Testimony of Hindu boy Ramesh now Joseph - Fr. Mathew Naickomparampil

1Thess 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

CLEANSING THROUGH THE WORD

Fr. Matthew Naickomparambil V.C.

If our life is to be sanctified, we should listen to the Word and be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Word reveals to us all spheres of life in which we need purification. Life will be purified by listening to the Word. 

 Photo - Fr James Manjackal M.S.F.S - preaching the Word of God

Although rains fall very heavily on the ground for quite a while, the water does not stay on the ground for too long. It disappears in so many ways. But the water collected in some low areas or in reservoirs might stay there for quite some time. The Word of God is very similar to this phenomenon. In the humble hearts, in the hearts that seek God, in the hearts where the Word is received with love and reverence and obeyed accordingly, it stays longer. It will also bring about abundant fruit. 

Just like the water collected in the reservoirs becomes useful to many people, those who study the Word of God with interest and industry and give it to others at appropriate times will be a great blessing to the Mother Church and also to the world at large.

Out of the believers heart shall flow rivers of living water (John 7:38). Let this Word be fulfilled. Proclamation of the Word, attending a retreat, a life according to the Scripture constitutes the holy water, the living water. The Word of God is capable of making significant changes in ones life. 

Here are the things the Word can do for you: 

1.You will be cleansed (Jn 15:3). 

2. You get the strength to free yourself from the state of sin. 

3. You will be born from above (Jn 3:3, 5). 

4.You get the spiritual inclination to live in the Word of God. 

5. Through good communions you will be led to the heights, as you gradually enter deeper spiritual levels. 

6. Just like material things get cleansed and purified in the powerful currents, in the flow of the Word the impurities of the heart will be washed away. 

7. Those who listen to the Word will be blessed with a number of graces. These include sincere repentance, humility, freedom from selfishness, compassionate love, fidelity and loyalty to the good God and self control. 

Divine blessings of this solemn nature can come only from Jesus, the Word made flesh. The person who recognizes this fact will have the discretion to separate the chaff from the grain to know the perverse tendencies and wrong objectives and reject them outright. It is because we were hankering after the love of worldly men and material gains, misconstruing them as our real objectives, that we conveniently and without qualms ignominiously pushed Jesus and the Ways of His Cross into the back seat. 

As an obvious result of our indiscretion, we became slaves to the fear of men's assessment and evaluation about us, with no worries about what God would think of us if we did not do his will. This way we foolishly relinquished the peace and joy that God would give us if we carried out his behest. 

Thus, because of our recalcitrance, we and our dear ones lost the life in the Holy Spirit and we unwittingly treaded the worldly paths. As we abandoned the life in the Holy Spirit, we could hardly make any gains in the fields of transformation of the sinners and the salvation of the gentiles. But by throwing yesterdays iniquities and their consequent impurities to the wind, the Word of God is raising us to a new life. 

Behold, the time has arrived. Let us listen to the Word, seek the advice of Jesus, and live according to the will of God. Let us make our life an appropriate one for the servants of God, filled with the graces of the Holy Spirit, guided by God himself. Let our life be Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, (for the Greater Glory of God). 

PRAYER

Jesus, fill me with thy Word. 

Remove the darkness in me through your Word. 

Cleanse all my impurities. 

Let your Word be my guiding light in my path. 

Holy Spirit, enlighten my wisdom so that I can grasp the meaning of the Word and live in accordance with it.

Voice from the THRONE of GOD - speaks to - Fr Matthew Naickomparambil V.C

RENEWAL THROUGH HOLY SPIRIT

Fr Mathew Naickomparambil V.C. is the leader of evangelization movement of Divine Retreat Centre, India. He records his Divine Encounter with God in his own words below.

From the bondage of a life that seeks material pleasures and self glorification, it is the Holy Spirit of God that constantly leads us to a life of renewal, seeking the will and glory of God.

Fr Matthew's own experience
- Ask and you shall be given, you shall be given the Holy Spirit.

One solemn evening in July 1966, I heard this divine voice. I was praying in solitude. As I was kneeling down, with eyes closed and hands folded, I heard this voice.
 

Ask and you shall be given by the Holy Spirit. 

It took a period of three more years for this promise to be fulfilled in me.
 
I was having early morning mediation on a fine day in the month of September 1969.

When I closed my eyes in prayers between 5.30 and 6.00, I saw a vision in which a shining globe was descending into me. That divine light and bliss filled my mind and body.

• I was overflowing with divine love.
• I experienced the most perfect inner peace. All the inner wounds and fears that had been in me were obliterated.
• I was filled with peace and joy.
• All the bruises and lacerations rubbing in my memory were healed.
• All my inferiority complex, my anxiety and worry that had been pestering me right from my early childhood were caressed, soothed and healed by the Lord Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

Voice from the Throne of God
Then I heard the distinct voice from the throne of God. See, I am making all things new.
To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life (Rev 21:5-7).

RENEWAL THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE WORD
Our Lord is the God of abund-ance, one who showers the love of God on us in measures aplenty. It is through the Holy Spirit that this love of God is bestowed upon us. When we listen to the Word, we will receive the gift of faith (Rom 10:17) and also the blessings showered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44).

HEALING THROUGH THE WORD
He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction (Ps 107:20). God gives healing to the body, mind and soul. There takes place renewal in love in personal and family relations. He showers on us forgiving and compassionate love. 

BORN AGAIN 

We have to be born of water and Spirit (Jn 3:5). We have to wash with the water of the Word. We should transform after listening to the Word and we should be filled with the Holy Spirit the love of the Spirit.

RENEWAL IN LOVE
Let us imbibe the love that is capable of forgiving our enemies and blessing them. Let us be compassionate towards the poor, the sorrowing and the rejected and the ostracized by others. Let us pray for them earnestly. Let us endeavor to send our help to the most needy. Today such charitable activities are on the increase in Kerala and also in the whole of India. Many take part in the charitable acts with glad and enthusiastic hearts.

RENEWAL IN PRAYERS
Constantly carry out divine praises, adoration and intercessory prayers. The thirst to be filled with the Holy Spirit and the Word is the most felt need of today. All these release many from the life of sin and evil. Many are keenly desirous of receiving the graces of the Holy Spirit. Intercessory prayers have become a speciality of the modern times.

RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT BY NON-CHRISTIANS
New lights of hope should be kindled. Even many non-Christians today are filled with the Holy Spirit and they give their testimony to that effect. The mercies of God flow into us through our faith in Jesus Christ and through the renewal in the Holy Spirit. The result is that tens of thousands, nay, hundreds of thousands of people become zealous and they enthusiastically bear witness to Jesus Christ.

They become a new nation that constantly sing praises to the Lord and glorify him. The Holy Spirit makes everybody ready to continue with his missionary work with renewed zeal and enthusiasm. The graces of the Holy Spirit are made more distinctly obvious so that people who have eyes can see and those who have ears can hear. Proclamation of Word, Healing Services, the gift to foresee and foretell things, etc. help people to realize that God is right in their midst and bear witness to his hallowed presence. This is endowing joy, zeal and enthusiasm to many.

Fr Mathew Naickomparambil V.C. is the leader of evangelization movement of Divine Retreat Centre, India. He can be reached at following email  drcmindia@gmail.com

I Cry Aloud to the Lord and He Answers Me!

