Editor’s Note

I greet you all in the matchless name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I believe the grace of our Lord Jesus is leading you all.

Psalms 92:12 says The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Who is righteous? He who fears God and walks in His ways is righteous. The one who will always long to be righteous, and who will not go against his conscience and would always like to help others is called righteous.

The Psalmist says in Psalms 24:4-5 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

In the Bible the first one to testify that he is righteous was Abel. Even today after his death, his testimony speaks of his righteousness. Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

The second person to be called righteous was Noah. Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

Because Noah was righteous his full family was saved. Genesis 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Before Sodom, Gomorrah was destroyed; Abraham tried to persuade God to save it if only 10 righteous men were there in it. Since there were not sufficient righteous people, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed.

Jesus makes us righteous. Jesus by His blood cleanses us of all unrighteousness and all our selfishness.

Isaiah the prophet says, in Isaiah 50:8 He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.

• How can we become righteous? Only by faith in Jesus Christ we can be righteous. Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

• By the blood of Jesus Christ we are righteous. Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

• Not only that but by our works we can become righteous. James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

• Who is a righteous man? He hates lies. Proverbs 13:5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

• The righteous man loves justice and true conscience. Proverbs 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

• The righteous man takes correction. Proverbs 15:32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

Taking the right qualities of a righteous man from the bible, you also experience and receive the blessings of our Lord. Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

Our Lord God always desires that the truth should be in us. Psalms 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

The reason for God blessing Abraham was that the truth was always in Abraham. Nehemiah 9:7,8 Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham; And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous:

If we are faithful in small things, God will make us ruler over many things.

Our Lord was watching Moses’ truthfulness, and from His heart He testified of his truth. Numbers 12:7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.

The God who has called you is faithful. 1 Cor 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

He who has promised you is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)

Our God is merciful and blesses us with compassion. He has compassion on those who are compassionate and will bless them.

The Lord chose the Israelites as His own, but since they disobeyed Him, God’s heart was broken. Psalms 81:11-13 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels. Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!

The little child Samuel said, “Lord you speak, your servant hears.”

The same way if we also hear the Lord’s voice and obey, we shall be blessed. Deuteronomy 28:13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them.

Exodus 23:25 And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.

My beloved brothers and sisters and all the readers of this magazine, let the Lord bless you all. He will feed you with the finest wheat and honey from the rock and satisfy you all. Till we meet again. Praise the Lord.

Pastor Saroja M.

Praise the Lord!

I had requested for Pastor Saroja to pray for a new auto. I did not have the necessary money and had to apply for a bank loan with low interest. By God’s grace and Pastor’s prayers, I got the required bank loan with low interest rate and also a new auto!

I give lots of thanks to our Lord Almighty for His grace upon me and also thank Pastor Saroja for praying for my request such that within a month’s time all formalities were completed.

Bro. Ramji Kushwaha , (Jogeshwari)

Praise the Lord!

I am staying in Madurai. I had come to Chennai visiting my relatives on a vacation. At that time, I attended the Chennai fasting prayer meeting.

I could not eat any food stuff which was gassy. I told about this matter to Pastor Saroja and she prayed for me. Since then I am completely healed and can eat everything now. I give glory and honour to our Lord Almighty for His grace upon me and for healing me. Thanks also to Pastor Saroja for praying for me.

Bro. Swayambo , (Madurai)

I thank my Lord Jesus for giving me this opportunity to testify of His mighty miracle in my life.

Sometime back, my left leg started hurting terribly and because of this I couldn’t walk properly. I phoned Pastor Saroja, told her my problem and requested for her prayers. Thereafter, gradually my pain subsided and I was completely healed.

Thank you Jesus a million times, for this healing. I also thank Pastor Saroja for her prayers always. Thank you Jesus… Praise the Lord!

Bro. Brijesh Patel ( Mira Road)

Praise the Lord!

My mother was admitted to the hospital some months ago. Hospital billing was very high approx Rs 80,000/- to 90,000/-. Though I had taken a mediclaim policy for her,
because she is highly diabetic the doctors said that the claim will not be passed by the Insurance Company. The amount was large to settle. I informed this to Pastor Saroja, and requested her for prayers. I give all glory and honour to our powerful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for that Mediclaim request was passed for payment. This is the Lord’s mighty doing in my life. I also want to thank our loving Pastor Saroja for her fervent prayers.

