It was quite amazing to know that one of my friends, namely Pastor Mike Motley, also preached on the 11th of this month on the very same text I preached in India.  He was kind enough to send me the outline of his preaching on Caleb.  I was quite blessed by reading it.  So with his permission I am forwarding his outline on Caleb based on Joshua 14.  I am sure you will be blessed also.

1. God keeps His promises.  verses 9,10 - The passage of time does not take away from what God has promised.
2. God can use us regardless of our age.  verses 7,10, 11 - This is true whether we are 85 like Caleb, or young like Timothy.  (I Timothy 4:12)
3. Don’t give up your dream. verse 12 - I want that mountain!  We must not die with the dreams God has placed within us unfulfilled.
4. Be Bold enough to ask.  verses 2,9, 12 - Caleb was not willing to just take the lot that fell to him.  He could have accepted that, but was bold enough to ask for what his feet had trodden on 45 years ago.
5. Understand your impact.  verse 8 - The ten spies caused the hearts of the people to melt with fear. The choices we make can either bring others courage or fill hem with fear.
6. Don’t be afraid of the coming battles.  verses 12, 14 - There were Anakites in the land… Giants! But he saw not how big the giants were, but how big God was.
7. Be happy with where God has placed you.  verse 13 - When Moses died, God appointed Joshua as leader. Caleb could have been bitter or jealous, but there is no indication of that.  He was willing to serve where God had placed him as a leader in his own tribe.

Prayer

Dear Lord, let me not give up Your plans in my life and ministry.  Amen

Praises & Prayer Needs

• Praise God for the opportunities of our students at Living Hope learning Greek and Hebrew through Caleb Friedaman. We also had three young people who visited us for a week, and they taught English to our new students at the Bible College.
• Praise God for the orphanage boys who went through a real time of conviction and repentance.
• Praise God for the new staff who were once students in our campus and brought up in Christian nurture on our campus.  Please pray for them.  Their names are Nehemiah (Manipur), Biswas (Orissa), Jittu (Mumbai) and Moses (Tamilnadu)
• We did again have some problems from State Electricity Board for the power supply, so please pray that the problems are sorted out.  We do need badly to install two 10 KV generators. Kindly pray for this need.
• Please pray for our financial needs for we are going through some tough time.

If you live in Central Kentucky and you care about India, mark your calendar for Sunday, August 15.  On that day beginning at 5:00 in the afternoon, Fishhook will be celebrating India’s Independence Day with a picnic at Shilito Park Shelter #4.  We are calling it “Lexington India Day,” and we are inviting all our friends to come join us for an evening of fun.  We’ll have a taste of Indian culture with cricket, kite making, henna body art and sari fittings.  It’s a pot luck meal, so bring your favorite picnic food to share.  We are hoping for a mix of Indian and American cuisine so there should be something for everyone to enjoy.  If you love India, don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate with your friends and make some new ones as well!

This week the life of Caleb dominated my mind.  I preached about him and learned a good deal from his life.  Please allow me to share what I learned with you.

He Followed the Lord Persistently

The same thing that was said about Caleb when he was forty was also said about him when he was eighty: He wholly followed the Lord.  Pressures and persecution came into his life, but he was a man of consistency and persistence.  Think of the Jews in John 6:66 who turned back and no longer followed Jesus.  Think of the Galatians; Paul said, “You were running a good race.  Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7);  So do not give up in following Him and His vision.

He Followed the Lord Sincerely

Caleb followed the Lord not only persistently but also sincerely, from the heart.  Following sincerely means not being a hypocrite, not being an outward Christian only.  Everyone was against Caleb and Joshua.  They endured insults and jeers.  Yet, Caleb could do nothing else because his heart was sincere before God.  The people of Israel  were determined to cling to their unbelief, and Caleb reproached them because he sincerely followed the Lord.  No matter what the majority says, Caleb’s whole aim was to follow the Lord sincerely.

He Followed the Lord Indivisibly

Caleb followed the Lord not only with a sincere heart but also with all his heart.  Some people pick and choose what they want to do of God’s will.  We may be very consistent in certain areas.   Perhaps we are conservative Sabbath-keepers but neglect daily family worship.   In certain areas we might think,  “I know that this or that is wrong but you can’t be perfect.  I think God will have mercy on me.”  But Caleb didn’t excuse himself like that but followed the Lord in every area of his life.

