(June 21, 2025) Dr Sam Selva Raj shares…

As a young man called to serve God I experienced the truth of Psalm 136:1,23NKJV— ‘Oh, give thanks to the Lord… Who remembered us in our low estate, for His mercy endures forever.’

From the beginning of my ministerial life, God gave me the desire and mindset to go to any extent in taking up any challenge to glorify Him and extending His kingdom— without expecting any immediate rewards.

Experiencing God’s Dependability
From the year 1976 to 1986, I was in the habit of applying for leave from the government office where I worked and I’d arrange tours to preach the gospel by means of mini crusades in different parts of India by spending my own money.

The Lord helped me to take my spiritual friends along with me to various parts at least for one or two months and we’d go to unreached villages and touch the lives of thousands of people through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Several times I had to depend on God for all my financial needs, as I had to buy train or bus tickets, book hotel accommodation for me and my colleagues. God miraculously helped me and through this ministry I was to visit various remote areas in Chengalput District, Villupuram District, Madurai District, Trichy District, Kanyakumari District, Kodaikanal, Ootacamund, Trivandrum, Peermade, Idukki, Vandiperiyar, Vijayawada, Bangalore, Mysore and other places.

During my trips, I experienced different kinds of physical sufferings in transporting our musical instruments and gospel tracts from one place to another by means of buses and trains. Due to my low financial status, I could not even think of having a vehicle for the ministry.

Experiencing God’s Goodness
But God was watching my attitude and listening to my testimonies. Hebrews 6:10MKJV was very meaningful to me: ‘For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.’ 

Later on I found that God blessed all my co-workers and elevated them to higher levels and continues to use them mightily in His vineyard even today.

I was to experience God also blessing me… with all facilities I needed to preach the gospel to the unsaved people of India— latest equipment, cars, vans and zealous workers. He also honoured me by taking me to various countries of the world and blessed me with good new friends. He is still enabling me more and more.

This same God is still alive! He is searching for willing persons who can come forward to serve Him without expecting any immediate rewards, high positions… or corrupted motives. Ecclesiastes 11:1MKJV promises ‘Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall find it after many days.’

Think of ‘bread’ as whatever you can offer God towards the extension of His kingdom. CJB (Complete Jewish Bible) reads ‘Send your resources out over the seas; eventually you will reap a return.’

Experiencing God’s Blessings
God is not a debtor to anybody!

Personally I have learned that if we have a desire to do something for God’s kingdom, we should do it immediately, without observing the wind and regarding the clouds as, to quote Ecclesiastes 11:4, ‘He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.’

Sadly nowadays, many do not want to invest their health, money and talents in advancing the kingdom of God; instead they expect immediate elevation and on the spot rewards.

Dear friend, personally I have experienced being really blessed in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ… and I still am! He can really bless you also. Can you come forward to do something for Jesus now? Are you willing to take up your cross and follow Him?

Experiencing God’s Challenge
God is searching for willing persons who are really interested in sending forth His glorious gospel— in any and in every way— at all cost as 1 Corinthians 9:22 indicates.

When you read Paul’s challenging words, you must know that God has a special plan for you!

Worldly wealth, health, relationship, and fame will cheat you one day! But Jesus Christ will not leave you comfortless… nor abandoned (John 14:18NLT).

Experience His challenge and make a decision today to serve Jesus. A great reward is awaiting you!

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Dr S Sam Selva Raj is founder of India’s National Spiritual Newspaper Echo of His Call, printed monthly in 16 languages as well as overseeing many community outreaches that bless thousands, the Chennai church, Bible colleges, and postal and online Bible correspondence/theological courses. A particular challenge is daily broadcasting 5-minute messages in English, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu on YouTube, trusting God to provide for the costs. Links: sam@echoofhiscall.org Link:
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