Good morning,
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Memorial Day is an official holiday in the United States. It was observed on May 30 until 1971 when, for federal employees, the date was changed to the last Monday in May. With the exception of Louisiana, all states observing Memorial Day adopted the change. Memorial Day is also known as Decoration Day. The custom of placing flowers on the graves of soldiers killed in the Civil War began on May 5, 1866 in Waterloo, NY; Waterloo has been recognized by Congress as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. In 1868, Gen. John A. Logan, then President of the Grand Army of the Republic, declared that May 30 would be a day to decorate "with flowers the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion.” After World War I the day was set aside to honor the fallen of all American wars, and the custom was extended to pay homage to deceased relatives and friends, both military and civilian. The most solemn ceremony conducted on Memorial Day is the placing of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns located in Arlington National Cemetery. Some Southern states observe Confederate Memorial Day. The fallen are remembered on April 26 in Georgia, the last Monday in April in Alabama and Mississippi, and May 10 in South Carolina. Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina do not observe the general holiday, and in Virginia the last Monday in May is called Confederate Memorial Day. Many people see Memorial Day as just another day off - a 3 day weekend. Others observe Memorial Day as the official beginning of the camping season. However, for those who have lost someone because of war or military action, it means much more than a day off. In fact, every American ought to recognize this day out of his patriotic duty to his country and in honor of those who have spilled their blood to make America what she is today -- a nation that is free, strong, and worth fighting for. Because men have died for this country, we have the right to preach God’s word freely. We have the right to live at peace in our own homes. We have the right to pursue peace, prosperity and happiness. Thank God for those who died to make us free. As we prepare to remember those who died for liberty, it is fitting to remember the one who died to set us free from spiritual tyranny. Jesus fought the armies of Hell that we might have liberty in his holy name. We celebrate Memorial Day once a year to remember those who have died for freedom, but every week is a celebration of the death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. He came, He saw, and He conquered sin and death. He is the real giver of freedom. Blessed be His Name.
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VslzcciRmZg
Friday, May 22, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Brown's Daily Word 5-21-09
Good morning, Dear friends,
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Praise the Lord for the way He calls us out of the world, transforms our lives into His new creation, and sends us forth in to the world to live as His witnesses. He calls us out of rugged individualism and puts us in the fellowship of His Body, the Church, the Church militant and the Church triumphant. We are called to live our lives, not in isolation, but in the context of His Family. The General rules of the United Societies ( Methodist), first published, in 1743, not only provide guidelines for Christian living in the world, but also stipulate that "works of Mercy", and works of piety are the personal condition of being a Christian.
There is great temptation to live a life of alienation from the Lord and from His people. Actress Shirley MacLaine once said, "The most pleasurable journey you take is through yourself...the only sustaining love involvement is with yourself... When you look back on your life and try to figure out where you've been and where you're going, when you look at your work, your love affairs, your marriages, your children, your pain, your happiness... When you examine all that closely, what you really find out is that the only person you really go to bed with is yourself... The only thing you have is working to the consummation of your own identity. And that’s what I’ve been trying to do all my life." - HOGWASH! What a mixed-up woman she is! Shirley MacLaine is utterly consumed by self. Her philosophy is, "All I really have to do is take care of me. All that is important in life is me." WHAT A SELFISH WAY OF THINKING AND LIVING! Yet, she is like so many people in our world. Most people are only interested in themselves. They live for themselves and are concerned primarily for their personal welfare. But the Christian is called to live for Christ. Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." In this reference, the apostle Paul is saying, "I have died to myself and I don’t live for me anymore. I don’t live for money or prestige or praise or power. I do not want to do my thing in my way because Christ lives in me, and so I live for Him now and forever more." A story is told of an old mountaineer who gazee into the fire for a while, sighed and then said, "Aw, Ma, why don’t we just call in the dog and see if he’s wet." That is what you may call the height of laziness. I do not want to say that we are all downright lazy, but most of us have a lazy streak in us.
