Giving - Part 2

This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on June 18th 2023  by Colin D Cruz. For the audio & video please click here. 

GIVING - PART 2

You all know that we are approaching the Gift Day and hence, we’ve been going through a series of sermons on “Giving”. Today, once again we’re going to talk about money. When it comes to money, most of us are embarrassed. When we meet someone new and introduce ourselves, do we ask them how much they earn? Money may affect all of us in some way. It is private, especially in a church setting.

In New Testament, Jesus spoke a lot about money. He spoke about money, giving, greed etc. 15% of what he spoke was about money and greed. This shows that money was important to Jesus. There is something significant about money.

The Gift Day we’re talking about is the annual gift day offering that we take every year in the month of November or December. We’re not the only church doing this but all the churches in Regions Beyond across the world in different countries. We’ve been doing this for many years now. What exactly do we do with this gift day offering? We use it for different purposes to support many causes within India, to support widows and also the poor. It is a great joy to be a part of this giving unless our minds are informed and hearts are changed.

Mark 14:1-9 -  Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. ² “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.” ³ While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. ⁴ Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? ⁵ It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages^[a] and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. ⁶ “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. ⁷ The poor you will always have with you,^[b] and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. ⁸ She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. ⁹ Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Verse 3 - While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

This account of Jesus is there in all the gospels. There was a dinner at Simon the leper’s house. Why were they having this dinner?

John 12:2 - Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 

The dinner was to honor Jesus. Martha served while Lazarus was sitting along with Jesus. The dinner was happening at Simon the leper’s house. We see 2 reasons here – Simon the leper and Lazarus

The Jewish law says that a person who is a leper should be separated from everyone. But here, the dinner is happening at Simon the leper’s house. Most probably, Simon was an ex-leper who was healed by Jesus.

John 11: 1-3 - Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ² (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) ³ So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

In verse 5, we come to know that Jesus loved Lazarus, Mary and Martha.

John 11:5 - Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

When a message was sent to Jesus about Lazarus being sick, he didn’t bother to go. Jesus did so many things, he healed so many people. So, Mary and Martha thought he’d come to see Lazarus. But Jesus did something totally out of his character. He did not go and he delayed his going to Bethany.

John 11:17 - ¹⁷ On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.

John 11:32 - ³⁵ Jesus wept.

Jesus goes to Bethany and by then Lazarus was in tomb for 4 days. Can you imagine? His body must be decaying and stinking. But what did Jesus do?

John 11:43-44 - ⁴³ When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

I’ve read somewhere – Earth is the closest place to heaven for those who put their faith in Jesus and the closest place to hell for those who don’t put their faith in Jesus.

If there’s anyone here who hasn’t put their faith in Jesus, today is the day.

 Mark 14:3 - While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

We don’t really know if the celebration was because Simon was healed of his leprosy or if Lazarus was raised to life.

But Mary comes, takes out the perfume jar breaks it and pours it on Jesus’ head. The disciples who were present there quickly calculated the price of that perfume.

I read on the internet that the most expensive perfume in the world costs 1.5 million dollars.

Mary, takes a precious Alabaster jar and does not put just 1 or 2 drops of perfume but breaks it open and pours the whole thing on Jesus’ head. The whole room must have been filled with the fragrance of that perfume. This is an act of extraordinary and lavish devotion.

Mark 14:4-5 - ⁴ Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? ⁵ It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages^[a] and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

While Mary poured out her extraordinary and lavish devotion, the disciples were calculative, thought it was a waste and even rebuked her harshly.

This is the difference between Mary and the disciples. Jesus touches our hearts and minds.

When we give out gift day offering, how would you like to give? And when you do, what people say about it is not important. But what Jesus says is important. What does Jesus say?

Mark 14: 6 - ⁶ “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.

The King of the universe says that what Mary did was a beautiful thing.

Mark 14: 8-9 - ⁸ She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. ⁹ Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Mary did what she could do and what others think about that was not important to Mary. Her act of generosity is being talked about even today after 2000+ years. 

1.  Whatever we give to Jesus, this is what Jesus is going to say. We are looking for divine approval but not of man.

2.  Timely action – Before Jesus died.

When Jesus rose on the third day, Mary went to see, but he was already risen and left the tomb. What Mary was unable to do on that day was done by her before his death.

3.  Prophetic statement – verse 8 – prepare for my burial. The disciples did not know anything when Jesus said this. Mary saw the opportunity before Jesus dies and she gave what she could. It was an act of true devotion.

