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CSI Good News
(Church of South India Good News)
Vol. 2 / Issue 28 / August 17 2000
Contents of this issue
Editorial
Those who honor Me I will honor
Day of Judgment -II
Report of National family and youth conference
News Items (Common to all issues) :
Through the Valley of Death & other Books
Download Articles in Handheld Computers
Kids Page - Free Tutorials
Hindi / Malayalam/Tamil Bible Online
Your Spam Folder
Your Feedback
Editorial
Romans 5:12, "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned;"
Many a times I was asked this question, "Is it possible that because of one man we became sinners or sin and death came in this world?" Yes, it is possible and that’s what we see in this world, full of sin and violence. Before sin came in this world, Adam and Eve never knew any sin nor violence. They never knew what death and curse was. They never knew what was to sweat and do hard work. They never knew what tears or sorrow was. They were in perfect peace and happiness.
But only one sin made every difference. If we read in Genesis Chapter 3, we can see that not only did God curse Adam, Eve and the serpent but He also cursed the ground. Genesis 3:17 - 19 Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it': "Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return."
These verses clearly says that because of the sin of Adam and Eve, thorn and thistles started growing. Men had to do hard work for his living and women had to go through pain in childbirth etc. And more than this, both Adam and Eve lost the fellowship of God. They were alienated from God and His presence. They died spiritually. Today, the same blood is flowing through us, the same corrupted blood. That’s why David says in Psalms 51:5, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me."
David describes here about the sinful nature that we got from Adam and Eve. That’s is the reason we bend towards evil and whatever comes in our heart is evil. But the same Bible that says about the sinful nature of us, says about the redemption of our sins.
Once I read a story of an old man. He was a very famous athlete in his time. One day suddenly he went to the police station and put all his trophies before the police officers and cried loudly saying please arrest me. Police officers could not understand what to do. Finally one asked, "what is the reason?" Old man said, "When I was 17, I murdered a man and ran away from my home. Police could never catch me. I came to this city and started my business and became an athlete. Money and fame grew, people admired me all over the world. But I do not have any peace. Every day the scene of murder comes before my eyes and this guilt is haunting me. I do not want to live like this anymore. Yes, sin and guilt will follow you all the days of your life. Sin is terrible it will tear your peace and joy in pieces. It will steal your happiness. But there is hope by the blood of Jesus.
The Bible says in Romans 5:15, "But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many."
And also in Romans 5:19, "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous."
Yes, Adam sinned and brought death and curse in this world, but Jesus came and died on the cross, He shed His precious blood to save us from eternal death, tears, sorrow, pain and curse. He came down to give us eternal life. We can receive this wonderful life which Adam and Eve had in the garden of Eden - a life full of blessings, a life full of peace and joy. If you have not yet received this life, today is the day of salvation. Invite Jesus into your life and your life will never be the same again.
Those who honor Me I will honor
By Sheela Isaac
1 Sam 2:30 "Therefore the LORD God of Israel says: ...................for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed."
Lord said, "those who honor Me I will honor them." This is the key for receiving blessings from God, but many are not aware of it. I know of many who want all the blessings from God but not God. They want whatever God gives, but when it comes to the things of God they want to stay away from Him.
There was a person who used to come to our home for prayer meetings in India. He attended the meetings for a long time. He used to say, "pray for me so that I can get a good job." After some time he stopped coming to the meetings and we wondered why? Several days later we happened to meet him at the market place and enquired, "why are you not coming to the meetings now a days." You know what he said, "now I got a job and so I don't have time to attend meetings." This is what happens when person thinks, now I am settled in life, now I got everything I really needed, now I can live by my own and do not need God. God should not interfere in my life.
Yes my friend without Jesus there is nothing in life. You may reach to high positions, you may earn lot of money, but you should know that the fountain of joy is Jesus. Without Jesus you can not enjoy the things you have. Many are out there who has everything in their life minus joy.
You may all be knowing about Elvis Presley. Even today in the US many admire him and consider him as their roll model. I heard that women of US were fascinated by him. He was offcourse a very good and famous singer. But I heard that the last days of his life was very miserable and painful. He was all the time on drugs just to forget the pain of life. What made him to go through such horrible ordeal? He had every thing in life, name, fame, wealth, riches and everything the world could offer. But what happened to such a person? Depression and agony corroded and consumed his life away and finally he committed suicide.
You may have everything in life, but remember that without Jesus life is empty and meaningless. World can offer you money and glory, but can not offer joy. World can offer you fame and name but can not offer health and healing. World can offer you pleasures of life, but can't offer you mental peace and happiness. All these comes only through the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Creator of the whole universe.
Come closer to Him, know Him as your savior and then life will be meaningful and happier than ever before. I accepted Lord Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior on 3rd Nov. 1981 and my life has never been the same again. I had everything in life as I wrote in some of the previous issues. I was born in a rich home. My dad was an engineer. We lacked nothing. But still life was empty. What ever I did ended up in failure. I was very good in my studies. I studied for short time and yet always got good marks. But still I reached nowhere in life. I always desired to become a Doctor, but that remained just a dream. Most of my cousins became Doctor or engineer, but I was thinking that I got to nowhere. Meanwhile when I found Christ in my life, life started changing. I got the joy which this world can not offer. Life become more meaningful.
