The brief History of Bible Translation (From Medieval Period to Reformation Period)

Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans 10:17 says that, 'faith comes by hearing'. The beginning, progress, and strength of faith is possible only by hearing God’s Word. Understanding the importance of God’s Word to bring the Goths into Christian faith Ulfilas the father of Bible translation translated Bible from Greek to the language of Goths several years before St. Jerome begins to work on his Latin text. St. Jerome who produced Vulgates said, 'Ignorance of the scriptures is ignorance of Christ'. Jacques Leferve the famous Bible Scholar of Medieval period said, “God will reform His Church according to His Scripture”. 

The same understanding, fervor, zeal and spirit prompted the Pre-Reformers and Reformers to have a vision to see God’s Word in the hands of women and cobblers, clowns and mechanics and even in the hands of the Turks. God used both the Pre – Reformers and, Reformers mightily to make His Word available to the commoners in the midst of adverse backdrop in which the Medieval Church confined God’s Word to the learned and priests. The clergies prefer to corner the source of Christian truth, keeping for themselves the privilege of interpreting it for the people. Translation into vulgar tongues was discouraged. Let’s take a brief Historical survey of the movements and individuals whom God used to make His Word available to the common people to Reform His Church during the Medieval and reformation period.

The strongest medieval demand for vernacular texts first came from the supposed heretical sect, Albigenses or Cathari, about 1770 in France. Second, The Waldensians movement was started by Peter Waldo 1175 or 1176 A. D. He had translations made from the Latin New Testament into the vernacular, which formed the basis of his evangelism. John Wycliffe and his followers produce full English versions of the Old and New Testament in the late 14th century. At the same period the Czechs have their own vernacular Bible, subsequently much improved by John Huss. Erasmus, who translated New Testament from Greek into Latin, expressed his wishes that Bible should be translated in every language - so that even Scots and Irishmen might read it. Luther translated Bible into German language based on the advice of Melanchthon his friend and lieutenant in the Reformation. William Tyndale had translated Bible into English language which became the major source of King James Version (1604 – 1611 A.D.). Tyndale paid for his offense with his life being burned at the stake in 1536. The Geneva Bible is an early English translation of the Bible. It is called Geneva Bible because it was published in Geneva in 1560. The translation work was done by who Protestant leaders who fled to Geneva, Switzerland, to avoid the persecution in England. Building upon earlier English translations such as those done by William Tyndale and Myles Coverdale, the Geneva Bible was the first English translation in which all of the Old Testament was translated directly from Hebrew manuscripts. Much of the translation work was done by William Whittingham, the brother-in-law of John Calvin. This new English Bible was dedicated to Queen Elizabeth I, who had been crowned Queen of England in 1558 after the death of Queen Mary I. 

The Bible in vernacular languages, was a central demand of the Protestant Reformation because they, accepted Bible as the final authority of all questions of faith and moral. They all believed only God’s Word can bring transformation in the lives of the individuals and in the life of the Church as well.  Therefore, they endangered their lives to translate God’s Word into various vernacular. Are we thankful to God forgiving His life transforming Word into our vernacular languages as we celebrate the 500^th anniversary of Protestant Reformation?

Yours in His service

G. Paul Raj

The Biblical Lifestyle (Ephesians 4: 25-32): Devotional Thought from Church History.

Spiritual and god fearing lifestyle would bring many to Christ. Whereas our ungodly and contentious lifestyle would certainly be a stumbling block for one’s salvation. Therefore, Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4: 25-32 exhorted believers to be distinctive in the areas of Morality (V: 25), Moods (V: 26-27), Money (V: 28), Mouths (V: 29-30), Manners (V: 31-32).

John of Monte Corvino the Franciscan was the first Catholic missionary to China in 1289. He worked largely in the Mongol tongue, translated the New Testament and the book of Psalms and had baptized 6000 converts. His successor Blessed Odoric arrived China in 1326 his 16 years faithful hard work had brought 20,000 converts to the Church.  But, the soar relationship, argument and contention between the Franciscan Friars and Nestorians (open this link to know Nestorianism https://carm.org/nestorianism) had slowdown the growth of the Church at that time in China.  The other notable Roman Catholic missionary to China was Matteo Ricci the Jesuit (1552 – 1610). He de-westernized himself completely, learned Chinese language, culture and Confucianism one of China’s major religions thoroughly. He worked among the educated and elite people in China.  His work among them had brought 2000 genuine Chinese believers to Christian faith. But, the other Roman Catholic missionaries like Franciscans, Dominicans and Augustinians envied the growing success of the Jesuits. They carried the case to Rome and the Jesuits appealed to the Chinese emperor their supporter. Finally, missionaries’ attack on each other made the emperor to expel all the missionaries from China.

