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Vol. 6 / Issue 28 / January 30 2003

Contents of this issue

Editorial

Priesthood - A high and prestigious calling

Why Sacrifice was needed? Part 4

Reader's Mail



News Items (Common to all issues) :

Standing in the Gap - Fasting prayer on 8th Dec.. 2015

Download Articles in Handheld Computers

Please Join us in "Peace Prayer Room"

Your Spam Folder

Hindi / Malayalam/Tamil Bible Online

Through the Valley of Death

Free Tutorials for your Kids!

Allah and Elohim - Are they the same God? Book

Free E-Cards

Online Games for you!



Editorial

By Sherly Isaac

John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

In this verse Jesus declared that He is the source of Life and that He alone can give us life. Does that mean that we do not have life in us? Are we dead? Do we not walk, talk and do all the work? Of course a dead person cannot walk, talk or work. If this is the case, then why Jesus said those words, “I have come that they may have life….” Does it not show that Jesus pointed out about a life that is beyond the physical? Does it not clearly tell us that though we have life in our physical body, still we are dead and have no life in us? After all, what went wrong? To know this let us go back to the first book of the Bible where Bible says in the 3rd chapter of Genesis, where God forbade Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit of a certain tree. And He also told them, “the day you will eat it, you will die.”

That’s what exactly happened on the day when Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the forbidden tree. Though they did not die physically on the same day, they died spiritually the same day they sinned against God and disobeyed God. They were cutoff from the life source of their spiritual nourishment that is God Himself. It was just like a live branch being cutoff from the main tree or a developing child in its mother’s womb being detached cutting off its food supply. Yes, though we are physically alive, still we are separated from God because of our sins and therefore we are spiritually dead.

But Jesus came in this world to reconcile us with God. He came to build a bridge between God and us so that we could have life again. He sacrificed His precious life for us so that we could live forever. You may be living as a normal person and you may be thinking that everything is alright with you, but no, there is something wrong in you. You are a dead person and you are heading towards eternal death unless you turn to the life source and receive that life in you. Jesus said in Revelation 21:6-8, “And He said to me, It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

The above verse talks about the second death. Once you physically die there is no chance of turning back, but while you are in this world you can receive eternal life by accepting Jesus.

Second thing, we see that our dreams need life too. The Bible says in Hebrew 11:11-12, “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude; innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.”

In these verses we see that though Sarah was past her age to bear a child still she believed in God that, “He is faithful who promised a child to her and Abraham.” She believed that God would fulfill His promise though it appeared to be impossible to her and her husband. She kept her faith in the promises of God. And the result was that she got what God promised her. Many a times when God gives a promise which is not fulfilled even after a long period of time we start losing our faith in God. And a day comes in our lives when we think, “oh, this will never happen in my life… oh, my dreams are dead and buried…” But look to Sarah, her dream of a child was lost, dead and buried in the layers of her advancing age. When God first promised a son for her and Abraham she was comparatively younger, but days, months and years passed by and the promise of God did not come to pass. There was enough time for her to deny God and His faithfulness, but still she believed on God. And she received the promises of God.

Today, God might have promised you many things and you might have lost your hope, but my dear friend, have faith in God. He is faithful to fulfill His promises and to give your heart’s desire. He still lives, but you need faith to nourish your dreams. Israelites could not reach the Promised Land because they did not believe in God’s promises but they murmured against God and lost their lives. God wants to bless our lives and wants to see that our dreams come true. But He also wants us to keep our faith in Him and completely trust on Him. He is able to breath a new life in your dead and buried dreams and bless you.



Priesthood - A high and prestigious calling

By Sheela Isaac

2 Tim 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 Tim 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2 Tim 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2 Tim 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2 Tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.


Bible says that in the last days all these things will show up. People will be lovers of pleasures, lovers of worldly things, lovers of worldly riches and so on. You may wonder to know that our churches have became a place of corruption. Church is a place where true Gospel of Jesus Christ should be preached. Instead of it, church has became a place for personal gain and immorality.