Matthew 26, in the same chapter, there was another person who showed his devotion.

Matthew 26:49 - ⁴⁹ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

Judas showed his devotion with a kiss. But it was not a true devotion. It was a betrayal.

Our giving can be either an act of true devotion like Mary’s or something like what Judas did.

I want to say something to the young generation who are largely concerned about themselves but not concerned about how to spend it. When it comes to offering, it is minimal, when it comes to hospitality, they say, “Let us dutch”. I would like to invite you. Join Mary and give an extraordinary offering.

Those who have Jesus in their lives, give thanks because Jesus paid it all for our sins. For me, my last breath on earth will be my first breath in heaven.

In Manipur, amid all the riots, people are sent to jail for holding Bibles.

While we are still here, let us do good and give generously.

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.  

Giving - Part 1

This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on June 11th 2023  by Colin D Cruz. For the audio & video please click here. 

GIVING - PART 1

This year several great pastors/ preachers have passed away. These were giants of the faith. If we are human, we are mortal – one day we must go. There is only one generation that will be there when Jesus returns.

Paul knew he was going to go. He said I fought the fight and knew his end had come.

Our relationship with Jesus determines where we go – this is true for everyone big, small, rich poor. The question after our death that will be asked is Who is Jesus to you and the answer to that will determine where we will spend eternity.

So, if there is anyone who has not put their trust in Jesus, you can do it today. If you believe in Him and His sacrifice on the Cross and confess your sins and acknowledge Jesus as Lord, you will be with Him in paradise one day.

We all heard about the horrific train accident – life can go in one moment. But we know that when we die, we will be with Jesus forever. This is our great hope.

Jesus tells us how we need to prepare ourselves for heaven. At 40 degrees C, we cannot think of packing thermals for cold weather.  Next time I will pack and prepare better. But for heaven there is not a second chance. We need to know how to prepare ourselves well.

Matt 6:19-21 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Someone lost 2.4 crores on an internet scam.!!

Jesus’ command is not to store treasure on earth. The whole world is running after money and quick rich schemes. Jesus is not against us storing treasures.

Look around everything we see will be destroyed when Jesus comes back. There will be a new heaven and new earth. So everything will be gone. Jesus is not against you storing treasure he is concerned with where you store it. Store it in heaven. As we give to the work of God, to the poor it is being credited to your account in heaven.

My message this morning is on giving and not tithing.

Lev 27:30 our tithe belongs to the Lord. We are just bringing it to the Lord as it belongs to him in the first place.

We have not started giving yet.

How we give is very important.

There are different ways in which people determine how we give.

Let me tell you how your giving has impacted others. We support Education for All which runs schools in very poor rural areas giving them quality education. These children work as rag pickers, in sweatshops and then come to school in the afternoon. These few hours help them get educated and they enjoy it, and it gives them hope to dream.

We are amazingly blessed. We have so much in fact too much! Think about those living in abject poverty and we can make a difference.

How much should we give?

Mk12:41

Keep in mind a few things. The people here will not know how much you gave but Jesus will know. He sat near the treasury and watched how people gave and commented on how they gave.

Our giving is in secret, but it’s known to Jesus. Rich people threw in large amounts. We may feel proud or embarrassed about how we are giving.

There was this poor widow who put in two small coins. People would have judged the rich man’s giving as a lot and the poor woman’s giving as of no consequence. But Jesus commended her as having put in more than all the others! The others gave out of their wealth, but the widow gave everything she had!!

So much we give is not important but what proportion we give. So, Jesus commends us on the amount and proportion.

As we give proportionally, generously and in faith where lives are being changed, that is our great reward.

We need to give sacrificially.

2 Sam 24:13 David takes census which God had told them not to do. God sent a plague (v13) and 70, 000 people died. David buys Arunah’s field and did not take it free. He did not want to sacrifice anything that did not cost him anything.

How much therefore does it cost or pinch you? Is it a sacrifice to God? David was a man after God’s own heart despite all his sins. Let’s give sacrificially.

1Tim6:18-19

Paul commands those who are rich to do good as they will lay up treasures for themselves in heaven.

 Conclusion

Our giving will result in treasures in heaven. There are blessings on earth as well that we will receive.

Paul says lay up treasure in heaven that is a firm foundation. We get only one chance to do this – that is our one lifetime.

Let’s give proportionality and sacrificially. We are blessed and God has entrusted wealth in our hands let us be good stewards of it.

