Sitteri Hills, 13-16 January 2007

1078 Young girls cry, “Lord, make us an Aroma

for this stinking world.”—For details turn to pages 7-9
 FAITH: The Essence of Christian Life!
Pearl John
The Christian walk is conceived,
confirmed and concluded in faith. It is the
basis of spiritual life. That God should attach
such significance to the exercise of faith
amplifies the status of this virtue. The life
story of Joshua illustrates the ardent faith
he possessed and the arduous circums-
tances through which he exercised it to
the glory of God. The book of Joshua
captures the essence of faith and is ripe
with lessons on faith, to effectively deploy
for our benefit.
Author of Faith
Faith, for some strange reason, is
conceptualized as an act of man,
exercised by his wish and attributed to his
will. On the contrary, the Bible indicates
that the initiative of our faith is from God.
“After the death of Moses…, the Lord said
to Joshua...” (Josh 1:1). The flickering
candle within Joshua’s heart was ignited
with the powerful Word from God. The
man in the sideline donned the mantle of
leadership. The sorrow and uncertainty
that surrounded the demise of the
charismatic leader, Moses, was suddenly
transformed into zest and zeal at the
behest of God. In the absence of God’s
initiative, Joshua possibly would have
wallowed in grief and basked in past glory.
God is undisputedly the author of our
faith (Heb 12:2). He is the One who
initiated the good work in us (Phil 1:6). In
the absence of His initiative, all our
endeavors would be futile. Let no man take
credit for the faith he is endowed with, for
it is God who apportions the measure of
faith to each one (Rom 12:3). God took the
initiative in carving Adam into His
likeness (Gen 1:26,27); He took the
initiative in imparting His Spirit and
quickening the lifeless form into a living
being (Gen 2:7). He created a vacuum in
BLESSING/ March 2007
Adam’s heart for God and through Christ
filled that emptiness. His initiative called
out Abraham, and His predestination
guided Abraham’s response to God. It is
not the desire of man but the grace of God
that sprouts and sustains faith. The
disciples’ plea, when confronted with the
seemingly impossible task of forgiving
others was: “Lord, increase our faith” (Lk
17:5). As faithful Christians, shall we not
but join with the disciples and seek His
face to enhance our faith? There could be
no better teacher than the author of our
faith to tutor us on the fundamentals of
faith.
Adversities in Faith
“Now then you and all these people get
ready to cross the Jordan River into the
land I am about to give to them” (Josh1:2).
God’s directives are always challenging
and seldom easy to comply with. God’s call
to Abraham called for renunciation of his
kith and kin. God’s call to Moses called
for renunciation of his earthly glory. His
call to Joshua called for his resurgence
from the shadow of Moses into a faith
warrior of standing. God’s dictate
presented an excellent opportunity for
Joshua to act in faith and cross the river
Jordan. Bible scholars are of the view that
the river Jordan was predominantly
flooded during this time. The deluge
possibly threw a major challenge to
Joshua. His mind perhaps wavered: Would
the God of Moses now honor His word to
the second line leadership? Would the
power of God that separated the Red Sea
at the command of Moses be made
manifest by his feeble hands? Should the
Jordan not give way, how would he
manage the situation?
The rivers of Jordan and its ilk are God’s
emissaries to sharpen and shape us into
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the beings we are called to be for God. They
are designed by God and delivered by His
Spirit in opportune moments to ensure us
of the sufficiency of Christ to face such
challenges (Mk 1:12,13; Heb 2:18)! Every
facet of our life and every incident we face
are ordered by God with a definite plan.
Nothing that is not in His blueprint can
ever as much as touch us! The pain and
agony, problems and apprehensions
encountered are allowed such that His
name is glorified. They are effective
implements in the hands of God to shape
our destiny. It was imperative that Joshua
crossed the seething waters of Jordan for
him to be exalted in the eyes of all Israel
and establish beyond doubt that God was
with him (Josh 4:7).
Many such Jordans will confront every
Christian’s walk of faith. God presents
opportunities for us daily to act in faith.
Torrents will hit hard at the very
foundations of our faith (Mt 7:25).
Challenges galore await the Christian.
Surmounting trials pave way for more
complex problems. Overcoming multiple
problems result in achieving the desig-
nated objectives, as Joshua did. Over-
coming the fury of the flooding river, he
had to tackle the formidable fortress of
Jericho and then the hostile kings at war.
However, he consistently and faithfully
plodded on to attain the Promised Land.
Every decision made and every action
taken is a potential landmine that tests
the fabric of our faith. The choice is ours
to make, to act in faith and not be deterred
by the waters of Jordan but be directed by
the Words of Jesus!
Assurance of Faith
“No one will be able to stand against
you all the days of your life. As I was with
Moses, so I will be with you, I will never
leave you nor forsake you” (Josh 1:5). God’s
promise to Joshua was definite; no act of
man can violate the sanctity of the Word
of God. No force in heaven, on earth or
BLESSING/ March 2007
under the earth can stand against the man
who acts in faith, initiated by God. God’s
choice of words is telling; the fact that ‘no
one will be able to stand against you’,
implies there will be efforts by the forces
of darkness to come in opposition. The
seas will rage, winds will blow and the evil
one will do his utmost to unsettle us. In
our walk of faith, we are likely to be
assailed by the onslaught of indictment,
inconsideration and insipidity. Praise
God for His assurance; no one will be able
to stand against us. No force can derail
us from our calling and our race of faith.
God reaffirms His commitment to
Joshua, drawing upon His faithfulness in
the past as a gentle reminder of His
