Resurrection Sunday - Dont Miss

No Pain, No Gain

Adoniram Judson sweated out Burma's heat for 18 years without a furlough, six years without a convert. Enduring torture and imprisonment, he admitted that he never saw a ship sail without wanting to jump on board and go home. When his wife's health broke and he put her on a homebound vessel in the knowledge he would not see her for two full years, he confided to his diary: "If we could find some quiet resting place on earth where we could spend the rest of our days in peace. . ." But he steadied himself with this remarkable postscript: "Life is short. Millions of Burmese are perishing. I am almost the only person on earth who has attained their language to communicate salvation. . ." Today we remember Adoniram Judson as a great missionary. He is famous for all the right reasons, but it all began when he was ready to give himself up and take the cross.

Acts 19:13b They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.”     

When Apostle Paul began his ministry, the Jews were against him and even the chosen 12 Apostles were not supporting him. But he was not going to give up. He was faithful to the call that he received. Amidst a lot of travel, Ministry, opposition, persecution, hunger, thirst and all sorts of adverse and favourable circumstances, Paul was so famous. He was so famous that people would talk of Jesus about whom Paul preaches.

Often people are a step behind in the things of God, stating that, “OH PLEASE I DON’t WANT THE GLORY”. Actually the truth is, that one is not ready to carry the cross and go through the situations. But be reminded, that there is no resurrection without the cross. No Pain, No Gain.

http://xfiloz.blogspot.in/

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Priority matters

Someone once asked Tom Landry why he had been so successful as a football coach. He said, "In 1958, I did something everyone who has been successful must do, I determined my priorities for my life — God, family, and then football.”

Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

More often than not most tend to stick to one's own knowledge and understanding for most of the decisions. Perhaps when it comes to terminal disease we may invite God to heal and provide. Whereas Bible teaches us to give the topmost priority to God and then everything else shall fall in its own place.

Most today seek God at the 11th hour or at their convenience. But God Is interested in all of our lives. Every bit of it and the complete control. That's when HE can have HIS way and make our lives the most beautiful as it ought to be. Let God be our top most priority in every facet of life. Priority matters.

http://xfiloz.blogspot.in/

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Gotta be HIS way

In The Last Days Newsletter, Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village who walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked, "Were any great men born in this village?"
The old man replied, "Nope, only babies."
A frothy question brought a profound answer. There are no instant heroes--whether in this world or in the kingdom of God. Growth takes time.

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

         Several times we are not patient in our walks with our Lord. A few days into our calling and we want to hit the right note in everything. We are ready to wait for good food as it is being cooked and do all the things needed. But with God and things of God we want it like now and right now.

           The call placed in our lives is progressive in nature. As we continue to walk with the Lord and be faithful in the things entrusted to us, HE will use us and lift us up. But if we are not ready to walk and only waiting to fly then we haven't got it. It doesn't work that way. It gotta be HIS way.

http://xfiloz.blogspot.in/

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

He holds my world in HIS hands

Famous People Who Were Slow Starters:
Winston Churchill seemed so dull as a youth that his father thought he might be incapable of earning a living in England.

G.K. Chesterton, the English writer, could not read until he was eight. One of his teachers told him, "If we could open your head we should not find any brain but only a lump of white fat."
Thomas Edison's first teacher described him as "addled," and his father almost convinced him he was a "dunce."
Albert Einstein's parents feared their child was dull, and he performed so badly in all high school courses except mathematics that a teacher asked him to drop out.

Psalm 31:1 5 My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.

       Some of us are very judgemental in nature. Quite a few feel that they are smart enough to determine the future of an individual just by one incident, action or talk.  Certainly it rules out very less space for God’s control when we tend to follow all the negative voices around us. But Bible reminds us that our lives and times are in God’s hand. We need to trust and obey HIM for our present and future.
    Most of us get disappointed because we place a lot of trust on people and expect many to help us get going. But in this selfish world, everyone has their own agenda and we should only and only trust God for our future. For sure HE will make it beautiful and a great blessing for many. He holds my world in HIS hands.
http://xfiloz.blogspot.in/

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

Get used to HIM

A man who lived on Long Island was able one day to satisfy a lifelong ambition by purchasing for himself a very fine barometer. When the instrument arrived at his home, he was extremely disappointed to find that the indicating needle appeared to be stuck, pointing to the sector marked "HURRICANE."  After shaking the barometer very vigorously several times, its new owner sat down and wrote a scorching letter to the store from which he had purchased the instrument. The following morning on the way to his office in New York, he mailed the letter. That evening he returned to Long Island to find not only the barometer missing, but his house also. The barometer's needle had been right--there was a hurricane!