When it comes to living for Christ and giving our lives to Christ, we are either lazy or we are uncommitted, undedicated, undecided, unfaithful, unfruitful. If we decide to go to church, we go to church. If we want to stay home or do something different, we do that. For most, THE LORD’S WILL IS NOT THE DOMINANT FORCE IN OUR LIVES. In terms of practicality, our will is what matters most, but it should not be this way! Vance Havner said it this way, "Too many of us today are shaky about what we believe, BUT NOT SHAKEN BY WHAT WE BELIEVE." Our faith doesn’t shake us or have a hold on us. The Christian life is about living for Christ and giving our lives to Him. It is putting Christ first in our lives no matter what or who comes our way. Its purpose is to reach out to all people in love and with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOb8ihacSM4
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Praise the Lord for the way He calls us out of the world, transforms our lives into His new creation, and sends us forth in to the world to live as His witnesses. He calls us out of rugged individualism and puts us in the fellowship of His Body, the Church, the Church militant and the Church triumphant. We are called to live our lives, not in isolation, but in the context of His Family. The General rules of the United Societies ( Methodist), first published, in 1743, not only provide guidelines for Christian living in the world, but also stipulate that "works of Mercy", and works of piety are the personal condition of being a Christian.
There is great temptation to live a life of alienation from the Lord and from His people. Actress Shirley MacLaine once said, "The most pleasurable journey you take is through yourself...the only sustaining love involvement is with yourself... When you look back on your life and try to figure out where you've been and where you're going, when you look at your work, your love affairs, your marriages, your children, your pain, your happiness... When you examine all that closely, what you really find out is that the only person you really go to bed with is yourself... The only thing you have is working to the consummation of your own identity. And that’s what I’ve been trying to do all my life." - HOGWASH! What a mixed-up woman she is! Shirley MacLaine is utterly consumed by self. Her philosophy is, "All I really have to do is take care of me. All that is important in life is me." WHAT A SELFISH WAY OF THINKING AND LIVING! Yet, she is like so many people in our world. Most people are only interested in themselves. They live for themselves and are concerned primarily for their personal welfare. But the Christian is called to live for Christ. Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." In this reference, the apostle Paul is saying, "I have died to myself and I don’t live for me anymore. I don’t live for money or prestige or praise or power. I do not want to do my thing in my way because Christ lives in me, and so I live for Him now and forever more." A story is told of an old mountaineer who gazee into the fire for a while, sighed and then said, "Aw, Ma, why don’t we just call in the dog and see if he’s wet." That is what you may call the height of laziness. I do not want to say that we are all downright lazy, but most of us have a lazy streak in us.
When it comes to living for Christ and giving our lives to Christ, we are either lazy or we are uncommitted, undedicated, undecided, unfaithful, unfruitful. If we decide to go to church, we go to church. If we want to stay home or do something different, we do that. For most, THE LORD’S WILL IS NOT THE DOMINANT FORCE IN OUR LIVES. In terms of practicality, our will is what matters most, but it should not be this way! Vance Havner said it this way, "Too many of us today are shaky about what we believe, BUT NOT SHAKEN BY WHAT WE BELIEVE." Our faith doesn’t shake us or have a hold on us. The Christian life is about living for Christ and giving our lives to Him. It is putting Christ first in our lives no matter what or who comes our way. Its purpose is to reach out to all people in love and with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOb8ihacSM4
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Brown's Daily Word & India update 5-20-09
Good Morning,
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. It is going to be one of the ten best days. Thank you Jesus. On this day in 1959, my aunt ( my dad's only sister) died at the age of 35. This was the first death in our family. I still remember the day and all the events that surrounded the death my aunt. This was the first death in our immediate family that I experienced as a young boy. Praise the Lord for precious memories. We read in Philippians 1, "I thank my God at every remembrance of you".