sufficiency for the future; “As I was with
Moses, so I will be with you”. What a sense
of comfort. The God of Moses, Who guided
His efforts to lead Israel from bondage to
freedom, is the same and He is with us. If
He directed Moses and steered His efforts
to usher His people out of slavery and
bondage, He can do the same for us! His
assurance does not stop there. He further
seals it conclusively—“I will never leave
you nor forsake you.” That is God’s com-
mitment to us as we take on the faith walk.
He will never leave us nor forsake us.
While instances where we feel He has
hidden His face from us are likely to
abound, His word is emphatic; He will not
leave us. What better immunity do we
need to tackle the ordeals of this world?
(Psa 13:1).
Armor of Faith
“Be strong and courageous, because
you will lead these people to inherit the
land I swore to their forefathers to give
them” (Josh 1: 6). God, in His preeminent
knowledge of the debilitating weakness of
man, highlighted the need to be strong and
courageous. The psalmist echoes this
best—“Even though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
no evil for You are with me” (Psa 23:4).
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Valley experiences are inevitable. But
traversing through valleys is sure shot
evidence of walking in faith. For the
strength of God is manifest in our
weaknesses (Rom 8:26).
FAITH perhaps reminds us: We can
Face All Ills Through Him! In the darkest
hour, when all else pales into insigni-
ficance—the body mangled, the mind
ready to give way and the spirit at its
lowest ebb, His words come alive—“Be
strong and courageous.” Our strength and
courage create havoc in the enemy’s
terrain, and he, with his dark angels, melts
with fear in the presence of a strong,
courageous saint armored in faith (Josh
2:11).Very often we do not recognize the
power we wield in the spiritual realm.
Much like the majority of Israelites we are
gripped with fears that destroy our peace
and shatter our confidence (Num 13:27-
29,31,32; 14:1-3). A fear-riddled approach
is easily sensed by the enemy. Fear breeds
uncertainty. Uncertainty saps energies. A
panicky individual can never give his
100%. The fear response depletes his
resources. There are essentially three
fears that detract us from our faith—
Fear of the Past: This fear is crippling
and is potent enough to raze our
confidence completely. Past inadequacies
and failures loom large before the faith
warrior and become the basis for inaction
or delayed action (Rom 11:30; Col 1:21).
The notion, ‘past is past’ is best applied
with regard to the fear of the past. Very little
can be done about it except learn from the
past and allow the lessons to be so
ingrained in our beings that the past
errors do not destroy the present efforts
and future endeavors, in pursuit of our
faith goals. Fear of the Present: If fear of
the past is crippling, the fear of the present
is corrosive. Very often the size and mettle
of the opponent we see is real and we
become small in our own eyes! (Num
13:31,32). The tasks of the present day
may be daunting, the challenges at the
BLESSING/ March 2007
mission field impossible and the problems
at office beyond solution. The fear of the
present could be so debilitating that one
is reduced to merely going through the
motions of the day, devoid of energy or
enthusiasm. But praise God for the likes
of Caleb and Joshua (Num 14:9). They did
not see the enormity of the giants but the
extent of the grace of God. Our focus is
not to be on the size of the problem but on
the source of power to solve the problem.
That is the secret of overcoming the fear
of the present. Fear of the Future: Fear of
the future is crushing. Many a faith warrior
has lost focus, thanks to the incapacitating
power of the uncertainties of tomorrow.
The bullish economy, spiraling costs,
increasing pink slips, ravages of un-
employment, changing morality and
shifting values are nerve-wracking
realities that make the future bleak and
apprehensive. In the light of a dark and
unsettling panorama of life, the voice of
hope rings from the best optimist ever—
Jesus Himself. His antidote to this fear is
simple: ‘Don’t worry, be happy’ (Mt 6:25-34)!
Who can better the Master’s voice?
An athlete who believes his inability to
win the race is right from his standpoint.
Despite his competence and inherent
talent, his misplaced attitude perpetuates
a self-defeating message to his tendons
and muscles that live out his belief. An
equally competent athlete who believes he
has it within him to win the race is also
right. Positive signals are sent to his body
through his neurotransmitters that fuel
him to win. So it is in the spiritual world.
A man of faith who draws his strength from
God and is courageous in accordance to
His Word shall mount up with wings like
eagles! (Isa 40:31). Fear shall have no hold
over him. May we draw upon the armor of
faith and be strong and courageous in the
face of fear and uncertainty.
Application of Faith
“... Be careful to obey all the law ... do
not turn from it to the right or to the left,
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that you may be successful wherever you
go” (Josh 1:7). Obedience is a natural
expression of faith and God prefers
obedience to sacrifice (1 Sam 15:22).
Professing faith and living in dis-
obedience is a rational contradiction.
Faith without action is akin to an engine
without fuel or hardware without software.
While the engine may be in impeccable
condition in the absence of fuel, the
automobile will not move! With the best of
hardware configured on your computer,
without appropriate software, your
applications will not work! The hardware
needs to be supported by the software.
Absence of the software will not reveal the
robust hardware deployed in the PC .
Abraham followed God’s dictate with no
reservations, implicitly. God’s expectation
from us is no less. An obedient heart
delights God while disobedience invites
His wrath.
A slipshod attitude to the things of God
and His expressed will can lead to serious
consequences. God’s warning is distilled
—“Be careful...” Carelessness is costly. It
results in partial obedience or outright
