From Dennis:

i was in car accident as i was driving one of the car did jump the roobot when it was red light for them and green light priority

for us but GOD is real Cornerstone savior for us i am a life.

I Cor.. 16:9  ‘For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.’
January 30, 2010

News – Pastor Baker of the CLC-USA is teaching in India in  the BELC especially with Pastor Deepak. We thank the Lord for this work in His kingdom.

A passage explained = Is. 53:7

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so He opened not his mouth.” This is a prophecy pointing to Holy Week when Jesus was taken, interrogated and tortured. For instance in Jn. 19:9 Jesus does not speak, but then in v.11 He does. Before Herod (Lk. 23:9) Jesus made no answer. In Mk. 15:5 He made no further answer to Pilate. In Mk. 14:61 He was silent and made no answer to the Chief Priest. But when the Chief Priest adjured(commanded by oath) Him to answer, He did. Mt. 26:63

This prophecy is fulfilled in that Jesus would not speak to defend Himself or cause Himself to be set free. The silence was necessary when carried out to allow His enemies to proceed to condemn Him to death, as He had to pay for the sins of all people. It was not total silence from Jesus, but a silence at times when He knew to speak would interfere with the will of God that He die. He would not speak up for Himself in any way that would alter the slaughter of the Lamb of God.

A passage explained = James 2:24

“You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” This passage taken alone would seem to contradict what Paul wrote about being saved by grace through faith without the works of the law. Eph. 2:8-9 But the passage has to be read in its context. In v. 22 James tells us that the faith he is writing about is a living faith and not one of mere words and not of the heart and life. “You see faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works…” In v. 26 James gives us an analogy that sets forth clearly what he means, “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead.”

The dying thief on the cross was saved simply by faith. He could  not do works. If he had been released then he would have done those things that his faith moved him to do in love of Christ. Paul also right after stating we are saved by grace through faith without the works of the law explains then that works are for us, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10 James and Paul both speak of a living faith and not a dead faith which is no faith at all, but like dust that blows away in the wind.

A passage explained = 1 jn. 3:6

“No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has either seen Him or known Him.” We know from the analogy of Scripture that we sin daily and much. In the explanation to the fifth petition we admit this. Paul in Romans seven points up the struggle of the Christian in doing what he does not want to do and not doing what he should do. This is a life long struggle, because we still have the sinful flesh. If that is the case then what does John mean? The idea is continuing in sin as a habit and way of life. In Romans seven we see the true Christian struggles with sin daily and Christ and His Spirit help us in our weakness. The one who lives in his sin does not follow Christ. Impenitence breaks the Christian apart from Christ. To sin and not repent or to sin and not care is what John warns against. John’s point against hypocrisy of saying we believe but not living the faith is again shown after the illustration of showing love in v. 18 “Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth.”

A passage explained = 1 Pet. 4:6

“For this is why the Gospel was preached even to the dead, that though judged in the flesh like men, they might live in the spirit like God.” When someone dies, the time of grace is ended. There is no more chance to repent and believe. So Peter is not talking about those who are dead physically, those whose spirit has left the body. He refers to those who are dead spiritually. It is the same use as Paul has in Eph.2:1, “And you He made alive, when you were dead through the trespasses and sins…”

In v. 5 we know Peter is referring to those dead physically, “but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” The ‘living and the dead’ refers clearly to judgment day. Scripture must be read carefully, with the words seen in their context. Here in two verses right next to one another the same word ‘dead’ is used in two different ways.

Angel Study part #3

The Angel of the Lord This is a special expression used in Old Testament times showing how our Lord before His incarnation appeared on earth and carried out God’s will in a variety of ways.  The expression is ‘mal’ak Jehovah,’ How do we know in each of the references below that it is no ordinary angel but ‘the angel of the Lord’ God Himself?

• Hagar – Gen. 16:7-16
• Abraham – Gen. 22:11-19
• Moses – Ex. 3:2-12
• Joshua 5:13-6:7
• Gideon – Judges 6:11-24
• Manoah’s wife – Judges 13:3-23
• Zech. 3:1-4
• Mal. 3:1-4

There are other references also.

