The Lord Alone is God

 

    This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 7th June 2026, by Benny Thomas. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

THE LORD ALONE IS GOD

Remembering God in a Forgetful World: Breaking Idols and Embracing Grace

In a world full of noise, distractions, and uncertainty, one question quietly echoes across generations: Who is God to us—really?

We live in times that feel overwhelming. News cycles are filled with conflict, suffering, and instability. It’s easy to wonder, like many have before us: Is God truly in control? Is He reigning? These are not new questions. They have been asked in every generation, and yet the answer remains unchanged—there is no God like Him.

The God We Forget

One of the greatest struggles in our spiritual journey is not disbelief—it is forgetfulness.

We forget who God is.

We forget His greatness, His power, His presence, and His faithfulness. Even when we’ve experienced His goodness, we drift back into anxiety and self-reliance.

The Bible repeatedly reminds us of this tendency. In fact, the word “remember” appears again and again—because God knows how easily we forget.

We forget:

• His greatness – We marvel at human achievements but overlook the Creator behind it all.
• His sovereignty – We think our problems are in control, instead of God.
• His sufficiency – Despite countless times He has provided, we still worry.
• His holiness – We take grace lightly and lose our reverence.
• His companionship – We treat Him like a visitor instead of allowing Him to dwell in every part of our lives.

When we forget these, we shrink God down to something manageable—something we can fit into our schedules, our plans, and even our pockets.

The Idols We Create

We may not build idols out of gold or stone today, but we still create them—subtly and unconsciously.

Modern idols don’t sit in temples; they live in our hearts.

They often take the form of:

• Success and Power – The desire to win, achieve, and be in control at any cost.
• Approval – The need to be liked, praised, and accepted by others.
• Comfort – Avoiding pain, choosing ease over growth.
• Control – The urge to manage everything and avoid uncertainty.

These “heart idols” shape our decisions, relationships, and identity.

For example, the need for approval can quietly dominate a person’s life. When acceptance from others becomes the source of worth, rejection feels devastating. Confidence rises and falls based on people’s opinions.

But the truth is simple and freeing:
Your value is not determined by others’ approval—it is secured by God’s acceptance.

When we place anything above God—even good things—it becomes an idol. And idols, no matter how attractive, cannot save, satisfy, or sustain us.

The God Who Saves

Despite our forgetfulness and misplaced priorities, God remains faithful.

In times of captivity, brokenness, and hopelessness, God steps in. He restores. He delivers. He makes a way.

Throughout history, He has raised deliverers, turned situations around, and fulfilled His promises—often in unexpected ways.

But the greatest expression of His saving power is found in Jesus.

Where there was shame, He brought dignity.
Where there was rejection, He offered belonging.
Where there was greed, He created generosity.
Where there was sickness and brokenness, He brought healing and restoration.

Jesus didn’t just speak hope—He demonstrated it.

He showed that no situation is beyond God’s reach.

Three Questions to Reflect On

As we pause and reflect, here are three important questions to consider:

1. What in my life is making me forget who God is?
2. Which “heart idol” is quietly controlling my decisions?
3. What part of my life do I need God to transform today?

These questions are not meant to condemn, but to awaken.

Living in Remembrance

The solution is not striving harder—it is remembering deeper.

Remember who God is.
Remember what He has done.
Remember that He is still at work.

When we remember, our faith is strengthened. Our perspective shifts. Our lives realign.

We stop trying to control everything—and start trusting the One who already does.

Because in the end, this truth stands firm:

There is no God like Him.

And that is more than enough.

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

The God of Increase

  This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 4th January 2026, by Colin. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

The God of Increase

When you open the Bible, most of us instinctively gravitate toward familiar and comforting portions—Psalms, the Gospels, Paul’s letters, or books like Isaiah and John. Very few of us would admit that genealogies are our favorite reading. Long lists of names can feel dry, repetitive, and easy to skip.

Yet, hidden within one such genealogy in 1 Chronicles 4, we discover a powerful and life-changing story—the story of Jabez.

A Name That Spoke Pain, A Life That Spoke Faith

The genealogy flows uninterrupted until verses 9 and 10, where everything pauses for one man:

“Jabez was more honourable than his brothers…”

His name, Jabez, literally means “pain.” His mother named him this because his birth was marked by suffering. Imagine carrying that label for your entire life—being constantly reminded of pain, limitation, and difficulty.

