THE BOOK OF JOB

VOICE OF GOD

Listen, all of you, the voice of God,

to the thunder that comes from His mouth.

He sends the lightening across the sky,

from one end of the earth to the other.

Then the roar of His voice is heard

the majestic sound of thunder,

and all the while the lightning flashes.

At God’s command amazing things happen,

wonderful things that we can’t understand.

He commands snow to fall on the earth,

and sends torrents of drenching rain.

He brings the work of men to a stop;

He shows them what He can do.

The wild animals go to their dens.

The storm winds come from the south,

and the biting cold from the north.

The breath of God freezes the waters,

and turns them to solid ice.

Lightning flashes from the clouds,

as they move at God’s will.

They do all that God commands,

everywhere throughout the world.

God sends rain to water the earth,

He may send it to punish men,

or to show them his favor.

Pause a moment, Job, and listen;

consider the wonderful things God does.

Do you know how God gives the command,

and makes lightening flash from the clouds?

Do you know how clouds float in the sky,

the work of God’s amazing skill?

No you can only suffer in the heat

when the south wind oppresses the land.

Can you help God stretch out the sky,

and make it as hard as polished metal?

Teach us what to say to God;

our minds are blank; we have nothing to say.

I won’t ask to speak with God;

why should I give Him a chance to destroy me?

And now the light in the sky is dazzling,

too bright for us to look at it;

and the sky has been swept clean by the wind.

A golden glow is seen in the north,

and the glory of God fills us with awe.

God’s power is so great that we cannot come near Him;

He is righteous and just in his dealings with men.

No wonder, then, that everyone stands in awe of Him,

and that He ignores those who claim to be wise.

 (Job 37:2 – 24)

P.S: With the month of October approaching, let us prepare ourselves to adorn our Holy Mother by reciting the 

Holy Rosary.

Kindly Note:

As per the message from God of KLWC, our team will be conducting an in-house fasting prayer service from the 3^rd Oct 2015 to 4^th Oct 2015.  Your Thanksgivings and Prayer Requests are welcome.

COSMIC  TEST

PART III

 God said to man, “To be wise you must have reverence for the Lord. To understand you must turn from evil.” (Job 28:28)

Click here for part I

Click here for Part II

Over the centuries almost every suffering Christians have gained help and comfort from the book of Job. There is no compact theory of why people suffer. 

There are a few lessons we can gain from the book of Job. 

The beginning of two chapters teaches that some suffering is caused by Satan.  God allowed them but it was satan who actually caused the pain.  Some people say, ‘God is weak and cannot prevent human sufferings.’  Some assume that God runs the world from a distance without personal involvement.  But as in Job, God’s power is never questioned, only His fairness.  Suffering does not always come as a result of sin.  The general principle is that a man reaps what he sows.  God did not condemn Job’s anguished response and doubts.  God was not totally silent.  (Job 33).

Once the author expressed the truth this way – remember in the darkness what you learnt in light.

 

One of the foremost lessons is that how much well-intention advice can sometimes do more harm than good.  Job’s friends were the classic example of people who let their pride and sense of being right interfered with their compassion.  Their pious phrases and theology with Job made him sicker. 

God asked for faith even in the central issues from his 

problem of suffering.  He did not even inform Job of the reason behind it, whether he will continue to trust God even when everything went wrong. 

After a faint whisper of God in the midst of his speeches Job included a self contained poem on wisdom, which is worth mentioning.  Here Job admitted that some things were beyond his understanding.  He concluded the poem beautifully saying, “God said to man, “To be wise you must have reverence for the Lord, to understand you must turn from evil.”  (Job 28 :28)

You have seen the phases of good, bad and painful life of righteous person. 

As days pass you may also be facing such situations in your life how do you react to it?   Do you blame God or yourself or others? Or be silent like Job and try to find the purpose behind it?  It’s true, that sometimes we may not understand why such things happen!

