CORONA ra Karuna!!!

CORONA Ra Karuna!!

I am sick of  and not from Corona. Being part of some 20 odd whatsapp groups, i observed many today have become Corona Evangelist.We are talking more about Corona than Jesus Christ. Social distancing is coming at the cost of extra gadget gorging and browsing and specifically “Corona bingeing”(excessive indulgence in Corona activity) a new menace during this lockdown.” I discern in this world, that after this lockdown period, real Christians will come out with a new vigour for the ministry but fakes will slide to the mud of sin deeper.” Dear students& graduates, this is a test of our foundations to see whether our spiritual life will stand this COVID storm.

Looking around, I see some of these Corona menance catching us all -students and graduates in a different way. Here are some observations from my watsapp group that I picked up. Find your type or add your type :)

1st The Hyper-vigilant: Some of us are careful, others vigilant. Being careful is sure, wise. But being ultra-careful and hyper-vigilant are impractical excesses that could steal the life out of us, as we attempt to protect the very thing we have already traded. Hyper-vigilance calls for one to be on top of the information game, at all times. Info-bingers

2^nd The Broadcaster:Bingers make good broadcasters . ‘Sharing is caring’, that’s the oath by which they live. Some of us strongly feel a calling to share and we go on an overdrive and spam our groups.

3^rd The Panicky: Fear that is constantly fed, could lead to anxiety. Anxiety unaddressed for prolonged periods of time may lead to panic. Panic is described as a sudden rush of fear and anxiety, intense enough to cause both physical and psychological symptoms. In Panic, the level of fear/anxiety experienced is extremely unrealistic and way out of proportion to the events or circumstances.

4rth The End Timer:

Here’s our ‘hobby-end-timer’. He swings into swift action, as though he were waiting for Corona to show-up. Rapture, Left-behind, Tribulation -Spiritualizing are his ‘strengths’. Sometimes terrorizing souls into the kingdom. Often, well-intentioned. Perhaps, a little biased. Eternity will tell.

5th The Iron Man: Feel free to call him Thor or Hulk – this is our very own Corona Avenger! Unfazed, brave, mighty, gutsy and I must include brash. He thinks his body has already developed antibodies to COVID-19 . And so he ventures brazenly towards it! Rubbishing everything from social distancing, to sanitizers and mask . Yes i am talking about you ________ :)

6thThe Spectator: Two-thirds of every WA group /FB/Insta/Twitter followers – the silent Spectators. They are watching. Perhaps they are reading, hearing. But you have no way of ever finding what they think or feel, one way or the other, about this pandemic COVID or anything for that matter. No they won’t – like, share or comment. They will continue to exist for a long time to come!

Lets face the fact-Today each of us have become CORONA BINGERS at some point in time (at least I am). Some positive, some negative.

BUT How Now Shall We Live:

1^st Be Sensitive: Fear, anxiety, panic and despair is written large across the globe. We don’t have to fuel the fire and amplify fear and despair. Hope diffuses fear. Anchored hope, is the need of the hour.Rom 8:24 declares “For in hope we have been saved”

2^nd Be Sensible: While many panic, there are some Iron Men strutting around. As though they are immune to infection. We should be bold, yet cautious. Even if one were asymptomatic, he could be carrying bugs around and cause the weaker brother to stumble, because of his faith!(rom 14:20) Comply with governmental norms. Let’s be responsible for the sake of others.

3^rd Be Sacrificial: While we are sensitive and sensible, having hope, dispelling fear, we need to be purposeful and practical. Sacrifice is the hallmark of Christian discipleship. We need to be prepared to walk the talk and validate our faith through our deeds (when called to, in this specific context)

In Jesus Christ alone, we have the true Messiah, uniquely qualified, not just to sympathize but empathize with our struggles and sorrows.(Heb4:15) For “he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed”(Isa53:5). He tells us today, ‘Fear not, I AM with You.’(Isa41:10)

When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”....

“How much dynamite do you need to blow up a dam?”

“It all depends on where you put it”....( scene from the Movie “force 10”)

Application lesson-If you know what you are doing, you don’t need an nuclear bomb to wreak havoc. A little dynamite in the right place will do the trick. All it takes is a few cracks, well-placed, at the right moment, and the whole thing comes crumbling down.

Today those who attacked the institution of marriage have laid their explosives in the right place. After the recent Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage, we can see cracks in the foundation with water pouring through. The dam will collapse eventually, washing away the traditional definition of marriage altogether.

