she came out to join me. "Dad, did you see the Hibiscus flower that I dropped while I came in, she asked?
"Flower!! You mean to say…………………. And I could not find many words to tell her what I had just done. She picked up the crushed flower and asked me, "Dad, how did this happen?"
Well……………well…………I just rebuked it, I muttered. You, what? She stared at me in surprise.
Oh! Nothing! I said and burst out laughing realising my blunder.. How preposterous it was ; doing such a fooling thing. That's how we Preachers are. We get carried away too much some times.
We had a good laugh regarding this at the worship too when I recounted the story during my preaching.
Moral
There's no demon hiding behind every soap dish. Unless ofcourse your soap dish is a great blessing to you; in which case he( the evil one ) may fight tooth and nail to snatch it from you.
Those days we were living in a neighbourhood with many non-Christian homes surrounding us. They never approved our kind of worship. We suspected them of working against us through witchcraft too, praying to their idols to thwart our worship and work for the Lord.
This morning as I opened the front door and walked out to get my car ready, I saw a Hibiscus flower lying on my doorstep. Very unusual I thought. How could this land up on my doorstep so early in the morning.
Surely these are my enemies putting this (idol) prayed over object at my doorstep. Creating obstacles for me.
Anger surged through me. I stamped on the flower and rebuked the demon vociferously in Jesus name. Still seething with anger, I was contemplating my next move.
"Dad", my elder daughter called ,as she came out to join me. "Dad, did you see the Hibiscus flower that I dropped while I came in, she asked?
"Flower!! You mean to say…………………. And I could not find many words to tell her what I had just done. She picked up the crushed flower and asked me, "Dad, how did this happen?"
Well……………well…………I just rebuked it, I muttered. You, what? She stared at me in surprise.
Oh! Nothing! I said and burst out laughing realising my blunder.. How preposterous it was ; doing such a fooling thing. That's how we Preachers are. We get carried away too much some times.
We had a good laugh regarding this at the worship too when I recounted the story during my preaching.
Moral
There's no demon hiding behind every soap dish. Unless ofcourse your soap dish is a great blessing to you; in which case he( the evil one ) may fight tooth and nail to snatch it from you.
From The Doctor’s Diary46-Confessions Of A Nominal Christian
Last Sunday after the morning worship as I relaxed at home, there was a phone call and the caller asked whether we would be at home in the evening as she wanted to come over to our house for prayers. Her daughter had been married for 10 years but had no children.
They came at around 5pm and after the initial talks, my wife escorted the lady and her daughter to an inner room for prayers. I was left with the son of the woman who had brought the women from home in their jeep.
We started conversing and the topic was about ‘construction’ as he was a ‘contractor’. He spoke eloquently about all aspects of his occupation and his life in general without touching one aspect of his life-The Spiritual. And the Holy Spirit was prompting me to touch upon that part of his life. I waited for the right moment and then asked him which Church he attended. He said that he was a member of a main line denominational church but never actually attended church. When I asked him why, he said he didn’t see any point in attending church because people just came there to show off their flashy clothes and new cars; no one really cared about calling upon God. Moreover, he said, “When I stand in Church, if at all I go, I am surrounded by rivals in business who are plotting my downfall and I theirs.
When I asked whether his wife went to church, he said, “Yes, but she just hangs around outside the church to catch up with the things that she missed from her friends in the past week.”
Of course, he believed in God, he retorted in self defense when I put that question to him. It’s just that I don’t have any time, he sighed!
When I asked whether he had read the Bible recently, he just shook his head in the negative. Family prayers had become something of a routine though, he added, because excessive crying of his child for one and a half years had made someone comment that God was mad at him. Still they were careful, he added, to adjust the timings of the family prayer so as to not miss important serials on TV.
So what do you think about life after death? I asked finally. I’ve just not thought about that, he said and he had a surprised look on his face which said, “Who’s this fellow and what’s this trap that I have fallen into, on a quiet Sunday evening?”
I took some time to explain to him the “Gospel” and he seemed to be genuinely interested or so I thought. After a while of my preaching, he suddenly asked, “OK, Tell me where do I start?”
And I told him the basics- Pray, Read the Word, Accept Jesus Your Lord & Savior, Worship….
He seemed to be lost in thoughts for a while and then said, “I just don’t know, you see I’m so busy, maybe after all my present projects are complete, I’ll give it a try."
They came at around 5pm and after the initial talks, my wife escorted the lady and her daughter to an inner room for prayers. I was left with the son of the woman who had brought the women from home in their jeep.
We started conversing and the topic was about ‘construction’ as he was a ‘contractor’. He spoke eloquently about all aspects of his occupation and his life in general without touching one aspect of his life-The Spiritual. And the Holy Spirit was prompting me to touch upon that part of his life. I waited for the right moment and then asked him which Church he attended. He said that he was a member of a main line denominational church but never actually attended church. When I asked him why, he said he didn’t see any point in attending church because people just came there to show off their flashy clothes and new cars; no one really cared about calling upon God. Moreover, he said, “When I stand in Church, if at all I go, I am surrounded by rivals in business who are plotting my downfall and I theirs.
When I asked whether his wife went to church, he said, “Yes, but she just hangs around outside the church to catch up with the things that she missed from her friends in the past week.”
Of course, he believed in God, he retorted in self defense when I put that question to him. It’s just that I don’t have any time, he sighed!
When I asked whether he had read the Bible recently, he just shook his head in the negative. Family prayers had become something of a routine though, he added, because excessive crying of his child for one and a half years had made someone comment that God was mad at him. Still they were careful, he added, to adjust the timings of the family prayer so as to not miss important serials on TV.
So what do you think about life after death? I asked finally. I’ve just not thought about that, he said and he had a surprised look on his face which said, “Who’s this fellow and what’s this trap that I have fallen into, on a quiet Sunday evening?”
I took some time to explain to him the “Gospel” and he seemed to be genuinely interested or so I thought. After a while of my preaching, he suddenly asked, “OK, Tell me where do I start?”
And I told him the basics- Pray, Read the Word, Accept Jesus Your Lord & Savior, Worship….
He seemed to be lost in thoughts for a while and then said, “I just don’t know, you see I’m so busy, maybe after all my present projects are complete, I’ll give it a try."
From the Doctor’s Diary-45- What an exam!
I had hard time while I was doing my MD in General Medicine in Gulbarga (a town in Karnataka state, India). We were eleven of us to appear for the exams. Even before the exams took place, everyone concerned said that only four or five people would get through. The subject matter in Medicine is too vast for anyone to study everything and go for the exams. The theory and practical exams are really tough. The internal examiner who is supposed to be a comfort to any student was himself a terror for us. We were all afraid of him. Being an oursider (from another state) I had more disadvantages. There didn’t seem much hope for me to get through.