Can you imagine the impact we would have in our society if we lived according to the Biblical lifestyle? The lifestyle of Righteous and faithful would heal the frictions in our families and society, and that, would bring many to Christ and to His salvation. But, the contentious and argumentative lifestyle would cause great damage to our families, society and to Christ’s Church. Let’s pray to God, “Holy Spirit take control of my life make me the kind of person you want me to be”. Amen.

Yours in His service

G. Paul Raj 

I Will Sing of My Redeemer 1 Peter 1:18-19

Once, Pastor A.J. Gordon presbyter of a Church in Boston bought the birds from a boy carrying them in rusty cage. He took the birds to his garden and let those struggling creatures soar into the sky. When the birds were redeemed and released it seemed to him as if they were singing, ‘Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed!” Like those redeemed birds, we have thousands of reasons to praise God, and the chief among them is we are redeemed not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 Timothy 2:6).

There is joy, peace and hope in “singing of our Redeemer” even in the midst of our trials.  Philip Paul Bliss the writer of the hymn “I Will Sing of My Redeemer” dedicated his entire life to sing praises to his Redeemer. Bliss and his wife Lucy traveled extensively, spreading the Gospel through singing. In December 28, 1876 evangelist D.L. Moody invited them to serve the Lord through their singing in his evangelistic meeting held at Chicago. In that meeting Bliss told that “He will not meet them again as He’s Going to his Hometown Tomorrow. His words and song proved to be prophetic. On the 29th of December, 1876, Bliss and his wife boarded a train back to Pennsylvania. As their train was crossing over a river in Ashtabula, Ohio, the bridge suddenly gave way and all the carriages fell into the freezing waters below. He escaped through the window, but enter into glory in trying to save his wife. After his death the hymn “I Will Sing of My Redeemer,” was found in a piece of baggage among Bliss’ belongings.

Friends, because we have a Redeemer, we are forgiven. We have a Redeemer, to intercede for us in our weakness and in the time of our trouble.  Since we have Redeemer we have comfort in life, that though we fall we shall not be utterly cast down. Since our Redeemer lives, this shall be our faith that we shall see Him when we reach our eternal Hometown. Therefore let’s not forget to “Sing of our Redeemer” at all time.

Yours in His service

G. Paul Raj

SEEK GOD AND YOU WILL FIND HIM (JEREMIAH 29:14)

The meaning for the word “SEEK GOD” in Jeremiah 29:14 is to give ultimate priority to God. But, God’s people in exile gave priority to everything else except to God who was nearer to save and to deliver them (Jeremiah 2:13). Like God’s people in exile we too are busy and self – observed to seek God.

Blaise Pascal, one of the greatest intellects of the Western world, had an unquenchable thirst to learn. He was born into an upper – class family in central France on June 19, 1623. After his mother’s death his father moved his family to Paris. There he homeschooled his three children, starting with the study of languages that they wouldn’t be preoccupied with the fascination of mathematics. But, precocious Basil had taught himself geometry and wrote a book on the geometry of cones at the age of sixteen. Pascal invented the first mechanical calculating machine when he was nineteen. Pascal also originated the theory of probability. In the field of physics he discovered a principle known as Pascal’s Law, which is the foundation of modern hydraulics.

God was not too far to this genius. His thirst for God and for His Word prompted him to read Bible thoroughly. Pascal’s inquiring mind devoured Bible as well as scientific data. Just as he learned geometry on his own, so his spiritual journey to belief was a private one. On the night Pascal put his faith in Christ he wrote: God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, but, not of the philosophers and scholars (WORLDLY)……… He is to be found only by the ways taught in the Gospel……… “Righteous Father, the world has not known thee, but I have known thee”……. Let me not never be separated from Him.  Before he died Pascal wrote a classic defense of the Christian faith that published posthumously under the title PENSEES.

Pascal found God because he sought Him. Likewise, God sought Pascal and found him. Are you seeking God? Do you give priority to God in all the areas of your life?  “If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me, I will be found by you,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 29:13-14.

