Praise the Lord. Here’s wishing all the Rose of Sharon Church members and all my brothers and sisters in Christ, a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS and a blessed and prosperous NEW YEAR! May the coming year be a fruitful one, and may all experience God’s mighty blessings in the respective phases of your lives!

John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”  God was manifested in the flesh and justified in the Spirit. He was preached to the Gentiles who believed, was received up in glory, and He continues to live with us in this world through the ‘LIVING WORD.’ When we know this truth, that JESUS is the LIVING WORD, we will be delivered of all our sins. Not surprisingly though, the evil one knows this truth, and hence he tries his best to keep us away from JESUS by diverting our attention from the ‘LIVING WORD.’ JESUS, came into this world to show us the glory of His Father God, and He speaks to us through the LIVING WORDS in the HOLY BIBLE!

Today, it is important for us to know the true meaning of Christmas i.e., Jesus Christ came into this world to stay with us; not only for a period of time but forever. Hence, we Christians can rejoice in this very fact, that the God who made heaven and earth, who lives in the heavens above, the King of Kings, came down into this world for our sake. No man could see God’s glory; hence Jesus was sent down to earth to preach the Kingdom of God to us so that we could be saved.

Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The Prophet Isaiah had prophesied about Jesus Christ’s coming, much before Jesus was born into the world. Christ means ‘Saviour’ and Emmanuel means ‘God with us.’ Our God is good, mighty, and supreme; and He who lives in the heavenly kingdom was sent into this world for you and me.

This Christmas, let us open the doors of our hearts and lives for Jesus Christ to enter. He is waiting and knocking at our hearts today. David’s experience says in Psalm 139:17-18 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!  How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.” In our lives too we must experience this as David did; we must count our blessings one by one, for they are innumerable in our lives.

The true meaning of ‘Christmas’ in our life is the presence of the Father God, His son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit! So, this Christmas, let us open our hearts and welcome their presence into our respective lives so that we and our families will be blessed!

Your sister in Christ,

Pastor Saroja M

Praise the Lord. I wish to testify of my father Ramrao who was lost. I called up the Rose of Sharon Prayer Tower, requesting for him to be found. Praise God, my father returned home safe and sound in four days. Thank You, Jesus. Heartfelt thanks to the Rose of Sharon Prayer Team for praying for my father.

Sis. Ranjana Maushi, Ulhasnagar, Maharashtra

Praise the Lord. My husband was having a very high fever. I really love watching the Rose of Sharon TV Program on Shubhsandesh Channel regularly; so, I called the Prayer Tower and requested prayers for my husband, Dr. Lal. My husband’s fever decreased but we then got to know that he had contracted Covid-19. Only through prayers was he healed of Covid within a week. I thank and praise our Lord Almighty for this healing, and I especially thank the ROS Team for praying for my husband.

Sis. Clara Lal, Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh.

Praise the Lord. For any problem I face, I have been regularly contacting the Rose of Sharon Prayer Tower and the prayer warrior always prays for me. Recently, as suggested by my doctor, I had to get my Cholesterol test done. Before going for the test, I first called the Rose of Sharon Prayer Tower and requested prayers for all my test reports to come clear. I thank and praise God, for all my reports subsequently came out clear. I thank the Rose of Sharon team for their fervent prayers for me. Thank You, Jesus!

Bro. Subash Sarkar, Kolkata.

Praise the Lord! I had given a prayer request for my brother Umaji Gaikwad who was admitted in an unconscious state in a Bangalore hospital for Kidney dialysis. I had immediately called the Rose of Sharon Prayer Tower for prayers for my brother. The Prayer warrior prayed over the phone. I praise and thank God, for Umaji soon regained consciousness, and is now well. I thank our dear Lord Jesus for His tender mercies in answering prayers. I thank the Rose of Sharon team for their sincere prayers.

Sis. Ujwala Gaikwad, Bangalore.

Praise the Lord! I had given a prayer request to the Rose of Sharon Prayer Team before going for my job interview at Aurangabad airport. I thank and praise God for being selected for the job immediately. Thank You Jesus for answering prayers. Thank you, to the ROS Team who prayed for me.

Sis. Mayuri, Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

This is the story of a little fir tree who was ashamed of its height and size. One day, all the big trees were chopped down to build the ships, houses, boats etc. He too wanted to be used for something, but he was too small. Months later, a sparrow came and told him that the big trees would be chopped for Christmas decoration. The little fir wanted to get decorated too. On Christmas Eve, all came and chose the taller trees, the more beautiful and good-looking trees. Nobody noticed the little fir tree; he was all alone, sad and depressed.

