LENTEN MESSAGE

IN MEMORY OF HER

Jesus said, “I tell you, then, the great love she has shown proves that her many sins have been forgiven….”  (Luke 7:47)

Lord Jesus was invited by a Pharisee named Simon for a meal at his home, when a woman rushed in with a jar full of perfume and sat by his feet. She would wet His feet with her tears; dry them with her hair, kiss them and pour the perfume on His Holy Feet. The sight was enough for Simon to silently judge the woman and Lord Jesus on the basis of their Laws. The Righteous Lord, who was aware of justice as well as His host’s thoughts, took this as an instance to remove the veil of false teachings from their eyes. 

The Holy Bible says: Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Yes, Teacher,” he said, “tell me.” “There were two men who owned money to a money-lender,” Jesus began. “One owned him five hundred silver coins, and the other owned him fifty. Neither of them could pay back, so he cancelled the debts of both. Which one, then, will love him more?” “I suppose,” answered Simon, “that it would be the one who was forgiven more.” “You are right,” said Jesus. (Luke 7:40-43)

Here Jesus Christ indicated that while the woman resembled the man who owned five hundred silver coins and Simon to the one with fifty silver coins; it was He, the Lord Himself who portrayed the role of the owner. He explained them, “She believed she was offered more concession, so showed more love to the Master who forgave all her sins.” Jesus turned to her saying, “Your sins are forgiven.” The feeble and pathetic nature of some Pharisees was that they considered themselves so upright that there was hardly any scope for them to repent. Their minds were always ready to justify themselves that it was unable to prepare them towards the essence of repentance and its benefits.

 Though seated beside Lord Jesus, Simon never wholeheartedly accepted or acknowledged Him as the Son of God who has the authority to forgive the sins of mankind and set them free. This Pharisee in fact symbolises all those people who confess Lord Jesus only with their lips and those who have shut the doors of their hearts to be far away from what they converse. Jesus Christ came to invite sinners to Salvation. Here, the woman and Simon identify with the Lord in a truly different manner. The Pharisees pretend to be righteous all the time and even if they tend to commit a sin; their belief that they can be purified by carrying out the Laws overpowers them; they are anything but adamant to receive the redemption that came through Christ.  It is impossible to obtain repentance and its freedom if one cannot evaluate their deeds in light. Being a host, Simon failed in his hospitality that befit Lord Jesus.

Dear readers, I would like to draw your attention to a unique character of Jesus Christ. In the entire description we are thoroughly versed with the Pharisee’s name; but look, the name of the woman is not mentioned or revealed. Our Lord never publishes the name of the sinners. The prime message is, “I tell you, then, the great love she has shown proves that her many sins have been forgiven….”  (Luke 7:47) Only when you realize and appreciate that you have received freely plenty from God, can you love Sovereign God more than everything. But if an individual thinks that everything he/she has achieved is only through self effort, they cannot imbibe the merciful love of Jesus. This parable can be summed up in two ways:  

1) one who loves God wholeheartedly receives more love and forgiveness.

2) we ought to love God so much because He showed  us so much love and forgiveness.

This parable has amazingly described the beautiful relation between God and man! Out of His fount of mercy and unconditional love we are showered countless and inexpressible blessings every moment. But if we continue to be ingratitude and freeze our hearts from loving Him we would not grow in His love and forgiveness. St. Paul says, “....God has shown us how much He loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us. By His sacrificial death we are now put right with God; how much more then will we be saved by Him from God’s anger. We were God’s enemies, but He made us His friends through the death of His Son.” (Romans 5:8-10) But there were also many Pharisees who sought Salvation through Lord Jesus Christ. During a journey Saul, in spite of being a Pharisee, after his interaction with Jesus Christ, wrote a new history. “For no one is put right in God’s sight by doing what the Law requires; what the law does is to make man know that he has sinned.”(Romans 3:20)

What guarantee do you have in your confidential friends? Who is there to love and forgive you without publishing your name or deeds? There is no replacement for the love and relief that Jesus Christ offers. Dear ones in Christ, what is there in your claypot? Adversities? Brokenness? Struggles? Etc.  Let us imitate her deed faithfully by being with Jesus Christ, who has the power to forgive and re-mold your clay-pot. He will certainly give you rest and a light heart that can sing a new song of His mercy and thanksgiving. Let us cry out in one accord for the Will of God. May His Spirit of Mercy fall upon the universe; to crush and sweep off the ancient serpent family.

