Praise the Lord. There is only one month left, and 2023 will come to an end. Let us reflect on all the blessings we have received through this year and be grateful and thankful for everything.

Isaiah 54:10 “For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has mercy on you.”

Time and again the word of God assures and promises us that our good Lord’s mercy, grace, and love will never separate from us. David keeps reminding us that, ‘Blessed is the man who believes in God, he will never be dismayed.’ God’s abundant love which was faithful yesterday is faithful today and will be faithful forever more!

Jeremiah reiterates in Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.” Who does Jeremiah call ‘Blessed’? Not the one who thinks everything is under his control. Not the one who trusts in the riches of the world. The Word of God very clearly considers those ‘blessed’ who trust and put their faith in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 1:4 “Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

When we have blind trust in our Lord God what does He bless us with? He blesses us with peace. ‘Peace’ which no man can give, ‘Peace’ which no man can rob from us, and ‘Peace’ which is everlasting. The peace we receive from our family, friends, and people of the world is temporal. People change, situations change, and if our peace and happiness depend on them and the things of the world, we can never be at peace. Solomon the Wise said, ‘Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.’ Hence, instead of keeping our trust and faith in something temporary, we should train our hearts, minds, and souls in trusting and hoping in something that is permanent, namely, the love of the living God, Jesus; for those who trust in Him would never be ashamed. Romans 10:11 says, “For the Scripture says, whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

Hence, dear brothers and sisters, as God has blessed us with this wonderful life, let us make the most of our journey. Take a decision to make your life worthwhile, and to make it of some use for the Lord and His Kingdom, wherever, whenever, and however we can!

Till we meet again,

Pastor Saroja M

Praise the Lord. My son Stanley who had been working in UAE (Dubai) for the past four years, lost his job in January 2023, as his office wanted to hire their own people. So, he returned to India in February. We had lost hope that he would again get a job in Dubai, and he started looking for a new job in India. During the Saturday Prayer Service, I told this matter to Pastor Saroja. Pastor told me not to worry, that he would get a good job, and to continue praying. I can’t be happier than this, as it was all possible because of the prayers and assurance by our dear Pastor Saroja and belief. I give praise and glory to the Lord Almighty. Thank You, Jesus.

*Bro. Joseph Arikswamy, Goregaon, Mumbai.

Praise the Lord. I suddenly started getting a severe pain in one of my molar teeth all by itself. The pain continued for some days. In the meantime, I applied prayer oil to the tooth and the affected gums which were also in pain, but there was no relief from the pain. I continued applying the prayer oil, and there would be relief, but again I would feel the pain coming back. I then thought of showing it to the doctor because it was becoming unbearable. But finally, I made up my mind to keep applying the prayer oil come what may. I kept applying it morning and night. And suddenly, one day I discovered that the pain in my tooth and gums was not there. I thank and praise my Lord Jesus Christ for His goodness and mercy upon me and for this healing. I thank Pastor Saroja for praying for the prayer oil.

*Bro. Austin Roberts, Mumbai.

Praise the Lord! In August, I had a severe nerve pull, due to which I was neither able to stand nor sit, and I was in severe pain. Anyhow, the Lord helped me to reach Church for the Fasting Prayer Service, but after reaching Church, I couldn’t climb the stairs. There, in the Church, Pastor Saroja prayed and helped me recover a little, so that I was able to sit through the entire service. Then, in the rally, Pastor Saroja prayed over me, and by God’s grace, I was able to travel back home and then return to Church the next day to attend the Sunday Service. By Monday, I was completely healed. I give all glory, praise, and honour to my Lord Jesus Christ for healing me. I also thank Pastor Saroja for her fervent prayers for me.

*Sis. Esther Patel, Mira Road, Thane.

Praise the Lord. I would like to testify about the Lord’s great work in my life, and how he healed me. I was suffering from severe stomach pain and was hospitalised; yet I did not recover. Thanks to Pastor Saroja’s prayers for me, my Lord Jesus touched me and healed me. I started feeling better and healthier after that. Today, my health has improved so much by God’s mercy and grace. I thank my Lord Jesus for healing me and I thank Pastor Saroja for praying for me.

*Sis. Namrata Amanna, Mumbai.

Praise the Lord! A few weeks ago, before coming to the Sunday Church Service, as I was getting into an autorickshaw, I mistakenly scraped my left leg on the metal side of the rickshaw. At that moment, I felt a burning sensation and noticed my skin had peeled off, with deep redness and scratches around the area. I couldn’t attend to it at that moment, so I just left it in the Lord’s hand and continued ahead to church. I attended the Sunday Service, praising and glorifying God’s name and hearing His Word. God’s mercy took care of me, and eventually the wound just dried up without me realizing when it disappeared. Now it looks as if I was never even hurt. All glory and honour to my dear Lord Jesus for touching me. I also thank my dear Pastor Saroja for always keeping me in her prayers.

