Editor’s Note

Greetings to all my brothers and sisters in Jesus’s name. Time is just flying and before we blink it’s another brand new month. May our good Lord’s will continue to be done in each one of our lives.

Hebrews 6:3-6 “And this we will do if God permits.  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.” The Holy Bible says that for those who have seen the light, tasted the gifts of the Holy Spirit, heard the living Word of God preached in churches and received blessings thereof, if later in life they backslide, they are the ones who crucify Jesus again and again daily.

John the Baptist was a great prophet. There was none like him, not even Moses, Abraham, Elisha, David, Nehemiah or Isaiah. He was the greatest prophet on this earth, yet Jesus himself said that in the Kingdom of Heaven, John the Baptist would be the least of all these Prophets. Matthew 11:11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” What is the reason for this? Matthew 11:3-4 “and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?  Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:” John the Baptist was sent by God Himself to show and make the path to Heaven before Jesus could come on this earth. Jesus Christ was baptized by John, and that time John himself raised both His hands and introduced Jesus to the world by saying ‘This is the true God and He will lift us up from our sins.’ But unfortunately, when trouble came upon this same John the Baptist and when he was captured and put into prison; what did he do?  Matthew 11:3 “and said to Him, Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” This is such a sad thing! When John’s life situation changed, the prophet who once showed the world that ‘Jesus Christ is the way,’ doubted within himself and sent disciples to ask Jesus ‘Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?’

What was the reason for John the Baptist’s disbelief in Jesus? Situational sorrow, pain and adversity caused this disbelief. When such disbelief comes into anyone’s life, the Word of God says, he or she will become the least in Heaven.

But when the same type of sorrow and pain came upon Paul and Silas, when they were chained and put into the prison, what did they do? They praised and glorified God in the prison and even when the death sword was over them, they did not lose their faith. Acts 16:25 “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” After that we know how wonderfully they testified about Jesus saying in Acts 16:31 “So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”  This is what Jesus expects each one of us to do!

When situations in our lives are good, it is very easy to praise God. But during times of sorrow and pain and in the most adverse situations in life, those who continue to praise and glorify God, they are worthy to be called ‘children of God’ and they will be exalted by God in the right time.

Hence, dear brother and sisters, always remember that situations, pain, sorrow and troubles will come and go in each of our lives, but at that time do not be like the Israelites and grumble against our good Lord. At that time the only thing you must do is to remember all the blessings God has blessed you with and praise Him in all situations. Then He will see your faith, patience and love for him and will bless you, in time, abundantly.

Keep praising God till we meet again.

Your sister in Christ,

Pastor Saroja M

Praise the Lord.  My name is Pinky Lohat from Chandigarh. My second son Dhruv who is six years old, frequently gets a sty in his left eye. I contacted the Rose Of Sharon prayer helpline and after prayers he is now completely healed.

Secondly, one day in both of his eyelashes, I found lice. This was very unusual so I immediately asked for prayers from the Rose Of Sharon helpline. Lord Jesus healed this problem as well. I give all glory and honour to our Lord Jesus for healing my son from these problems. I also thank the Rose Of Sharon Ministry for praying for my son. Thank You Jesus.

*Sis. Pinky Lohat, Chandigarh, Punjab (ROS TV Program Viewer)

Praise the Lord. My Society dog had a severe wound on its back and I thought it fit to apply prayer oil on it. I directly poured some prayer oil on its wound. The dog felt some irritation immediately, but after some days I noticed that the wound was subsiding and in a few days it got completely cured. All glory to God who heals even animals with the prayer oil. Thank you Jesus for healing our dog!

Secondly, one day one of my colleagues asked me for prayer oil and when I asked him the matter, he explained about his son who was just eight months old and was not turning on one side; he had a rash on his head due to which that side of his hair was also not growing. They showed this rash to many doctors but it was of no avail. I gave him the prayer oil in faith and after applying the blessed oil his child is completely healed. Thank you Jesus for your miracle touch through prayer oil. I also thank Pastor Saroja for fervently praying over the blessed prayer oil for us.

*Bro. Lancelot Lobo, Mira Road, Maharashtra.

