Dear all,
May God give you more and more grace and peace.
Word: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Thought:
This verse is the watershed of all human history. It establishes God’s plan for making you part of his forever family. – Donald Tabb
Stand firm in Christ
The Journey Team
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
Word:
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. Psalms 119:9
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Heb 4: 12-13.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Mathew 24:35
Thought: Let us renew our vision and confidence in Christ.
The word of God is living, life changing, and dynamic as it works in us. The demand of God’s word requires strong and firm decisions.
Challenges in our Journey are what make life interesting; overcoming them with the power of God is what makes life meaningful. Invest your life for Christ’s Kingdom sake.
Live your life victoriously with the power of Risen Redeemer Lord Jesus Christ
Stand firm In Christ
Int’l Sun Class
Dear all,
Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Herewith we are forwarding the writing of Dr. Daniel Sathiaraj entitled “Father, glorify your name”.
Father, glorify your name.
Daniel Sathiaraj
These are Jesus’ words. This prayer shows Jesus’ concern for His Father’s glory. He glorified the Father by dying on the cross for humanity and by completing the work God gave Him to do. Jesus said: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
As a response to Jesus’ prayer above (John 12: 28), the Father replied, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
Jesus left us a model by being concerned about God’s glory. Jesus obeyed God fully. He came to earth to take us to heaven.
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began” (John 17: 1-5).
Are we concerned about our heavenly Father’s name? Even as a 12-year-old boy, Jesus was concerned about His Father’s house. He sat among the teachers and listened to them and asked them questions. “Why were you searching for me?” he asked his parents. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work”(John 4: 34).
Example of Daniel
Daniel was concerned about God’s name. He was a prisoner in Babylon and the Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Babylonians. His wonderful prayer in Daniel 9 shows his concern.
“Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary.Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name” [vv17-19].
Example of Nehemiah
Through some men who came from Jerusalem and Judah, Nehemiah in a foreign land learnt about those who had returned from the Babylonian exile and about Jerusalem. He came to know that God’s people were in great trouble and disgrace and that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down. In response, Nehemiah wept, mourned, fasted and prayed. He mobilized the people and rebuilt the Jerusalem wall in 52 days.
Example of Paul
Paul was concerned about the glory of God. From the time of his conversion till the end of his life, Paul preached the Kingdom of God in various countries of the world and he established many churches.
Paul faceddaily the pressure of his concern for all the churches [2 Corinthians 11: 28].
He wrote: whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10: 31).
Application
Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory (Psalm 115: 1). What work has God given us? How do we complete that work? In many countries including North Korea and Saudi Arabia, may God’s kingdom come. May God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. All people in the world should know that Jesus Christ died for them on the cross and that He is the risen Saviour of the world.
Father, we love you; we worship and adore you; glorify your name in all the earth.
Stand firm in Christ
The Journey Team
Dear all,
May God give you more and more grace and peace.
Word:
“But when Jesus heard about it he said.” Lazarus sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the son of God will receive glory from this”. John 11:4.
Thought:
Any trial a believer of Lord Jesus Christ faces in his walk with Christ can ultimately bring glory to God, because God can bring good out of any bad situation (Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20). The problems are opportunities to honor Him.
Stand firm in Christ
The Journey Team
Dear all,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let us praise our Lord and forget not all His benefits. His grace is new every day.
Word: Jesus appears to Thomas – John 20: 26-29 – A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Thought: In the hands of Jesus there is certainty! There is providence! There is majesty! The hands of Jesus are saving hands. The Bible describes every type of sin but declares that the Lord delivers from them all. His saving hands are secure hands. Of all who come to Him He said, “I will give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand”. The hands of Jesus are able to hold secure for time and eternity all that we commit to Him. – Adapted from Streams in the desert, Mrs. Charles Cowman, Forty-first printing, September 1982.
Be strong and glad!
Stand firm in Christ
The Journey Team
Dear all,
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Phil 1: 2
Word:
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4: 6-7
Thought: As adopted children of God, we share with Jesus all rights to God’s resources. As God’s heirs, we can claim what he has provided for us-our full identity as his children.
Stand firm in Christ
The Journey Team
The Heart of Marriage
Dennis & Jill Eenigenburg
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4. WHO IS GOD’S POWER FOR MARRIAGE?