disobedience. Also, obeying certain
pieces of God’s dictates and ignoring
others does not go well with God; hence
the reminder to obey all the law. King
Saul’s action is a classic example of partial
obedience (1 Sam 15:17-21). Saul lost
ground with God owing to his lackadai-
sical approach and lackluster diligence!
His loss of favor with God and subsequent
dethronement are the dire outcomes of
what started off as partial obedience. Saul,
the anointed of God, a mighty man of valor,
the popular choice and crowned king of
Israel fell from grace to bite dirt. How can
we escape if we ignore clear directives
from God?
Saul lacked faith and saved some of the
spoil to sacrifice for God (1 Sam 15:15).
On the contrary, Abraham by faith saw the
provision of the sacrificial lamb (Gen 22:8).
BLESSING/ March 2007
Abraham obeyed and fathered a nation;
Saul disobeyed and became a fugitive in
his own nation! The secret to success does
not lie in prowess or princely status; it is
embedded in implicit compliance. Simple
obedience begets significant outcomes.
Disobedience breeds disrepute. May the
Lord give us obedient hearts (1 Sam
15:22b). Obedience brings blessings and
disobedience bane (Deut 28:1-13,15-68).
Amazing Consequences of Faith
Joshua commanded the Israelites,
“Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the
Lord will do amazing things among you”
(Josh 3:5). For God to act and faith to bear
fruit, the chosen vessels are to be
consecrated. Blemished hearts and
stained hands will not stand before a Holy
God (Psa 24:3,4). God ceases to act where
sin rules (Josh 7:11-15). In the Garden of
Eden, satan introduced sin and man has
been enslaved ever since. Sin breached
the relationship of God and man. The
chasm created can be bridged only by
Christ in response to a penitent soul. A
contrite spirit is an acceptable offering to
God (Psa 51:17). Such a person with a
resolve not to sin can be a potent tool in
the hands of God. Consecration is an act
of faith in response to God’s command.
Professing faith and living in sin is
unacceptable to God.
When God’s children consecrated
themselves by an act of faith, rivers gave
way, cities fell, the sun and the moon
halted and kings were routed (Josh 3:15;
6:20,21; 10:12; 12:9-24). All these
humanly impossible feats were possible by
an unwavering faith placed on a God who
does amazingly, far beyond what we ask
or imagine (Eph 3:20). Joshua did not
mince words as he stated in all Israel’s
hearing, “... The living God is among you
and He will certainly drive out before you
the Canaanites, Hittites...” Faith makes the
impossible possible and visualizes the
5
invisible as visible. Joshua saw the
amazing exploits of God with eyes of faith.
God is keen to do amazing things among
us. The amazing events experienced by
the Israelites can very well happen in our
lives, if only we believe and exercise our
faith as that of a mustard seed (Mt 17:20).
Bastions of the devil will be broken, those
bound in chains of sin will be released
and people blinded by darkness will see
the marvelous Light. The will of God will
be done on earth as it is in heaven, if only
we exercise faith!
Award For Faith
“I will give you every place where you
set your foot” (Josh 1:3). God does not
expect faith to be exercised in vacuity. He
presents a reason and purpose for that
faith. Through the ages, the incentive for
faith has been scripted in unambiguous
terms. When Abraham was mandated to
leave his country and his people and go
to the land God would show him, God did
not present the directive in isolation.
Genesis 12:1 is followed by 12:2 where
the incentive for Abraham’s faith is stated
in no uncertain terms—“I will make you
into a great nation and I will bless you; I
will make your name great, and you will
be a blessing...” Moses when summoned
by God to lead His people out of Egyptian
slavery was presented with a lucid picture
of the exploits of Israelites against Egypt
and the land of abundance. Joshua is
presented with an enviable proposition of
inheriting every place he sets his foot!
Bigger challenges merit greater
rewards. Though challenges and dis-
tractions are a powerful force to detract
the faith walk of a Christian, the impetus
provided by the incentive is more potent
and compelling! Paul captures this
effectively as he stated, “...Our present
sufferings are not worth comparing with
the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom
8:18). Very often the focus of many is
BLESSING/ March 2007
limited to the earthly dimension. A shift
to see the eternal dimension would impel
the Christian to have a significantly
different perspective of the challenges. The
prize for a life lived in faith is eagerly
awaiting the faithful and God has made
this explicit through His Word (2 Tim 4:8;
Rev 2:26). In the faith walk, while God
describes goals and the rewards for
successful accomplishment of the goals,
often He does not detail out the day-to-
day problems to be managed as He did
with Joshua (Gen 2:17; Rev 2:7). While the
Land of milk and honey was promised,
God did not expand on the troubles
Joshua would have to face in conquering
the Land! Instead, He confers His
guarantee—“I will give you every place
where you set your foot.” What a blessing!
The award announced to Joshua is ours
to receive today. God is eager to bless us
with every place we set our feet. The most
fortified city of the prince of darkness can
be claimed for the King of kings. The
hardened rocky heart will be softened by
His Love. The barren land will bear fruit.
Every soul that is told and every heart that
hears the gospel of Christ shall be our
inheritance. Praise the Lord!
As we engage in our faith walk daily,
shall we lay hold of these truths and allow
the essence of Christian life—FAITH, to
infuse our thought, word and deed such
that the power of God is manifest in and
through our feeble beings. U
PASTOR J. EDWIN EASTERDOSS
The Blessing Youth Mission thanks
God for the life and ministry of Pastor
J. Easterdoss who had his Homecall
on 25 January 2007 at the age of 75.
He was the first fulltime staff of the
BYM and later founded an inde-
pendant Church. He never married.