Praise the Lord. My name is Sapna Pandit from Jodhpur. My son Namit is 2 years old. He had a terrible stomach ache as he was suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting and was not eating anything for the past 3 days. I bought medicine from the doctor but he got no relief. I then called the Rose of Sharon prayer line for prayers for Namit. After the prayer, he started showing signs of improvement and the next day he was totally healed and started consuming food. I give all glory to Lord Jesus for healing my son and I thank the Rose Of Sharon Ministry for praying for my son.

*Sis Sapna Pandit, Jodhpur, Rajasthan (ROS TV Program Viewer)

Praise the Lord.  I had five boils starting from my waist running down till my thigh and my knees. It was so painful that I was unable to wear my trousers. I went to the doctor to get it checked and he gave me some medicines, but it was of no relief. The doctor said it was a disease and many people also said many things about this disease. I then took the prayer oil and started applying it on the part of the body infected by these boils. Within fifteen days the boils and the pain totally disappeared. I thank and praise Lord Jesus for healing me completely through the prayer oil. I also thank our Pastor Saroja for always keeping our family in her prayers.

*Bro. Ramji Kushwa, Jogeshwari, Maharashtra.

Praise the Lord. I want to thank Lord Jesus for healing me of my shoulder pain. I had a severe pain in my shoulder and I noticed that whenever I went to a Hindu cremation place, I would start getting this shoulder pain. I then called the Rose Of Sharon church prayer line regarding my shoulder pain. After the prayer warrior rebuked the pain on my shoulder, I felt better. I give praise and thanks to Lord Jesus Christ for completely healing me now.

Secondly, my sister also had requested for prayer from the Rose of Sharon church prayer tower for her delivery. She desired to have a baby boy this time, as she already had a daughter. I and my sister thank Lord Jesus for granting her desire and blessing her with a baby boy. All glory, honour and thanks to Lord Jesus for answering this prayer and thanks to the Rose Of Sharon Ministry for their fervent prayers.

*Sis. Renu, Ambala, Haryana. (ROS TV Program Viewer)

A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver. The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken Christian friend. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend’s sermons, but he heard them often.

One night the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended. The lights were all off, but as the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light to practice by.

The young man climbed up to the highest diving board and as he turned his back to the pool on the edge of the board and extended his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall. The shadow of his body in the shape of a cross. Stunned, instead of diving, he suddenly felt the urge to kneel down.  He did so and after a “short talk” with JESUS, the young man stood and opened his eyes. Suddenly he saw a maintenance man walking in and he turned the lights on. What the young man saw, shook him up completely- the pool had been drained completely for repairs!!!

He immediately, kneeled again and this time “prayed” to JESUS thanking Him for saving his life and accepted JESUS as his saviour from that moment onwards!

Pastor Saroja M

Be undefiled to stand before God

Revelation 14:4 “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.” The Apostle John saw a large multitude of men on Mount Zion; these are the men who have not defiled themselves or made themselves impure since they have kept themselves away from women. If a man keeps his relationship with only one women i.e. his wife, he does not become impure nor does he defile himself. Other than this wife, if he keeps such a relationship with any other woman or several women, he defiles himself. The apostle John saw this huge multitude on Mount Zion and said ‘these are they which are not defiled with women.’

From the beginning, God created man and He thereafter made a companion for him – a woman. Genesis 2:18 “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” God did not desire that man stay alone and that is why He created for man a companion. Gen 2:21-25 “And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam 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. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” Though the first man and woman were both naked, they were not ashamed of themselves. The Apostle John had seen a vision of such a multitude of men who had not defiled themselves but were pure men. When a man lives with his wife in a single relationship, they do not defile themselves.

When Jesus lived on this earth, he used to work with many women. He would frequent the house of Martha and Mary often. Whenever he visited their town, Jesus stayed over with them and the next day he would travel to another town. He also used to work closely with Mary Magdalene too. We know the story in the Holy Scriptures of how Jesus met the Samaritan woman by the well at noon time. The Samarian women lived a sinful life, yet Jesus sat and talked to her and ministered unto her and she was saved. Jesus’ ministry was prominent amongst women, yet Jesus’ thoughts, words and deeds were always pure. He did not defile himself while ministering to women. Jesus questions the Pharisees in John 8:46 “Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?”