Similar advances have been made at our countries educational system too with practices like Yoga, Meditation,mythological study, alterations in history syllabus, etc...

Similarly many more cracks on Biblical faith foundations may be on cue. Jesus said in this world you will have troubles. Paul said “take heed that you may not fall”.Today as never before, our biblical foundations is going through an undermining attack.

Today, the word of God is given less importance compared to programs and activities. Watsapp communication has replaced personal care. Evangelism is limited to workshops and talks. Moral purity is neither pursued nor admired . Social contribution is limited to being philanthropic for a few photo clicks. These very foundations are being altered to the point of being destroyed.

Are these problems new? NO!! Even in Biblical times,David asks the poignant question in Psalm 11:3, “When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

Let me bring you to the answer through a real analogy.

“We stay in a rented house which since built had a menacing termite problem. Result of it, every thing wooden or ply was getting destroyed by termites within. Now, we tried all solutions possible on the surface level, but after some months, the termite would again comeback. Even our owner staying on the 2^nd floor was not spared by the termite menance. Finally, the solution came from a termite expert company who suggested us to drill small holes in the foundation around the house and then apply termite solution into those holes at the foundation and around the wooden shelves. “Making holes in the foundation and infuse solution”- who would in the right sense do that but then in order to get of rid of this termite menace the owner finally did it. Today its been 2 years and we have not faced the problem again.

You see everything we did till now was on surface level but the termites had already affected the house foundations, so something at the core had to be done. It was a foundation issue and so the axe had to be laid at the root of the problem, and when we did, the problem was addressed.”

What i am coming up with, is this- we can turn around the devils attacks on his own head. The cracks developed today on our faith foundations can be a way of rebuilding and repairing it from the root itself where the problem lies.(like my analogy about the termite solution at the foundations)

Hope you got the link. Now lets get back to David’s question- When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? Lets look at the answer from the same passage Psalm 11

Today the Righteous need to make:

I.Our Commitment:

a-We Will Not Flee-“I have taken refuge in the Lord. How can you say to me, ‘Escape to the mountain like a bird!’” (v. 1)

b-We Will Not Fear- “For look, the wicked string the bow; they put the arrow on the bowstring to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart” (v. 2).

II. Our Confidence

a-God’s Presence-“The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven” (v. 4).

b-God’s Judgment- “His eyes watch; He examines everyone. The Lord examines the righteous and the wicked. He hates the lover of violence. He will rain burning coals and sulphur on the wicked; a scorching wind will be their portion” (v. 4-6)

c-God’s Deliverance-“For the Lord is righteous; He loves righteous deeds. The upright will see His face” (v. 7).

               

Lets make our commitment and put our confidence in the Lord and see the Lords glory and name lifted high. Amen!

Unit, Love, Prayer

For a time like this, when the very fabric of secularism is challenged by the enforcement of govt.
acts like Citizen Amendment Act (Jan 10th), UESI thrust area for 2021- UNITY, LOVE and
PAYER is so timely. We,in UESI as a student relevant movement are standing at a very important
juncture in time. Because world over youth students are leading a change. We as Evangelical stu-
dents of India also need to prepare our biblical response to these situation and times. Lets pray
and act that the pages of history will remember us EU students as children of light whose lamps
were not put under a basket (Mt 5:14)

Dear Student , are you fully aware of whats happening around you?Read Gods word but also
read Gods world. Make your own stands. Prepare your defense (1pet3:15). We are under attack.
The very principles and foundations of Bible are. There is no in between stand (Joshua 24:14-
15).Youth across the world have taken to the streets world over and taken the charge of resisting
the change and in some nations leading the change too. Where are we?
Question: Why should i care?It is but natural that you ,the youth should be concerned, as you are
the ones who hold the future universe in your hands. Listen to 17 year Swedish environmental
activist Greta Thunberg who says beautifully in her TEDex talk- "I was diagnosed with Asper-
ger's syndrome, OCD and selective mutism. That basically means I only speak when I think it's
necessary. Now is one of those moments."...and she spoke . Google her name to check her
speech.
The point i am making is "she spoke in a time like this" and so should every believing EU stu-
dent take stand and speak. We all have been given platforms ,a stage in which God has placed us
to stand. Our friend circle, our phone contacts, social media acquaintances. RememberMt 5:14-
16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people
light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone
in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others.
Create awareness, bring dialogue, develop an action. Now action might mean even stepping up
to share your views,raise voice to create solidarity. And this is where digital media helps all
youngsters feel they finally have a voice and arm as strong as that of any adult.
Question:What change students have bought after all this years? Students have been at the fore-
front of political and social movements-candlelight vigils for violence against women for Jessi-
cal lal and Nirbhaya, agitation against Rohit Vemulas suicide or for kanhaiya Kumar and now
protests against the CRA+NRC+NPR.

