Editorial...

Issue # 24 + October 2013 + For Private Circulation only

Betty Takam

I remember watching a video where a lady was asked to describe herself to a blind folded man who drew her face according to the description. Another lady was asked to describe the same lady's appearance to the man. At the end when the two drawings were compared it was noticed that the drawing as described by the second lady appeared more beautiful than the one described by herself. If we were asked to describe ourselves to this man how would our picture look like? We paint an ugly picture of ourselves without realizing that each one of us has been beautifully crafted in God's own image. Oftentimes we look at the mirror and notice only the negatives in us. We wish a few more inches taller would be much appreciated. If only we were a shade lighter or darker! Had the nose been a little sharper, we would have a better sense of smell. We are so busy complaining about the flaws in us that we fail to appreciate, see and use what we do have. The very fact of our existence here on this earth is reason enough for us to be grateful. So how much more should we be grateful for all the good things that we have been blessed with? No blessing is big or small; it is how big our heart is that determines the measure of our blessings. 'Gratitude is an art of painting an adversity into a lovely picture'. Here at NCFB, God has been so faithful and His blessings aplenty. This is evident from the fact that we have completed 23 years of ministry on the 6th of October. Join us in thanking Him for the lives of all those who have been instrumental in shaping this ministry. In this edition of The Morung we have testimonies of friends who have successfully completed their assignments here in Bangalore and their association with the church. As we cover some of the past events and activities we are once again reminded of how gracious He has been. Count your Blessings!

Pastors Corner...

A Challenge to Sexual Purity

Rev. Zhabu Yimsung

SEXUAL PURITY is essential to our walk with God. It is not an option; it is a requirement. However, many struggle with this issue because our world is highly sexualized. We find ourselves enticed through anything from the internet to the books we read. The message is clear - sex sells. And sadly, the impact is severe upon our youths. The Bible explicitly talks about sex. We should not be ashamed to talk about what God was not ashamed to create. This article is not a complete answer to issues pertaining to sexual purity; it is an attempt to guide young people towards maintaining sexual purity. SEX IS A GIFT FROM GOD: God made our bodies as male and female with sex drives. Sex is pleasurable because it is a reflection of the loving goodness of God who created it as a sacred gift for us to steward and enjoy (Genesis 2:24-25). This clearly implies that sexual desires, as part of God's creation, are not to be considered sinful, bad, or dirty but a gift from God with the tag Wait until marriage. SEX OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE IS A SIN: Since sex is a designated gift from God, the enjoyment of it outside of marriage is not permissible. Sexual union is an expression of a lifelong Commitment. Therefore, every act of sex before or outside of marriage is sinful as it perverts God's intention. So, the message is, No Marriage, No Sex! MAINTAINING SEXUAL PURITY: Sexual impurity of the mind and body hinders God's will from being fulfilled. King David experienced this void and confessed The Lord will not hear me if I hold on to sin in my heart (Psalm 66:16). Many blame their environment such as circumstances or friends, for the sins they commit. But according to the Bible, all our actions, habits, character and destiny are the result of our thoughts. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander (Matthew 15:19-20). As a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). This implies that sexual purity begins in the mind, not the body. Be careful of what we expose our minds to. CONSEQUENCES OF PREMARITAL SEX: Sex before marriage can damage a person on three levels: Physical, spiritual and emotional. PHYSICAL EFFECT: God not only created us in His own image but also gave us the responsibility to take care of our bodies. Therefore, subjecting our bodies to sexual activity prior to marriage is sin. Paul cautions us in 1 Corinthians 6:8 that the one who sins sexually commits sin against his own body. Sinning against the body refers to losing respect for not only your own body but also the body of the other person you are involved with. SPIRITUAL EFFECT: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8). God delights in purity. Our bodies are the temples of God (1 Corinthians 6:19), the sacred places where the Spirit not only lives, but also is worshiped, revered, and honored. Therefore, what we do through our eyes, ears or actions become critically important to God. Sexual sins alienate us from the presence of God.
Contd.on page 2

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Gratitude

Viva Achumi

II always thought of gratitude as a feeling of thankfulness and as something rather passive in character. The Oxford dictionary however defines gratitude as feeling or showing that you value or appreciate something that has been done for you. Gratitude here acquires a richer character evolving from being just a feeling into an action. Many of us do acknowledge gratitude internally but never express it through actions. I in particular am very consistent in limiting my gratitude to words. The magic word thank you is indeed overused.

