ENDURING TO THE END

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.    (John 15:4)

  Many years ago, there broke out a war between Greece and Rome. Determined to capture Greece anyhow, the Roman soldiers fought so fiercely. But, alas! In the end it was Greece that won. To communicate this news of victory to their country, a swift runner was chosen by the Greek army.


Athens, the capital of Greece, was 26 miles away from the battlefield. The messenger ran so heartily and entered the city. He called the people shouting: “Rejoice! For we have won the war!” and made all of them rejoice. Even as they all broke forth into joy, unfortunately, he fainted and fell dead on the spot. He could not endure to the end and join the victory celebrations.


In this same manner, in our Christian life, we are racing towards God and the eternal life which He gives. However, the Lord says: “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22). “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:12,13).


When trials and temptations, sins and iniquities assail us, how are we to endure to the end and obtain the crown of life? Lord Jesus said: “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (John 15:4).


Dearly beloved, to abide in Lord Jesus Christ is to obey Him. He says, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love (John 15:10). Those who love Him will keep His commandments. Therefore, we must run the race of faith with endurance to receive the eternal reward.


Prayer:


Loving Lord Jesus,


Thank You for granting me your salvation. You have redeemed me through your precious blood. I thank You for your sacrifice. Help me to obey your commandments and lead a holy life. Give me the grace to abide in You that I may inherit your blessings. Enable me to run the race of faith in endurance that I may receive the eternal reward. I give You all honour, glory and praise.


In Your matchless name I pray.


Amen.

"His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation."

Luke (1:50)

 

 

"Aur Uss ka raham unn par jo Uss se darte hain pusht dar pusht rehta hai."

Luka (1:50)

 

 

اور اُس کا رحم اُن پر جو اُس سے ڈرتے ہیں پُشت در پُشت رہتا ہے.‏‎"‏
لوقا 50:1

 

 

GLORY-FILLED LIVING

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.    (Mathew 5:9)

Dearly beloved, God will grant us exalted blessings in our lives. All of a sudden, the angel of the Lord met Mary, the mother of Lord Jesus. He greeted her saying: "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28).

In the same way, God greets us today with His blessings. God will then make us arise and shine. He will cover us with His blessings. Even now, as we read these words, His presence will shine upon us. His glory will be seen in us. What a blessed state is this! We are special in the sight of God.

God wants us to live for His glory. We must spread the love of God through our lives. The Bible says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God”(Mathew 5:9). It also counsels, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27). “Snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” (Jude 23). So, let us be careful to keep ourselves clean and spotless without being polluted in this foul and sordid world.

Let us commit ourselves to God, so that our thoughts, words and deeds may all well be clean and holy. Let us live with a zealous resolve that we should be holy even as He is holy. God will then be proud of us. Let us be wary of keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Now, wherever we see, there are only divisions. But what does the Lord say? “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).

So, let us be wary of pursuing peace with all men (Hebrews 12:14), and keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). Let us always receive the perfect peace which God gives and discard all divisions and disputes, conflicts and combats. Let us make the Lord happy by maintaining unity in our families, fellowship in our churches, concord and harmony in our workplaces and oneness in our ministry, giving due respect to everyone. God’s presence will then be in our midst. He will keep us as the apple of His eye and cover us with glory.

We see the mother of Lord Jesus Christ passing through several sufferings right from the beginning. Before her Son performed His first miracle in the wedding at Cana, she told Him- with the right of any mother to tell her son- that they had run short of wine. But what did the Lord say? "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come" (John 2:4).

Similarly, Simeon told her prophetically: “And a sword will pierce your own soul too" (Luke 2:35). Accordingly, though her life was full of suffering, she received right to the end, the blessings given to her by the Lord. It was because amidst all her sufferings God kept her as the apple of His eye. Yes! It is only through sufferings that we can be glorified (Romans 8:17).

Prayer:

Loving Lord Jesus,

My highest purpose in life is to glorify You. I honour You with my praises. Help me to live a worthy life, pleasing You in all respects. Enable me to live in peace with everyone. Enable me to be kind to others. Help me to lead the lost souls to your presence. I will live to glorify You. Give me overwhelming joy and keep me as the apple of your eye.

In Your matchless name I pray.

Amen.

"Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven."

Matthew (10:32)

 

 

"Pus jo koi admyion ke samne mera iqrar kare ga main bhi apne Baap ke samne jo asman par hai us ka iqrar karun ga."

