GOD OF ABRAHAM

GOD OF ABRAHAM, is the short form/name of THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, THE GOD OF ISAAC, and THE GOD OF JACOB. Besides, GOD OF THE ANCESTRAL is another name refers to God. However, as we move on, these three names of God would be used interchangeably.

If we open the bible, there are multiple places in the Bible where God is referred to as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:15; Acts 7:32). It is the way how God introduced himself or how God was being introduce by individual people to other/different people.

1.    Gen 28: 10- 17: When the split occurred between Jacob and Esau, Jacob left Beer-Sheba and went toward Haran. Then he came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. So, he took one of the stones and put it under his head and lay down in that place. Then, as he slept calmly he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

Then the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac” and he further proceed to tell how he would give the land on which he lay.
Then immediately the subsequent reaction we found is – V 17: he (Jacob) was afraid, and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."

2.    Exo 3: 1-6: When Moses encounters God in the mount of Horeb.
So, there the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush, so God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."  Then the Lord said, "Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." And He said further, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob."
Then again, immediate reaction we could see is – V 6b: Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

3.    The third incident happened during the time when Prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal offered a burn offering in the mount of Carmel.
At the time of the offering of the oblation, the prophet Elijah came near and said, "O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your bidding. Answer me, O LORD; answer me, so that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back." Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and even licked up the water that was in the trench.
When all the people presented there saw it, they fell on their faces and said, "The LORD indeed is God; the LORD indeed is God."

Therefore, in all these accounts, though the receivers who encounter with God and who have received a direct message from God have experienced a miraculous encounter or unusual phenomenon, the way how they gave immediate reactions have a significant importance in today’s Christian life.
However, before we come to the point of interest, one important area I would like to mention in relation to the name of God as God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is;
This name of God emphasizes two different things;

i)    The covenant that God made with Israel and

ii)    The Israelite’ special place as God’s Chosen People.

As found the records in the bible, God has repeated the Abrahamic Covenant to three different generations:
i)    Abraham,
ii)   Isaac, and
iii)  Jacob

Therefore, they were all given the promise of land, many descendants, and blessing.
As we know, the Lord first calls Abram out of Ur (of the Chaldees) to the land of Canaan, establishing a covenant with him (Genesis 12:1–3). Then God reaffirms the same covenant with Abraham’s son, Isaac (Genesis 21:12; 26:3–4), and later with Isaac’s son, Jacob (Genesis 28:14–15). Therefore, the Lord who established and ratified this covenant is rightly called the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Therefore, when God reveals or refers himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the name carries a couple of important implications.

-    First: when He identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, He clearly distinguishes Himself from the gods of Egypt in whose land the Israelite's dwelt.

-    Second: By revealing himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, individual people who encounter with God would realize the faithfulness, trustworthiness, the glory and fearfulness of God.

As we have already mention in the beginning, when the LORD appeared to Jacob and said, "I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac”
Then immediate reaction given by Jacob was – in V 17: Jacob was afraid. It does not mean here that - Jacob has something doubt in his mind, but Jacob definitely had no doubt. It is indicates that by receiving or seeing the revelation of God Jacob could realized his father's God 'who really is'. This further indicates that his father had maintain a healthy uprightness to teach his children that God is by nature a fearful God, who is to receive with fear, with honor and respect...

In the same way, when Moses encounters with God in the mount of Horeb as he went besides the burning bush; Then again, immediate reaction we could see, after the revelation of God is – V 6b: Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

The message behind of the reactions according to my understanding and what I would like to bring out as my point of interest is;
Though there is a belief, according to ‘J’ tradition that ‘those who saw “God or the angel of the Lord” face to face would die,’ this concept or belief is to be kept aside…But, whenever God introduce him-self as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; individual person who received God’s introductory remark have come to acknowledge that – God who reveals himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the real God who is worthy to be praised and worshiped, to be feared and to be received with reverential treatment.

This further indicates that – The three forefathers; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have presented well their God to their offspring as the God who is worthy to be praised and worshiped, to be feared and to be received with reverential treatment. Therefore, whenever the new offspring of the forefather encounter with the same God who introduces himself as the God of their ancestors, without any doubt or without any reservation in their minds they could have accepted and submitted themselves to God. They could have done so because their forefathers have set an example for their offspring.

In 2 Cor. 3:2 Paul has written, “You are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read of all men.”
Peter too, has mentioned in 2 Pet. 2:12, “Having your conversation honest among the gentile; that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers; they may by your good work, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

The way how we present our living God to other people around us through our action and deeds; can have a very profound impact on them. This is what I called it as my point of interest from this short sharing, something we need to take very seriously.

One of the sad stories we left behind to those people around us, as Mahatma Gandhi said is, he said, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” He admired the Sermon on the Mount (which shaped his whole philosophy of life) and hoped to see Christians live up to its standards. While living with Christians in England, South Africa and India, he expected to experience the qualities like unconditional love, forgiveness, willingness to sacrifice, meekness, etc. which are considered as the true qualities of Christ. But to his utmost dismay, Christians in his era never lived up to the standards preached by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount and on the Cross.

