No Pain, No Gain

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

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.

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.

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

Go for it

Acts 19: 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul,

          The first electric light was so dim that a candle was needed to see its socket. One of the first steamboats took 32 hours to chug its way from New York to Albany, a distance of 150 miles. Wilbur and Orville Wright's first airplane flight lasted only 12 seconds. And the first automobiles traveled 2 to 4 miles per hour and broke down often. Carriages would pass them with their passengers shouting, "Get a horse!" That Chinese proverb is so meaningful that, The journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.

When Apostle Paul landed up in Ephesus with a passion to evangelize, it was indeed an uphill task. But that did not disappoint him or kept him thinking over the magnanimity of the problem. He was  quick to be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading and started doing all that he can. Soon God started doing great things through him and many were touched by the power of God. It all began because Paul responded to God’s call and went about fulfilling his ministry.

Often we are paused and down because of the height and breadth of the problem in our lives. Instead of working on it, we are stuck only thinking and discussing about the problem and not the solution. As we take a step of faith, God will surely do miracles which we do not expect or even deserve. But HE is a good God and HE loves us. Go for it.

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

We got the best deal

Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

This morning as I was driving was hearing a few songs highlighting the love of God. My heart was moved because of God’s great mercy and abundant love for me. But it just got me thinking of the fact that Am I simply moved because of the Physical blessings that HE HAS showered on me or those which are eternal ?

Apostle Paul while writing to the Church Ephesus reminds them of the most expensive Spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. They are reminded that what they have received could never be earned by any means. The focus is to be convinced of the fact that one has not lost anything but only gained, more than what one deserves.

Several times we translate God’s blessing into our physical possession. Unfortunately we count only those Physical blessing as the work of God. Whereas God has already given us the best and ALL in Christ Jesus. Unfortunately some of us still don’t realize the value of what Christ has done for us. Let’s be excited of the fact that, We got the best deal.   

Stanley Thomas Isac

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

It is now or never.

Acts 19: 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

We are living in times when almost everyone has an opinion on almost everything. Whatever it might be people are always ready with a free advice. More often than not people are comfortable in advising rather than attempting the same. So when resources are low and support is less, it is always recommended to wait and watch.

When Paul landed up in Ephesus he had almost none as a mature Christian and an effective disciple to start the ministry. He only found 12 men who were probably the disciples of Apollos who were not baptized in the name of Jesus. He did not lose heart. But he went on to start the work with them and that was the beginning of a glorious Church in Ephesus. It all began with a desire to get going and not quit even when there was no support.

Most of us have some desire and passion in life. But we are often waiting for the so called right time and right people to get going. But as they say, tomorrow never comes. It is now or never.

Stanley Thomas Isac

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