Let this one be for HIM

Acts 22:21 “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”

Knute Rockne called George Gipp the greatest football player Notre Dame ever produced. At the height of his college career, however, Gipp was struck with a serious infection that took his life. On his deathbed he told his coach, "Rock, someday when things look real tough for Notre Dame, ask the boys to go out there and win one for the Gipper."

Eight years later, Knute recounted the deathbed story for a lackluster team about to face the powerful Army football team of 1928. The Fighting Irish played beyond themselves that day. In the second half, Notre Dame halfback Jack Chevigny took the ball near the goal line and, having nowhere to go, catapulted over the Army line into the end zone. Jack then leaped to his feet shouting, "That one was for the Gipper!" Notre Dame went on to beat Army 12-6.

When Apostle Paul was directed by the Lord to go to the gentiles, it was not an easy task to undertake. He was a bit hesitant to go for it. But he did realize that the Lord has chosen him for something special and something which is difficult and hard to execute. But the anointing and the revelation on him was not simply to spend in Jerusalem to those who already knew Christ. This revelation and anointing was to bring the mountains down and till the hard ground.

Probably Paul might have said, This one has to be for Jesus. I am for it. Though it might be, but let me do it for HIM. Paul went to reach out to the gentiles in all the hard and closed areas. The Lord was with him and he continued to plant Churches and win many for Christ. Because he decided this one's for HIM.

Wish you all a very Happy and a Prosperous 2016. Let this one be for HIM.

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Hear HIM right

Acts 22:10 “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked.

“ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’

A number of years ago Norman Cousins wrote an editorial in Saturday Review in which he reported a conversation he had on a trip in India. He was talking with a Hindu priest named Satis Prasad. The man said he wanted to come to our country to work as a missionary among the Americans. Cousins assumed that he meant that he wanted to convert Americans to the Hindu religion, but when asked, Satis Prasad said, "Oh no, I would like to convert them to the Christian religion. Christianity cannot survive in the abstract. It needs no membership, but believers. The people of your country may claim they believe in Christianity, but from what I read at this distance, Christianity is more a custom than anything else. I would ask that either you accept the teachings of Jesus in your everyday life and in your affairs as a nation, or stop invoking His name as sanction for everything you do. I want to help save Christianity for the Christian."

In our walk with the Lord, we tend to become complacent as years go by. Unless we get a jolt or a major need, we tend to go with the flow and just be involved in the routine or even stay away from that. It basically happens when after a while of walking with the Lord, we tend to take on from there and go our way, thinking it to be just as the Lord’s direction.

When Apostle Paul heard the Lord’s call for the first time, the direction was clear, you will be told  what you have to do. That became the guiding force for Paul’s life and ministry. To depend on the Lord completely and daily. Trusting HIM for anything and everything. You and I need to hear God’s voice clearly for everything we do. Hear HIM right.

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Channelized

Acts 22:4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, 5 as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

When he was pastor for the Methodist church in Scarborough, William Sangster had an eccentric member who tried to be a zealous Christian. Unfortunately, the man was mentally deficient and usually did the wrong thing. While working as a barber the man lathered up a customer for a shave, came at him with the poised razor, and asked, "Are you prepared to meet your God?" The frightened man fled with the lather on his face!

Our zeal for the Lord is sometimes channelized in a wrong way. Some people become harmful for Christ than winning souls for Christ. Apostle Paul was zealous for the Lord that he was blinded to even persecute the church of first century. He thought he was right and went about harming the believers, both men and women. But once he met with the Lord and had the correct revelation, he was different person. He was now blessing the Church and working for the advancement of the gospel.

Unless we channelize our zeal, we will be only harmful for Christ. Several tend to walk with the so called zeal for the Lord, and care for none. It needs to be channelized.

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Talk to them

Acts 22:2 And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent.

I was once  standing outside my friend's home and talking to him. An old lady came asking for a person who lives nearby. But she was not sure of the address and even the name. So she called someone on phone to enquire the address. The other person also did not have the address but knew the name. I realized that they were from my native place so took the phone and spoke to them in malayalam. They were so relieved and happy. Thus, the old lady could go to meet the desired person.

When Apostle Paul was facing the mob, he tried a simple technique of connecting to them by using their own language and that worked. The moment he spoke their language, the crowds went silent and heard him carefully.