Those were the days (1992) when I had begun experiencing the wonderful presence of Jesus in my life. I had given my life over to him and given my burdens and griefs into his hands.
So even though circumstances were in the negative. I had one hope and that was my trust in Jesus. I believed he would get me through. My prayers to him were fervent. The theory exams did not carry much weightage; the practical was the one that mattered.
I still remember it was Sunday that the practical exams took place. Those days I had made it a habit to fast on Sundays and so I went for the exams fasting. I had a throbbing headache by the time I reached the exam hall. One internal and two external examiners. Two short cases and one big case(patients with sicknesses) to be examined and diagnosed in the given time. And it was really tough. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and a lot of grilling. One of my colleagues was sent away for just talking casually to someone else during the exam time. That for him meant another wait for six months to reappear. I was glad that it was finally over by 5 p.m. Six of us appeared on the first day and five on the next. The speculations were that only 3-4 out of eleven will pass. I couldn’t sleep for the next two days thinking of the result.
Despite speculations, despite unfavourable circumstances; despite evaluations, despite unfavourable people, my hope lay in Jesus because I knew only He could save me. And that is exactly what his name means: Jesus - He saves
At around 2 a.m. a couple of nights later, there was frantic knocking on my door. Three guys heaving and panting and three wonderful words - “You have passed”. I didn’t know what to do. Laugh or cry. But one thing I did and that was to thanks Jesus for his saving grace. The predictions were true. Only four of us passed. But I was one of them. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord.
The Bible says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
And that is exactly what I did. Not only did I pass, but Jesus helped me to get second rank in the university. Praise the Lord. Truly, Jesus cares for us like no one else can.
Those were the days (1992) when I had begun experiencing the wonderful presence of Jesus in my life. I had given my life over to him and given my burdens and griefs into his hands.
So even though circumstances were in the negative. I had one hope and that was my trust in Jesus. I believed he would get me through. My prayers to him were fervent. The theory exams did not carry much weightage; the practical was the one that mattered.
I still remember it was Sunday that the practical exams took place. Those days I had made it a habit to fast on Sundays and so I went for the exams fasting. I had a throbbing headache by the time I reached the exam hall. One internal and two external examiners. Two short cases and one big case(patients with sicknesses) to be examined and diagnosed in the given time. And it was really tough. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and a lot of grilling. One of my colleagues was sent away for just talking casually to someone else during the exam time. That for him meant another wait for six months to reappear. I was glad that it was finally over by 5 p.m. Six of us appeared on the first day and five on the next. The speculations were that only 3-4 out of eleven will pass. I couldn’t sleep for the next two days thinking of the result.
Despite speculations, despite unfavourable circumstances; despite evaluations, despite unfavourable people, my hope lay in Jesus because I knew only He could save me. And that is exactly what his name means: Jesus - He saves
At around 2 a.m. a couple of nights later, there was frantic knocking on my door. Three guys heaving and panting and three wonderful words - “You have passed”. I didn’t know what to do. Laugh or cry. But one thing I did and that was to thanks Jesus for his saving grace. The predictions were true. Only four of us passed. But I was one of them. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord.
The Bible says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
And that is exactly what I did. Not only did I pass, but Jesus helped me to get second rank in the university. Praise the Lord. Truly, Jesus cares for us like no one else can.
From the Doctor’s Diary-44-Double Blessing
We had been desperately searching for a house on rent as we had to vacate the one we were staying in because the term was over. For almost 2 months we looked here and there, asking, enquiring and inspecting. But our search did not yield fruit. Initially our prayers were routine, but as time passed and the deadline drew near our prayers were fervent.During that time, one night the Lord showed me a dream.
“ A very rich man dressed in white, was distributing sweets to people gathered for a function. To every one he gave one sweet but when he came to me, he smiled and gave me two sweets.” The dream ended there.
I woke up the next morning and wondered what the dream was all about. Surely a double blessing was coming my way. I prayed for the same, not knowing in which area of my life it was to be.
“A man in white and a rich man too.”
Men who wore white were few in our town, except ofcourse a certain group of Pentecostals called “The Pentecostal Mission” or TPM. But I had no contacts with them whatsoever.
I forgot about this dream and our quest for a rented house continued. It was almost 2 months that we had been searching. One day after finishing my clinic work, I stopped near a wayside shop to buy a few things.
As I stopped and got down from my vehicle, I saw a Pastor known to me,stop his bike near me. After we exchanged pleasantries, I told him about our search for a house. He spoke of certain possible locations where we could still seek. As we talked, a car came to a stop on the opposite side of the road. Out of it emerged 2 persons both short and stockily built, one older and the other younger, an aura of the rich around them. The Pastor with me said, “Come, lets us ask that person, pointing to the older person who had stepped out the car. I said, “That’s fine with me.”
As the 2 came walking towards us the Pastor with me shook hands with them and asked them when they had came from abroad. After talking for sometime, he introduced me to the two and told them that I was searching for a house on rent. Immediately the older man said “That’s no problem, you can take my house, the top floor is vacant.” Come let me take you home. Pausing a little, he then said, “let me first show you this new shopping complex that I have built.”
A little walk from there, a four storied building built well came into view. He took me to every floor and showed me the rooms; on the top floor he paused and said, “This hall I have specially built in remembrance of my parents.” It is a prayer hall that I got made and it can be availed by any one free of cost to conduct prayer meetings or worship services. In front of me was a wonderfully constructed hall with a side room and bath room. I told him that it would be a great blessing to those who worshipped there. “You can conduct meetings here if you want, he said.” “Me?" I was almost startled.
What did this man know of me to so suddenly give a prayer hall to conduct meetings free of cost.? All he had heard from the Pastor a little while ago was that I am a Physician doing God’s work. I smiled at his offer saying I’ll think about it. A little later we proceeded in my car leaving the younger man, the other man’s son at the shopping complex.
As we traveled he asked me about the work that I was doing for God, about my family, about my clinic.
He had a wonderful house with a beautiful garden, with lots of flowers and all kinds of plants and trees.
“Come, he said as we entered his house.” He introduced me to his wife and told her that we were searching for a house on rent. Later he took me to the 1st floor of the house which was vacant. ‘You can stay here’ he said taking me to each room.
The house seemed ideal for us after such a long search and the rent he asked for was reasonable. I said I’ll discuss it with my wife and let him know.
As I took leave of him, he said “You can use the prayer hall, it’s free.” I smiled and returned home with the great news,. In a few days time after praying over this matter we had shifted to the new house and started a new church meeting in the prayer hall that the man had given us. For 4 years we had been praying for a good hall to worship God. Till then we were worshipping in a dilapidated rental house several miles away. Now God had given us this wonderful prayer hall, all of a sudden. I believe while we prayed, God was building a hall for us at another place.
