Psalm 92:13

THE GREAT MYSTERY!

(February 10, 2023) S. Sam Selva Raj shares …

Paul made a dramatic statement in Ephesians 5:32: ‘This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.’

God’s church is the fellowship of saints. In the gospels and first 10 chapters of Acts, those who followed Jesus were called ‘disciples.’ The early church grew and in Acts 11:26 those followers were now called ‘Christians.’

Faithful Christians will –

  • Not lie, or deceive others or be treacherous.
  • Talk open mindedly to other Christians.
  • Follow Jesus’ model, walking in His footsteps.
  • Reflect Him under all conditions.
  • Not deny Jesus when affected by circumstances.
  • Never misuse God’s ministry for their own profit.

One of the greatest mysteries to many is the fellowship of Christians and God.  The reality is that those who are born again through Jesus are God’s children (John 1:12-13). 

Every truth needed for anyone to live a victorious life in this world is hidden in this secret relationship. But people (sadly even some Christians!) are trying to discover other ways to find joy and peace to progress in their lives, ignoring this relationship.

Jesus revealed His great love for us in redeeming us by His sacrifice on Calvary (Romans 5:8). He is our Saviour who overcame death and rose from the dead! Over the centuries people have hated Jesus’ church and persecuted it. This fellowship of God’s children has experienced terrible sufferings and opposition… even today!   

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YOUR MOURNING WILL TURN INTO JOY!

(November 18, 2022) S. Sam Selva Raj encourages troubled hearts…

During times of adversity, when we ask friends or doctors for counsel, they may console us by saying, ‘Don’t worry, everything will be all right.’  Comforting words… but we can receive even greater comfort from God!

But, when we experience times of sorrow, pain and affliction, and our problems multiply, we can lose hope.

  • We shouldn’t… but it can happen.
  • If we’re not clear about God’s leading in our lives, we can worry much.
  • Contemplating some sorrowful event, we could wrongly think, ‘Has this happened without God’s knowledge?’ 

We must remember that nothing happens in our lives without God knowing! If we trust Him, our present sorrow will surely be turned into joy!

So don’t be afraid!
Jesus spoke about sorrow and weeping in John 16, adding in verse 20, ‘… your sorrow will be turned into joy.’ He also promised in Matthew 5:4, ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.’

We might think that blessed people are those who enjoy all sorts of material comforts. But the Lord says that even those who mourn are blessed! He who knows everything, knows that He can turn our mourning into joy!

Sorrows may arise due to unemployment, sickness, lack of money, problems at work or in the family, worries about the future, and so on. Whatever our sorrow, the Lord says that all of us who pass through such difficult times are blessed and that we shall be comforted, difficult situations being turn into joyful ones.

Although promised this a long time ago, this is still relevant today! Henceforth be happy and rejoice. ‘Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time’ declares 1 Peter 5:6.

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