In many cultures, marriage is an endangered institution. In the United States for example, it is estimated that of all the marriages taking place in 2012 at least 50% will end in divorce. Also in the States, fewer couples are getting married, opting instead for informal cohabitation. In some segments of American society, close to 70% of children are born out of wedlock. Of those who are married, many say they are unhappy or are just remaining together for cultural, religious or economic reasons. Why do people find marriage to be such a difficult living arrangement? How did what God intended as a gift and blessing, become for too many, an unwanted burden? For the answer, one needs to revisit the garden in which the first marriage took place.
I. IN THE BEGINNING MARRIAGE WAS IDEAL:
ADAM AND EVE REFLECTED THE PERFECT PORTRAIT OF MARRIAGE
A. IN THE BEGINNING ADAM AND EVE REFLECTED GOD’S IMAGE PERFECTLY
Adam and Eve had a perfect marriage because they were morally perfect. They always loved each other consistently; they always served each other sacrificially. They always spoke words of encouragement and good. They enjoyed perfect oneness with each other and perfect fellowship with God.
B. IN THE BEGINNING ADAM AND EVE OBEYED GOD’S WILL PERFECTLY
Adam and Eve were given responsibilities to manage and maximize their resources and potential. They were to maximize their reproductive potential by filling the earth with their offspring. They were to manage the natural resources such as fish and animals. To “subdue the animals” may have referred to domesticating them for work. Thus they would maximize their productivity. The cultivation of the garden indicates the garden needed tending and that Adam and Eve could improve its potential by caring for its plants. This assignment received no negative response from Adam and Eve and it was all pronounced, “very good.”
C. IN THE BEGINNING ADAM RECEIVED EVE ENTHUSIASTICALLY
The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib, which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Genesis 2:22-23
II. MARRIAGE BECAME AN ORDEAL: ADAM AND EVE’S DISOBEDIENCE DISTORTED THE PORTRAIT OF MARRIAGE
A. God established a test of Adam and Eve’s loyalty and submission to Him
• The test was a prohibition against eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
• The test was set in the midst of freedom to enjoy the fruit of all the other trees.
• The test reminded Adam and Eve that they were under the authority of their Creator.
• The test reminded Adam and Eve that God was their source of Life and Blessing.
• The test would result in death, if failed.
B. God’s test of Adam and Eve’s loyalty was failed.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field, which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, you shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.” The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day 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 tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:1-6
C. God’s warning of “death” took place.
The consequence of Adam and Eve’s disobedience was “death.”
The definition of “death” is separation from life. After eating the forbidden fruit death took place. Adam and Eve were immediately separated from the life God has given them. Adam and Eve were immediately separated from the life of personal holiness. They were immediately separated from the life of perfect fellowship with God. Adam and Eve were immediately separated from the life of perfect marital oneness. Adam and Eve were immediately separated from the life of eternal existence on the earth as God’s overseers.
D. The “death” caused by disobedience produced devastating consequences.
• SHAME
Adam and Eve were ashamed before each other.
Adam and Eve were ashamed before their Creator.
• BLAME
Adam blamed the woman God had given him.
Eve blamed the serpent God had created.
• PAIN
Eve would experience pain when she gave birth to children.
Adam and Eve would experience pain in their marriage.
Adam would experience pain in his labors for food.
Adam and Eve would experience the pain of physical death.
Adam and Eve would experience pain in their parenting.
Summary: “the wage of sin is death.”
III. THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST MARRIAGE CAN BECOME A NEW DEAL: THE PORTRAIT OF MARRIAGE CAN BE RESTORED THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AND THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. GOD PREDICTED ONE WHO WOULD REVERSE THE CURSE OF SIN ON MANKIND
Genesis 3:14-15
B. GOD PROVIDED THE ONE WHO WOULD REVERSE THE CURSE OF SIN
Matthew 1:20-23
Romans 3:21-26
C. GOD PROMISES TO REVERSE THE CURSE FOR ALL WHO PUT THEIR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.
John 3:16
1. THROUGH JESUS CHRIST WE CAN EXPERIENCE FREEDOM FROM SIN’S PENALTY.
Romans 8:1-2
2. THROUGH JESUS CHRIST WE CAN EXPERIENCE FREEMDOM FROM SIN’S POWER.
Romans 6:12-13
3. THROUGH JESUS CHRIST WE WILL EXPERIENCE FREEDOM FROM SIN’S PRESENCE.
John 14:2-3
IV. GOD’S NEW DEAL FOR US BEGINS WITH OUR PERSONAL REQUEST FOR FORGIVENESS BY FAITH
A. Placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ is a personal choice
John 1:12-13
B. Placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ shows trust in His work not our works.
Ephesians 2:8-9
C. Placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ acknowledges He is the only way of salvation.
Romans 6:23
John 14:6
D. Placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ means you accept the Gospel as true.
I Corinthians 15:1-4
TAKING IT TO HEART:
If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and would like to ask Him to forgive you and grant you new life you can do it now through a simple prayer of faith.