Therefore, a very strong statement what I would like to make, as a responsible minister is - Our contemporary world is in need of true witnesses and not just noisemakers or orators, a self-promoter or a self-righteous preacher whose theories and words of mouth do not reflect their actions.
We rather need a person whose words and actions are in line with the standard that please God and who fears God.

Bruce Rzengota, a pastor of cmaChurch of Morgantown once had done a survey on things that America needs. Many have replied with their answers; America needs Fatima, revival, fewer taxes, more job, universal health care, a clean environment, better school, leader not politicians, etc. and many more.

In addition to these suggestions, he wrote, ‘for some I have no doubt that it will be an encouragement, a reminder that how they have chosen to live their lives matters and is making a difference.’ And at the end, he gave his own answer by leaving the statement which says - WHAT AMERICA (AND BY EXTENSION THE WORLD) NEEDS MOST IS FOR THE CHURCH TO TRULY BE THE CHURCH.

In line with this statement, reinterpretation of the same statement we may draw out which is also very relevant to our present context is – what the present world needs most is a true Christian. A spirit filled and guided dynamic Christian, who fears God, and who would set an exemplary life for others.
A Christian should be a living sermon, a walking message. The authentic Christian life is a sermon in action. If we live this kind of life, even without saying a single word, people around us will hear our story loud and clear!

Then they will give respect to our living God and may further embrace our living God.
Let the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob be made known to others, to our roommates, to our colleagues, to our children, and to our fellow human being as the fearful God of us, the loving and merciful God of us who is full of glory in his holiness.

Let other people around us acknowledge our God through our actions and deeds and say, ‘your God is the living God, magnificent, powerful, full of grace and mercy, approachable,  fearful, forgiver, faithful, and so on.

Let us also remember that we are epistle/ a letter written to be read by others through which others could learn ‘who our God is’, so that people may come to the feet of God with fearful hearts and may further embrace God to know more about him and to let Him rule over them.

JISHUR PREME, BENGALI, ENGLISH & MIZO LYRIC - WILLIAM CAREY

As a mark of our sweet remembrance of him and to pay homage to our dear and great missionary, WILLIAM CAREY, founder of Serampore College, who is also known as father of modern missions; on his 258th birth anniversary, here, i therefore posted Bengali + English + Mizo version of the song 'JESUS' LOVE' composed by him (William Carey) in 1796 based on Eph 5:2.

As you wish, you may kindly go through and try Bangali, English and Mizo song.

I give credit to Rev Dr Dipankar Haldar, Professor of N.T, Serampore College for sharing me a portal link from where i could find all his precious works including his English translation of this song.

JESUS' LOVE (IN BENGALI)
Composed by William Carey

Jishur preme, Jishur preme, shukh o shanti paai;
Pashe thaken, drishti rakhen, jani shorbodaai.

Ch: ‘Bhalobashen, Jishu naath amaay,’
Mone mone, protikkhhone, gaaile praan juraay.

Jishur bawle, Jishur bawle, hridoy rokkhha paay;
Taare jawkhon daaki, tawkhon dukkhho dure jaay.

Jishur dawya, Jishur dawya, taar to shima naai;
Pore gele, dhoren tule, paaper khoma paai.

Jishur ichchha, Jishur ichchha, palon korte chai;
Priyo traata, jestho bhrata, bhalobashi taai.

Jishur sheba, Jishur sheba, bhalo laage bhai;
Shujog peye, shukhi hoye, karje kaal kaatai.

Jishur hridoy, Jishur hridoy, dharon korte chaai;
Prarthonate, shastropathe, rawto thaki tai.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION
by Rev Dr. Dipankar Haldar

We get happiness and peace in Jesus’ love;
For, He abides by us and looks after us always.

Chorus: ‘He loves me, yes Jesus loves me’
To sing always in our hearts makes our souls content.

Our hearts are protected with the strength of Jesus;
When we call Him, our sorrows go away.

There is no limit in the kindness of Jesus;
When we fall, He lifts us up and forgives our sins.

We want to foster the will of Jesus;
We love Him, our dear Saviour and elder brother.

We love the Service of Jesus;
We want to utilize the opportunity in doing works for Him happily.

We want to embrace the heart of Jesus;
So we spend time in prayer and scripture reading.

MIZO VERSION..
Translated by REV K.LALZARLIANA
On 17th, August, 2019 in his (Carey) 258th birth anniversary.

Hlim leh muanna, Isua hmangaihna zarah ka nei,
Min hruai zeltu, min enkawltu a ni tih ka(n) hria.

Ch: Min hma-ngaihtu, Lal Isua a ni,
Fak hla zai vawrin, thinlung a hnenah kan hlan e.