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favour and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

LENTEN MESSAGE

A GREAT FALL AHEAD

The Lord said, “Earth and sky, listen to what I am saying! The children I brought up have rebelled against Me.” (Isaiah 1:2)

PART ONE

The crowd followed Jesus and some Pharisees on account of various questions, approached; in order to succeed in entrapping Him, asking, “Does our Law allow a man to divorce his wife for whatever reason he wishes?”

Jesus replied, “In the beginning the Creator made people male and female. And God said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife; and the two will become one.’ So they are no longer two but one. Man must not separate, then, what God has joined together.” Jesus snapped the trap, but they persisted, asking, “How did Moses, then, allow divorce?” He responded, “Moses gave you permission because you are hard to teach.” He continued further warning them, “I tell you, then, that any man who divorces his wife for any cause other than her unfaithfulness, commits adultery if he marries some other woman.”

A family adorns the earth to a heaven. God made family and He is seated among them.  When Sovereign God dwells among them, family life is the most graceful and easily manageable status. The first couple transformed the Garden of Eden into a paradise, as long as they obeyed God. A couple must be enveloped in gracefulness that arises with agreeing with God, over and above, their individualistic nature and desire. God created Eve, to complete the incomplete Adam. It was when their personal desires arose they began to blame each other, got enslaved themselves to fear, pride  and other such malice. All this happened when they refused God and when His Everlasting Grace departed from them. Till then what was a blessed family life with its beautiful responsibilities; when they began to prioritise themselves over God, everything tumbled down to be a burden, turning it into a workshop of the devil. With the veil of God’s grace removed from them, the couple soon ousted from the paradise to step into a world filled with tragedy and adversities.

During Annunciation, the grace emitted from Mary, the Mother of Jesus is remarkable. The angel said to her, “The Lord is with you and has greatly blessed you.” (Luke 1:28) God chose her as the Mistress of the Holy Family and Joseph, a righteous man as the Head of the Family. This is the reason why a young man and woman are required to enroll in prenuptial courses and counselling that can transform them into mature individuals; capable enough to take up the duties of a husband and wife. These widely available courses prepare them to the responsibilities of this holy sacrament of matrimony and family relations. Your life on this holy land consists of many relations; each bringing its own set of responsibilities. It is foremost important to develop a relationship with God and communion with the heavenly beings, because we belong there; and is to return there after this short pilgrimage to be united with them. Their guidance will be a light in your life. A life in unity with ancestors, parents, relatives are also significant to expect a harmonious and peaceful existence. How can one expect harmonization in their marital life, pushing away and rejecting parents? It is not acceptable to God that you neglect parents for your convenience. They spent a good amount of their life sacrificing in terms of health, time, and wealth; painstakingly to care and settle you well. The pain others take for you is a sacrifice. Lord Jesus suffered for your pain; offering it all as a sacrifice. So whoever breaks the chord of relationships by denying their duty are inviting a crack or fall in his own life. Try not to hurt anyone unrighteous. The gravity of pain that you dish out to others is measured by the Sovereign God; He has not made it permissible to anyone to hurt or pain anyone. Parents, holding the position of the invisible God; ought to ensure they are careful not to hurt their children. It is easy to say, but it calls for right amount of endurance to put it into practice as it is a hereditary trait.  A drop of tear arising from a deeply hurt person is sufficient to break your family. Each one should safeguard every relation, considering it pure and holy. The Holy Bible says, “Happy are those who work for peace, God will call them His children!” (Matthew 5:9)

All your ancestors, relatives, parents, neighbours including all living beings are part of one family because we exist from the One and Only Creator. Accept all and everyone in His Name, love and console them.  Bear in mind, that today or tomorrow I have to leave this world and face my Creator; there I will be accounted for every tears shed because of me, especially my life partner, children, parents etc. These thoughts will transform you to a righteous and happy individual. Challenge yourself to take a decision to bury the old defiled nature and to refrain from it. Parents are not the creator of children; they are only the family line to continue God’s creation.