Jesus said,
"My Father is always at his work to this very day,and I too am working."(John 5:17)
Before we shifted to the new house, one night while I sat in prayer (the next night after I had met the man who gave me his house and the prayer hall) I praised God for his kindness and his love for giving us this rented house and the prayer hall.
“Thank you Jesus.” I burst into spontaneous praise for some time. “As I praised and them sat quietly before the Lord mediating, the Holy Spirit suddenly said, “It’s a double blessing.”
It was then that my mind raced back to the dream that the Lord had showed me about a month ago. “A rich man giving me 2 sweets while he gave only one to others.”
My heart again welled with praise as I thought about the dream fulfilled. But one part of the dream made me wonder. The man who gave me 2 sweets wore all white but when I had met him he was just wearing a casual shirt and pant. As we had talked the previous day he had told me he too was a Pentecostal, but I had forgotten to ask him to which group he belonged. (The man whom God had shown in the dream was to be from TPM as I had recognized in the dream)
To make sure, the next day morning I called him and after greeting him asked him casually to which Pentecostal group he belonged.
Oh! We are from “TPM” (The Pentecostal Mission)Why do you ask? He queried.
Nothing! Just asking! I said, my heart rejoicing for God’s faithfulness.
The Bible says,
"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God;he is the faithful God,keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands."(Deuteronomy 7:9)
“ A very rich man dressed in white, was distributing sweets to people gathered for a function. To every one he gave one sweet but when he came to me, he smiled and gave me two sweets.” The dream ended there.
I woke up the next morning and wondered what the dream was all about. Surely a double blessing was coming my way. I prayed for the same, not knowing in which area of my life it was to be.
“A man in white and a rich man too.”
Men who wore white were few in our town, except ofcourse a certain group of Pentecostals called “The Pentecostal Mission” or TPM. But I had no contacts with them whatsoever.
I forgot about this dream and our quest for a rented house continued. It was almost 2 months that we had been searching. One day after finishing my clinic work, I stopped near a wayside shop to buy a few things.
As I stopped and got down from my vehicle, I saw a Pastor known to me,stop his bike near me. After we exchanged pleasantries, I told him about our search for a house. He spoke of certain possible locations where we could still seek. As we talked, a car came to a stop on the opposite side of the road. Out of it emerged 2 persons both short and stockily built, one older and the other younger, an aura of the rich around them. The Pastor with me said, “Come, lets us ask that person, pointing to the older person who had stepped out the car. I said, “That’s fine with me.”
As the 2 came walking towards us the Pastor with me shook hands with them and asked them when they had came from abroad. After talking for sometime, he introduced me to the two and told them that I was searching for a house on rent. Immediately the older man said “That’s no problem, you can take my house, the top floor is vacant.” Come let me take you home. Pausing a little, he then said, “let me first show you this new shopping complex that I have built.”
A little walk from there, a four storied building built well came into view. He took me to every floor and showed me the rooms; on the top floor he paused and said, “This hall I have specially built in remembrance of my parents.” It is a prayer hall that I got made and it can be availed by any one free of cost to conduct prayer meetings or worship services. In front of me was a wonderfully constructed hall with a side room and bath room. I told him that it would be a great blessing to those who worshipped there. “You can conduct meetings here if you want, he said.” “Me?" I was almost startled.
What did this man know of me to so suddenly give a prayer hall to conduct meetings free of cost.? All he had heard from the Pastor a little while ago was that I am a Physician doing God’s work. I smiled at his offer saying I’ll think about it. A little later we proceeded in my car leaving the younger man, the other man’s son at the shopping complex.
As we traveled he asked me about the work that I was doing for God, about my family, about my clinic.
He had a wonderful house with a beautiful garden, with lots of flowers and all kinds of plants and trees.
“Come, he said as we entered his house.” He introduced me to his wife and told her that we were searching for a house on rent. Later he took me to the 1st floor of the house which was vacant. ‘You can stay here’ he said taking me to each room.
The house seemed ideal for us after such a long search and the rent he asked for was reasonable. I said I’ll discuss it with my wife and let him know.
As I took leave of him, he said “You can use the prayer hall, it’s free.” I smiled and returned home with the great news,. In a few days time after praying over this matter we had shifted to the new house and started a new church meeting in the prayer hall that the man had given us. For 4 years we had been praying for a good hall to worship God. Till then we were worshipping in a dilapidated rental house several miles away. Now God had given us this wonderful prayer hall, all of a sudden. I believe while we prayed, God was building a hall for us at another place.
Jesus said,
"My Father is always at his work to this very day,and I too am working."(John 5:17)
Before we shifted to the new house, one night while I sat in prayer (the next night after I had met the man who gave me his house and the prayer hall) I praised God for his kindness and his love for giving us this rented house and the prayer hall.
“Thank you Jesus.” I burst into spontaneous praise for some time. “As I praised and them sat quietly before the Lord mediating, the Holy Spirit suddenly said, “It’s a double blessing.”
It was then that my mind raced back to the dream that the Lord had showed me about a month ago. “A rich man giving me 2 sweets while he gave only one to others.”
My heart again welled with praise as I thought about the dream fulfilled. But one part of the dream made me wonder. The man who gave me 2 sweets wore all white but when I had met him he was just wearing a casual shirt and pant. As we had talked the previous day he had told me he too was a Pentecostal, but I had forgotten to ask him to which group he belonged. (The man whom God had shown in the dream was to be from TPM as I had recognized in the dream)
To make sure, the next day morning I called him and after greeting him asked him casually to which Pentecostal group he belonged.
Oh! We are from “TPM” (The Pentecostal Mission)Why do you ask? He queried.
Nothing! Just asking! I said, my heart rejoicing for God’s faithfulness.
The Bible says,
"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God;he is the faithful God,keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands."(Deuteronomy 7:9)
From the Doctor’s Diary-43- Have you been abused?
“They have greatly oppressed me from my youth-- let Israel say-- they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me. Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long. But the Lord is righteous; He has cut me free from the cords of the wicked” (Psalms 129:1 – 4)
Here the Psalmist describes a very disturbing situation about Israel; actually the sufferings of Israel at the hands of their enemies. These verses can also apply to the lives of many of you who read this message. You have been greatly oppressed from your childhood; “abused” perhaps would be a more appropriate word, I guess. Abused in different ways: verbally, physically, emotionally etc.
The Psalmist says, “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth but they have not gained the victory over me.” There are many people who suffer abuse in their lives right from their childhood and this affects their mind to such a great extent that even if they have become believers they are not free from the memories of all the oppression that they have suffered in their lives.
