This is not a Christian Newsletter but Christian Letter. This word is derived from the word Epistle which means letter. Now you and I are an Epistle i.e we are a letter, which is read, and the ones who read us know the nature of God and His Son Jesus Christ. Hence this is basically a letter that is read by others who are being reached with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.
First it is a way to reach out to the lost world with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. This is the Gospel in print form.
Second this is a way by which we receive the Prayer Requests of the hurting community and then we as Intercessors reach out to the Throne of Grace with their petitions. When answer is received and they are delivered, they will give their testimony as to how the Lord has blessed them. This will then be published in the Christian Letter. A section where testimonies of people are published.
Then finally updates on the news and needs of Ministry projects and activities.
Note: Send in your Prayer Requests and Testimonies, and we will publish them in the forthcoming issues.
HOW SHOULD ONE OVERCOME STRESS AND PRESSURE OF THIS WORLD?
SCRIPTURE READING: O.T: ZECHARIAH - 13: 7-9./N.T: MARK - 14: 27-31.
It is said that our true self is revealed or brought out when we are put under strain or are under pressure. That is why in todays world, to find out the Character of a person, he is put under strain and under great Psychological strain. The person concerned is asked rapid questions much before the first is answered, in this way the person in subject would reveal his/her true Character.
One of the survivors of a major aircraft accident some time back, reported very interesting reactions of the passengers that faced great stress and who were under psychological strain as some of them met their end. They started to be totally confused and some of them were screaming out of fright, some started to recite poetry that they learnt as youths, some started to use abusive language, and others quoted Biblical verses that they had learnt as Sunday school students. When a man or a woman is put under heavy psychological pressure or is under acute strain, their true character is revealed. How should we, as Christians react? Or how should we overcome the stress and pressures of life? Let us see Apostle Simon Peters actions when he was under great strain. He was one of the most enthusiastic of all Apostles. He reacted on IMPULSE. At one time he wanted to die along with Jesus and on the other he was running away from facing the situation. In Mk.14: 29, Peter declares, Even if all fall away, I will not. In V31 he insists emphatically, even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you. See Peters attitude at Gethsemany. When Jesus went to Gethsemane to pray he took Peter, James and John and asked them to keep watch. He wanted them to Pray along with Him as well as He wanted them to Pray for themselves so that they would not fall into temptation. (Mk. 14: 38.). Jesus was deeply distressed and in trouble and His Soul was overwhelmed with sorrow even to the point of death. When Jesus asked them to keep watch He wanted their Prayer support as well, But what was heir attitude or what was their reaction? They slept and could not even stand by Jesus for an hour. Why? Jesus said this because He told Peter in v37 & 38, Simon Peter, are you asleep? Your spirit is willing but your body is weak. Notice Peter was filled with great enthusiasm at first but later he was weak. How many times we too also have the same attitude? We want to do the will of God but due to our bodily weakness we are unable to do His will or His work that once we wanted to be obedient. Our spirit is willing but our body and soul is weak.
Now notice the sudden reactions of the disciples especially Peter, under strain. As soon as there was danger for them and for Jesus Christ to be taken by the soldiers of the high priest, they reacted on sudden impulse. At one time they were asleep, now all of sudden they were pepped-up with action. Under strain they reacted without proper thinking. They reacted on impulse. Mk 14:47 state that some one who was by the side of Jesus, drew his sword and struck the servants right ear. Who was this person? John18: 10 says, Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priests servant, cutting off his right ear (The servants name was Malchus). Under strain and under pressure his actions were not with self-control. He reacted rashly. What happened to the rest of the disciples? - They all ran away. Mark 14:50 says, Then everyone deserted Jesus and fled One young man was so confused the he ran away naked. What happened to Peter? At one time Peter was willing to die and was never to disown Jesus, even if others did he was now Under Stress and Great Psychological Strain. He followed from a distance - v-53. How many of us have done the same thing under pressure. Be it Psychological Pressure, Be it Financial Strain or Even Under the fear of being persecuted by any non -Christian. How many times we have tried to avoid being a witness for Jesus Christ? How many times we have even told lies about our being a Christian. We have so many times mingled with Non- Believers. Or with Non-Christians without making it known that we are the followers of Jesus Christ. See what Peter did? V66-72.
