EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT COMES FROM THE LORD!

The 'Mottki' on the 'chula' next to the 'nahni' (ignore the clothes of the workers!)

The 'Randhon' with the space for firewood below.

The above pics are from a 150 year old house in Raia, Goa (My Grandmother's step mom's place) which is undergoing major repair right now. I happened to step into the house to say hello to our relatives who have come from Mumbai to take care of the property. At the time when i took these snaps, i was doing it so i could show them to my sons and explain to them what Goan houses were like in our childhood days.


I remembered how my grandmother would wake up at 5.00 in the morning to light up the stove (as in the picture) and put the water for the coffee on boil. Then she would go to the well that was 22 hands deep (i.e. 22 pulls of the rope to get the pot up). It required 26 pots of water to fill the large metal pot (Like pic above, but bigger). She did this until she was 83 years of age (The last three years of her life, she lost the use of one hand due to a stroke ... she died at 86!). As we grew up, we offered to help her draw water from the well but she would always refuse saying that it was her daily exercise which keeps her fit!

We had no fridge those days. There was a low cupboard buried into a thick mud wall that would keep the food cool. In the village, we used handmade kerosene lamps to light the house since electricity had not reached Utorda (my village). The toilets were away from the house since they were 'pig toilets' (i won't explain that! I've had horrific experiences with those!). There was no TV/Video and the only pass time was to gather in the 'balcao' (Verandah) and sing 'Mannde' and 'Dulpods' (Folk songs).

When i returned to Dubai and looked at the snaps, i had tears in my eyes as i remembered how the Lord had brought me and my family out of 'financial poverty' into 'spiritual richness' which included even worldly blessings like a beautiful apartment (s), cars, electronic gadgets etc. etc.

Never for once stop counting your blessings.
Never fail to Trust Him.

Never lean on your own understanding.
Never fail to acknowledge him in everything. 
Let Him DIRECT YOUR PATH! (Read Pr. 3:5,6)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning - James 1:17

THE TEMPLATE

On my way back from Mumbai to Dubai, i was reflecting on what Bro. Hilary had said to me in the taxi on our way to Mumbai from Pune. My brother Antonio and i were invited by him to The Lord's Ranch  http://lordsranch.org/contactus.html

I had shared with him some thoughts on why 'i believed what i believed'. Many of the things i had said went against what he believed and we were at an impasse in our conversation. He said that I was all 'knotted up' and unless i simplified my life, my spiritual growth would be hampered. Whilst i dearly respect Bro. Hilary as an exemplary Christian, i still could not bring myself to a point where i could agree with him on many things related to the traditions in the Catholic Church which he is ready to defend with his life!

At the check-in counter, i was pleased to know that i had been upgraded to business class but then i was sad that my brother was not. As i settled down in my seat, a tall handsome white man sat himself down beside me and flashed me his biggest smile. I introduced myself to him and i was absolutely thrilled to know that he was a founding pastor of many churches. He had just been to India on a pastoral visit. At once i acknowledged the hand of the Lord in this meeting since i could use him as my 'sounding board' to put my mind at rest!

I had a chance to share all that i had shared with Hilary and to my great surprise, he too had something similar to say to me! He said i was listening to too many preachers, teachers and doctrines which were only confusing me. Whilst he acknowledged the many gifts that God had bestowed on me, he opined that the very strengths could be my weaknesses if i was not careful. He said i would be very vulnerable if i was not well grounded in the Word of God. Once i had truly 'chewed on' the word of God and 'digested' it, only then i would be able to apply it as a 'template' to life. Thereafter, i would be able to put to the test all that i hear and do.

"Does this/that fit into the template?" would be a question that would be repeatedly asked before i would accept and apply any teaching/preaching/book information/instruction etc.

.................................................................................................................................................................
Further thoughts:

In 1st Corinthians 15:17, St. Paul says “If the words of this book are not true, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” 

If God’s Word is true then you and I are promised strength, comfort, healing, forgiveness, guidance, hope right here, right now, and life eternal in the future. If the Word is true then it has enormous meaning and impact upon not only my eternal life, but for my daily life, and the lives of those around me.
If the stakes are so enormously high and there really only two possibilities don’t you think that one should invest the time and effort to closely examine what is found in a book that may contain a Life Saving—Life Giving—Living Word?

A MEMORY WORTH CHERISHING

 

 

 

At midnight I will turn 47 and my mom who is visiting her three sons in Dubai handed over the above two articles to me at lunchtime today. The first is a medal with a rusty pin and a tarnished image which appears to be some sort of a casket being held up by two angels (Or could it be The Last Supper table?) AND the second one is a heavy gold ring which barely fits my pinky!

 

So what's so special about the two objects?

 

My mother handed me the medal requesting me always to pray for Sister Aurelia and her team of Hospice sisters. It so happens, I was born a blue baby with the umbilical cord twisted 4 times around my neck. I was given up for dead by the doctors but Sr. Aurelia unclipped the above medal from her garment and placed it on my chest and lead the rest of the sisters in prayer. She prophesied over my life and interceded for my survival. It took a whole hour for the doctor to detect a heartbeat but I did live and now I'm testifying to the fact that my heart has stayed ever strong to this day!