Dear Readers in Christ, your heart though feeble and wavering, yearns to come out of all these malice. Your desire to be a new person can only be fulfilled by the mercy and grace sprinkled by the Magnificent God. Only He can release you from the traps of those childhood incidents that outgrow you over the years leading to greater sins. If you have covered up your guiltiness, thinking no one is there to witness your cruel deeds; then you are mistaken. For the Holy Bible says, “The eyes of the Lord are ten thousand times brighter than the sun.” (Sirach 23:19) He witnesses your darkest deeds. Last but not the least heaven and earth are witness of every deed of each human being.

(To be continued)

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favour and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

LENTEN MESSAGE

MERCIFUL FORGIVENESS

The Holy Bible says, “You (God) will trample our sins and refute and send them to the bottom of the sea!”  (Micah 7:19)

We often have the inclination to exchange our identities from one to another. The human mind has the tendency to seek liberty and free will. Among us exists some individuals who find pleasure among the company of their parents and elders, fulfilling their responsibility, endure them to great extents in virtue of obedience; on the other hand the younger generation even before attaining maturity, urges to have their will and wish over than that of their parents and elders. Christ Jesus narrated a parable to the Pharisees who accused Him for being available and dining with the sinners. Though the story is familiar and famous for the lesson of humanity; it is particularly targeted for families. Any Lent or Lenten activities would be incomplete without meditating this parable. God’s beloved Son, Jesus Christ has explained His Father’s Infinite Love so beautifully. The curtain rises on this parable with a loyal father and his two sons; both vary from each other in thoughts and personality. The younger son, immature in his thoughts and decisions, wishes to fly high to seek the fleeting pleasures and fulfil his dreams easily. Restrictions and discipline that arose from fatherly care and concern begins to suffocate him and he approaches father for his share in property.  Taking it, he goes far off to enjoy it entirely. On the contrary, the elder son, being very thoughtful and concerned about his father and family; fulfilling his responsibilities was more important to him that his self-seeking desires or dreams.  The third most important lesson observed is the impartial equal love of the father towards both his sons. As the story progresses into years the awaiting father sees his younger son returning. The Holy Scriptures describes the wayward journey of his. He exhausted himself of all the money and had no food to survive. Living and eating food with the pigs brought some sense of what he was reduced to. He visualised the servants of his father who would have plenty of delicious food to eat and drink. This encouraged him to get up and return to his loving father. Do you think his act of conversion was true? He made up his mind to return when he was crushed under hunger, lack of wealth and devoid of friends or any source of luxury or lavishness. However, we can say he decided to return. Let us, nevertheless, turn to God with an intention to fulfil our transitory requirements; but with intent of a holy life; believing that the perfect way for our daily requirements would search their way to us. In this day and age, we, the prodigals fail to return home. The reasons could be many starting from our lack of courage, sensitiveness to feeling ashamed or the worthless prestige. This parable counsels us never to conceal any of our wrongdoings, encourages us to return to our family and apologise. Resembling to the younger son, due to lack of knowledge or patience to endurance, tired of the corrections or advices of parents or elders could have made you take the extreme step. Whatsoever may be the reason, get up and go right back to the right path where there would be someone eagerly waiting to welcome you back. Make up your mind to put an end to ruining your valuable life. Liberty from discipline at home, elders will surely reach and you can enjoy it at the right time. As the parable concludes, we read how the Merciful Father runs out to hug his beloved son, without letting him say a word. All that mattered to the loving Father was the return of his son and restoration of the family. Upon the arrival of his son, he orders a banquet and marks it as an occasion of great celebration that included everyone dancing and rejoicing; while the son might have wondered upon the unusual feast of happiness.