*Sis. Evangela Roberts, Mumbai.

 

A man was exploring caves by the seashore. In one of the caves, he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled the clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn’t look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. 

As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time, out into the ocean as far as he could. He thought little about it until he dropped one. The clay ball cracked open on a rock, and inside was a beautiful precious stone – a treasure in clay!

Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars’ worth of jewels in the 20 or so balls he had remaining.

Then it struck him that he had been on the beach for a long time and had thrown perhaps over 50 similar clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands in treasure, and he had just thrown it away!

It’s just like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn’t look much from the outside. It isn’t always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.

We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful, stylish, well-known, or wealthy. We have not taken the time to find the treasure in clay – hidden inside that person.

There is a treasure in every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way God sees them, then the clay begins to peel away, and a brilliant gem will shine forth.

May we not come to the end of our lives and find that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them.

2 Corinthians 4:7 “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

Remember, we are God’s treasure in clay!

 

 

 

Psalm 37:9 “For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.” The Word says that those who believe in the Lord and wait upon Him will inherit the earth.

Daniel 7:18 “But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even for ever and ever.” Daniel says that the saints of the most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom of God forever.

David became King after Saul. Though Saul was anointed King of Israel, David inherited the kingdom. Saul was always after David, and he continually tried to kill him. One day when Saul died, David inherited the kingdom of Israel and was crowned King.

Jesus Christ’s first teaching on the Mount of Beatitudes in Mathew 5:5 was, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” David was a mighty and valiant man. He could have fought with Saul and captured him, thereby inheriting Israel by force. But David did not do that. Even though Saul tried to kill him, David was meek, and he surrendered himself to the Lord’s hands. He waited for the Lord’s time in his life. He knew that God would judge his case one day. Psalm 37:9 “For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.”

We have read in Daniel, that those who put their trust in the most High God, will rule forever and forever in the Kingdom of God. We have also seen David’s life; how when Saul tried to chase and persecute him, David remained meek and patiently waited upon God. He knew that Saul carried a spear to kill him whenever he could. Yet David stayed meekly under the shadow of the Holy One till his appointed time. We have also read the first teachings of Jesus Christ, wherein He said, ‘Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.’ David did not pain the Lord, he patiently waited upon Him and surrendered himself into God’s hands. Even in our lives, we need to forsake all anger, jealousy, and fights, and we must wait upon God patiently; only then will we inherit the earth. Daniel 7:27 “And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.” When we surrender our lives into God’s hands, we shall be given His Kingdom for an inheritance, and all dominion shall serve and obey Him. We should always remain meek and give ourselves into God’s hands, waiting upon Him with patience.

What is the reason that Father God sent his only son Jesus Christ into this world? So that you and me, may inherit the earth. It is God’s love for us that He sent His Son Jesus Christ into this world. Mathew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” God sent His only son Jesus into this world to deliver us from our sins and bondage. He came into this world, carried our sins on the Cross, and sacrificed His life to give us everlasting life. Remember, God sent His son Jesus Christ to deliver us from our sins and show His love for us by sacrificing His life on the Cross. 1 Timothy 2:6 “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” Jesus gave His life as a ransom for the sins of all mankind so that all mankind would be delivered of their sins and know of His love.

Peter said in 1 Peter 2:24 “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” Jesus Himself bore our sins on his own body, having died for sinners and those in bondage. He suffered by taking our sufferings upon Him and delivered us from all our sins. Those who know of this love and sacrifice, and believe in Him, are saved by His stripes and healed even today. God shows His love to those who believe in Him and remain meek before Him. Evildoers will be cut off this earth, while God’s children will inherit this earth.

God can change His law in this world for the evil people any time He desires. But for those who wait upon Him with patience, God will eventually deliver them from all sin and bondage on this earth. He takes upon Himself all our sufferings and punishment and makes us inherit this earth!

Lord Jesus came to earth over 2000 years ago, but His death and sacrifice on the Cross were not for the people of those times only. This truth holds good even today, and His hands are not shortened so that He cannot pull us out of the dungeon even now. Whatever may be our problems, whatever may be our pain and sorrow, whatever may be our struggle, if we believe in God, on whichever corner of the earth we are in, His hands are not short that He cannot reach us, nor His ears weak that He cannot hear us. Isaiah 59:1 “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:”

For those of us who wait upon God, whose focus is stayed on Him, wherever we may be, God is not deaf that He cannot hear our cry. His eyes are always focused on His children. Especially in times of trouble and pain and sorrow, when we cry out to Him, He is the closest to us, and He will rescue us from all our pain and sorrow.