Into this context, the story of Jesus and the ten lepers as recorded in the Gospel of Luke chapter 17 vs. 11-19 offers remarkable insights on Gratitude. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem when ten lepers cried out to Him for mercy. He had pity on them and instructed them to present t hemselves to the priests. Presenting themselves to the priests meant presenting their healed bodies and yet all ten of them obeyed Jesus though He hadn't yet healed them. On their way to the priests Jesus healed all ten but only one among them returned to thank Him. The significance of this story is that Jesus expected all of them to deliberately make an effort to return to thank Him. He did not want gratitude to remain as an internal unexpressed emotion as in the case of the nine lepers. It wasn't enough. He expected gratitude to be expressed through actions just like the one leper did. Expressing gratitude has been a recurrent theme even in the Old Testament. Words like Toda, Yada and Hahal are very prominent in the Old Testament. And all of them mean; to praise God, to boast about Him, to offer sacrifices to God, to declare and to glorify the works of God, to celebrate, to confess etc., in acknowledgement of all the benefits and favors received from God. The people of God in the Old Testament considered it their duty to translate their gratitude towards God into actions. James in his letter writes that faith without works is dead. Likewise gratitude too is meaningless or dead if we don't translate it into actions since actions are the natural outflow of a truly grateful heart. Both faith and gratitude requires expression for it to be genuine. Someone said that there are only two types of people in the world: the complaining and the grateful. This is true. There is much to be thankful for. Christ took our place and died for us when we were still sinners. And how have we shown Him our gratitude? It is true that our actions will never be sufficient to repay or balance out what God has done for us. But since it is our duty we are still required to do so. Only those who understand what it means to be alive when they should have been dead become grateful people. Being grateful gives us a whole new outlook on God, on life, on living and on relationships. Everything else will pale to insignificance: our trials and temptations, our struggles, our weaknesses, our problems, our insecurities, our fears etc., and even our successes when we compare them to the enormity of what God has done for us. But if we fail to live a grateful life we will be considered as one among the complaining. Throughout the Bible God has consistently demonstrated His love for us. Therefore, we should also consistently demonstrate our love and appreciation towards Him by living our lives in accordance to His will and His commands. Our lives should be a pleasing sacrifice to Him. This life of sacrifice and obedience unto God is our act of gratitude.

A Challenge to Sexual Purity

Contd. from page 1

[Viva Achumi is a final year (M.Div) student in SAIACS] ________________________

EMOTIONAL EFFECT: Guilt is the most common emotional baggage that follows when God's standard of purity until marriage is violated. It has long-term effects on future relationships in marriage, and haunts a person longer than any other consequences. This further results in lack of self-respect, self-condemnation and fear of acceptance. Therefore Guard our hearts with all diligence for out of it flow the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). HOW CAN I STAY AWAY FROM SEXUAL SIN?

!Start your day with prayer . Ask God to be pleased in everything you do. !Acknowledge your weakness. Human beings are vulnerable to sexual immorality. Don't ever say, It will not happen to me.
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

!Date only Christians. Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14). Do not enter into any relationship that could lead you to compromise your convictions. !Choose your friend by character, not just appearance. Beauty does not last forever. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). !Remind yourself, you belong to Christ. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! (1 Corinthians 6:15). Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19 & 20). !Depend on God.
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13).

WILL GOD EVER FORGIVE ME? Many young people ask, What if I have already defiled my sexuality? There is still hope. Although you cannot become whole again, you can still obtain God's forgiveness. What truly angers God is willful sin, where you go on sinning deliberately even after having understood the knowledge of the truth. Come now, let us reason together. No matter how deep the stains of your sins are, I can remove and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red crimson, I can make you as white as wool (Isaiah 1:18).

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Getting Candid with Nukshi Jamir

The Morung: You were very involved with the church, how did it help you personally? Nukshi: Being a part of the Praise and Worship Team for 4 years and the powerhouse for 3 years I strongly believe it helped me survive in the Big City where you are drawn to many other things as well. It kept me busy with practice and other church related activities even on weekends. The Morung: What has been your best experience with NCF Bangalore? Nukshi: I had the best years of my life with NCF Banaglore so it will be impartial on my part to give just one. The three camps that I attended and the all night prayers will always hold a special place in my heart. The Morung: What will you miss most about NCF Bangalore? Nukshi: The camp (obviously), the all night prayers, catching up with friends over coffee after church and all the practice sessions and conducting powerhouse meetings.

