Let Love Be Our Trademark

John 13:34—35; “34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Most people have birthmarks that are specific to them, whether moles or other kinds of unique identification marks. Designers are known by their trademarks. They have logos of various kinds that even if you don’t read the names, it becomes very clear who made it. Likewise, God has established a mark, by which His children who have been birthed by the Spirit ought to be known.

      Love is the birth mark  of Christians. Without the birthmark of love, other people really don’t know who you are. Let us owe no one anything except the love that Christ has shown to us (Romans 13:8).

Stephen Thomas (Bobby)

Stephen is an ordained Christian Minister and a Bible teacher who is a mentor to several youth leaders in Crossway Church and around the globe. He is a regular visiting Speaker in Crossway Church, New Delhi. He can be reached at stephenthomas6400@hotmail.com

To know Him more

Ephesians 1:17 - that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him

We are never going to get anymore closer to God because He is already in us. How much more closer can He be? Our ‘knowledge’ of how close and intimate He is keeps on growing progressively. So in fact we are not getting close to Him but we are getting to ‘know’ each surpassing day how close we are to Him.   

In Ephesians 1:17, Paul is praying to God the Father for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Him better. His prayer is for a church who already knows God but he is still compelled to pray for more revelation. Did you know that our blessings are hidden in the knowledge of Christ? Knowing Christ is Eternal Life (John 17:3). We are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have already been blessed with every spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Christ is the key to all our blessings. We know Him and we know who we are.

God in the times past has revealed His nature through His names to the great heroes of the Bible. A single name could never suffice His nature and give us a holistic picture of who He is. God revealed Himself to Adam as Jehovah, God who is personal and intimate (Genesis 2). To Abraham as Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provides (Genesis 22:14). To Moses as Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord is my banner (Exodus 17:15). To Jeremiah as Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord who heals (Jeremiah 30:17) . To the Israelites as Jehovah-M’kaddesh, the Lord who sanctifies and so on.

He no longer has to reveal Himself through His names because His nature is completely revealed in the person of Christ (John 14:7). In Christ the giver of blessings has Himself become the blessing. In Christ we experience an intimate relationship with the Father who is Jehovah-Jireh our provision, Jehovah-Nissi our victory, Jehovah-Rapha our healing and Jehovah-M’kaddesh our sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30). Let us pray so that we will know Him more. There is nothing greater than knowing Him.

Samuel Thomas (Sam)

Sam is a Christian minister who is serving the Lord in various capacities. He is an integral part of MTU, New Delhi and is also ministering with Crossway Church. He can be reached on samvthom16@gmail.com

WALK IN THE VICTORY THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN WON

1 John 4:4; “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

I’m sure all of us have at some time in our lives watched Pro Wrestling. Some years ago I actually had the opportunity to go and watch one of these events. It was only then I realized that Pro Wrestling was completely staged. Everything about the system was predetermined. The contenders go through the battle for entertainment purpose only. The point of the battle is not to determine who will win, but to put a show to the crowd. The winner of the match does not battle for victory, but from victory.

Those of us who have come to Jesus Christ have already won. God allows us to go through our Christian walks, not to win the victory but to show through us to the world that He that is in us is greater than he who is in the world. No matter what we have to face in our Christian lives, we can take courage and be comforted in unfailing words of Jesus to His disciples on the night before His arrest that said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

Stephen Thomas (Bobby)

Stephen is an ordained Christian Minister and a Bible teacher who is a mentor to several youth leaders in Crossway Church and around the globe. He is a regular visiting Speaker in Crossway Church, New Delhi. He can be reached at stephenthomas6400@hotmail.com

Fire of the Lord

Exodus 3: 2 There the angel of the  Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”

There were lot of bushes in the wilderness, but there was one bush that made Moses to turned his head to see, Infact only this particular bush caught Moses's attention. & the reason is "It was a bush on Fire" .

My friend everybody burns for some or the other thing, some burn to get rich, some to become popular ,some burn for sports , some burn for….etc. etc. etc. I say "Burn for HIM" just like that burning bush, so that you can attract people like Moses and point back to HIS son.

It’s a very important thing to notice. It’s the Fire of God that distinguishes His people , it makes us different from others. See Every religion has holy books, holy buildings ,holy men, . But one thing that cannot be duplicated, replicated is the authentic presence of Holy Spirit. Always be on Fire for God. You can attract people like Moses and point to Jesus. "What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” Ex 33:16. It’s the Fire of the Lord that distinguishes us from others.

Abraham Dhanyaraj

Abraham is an IT professional working in Hyderabad. He was actively involved with Cross Impact youth ministry during his time in Delhi. He is a well wisher and good friend of Crossway Church.

We Are Not Defeated!