When I came to the US many people spoke in different ways. A person asked me, "do you think you can pass the written test for Drivers License, since you do not know English?" She was not wrong. I was not fluent in English, but still it was a very hurting experience for me. Some people said, "go and stand in shop or go for mail sorting because nobody will give you a better job than this. They were not wrong either because many Indians who are Doctors and Engineers who come from India start doing the same work.
So I prayed "Lord what to do? Shall I go for this type of job" Lord said "no, I've kept a high position job for you. Learn HTML and find some job in the Computer field." Then I started learning HTML. Meanwhile I was at home for a long time without any job. Again people were asking several questions, "Are you not able to find any job so far, It is really very hard to get job in US isn't it?" One person asked me "it looks you are very much scared to go for work, you don't know English that's the reason. Stand in some shop when you speak you will learn how to speak. Or find some elevator (lift) operator's job, it will be easy for you and so on."
All these suggestions made me more worn out. I felt very badly hurt. But I rather looked towards God. When I finished my HTML study I prayed again, "Lord, now what to do." Lord said, "learn Java Script and meanwhile find some job." So I started my job search. There was a condition from God, who said, "you will not accept any job for less than $20/hr." I went through many Interviews but nothing worked. I was thinking, "who will give me this much salary." I was badly fed up with job search. After many Interviews I decided not to apply for job anymore.
One day I prayed, "why am I not able to get any job. What is my fault please tell me if I am in some sin, I am ready to correct myself." Lord said:
1. everything has its own time.
2. Whatever job I've kept for you, you will get only that job. You will not get another one however you may try.
After 3 days I got an Interview call from nowhere. I was wondering from where it came, because I already stopped sending resume (application). And by God's grace I got that job as HTML programmer with $20/hr. salary. Praise God He is able to fulfill all His promises. People thought that I could get only elevator operator's position. But the Lord raised me to higher position. Lord raised me up and I started even my first job with good salary.
Yes my friend if you honor God, God will honor you. He will raise you to higher position for which you might never have imagined or thought of. He is able. David who was a shepherd boy, because he loved God, because he honored God He raised him to the position of king. Joseph who was a slave boy in Egypt, because he honored God because he walked in His ways, because he walked in holiness, God raised him to the position of second in command to the king. He became Governor of Egypt, a foreign land.
Do you know Him today as your personal Lord and Savior?. Do you honor God?. Are you walking in the ways of God?, can you say that I know Him personally? If not this is the time to know Him as your personal savior. If you love Him, if you walk in His ways, if you honor Him, He will raise you up and make you a blessed person.
May God bless you.
Day of Judgment -II
By Sherly Isaac
Isaiah 34:12, "They shall call its nobles to the kingdom, But none shall be there, and all its princes shall be nothing."
Bible describes that a day is going to come when nothing will be good. It would be a day of fury of the Lord. It is not a day of rejoicing but it will be a day of fear and tears. Kings and princes or high authority can not help you in this day. Yes, a day is coming when Jesus will come back to judge all the nations as we read in Isaiah 66:15-16, "For behold, the LORD will come with fire And with His chariots, like a whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword The LORD will judge all flesh; And the slain of the LORD shall be many."
Now the question is who will go before the judgment seat of God? In this world itself we see that, only those who violated the law of the Govt. will go before the judge and face criminal sentence. So if we have violated the rules of God by sinning against Him, we have to face the punishment of God. On the day of Judgment God will punish every person who violated His law.
But here is good news, we can avoid the day of Judgment. Jesus said in John 5:24, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."
If your sins are forgiven and washed by the blood of Jesus and if you have everlasting life in you, you will not face the day of Judgment, but you have passed from death into life. My dear friend, if you are not sure whether you have eternal life or not, you have to make sure in this world itself. Otherwise one day you would face the judgment seat of God and it would be very late.
This is not a day of rejoicing but day of terror as we read in Isaiah 2:19-21, "They shall go into the holes of the rocks, And into the caves of the earth, From the terror of the LORD And the glory of His majesty, When He arises to shake the earth mightily. In that day a man will cast away his idols of silver And his idols of gold, Which they made, each for himself to worship, To the moles and bats, To go into the clefts of the rocks, And into the crags of the rugged rocks, From the terror of the LORD And the glory of His majesty, When He arises to shake the earth mightily."
Yes, "For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; Who can endure it?"( Joel 2:11)
But the Bible says about another Day that is totally opposite from the Day of Judgment. Let us see what it is?
Joel prophet said in Joel 2:28-29, "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days."
Jesus also described about His Spirit and what would happen when it will come upon us.
God will come and dwell with us and will be within us:
John 14:16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever; John 14:17 "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."
When the Holy Spirit comes, He will come and dwell with us. Isn’t it marvelous that God Himself will come and dwell with us. When a person lives with us, he/she gives suggestions, helps in our difficulties and try to solve our problems. The same thing Holy Spirit does, when He comes and dwells in us.