Several times when we go out witnessing and even live a life of preaching unto others, our neighbours and friends are unable to understand us because we just don't use their language. We use our religious jargons and big words. Instead of impressing them we are treated as aliens and marked unfit to hang out. Let’s connect by speaking what they can understand. Talk to them.

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

All for HIM

Acts 21: 13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

A group of friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for the day. That night one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under an eight-point buck.

"Where's Harry?" he was asked.

"Harry had a stroke of some kind. He's a couple of miles back up the trail."

"You left Harry laying there, and carried the deer back?"

"Well," said the hunter, "I figured no one was going to steal Harry."

Apostle Paul was all set to go to Jerusalem and then to Rome. He knew his life was under threat as he went to these places. But his priorities were set. HE had a goal from the Lord. He was ready to let go of things which were not important for him. He had given his best to the Church, while he was with them and now it was time to move ahead and do the toughest job.

The fellow believers were not ready to let Paul go. They were more concerned about Paul than the ministry entrusted to him by JESUS. So their love was actually becoming an hindrance. Often we tend to compromise with our priorities regarding the things of God and lose our sight and just settle with normal. This Christmas let the Church of Jesus set it priorities right. All for HIM.

Wish you all a very Happy Christmas. Bless someone this Christmas

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Walk wisely

Ephesians 5:15-17 - See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

The days are evil and Paul is asking the believers to be wise by understanding the will of God. Only when we understand God's bigger plan for us as the body of Christ, then can we really understand God's specific plan for us. Just like each part of the body is important and has its unique functions so does our specific purpose play an important role in the bigger purpose of God.

To begin with, isn't it just amazing to know that God has a plan and a purpose for each one of us. And His purpose for us is much bigger than ourselves.

Let’s take the example of Abraham. When God calls Abraham in Genesis 12, He promises to bless him and make him a great nation. I’m sure Abraham was just excited in knowing that he was going to have a child. But was that the only reason why God was blessing him? God’s purpose of calling Abraham was to bless the nations through his seed Jesus Christ (Genesis 22:18). Mankind’s salvation was in the mind of God while calling Abraham. It is highly unlikely for Abraham to have thought of this bigger picture.

Many a times like Abraham we tend to overlook the bigger picture. But Abraham was not as fortunate as we are today (the church). Abraham rejoiced seeing the day of Jesus (John 8:56) because the mysteries of God has been completely revealed to the body of Christ i.e. the church (Ephesians 3:5, 10).  

Romans 12:2 mentions that God’s will is always good, pleasing and perfect. Abraham can testify to that and so can we. So let’s walk circumspectly understanding what the will of the Lord is. Be wise.

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

Moving on

Acts 21:5 When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray.

I like that song by Michael W. Smith  “friends are friends forever”.

The song is basically talking about a farewell setting. In a world where people move on and move out, it’s always hard to accept it. But letting things in the hands of God is the only solace. Moreover it’s  seasons of life which just keeps moving.

Most of us have good friend and people in our lives, who we always want to be with us. It is really wonderful and a great thing to happen. But when God in HIS time moves them out or places you somewhere else, we need to let it go. The sooner we come in peace with God’s doing, easier it will be for us to get going.

God always plans out things better than me and you. So instead of questioning God we must be able to surrender to God’s will. Sad it might be, but if we let HIM, God will use every situation for HIS glory. HE will bless us and will make us a blessing. Moving on.

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

NO PAIN, NO GAIN

Acts 21:4 We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

It was John Henry Jowett who said “Ministry that costs nothing, accomplishes nothing. “ Today we are all willing to live for Jesus, but not ready to give our lives completely for the cause. We are ready to take the glory, but not the pain. But unless we are ready to carry the cross, there will be no resurrection.

When Apostle Paul was getting ready to Jerusalem, the disciples and believers were not willing to let him go. It was basically out of the love for Paul. They knew if Paul would go to Jerusalem and then to Rome, he might not return back alive. SO they wanted to hold him back.

But Paul knew what was God’s purpose in his life. He was willing to pay the price, Even to the extent of his life. This way he was able to glorify God more and live and even die for God’s purpose in his life. NO PAIN, NO GAIN.