This prayer from the depth of the heart is a cry towards the Heavenly father

- Fr. Mathew Naikomparambil V.C

This is an expression of my deep faith and hope that God is my only refuge. God who has definite plans about us gives pains, sufferings and sorrows in the path leading to that plan. 

A person turns towards God and Christ, when he is convinced that nothing human or material can save him.

Jesus - Please reveal me your plan

“My God, My Lord, talk to me, I cannot take even one step forward, please guide me. Why have you given me sufferings, pains and sorrows? Lord, please reveal to me your plan about me.” 

When we cry loud like this, God will reveal himself to us. We will be convinced that these sufferings are to find God and to lift us to heaven.

Temporary happiness

Human plans are temporary—temporary happiness, safety for the time being, good name, fame, human approval, wealth…But God’s plan is forever. 

God gives us sufferings to teach justice. 
Therefore one who becomes fit for God’s love will have sufferings, weaknesses, and crosses. Giving all this He keeps us closer to Him. 

We must find time during the period of suffering to listen to God’s voice and to thirst for God’s love. Then we will get the grace to rise up with Jesus. We will receive blessings and strength from the Holy Spirit.

We are God's children

We’ll understand that we are God’s children. When we are in the depth of sufferings, contempt, and helplessness, sweet prayers, meditations and spiritual strength spring up.

One with Jesus

In this stage our eyes and ears are lifted to Calvary. There we can see God’s throne. We will realize the emptiness of all material aspirations.. Jesus extends in each moment of sufferings an eternal invitation to forsake sin, selfishness, and bodily comforts. God stands with us to lead us to the glory of resurrection.

“Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your teacher.” (Is.30:20)

Read Also 

Fr Matthew's prayer on Salvation as revealed by The Holy Spirit

http://christtotheworld.blogspot.com/2009/12/message-of-salvation.html

Prayer : ALLELUIA ! PRAISE THE LORD!

For all our brokenness
For all our weaknesses
For all our unhappy experiences
For all our infirmities
For all our failures
For all our humiliations
For all our rejections
For all our economic burdens
For the failures and weaknesses of our dear ones
For bringing out good even from evil
For the grace of death to sin and the new life in the Holy Spirit.
Lord, after every trial and crisis. You give us the grace to come closer to you,
liberating us from our self-centeredness.
Lord we thank You; Lord we Praise You

Message of Salvation

This prayer revealed prayer by the Holy Spirit to Rev.Fr. Mathew Naikamparambil V.C., founder of "Divine Ministry". It sprouted in a tiny village named Potta, Kerala in India. 

You may print & distribute this prayer, but "without making any changes".

The Prayer

Accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, be filled with His Spirit thus we are made children of God. This is the plan of God, Our Father, for our Salvation.

In order to bring all men to this plan of salvation, God permits cross and crisis into every one's life.

Before the world was made, God devised this plan for man's salvation. "So that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life" (Jn. 3:16)
   
Ask the Father in Jesus' name = Pray in the manner Jesus likes. It pleases the Father immensely when in our prayer we give utmost importance to the salvation of all people all over the world.
         
   
HOW CAN I MAKE SALVATION MY OWN?

"Believe in Jesus, you and your family will be saved" (Acts 16: 31). For, if you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from death, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). Peter said to them,"Each one of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins shall be forgiven; and you shall receive God's gift, the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2: 37-38).

Believe that Jesus died on the cross to atone your sins. Receive Him into your heart and into your life. Since Jesus has obtained forgiveness of the sins of all whoever believes in Jesus will have his sin forgiven... " Salvation is to be found through Him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us." (Acts 4:12).

"Happy are those whose sins are forgiven, and whose wrongs are pardoned" (Psalms 32: 1)

"Some however did receive Him and believed in Him; so He gave them the right to become God's Children". (John 1:12)



PROMISE OF JESUS

Holy Spirit is the free gift promised by Jesus, it is through the Spirit that we call God Father. "Whoever is thirsty should come to me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, streams of life giving water will flow from within him" (John 7 : 37-38). Whoever believes in Jesus can fill his heart every day with the Holy Spirit -the life giving water. He will also receive the grace to lead many to Jesus, who is the source of this 'lifegiving water'.

 
Those filled with the Holy Spirit will: 

1. Experience God's love
2. Receive the gift of prayer, and the power to understand the inner meaning of God's Word. 
3. Obtain peace of mind, self control, the grace of endurance, the power to love and to forgive. 
4. Receive the most precious gift of becoming a new creation in Christ Jesus 
5. Above all, enjoy an active and meaningful Christian life - a life of commitment to Jesus and to the gospel.

Having obtained forgiveness of sins and freed from anxieties and other negative complexes the Spirit-filled persons become powerful instruments to draw people to God.



BE VIGILANT

Think! Today... This very moment!!

The scripture asks:
 
"How then shall we escape punishment if we pay no attention to such a great salvation?" (Heb. 2:3) 

"What gain, then is it for a man to win the whole world and ruin his life? And indeed what can a man offer in exchange for his life? (Mark 8:36-37)

"God has overlooked the times when people did not know Him; but now He commands all of them everywhere to turn away from their evil ways". (Acts 17:30) 

“I will never turn away anyone who comes to me.” (John 6:37)



LET US PRAY

Jesus, Son of God, You gave up your life on the Cross to save me. I accept You as my Saviour and my Lord. I give up all my sins and all my sinful desires. I entrust myself and my life to You to be moulded according to Your will. Fill my heart with Yourself and transform me into a new creation.

Loving Father, I thank You and I glorify You because of Your great plan to make Me a 'new man' in Jesus.


GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU

God says:

"I know well the plans I have in mind for you. Plans for your welfare and not for your disaster, plans to give you a future full of hope. Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you. You will seek me and you will find me and I will restore your fortunes” (Jer 29:11-14)

Question:

I shall restore your fortunes' says God. But when and how does God restore it…

 
ALL BROKENNESS FOR OUR GOOD!

The Lord will make you go through hard times, but He will Himself be there to teach you, and you will not have to search for Him anymore, if you wander off the road to the right or to the left, you will hear His voice behind you saying, “Here is the road follow it" (Is 30:20,21)

GOD'S PLAN

    * ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved-you and your family' (Acts. 16:31)
    * Those who accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour are promised the right to become God's Children. (Ref. John. 1:12)
    * Praise God for all brokenness and wait for God's revelations. Pray and wait for God’s Spirit to fill you.

Lord, fill me with Your Spirit. (Recite twice daily - 20 minutes each)




REPEAT THE PRAYERS BELOW AND EXPERIENCE GOD WITHIN

    * Jesus, Son of God, You are my Saviour.
    * Jesus, you are sufficient for me.
    * Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to praise You always and for everything.
    * Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit You have promised us.
    * Jesus, reveal to me Your plans and Your designs for me.
    * Lord, lead me according to your plans.
    * Jesus, I glorify You; Jesus, I thank you.
    * Speak 0! Lord, your servant is listening (1 Sam. 3 : l0)
    * For all my sorrows and tribulations, Lord I praise you.

 
Song: "Have thine own way Lord"
   
         
Why does God permit sufferings?
 
