In His Time.......... with P.Ramachandran

Praise God. After much delay caused by the rains, Pst Samuel reported that the farm is finally in operation. Currently they are getting about 40 litres of milk daily. The output is expected to increase in a week's time. The income generated will be used to support the training centre and, in future, church planters into the interior. Praise God for the sponsor who was willing to sow into God's kingdom. We pray that this will be a prototype project for other mission work supported by PEC. Please continue to pray that many people will be reached with the gospel through this project.

Pastor Yam (S828) was in Spore in Jul for a conference. It was good seeing him and his friends. We visited the HI center in Spore followed by dinner at an Indian restaurant. We talked about the good times at Maui. We discussed ways of partnering church planting efforts in the villages. God willing, we will plan be in Nepal next year.

On Sunday morning I spoke in Church on the topic Making the Difference . The text was taken from 2 King 5 and we focused on the young girl who was the slave of Naaman. She made the difference in Naaman's life by becoming the crucial link to his healing and his eventual salvation. We do not know the girl's name and the Bible only gives two description of her. She was young and a captive . When we say someone is young, it implies that the person is inexperienced, naive, playful and even immature. As a captive she had no rights of her own and no social standing. She was literally a nobody. Yet God used this "nobody" to touch the life of the mighty general. You and I can be a nobody in this world but still God can use us as an influence for His purposes. In 1 Cor 1:26-27, Paul says, " Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish ...

God has again proved His faithfulness. The funds needed for the mission trip have come in from God's stewards who were sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord richly reward every cheerful giver. Amen Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

This afternoon the Lord again confirmed His word for the Mission Team. Bro Mathew said that the road ahead is long and straight and blessing are flowing from both sides as the team presses on to the mark set before us. Sis Doreen said that while praying, she saw the Lord overshadowing the team with huge wings. We are under the protection of the Almighty God. Praise the Lord . Isaiah 55: 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

In this Psalm the Psalmist describes the qualities of a citizen of heaven. He is not talking about a tourist or a permanent resident but rather a citizen. In every country a citizen is required to fulfill certain obligations if he wants to belong to that particular country and call it home. It’s the same with our citizenship in heaven. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name”. Colossians 1:13 tells us, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves”. The rescue and our citizenship of heaven are purely by God’s grace and grace alone . We did nothing to achieve it. However as a Christian goes through the process of sanctification, there ought to be some changes in his character and in his relations with God and people. Sadly many Christians still remain in the same mould from which they were hewn (Isaiah 51:1) and the words of 2 Cor 5:17 h...

Jessica, our eldest daughter, returned home early this morning after about 3-month attachment with YWAM in San Francisco. It was a joy seeing her again at the airport. She said it was a wonderful journey. The trip has helped her in leadership skills, servanthood, evangelism and above all to "hear the voice of God". "I want to be a misionary", she remarked as we drove home. Praise God for the work He is doing in her life. Jeya and I want to thank all who remembered her in your prayers. God is indeed good.

On Saturday we met for prayer at the Healing Room to intercede on behalf of the Mission Team. The Lord drew our attention to the following scriptures for the team: Isaiah 61:1-3 - The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, 2 to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God,to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 60:1-2 - "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the people...

God saw Gideon differently. He did not see his physical strength but his spiritual ability. Gideon was both inward-looking (seeing himself) and outward-looking (seeing the circumstances) but failed to be upward-looking (seeing God) How did Gideon see himself? Judges 6:15 How can I? (physically weak) My family is poor (materially - no resources) I am the least in the family (low on the social ladder) Isn't that how we view ourselves many a times. Like Gideon we may have given up hope. Nothing seems to be working. We see ministry and ourselves as a failure, lacking resources and no personal worth. Today we have to view ourselves through the eyes of God. Phi 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ. 1 John 4:4 - Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. God assures the man of God. "I am with you". God's Assurance 6:14,16 Go in your might (step out in faith) I am sending you ( God's authority is behind you) I am with you (God's presence) ...

The team meets once a week for prayer. We met yesterday in a very different setting but God's presence was strongly felt as we began to intercede for the needs and for the team members who were going through various testings. Psalms 23 and 91 are the platforms the team is standing as we prayerfully journey to the sub- continent. Please pray for the following: Lives will be touched and transformed Souls will be added into God's kingdom Team members will be able to ride through their difficult situations. Their faith will not be shaken Unity in the team Good health, protection and good weather God's favour while in the field For the finances to be met ($4,000)

Pst Samuel Sharma updated that he has identified the cows and the cow shed. However the work has been hampered by heavy rains. Once the weather clears the work will start. Hopefully we can see it established by next week. Please pray.

Received an urgent mail from an HI Alumni in Pakistan. He reported that two churches and many woman and children were burnt severely, 75 homes of christians were set on fire by radicals in the village of Korian Gorja, Punjab on 30 Jul. We need to intercede for this land and reach out to our people who are suffering for the Lord Jesus Christ. If you need more information or want to make some financial contribution , you can mail me at ramajeya03@yahoo.com.sg