Kan thinlungte Isua chaknaa humhim a ni,
A hming kan lamin, kan lungngaihnate a bo ang.

Isua ngilneihna, chatuanin a kang ngai dawn lo,
Suala hliam hnu min ngaidamin, min kai tho leh ang.

Isua thinlung duhaisamte tih puitlin kan tum,
Kan hmangaih leh kan chhandamtu, kan thian rinawm ber.

Kan duhaisam kan hlimna chu a rawngbawl zel hi,
Hlima kan hunte hmang thain, a tan kan thawk ang.

Kan duhaisam Isua thinlung ang neih hi a ni,
Amah anga tawngtaiin, a thu kan zir zel ang.


Notes:
1. On the way of our procession (usual practice on his birth anniversary) towards Carey cemetery, Dr Haldar walk beside me, then i asked whether an English translation of this song is available. Dr Haldar was kind enough to provide me a portal link from where i could go though and find all of his precious works including this song translated by him (Dr Haldar). Thanks to my colleague Dr Haldar.

When the procession and the next programme held in Cemetery was over, i took my laptop and have started the work of translation. Then, within a short span of time (i.e. within 30 minutes), by God's grace, i could have done it.

2. Another songs translated by me are
- What kind of love is this
- It is well with my soul (Posted here in my blog. under the heading of A PAWI LO, A PAWI LO)

DIGITAL FASTING

( Ka BIRTHDAY, 45th birthday puala ka ziah a ni e. PRESENT atana ka ziah a ni e. Kum 47 ka chhiar tan tawh emaw ka ti a, mahse kum 45 complete-in 46 ka chhiar tan chauh dawn a lo ni reng a...Lol).

INTRODUCTION
Social Media emaw, electronic gadget (khawl) kan chelek danin, kan ni tin khawsak phung a nghawng dan hi tlang hriat a ni a. A tha lama min nghawng dan aiin, a tha lo lama mipui vantlang min nghawng dan hi a lansarh zawk avangin, awmze nei leh fing thiam taka hman leh hmachhawn a tul a ni.

DIGITAL FASTING hi social media leh a kaihhnawih thil ‘tha lo’ do letna atana thil tangkai tak, mi zawng zawngin kan tih theih a ni a. Mahni inthunun kawnga tan lakna tur dap thinte tan thil tangkai tak a nih avangin, digital fasting chungchang thu hi ka han ziak a. Enge a nih?, a tangkaina, a tulna leh eng tin nge digital fasting chu kan neih ang? tihte kan tarlang dawn a ni.

DIGITAL FASTING CHU ENG E?
Digital fasting hian hun tiam chhung atana digital lam thil bansan emaw insum, etc lam a kawk a. Miin chaw a nghei chuan chaw ei a tawpsan a, chaw ei a insum thin. Chutiang deuh chuan, Social media leh a kaihnawih thil emaw khawl lam thil (electronic gadget, digital lam thil) laka insum emaw, hun bituk chhung atana tawp san hi digital fasting chu a ni.

Digital fasting thumal tlukpuia ngaih, tawngkam dang a awm bawk a, chu chu; Digital detox an ti a. Detox chu detoxify emaw detoxification atanga lo kal a ni a, taksaa ruihhlo emaw, tur lam thil, taksa tana pawi thei chambang tikiam/ti bo tura mi an sawngbawl dan hi a ni, a tih theih ang. Drug abuser (hmang sual) emaw, ruihhlo ti thinte enkawlna atana an thil chelek leh tangkai tak a ni thin a. Thisena ruihhlo zung zam, taksa tana pawi thlen thei a awm tawh loh thleng a, ruihhlo eng chi pawh bansan, emaw chawlh san hmiah tihna pawh a ni thei ang.

Heng lo pawh hi Digital fasting sawina tawngkam dang – unplugging, digital Sabbath, etc tihte a awm a. A kawh a thuhmun vek avangin sawifiah ngai lovah ngai ta i la. Bible a ‘chawnghei’ emaw ‘ chaw ngheia tawngtai’ tih nen khaikhin vek theih a ni lova. A khaikhin duh tan erawh, khaikhin theihna chin erawh a awm bawk awm e.

A TANGKAINA
Social media emaw, digital lam thilte hi kan nitin hun hman mekte nen thlenhran harsa khawpin tunah chuan a lo inthlunzawm ta a. Ni khat chauh chu sawi loh, darkar tlemte pawh a tel lova awm a harsat zia hretu vek kan ni. He tiang khawpa kan nitin nunphung nena inzawm nghet anih tawh avang hian, social media-te hian kan khawsak dan (life style) a nghawng a. Kan thil ngainat zawng (value system) thlak danglamin, kan rilru put hmang pawh a nghawng khaw lo (mental disorder) thin. Mahni inthunun kawngah mi tam tak harsatna a siam sak a (indiscipline behaviour). Kan hun hman dante pawh (time management) nasa takin a khawih buai a. Chu chuan hriselna lam thlengin  harsatna (held hazard) mi tam takah a thlen thin a ni.