When even our eyes conceive sin, it is a sin committed in the heart. When the Apostle John saw a vision of such a multitude on Mount Zion, these were the ones who had not sinned, even in their heart. Jesus has taught us the same, He has shown us the way to live together as men and women. He worked and lived with women but increased in the purity of his heart and did not conceive any sin within. 1 Peter 2:21 “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees about his fellowship with women, but He challenged them to search within him for any impurity of the heart. None could point out any defilement within Jesus. Jesus was pure, and He made a way for us to be righteous and upright. His life is an example of honour and truth for us to follow His footsteps.

Today, we too must understand that nothing happens when we mix men and women together, rather sin is conceived in our hearts and minds. Jesus said in Mathew 5:27-28 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Sin is conceived in our heart. In the Ten Commandments, one of the commandment says ‘Do not commit adultery.’ When does one commit adultery? When one conceives bad thoughts in one’s heart and mind. The moment a women is looked upon with lust through the eyes alone, a man has committed sin in his heart. This man will not be seen standing amongst the undefiled men on Mount Zion as seen in the vision by Apostle John, for such men have already defiled themselves. Jesus’ sight, thoughts and words were pure and undefiled, though He worked amongst women. Even today this holds well, as men and women can work together, for this does not defile us. But while working together, if we conceive sin in our heart by just our thoughts, we will defile ourselves.

Job was given the same revelation by God – this command Job adhered to very carefully. Job 31:1 “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” Job made an agreement with his eyes that he would not look at a women with covetous eyes. Jesus said that even if a lustful thought is conceived about a woman in a man’s heart, it is sinful. Job made a covenant with his eyes that he would not look at a women and conceive any wrong thoughts through his eyes. When the Israelites ceased to worship the Lord and instead worshipped idols, God was sorrowful and said ‘My people have defiled themselves and made themselves impure by worshipping idols.’ Today, even if we forsake our God and go after idols, we must remember our God will be sorrowful for us and consider us as defiled individuals who have made ourselves impure. How should you and I live  for the Lord? The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 11:2 “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” Paul says that we should live as pure virgins in God’s sight. When a husband and wife live together and when they are pure, then God is the head of this family.

In the Old Testament, Ruth was a Moabite woman, and after her husband died she did not return to her land and people and instead continued to worship the God of Israel and live with her mother-in-law Naomi. Naomi asked Ruth to return to her country and her people, but Ruth told her not to ask her to leave the country saying ‘Your God is my God and your people are my people, your country is my country.’ Though she lived with her husband for a short while, she had developed a bonding with his family and his people, and above all she loved the God they worshipped. Ruth 1:16-17 “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” Hence Ruth found blessings in the sight of God. We too must never forget the love of God in our lives. When we forget His grace and love, we defile ourselves before Him. Ruth had a great love for her mother-in-law and the God of Israel and so she found the grace of God upon her. We see later how her life was blessed. Even in our lives, if our heart is set on God, wherever the Lamb is our heart will follow. The Apostle John through his spiritual eyes saw a huge multitude of men, those that did not defile themselves in this world, but rather kept themselves pure for the love of God. Revelation 14:4 “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.”

Moses was chosen as a redeemer for Israel; he was chosen to bring the Israelites out of bondage into freedom. Moses eventually grew old whilst leading the Israelites. Joshua was another man who had not defiled himself – rather he had kept himself pure for the Lord God, so God asked Moses to hand over his job to Joshua. God had seen Joshua’s zest to serve Him and also his love for the people, so God told Joshua ‘Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you also.’ Joshua was the kind of man who followed the Lord wherever He went. Joshua 1:5 “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail  thee, nor forsake thee.” If our minds and hearts are like Joshua and Ruth, we will be undefiled for the Lord God and then God will tell us ‘I will be with you just as I was with these men who followed me.’ No great Priest or Prophet needs to tell us this, God Himself knows our hearts. He knows our works and He himself will choose us and bless us. God had seen Joshua’s heart, He knew his every thought and deed and God chose him after Moses to lead the Israelites. God gave Moses wisdom and knowledge to lead His flock and God promised Joshua the same blessing; for Joshua did not defile himself, but kept himself pure for the Lord. Even in our lives, if we sanctify ourselves and keep ourselves undefiled before Him, God will be with us and our families and He will lead and guide us.