It’s like “ploughmen have ploughed their backs and made furrows so long and so deep”, that the old thoughts and old memories try to destroy the present peace in their lives. If you are such a person, I have good news for you. Our God is righteous. He is able to cut you free from the cords of the wicked, the cords that Satan have bound you with for several years. If your mind is being oppressed by thoughts that are pulling you down and making you unwell and sick, thoughts that are destroying the peace in your life, Jesus is able to set you free and the Bible says, “ So if the son (Jesus), sets you free you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
If you have been suffering, or if anyone in your family has been suffering because of attacks from satan, Jesus is able to deliver you/them, Jesus is able to heal and set free. He can free you from oppressing thoughts and thoughts of abuse that have been ravaging you mind. I believe that Jesus is able to set you free from all the cords that Satan has bound you with. Some of the remembrances & memories are so deeply etched in the minds that it is very difficult to remove them by ourselves, but the Lord is powerful. He is God Almighty; He is able to do miracles in our lives.
Israel suffered a lot because of the oppression of the enemies. But why did the enemies oppress them so much? It was because Israel left the ways of the Lord and followed other gods and disobeyed the true God-Jehovah. That’s why the enemy took control over them.
If there is sin in your life, you have to renounce that first and the Lord will set you free. Is sin the cause of the oppression in your life? Renounce that sin, confess it to Jesus and you will see a great deliverance; a great change in your life. Whenever Israel turned back to the Lord and called out to him, God delivered them.
If you have received forgiveness for your sins, your deliverance is at hand. You can be set free this day by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Have you been suffering for a long time by oppressing thoughts. Thoughts that have left you without any peace in your lives, thoughts that have destroyed your relationship with other people. Pray & believe. Jesus will rescue you from the cords of the wicked. He will set you free and your mind will be filled with peace and joy and love of the Holy Spirit.
Trust in Jesus, trust in His Word. He will surely set you free. God bless you.
Here the Psalmist describes a very disturbing situation about Israel; actually the sufferings of Israel at the hands of their enemies. These verses can also apply to the lives of many of you who read this message. You have been greatly oppressed from your childhood; “abused” perhaps would be a more appropriate word, I guess. Abused in different ways: verbally, physically, emotionally etc.
The Psalmist says, “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth but they have not gained the victory over me.” There are many people who suffer abuse in their lives right from their childhood and this affects their mind to such a great extent that even if they have become believers they are not free from the memories of all the oppression that they have suffered in their lives.
It’s like “ploughmen have ploughed their backs and made furrows so long and so deep”, that the old thoughts and old memories try to destroy the present peace in their lives. If you are such a person, I have good news for you. Our God is righteous. He is able to cut you free from the cords of the wicked, the cords that Satan have bound you with for several years. If your mind is being oppressed by thoughts that are pulling you down and making you unwell and sick, thoughts that are destroying the peace in your life, Jesus is able to set you free and the Bible says, “ So if the son (Jesus), sets you free you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
If you have been suffering, or if anyone in your family has been suffering because of attacks from satan, Jesus is able to deliver you/them, Jesus is able to heal and set free. He can free you from oppressing thoughts and thoughts of abuse that have been ravaging you mind. I believe that Jesus is able to set you free from all the cords that Satan has bound you with. Some of the remembrances & memories are so deeply etched in the minds that it is very difficult to remove them by ourselves, but the Lord is powerful. He is God Almighty; He is able to do miracles in our lives.
Israel suffered a lot because of the oppression of the enemies. But why did the enemies oppress them so much? It was because Israel left the ways of the Lord and followed other gods and disobeyed the true God-Jehovah. That’s why the enemy took control over them.
If there is sin in your life, you have to renounce that first and the Lord will set you free. Is sin the cause of the oppression in your life? Renounce that sin, confess it to Jesus and you will see a great deliverance; a great change in your life. Whenever Israel turned back to the Lord and called out to him, God delivered them.
If you have received forgiveness for your sins, your deliverance is at hand. You can be set free this day by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Have you been suffering for a long time by oppressing thoughts. Thoughts that have left you without any peace in your lives, thoughts that have destroyed your relationship with other people. Pray & believe. Jesus will rescue you from the cords of the wicked. He will set you free and your mind will be filled with peace and joy and love of the Holy Spirit.
Trust in Jesus, trust in His Word. He will surely set you free. God bless you.
From the Doctor’s Diary- 42 - Women can be used mightily by God
Women can be effective and efficient sowers of the Word of God and can work to bring many into the kingdom of Heaven. They can serve as efficient sowers by praying, preaching, prophesying, testifying and leading in worship. Right from the Old Testament times we see God using women to fulfill His divine purposes. Miriam, Moses’ sister was a worship leader and led the Israelites in worshiping God after the mighty miracle that God performed by parting the Red sea.
In the book of Judges we see Deborah being used by God: “Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came to her to have their disputes decided.” (Judges 4:4, 5)
Deborah and Barak teamed together to bring a great victory for the Israelites over the Canaanite king Jabin.
Esther was a woman whose determination to fast and pray for 3 days brought about a great victory not only for her but also for Mordecai and for the Jews. She saved a whole nation by her grit and courage. Huldah the prophetess was used of God in the times of Josiah, king of Judah. Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Anna and Philip’s 4 daughters are mentioned in the Word as being used of God to prophesy to their generations.
Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Elizabeth and Mary had the God given talent and ability to praise God with songs and their songs were a blessing to many to strengthen them in times of difficulty and remind them that God is all powerful and able to redeem like no one can.
Women were present at the selection of Matthias (Acts 1:13-26), present at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-18), churches met in women's homes (Acts 12:12; 16:40; Romans 16:3-5; 1Corinthians 1:11; 16:19; Colossians 4:15; 2Jn), women were teachers (Acts 18:26; Titus 2:3-5), deaconesses or wives of deacons (Romans 16:1-2; 1Ti 3:11) in New Testament times.
Women have been given the talents and gifts of the Holy Spirit so that they can sow the Word of God as effectively as men. They are enabled by God to pray not only for themselves and their families, but also their societies, communities, nations and the whole world.
Women are used as sowers by God when they visit hospitals and talk and pray with the sick. Unbelievers abound in our society and hospitals are nearly full of them. Handing out gospel tracts is a good means of sowing the seed i.e. the Word of God. Not only in hospitals, but also during visits of the homes of unbelievers, prisons and other public places, women are used by God in sowing the seed.
Women are also being used in our times to preach and teach the Word of God. There are many women preachers who are really effective in this and they are able to direct many unbelievers into God’s kingdom.
Women can testify to others about the great salvation that God has wrought in their lives through Jesus Christ, the wondrous healings and deliverances they have received from the Lord and again sow seeds to bring others into the kingdom of Heaven.
Some women have been given the talent of writing Christian articles and poems which are an encouragement for believers and unbelievers alike. The talent of singing have been used by God in women to bring healing to the body and mind of many.