But Jabez refused to let his name define his destiny.

Instead of accepting the narrative handed to him, he cried out to the God of Israel.

The Bold Prayer That Changed Everything

Jabez prayed five simple but courageous requests:

1. “Oh, that You would bless me”
2. “Enlarge my territory”
3. “Let Your hand be with me”
4. “Keep me from harm”
5. “So that I may not experience pain”

And then comes one of the most powerful statements in Scripture:

“And God granted his request.”

In the middle of an otherwise unremarkable list of names, Jabez stands out—not because of his background, but because of his bold faith.

So significant was his life that a city was later named after him (1 Chronicles 2:55). From pain to purpose—what a transformation.

Is It Wrong to Ask God for Blessing?

Many Christians hesitate when it comes to asking God for big things. Some fear being labeled “materialistic,” while others swing away from blessing altogether because of excesses seen in prosperity teaching.

But Scripture paints a clear picture: God is not stingy. He is generous.

Blessing itself is not the problem. The problem arises when we seek blessings instead of God, or when blessings are hoarded rather than used to advance His kingdom.

God delights in blessing His children—so that they, in turn, can be a blessing to others.

Why We Struggle to Ask Boldly

Here are four common reasons we hold back:

1. “My problems are too small to bother God”

The truth is, God cares about every detail of your life. Scripture tells us He even knows the number of hairs on our heads.

We are invited to approach His throne with boldness and confidence, not fear and hesitation.

2. “I haven’t been good enough”

God’s favor is not earned—it is given by grace. We don’t come to Him in our own righteousness, but clothed in the righteousness of Jesus.

Just as Jacob received the blessing while wearing Esau’s garments, we receive God’s blessing because we are “in Christ.”

3. “If God wants it to happen, He’ll do it anyway”

While God is sovereign, Scripture clearly says:

“You do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2)

There are things God chooses to release in partnership with our prayers.

4. “Material things are unspiritual”

Jesus Himself taught us to pray for daily bread. Every good and perfect gift—spiritual or material—comes from God.

Four Ways God Blesses Us

Scripture shows that God blesses in multiple ways:

1. Through the hand of people

Joseph’s rise—from slave to second-in-command—came through God working in and through others. People can be instruments of God’s favor in our lives.

2. Through supernatural provision

From manna in the wilderness to water from a rock, God can intervene in ways no human effort can explain.

3. Through the work of our own hands

In the Promised Land, manna stopped—but God blessed the Israelites’ labor. Faith does not replace effort; God blesses diligence and obedience.

4. Even through the hands of enemies

Amazingly, God can cause opposition to become provision. Israel left Egypt with gold and silver from the very people who oppressed them.

Living Like Jabez Today

Jabez teaches us that our past, our name, or our limitations do not determine our future. Faith does.

God is inviting us to:

• Ask boldly
• Trust deeply
• Live generously
• Expect abundantly

As we begin each new season, the challenge is simple yet profound:

What is one big thing you are believing God for?

Write it down. Pray for it consistently. Trust God boldly.

Because the same God who answered Jabez still delights in answering His children today.

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

Choices | Donald D

This message was preached  by Donald D'costa at Word of Grace Church on October 22nd, 2017. To listen/download the audio please click here. To listen to the Sunday's worship and prophetic contributions please click here.

I’ve been going through the book of Genesis for the last two years. I want to speak this morning on choices. We will look at Chapter 3 where Satan comes to speak with eve and the choices she makes. We can learn a lot from that conversation.

1. God made us special, made in His image and likeness. We need to remember that. Secondly, God alone planned it all, initiates all creation, above all creation and he is sovereign. His will is free and no one can cross it. He alone can decide the purpose for His creation and we cannot question it. He alone can choose the destiny and future of all creation. By virtue of being our creator, we can rest in the assurance that he loves us. He created everything good and only good can be expected from him, not evil. Therefore, God’s choices are good and meant to bless- not harm or curse. In Jeremiah he says, I know the plans I have for you, plans for good and not for evil.

 2. By being made in the image of God, we can choose to love back too. The purpose of love is to be loved. He does not look at us as slaves who do not have a choice. He gives us a choice to reciprocate. In Gen 2:18- 20 he let man name every animal and have dominion. We see here a freedom that no slave is given.