Let me share a dream that would occur to me almost repetitively in my life. A weighing scale containing my favorite collections on a side, while the other scale contained a small gift enclosed in an ordinary wrapper. A gentle voice would urge me to opt from it. Every time my hands would involuntarily reach out to the small gift, but even before I could touch, it would be soon be taken away. 

Keeping in mind the inconveniences caused at my home we prayed for a venue. After months of prayer, the Lord made it permissible in our Parish Church.  By observing the interest of those of other languages in the KLWC devotion, through the Holy Spirit’s inspiration and with the permission of superiors, the prayer service began to be conducted in two local dialects.  Great truth is revealed by the fact that the Lord chose and granted the gift of translation to a Std. Xth student to this altar to accomplish His will. 

Dear ones, by the luster of the Divine Spirit KLWC service began to grow and sprout with all glory of God.  Youth in their prime age came forward by themselves to bear the burden of God’s service on their shoulders.  All that was foggy and dim in them vanished away as the Lustrous One was revealed.  “Don’t be afraid of your enemies because this is a sign from God.” (Phil. 1:28) 

Whenever faith was being tested, with the firm conviction that it is better to chose and become lustrous in divine glory, the branches of the tree of life joined hands and poured out tears in the Divine presence.  In an astonishing manner many new branches which were full of gifts and blessings sprouted out.  Glory be to God!

“Those who have been faithful will live with Him in His love for He is kind and merciful to the ones whom He has chosen.”  (Wisdom 3)

We who proceeded by setting the Invisible One as the goal before us, rather than, craving for joy delivered from momentary pleasures, experienced great joy and contentment in suffering for the progress of the Gospel.  Most of those who gained blessings have spread to different corners of the world and are faithfully interceding for the world evangelization. 

“His power and glory declares to the people who are sick and sorrowful.”  (Tobit)

At the definite time according to the Holy Will to spread the Lord’s eternal love the ‘Living Word’ magazine made its appearance in 1994.  Soon in different languages this glory of God was made to spread throughout the universe.  Praise the Lord!  Praiseworthy is the comforting deeds done happily by the faithful ones who gave their testimonies and who with a charitable heart are striving to bring progress to this service and thus raise aloft the Mighty Name of the Lord above the universe. 

Fervent voices of intercession help above everything.  “I glorify my Lord, my soul exalts the King of heaven, I rejoice in His splendor.”  (Tobit)

He guided me with His instructions and at the end He received the honor.  “Do not be afraid of them I will be with you to protect you.”  Just as to Moses the Lord poured out courage to serve in public, so also the Lord strengthened me. Indescribable is the depth of Divine protection of Lord which always reached out to my aid when most required at times as numerous unfavorable situations rose due to the satanic action of jealousy. 

Just as the Lord showed His disciples the place to prepare His Passover, so also when it became inconvenient to accommodate the faithful people in the parish church, the Lord prepared an appropriate place and facilities through a good hearted person by providing an open ground.  May God bless him abundantly.

“Certainly not God, who did not even keep back His own Son, but offered Him for us all!  He gave us His son – will He not also freely give us all things?”

(Rom 8:32)

Throughout our service, with great trouble and trials as we became witness of the Word, the Lord produced His love and rewards for the faithful ones before lakhs of people.  In moments of trials and troubles in service of God He encouraged me by presenting hopeful visions and dreams.  The Lord gave us the grace to labor for Him night and day through various ministries.

As KLWC was growing day by day in the Lord, the satan too tried sharpening every tools and weapons to stunt the growth.

As years passed on, in this cosmic test between God and satan I started losing my health and wealth. Soon, I realized the certainty and truth of the above dream. God was silently asking me, “Do you love me more than your world?”

All those who initially showed me the way were the ones who began to put boulder and thorns in the same path. 

Slowly jealousy crept in and began its work.  Meanwhile I too realized that my shoulders were too weak to carry the burden and accusations of the world, family, relatives and ministry members. I prayed and began requesting the Lord to once again put me in my bedridden state, so that I could do better mission with those who truly had a thirst to serve Him and to hear His words.

It was during one of those days; my Spiritual Counselor came home and said, “I am getting a message to conduct a Convention here.”