He did this so that they would look for Him and perhaps find Him through experiencing Him” (Acts 17:27)
   
             

A FEW MORE PRAYERS

    * O! God, give me Your light.
    * O! Lord, make me worthy to become Your servant.
    * My Jesus, teach me to seek Your will at all times and everywhere.
    * Lord Jesus, You are the goal of my life.
    * We praise You Jesus; we thank you Jesus! We glorify You Jesus.


 
CONSOLING WORDS OF JESUS

"Come to me all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you" (Matt 11:28)
'Do not live in fear little flock, it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12 :32)

 
GOD'S KINGDOM

For God's Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy which the Holy Spirit gives" (Rom 14:17)

OBTAIN SALVATION AND HEALING BY CONFESSING GOD’S NAME

Pray, confessing the Holy name of God-all will experience forgiveness of sins and healing. (These prayers confessing the name of Jesus Christ can be used for both individual and community prayers)
Jesus, Son of the eternal Father
Jesus, Saviour of the world,
Jesus, Son of God who gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit,
Jesus, lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,
Jesus, the sacrificial offering for atonement of the sins of the world,
Jesus, Son of God, who became man to do the will of the eternal Father.


SAY REPEATEDLY AND RECEIVE HEALING

Jesus, You are my Saviour.
Jesus, You are my Lord.
Jesus, You are the ruler of my life.
Jesus, You are the source of my life.
Jesus, You give me everlasting life.
Jesus, You are the remission of my sins.
Jesus, you are my Salvation.
Jesus, You are my refuge.
Jesus, You are my hope.
Jesus, You are my healer.
Jesus, You are my divine physician and medicine.
Jesus, You are my beginning and my end.
Jesus, You are my Way, the Truth and my Life.
Jesus, You are my everything.
Jesus, You are sufficient for me.
Thank You Jesus, Praise You Jesus.


 
BIBLE MESSAGE

"The Father will give you whatever you ask of Him in my name." (John 15:16)
Ask the Father in Jesus' name = Pray in the manner Jesus likes. It pleases the Father immensely when in our prayer we give utmost importance to the salvation of all people all over the world.

PRAYER OF SURRENDER

O! Jesus, Lord of the universe, I submit all my sorrows and afflictions to your most Sacred Heart. I offer my family, all our grieves and pains to You. I thank You for Your care of me since my birth till today.
I believe that You will protect us, all our days ahead.
I trust in You Jesus and I thank You Lord Jesus.
Most Loving Jesus fill me and all those around me, with Your Holy Spirit.
Lord, we also pray that you lead us and guide us through the Holy Spirit.
Thank You Jesus, Praise You Jesus.

GOOD NEWS FOR THE SADDENED AND THE OPPRESSED

"Come to me all you who are weary and find life burden-some, I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me: for I am gentle and humble of heart. You souls will find rest (Matt.11:28-29)

O! LORD WE PRAISE YOU

    * 1. God Our Father, we praise you.
          God Our Father, we thank you.
          God Our Father, we glorify you.
    * 2. Jesus, we praise You.
          Jesus, we adore You.
          Jesus, we Glorify You.
    * 3. Holy Spirit, we praise You,
          We adore You, we glorify You


PETITIONS

    * O! God, come and dwell within us (3 times)
    * O! Lord, fill us with Your love (3 times)
    * Save us, Lord Jesus (3 times)
    * Lord Jesus give us the grace to seek you and to find you (3 times)
    * Lord Jesus, fill us with Your Holy Spirit (10 times)
    * Lord Jesus, enlighten our minds to understand your mysteries (3 times)
    * Lord, Jesus, grant us the grace to bring others to the knowledge of Your love (5 times)
    * Praise You Jesus; Thank You Jesus.


 
PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS

    * My Lord and my God (6 times)
    * Jesus, my God and my Saviour (6 times)
    * Jesus, my Lord and my friend (6 times)
    * Jesus, You are my everything (6 times)
    * Thank You Jesus; Praise You Jesus (6 times)


BIBLE MESSAGE

Why does God permit sufferings?
1. "He did this so that they would look for Him and perhaps find Him through experiencing Him”
(Acts. 17:27)
In all your Sufferings praise the Lord and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

For all our sufferings Lord, we praise and Thank You (5 Times)
After every sorrowful experience You lead us to great rejoicing in the Holy Spirit.
Jesus, You died on the Cross, but with great power You rose from the dead.
Soon after the pains and agony of ‘Good Friday’ You lead us to the joy of ‘Easter Sunday.’ We praise You Lord; We thank You Lord (twice)

2. “ We know that by turning everything to their good. God co-operates with all those who love Him-with all those that he has called according to His purpose.” (Rom.8:28)
3. “The Lord corrects everyone He loves and punishes everyone He accepts as a son” (Heb. 12:6)
4. Seek first His Kingship over you, His way of holiness, and all these other things will be given to you.” (Matt.6:33)

ALLELUIA ! PRAISE THE LORD!


For all our brokenness
For all our weaknesses
For all our unhappy experiences
For all our infirmities
For all our failures
For all our humiliations
For all our rejections
For all our economic burdens
For the failures and weaknesses of our dear ones
For bringing out good even from evil
For the grace of death to sin and the new life in the Holy Spirit.
Lord, after every trial and crisis. You give us the grace to come closer to you,
liberating us from our self-centeredness.
Lord we thank You; Lord we Praise You


For speaking to us through the Holy Bible
For giving us the gift of the Holy Spirit
For transforming us into God's Children
For having called us to work for the kingdom of God
For everything and at all times
God, we praise You; God we thank You.

Reveal to us O! God, Your divine truths
Give us Your Spirit and awaken us O! Lord
Give us Your Spirit and save us O! Lord
Give us Your Spirit and heal us O! Lord
Give us Your Spirit Lord, and make us Your apostles
Give us Your Spirit Lord, and make us Your ministers.
Give us Your Spirit Lord, and teach us to listen to Your voice.
Give us Your Spirit Lord, and teach us to live with our eyes fixed on Heaven.
Give us Your Spirit Lord, and fill us with God's love.
Give us Your Spirit Lord, and transform us.
Give us Your Spirit Lord, and help us to die to self
Give us Your Spirit Lord, and teach us to pray.
Give us Your Spirit Lord, and deliver us from evil habits.
Give us Your Spirit Lord, and teach us to praise God.
Give us Your Spirit Lord, and mould us into the likeness of Jesus.
Give us Your Spirit Lord, and prepare us to lead others to divine experience.
Give us Your Spirit Lord, and strengthen us to spread the word of God.
We praise You Father
We praise You Jesus
We Praise You Holy Spirit 


BIBLE MESSAGE

ALL TRIALS FOR OUR GOOD
Though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself Your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a voice from behind, saying "This is the way - walk in it" (Isaiah 30:20-21) (Say twice)
JESUS SAID
"My sheep listen to my voice and they follow me, I give them eternal life (Jn 10: 27-28) (Say 3 times)

INSTRUCTION

PRAYER, PURPOSE AND AIM

1. Recollecting God's goodness, rejoice and give thanks
2. Praise God in sufferings and adversities and wait for gods plan to be revealed to you.
3. Pray and wait to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Lord Jesus, have mercy, have mercy on us O! Lord. Do not punish us Lord. Forgive us our sins and the sins of our fore-fathers and our brothers. Free us from the punishments we deserve. Accept us as your own and lead us by Your Holy Spirit.
     