1 John 4:4; ‘You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

A couple of years ago, I happened to watch a TV show that featured a very heavy man. He weighed almost thousand pounds (455 Kilograms), and lied on bed all day long, since it was extremely difficult for him to move around. Moreover, he was so depressed about his condition, that he wanted to die. No one visited him, other than his longtime friend, who was a doctor, who routinely checked up on his health. He was very concerned about this man’s deteriorating health, and did everything within his power to keep him alive.

During one of his visits, the doctor shrugged and plainly told the man that he was beyond medical help. He said, “Well, I can assure you of one thing that, if you lie here and do nothing, you will surely die. Instead of waiting for death, why don’t you die doing something.” This struck a cord. The man finally decided to do something. The TV show fast-forwarded a year later and showed the same man, 250 pounds thinner and walking around. He was resolute in his determination to reduce his weight.

Many Christians live defeated lives, because they have allowed circumstances to determine their fate, even though God has made everything available for victorious living. This is why Paul reminds us, “7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.  8.We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you (2 Corinthians 4:7—12).

Stephen Thomas (Bobby)

Stephen is an ordained Christian Minister and a Bible teacher who is a mentor to several youth leaders in Crossway Church and around the globe. He is a regular visiting Speaker in Crossway Church, New Delhi. He can be reached at stephenthomas6400@hotmail.com

Coach knows the best

1 samuel 17:36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.

Psalms 27: 3, Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

It was William M. Batten, who once said, “When I hear my friends say they hope their children don't have to experience the hardships they went through--I don't agree. Those hardships made us what we are. You can be disadvantaged in many ways, and one way may be not having had to struggle.”

David was the most powerful man on earth when he was the king of Israel. Yet he had faced several adversaries and went through a lot of troubles all through his life and ministry. Even then he did not give up or get away from life and ministry. Even when enemies advanced against him and nations got up to finish him off, he was only growing in the Lord and his ministry. The secret lays in his growing years. He had faced several situations in his younger days itself and he was all strong and ready for the next challenge.

In our Christian lives and ministries we are often discouraged because of the several situations in life. But we tend to forget the fact that when we stand firm and face a situation by the grace of God, HE is preparing us to be successful in the next assignment. As we stand strong now, the battle will become easier in the days to come. Coach knows the best.

Stanley Thomas Isac

Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at Stanleytisac@gmail.com

Going Deeper

Acts 18: 28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

William Jennings Bryan, Secretary of State in Woodrow Wilson's Cabinet, was interviewing a man who was seeking a diplomatic post in China. Bryan warned the applicant that it was necessary to qualify as a linguist. "Can you speak the Chinese language?" he asked. The man was equal to the occasion. Looking Bryan squarely in the eye, he replied, "Try me. Ask me something in Chinese."

Apollos started preaching and teaching with great vigor and passion after his personal time with Aquila and Priscilla. It was indeed a time of defending and propagating the Christian faith. But for sure this time it was with great confidence and real content. He was not simply babbling or making some noises but proving it from the scriptures and making a real point.

Every generation has its challenge of defending the Christian faith. More than any other time we need a good foundation in the scripture and an effective understanding of the Word. It will help us stand strong in any kind of adversary and get going on any day. Going deeper.

Stanley Thomas Isac

Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at Stanleytisac@gmail.com

Give and take

Acts 18:26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

Although George Whitefield disagreed with John Wesley on some theological matters, he was careful not to create problems in public that could be used to hinder the preaching of the gospel. When someone asked Whitefield if he thought he would see Wesley in heaven, Whitefield replied, "I fear not, for he will be so near the eternal throne and we at such a distance, we shall hardly get sight of him."

Aquilla and Priscilla heard Apollos preach about Jesus in Corinth. He was a very learned jew with a thorough knowledge of the Scripture. Even then there was something lacking in his knowledge of God to preach and teach in public. Aquila and Priscilla were quick to have a personal time with Apollos to set him right in his preaching and teaching of our Lord. It was such a genuine and big investment yet so silent one. They did not make a hue and cry about his theology in public or defame him. Like a child of God they corrected him in private and Apollos had the humility to accept it and be blessed.

There is a grace of giving and there is a grace of receiving as well. We need to be strong in both of them to be a growing and an effective child of God. Aquila and Priscilla were gentle and smart enough to deal the issue in private. At the same time, Apollos was humble enough to accept the correction. Give and take.

Stanley Thomas Isac

Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at Stanleytisac@gmail.com

Face it

Acts 18:19 They arrived at Ephesus,where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam once told about his first SLV rocket launch into the space in August 1979, Sriharikota [in Andhra Pradesh in southern India]. He was the project director and the chairman was Prof. Satish Dhawan.  In the first stage, everything worked fine. In the second stage, a problem developed. Instead of the satellite going into orbit, the whole rocket system plunged into the Bay of Bengal. It was a big failure. There was a press conference that evening where journalists from all over the world were present. Instead of sending Dr. Kalam to address the press, Prof. Satish Dhawan himself went ahead and faced the questions and took the failure on himself.