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Living it 24/7

Acts 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia.

Once the Prince and Princess of Wales allowed TV cameras into their home to film them as a normal couple with their two children. During the interview Prince Charles described his job in these terms: "It, more than anything else, is a way of life. It's more than a job. It's a complete, 24-hour-a-day business, really."

Leadership in any organization - whether in the local church or in some other Christian activity - is never just a job. It is always a way of life, demanding from those who would be leaders a 24-hour-a-day commitment. The leader, in a sense, must always be on the job, deciding, directing and developing the work that has been entrusted to him while at the same time encouraging those in the work. A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.

Apostle Paul’s life was a transparent one. People saw him and knew him. As a leader he was with his people, and the people were around him. That’s when the best impact can be made and lives are transformed.

You and I as leaders need to be with our people to make an influence. In order to be effective all of our life needs to be an effective one. Every big and small facet of our living needs to clear. It’s not easy to be a leader, but it’s not impossible also. It’s hard to be on the spot always, but that’s the fun of life.  Living it 24/7.

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Faith comes by hearing

Romans 10:17

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Abraham, the old testament patriarch is also known as the father of faith. He indeed believed in God and it was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). Does that mean that throughout his life he was trusting God?

In Genesis 12 God commands Abraham to leave his relatives and put his trust in Him. Abraham did step out but he took Lot with him. Was Abraham completely trusting in God’s promises or was he hoping that Lot would become his heir?

In Genesis 12:9-10, we see Abraham fleeing to Egypt when a famine strikes. Was he trusting God for his provision? Also when he was in Egypt he lies about his wife. Did he lack trust in God’s protection?

Right after that God appears to Abraham and renews His promise (Genesis 13:16).

God reminds His promise again in Genesis 15. Abraham was still childless and figures Eliezer, his steward to be the heir. To whom God blatantly clarifies that he was going to have his own son.

In Genesis 16, Abraham gives into Sarah’s wishes and fathers Ismael. Was Abraham being faithful to God’s calling?

We see God reaffirming His promise again in Genesis 17 and 19.

Finally he lies again about his wife to Abimelech (Genesis 20) and God had to intervene and set things right.  

Throughout Abraham’s life we can see God’s faithfulness in his life. And after each time Abraham failed to trust in God, God would reaffirm and renew His promises. He later on becomes the great man of faith who obeys God in the ultimate sacrifice (Genesis 22). During his journey he was being taught by God’s faithfulness to put his trust in God. Each time God renewed His promise, his faith would be strengthened upon hearing God’s word.  

Having trouble in trusting God? Then let us open our ears and hear Him reaffirm His promises to us. Faith indeed comes by hearing.

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

DON'T SLEEP !

Acts 20:9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.

The story is told about a Sunday school teacher who asked the children just before she dismissed them to go to church, “And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?” And one little girl named Annie replied, “Because people are sleeping.”

Apostle Paul had a lot to say when he was delivering his farewell sermon. He just went on speaking. The Church just loved listening to him. Indeed he was not boring. But there was this young fellow Eutychus who was tired and gradually gave into the sleep. He was probably sitting by the window because it was too humid inside and thus he fell down in his sleep. Apostle did not lose his temper and went ahead to raise up Eutychus and got back to preaching. Probably Paul was speaking to people of God in Troas for the last time so he did not want to miss anything.

Many people knowingly or unknowingly sleep through spiritual fellowship. Whether it might be personal prayer, small group fellowships or Worship service, some can sleep anywhere, anytime. Surprisingly the same folks are up and alert for anything else all day and night.

• Adam fell asleep and woke up married and missing a rib!

• Samson fell asleep and woke up bald and beaten!

• Jonah fell asleep in the boat and woke up wet!

• Eutychus fell asleep and woke up dead!

DON'T SLEEP !

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 go

Acts 20:7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.

 

A Churchgoer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: "I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.

Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

In this modern age, we are always busy. It is Ok if you are missing a fellowship or a sunday morning service once in a while due to a genuine reason. But if it’s intentional there’s something to worry. Going to Church on a sunday morning or attending any Spiritual fellowship is considered a waste of time for this fast, educated and so called Rationale generation. It is true that there is so much of bad things happening in and out. There are bad people in Church and there is also some sort of politics here and there. But that’s not a good enough reason to stay away from Church. In that way we would never go to gym, because there are so many unfit people there.   