Distributing gospel tracts and Bibles, witnessing, teaching, preaching, praying, prophesying, leading worship are the various ways in which women can effectively sow the seed of the Gospel and bring glory to God.
In the book of Judges we see Deborah being used by God: “Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came to her to have their disputes decided.” (Judges 4:4, 5)
Deborah and Barak teamed together to bring a great victory for the Israelites over the Canaanite king Jabin.
Esther was a woman whose determination to fast and pray for 3 days brought about a great victory not only for her but also for Mordecai and for the Jews. She saved a whole nation by her grit and courage. Huldah the prophetess was used of God in the times of Josiah, king of Judah. Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Anna and Philip’s 4 daughters are mentioned in the Word as being used of God to prophesy to their generations.
Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Elizabeth and Mary had the God given talent and ability to praise God with songs and their songs were a blessing to many to strengthen them in times of difficulty and remind them that God is all powerful and able to redeem like no one can.
Women were present at the selection of Matthias (Acts 1:13-26), present at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-18), churches met in women's homes (Acts 12:12; 16:40; Romans 16:3-5; 1Corinthians 1:11; 16:19; Colossians 4:15; 2Jn), women were teachers (Acts 18:26; Titus 2:3-5), deaconesses or wives of deacons (Romans 16:1-2; 1Ti 3:11) in New Testament times.
Women have been given the talents and gifts of the Holy Spirit so that they can sow the Word of God as effectively as men. They are enabled by God to pray not only for themselves and their families, but also their societies, communities, nations and the whole world.
Women are used as sowers by God when they visit hospitals and talk and pray with the sick. Unbelievers abound in our society and hospitals are nearly full of them. Handing out gospel tracts is a good means of sowing the seed i.e. the Word of God. Not only in hospitals, but also during visits of the homes of unbelievers, prisons and other public places, women are used by God in sowing the seed.
Women are also being used in our times to preach and teach the Word of God. There are many women preachers who are really effective in this and they are able to direct many unbelievers into God’s kingdom.
Women can testify to others about the great salvation that God has wrought in their lives through Jesus Christ, the wondrous healings and deliverances they have received from the Lord and again sow seeds to bring others into the kingdom of Heaven.
Some women have been given the talent of writing Christian articles and poems which are an encouragement for believers and unbelievers alike. The talent of singing have been used by God in women to bring healing to the body and mind of many.
Distributing gospel tracts and Bibles, witnessing, teaching, preaching, praying, prophesying, leading worship are the various ways in which women can effectively sow the seed of the Gospel and bring glory to God.
From the Doctor’s Diary-41- How God Speaks-3
For God does speak--now one way, now another, though man may not perceive it. (Job 33:14)
God’s ways of speaking to His children are quite amazing and also amusing sometimes. Have you ever felt speaking to you through bumper stickers/ stickers pasted on vehicles? Well, I have had the grace to get His advice in this manner on quite a few occasions.
Several years back when one of my uncles’ died and the funeral was taking place, I was very worried about my now widowed aunt as they had no children and she was not keeping very well. After the funeral, my mind kept musing over the unfortunate condition of my aunt and the more I thought about it, the more sad I became. It so happened that I had to travel to another place after the funeral and as I got into a cab with these thoughts running wild in my mind, I saw this sticker pasted on the inner side of the front glass and I knew for sure that God was speaking to me. The words just jumped at me and gave immediate peace. The sticker said, “Relax! God is in control.”
Quite amazing! I mean God is so powerful that He can just speak to us through even the most insignificant of things.
Recently stormy winds hit the area where we live and the electricity was disrupted because of trees having fallen over the electric cables. Lack of electricity, I guess is a major problem for us who have been used to it’s availability since the time we were born. And not having it for a couple of days was just too upsetting for me. So as I traveled back from my Clinic, I was just speaking to the Lord and telling Him of my woes of not having electricity and the resulting difficulties. Suddenly another vehicle overtook my car and God just spoke to me from a sticker on the back of that car. It read, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” God was just saying, “Whatever be the circumstances son, rejoice in me.”
I believe God is always speaking to His children. If only our ears and minds were tuned into His loving voice, we would hear Him more often. I hope you agree.
God’s ways of speaking to His children are quite amazing and also amusing sometimes. Have you ever felt speaking to you through bumper stickers/ stickers pasted on vehicles? Well, I have had the grace to get His advice in this manner on quite a few occasions.
Several years back when one of my uncles’ died and the funeral was taking place, I was very worried about my now widowed aunt as they had no children and she was not keeping very well. After the funeral, my mind kept musing over the unfortunate condition of my aunt and the more I thought about it, the more sad I became. It so happened that I had to travel to another place after the funeral and as I got into a cab with these thoughts running wild in my mind, I saw this sticker pasted on the inner side of the front glass and I knew for sure that God was speaking to me. The words just jumped at me and gave immediate peace. The sticker said, “Relax! God is in control.”
Quite amazing! I mean God is so powerful that He can just speak to us through even the most insignificant of things.
Recently stormy winds hit the area where we live and the electricity was disrupted because of trees having fallen over the electric cables. Lack of electricity, I guess is a major problem for us who have been used to it’s availability since the time we were born. And not having it for a couple of days was just too upsetting for me. So as I traveled back from my Clinic, I was just speaking to the Lord and telling Him of my woes of not having electricity and the resulting difficulties. Suddenly another vehicle overtook my car and God just spoke to me from a sticker on the back of that car. It read, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” God was just saying, “Whatever be the circumstances son, rejoice in me.”
I believe God is always speaking to His children. If only our ears and minds were tuned into His loving voice, we would hear Him more often. I hope you agree.
From the Doctor’s Diary-40- How God Speaks-2
“Who remembered us in our low estate; for his mercy endures for ever.” (Psalms 136:24)
One Sunday I was invited to attend a Bible College Worship and deliver a message from the Word Of God, but when I woke up that morning, I felt really sick in my stomach. I had griping pain and loose motions. Usually I fast on Sunday mornings and eat food only after the worship, but this time I couldn’t help it, so I took some medicines for the ailment. As the time drew near for me to travel to the venue, I had a fear in my mind whether I could really make it to the venue and preach because my stomach was in a bad condition. I was praying and praising God for this problem to go away but there was no relief. In between a thought came to my mind that I should perhaps call my hosts and tell them that I wouldn’t be coming, but this program had been arranged a long while ago and a last minute cancellation could mean problems for the college authorities. So I just kept praying and hoping that God would heal and everything would be OK.
My message was all ready, but contemplating on whether I should cancel my trip that morning, it just came to my mind to pick a book from the shelf and read a bit. It was a true life story of Harold Morris, the author of “Twice Pardoned” (a great read). This book was called “Beyond The Barriers” and I just opened it casually to a page and I was just stunned at the words that leapt in my face the moment I opened the book. It was God speaking to me directly in my situation. Here is what it said.