Laying prostrate say this prayer for five minutes each every morning and evening.

LEARN TO PRAY
YOU WILL LEARN TO LIVE

PRAYER, PURPOSE AND AIM
1. Recollect God's blessings. Rejoice and thank Him O! God we thank you. How good you are. When such a disposition for prayer develops in us. We will be filled with God's love; we will be filled with the Holy Spirit.
   
2. Praise God in adversities. God will bring good even out of evil. With this hope praise God Praise Him unceasingly waiting to hear His voice. For all adverse situations and crosses. I Praise You Jesus. I Thank You Jesus.
      (Repeat this prayer in solitude for 20 minutes twice every day. Spend your time in praise and prayer till thoughts that bring peace and courage come to you)
   
3. God's greatest gift is Jesus Christ. The greatest promise of Jesus is the Holy Spirit. To become spirit filled, pray twice daily. 20 minutes each; "Lord Jesus, fill me with your Spirit"
   
4. The study of the Bible is a prayer. Before reading the Bible, thirst for the "Word" for sometime (5 or 6 minutes)

    a) Lord Jesus, give me Your Word.
    b) Lord Jesus, give me Your Message.
    c) Lord Jesus, reveal your plan about me.
    d) Lord Jesus, speak to me.
    (Repeat in your mind any of these prayers. When we read with thirst, the Lord will give us His inspiration.)

While reading the Bible it is good to mark and note those words that attract us. Later, the Holy Spirit will remind us these words at the appropriate time and God will lead us through these words.

The Holy Bible is full of God's promises, Learn those promises. Learn those promises that have influenced you and wait in hope for their fulfillment. God will enter your life through them.

FROM MISFORTUNES AND SORROWS OBTAIN TOTAL LIBERATION AND SALVATION

CONDITIONS

In your life, give first place to God who is your Creator and protector.
1. Be vigilant to seek the Divine will and to obey God's commandments.
2. 'Let God's Glory be your life's goat' (1 Cor. 10:31)
Hear O' Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. Love your neighbour as you love yourself (Mark 12 : 29-31)

All human beings are bound to obey these commandments. For God is Creator and man merely a created being.

JESUS CHRIST - SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD
Do you want to be freed from diseases, affliction, financial burdens and bondage of sin? Listen attentively to the Words in the Bible. Faith is the means by which God's power and redemption are brought to us.

God says :
"It is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts; but God's gift" (Eph. 2 :8)

FAITH
"Believe in Him (Jesus, the Saviour of the world), whom God has sent" (John 6:29). "We know and testify that the Father (God the Father) has sent His son to be the Saviour of the World" (1 John 4:14)

"Therefore if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from dead you will be saved. For it is by our faith that we are put right with God, it is by our confession that we are saved" (Rom. 10 : 9-10)

...That you receive Jesus as the Saviour of the world is not enough. It is absolutely necessary that you accept Him as your personal Saviour and Lord of your Life. 

Times of crisis - these are the days God has chosen to speak to us - Wait on the Lord for His revelations, Train yourself to listen to God's voice.

Praise God continually in sickness and in trials- Wait for the Lord to reveal Himself to you

SALVATION IS FREE : 
God has spoken and revealed many things to mankind. God's fullest revelation of Himself is Jesus Christ. We must prepare ourselves to receive Jesus Christ, whom God has revealed to us.

Jesus Christ is the only answer and remedy to all problems of man. "He is an offering for our sins" (1 John 2 :2)

"He is our peace" (Eph. 2 : 14)

"I am the Alpha and the Omega; the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End" (REv. 22:23)

When Jesus Christ becomes the ruler of our life - There shall be no more curse. The throne of God and the Lamb will be in the City. (Rev. 22:31)

 
SPIRIT - FILLED LIFE

'God is Spirit' (John 4 :24)
Jesus spoke to the Samaritan Woman: "If only you knew what God gives and who it is that is asking you for a drink you would have asked Him and he would have given you Living Water

ABUNDANT LIFE THAT JESUS GIVES

"I have come to give you life and give it abundantly" (John 10:10)
"BECOME SPIRIT = FILLED... TO OVERFLOWING"
Lord, anoint me with Your Holy Spirit. Fill me Lord, with the fruits and gifts of Your Spirit.

PRAYER OF GOSPEL WORKERS

Lord, use me as a messenger to carry to others the good news of the free gift of salvation though faith in Jesus. For this ministry Lord, shower upon me the gifts and fruits of Your Holy Spirit. Lord, in order to minister to the salvation of many, we pray that you annoint large number of preachers and workers of the gospel. Send them Lord, to the various fields of apostolate and through them may tens of thousands reach the shores of salvation. Amen, Amen.

REJOICE IN PRAISING THE LORD
PRAISE THE LORD IN HOPEFUL EXPECTATION
PRAISE THE LORD
LISTENING TO HIS VOICE AND THIRSTING
FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT

St. Paul the Apostle writes: "I consider the sufferings of the present to be as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed to us" (Rom. 8:18

St. Peter Writes: "My dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful test you are suffering, as though something unusual were happening to you. Rather be glad that you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may be full of joy when his glory is revealed... Happy are you if you are insulted because you are Christ's followers; this means that the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God is resting on you. (I Pet. 4: 12-14)

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ENDURE SORROWS AND PRIVATIONS FOR LOVE OF GOD

Jesus said: "Everyone will hate you because of Me. Whoever holds out to the end will be saved" (Mk 13:13)

"Do not lose courage, then because it brings with it a great reward. You need patience to do God's will and receive what he has promised." (Heb. 10: 35-36)

WE PRAISE YOU O! GOD

For every experience of suffering;
For stripping us of our selfishness through suffering;
For teaching us through suffering to be patient and kind;
For teaching us to praise God for every trial;
For the promise of Heavenly reward for every suffering we endure;
Since our life and our health are your free gifts;
For teaching us to live for you and for your Kingdom;
For revealing to us that the world and its pleasures are transient.
For preparing us through sufferings, to live and work for eternal happiness.
For transforming our whole being into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
Praise You Jesus, Thank You Jesus, Alleluia,
Praise the Lord.  

CALL TO REPENTANCE

FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD

"Are you not aware that love of the world is enmity to God? A man is marked as God's enemy if he chooses to be the world's friend" (James 4:4)

"Everything that belongs to the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life - is not of the Father, but comes from the world. The World and everything in it that people desire is passing away; but he who does the will of God lives for ever." (1 John 2 : 16-17)

PRAYER

God, bless us to dies to the world, to the fresh and its pleasures. Fill us O! God with the Spirit of the risen Christ. (twice)

GOD SPEAKS

ABOUT GOD'S WORDS

1. "Indeed. God's word is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates and divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the reflections and thoughts of the heart"

2. "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching - for reproof, correction and training in holiness, so that the man of God may be fully competent and equipped for every good work." (2 Tim 3:1)


GIFT OF JESUS

Jesus Speaks:
3. "I came that they might have life* and have it to the full" (Jn 10:10)
4. "I have come to set fire ** on earth. What else would I wish except that it should blaze" (Luke 12:49)
5. "The thief *** come only to steal and slaughter and to destroy. But I have come to give you life" (John 10:10)

*     Life - New life in the Holy Spirit
**    Fire - the fire of God's love
***    1) Thoughts and ideas that destroy peace of mind and tranquility.
       2) Views and attitudes that generate malice and spite towards others.
       3) Powers of darkness that lead to sin and various confusions.
      