 

The second object is part of an inheritance that I received from my father. I knew nothing of what it looked like until today! My mother always mentioned to me that my father had left me a ring before he died but I would never remember to ask for it whenever I've been to Goa on holiday. She handed it to me today reminding me that before the four of us (brothers) started working, we had nothing in terms of land or house. All that my father could leave behind for each of us was a gold article each. The ring is a reminder of my parents' great sacrifice in order that their four sons would receive the best education. My father died some 22 years ago. He lived long enough to see their sacrifice beginning to bear fruit but not long enough to see the Lord bless us with property, houses, children etc. I believe he continues to see those from a different realm that we're all yet to comprehend - Eternity!

 

I look back at my life today and I reflect on the countless mercies I've received from God undeserved by me. Every thing that I've received from the Lord has been very good and perfect gifts! Every day I experience His unfathomable grace in my life. I may change but He never does - He is a picture of faithfulness! He always lifts me up when I fall and shines his love-light on me when I'm discouraged.

 

Who else do I have, to go to, but you Lord ... you're all I have, to turn to, because you are always there with me as promised in Mat 28:20

 

ENCOURAGE YOURSELVES IN THE LORD THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD!

 



HOW 'RELIGIOUS' CAN ONE GET?

On the way back from dropping my son to school, my brother Antonio and i were reminiscing about our childhood days at our Grandma's place in Margao. In those days, we attended the 6.15am mass at the Carmelite Monastery, a stone's throw away from our house. Our topic of discussion ended with the memory of an interesting sermon by Fr. Silva.

Fr. Antonio Silva was a well known preacher at that time and parishes from all over Goa would book him for the 'vesperas' (10 days before any feast). He was very close to our family and to specially to me personally (explains why i still have his pic in my wallet :-). After one such sermon appointment, Fr. Silva was returning on his Luna (moped) to the Monastery and to his utter horror was struck from behind by a speeding car and was lying in an open gutter, heavily bruised and bleeding ... and, with a broken hand.

He saw a known person pass him by in a hurry, who he thought he knew! ('Maybe he did not see me' - was all Fr. Silva could think of at that moment). Fr. Silva was taken to hospital and was treated for his wounds and broken hand. Many days later, he met the same man who had passed him by on the road when he most needed help. Just to be sure it was indeed the same person, Father asked him about the incident.

The man gave him the following answer which became the topic of his next sermon!

"Father, i did see you fallen in the ditch but i did not stop BECAUSE I WAS GETTING LATE FOR MASS"

THE NEED FOR INTERCESSION

Life in the Spirit can be pretty amazing and those who have experienced it know exactly what i'm talking about!

The midweek service at GCC this Tuesday left all those who attended, truly blest! Sister Assie from Holland, a true prayer warrior, visited the church and encouraged each and everyone ... the time with her was richly edifying!

The attached link will take you to a small recording of her talk. I do apologize for not bringing to you a video footing of the evening as i was myself deeply moved by the Spirit (In fact i got slain during the praying-over!)

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bwi0RnCs4LL_UmpaSlppLTRYOFE/edit?usp=sharing

Please note that in the middle of the talk, you will have to watch a youtube video and then continue listening to her. I have not posted the link in the body of the text just in case you go to the clip before listening to the talk :-)

BE BLEST BY THE TALK!

UNDERSTANDING JESUS - Apostle Miguel Thomas

As promised earlier, this is a teaching by the Brazilian Apostle, Miguel Thomas at Grace Covenant Church, Dubai on 09 April 2013.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bwi0RnCs4LL_ZmZ2VGFXbTFCNnc/edit?usp=sharing

God bless you all!

APOSTLE SIDNEY ON 'GIVING'

Last tuesday, i was blest to receive The Word from two great men of God at Grace Covenant Church. Apostle Sidney came from Puerto Rico and Apostle Miguesl Thomas from Brazil. Miguel's message will follow. Please excuse the 'shake' in the video. It was recorded on my mobile phone without a tripod!

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bwi0RnCs4LL_WFJYTmtfOXdLN2c/edit?usp=sharing

Whilst my own views on tithing may differ from the above message, i still believe in the 'SOWING AND REAPING' principle in the Bible with all my heart.

ARE YOU ON THE RIGHT TRAIN?

My dear readers,

This is not HATE MAIL! Please watch the video with an open mind. The objective here is not to bash priests,pastors and churches but for all 'followers' to be aware and act!

It is said that if a frog was kept inside a cauldron of cold water which was being heated very slowly, the frog would not jump out even if the water came to boiling point! It would get cooked alive without even knowing it! SO IT IS WITH MANY THINGS OF THIS WORLD!

Please click on the link below to go to the short video:

ARE YOU ON THE RIGHT TRAIN?

Let Christ be your focus and the focus of your church (Whichever it may be!). Build a strong RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM! Nothing else matters!

HE IS OUR ROCK, OUR STRONG FOUNDATION! (See Ps. 18:2 and 1 Cor 3:11)

God bless you!

DOUBT NOT! (Cancer Defeated!)