Thank You Jesus!

Bro. Hardik Patel (Goregoan)

Praise the Lord!

Firstly I apologize for being late in testifying about God’s great doing in my life.

I had gone to my native place for property name transfer work. I had requested Pastor Saroja to keep this in prayer. Praise the Lord! Lord Jesus has given me victory in this work and the property is now transferred in my name.

I give all glory and thanks to Jesus Christ for His mighty work in my life and also thanks to Pastor Saroja for her sincere prayers for me and my family always.

Sis. Paramjoyti Jayseelan (Jogeshwari)

Praise the Lord!

I firstly apologize for giving this testimony late. I give all glory to God for giving me another opportunity to testify about His wondrous work in my life.

During Holy Week I wasn’t keeping well – I suffered from fever, vomiting and headache. I called Pastor Saroja and requested her for her prayers. She prayed for me on the phone and immediately I was healed of my illness.

I give all glory and thanks to Jesus Christ for healing me. Also, thanks to Pastor Saroja for her prayers for me.

Bro. Joseph Arikswamy (Goregoan)

Pastor Saroja M.

God’s mighty man of valour

Judges 6: 11-12 “And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour”. Our God gives us a name ‘Man of valour’ – none of us are weak. No one should think “I can’t do this or that work”. The Word in Philip 4:13 says“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”.Through God we get strength to accomplish all works. God called Prophet Jeremiah when he was a young man. Jeremiah 1:6, 8 “Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.  To that God replies“Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD”. God tells Jeremiah not to be afraid for HE is withhim. When God is with us, nothing is impossible; we can do all things through Him. Thus, we are all ‘Men of valour’. After God called Jeremiah and promised him that “I am with you to deliver you”, Jeremiah became a ‘Mighty man of valour’. Jeremiah 20:11 “But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten”. In the Holy Scriptures, there was a ‘Man of valour’ whom God called, namely Gideon. Gideon was a simple man and fearful in nature. But when God blessed him, He called him a ‘Mighty man of valour’.

Let’s readJudges 6:11-12 “And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour”. Gideon, being a fearful man, he feared the Midianites. But it is God who called him a ‘Mighty man of valour’. Even in our lives, we may be fearful of many thoughts and works of life. But remember, in God’s army we are all ‘Mighty men of valour’. That is why when the Israelites were coming out of Egypt and when they camped in the plains of Moab, King Balak and the Moabites saw the Israelites and were truly afraid of them. Balak sent Prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites as he saw they were a huge army, like a flowing river. Why did Balak choose Prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites? A Prophet when he blesses someone, they will be blessed; and when he curses someone, they will be cursed. Hence Balak sent Balaam to curse the Israelites and weaken them in order to win the battle which he was planning to wage against them. But the Spirit of God came upon Balaam and instead of cursing he prophesied in their favour. Gideon was a simple man who feared the Midianites and settled far away from them and ploughed the fields. But God speaks to him and tells him “You are a mighty man of valour”. Thus, even we should not think lowly about ourselves, we should all believe that our Mighty God has made us ‘Mighty men of valour’.

Psalms 84: 5-7 “Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength; every one of them in Zion appeareth before God”.In God’s sight we are not ordinary people, we have gained our strength from God and we reside high atop Mount Zion. Isaiah 40:11 “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young”. Our good God loves us very much; those who cannot walk He will carry and those who are young He will hold their hand and lead them. He is a good God, even today He knows our weakness and shortcomings, and He knows what we can do and what we cannot. Yet He makes us all “Mighty men of valour’. But, this blessing for us is only when we are with the Lord. Each day we should bless God because He holds our hand and leads us, and for those who are weak and cannot walk He carries us. Everyday our God only does well for us, this we have to believe in our hearts. Every Word of God we have to accept. We have to joyfully open our heart to the ‘Word’ that is being preached and when we show our eagerness, God will bless us with His divine wisdom to understand the Word. We must have such a burning desire in our heart to hear the ‘Word of God’.

