All posts by RHC

Money is a good barometer of our spirituality, because the way we handle our money is an indication of our performance as a Christian Steward. We deal with money constantly. Out of 29 parables that Jesus spoke about, 13 were related to finances. One of the 12 apostles to fall was Judas, who fell over money. The first sin recorded in the early church was concerned with the hypocrisy in the giving of money to the Lord. While there is a legitimate scope for proper investments, it must be differentiated from hoarding. One must also check for wrong motive & attitude towards money. The advertisements and window displays are carefully planned appeals to our human weaknesses, designed to make us discontent with what we have, so that we can rationalize buying things that we know we do not need and should not have. The Bible makes this tremendous statement in Acts.20:35 ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’. We must know more about giving to receive this blessing. The Bible further says in John 3:16 ‘for God so loved the world that he gave…’ Our God is a giving God, an extravagantly giving God. He is God who gave ‘rivers’ of milk and honey. He is God who allows your cup to be running over. He is God who feeds 5000 people and yet 12 baskets are left over. He is a generous God. We are to reflect his image in our attitude of giving.

The Church is the assembly of God’s redeemed people, living in right relationships with God and each other, gathered with a view to hear and do his will. we have a sense of belonging & relationships we have God’s fatherhood over us. Many Christians are caught up with going to heaven, but the church’s role is to bring heaven on earth (‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’). To cultivate and grow our spiritual life we need to be part of a community. These days many a people stress ‘individual Christianity’ and they float around without being committed to any church. The strength of the early church lay in its commitment to togetherness. (Read Eph.4:16) All joining is preceded by a leaving (Acts 2:40). A Christian without a Church family is an orphan. Fellowship demands proximity, involvement, interaction communication, openness, informality, intimacy, etc. We believe in our church life to give and receive from each other, to mutually stand with each other, and to be part of the family.

God never tempts us to do evil, but he does tests us to reveal our heart’s condition, enabling us to then deal with it. Trials and temptation are two sides of the same coin. But the goal of each is different. Satan is the one who tempts us to do evil and after gaining a foothold in our life he aims to destroy us. When Satan tempts us, God turns it around to our advantage to indirectly help us grow. Temptation is like a hook, and ‘evil desire’ is like a ring. If there is no ‘evil desire in us then, when temptation comes it is unable to hook us as we have no ring around us. Temptation becomes sin only when we ‘yield’ to sin. To deal with temptation we need to deal with our ‘evil desires’. Satan could not have a hold on Jesus because this unhealthy desire was dealt with (John14:30). ‘For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.’ Hebrews 4: 15 -16

Prayer is talking with Jesus. To communicate with him through prayer. Prayer shows our helplessness & reveals our dependency on God. On the other hand, lack of prayer reveals our pride and self-sufficiency. Susanna Wesley, the mother of John Wesley, had in all 19 children. She used to pray for an hour a day. During that time, she would cover her head completely with an apron. This was an indication to her children that they should not disturb her. Start praying for a few minutes a day. Then as the momentum increases you could increase the allotted time

Physical death also called first death. At death, the natural body begins to decompose into dust/earth from which it was made. The soul of man returns to God.

Spiritual death is separation from God-forever; also called second death. Those who live in sin will ultimately face this death. It’s a penalty and Judgement for sinful mankind. Rom.6:23 ‘For the wages of sin is death…’

We all may have to face the first death (physical death), but those who trust in Jesus can escape the second death (spiritual separation from God into hell). Our resurrected body will be an immortal body, an imperishable body, a powerful body, and a spiritual body. We would have perfect faculties, and we would be able to recognize one another even though we may not have seen each other before. (I John 3:2; Luke 16:23; Mt.17:4)

First, we must always respect our parents. The Bible does say that ‘Honour your father and your mother…’ (Exo.20:12). In a way your parents would be happy that you have been transformed by Jesus. And your lifestyle must show evidence of your reformed behaviour. At times the parent’s greatest fear is that they are about to lose their offspring, who they think is being manipulated by some strange fundamentalists. On the other hand, they must see that your commitment to Jesus has only deepened your commitment (and respect) towards your parents and that it has made you a better son / daughter. You should be able to reason with them and convince them. Never forget to fast and pray beforehand. Do give them some time to recover from the shocking news of your faith.

The Bible specifically addresses those who are married to unbelievers in 1 Corinthians 7:12-14: “…If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband…”

Christians married to unbelievers will need to pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to enable them to profess Christ and live in the light of God’s presence (1 John 1:7). They should seek God’s transforming power to change their hearts and produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). A Christian wife is obligated to have a submissive heart, even toward her unbelieving husband (1 Peter 3:1), and she will need to remain close to God and rely on His grace to enable her to do so.

There have been many books written on ‘Positive Thinking’, which have certain merits and we certainly believe that we need to be positive in our thinking. But our belief is not just a case of mind over- matter but rather God-over– matter. Positive–thinking exalts the purely human element such as man’s mind or reason or willpower. Thus, it is man-centred. On the other hand, true spiritual faith is essentially God-centred. It magnifies and exalts only God, and God’s truth, power and His word.

Repentance is a right-about-turn, a decision of the will that affects the mind, intellect and emotions. As one hears God’s Word and he is deeply convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit, then repentance begins its work. It is a total change of life, a total change of direction; it is totally becoming a new person. It involves a change of conduct and is evidenced by actions that reflect repentance.

Our lifestyle will be one of ongoing repentance. As God’s Holy Spirit keeps showing us other areas of hidden sins we will embrace a lifestyle of repentance.