Those Who are Angels No More Satan was the leader of the angels who rebelled in heaven against God.  They were cast down.  2 Pet. 2:4, Jude 6, Rev. 20:1-2, Is. 14:12 Satan

• Transforms himself to look like an angel of light - 2 Cor. 11:14
• He is already condemned – John 16:11
• He is under the control of God – Job 1:12
• He roams the earth – I Pet. 5:8, Job 1:7
• He is cunning – Eph. 6:11
• He harms man’s body – Lk. 13:16
• He takes man’s possessions – Job 1:12f
• He harms men’s souls – Acts 5:3
• He promotes unbelief – 2 Cor. 4:4
• He spreads false doctrine – Mt. 13:25
• He tempts the faithful – 2 Cor. 12:7
• He is a liar and murderer – John 8:44
• He may enter the presence of God if God requires it, or allows it -

Job. 1:6,7,  2:1,2

• He will flee with God on our side – James 4:6,7

The evil angels who were cast down with the devil are also called demons.

• They wage war against the believer – I Tim. 4:1,2
• They follow a pattern when tempting the saints – I Tim. 4:1,2
• They are spirit beings – Eph. 6:12
• They know about Jesus – Mk. 1:23-24
• They are well organized – Mt.12:24
• They deceive us - I Tim. 4:1
• They can occupy humans and animals – Mk 5:8-12, Acts 16:16-19
• They  can have names – Lk. 8:30
• They speak – Lk. 4:33-34, 41,  8:28-30
• They experience emotions – Lk. 8:28, James 2:19
• They are powerful – Acts 19:16f, Mk. 5:3

In the end the devil and all who follow him will be cast into the lake of fire to be tormented forever.  Rev. 19:19-21,  20:7-10

Pastor Koenig

India Flood_CLCI_2009 (149 photos)
3 February 2008

Albumul poate fi vazut doar online.

For pictures click here

“..My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…” 2 Cor 12:9

12th January 2010

Honorable Chairman, members of the Board of Missions, and respected Kinship Committee.
Dearly beloved brothers.

Greetings to all of you in the saving Name of our living God Christ Jesus.

Sorry for the long silence because of the Christmas and New Year visitations to our long distance CLCI flood affected congregations. As you know these floods in the year ending of 2009 has changed all our lives very busy. We had never witnessed a tragedy and destruction due to sudden Krishna river floods on such a large scale. As you know, with this severe affect of these sudden flash floods, hundreds our members have been thrust into more poverty, who have lost everything, including their farming equipment. The relief effort has been enormous and is having a significant effect, as local pastors testified. We were deeply moved by the trauma they have suffered. They desperately want to enter into their livelihoods for the men to go back to the agricultural fields and the women to resume their livelihoods. The loss of property and seven lives due to these floods left our flood affected CLCI congregations with the saddest feelings. While thousands of people have rendered homeless due to these sudden flash floods, more than 1250 families have directly connected to the CLCI, have lost their huts and their belongings including cattle. They lost their source of living and sense of security. These floods became unprecedented calamity for the CLCI.

Under these circumstances, with great courage, with the tremendous support form the respected CLC-US; the CLCI immediately stepped in. It is really wonderful to know that all the CLC-US rose as one to help the flood victims of the CLCI. It was really great to note that your kind support and grief are accompanied by a steadfast resolution. It was to rebuild the CLCI in the flood affected areas. Your surge of Christian love and humanitarian spirit completely overwhelmed us. We worked tirelessly to save lives and give sustenance. It was a massive rescue and relief effort. We immediately set about the task of rebuilding the lives of flood affected members. With the great love and generous helping hand given by the respected members of the CLC –USA, we have been doing relief efforts very successfully as follows.