Dear parents, God wishes that you own a heart to welcome your children when they return to you rather than hurt them out of your happiness and sadness. As for the elder son, his reaction can be considered expected; as it was natural for him to feel unwanted during those moments.  Being an open hearted person, his anger, hurt feelings, resentment, and envy all proved his possessiveness. But there too, the loving Father, takes a moment to console the elder one, “My son, you are with me always and everything I have is yours. But we must celebrate and rejoice. This brother of yours was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and is found.” Dear elders, let us not come to the conclusion that a change in your integrity thinking all your sacrifice will go in vain. A great reward for your deeds waits solely for you! The father wholeheartedly forgives his prodigal son prior to his confession. This is identity of the heavenly Father’s merciful forgiveness to each sinner willingly returning to Him; all the while being aware that he will fall again but with no compromise in the great depth of the relationship.

Our Heavenly Father bestows His grace upon us, saying, “Be merciful to accept one another as how he accepted his prodigal son.”

Let us ponder over your part in this heart touching parable. Are you the donning the role of the Father or elder son or the younger son. Are you the one who strengthens the weak, uplifts the downfallen or a light to those in dark; or one that gives up your own dreams to restore your family. Let us with complete sense be determined to say, “I will courageously break all walls, run to my Father, saying-‘Father, I have sinned against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’” Reach out to live where true love and joy co exist; be sure that your Lenten resolutions will go on and continue even after the celebrations of the Holy Easter. May the Almighty God and Eternal Father grant you a contrite heart; and your leg will take steps towards His weeping heart. It is only your presence that can transform the weeping into a joyous celebration and feast.

“The Lord is merciful and loving, slow to become angry and full of constant love….. As high as the sky is above the earth, so great is his love for those who honour him.  As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our sins from us.”  (Psalms 103) He forgives, approaches us with kindness and compassion that can rebuild us. The father in this parable respects his son’s desire to live his life on his own terms. Though the Father knew what would be in store for his son, if he fulfilled his demand; yet proceeded to give freedom. Our Father in Heaven knows that endowing us with liberty is the only way to receive love from us and at certain times allows to our demands; so that we will learn through the hard way. Freedom of choice, if taken in a selfish way might turn out to be risky. St. Paul says, “If anyone of us is in Christ he is a new creation.” So was the prodigal son, all transformed and liberated from self centric desires. This Lenten season when we thoroughly confess through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, never doubt if you are worthy to be forgiven; instead believe that the old has passed away. Lord Jesus is waiting for you, stretching His arms and granting the forgiveness that you badly need this moment. Never reflect on your past cause it has been eradicated from your history. All this has been extended by God in His merciful act.

Meanwhile, continue your penances, overcome the weaknesses, take a new step towards His Holy Way to follow Him and declare to others the merciful marvellous works He has done in your life.

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favour and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

LENTEN MESSAGE

TAKING THE NAME OF GOD IN VAIN

The Holy Bible says, “Not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do.”  (Matthew 7:21)

During various public outreaches, our ministry comes across parents who after tasting the goodness of the Lord, wish to dedicate their children in the Lord’s service.  They come with much enthusiasm pulling the child, detailing his/ her attitudes and wish that the child will see the heights of progress in this world. As long as God’s plan aligns to that of the parents; everything goes smooth. But when His plans vary; it becomes unacceptable to them. The same hands that dedicated the young ones, snatch them from the ministry. If at all God increases the speed of the wind; and the waves enter the ship, these parents will act immediately as the lifeboats to save their children from the service of God, forgetting their commitment.