“One thing I know about you is that you are not a quitter, you can surely do it.”
I did not check what was really happening in the book or who was saying to whom, but God here was directly speaking to me. I was so over whelmed with tears of joy flowing down my cheeks. God had spoken and I didn’t need any more assurances. That morning as I traveled and as I attended the Bible College worship, I just kept thanking God for His love and care for me and my family.
I didn’t have much problems with my tummy after the words that God had spoken to me through the book that morning. I could preach well to the students at the Bible College that morning and it was a good day for me and my family.
Praise God that He speaks to us and comforts us in our times of distress.
One Sunday I was invited to attend a Bible College Worship and deliver a message from the Word Of God, but when I woke up that morning, I felt really sick in my stomach. I had griping pain and loose motions. Usually I fast on Sunday mornings and eat food only after the worship, but this time I couldn’t help it, so I took some medicines for the ailment. As the time drew near for me to travel to the venue, I had a fear in my mind whether I could really make it to the venue and preach because my stomach was in a bad condition. I was praying and praising God for this problem to go away but there was no relief. In between a thought came to my mind that I should perhaps call my hosts and tell them that I wouldn’t be coming, but this program had been arranged a long while ago and a last minute cancellation could mean problems for the college authorities. So I just kept praying and hoping that God would heal and everything would be OK.
My message was all ready, but contemplating on whether I should cancel my trip that morning, it just came to my mind to pick a book from the shelf and read a bit. It was a true life story of Harold Morris, the author of “Twice Pardoned” (a great read). This book was called “Beyond The Barriers” and I just opened it casually to a page and I was just stunned at the words that leapt in my face the moment I opened the book. It was God speaking to me directly in my situation. Here is what it said.
“One thing I know about you is that you are not a quitter, you can surely do it.”
I did not check what was really happening in the book or who was saying to whom, but God here was directly speaking to me. I was so over whelmed with tears of joy flowing down my cheeks. God had spoken and I didn’t need any more assurances. That morning as I traveled and as I attended the Bible College worship, I just kept thanking God for His love and care for me and my family.
I didn’t have much problems with my tummy after the words that God had spoken to me through the book that morning. I could preach well to the students at the Bible College that morning and it was a good day for me and my family.
Praise God that He speaks to us and comforts us in our times of distress.
From the Doctor’s Diary-39- Are you an idiot?
Recently I posted an article titled “Are you weary and burdened” in an Indian Forum. There was a small prayer at the end of the article for those who needed to pray for peace in their times of crisis.
A couple of days later I found a few comments put under this article. One of them was in the form of a question posted by another forum member and it read-“Are you an idiot?”
The comment didn’t startle me as I am used to such things from the pen and mouth of unbelievers and Christ haters. Surely I was not an idiot with 20 years as a Consultant Physician and 2 Doctorates behind me. Yet the question reminded me of a few verses in the 1st book of Corinthians. Here the Bible says,
“Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” (1 Corinthians 3:18-20)
Here we read the Apostle Paul advising the Corinthians to become fools in order to become wise. Surely this would be not comprehendible to the wise of this world. It’s a great thing if we are able to humble ourselves and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior by faith. Paul says, “the wisdom of the world is foolishness in God’s sight.” That’s because the world and it’s inhabitants collectively cannot save the world that they live in, how much ever they may try. Of course many of them do not realize it and are trying to grow even wiser by their efforts.
In a poll that I conducted online recently (At Buzzle.com), about truthfulness or otherwise of “Da Vinci and the Gospel of Judas” I was amazed that 67% of the 78 people who voted, were of the preposterous opinion that the things written in the above 2 controversial books perhaps were true. Paul says, “The wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight” and he also says “He catches the wise in their craftiness."
And how true this is going to be. For the Lord’s coming is nigh and He’s going to catch the wise in their craftiness. He’s caught many before and He’ll catch them all. So blessed be the name of the Lord.
A couple of days later I found a few comments put under this article. One of them was in the form of a question posted by another forum member and it read-“Are you an idiot?”
The comment didn’t startle me as I am used to such things from the pen and mouth of unbelievers and Christ haters. Surely I was not an idiot with 20 years as a Consultant Physician and 2 Doctorates behind me. Yet the question reminded me of a few verses in the 1st book of Corinthians. Here the Bible says,
“Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” (1 Corinthians 3:18-20)
Here we read the Apostle Paul advising the Corinthians to become fools in order to become wise. Surely this would be not comprehendible to the wise of this world. It’s a great thing if we are able to humble ourselves and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior by faith. Paul says, “the wisdom of the world is foolishness in God’s sight.” That’s because the world and it’s inhabitants collectively cannot save the world that they live in, how much ever they may try. Of course many of them do not realize it and are trying to grow even wiser by their efforts.
In a poll that I conducted online recently (At Buzzle.com), about truthfulness or otherwise of “Da Vinci and the Gospel of Judas” I was amazed that 67% of the 78 people who voted, were of the preposterous opinion that the things written in the above 2 controversial books perhaps were true. Paul says, “The wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight” and he also says “He catches the wise in their craftiness."
And how true this is going to be. For the Lord’s coming is nigh and He’s going to catch the wise in their craftiness. He’s caught many before and He’ll catch them all. So blessed be the name of the Lord.
From the Doctor’s Diary-38- Casual Prayers
In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.
(1 Samuel 1:10)
Ever heard that term? Well, it’s something that the Lord taught me recently. Many of our prayers are “Casual Prayers”; prayed just to complete the process, so as to say. Without any real burden! That’s what it means. Have you been praying like that without realizing it? You need to change that burden less prayer that you have been praying all along. That’s if you have to get some positive and concrete answers to what you are praying for.
Look into the Word and we see some of the Biblical heroes and heroines praying with passion and burden. And did they get results? You bet, they did. Hannah prayed with such a heavy burden that the Lord answered her in a marvelous way. Jacob was determined not to let go off the angel until he received the blessing. The psalmists prayed to the Lord with such a heavy burden that they had the confidence that the Lord would answer them. Many of the psalms of David begin with sorrowful laments to the Lord, but he mostly ends on a positive note, his faith having been renewed that the Lord will take care of him in all situations.
The same is true when we pray for the lost masses, be it some of our own or people unknown. Unless we have the burden that these unsaved will perish and experience infinite suffering and unless that thought touches our heart and we feel it in ourselves like Jesus carried the burden of the human race, we aren’t really achieving much in prayer. But pray with a burden and see the difference. Praying with a burden touches the Father’s heart.
I have personally experienced that when I carry a burden and pray and there are tears in my eyes that testify to the intensity with which I have interceded, a positive result with come forth. And I also believe it is not easy to have a burden for every prayer topic that I have at hand.