Elijah was great Prophet and he did many great works for the Lord. Elisha always followed after Elijah. The passion that Elijah had for the Lord God, this same zest and zeal was manifested within Elisha. Elisha followed and watched Elijah carefully and he worked in a similar manner for the Lord with a desire to serve him truthfully and righteously. When the time came, Elijah was taken away; but Elisha was blessed double-fold and he worked twice as much for the Lord God. The reason for this was that Elisha worked with great zeal for the Lord, hence God’s blessing was in a double measure. Just as God commanded the Israelites to live in purity saying ‘I your God am Holy, you too be Holy before me,’ God has already shown us the way – and so He will say ‘As I was with them, so will I be with you.’ We must ensure that even in our thoughts and sight we remain pure and holy, only then will we be undefiled. In today’s context, it does not mean that we should not mix and work together with women. Jesus showed us the way for He worked closely with women and ministered unto them, but He maintained purity in this thoughts, words and deeds. Hence when the Pharisees pointed fingers at Him, He challenged them to show His sins and sinful act, which no one could point out – for there were none. Jesus’ word says ‘Even if you look at a women with lust through your eyes, you have defiled yourself.’ Like Ruth, Joshua and Elisha we must show our good works and deeds for God. The fire within us to live for the Lord God cannot be acquired within a day or two, but the fire slowly but steadily grows within us over the years as we grow in our relationship and faith and trust with God. The more the fire of God kindles and grows within us, the evil nature will be destroyed progressively within us and we will be sanctified and purified for the Lord. We are all sinners, no one can say that they pure and holy, but when the fire of God keeps cleansing us and purifying us then we will turn out to be as gold for God and we will be seen on Mount Zion standing along with the Lamb. We know how people dissuaded Elisha from following Elijah, but Elisha did not listen to anyone, and he followed Elijah diligently; as a result of which he received his double fold blessings from God. Our life has to be constantly controlled by God, not just for a few days only. We have to live and follow God diligently  throughout our lives. These are the people: Ruth, Elisha, Joshua, Job, etc. who the Apostle John saw on Mount Zion along with the Lamb.

Revelation 14:4 “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb.” These are people who have been chosen from amongst the men of this world itself. We have seen that God chose such people: Those who did not defile themselves with women, those who followed the Lamb wherever He went (e.g. Ruth, Moses, Joshua, Elijah and Elisha) and those chosen from amongst men.

On the Cross of Calvary, Jesus gave His life for you and me and then chose us from amongst mankind. If Jesus had not died on the Cross and shed His blood to redeem us, then we would never have been able to get deliverance from our sins. By His blood He chose us from amongst all mankind. We are not of ourselves today, rather we are purchased by His blood. We are His children today.

Mathew 10:37 “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Jesus separates us from our own family (mother, sister, brother, etc.) so that our entire love be upon our God. Those of us who have not defiled ourselves, are the ones that John saw on Mount Zion along with the Lamb. Those washed by the blood of Jesus are the third type of people that John saw on Mount Zion. Jesus has said that many are called but only a few are chosen by Him. Jesus separates us that He may choose us. God had shown this secret to Abraham; for God chose Abraham out of his family as we read in the Holy Scriptures in the book of Genesis, where God asked Abraham to leave his family and his country. Thereafter God told Abraham to separate from Lot and his family. Then God told Abraham to separate from Hagar and Ishmael. Lastly God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac. If we love the Lord, we will keep His every commandment. Abraham was obedient to God’s command for He loved the Lord and feared Him.

This is the same nature that God wants to see in us too. Firstly, live our lives in purity with one wife. Secondly, follow the Lamb wherever He goes such that our heart and mind follow him. Thirdly we must separate from this world.

