Renaissance 2008 May June

Office Renewal - Reawakening - Revival

A publication of Inter Collegiate Prayer Fellowship, Manipal Vol. 1 May-June 2008

PRAGMATIC SPIRIT

-Abin Thevarmadathil

Mordecai and Esther are two peculiar characters

B. God’s church and his work will not be stopped

of the Book of Esther. Esther was a Jewish lady who became the queen of King Xerxes. God lifted Esther to be the queen of Persia with a purpose. After she became the queen, there was a crisis for God’s people that the king decided to kill all the Jews under the influence of Haman, who was second to the King. God’s purpose for Esther as a queen was for the deliverance of Jews. But when the request came from Mordecai (Esther’s uncle) regarding the problem, Esther tried to tell excuses to get away from her responsibilities. At this point of time Mordecai sends a warning to her which is relevant in our lives. “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14 In this warning letter there are three significant points: 1. Now God’s people are in need of her help. Even if she remained silent Jews will not be destroyed. Deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place. 2. She has to arise and help God’s people. Otherwise she will have to regret about her life and family later. 3. Mordecai is reminding Esther that she has come to this royal position for helping God’s work. This story of Esther and Mordecai brings warning which is relevant for us today:

even if you and I are not fulfilling our responsibilities to God’s work. He will fulfill it through another person. C. What will happen, if we keep ignoring the needs of the church? Like Mordecai warns, if we remain silent we and our family will have to regret later. D. Why God has blessed us in such a good position now? The ultimate purpose is to use us as an instrument for the expansion of His kingdom. So it’s our responsibility to respond to the needs of the church.

A. Are we silent even after knowing the need of

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14

The above points are life saving, so not only our prayers are enough, but we need to move a pragmatic (dealing with things in a practical way) spirit for a ‘Renaissance’ (new beginning).BEING PRAGMATIC WILL MAKE US TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH GOD AND HELP GOD’S WORK IN WHICHEVER WAY POSSIBLE. Let us stand for God for such a time as this.

God’s people?

ICPF Manipal Diary th

25 November 2007 – Mi Cristo 2007, KMC Campus th 6 January 2008 – Sunday Worship affected due to New Rule th 13 January 2008 – Farewell to Sisters Pinku, Amy & Cybil th 25 January 2008 – ICPF Angelos performs at Vaishanvi Sabha Hall th 26 January 2008 – ‘Sparkz’ ICPF Retreat at Mangalore rd 23 February 2008 – Baptism of Sister Ancy by Pastor Titus th 24 February 2008 – Farewell to Pastor Shibu Matthew th 24 February 2008 – Pastor Biju & family takes the charge st 21 March 2008 – Fasting Prayer held at parsonage th 27 April 2008 – Farewell to Dr. Gaurav at Nehru Hall rd

3 May 2008- ‘Renaissance’ launched and published

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Manipal University imposes restriction on religious activities Manipal- Manipal University has imposed strict and immediate restriction on religious activities. As per the th notice dated 27 December 2007, all religious activities inside the campus have been banned. So ever since the beginning of the year 2008, ICPF Manipal’s Sunday service is conducted at rented halls or parsonage. However Christmas and other religious celebrations are permitted to be held inside the campus on prior permission.

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From the Pastor’s Desk Greetings! We are privileged to be in the Year of Renaissance! The word ‘Renaissance’ can be articulated as renewal, revival, regeneration, and new beginning. A simple word with simplified meanings, but has a great deal to do from history. Back into the history of the church, this word was coined to amplify new era, new beginning of Christianity (Church reformation, etc.). This history had its origin with Christ Jesus and still connected with ‘the One and the Only Jesus of Nazareth.’ Speaking of Renaissance in Manipal means a lot with the situations of the church today. We as a church envision this year as an YEAR OF RENAISSANCE- A new beginning of harvest, renewal of souls, revival and building a sanctuary for the ‘LORD GOD ALMIGHTY’. From the Old Testament time people looked for a new beginning. God desired to be with Israel and that relationship marked a new beginning in the life of Israelites. Every now and then it’s seen God choosing a place for his name to dwell, and delighting to dwell among his people, to dwell in Zion and so forth. Exodus 25:8: - “And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.” We as a church are in the emerged situation of making a sanctuary in the heart of Manipal, where youth could come and worship our Lord God Almighty without any restriction. At present