Finally, the fir tree called out to the Lord. “Lord use me for your Glory.” Soon after, the little fir tree was cut down and taken to a house. He was decorated with colored apples, toys, little baskets of candy, and the gold star on the top. The children loved the tree. The little fir was very happy. The fir tree gave all praise and glory to Lord Jesus on Christmas. The purpose for his life was to be used for the Lord’s glory, and the Lord fulfilled the same!

Today, we too need to call out to our Lord Jesus and pray that He uses us for His glory!

Isaiah 43:7 “Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”  

 

Daniel 2:17-19 “Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions. That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.”

In our lives, Jesus Christ must be the best friend with whom we must be able to share all our pain, sorrow, and joy. Secondly, we must have the Holy Spirit as our friend, with whom we can share the same. But we should not end here, as the Lord has also chosen many people in this world to become prayer warriors with us. Everyone who believes in our God must remember that God has chosen us to pray, and together we can become great prayer warriors for our Lord God. If we see Daniel’s story, he was a prophet in Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar had a strange dream, and he sent out a decree to all prophets to come forward and interpret the dream for him. If they were unable to explain the King’s dream, they would all be killed. Daniel met up with his friends, (prayer warriors like him) and explained to them about King Nebuchadnezzar’s decree. All four of them met up to pray, and the Lord God, within 24 hours, showed and interpreted the dream to Daniel that very night. Daniel 2:19 “Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.” Here we see how when God is with us, He knows our pain, our sorrow, and our prayer; He is our best friend, who knows everything in our lives, and nothing is hidden from Him. We also have the Holy Spirit with us, who is close to us and with whom we can share everything. But there are some people in this world, who cannot share such a relationship with God, even if they so desire, because of the situation in their lives. Many of them cannot say that the Lord and His Holy Spirit is their best friend, due to prevailing circumstances in their lives. Hence it is very important to have prayer warriors who can support one another in prayer.

Daniel was a prophet, and the Lord had given him many revelations in life. Even then, Daniel did not wish to unravel King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream by himself, so he gathered together his spirit-led friends as his prayer warriors. Daniel 2:18 “That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.” They prayed together, and God revealed the King’s dream to them that night; since King Nebuchadnezzar had passed a decree that by the very next day if the dream was not explained, they would all be killed. Daniel 2:19 “Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.” Daniel praised and thanked God for the revelation. As per this revelation, King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign was due to end, for God was about to destroy King Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom. The Lord does not reveal only good things to the prophets, but also adverse things that will come to pass in people’s lives.

It is very important in life to have good friends as prayer warriors, who can pray together, lift one another in prayer, and support each other. Just as Daniel had friends, his prayer warriors with whom He prayed, whereafter God revealed the truth of the King’s dream to them, so also, we need to have good friends and prayer warriors in our lives too. We are blessed if we have prayer warriors as our best friends. Psalm 133:1-2 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments.”

What does it mean when God says ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them?’ Those who are one in Spirit, faith, and belief are together in unity when they pray, and the Lord God dwells in their midst and answers their prayers. This is a fact. God does not lie.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” When we serve the Lord, when we pray for people, we generally close our eyes and pray, while those who are with us must keep their eyes open and see what is happening around them. Even when Jesus Christ sent His disciples to preach and pray, He sent two of them together and never alone, so that if one fell, the other could lift him up. This is true in my life too. Many people call me for prayer – families in Singapore, Mauritius, etc. Why do I not go forward? It is because I am alone, and I generally give an excuse not to go, if alone. The truth is that I cannot go alone, and I need someone to accompany me. The Word is true, and it does not lie. I have experienced it in my personal life. But of course, we are not alone; we have our two best friends with us constantly, viz. Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit! The devil cannot last long, for ultimately he has to bow down to our Lord God and be defeated. God does not say ‘don’t be alone,’ but He says ‘we should be more than one to fight such battles.’ Daniel could have prayed alone, but maybe he would have had to struggle for several days, and he would have to fast and pray. The struggle would extend for a longer period. However, when he called his prayer warrior friends to pray with him, the Lord answered their prayer the very same night itself. Hence, we need to understand that God did not tell us not to pray alone; but that, at times we need to pray with prayer warriors to bring an instant answer to our prayer. Ecclesiastes 4:10 “For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” When one is single, one must never go to pray alone, for the Lord says ‘Woe’ to him who prays alone. This signifies that we must have our best friends with us, viz. Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Without these two, we must never venture out to pray for anyone.