He Followed the Lord Exclusively

Caleb did not get tempted to follow someone or some example but he followed the Lord exclusively.  Following God must be the preeminent pursuit of our lives.  We must have no other goal in mind, no other desire in mind.  Our entire being must be caught up with this burning passion to walk in God’s ways and His vision.

Prayer

Dear Lord, help me to follow you persistently, sincerely, indivisibly, and exclusively in every trial and troubles that come on my way.  Amen

Praises & Prayer Needs

• We were able to dedicate a place in Velauthapuram near Rajapalayam for building God’s house.
• The Bible college has now 115 students from many parts of India and Myanmar.  Praise God for the opportunity we have to train these ones to be sent out to win people of India.  Recent report says that India will beat China in population in another forty years.
• Pray for our financial support to meet our needs every month.  We are going through difficult time every month.
• Praise God for the one Chokkalingam whom I led to the Lord in 1978. He is doing tremendous ministry in Thoppur area which I came to know just three days ago when he called me.  God bless you.

God Is Our Strength

“The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble.” (Psalm 37:39)   Often we might feel weakness in our body and spirit.  I am made strong because of His strength.

God Is Our Stronghold

“The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)  The word “stronghold” can mean to have an iron grip.  God holds you and me with such a grab that we shall never be shaken.

God Is Our Supporter

“Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand.” (Psalm 37:24)  We will never be cast down by the troubles we face for He is our support.  He literally carries us through.

God Is Our Safeguard

“You are my hiding place;  You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”   (Psalm 32:7)  Many times God protects us and prevents us from getting into troubles.  What a preventive grace we enjoy from the hands of the Lord!

Prayer

Lord, I want to thank You for being my strength, stronghold, support and safeguard.  Amen

Praises & Prayer Needs

• Praise God for the wonderful time I had with the staff and students of Madras Bible Seminary and College.  Many came to the altar and made commitments. Thanks for your prayers.
• The Sunday service and youth meeting at ECI Church in Ottari went with lots of healing and commitments.
• Pray for my trip to Andhra - Kavali this week when  about 40 people will be baptized.  Pray for these new believers.
• Next Sunday morning I shall be preaching at St. Luke”s Church Mandaveli, Chennai.  Kindly pray for this.
• Pray  that the chosen ones will come to the Bible college to be trained for ministry.
• PRAISES TO GOD.  PLEASE BE ASSURED OF MY PRAYERS.

This morning I read the 9th chapter of Matthew and got blessed to know how the Lord deals with our needs just like He dealt with the paralyzed man.

God Deals With Our Emotions First

Jesus told first to the paralyzed man ” to take heart…” (9:2)  Emotional stability is required before we receive any blessings from the Lord.  Fear, tears, concerns, worries need to be settled down first in our lives and the Lord does it miraculously.

God Deals With Our Damage Secondly

Jesus told the paralyzed man secondly: “Your sins are forgiven.”   Undoubtedly sin has brought guilt feelings in us and marred our image.  God prepares our hearts through His divine forgiveness and cleansing.   A guilty person cannot enjoy His touch and blessings.

God Deals With Our Want Finally

Finally Jesus told he paralyzed man: “Take up your mat and go home.”  Humanly speaking it was an impossible command to be obeyed.  Our earthly calculations will not agree to such action.  The man didn’t try or test first by moving his fingers or some members of the body first.  But the paralyzed man simply obeyed without questioning.

Prayer

Dear Lord,  may I be touched in my emotions, guilt and will instantly to receive greater blessings in my home.  Amen

Praises and Prayer Needs

• The staff of the Bible college had a wonderful retreat for two days in Kerala.
• Yesterday I was filled with joy when we went to conduct thanksgiving meeting in one of the police commissioner’s home.  The person was touched and filled with power by watching our television program.  When I went to pray in his house for the first time about four years back, it was like entering into a temple with multitudes of idols.  By the grace of God not only him but the whole family of four people got completely changed and now being in his house gave me the feeling of being in a Church.  Praise God.
• Pray for one Parvatham (means mountain) 15 yrs old girl whom we admitted in living hope this week.  She is totally an orphan and brought up by a family who tortured her for accepting the Lord Jesus in her life.  She has got lots of scars of a hot iron rod placed on her body.  Praise the Lord that she got released from such a awful situation.  Pray that she will grow in grace of the Lord.
• I shall be sharing God’s Word for three days ( 17th - 19th) in Chennai for the students and staff of Madras Bible college and seminary where Bishop Ezra Sargunam of OMS and ECI is the President.
• Please continue to pray for the admission of our Living Hope Theological college at Mount Zion.
• My wife Jaya was admitted in hospital for severe vomiting and diarrhea.  Please pray she will be completely alright.