we need to look for a place in every week for worship, which is bringing an inconvenience especially for new comers. We believe God has brought us to “Such a time as this” for His heavenly will to be done.” I invite all the well wishers of ICPF Manipal church to take part in this glorious occasion to pray, participate and put forth your blessings. May our Lord Almighty keep you all in His grace and make you a blessing for the expansion of His Kingdom.

Pastor Biju Thomas ICPF Manipal

We as a church envision this year as a YEAR OF RENAISSANCE- A new beginning of harvest, renewal of souls, revival and building a sanctuary for the ‘LORD GOD ALMIGHTY’

ICPF MANIPAL CENTRE PLAN UNDER DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT Inter Collegiate Prayer Fellowship- Manipal has its humble beginnings 17 years back. ICPF Manipal is the only church ministry of Inter Collegiate Prayer Fellowship. ICPF is a ministry among the youths of this generation, reaching them through different methodologies such as Bible Study Groups, Personal Counseling, AntiDrug and Smoking Campaigns. At Manipal, presently we have 50-60 regular members (students) every Sunday. We conduct our

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Sunday services in rented halls, which is expensive. As a church we are in an emerged situation of making a sanctuary in the heart of Manipal, where youth could come and worship our Lord God Almighty without any restriction. We humbly invite your sincere prayers for this matter. By faith we believe in God to see the building of “ICPF Center” in the heart of Manipal soon.

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WHEN TIDES GO HIGHER

Dr. Gaurav Chaudhary

It was a bright sunny morning, gentle breeze

the paddle across. He showed us with action,

whispering in my ears was bringing along the

how to maneuver over those rapids. When I say

smell of wild moss growing on the roadside. Its

“forward” throw your bodies forward onto the

freshness was diluting all tiredness of the long

tides, taking the anger on the raft paddle, the

previous

making

raft with great force.” He said. Listening to this I

arrangements travelling from college to the

became bit nervous, felt a chill going down my

camps in Brahmapuri, a place near Rishikesh at

spine but with calm assurance he encouraged us

foothills of beautiful Garwhal. Everyone filled with

and we got onto our rafts. Then appeared the

excitement to begin the journey to experience

first rapid at the speed of 30 to 40km per hour

day.

We

had

been

the ultimate white water

water rushed on the raft and

river rafting challenge in

he shouted “forward”. We all

Garwhal, one of the know

started to paddle with full

adventure sport of that

force

region.

amazement we got across

The

excitement

reached

out

of

my

the rapid quite smoothly.

was growing when we all finally

and

our

destination, Marine Drive.

Rapids

This point was to unravel

coming in our lives…but our

the marvelous rafting trip.

wonderful

We got down from the jeep, my friends was

instructor who sits on the

exploring the place when suddenly we heard a

centre of our life says, (“forward...I’m with

shout from our guide who called all to the shore.

you”). Jesus asked His disciples who were afraid

The sound of gushing water was tremendous,

of the storms, “Where is your faith?”, “Why are

and then he introduced to our instructor. He was

you so afraid?” (Mathew 8:26), Almost leading us

short in stature and stood close to the raft with a

to attack every tide which rises higher, so let us

husky,

prompt

trust His voice. Our redeemer, Our Savior Lord

instructions. He told in an authoritative tone,

Jesus instructs us to paddle hard through every

“The most important aspect of rafting is rapids

rough waters. Surely He will take us to the

which will come on our way, which we have to

destiny which He has set for us. Phil 1:6 “He who

cross”.

began a good work in you will carry it on to

bold

voice.

He

gave

us

When we approach the rapids the

instructor asked us to pay attention to his instructions carefully, having said this he rowed

will

always

keep

awesome

completion until the day of Christ Jesus”. Let Jesus Christ be the instructor of our life, and obeying Him for a joyful and adventurous life.