Though the circumstances were stark contrast and the message was not fully satisfying, my due respect towards my Spiritual Counselor helped me to reply in positive and the convention was held.

Though I was personally in pain, tears and an aching heart, nothing could obstruct me from my personal prayer, preaching the Word of God, doing any of His duties and meeting personally those who came at my doorstep seeking the Lord. I could feel the tight grip of God holding me even I when I was faltering.

There was abundance peace within me and the Lord would impart great courage by inspiring and preparing me by predicting His Plan through my dreams and visions. All I could do was to thank and praise  the Lord to gain courage! Thanks be to God!

 It was the month of July 1997.  During my dawn worship in my room I heard a voice saying, “You will not kneel down in this room anymore.”  Spontaneously I answered, “Yes my Lord!”  Later on as the day progressed I meditated on the message which was unbelievable. 

Yes, it came true.

The same day before my noon intercession prayer, my world came crashing down.  I offered at His feet all that I had and left my home along with my mother and two daughters.  

There were few faithful and trustworthy families who were my refuge.

Even this did not deter my Spirit within and never did I look back till date to what I lost for Him.

KLWC’s mission still continued. Seeing that nothing could break us the opponents began to touch KLWC. They had already discontinued the permission of the venue where the prayer meetings were held.

Taking risk of my life, I continued the mission for months in nearby town waiting for the Lord’s message.

Finally the Lord spoke and gave me a message!

It was with a heavy heart again on a March Saturday in 1998 which was also my birthday that the Lord granted me courage to announce to the devotees that we would be discontinuing the public ministry.  Even after withdrawing the public mission those who were against it were not satisfied and went a step further following me and my daughters.  Their intention was to end the lives of my two daughters.

But the Lord who planned everything, kept us safe in this world by Sprinkling His Precious Blood. After losing everything I became a mute spectator of the world.

Though the Public Ministry discontinued, KLWC still continues its services of the Lord. The prayer requests have not stopped flowing in, so is the thanksgiving. A gathering of faithful families and people that turn to hear the Word of God or receive healing still knocks the door. No one who seeks His blessings or shelter return empty handed from my Lord.

Dear Readers, If God can use me like a wild lily for His plan of His human race, He definitely has got a plan for you too.  He might have called you through your tragedy or lonely life.  In grief and pain you may not have given your ears to Him.  Live for Him than living for wickedness which brings all types of miseries upon you here as well as in eternal hell after death. 

After a long waiting of 15 years in the Lord, He gave me a diary and pen inviting me to write. I answered in positive though I did not ask Him to what to write or about whom!  I could only write ‘Thank you Lord.  Pardon me Lord.  Forgive all who hurt You through KLWC.  And I forgive each and every soul in Your Son Lord Jesus’ Name.’

Every time, I would try to write but would end up writing the above verses.

In between He had asked me to give messages by publishing them in the website.  My soul would be deeply in pain and wail within for unable to obey him as my technology knowledge was limited.  A soul who happened to hear my cry to obey the Lord, caught my soul tightly and made me to sit on this shore.

As how Job steadfastly refused to turn his back on God, my Abba Father gave me also the grace to suffer with dignity.  When I almost lost my dignity He appeared again.  Job’s only one request was that he wanted an explanation straight from God, His Source. 

At last Job got his wish fulfilled. 

God’s reply to Job resembled a nature lesson more than an explanation of the problem of suffering.  In short God asked Job do you want to try running the universe for a while.  Go ahead; try designing an ostrich, a mountain goat or even a snow flake.

Job had endured his terrible sufferings in the dark.  When he needed God most, God was silent.  That was exactly the point where the contest began (Job 1).  Satan had promised God that, “Job would surely curse you to your face.”  But he lost the challenge. 

Despite everything that happened Job did not curse God, he clung to his belief in a Just God.  God had a few words of correction for Job. 