Psalms 52:8 “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever”. David compares himself in this passage to a green Olive tree. God made many trees, but the Olive tree is a very special tree – it signifies ‘Spiritual blessings’. Olive tree do not get rotten in water. Thus David says “I am like a green Olive tree in the house of God”. Once when Jesus healed a blind man, He told him to open his eyes upward looking at the sky. Mark 8:23-24 “And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking”.The blind man sees for the first time in his life and he looks up to the sky and says “I see men as trees walking”. David believed that he is a green Olive tree in the house of God. Yes, all those who have won their battles with the strength of God, they are all like Olive trees. We are all children of God and God strengthens us through His grace alone. Thus, each of us must think “I can do all things through Jesus Christ”. In and by the name of Jesus Christ alone are we worthy to do all things in this world. Jesus Christ said as He was preparing to go to the cross in Luke 23:31 “For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” This is what Jesus said “If they do this to me (a green Olive tree), what they will do to you (a dry tree)?” Those who spoke against Jesus Christ, those who crucified Him, those who forgot His love for them; all these people are like dry trees for Jesus Christ. This is surely a fearful Word. When Jesus was in this earth, He did not bring sorrow in any one’s life. He came to love and give His love abundantly in this world. But those who did not believe in Him did not recognize this love. Rather, the people were always against Him and they were always looking for Him to falter and commit mistakes so that they could charge Him. But our Lord God is love, He says Luke 23:31 “For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” God speaks of different trees in the Holy Scriptures, but what does He think about you and me? Let us read in Jeremiah 11:16 “The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit, with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken”.God has named us ‘Green Olive tree’ - those who love God, them has He named ‘Green Olive tree’. Those of us who think we are worthy for nothing and are useless in life, we should be encouraged by this name God has given us. We are not thorny tree but rather Green Olive trees.

God has always mentioned the Olive tree as a very useful and precious tree. The three important trees of God are 1) Fig Tree – signifying Israelites’ success/progress 2) Grape Vine – signifying Family 3) Olive Tree signifying Anointing. Our God has named us as ‘Green Olive trees’ signifying that we are His anointed children. Once, the trees come to the Green Olive tree and said in Judges 9:8-9 “The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? All the trees needed a King in the Jungle and they say to the Olive tree “You reign over us”. But the Olive tree peacefully declines and replies to all the trees in vs. 9 “But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?” God’s anointed children should serve Him; it is important for them to bring many more souls to God’s saving grace. Instead of being kings and queens in this world, we should serve our Lord God. We need to shine for the Lord by doing great and mighty things in His Name. Hence the Olive tree declines the offer made by other trees to it to reign over them. The anointed people of God must always serve the Mighty God and bring spiritual blessings to others.

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”.Thus the anointed people who are washed by the blood of Jesus Christ must serve the mighty God just like how the Olive tree declines the offer made by all the trees in the jungle, to reign over them. It is useless to work in this world to gain ‘honour in this world’. Hebrews 1:4 “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they”. Remember, God has made us special people, as the angels of heaven. Hebrews 11:40 “God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect”. In every work that we do, we are God’s special people and we are made worthy to call our God ‘Abba Father’. Those who believe in God, He has called His sons and daughters. John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name”.We surely are special people called to do mighty and great works for Him. 1 Corinthians 4:7 “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it”. What is the reply to this? 1 Corinthians 3:6 “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase”. It is God who gives the increase in our life. What we have and what we are, without God we are ‘Nothing’. If we do not thank God, we are not worthy to His children. Thus, we must have a heart of gratitude for God.

We can work very hard, but it is our God who gives the fruits of our labour. If God is not with us, everything we do is unworthy and futile in His sight.