Matti (10:32)

 

 

پس جو کوئی آدمیوں کے سامنے میرا اِقرار کرے گا میں بھی اپنے باپ کے سامنے جو آسمان پر ہے اُس کا اِقرار کرونگا."
متی 32:10

 

 

GOD’S MIGHTY DEEDS

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.    (James 4:7)

Dearly beloved, the Lord will do mighty deeds in your life. Place your trust in Him and behold His miracles.

King Jehoshaphat loved the Lord very much. Once, several kings joined together and came to battle against him. He knew very well that he could not fight them in his own strength. So, he fasted and sought the Almighty God. He collected his subjects and together they prayed: “Lord! We have no power in us. But You have power and might in Your hand and none can withstand You. We are caught in peril and therefore look up to You. You are sure to hear our prayers and deliver us.”

King Jehoshaphat then consulted the people and formed a choir to sing the praises of the Lord. When they began to sing and praise the Lord, the enemies rose against one another and killed themselves. Soon their dead bodies lay scattered on the ground. No one escaped. All that he and his people had to do was to collect their spoil. It took them three days to strip the dead bodies of precious jewelry and other valuables. Yes! God had fought for them because they praised Him and left the battle in His hands.

You too had better lay at the feet of the Lord all the Himalayan problems which confront you. After all, Jehoshaphat was a man like you and me! All that he did was to cling fast to the Lord. You and I can very well do that and receive God’s blessings in our lives. That is why David said so confidently: “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me” (Psalm 138:8). Apostle Paul also says out of his own experience: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever” (2 Timothy 4:18). What are the things which make you fear and tremble? Praise the Lord and entrust them all to His care.

A husband and wife lived happily together. Many women tried their best to win that man’s love right under the notice of his wife. But he was a devout man who kept himself away from all their overtures. His wife was at first annoyed by the flirtations of those women. However, she did not want to broach the subject to her husband, pick up a quarrel and wreck the harmony of their home; for she knew him to be clean and upright. Rather, she decided to pray to the Lord for those wicked women from whose designs He would surely deliver them.

Everyday at a fixed time, she prayed with tears to God that those vicious women should stop coming to her husband and repent and mend their lives. Before every prayer, she praised the Lord profusely: “Lord! So many are the blessings You have showered upon my life. You have given me a husband, a devout man who inspite of the overtures made by these wicked women, can’t be seduced by them.” In this manner, she catalogued all the blessings she had received from the Lord and praised Him for them. She then placed their needs at His feet.

Days passed by. She did not know how those women stopped their advances to her husband. Further, she could no longer see those women who spoke so fondly to her husband, showing her a wry face. After some more days, those women came seeking not her husband, but herself. It was a surprise why they came to her. Through her devout and prayerful life, the Lord had drawn them to her. They came to her and even without their knowledge, began pouring before her all their hardships in life. God’s love and compassion filled her heart. She did not reject them for their treachery to her. She prayed in tears that they should become the children of God and receive His blessings. They were greatly comforted. Also, a divine comfort and joy overflowed her heart.

God will do great deed in your lives also. On seeing evil, do not be annoyed, lose your temper and resort to quarelling. Entrust it to the Lord after offering praises to Him. The Bible exhorts, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving” (Ephesians 5:4). The Lord will fight your battle! You are sure to see miracles in your life!

Prayer:

Loving Lord Jesus,

You have power and might in Your hand. I am unable to fight my problems through my own strength. I look up to You for help. I lay all my problems at your feet. I entrust them all to your care. Hear my prayers. Fight the battle for me and deliver me. Perform mighty deeds in my life. Enable me to see mighty miracles.

In Your matchless name I pray.

Amen.

Jesus Christ says:

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God trust also in me."

John (14:1)

 

 

Yesu Masih kehte hain:

"Tumhara dil na ghabraiy. Tum Khuda par emaan rakhte ho mujh par bhi emaan rakho."

Youhana (14:1)

 

 

یسوع مسیح کہتے ہیں:

"تمہارا دل نہ گبھراۓ. تم خدا پر ایمان رکھتے ہو مجھ پر بھی ایمان رکھو."
یوحنا 1:14

 

 

 

UNWAVERING FAITH

And without faith it is impossible to please God    (Hebrews 11:6)

Dearly beloved, God has done great things in your life. Instead of praising Him for all His blessings, are you still murmuring? Learn to praise God even in negative situations. He cares for those who trust in Him (Nahum 1:7).