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” Philippians 1:6

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UNDERSTANDING GOD’S PURPOSE As a health professional, it was quiet interesting for me to see many procedures going around in my ward. Being a nursing student, I was quite excited that I am able to communicate effectively with patients and to understand them to care. One fine morning, a 23 year old young man called Ramesh was admitted in my ward with typhoid. When he got admitted he was little bit serious. He was not able to breathe properly and he was administered oxygen. As usual, when I went to him to check his pulse, I gave him a sweet smile but he didn’t smile back. He was having a frantic face, with full of sadness and disgust. But later only I came to know that he was diagnosed to have AIDS. Me and my friends were shocked to hear this and we were little afraid to go near him. As a beginner in this nursing profession, we didn’t know how to face a situation like this. But in my inner heart, I decided to tell him something about Jesus and that Jesus could even heal AIDS. I went by his bedside and told to him and his parents about Jesus in my broken Kannada. It seems that they understood and I saw his father crying. I was very much touched. From next day onwards, Ramesh was happy and began to smile at me and even asked me how I’m doing and whether I had food and all and his family looked happier.

And now it was my last day of my posting in that ward. It was around 9:30am, I had to check the Blood Pressure of the patients. I went to Ramesh; he was lying on with oxygen mask as he had increased breathing difficulty. I asked him to lie straight and when I checked his body, it was very cold and even then he had asked his parents to put on the fan in high speed. When I checked his pulse, I couldn’t get any. I thought it might be my fault, so I tied the cuff of the BP apparatus and inflated it and called the Nurse in charge. By that time, he began to breathe very hardly and deeply. By the time the sister came, he had taken his last breath. It was really shocking to me to see a patient dying in front of my eyes. At that moment I asked God several questions, like why it happened. I have told about Jesus to him and he was feeling happy after that but again why God did take his life? Today I know the purpose which God made me to witness it, I may share about Jesus to everyone because I do not know whether I am seeing them for the last time…And it also created a great burden for the perishing youth. Truly this incident made me to realize the real purpose of my life and career.

WATCHMAN, WATCHMAN WHAT ABOUT THE NIGHT The world is being overtaken by the night which is full of malice things. We, as believers tend to stumble during this period. But God the Almighty expects us to be like “Watchman”. Watchman is a person, who in the prospective view guards the city from destruction, theft or robbery and other immoral things. If he falls asleep, the city falls into havoc. Do you want such a thing to befall our city of Manipal? The redeemed one of the Lord have to stand steadfastly during this blackened night and not being lost in their way to the eternal abode. The Believers as “Watchman” should:• Put on the full armor of God to withstand the schemes of the Devil • Watch and pray lest you be trapped in the net of this world

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Saumya

Betsy Mary

Intercede for the unrighteous generation to guard your territory from immorality • Withstand all the variations in the spiritual atmosphere • Be a light to the stumbling ones The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12). Our Lord Jesus, the sun of righteousness will soon appear and the rewards are in his hands. Let us be eligible to receive those rewards and not be ashamed in his presence. Will our hands be empty on that day? Morning is near, let us carry out our responsibility as a “Watchman” and be prepared to receive our wages from our master. •

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Martyrs of Faith Perpetua and Felicitas are two 3rd century

force; in the process he was struck with a whip.

Christians. Perpetua was a 22-year old married woman, while her co-martyr Felicitas or Felicity was her slave. They suffered together at Carthage. Their sufferings in prison, the angry and then despairing attempts of Perpetua's father to induce her to renounce Christianity, the vicissitudes of the martyrs before their execution, the visions of Saturus and Perpetua in their dungeons, were all committed to writing by the last two, in a genre of text that is technically called a "Passion."

The Christians were then condemned to be torn to pieces by wild beasts, for which they gave thanks to God.