Remember the story in the Holy Scriptures, where the seven sons of Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, went to pray for a demon-possessed person? The demon saw that these people were empty from within, without Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit within them. The demon ravaged them, leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Fear fell upon the onlookers, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. Jesus Christ cautions us that whenever we go to pray for someone in trouble, we must never be alone, we must have our best friends with us, namely Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 32:30 “How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?” When the Lord and His Holy Spirit are with an anointed servant of God, the anointed person can drive away a thousand people. When there are two anointed people, they can together drive away ten thousand. Imagine the power of God within them! This is only possible because of their faith and trust in God.

 In the Holy Scriptures, we know that on the day of Pentecost, when people sat in unity and oneness with the Lord’s anointed servants, there was a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:1 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” This was because they were all in unity and oneness of heart and mind. To do the Lord’s work, it is important to agree in unison and singular faith, believing that the Lord alone will accomplish His mighty doings. Unity, oneness, and one faith can do mighty works in our lives. Hence the Lord commanded that two people should always go together to accomplish His works. God has made us His Holy Temple; and so, He dwells within us. Even today prayer warriors can work wonders when they pray together. One anointed servant can drive away one thousand evil ones, and two anointed servants can drive away ten thousand evil ones.

Daniel 6:10 “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” King Darius sent out a firm decree, that over the next thirty days, whosoever would ask a petition of any God or man, except of the king himself; that person would be cast into a den of lions. Daniel was not worried about this decree; and as was his norm, he went to his room, and kneeling towards the Temple in Jerusalem, he prayed three times a day. Daniel did this only because of his faith and belief in God. He had experienced in the past, the marvellous doings of God in his life, and he did not forget it. He knew His God is a mighty and powerful God.

We too must never forget our earlier experiences with God, for they alone strengthen our faith and trust in God. Though the King passed a decree to worship and bow down to the statue of his likeness, Daniel did not fear this. As usual, he proceeded to his room to pray to God as always, thrice a day. Daniel was arrested for this act of disobedience and thrown into a den of lions. Yet, Daniel did not fear, for He knew God was with Him, and he constantly prayed to the Lord. He knew that God is his best friend. The Bible only says that Daniel prayed to God; but know that Daniel would have had a long discussion with God, sharing his anger at all the atrocities that the King had performed upon God’s people. God heard Daniel’s prayer, shut the mouth of the lions, and saved Daniel. Though Daniel was a part of the King’s administration team, and he knew of the King’s decree, yet he chose to not adhere to the decree. He prayed to the Lord God, opening the windows of his room facing towards Solomon’s Temple.

Even in our lives, it is important to remember our experiences with God and His mighty doings. Jesus Christ has said ‘My sheep will hear my voice and follow me. I am their shepherd; nothing can deter them.’ David defeated the mighty Goliath, and he did not forget God’s mighty Hand of grace upon him at that time. Hence, even when he became a King and had to fight many wars and enemies, he never feared them, for He knew that the same God who gave him victory against the mighty Goliath, would save him yet again. Also, when the Amalekites attacked Israel and took away their wealth and their families into bondage, David feared God and prayed for guidance, to go and save, recover, and bring them back. Only when God gave him the go-ahead, did David go and bring back all that was captured by the Amalekites. Always remember our past experiences with God and His mighty strength and power.

In the Scriptures, we know the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3:23-26 “And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.” This experience is something that these three men would never forget for the rest of their lives. It would only strengthen them further to know God’s mighty power and strength. Likewise, we must also remember such experiences and God’s mighty doings in our lives, for only then can God continue working in our lives.

We know how the Lord God touched Saul and changed his life, and made him Apostle Paul. When he was Saul, he sought to destroy God’s people, but when God blinded him with His light on the road to Damascus, Saul was converted. This one incident and experience in his life was enough to make the Apostle Paul serve God for the rest of his life, and he was ever ready to give his life for the Lord. We know how many churches the Apostle Paul built for the Lord; how so many people were saved with his preaching and teachings; and how he suffered for the Lord and served Him so as to enable the Word of God to reach the far corners of the world. Yes, that one touch changed Saul’s life, and the Apostle Paul never forgot that great touch of God in his life. Acts 9:3-4 “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” Similarly, even in our lives, we should never forget God’s touch in our life; for it should become a backbone of our faith.