Taking the name of the supreme God and promising Him is a common act that is carried out casually without realizing the consequences. The Sovereign God through His holy commandment warns, “Do not use My name for evil purposes; for I the Lord your God will punish anyone who misuses My Name.” (Exodus 20:7)

Do you know truly the God whose name you utter so often in vain? In a Holy vision the prophet Isaiah describes the Lord whom He saw, “I saw the Lord. He was sitting on His throne, high and exalted, and His robe filled the Temple. Round Him flaming creatures were standing, each had six wings.  Each creature covered its face with two wings, and its body with two, and used the other two for flying.  They were calling out to each other: ‘Holy! Holy! Holy! The Lord Almighty is holy!  His glory fills the world.’  The sound of their voices made the foundation of the Temple shake, and the Temple itself was filled with smoke.”  (Isaiah 6) The height of your ignorance makes you blind and deaf towards the truth and existence of God. Those habits that once began casually, becomes the part and parcel of Your daily life; leading you to absurd character. The power of the world is continuously striving and becoming successful in its efforts to keep you busy and exhausted with no time to worship and honour the Lord and ultimately skipping it. To gain wisdom in abundance, one must practice the Lord’s law. It educates us about the qualities of loyalty and humility which are essential to have reverence to God and brings fortune and success to those who respect God. During the Sermon on the Mount, Lord Jesus explained to the crowd the meaning of the Holy Law and its importance. During that discourse He reminded them, “...do not use any vow when you make a promise. Don’t swear by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by earth, for it is the resting place for His feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is city of the great King. Do not even swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black.” (Matthew 5:33-36)

Let us not arrogantly, brush off this advice thinking, “Nothing happened so far; in spite of me doing this from ages. It is not just me but many others too who do this..” The important matter is that this practice is disrespectful to your Holy God and it brings disgrace to Him and to you all the while you are unaware of its consequences. In God’s sight it is evil and dishonorable when people say, “I swear by God’s name........’ or ‘I take oath in God’s name that......’” for the Holy Bible instructs, “Just say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ –anything else you say comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37) Our Lord Jesus clarifies that these actions are a clear trap set by the devil to trick you into disobeying your Lord. You may not be aware of the serious plans the evil one has to defame the Creator using His own creation. Such matters though minute have a great effect on spirituality and robs you off your blessings.

I had been invited to meet a group- that comprised of all ages and majority of the host were Christians. Bringing me to attentiveness about the people around, I was embarrassed to realize how many times casually the name of ‘Jesus’ popped up in their conversations.  Discussions began or ended with ‘O My God…. O Lord I am sorry….. I swear by God…….. I promise you Lord…… In Jesus Name I do…..etc, etc.’ Not an irony but I observed that anxiety, worries, mistrust, pride, confusion, miscommunication overspread there quickly. When your heart is not aware what your lips say or if your brain is naive to what the hands does; its a sign that you are under the control of other forces. As days pass these hearts slowly hardens against the mercy and wonder works of God and dependence on God also vanishes.

I take this opportunity to remind you that misusing the Name of God is against His commandments. Let us not harden our hearts by disrespecting, misusing or abusing the Most Holy and adorable Name of our God, during this short pilgrim journey. Refrain soon from these unholy practices that can steal your faith and fear of God, instead try to live a penitent life.

The Sovereign Lord, through the Book of Deuteronomy, says to us, “When you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not put off doing what you promised, the Lord will hold you to your vow and it is a sin not to keep it.”  (Chapter 23 : 21)

Various acts of your daily life can imprison you to disobedience of God. Remember that God has not asked you to take His Name in promise; but it is your human nature that has trapped you. When intentions are not favourable to fulfilling what you have promised; these will lead to harder situations. Dear ones, examine yourself, pray to the Holy Spirit, your constant Helper to be with you in times of distress; patiently and constantly communicate your desires with the Blessed Trinity. May be it is God’s will to blossom you into a good intercessor for many than fade away making unfulfilled promises; He may have found you worthy to be obedient to Him in your suffering  for the salvation of you, your family and neighbours. It would be His wish that you practice forgiveness and offer a good consoling smile to your enemies. Our God is a provider, who would not hold back from fulfilling your needs; let us learn to imitate Him. Think twice, thrice or ample numbers of times before you make a promise to God. Be wise enough to crush and squeeze the plan of the wicked, cruel devil. Keep up the dignity of your Sovereign Lord. May the Almighty and Living God of KLWC grant you the grace to fulfil your pending promises as early as possible; to gain freedom from the Lord’s punishment. I aspire you to spend time in reading the Holy Bible loudly in your room /home as a penance of delayed vows. Certain debts and delayed issues can be cleared by this penance.