We pray for the bereaved families of
his brothers and sisters.
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To the Participants of Aroma 2007
Aroma Everywhere!
Dear Friends,
It was such a joy to see you in AROMA
2007 which just concluded in Sitteri Hills.
Our hearts go to God in praise and
thanksgiving for what He did for us during
the 3-day gathering of over 1000 young girls
in that beautiful campsite. The Word of God
through His messengers descended on us
gently like dew drops. The wind of the Holy
Spirit blew on the participants and wafted
its lovely perfume. It is our prayer that
wherever you go, you will give off a sweet
scent rising to God. People must breathe in
the exquisite fragrance of God’s love in your
company. You should be like “a lovely orchard
bearing precious fruit, with the rarest of
perfumes: nard and saffron, calamus and
cinnamon, myrrh and aloes, perfume from
every incense tree, and every other lovely
spice,” and like “a garden fountain, a well
of living water, as refreshing as the streams
from the mountains” (SS 4:13,14).
True to the name of the Camp, all stench
from your life is driven off by the scent of
salvation. When people ask the participants
of a Christian Camp or Conference, “How
was the programme?”, the standard answer
is, “It was a great blessing!” No doubt God
brought you to Aroma 2007 to bless you and
He did bless you. But that’s not His ultimate
aim. Blessing you is only the means to make
you a blessing to others. Your life was made
aromatic so you can spread the aroma
everywhere!
If the blessing of God stops with you, there
will go out of you only the smell of stagnation.
This is what God meant while giving
instructions to Moses concerning the making
of the incense for use in the Tabernacle of
worship: “Never make this incense for
yourselves... Those who make it for their
own enjoyment will be cut off from the
community” (Ex 30:37,38).
BLESSING/ March 2007
There are atleast four circles you must
immediately think of where you are supposed
to be spreading the aroma—
1. Family
2. Friends
3. Folks
4. Frontiers
Let’s see how you can do it.
Family
When Jesus delivered a demon-possessed
man from Satanic bondage, the man pleaded
with Him that he would be permitted to be
with Jesus for ever. He perhaps wanted to
keep on receiving blessings from God. But
Jesus said, “No, go home to your friends,
and tell them what wonderful things the Lord
has done for you and how merciful He has
been” (Mk 5:18,19).
If your life is not fragrant at home in your
family circle, you can hardly accomplish
anything for God. Blessing your parents,
brothers, sisters and relatives is your first
and primary responsibility. The family people
are the most challenging group you would
ever face with your testimony of salvation.
You may not get garlands and bouquet from
people at home when you open up your mouth
to talk about Jesus. Be ready to be despised
and rejected. See how the parents and brothers
of young Joseph responded to what he told
them about God’s revelations to him (Gen
37:5-11). Don’t be discouraged. Be patient.
Beware of speaking anything in haste. Never
get into the better-than-you attitude. Watch
your life. Your walk is louder than your talk.
Obey your parents and love your brothers
and sisters more than ever. Never mind if
they throw cold water on your enthusiasm.
Salvation is actually a revelation (Psa
50:23b; 91:16b). It is a gift from God. It
cannot be worked out or earned by any man
7
(Eph 2:8,9). Therefore pray much for each
member of your family to be saved. Pray in
faith, but don’t lose heart if the answer is
delayed. Do you know that God is more
interested than you that your family members
must be saved? The Jail Superintendent simply
asked Paul and Silas how “he” could be
saved. But the answer included his “family”
as well: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
and you will be saved, along with your entire
household!” (Acts 16:30,31). Claim this
promise regularly. You will soon see the aroma
of God filling your house.
Friends
Let’s now move to your next circle. This
includes your neighbours, classmates and
other social contacts. It is God’s desire that
you attract them to Christ through your words
and deeds. Surprised by what has happened
to you in the Camp, they may bombard you
with questions. Some of the questions may
be sincere, whereas others may be simply
to make fun of you. Be pleasant and polite.
Don’t start giving sermons and lectures.
It is not necessary that you cut off
relationships with all your unsaved friends.
In fact it is by befriending people we bring
them to Christ. The nickname Jesus earned
was “Friend of Sinners!” At the same time,
don’t join your old friends in gossip and
filthy jokes. Withdraw from such situations
tactfully (Psa 1:1). In course of time they
will understand and appreciate your distaste
for anything ungodly.
You are the extension of God’s hand to
heal, comfort, change and bless your friends.
Keep a list of your friends and contacts and
pray for them, may be for one per day. Help
them wherever you can. Be a good listener
and counsel them practically. Don’t ever become
authoritative or dictatorial.
If you have hurt or wronged someone,
go quickly to the person concerned and
reconcile. Apologise freely. Be a peacemaker.
That’s the badge of your sonship in God’s
family (Mt 5:9). Die to regionalism and
BLESSING/ March 2007
casteism. Don’t be too involved in college
elections if politics enters the field. Be diligent
in studies. Even if you are not intelligent,
your industriousness will be respected and
rewarded. Dress modestly. Don’t sacrifice
your feminine looks for the sake of fashion.
Maintain purity in relationships with the
opposite sex. This is how you can spread
the fragrance of Christ in your campus and
neighbourhood.
Start a fellowship with likeminded Christian
girls to gather regularly for Bible study and
prayer. Pray for a spiritual awakening in
your school or college. Share the message
of the love of Christ with those who do not
know Him personally. Whether they are
Christians or non-Christians, help your
friends in crises through prayer. “Fear not!”