The Bible exhorts us to “carry each other’s burdens” and this can very simply be applied to our lives not only by helping others but also by praying with a burden for them. That will bring about wonderful results. May the Lord help us all in this.
(1 Samuel 1:10)
Ever heard that term? Well, it’s something that the Lord taught me recently. Many of our prayers are “Casual Prayers”; prayed just to complete the process, so as to say. Without any real burden! That’s what it means. Have you been praying like that without realizing it? You need to change that burden less prayer that you have been praying all along. That’s if you have to get some positive and concrete answers to what you are praying for.
Look into the Word and we see some of the Biblical heroes and heroines praying with passion and burden. And did they get results? You bet, they did. Hannah prayed with such a heavy burden that the Lord answered her in a marvelous way. Jacob was determined not to let go off the angel until he received the blessing. The psalmists prayed to the Lord with such a heavy burden that they had the confidence that the Lord would answer them. Many of the psalms of David begin with sorrowful laments to the Lord, but he mostly ends on a positive note, his faith having been renewed that the Lord will take care of him in all situations.
The same is true when we pray for the lost masses, be it some of our own or people unknown. Unless we have the burden that these unsaved will perish and experience infinite suffering and unless that thought touches our heart and we feel it in ourselves like Jesus carried the burden of the human race, we aren’t really achieving much in prayer. But pray with a burden and see the difference. Praying with a burden touches the Father’s heart.
I have personally experienced that when I carry a burden and pray and there are tears in my eyes that testify to the intensity with which I have interceded, a positive result with come forth. And I also believe it is not easy to have a burden for every prayer topic that I have at hand.
The Bible exhorts us to “carry each other’s burdens” and this can very simply be applied to our lives not only by helping others but also by praying with a burden for them. That will bring about wonderful results. May the Lord help us all in this.
From the Doctor’s Diary-37- How God Speaks-1
One of the gifts that the Lord has blessed me with is "The word of wisdom" and "The word of knowledge"
The Lord speaks very clearly to specific situations that I encounter in my life and my ministry.
Recently after I preached at a meeting, a believer came to me and asked me, "Doctor, can you pray and tell me whether it's the Lord's will that I go into fulltime ministry or that I continue doing my secular job in the gulf.You see a couple of servants of God have told me that it's the Lord's will that I go into full time ministry and i need a confirmation."
That night as I sat to pray for this brother, I heard the Lord's voice saying,"Yes,I have called him to my work fulltime."I made this known to the brother who had enquired this of me.But he said,"I have already booked my tickets to go back to the gulf. I don't think I want to go into fulltime ministry now. Can you pray for me once more and let me know what the Lord has to say regarding my going back." Not wanting to disappoint him, I said OK.
The next night as I sat for prayer, I asked the Lord what he had to say about the brother's decision. After a while, I heard the voice of the Lord and He said,"If he wants to go to the gulf, let him go and he will not have anyone but himself to blame for the consequences."
I made this known to the brother and he didn't say much; he had already made up his mind to go against the Lord's directions. This inspite of God speaking to him through several people.
What I tell the people in my Church is this:If you want to ask the Lord for directions, obey what He tells you to do, otherwise don't ask at all.
There is no point in disobeying when the Lord shows you the way. It will only lead to disaster.
The Bible says,
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own nderstanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)
May the Lord Jesus grant us grace to obey His voice.
The Lord speaks very clearly to specific situations that I encounter in my life and my ministry.
Recently after I preached at a meeting, a believer came to me and asked me, "Doctor, can you pray and tell me whether it's the Lord's will that I go into fulltime ministry or that I continue doing my secular job in the gulf.You see a couple of servants of God have told me that it's the Lord's will that I go into full time ministry and i need a confirmation."
That night as I sat to pray for this brother, I heard the Lord's voice saying,"Yes,I have called him to my work fulltime."I made this known to the brother who had enquired this of me.But he said,"I have already booked my tickets to go back to the gulf. I don't think I want to go into fulltime ministry now. Can you pray for me once more and let me know what the Lord has to say regarding my going back." Not wanting to disappoint him, I said OK.
The next night as I sat for prayer, I asked the Lord what he had to say about the brother's decision. After a while, I heard the voice of the Lord and He said,"If he wants to go to the gulf, let him go and he will not have anyone but himself to blame for the consequences."
I made this known to the brother and he didn't say much; he had already made up his mind to go against the Lord's directions. This inspite of God speaking to him through several people.
What I tell the people in my Church is this:If you want to ask the Lord for directions, obey what He tells you to do, otherwise don't ask at all.
There is no point in disobeying when the Lord shows you the way. It will only lead to disaster.
The Bible says,
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own nderstanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)
May the Lord Jesus grant us grace to obey His voice.
From the Doctor’s Diary- 36 - Wine is a mocker-Part 2
Here’s a warning found in the Bible for those who consume such intoxicating drinks –
“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.”(Proverb 23: 29-35)
Have you been mixing drinks just for gaining popularity or is “on the rocks”your favorite?
The Bible says that though it goes down smoothly, in the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.
And the poison gets deposited in every part of the body, right from the hair on the head to the soles of the feet. Are you experiencing the poison of this ‘viper’ called ‘alcohol’ in your body these days? It’s time to take a firm decision. No more of it. You may not be able to subdue this “evil spirit of alcoholism”by your human power but there is a person called JESUS who has all authority in heaven and on earth. He will defeat this devil that is tormenting you. Are you willing to give your problem into Jesus’ mighty hands? He will set you free!
You may experience withdrawal effects on stopping taking alcohol but you can get through that phase too if you cling to Jesus.
One of my patients who was an alcoholic died because of the toxic effects of the drinks on his liver. A few days later a young man came to see me for complaints of dizziness and headache. On enquiring he told me he was so and so’s son ( the alcoholic who had died). On enquiring further he told me that he had been drinking alcohol heavily since his father’s death. What a pity! Like father, like son! He had taken to the habit on seeing his father enjoying drinks with his friends.
The Bible says,
“He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.”(1 John 3:8)
The son of God, Jesus appeared to destroy the devil’s work. Through alcohol has the devil been working in your life, destroying your body, your business, your family? If yes, then cry to Jesus. He will set you free. He will destroy the destroyer that is playing havoc with your life.
Remember, a day will come when you will have to stand in front of your Creator and give an account of your life to Him.
The Bible says,
“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God”(1 Corinthians 6:9, 10)
You may say, “I don’t care.”“ Hell is fine for me”
No; dear friend. Never say that! Imagine getting 95% of your body getting burned , being conscious & not dying. That‘s hell in more simplified terms.
Mel Trotter who established 66 rescue missions in leading cities of America had a life transforming experience and is an example of how Jesus can change a person’s heart and life by the regenerating power of His Holy Spirit.