Zacchaeus was short in stature, and the Jews did not mingle with him as he was a tax collector. But, when Jesus Christ visited Jericho, Zacchaeus heard about this visit, and he earnestly desired to see Jesus. He climbed a Sycamore tree and waited patiently to get a glimpse of Jesus. He never thought that this day would change his life forever, and when Jesus passed by from under the tree, Jesus called out to him saying, ‘Zacchaeus, come down, I am coming to stay at your house today.’ Imagine Zacchaeus’ joy. He immediately came down and went along with Jesus to his house, even as the Pharisees grumbled among themselves saying, ‘does Jesus not know that this man is a sinner, why is he going to his house?’ At that time, Zacchaeus decided that he would give half of his goods to the poor; and if he had taken anything from any man by false accusation, he would restore it fourfold. That day, Zacchaeus and his family became the beloved family of Abraham, and they were graced with salvation. Luke 19:1-5 “And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.” We know that everything in Jericho is cursed, yet Jesus went to Jericho to save this man Zacchaeus and his family, for He saw the faith, love, and yearning Zacchaeus had for the Lord. God never sees our outward appearance, but He sees our heart. The people around Jesus were grumbling that Zacchaeus was a sinner, and yet Jesus was going to his house; but this did not matter to Jesus, for He knew Zacchaeus’ true heart.

Psalm 121:1 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” Just as David focussed on the hills from where he received the Lord’s help, similarly Zacchaeus’ focus was on Jesus Christ alone. Similarly, our focus must be on God, who has helped us in our trying and sorrowful times, and we must never forget this focus. It is not our goodness or greatness, our education or our beauty, or anything that we have done for the Lord, that brings God’s grace upon us; it is only the Lord who sees our heart and blesses us. Ephesians 2:5 “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” None of our good works can bring God’s grace upon us; it is only His love for us that can shower His grace upon us.

Ephesians 1:7-8 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence.” In every work of His, God is rich and abundant. He showers His grace upon us, His mighty power strengthens us, and His love alone is enough for us – to grace us with His Salvation. Jesus loved Zacchaeus who hailed from the cursed land of Jericho. We too are unworthy of God’s love, but we are purchased by His blood, which was shed on the Cross of Calvary; hence God has made us a vessel of praise and worship for Him alone. He has made us His vessels, so we can call Him ‘Abba Father,’ else we are unworthy of His grace, kindness, and mercy.

Remember the man who left Jerusalem and was travelling to the cursed land of Jericho? On the way, he was attacked by thieves who robbed him of everything and left him naked. But Jesus ‘the good Samaritan,’ visited him, cleaned and applied salve on his bruises, and left him in an inn with a caretaker, whom he paid, to care for the wounded traveller. This is God’s love for us. He went to cursed places and searched for His lost sheep. This man left a blessed place (Jerusalem) and travelled to a cursed place (Jericho), but our Lord God saved him; while all others ignored him and left him to bleed and die on the road to Jericho. God’s love brought ‘the good Samaritan’ there to save this bruised man.

Jesus bruised his body on the Cross of Calvary for our sakes, at the very place where Abraham took his son Isaac to sacrifice him as per God’s command – the very same place where the Lord instead provided Abraham with a ram for the sacrifice. It is the same place where God sent the Angel of Death with a sword to destroy the people of Israel when David sent out a decree to conduct a census of the people. It is the same place where the Angel was stopped from destroying any more people. David was deeply repentant of his decree and sorrowful of this wrongdoing, so he desired to buy this very place. David finally did purchase it, and later Solomon built the Holy Temple at this very same place in Jerusalem.

Subsequently, King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the Temple. Then, after a few years, Zerubbabel the high priest of Israel, re-built the Temple again in the very same place. Still, the Israelites continued to sin and the Temple was destroyed several times. After many years, King Herod re-built this Temple to gain the confidence of the people of Judah. This place is very sacred, holy, and anointed. It was sanctified by fire sent from heaven. Again, when Jesus came into this world, He cleansed this Temple for the people had made it a den of thieves, selling doves and oxen, and lending money in the Temple. The dove is a symbol of the ‘Holy Spirit,’ and when Jesus Christ was baptized and He came out of the water, God sent the Holy Spirit in the likeness of a dove to alight upon Him. The Word in Proverbs 23:23 says “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” From the beginning, God loved His Holy Temple, and now when Jesus saw that the people were conducting business in this sacred place, in His zeal, He cast and drove them out, and cleansed the Temple once again.

God says ‘I do not dwell in the Temple made by man.’ Jesus performed most of God’s wonderful works outside the Temple. He made the lame walk, the blind see, the dumb speak, and the deaf hear. He delivered people from bondage and did most of His mighty works in different places outside the Temple.