      

GOD OUR LIFE'S GOAL

God Says:
6. "I am the alpha and the Omega; the Beginning and the End; To anyone who thirst I will give to drink without cost from the spring of life - giving water" (Rev 21:6)
(God is the beginning and the end, the goal and the perfection of man's life. Those who thirst to be filled by God's Spirit will receive it. They would then begin to experience joy, meaning for life and its mission, together with healing of body, mind and soul.)

THIRSTING FOR GOD

PRAYER
7. O! God, come and fill me with yourself. Fill me with your love. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Fill me with the gifts of your spirit. Lord, grant me the gift of prayer; the gift of praise and the grace to hear God's voice within.

Lord, Fill everyone of my friends and those around me with the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.

DO NOT LIVE FOR MATERIAL ENDS

Words of Jesus:
8. "You should not be working for perishable food, but for food that remains unto life eternal, food which the son of man will give you." (John 6:27)

"And the world with its seductions is passing away, but the man who does God's will endures forever" (1 John 2:17)

PRAYER
Jesus, may you be the goal of my life.
Lord, teach me to live with heaven as my aim. Lord, do not let us labour for perishable food alone. Teach us, Lord Jesus to live for eternal life. We praise You Jesus. We thank You Jesus.


GOD WHO WIPES OUT SORROWS OF THE HEART

9. "Remember not the events of the past; the things of long ago consider not; See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?... I put water in the desert and rivers in the wasteland for my chosen people to drink - The people whom I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise" (Is 43 : 18,19,21)
HEALING BY THE WORD

10.As evening drew on, they brought Him many who were possessed. He expelled the Spirits by a simple command and cured all who were afflicted thereby fulfilling what had been said through Isaiah the prophet: "It was our infirmities He bore, our sufferings He endured" (Mat 8: 16,17)


COMPASSION OF JESUS

11. "When Jesus saw the crowd he was moved with compassion for them. For, they were harassed and dejected like sheep without a shepherd" (Mat. 9: 36)

12. "I am the Lord and I show compassion and pity on those I choose." (Exod. 33 :19)

JESUS: THE SAVIOUR, THE REDEEMER, THE HEALER
13. When they came to Jesus they said :
"John the Baptist sent us to ask if you are the one he said was going to come or if we should expect someone else" (At that very time Jesus was curing many of their diseases, afflictions and evil spirits. He also restored sight to many who were blind) Jesus gave this response: "Go and report to John what you have seen and heard. The blind recover their sight, cripples walk, lepers are cured, the deaf hear, dead men are raised to life and the poor have the good news preached to them. How blessed are those have no doubts about me" (luke 7: 20-23)

14. "It is I, who wipe out, for my own sake, your offences; your sins I remember no more" (Isaiah 43:25)

15. " I am Yahweh who heals you " (Exodus 15: 26)      

PRAYER
Lord Jesus have mercy on me and come into my life
Come into my life, and fill me with your life Lord.
Lord Jesus, heal me of all my ailments, and save me fully
Lord, I pray, that you heal me, of all my hurt feelings.
Lord, take away all the bitterness, of my painful experience.
Lord, I place at your feel, the sickness of my body, the agonies of my heart, and the stains of my soul, Jesus heal me of all these evils
Above all Lord I pray, that my whole being may be transformed into your images so that I may become a new creation.
Praise You Jesus, Thank You Jesus

GOD'S LOVE FOR US

16. "I have loved you with an everlasting love. My faithfulness to you is unshakeable" (Jer. 31:3)

17. "I have called you by your name - you are mine" (Isaiah 43:1)

18. "Ask and you will receive, search and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you... if you then, evil as you are, know how to give good things to your children, how much more will the Heavenly father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him" (Luke 11 : 9-13)

CAST AWAY SADNESS AND ANXIETY

19. "So don't be all upset, always concerned about what you will eat and drink. (For the pogons of this world are always concerned about all these things). Your Father knows that you need these things. Instead be concerned with His Kingdom, and He will provide you with these things" (Luke 12 : 29-31)

20. "Seek first His Kingship over you, His way of holiness, and all the rest will be given to you" (Mathew 6:33)

21. "Unload all you burden on to Him, since He is concerned about you.

IDEAL PRAYERS
22. "Seek, Lord, Your servant is listening" (1 Sam 3:10)
23. "I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say " (Luke 1:38)

GOD'S PROMISE
24. "On My servants both men and women I will pour out My Spirit in those days and they will prophesy" (Acts 2 : 18)
25. "Not everyone who cries out "Lord, Lord" will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father in Heaven

LORD WE PRAY
Lord Jesus, bless me that I may become your servant seeking and doing your will always and everywhere. Grant me Jesus, the gift of the Holy Spirit, which you have promised to your servants.

Thank You Jesus
Praise You Jesus


BIBLE STUDIES - 1

I

WORD OF JESUS
"I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God" (Jn 3 :5)
EXPLANATION:
Born of water and the Spirit = Hear the Word, receive the Spirit, and experience the gift of conversion"
Water = Word of God

PRAYER
Lord Jesus grant us the grace to listen to the "Word of God" and to be filled with the Spirit of God (Twice)

II

"What matters is that one becomes an altogether new creature. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, who form the Israel of God" (Gal 6:15-16)
Israel of God = The Chosen people of God

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we thank you and we praise you for inviting us to become a new person in Christ Jesus (Twice)

III

GOD REPRIMANDS
"My people have committed two crimes: They have abandoned me, the fountain of living water and they have dug themselves broken cisterns that can hold no water at all" (Jer 2: 13)
Fountain of Living Water = God: Word of God

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, fountain of living water, give us the life giving water, Your Holy Spirit (Twice)
GOD SPEAKS:
"Remember, I am coming soon! I bring with Me the reward that will be given to each man as his conduct deserves" (Rev 22: 12)

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, strengthen our faith in you, more and more each day, so that we may live, aiming at our heavenly reward (Twice)

IV

FROM THE WORDS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
"I am baptizing you in water, but there is one to come who is mightier that I; He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in Fire" (Luke 3 : 16)

PRAYER
(a) For your merciful gift of baptism in Spirit, we thank you Jesus; we praise you Jesus; and we glorify you Jesus.
(b) Lord Jesus, have mercy on me and baptize me in Your Spirit.
(c) Lord Jesus, I humbly pray that You shower upon me the fruits and the gifts of Your Spirit (Twice)


SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
SALVATION THROUGH HEARING
"THE WORD OF GOD"

All the prophets spoke about Him saying that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.
Peter had not finished these words when the Holy Spirit descended upon all who were listening to Peter's message" (Acts. 10 : 43-44)
PRAYER
Beloved Father, in you divine mercy you have granted to us deliverance from our sins and the gift of your Holy Spirit, through you son Jesus Christ. For this we thank you Father. We praise You Father. Praise and glory to you Lord Jesus, for ever and ever.