Yours in His service

G. Paul Raj

Advantages in Adversities

Acts 12: 5-11

Introduction

We all know William Carey as Father of Modern mission but the careful study of history will teach us the truth that he was also a man of suffering and adversities. Carey and his wife Dorothy lost their three small children. In India Dorothy progressively lost her sanity and died eventually. The adversity List Goes on There was official opposition from the British East India Company which did not want missionaries in India. There was the disastrous fire in 1812 at the mission printing plant that destroyed years of Carey's translation work. There were repeated attacks of malaria and cholera, impoverished living conditions, insufficient funds to eke out even a minimal existence. Carey had to take up secular employment just to survive. In spite of all Carey himself wrote of the disaster to Dr. Ryland:--"25th March 1812. The loss is very great, and will long be severely felt; yet I can think of a hundred circumstances which would have made it much more difficult to bear. The Lord has smitten us, he had a right to do so, and we deserve his corrections. I wish to submit to His sovereign will, nay, cordially to acquiesce therein, and to examine myself rigidly to see what in me has contributed to this evil.

Christianity is not religion of ease and comfort. From its beginning to today it has been facing struggles and adversities. History testifies that the Church prospered not in the midst of peace but in the midst of much opposition. Here in the text Apostle Peter and the believer had gone through much sufferings and adversities. Yet, they found Advantages in their adversities. Let’s learn the advantages that Peter and believer found in their adversities.

Advantages in Adversities (Acts 12: 5-11)

First, in V: 5 we learn that the adversities made Peter and the believers to Pray or to stand  on their knees before God. Every adversity in our life make us to kneel before God. Are we kneel down before God in our adversities? Second, from (V: 6-7) we learn that adversities made Peter to experience God’s very presence in the room where he was confined to. Adversities not only take us nearer to God but it also brings God nearer to us. Third, from (V: 8-10) we learn that Peter and believers experienced God’s power. The chains were broken and iron doors were opened. They could not stand before God. Adversities manifests God’s power in our day to day life. Finally, from (V: 11) we learn that it changed Peter’s perspective of faith in Jesus. When he came to his realization he confessed that God had set him from the hands of Herod and from the evil plans of Jews. He learned God is able to save and to protect His people from the adversities they go through. Are you going through difficulties? Facing adversities in your life? It is not to destroy your faith in God but to strengthen it.

Conclusion: Every believer has a decided advantage over the world and all the trouble it brings. Those who are in Christ are secure within His mighty hand. He loved us enough to die for our sin on Calvary. He isn’t about to abandon us in the journey of life! Amen

Yours in His Service

G. Paul Raj

The Friend of God

Introduction: No greater praise could be given to any mortal man than to say he is the friend of God. Three times in the Bible Abraham called the friend of God (2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23). Let’s, trace out some of the predominant characteristics that made Abraham to become God’s friend. No doubt these same traits transferred to our lives will cause us to be God's friends (John 15:14).

1. Faithfulness: Friendship is built on mutual faithfulness between two friends. God was faithful to Abraham and Abraham faithfully obeyed God all that He commanded him to do (Genesis 12 and Hebrews 11:8 -10). He was not only a man of faith but also a man of faithfulness. Are we faithful in our friendship with God and others?   
2. Promptness: Friendship is proven in promptness of obedience and help to one another. God was at his help and in response he obeyed God promptly (Genesis 21:2; Hebrew 11:8-10). If we obey to His commands promptly as true friend He will promptly rescue us from our trouble (Proverbs 1:33; Psalm 50: 14-15).   
3. Devoted: Friendship is sustained through lifelong commitment to one another. Abraham was devoted to God all through his life (Genesis 12:8). God committed to protect and to provide all that Abraham needed (Genesis 15:1-3). We too need to build more altars into various walks of our life to maintain our friendship with God.
4. Unselfishness: Unselfishness makes friendship brighter and brighter. Jesus demonstrated His unselfish love by dying for His friends selflessly (John 15:13-14).  As a friend and intercessor (Genesis 18:19) Abraham, entreated God not to destroy the righteous along with wicked of Sodom and Gomorrah. We are called to be His friends not to approach God with our selfish desires but to have compassionate hearts and a deep concern for the salvation of the lost, no matter what their sins may be. (9:1-3; 10:1).

Conclusion: Abraham and God communicated well with each other like friends (Genesis 18:17).  However, friendship with God is not only a matter of privilege but also a matter of obligations discussed above.