Zirlai, kohhran leh Pathian rawngbawla in hmang thuk leh mi tangkai tak takte tan Thlarau lam tlakhniamna emaw inthlahdahna (spiritual drawback) a thlen nasa hlea ngaih a ni a. Kan rinna sawi nghingin (affected/polluted faith and believed), Pathian pawlna (personal devotion) nei chak lovin min siam a. Thlaraua kan chakna thuruk, Pathian nena kan inlaichinna (relationship with God) khawih pawiin, mi hmantlak loah (useless/hopeless/faithless/ desperate) awlsamtein mi tak tak a chhuah mek a ni.

A TULNA 
Hun mamawh bik, hna pawimawh hmachhawp neih changin maw, rawngbawlna tur hmachhawp neih changte hian social media-te hi kan ban phak maiah an awm avangin thil hnawksak a nih chang a tam hle. Kohhran huang chhunga inhmang rim leh Pathian chibaibuk hona hmuna tel thinte chuan ‘a hun lova chelek ching’ te veiawm zia kan hre vek awm e. Mi mit tikham zawng a Biak Ina thla lo la chhen te, thusawi ngaihsak lek lova mobile phone lo khawih daih te, hlabu en ni awm tak leh Pathian thu chhiar ni awm taka langin, mi thenkhat chuan hlabu/bible kara phone zepin an lo khal daih bawk a. Tin, zahmawh rawng kai lam thleng a Pathian chibai buk hona hmuna lo en duh mai pawlte pawh an awm bawk.

He tiang taka kan hman thiam loh avang leh, rilru la peng a, kan Pathian chibaibukna a tihbuai avang te, kan hna thawh tur nasa taka a tih thuanawp avangte leh kan rilru mai bakah, mi dang mit tikham zawnga nghawng a neih avangte hian Digital fasting hi neih fo a tha a. Mimal emaw pawl ho angin a tul hun apiangah tih theih a ni. Chin fo atana thil tha leh awmze nei taka tih theih a nih avangin, mi invawng mi leh pawimawh bikna nei thinte tan a tangkai zual a. Tunlai thangtharte tan pawh ‘thil intihhmuh chi tak a ni’ a tih theih ang.

ENG TIN NGE KAN TIH ANG?
Mahniin, pawl ang pawhin a tih dan hi chi hrang hrang a awm thei a. A hnuaiah hian a tih dan kawng 6 tarlan a ni. A tih dan tha zawk kawhhmuh turin, ngaihtuahna seng peihte nasa takin heng point 6 te hian a puih ngei pawh a rinawm.

1. Pathian biak hona reng rengah phone leh digital thil dang khap hun siam thin.

2. Biak In pawn lamah thil tih hona tam tak a awm thin; fellowship, committee meeting, hla zir, seminar/workshop, etc hengah hian hnawksak tihna emaw hmang thiam lo fal an awm chuan digital fasting hi, programme-a tel zawng zawngte tan rawt mai tur a ni.

3. Zilaite tan, phone, laptop, computer, etc leh thil dangte hian rilru a lakpen nasat thin avangin, hun bituk siamin digital fasting hi; ni tin emaw, ni khat chhungin vawi tam tak, awmze nei leh ruhmanna mumal tak neiin a neih theih ang.

4. Rawngbawlna lama inhmang rim leh thlarau lam thil, tihtur hmachhawp neite tan; hun bi tuk siamin emaw, ni 1,2,3 maw ni 5 atang a chawlhkar khat emaw, thla khat thleng pawhin, digital fasting hi neih mai tur a ni.

5. Social media zingah; face book, whatsapp, tweeter, etc. ho hi kan hun tam tak khawhralna a ni thin. Thil dangah phone hman tangkaina a awm ve si avangin, heng ho hi hman loh tawp emaw, ni khat chhung atan emaw chawlhkar khat thleng atana uninstall hmiah hian nasa takin min pui thei bawk.

6. Whatsapp bikah hian mi pakhatin group tam tak kan nei a. Message a lut tih kan hriat reng chuan en loh bik neih hi thil har tak a ni. Kan en/chhiar vek thung chuan hun tam tak a la hek a, a chang phei chuan darkar khat atanga darkar thung thleng khawih chhunzawm turin min tur lui bawk thin. Chuvang chuan, group ningnel deuh leh kan tana tangkai lo nia kan hriat chu; thla khat emaw, thla thum, kum khat chhung atan chhuahsan lailawk mai hi digital fasting neih dan chi khat a ni thei bawk.

“A dik apiang te, a zahawm apiang te, a thianghlim apiang te, a duhawm apiang te, a thangmawi apiang te, thatna reng a awm a, fakna reng a awm phawt chuan – chung chu ngaihtuah rawh u" (Phil 4:8). 

RELATIONSHIP

(Counting the Cost of Relationship & the price we have to pay for relationship)
Rom 4:13; Rom 5:11; Phil 2:5ff.