O Most Sovereign Lord our God, May your glorious holy name be held in most honour and highest reverence forever and ever.

May Your Name be honoured and worshiped in the dome of the heavens.

May Your splendour brighten the whole earth.

May Your honour and praises fill the presence in our families. Amen.

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favour and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

LENTEN MESSAGE

SAVING GRACE OF GOD

The Holy Bible says, “The law of the Lord is perfect; it gives new strength.”  (Psalms 19: 7)

Daniel a noble, intelligent and specially blessed young man by God to interpret visions and dreams was appointed during the reign of King Darius to supervise the governors and to manage the king’s interests. His outstanding reliability and honesty was a cause of concern for the other governors and supervisors who would be jealous and look out for ways to corner Daniel; who was trustworthy, pious and consistent in his worship to the true living God three times a day. They decided to trap him through his religion and so requested the king to send a decree that no one would be permitted to worship their god except His Majesty; and whoever violates this law would be thrown into a pit filled with lions.

Daniel respected the king but never compromised with the Law of True Living God. He knelt down at his open window and prayed as always. His enemy’s watchful eyes caught him and they accused Daniel before the king for violating His Majesty’s order. Though the King had empathy towards Daniel; yet he was helpless before his own decree and gave permission to throw Daniel into the pit filled with hungry lions, pronouncing, “Daniel, may your God, whom you serve so loyally rescue you.” The next dawn, the king hurried to the pit and found that Daniel was safe; he was overjoyed when the pious young man answered, “God sent his angel to shut the mouths of lions so that they would not hurt me.  He did this because he knew that I was innocent and because I have not wronged you, your majesty.”

Daniel in the lion's pit well guarded by Sovereign God

Dear readers, is the Lord whom you worship capable to save you? Daniel proved his faithfulness and obedience to his God and His Law and God rewarded His faithful by rescuing him from the mouth of the lions. The Lord our Living God, at Mount Sinai made a covenant not only for our forefathers but also for all those living today. “Worship no God but Me”, God explained, “not to make any images of anything and do not bow down to any idols or worship it.” Daniel was well aware of the dangers that awaited him on his disobedience to the king’s order, yet he was not fearful of the punishment and was ready to die rather than disobey His faithful God. Our existing world is a damaged one- where dangers await every moment; yet we are sluggish towards our approach to God who alone can save us. How ashamed are we at times to utter our faith explicitly!

Dear readers, with a true sense, break off all the deceitful chains and release yourself. Be bold enough to fast from all your idol worship to please your friends, boss or family members, superiors or anyone who follow such acts. Let us pray to God on their behalf for a way to open their inner eyes to the truth. Let us also abstain from sin and its consequences for disobeying the first Law of loving God. We , mankind fast for various purposes. This Lenten fast actually bridges our ways closer to Lord Jesus; to make atonement for our sins. Through fasting and abstinence we ought to refrain from our senseless acts that please just our mortal self and develop a strong will power to fight against it. These will assist to control the confusion in our lives and to articulate boldly with a Yes’ or ‘No’ to the circumstances clearly.

Never be of the opinion that the season of Lent is to cry in pain and suffering of Christ Jesus; instead create a new loving and loyal heart towards Jesus Christ and to others. May this Lenten journey assist us in repairing the broken bricks and cracks of our family relations. For the sake of Christ Jesus who died for you and me, accept your life partner as he or she is because Christ agreed to die for your salvation when you were a sinner. He allowed to wound His soul and body for every human.