was a favourite saying of Christ. Speak it
out to encourage the downhearted and the
dejected.
Folks
Like ripples in a pool of water the aroma
of your new life in Christ will keep spreading
in ever-widening circles. Besides touching
the lives of your family members and friends,
God desires that you influence other folks
also through your testimony.
Join your friends or church members in
open-air evangelism. Don’t be ashamed of
distributing gospel tracts in public places.
Visit hospitals, women prisons and slums to
share the gospel. Hospital visitation
evangelism is ideally suitable for women.
Nurses are mostly women, isn’t it? Whatever
you do to the suffering and downtrodden is
actually done to Christ Himself (Mt 25:33-
40). India lives in villages. Over 50% of the
villagers are women! See how a single woman
changed by Jesus in Samaria could bring
the entire village to Him! (Jn 4:3-42). The
evangelistic team of Jesus had so many women
on it. Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Susanna
were some of them (Lk 18:1-3). Volunteer
to help in the evangelistic programmes of
the local churches. Whatever you do for the
glory of God, with no other motive, is an
aromatic offering to Him.
8
 Your social contacts will suddenly increase
when you get married — new relatives, new
families, new friends and so on. So also when
you finish your studies and get employed.
No two persons are alike. People are made
up of differing temperaments. Identification
with folks becomes difficult when differences
are many. If Jesus from Heaven could so
very well identify with us on this sin-stained
earth, can’t we? Shouldn’t we? Learn to accept
people as they are and relate to them with
selfless love. There’s no other way. Never
antagonize anyone. Balance sociality and
spirituality. A Tamil proverb says, The fibre
that ties flowers together also smells sweet!
(ónthL nr®ªj ehU« kz«bgW«! )
Frontiers
Missionary Paul wrote to the Christians
in the city of Corinth, “Thanks be to God,
who made us His captives and leads us along
in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now wherever
we go He uses us to tell others about the
Lord and to spread the Good News like a
sweet perfume” (2 Cor 2:14).
God in His sovereign will may call you
to carry the message of salvation to regions
beyond. May be you dedicated yourself in
the Camp to go as a missionary. Not everyone
gets this desire, and therefore don’t slight
the decision you made in that huge gathering.
It is God who has planted this desire in your
heart. He will bring it to pass in His own
way, in His own time (Phil 2:13). Read chapter
14 from Brother Stanley’s book, Dare to be
Different!, titled “If you are Called...”
Even without going out as a fulltime
missionary, you can spread the aroma of Christ
to regions beyond. Here’s what you can do—
U Pray regularly for the salvation of
various people groups, living in distant lands,
who have not heard the gospel yet. It is not
God’s will that anyone should perish but that
all should come to the knowledge of truth
(1 Tim 2:1-4). Prayer is actually an “incense”
that ascends to the Throne of God (Rev 5:8;
8:3,4).
BLESSING/ March 2007
U Give liberally to support missionary
work. Concerning the offerings received from
the Philippian Christians, missionary Paul
wrote, “Your gifts are a sweet-smelling
sacrifice that is acceptable to God and pleases
Him” (Phil 4:18). When Mary poured the
costly perfume on Jesus, its fragrance filled
the whole house. Instantly Jesus visualized
the whole world being filled with His gospel
(Mt 26:13). The world cannot be totally
evangelized without such sacrificial giving.
U Involve in missionary activities, both
at home and in the fields, as much as possible.
A life poured out for God is aromatic before
Him and before men. How moving the CD
on Chitling Valley was in the Camp! Were
you not touched by the testimonies of tribals
and missionaries? You saw how little girls
were forced by parents to be given away as
temple prostitutes. Will you be the next Amy
Carmichael or Teresa or Scudder?
We are ready to help you in whatever way
we can. Write us. God bless!
Affectionately yours,
the Camp organizers.
Double Benefit Scheme!
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Blessing, our monthly magazine, by paying
just Rs. 500/-, you will not only receive the
magazine but also all the books we publish
from the date of your enrollment free for
your lifetime.
Please introduce this scheme to your
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This is an ideal gift for a birthday or a
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Profit yours! Service satisfaction ours!
BLESSING YOUTH MISSION
Church Colony
Vellore 632 006, India
9
 Flashes from Karnataka!
Mrs. Ruth Manivannan, Missionary, Karnataka
A birthday of a different kind!
It was 20th January, the birthday of Tina
Sadamal the eldest daughter of our missionary
couple Shakuntala and Chandrasekar Sadamal. As
Tina was away at Chennai because of her studies,
Shakuntala was feeling sad about it. But somehow
she wanted to celebrate her daughter’s birthday.
All through the day a thought was lingering in
her mind, that is, she should do something for
somebody who cannot repay it. In the evening an
idea flashed her mind. To execute that idea, she
called the children of the nomads (called chiklkar)
who pitched their tents adjacent to their building.
Around 20 gathered. She gave them food and
played with them. She also shared that it was her
daughter’s birthday which she wanted to celebrate
with them who were also like her children. The
children were so excited. They visit her regularly
and she shares the good news of Christ to them
since then.
Tina was so happy about her birthday.
Sangeetha walks by the Saviour’s touch!
Lame Sangeetha was four years old, when her
grandmother first brought her to our Jamkhandi
church. She is from Chowdiahnagar slum. On her
grandmother’s request our missionary Shakuntala
applied oil and prayed for her. They came
continuously for five weeks though nothing
happened. Even our missionary thought, how it
was possible for the born-lame to walk. But the
next week the girl came to the church walking.
