Reading: Romans 10:1-21
"By faith Abraham obeyed" (Heb 11:8)
If we trust someone, it becomes easy for us to do what that person bids us to do. The Book of Hebrews presents Abraham as a classic example of this truth. "By faith Abraham obeyed" (Heb 11:8). He trusted God as a "friend." "He was called the friend of God" (Js 2:23b). Jesus came to show us not only the fatherhood of God but also His friendliness. Obedience is such a pleasant and natural thing in homes where parents and children relate to each other as friends! Jesus during His life on earth was friend both of sinners and saints. He was nicknamed, "Friend of Sinners," and He called His disciples His friends. Friendship is basic to trust and confidence.
God's commandments come to us through His Word. We cannot obey them unless we believe them. Adam disobeyed God because he disbelieved what God had told him about the tree of knowledge. Unbelief was the root cause of the disobedience of the Israelites (Heb 3:18,19). It is of course not easy to maintain simple faith on God in this age which substitutes technology for theology. Today is observed as Technology Day in India. Evangelists are building Prayer Towers whereas Educationalists are erecting Technology Towers.
God is not against common sense or logical reasoning. They are very necessary to make right decisions and sound judgment. But everything should be submitted to the Word of God which alone stands unchanging forever. Peter was quite frustrated when after a whole night of toiling and moiling in the sea he caught nothing. Jesus was not a fisherman but a carpenter. When He asked Peter to throw the net into deep waters, the latter would not have found it easy to do so. But when he placed his fishing experience under the words of Jesus, obedience became easy for him. He said, "Nevertheless at Your Word." (Lk 5:5).
This kind of faith comes by hearing the Word of God again and again. Not just by reading, but by hearing- which means that we realize that it is actually God "speaking" to us whenever we read His Word. Hearing leads to believing, and believing helps obedience (Rom 10:16,17).
Obedience becomes difficult once the heart is hardened by unbelief. The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews warns us, "Beware, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God" (Heb 3:12). When we realize that the one who calls us to obey is a "living God," we feel like a child relaxing with confidence into the bosom of its mother.
No anxiety. No worry.
He who obeys God, trusts God;
and he who trusts God, obeys God!
(C.H.Spurgeon, 1834-1892)
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Feet of Faith
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Unmerited divine assistance
2 Peter 3:18
If you have ever considered the subject of grace for very long, you know that it is almost impossible to understand the concept. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines graces as "unmerited divine assistance given humans for their sanctification." When looking at this definition, we see several things. First, we see that grace is unmerited; we are undeserving of it. Secondly, it is divine, meaning it comes from God alone. We can't receive grace or our salvation from any other source. And last, it provides sanctification, meaning we are freed from sin.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Truly our fellowship is with the Father
and with His Son Jesus Christ
( 1 john 1:3 )
This is our ultimate fellowship ! Knowing God. Communicating with Him - pouring out our hearts
to Him and hearing His desires, His plan for us, His purposes. Loving Him with all our hearts and
receiving an awareness of His vast love. Being at peace with God and knowing God's peace
in our hearts. Praising God and being filled with God's joy. Being in a position to say, "My God."
That is truly what it means to have fellowship with God.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Clothes distribution
During May-VBS trip, our team helped to ship 100kg of used clothes to the needy people at myanmar. It was distributed as per the family needs by the local in-charge there..
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Do not neglect the gift that is in you
Do not neglect the gift that is in you 1 Timothy 4:14
At the time you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, God gave you certain spiritual gifts to use in ministry to others.
The way in which you express those gifts is uniquely linked to the talents He has given you and the skills He has helped you develop. Nobody... on the earth.. is just like you, not even a sibling who is your twin...
You are a unique and very special creation of God, designed for a particular purpose on this earth that God has had in mind from eternity past.
Accept who God made you to be !!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
GOD Needs people !
Please pray for the Myanmar ministries as the seeds that we sowed during every visit will definitely bring fruits in the future. Not only a praying group, we should also be “goers” as per the Great Commission. Please pray & prepare for the next mission trip to minister to this people with the anointing of the Holy spirit. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."(Acts 1:8) But satan always accuse people that you have no strength. You need more… more.. more.. “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you? ” The same Lord reminds us today also as he said to Gideon. People are in bondages, curses, poverty, tears and in paralytic condition. God has blessed and placed us in the Singapore very much. Take a step boldly and God will take care of rest……
As a follow up work at one of the village, we are praying & planning to support the outreach work (community centre) at a place called “South Dagon”. About 100 children gather whenever the ministry worker visit there. May the Lord of harvest bless and multiply this small work in that nation for the expansion of His kingdom.
"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Luke 10:2)
With Prayers,
Gems missions – Overseas ministry team.
“Come, Follow me! ”
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men”. Mark 1:17
By Gods grace, we were able to parttake in this wonderful VBS ministry this year in myanmar. VBS has been conducted in five centers at the same time. The volunteer groups have been splitted up in five teams and sent to these five centers. God answered all of our prayers and commanded better co-ordination of all the complicated work. God answered the prayers and provided good weather in order that children can stay well in the centers.
About 125 teachers gathered for the two days VBS training (24th & 25th) at the Lutheran Hall at Yangon. All the vbs work has been demonstrated practically and all the teachers were well prepared. On 26th morning, the children started to arrive from different places for the 3 days camping of VBS programme. The programme started at the evening and ended on 29th afternoon. By the grace of God, all the centres has no issues with the accommodation for children.
At the last day of VBS, the salvation message has been shared in all the centers. And an altar call been given, most of the children cried and accepted Jesus and pledged to follow Jesus. Surely heaven rejoiced at that time.
Teachers and Children’s devotions have been taken by our team members in the morning. At the evenings, debrief session and prayer session were conducted with team members.
Please pray for the follow up work after this VBS ministry. All the children will be followed up in the respective community center workers in different areas.
As we knew, word of God has a power to change lives. This is the third trip to Myanmar and we could see the difference in the people lives since after the first visit. We believe this little children when they go back home, they bring the new life and the light what they received during VBS. Please pray for all their families be saved. “Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. (Isaiah 59:1)”
Glory be to God alone!