Yours in His service

G. Paul Raj

Spiritual Landmines

Introduction: Landmines prevents the advancement of enemy’s force. It will either kill or lame all those step in it.  Therefore, soldiers are to use the detector wisely before they walk on. There are, spiritual landmines too, used by Satan to, lame our walk with God and to destroy God’s will in our life. But, we are given His Word to diffuse devil’s landmine kept on our path. Let’s find spiritual landmines set by the enemy in the light of the Scripture.  

I. Pride: It causes damage to our spiritual life. It is the sign of one’s destruction (Proverbs 16:18), above all God hates the proud and stand against them (Psalm 6:17; 1 Peter 5:5). The powerful instrument to diffuse the landmine “pride” is humility (James 4:10). Let’s also know that “to be boastful of our humility is another form of pride.

II. Hypocrisy: It is another potential landmine to destroy our walk before God. The hypocrite has no hope when his soul departs (Job 27:8). They can do untold damage with their mouth (Proverbs 11:9). But, the triumphing of hypocrite is short ant their joy is for moment (Job 20: 4-5).

III. Unbelief: It is devil’s another sneaking landmine. Often believers are hit by it badly and departed from the living God (Hebrews 3:12). Faith in the living God is the only weapon to destroy this landmine because: "without faith it is impossible to please him (Hebrews 11:6). Except Joshua and Caleb others could not entered into the Promised Land because of unbelief (Hebrews 3:19). Let’s believe what we have heard (Hebrews 2:1).

IV. Indifference: We are often indifferent to worldliness in our churches and families without knowing its consequences (John 2:15-17). To avoid worldliness first, we are to come out of it. Second, let’s set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth.'" (Col. 3:2.). Third, we are to obey to what God says in Romans 12:2. We tend to be indifferent to the needs of the needy in our midst. Worldliness sometimes deafens our ears to God’s call for repentance.  

V. Unforgiveness: The landmine “Unforgiveness” is potential enough to separate the families, divide the church and to harm the harmony between us and God.  We often chose not to forgive others (Matthew 18:21) thus invite self-infliction upon us (Matthew 18:35). Therefore let us forgive others as Christ has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32).  

Conclusion: Friends, today we are made aware of spiritual landmines which are potential to destroy us eternally. Let’s guard ourselves from them by the power of God the Holy Spirit.

Yours in His service

G. Paul Raj

God’s Purpose Behind our Trials (Psalms 119:71)

Pain and sufferings often prevent us from trusting God and in His sovereignty. The unanswered prayers, loss of our near ones and dear ones, terrible tragedies in life creates doubts about His existence. But, God’s faithful in the Bible and in the History of Christianity had found pleasure and divine purpose behind their pain.   Affliction enabled Psalmist to learn more of God’s Law. Or in other words it is his affliction that prevented Psalmist from going astray (Psalms 119:71). Apostle Paul learned God’s grace is greater than his weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Prophet Jeremiah’s outward affliction and inward turmoil that led him toward despair caused him to praise “God’s Faithfulness (Lamentations 3: 19-24). Polycarp the bishop of Smyrna (155 A.D.) converted his martyrdom at stake as pulpit to proclaim 86 years of God’s goodness in his life. The believers in the primitive Church wanted to be more than conquerors in all their sufferings rather than being separated from Christ’s love (Romans 8:36-38).

Here is an another inspiring story from the life of Christian faithful believer and prominent hymn writer Annie Johnson Flint who wrote her famous hymn "He Giveth More Grace" and many inspiring poems dealing with faith and triumph in time of life’s trials and sufferings. Anne had lost both parents before she was six years old. The sisters were brought up by the childless Christian couple, the Flints, who adopted them. After high school, she spent one year in teacher training and had a position offered to her. Later in her second year of teaching, she begun to suffer arthritis. She was forced to give up her job due to the severity of arthritis. The death of both of her adoptive parents within a few months of each other left Annie and her sister alone again. The twice-orphaned children had come to a real “Red Sea place” in their lives. However, God had purpose behind her sufferings. God used broken-hearted Flint to comfort thousands of broken hearted for His glory.

Therefore, dear friends let’s consider suffering in our Christian life as beneficial. Gold needs fire to be purified, iron needs heat to be straightened, and clay needs to be trampled to become a usable and honorable vessel. As we read about Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, and even our Lord, we realize that God has a purpose in trials. God fulfills His purposes as we trust Him. Certainly, Satan cannot overcome the Christian who knows his Bible and understands the purposes of God. 

