The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia once again brings before us a fundamental human weakness; the mighty and powerful consider that it’s their right to have their way at any cost and the weak and vulnerable must be at the mercy of the strong!
       Not only in such geopolitical affairs, even among small communities and individuals we can notice such superiority complex displayed arrogantly and violently. When one considers themselves as the ‘fittest’ due to any reason, then they feel that their intentions must be accomplished. They have people to make it happen, often subjugating and silencing the weaker ones. The poor feel that they are helpless and must be submissive to the powerful.
       ‘Survival of the fittest’ could be the law of the animal kingdom but if the so-called modern, educated society follows the same principle unashamedly and unchallenged what is the difference between man and animal? Is it not a big blow to the basic principles of humanity and natural justice?
       What should be a Christian response to this issue? What does the scripture say to the ‘fittest’ as well as to the ‘weakest’? How can the strong and weak coexist with mutual respect and care?

The Cause and Consequences

As in all others troubles plaguing mankind, the haughtiness of man also stems from his sinfulness. Ever since the fall of man the peace and harmony of the Garden of Eden became foreign to him. Violence and bloodshed became part his daily life. (Rom 1:28ff; Gen 4:8)
       Selfish ambitions make one thirsty for achievements in every area. That passion for success emboldens them to take any path to accomplish it. By hook or crook they succeed and yet their greed is never satisfied. In their pursuit to reach the uppermost, they do not mind the consequences like pain, agony and the loss of their fellow beings.
       However, God’s eyes are upon the sufferings of the oppressed. He cannot be indifferent to the afflictions of the poor and needy. The Lord told Moses, “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.” (Exo 3: 7) Not only the Lord delivers the distressed people in a miraculous manner, but He will also destroy all the oppressors in His own way.
       We have plenty of examples in the Bible, how hard-hearted autocrats tried to subjugate the weak and defenceless. They may succeed for some time, but ultimately they would be doomed and ..... ->>>More

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Out line:-

Death of Christ

1. It was a pre-planned death, Rev 13:8.
2. It was a natural death, John 19:33, 34.
3. It was a supernatural death, John 19:28 – 30; Rom 5:12.
4. It was a graceful death, Luke 23:34, 43.
5. It was a needful death, John 3:14, 15; Matt 16:21.
6. It was a vicarious death, John 10:11; 1Peter 2:24; 3:18.
7. It was an efficacious death, Hebrews 2:10, 14, 15; 13:8.
8. It was voluntary death, John 10:17, 18; Matt 20:28.
9. It was a cruel and painful death, Matt. 27:33, 34.
10. It was a shameful death, Gal 3:13; Deut 21:23.

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Anecdote: -

The Cost of Stubbornness

In the summer of 1986, two ships collided in the Black Sea off the coast of Russia. Hundreds of passengers died as they were hurled into the icy waters below.
       News of the disaster was further darkened when an investigation revealed the cause of the accident. It wasn't a technology problem like radar malfunction or even thick fog. The cause was human stubbornness.
       Each captain was aware of the other ship's presence nearby. Both could have steered clear, but according to news reports, neither captain wanted to give way to the other. Each was too proud to yield first. By the time they came to their senses, it was too late.

— Source: Closer Walk

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Exhortation: -

Blindness for God’s glory! John 9:1-3

By Bro.Tom Johns, Austin Texas

One of the most puzzling yet thoroughly reassuring verse that we find in the Bible is here in Romans 8:28 - “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
       We may never realize its full significance or see it come to fruition to its fulness until God graciously reveals it to us when He indeed does. But this theme of God’s sovereign providence upon our lives is an overarching theme of the Bible. When we read the Scriptures from cover to cover, we start realizing how God brings this verse and its message to life. Let’s look at a passage from the Gospel of John in this context.
       “As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9:1-3 [NASB] The whole chapter of John 9 is devoted to this miraculous healing. There are multiple themes in this chapter but let us focus on just one – ‘God receives glory from the lifelong blindness of a young man, a congenital condition.’ Jesus declared that this blind man’s condition from his birth was to bring glory to God’s name when others were focusing ...->>>More

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Tribute:-

A tribute: Easow Josifus (1940 – 2022)

The home call of every born again child of God is indeed a celebration for heaven. It’s a clear answer to the prayers of their Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:24). Naturally, we who remain will always miss our dear ones and continue to feel the pain of separation, albeit the hope of reunion one day.
       In the recent past, from the Mumbai area also we have seen number of dear ones departing to be with the Lord. Memories of each one of them are precious; we always remember their good works for the Lord and endeavour to follow their footsteps. Furthermore, due to various reasons some of them have cast lasting impressions which we cannot easily forget.
       Such is the case of dear Uncle Easow Josifus of Andheri East who went to be with the Lord on 31st March 2022, just 4 months after his wife’s home call. He was fondly called by many as ‘Sahar Joseachayan’.
       He was one of the few brethren as far as I know who successfully carried out a business while joyfully spending a good part of its profit for the cause of Christ. He had a systematic way of giving. With a list of fulltime servants of God from all over India, he supported them on a regular basis. It was absolutely done in secret and without any conditions.
       It was through his efforts that the Lord’s work in and around Andheri East commenced and prospered. Along with his local church Hebron Christian Assembly Sion he started various ministries in Sahar. He ...->>>More

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Worthy Quotes:-