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"Grace & Peace" is an e-periodical for spiritual enlightenment,
edification and encouragement.
Issue No.068 January, 2010

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In this issue:- Perspective:- Divine Renovation Out line: - New Things Study Note: - Our spiritual privileges and duties Anecdote: - New Coat of the Communist News & Views:- 1 - Bath to Wash away Sins News & Views:- 2 - Depressed Mumbai: 38 suicide in twenty days Matter for prayer:- - Gideons Arrested in Mumbai

Perspective:- Divine Renovation NTK                 One of the amazing aspects of God’s dealings with His creation is the constant renewal of it. While pondering upon the wonder of creation, Psalmist writes, “You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the earth.” Psalm 104:30         Decay and destruction are the result of sin. Everything of this world becomes old and fades away. Isa. 40:6. However God is in the process of renewing all what has been marred by the fall of man. Not only God renews the face of the earth, but also transforms man from the deformity caused by sin.         The Lord taught this lesson to Jeremiah with an illustration. He told Jeremiah to go to a potter’s house and notice the way he makes a vessel. Jeremiah saw “the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.” Jeremiah 18:4 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah saying, “Look as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My Hand, O house of Israel!” v. 6.         God doesn’t just throw us away but works on us again to make us into a honourable vessel. Sad to notice that often we are so impatient, we write off somebody immediately. Even we are intolerant with ourselves too: quickly come to the conclusion, “I am not able to do” or “I will not succeed”. Such irritated response is against the way Almighty God works among mankind. He is more than willing to repair and make us better. In the story of the prodigal son the Lord Jesus Christ describes the loving heart of God the Father who graciously renovates our life. Luke. 15:22.         David desired for a renewed spirit and restored joy. Psalm 51:10, 12. It is the desire of every human being who bears the consequences of their sin. Yes, God can renew us again. To the people of Israel the Lord promised, “I will give them one heart, and I will put a new Spirit within them and take the stony heart out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh...” Ezekiel 11:19.         Through the Lord Jesus Christ that’s exactly what He does in the heart of man. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.” 2Corinthians 5:17. Through the wonderful working of the Holy Spirit a believer in Christ is regenerated, reformed and renewed. Titus 3:5. This is the basic step of renovating our life. The word of God speaks of renewing our mind, inner man etc. ( Refer outline).         The thrust of this brief note is the magnificent repairing work of God in the lives of people. Still changes are possible in our life. God has not finished with us; He still working on us. He has renewed David who was fallen, Elijah who was depressed, Jonah who went astray, Peter who betrayed the Lord, and Mark who was incapable. He can do the same for us as well.         We only need to confess our sins and failures and yield to the Lord. It is His promise that all those who wait upon Him shall renew their strength and go forward in their spiritual life. Isaiah 40:31.         Let us long for a better Christian life and strive for it before too late. As often we say, ‘just one life that will be over too soon’, as we shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ we should not be ashamed. It is time for rejuvenation, renovation and growth. The Lord will do it if we only we give in. Related topics: - A New beginning                         Gloom: Not forever Out line:- New Things     Isa. 42:9; 43:43:19; 48:6 New Heart.            Ezke 11:19 New Mind.             Rom. 12:2 New Man              Eph. 4:24; 2:15; 2 Cor. 4:16; Colo 3:10 New Strength         Isa 40:31 New Life               Romans 6:4 New Song             Psa. 40:3; Isa 42:10; Rev. 5:9 New Creation         2 Cor. 5:17; Gal 6:15 New name          Isa 62:2; Reve. 3:12 New Heavens and a new earth             Isa. 65:17 Study Note: - Our spiritual privileges and duties 1 Peter 2:9, 10        Study of our privileges is very encouraging. It shows our spiritual wealth, our blessedness. It should strengthen us and challenge us to continue to love the Lord Jesus Christ and stay close to Him. At the same time, every privilege has an equal responsibility. Every doctrine has a practical application. In the spiritual advantages that we experience today, there are certain practical lessons that we should not forget, rather put in practice. Read More Anecdote: - New Coat of the Communist        Some years ago a crowd of men and women were gathered on a street corner, listening to a young orator tell of the benefits of socialism. He grew eloquent as he told of all that socialism could do for men and women. In his enthusiasm he cried out, “Socialism can put a new coat on a man.”        In the crowd was one who had but recently experienced the saving power of God in his life. He cried out, in answer to that challenge of socialism, “Jesus Christ can put a new man in the coat.” Better a new man in an old coat, than the old man in a new coat. News & Views:- 1 Bath to Wash away Sins        According to Hindustan Times about one million pilgrims took holy dip in the icy waters of the Ganges on January 14, 2010. It was the first day of the Kumbh mela which will continue for 3 months in Haridwar, Uttarkhand, India. It is their belief that a bath in the river Ganga on prescribed days during the once – in – 12 years kumbh washes all sins. The authorities expect 50 to 60 million pilgrims during this three month festival.        There are many other pilgrims’ centers all over India where millions gather with the sole intention of forgiveness of sins and salvation of their souls. Adverse weather condition or economic hardship does not slow down their passion.        Shall we not declare the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ who cleanses us from all our sins, once and for all, to these sincere seekers? 1John 1:9 News & Views:- 2 Depressed Mumbai: 38 suicide in twenty days The local government in Mumbai is seriously considering all options to stop the wave of suicide since January 1, 2010. In the last 20 days thirty eight people committed suicide in and around the city of Mumbai and nineteen of them are students.      More online Matters for prayer:- Gideons Arrested in Mumbai, India Seven Gideon's volunteers were arrested by the Ulhasnagar police on Monday 18th January for distributing New Testaments to students. As always Gideon's went to the school after taking advance permissions from the authorities.        But during the distribution somebody opposed and the principal changed her words. She complained to the police under pressure that these ‘missionaries’ falsely claimed to have books written by them that can prevent student suicide. And only handing over students she realized these are ‘religious materials’.        As the brethren were kept inside the police lock up a large mob gathered outside to attack them. Till late night they tried to get hold of them. After two days in the lock up, the court gave them bail. The next date to appear before the court is on February 3.        Out of the seven arrested four are from the local brethren assemblies. Bro. Ravikant Savantsare who led the team is one of the Elders of Ulhasnagar Assembly. Bro. Ravi says the team was happy that they could witness to many police personal in these two days. Kindly pray for these brethren as they are going to face the court again on February 3. Bro. Ravikant Savantsare can be contacted at +91 932 4693 192 Worthy Quotes:- Renewal:- “Lord, revive your Church and begin with me.” _________________________Chinese Christian “To be the people of God without regeneration is as impossible as to be the children of men without generation. “ _________________________Richard Baxter “The dead dry days were gone. I was all the time tugging and carrying water, but now I have a river carrying me.” _________________________Dwight L. Moody

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“ I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.” Joel 2:25