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The Morung: Message to NCF Bangalore? Nukshi: Always stay connected with the church and help in every possible way, it may be the smallest but the return is BIG. I want to take this opportunity to thank Pastor Zhabu, Aunty Tosang, Caleb Kent, Ranglung, the Praise and Worship Team, the Powerhouse Team and everyone who had been a part of my life during my stay in Bangalore. God Bless you all. The Morung: What are you doing now and where? Nukshi: I am pursuing my Bachelors of Divinity (BD) from UBS, Pune. Will hopefully come back to Bangalore for my further studies in the near future.

I am thankful for...
My mummy, daddy and Abi. - DANYELE THONG Gods blessings, family and friends. - JORDAN SIMMONS His apparent presence in my life. - VIKHONO MEYASE All my dedicated and fun loving Sunday school teachers. - SHEKINAH YIMSUNG My parents, my near and dear ones and God who has given me all these. - ANKITA GUPTA The assurance that everything is in His hands. - AMOS TAMLONG I am thankful to NCF Bangalore for the encouragement and support throughout my stay in Bangalore. The NCF has planted in me the seed for the fear of the Lord and I am very grateful for this blessing. Thank you once again and remembering you in prayers. - AVIKUONUO PIENYU

Thank You !!!

Congratulations...

Naomi born to Tamen and Arun on 9 January. Charis born to Bo Kyoung and Caleb Kent on 19 January. Kevin born to Anung and Dennis Reuben Prince on 8 February. Kadoune born to Veishene and Jacob on 5 April. Joel born to Sharon and Kailash Gupta on 3 July. Alexandria born to Chungliu and Lloyd Pires on 18 September.
th th th th rd th

the NCF family is so happy for YOU !!!

Dear Vikali & Zahkato,

Congratulations on your wedding! God bless your married life. - NCF Family

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POTTERS TOUCH 2013

The NCF Bangalore's annual camp themed 'Potter's Touch 2013' was held from February 9-12 at Claret Nivas, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Altogether 120 campers were a part of this eventful and blessed 4 days. What started as a gathering of strangers and unknown faces became one big family by the end of the camp. The campers were divided into 12 groups named after clays, stones and rocks. The competition among the groups was neck to neck but Sapphire group emerged as the champions of the camp. The camp directors, Ranglung and Wungtei did an excellent job in managing the hectic schedules and activities. Our guest speakers, Dr. Dexter Maben of United Theological College, Bangalore and Pastor Robert D' Roza of Hope Chapel, Bangalore enlightened the campers on the topics 'Salvation, Knowing God's Will and Sex & Marriage'. Rev. Zhabu Yimsung, the Pastor of NCF, Bangalore ministered during the gospel session. It was four days of absolute joy as the campers were kept on their toes with so many group and individual activities. The tradition of 'angel and mortal' was also one highlight of the camp as everyone would rush to see what were in store for them in their respective goodie bags. The Potter's Touch 2013 was an experience of a life time for many who attended the camp for the first time. Besides, it was a break away from the monotony of life for all, where, one could get personal with God and feel His amazing love.

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Friendly football match between NCF and UTC Nagas, 24th August.

The Sunday School children with the teachers.

The much awaited All Night Prayer.

Water Baptism on Easter Sunday: Vikri, Sangle, Ketho, Jordan, Danyele and Ching.

Dr. Steve Olsen, the resident staff of Prague Tyrannus Hall and his wife Julie with the Bangalore Tyrannus Hall boys in June 2013.
NCF Bangalore 10 years ago. Truly, the Lord is faithful !

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My first stint in Bangalore was during my graduation and thereafter I came back to Bangalore to complete my Master of Laws from National Law School of India University in 2011-13. During my stay in Bangalore, I came to be associated with the Naga Christian Fellowship which really helped me in many ways. The Pastor and his team were such wonderful people who were always there to help me in every possible way. In fact, a home away from home NCF Bangalore is such a fellowship where we can get spiritual food, encouragement, motivation and lots more. This is the ideal platform where we meet people from different walks of life and get to know more about everything. Another thing which I really appreciate and will always remember is the All Night Prayers. It not only helped me in spending time with God and knowing more about Him but also helped me renew my spiritual life. Thank you NCF Banaglore. Best wishes to all. God bless.

