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CSI Good News
(Church of South India Good News)
Vol. 3 / Issue 51 / January 24 2002
Contents of this issue
Editorial
Celebrating 3rd B'day
He who does the will of God abides forever
Kerala News
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
By Sherly Isaac
The world is moving very fast. Few months back when I watched "Rapture movies" and the movies related to second coming of Jesus Christ which was made by Christian Evangelist, Jack Van Impe, I had little idea that world will move so fast and rapid change occur in this short period of time. But 11th September 2001 has changed all equations. Now they are seriously thinking about video monitoring system, international ID card and chip implant so that they can track a person easily. Not only that but natural disaster, violence and turmoil are increased as never before.
India and Pakistan are standing at the door of war. India has seen so much violence, murders and all kinds of atrocities in last 10 to 20 years. Yes, it is necessary to stop all these atrocities and it is necessary that people who did those crimes should be brought to justice. But other side Pakistan is in a very dangerous position. If this war takes place and if nuclear weapons are used then it is possible that Pakistan will vanish from the map of the world. Millions of souls are in danger of being wiped away from the face of the earth. As a Christian it is our duty to pray for those perishing souls who are blinded by devil. Many of them are thinking that by killing others they will reach heaven. But they forget that by killing, no one can go to heaven. Bible says that, ".....and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."(1 John 3:15)
Many do not know what they are doing? Some are doing just for fun and some to reach heaven. But a holy God can not take people into heaven those who are doing sin. God looks sinner as sinner. Adam and Eve did not murder or rap anybody. Their sin was simple disobedience toward God and the consequence was they lost the presence of God. They were driven out from the Garden of Eden. If God punished Adam and Eve for their simple mistake then how we can expect to reach heaven by killing others or doing big crimes? No, my friend, if you want to go to heaven your sins must be forgiven. Jesus came in this world and shed His precious blood for the very purpose so that we may come out of our sins and sinful nature and live a holy life. By the shed blood of Jesus we can obtain forgiveness of our sins. If you have not yet accepted Jesus Christ then this is the time to invite Him in your life. When He will come in, He will wash away all your sins and give you a holy life.
Celebrating 3rd B'day
By Sherly Isaac
On 31 Dec. 2001 I promised God, "God, I will not ask any questions to you, no matter what happens. I will not ask "Why God why?" But it wasn't few days from the day when I made this promise, I asked, "Why God why?" And I noticed that in this last 24 days many a times I asked this question to God. Every time after asking, I smiled and said, "Sorry God, I am not going to ask it again.." But alas I failed again.
When I sent the 50th Issue of CSI Good News last week, I realized that I have to write a report for whole year. My memory went back to three plus wonderful years on the net and was wondering, why God chose me to do this? Are not hundreds and thousands of people out there who can do much better than me? They have talents and skills but I do not. Why me God, I asked, I am a person who was very often called a fool? Yes, it is hard for me to believe that anybody can find any good thing in my life. But the most amazing thing is, God did! Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:12, "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;"
Few days back I was looking for some stuff to create computer animated stories. The more I looked for ideas the more I got disappointed because they were so skillfully created and wonder music was in the background. Once again I asked God, why? Why... when I am absolutely nil in music and songs? I tried to download some music files from internet in which author put their descriptions about different music like mysterious sound, good for background music and introduction music etc. When I heard those music, I find it almost the same and there was not much difference. I was puzzled, confused and felt as wasted so much time looking those music files. Then again I remembered my promise to God... "I will not ask God, why?" And at this point I felt sorry that I could not keep my little promises to God but always complaining to Him but still He stands faithful. He always keeps His promises and fulfills in His own time.
It is just not easy to write every week. Of course it takes too much time and hard work to put together and send it through E-Mail. But it is only possible by the grace of God. And I know that our labor is not in vain because these small pieces of messages has touched the lives of people all over the world and brought peace, joy and happiness in their lives. I pray and wish that God may use this "CSI Good News" more and more to spread the "Good News" of Jesus Christ.