Perpetua and Felicitas suffered together with three companions, Revocatus, Saturninus, and Saturus, their teacher By order of Septimius Severus (193–211), all imperial subjects were forbidden under severe penalties to become Christians or Jews. Only recent converts were affected. In consequence of this decree, these five catechumens at Carthage were seized and cast into prison. After their arrest, but before being led away to prison, all five were baptized. According to her "Acts," the terrors of imprisonment were increased for Perpetua by anxiety for her young child, not yet weaned. Two deacons succeeded in gaining admittance by bribing the jailer, and Perpetua's mother brought in her arms the little son, whom Perpetua was permitted to nurse and retain in prison with her, "and straightway I became well and was lightened of my labour and care for the child; and suddenly the prison was made a palace for me." A vision assured her of her approaching martyrdom: Perpetua saw herself treading on a dragon's head and ascending a perilous bronze ladder leading to green meadows, where a flock of sheep was grazing. According to the "Acta," a few days later Perpetua's father, hearing that the trial of the imprisoned Christians would soon take place, again visited their dungeon and besought her not to bring this disgrace on their name; but Perpetua remained steadfast. The next day the trial of the six confessors took place, before the Procurator Hilarianus. All six resolutely confessed their Christian faith. Perpetua's father, carrying her child in his arms, approached her again and attempted, for the last time, to induce her to apostatize; the procurator also remonstrated with her, but in vain. She refused to sacrifice to the gods for the safety of the emperor. The procurator thereupon had the father removed by

In a vision Perpetua saw her brother Dinocrates, who had died from a disfiguring disease and unbaptized at the early age of seven, in a place of darkness and distress. Another apparition, in which she saw herself defeating a savage Egyptian, made it clear to her that she would have to do battle not merely with wild beasts but with the Devil himself. Saturus, who also recorded his visions, saw himself and Perpetua transported Eastward by four angels to a beautiful garden, where they met with four other North African Christians who had suffered martyrdom during the same persecution, viz. Jocundus, Saturninus, Artaius, and Quintus. Jailer Pudens had learnt to respect the confessors, and he permitted other Christians to visit them. Perpetua's father was also admitted and made another fruitless attempt to dissuade her. Secundulus, one of the confessors, died in prison. Felicitas, who at the time of her imprisonment was with child (in the eighth month), was worried that she would not be permitted to suffer martyrdom with the others, since the law forbade the execution of pregnant women, but two days before the games she gave birth to a daughter, who was adopted by a Christian woman. On the day of the games, the five martyrs were led into the amphitheatre. At the demand of the pagan mob they were first scourged; then a boar, a bear, and a leopard, were set at the men, and a wild bull at the women. Wounded by the wild animals, they gave each other the kiss of peace and were then put to the sword. "But Perpetua, that she might have some taste of pain, was pierced between the bones and shrieked out; and when the swordsman's hand wandered still (for he was a novice), herself set it upon her own neck. Perchance so great a woman could not else have been slain (being feared of the unclean spirit) had she not herself so willed it." So ends the Acta.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith…” -Hebrews 12:1, 2 (NIV) Renaissance

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Bible Anagrams: Men of the Old Testament Unscramble the letters to find the hidden word. Answers on page 7.

Example: DENIAL – D A N I E L [1] A MANNA: _ _ _ _ _ _ [2] MORE ACID: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ [3] ME SAUL? : _ _ _ _ _ _ [4] HI ASIA: _ _ _ _ _ _ [5] I DO, AHAB: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ [6] A BAD MACHINE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ [7] HEAL AN ANT: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ [8] A LAMB! SO: _ _ _ _ _ _ _

[9] I JAM HERE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ [10] SOS! ME?: _ _ _ _ _

Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth? A. Ruthless. Q. What do they call pastors in Germany? A. German Shepherds (Alsatian- a breed of dog). Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible? A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury. David's Triumph was heard throughout the land. And Honda, because the apostles were all in one Accord (one of Honda’s car).

Christian Sudoku is similar to the normal Sudoku but it’s got a cross on the centre. Similarly the cross of Jesus is the centre of our lives and without the cross we would be still sinners and a big zero. Rule: Each row, column and subsection must contain all the numbers used in the puzzle with no duplicates.

Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant lawbreaker in the Bible? A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once. Q. Which Bible character had no parents? A. Joshua, son of Nun. Q. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible? A. Samson. He brought the house down.