    N.B. What is covered in I, II,III, IV, V, VI need not be used on the same day.  Study Gods words, pray daily to be filled by the Spirit, and wait for the Lord. Jesus will come through the trials and storms of life. He will speak to you: "It is I. Do not be afraid" (John 6 :20)

PRAYER
O! Jesus, Lord of power and might, we praise you or converting all evils and misfortunes of our life to our good.

BIBLE STUDIES - 2

I

JESUS INVITES YOU
"This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Reform your lives and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15)
EXPLANATION :
Kingdom of God = 1. Life filled with God experience 2. Life that seeks and fulfills God's will 3. Life filled with the Spirit
PRAYER
1. Lord Jesus, may your reign come within me and in my life. Fill me Lord Jesus with your Love. Beloved Jesus, I invite You to become the Lord of my life. Fill me Lord Jesus with Your Holy Spirit.
2. Lord Jesus, in your mercy, grant me the grace to be conscious of my sins, and lead me to true repentance. Let me experience your peace and enjoy the gift of Your love. Praise you Jesus. Thank you Jesus.

II

SALVATION - PUNISHMENT
JESUS SPEAKS:
"Whoever believes and accepts baptism will be saved; whoever refuses to believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16)

PRAYER
(a) O! Jesus, I accept You as the Lord and Master of my whole being.
(b) In your mercy O! Lord Jesus, grant me the gift of baptism in the Spirit,
     Jesus, we thank you,
     Jesus, we praise you.
    
    

III

JESUS SPEAKS:
"Anyone who loves me will be true to my Word, and my Father love him; we will come to him and make our dwelling with him" (John 14:23)
PRAYER
God our Heavenly Father, God the Son Jesus Christ, God the Holy Spirit, come and make your dwelling within us. Lord Jesus, grant us the grace to conform our life to Your Word.


IV
PRAY-YOU WILL RECEIVE

JESUS SPEAKS:
"I give you My Word. If you are ready to believe that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer, it shall be done for you. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance. So that you heavenly Father may in turn forgive you you faults." (Mark 11: 24,25)
PRAYER
(a) Merciful and loving God, we pray for the grace and strength to forgive all who have hurt us at any time to ask pardon of all those whom we have hurt.
(b) Jesus our Lord, we believe that you will provide for all our needs, at the right time.
(c) "Your Father already knows what you need even before you ask Him" (Mathew 6: 8)
Lord Jesus, you have revealed to us the love and concern of the Father for everyone of us.
For this, Jesus we praise you; Jesus we thank you.

V
WORRIES - ANXIETIES

'Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for you' (1 Peter 5: 7)
PRAYER
a) Merciful God, we thank you for your concern about us, always and in everything. We praise you and thank you for your abundant love.
b) Lord Jesus, into your mighty hands, I surrender all that I have, all that I do, the longings of my heart; and all that I hope for.

 
A MESSAGE TO ALCOHOLICS
 
An alcoholic is a sick person. He is beset with physical, mental and spiritual infirmities. Alcohol cripples the mind, destroys delicate cells and tissues of the body. This is why he needs care and treatment.

An alcoholic is unable to deal with even the usual problems and difficulties which confront him. This is because alcoholism is a bondage to sin. Therefore it is imperative that he, not relying on his own strength turn to the power of God to be relieved from this slavery. So acknowledging one's own helplessness, the alcoholic should cry out: "Save me, my Lord and my God"

 
JESUS - YOUR SAVIOUR
 
"The Scripture declares : "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved - you and all your household" (Acts 16 : 31)
"There is no salvation in any one else, for there is no other name in the whole world given to men by which we are to be saved. (Acts 4:12)

 
WAYS TO FREE ONESELF FROM ALCOHOLISM

1. Give up all actions that displease the Lord "Renounce your faults, keep your minds unsoiled, and cleanse your heart from all sin, when you are ill, do not rebel, but pray to the Lord, and He will heal you." (Sirach 38 9-10)
2. Give up the company of alcoholics
"You should not associate with a person who calls himself a brother but is immoral or greedy or worships idols or is a slanderer or a drunkard or a thief. Don't even sit down to eat with such a person" (1 Cor. 5: 11)
3. Forgiveness to all
Aversion, anger, accusation, hatred, resentment and pride obstruct the work of the Holy Spirit . For, God is Love(1 John 3 : 8)
Where there is disagreement, discord and lack of love, the work of the Holy Spirit is impeded. The result is lack of self-discipline and drunknesses. (Luke 6 :37)
4. Repent Before God
"Wake up your drunkards and weep; wait all drinkers of wine" (Joel 1: 5)
5. Pray Incessantly
"So be on the watch, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand secure before the Son of man. (Luke 21 : 36)
6. Cultivate Lofty ideals and thoughts
"It is love then that you should strive for" (1 Cor. 14 : 1)
"Do not get drunk with wine which will only ruin you; instead be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Eph. 5 :18)
7. Commit Life of Gospel Apostolate
When you dedicate your life to spread the Gospel, God will liberate your family from the bondage of sin. (Ref. Luke 18)


 
PRAY EVERY DAY

Merciful God, look with pity upon me sorrowful, broken and helpless. I have become a slave to alcohol. I have misused the gifts you have given me. I have neglected the duties you placed on me. Selfish living has made me proud and arrogant. I know Lord Jesus, that I cannot free myself from this evil without your strength and mercy. I offer myself to you Jesus, my Lord and My Saviour. Lord, give me the Spirit you promised to give to your servants. Lord Jesus my divine Saviour, protect me this day from all temptations that lead me to sin.
I praise you Lord Jesus, trusting that You will transform my past failures, guilt and brokenness into my own good.
Lord Jesus, You gave Your life for my sake!
I renounce my sinful ways and all evil desires for love of you.
I give up everything that leads to intoxication.
Lord Jesus, given me Your divine light and the power of your Spirit.

 

Examination of Conscience

THE DESIRES OF THE HEART - Fr Mathew Naikomparambil VC 

God's devotee prays :
 
"O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?" (Psalms 15:1)
 
Reply :

"Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart"(Ps 15:2).



The desires of the heart
Examine the impulses and movements of the heart. Foster the good and just desires. Reject all others. Give up everything that is not according to the word and example of Jesus Christ.

_________________________________________




1. Think only what is good.   2. Speak only the truth. 3. Love everyone.   4 Hate no one. 5. Praise God in every crisis; trust in him. 6. Thank God for everything. 7. Pray with thirst that the love of God and love of neighbour may fill us. 8. Pray every day to receive an infilling of the Holy Spirit. 9. Pray for all people all over the world. 10. Live, act and pray for these intentions: the glory of God, world evangelisation, the conversion of sinners. _________________________________________



All the above - mentioned suggestions are the teachings of the Bible. God will give us sublime thoughts and pure desires. In order to receive divine inspirations and good thoughts, it is necessary always to preserve the heart in repentance, humility and holiness.
 
_________________________________________
 
The promises of Jesus
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"(Mt 5:3).   

Interpretation

Do not depend on or delight in material gains, wealth or human abilities. 

Trust in and depend on God, and God's promises.
 
_________________________________________
 
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God"(Mt 5:8).  