“Lord Jesus, I thank you for dying on the cross in my place. I confess that I am a sinner unworthy of your grace. I believe that you paid for my sins through your death. I believe that you can grant me forgiveness and new life by the power of your resurrection. Lord Jesus, be merciful to me a sinner and forgive me of my offenses against you. Lord, grant me your new everlasting life by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
As a child of God we need spiritual food and exercise to be healthy. God’s word is our food and God’s work is our exercise. In the book of James it says, “Faith without works is dead.” So we need to feed on God’s word and obey what it says. As we trust and obey we will grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ. As we grow closer to Christ’s likeness we will see growth in our marital oneness as well. The pure love of God described in I Corinthians 13 is now within our Spirit filled ability to live out. At this point consider the following simple Bible study method for your daily feeding on God’s Word.
V. GOD’S NEW DEAL IS EMPOWERED BY OUR PERSONAL SUBMISSION TO THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT
A. The Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead along with the Father and the Son.
B. The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus to empower our new life in Christ. The Holy Spirit ministers to believers on earth until they are reunited with Christ in heaven.
*He is called a “helper.”
*His is called “the Spirit of truth.”
*He is with the believer forever.
*He is indwelling every believer.
C. The Holy Spirit is our Source of Power unleashed through our obedience. Jesus promised to send His disciples One who would give them the power to do His will and work on earth.
D. The Holy Spirit’s power is neglected when we disobey.
1. The Holy Spirit is “grieved” by disobedience.
2. The Holy Spirit is “quenched” by disobedience.
3. The Holy Spirit is unleashed by willful submission.
The filling of the Holy Spirit is contrast to the drunkenness of wine. When a person is drunk he is under the influence of that drink. The world offers many drinks, drugs, addictions and influences to which we are tempted to yield for temporary pleasure. All of the world’s offerings ultimately destroy our bodies, our morals and our relationships. The only influence we can trust to have control over us is the Holy Spirit. He is perfect and brings only good things to those who will trust Him with their daily decisions and behavior.
F. The Holy Spirit is our Source of the behavior and attitudes that exhibits Christ’s likeness.
Galatians 5:16
Galatians 5:22-26
Summary:
GOD’S NEW DEAL ENABLES US TO FUFILL HIS PURPOSES IN OUR MARRIAGES
The Holy Spirit enables us to Mirror God’s image
The Holy Spirit enables us to Mutually complete each other
The Holy Spirit enables us to Multiply a Godly legacy
May God give you more and moregrace and peace. 1 Peter 1:2
Word:
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
Asthey approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesussent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and atonce you will find a donkey tiedthere, with her colt by her. Untie themand bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lordneeds them, and he will send them right away.” Mat 21: 1-3.
“Rejoicegreatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentleand riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zech 9:9).
Thought: Deliverance through Jesus the only way.
The Lord’s deliverance is assured.We might not feel it, but that does not imply He has forsaken us. For the Lord is sure and our only source of refuge.
Word:“Jesus forgives”
One of the criminals who hungthere hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” Butthe other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you areunder the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what ourdeeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when youcome into your kingdom.” Jesus answeredhim, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23: 39 – 43.
Thought:
Jesusstands ready to forgive any sin in your life, but confession and repentance mean a change of heart. With God’shelp we can accept Christ’s forgiveness and stop our wrong doing. Jesus healsour inner wounds as well as outer wounds by his stripes.
“Hewas wounded… He was crushed… By His stripes we are healed” (Isa 53:5)
Word:
Trust inthe LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in allyour ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6
Thought:
Wisdomis a God-given gift. Its starting point is God and his revealed word, thesource of “knowledge and understanding”. The pathway to wisdom is strenuous andwhen we are on the path, we discover that the true wisdom is God’s.
thejourneyinchrist 