Proverbs 21:31 “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD”. Yes, we can prepare hard for the day of war, but victory comes from God alone. Proverbs 16:33 “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD”. In our life we can gain everything through Jesus Christ Himself. He has made each one of us a ‘Mighty man of valour’. We have to thank God every moment even as Jeremiah cried to the Lord “I am young and I stammer”, but God promised Him that He will be with him always and hence Jeremiah challenges everyone fearlessly. In our lives too, however much we work hard, it is only through Jesus Christ that our blessings will flow. God chose the illiterate to work for His kingdom. He chose fishermen to do His work in this world. After Lord touched them and anointed them, these fishermen became special people of God. God did not anoint His Angels, but rather He anointed us ordinary people for His glory. Matthew 3:11 “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. But he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire”.God called the fishermen and anointed them and strengthened them to do His works in this world. Yes, even today He is prepared to anoint us and make us ‘Green Olive trees’ – His anointed children for His Glory. Apostle John says “I indeed baptize you with water, but He that is mightier than I, is coming to baptize you and make you a ‘Green Olive tree”. Who was it who was coming? Jesus Christ was coming. Yes, He came to bless His people. The scriptures in John 1:12 says “But as many as received Him, to them, He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name’.But remember many are called and few are chosen. In the end, he who overcomes this world will be of His children. Revelations 21:7 “He that over cometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son”. We need to do His works and be strengthened by Him. If we get entangled in this world, we will surely drift away from God and drifting away from God brings no blessings in our life. An Olive tree does not rot even in abundance of water. We know that when Noah sent a dove over the earth after its destruction of 40 days & nights of rain and the dove brought back an Olive leaf. However much are the trials and tribulations of this world, they will try to destroy us, but remember we will not be destroyed because we are God’s ‘Green Olive trees’ – Anointed by Him for His Glory.

Thus instead of being kings and queens in this world, we must choose to be an ‘Olive tree’ for the Lord.

When Jesus Christ served in this world, the people wanted to make Him a King, so that they will not suffer and they will always remain prosperous. But Jesus Christ came into this world to serve us and not rule over us. Jesus refused the offer men made to Him. Our God came into this world to heal the broken hearted, to set the captives free, to make the lame walk again and to let the blind see. He came to release those in bondage and also to make a way to reach His Heavenly kingdom. So now, we need to do mighty work for God’s kingdom because we know the way of the Lord. Our Lord has not only made the way to His kingdom, but He has also thought us how to follow His footsteps.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”. Thus, we as Olive trees need to tread carefully on the path that God has shown us. Our God did not come in the form of a God or an Angel, but rather He came as a simple human being. He has shown us how to fight our enemies. Today, who is our enemy? It is our own thinking, our heart and mind that deceives us. Jesus has already defeated the enemy on the cross. Thus, our enemy today is we ourselves. The evil one can only make plans to bring sorrow and pain in our lives, but it is we ourselves who can resist every temptation and defeat the plans of the enemy. Revelations 3:21 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne”. Our God has shown and made the way for us in this world. If we walk in His path; just as Jesus Christ won the battle in this world, we too can win our battles. God has promised us that He has gone to prepare a mansion for us and He will return one day to take us along with Him to His Heavenly kingdom. Our God has promised that He will come back and surely He will not change His word. In the meanwhile, we should be good testimonies for Him in this world and continue to do His works in this world. He will surely come back to take us with Him. It is important to have God with us, to win our victory in this world. Just as Jeremiah said ‘I am young’ and God promised him that ‘I will be with you always’; likewise it is important to keep God with us always. For this we need to be righteous in everything that we do and be purified by the blood of Jesus. Psalms 41:1-3 “Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness”. When can this be fulfilled in our life? When we remember that we were not saved by abiding by the commandments but rather by the Grace of God alone.

Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace”. It is only by God’s grace that we have a renewed life. This belief and faith must be within us, only this alone will bring blessings in our life. It is because of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice that we have breath within us. Thus we must glorify His Name alone in this world. Our God has loved us abundantly and sent His only son Jesus Christ into this world and it isby His blood alone that we are washed and purchased. Remember that we will reach God’s kingdom only through the blood of Jesus Christ. Even when Jesus Christ was in this world, He made it very clear to us that He did not belong to this world. We too are only strangers in this passing world for we are children of God’s kingdom. Our focus must not shift from the cross. Only then can we be confident of reaching God’s kingdom. Our God will definitely come back to take us and we must remain ‘Green Olive trees’ till the end, for His glory. We must believe the Word for the Word is not partial to anyone. We can challenge the enemy and the enemy will run away from us – Jeremiah 20:11 “But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten”.

May the Word bless everyone!

Pastor Saroja M.