One change is in the impact and reach of protests among the known world. Technology
makes communication far more effective not just for organising movements but also for assem-
bling information and raising awareness.
Now as i search for a biblical response to the unprecedented issues of our times, UESI thrust of
Unity, love and prayer draws parallel to the prayer in Johns chapter 17. Here in this chapter Jesus
in His high priestly prayer reiterates himself many times and also speaks to us the need and want
of love and unity, and how prayer can bring in this change.

Question : What if i dont want to bring the change?. What if i dont pray towards unity and love
in this nation. What if i am not involved? What if ....?
I am reminded of the prophetic and faithful words of uncle Mordecai to Esther in 4:14 " For if
you remain silent now, then relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another ... The fact
is, even if you remain silent now, someone else will help and rescue the Jews, but you and your
relatives will die. And who knows, you may have gained your royal position for a time like this."
My dear UESIO comrades, you have gained access to your friends, your smartphone, your privi-
leges for a time like this . Create awareness, bring dialogue, develop an action. Use every
platform you know towards this aim.”mimes,tik-tok,blogs,tweet,you tube,instagram,face-
book,WhatsApp” are just some of the ways. Get involved and engage the world around you. And
let our prayer be like Lord Jesus- "By this all men will know you are my disciples, when you
love one another"(Jn13:34,35).Unity, love & prayer in action- All in One for a time like this.!!

Why Christmas is unique!!This is why....

Act1:24 Dec,1999 , militants of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, a Pakistan-based extremist group, brought India on it knees hijacking Indian Airlines Flight with 191 passengers and crew aboard. To end the hostage crisis in the Kandahar hijack, then Indian government led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee surrendered before terrorists and agreed to release three militants, who later planned and executed 9/11 attacks, the kidnap and murder of Daniel Pearl and 2006 Mumbai terror attacks.

3 guilty men released as a ransom for 191 innocent people.

Act2:1-3 A.D(approx): “Don’t you know anything? Can’t you see that it’s to our advantage that one man dies for the people rather than the whole nation be destroyed?”...that day on they plotted to kill Jesus...Cheif Priest Caiphas in Jn11:50-53(Message Version).

1 innocent man crucified for billions of murderers for every generation that was, that is and that is to come.

Whats Unique about Christmas. It was this day in history that Jesus,Son of God chose to come down to earth as the Son of man and to give his life as a ransom for many.Mk10:45

[Hope you also got a clearer understanding of the word "Ransom" from these two Acts]

Now Christmas is unique becasue on this day ,unto us a child is born,unto us a son is given;  [Isa9:6]Notice a Son was not born, a child was born on Christmas day and a Son was given because Jesus as the Son of God always existed.

The Bible teaches us that God is One, He exists in Three Persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If God were just One Person, He could not possibly have vacated His throne in heaven and come down to earth as a man in the person of Jesus. Who would run the universe then? But because God exists as Three Persons, the Son could come to earth and die for our sins before the Father in heaven Who was the Judge.

If Jesus were merely a created being, He could not possibly have taken the punishment for the billions of human beings who have lived since Adam! For one man cannot be hanged in place of one billion murderers! But Jesus could take that punishment because He is the Infinite God.

Further, because He is infinite, He could also take an eternal punishment within three hours.

If Jesus Christ were not God, and God the Father had punished Him for our sin, that would have been a great injustice. God cannot punish one person for the crime of another, even if the person is willing to take the punishment. Your friend cannot take your punishment and be hanged in your place. That would be unjust. So if Jesus were merely a created being, and He was punished for our sins, that would have been the greatest injustice.

So it is clear that no created being could possibly have taken the punishment for our sins. God alone could take that punishment, because He is the Judge of the universe. He has the right to punish us - and He has the right to take our punishment Himself. And that is what He did, when He came to earth in the Person of Jesus Christ. The foundation of the Christian faith lies in these two great truths: First, that Christ died for the sins of humanity. Secondly, that He rose from the dead after three days.

If Christ did not rise from the dead, there would have been no proof that He was God. His rising from the dead was proof that all that He had said was true. No religious leader has ever claimed that he would die for the sins of the world. And no religious leader has ever risen from the dead. These two facts alone make Jesus Christ unique.

