passing the baton

David. Acts 13:36

David in his generation

In his lifetime

He did God's will. 

He served 

“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed.

Acts 13:36 NIV

https://acts.bible/acts-13-36

Moses. Heb 3:5

As servant

God's house

All of God's house

Faithful

“Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future.

Hebrews 3:5 NIV

https://hebrews.bible/hebrews-3-5

In Numbers 12:7, God himself testifies:

My servant  Moses. 

Faithful 

In all my House

But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house.

Numbers 12:7 NIV

https://numbers.bible/numbers-12-7

The batton

God's purpose

Kingdom of God. 

The Gospel,For our generation. 

Jesus

We've heard, followed what Patrick uncle taught. 

God's servant. 

Gospel is the baton. We have received the baton. 

Running towards God's Kingdom. 

Sharing the Gospel to people around us. 

Are you holding it steadily? 

Is your life reflecting it? 

Noah walked with God. 

Patrick uncle kept reading the Bible. 

Claimed thousand of verses and made them his own. 

Confessed the verses. 

Those verses are the baton. 

Our path, our relay running in the same pace, our life...

We have received the baton. Patrick uncle has given us the baton. 

If he travels by rickshaw Or auto, he tells the Gospel to the driver. 

If he goes to Market, he'll tell the Gospel. 

In season and out. Preach the gospel. 

We have received the baton. 

God talks about Moses. My faithful servant. 

John kedy story from Patrick uncle. 

East islands. Cannibals. A young believer hears about them. Starts praying about it. Talks to his wife. They have a small baby.  He hears the call from God. He doesn't think how he'll survive. 

He prays day and night. He talks to the ship captains, who cross that island for their trade. They said, they are dangerous people, who often capture and kill people. We can't get near it, nor can we stop nearby. After much pleading they still refuse. 

Undeterred, he sells all that he has. Builds a small boat, takes his family. New capritice island. 

He had taken enough material to build a small shed in the beach. He had taken the baton. He needs to give the baton, Jesus to the people. 

What happened next,. There is a 

Strange fever in the island. Wife dies. He buries her next to the shed. Two days later, the child dies. He buries the baby. 

The people around were hiding around the bushes. Watching him. They have the habit of eating flesh. Even the dead.  He couldn't go into the shed. 

He stands on his knees between both his buried wife and child.  Lord you sent me to this people to tell the Gospel. 

The people are waiting to eat him. 

The boat is calling him, 'escape. The only way is to go back.'

One morning, as he kneels, he gets up goes towards the boat. He breaks the engine into pieces. He destroys the boat. Now he walks to his shed. He recommits his life. He says, use me Lord, spend me. I have given you all I have. 

Today we have his tomb there in the island, which says, 

John kedy, when he came into island, we were all cannibals. 

John Kedy,When he died, 100% of the population of the island are God's people. 

Now they are all educated. Schools, factories, and all dressed. They had not a small cloth over their body when  he saw them first. 

Patrick uncle shared this story to 3 people during prayer time. And dad is passing onto us. 

Every knee shall bow. Every tongue confess. This will happen. If we commit like this. If we commit. Like John kedy. Wife, child, a small shed. The waves breaking in. The cannibals just over the bush are dancing in a distance... And the sun sets, and John kedy again commits, his life, to use him, to spend him, to pass the Gospel baton. There were so many troubles and trials, and God helped him pass the baton to the cannibals. 

Not a day or two, Patrick uncles desire was to preach the gospel. He has now passed the baton to us.  Patrick uncle's prayer is saved in the bowls. It's not going waste.. It's not something impossible for him. He has stored it in bowls.. 

Dad prayed for all those who hear the message this morning. We receive the baton. We receive and we are to run the relay race.... Are you ready? 

Tribute to Patrick Uncle

This is excerpt from Daddy's talk on Patrick uncle. 

Dad was younger to Patrick uncle by 3 years. They were from the same village. They were in the same school. The earliest memories of uncle, had been when as a student, Patrick uncle used to convene 

Handling Grief

Excerpts from the testimony from Mrs. Hannah Alex, who worked with her husband Dr. Alex as medical missionary in Orissa, Bondo field for 10 years. He passed away suddenly due to massive heart attack on May 5, 2017 . He was 48. He leaves behind his wife and two teenage daughters.