Here are few E-Mails which we got last year:
Dear friend in Christ,
I get the opportunity to read CSI bulletin through Internet since 3-4 months. I found it very interesting and covers the current events in the light of Bible words. I am a CSI Christian working in Saudi Arabia. I am doing lot of charity services in South India since many years.
Joseph George
I used to receive newsletter from you which was very much interesting for us. Unfortunately, a month ago I changed my email address as above. Most grateful if you can arrange with your mailing systems to enroll my name also for forthcoming newsletters.
Thomas Abraham
Dear Ones in Christ,
Thank you so much for the newsletters. It is a real blessing to us. Keep up the good work. God bless you!
In His Eternal Bonds,
Pastor Ramdehal and Nancy Dooknie.c
Thank you for your letter, I was just thinking about those very things myself tonight. Please pray I retain the mind of Christ and His truth. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Bonnie
Excellent explanation. Amen. (Allah and Elohim - Are they same God? IV)
In Christ,
DeenDayal Kotturi
Dear brother or sister:
I am so glad to receive your newsletter every week. I read about the articles "Allah and Elohim -Are they same God? ", and I found out that these articles are very helpful for a brother of mine in our church. He is a minister. He will go to his ministry at the end of the year. He is going into the Muslim group, people who worship Allah. Can you please send all of the "Allah and Elohim -Are they same God?" articles from Part I to whatever to this brother? Thank you very much and may God bless your work.
In His Service,
Yu Jie
To be continued....
He who does the will of God abides forever
By Sheela Isaac
1 John 2:16, "For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world." 1 John 2:17, "And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."
Bible talks about it very clearly that whoever loves the world and worldly things, who loves the worldly pleasures will not and cannot abide forever but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Now what things are considered worldly? Answer is very simple anything that steals your focus from God is worldly. Anything that has first priority in your life or stands first in your agenda other than God is worldly. If you are running after something desperately and trying to achieve something with crooked ways is worldly. God has given certain guidelines for human beings to follow but when we go beyond it and push aside God's rules it becomes SIN.
We find some people in Bible who did the same mistakes and they faced the results. They failed in certain areas of their life. The same things are being repeated generation after generations. Why we repeat same mistakes over and over again? Because we fail to learn the things from Bible, we fail to correct ourselves. We read Bible but ignore the sin part. We try to justify that we are better than our forefathers and it does not do any good to us.
1 John 2:16, "For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world." Bible keeps sin in major three categories. It is very clear that these are the areas which make people to stumble and fall down. Many people, king, and famous people failed in these areas. Many big and good ministries failed and ruined because of the same sin. Now let us see what are the main sins which made people drown.
1. Love of money:
Bible speaks about it very strongly.
1 Tim 6:10, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
Many have fallen because of money. Greed of money is the root of all evil. I heard many stories some are very unbelievable. I read in newspaper that one person killed his own brother because of property and money. Can you imagine it? But it is happening. How people get into low levels because of money even they do not feel sad to kill their own people. In India few years back a big money (Share scandal) took place. The person who was involved in it, took billions of rupees (Indian currency) in bribe but later caught by police. He ended up in prison spent almost his life time in prison and finally died in prison at a very young age of 48. When it happened somebody commented in a joking mood "what is the use of it, what did he gain? Is he going to eat the bread of gold instead of flour? Why he needed this much of money, what he is going to do with it?"
Yes my friend he gained that much money but he could not use it. He neither ate the golden biscuits nor drank the golden drink. But ended up in jail forever. He ruined his' and his families' name and reputation. That's what greed of money does.
The story of Balaam and Judas Iscariot is the great example to remember.
Balaam prophesied about the coming of Christ long back. Here is some of the prophecies were spoken by him. Num 24:16, "The utterance of him who hears the words of God, And has the knowledge of the Most High, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Who falls down, with eyes wide open:" Num 24:17, "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult." Balaam who could prophecy about the coming of Christ declaring Him as star, who could hear the words of God, who could attain the knowledge of Most High, who could see visions of almighty God, but what happened to him? He failed in his walk with God, he failed to obey God because greed of money came in. He faced the result.