Further we see God’s heart to work out love in a covenant relationship. So he makes woman who is a suitable helper. If God has made us as a regent here to ensure the reign of man, he has to give us a choice. Love must always find a free and willing responder.

God knew the risks of creating a being who had the choice to love him, because that means that being could also reject him. So this being can cause God much pain. Love endures pain and continues to love. God has not given up on mankind. This is a good relational tool for us as well.

All our relationship must reflect the Kingdom of God. the very garden still exists on earth, but the environment has gone and so Eden is gone. We now bring Eden in the boundaries we exist in. The boundaries are physical, but there is a relational, work and spiritual boundaries. Gen 3:1- 7 “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’? The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”

Adam and eve were created by God in His image, without sin as beings of choice give freewill to reciprocate to his love. This freewill also meant they could choose to obey God. 

As Christians, we have the same choice. Therefore, the Bible talks about a time of accounting. You choose to love him by obeying him or choose to disobey him. in his intention we want to obey God but they have made the wrong choices. They fall into temptation and then into sin. This is nothing new.

There are threats to the choices we make for God. the threat comes in the form of temptation. In this story, something comes to Eve outside of herself, but our own inner desires and longings give in to them.

If you think you can recognise the devil, you need to think again. Paul says, He can appear as an angel of light. Jesus said while addressing Peter “Get behind me Satan”. It is what the person says that is from Satan. Eve is having a conversation with someone who is cool, crafty and sensible. What the person is saying to her is not cool. He is getting her to question her choices. Anyone who brings into question the choices you have made in God is unhealthy.

Some of the examples:

1.      angry people are loving people

2.      money makes the world go round

3.      Sex is clean and normal and natural

4.      I never forget an injury and I never forgive an insult

5.      God helps those who helps themselves

6.      Do not judge me dude, you don’t know what the **** I’ve been through

Q. What are these phrases doing to your thinking? 

They are subtle. People are so gullible that they believe anything the media says. Today the church has become a Mimosa plant- Touch-me-nots. We are not called to be a touch-me-not and curl up as soon as the world touches us, but to touch the world and take to the world what we have.  

2 things the voice of evil will do:

1.      Call into question what God has said. When we are not sure, go back to God’s word. Hosea 4:6- “my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.”Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.” However personal your leadings of God are with you, they will never contradict the scripture. God will not ask you to commit sin no matter what the circumstances are.

2.      Satan addresses desire- He speaks to Eve about something she desires, something she wants to do- to eat. Our needs are valid and need to be discussed with God and not with Satan. All the evil one needs to know is that God knows what we need and He will provide.

Eve responds to the temptation with her own understanding. Her response shows that she wasn’t relying on God’s word. The tree had a name- the tree of the knowledge of Good and evil. And she adds- neither shall you touch it. This attitude leads to making rules that are not called for. When we do this, we go beyond the realm of what is permissible. Some Christians make rules about wearing only white clothes and no make-up or jewellery. The word of God only calls for modest dressing and not all of this. Many men and women in these Christian groups have fallen despite these rules. So, Eve is not thinking straight.

The temptation from the outside manipulates the desires that are inside. We need to base our choices and decision on what God says.

Gen 3: 4-6-

·        “You will not surely die”- once we enter into the discussion with Satan, there is a clear negation of the Word of God. He made God seem like a spiteful person who wants to withhold power from us. Secondly, to overlook an offence, we use this line- that God will understand.

·        “Your eyes will be opened”-  We tempt God with evil. We are called to relate with unbelievers, not to give them company. We are like God but we will never be God. So, what are we trying to achieve? We want to be something- only if certain desires are fulfilled we will serve God. Don’t test God. If you know good, you don’t need to know the evil.

Our acts of disobedience to God only lead us astray and the many who follow us. We make wrong choices, and the wrong choices don’t take away the value God has placed in us. God has not given up on us. Our wrong choices give us a chance to change and repent. God will say, get up. He has a plan and destiny for our lives.

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that have people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service. To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.

Philippians Part 20: Rejoice Always| Colin D

This message was preached  by Colin D'cruz at Word of Grace Church on August 28th, 2016. To listen/download the audio please click here. To listen to the Sunday's worship and prophetic contributions please click here

Has anyone had the experience of walking on a rope bridge? It is shaky and you need something to hold on to.