The CLCI has implemented recovery program through the following measures: (1) Removal of Rubble: our CLCI volunteers helped in removing of rubble before the process of repairs to the huts. (2) Setting up of temporary / interim shelters: The CLCI facilitated the availability of temporary shelters for homeless by arranging rented tents so that affected members can stay there for the intervening period. (3) Repair of damaged roofs: Our Volunteers have also given a great assistance during repairs of the huts, roofs and walls etc. to the affected members. We have done maximum repairs in strengthening of many huts to withstand better.

The relief process has become little slow because while the real victims are busy trying to get their huts in order, removing the rubble from their houses, etc, the other nearby village people who are not our members and who are not affected (or in general stronger people) are coming to claim relief materials. So it has become also an important step in communication clearly with our CLCI pastors and the affected members of the CLCI. We have decided to restrict our relief efforts to our CLCI members only by helping them get back to normal life.

First phase of the flood relief program: Under this first phase relief program, we have assessed the damages in all the flood affected CLCI congregations, and develop a feasible scale of assistance for the affected members. We regret to inform you that many of our CLCI members have lost their belongings, paddy and have been suffering from partially and fully damaged houses due to heavy floods. On the first phase of flood relief program, we have made some immediate efforts to distribute cooked food and emergency used cloths like blankets etc to the victims. We have served cooked food and biscuits in more than 20 flood affected villages for our CLCI members. We have served cooked food (rice and vegetable sambar curry with paper plate) twice a day for two days for more than three thousand affected members in nearly 20 villages. Also we regret to inform you that many of our members have suffered from contaminated diseases because of the polluted drinking water. Due to the effect of the disaster, almost all the water has polluted, thus becoming a cause to spread various dangerous diseases like Diarrhea, Dysentery, Typhoid, Cholera, etc. These diseases attacked many of our people. Because of this reason we have conducted several medical camps in various CLCI flood affected congregations to save our members from contaminated deceases. For these we have provided medicines, bleaching power, and phenyl. Also we have conducted a special medical camp for cattle. We regret to inform you that sixty eight of our CLCI families lost their cattle, mainly water buffaloes which are the main source of their livelihood.

Second phase of the flood relief program: After successful completion of the first phase, with the tremendous encouragement from the respected CLC, we have started this second phase of flood relief program. In this second phase, CLCI volunteers have again come forward to supplement the efforts to provide relief to the affected members. In the month of December 2009 we left as a team from Nidubrolu to the flood affected CLCI congregations to do the second phase relief work. With your great help, we have been doing a series of programs for economic rehabilitation and livelihood restoration. We have developed a schedule for distributing extra rice, sleeping mats and family kits, etc to all the 1250 affected CLCI members. Each family kit contains one stainless steel dining plate, one stainless steel tumbler, one rice bowl, one curry bowl, one plastic bucket, one plastic jug, one blanket and one towel. Also we have provided 5kgs of extra rice and one plastic sleeping mat to the entire flood affected CLCI members. It took several weeks to complete this second phase of relief program. The situation is changing and improving day by day as the CLCI flood relief efforts continue on their way. Rehabilitation is what we have focused on – this not only makes affected members self-sufficient again, but also this is a need expressed by many of the CLCI flood victims themselves. Sadly though, once the help comes in, and as memories of this disaster fade with the passage of time, their problems are often forgotten, but their problems don’t go right away.

Other needs Dear brothers, with your permission, these following are the few other important things we would like to bring in front of you on behalf of the sincere request from very poor flood affected members. We are humbly requesting the respected CLC to look into these following remaining needs also as per your capability and time.
1. Possible help for repairing the damaged churches and prayer sheds. (12 congregations and 36 preaching stations.) We would like to provide asbestos sheets and cement posts to support repairs of the damaged churches and palm leaves and bamboos to the damaged prayer sheds.

2. Possible help to the each family of the person, who was killed: We feel so sad for the terrible tragedy we have witnessed after the floods. One terrible feature of these flash floods tragedy is that seven members are dead and many people need help who are suffering with injuries. Seven deaths were happened. They are 6 men (including one pastor) and one lady. We feel especially terrible for the families who have lost their dear ones. Especially the family, who has lost a man, they have nowhere to go for lively hood.