Four months back, i.e., April, 2019; my brother in-law got married. We were expected to witness this special occasion for it was going to be a momentous occasion for the entire family. But the problem that we did not want to share with others from our side was ‘we did not have sufficient money to manage ourselves’. Managing family trip is too expensive, especially for people who came from the southern part of Mizoram. Because we need to spend more money after reaching Aizawl, more than the amount we have already spent for flight ticket only to reach Aizawl, capital city of Mizoram.

But by having known all our problems, our relatives from different part of Mizoram, have sent financial help to us; then in short; all together, the total amount of financial help spent by our relatives, during our stay, became more than a lakh of rupees.

Our presence was highly felt needed by the bridegroom. But the expense only for our family, before and after marriage was so high; because, after the marriage was over, we moved from village to town, town to village from time to time to visit our relatives. So they have to provide every possible way in order that, we also could manage ourselves.

During this time, one question that has come to my mind was – what was the reason, why they did so? What was the motivating factor, to let them do all these things? The answer is – only because of a relationship that tied us together, which has been established between us.

This illustration is being shared with you only to help you recollect your own experiences that you have come across which are more noticeable and perhaps would become grater experiences then us.

According to Financeonline.com, the top 3 most expensive weddings in history are;
1.    Prince Charles & Dina -  $110 million
2.    Vanisha Mittal & Amit Bhatia – $66 million
3.    Prince William & Kate Middleton – $34 million
I have recollected these three stories only to remind us how much money is being spent to make a relationship bond between individual people.

In addition, besides what have been mentioned; we also can recollect Taj Mahal, one of the greatest and magnificent piece of architecture constructed by Sah Jehan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, Taylor’s Diamond, given by her husband Richard Burton for her 40th birthday which is estimated to have cost around $1,050,000; The $85 million worth Yacht, given by Anil Ambani to his beloved wife Tina; the Gift of the 19th floor of Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, given by Rajkundra to his wife Shilpa Shetty, and The Statue of Liberty, 305 foot-tall, designed by F.A Bartholdi which is regarded as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy, it was a gift of friendship given to the US in 1884 from France.

You also might have known the dog name Hachiko and his master Japanese professor. At the end of every working day, Hachiko would greet his master at Shibuya station and the pair would walk home together. One day in 1925, the man suffered a brain haemorrhage and died. Hachiko (dog) didn't understand what had happened and waited for his master to return. For nine years, every day, without fail, the dog waited his master at that train station.

Lastly, Jack, who is only 23 years old suffered a heart-attack due to a viral infection and was told by doctors that a heart transplant was the only way possible to save his life. In the meantime, Bill’s daughter ‘Abbey’ died of traumatic brain injury at the age of 20. She was a registered donor from the age of 17. Following her death, Bill, her father cycled more than 1,400 miles to spread the awareness of organ donation. It was during one of his rides that he met 23-year-old Jack, the man who received an Abbey’s heart. So, as he hears the heartbeat of her daughter, Bill emotionally has set tears before people who were there around him.

There’s nothing new for us, because all these stories recollected are the well-known incidents happened to these people. However, all the stories mentioned, as I belief, will reflect how much cost is the relationship in one way or the other. And it will also help us recollect the greatest gift of God through Jesus Christ for the renewal and to heal our broken relationship between God and human.

In Rom 5:12, Paul says, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all, because all have sinned.”
Because of sin committed by one man, human conditions before God have often been portrayed in various ways;
-    He drove out the man from the garden of Eden (Gen 3:24)
-    They have become hostile to God
-    They have become unrighteous and worthless (Rom 3:10&12)
-    They have become fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23)
-    They have become enemies of God (Rom 5:10)
-    Death exercise dominion over all men (Rom 5:17) they are spiritually death, as a result, they no longer can do anything with the living God and are being cut off from the living God.

This is what we called it, in one phrase ‘a broken relationship', which has anything to do with God, which is becoming powerless, incapable, helpless, weak, ineffective, and feeble in his/her own nature. This is, indeed, our previous condition before God.

But God, who is rich in mercy, and out of his great love, has taken up all responsibilities, and then initiated the greatest gift to a sinner in order that this broken relationship could be healed.
So, he gave his very own son, as a sacrificial offering to forgive our sin and to wipe away all our transgressions.
How much is the cost?  How much cost did, God has given to heal our broken relationship?
(According to Phi 2:5-8):
-    Though he is the son of God, He emptied himself
-    He took the form of a slave
-    He transforms himself in human likeness
-    And became obedient to the point of death

We may take it as ‘granted, simple and worthless', but behind the cost, there are immeasurable hidden efforts given by God to heal our relationship which  is so painful, so deep, so affluent, etc. No one can imagine, it is beyond human imagination, beyond human comprehension.