Yours in His service

G. Paul Raj

Count Your Blessings (Job 1:21; Ephesians 1:3)

In the book of Job chapter 1 we see Job’s wife pointed out only the bad things as the reasons to curse God but Job pointed out the Good things “The LORD gave” unto him and unto his family to praise God. Job’s words were not only the words of faith but also the words of faithful. It is one of Satan’s tactics to show you God as cruel by magnifying the calamities you are going through. But we as children of God should thank Him and count the good “The LORD gave” us. The incomparable good “The LORD gave” us is Christ who laid down His life for us. Apostle Paul in Ephesians 1:3 says that “We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

The hymn “Count your Blessings” was written by Johnson Oatman, Jr., a famous and one of the important and prolific gospel song writers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Though he wrote over 5,000 hymn texts, the hymn “Count your Blessings” is considered his finest hymn. “Count your Blessings” is a song of thankfulness to God for all the blessings that He bestowed upon us. One writer said about Count Your Blessings, “It is like a beam of sunlight that has brightened up the dark places of the earth.” During the revival in Wales it was one of the hymns sung at every service.

Jeremy Taylor was a 17th-century English cleric who was severely persecuted for his faith. But though his house was plundered, his family left destitute, and his property confiscated, he continued to count the blessings he could not lose. He wrote: "They have not taken away my merry countenance, my cheerful spirit, and a good conscience; they have still left me with the providence of God, and all His promises … my hopes of Heaven, and my charity to them, too, and still I sleep and digest, I eat and drink, I read and meditate. God the ultimate source of my joy and salvation has chosen me to sit upon this little handful of thorns to count all the blessings that “He gave”.

Dear friends, let’s learn to count our blessings when life is clouded with troubles and loaded with burdens because “God is over all” and everything is under His control. When we see others with their land and gold let’s still “count our blessings and trust in the promise that Christ has promised us with His wealth untold. We have God’s promise to meet all our needs “According to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

Spiritual Mathematics: To Grow in the Lord

Introduction: The basic operations of mathematics are addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Similarly, these fundamental operations can be applied to spiritual mathematics found in the Bible.  Without knowing addition, subtraction, multiplication and division one cannot go further in mathematics. Similarly, without these qualities one cannot grow and have intimacy with God. Let’s look into the Word of God to know spiritual qualities that are to be added, subtracted, multiplied and divided in our spiritual life from the Word of God.

Addition: The Word of God sternly warns us not to add anything to the Revealed Word of God (Revelation 22:18).May none of us be guilty of adding to the Bible. But, we are told in 2 Peter 1:7 of seven things that we must add to our faith. If we do not add these, we will fall; if we add them, we shall never fall. May the dear Lord help us to be good in addition.

Subtraction: Again we are warned not to subtract even a single iota from the revealed Word of God (Revelation 22:19). But, we should subtract all malice, guile, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking from our lives (Ephesians 4:31). May the Lord enable us to subtract all the malicious characters that make our soul unhealthy.

Multiplication: Jude verse: 2 says that believers are to multiply in “Peace and love” “Peace” talks about our right relationship with God and “love”  deals with our right relationship with mankind. Peace and love is the sign of our inward growth. If we grow inwardly His Word will multiply outwardly as it multiplied in the primitive Church mentioned in (Acts 6:7). But the sad reality is that, often we are not good in multiplication.

Division: Divisions in the name of caste, class and divisions in any form and in any name among the believers is abominable to God (1 Corinthians 1:10). But, the Word of God encourages us to divide His Word (2 Timothy 2:15). Dividing God’s Word is nothing but handling it in a way that brings glory to God in our day to day life. God’s judgment and His shame of disapproval will come upon those who mishandle it.  

Conclusion: Friends, let’s search our hearts, Let the divine light shed upon our hearts to find the things that help us to excel in our spiritual mathematics.

Yours in His service

G. Paul Raj 

Things that Believers Are To Do Always

Introduction: The grace of God enables us to do the things that God wants us to do in our day to day walk with Jesus here on this earth. We can do all that God wants us to do because Christ is the source of our strength (Philippians 4:13). Second, we have Jesus our High Priest praying for us in heaven incessantly (Hebrews 7:25). Third, He is Faithful and knows our ability to go through (I Corinthians 10:13). Finally, we can do all things because God is able to make all grace abound toward His children that they may abound to every good work (II Corinthians 9:8). Having this faith and hope in Christ Jesus let’s spend few to minutes to learn “Things that Believers are to do always”.