You should get rooted in the love of God. You should never get disheartened when you go through failures and disappointments in life. You must get established in the love of God and become perfect in every respect. The Bible says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). Cling on to God firmly. Then the Lord will bless you and guide you.

In a particular family, all the sisters except one got married at the right time. Hence she was living in tears. As usual, people began to make fun of her. Even her own parents spoke ill about her. Nevertheless, she clung on to God firmly, spending her time in prayer. She fully believed that God knew all about her needs (Matthew 6:8). She also knew that He would do everything for her at His appointed time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Hence, she did not worry about anything.

This sister’s family was a middle class family. Even so, the son of a very wealthy man heard about the excellent character of this sister and came forward to marry her. While her parents and other sisters were in a lowly state, the Lord exalted her in this world. Because she trusted in Him wholeheartedly, He honoured her in this world.

Today, you too may be lamenting over your poverty. May be you are contemplating suicide. Please place your trust upon the Lord and wait for Him to act. The Bible says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Our God is alive even today. He will never let His children down. Cling on to Him firmly and receive His blessings.

Prayer:

Loving Lord Jesus,

You have done great things in my life. I praise You for all the blessings you have showered on me. Continue to bless me. You know all my needs. I wholeheartedly believe that You will perfect everything concerning me at the appointed time. I wait for your mighty miracle. I believe that You will never let me down. Bless me and guide me. Exalt me and make me glad.

In Your matchless name I pray.

Amen.

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."

James (4:10)

 

 

"Khudawand ke samne farotni karo. Wo tumhain sarbuland karega."

Yaqoob (4:10)

 

 

خداوند کے سامنے فروتنی کرو. وہ تمہیں سربلند کریگا."
یعقوب 10:4

 

 

A CHANNEL OF BLESSINGS

I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.    (Genesis 12:2)

Dearly beloved, when the Lord sets His hands on you and blesses you, your family will be blessed through you. The Bible says that when Jacob lived in his uncle Laban’s house, God blessed the latter and all his belongings immeasurably. One day, when Jacob prepared to leave Laban’s house for his native land, his uncle pleaded with him: "If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you" (Genesis 30:27).

What Laban had before Jacob came to him, was little (Genesis 30:30). However, from the day Jacob set foot in his house, his blessings began abounding. Amazed at it, he went to the soothsayers and asked them what could be the secret of his bountiful blessings. They told him that it was all due to the presence of a newcomer called Jacob in his house.

You may be bemoaning saying, “Alas! Poverty is so rampant in my family. My father or mother is bed-ridden all the time!” Are you broken-hearted because of problems in the family? The Lord who blessed Laban through Jacob, will bless your family also through you.

I came to the Lord in 1980. I was then 18 years old. Before that, I did not bother in the least about God! My parents used to shed tears for me. There was no peace at home. Everywhere people rose against us. Hence, my mother fasted one day in the week and prayed in tears for me, day and night. God touched me very soon. He filled me with His Holy Spirit. Our home, dull and dreary till then, became a haven of peace and joy. Since then the ministry began spreading. Countless miracles were witnessed in the Good News meetings and people were drawn to them in lakhs. My father had a promotion in his profession and his pre-eminence as a servant of God began to spread all over the world. In the ministry also, buildings and equipment increased in abundance. Both our family and the ministry began prospering.

All because I accepted the Lord and gave Him room in my heart, our family was abundantly blessed by God. Today whether it be in the family or the ministry, I am consulted on all matters. If I am honoured so much, it is all because Lord Jesus is with me and prospers all my undertakings. Because the hand of the Lord is upon me, my family is blessed so much.

Perhaps you may be young in age but do not forget that you alone are responsible for the blessings in your family. When the Lord sets His hand upon you, He will cause abundant blessings to be poured into your family. There will be prosperity in your family. Your parents, relatives, brothers and sisters will love you and respect you. They will say about you with pride: “He/ she has come to Lord Jesus Christ and is channel of blessings to us.” The love of those around you, will surround you all through your lives. You will become a blessing to your family and the society at large.

Prayer:

Loving Lord Jesus,

I seek You with my whole heart. Let your hand be with me. Bless me in order that I may be a blessing to others. Lord, be with me and prosper all my undertakings. Make me a channel of blessings to my family. Let their love surround me all through my life. May our home become a haven of peace and joy. Help me to spread your divine fragrance everywhere I go.