There was a tenant in an apartment building whom loved God dearly. Her landlord on the other hand was an atheist and despised her faith. One day she ran out of food and money. She prayed out loud, “Oh dear God please help me in my time of need, I look to you and you alone to provide my needs, now please send me some food, for I’m tired and hungry.” The landlord heard the prayer through the wall and thought, “I’ll show her once and for all that God doesn’t care for her, that He doesn’t hear and answer prayers.” So he went to the grocery store and bought a bag of groceries and used his access key to get into her apartment and set the groceries on her dining room table. When the woman came in and found the groceries she began to praise God and thank Him for answering her prayers. The landlord was listening and went to her apartment and told her she was a religious fool and that God didn’t give her the groceries he said, “I gave you the groceries, there is no God.” And the lady replied, “You’re wrong, God gave me these groceries and he got the devil to pay for them.” Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” The Bible teaches that it is appropriate to present your requests to God. We are permitted to ask the God of the universe to act on our behalf. The Bible says, “You do not have, because you do not ask God.” (James 4:2,NIV) A.C. Dixon wrote, "When we depend upon organizations, we get what organizations can do; when we depend upon education, we get what education can do; when we depend upon man, we get what man can do; but when we depend on prayer, we get what God can do." Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is near them that are of broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit."
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqvVcvCZOVs
Prayer Request:
Sri Junasa Nayak , Gadaguda , Via.G.Udayagiri , Dist .Kandhamal is a riot victim. On September 30th, 2008, early in the morning at 5 AM the rioters attacked him with homemade guns. His hands and legs were injured with bullet pellet injuries. He was treated in hospitals of Orissa. He was traced to the Rudangia Health camp on 03.05.2009, and MUT and CMC in Vellore are now helping to remove the pellets and give treatment.
Currently, Brother Junasa is in CMC Vellore for treatment; please pray for him. We are highly grateful and thankful to MUT and CMC Vellore, and particularly to Dr. Samuel Chittaranjan and Mr.J.J.Ratnakumar.
Thank you Lord for your grace and provision.
Pradeep C. Mallik
PS: Junasa (in English, Jonah) Nayak was my middle School classmate. He is married to one my first cousins. He is a deeply committed Christian, who is one of the victims of persecution of Christians by Hindu Radicals. His uncle was killed during the same attack on Christians last year (when Junasa was shot). CMC Vellore (The Christian Medical College of Vellore), one of the best Medical Institutions of Asia, is located in South India. It has 2500 bed hospital. Some of the best Christian surgeons and doctors around the world are trained there and practice there. I did my first Chaplaincy internship there in 1972. This great Institution was founded by Dr. Ida Scudder( one of the relatives of our dear friend Dr. George Miller, the past Presisent of Davis College". Dr. Ida Scudder was the first female graduate of Cornell Medical College. Dr. Scudder served the Lord all the days of her life . She died in Vellore and is buried there.
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. It is going to be one of the ten best days. Thank you Jesus. On this day in 1959, my aunt ( my dad's only sister) died at the age of 35. This was the first death in our family. I still remember the day and all the events that surrounded the death my aunt. This was the first death in our immediate family that I experienced as a young boy. Praise the Lord for precious memories. We read in Philippians 1, "I thank my God at every remembrance of you".
There was a tenant in an apartment building whom loved God dearly. Her landlord on the other hand was an atheist and despised her faith. One day she ran out of food and money. She prayed out loud, “Oh dear God please help me in my time of need, I look to you and you alone to provide my needs, now please send me some food, for I’m tired and hungry.” The landlord heard the prayer through the wall and thought, “I’ll show her once and for all that God doesn’t care for her, that He doesn’t hear and answer prayers.” So he went to the grocery store and bought a bag of groceries and used his access key to get into her apartment and set the groceries on her dining room table. When the woman came in and found the groceries she began to praise God and thank Him for answering her prayers. The landlord was listening and went to her apartment and told her she was a religious fool and that God didn’t give her the groceries he said, “I gave you the groceries, there is no God.” And the lady replied, “You’re wrong, God gave me these groceries and he got the devil to pay for them.” Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” The Bible teaches that it is appropriate to present your requests to God. We are permitted to ask the God of the universe to act on our behalf. The Bible says, “You do not have, because you do not ask God.” (James 4:2,NIV) A.C. Dixon wrote, "When we depend upon organizations, we get what organizations can do; when we depend upon education, we get what education can do; when we depend upon man, we get what man can do; but when we depend on prayer, we get what God can do." Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is near them that are of broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit."