Going to Church regularly, will not make you a superman, but it will help you stay grounded. As we go to Church regularly, we honor God and honor people of God as well. It really helps in building a real good relationship with God and people of God. Let’s go.

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Walk like a champ

Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

              In February 1980, the U.S. Olympic hockey team slipped its foot into a glass slipper and walked away with a gold medal at Lake Placid, New York. Those collegians had shocked the world by upsetting the powerful Soviet team, and then they grabbed the championship from Finland while the crowd chanted, "U.S.A.!"  Before his team's victory over the Soviet Union which advanced them to the finals, the coach of the U.S. hockey team told his players, "You are born to be a player. You are meant to be here at this time. This is your moment."

More often than not we are waiting for a victory, a deliverance and a breakthrough in our own life. We keep looking out of the window into  the lives of other and just stare at their success and amazing life. We are like when will my time come. But we just forget that God has already given us the secret of success through Jesus Christ. We might be smiling on the outside, but in our hearts we are like a lost warrior

Most of the times we tend to be thinking with drooping shoulders and such poor thoughts about ourselves. Whereas we just forget that we are already victorious in Christ Jesus. But we haven’t accepted it. In Christ, our victory is not earned, but received. It has to be translated into our behaviour, thoughts and walks. We already have it, Let’s just enjoy living the life given to us by God. Walk like a champ.   

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Leave a legacy

Acts 20:1 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia.

A missionary society wrote to David Livingstone and asked, "Have you found a good road to where you are? If so, we want to know how to send other men to join you." Livingstone wrote back, "If you have men who will come only if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all."

Apostle Paul was a man full of passion for the Lord. He was so focussed on the calling he had received from God Almighty. Nothing could stop him. He simply went about his way trusting in God. He finished one mission after another, evangelizing one place after another, planting Church in one place after another and he would just keep going. Apostle Paul did not wait for accolades, or some honor, but he knew God was with him. So that kept him going. It’s so exciting to see what God can do through a man who is fully committed to HIM.

Apostle Paul became a blessing for the nation by going through all that came his way. As he served through in persecution, hunger, and all the other challenges, he didn’t give up.That made him a great blessing. As we serve the Lord in our present situations, however tough it might be, It will indeed bless many. Leave a legacy.

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

My bad…

Romans 14:12 - So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God

    One evening several college students spread limburger cheese on the upper lip of a sleeping fraternity brother. Upon awakening the young man sniffed, looked around, and said, "This room stinks!" He then walked into the hall and said, "This hall stinks!" Leaving the dormitory he exclaimed, "The whole world stinks!"

      It's always easy to take the credit for any victory. But it's all the more difficult to be responsible for a failure. It really takes a mature and a big heart to say “ I am sorry, I was wrong”.People love to blame others for their failures caused by them.

         What we tend to forget is that this blame game only leaves scars and insult on the people that we work it. This will only dampen the relationship further and affect our productivity and effectiveness. Let's be able to stand up and take the responsibility when things go wrong and be sure to work harder next time to be successful. My bad.

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Make new Mistakes

Proverbs 1:5 - A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,

Two pals are sitting in a pub watching the eleven-o'clock news. A report comes on about a man threatening to jump from the 20th floor of a downtown building. One friend turns to the other and says, "I'll bet you ten bucks the guy doesn't jump."

"It's a bet," agrees his buddy.

A few minutes later, the man on the ledge jumps, so the loser hands his pal a $10 bill. "I can't take your money," his friend admits. "I saw him jump earlier on the six-o'clock news."

"Me, too," say the other buddy. "But I didn't think he'd do it again!"

One of the woes of the modern day world is that we are often repeating the same mistakes. We are in this vicious circle of coming back to the same point from where we started. This leads us disappointed and frustrated like anything. Bible Teaches us to be smart enough to pick things on the way to become a better person in the future.

Its interesting to say that, let's not dwell on the past, but lets learn from the past. We should not be just involved in the same mistakes. That simply suggests we are weak and really poor in our understanding and thoughts. But as we grow in the Lord let’s live out of our past by learning from it and become a better person. Make new Mistakes.

Stanley Thomas Isac

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