The next year, in July 1980, they tried again to launch the satellite — and this time they succeeded. The whole nation was jubilant. Again, there was a press conference. Prof. Dhawan called Dr. Kalam aside and told him, “You conduct the press conference today.” It’s a very important leadership lesson, When failure occurred, the leader of the organization owned that failure. When success came, he gave it to his team.

When Apostle Paul went to Ephesus to first reach out to the jews and then to the gentiles, he was up for it. The jews were already causing a lot of uproar all over. So he went alone to face their questions and left Aquila and Priscilla behind. He showed the quality of a great leader and that of a responsible one.

Often times we are ready to enjoy the success and bask in glory of the moment. But several times when things go wrong, we are the first to put the blame on others and wash off our hands. Well that’s not done. Let’s be leaders in true sense. we need to have the courage to face it.

Stanley Thomas Isac

Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at Stanleytisac@gmail.com

Mind your own business

Acts 18:15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.”

Wherever there is more than 1 person for sure there will be issues. We are always prone to fall into issues, controversies and problems. When we come into Church, we come with our backgrounds and our own perspectives. Of Course the Lord is at work and we need to become more like HIM with every passing day. But in this journey of our walk with the Lord, often the enemy brings confusion and we tend fall for the trap. But we need to be ready to solve it out in a graceful and a decent manner.

When the some troublemaker  jews had an issue with the ministry of Paul they took it out of the Jewish realm to a gentile’s court. The troublemakers were unable to stop Paul and they were scared their so called religiosity would be challenged if Paul continues to thrive. So they took him outside the fold. But it’s interesting when the Gallio the proconsul of Achaia told them to mind their own business and deal it within themselves.

Often times when the things go wrong within our families, friends, Church, organization, we tend to go out of the fold for the so called justice. We cry and explain in the wrong places. This only leads to further confusion and bigger mess. If we are a family, Church, Friends, Org., lets behave like one and be mature in dealing things within the fold. Let’s not allow people tell us, mind your own business.

Stanley Thomas Isac

Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at Stanleytisac@gmail.com

Better than 4G

Acts 18:9-10 (NIV)- 9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

         Most of us had times when we were in emergency and we called up someone on phone and the other side was not clear. It is frustrating in times of need when the network is not clear and the other side is not heard.

        When Paul was in Corinth he was having a tough time evangelizing. He was discouraged for sure but did not give up. As he sought the face of the Lord, our good Lord did speak and it was so encouraging for Paul and he went on doing God’s work in a more effective manner.

            Often in times of need and confusion we ought to be sure about this one thing that our Lord is always willing and ready to help. We just need to seek His face and he will guide us and lead us through. In India we are still trying to get 4G, but our Lord’s network is better than 4G.

Stanley Thomas Isac

Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at Stanleytisac@gmail.com

Let’s do it together

Acts 18:3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

Our lives change when people come into our lives. Whether for good or bad, things do happen when there is another individual involved with us. It is indeed interesting that when God created man, He also made a woman to pair with him so they could fellowship with God and themselves. But the world today is moving to a very selfish attitude. We are getting to a point where we want to avoid others.

God’s plan has always been of unity and togetherness. When Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla in Corinth they just gelled together and went about doing God’s work. Even though they had come together because of their common trade i.e tentmaking, the meeting just changed the course of history. They got together and helped each other to serve God in a strange and a difficult place. And Lo behold that was it, when people of God come together with good intentions, God is glorified. A Church began.

In our Christian lives, we are not always called to live in an island. There might be times to get away from people but the larger idea is always to come together to serve God. As we get going with men and women of God around us, for sure great things will happen. Let us make every effort to stay together and bless each other. Let’s do it together.  

Stanley Thomas Isac

Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at Stanleytisac@gmail.com

Lights, Camera, Action.

Acts 17:16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.

In his retirement, Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia. Because Jefferson trusted that students would take their studies seriously, the code of discipline was lax. Unfortunately, his trust proved misplaced when the misbehavior of students led to a riot in which professors who tried to restore order were attacked. The following day a meeting was held between the university's board, of which Jefferson was a member, and defiant students. Jefferson began by saying, "This is one of the most painful events of my life," was overcome by emotion, and burst into tears. Another board member asked the rioters to come forward and give their names. Nearly every one did. Later, one of them said, "It was not Mr. Jefferson's words, but his tears."