He will take care of us: We read in John 14:18, "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." Before Jesus could leave this earth, He made arrangement for His children that we may never be alone. He said, I will not leave you orphans. I will send Holy Spirit who will take care of you as your father and mother. Oh, what a privilege it is to be with our parents. The same thing Holy Spirit does. He gives the love, care, comfort consolation and discipline of a mother and strictness of a father so that we may walk perfectly in this world.
He will guide us:
John 14:26, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."
Yes, When Holy Spirit comes in our lives, He guides us in every step and brings us in remembrance the things which was spoken by Jesus. He reminds us continually what is correct and what is not correct.
He delivers us from sin and sicknesses:
Isaiah 61:1 "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;"
And also the Bible says in Isaiah 35:5-6 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert.
And we read in the book of Acts that, when disciples and 120 people were gathered together on the day of Pentecost, they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Yes, God wants us to be filled with His peace, joy, happiness, guidance and blessings. So why to chose the Day of Judgment; but why not chose the Day of Pentecost, a blessed day when God sent His Holy Spirit. And today also He is pouring out His spirit on every believer. If you have not yet received it, please receive it. There is nothing more joyous, peaceful and happier experience than this.
Report of National family and youth conference
By Vinod Isaac
Millennium CSI family and youth conference was held at Grand Resort Convention Center, Pigeon Forge, TN from August 10th to 13th of 2000. It was Hosted by CSI Jubilee Memorial Church of New York. Conference was graced by the presence of our Moderator Most. Rev. K. J. Samuel, Rev Vinod Victor, Rev Paul Francis Ravi Chandran, Dr Sam Kamaleson, Bro. Scott Armstrong (RZIM Ministry Associate), Dr Pushpraj and many others.
Pigeon Forge a beautiful place with Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, Caverns and so many other attractive places. Beautiful Mountains of Tennessee reminded me once again that how great our God is for "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Conference location and arrangements were excellent. Mr. Koshy George and his team put lot of efforts to bring this conference to a grand success. For Adults, Youths and Kids there were separate special sessions. Kids were taken care of by CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship) Team.
Songs were led by Mr. Babu Philip, Rev. Jacob David, Eddi Christudas, Mrs. Molly Victor.
The theme of the Conference was "Cross: A Symbol of Hope for the new Millennium" 1 Cor 1:18. Conference touched some of the core foundations of Christian faith. All the speakers had agreement on one thing that Cross of Jesus Christ is the only Hope and there is no Hope apart from Cross. Reconciliation, Regeneration, Reformation of a person takes place only through Cross.
Dr Sam Kameleson Stressed the need to make Jesus absolute absolute of our life. He pointed out that Jesus is the Truth with capitol T and all other truths are relative truths they change but Jesus never changes. He shared his life story how Jesus changed his life and brought him to the ministry.
Dr Pushpraj stressed on repentance. He said that every body needs to repent and accept Jesus Christ in their life. He also pointed out that there is need of change in CSI structure so that people who are hungry for God's Word could be fed in CSI Churches itself instead of running hear and there.
Rev. Vinod Victor talking from life incident of Judas reminded that Judas was so near to Jesus but Lost his eternal life just for few silver coins in the similar way we CSI people so near the river can still miss the life that flows from Cross.
Bro. Scott Armstrong talking about the plight of our youths urged the need to do something for the youths. He talking about columbine school shooting and describing what would have been going on in the lives of Eric and Dillon, stressed the need that we need to have Son i.e. Jesus Christ. Sharing a story he reminded that he who has Jesus Christ, he has everything that Father has to offer i.e. inheritance with Christ,
Mr. Saji Ooman Challenged every one to accept Jesus in their life. He shared the story of ragman. Ragman taking everybody's rag giving his good cloths in return finally died and rose again. Jesus being that ragman He still takes our sins, filth, rags and gives us clean, pure, holy life. If we just give everything we have to Him and take what He has to offer us.
I believe those who opened their heart toward Jesus and asked Him to take control of their lives, they will see their lives changing and Jesus becoming more and more real to them. It was a great opportunity for the participants to set their life right with God.
Soon we will be putting real videos of the conference on CSI web site so check back regularly.
Through the Valley of Death & other Books
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
Also read these two books by Sherly Isaac "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.
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.
Kids Page - Free Tutorials
Now you can learn Graphics and web designing online at Kid's page. These tutorials are free for kids who subscribe for CSI Kids Newsletter. Currently tutorials for Paint Shop Pro, HTML and Dreamweaver are available.
So please enroll your kids by going to http://kids.csinewsletter.org/member/join.asp
And visit CSI Kid's page at http://kids.csinewsletter.org
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
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 news@csinewsletter.com email address into your contact list can avoid this email from ending up in your bulk folder.
Your Feedback
Your feedback and comments are Welcome. Please send your Parish news & articles to Editor (Sherly N. Isaac) at this address News@csinewsletter.comThe messages submitted will be checked whether they are correct according to the word of God. Editor reserves the right to accept, reject or edit the messages. The writers are responsible for the contents of their writings.
 
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