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Karthikeyan.G

Someone correctly said, “The choice you make today will usually affect tomorrow”. When all brothers in my Church at Manipal said about Reinhard Bonnke’s crusade in Kerala I had a second thought .They said that this conference would be a life changing one, where more than half a million people would come and attend in that four day crusade as well as the fire conference. But for me everything was an exaggeration. After attending the crusade and conference with my brothers in Christ, I felt like Apostle Thomas (called Didymus) who did not believe until he saw the resurrection of Christ. But it was more than what I had been told by my brothers. The experience during the fire conference was very unique and memorable. I thought to pen down some of those memories for the glory of God, which I hope, would build your faith. There were many questions in my mind; in fact there was an answer for each of those questions. Through my experience from the crusade and the Fire conference had extended the magnitude of those answers. These are some of those questions. 1. Do we know the cost of our salvation to some extend? I am well aware that according to the Bible it’s free of cost, but it’s interesting to know if we would have to purchase. If we would have to purchase it would have even cost our lives. But God in his love for the world chose to send His son and pay the price for our salvation. On the other side I came to know the rough figures of few expenditure towards that big crusade, it was more than ten million rupees only for the chairs they have arranged, I am sure it would have taken multi million rupees to conduct the crusade. Ultimately came into the realization that these expenditure was for those who are attending and to receive the gift of salvation freely. 2. How much hunger do we have? Here I meant the spiritual hunger. What I thought until I attended the conference was that personal prayer, reading Bible as per the demand and

reaching church half an hour before church begins was all necessary ingredients for spiritual hunger. But what changed my attitude was to see thousands of people waiting in front of the crusade stage at noon from 1pm under the scorching sun whereas the meeting was to start at 5.30pm in the evening. On the other hand even rain could not move the hungry multitudes from listening to the Word of God. 3. Do we know how big our family is? It’s known from the Bible that every believer belongs to God’s family. The maximum number that I have seen is 1000 or more. In this conference I saw half a million of our family members gathered in unity. If I would have to greet ‘Praise the Lord’ to all our family members at the rate of one second per person it might have finished just 0.35 million in those 4 days. And there won’t be time left to meet the remaining 0.15 million. It’s fascinating to see how big the City that God is building for us to accommodate all our family members. No wonder Abraham was “looking forward to the City with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Heb 11:10). I have been asking questions regarding God, to know about His power and His might. The most wonderful and beautiful experience in my life happened in a fraction of seconds. God took no time, asked no question, said no instruction and gave no condition. On the last day of the fire conference when the anointed man of God was imparting spiritual gifts to the multitudes. I prayed, ‘Lord, let me have the spiritual gift that you want me to have rather than what I desire’. Instantly God baptized me with the Holy Spirit along with the gift of tongues. I have no other words than “Thank you Lord” for baptizing me with the Holy Spirit and taking me to the gathering. My prayer is that every reader be build in their faith and become a strong believer in Christ as Bible says in Hebrew 11:6, “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who come to him must believe that he exists…….”

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-Editorial Notice Board‘Renaissance’ is a bi monthly newsletter of ICPF Manipal. The editorial board would be undertaking the collection of articles, editing, proofing and printing. We welcome your comments, articles, drawings, designs, and announcements. For information, email us at [email protected]. We would be including more articles in the coming issues. Above all we need your prayers for this small endeavor to ignite the hearts of youth for God’s Kingdom. -Editor

FLASHBACK Manipal- “One Family, One Journey, One Child who would change the Whole World” Mi Cristo ’07 was held on 24th November, 2007 at the Kasturba Medical College (KMC) Campus. The program was presided by Chief Guest- Dr. James George, General Secretary of ICPF. Skits, mime, group songs, duet and testimony were presented by ICPF members. All members actively took part in unity to present the Gospel to 390 people who attended the program. Dr. James George addressed the gathering and spoke on the ‘Uniqueness of Christ’. Countdown to Mi Cristo ’08 begins…

-Published and Printed by ICPF Manipal-For Private Circulati on OnlyICPF, P.O Box 127, Manipal 576 104, Karnataka. [email protected] Renaissance

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