Because of the price given by God, we became healed, we are accepted, we are no longer enemies of God, we have life, and we are given the citizens of the kingdom of God. In spite of all our weaknesses and all our limitations, God, who is above all, could accepted us by healing our broken relationship in order that a worthless would be counted as worthiness, a hostile would also embrace God without blemish.

This relation is the striking point that enables a person to serve God. We might have highly educational qualifications, we also may acquire countless of knowledge and wisdom, but depending on the relationship we built with God, we will be judged by others. People will make their own judgement on us base on the relationship we have with God.

Being a human, and as we come across so many circumstances in or daily lives, we sometimes faced difficult situations, complain, failure, discontent, backlash, backsliding, and many more. Therefore, one of the best ways out possible from these kinds of problems is to recheck our relationship between God and us.

This is also to be considered as the best warehouse that signal our network through which we may get immediate relief, help and every supply for our lives, let us take heed of it. If our relationship with God becomes strong and healthy; our God who is full of grace, who cares, and who always keeps his eyes towards his people will always be ready to provide all our needs.

Therefore, to suggest the best ways for re-examination for our relationship with God; of course, one can suggest a number of good points, but these are believed to be more significant than another for our spiritual well-being;
-    Check your loyalty to God.
-    Consecrate/dedicate yourself only for God
-    Always put God at the center.

A relationship that is built between husband and wife is one of the best illustrations from where we can get appropriate reflections.

Some of us may suggest ‘Sex between man and woman', as one of the best significant factors that build a strong relationship between husband and wife, between man and woman. But, it is not. Of course, sex has an enormous contribution to building up the relationship between individuals. But after old age, sex has nothing to do with a husband and wife.

Then, what makes the husband and wife to have a strong bound/relationship till they both die? And in a contrary direction; we also can ask this question, what makes the husband and wife separate from one another? Immediately, our minds may strike with these few answers; Extra marital relationship, Sex outside marriage, unhealthy affairs with others, etc. And above all, other components behind these three answers are – unfaithfulness, carelessness, betrayal, disloyalty.

These are the same factors that often break the relationship, and that create unhealthy relationship between God and human.

Therefore, friends; let us recheck our loyalty to God, let us dedicate ourselves only to God and his causes, and always put God at the central. These are the price to give that we all can do.
Our relationship with God is in fact, like a mechanism through which we can get strength, help, and all our supplies for our spiritual life.

Lastly, let us be reminded with these few sentences…
Relationship; Heals, waits, gives the right answer, achieves great things, sets tears for happiness, breaks all kinds of barriers, enables or motivates people to do something…

If we expect something good from God, let us recheck/re-examine our relationship with God.

WHAT WOULD JESUS EAT? - (JESUS’ FOOD)

For our meditation, I have chosen a very simple theme base on John 4 :27-34.

Based on the same chapter, I have delivered a message on the topic GOOD FOOD among my own community, in the year 2014. So, the theme for this morning meditation is going to be an English version and some parts of the same topic that was being delivered.

Before i make a focus on the theme, i would like to share with you one of my experiences that i have come across in the past...

When I was young, I was very much particular in choosing food items, what to eat and what not to eat. I did not want to eat meat, smelly items and even something which does not look good or delicious.

When I did BD in the year 1996 -2001, once I had a good and unforgettable experience during the time when we went for practical tour. We were given a chance to visit one local church, located far away from our college; members of that particular church were so good to us. They have offered us different kinds of preferential treatments and the hospitality they have provided was so impressive.
Therefore, on the last day, when it was dark at night. They have provided a special meal to us. Then when we sat to take food, a lady of my classmate and who sat beside me had pick-up 3 pieces of intestines which had been placed before us. Then the same moment when she began to eat, she immediately withdrew her hand from her mouth. Then she put all pieces of meat on my plate without saying anything except a bit of a smile.

Then when I pick up one of the pieces to eat, I simply slip in on my mouth thinking that it must be a delicious one. But when I gave a single chew, I did not want to chew again because of the smell that I felt from the piece of meat. Suddenly at that moment, a simple thought had come up in my mind, so I asked myself saying that – I’m I not a man, why should I split out from my mouth, I must finish everything whatever placed before me. So, without taking any more breath, and without giving a single chew anymore, I swallow it. Then, again, I pick up one of the two remaining, I put on my mouth, then without giving a single chew and skipping a breath in between, I swallowed it again. Then, the remaining one piece was still there on my plate, then I pick up quietly and swallow it as I did before.

It is not good at all, to share this kind of experience which is not good for our digestion and at the same time that a dietician can never accept it, for it can bring further effect on our stomach which at the same time may invite risk or health hazard.

But from my side, it was good to do so, because the reason why we have paid a visit that particular place was only for the sake of God, for the sake of the good news in order that I may become one of the instruments of the kingdom of God in one way or the other. I should not dishonor the service that had been rendered by rejecting the food items which were placed before me.
I guess, this sharing of my experience will also help you to recollect something that you also have gone through from your past life.