Yet again, the Temple was crushed on the Cross of Calvary for you and me. Today, God tells you and me ‘You are my Temple – if you defile this Temple, I will destroy you.’ The Lord God has only shown us grace, mercy, and love. After being crucified on the Cross, God tells us, ‘You are my Temple and I dwell within each of you.’ Our life is not only about looking after our respective families, but also about serving Him for the rest of our lives; for Jesus our Lord suffered and gave His life for us on the Cross. We should never forget the ‘First Touch of God in our lives.’

Romans 3:24 “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” God loved us first, even before we have loved Him. We should never forget this. It is not that we have given God something first, for Him to have then loved us. Remember, God loved us first. He knows each one of us personally, He knows our lives inside out.

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, who came to meet Jesus in the night to listen to his teachings. John 3:1-12 “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?” Nicodemus cleared his every doubt through Jesus. In this world, what we do here is unimportant. But our victory, and our aim, must be to make ourselves worthy for the Kingdom of God. John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Unless we are born again, we cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Remember that our God is an impartial God, and there is no partiality in Him. We have two ears and two eyes, yet we must not remain deaf and blind to God’s Word.

John 4:7 “There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.” We see here that Jesus visited Samaria to touch and change the Samaritan woman’s life. Here the Lord was thirsty for her soul. He wanted to change her, hence she was blessed to experience the ‘First touch of God.’ The Lord Jesus revealed her life openly, and she knew that whatever He said was true. She accepted Lord Jesus’ correction, and that very day her life changed. Through her, many people were saved in Samaria, and many residents accepted the Lord.

We also know the story of the man at the Bethesda pool, who lay by its side for 38 years, with a hope that someone would pick him up and put him in the pool when the Angel stirred the waters. Sadly, he did not receive any help from anyone. Imagine his joy when Jesus approached him and said, ‘Pick up your bedding and walk.’ This is his experience, a ‘first touch by the Lord.’ He would have shared this wonderful experience with many, and thereby brought many to God’s saving grace.

In our lives too, we have many experiences of how the Lord has worked in our lives, but we as human beings forget God’s marvellous doings in our life. We should not be ungrateful, for God has only shown His love, grace, mercy, and kindness upon us always.

He has loved us first, and then we have loved Him. Always remember the ‘First touch of God!’

I pray that this message will be a blessing to many.

Pastor Saroja M.

Praise the Lord! I, Sis. Mariyam Purti, 75 years old from Jamshedpur, Jharkhand consider myself truly blessed to be in the Rose of Sharon Old Age home, especially during the wonderful Christmas season!

I came to know about Pastor Saroja through the Rose of Sharon monthly newsletters. Since years I have been reading the messages and have been touched and blessed through the same. I have always been in touch with her through phone for prayers, advise, etc.

I had expressed my desire to come to Mumbai last year, but due to the lock-down I was unable to travel. Once the lock-down opened up, I expressed my desire to come and be enrolled in the old age home, and Pastor Saroja very willingly allowed me to be admitted here.

In today’s times when even families do not help each other, Pastor Saroja who did not know me or my origins, accepted me and kept me in the Rose of Sharon Old age home. I am very thankful to her. May God bless her even more, for the world needs more people like her who are willing to help people without any motive, without expecting something in return.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and New Year!

Sis. Maryiam Purti

Rose of Sharon Old Age Home, Mira Road

Praise the Lord! The most awaited month of the year is back, namely December. It is a month that’s full of cheer, joy, and excitement; a month awaited by all age groups, to celebrate the most special day of Christmas.

As we enjoy this season and its excitement, the children, youth, and everyone across all age groups are gearing up for their performances on the big day; to show the world that ‘Jesus is the reason for this Christmas Season.’

Inspite of the pandemic which turned the routine of the world upside down, we are blessed to continue to celebrate and gear up for this Christmas season.

So, as we prepare and await to celebrate the birthday of our dear Lord Jesus on earth, do share in the ‘reason for this season,’ viz. “CHRIST.” As we all prepare to clean and deck up our homes with a beautiful Christmas tree and decorations, let us also cleanse our heart and our ways, and let Jesus in so that He may change everything and make our lives wonderful.

Even as our Sunday school children are all excited and await the Christmas celebration and festivities, we wish all our dear readers a “Merry Christmas” from all of us at the Rose of Sharon Sunday School.

Wish you all a Blessed and Joyous Christmas.