3. Possible help to the school going children who have lost their books (Note books, slates): We have met the children who have lost their books and made a list their needed books, stationary including pens and pencils; slates have taken into account. In this project more than 650 kids enrolled who have lost their books during floods. It would be very kind of you if you could help these children.

4. Possible help to the families lost their cattle: There are 68 families who have lost their water buffaloes, which are the main source of their livelihood.
We have done the relief programs with much hard work and plan. Please see the attached pdf file for the CLCI flood relief accounts. We are praying our Almighty living God Christ Jesus for His grace to grant us courage and strength to do the remaining things and to recover quickly from this difficult crisis.

Your generous contribution enabled our flood affected members to recover emotionally and psychologically. From the bottom of our hearts we thank all the CLC members who have helped these CLCI flood victims. The CLC’s outpouring of support has been tremendous. Generous donors have contributed much to the affected members’ relief and rehabilitation efforts and we thank you. I am sure all the CLCI flood affected members will gladly remember you all for ever. Because you have shown such a heartfelt compassion, Christian love, tremendous encouragement, kindness and the generous help in this time of tragedy. We once again thank you for your amazing generous donations and help, which have been rebuilding the affected families for a brighter future.

Dear brothers and sisters, thank you once again for your valuable service and help.

I remain,
Yours in His grace
Pastor Jyothi Benjamin.

I Cor.. 16:9  ‘For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.’

December  31, 2009

Home with the Lord
In the Tiruttani District of the BELC-India Pastor Magimaidoss has died due to liver problems. This is a time for rejoicing since another warrior for the Lord on this earth has been called home. Let’s also remember to pray for His wife, Elda, and two children – Samraj and Julee. Blessed are those who die in the Lord. May God comfort the family with the knowledge of eternal life in Christ, now for the father and one day for the rest of the family.

Prayer of Thanks
Pastor V.S.Benjamin, head of the CLCI in India, has recently had surgery to remove fluid on the brain and is now recovering. We thank the Lord for His protective and healing hand over His servant.

The Washing of Regeneration and Renewal in the Holy Spirit

Pastor Paul Panpani of the Kajiado District of the CLC East Africa reports the following baptisms for the year: 352 adults, 270 children, 110 infants. In their 16 parishes they have waiting for baptism: 155 adults, 40 children and 23 infants. What a joy that so many now have the comfort in baptism of sins forgiven, deliverance from death and the devil and that they face eternal life. Another thing for us to rejoice in is that these people are of the Masai tribe which is the least evangelized in Kenya if not in all of sub-Saharan Africa. We rejoice with Pastor Papani and his pastors that this work of the Lord has gone forth and that they were His instruments to carry on the work. God continue to give them zeal to reach out.

Angel Study part #1

Our Lord is so good to us though we don’t deserve this. One of the many ways He is good to us is having His angels serve and protect us. In this brief study outline we look at the angels from a variety of perspectives, all based in Scripture.

The word “angel’ is found more than 300 times in the Bible.  The Old Testament word for it is mal’ak and means messenger.  The single book that has the most references to angels is Revelation.  

Appearance

The artistic presentations by Moses and Solomon for the Mercy Seat for the Ark of the Covenant in the Temple shows them with wings. Ex. 37:6-9, I Kings 6:23-28

Also, Is. 6:2-6, Ez. 1:5-9, 10:5.  Daniel makes mention of the swift flight of an angel. Daniel 9:21.

They are clothed in beautiful garments  Mt. 28:2-3 or in ordinary clothing Gen. 19:1-5.

They take the form of men. Gen. 18:2, Mk. 16:5, Lk. 24:4, Acts 1:10.  And in the form of men appearing to Abraham they could eat, wash and take hands. Gen. 19:1-10.