1. Confident Always (II Corinthians 5:6). We shouldn’t give no room for doubt at any time. Faith increases by hearing the Word of God.
2. Triumph Always (II Corinthians 2:14): Outside of Christ there is no triumph, but in Christ we can enjoy all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3). 
3. Pray Always (Luke 18:1; 21:36): We are admonished by Jesus and by His apostles to pray always Ephesians 6:18; 5:20. Christians should pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17), always. We should never forget to pray for the fellow Christians (I Corinthians 12:26).
4. Ready to Answer Always: we are to be ready always to answer to every men who asks us a reason of the hope that is in us, with meekness and fear (I Peter 3:15; Corinthians 15:58).
5. Steadfast Always: We are the partakers of the afflictions of the Gospels therefore we are to be steadfast in the Lord always (II Timothy 2:2; II Timothy 1:8; II Timothy 4:5; Philippians 2:15 16).
6. Testify Christ Always: Christians are to be ready always to testify for Christ as stated in II Corinthians 4:5-6.

Conclusion: Dear friends, God is faithful to reward for all that we do for His glory. The Word of God says, for not one sacrifice, one deed done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be in vain. Therefore, “Let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9).

Yours in His service

G. Paul Raj

Faith that Believers should have

Introduction: Faith is not the Good work that we can do, but rather it is a, great and precious gift from God Himself. He gives faith in the heart of a person who is rightly related to Him through Jesus Christ. We are called believers because we received the gift of faith from above. However, the situations we face, trials we go through prevents us from having absolute faith in Him. Therefore it is good for us to check time to time to know what type of faith we have in Him. Let’s spend few minutes to know what type of faith that we have in Him right now

1. No faith: The disciples had faith in Jesus when everything was normal. But in Mark 4:35-41, we read about their encounter with storm. When situation went out of control they had no faith in Jesus and asked Jesus “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (v. 38). The question revealed their lack of trust in God. Accordingly, Christ responded, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (v. 40). Like them, when we question whether or not God cares about us at all, we demonstrate our lack of faith.
2. Little faith: We see this weak trust in God demonstrated in Matthew 16:5-10. The Pharisees and Sadducees had asked Jesus for signs. Similarly, the disciples too refused to have full faith in Jesus even after seeing Jesus feed 5,000 people and then 4,000 more (vv. 9-10). Because, they were still concerned about their physical provision. Often, we too have little faith when we are focused only on signs and earthly worries instead of learning the greater spiritual principles God wants to teach us.
3. Failing faith. Jesus prophesied that Peter would experience a faith failure (Luke 22:31-32). In other words, there are forces challenging our faith, and sometimes we will fail to trust God. But even when we do, we are welcome to return to the Lord and seek His forgiveness. Our heavenly Father will even allow us to teach others about His unfailing faithfulness.
4. Great faith: When Jesus met the centurion, it became the perfect opportunity to teach the disciples about great faith (Matt. 8:5-8). The centurion didn’t need signs or evidence of Christ’s power. This is the reason why Jesus said, “I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel” (v. 10). Like him, when we take Christ at His word and trust Him so completely that we don’t require proof that He will fulfill His promises to us, we exhibit great faith.

Conclusion: Friends, what type of faith that we have in Jesus? Do we have great faith in Him? Let’s examine the obstacles that prevent us from having great faith in Him. If we have strong faith, He can entrust us with assignments that will have a greater impact for His kingdom.

Yours in His service

G. Paul Raj 

I Will Sing of My Redeemer 1 Peter 1:18-19

When A. J. Gordon was pastor of a church in Boston, he met a young boy in front of the sanctuary carrying a rusty cage in which several birds fluttered nervously. He decided to buy the birds as his heart was moved with compassion for the birds in the cage. He gave him 2$ and the boy went away whistling, happy with his shiny coins. Gordon walked around to the back of the church property, opened the door of the small wire coop, and let the struggling creatures soar into the blue. The next Sunday he took the empty cage into the pulpit and used it to illustrate his sermon about Christ’s coming to seek and to save the lost—paying for them with His own precious blood. “That boy told me the birds were not songsters,” said Gordon, “but when I released them and they winged their way heavenward, it seemed to me they were singing, ‘Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed!” Similarly, we have thousands of reasons to praise God, and the chief among them is we are redeemed not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19). Jesus paid the price for our release from sin and its consequences (Matthew 20:28; 1 Timothy 2:6). 