Psalm 25:9 He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way.

Isn’t it interesting to realize that the Creator of the universe is always speaking to us and leading us as we go about living our lives. But more often than not, we are not very serious about it. When God speaks to us through a friend, from a sermon in Church or a write up somewhere, we are like, it sounds good but not for me. Several times we expect God to show up in our bedroom with big lights or do something impossible for us simply to prove HIS divinity for us.

But God would not simply waste a miracle for the sake of our whims and fancies. HE is always speaking and leading us. We simply need to be listening to HIS sweet and gentle voice. When we are used to HIM, it will be easier for us to obey and trust HIM. Get used to HIM.  

http://xfiloz.blogspot.in/

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Forgive & Forget

What really makes people satisfied with their lives? Amazingly, the secret may lie in a person's ability to handle life's blows without blame or bitterness. These are the conclusions of a study of 173 men who have been followed since they graduated from Harvard University in the early 1940s. The study, reported in the American Journal of Psychiatry, noted that one potent predictor of well-being was the ability to handle emotional crisis maturely.

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV - Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

       We are often carrying so much of bitterness and hatred in our lives, that it doesn't help us think straight. These unnecessary baggage only tend to distract us of the real purpose of God in our lives.

       Most of us have been hurt by someone in some or the other way. But if we are unable to forgive them, then we haven’t understood the Cross yet. Unless we forgive and let it go, our lives are not going to be the way, God wants. So let's make attempts to forgive and forget.

http://xfiloz.blogspot.in/

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

It won't work

A Lady asked Billy Sunday, who was a famous revival preacher.
"Why do you keep having revivals when it doesn't last?"
He asked her, "Why do you keep taking baths?"

Psalm 85:6 Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?   

Christian life is about being regular. Probably we are doing the same thing, every other day. But that doesn’t mean it's not important and exciting. Most of us do the same kind of lessons at school, same job in the office and same activities at home. But that doesn’t stop us from doing them in all the respective areas. Sadly with things of God, we are laid back and get bored very easily.

It’s high time that we, the Children of God would enjoy our walk with the Lord. We would be excited to know more about HIM, and serve HIM faithfully. Let us enjoy in the Lord. The task entrusted to us is great and unless we trust and receive from HIM regularly, It won’t work.

http://xfiloz.blogspot.in/

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

I am going to Rome

In 1269 Kublai Khan sent a request from Peking to Rome for "a hundred wise men of the Christian religion...And so I shall be baptized, and when I shall be baptized all my baron and great men will be baptized, and their subjects baptized, and so there will be more Christians here than there are in your parts." The Mongols were then wavering in the choice of a religion. It might have been, as Kublai forecast, the greatest mass religious movement the world has ever seen. The history of all Asia would have been changed.
But what actually happened? Pope Gregory X answered by sending two Dominican friars. They got as far as Armenia, could endure no longer and returned home. So passed the greatest missionary opportunity in the history of the church.

Acts 25:12 After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

To every man comes an opportunity in life to change history and achieve one’s own purpose. Apostle Paul had always looked forward to preach the gospel in Rome. Now here was an opportunity to be in Rome. Of course it would be in the disguise of being tried in front of Caesar, it would still be Rome. So Paul grabbed it with both the hands and went on to do for what he was called.

While we look back and even look into our lives, we tend to regret on the opportunities lost. It’s indeed never too late to get going with life and living out your purpose in life. Go for it and live it loud. I am going to Rome.   

http://xfiloz.blogspot.in/

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Stand for the change

When the railroads were first introduced to the U.S., some folks feared that they'd be the downfall of the nation! Here's an excerpt from a letter to then President Jackson dated January 31, 1829:

As you may know, Mr. President, 'railroad' carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 miles per hour by 'engines' which, in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside, setting fire to crops, scaring the livestock and frightening women and children. The Almighty certainly never intended that people should travel at such breakneck speed. Martin Van Buren Governor of New York

Acts 24:14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect.

Some and maybe most are reluctant to accept the changes that comes with time and as the Lord permits. As Apostle Paul stood in front of the Governor and defended himself for the change that he was bringing, there was a lot of opposition. Both the religious and political leaders were not encouraging at all. Paul asserted that he was following the same but in a different manner. This change was not acceptable to the traditionalists.

When the Lord speaks to you and one stands for a change, you better stand firm. It’s not easy to bring a difference in our lives. People love traditions, rituals and monotony. But if you stand firm and believe in the vision that the Lord has given you, it will come to pass. Stand for the change.

http://xfiloz.blogspot.in/

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Truth is enough

Admiral Heihachiro Togo, whose brilliant tactics had destroyed the Russian fleet at the battle of the Sea of Japan in 1905, visited the United States shortly after the Russo-Japanese War. At a state dinner in Admiral Togo's honor, William Jennings Bryan was asked to propose a toast. Because Bryan was well known for not drinking, it was feared that an embarrassing breakdown of protocol was about to occur.