Hence, Lent is the observant time to wash His Holy wounds, apply ointment and bandage it. Could you be successful in applying medicine to atleast to one wound of your beloved Saviour? Dear ones, if you abstain from this holy deed who else would adhere to it? We, His beloved are only there for Jesus Christ.

Remembering our Lord Jesus’ quote- that whatever we do for the least; we do it for Him let us see our Lord in each of our family member let us accept them as they are. Blessed are those who cried out with Lord Jesus; Veronica who took courage to wipe the face of the wounded Lord amidst His accusers; Simon of Cyrene who got an opportunity to help Lord Jesus to carry the cross;  Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimethia who could do the last rites of Lord Jesus;  His disciple John who stood at the Holy feet of the cross accepting Mother Mary as his own mother, and comforted her. Yes dear loved ones in Christ, we are also highly blessed if you could see Jesus in those who are wounded, bitterly crying, carrying heavy loads and dying spiritually, abandoned parents, children, wives, husbands, etc. You may be one among them if you accept your family unconditionally.  He says to you, “I will send my saving grace to those who observe my command truly.”  Do not falter in His commandment; never bend the Lord’s command nor add to it.  Let it always be a ‘Yes’ to the Lord.

Temptations come to remind that we are humans; it is not a sin. We can overcome it by turning our gaze to Jesus our Master, who overcame all the temptations of the world victoriously and taught us to pray at all times in mind “Lead us not to temptations, but deliver us, O Lord.”

Temptations are like spider, which makes webs in our houses.  If we allow them, they make the webs everywhere and create troubles.  So we need to remove it on a regular basis.  So also if we allow temptations to take place in our heart and fall into it, accordingly we have to suffer the consequences.  But if we overcome it, we promote to more spiritual maturity by avoiding sin.  So do not worry about your fear of temptations, but strive to overcome it by using the above-said methods.

During this Lent let us concentrate on reunion of our  family unity by correcting self; believing that Lord my Saviour died for me, to teach me to accept and love one another.  God gave us this life and relationships to sustain them through Him. Therefore He has the means to maintain those relationships because He generously gave us such a precious gift - ‘Salvation made possible to us’. You can surely trust Him for your present intention.  So do not be worried about the past or future, be still on present, strive for the betterment in union with Christ Jesus.  Let your God be the origin of all creation, the invisible spiritual God always inspires to love Him, yourself and others.  But worship only Him.  One step ahead bring back the abandoned ones from your family – you may have forgotten to have connection with certain people whom God gifted in your life – it can be the hindrance to your health and prosperity, it can also break the chord of your parent –children relation.  Strive to become a transformed person and experience a deeper sense that life is safer and secure with Jesus Christ.  Never be afraid of crowds or trials of daily life, but like Daniel with a strong will power, deep insight foreview the power of the Living Lord, who can rescue from all disasters and adversity. He will rule forever and His Kingdom will never be destroyed.  His power will never come to an end; He is the One who can save and rescue you.  He can perform wonders and miracles in heaven and on earth.  Halleluiah!

Dear readers, fear and respect Him.  He will honour you.  King Darius gave orders to arrest all the men who had accused Daniel and they were thrown together with their wives and children into the pit filled with lions and before they reached the bottom of the pit, the lions pounced on them and broke off all their bones.  The Lord of Daniel says, “My love for you is too strong.”  “Don’t think that the Lord is too weak to save you or too deaf to hear your call for help.”  (Isaiah 59:1)

The kind of fasting the Lord wants is this:  Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free.  Share your food with the hungry, open your homes for the homeless poor.  Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear and do not refuse to help your own relatives. Dear devotees of Christ, God do not ask you to buy the Kingdom of God by merely spending your currency.  He does not need your money and great sacrifices.  If you try to put an end to oppression, to every gesture of contempt, to every evil word and satisfy those who are in need, then the darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon.  He will keep you strong and well to rebuild the ruined walls of your houses.

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favour and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