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqvVcvCZOVs
Prayer Request:
Sri Junasa Nayak , Gadaguda , Via.G.Udayagiri , Dist .Kandhamal is a riot victim. On September 30th, 2008, early in the morning at 5 AM the rioters attacked him with homemade guns. His hands and legs were injured with bullet pellet injuries. He was treated in hospitals of Orissa. He was traced to the Rudangia Health camp on 03.05.2009, and MUT and CMC in Vellore are now helping to remove the pellets and give treatment.
Currently, Brother Junasa is in CMC Vellore for treatment; please pray for him. We are highly grateful and thankful to MUT and CMC Vellore, and particularly to Dr. Samuel Chittaranjan and Mr.J.J.Ratnakumar.
Thank you Lord for your grace and provision.
Pradeep C. Mallik
PS: Junasa (in English, Jonah) Nayak was my middle School classmate. He is married to one my first cousins. He is a deeply committed Christian, who is one of the victims of persecution of Christians by Hindu Radicals. His uncle was killed during the same attack on Christians last year (when Junasa was shot). CMC Vellore (The Christian Medical College of Vellore), one of the best Medical Institutions of Asia, is located in South India. It has 2500 bed hospital. Some of the best Christian surgeons and doctors around the world are trained there and practice there. I did my first Chaplaincy internship there in 1972. This great Institution was founded by Dr. Ida Scudder( one of the relatives of our dear friend Dr. George Miller, the past Presisent of Davis College". Dr. Ida Scudder was the first female graduate of Cornell Medical College. Dr. Scudder served the Lord all the days of her life . She died in Vellore and is buried there.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Brown's Daily Word 5-19-09
Good Morning
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. For Mother's Day our church gave all the mothers and daughters in the life of the church a copy of Amy Grants's book"Mosaic". It is, in a way, an autobiographical sketch of her life. Though it is given to moms and daughters I sneaked my wife's copy and have been reading it, too. Amy Grant is a very beautiful person with a beautiful mind and a brave heart. She talks about how she welcomes every morning with the words of the Psalmist, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it".
Yesterday evening Alice and I drove around the countryside of Tioga and Broome Counties. It was a spectacular evening. I was particularly overwhelmed with the brilliant lilac bushes all around. They are in full bloom with multiple brilliant colors. We walked around one of the spacious parks of Tioga County, beside the beautiful Susquehanna river. Praise the Lord for morning and praise the Lord for evening.
The story is told of a poor man who was given a loaf of bread. He thanked the baker, but the baker said, “Don’t thank me. Thank the miller who made the flour.” So he thanked the miller, but the miller said, “Don’t thank me. Thank the farmer who planted the wheat.” So he thanked the farmer. But the farmer said, “Don’t thank me. Thank the Lord. He gave the sunshine and rain, and fertility to the soil, and that’s why you have bread to eat.” Everything we own, we ultimately received from God and we owe him thanks. James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting sand.” Dr. Dale Robbins wrote, “I used to think people complained because they had a lot of problems. But I have come to realize that they have problems because they complain. Complaining doesn’t change anything or make situations better. It amplifies frustration, spreads discontent and discord, and can invoke an invitation for the devil to cause havoc with our lives.” Complaining makes us miserable. Psalm 77:3 says, “I complained and my spirit was overwhelmed.” Complaining is the archenemy of thanksgiving. The two cannot co-exist in the same heart. Therefore, I challenge you to try to quit complaining for a whole month. Just try it. When you feel tempted to complain, instead of filing your complaint, file a praise. It will change your life. Philippians 2:13 says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.” Ephesians 5:19 says, “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything.” Always is the key word. It is not just an attitude to take on Thanksgiving. We should be grateful everyday. In Daniel 6 we read that Daniel got down on his knees three times everyday and prayed and gave thanks to his God. How many of us get down on our knees to give thanks even once a day? It seems that the only time some people give thanks is on Thanksgiving, once a year, because the government mandates it as a holiday. Do you remember the old hymn, " Count Your Blessings"? “When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost. Count your many blessing, name them one by one. And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” Thanksgiving is, and must be, a daily discipline. I read recently that if you own one Bible, you are abundantly blessed, because a third of the people in the world do not have access to a Bible. If you awoke this morning with more health than illness you are more blessed than 1 million people who will not survive the week. If you have never experienced the danger of war, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation you are more fortunate than 500 million people on earth. If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, twenty dollars in your pocket, and a place to sleep you are richer than 75 percent of the world. O, God forgive me when I whine. I found the following list of questions you can ask to test whether you are a grateful person or not?