All religions may teach us to do good to others and to live in peace. But the Christian faith has an unique foundation: Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead,and thats the Gospel(1cor10:5,Rom10:9) If these two truths are removed from Christianity, then Christianity becomes just like any other religion. These two truths are what make Christianity unique and hence Christmas Unique!

POVERTY AND RICHES

Deepika, an EU student doing her Ba Bed in Bhubaneswar instead of staying in the city/or going home, decides to spend her christmas holidays in a remote less urban place exploring the idea of being a teacher in a needy place. God takes her to Asha kiran academy in koraput district, Odisha.

After a week long Mission exposure trip , deepika sums up her experince this way, and i

i quote-"In the city Spending is a habit, over here in the village, spending is a need "

Is this true for you too my dear student. I am more convinced than before the need for EU students to take mission exposure trips even during their college days. "A lot can happen over a day of mission exposure trip"

But the god of this world wants to keep us indoors.With the advent of 21st century we have entered into the Global market of consumerism, everything can be home delivered.Smartphones, social media, etc. All lock us insde… all that is required is – ‘Can my pocket afford it?’

Oh, I thought it’s Christmas light!

No Problem, how much I need to pay Mr. Cop?

My son’s rash driving broke your Sabji (vegetable) trolley!

No Problem, How much money for damage?

“Comparing money to Repair” has become the trend of the generation.

Dr. Ravi Zacharias retells this story of a man boarding a flight:

“A rich business man boards his flight and sat beside a beautiful lady. In a short while they started introducing each other. Tempted the rich young man proposed the lady, "I want you for tonight….what’s your cost? I will pay you 1000 dollars."

The lady stared at him and kept quite. As the flight was about to land, the lady said, “It will be my pleasure to be with you tonight. But I don’t want 100 dollars, I am okay with 10 dollars.(it turns out the lady was a prosititute) The rich man with high tone said, “What do you think about me? Do you know who I am?”

The lady smiled and replied, “Cool down man. We both now know who we are!

We are just haggling over the price!”

Jesus said "what use is it if a man gains the whole world and loses his soul".

No one can serve 2 masters.

Phew!!Is it true that every person is saleable, just have to quote the right price.

Is it true everything can be bought with money.

Dear friend, the enemy of our soul makes us a offer daily, we have to refuse.

Its not just poor, bu the rich have much problems too. The problem of self sufficiency, and not knowing what lack is.

(Abrahams nephew)Lot chose the greener pasture when offered the open field

Esau sold his birth right over a morsel of grain.

In the beginning was the Word...

In the beginning was the video/ images/ Word...

What would be the best way for me to convince you that I am currently writing this article from planet Mars, your options are:

a- just say it, I trust your word

b- send a "Marfie" (selfie image taken on planet Mars)

c- give me a video call ( i would see, hear and then believe)

For this episode, lets play "Sherlock Holmes" and his science of deduction to the option b :)

Lets say, i do send you a Marfie , will you really believe me then? How would you verify the authencity of the Marfie sent? Can i not photoshop the image as many do?Hmm...

Lets ask Facebook, how do they examine images?

Facebook users are uploading 35 crores new photos each day, i.e each of Facebook's 150 crores users are uploading an average of 217 photos a piece every day.

But the examining process is actually low-tech .When a request is submitted, facebook employees on the company's safety and legal teams look at the image that's been flagged, reviewing each one individually, and evaluating the public interest and newsworthiness of each message .Each company makes its own rules based on how it wants to shape its community. Facebook and Instagram, for example, have rules against nudity in photos. Twitter has no such rules .

It may seem incomprehensible to many users that in an age of algorithms and high technology, Twitter would remove offensive images by hand rather than by automation. Twitter and other companies like Facebook, Microsoft and Google all have and use an automated technology that lets them identify and flag images based on certain criteria.But they use that software technology as a secondary filter not the primary one. The primary filter is a team of men whose conscience is guided by the companys agenda.

My dear students, Its clear what instagram,facebook, watsapp,and other modes of social media are communicating, and what agenda rules guide them.

But we as disciples of Lord Jesus are called to communicate Truth (read as Jesus in Jn14:6).We as a UESI family, are called to transform the student community to impact university campuses. Thats our Lords agenda through UESI.And thats our agenda too.

But then we have a tough challenge infront!! As Ravi Zacharias puts it-"How do you reach out to a generation that listens with its eyes and thinks with its feelings.We are intended to see through the eye with the conscience. But now we see with the eye devoid of a conscience".

The Visual media has embezzled todays generation with images.