Limanochet Jamir, Lawyer & Lecturer, City Law College, Dimapur

My Experience in Bangalore

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Meguonuo Rio, Entrepreneur, Kohima

Seemed like just yesterday that I landed in Bangalore to pursue my Bachelor in Business Management (BBM) but well here I am penning down my experience in Bangalore having completed my MBA (Global) specializing in International Business. I had no plans of pursuing my further studies in Bangalore. At first I thought my fate brought me here but now I realize that God had bigger and better plans for me. Being a part of the Morung Newsletter Team and taking part in the church activities has helped me nurture my personal and spiritual life too. The one most important thing that I've learned and will always carry with me through my life is that we should seek God diligently and if we do so we will prosper in all we do. I just want to remind and encourage everyone that life is a roller coaster but sometimes it's the experiences and mistakes that turn out to be the best parts of our lives. Thank you NCFB for helping me grow and for the wonderful memories that I will cherish forever.

Good News !!!

NCF Bangalore is happy to announce the purchase of the Church Building Plot at Esther Eden (Site No.11 & 12, plot dimension: 5500 Sq.ft) in Hennur-Bagalur Main Road, Bangalore. We are grateful to individuals, families and churches for generously contributing towards this project. God bless each one of you abundantly.

Praise Sunday
The NCFB Praise Sunday was held on the 14th of July 2013 under the theme 'Toda L'cha Adonai' which means 'Thank You Lord'. The program hosted by Boto Achumi began with a beautiful song Women of Faith by the lovely ladies of the worship team. Echung Ovung and Vikedo & friends also presented special songs. Watinaro exhorted the congregation on True Worship. There was a special time of praise and worship at the end.

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Know your Leaders ...

John Poumai is a retired professional diver of
the Indian Navy. He currently serves as a security supervisor of Fidelity Group, a finance company. He is the Treasurer of NCF.

Rev. Zhabu Yimsung is the pastor of NCF Bangalore. He is the ex-officio to all the departments under NCF.

Watinaro Longkumer is an Assistant Professor in the department of Psychology at Christ University. She is the coordinator of the Praise & Worship Team. Khune Luruo is happily married
to Kuthonuzo and they have two lovely daughters. She is a homemaker and the coordinator of the Hospitality Team.

Zahkato Wotsa works for Oracle India

Pvt. Ltd as a Senior Business Development Consultant. He is the coordinator of the Ushering Team.

Aosen Jamir is a graduate of United Theological College,

Bangalore. She is the students Coordinator of the Students Christian Movement of India(SCMI). She is the coordinator of the Sunday School Team.

Khrunio Heni works with Wipro Ltd as

Manager, Product Development. He is the coordinator of the Working Peoples Forum.

Boqhito Chishi is pursuing M.Th in Old Testament in United Theological College. He is the coordinator of the Powerhouse Team. Vikhono Meyase has completed Masters in Economics
and is currently pursuing masters in English in Jyoti Nivas College. She is the coordinator of the Morung Team.

Our Purpose Statement

The Naga Christian Fellowship, Bangalore strives to witness, nurture and train men and women to be disciples of Christ through prayer, fellowship, teaching and preaching of the Word Of God.

Our Core Values

To lead people to salvation and growth in Christ likeness through worship, outreach, evangelism, bible studies etc. To provide rest, healing and restoration to those who need it through counseling, helps and other available aids. To promote unity among all Christians by partnering and networking with other like minded churches.

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Upcoming Events...
OCTOBER
13 Thanksgiving Sunday 27 Miracle Sunday 27 Outreach to Devangere

NOVEMBER
2 Executive Meeting 3 World Sunday School Day 9 Buffet in aid of SOAR 2014 17 Festival of Praise 23 Outreach to Hasan

Contact : Khrunio 9686828503 Kailash 9845091580 Chumde 8971794876

DECEMBER
1 Advent Christmas 6 All Night Prayer 7 Executive Meeting 8 Miracle Sunday 22 Carol Service 25 Christmas

JANUARY 2014

SOAR 2014
February 6 - 9

Buffet in aid of NCF Annual Youth Camp

1 New Year 25 Executive Meeting 31 All Night Prayer

FEBRUARY
6 - 9 Youth Camp (SOAR 2014) 16 Campers Sunday

MARCH
8 Executive Meeting 9 Farewell Sunday 16 Ladies Sunday 30 Miracle Sunday

APRIL

Authentic Naga Cuisines guaranteed !!!

5 Executive Meeting 6 Mens Sunday 12 General Body Meeting 13 Palm Sunday 18 Good Friday / All Night Prayer 20 Easter Sunday / Baptism

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EDITORIAL TEAM : Pito Kiba, Betty Takam, Richard Asoso & Vikhono Meyase The Morung is published by the Naga Christian Fellowship, Bangalore You can find us on facebook NCF Bangalore

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