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CSI Good News
(Church of South India Good News)
Vol. 4 / Issue 28 / August 22 2002
Contents of this issue
Editorial
O Jesus, Son of Maryam, heal me - (1) Story
God who gives peace
Reader's Mail
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
Rev 3:5 "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
Jesus said in above verse about the Book of Life. Why this is called "Book of Life"? To find out the reason we should go back to Genesis where we read about the fall of Adam and Eve God told them that, "the day you will eat the fruit of the tree, you will surely die." And when they ate the fruit of the tree, they died spiritually. Death and separation came because of their sin. But God did not left them without a solution. He gave the Law to Moses. And according to the Law, all things are purified by the blood.
According to the Law it was necessary to sacrifice the lamb at altar in order to get the forgiveness of sin. Those who got the forgiveness of sin or those who reconciled with God by the blood of the Lamb, their names were written in the Book of Life. That's why God called it "Book of Life". Those who got life through the blood of the Lamb - Jesus Christ who gave His life for us, their names will be written in the Book of Life.
When Israelites sinned against God and when God got angry, Moses prayed this prayer in Exodus 32:32, "Yet now, if You will forgive their sin; but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written. And the LORD said to Moses in Exodus 32:33, "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book." And the same thing Jesus told in Revelation 3:5 that, "those who overcome shall be clothed in white garments, and He will not blot out their names from the Book of Life."
If your name is not yet written in the Book of Life then you need to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Because no one can go before holy God with their sins but everybody need to get forgiveness of their sins. Jesus came for the very purpose and gave His life for us so that we may never die but have our names in the Book of Life.
Many think that, "Once saved, always saved". But it is not truth. If you are saved, if your name is written in the Book of Life, and still you are living in sin then it is possible that God will blot out your name from the Book of Life. If you are saved, you need to walk in His holiness and in His will. You are not yours but you belongs to God. The Bible says in James 1:12, "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
If we want this crown of Life and if we want that our names must not be blot out of the Book of Life then we need to walk in His holiness everyday. Because we do not know at what moment death will knock at our door.
O Jesus, Son of Maryam, heal me - (1) Story
Gulshan Fatima was born in a very wealthy Muslim Sayed family in Pakistan as youngest and 5th child of that family. She was in the lineage of prophet Mohammed. Because of strict orthodox Islamic rules and because of her disability she lived a isolated life style. Even if she wanted to leave her room, she could not without anybody's help. As a six months old child she was infected by Typhoid and it paralyzed her left side of the body completely.
1966 when she was 14 years old, her father took her to England to seek the best medical help though he disliked English men because he thought that they worship three gods instead of one God. He even did not allow her to study English because it was the language of infidel and because of fear that somehow she may not drift away from the Muslim faith and turn to Christianity. A teacher named Razia used to come at home and teach her. Her father took great deal of pain to teach her Arabic Quran. It is obligated for every child who is raised in orthodox Muslim family that he/she should recite Arabic Quran. Muslims believe that Quran cannot be translated without losing its meaning so they have to recite Arabic Quran compulsorily whether they are understanding it or not. Father also taught her that Islam is the greatest religion because many prophets came but Mohammed was the last prophet who brought final message. And also Mohammed destroyed all the idols and converted entire idol worshippers to Islam. All these teachings filled her heart with devotion toward Allah and her religious customs. Not only that but she felt very proud thinking that, She is descendent of Prophet Mohammed and not only that her father was religious leader and wealthy landlord who had a large estate and big bungalow which was surrounded by gardens. Her father had a great place in society as many religious leaders used to come and ask questions to her father which they did not know.
When they reached England, they had little idea about the sorrow and despair awaited for them. English specialist came and examined her, after examining he declared, "There is no medicine for this - only prayer". It was heart breaking and painful because when she was three months old, she was betrothed to her cousin who was waiting for the news of her recovery back in Pakistan. If she recovers from her illness then there was chance of getting married otherwise a lonely future was awaiting for her.