We must wait upon God, even as David waited upon Him. Though Saul was constantly seeking to kill him, David waited for God’s time, and finally inherited the Kingdom, and ruled over all the provinces of Israel. We should never get angry with evil doers because they are from a different path in this world. We know that the meek in this world are ridiculed and called evil by the wicked men of this world. Yet still, we must not care and bother about these people. We must become meeker and wait for God’s time to respond to the evil of this earth. Only when we are entwined with the Lord God can we be victorious in this world!

1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication.” Abstain from sexual immorality and keep yourselves sanctified for the Lord, for this is His will. Those who do not know the truth of the Word of God can commit this evil in this world, but you and I who know the truth of the Word of God must remain sanctified for the Lord, abstaining from sexual immorality. We who believe that God came into this world and lifted the Cross for our sins and bondage, thereby giving His life for us; must keep ourselves from sexual immorality in this world. The people of this world do not know the truth, for they do not know this secret of God. They will call us evil when we abstain from the things of this world and keep ourselves sanctified for the Lord. But we must not be bothered by them, and we must distinctly separate ourselves from them. We know of the creation of this world at the beginning, and how God separated light from darkness. He knew that Light was good. We must remember this truth that once the ‘good news’ has come into our lives, the light of God will shine brightly in our lives. Evil people may not have heard the ‘good news’ yet, hence they will not know the truth of God. We who know the truth must separate our lives from darkness because we have no part in the darkness.

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” From the beginning, God desired that light and darkness should be separated. The moment we receive the good news of God, we have received the light of God in our lives. After that, we must not remain yoked together with unbelievers, for we should not have fellowship with unrighteousness and lawlessness. What communion has light with darkness? We must break away from unrighteousness and darkness.

2 Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” Unrighteousness will be cut off from this earth and the righteous will inherit this earth. The Word of God says that those who wait upon God patiently will be blessed and will inherit this earth. From the beginning, God has separated the good from the bad, the light from the darkness, and the righteous from the unrighteous. Those who believe in God and believe in His law must separate themselves from this world. Once again, remember, our God is not a partial God. He will not look at our faces and judge us, but He will scan within our hearts when He comes to judge this world. The Word says that God permits good and bad crops to grow together. At the time of harvest, God will cut off the bad crop and throw it into the fire, while the good crop will be taken along with Him. Hence, we must save our lives for this day, and live in His fear and love. Through God’s Word each day, He reminds us of all these teachings, and about His sacrifice on the Cross for us.

Mathew 7:21 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” What is God’s desire for us on this earth? That, as His sons and daughters, we must inherit this earth. God loves us so much that He sent to earth, His only Son so that we will not be destroyed and perish in this world. God desires that every single soul on this earth should be saved and not be destroyed. Hence, for His love of mankind, our Father God shut His eyes for a moment, when Jesus, His only begotten Son was dying on the Cross. It was thus by the sacrifice of His Son, that all mankind could be saved.

By Jesus’ death, we are all delivered from our sins, and we can separate ourselves from the unrighteousness in this world. Our faith and trust must be in God alone. He desires that many should be gathered upon this earth, believing in His name alone. Jesus says, ‘You are not saved because of my sacrifice, but rather by the love of Father God. He sent me into this world to save you from your sins. Hence, call out to My Father God first, and through Him, I will answer your prayers. For, if my Father would not have sent me, the world would not know who I am.’ Our Father God first loved us; hence He sent His only son Jesus Christ into this world. Even on the Cross, when Jesus suffered for all mankind, our Father God closed His eyes for a moment, so that Jesus may be sacrificed on the Cross for our sins. Because of that sacrifice, we have life everlasting today. Even before the birth of Christ, Prophet Isaiah wrote, ‘God’s hands are not shortened that He cannot save you.’ Daniel also prophesied, ‘Those who believe in God, will inherit the earth.’

David wrote, ‘Those who wait upon the Lord will inherit the earth and the evil doers will be cut off from this earth.’ All these prophets prophesied even before the birth of Jesus Christ on this earth. It is very important for us to know that the righteous and unrighteous cannot co-exist, and that light and darkness cannot co-exist. Our Lord God is eternal light, and once this light touches our lives, we become different persons, and there can be no place for darkness in our lives.

In this world there are three desires 1) Our very own desire, 2) The devil’s desire, and 3) God’s desire. Our desire thinks we can achieve all by ourselves, and we do not need God’s counsel. We use our own wisdom and knowledge to acquire things in this world. Evil’s desires are seen in the lives of those who have put their desires into the hands of the devil, and their lives are controlled completely by evil. On the other hand, God’s desires are done by God’s will alone, and we must bring everything to God’s feet and do according to His will and plan in our lives. Our desires must always be to fulfill God’s desires in our lives.