God is not a respecter of persons. A person may be godly, may be of high reputation but when he/she slips away from God, when he/she stands against the will of God any thing can happen.
Balaam's story further says he could not hold himself in the ways of God. Love of money made him blind. When he knew that king of Moab Balak is ready to give him money, gold and silver. He was ready to do anything. He was ready to curse God's people Israelites, he was ready to even disobey God, he was ready to despise God's word and great ability to prophesy. He was ready to reject God's enormous blessing for earthly, good for nothing riches and money.
What was the result of his failed attempt to curse Israelites? The love of money drove him to nowhere. He not only lost God's grace but heaven too. His end was tragic, Bible says about him that people killed him. Balaam was called an unrighteous man and a mad prophet. These verses talks about him: 2 Pet 2:15, "They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 2 Pet 2:16, "but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet." Jude 1:11 says again people who loved money and out of greed followed the footsteps of Balaam were perished. It was the sad end for a greedy money monger.
Again we find about Judas Iscariot the disciple of Lord Jesus Christ. He was a greedy man who loved money than God. Bible speaks about him as a thief. He used to steal money form the money box. John 12:6, "This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it." Judas used to steal money and this habit brought him to dangerous end. Finally he betrayed Jesus Christ in thirty pieces of silver. Mat 26:14, "Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests." Mat 26:15 and said, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?" And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver." Did he enjoy that money. No he could not, but hanged himself to death. He not only lost his earthly life but lost eternity too.
Let it be a reminder for us. Sinful money does not bring joy but it's end is sorrowful. Money is not the everything in life but when you make money in the fear of God in a right way it gives joy and happiness.
2. Love of position:
This is another sin which leads many to destruction. Love of position, love to see "I am something great." This kind of attitude drives one to destruction.
King Saul is the great example of it. He was a man of God. He was anointed and spirit filled person. At the beginning he was very humble. When Samuel went to anoint him he said "Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak like this to me?" How humble he was, but when he became king things did change. He forgot about God and about His favor. He forgot that it is God who made him king. He forgot that it is God who raised him from dunghill. When he found highest position he ignored God and started pleasing people. He began to do evil to keep his position. He tried to protect his position and even he was ready to kill David. He forgot that it is God who gave him the position of king and can also take it back from his hand.
Saul failed miserably. Why? He kicked God out of his life and tried to please people who were around him. And what did God do to him. He removed him from kingship." 1 Sam 15:26, "But Samuel said to Saul, "......, for you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel."
When a person fails to walk in the ways of God, love money or position, things go in different way. Balaam fell, Judas Iscariot the disciple of Lord Jesus Christ fell, King Saul fell. They all fell because of their love for world and worldly things. They all fell because they rejected God. It teaches us that if we reject one and only true God Lord Jesus Christ, we can also fall.
Now how to get rid of these kind of situation?
1. Invite Jesus into your life:
When Jesus comes in He automatically transforms life. Every time when you do something wrong Holy Spirit convicts you and when you yield to God it brings transformation in your life.
2. Long for holiness:
Salvation brings that longing to live a holy life. When you cry out before God and when you are willing to lead a holy life, life start changing.
3. Have closer walk with God: Cling to Him all the time in prayer and Bible reading and it will help you to walk closer and closer to Him. It will help you to know His perfect will.
May God help you and hold you until the end.
Kerala News
Thirtysixth Diocesan Convention
(CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese)
27th January to 3rd February 2002 at Baker Memorial School Ground Kottayam
Speakers
Rt.Rev.Thomas Samuel. Bishop
Bishop Barri Morgan (England)
Rev Joseph Kishore Hyderabad
Rt.Rev. Issac Mar Philoxenos Episcopa
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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