As a infant she lost her mother. Before dying she told to Gulshan's father that, "he should not marry another woman because of little Gulshan." His father could have married four wives as according to the Quran a person can marry up to four wives but he kept his promise all those years and did not marry another woman. He loved Gulshan very much and wanted to see her healed and well. He was very concerned about her future. After Doctor left the room, Gulshan asked, "Father, can't he make me good?" Her voice was trembling and eyes were filled with tears. No, there is only one way left, we will knock the doors of heaven and God will here our prayers, father told her. We will go to Mecca and will return from there thanking God as he will heal you.
He smiled and Gulshan also tried to smile back as his father was encouraging her saying, "surely we will find our hearts desire at Kaaba (A Muslim shrine in Mecca) or at the healing spring of Zamzam water. His father's voice was reflecting a new hope as he spoke.
To be continued...
God who gives peace
By Vinod Isaac
John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Phil 4:7, "and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Jesus said Peace I leave with you, Not as the world gives. Paul describes this peace "which surpasses all understanding".
Let us look that what are the elements that remove peace from our life?
1.) Sin:
When Adam and Eve sinned in Garden of Eden they were afraid they hid themselves. They lost their peace that they had till that time.
David says in Ps 51:3 that, "my sin is always before me". Yes sin may look like a pleasure of a little time but soon after the very same sin that was supposed to give pleasure begins to haunt day and night. That is what exactly Num 32:23 says that your sin will find you out.
Psa 51:3, "For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me."
Num 32:23, "But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out."
Sin takes away all our peace and fills our life with misery.
2.) Grief and sorrow:
In Genesis 26 we read that Esau takes wives from Hittite and that brings grief to Isaac and Rebekah. In 1 Sam 1 we read about Hannah that she was full of grief and she didn't have any peace or joy in her heart because she didn't have a child. Isaac and Rebekah are grief stricken because their eldest son has brought shame to them at the same time Hannah is grief stricken because she didn't have a child
Gen 26:34-35, "When Esau was forty years old, he took as wives Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. And they were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah.
1 Sam 1:16, "Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now."
Grief comes in many form and shape. It eats away all the peace.
3.) Sickness:
Physical sickness takes away all the peace a person has. Hezekiah was sick unto death and when Isaiah came and gave him the news that he is not going to live. Hezekiah was heart broken he wept bitterly. He had no peace, no joy.
Isa 38:3 and said, "Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly."
Yes sickness breaks a person into pieces.
How does Jesus give peace in and from these situations?
If we read Isaiah 53 we find that Jesus died on the cross for the very same reason. He took all our transgressions, all our iniquities, all our griefs, all our sorrows and all our sicknesses upon Himself and climbed to the cruel cross so that we can have peace.
Isa 53:4, "Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted."
Isa 53:5, "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed."
Peter reaffirms the very same thing in 1 Pet 2:24, 25
1 Pet 2:24, "who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed."
1 Pet 2:25, "For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."
Are you today burdened with Sin, Grief, Sorrow, Sickness and are thinking that there is no hope? Are you thinking that who can take us out of these troubles? Then look to Jesus. He is ready to forgive you of your sins. He is ready to wipe away your tears. He is ready to heal your sicknesses. He shed His precious blood for the very same purpose. So that He can see you happy. So that He can see you filled with joy.
Would you like to surrender your life in His safe hands so that He takes away everything you are going through? Would you like to receive forgiveness of your sins? Then pray this prayer: Lord Jesus I know I am a sinner. I recognize the work you did on the Cross. Please forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with your precious blood. Make me clean. Please come into my heart and take control of my life. Please fill me with your joy and peace. In Jesus name Amen.
If you are going through sickness ask the Lord and He will gladly heal you.
May God Bless you.
Reader's Mail
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ.
When we see the worlds situation around us and the signs of all that are happening let us know for sure,the end of times.With a burden for the unreached and the need for evangelism, I urge to all the youth of the churches to rise up and preach the gospel to all.
Enough of the sermons and preachings. Rather teach the Bible and send them to the lost sheep.
Sunny Reginald
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
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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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