Q. In your spiritual life, how can you stand firm?

In Phil 4:1-9 Paul gives us 7 things to help us stand firm.

1.      Relationships are important. In verse 1, he says that he loves and longs for them and that they are his joy and crown.  In verse 2 he is pleading with Euodia and Synteche to resolve their issues. We looked at that last week. It is important to have good relationships in the body of Christ. It is not a small thing. One infection in your toe can cause gangrene and affect the whole body. People squabbling in the church is a Big thing.

2.      Rejoice: Paul is commanding the Philippians to rejoice. He is saying it again and again. Maybe your situation is not ideal but this is not an option. It’s not rejoicing in circumstances but in the Lord. the Lord is worthy of Praise.

Happiness comes out of happenings. But Paul is talking about joy that is not determined by circumstances. This is demonstrated in Acts 5: 40-41: “His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”

Joy is supernatural. It’s one of the fruits of the Spirit. Even when they were being flogged, they rejoiced.

2 Cor 8:1-2 is another supernatural evidence- “And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” 

Grace of God was upon them. Our joy and well being is dependent on knowing who the Lord is and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Horatio- his family moved to Chicago to help those who were less fortunate. A year later, the family went on a ship and the ship sank. Hearing this, he went to see his wife who was the lone survivor. In the ship that was taking him to meet her he wrote the hymn, "It is well with my soul." He had every reason to be bitter, but he did something else.

Q. How do we rejoice?

1.      Contentment- we are incredibly blessed. We always want more and think our situation is bad. Our situation can always be worse. If you have a home, food, shelter, you are in the top 5% of the world. You are blessed and need to be content.

2.      Remembering what Jesus has done for us. We are children of God- we pass through death like a doorway to enter heaven. No matter what you’re going through, he will be with us.

Romans 8:28- “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”

3.      The sovereignty of God is a truth we need to hold on to. He is all powerful. The disciples in the boat- when the storm came by, Jesus was sleeping. The disciples were screaming. Jesus was woken up. He said, be still and the storm calmed down. The disciples marvelled. Jesus then rebuked them. He is in control. That is the great assurance we have.

All the organisations in the world will come and go. The church is the only thing that will survive. God has given us something significant to do.

We rejoice in him.

Q. How can you change the way you feel?

By changing the way you think. As we read the word, it gets into our mind. And even in a bad situation, we are able to rejoice. 

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that have people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service. To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.

The four certainties of Revelation- Part 1| Chris

This message was preached  by Chris at Word of Grace Church on July 24th, 2016. To listen/download the audio please click here. To listen to the Sunday's worship and prophetic contributions please click here

This book gets big press because of mystery. And because of the mystery we miss the certainties which will motivate us to glory God and sing His praise.

We will do two certainties today.

1.      God's people matter to God and he hears every single one of their prayers

Rev 8:1-5- “When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.”

The ‘he’ is Jesus who has been chosen worthy to open the seals on account of his death. He is the Lamb of God and the lion of Judah. When he opened the 7^th seal there is silence for half hour. Up to this point there is no silence. He is enthroned on the praises of his creation. Day and night the angels cry holy, holy, holy!

Q. So why the silence?

In the Old Testament, there were 2 altars- one for sacrifice and one for incense, which is the prayer. When this seal is opened heaven falls silent.

In verse 3 it says that the angel came with a golden censer, all the saints from all time resting on the flame.

The very culmination of history is the prayer is all the saints.

Is 62:6-7- “I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth”

Pray without ceasing because your prayers are powerful and effective. It’s our prayers that will bring about the end of the age.

2.      Jesus for certain is king over all.

Rev 7:14-17- “I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

John is looking at the vast multitude. He is king over all and shepherd over us. He can bring death, sin and corruption to an end. What a description of Jesus! This is the King who is coming and all the kingdoms of man are nothing. The kingdoms of man are found begging for rocks to fall on them for who can stand before a mighty God.

Two certainties:

·        He loves us and hears us.

·        And he is king and is coming

Rev 22:12-14- “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.”

He is coming again!

Q. So, what is the proper response?

In Verse 17- “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” Our response is to take the free gift of the water of life!  

Come Lord Jesus!

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that have people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service. To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.