#1 Which do you tend to talk about more – your blessings, or your disappointments?
#2 Are you a complainer, always grumbling, always finding fault with your circumstances?
#3 Are you content with what you have, or always dissatisfied and wanting more?
#4 Do you find it easier to count your blessings, or is it easier to count your afflictions?
#5 Do you express thanks to others when they help you, or do you just take it as your due?
#6 Would others say that you are a thankful person? Our friend, Ruth, who comes to our church, is one of the most thankful persons I know. Ruth, a retired Army nurse, lives in a nursing home. She cannot drive now. Somebody picks her up for every Wednesday gathering and for Sunday worship. She has a contagious smile. She sings to the Lord with gusto and love. The highlights of her week are Wednesday evening and Sunday morning, when she comes to church. Praise the Lord for the beauty of the earth and praise the Lord for our beautiful Saviour who makes all things beautiful.
I am going in for a CT scan today at noon. Thank you for lifting me up in prayer.
Jesus is Lord.
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONPlqLTRBI0
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. For Mother's Day our church gave all the mothers and daughters in the life of the church a copy of Amy Grants's book"Mosaic". It is, in a way, an autobiographical sketch of her life. Though it is given to moms and daughters I sneaked my wife's copy and have been reading it, too. Amy Grant is a very beautiful person with a beautiful mind and a brave heart. She talks about how she welcomes every morning with the words of the Psalmist, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it".
Yesterday evening Alice and I drove around the countryside of Tioga and Broome Counties. It was a spectacular evening. I was particularly overwhelmed with the brilliant lilac bushes all around. They are in full bloom with multiple brilliant colors. We walked around one of the spacious parks of Tioga County, beside the beautiful Susquehanna river. Praise the Lord for morning and praise the Lord for evening.
The story is told of a poor man who was given a loaf of bread. He thanked the baker, but the baker said, “Don’t thank me. Thank the miller who made the flour.” So he thanked the miller, but the miller said, “Don’t thank me. Thank the farmer who planted the wheat.” So he thanked the farmer. But the farmer said, “Don’t thank me. Thank the Lord. He gave the sunshine and rain, and fertility to the soil, and that’s why you have bread to eat.” Everything we own, we ultimately received from God and we owe him thanks. James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting sand.” Dr. Dale Robbins wrote, “I used to think people complained because they had a lot of problems. But I have come to realize that they have problems because they complain. Complaining doesn’t change anything or make situations better. It amplifies frustration, spreads discontent and discord, and can invoke an invitation for the devil to cause havoc with our lives.” Complaining makes us miserable. Psalm 77:3 says, “I complained and my spirit was overwhelmed.” Complaining is the archenemy of thanksgiving. The two cannot co-exist in the same heart. Therefore, I challenge you to try to quit complaining for a whole month. Just try it. When you feel tempted to complain, instead of filing your complaint, file a praise. It will change your life. Philippians 2:13 says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.” Ephesians 5:19 says, “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything.” Always is the key word. It is not just an attitude to take on Thanksgiving. We should be grateful everyday. In Daniel 6 we read that Daniel got down on his knees three times everyday and prayed and gave thanks to his God. How many of us get down on our knees to give thanks even once a day? It seems that the only time some people give thanks is on Thanksgiving, once a year, because the government mandates it as a holiday. Do you remember the old hymn, " Count Your Blessings"? “When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost. Count your many blessing, name them one by one. And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” Thanksgiving is, and must be, a daily discipline. I read recently that if you own one Bible, you are abundantly blessed, because a third of the people in the world do not have access to a Bible. If you awoke this morning with more health than illness you are more blessed than 1 million people who will not survive the week. If you have never experienced the danger of war, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation you are more fortunate than 500 million people on earth. If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, twenty dollars in your pocket, and a place to sleep you are richer than 75 percent of the world. O, God forgive me when I whine. I found the following list of questions you can ask to test whether you are a grateful person or not?