What would Jesus eat? Or The food of Jesus.
The food that Jesus ate most often have been recorded by the NT writers;

1.    Much of the diet in ancient Palestine consisted of fruit and vegetables. In Matthew 21:18-19, we see Jesus approach a fig tree for a quick snack.
And when eating with friends like Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary, Jesus probably would have enjoyed a vegetable stew made of vegetables.

2.    Bread was the staple of the ancient diet. In John 6:9, when Jesus was to miraculously feed 5,000 people, he multiplied five barley loaves and two small fish.
And In instituting the Lord's Supper, he also used bread, a food obtainable by everyone.

3.    After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to the apostles and asked them for something to eat, to prove that he was alive bodily and not just a vision. They gave him a piece of broiled fish and he ate it. (Luke 24:42-43).

4.    Apart from broiled fish, Jesus might have taken meat. Part of the Passover meal was a roasted lamb. Lambs were sacrificed at the temple, then the carcass was brought home for the family or group to eat.

However, besides these four items, we have little knowledge about the food of Jesus. It is apparent that; though it is vital for human survival, physical food is not the main focus that the bible intended to tell us.

But, despite of the limited sources written in the N.T, we may recollect John 4 from where we can clearly know the food of Jesus. V 32 says, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “surely no one has brought him something to eat?” Then Jesus told them clearly, saying, “My food is to do the will of God and to complete his work.”

According to John 4, the food of Jesus mentioned here was more delightful, and was more pleasing to Jesus than physical food. When the disciple urged him, saying, “Rabbi, eat something”. He had no any intention to eat rather he refused, saying, “I have food to eat that you do not know about” Then if we go little further to the following verses, it is clear that, Jesus gave more preference on doing the will of God and on finishing of the work of the Lord.

Though Jesus has given more preference to the food that he was looking for, the question left behind is - Was this food really good or delicious? Or was this food would always delightful to him?
The answer is – No. It is, in fact, the food that Jesus was looking for sometimes has no taste at all, sometimes it has no sweetness or delightfulness.

When he was in Gethsemane (Mt 26:38ff), he said to his disciples, “I am deeply grieved, even to death, remain here and stay awake with me’ and going a little further, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want, but what you want” Then he offered a prayer for the second time, saying (Mk 14:36), “Abba, Father, for you; all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want”
As his grief was so deep, so painful; as a result, his sweat becomes like a great drop of blood falling down on the ground (LK 22:44).

The food that he willingly had been looking for has no attractiveness at all. But he has to take, because this was the food that God has provided for his begotten son. Of course, he would surely know that it was not easy to take this kind of food, it was not neither attractive nor delightful even for Jesus. It was not a tasty food at all, we can say this, because he once was looking for an avoidance of the food that he had been searching for.

Therefore, let me put in short – to do the will of God and to accomplish the work of God, which is in short ‘Jesus’ food’ is often not a desirable one, a delightful one or a good one always for eating and for digestion.

The reflection that has come up from this short discourse, then becomes a good example for our spiritual life; then how shall we make significant reflections from the food of Jesus?
 
-    Sometimes, there will be a time when a sick person needs to take both a bitter and sweet medicine for his/her recovery.

-    There will be a time when we need to take vitamin which has no taste. And of course, there will be a time when we need to take even ‘a smelly one’ to keep us growing and healthy, to get more strength.  

If we pick up or chose only a medicine or food which is looking good, which is desirable, delicious and more attractive for eating, then one can never grow healthy, he/she can never obtain physical strength which is required and at the same time very important for human survival.

Only delicious one does not contain vitamin, nutrient, but sometime we rather find a healthy substance from something what we do not like it to eat. We also can find the best substances, even from something which has no flavor.

If we chose only a desirable one or a good looking one to satisfy our desires, then the result is going to be very bad. It will affect our immunity, then as a result we may suffer from various diseases due to lack of malnutrition.

In the same way, now we can say that spiritual growth is found not only from delicious food, not only from a lovely one, not only from something which is very attractive and even from good looking one to eat; rather spiritual growth, development, joy and happiness, our secret strength is sometime more to be found from loneliness, from being lost, suffering, tiresome, troublesome, being scolded, being rejected/neglected, being disliked, dissatisfaction, poor maintenance, deficiency or lacking of something, hot climate/ room /environment and from many more, etc.

As we prepare and move forward to train ourselves for the ministry of God, whatever circumstances that have come in our life are to be considered as a food.

The foods that have been or that are to be provided for us sometime will be looking good, delicious, and attractive for eating, but we should also prepare to receive something that we once dislike, that has no deliciousness in it.

If Jesus happens to choose only a comfortable one for himself, if he chooses only something that he likes depending on his desire, he will not be crowned, he will never get success and victory on the cross, and he will never sit at the right hand of God with the glory of his father. 

Friends, needless to say is – you will find something that you like most and at the same time that you dislike most from this community, these are going to be the foods that have been and to be provided for you; for your physical, moral and spiritual nourishment or upliftment and to help you grow in a right direction.