Praise the Lord! Is He not the God who created
the one who was lame from his birth? Sangeetha
is now nine years and active in Sunday School.
Christ’s compassion for Chinnavva!
Chinnavva is residing in the hill area of
Jamkhandi where our missionaries conduct
BLESSING/ March 2007
weekly prayers. One of her relatives invited
missionary Shakuntala to come and pray in her
house. Chinnavva was affected by paralysis and
unable to walk. Shakuntala prayed for her and
shared the gospel. She also shared about the
miracles performed by Jesus Christ. Two days
later Chinnavva walked and came for the prayer.
Chinnavva is a devadasi (temple prostitute) and
is 40 years old.
Saraswathi Saved !
Saraswathi is one of the tailoring students who
come to the tailoring classes conducted at Mrs.
Samadhanamma’s house, one of our church
believers. Once a week our missionary sisters
conduct prayer at the same place. Saraswathi
regularly attends the same. But she was hesistant
to accept Christ or come to Chruch, because of
her mother. But to everybody’s surprise one
Sunday she was in the Church with her mother.
Both the mother and the daughter were so
impressed by the songs and the worship service
that they started coming to church regularly. Both
of them are baptised now. Saraswathi out of her
own interest conducted a VBS for six children near
her house. Saraswathi who is fond of singing is
now singing for the Saviour.
From Yellamma to Yahweh!
Aarthi, a young girl comes to the tailoring class
conducted in our church premises. She is a staunch
devotee of Yellamma and comes to the class after
performing her poojas. She had no inclination
towards Christian activities. But all of a sudden
her father passed away, which affected her a lot.
Our missionary Latha Ramanathan took special
care of her, spent significant time with her and
comforted her. Gradually Aarthi developed interest
in prayer and Bible reading and now she is growing
in the Lord. She and her mother are regular
participants of all the activities of the church
including the three day fasting prayer.
10
Shobha the widow, staunch for the Saviour!
Shobha, a widow from Dharwad was working
as a cook in a government hostel without pay for
five years. The hostel authorities promised her to
pay all her salary when she was made permanent.
She went on leave for a few days because of her
eye problem during which time the government
had sanctioned her salary. Sadly the hostel
authorities gave that job to somebody else and
cheated her of her salary. She was shattered. But
somehow she managed to earn her livelihood
rendering domestic help in a few houses. Once
she came to our missionary Vasanthi Regunathan
seeking help for the admission of her children in
the Blessing Hostel. Thus their acquaintance
developed. Vasanthi shared the gospel which in
due course resulted in Shobha committing her life
to Jesus.
One of the families where she was working,
paid her Rs.500/- per month, whereas in other
houses she received only rupees hundred or so.
But Shobha had to wash the gods and goddesses
in the houses and do poojas which after her rebirth
she was unable to do. She quit the job to stand for
her convictions. Though now she earns less, she
is able to manage her family. She now assists in
our missionary’s house. The God of Daniel is still
alive!
An Emergency child birth!
As I (Ruth Manivannan) was travelling with
my husband from Vijayawada by train an young
man came running and said, “Madam, please help,
my wife is delivering a baby.” When I rushed,
already they had tied bedsheets around the
screeming lady. I quickly put some clothes on the
floor of the train and laid her down. The next
minute the baby started coming out. It was a
beautiful girl baby. Without experience I cut the
cord and cleaned her up. This family was travelling
from Howrah to their native place for Deepavali
and delivery. We arranged for an ambulance in
the next station and sent them to a hospital. 15
days later they telephoned us, thanked us and said
all was fine. I praised God that God used me, a
missionary to serve people in various ways. U
BLESSING/ March 2007
(Contn. page 15)
¨ Savitha and Kousalya are finding hard even for
day to day survival, as their families undergo severe
financial crisis. Pray for their needs.
¨ Kindly pray for God’s intervention in the lives of
the following: Mr. Poja, Sohan, Sarpathy Makkan
and Hakma (Smoking); Batchhu (Alcoholism and
smoking); Dalsingh, Lekaraj and Sanjay
(Alcoholism); Mrs. Silviya (Shoulder dislocation);
Mrs. Charan (Spondylitis); Jithu (Fits).
TAMILNADU
¨ Theerthagiri, Prema, Vadivu, Senthil, Lakshmanan,
Saraswathi, Govindhan, Poochi and Karthik have
heard the gospel and have started attending the
Church. Pray for their salvation.
¨ Kindly pray for the following: Raman (Nervous
problem); Alvar, Mani (Ulcer); Sivagami, Mariyal
(Gynaecological problems); Sumathi and Thanga-
mani (Childlessness).
¨ Persiya and Fanny Cross, daughters of missionary
Packiyavathan are suffering continuously from ill
health. Pray that they may be active and healthy.
¨ Missionary Dr. M. Jaisanker’s mother was
operated for cancer in the intestine. Pray for God’s
healing touch.
WEST BENGAL
¨ Missionary V. Chelliah ministered in the All Saints
Church and the Telugu Union Baptist Church,
Kharagpur and also shared the Vision and Mission
of BYM. Pray for a fruitful revival ministry in this
State.
¨ Praise God for the literature ministry done in Boro
Convention held at Mahakalguri, in which 39 people
enrolled their names for the Blessing magazine. Pray
that Blessing literature may help the people to revive
their spirit and rejuvenate their relationship with God.
¨ The Blessing book Apples of Gold in Bengali
was dedicated recently in the Ward Memorial Baptist
Church, Kharagpur. 35 pastors and elders of various
churches attended the programme.
¨ Praise God for Mrs. Hepzibah Shanmugam, who
was healed in answer to the sincere prayers of God’s
people.
¨ The Blessing book Little Foxes has been translated
in Bengali and is ready for printing. Pray that God
may provide the needed fund of Rs. 35,000/- for
the printing of 1000 copies. U
11
 Sitteri Hills Speak!
(About Aroma 2007)