#1 Which do you tend to talk about more – your blessings, or your disappointments?
#2 Are you a complainer, always grumbling, always finding fault with your circumstances?
#3 Are you content with what you have, or always dissatisfied and wanting more?
#4 Do you find it easier to count your blessings, or is it easier to count your afflictions?
#5 Do you express thanks to others when they help you, or do you just take it as your due?
#6 Would others say that you are a thankful person? Our friend, Ruth, who comes to our church, is one of the most thankful persons I know. Ruth, a retired Army nurse, lives in a nursing home. She cannot drive now. Somebody picks her up for every Wednesday gathering and for Sunday worship. She has a contagious smile. She sings to the Lord with gusto and love. The highlights of her week are Wednesday evening and Sunday morning, when she comes to church. Praise the Lord for the beauty of the earth and praise the Lord for our beautiful Saviour who makes all things beautiful.
I am going in for a CT scan today at noon. Thank you for lifting me up in prayer.
Jesus is Lord.
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONPlqLTRBI0
Monday, May 18, 2009
Brown's Daily Word & India update 5-18-09
Good Morning.
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. The Lord blessed us with a beautiful and a bountiful weekend. We had our annual mother- daughter banquet on Saturday evening. Our men cooked a very a very sumptuous dinner and served the women. The menu included marinated chicken and barbecued pork (the other white meat). The fellowship was sweet.
It is a great blessing to be in the house of the Lord on His day to worship Him and adore his Holy name. One of the readings for the day was taken from 1 John 5: 1-5. I preached on "From Being Survivors to Overcomers". There has been a lot of interest recently about a television series called “Survivor.” But, what does it mean to be a survivor? In our world today we talk about all kinds of survivors: cancer survivors, abuse survivors, tornado survivors, earthquake survivors and the list goes on and on! It is great to be a survivor but I want to do more than just survive. The Bible does not use the word “survivor” but it does use the word “overcomer.” The root word for overcome has a very interesting meaning. In the original language (Greek) it means to prevail, to pass over, to gain the victory (20 times). I don't want to settle for just surviving; I want to get the victory. I want to be an over comer! In 1 John 2:15-16, the Bible says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” (NKJV) Here the world is described as a three-fold foe. The Lust of the flesh speaks of passion. The lust of the eyes refers to possession. The Pride of Life concerns position. It is unbridled ambition, and the desire to put oneself first. The world daily attacks us through these three areas of temptation. Jesus taught his disciples to be confident and optimistic. Jesus said in John 16:33, “…In this world you will you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” We can be overcomers because Jesus was an overcomer. The Lord has provided a way for the believer to be victorious over every foe he faces. HOW CAN WE BECOME OVERCOMERS? “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.” 1 John 5:1-6 (NKJV) This text reveals that we will face powerful opposition in this world. This opposition is necessary for personal growth and eternal strength. Helen Keller, famous for the difficulties she overcame, being born blind, made the observation that, “The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were not limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse.” It is the difficulties in life that give us the opportunity to know what it is like to have victory. This text reveals three resources that are given to us to enable us to be overcomers. First, it requires faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that results in new birth.(v. 4). “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.” There is no way to be an overcomer without a new birth, without being born again. Jesus described this process to a man by the name of Nicodemus in John 3:1-3, “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Being an overcomer demands that we be born again. There is not one lost person alive today who can honestly say that they are living joyful, fulfilled, victorious lives. That person does not have the ingredient necessary for a victorious life. There is a void within them that can only be filled successfully with Christ. “And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” You do not become an overcomer by trying. You become an overcomer by trusting. It is by belief, or faith, that we are born again. When we, by faith, receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior we are born again. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (NKJV) If you want to be victorious, it is time to stop trying and start trusting. What are you trusting in today? Secondly it requires, our Love for the Lord to be extended in our love for one another. "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."