Interpretation

In a heart that banishes all selfish desires, the Holy Spirit will inspire and instil sublime and lofty desires. "Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord" (Rom 12:11).
 
Examine the desires of the heart, purify them and make them pleasing to God. 

He will then be glorified in us. Our life will become blessed.

_________________________________________

Praying through the Word of God

 

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting"(Ps 139:23,24).
 

O Holy God, give me a share in your great holiness. Loving Father, through the merits of the crucifixion of your only Son, Jesus Christ, give me complete salvation. Wash away all my sins and their guilt with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Send forth your Holy Spirit and make me a new person. Bless me so that I may live for the glory of God and for the salvation of all men and for eternal life.

 

MY JESUS MY GOD

THE PRAYER PLEASING TO GOD - Fr. Mathew Naikomparambil V C

The prayer "MY JESUS MY GOD," if said sincerely, is a prayer most pleasing to God, our father. The Father's love became man in the womb of Mary through the power of Holy Spirit and that is Jesus, the Son of God. When we proclaim the name of Jesus, the only son of God, the salvation that the Father intended for us, takes place.

"If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Rom 10:9)

THE NAME THAT PLEASED GOD

"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world" (1Jn 2:2). The son of God became man to fulfill the will of his father. In everything Jesus did the will of his father. 

He became obedient even to the death of the cross. "Therefore, God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name. So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father" (Phil 2:9-11).

Those who accept Jesus, honour God our Father. Those who obey Jesus, obey God the Father. "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God's wrath" (Jn 3:36).

Those who believe in Jesus and obey his word are not condemned (cf Jn 3:18). Proclaim the name of Jesus. Repeat "My Jesus, my God" with sincere love. Do it several times during the day. Use the same prayer to offer praise to God for others. Pray for others. It is a prayer acceptable to God the father and to God the Son.

The name of Jesus is salvific. When the name of Jesus is proclaimed, diabolic bondages are broken. Healing of illness, miracles and wondrous signs take place through the name of Jesus. They happen through the merits of Jesus, through the merits of death on the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

When we accept Jesus as Saviour and Lord, we become filled with the Holy Spirit; we are transformed into a new creation.

SAY SEVERAL TIMES

Leader says the prayer, others repeat:

My Jesus, my God.
My Jesus, my Saviour.
My Jesus, my Lord.
My Jesus, my All.
My Jesus, my Love.
My Jesus, the All-sufficient.
Jesus, I love you.
Fill me with your love.
My Jesus, liberate all who are sick and sorrowful.
Praise to Jesus! Thanks to Jesus!
Jesus, fill all mankind with your Holy Spirit.
Jesus, transform me completely.
Thank you God! Thank you Jesus!

For the Grace of God has appeared, Bringing Salvation to All

Fr Matthew Naicomparambil V.C

We are reading this article at a time when the grace and greatness of God are revealed to us in a special way for the salvation of all. Many lakhs of people read the Bible and receive the light and grace of the Holy Spirit, recognising and witnessing that Jesus is the Saviour and they feel happy and fulfilled at that. 
Even while listening to the Word of God, many are receiving internal peace and tranquility and cure for physical maladies. They witness miraculous happenings and obtain the love of God. These are joyful things and that is why nowadays people of all sorts, irrespective of caste, creed or religious affinities, throng to partake in the retreats and read Vachanotsavam. Each one who comes to the retreat and reads the magazine gets blessing. This phenomenon has become a way for the positive and benevolent intervention of God and a fountain spring for graces in this era. To us, who are stepping into the third millennium, this development gives great hopes. We try hard and for long and are blessed with certain achievements. We bring out various publications. At this particular juncture, God has chosen us, our publications, Vachanotsavam magazine, to spread with lightning speed the Word of God, the Good News. Let us thank God for this great mercy on us. 
Let Him shower on all of us His special, choicest blessings. Let Him instill into us spiritual gifts making us stronger in our faith so that we march forward with confidence at this time of advancement of the Word of God. Praised be the name of Jesus! Praise be to the Father. Adoration to you, O Jesus! Hallelujah!!
The greatest revelation of these times is the Holy Spirit's highlighting to us the Biblical messages indicating that God will render salvation to all and that He desires to give it to all. We read in Lk. 3:6, "And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. "That this is the will and desire of God is shown in the first letter to Timothy (2:3-4). This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." God does not want a single person to perish. "The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9). Therefore God prepares ways and avenues for repentance. These avenues are seen in the numerous retreats and conventions that are held these days and by taking part in them we receive salvation in plentiful and abundant measures. This is what God wants. Everyone should receive the saving graces of the Lord. Today there are 600 crores of people, living in 200 countries spanning the five continents of the world and God wants the Good News to be spread to all of them without exception. You may ask whether it is not possible for the Omnipotent God to do it all by Himself. Of course, He can! But He wants the Good News to spread through us, the faithful believers. So present the Jesus we know and experience to others. Also share with others the words of God that illuminated our lives. Thus, one with the other, the other with another, and so on the chain gets extended, each person becoming a link in propagating the Word of the Lord around the entire length and breadth of the Universe. Also organise some groups and spread the Biblical message. Teach the participants about the salvation Jesus offers. Inform them about the generous act of redemption, the absolution from sin that only Jesus offers. Tell them about the eternal and everlasting life He promises. What work is greater than this magnificent job of spreading the Good News? Jesus asks this stunning question: "For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?" (Matt. 16:26).

 
It is a matter of Great joy, satisfaction and encouragement that at this point in time God is revealing the message of this spiritual salvation and eternal life to the people of different walks of life and faith. Today many, not only Christians, but those baptised and not baptised belonging to other religious leanings take part in the retreats, read spiritual publications, receive the light of the Holy spirit, renew their lives and spiritually transform themselves. They become the living witnesses of Jesus. With joy and happiness and without rest, everyday they proclaim their experiences to the eager multitudes. They gladly share the teachings of Our Lord with others.
I distinctly remember an incident that took place in Potta Ashram right in the beginning when conventions celebrating the Word of God commenced there. A non-Christian came there to take part in the retreat. As he was a labourer on daily wages, he could not afford to come for the retreat everyday. But he came regularly on Sundays to take part in the retreat proceedings. After attending the services on 4 Sundays, he started hating his drinking habit. He soon got the grace to quit smoking, too. He also got relieved of his stomach ailment that was bothering him for long. His life soon transformed into one of joy and peace. Many miraculous changes took place in his life when he heard the word of the Lord. He experienced spiritual tranquility. His inner wounds were healed and he was filled with the joy and love of God. After a few weeks he started taking Vachanotsavam magazine to various households and getting new subscribers to the magazine. He did that because he was enlightened by the Holy Spirit, who gave him the necessary strength, joy and inspiration to do it. I still remember with a sense of wonder how that brother enrolled about 500 subscribers for Vachanotsavam magazine. He was not a highly educated man. He was just a labourer doing odd jobs; he was a drunkard once; he was a heavy smoker once; he had never experienced a peaceful life. But things changed. When he heard Jesus, when he listened to the witnesses proclaiming the miraculous changes brought in their lives by Jesus, when he read and understood the word of the Lord, he changed, he transformed. The Lord did wonders for him.His life was filled with the light and grace of the Holy Spirit. He was filled with burning missionary zeal.
 