Other Characteristics

They do God’s pleasure. Ps. 103:21  And in doing such serve us. Heb. 1:14

They possess extraordinary strength. Ps. 103:20, 2 Pet. 2:10-11, Dan. 6:21,22.

They do not marry or propagate. Mt. 22:30.

They live forever. Lk. 20:36

They enjoy singing. Rev. 5:11-12

They experience joy. Lk. 15:10.

They are wise. 2 Sam. 14:20

They inhabit the throne room of God. I Kings 22:19

They know God’s plan. Acts 1:10-11 Though they do not know all.  I Pet. 1:12

They are swift. Lk. 2:13, Acts 12:7, 12:23

Their Number
Heb. 12:22 says “thousands upon thousands.”

Jesus could have called down 12 legions or 72,000. Mt. 26:53

Daniel saw 10,000 times 10,000 or 100 million.  Dan. 7:10

They are an ‘army’ as Elisha saw.  2 Kings 6:15

Around the throne they are myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.  Rev. 5:11

Their Ranks

Cherubim is the plural of cherub which means ‘one who intercedes.’ They are first seen in Gen. 3:24.  They have four wings.  I Kings 6:23f, 7:29,36

Archangel is a leader of angels with the ‘arch’ prefix indicating leadership or being first among.  The word is found twice.  In I Thess. 4:16 the archangel is unnamed.  The one named is Michael (’who is like God’) Jude 9.  He is also referred to in: Dan. 10:13, 12:1, Rev. 12:7.  The other angel who is named is Gabriel (’hero of God’). Lk. 1:19,26, Dan. 8:16, 9:21.  While we could assume he is also an archangel, the Word does not say so.

A Passage Explained = MT. 27:3

“When Judas, His betrayer, saw that he was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders.” Some translations say Judas ‘repented’ while some others say ‘sorrowing.’ The word for repent, metanoeo, is not used here by Matthew. Instead he uses a different word, metamelomai. This word means only a regret, a sorrow and no more.  You can even see that it is not the same word. To repent means to change one’s mind. While Judas may have regretted his actions, he did not repent which involves turning in faith to Jesus, as is obvious when he goes out committing suicide. Suicide is an ultimate statement of unbelief. It is an expression of regret and sorrow, but not of trust. Judas had a worldly sorrow and that was all.

In 2 Cor. 7:10 we read, “Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death.” Peter is an example of godly grief when he goes out and weeps and turns again to Jesus. Judas is an example of worldly grief that leads to death.

A Passage Explained = Mark 9:23

“All things are possible to him who believes.” A father brings his boy who is tortured by a demon for Jesus to heal. The father says to Jesus, “if You can.” Jesus exclaims back, “If you can!” When the leper came to Jesus for healing he said, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” Lk. 5:12 The point to remember is that whatever we ask of our Lord, it must be according to His will, not ours. We may have a very strong faith, but if what we ask for is not according to His will, it will not be. Faith trusts in the will of God to be done, as Jesus taught us to pray with His example, “Not my will be done, but Thine.” The father in Mark’s reference then understands this point and says, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

When Jesus says “…whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea…” (Mk. 11:23) is using a figure of speech of hyperbole or exaggeration for effect. This figure of speech does not contradict ‘according to God’s will.’ The overriding point is always as Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, and as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy will be done.” When Jesus gives the illustration of a mountain cast into the sea, people sit up and take notice. That is the purpose of the figure of speech.

Think also about how if your hand causes you to sin you should cut if off. That is hyperbole. It would not be right to cut off your hand. Jesus uses that and the eye to be plucked out to point up with exaggeration for the effect of seeing how horrible sin is.

Pastor Koenig

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.   Luke 2:7

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.    Luke 2:11

Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men!    Luke 2:14

FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN; AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE UPON HIS SHOULDER.  AND HIS NAME WILL BE CALLED

WONDERFUL,     COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD,     EVERLASTING FATHER,  PRINCE OF PEACE.         Isaiah 9:6

May you all have a blessed Christmas.

Pastor Koenig

(Attachment of church year calendar)

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