The power of the Word, to transport itself into any culture is the secret of Christian mission. It is the Word not the Sword that empowers the Church of Jesus Christ in her mission to all world. The church, empowered by the portability of the Word brings down the gates of hell wherever they stand against “the faith once entrusted to the saints.”
Bible advises not to fret! “Do not fret because of the evil men or be envious of those who do wrong” (Psa 37:1). Reasons for fretting are many: People whom we depend on may fail us. Sometimes we dwell on our mistakes and failures. We may be around people who are disappointed, anxious, worried, and […]
There are prayers that God may not answer. This statement contradicts the hype around miracles, deliverances and so on. People tend to believe that God answers prayers unconditionally especially when some people with extraordinary gifts pray for us. People seeking solutions to their problems flock around such people to get their prayers answered. People subscribe to […]
Peter (not the real name), brimming with godly enthusiasm travelled to Ethiopia in the early 1970s with his wife. Though they got married only a week ago, the purpose of their trip was not a honeymoon. They were determined to meet Emperor Haile Selassie to seek permission for Logos, the Operation Mobilization ship to visit […]
It is now 24 years since Lucy (not her real name) was diagnosed with colon cancer. It had claimed her mother’s life a few years back. Being genetic, Lucy’s chances of survival were thin. Lucy was not yet 40 years. The diagnosis devastated her husband and her two teenage boys. The treatment would drain their […]
Scarecrows are placed on farms to scare the birds away. Even though the scarecrows have only a skewed resemblance to human beings who can harm them, birds go nowhere near them. But some birds are smart enough to tell the scarecrow from a real human. They know that they are just hay for the body, a broken pot for the head and still. These birds also know that the scarecrow is placed where there is something to eat. No one puts a scarecrow where nothing is grown. Instead of being scared away, they dare to land on the scarecrows to enjoy the feast the ripe field offers. This is the difference between faith and fear. (Click the title to read further.)
Truth should get the priority in resolving conflicts.
Centurion’s faith was commended because his faith came from his experience and his recognition of Jesus’ authority. In Jesus he saw more than a Galilean tramp. In Jesus he saw a man who has authority over all sickness. That belief is what the Bible calls faith. Faith involves how we perceive the divine. Jesus Christ is not just a Galilean carpenter.
The journey with the risen Christ is exciting. “The longer I serve him the sweeter he grows.” But why?
Faith is not just believing something but acting on God’s commands even if they seem ridiculous.
Paulson Pulikottil 