In Your matchless name I pray.

Amen.

"The Spirit of God has made me;

The breath of the Almighty gives me life."  Job (33:4)

 

 

"Khuda ki rooh ne mujhe banaya hai

Aur Qadir-e-Mutlik ka dum mujhe zindagi bakhshta hai."  Ayub (33:4)

 

 

"خدا کی روح نے مجھے بنایا ہے
اور قادر مطلق کا دم مجھے زندگی بخشتا ہے."
ایوب (4:33) ‏

 

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.    (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Lord Jesus assures us that He will make us more than conquerors in this world (Romans 8:37). All we have to do is just say, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:57). He says, “…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

The Lord Himself walked through all kinds of afflictions, trials and temptations in this world just to grant us victory over them. “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). He Himself carried all our sins, iniquities and afflictions on the cross in order to grant us a new life. Just for our sake, He went through the experience of utter helplessness and cried out, “My God, My God why have You forsaken Me” (Matthew 27:46).

Joseph was a young man who loved God with all his heart. On account of that, he had to suffer in the prison for 13 years. However, the Lord changed everything in his life and made him a blessing to many. He never forsook him. He was with him and delivered him (Genesis 39:2, 21 and 23). “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (I Peter 5:6). As mentioned in the above Scripture verse, Joseph surrendered his life to God even in that difficult situation. He continued to lead a godly life. That is why God delivered him from all his troubles and made him a channel of blessing.

The Lord enabled Joseph to obtain grace in the eyes of Pharaoh. He gave Joseph the necessary wisdom and the power. At His appointed time the miracle happened. Finally, the Pharaoh himself acknowledged, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the Spirit of God?...There is no one so discerning and wise as you” (Genesis 41:38, 39).

Dearly beloved, we may be lamenting on account of our afflictions. According to James 5:11, the time has come for God to reward us for our patience. He will certainly remember all the afflictions we went through in the past and grant us deliverance. Therefore, let us seek the Lord with great faith and enjoy wonders and miracles in our lives.

Prayer:

Loving Lord Jesus,

I am going through the path of adversity. You suffered on the cross for my sake in order to give me a new life. You overcame the world. Lord, do not forsake me. Let your presence be with me as I walk this difficult path. Hold my hand and strengthen me. Grant me deliverance and elevate me in my life at the appointed time. I give all glory, honour and praise to You.

In Your matchless name I pray.

Amen.

"Turn from evil and do good;

then you will dwell in the land forever."  Psalm (37:27)

 

 

"Badi ko chor de aur naiki kar

Aur hamesha tak abad reh."    Zaboor (37:27)

 

بدی کو چھوڑ دے اور نیکی کر
اور ہمیشہ تک آباد رہ."
زبور 27:37

 

 

"...the grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the Word of the Lord stands for ever..."

1 Peter (1:24-25)

 

 

"...Ghaas to sukh jati hai aur phool gir jata hai.

Lakin Khudawand ka Kalam abad tak qaim rahe ga..."

1-Patras (1:24-25)

 

 

"...گھاس تو سوکھ جاتی ہے اور پھول گر جاتا ہے.
لیکن خداوند کا کلام ابد تک قائم رہیگا..."‏1-پطرس 24:1-25

 

 

"Do everything without complaining or arguing."

Philippians (2:14)

"Sub kam shikayat aur takrar bagair kia karo."

Filipyion (2:14)

"سب کام شکایت اور تکرار بغیر کیا کرو."
فلپیوں 14:2

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus." Romans (15:5)

 

 

"Aur Khuda sabar aur tasali ka chashma tum ko ye taufeeq de ke Masih Yesu ke mutabic apus main yakdil raho." Romyion (15:5)

 

اورخُدا صبر اور تسلّی کا چشمہ تُم کو یہ تَوفِیق دے کہ مسِیح یِسُوع کے مُطابِق آپس میں یک دِل رہو."
رومیوں 5:15

 

 

"A good man obtains favour from the LORD, 

but the LORD condemns a crafty man."

Proverbs (12:2)

 

"Naik admi Khudawand ka maqbul ho ga

Lakin bure mansube bandhne wale ko wo mujrim thehraiy ga."

Imsaal (12:2)

 

نیک آدمی خداوند کا مقبول ہوگا
لیکن برے منصوبے باندھنے والے کو وہ مجرم ٹھہرائیگا."
امثال 2:12