There is joy, peace and hope in “singing of our Redeemer” even in the midst of our trials.  Philip Paul Bliss the writer of the hymn “I Will Sing of My Redeemer” dedicated his entire life to sing praises to his Redeemer. Bliss and his wife Lucy traveled extensively, spreading the Gospel through singing. In December 28, 1876 evangelist D.L. Moody invited them to serve the Lord through their singing in his evangelistic meeting held at Chicago. In that meeting Bliss told that “He will not meet them again as He’s Going to his Hometown Tomorrow. His words and song proved to be prophetic. On the 29th of December, 1876, Bliss and his wife boarded a train back to Pennsylvania. As their train was crossing over a river in Ashtabula, Ohio, the bridge suddenly gave way and all the carriages fell into the freezing waters below. He escaped through the window, but enter into glory in trying to save his wife. After his death the hymn “I Will Sing of My Redeemer,” was found in a piece of baggage among Bliss’ belongings.

Friends, because we have a Redeemer, we are forgiven. We have a Redeemer, to intercede for us in our weakness and in the time of our trouble.  Since we have Redeemer we have comfort in life, that though we fall we shall not be utterly cast down. Since our Redeemer lives, this shall be our faith that we shall see Him when we reach our eternal Hometown. Therefore let’s not forget to “Sing of our Redeemer” at all time. 

Yours in His service

G. Paulraj 

"My Hope is Built on Nothing Less" Jeremiah 17:7

The Word of God encourages us to put our hope and faith completely upon Jesus’ righteousness for our eternal life. However, God is not unconcerned about the issues we face in our day to day life here on this earth. He recognizes that there are times when the doubts, cares, and darkness of this world will seem to weaken our fellowship with God and veil His face from us. Even in these times, God has not left us. Our anchor of faith can still hold in the darkness, knowing through faith that even though not seen (Hebrews 11:1), He still sustains us. Therefore we as His children can “rest on His unchanging grace.

Edward Mote's parents were hostile to religion, but while still a boy Edward became a Christian through the influence of a cabinetmaker to whom he was apprenticed.  Regardless of the claims of his business on his time, Mote always found time to worship God.  He was especially interested in Christian music, and one day felt inspired on the way to work to write down a verse that came to his mind.  Before the day was finished, he had completed four verses.  His new hymn began with the words, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." After this, Mote visited a friend whose wife was ill.  It was a Sunday, and the friend mentioned that he and his wife liked to observe Sunday by singing a hymn, reading a scripture, and having prayer together.  Mote had a copy of his hymn in his pocket, so they sang it.  The friend's wife was so taken with the hymn that she requested a copy for herself.  Encouraged by her interest, Mote had copies printed––and soon found himself the author of a beloved hymn. At age 55, Mote responded to a call to the ministry.  He served out the rest of his life––more than two decades–– as the pastor of a Baptist Church in Horsham, Sussex, England.

If you put your hope in other people, they will let you down. If you trust your stocks or bonds or bank accounts, you will find that they can disappear overnight. In any case, they are not ultimately satisfying. Health will fail. Houses can burn. Jobs can be lost. But the one who has his or her hope from God and trusts God as he has revealed himself in Jesus Christ can stand firm in anything. Once a submarine was rammed by another ship and quickly sank. The entire crew was trapped in water grave. One of the divers in the rescue team his helmeted ear to the side of the vessel and listened. He heard a tapping noise. Someone, he learned, was tapping out a question in the dots and dashes of the Morse Code. The question came slowly: “Is … there … any … hope?” That is the question man asks today. Yes, it’s found in Jesus Christ!

Yours in His service

G. Paul Raj

Standing on the Promises of God (2 Corinthians 1:20)

God’s promises recorded in His Written Word from Genesis 3:15 to Revelation 22:20 are “Yes and Amen”. Psalms 119:140 says “Your promises have been THOROUGHLY TESTED, and your servant loves them”. Therefore the saints in the Old Testament used to cite God’s promises that they had received from Him (Genesis 28:15, 20-22; Nehemiah 1:4-11). God’s promises bring balm to our wounds, help to our infirmities, rest to our weariness, encouragement to our prayers. Therefore let us learn to trust and to stand on the unfailing promises of God. 