I was greatly encouraged by reading the first chapter of Jeremiah.  The Lord’s working in our lives is quite marvelous and amazing.

The Lord at the Creation

The Lord knew us even before we were formed in our mother’s womb.  He formed us in our mother’s womb for His own purposes.

The Lord at the Consecration

What an encouragement to know that God consecrated us while we were in the womb of our mothers.  The womb served as a cathedral where our consecration or sanctification took place

The Lord at the Choice

We were given our appointment order even while we were in the womb of our mothers.  He has chosen and fixed us to be His mouthpiece on this earth.  We are divinely appointed to go to people to whom the Lord sends us to speak whatever He commands and not to be afraid.  Praise God for we are in His choices.

Prayer

Lord, I marvel at Your deeds in my life.   Amen

Praises and Prayer Needs

• We had a humble beginning of nursing course started on our campus with 20 girls.
• Praise God that six of our home girls who finished their schooling now joined in the nursing course.
• Please pray that the needs of this school will be met.  This is a two years course approved by the central government of India.
• Pray that we will have God-chosen students to join in B.Th and M.Div course in our Bible college.
• We have planned a retreat for all the Bible college professors on the 11th and 12th of this month which will be held in Kerala.  Pray that God will anoint us afresh for the new academic year. About 25 of us will be there.
• Thank God that Stephen and Persis got started their family life and ministry in Trichy.   I am quite satisfied with what I hear from Persis even though I miss her a lot. My eyes gets swelled up sometime wherever I feel for her.  May be it is natural.  Pray that I will overcome this.  God bless you and continue to pray and support.

Please pray for the bride and groom as they start their new life together in service to the Lord Jesus.

On May 15th at 6.30 am an Air India aircraft crashed while landing at the airport in Mangalore, killing 158 passengers and crew.  This was the 11th major air accident in the country’s air space since 1962 and the first since July 17, 2000.  The trouble reportedly began when the aircraft landed beyond the touchdown zone and overshot the table-top runway with a cliff just beyond. The pilot in command Glucia, a British citizen of Serbian origin, had 10,000 hours of flying experience and had 19 landings at the Mangalore airport.  With all this past history, something went out of his control resulting the death of 158 people which includes 19 children 4 of whom were infants.

Yes, on many occasions I feel my inability to have control or to manage the happenings.  As I got up from my bed about 3:10 am, the Lord reminded me of His ability which makes all grace come to us in abundance.

God Is Able to Create

“God is able to raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones!”  (Matt 3:9)  God can raise any one or any thing from any thing.  There is  nothing my God cannot do.  So be encouraged.

God Is Able to Be in Charge

“…no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”  (John 10:29)  He will not leave us nor forsake us.  So be encouraged.

God Is Able to Contribute

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…”  (Eph 3:20)  He is able to supply more than what we need in a miraculous manner. So be encouraged.

God Is Able to Comfort

“He is able to help us when we are being tempted.” (Heb 2:18)  Since He went through the temptations and trials, He is able to help, comfort and strengthen us.  So be encouraged.

Prayer

Thank You, Lord, for Your abilities in the midst of my inabilities.  Amen.

Praises and Prayer Needs

• Praise God that our daughter Persis will be united with Stephen in marriage this Friday evening, May 28.  This is another ability of God working in our family life ever since she committed herself for the service of the Lord.  Please pray for all the arrangements and all the needs to be met.
• We have planned three receptions in three different places.  May the Lord’s name be glorified in all these places.
• We planned special time with Pastors on 29th in Chennai and one in Mount Zion on the 2nd of June.
• If you have not received our invitation for the wedding, kindly consider this as our invitation.
• Thanks to those who already sent in your greetings and wishes for Persis.