Few months back a big sex scandal arouse in the Catholic churches of US. It rocked the whole world. People were so upset and afraid to send their children to Church. Who could ever imagine that a priest of the church could molest children. Who could ever imagine that church will ordain people of gay and lesbian origin as a priest. Who could ever imagine that church will conduct marriages of gay and lesbian couples (same sex marriages)?

Bible speaks very clearly and loudly that homosexuality is sin and abomination in the sight of God. But now some Churches are supporting the same agenda, which is totally against the Bible.

What is the calling of a priest/ pastor?
It is a high calling. It has lot of responsibility.

1. There should be a calling:
Heb 5:3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
Heb 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.


These verses clearly say that he/she should be called by God. It is not merely a job but it is a calling. If God did not call you for this work, please do not take it by yourself. It may bring destruction in your life. It is a highly responsible job. You are the responsible person for each and every soul of your congregation. It is your duty to bring them to salvation so that they may not be lost. For every soul, who loses a place in heaven, you are accountable. One day you will have to reply for that.

2. Ordained to offer sacrifice for sin:
Heb 5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

In the old testament we see that the duty of a priest is to stand between men and God and receive the forgiveness of sin for the people. Duty of a priest is to plead before God on behalf of his congregation. To make sacrifices to receive redemption from sin for people.

What about today’s priests? Are they carrying out the same duties? Are they called by God? Are they praying for their congregation so that they can get forgiveness of their sin? Are they praying for the dying and perishing souls of their congregation? Are they able to bring the true Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people? Are they holy? Are they roll model for their congregation?

If not, you do not fit in this job. Priest’s calling is a prestigious and high calling, not to be a source of scandals, but to serve the Lord with holiness. If you do not know how to receive salvation from sin, if you do not know how to deliver salvation message to the perishing souls, you do not fit in this job. If you do not know how to lead a holy life, you do not fit in this job.

Have you ever heard a pastor saying – I am the only, one leader over you, you should respect me? Have you ever seen a pastor who needs money for each and everything? If you want to buy a car worth $20,000, $2,000 should go in the pastor’s pocket. If you buy a house for $300,000 it is necessary that you should give $30,000 to the pastor as pocket money. If you want to get married $5000-10,000 is pastor’s personal fees. If you fail to give this much amount, then you do not have respect for the pastor. I am afraid if I buy a pencil of 50 Cents how much $$$ would be the inauguration fees for that pencil and the pastor’s fee. We are living today in these days.

Once a Pastor said to me “Are you not getting married? Shall I find some one for you”?
I said, “No thanks, I am waiting for God’s will i.e. when God leads me to a particular person I’ll get married”.

Few months passed after that and one day the said Pastor came to my house in the morning. He came as the prophets of Old Testament days who used to go and say, “Thus saith the Lord”.

He said, “why you do not want to get married. It is God’s will that you should get married. Today I was praying and God said this, that’s why I came to tell you”.
I said, “Look, God did not tell you this, but you heard it from somebody who is in the congregation. Since I am not against marriage, why God would tell this.” I further said, “I already told you that I am waiting to know the will of God.” But he kept on insisting, “you should get married, it is God’s will.”

Well I thought that matter ended then and there, but it did not. After several months, my family and I were in a party. He came and said in the middle of the party, “I met such and such big and very famous preacher of India. He said that you should get married soon.”

It was such an annoying experience. I told him, “don’t worry about me, God will take care of everything”.

Why not worry? It is a $5000 pocket money question. You cannot push somebody to get married to anybody just for money. You cannot insist somebody to buy a house for pocket money. You cannot push somebody to buy a new car because you need money. God did not call you for that.

Today our churches are becoming places of business not place of worship God. Pastor’s job is to preach the Good News of Salvation, not to always think about match making and about money making.

What about you? Are you such a Pastor/Preacher? You need to repent from your sins. It is not a business, but a high and prestigious calling. Think twice before you get into the pastor’s/preacher’s job. Think twice, are you called by God? Are you there to serve God or for making money? Are you there to start scandals? Many are misusing this high call because God did not call them. Many are making their congregation to sin because they themselves do not know how to lead a holy life or how to be a roll model.

Today our churches are being ruined because of such people. Today people are mocking Christians because of such people. Today our Churches have become stumbling blocks for many. You are the person responsible for the closing of doors for many in finding the truth and reaching heaven.