God said, “No one needed to make judgments about how He runs the world.  God called Job ‘My servant’ and in an ironic twist told the three friends to go and ask for his mercy (Job 42 :7 -8)

Job gained more wisdom and God blessed him with more grace to restart his life.  God’s silence brought Job more nearer to God and to know God closer. 

Dear readers, Book of Job requests all of us “Do not leave God in any circumstances.  Let God be a part of your life because you are the temple of God. However beautiful be the temple, but without God it is lifeless.  How poor, ugly and disfigured you are, never mind as long as your God who gives air to breath and soothe you, residing in your small life, you can fearlessly live.  Thousands and ten thousands may fall around you, but you will not be harmed.”

COSMIC TEST

PART II

 “Did you notice my servant Job?” the Lord asked. “There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships Me and is careful not to do anything evil.” (Job 1:8)

To read the earlier part kindly click here.

Suppose you are a bystander for a friend in a hospital room where the faint smell of antiseptic lingers and whispering voices rustle around you.  Suddenly the doctor appears and predicts about your friend who is in a critical condition.  You are already a victim of your friend’s despair and other emotions.  Everyone in the room awaits your response. How will you console your friend?

Similarly when Job’s three friends who were prosperous and well respected heard about his sufferings, they went to comfort him.  They were overwhelmed on seeing his sufferings. “Then they sat there on the ground with him for seven days and nights without saying a word watching his suffering” (Job 2:13)

Then Job finally broke the silence and each of his friends began to give speech according to their learning and knowledge. These three cycles of speeches and arguments only made Job’s condition worse.  It gives us lessons on how we ought to control ourselves when we visit someone of whom we know are already a victim of their sufferings and pain. 

The friends seemed very sad and emotionally weighed down on  seeing Job’s sufferings.

Initially (in Chapters 4 -14), Job’s friends tried convincing him to see their point of view regarding his sufferings. 

In the second cycle (chapter 15 – 21) their speeches grew with more severe threatening. 

In the third dialogue, his friends made direct accusations against Job. 

According to Job’s friends the God they believed is a God of love and fairness.  They began their arguments stating that Job must have committed some hidden sins for which God has punished him since three of them believed that good people prosper and bad ones suffer.  “But God will never abandon the faithful or ever give help to evil men.”  (Job 8:20)

They were asking him to repent so that God may show mercy and restore everything.  Job believed in a loving God and he is conscious of his dignity in the eyes of his Maker.  He said to his friends, “You cover up your ignorance with lies; you are like doctors who can’t heal anyone.” (Job 13:4)

Dear readers, the cause of each person’s sufferings has got different purpose. Let me take a moment to reminisce my initial days.

The Spirit of God by being united to my soul began to work in me. As Lord chooses and blesses the house of Joshua, so also the Lord prepared my home for His Service.

Though I was not granted physical healing, I received His mighty Grace and a hopeful mind and a new heart in which the Spirit of Karisms were sowed. I was gladdened of my bed ridden life, where I had began to feel His presence in numerous ways.

According to my mood and physical ailment, my Almighty God calmly responded to me. Couple of weeks later, He revealed to me that He was preparing me for His mighty purpose. Yet I was neither hasty nor did I reveal anything to anyone.

I had requested my Spiritual Counselor for a Maundy Thursday Passover meal in March which also happened to be my birthday and extended the invite to a few parish families to partake in it. During the assembly he casually said, “If it is His Will, let God break you also for His purpose.” I bowed down and accepted it in my mind. And it did come true!! Praise the Lord.  May God of KLWC bless with more evangelistic fire on him!

Praiseworthy was the coming month of May! From that day on, it was not only gratitude laden intercessory prayer which arose from my heart but my ears too could hear the groans of those who were wandering in sickness, grief etc. That forced me to lead an intercessory prayer for the universe. The Spirit within me was conversing unceasingly to God.

Thinking that mummy is sick my daughters ran for help to the parish ladies, who brought along a highly traditional dedicated old man who said that I was afflicted with some evil because of my past sinful life. Stood there tolerating him, as he went on to instruct that I need to go in for a good whole confession, so that my grief will vanish. May God bless him!