I just got a call from my dear sister Dilu who has just returned from Sri Lanka. We had a lot of catching up to do regarding the 'Safe Home' she's planning for orphaned and abused children. During our conversation, i was telling her about my frozen shoulder pains. As she was explaining Mark 11:23 to me ("Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.), She was repeatedly telling me not to doubt even in the worst painful moments that i was healed by the blood of the Lamb!

Then the Holy Spirit reminded her of a mighty testimony ... one that made me break down in sobs after i hung up.

When i was in Sri Lanka in mid January, i was standing outside the church after Bro. Johnson's retreat. It was the last day of the retreat. My brother Antonio and i were clicking snaps of a nearby Anglican church. Suddenly i heard Sister Dilu call out to me to pray over a young Buddhist lad of about eleven. His mother was crying and his sorrowful father just stood there with his arm over the boy. I was told that the boy had blood cancer (Leukaemia). My heart broke when i heard the story. As we prayed over the boy, all that i could say was, "Lord, show them you awesomeness, power and love". Since they could only speak in Sinhalese i could only tell them with gestures to just believe and experience the GLORY of God.

Even after we returned to Dubai, the boy did come to my mind and i would say a silent prayer for him. Today, Dilu confirmed to me that the Lord had COMPLETELY HEALED him of cancer. How could it happen in just over TWO MONTHS?

Apparently, when they went home that night, the mother made a firm decision that they would take all the instructions given by Sis. Dilu to heart. The three of them decided to memorise all the scriptures given in the small white book and prayed them aloud every morning when they woke up. Soon after the prayer itself, the mother had told Dilu that the RBC count had already increased in the blood. Dilu had told them to hang on to the promises of God even if the next test showed a lesser count, telling them that the devil had to be defeated with their FAITH in the promises of God! Even when the mother would be sweeping the floor, she would remember the immutable promises made to Abraham regarding his descendants. She confessed the promises of God over her son and believed WITHOUT DOUBTING that he was ALREADY HEALED!
In mid March when the bone marrow test was performed, there were ZERO cancer cells in the boy's body!
The healing was confirmed by the doctors. Their lives are not the same anymore. The whole family is filled with the life of God!

"When we pray (Even with scriptures), DO WE REALLY BELIEVE WITHOUT DOUBTING? If not, there will be no manifestation and the faith that you build up will go back to zero", says Sis. Dilu vehemently!

GREAT INDEED ARE YOUR WORKS OH LORD!

ALL ABOUT THE 'TESTING'

I was really blest mightily when Pastor David invited me to hear the Word of God being preached by Pstr. Shaiju Mathew from Bangalore.

It is so very amazing how God chooses to speak to me and this time it was through Shaiju. It was as if every word he was uttering was specially meant for me. I was lashed, slashed,smashed as well as edified at various times during the sermon. The tears kept flowing as i recommitted my life to Jesus. I would like to share a few notes with you hoping that God will touch some hardened hearts as He did mine!

In school, when we go through our tests, we get promoted only if we pass but are detained in the same class if we fail. However when God tests us, He has an entirely different approach to failing. Sometimes when we cannot bear the test, we plead with God who, in His infinite mercy will lead you out of the test but, at a later time HE DOES TEST YOU AGAIN! He is a good God and wants us to pass the test for only when we pass can He trust us with higher things. Look at Joseph in Gen 37. His tests were very hard too but the Bible says, "THE FAVOUR OF THE LORD WAS WITH HIM". He remained in prison for two years with no hope in sight but then God made up for all the testing that Joseph had to endure, by giving him an office that made him the second most powerful man in Egypt after the Pharaoh!

Our tests come in various forms. Beginning at home -
Are you offended easily and lose your temper?
Are you loving unconditionally?
Are you cursing God for the pain you're going through?

God is interested in building up a strong character in you. He wants to have a relationship with you. When you have a relationship with God, when you love God, you will have access to his blessings and favour will follow you wherever you go. Even demons will begin to flee from your authority!

When someone removes your wallet, you will chase after him, beat him up and hand him over to the police. Do you do the same with your wife even if she takes the money from your wallet when she needs it? Why not? It is because of the relationship you have with your wife! Much in the same way, once you love God and pursue Him, you will find favour with Him!.

Many ask for anointing and start their own ministries.They may even know the 'Word' but soon the ministry finds itself in trouble! God wants you not to know just His Word, but keep 'Hearing the Word' - If we cannot hear the 'voice' of God speaking t o us through His Word, then we're merely 'reading'! FAITH COMES BY HEARING AND HEARING (BY) THE WORD OF GOD.

Most people want to attend healing crusades and prayer meetings with a hope that the Man of God will lay hands on them and say a healing prayer. God may choose to heal them however, the test may return. When you are afflicted with any kind of pain (physical or mental), look away from the pain and look towards Jesus. Pursue God and He will take you right through the problem! KNOW that even during his time on earth, people who had him with them experienced lack. Read about the wedding feast at Cana, read Jn. 11: 33 onwards... Lazarus died! But did Jesus make a difference even in those situations? Similarly, if any of you are going through a period of testing right now, know that the testing will last only for a 'season'.

It will surely pass when you PASS THE TEST!