In this modern media age there is a constant bombardment of images, many times devoid of context, and it is imperative that we do more than just passively absorb them without a filter.

I conclude by suggesting atleast two levels of filters at which to examine our use of visuals both in receiving and sending communication:

i) first filter every time would be my conscience (guided by Gods word) not just my eyes.Everything that appeals my eye but sears my concience is not communicating truth.

ii) second filter would be the question: is this going to shape me/the community as God intends to, or is it serving someones else agenda.

So lets continue to play the detective "Sherlock" in this world of Images and may God grant us the wisdom and understanding to know and apply the rules of Gods Word to communicate truth(Jesus) and nothing but the truth(Jesus) to todays generation.

"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth"...John17:17

SELF ESTEEM: WHO DO YOU THINK I AM!!

Mat 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked his disciples,“Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

When my Lord Jesus asked this question, it makes me think, was my Lord going through a period of low self esteem like I do often? Was He having a bad day? Were there times where even Jesus would have needed someone to pat on His back and say “Its OK, Its OK” (please pardon me the audacity to think this way)? But stay with me through the course of this conversation Mathew 16:13-20 and try unfolding this question “Who do you think I am?”

As a student in school and college, I had asked myself the same question many times? What do classmates think of me, my seniors, my juniors. What do the girls talk about me? What comes to peoples mind when they think of my name” _______”. My teachers and parents were the only ones whose opinion I didn't have to ask, as they always had a mouthful of things to say to me anyways :)

Opinion matters don't they- to me, to you to everyone. As infamously made out in TV journalism—The Nation wants to know!!! Interesting that our Lord, the second person of the Trinity, should ask one of these “Opinion Polls” questions—Who do you think I AM? Well lets look at the answers;

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“They” here implies that the answer came from different sources present there and the gospel writer has summarised in one line; Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.

I too got such varied answers about “who I am”, don’t you? Different people think differently about us. Like our Exams Question paper, I wish the options for answers were single radio type but no, the answer would always be multiple type (all of the above). Parents, teachers acquaintances, juniors, seniors all have multiple answers; most of the answers I fear to hear, but still want to hear. You see we are wired that way isn't it? We want to know-what I think about myself, is it the same others think about me?

Now we see further, our Lord didn't stop with the “Nation wants to know” answer, He gets interested to know the answer from His close confidants;(His disciples) “Who do you think I AM”?

15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Well look here!! Don't we all want to know what our close friends think about us? Because they have watched you closely day in day out and so the answer becomes so very important to your Self Esteem.

But then we are talking of our Lord Jesus here aren’t we? Why is my Lord insisting on getting this answer? How does the answer of mere mortal fishermen matter? After all does He not know Who He is? Stay with me on this.

You see our Lord does not require anyone to build up his Self Esteem (i.e. confidence regarding his own worth or abilities-dictionary meaning). He has got His Self Esteem PASSPORT attested by someone above and we see the answer in two different places in the holy scripture:

And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."  Mark 1:11

And a voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is My Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him!" John 5:20

So I understand my Lord didn't ask this question to build His own self esteem but rather the verses ahead exposes our Lords marvellous way of building up Self esteem of Peter.

17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Imagine the next time, Peter would go through a phase of low self Esteem, he would have been reminded of what the Lord had to say about him. This is our Lords style , true to his uniqueness is His style, “bilkul hatke”. That’s why I never stop falling in love with the hero of the scripture Jesus Christ. Am sure you are also in love with His character!!

My dear friends as a student or graduate , we all go through times when we like Peter think we know it all – about ourselves , about God, about everyone around us. We are always in DIY mode (Do It Yourself), we think its our self worth and own abilities that forms the crux of our faith, we conclude “We have arrived”.

Peter thought the same didn't he? when he said,

“Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will

 “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” (Mathew 26:33,35)

But like Peter we too need to be reminded that our Esteem comes from the Lord. When we forget this highlight, we actually are implying “Lord, I don't care what you think of me , what matters to me is what I think of myself and the world thinks about me.

May it not be the case for any of our EU/EGF fellowships, Naah Naah! my friends may it never be.

Concluding:

Peter found his self worth from the words of his master Jesus in Mat 16:17-19

We can find ours from the same words of Jesus in the scripture. We in UESI place a high value on “All sufficiency of scripture” and from there comes out QT, PBS,etc. Lets continue to actively engage with the word of God and build our self esteem.

So the answer to the question: Who do you think I am?

“I am a chosen person, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that I may declare the praises of him who called me out of darkness into his wonderful light.

................words of St. Peter in 1Pet2:9