Within 3 months of time the seeds that had been sowed within me were ready to be reaped. As per the instruction of my Spiritual Counselor and the permission of the parish priest, I went ahead and started KLWC service.

All those who partook in the service began to witness mighty miracles. The pains and groans were soon replaced by joy, peace and healing. Without any barrier of caste, creed or language, many received and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Some even today are faithfully carrying their crosses joyfully! Praise the Lord.

As the count of believers grew, our locality which was a initially a sub parish was promoted to a Parish and soon a parish priest was appointed.

On the other hand, KLWC was growing in multitudes and I found it hard to accommodate those who reached my door for prayer. The Lord who saw the discomfort and inconvenience of my children and neighbors made a way. 

Lord Jesus says about the suffering of a prophet, apostles and disciples. If you are truly suffering for Christ, remember the prophets who lived before you who also were persecuted.  

Dear ones, there are sufferings given to people who are righteous. 

If we go through the Bible, “… it is better to suffer for doing good.  If this should be God’s will, than of doing evil.”  (1 Peter 3:17).  If you are sure of your righteous life don’t give up as your good virtues as soon as an adverse wind blows.  Rather, trust in the Lord completely as Job did, by acknowledging his faith in God even in the midst of his friends’ arrogant accusations. 

Endure the undeserved suffering by being conscious of God’s will and promise.  God will surely bless you for it. 

“Happy are you if you are insulted because you are Christ’s followers. This means that the glorious Spirit - the Spirit of God is resting on you.  Don’t feel ashamed, but be proud of it, if you suffer because you are truly a follower of Christ.  Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers, be glad for a great reward is kept for you in heaven.”  (Matt 5:11)

The Holy Bible proves that suffering can occur also due to sin.  Once Lord Jesus healed a paralytic man and warned him not to sin anymore.  “Listen, you are well now.  So stop sinning or something worse may happen to you” (John 5:14) Leading a wrong life surely can cause anguish and sickness. “There is no safety for sinners” (Isaiah 48:22). 

Cruel behavior of your past and present life of self and family can instill future fear and restlessness followed by sickness and adversity.  The Holy Bible tells us that “There is no cure for your injuries because your sins are many and your wickedness is great.” (Jeremiah)

So let us examine ourselves in the light of the above Holy Scripture verses and reform our lives accordingly and think. 

Some are fools and despicable because of their godless and evil behavior. Some are living in darkness and gloom like prisoners suffering in chains because they rebelled against the commands of the Almighty God and rejected his instructions. 

Yes, dear ones in Christ it is a widespread fact that children from good God fearing families wander away by rejecting ritual teachings and instructions of their parents, well-wishers and are living wayward lives.  As days advance they suffer with deadly diseases, heavy debts, addictions, brutality for survival, torturing others for pleasures, groupie to do evil, violence and dominant over others, etc. 

Pause and ask yourself! “Are my tragedies due to any of the above reasons?”

Turn back to the teachings and instructions of the Almighty God and to your parents, well-wishers. Our God is not pleased with downfall of His creation. 

God who created us in a special manner, loves to see His creations keeping the fragrance of his virtues grow and make others also to grow in it.  When you live in a worthless manner you go out of His Paradise and loose all His virtues, start producing evil poison and spread it to others causing sickness, diseases and all calamities eventually destroying the world around you.

COSMIC  TEST

 “Did you notice my servant Job?” the Lord asked. “There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships Me and is careful not to do anything evil.” (Job 1:8)

At once his entire world came crashing down on a single innocent man named Job. It seemed like the ultimate unfairness.  He was the richest man who lived in the land of Uz in the East and worshipped God daily and took utmost care not to commit any evil and made sure that his children too did so.

A tribe of wandering raiders slaughtered his servants and stole his belongings, a lightning struck all his animals, and a storm killed all his children.  

