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CSI Good News
(Church of South India Good News)
Vol. 4 / Issue 52 / February 6 2003
Contents of this issue
Editorial
Celebrating Four years of CSI News Letter
Who can threaten Israel?
Reader's Mail
Prayer Request
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
Last week we once again watched with fear and disbelief the disaster of Colombia space shuttle. They were only sixteen minutes away from home, but they could not make it. All the seven astronauts died in this tragic event. But if we look at the other side of the coin we admire and realize how the astronauts took great courage in exploring the world unknown to us. One NASA scientist said, “It is more than a job, it is passion.”
We are all curious to know what is beyond this world. I remember while I was a small child, I asked myself looking toward moon, what the shadowing things we see in the moon could be. And some of the servants told me that, “One old lady is sitting in it and threading wool.” Similar tales are very often being spoken by people in India but none of them might have the slightest idea that one day human beings will reach this moon and discover that it was not any lady sitting there, but rocks and mountains of on the surface of moon. Even today if you go to a village and ask the people, “Do you think we can go and live in moon”, may be they will say that it is impossible. A few years back while I was in India when some journalists went into some very remote villages of India and asked some of the people, “do you believe that, your live motion pictures can be seen in a small box called TV.” They nodded their heads in disbelief and said, “we think it is impossible..” They never saw any TV sets in their lives and so it was hard for them to believe what they were hearing.
A few months back I was talking to one atheist and he said to me, “There is no heaven or hell.. there is no God, all these things are just imaginations of human beings or myth.” Why people think like this? Because they see only what is around them and they do not have knowledge of what is beyond this world. But thousands of years ago God spoke through the Bible about two more places other than earth, that is heaven and hell. Heaven is a place were God, His heavenly hosts and righteous people live. Once Jacob saw a dream in which he saw, “a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it” (Gen 28:12). And of course there are many references in the Bible that talks about heaven, the dwelling place of God and heavenly hosts. And the Bible also describes about hell which is the dwelling place of devil, wicked people and those who forsake God.
Bible also tells us that after death a person goes to one of these places either heaven or hell. It is the bitter truth that a person who is born in this world will die one day. And it is also the bitter truth that hell is a real place where a person will go if he/she did not receive the forgiveness of his/her sin. But how sad it is that many are ignorant about these places. Many simply do not want to talk about hell. Think about that, few years back or few centuries ago who ever believed or ever thought that human beings could go to moon and think of making colony there? But today it is a reality whether you believe it or not! The same thing is about hell, whether you believe it or not, one day you will reach there if you live in sin. But the Bible tells us how to escape from hell. Proverbs 15:24, “The way of life winds upward for the wise, that he may turn away from hell below.”
Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Jesus is the way of life and by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior we can escape eternal death and hell fire. Invite Jesus in your life and make sure of your destination today so that you may not perish but have eternal life.
Celebrating Four years of CSI News Letter
By Sherly Isaac
How glad I am to tell you that four years have rolled by and it seems as if it is just yesterday that we started this newsletter. Five years back we started this newsletter on the second week of February. God helped us all these years and made this newsletter a great success. Today it is available in English and also in Malayalam. Of those who were reading the newsletter, many were touched and many got blessings through it. All glory and honor belongs to God.
The main purpose of this newsletter is to save souls from eternal damnation. A few weeks back one person asked me, “Are you going to save all these 900 millions (in India) to the Lord? Foolish, isn't it??” It may sound to be foolish to some but it is every Christian’s duty to tell others that they are heading towards eternal death if they have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior and once they reach hell there, there is no turning back. Jesus came for the very purpose to save those who are lost. We all are lost and we need a Savior who can save us from our sins. We all know the tragic event of world trade center. Many thousands were trapped inside the high raised buildings and they could not come out of that building alive. They desperately needed some help that could save their lives. In the same manner we are trapped in sin and we are heading toward hell fire. We desperately need help that can save us from hell fire. And there is no other name given for our salvation except Jesus. There is no other Savior who can save us except Jesus.
While preaching for the spiritual need of people we did not forget to preach for their physical and material blessings that comes from God alone. Many wrote back to us and said, “We were totally broken but your newsletter strengthened us in our times of desperation and tears.” Many reported physical healing in their bodies. Jesus wiped away the tears of many and many were delivered from their addictions and problems.