1. Death was a common house topic. All must die one day. It was real and often talked about. 
2. Blessed is the one, who goes first.
3. This is not our house. Heaven is our house. 
3.Assurance and trust in God that he'll take care of the family left behind.
4. I am beloved, precious, and chosen by God.
5. Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.  Isaiah 54:10
6. Death is glorious.
7. Life is futile. Anything can happen. Anytime. To anyone.
8. God's timing is unique. All things happen together for good for those who are called according to his purpose. Near death experience due to accident and sickness earlier, but God protected and rescued.
9. A burden, groan about pain and sinfulness of the world... To release to a better place.
10. Holding lightly to people.
11. True love , let's go. Not wish for them to get back, be in hospital again!
12. God provides resources, are all around. Open your eyes to look.
13. God prepares you.
14. God cares. Just like a parent who thinks about child staying alone in hostel, away from home. How much more would he think about you!
15. God takes away the guilt ( what ifs), guilt conscious, like how Paul is able to testify powerfully in Jerusalem.
16. God takes care of finances. If an organization is careful to pay monthly, how much more God will plan and provide.
17. The relationship with Christ, is real. While walking, talking, cooking is real.
18. When the word of God richly dwells in you, he helps you bounce back quickly.
19. Reflection.
20. Move forward in faith. Not backward. He can't come back. He can't help. You are yet to finish the race. Finish well
21. Living free,  with No fear or distress.
22. Accept he's not there. He won't come back. Heart accepts.
23. Prepare yourself for death. And prepare others around you for death.
24. God is love. He gave his only son as sacrifice. We don't need any extra proof about his love. He told. He did. So do not doubt his love.
25. He is Almighty God. He is enough. He has everything with him. He will guide you. He will be your strength. He will carry you.
Have faith.
26. Devil can't push you down. We won't look back. Or sit and mourn.
27. There will be challenges, but we have a God who is a very big God.
28. He is a good God. He never makes mistakes.
29. I may be small., but am stronger than an elephant, because of Jesus. His word in your heart strengthens you ahead.
30. God is the richest person. He has everything.
31. Think of God's goodness. His love and his faithfulness..

Question to ask those in grief.
1.What happened.
2.How did you feel
3. What was very difficult feeling.
Lend a listening ear

How to help
1. Check if you can provide basic need. Any immediate help
2. Say you are not alone. We are with you.

Assurance of eternal life.
Eternal life starts from the day you accept Christ.
You, your children, spouse, parents, their health, future, protection, nothing is in our control.
God has numbered my hair and also the hair on my loved ones.
He never forsakes anyone who come to him.

Exercising your faith.

Uyir pirindhalum.
Word of Christ

God's blue print

I was opened to the truth by a counsellor in 2013. She asked me, if I knew what was God's plan for marriage.  Battered by Ephesians on 'Submission', I wasn't very sure. 

She showed me 7 nuggets, blueprint of God's original design for marriage from Genesis 1-3 chapter. 

1. Companionship. Genesis 2:20.

Husband and wife together (not alone) , as good companions all their lives. 

Opposite: Strangers, Incompatible, violent, suspicion. 

2. Helper suitable. Gen 2:18

Both encouraging and uplifting each other. 

Opposite: Independent, unsuitable, abusive. 

3.Leave and cleave. Gen 2:24

Leave their own parents - emotionally and be with the spouse. 

Opposite: Diffused, inclusive, Soul ties. 

4. One-flesh. Gen 2:23

Be of oneness. 

Opposite: Platonic, Unfulfilled, defiled. 

5. Transparency. Gen 2:25

Have nothing to hide. Be intimate and open to each other. 

Opposite: Guarded, private space, Defensive

6. Obedience to God  Gen 3:11

Love, obey, trust and follow God's word together. 

Opposite: Rebellion against God, Worldly pursuit, spiritual adultery

7. Fellowship with God. Gen 3:8

Commune with God together, enjoying in his presence! 

Opposite: No growth, stunted, Self sufficient, ungodliness. 

She then quoted, the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy, John 10,10.He doesn't want God's plan for your marriage to be fulfilled. 

Hence, we become strangers,  violent, defensive, unfulfilled, independent, abusive

Sin has marred the design God had planned. Devil plays havoc, if we give a foothold. So stand firm, resisting in faith. Wear your armor. Be on Guard. Submit to God. Resist the devil and he'll flee! 

She asked me to pray for God's original Design in my life. To pray over my marriage till I see all 7 points in my marriage. This I learnt again in MFL! Praise God. 

Do you see where you are lagging in your marriage. Will you pray for God's restoration on your marriage?  One that's so beautiful, free and fulfilling? 

Living and the dead

Dad was sharing this last night. 

In the wilderness, there is an incident when Moses tells Aaron the priest to make atonement for the people and to take incense from the altar, and run into the camp, carrying the censer.

So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them.

Numbers 16:47 NIV

He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped.

Jesus is the atonement. (Romans 3:25)

The incense is the prayers. ( Revelation 8:4) 

We are the priests. (1 Peter 2:9)

To stop the plague, we are to hurry and stand between the living and the dead. The plague will stop. 

So let's press on. 

We can't be lethargic.

We can't disown our duty.

 It's time we hurry, and stand between the living and the dead. 

kotai

Dad was talking about kotai. Fortress in India. Budda kotai, kali kotai, ramar kotai, tirupati kotai, and that we like Joshua and the Israelites need to walk around these with fervor till it breaks down. And that there will be a day when it will all come tumbling down and nobody  will even remember the name of these forts. 

He also said we should never get satisfied with our life and stop praying around these fortresses. He talked about his experience 30 years back, when while sleeping at night he saw a kali devil at his feet begging not to pray and drive them out. It was pleading not to drive them out. when dad shouted the name of Jesus, it jumped and ran away, he still remembers the dogs barking in that area when it ran away. 

This incident gave him a confidence that ofcource we have the God given authority and the devil in fact trembles when we pray. This encourages him to pray more. 

He also said that this work of praying around the fort is not work of 1 man, but a call for all of us, our future generation, till all the idol forts come tumbling down. The work is not done.

He also remembered Emil , Patrick uncle, Kamalesan uncle who started and encouraged this years back and that though they are not here, they are still praying and joining with us in this prayer.