Finally Job was afflicted with painful sores from soles of his feet to the top of his head.  Inspite of losing everything Job knelt down and praised God saying, “…The Lord gave, and now He has taken away.  May His name be praised!”  (Job 1:21)

As days passed at the intensity of his loss and the pain from his sores made him to wail and asked God, “What did I do to deserve such sufferings?”  Job never knew that he was involved in a cosmic test, a contest proposed in heaven but staged on earth.  In this extreme test of faith, the best man on earth suffered the worst calamities.

Satan claimed that people like Job loved God only for the good things He provides and challenged God to remove those good things and Job’s faith would also melt away along with his riches and health.

From the Book of Genesis we observe the supernatural power of Satan to oppress people, but it is restrained by God. 

The Holy Bible records one more instance where Satan specifically asked permission to attack an individual.

“Simon! Simon! Satan has received permission to test all of you, to separate the good from the bad, as a farmer separates the wheat from the chaff.  But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith will not fail.”  (Luke 22:31-32)

Job’s wife mocked at him in satanic echoes, “You are still as faithful as ever, aren’t you? Why don’t you curse God and die?”  Would Job turn against God by the echoes of satanic power?

As mentioned here, Crisis struck like a thunder in my splendid life when due to stenosis and decalcification of spinal cord I was given a warning to discontinue my job.  

All my dreams and hopes for my children’s future in abroad, came crashing down when I found myself almost bedridden.  Although I underwent surgery there were no chances to regain physical strength. Holding onto the intolerable physical pain, arising discouragement and angst from the incomplete future plans, loss of a career, physical pain, uncertain future, my family and myself relocated to India. 

Meanwhile at the onset of this crisis, innumerable questions about my faith and God began to take root in me.

The busy and a social life abroad were soon replaced by slow and long days. A few months later, frustrated and unable to cope up my life partner too moved on in his life leaving me and my children isolated. Soon I found myself in a new location totally surrounded by strangers. 

Bedridden and lonely I still held on to my faith and rituals unwaveringly.  Yet I kept on asking my God, “Why have you given me such a cruel punishment, tell me when and where did I go against you.  You know my heart! I have not betrayed or forgotten you in my good and bad times.  I taught my children the path they should walk.  I am ritualistic from childhood and done my responsibilities proactively and joyfully.  When have I not pleased you or the people whom you gave me?” 

My brother, who was with me during those days, tried to comfort me, but I found hard to be consoled.  The expressions and the sympathy of those that visited me made me sicker.

I took refuge in loneliness waiting to meet the God whom I had honored from childhood.

 As days passed, some elderly women who were active in our parish happened to hear about me and visited me. Later, they brought a priest who was anointed with the revival spirit and he guided me to experience the Holy Spirit in abundance.  Thus I met and tasted the Lord’s mighty power for   whom I was waiting. 

During the holy mass the Holy Spirit appeared in different forms like flashing of light, tearing apart the dark clouds, a dove filled with expressions of inexpressible awe, glory and innocence was flapping its wings and flying around me and closing its wings the dove stopped down to me.  I was unable to control the flow of my God’s love.  (Click here to read the detailed experience.)

Even today (24 years later) the divine anointing fondles, strengthens and comforts me in my trials and tribulations.  As the divine strength began to descend on me, my doubts and queries all vanished.  Praise the Lord!

“I will give them a new heart, I will instill a new spirit, I will remove their stony heart and give them an obedient heart.”  (Ezekiel 11:19)

The life-giving spirit of the Living God – Abba Father – fondled me nearly six hours as I was floating in air.  A new life overpowered my soul, mind and body and a new music hummed in my ears.  The Psalmist says, “I seek for my Lord and he answered me.  He freed me from all my fears.” (Psalms 34:4)

Dear friends, your life may also be inflicted with numerous trials and sufferings, but fear not it is His will that the saving grace of Lord Jesus should be revealed in all his sorrowful people. 

That is why Lord Jesus says to the sick, the worried and the oppressed, “Look at Me, who am crowned with thorns, hands and feet are pierced by nails, who has stripes all over the body, Who accepted excruciating pain for you.”  So let us fix our eyes on Him.  The oppressed looked to Him and are glad, they will never be disappointed. Amen!