Here is a wonderful testimony from Carter (1849-1928) the composer of the hymn “Standing on the Promises of God.” His meditation on 2 Corinthians 1:20 which says “For all the promise of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” inspired him to make wrote this Gospel hymn. Carter was a star athlete of a military academy and later became successful teacher and coach where he studied. He served God several years as an ordained Methodist minister, spend last of his professional years as a doctor of medicine. Poor health and hopeless condition due to cardiac issues made Carter to turn to God for help and healing. He knelt and made a promise whether God heals or not he would consecrate rest of his life totally to God’s service. Over the course of the next several months his strength returned, and his heart was completely healed! Carter lived another healthy 49 years. The hymn Carter had written several years before his miraculous healing became more than words and music to him. Standing on the Promises became an integral part of his life.

Dear friends we must learn to stand on God's exceeding great and precious promises. Our faith in His promises will keep us from the world and its corruption and lusts. Our faith in His unfailing promises will help us to go forward in spite of all obstacles that we face in our day to day life.  Therefore let us not allow the sufferings, sin and sickness to keep us from holding fast to the precious promises of God. 

Just as I am (John 6:37)

The parable of lost son vividly portraits the unconditional love of our heavenly Father towards the repentant. The thief on Jesus’ right side at the cross unlike, the other thief stopped mocking and humbled himself before Jesus. Jesus the loving Saviour accepted him and guaranteed Kingdom of Heaven to the repentant that very moment.  The humble approach we take to come to Jesus for forgiveness and salvation was beautifully described in the story behind the hymn “Just as I am”. It is based upon the words of Jesus found in John 6:37.

It was in London when a great preacher by the name of Caesar Milan was invited one evening to a very large and prominent home where a choice musical was to be presented.  The musician was Charlotte Elliott born in Clapham, England, on March 18, 1789. As a young person she had lived a carefree life, gaining popularity as a portrait artist, musician and writer of humorous verse.  On the program Charlotte thrilled the audience with her singing and playing. When she finished, this young preacher threaded his way through the crowd which was gathered around her and asked if she was a Christian. She considered him rude and unkind, and that his question was inappropriate. After the man walked away, Charlotte could not get his question out of her mind so she went to find the man, and to ask how to become a Christian. That night she received Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Soon thereafter she wrote “Just As I Am” as a testimony to her newfound faith, and as a tribute to the man who had told her that she could come to Christ, “just as she was”.

Dear friends, Christ is our refuge we can flee to Him at any time and in any condition and He will never turn anyone away. Let us come to Him “Just as we are” without hesitation. He will never reject a broken and repentant heart (Psalm 51: 17). Rejection and despise of repentant would go against His very nature and everything that He has promised in Scripture! Therefore let us confidently come to our Saviour God “just as we are”!  

Yours in His service

G. Paul Raj

THE LEAVENS TO BE PURGED 1 CORINTHIANS 5: 6-8

Introduction: here in this text Apostle Paul compares sin with leaven and commands the congregation at Corinth to clean out the sins from their midst in the same way the Jewish community had  removed leaven from their homes during their first Passover (Exodus 12:19-20). Just as leaven permeates an entire lump of dough, sinful behavior affects the entire life of an individual and congregation. Let us take few minutes to consider the leavens that are to be purged from us.

I. The leaven of Sin: Sin can be anything that displeases God. If you know anything about sin, then you know that sin is like yeast.  Sin grows and spreads just like yeast in dough.  Cheaper dead flies are powerful enough to spoil the costliest ointment Ecclesiastes 10:1. In the same manner sin works its way into your whole life until your life is completely corrupted by it. Therefore purging out the leaven of sin shouldn’t be occasional instead it should be often.

II. Leaven of hypocrisy: The believers at Corinth were known for their Spiritual gifts. But there was no love among them and there was no holiness in them. Their superficial spiritual life blinded their eyes to see the defiling leaven in their midst. Jesus had warned His disciples to avoid this type of behavior by using leaven as the metaphor of this sinful conduct (Matthew 16:5-12).

III. Leaven of disobedience: The apostle Paul also referred to leavening when teaching the Galatians about obedience to God’s laws. There were those who distorted God’s grace into license to sin. Paul made the point that a small amount of misrepresentation of the truth can lead to large amounts of confusion and deceit. Galatians 5:7-10 contains his warning.

Conclusion: The biblically relevant question we need to ask is: “Am I leavened?” In other words, do I still live a sinful life before God’s eyes? Have I learned to worship God with the “unleavened bread of sincerity and truth,” or am I living a sinful, hypocritical life?