In his youth Mel considered education unnecessary for success. His parents did their best to get him to go to school but he was more interested in his father’s saloon and the gambling den. Mel followed in his father’s footsteps. Early in life he experienced the taste of liquor and like his father became a drunkard by the time he was 20 years old. He was desperate to drink every day. Sometimes he was broke and that was a terrible time. Once he sold his shoes to buy whisky. For 10 years the devil made him live this life of drunken hopelessness. Mel despised himself for his weakness and again and again begged for his wife’s forgiveness and promised never to touch liquor again. But each promise was followed by another drunken spree.
One wintry, snowy night, he left his wife and 2 year old son at home and went away to satisfy his awful craving for drink. He came after drinking heavily for 10 days only to find his wife in their cold bare home and saw her clutching on to their dead son. He looked at his heartbroken wife and the dead child and then he could think of only one thing-that he was a murderer. He decided to commit suicide. He turned away in despair and headed to Lake Michigan to drown himself. On the way to the lake his walk was made difficult as a blizzard raged on the town. It was snowing heavily and his progress to the lake was hampered. The snow bit into his foot through his torn shoes. He found a small shelter and walked into it, helped by a man who stood at the door. The man who helped him was a preacher. Once inside the shelter, he squatted in a corner, a hopeless and defeated soul, but as the meeting started and progressed, God worked a great change in Mel Trotter’s heart. God’s Word when spoken by the preacher not only brought comfort to his soul but at the same time made him acknowledge in his heart that he was a bad sinner. At the close of the service the preacher said, “Put up your hand for prayer, let God know you want to make room for Him in your heart.”Mel Trotter raised his hand and the preacher putting his arm around him told him the story of God’s redeeming love for mankind by sending His only son Jesus to die on the cross for everyone’s sins. Mel cried out for mercy and forgiveness from God and God saved his spirit and soul from eternal destruction that night. Not only did God redeem his spirit and soul that night but He also broke the fetters which the evil spirit of alcoholism had bound him with. He never touched another drop of liquor from that time.
Instead he started to witness about the lifesaving power of Jesus to every one around, especially to alcoholics like he was, He went on to become one of the great evangelists of America in his time.
Dear friend, are you in despair this day? Have you been trying to quit drinking, yet failing repeatedly? Look to Jesus this day. For you, Jesus gave his life on the cross. He carried your sins, your pains, your worries and weaknesses on the cross.
He will surely set you free if you ask Him to free you.
Call out to Him today. You will not be disappointed.
“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.”(Proverb 23: 29-35)
Have you been mixing drinks just for gaining popularity or is “on the rocks”your favorite?
The Bible says that though it goes down smoothly, in the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.
And the poison gets deposited in every part of the body, right from the hair on the head to the soles of the feet. Are you experiencing the poison of this ‘viper’ called ‘alcohol’ in your body these days? It’s time to take a firm decision. No more of it. You may not be able to subdue this “evil spirit of alcoholism”by your human power but there is a person called JESUS who has all authority in heaven and on earth. He will defeat this devil that is tormenting you. Are you willing to give your problem into Jesus’ mighty hands? He will set you free!
You may experience withdrawal effects on stopping taking alcohol but you can get through that phase too if you cling to Jesus.
One of my patients who was an alcoholic died because of the toxic effects of the drinks on his liver. A few days later a young man came to see me for complaints of dizziness and headache. On enquiring he told me he was so and so’s son ( the alcoholic who had died). On enquiring further he told me that he had been drinking alcohol heavily since his father’s death. What a pity! Like father, like son! He had taken to the habit on seeing his father enjoying drinks with his friends.
The Bible says,
“He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.”(1 John 3:8)
The son of God, Jesus appeared to destroy the devil’s work. Through alcohol has the devil been working in your life, destroying your body, your business, your family? If yes, then cry to Jesus. He will set you free. He will destroy the destroyer that is playing havoc with your life.
Remember, a day will come when you will have to stand in front of your Creator and give an account of your life to Him.
The Bible says,
“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God”(1 Corinthians 6:9, 10)
You may say, “I don’t care.”“ Hell is fine for me”
No; dear friend. Never say that! Imagine getting 95% of your body getting burned , being conscious & not dying. That‘s hell in more simplified terms.
Mel Trotter who established 66 rescue missions in leading cities of America had a life transforming experience and is an example of how Jesus can change a person’s heart and life by the regenerating power of His Holy Spirit.
In his youth Mel considered education unnecessary for success. His parents did their best to get him to go to school but he was more interested in his father’s saloon and the gambling den. Mel followed in his father’s footsteps. Early in life he experienced the taste of liquor and like his father became a drunkard by the time he was 20 years old. He was desperate to drink every day. Sometimes he was broke and that was a terrible time. Once he sold his shoes to buy whisky. For 10 years the devil made him live this life of drunken hopelessness. Mel despised himself for his weakness and again and again begged for his wife’s forgiveness and promised never to touch liquor again. But each promise was followed by another drunken spree.
One wintry, snowy night, he left his wife and 2 year old son at home and went away to satisfy his awful craving for drink. He came after drinking heavily for 10 days only to find his wife in their cold bare home and saw her clutching on to their dead son. He looked at his heartbroken wife and the dead child and then he could think of only one thing-that he was a murderer. He decided to commit suicide. He turned away in despair and headed to Lake Michigan to drown himself. On the way to the lake his walk was made difficult as a blizzard raged on the town. It was snowing heavily and his progress to the lake was hampered. The snow bit into his foot through his torn shoes. He found a small shelter and walked into it, helped by a man who stood at the door. The man who helped him was a preacher. Once inside the shelter, he squatted in a corner, a hopeless and defeated soul, but as the meeting started and progressed, God worked a great change in Mel Trotter’s heart. God’s Word when spoken by the preacher not only brought comfort to his soul but at the same time made him acknowledge in his heart that he was a bad sinner. At the close of the service the preacher said, “Put up your hand for prayer, let God know you want to make room for Him in your heart.”Mel Trotter raised his hand and the preacher putting his arm around him told him the story of God’s redeeming love for mankind by sending His only son Jesus to die on the cross for everyone’s sins. Mel cried out for mercy and forgiveness from God and God saved his spirit and soul from eternal destruction that night. Not only did God redeem his spirit and soul that night but He also broke the fetters which the evil spirit of alcoholism had bound him with. He never touched another drop of liquor from that time.
Instead he started to witness about the lifesaving power of Jesus to every one around, especially to alcoholics like he was, He went on to become one of the great evangelists of America in his time.
Dear friend, are you in despair this day? Have you been trying to quit drinking, yet failing repeatedly? Look to Jesus this day. For you, Jesus gave his life on the cross. He carried your sins, your pains, your worries and weaknesses on the cross.
He will surely set you free if you ask Him to free you.
Call out to Him today. You will not be disappointed.
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