Bible speaks about the sons of Eli the priest. They were also priests. But they could not hold the prestigious position. They could not walk in holiness. Bible says that they were corrupt because they did not know the Lord. 1 Sam 2:12, “Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.”

Again Bible says that they were greedy. They took the offering with force.
1 Sam 2:16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
1 Sam 2:17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.


They not only despised their calling but also lived in sin. They were money mongers and were sexually immoral. And the end of the whole Eli family was horrible. Here is what God said to Eli family. It would send shock waves in your spine.

1 Sam 3:12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
1 Sam 3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
1 Sam 3:14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.


Every time I read this story it sends chill in my bone. What a sad end for the corrupt priests Eli’s sons. It is a great reminder for all of us preachers that we need holiness more than anything else. Seek holiness than anything else. Long for holiness, die for it rather than loosing heaven. Practice holiness during each and every minute of your life. Even if you find the whole world but if you loose heaven what would be the gain? If you amass the money of the whole world and burn yourself in hell fire, what would be the gain? If you gain all the sinful pleasures of this world, but loose your soul for eternity to live with worms and fire what would be the gain?

If your life is corrupt, if your life is not holy, if you are living a double life, repent from your sins it is not too late. Repent! God is gracious to forgive you and your sins. Repent and come to God with humble heart and say, I am sorry for my sins. I lived in sin but now I repent. Yes my friend, repentance is that key to survive. You might have gone too far in sin, you might have gone too far in pleasures of this world, you might have fallen to the lowest position of your life, but still you have hope. Jesus died for you so that you may not perish. Jesus shed His precious blood on Calvary’s cross so that you can escape from eternal damnation. You can still come out of your sins. You can still reconcile with God.

Pray this prayer from the bottom of your heart:
Lord Jesus today I repent from all my sins and unrighteousness. Lord Jesus have mercy on me. Please forgive and forget my sins. I repent from my sins. I renounce satan and his work. I renounce sin. Today onwards I’ll walk in holiness. Today onwards I’ll do the things, which are lawful and correct in your sight. Please forgive and forget my sins. Wash away all my sins in your precious blood. Make me clean. In Jesus precious name I pray. Amen



Why Sacrifice was needed? Part 4

By Sherly Isaac

By this time we saw that sacrifice was necessary to atone for our sin, to receive eternal life, to live under protection, to avoid eternal death and to be free from the bondage of fear of death and to escape from pain and sorrow. Today we will see why sacrifice is necessary for our sanctification.

Many a times people think that salvation or forgiveness of God cannot be obtained very easily. And some think, “All are committing wrong things, all are living in their own way then why we need to improve our lifestyle?” Some think that living a holy life is not possible and so they continue to live a wretched life. And some think that a person who says that he is saved is arrogant as according to them no one can be sure about their salvation. But what does the Bible say about salvation or forgiveness of sin?

From Genesis to Revelation Bible says that God is our Savior, He forgives and forgets our sins. And of course He promised forgiveness of sin only to those who go to Him with a heart of repentance. Bible says in Psalms 103:2-3, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases.” Bible also says, “I am the LORD who sanctifies you” (Exodus 31:13). Bible also says that without holiness we cannot see God. All these verses give us an idea that if we want to go to heaven or if we want to meet God, we need holiness and also our sins must be forgiven. God knows that we cannot live a holy life by ourselves, but He did not leave us without a solution. He gave laws to Moresby which the Israelites performed five types of sacrifices. In those sacrifices they used to kill an animal and shed its blood upon the altar before God. Whenever they sinned they repeated the procedure as the Bible says in Leviticus 17:11, 'For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.' Paul says the same thing in Hebrew 9:22, “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.”

The whole Bible talks about the problem of sin and deals with the problem of sin. Bible says that there is no other way except shedding innocent blood so that we may obtain forgiveness of sin. That’s why Jesus came in this world to give His precious, holy, blameless and innocent blood so that we could get forgiveness from our sins.

Now to the question about, “saying I am saved is arrogance because no one can be sure about their salvation. But what does the Bible say about salvation or forgiveness of sin?