Mrs. Baby Raja, I heard

was sick unto death with
both kidneys damaged.
But she is healed now
miraculously and over-
seeing everything like a
teenager. Mrs. Esther
Swamidoss and Mrs.
Suguna Ilango are the programme coordinators.
Shiny Wilson, Christalin Jenisa and Babina Singh
take care of the stage. Mrs. Beulah Mahiban brings
What’s happening to me? Why are people forth the Word which is a treat to everyone.
pampering me by cleaning me up and giving me a
face lift? My rose plants are in full bloom and goa Mrs. Minvelli Sapphire
trees are heavy. Ok. I hear missionary Swamidoss steps on the stage and
saying that more than 1000 young girls will be presents a skit depicting
climbing up here for three days. the strictness of God and
the grace of God. Foll-
It’s 13th of January evening. Why do these owing that she delivers
girls come up here when all over me people are God’s message on sin
celebrating Pongal? My, vans and buses are and salvation. All are
coming. Girls are reserving places in tents and sent into the beautiful garden to search their hearts
rushing into the auditorium. The sound of music and pray. I am laughing within myself. These girls
and songs wafts across the campus. I have heard don’t look like the godly sort. But, oh, when the
of Mr. Henry Basinger and his music skills. His call is given to commit their lives to Christ, over
deft fingers play expertly over the buttons and girls 60% stand up. I can’t believe my eyes.
jump for his songs. I hear them singing, Sweet
Aroma. It is sweet for them but they stomp on After lunch, Mrs. Viji
me so hard. Watson from Singapore
clearly explains how they
Mrs. Sumathi Jason must lead a Christian life
shares the word preparing of testimony. Satan is
the audience for the surely defeated. As if that
forthcoming three days. is not enough their re-
Then the camp is dedicated maining doubts are cleared in the night in the
to the glory of God. The Question and Answer session by a team.
“Talent Night” starts and Counseling is done to those in trouble under the
girls from all over Tamilnadu dance like butterflies leadership of Mrs. Evangeline Stanley. Many dark
and enact skits. Night falls and I start shivering in faces brighten up.
the cold. The youth spread their blankets on the
sand and start giggling and chatting. What type of The next day starts with a
crowd is this? Don’t they fear God? I can hear all talk on, How to find God’s
they talk. To my great relief they sleep off by will? by Mrs. Viji Watson who
and by and I doze off too. expertly handles it. During
the next hour Mrs. Minvelli
Usually I wake up when the golden drops of leads the girls to receive the
sun fall on me. But today the footsteps of campers Holy Spirit. Many many are
rouses me. More buses, more vans. 1078 girls ! anointed.
BLESSING/ March 2007 12
 After lunch all are given a sugarcane bit,
divided into four and sent to Alagur, Nalaman-
gadai, Sakilithambu and Pereri Pudur villages.
After a three hour trek the girls return half dead.
I think they would be fed up of the camp. Far
from it, they are bubbling with excitement. Holding
their thighs they limp to the auditorium trying to
get the front seats (on the chill floor of course).
Mrs. Ruth Manivannan,
our Kannadiga missionary
from Karnataka is not ready
to let the girls even wink. The
CD on Chitling valley steals
the hearts of everyone. Even
as tribals witness in the CD
they receive thunderous handclaps. Ruth’s skit on
Devadasis is a tearjerker. Hearts are moved as
they witness how little girls are sold out like
commodities. As the call is given to commit their
lives to serve the Lord fulltime, 116 girls walk up
the stage.
Usually I get stomach full from the crumbs
thrown from plates. This year the left over is so
little. The super taste made me lick my tongue.
Congrats to the cooking team. Please come next
year too!
As night fell—what a change in the girls! Are
these the girls who arrived 2 days ago? They are
praying and singing and weeping. God bless them.
16th dawns bright and beautiful. Mrs. Baby
Raja speaks on evangelism from her experience
challenging the participants to win souls for
Christ. Then they divide Districtwise to form
prayer cells. Suddenly a dense cloud descends on
BLESSING/ March 2007
the campus. Yes, occa-
sionally such clouds des-
cend on me like blanket.
But on the final day of a
camp like this it is like the
glory of the Lord des-
cending. Clouds rush
inside the auditorium through the doors stunning
the campers. Some even think the hall is being
fumigated. I tremble under the cloud and praise
my Creator. The final talk is by Mrs. Lilian Stanley.
She speaks on Ten Dead Flies exhorting the girls
not to allow the dead flies to stink their Aroma.
The girls have no mind to leave the campus.
Neither am I willing to let them go. I am sort of
tired of the humdrum life. But the three days
brought new life into my sombre existence. I
want to jump and shout hurray. I want to say a
big “Thank you” to the organisers. I want to cry
to the drivers not to take the girls back home. But
go they must. They all get into their vehicles and
wave a sad goodbye to me though their soul is
laughing and singing. I cry and my tears roll into
the wells there. I laugh and the laughter merges
with the singing of the birds. I shake myself so
that the trees sway this way and that to show the
girls I bid them goodbye and happy journey. When
will they all come back to see me again?