The third ingredient is our obedience. For His commands are not burdensome. Faith in Jesus Christ is a continuous faith that results in loving the Lord and loving His people. "We love Him, because He first loved us." "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us". His love constrains us. His love compels us. We are provoked to love Him and to keep His command, for His commands are not burdensome.
HOW CAN WE LIVE LIKE OVERCOMERS? John tells us in Revelation 12:11, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” (NKJV) We can overcome the obstacles that we face in this life through the strength that we receive in the Lord. The believer is reminded in 1 John 4:4, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (NKJV) In Romans 8, we read, "in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" and still loves us. In 1 Corinthians 15 we read, "Now thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ". In John 16 our Lord declares, "In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world". If you have been born again, you have already been made an overcomer in Him. We have already been given the victory through the blood of Jesus Christ. Our challenge now is to live in the light of the victory that has already been won. In Christ,
Brownhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i5MzJ9nLjo
Divisive politics of radical Hindus rejected by the people of India
Orissa, Patnaik wins: the ballot box awards the governors decision to break with BjpBiju Janata Dal wins the states majority in parliament. For Sajan George, President of the Global Council of Indian Christians, it’s a vote against Hindu extremism. Now the new government must “deliver justice to the Christians of Kandhamal”.Mumbai (AsiaNews) – The party of the outgoing governor Navin Patnaik wins by a landslide in Orissa and the Bharatiya Janata Party (Bjp) is defeated. The electoral earthquake that is taking shape in the victory of the United Progressive Alliance (Upa) and Congress takes on a new significance in the state sadly infamous for anti-Christian violence.
The people of Orissa were called to choose their representatives for the Lok Sabha, the National parliament and also for their state assembly. They chose the Biju Janata Dal (Bjd) led by Patnaik to whom exit polls have adjudicated 100 of the 147 available seats in the National Assembly.
Reached by AsiaNews, Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (Gcic), affirms that the vote has awarded Patnaik’s decision to break with Bharatiya Janata Party a few months ahead of the elections. A risky decision that rocked the Orissa government ahead of the National vote forcing Patnaik to find a new majority without Bjp support. The ballot box however, proved him right and now he is in no need of uncomfortable coalitions.
“Cutting ties with the BJP on the issue of Kandhamal has reaped rich dividends for Patnaik” said George. The now confirmed governor had been widely criticised for his inaction over the anti-Christian violence in the state and particularly in Khandamal. The local Christian community was highly critical of his failure to stand up to Hindu extremists for fear of his ally Bjp.
The Gcic president says he now expects that “since the hands of Patnaik are freed, he can now uphold the Constitution and take steps to for Justice to our Kandhamal Christians”.
According to Gerorge the Orissa vote is a clear rejection of the extremism of nationalist movements: “the Indian voter has decided against their communal agenda”.
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. The Lord blessed us with a beautiful and a bountiful weekend. We had our annual mother- daughter banquet on Saturday evening. Our men cooked a very a very sumptuous dinner and served the women. The menu included marinated chicken and barbecued pork (the other white meat). The fellowship was sweet.