Dear brethren, you may all have seen people of different faiths doing this kind of missionary work. You may even be one of them. If that be the case, let us praise the name of God, because this is a great blessing. Working for the greater glory of God, for the salvation of souls, for the repentance and change of heart of sinners, for preaching the word of God to those hitherto ignorant about it, to pray for and work earnestly in the evangelization process - all these are magnificent efforts. Once we might have lived and worked just to satisfy our stomach - our physical needs. But today things have changed for us. With God's love and care enveloping us, we have become zealous missionaries. We have become the select, holy people of God. All these changes take place through the Word, while listening to the Word. When we accepted the Word, transformations occurred in our lives, repentance came to us; we experienced the strength of renewal; we were blessed with clear aims and objectives in our lives; we received the urge to spread the Gospel messages. It is not enough that we alone receive these special gifts of God. Thousands, tens of thousands, millions too should obtain these blessings. It is reported that present day India has a population of 97.5 crores. If it is so, all these 97.5 crores should hear about Jesus, know Him, recognize Him as their Saviour and as the Saviour of the entire world. God will help them in this recognition and realization. He sends the Holy Spirit, performs miracles, shows signs of various sorts, cures physical and mental ills, gives peace in the family, settles quarrels.

Dear people, let us praise the Lord for this stage in our times, let us feel grateful to Him. God has chosen this as a very special age; and He has chosen us for a very special purpose. Listen to what He says, "You did not choose me but I chose you...the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name" (Jn.15:16). This is a mighty promise. The very fact that you are reading this issue of Vachanotsavam is a special chosen act of God. This choice is to know Him, to be filled with His infinite love, and to experience the God- head in your person. This choice is to witness Jesus and to preach the Good News to others. We can understand when we are told that Jesus chose 12 apostles. That was a very big choice. Later he chose, 72 people. From these 72, two each were sent to the towns to prepare the venues and retreat centres before Jesus and His disciples went there. And these chosen people were given powers to work miracles through the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah!!

When we read that the apostles and the saints got such a divine selecting, we can understand it. But it is a joyful experience that we have been chosen by God for this noble mission. Not only us, God is choosing thousands and millions of others for this work. Through our laborious efforts and our tolerance and sacrifices we should hope and pray for the change of heart of countless millions of sinners who still tread in darkness. That will be a commendable effort. We are at the portals of the year 2000, and God has bestowed on us some very great hopes. Our efforts never go in vain. Our prayers never go unanswered. There might be delay in getting answers to our requests, but answers will come. It is just a question of time. With this firm belief, let us pray for this century, for this millennium, in a very special way. Pray with the prompting and thoughts of the Holy Spirit. When we pray in this manner, in collaboration with the Holy Spirit and Jesus, God the Father will heed that prayer and He will shower His choicest blessings on the countless millions of the world.

In Eph 4:10-18 we read how we withstand in our spiritual battles, in the battles against Satan. We are told how to fight and what armour we should wear. Today we are in the midst of a great spiritual battle. Some political parties are terribly afraid even to hear the name of Jesus Christ. When they hear about the good News in the Bible, they pretend that they don't understand it. Some erroneous impressions have been created in their minds about conversions - that they are forced. Under the circumstances, we ourselves need some determination, some insight and some knowledge. What does God want to achieve through us? The greatest thing is that all the faithful should receive the Holy Spirit and become witnesses to Jesus Christ. It is not enough to be witnesses proclaiming the mercies of God. But we must also live exemplary lives in which we behave with love, patience, mercy, affection and respect for one another. We should win the people for the Lord through our own impeccable lives. This attitude and understanding are very essential to do the missionary work for Christ. It is imperative to have this concept to become a real witness to Jesus. When we sit at table to eat with others, we pray loudly, "Dear Lord, you gave us this food; we thank you. We also pray for those who have nothing to eat. We thank you on everybody's behalf" When we pray in this manner, we are truly witnessing and proclaiming the presence of God. We are showing our gratitude to God. At such times speak for and on behalf of Jesus and tell the people about the miracles the Lord has wrought. These miracles may be the ones we read in Vachanotsavam or some other such publications. If you think the incidents you read about are true and convincing, tell others about them. When others listen to you, their spirituality will be touched and awakened and they will be freed from debilitating bonds; they will be imbibed with peace; they will obtain the Holy spirit. This is the benefit of witnessing and living unblemished lives of real witnesses.
 




So what can we do at present, in this age?
 
We become witnesses of Jesus in our private as well as social lives. Give the pride of place to Jesus. Do all your work in proper consultation with Jesus. This is the message to be carried out by all those who believe in Him. All, whether they are employed or unemployed, elders or children, should glorify the name of Jesus. Bear witness to Him. Invite Jesus into our lives and into the midst of our society. Conduct intercessory prayers; circulate our publications and other pamphlets, become active helpers in the spreading of the Biblical message. Learn the word, accept the word and share the Word. There are so many things waiting to be fulfilled through us. God will give us the necessary strength. Each of these publications is preparing us for this noble work. God's grace has appeared for the redemption of all. Our sins are removed. We are freed from the bonds of sin. We are given a new vigour. God is giving us all these. Let us thank the Lord. Let us praise Him. Let us sing to Him hymns of gratitude. Hallelujah! Thank you, Oh Jesus! Praises be to you, Oh Jesus!!


We are now entering the new year. We are now standing at the glorious dawn of a new millennium. Each one of us must prepare a spiritual action plan, at least for this impending new year. What all things am I going to do for my Lord? What are the things for which I have to prepare definite plans? Our new year plan should, inter alia, should have the following : I will share the word of God with at least so many people; I will do my best to establish and develop prayer groups. How will I go about establishing these new groups? Have definite plans for all this. These can also be intercessory prayer groups. Through all these we experience spiritual growth and also the necessary experience to preach the Gospel of the Lord. To how many people will I preach? To how many people will I send the magazine? To how many people will I make the Holy Bible available? All these should become points to be included in our scheme. If we proceed according to the prepared schemes, we shall be able to achieve more than what we desire and hope for Jesus Christ and the Holy church and this can be seen in Eph. 3:20, "Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine" Hallelujah!

We can also visit sick people and share the Good News with them. Go to a hospital. There you will meet patients and their relatives and friends. Ask them if you can pray for God's help. In your prayers, include the ones proclaiming that Jesus is the Saviour, the one containing the message of promise of the Holy spirit, the one assuring redemption and salvation offered by Jesus. When they hear these powerful prayers, at least a few will definitely have some change of heart and faith. Some will be spiritually awakened. Hallelujah! Praises to you, Oh Lord! So prepare an action plan for the new year. Remember the plan and pray every day. Ask for the blessings of God so that our plan succeeds. Think there are hundreds around us who are unfortunate, deprived and desperate without any ray of hope, mentally retarded, and helpless. We should find joy in serving such people. God loves such charitable acts on our part. You read about it in many places in the Holy Bible. So dear readers, we pray God the Almighty to do great things for you in this New Year.

It is the Holy Spirit that gives us the grace to do good and continue doing the good work. It is the Holy Spirit that endows us with the thought to desire good and execute it to fruition. Therefore let the Holy Spirit shower on us His choicest blessings in this new Year and the New circumstances.