1. One of the servant girls saw Peter warming himself and she recognized him and said, You also were with Jesus- Immediately Peter denied it and said, I dont know or understand what you are talking about.
2. The second time the Servant girl recognized Peter and said, This fellow is one of them Again Peter denied and what do you think he must have said, Oh I am not one of them, i.e. to say I am not the follower of Jesus Christ.
3. The relative of the man whose ear Peter cut off was also there and he recognized Peter and said, Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean, But this time what did Peter did to prove his point – he cursed himself and he swore. He must have said in this manner, I swear, I do not know this person Jesus Christ you are talking about. Can you imagine the strain or under what pressure Peter was- that he refused to even be called as the follower of Jesus Christ?
Would we have the Christian and Biblical attitude or would we have any other attitude the World wants us to show? Should we not have the attitude of Jesus Christ because we are His followers? Are we aware that, our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the devil? - Eph6: 12. Remember - God does not put afflictions, stress, strain or even sickness upon us. Neither do we suffer because God is Testing or Punishing us. Persecutions and afflictions do not come because God wants to teach us something. But it comes because we already know the Word of God hence Satan attacks us. Mark 4:17. Also note as to why Apostle John was on the Island of Patmos? He was there because of the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ - Rev.1: 9. We as Christians need to understand this fact and hence our testimony of Jesus Christ has to be strong. Consider all this before the enemy of Christ influences us. The enemy is full of tricks and his ways divert us from being a true Christian. Satan tries to put us under so much pressure that one gets too much under pressure and finally gets dejected and is lost as one becomes depressed with life itself. Where as, God wants us to be saved and be with Him in Heaven and on earth He wants us to have His peace and Happiness. In John 14: 27 Jesus Christ says, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.
Notice what was Peters true condition. Though Peter was under great Pressure and he was full of Stress and Strain. Though he reacted on INPULSE and he was acting totally in a Non- Biblical manner.
1. He could not be unnoticed, because he was once with Jesus Christ.
2. Jesus Christ once had influenced him.
3. He was once having a close relationship with Jesus Christ. That was more than enough for non-believers to notice him.
So is the case with us as Christians. Though we may be under great strain or we might be in a backslidden condition. Or we may be presently influenced by the world and may be in sin. BUT. Just because once Jesus Christ influenced us and once we had accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Master. It is very natural that we would reflect the Nature and person of Jesus Christ. The world around us will notice us any way. We will not be hidden under any coverage. We will be seen as Christians. We have Jesus Christ. He is inside, He is also all about us, hence we cannot help but reflect the very nature of Jesus.
What ultimately happened to Peter will also happen to us. Peter full of the Holy Spirit and hence became BOLD. With that boldness he gave a very powerful Sermon. That day three thousand souls were saved. Read Acts 2.In Acts Chapters 4 and 5 we see how he spoke to the Sanhedrin though they had commanded him not to preach in the name of Jesus Christ. Peters reply is recorded in Acts 5:29 he said, We must obey God rather than men.
We too also can have that same TRANSFORMATION. Because the same Holy Spirit is also Promised to us in Acts1: 8. We too can be a powerful witness for Jesus Christ when the HOLY SPIRIT comes upon us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Roms 8:31-39.
We need to make a decision to follow Jesus Christ.
1. We need to be clear in knowing that Jesus Christ is the only Savior and that He is God.
2. We must be clear in knowing that we cannot go to any one else other than Jesus Christ in our trouble because He alone can give us Eternal Life.
3. We must know that only after the HOLY SPIIRIT anoints us only then can we have the POWER TO BE WITNESSES for Jesus Christ. And influence the world around us.