When Paul was in Athens, he was actually waiting for his team to join him. It was more like a break for him. But even during the break He was a man of God, sent by God. As he waited, he explored the city and his heart broke with idolatry in the town. He could not stay silent. Note:- He did not sit in his own group and whine. He went and talked where it really mattered. He went about doing God’s work. It all started with a thing in the heart. Paul for sure had a sensitive heart and of course he was led by the Spirit to see things the way God would.

In our Christian lives we are often moved by a lot of things but it is rare that we do something about it. Those who have done something have made history and have become a blessing for many. But if we continue to sit and whine in our own ineffective groups we are of no use. Let’s be able to take up the task given to us. It’s high time. Lights, Camera, Action.

Stanley Thomas Isac

Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at Stanleytisac@gmail.com

Expect the unexpected

Acts 17:13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up.

During one of my Seminary days,my New Testament Professor walked into the class without his Laptop. We were wondering what happened. Then he smiled at us and told, his laptop crashed. We were all taken aback, because for sure he had documents and work of lifetime in it. But he was all unmoved and said we need to expect the unexpected.

Paul & Silas had to go from Thessalonica due to the opposition caused by the jews. Now they were in Berea, where it was expected for things to go easy. But there comes the jews again following them and stirring trouble. Just when we think things are fine we will have another challenge up our sleeve.

For a Child of God challenges are a part and parcel of the walk with the Lord. The moment we get complacent and lay back, it will not benefit our journey. We need to be on our guard and not be disheartened and discouraged by the turn of events. If God is with us, He will surely see us through. But we need to be on our guard and be full of life in either circumstance. Expect the unexpected.   

Stanley Thomas Isac

Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at Stanleytisac@gmail.com

You Choose, You change and You Win

Philippians 4:19 - And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

A Fruit seller planned to approach customers with his new strategies. His first attempt to customers was, You don't want Fruit, do you? Ninety percent of the people said "NO". Then he tried the next strategy: "You do want Fruit, don't you?" About forty five percent bought fruit from him. Then he tries his third strategy based on the selling techniques with a positive approach. This time he shouts, "we have the best Fresh fruits available with the best price in the market, which in turn drew most of the customers towards him.

Most of the time when we pray for healing, we end up in saying one thing that if it is your will to heal me, Heal me. In Spite of the truth that God is not the source of any sickness in our lives and moreover, God wants us to be healed and free from all diseases. We always limit or put a boundary to God's work. As Genesis 1:28 says “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” God is good and he wants us to have authority over everything, to live a healthy life. Everything God gives and offers is greater than what the devil offers, so shouldn’t our expectations come from God? God wants to do something wonderful in your life every moment of every day. But you have to be ready and expect it to happen. God is looking and longing for someone who’s waiting for Him to be good to them. God wants to be good to you, but you have to be expecting Him to move in your life.

Let's know him well and have a positive approach towards him.

Philippians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Tony John

Tony is one of the founding members of Crossway Church. He is ministering as the media Coordinator for Crossway. He is presently working in Dubai and Serving the Lord with his local Church.

BECOME LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN

Matthew 18:3 - And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

I still have vivid memories of my father holding my hand while crossing the road. I used to be completely dependent on him but that was about 20 years ago. I no longer reach out for his hands. As we grow older we become less dependent on our parents. And that is what we call growth. In our Christian walk the whole cycle is reversed. We are becoming more dependent on Christ each day and that is called christian growth. No wonder Christ asked us to be like little children. Completely dependent on Him.

We can only access God through Christ by His Spirit. Jesus paid the price by His blood for us to be qualified in the presence of God. His Spirit escorts us to His throne of grace (Ephesians 2:18). We cannot please God in the flesh and the same reason why God gave us His Spirit (Romans 8:7,8). In the Spirit, God sees us as Christ because we have the same Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9, Galatians 4:6). And thus we have the confidence in approaching God’s throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Living by the Spirit means being obedient to the faith through grace that we have already received (Romans 1:5). We no longer walk by rules or legalism but by faith believing that Christ’s work was complete and finished. The more we put our trust in this truth, the more dependant we become on Him.  

Our struggle is pride and we know that God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Living a life of surrender means that we have given God complete control and we are no longer dictating our own lives. How do we do this? This begins by acknowledging who we are and what the Lord has done for us. Are you struggling to surrender? Get back to the message of the cross. The message of the cross reveals what Christ has done and helps us to believe in His finished work. This message indeed gives us an attitude of humility as we experience His unmerited favor and power (1 Corinthians 1:18). The message of the cross reveals the strong grip of the Father’s hand. Knowing this won’t you surrender? Do you want to hold His hand or do you want Him to hold yours? Whose grip is stronger? The younger we are as a child the more stronger is the Father’s grip on us.

Samuel Thomas (Sam)

Sam is a Christian minister who is serving the Lord in various capacities. He is an integral part of MTU, New Delhi and is also ministering with Crossway Church. He can be reached on samvthom16@gmail.com