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 Power of Thanksgiving

 

This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on June 4th 2023  by Colin D Cruz. For the audio & video please click here. To listen to the worship please click hereclick here

The Power of Thanksgiving

Christians often ask the question, “Lord, what is your will for me?” For 99% of us, God’s will is already revealed to us in the word and can be discerned by the spirit of God. 

Today we are going to look at one aspect of God’s will which was echoed in the worship today. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ““give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Giving thanks in good circumstances is easy. But the Bible says, in all circumstances- in personal as well as circumstances which don’t affect us directly. We hear about train accidents and what is happening in Manipur, when we hear about Ukraine and the devastation there, how do we give thanks? We are to give thanks IN every situation, not FOR every situation. Our faith is in the God who never changes. God can bring good out of evil. We cannot understand everything but we have hope. 

How is Thanksgiving the will of God for us? 

There are over 75 references in the scriptures instructing and commanding us fit to give thanks. What flows from our mouth generally is complaining rather than thanksgiving. Often our conversation is full of grumbling. Col 3:18; Eph 5:20; etc., all instruct us to give thanks. 

Thanksgiving changes thinking. We need to be overflowing with thanks for everything. A gratitude journal can change your spirit. James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

At every step of the way, we are there because of God's protection over us.

Expressing thanksgiving to people. Express gratitude in the family and in friendships. 

We all have difficult situations that come and go.

1. A situation of lack:  Matt 14: 15-18 “As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭15‬-‭19 ‭NIV‬‬ When you give thanks for what you have he can give you what you need. 

2. In dead situations: “Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” ‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭38‬-‭44‬ ‭NIV‬‬. 

Today you might be dealing with situations that are of lack or are dead. But as we trust in God more than our situation, we are able to give thanks. Romans 4:18-21 “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” In our dead situations, we give glory to God. 

The will of God for our lives is to be thankful in every circumstance. It’s simple yet powerful. 

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 1 Month Challenge

 

This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on May 7th 2023  by Colin D Cruz. For the audio & video please click here. To listen to the worship please click here

The 1 Month Challenge

We will not meet like this for 30 days now as we take a summer break. Will it not be amazing if we all are transformed in these 30 days?

“And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” - Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭37‬ ‭ESV‬‬

4 things:-

1. Physically - Love the Lord with all your strength - on one extreme, there are people who are completely focused on the body. On the other extreme, people don’t think about the body or care for the body at all. Neither of these are good. 

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬ - “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 

If you borrowed someone else’s car, you would be very careful driving that car. In the same way, our body belongs to God, so we need to take care of our bodies. 

1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬ - “for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ‭‭

So there is some value in physical training. 

1. Dieting - don’t eat what is not good for you like sugars 

2. Exercise 

3. Sleep well 

2. Relationships - can we invest in spending time with someone who is not a believer? 

Psalm‬ ‭126‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬ - “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” ‭‭

We are here for the lost. Then do something with someone who is a believer. Encourage one another, spur one another to good works, build up one another. 

1 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬ - “and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,”‭‭

So whatever you do the must be an exchange of love. 

3. Spiritual - what can you do that can take your spiritual life to the next level? 

‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬ - “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 

We are commanded to grow spiritually. 

1. Bible reading, Prayer and Fasting - add fasting to your spiritual regimen. It is powerful and we are commanded in scripture to do this 

2. Pick up a book to read or pick up a sermon series and go through it 

3.  ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬  - “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

What is the spiritual gift that God has entrusted to you? God has given you a gift. Over the next 30 days how can you sharpen that and grow in your spiritual gift. 

4. Mentally - AI is taking over a lot of routine things that we would have to spend time on. We need to learn new things and new ways of doing this. For this our mind needs to be sharp. 

We have 30 days before us. How can we love the Lord with our strength (body), soul (relationships), heart (spiritual) and min (mentally).

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.  

Foundations of the Local Church - Part 2

 

This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on April 30th 2023  by Colin D Cruz. For the audio & video please click here. To listen to the worship please click here

Foundations of the Local Church - Part 2

Last week we began the topic, “Foundations of Local Church”.

In Luke chapter 24, we see that 2 disciples walking to Emmaus met Jesus. They were downcast because they had seen Jesus the Messiah crucified.
When Jesus asked him why they were downcast and what were those things they explained everything that happened to Jesus in verses 19 to 24.

After this, we see that Jesus speaks to them and tells them things written in Old Testament. The question is – What did Jesus speak to them?

Gospel is a part of God’s big plan. The way we see things is through the glasses. Our beliefs, interpretations, and the way we see things depend on the glasses through which we see.