God has proved that this newsletter was started by His will alone as we read in Acts 5:35-39, “And he said to them: "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it; lest you even be found to fight against God."
Our heartfelt thanks to those who helped us, gave us their valuable advises and comments from time to time and made this newsletter a great blessing for many. May God bless you all.
Who can threaten Israel?
By Sherly Isaac
Once again all eyes are on Iraq and on America as the preparations for war is going on. Israel being a neighboring nation has always threats from Iraq and also from other countries. Last time when war took place, Iraq directed missiles against Israel. And it would be no surprise if Iraq uses its weapons against Israel now. I always wonder why people hate Israel so much? If you go to any Muslim message board, you can see their hatred towards Israel. Catholics and many Christians are no exceptional from them. It all started long before in the Garden of Eden when God said to the serpent in Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."
Devil knew that one day Messiah would come who will crush his head and so he always tried to kill the Jews. Time and again he tried to prevent the coming of Messiah. At the time when Moses was born, Pharaoh the king of Egypt ordered to kill every male child of Hebrews. But God protected Moses in a miraculous way. Later on he grew and became the leader over Israelites and led them out of Egypt. When the Israelites came out of Egypt, then Balak the king of Moab called Balaam to curse and denounce Israel (Jacob). Balaam who was a prophet went with Balak’s men without the consent of God because of his lust for money.
Though he tried to act just as Balak wished him to do, but he could not. The Bible says as seen from Numbers 23:7-10, that he took up his oracle and said: "Balak the king of Moab has brought me from Aram, From the mountains of the east. 'Come, curse Jacob for me, And come, denounce Israel!' How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? And how shall I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced? For from the top of the rocks I see him, And from the hills I behold him; There! A people dwelling alone, Not reckoning itself among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number one-fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let my end be like his!" Then again Balak asked him to curse and denounce from some other place but again Balaam gave blessings to Israel and said in Numbers 23:22-23, “God brings them out of Egypt; He has strength like a wild ox. For there is no sorcery against Jacob, Nor any divination against Israel. It now must be said of Jacob And of Israel, 'Oh, what God has done!’”
Balak was greatly troubled and said, “neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.” But Balaam again did not heed his plea. Instead of cursing, he blessed them as we read in Numbers 24:9, "Blessed is he who blesses you, And cursed is he who curses you." Now Balak really got angry. We read in Num 24:10-11, “Then Balak's anger was aroused against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have bountifully blessed them these three times! Now therefore, flee to your place. I said I would greatly honor you, but in fact, the LORD has kept you back from honor."
Because of his greed and because of his love for money he lost everything. Further the Bible tells us that he was killed by sword. Bible also says in Jude 1:11, “Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.” But God protects those who walk in the ways of God, and keeps them.
Further the Bible tells us about the massacre which took place when Jesus was born. It was yet another attempt to prevent the coming of Messiah, but devil always failed in his mission. History tells us that the Jewish people were threatened, killed and tortured as it happened to none of the people of other religions. Hitler alone killed six million Jews. Through out the history of nations many tried to wipe away the very existence of Israel but they could not. Now the enemies of Israel are planning to make a new map without having the nation of Israel in the map. But no one can wipe away Israel as long as the keeper and protector of Israel is God Himself. In the past God protected them as we read in Bible Deuteronomy 32:9-10, “For the Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance. He found him in a desert land And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.” And in Zechariah 2:7-8 Bible says, “for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.”
Yes, God is the protector of Israel and God is the protector of those who walk in His ways. No one can threaten them, no one can denounce them. They will dwell in peace. Psalmist says in Psalms 125:1-2, “Those who trust in the LORD Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.”
Are you afraid today seeing the enemy surrounding you? Are you afraid today thinking, “who will protect me from the evil enemy and from the dangers of the world. There is a God who cares for you. There is a God who loves you and wants to give His protection to you. He will stand surrounding you like mighty mountains so that no one could harm you.
Reader's Mail
Hello Sheela,
Congratulations. I read your news letter and I really apprciate the way you opened up your heart and reminded all the priests that PriestHood is a Prestigious job. It was really a touching and inspiring article. I really thank you for standing up strong in Jesus Name and reminding the priest to look back and see if they are a role model for the Congregation...
Regards
L.C.
Prayer Request
Please pray for the search of my life partner. I am looking out for my life partner for over so many years. I need loving and God fearing partner. Please pray for this matter.
F.S.
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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