Acts 9:6 “And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” Before Saul became Paul, he persecuted the children of God. In the above verse, we see Saul asking God with trembling and astonishment, ‘What do you want me to do?’ Once God’s light struck and blinded Saul, it brought fear upon him. He asked God for His counsel, as to what God wanted him to do. This applies to all of us, and before God’s hands fall upon us, we should ask God for His will in our lives. Our God is there to show us the way every day in our lives. His way alone is the way, the truth, and the life.

Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” We must always know God’s will in our life. Never do anything according to your own will, for you will never succeed. Once God’s hand of grace is removed from us, we will be doomed. God says, ‘I will teach you in the way you should go, and from time to time I will guide you with mine eyes.’ Remain meek and humble, and always sit at God’s feet asking Him to guide us in this world. Only then we will succeed in everything we do. Our inner thoughts and actions are intrinsically evil; hence we must keep aside our will and desires and wait upon God for His will and plan. Then we will be successful in everything we do.

Continually praise and worship God for His sacrifice for us. Thank God for all His wondrous doings and abundant blessings in our lives. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” In everything we must give thanks to God, for this is His desire for us. When we forget the love of God and His sacrifice for us, He will cut us off from this earth. Each day, whether good or bad, and in every situation, we must praise and thank God for all His goodness, mercy, kindness, and grace in our lives. Psalm 34:1 “(A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.) I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

In David’s life, when he was a youthful shepherd boy, and thereafter a King, at all times God remained foremost in his life. His faith and trust always were in God, and he committed his life to God’s hands. David continually praised and thanked God for everything. When David became King, he brought the Ark of God back to Jerusalem. He danced before God with all his might, not caring that his clothes fell off. He continued dancing naked, and Michal his wife saw this. 2 Samuel 6:13-22 “And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house. Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.” David remembered God’s goodness in his life and danced with great happiness and gay abandon before the Lord. When his wife Michal ridiculed him, David replied that he would be more undignified than this in his own sight, and as for his maidservants, they would honour him.

When we remember God’s great doing in our lives, our hearts will be filled with gratitude and thankfulness for Him. David danced with all his might and zest for the Lord God. Psalm 139:14 “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Our soul must recognize the greatness and goodness of God.”

Psalm 63:3-4 “Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.”

Psalm 48:1 “(A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah.) Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.”

Never hesitate to praise and thank God. When we are self-conscious, we will not praise and glorify God. Our praise and glory, when done with a true heart reaches God’s heavenly throne and is a sweet aroma in His kingdom.

When God comes to take us, imagine how sorrowful we will be for those of us who will be left behind. Imagine our plight when God cuts us off and throws us into the fire to burn away. How sorrowful that day will be!

Ecclesiastes 8:11 “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Because God’s judgement does not come upon us immediately, we take life lightly.

God’s Word is truth and life. Revelation 5:9-10 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” The four beasts and four and twenty elders fell before the Lamb and sang a new song for the Lord because He gave them dominion on this earth. It is God’s desire that man should continually praise Him all the time.

David said in Psalm 103:2 “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” Our soul should continually praise the Lord. We must never forget the benefits God has blessed us with, in our lives.

I pray that this message will be a blessing for each one of us!

Pastor Saroja M.

 

 

Praise the Lord my dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

The residents are well aware that they are in the month of November and are already eagerly looking forward to the next month of celebrations.

It’s God’s grace that the residents are in good health, as well as very active. The regular Sunday services are like their spiritual manna and they very much look forward to the same every week. Seeing their enthusiasm makes me forget all my tiredness and refreshes me.

Do continue to pray for our residents, today and always.

Your sister in Christ,

Pastor Saroja M

Praise the Lord! At this time of the year whatever the children have studied from the Bible, they were now ready to appear for the exams.

They had their Sunday school exams and fared quite well.

The junior kids took oral exams, and they were given the ‘Days of Creation’ to match God’s creations with the six days. The intermediate kids had an oral exam and the kids in the senior section had a written test. The children were full of zest and enthusiasm during the exams, and it was amazing to see all the juniors’ ability to match the creations.

We at the Rose of Sharon Sunday School are glad to announce the top performers for the year 2023:

Junior class

• 1^st – Sara & Isaac
• 2^nd - Glory & David

Intermediate class

• 1st – Stephen & Joshua
• 2nd – Sheebah

Senior class

• 1st – Irwin
• 2nd – Joel

100% Attendance

• Sara
• David
• Stephen
• Irwin

Congratulations to all the children!

Even as these exams have ended, Christmas practice has already begun in earnest. All the kids possess a great zeal to practice, and this is clearly seen in their rehearsals.

Do continue to remember our little ones in your daily prayers.

Kids Corner

Creative Corner