But as Bryan stood to propose his toast, he held up his glass and said, "Admiral Togo has won a great victory on water, and I will therefore toast him in water. When Admiral Togo wins a victory on champagne I will toast him in champagne."

Acts 23:6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.”

Apostle Paul had a cool head on his shoulder. He was tactful enough to use the truth for the right reason and even escape from any dangerous situation. The Jewish leaders were all prepared to get Paul off the track. But Paul was smart enough to use the truth of resurrection to bring a division between Pharisees and Sadducees. The moment he said I am on trial because of my belief in resurrection, the Pharisees sided with him and Sadducees started arguing with pharisees (because Sadducees do not believe in resurrection of the dead).

Paul did not lie to bring a division but was smart enough to know the truth and use it at the right time. We don’t have to cunning to escape from situations. But knowing the truth and using it at the right time is enough. We actually don’t have to lie to come out of situations. Truth is enough.    

http://xfiloz.blogspot.in/

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Go living

It was Joseph hunter who was a Unitarian Minister, antiquarian, and deputy keeper of public records in England, now best known for his publications Hallamshire, who said, that “My life is in the hands of any fool who makes me lose my temper”.

Acts 23: 4 Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!” 5 Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’

Isn’t that true, we simply lose track, the moment somebody distracts us by getting on our nerves. Just a small argument or anything else, we lose our temper, and the day is gone. Probably for some the week, the month and even the year is gone.

I guess its ok to get angry and lose temper once in a while. But one needs to gather him/herself after the moment and get back to life and living. Well that's the most sane way to live. Even Apostle Paul got angry, but once he realized he was wrong, he was reconciliatory and got back to normal. Most of us live in our anger for so long that it tends to affect our lives and those around us. Do we let people dictate our lives due to our anger? It happens, but let's get over it and go living.

http://xfiloz.blogspot.in/

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Keep it easy man

A sightseeing bus was making the rounds through Washington, D.C., and the driver was pointing out spots of interest. As they passed the Pentagon building, he mentioned that it cost taxpayers millions of dollars and that it took a year and a half to build. While everyone was looking at it, a little old woman piped up: "In Peoria we could have built the same building for less, and it would have been completed even sooner than that!" The next sight on the tour was the Justice Department building. Once again the bus driver said that it cost so many millions to build and took almost two years to complete. The woman repeated: "In Peoria we would have done it for less money, and it would have been finished much sooner." The tour finally came to the Washington Monument, and the driver just passed slowly by without saying a word. The old woman was curious. "Hey," she shouted to the driver, "what's that tall white building back there?" The driver looked out of the window, waited a minute and then said, "Trust me, lady. It wasn't there yesterday."

Jeremiah 9:23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,

We are often carried away by the possessions and the achievements that we have. It tends to affect our attitude and we start thinking a bit too high of ourselves. The Bible teaches us to be simple, humble and not boasting at all in the earthly possessions.

We tend to bank so much on these temporary things so that our lives become a war to achieve them either by hook or by crook. As we walk with the Lord, things will fall in place, and for sure we will be blessed in many ways. But let’s not boast. Keep it easy man.

http://xfiloz.blogspot.in/

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Worthy of HIS calling

On June 13, 1889, the Spokane newspaper printed an editorial pleading for the establishment of a fire department. Seattle had recently been ravaged by fire, and the paper desired to prevent the same calamity from happening in Spokane. Nothing, however, was done. Two months later Spokane burned to the ground.

Acts 23:1 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.”

Apostle Paul had a clear conscience of the fact that, he was being led by God in everything that he did. He did not leave any stone unturned in his preaching of the gospel. Every opportunity he had was used to the maximum to win souls and spread the truth. Whether it be high officials, rich people or even poor folks, Paul’s message was same without any guile. His confidence came from the clear conscience.
In our lives, we stand behind because we tend to be low on our confidence in the things of God. Anything and everything that happens to us, we tend to equate that as God’s punishment. Sometimes we are not able to serve God effectively, because our conscience is not clear. In the things of God, we need confidence, which can’t be bought by money but by HIS grace alone and living a life worthy of HIS calling.

http://xfiloz.blogspot.in/

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

This one’s for HIM

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.

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

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 tough, 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.

http://xfiloz.blogspot.in/

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Don’t Sleep on God

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.”

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.

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 on God.

http://xfiloz.blogspot.in/

Stanley Thomas Isac

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