Well, if a person goes to office and before going he tells his son, “When I will return home, I will bring chocolate for you.” And the child eagerly waits for his father hoping that he will bring chocolate for him. Does it mean the child is arrogant as he is believing in what his father told him?” Of course not! The same thing is true about salvation. When our heavenly father promised salvation, it means there is forgiveness of sin and salvation for us. We can get forgiveness of our sins by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Hebrew 9:26 says, “…once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” Because Bible gives reason why animal sacrifice was insufficient in Hebrews 10:1-4, “For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.” And in Hebrews 10:10, “By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” And again it says in Hebrews 13:12, “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.”

Yes, Jesus died on the cross for us so that we could live a holy life and walk in His holy life. Many think that once saved always saved. But the Bible does not support this idea. When a person gets salvation, his/her past sins are forgiven. But he/she has to live a new life with Christ. He/she has to walk in holiness. It is everyday commitment with God. That’s why the Bible says in 2 Tim 2:12-13, “If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” And in Hebrews 3:14, “For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.”



Reader's Mail

I was in need of faith yesterday and so I went onto google(Search Engine) and typed in what I was searching for. I put in search of peace. God lead me to your page and I am thankful eternally because it gave me the strength I needed to go on. Jesus has truly blessed you and you should know that you are making a difference.
Betty

I am writing to encourage you as I listened to your broadcast tonight on WHR. Thank you for your faithfulness to the Lord.
God bless you.
Jim




Standing in the Gap - Fasting prayer on 8th Dec.. 2015

As the Bible says in Ezekiel 22:30 "So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it." And also the Bible says in Numbers 16:48, "And he (Aaron) stood between the dead and the living; so the plague was stopped." We have fasting prayer every second Tuesday of each month. Our next fasting prayer meeting will be conducted on 16th Nov. 2015

Download Articles in Handheld Computers

You can now download articles in Palm Doc format for your palm handheld computer. It will work with any devise that has Palm OS and Palm Doc Reader installed. To download click on the link named "Palm Doc Format" i.e. at the top of this page by the side of each articles.

Please Join us in "Peace Prayer Room"

If you have any prayer request please join us any time at our New Chat Room at http://insearchofpeace.org/prayer If any of us available in prayer room, we will be praying online otherwise you can email your prayer request to feedback@insearchofpeace.org

Your Spam Folder

If you are getting this newsletter in your bulk/junk/Spam folder please hit the "not junk" or "not spam" button so that you could receive it in your mailbox. Also adding feedback@insearchofpeace.org email address into your contact list can avoid this email from ending up in your bulk folder.

Hindi / Malayalam/Tamil Bible Online

Now you can read Bible in Hindi online at http://www.hindibible.org
in Malayalam online at http://www.malayalambible.org
in Tamil online at http://www.hindibible.org?ver=tamil

Through the Valley of Death

As many of you know that in the year 2005, our dad was very sick even unto death. God miraculously healed him. We have compiled it in a book form. I sure believe that it will inspire you and encourage you greatly.

This book is available for purchase at JasmineCorp Store

Free Tutorials for your Kids!

Now you can learn Graphics and web designing online. These tutorials are free but you may need to get login ID by registering yourslef. Currently tutorials for Paint Shop Pro, HTML and Dreamweaver/Fireworks are available but in future more tutorials will be added.

Check the tutorials at:http://jasminecorp.net/tutorial

Allah and Elohim - Are they the same God? Book

Now available "Allah and Elohim - Are they the same God" Available at JasmineCorp Store, and "Is Jesus God?" Available at JasmineCorp Store,

Both books compares the Bible and the Quran and read eye opening facts about Jesus, God of the Bible, Allah and Islamic faith. I am sure that you want to read this.

Also read:
Book Title: Is Jesus God?
Author: Sherly Isaac
ISBN: 0759628092
http://insearchofpeace.org/books.htm

Free E-Cards

Send free E-Cards (Greeting Cards) to your friends and family. Its an easy way to stay in touch with friends and family. The website address is:
http://ecards.jcsearch.com

Online Games for you!

Now you can play games online at http://insearchofpeace.org/games




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