We must not blind ourselves, but rather see our life in God’s light. Genesis 1:4-6 “And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.”

God brought this quality of separation in Abraham too. Genesis 12:1 “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:” Just as God separated the light from the dark and the day from the night, so also did He separate Abraham from his people and his countrymen.

God is the same God today and He also commands us in the same way today, as He said in Mathew 10:37 “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” We must never forget that Jesus purchased us with His Holy blood.

Revelation 21:3 “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” God will Himself be in our midst, entwined with us, with those who haven’t defiled themselves in this world.

We must keep ourselves from all impurities of this world. We must live with one spouse and not defile ourselves with other partners, neither must we be idol worshippers – for then we would defile ourselves before the Lord. Remember, if we love anything more than the Lord, we defile ourselves.

When Jesus preached on the Mount, the people started walking away because they thought this life was too stringent and who would be able to live in accordance of such a command. Who can live such a life? Jesus said ‘Man cannot, but God can do everything.’

Jesus said ‘If you love me you will keep my commandments.’ We must love God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind. God has purchased us with His blood, we are no more of our own but we are of God.

May this Word bless us all. Praise the Lord!

Pastor Saroja M.

Praise the Lord. Wishes from me and all the residents in our Rose of Sharon old aged home to all our dear brothers and sisters and hoping that all are safe and healthy.

Days have rolled to weeks and weeks into months, with no idea as to how long this situation will continue!  “Lockdown” is a term which we have realised only in the past few months as this has never ever been faced by the country or the world!

As people around the world are getting used to this “new normal” phenomenon, the life in our ROS Old Aged home continues as usual and the residents are happy in their own spaces. While watching the news on television or reading the newspapers, they realise, that people in different parts of India and the world are really suffering in so many different ways. Seeing this, the residents keep thanking our Lord Jesus that they have been blessed staying in our Home, where they do not have to worry about anything! They keep mentioning to me, that inspite of the chaos and lacking all around, by God’s grace they are getting the best of everything be it their regular meals, snacks, daily essentials, medicines, diapers etc on time without any issues.  Truly, only God is supplying all the needs of our residents so wonderfully! Praise the Lord!

May our Good Lord keep all our residents under His shadow and bless them with good health and keep them rejoicing and thanking only Him, always.

Do continue to pray for them.

Your sister in Christ,
Pastor Saroja M

Praise the Lord! As months pass by, we are still confined to our homes and not sure how much more time will the virus take to be controlled but one thing we are sure of is God’s grace and enduring love  and the Holy Spirit which continues to intercedes for us. We believe as the kids are home our gracious Lord continues to cover them under the shadow of His wings. Let’s read a short story:

Two friends, Logan and Lucas, happened to travel via a ship to a remote island which was uninhabited by humans. Suddenly due to a shipwreck they were left alone on the island and soon started to run out of supplies. On this both the friends decided to start praying and asking for God’s help to continue sustaining on the island. They decided that they will stay at the two ends of the island and continue to pray and see whose prayers would be answered.

Days passed by and the friends continued to pray. Logan, first prayed for food and received it. Then he prayed for a wife and God answered that prayer too. He continued to be blessed and had children and was a complete family. He then decided to ask God for a ship so that he could get back to land along with his family. God answered that prayer too and one day Logan received an empty ship and started to prepare to return.

While he was preparing to return, he suddenly remembered about Lucas and mocked him in his heart saying, “God answered all my prayers but look at the loser he has nothing.” Just when this thought struck the Holy Spirit corrected him and told him, “Do you know what Lucas prayed for?  Lucas daily prayed saying. “Lord please hear the prayer of Logan and grant him all that he has asked for.” On hearing this Logan, broke down and asked for God’s pardon for his wrong and picked up Lucas from the other side of the island and returned home.

The friend who continues to intercede with God in prayers, is JESUS, as God sent His only Son so that we are set free from our sins and continue to be blessed. So even in these trying times lets continue to trust God and abide in His love not forgetting that God continues to watch over us and JESUS is interceding for us even in these trying times.

Do continue to pray for our little ones.