All that Jesus spoke can be covered under 4 major themes:-

1.     The Messiah

2.     The Temple

3.     The Kingdom

4.     The Salvation

All these 4 intertwine and make a beautiful tapestry. Today, let us look at the Temple.

What was the first temple? It was the Garden of Eden. How can we define Temple? A temple is a place where people meet with God. In Genesis chapter 3, we see that God met Adam and Eve in the cool of the day. After sin, they were cast out.

The next meeting point was the Tabernacle built by Moses. The third temple was the one in Jerusalem built by Solomon. Sacrifices were offered there for different kinds of sins and thank offerings etc.

When Jesus began His ministry, where was the temple? The physical temple was in Jerusalem.

John 2:19-22 - ¹⁹ Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” ²⁰ They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” ²¹ But the temple he had spoken of was his body. ²² After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

So, while Jesus was on this Earth, His body was the temple. As we have already seen, the temple is a place where people met with God. Could a leper go to the temple in Jerusalem? Could women who were bleeding go to the temple in Jerusalem? No!

But in the streets, everyone and anyone could meet with the Living God. Even the unbelievers could meet the Living God.

God’s plan is to cover the earth with His glory. Jesus ascended into heaven. Physically He’s not here. So, where is the temple?

1 Corinthians 3:16 - ¹⁶ Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?

We are God’s temple. His presence is in us.

God’s plan is to fill the earth with His presence. When we come together, Holy Spirit comes and we are the temple of God.

1 Peter 2:4-9 - ⁴ As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— ⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house^[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
    a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
    will never be put to shame.”^[b]

⁷ Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone,”^[c]

⁸ and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble
    and a rock that makes them fall.”^[d]

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

⁹ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 

Collectively, we are the temple of Jesus Christ. That’s God’s plan – To fill the earth not with just physical temple but with people of God taking His presence everywhere. Every church is an expression of the presence of God.

Revelation 21:1-4 - Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”^[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’^[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Jesus is going to come down upon the earth. This is what we are looking for. One day there will be a new heaven and new earth. We are better off than Adam and Eve. They could sin in the Garden of Eden. But when there’s a new heaven and a new earth, we will not sin. There will be no sorrow, no pain and no crying.

Now we see a little bit of heaven on earth as we witness healing and miracles. But it’s not complete.

The temple took the following everywhere –

1.     Presence of God

2.     Power of God

3.     Purity of God

1.     Presence of God

You are the light of the world. What am I doing on this earth? Whatever you are, a teacher, student, engineer, doctor etc., you are the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

How can we be light and salt? We may not have the power to do big things but we can stand up for justice, righteousness, fairness and truth. Wherever you are – school, college, club, office, we always must bring the righteousness of God.

In the Bible, we see the woman who touched Jesus was healed. Now, when people touch us, they are touching God’s presence. We need to go into dark situations and give light - healings, lives we live, words we speak, things we do etc.

For many years there was slavery. But William Wilberforce abolished it. If you see, largely Christians do these things – fighting against sex trafficking, slavery etc.

From our church, the Marriage app makes a difference. I’ve been thinking about the persecuted Christians these days. There are 300 + cases against Christians. All of them are false. This is the way of the enemy.

During the time of Daniel, a law was passed that people should not to pray to God.

Similarly, laws are being passed in our country. Just as Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den, Christians are being thrown into prison.

The ADF and Persecution Relief groups are standing up with the persecuted Christians helping them fight their cases.

My thought is to intentionally mobilize funds so that the cases can be fought, bail can be provided and families of the imprisoned believers can be taken care of.

Along with prayers, we must do something more.

John 1:5 -  ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome^[a] it.

As we support these organizations, our light is shining in the darkness.

2.     Power of God

Acts 19:11-12 - ¹¹ God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, ¹² so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

Wow! What an amazing power!

Acts 5:14-15 - ¹⁴ Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. ¹⁵ As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.

For the power of God to work, purity is needed.

3.     Purity of God

John 2: 13-16 - ¹³ When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁴ In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. ¹⁵ So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. ¹⁶ To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 

If you want to see the power and presence of God, purity is needed. All sinful habits and sinful thoughts must be replaced with good thoughts.

One of the things we can do is fast and pray. This is not to get God to do things for us but to humble ourselves. By fasting, we humble ourselves and we ask God. It is up to Him.

All promises are fulfilled in New Testament and now it is being outworked till Jesus returns. Wherever you go, take the light of 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 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.