13
 News from Fields
Compiled by S. Mohan Deenadhayalan, Regional Coordinator, West
The Blessing Youth Mission has stationed 322
missionaries in 14 States of India, namely Andhra
Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand,
Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh and
West Bengal, for reviving Churches and missionary
evangelism leading to church plantation in
churchless places. The news of various fields is
compiled here for PRAISE and PRAYER.
ANDHRA PRADESH
¨ Praise God for the special fasting prayer held in
the Full Gospel Manna Church in Warangal.
Missionary P. Selvam shared the Word of God to
the 500 participants.
¨ God enabled us to initiate a new SFJ cell recently
in Guntur. Pray for the persistent growth of the
boys’ cell in Vijayawada and girls’ cell in
Vizianagaram.
¨ A Blessing Partners’ Meet was arranged in
Warangal recently, in which 25 pastors along with
other key people came forward to support the BYM
ministry. Mr. Paul Dinakaran encouraged the
participants to involve in God’s missionary work.
¨ Pray for the salvation of our new contacts Durga
Prasad, Narasimharao, Srinu, Tagore, Madhu,
Srikanth, Chandrasekar, Murthy, Pradeep and
Devadas, who have keenly heard the gospel.
GUJARAT
¨ Mr. Daniel, a partner of Baroda has opened his
house to conduct missionary prayer meeting every
month.
¨ Praise God for the Students’ Meet held at the Elim
Methodist Church, Nadiad. Missionary Hiramani
Vyas motivated the 52 participants to lead a prolific
life for God.
¨ God enabled us to start worship groups in
Beethada, Peechwada, Samarpada and Tudi villages.
Pray for the ministry among the Vasava people group
which is responsive to the gospel.
¨ Mr. Robin Sam and Mr. Nehemiah had a fruitful
survey visit to Amreli, a churchless district in
Gujarat. Pray for God’s guidance and needed
protection for our missionaries.
BLESSING/ March 2007
¨ Mrs. Esther Robin Sam and Mrs. Philomina shared
the gospel to 125 children in Mirzapur village. Pray
that the Word of God sown in the tender hearts
may grow and prosper.
¨ Praise God for the Blesso 2007, a revival camp
conducted for the Gujarati Christians in Anand
recently. Mr. A. Lionel, Mr. Y. Paul Dinakaran and
Mr. R. Elisha ministered to the 400 participants with
authority and clarity. Many participants experienced
a personal touch of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
JHARKHAND
¨ Eighty people participated in a Blessing Meet held
in Hazaribag. All the participants were enlightened
and challenged by the Word of God shared by Mr.&
Mrs. V. Ponnusamy. Praise God for God’s people
like Mrs. Amina Soren and other key persons for
their support in organizing this meet.
¨ Thank God for Amitav, who invited our
missionaries to share the gospel to his 30 non-
Christian friends. Pray that such openings may bring
great breakthrough in the youth ministry.
¨ Sapna Suraj, one of our student contacts
completed her studies and got a job recently. She
has sent an offering from her first salary. Pray for
God’s blessings upon her.
¨ Kindly pray for the following: Neha (Burns), Jeetu
(Paralysis), Tara (Surgery).
KARNATAKA
¨ Praise God for Ranjitha, a young girl who was
miraculously delivered from demon possession
during the outreach ministry. Pray for the salvation
of this girl.
¨ Shanthavva is suffering from leukemia but since
the time she started attending the prayer, she feels
better. Missionaries covet your prayers for a
complete deliverance.
¨ Anand had a tumor which was diagnosed by the
doctor as cancer and was advised surgery. But by
the sincere prayers of our missionaries the tumor
disappeared and he experienced a divine healing.
Praise the Lord!
14
¨ Persecution swept Saundatti. Ministry in Shanthi
Nagar and Hanamageri area was stopped recently.
Pray that our believers may stand firm in this adverse
situation.
¨ Please pray for the following: Melwin, Rajeshwari
and Nagraj (Mental illness); Roopsingh (Chikun
gunya); Ashok and Muthu (AIDS); Dasarath
(Asthma); Shaila (Skin disease); Geetha, Manjula,
Akkamma, Sridevi and Viji (Safe delivery).
MADHYA PRADESH
¨ God enabled us to commence a Bible Study for
women in Sagar. Pray for the participants and the
organizer, Dr. Olivia.
¨ Night schools for the illiterate believers in Baraitha,
Barethi, Shahgarh and Bajaj villages have good
response. Pray that the participants may read the
Bible by themselves very soon.
¨ Mr. J. Santhakumar, our Vice Chairman (Revival)
visited the mission fields in Madhya Pradesh with
his wife which was rewarding. He exhorted the 80
partners through the Word of God in a Blessing
Meet held in Jabalpur. Many expressed their
willingness to support the ministry of BYM.
¨ Praise God for the transformation in the life of
Surendra, who was a thief from childhood. Pray
that his witness and exemplary life may make an
impact on the lives of youth and motivate them to
come to Christ.
¨ Praise God for His kind protection to Harprasad,
one of the inmates of Blessing Home, who escaped
safely from a scooter accident while he was
returning back from school.
¨ We solicit your prayers for a divine touch upon
the following people: Koora (Tuberculosis);
Prathibha (Abdominal problem); Anil (Urinary
infection); Ravi (Debts); Sailesh (Childlessness);
Ghansiram (Family problems); and Selvi
(Unemployment).
MAHARASHTRA
¨ God blessed a special programme organized for
Rahimatpur, Gopuj and Rui villagers. 50 adults along
with 110 Children took part who were benefited
through the Word of God.
¨ The Lingayat people group of Madgyal,
Khojanwadi and Bilur villages shows response to
the gospel. Pray for suitable ministers to evangelize
this people group.
BLESSING/ March 2007
¨ Praise God for the 13 believers, who obeyed the
Lord in water baptism in Jath and Gargoti area. Pray
for their spiritual nurture.
¨ Ambavva, Pandurang Shendge, Prathiksha and
Anjuthai face stiff problems in their family life. Kindly
pray that God’s peace may descend in their hearts.
¨ Kindly pray for the following persons: Mohan
Nikam (Asthma); Rani Lokande (Cancer); Dutta
Kamble (Paralysis); Suganthi Sakat (Debility);
Dinesh & Yohan Jadhav (Alcoholism).
ORISSA
¨ Praise God for the Women’s Retreat held in
Hatborandi and Keshabeda. Mrs. Premalata Chezhian
ministered to 90 ladies through the Word of God.
¨ One of our believers’ house caught fire in the
midnight and caused severe loss to their belongings.
Mrs. Sadhab was deeply affected due to the burns
on her back. Please pray for her speedy recovery.
¨ Praise God for the eight believers, who obeyed
the Lord in water baptism in Diptipur. Pray that
they may steadily grow and glow for God.
¨ God enabled our team to have a Church Elders’
Camp for Saura area. Thank God for the zeal of
the elders to learn the Biblical principles for
Church eldership.
¨ Missionary V. Ponnusamy’s mother Vellachiammal
(80 yrs.) passed away on 9 February 2007 in
Jawadhu Hills. Mr. Ponnusamy could not participate
in the funeral. Pray for the bereaved family
members.
RAJASTHAN
¨ God enabled us to conduct a Jagran, all night
prayer in Bakaner and Devka-Potaliga. 80 believers
participated and prayed earnestly for the fruitful
ministry in Banswara area.
¨ Praise God for Mrs. & Dr. Ambrose, who keenly
involve themselves in the ministry. Dr. Ambrose
invests his time and talents to minister to youth,
while Mrs. Anjubala Ambrose mobilizes prayer and
financial support for BYM.
¨ Mohan, a youth in Bakaner village was beaten
severely by his father for attending a Christian
meeting. Pray that his genuine conviction to follow
Jesus may open the eyes of his relatives in
understanding the Truth.
(Contd. page 11)
15
Registered with the Registrar of Newspapers Postal Registration No. TN/CCN/139/06-08
for India under No. 30302/76 Licensed to post without prepayment
WPP No.TN/CCN/23/06-08 (Inland)
Published on 28th of every month 189 (Foreign) 06-08

Summer Missionary Programme

2007 May 27 to June 3

Reaching the Hill Tribes with the message of the love of God.
A rare opportunity to get a firsthand knowledge
and foretaste of missionary work in regions beyond.

Born-again Boy and girl students

who have finished Plus Two, may apply.
The teams will be led by our experienced missionaries.

Those who participated in such programmes of the previous years

testify to the great challenge and change in their lives.

All expenses for travel and food are paid by us.

The last date for issue of applications is April 20.

Write immediately to —
MR. W. REXY CHRISTOPHER
714 HAMEED COLONY
MISSION CHURCH ROAD
THANJAVUR 613 001
TEL: 04362-239946, MOBILE: 9994032015

This Magazine presents the Subscription :

Annual : Rs. 50/- (Inland)
message and the ministry of $ 15 (Overseas)
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interdenominational Christian The Life Subscribers will freely receive not only
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Founder: R. Stanley, B.E., M.Tech. Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Tamil and Telugu.
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