It is a great blessing to be in the house of the Lord on His day to worship Him and adore his Holy name. One of the readings for the day was taken from 1 John 5: 1-5. I preached on "From Being Survivors to Overcomers". There has been a lot of interest recently about a television series called “Survivor.” But, what does it mean to be a survivor? In our world today we talk about all kinds of survivors: cancer survivors, abuse survivors, tornado survivors, earthquake survivors and the list goes on and on! It is great to be a survivor but I want to do more than just survive. The Bible does not use the word “survivor” but it does use the word “overcomer.” The root word for overcome has a very interesting meaning. In the original language (Greek) it means to prevail, to pass over, to gain the victory (20 times). I don't want to settle for just surviving; I want to get the victory. I want to be an over comer! In 1 John 2:15-16, the Bible says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” (NKJV) Here the world is described as a three-fold foe. The Lust of the flesh speaks of passion. The lust of the eyes refers to possession. The Pride of Life concerns position. It is unbridled ambition, and the desire to put oneself first. The world daily attacks us through these three areas of temptation. Jesus taught his disciples to be confident and optimistic. Jesus said in John 16:33, “…In this world you will you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” We can be overcomers because Jesus was an overcomer. The Lord has provided a way for the believer to be victorious over every foe he faces. HOW CAN WE BECOME OVERCOMERS? “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.” 1 John 5:1-6 (NKJV) This text reveals that we will face powerful opposition in this world. This opposition is necessary for personal growth and eternal strength. Helen Keller, famous for the difficulties she overcame, being born blind, made the observation that, “The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were not limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse.” It is the difficulties in life that give us the opportunity to know what it is like to have victory. This text reveals three resources that are given to us to enable us to be overcomers. First, it requires faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that results in new birth.(v. 4). “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.” There is no way to be an overcomer without a new birth, without being born again. Jesus described this process to a man by the name of Nicodemus in John 3:1-3, “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Being an overcomer demands that we be born again. There is not one lost person alive today who can honestly say that they are living joyful, fulfilled, victorious lives. That person does not have the ingredient necessary for a victorious life. There is a void within them that can only be filled successfully with Christ. “And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” You do not become an overcomer by trying. You become an overcomer by trusting. It is by belief, or faith, that we are born again. When we, by faith, receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior we are born again. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (NKJV) If you want to be victorious, it is time to stop trying and start trusting. What are you trusting in today? Secondly it requires, our Love for the Lord to be extended in our love for one another. "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."
The third ingredient is our obedience. For His commands are not burdensome. Faith in Jesus Christ is a continuous faith that results in loving the Lord and loving His people. "We love Him, because He first loved us." "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us". His love constrains us. His love compels us. We are provoked to love Him and to keep His command, for His commands are not burdensome.
HOW CAN WE LIVE LIKE OVERCOMERS? John tells us in Revelation 12:11, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” (NKJV) We can overcome the obstacles that we face in this life through the strength that we receive in the Lord. The believer is reminded in 1 John 4:4, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (NKJV) In Romans 8, we read, "in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" and still loves us. In 1 Corinthians 15 we read, "Now thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ". In John 16 our Lord declares, "In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world". If you have been born again, you have already been made an overcomer in Him. We have already been given the victory through the blood of Jesus Christ. Our challenge now is to live in the light of the victory that has already been won. In Christ,
Brownhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i5MzJ9nLjo
Divisive politics of radical Hindus rejected by the people of India
Orissa, Patnaik wins: the ballot box awards the governors decision to break with BjpBiju Janata Dal wins the states majority in parliament. For Sajan George, President of the Global Council of Indian Christians, it’s a vote against Hindu extremism. Now the new government must “deliver justice to the Christians of Kandhamal”.Mumbai (AsiaNews) – The party of the outgoing governor Navin Patnaik wins by a landslide in Orissa and the Bharatiya Janata Party (Bjp) is defeated. The electoral earthquake that is taking shape in the victory of the United Progressive Alliance (Upa) and Congress takes on a new significance in the state sadly infamous for anti-Christian violence.
The people of Orissa were called to choose their representatives for the Lok Sabha, the National parliament and also for their state assembly. They chose the Biju Janata Dal (Bjd) led by Patnaik to whom exit polls have adjudicated 100 of the 147 available seats in the National Assembly.
Reached by AsiaNews, Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (Gcic), affirms that the vote has awarded Patnaik’s decision to break with Bharatiya Janata Party a few months ahead of the elections. A risky decision that rocked the Orissa government ahead of the National vote forcing Patnaik to find a new majority without Bjp support. The ballot box however, proved him right and now he is in no need of uncomfortable coalitions.
“Cutting ties with the BJP on the issue of Kandhamal has reaped rich dividends for Patnaik” said George. The now confirmed governor had been widely criticised for his inaction over the anti-Christian violence in the state and particularly in Khandamal. The local Christian community was highly critical of his failure to stand up to Hindu extremists for fear of his ally Bjp.
The Gcic president says he now expects that “since the hands of Patnaik are freed, he can now uphold the Constitution and take steps to for Justice to our Kandhamal Christians”.
According to Gerorge the Orissa vote is a clear rejection of the extremism of nationalist movements: “the Indian voter has decided against their communal agenda”.
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