Take it, eat it and swallow it to let you do the will of God and to let you complete the work of God in order that God’s name may be glorified in and through you.

RAWNGBAWLNA HNAIN A KEN TEL

Hmanni College  Bookroom (library a ni lo) ka hawng chu, lehkhabu fel taka ka rem sa kha, zirlai hoin an en velnaah, a ngai anga rem leh ta mai lo chuan,  an zinga thenkhat chuan an lo rem thelh nuai mai a. Hei hi an tih dan, hrilh bik lem lova ka enliam fo thin a ni. Rem tha leh tura ka din lai takin he ngaihtuahna hi ka rilruah a lo awm thut a, 'Lehkhabu inrem tha sa zirlai hoin an chin pawr, kei an zirtirtu zawk mahin ka lo rem that fo nachhan tur bik a awm lo. Tunhmaa he mawhphurhna lo chelh thin Professor emaw Asst. Professor thenkhat ten an tih that peih loh avanga Bookroom ti pawha koh tlak awm mang lo kha a ni a. An tih ang leka tithei ka ni bik lovem ni? Hlawkna ka hmuh chu sawi loh, sum awm loh vanga hawn mumal theih loh kha restor a nih leh theih nan keima rem hriatnain sum ka dap a. India khawpui hrang hrang atanga lehkhabu chah khawmin ngaihtuahna ka seng a (mite ber pawh hian hetiang ngaihtuahna hi kan lo nei ve a). Campus chhung ngeia awlsam taka zirlaiten an mamawh an hmuh ve theih nan tiin ka bei bawk a. Chutianga ka tih tawh hnuin, felfai thlarha ka rem leh hnu chu, an nin careless takin an duh ang angin an hnutchhiah a. Duh duha an chin phar hnu  hi keiin engah nge ka lo rem that fo bik ang ni?' ka ti a. Teaching kan pek bak, zirlaite hmakhaw ngaih vanga selfless taka ka tih thina ka ngaih chu chowkidar leh helper tih awmah ngaiin,...ka tha a na viau mai a. 

Mahse, he tiang ngaihtuahna ka neih rual deuh bawk hian ka hnathawh chhan leh ka rawngbawl chhan bulpui ber ka ngaihtuah a. Langsar lo tur zawk ka ngaihtiahnaah a lansarh zawk vang maia 'tha nat thlak ti ka ni' tih ka hre nghal a. Tichuan, a bul atanga a tawp thlenga rem tha leh vek tur chuan ka che chhuak leh ta a ni.

Pathian rawngbawlna hnain a ken tel hi 'thut hmun atanga chin fel vek theih loh'  leh, 'te lua, lian lua' awm lo a ni a. Mawhphurhna leh hnathawh duh zawng/chak zawng, a lian leh te, a ropui leh nep, a zahawm leh sitawm, phurawm leh phurawm loh, etc lo thliar ve fo pawh hi Pathian tana in commit (committed person) tawh tan chuan, a rem vek loh chin a lo awm thin a lo ni.

Hmanah, 'Pathian rawngbawl hna hian serh leh sang khawih, thusawi, mi duhsakna dawn ringawt a keng tel bik lova, a chang chuan postman leh newspaper semtu anga lehkha sema veng kil ber ber tlawh chhuah a ngaih chang a awm. Tin, thutna hahdam thlak leh chhuat laia thutsawp a ngaih hun, a tha tha leh mi duh mang loh chhe deuh chan hun, lirtheia chuan leh kea kal, etc a keng tel vek' tiin ka lo tlangaupui ve dap dap tawh a. Mahse, sukna ngai bawka let leh a ngaih hunte pawh a lo awm a nih awm hi...

HAPCHAR KUT MESSAGE

(1 Kor 5:6 – 8)



Note: A short CHAPCHAR KUT 2019 PROGRAME was organized by Serampore College Mizo Christian Fellowship (SCMF) on 01.03.2019 (Fri) @ 8:00AM, in CLRC auditorium. It was being observed and celebrated by the entire community of Serampore College. However, here, in this programme, we, both Ms. Lalngaihsaki Hnialum (Ngaihtei) and me, were being favored  and offered a great honor to act as KUT NU & KUT PA which as i believed, would never come to me again during my life time. Therefore, as i was assigned to deliver CHAPCHAR KUT MESSAGE, this  message has come into existence as follows...
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To all of you,… ‘chapchar kut chibai’.

I take this privilege to express my sincere gratitude; first of all to Almighty God for this wonderful moment. & secondly, to all of you and & to all my mizo friends, particularly to our leaders of Mizo community, for this kind of honor being given to me and to Ms. Angaihi as ‘Kut Nu and Kut Pa’ which as i believed, will never come to me again during my lifetime. Therefore I feel honor and feel very privilege to take and to have this kind of opportunity as a ‘Kut Pa’.

‘Kut Nu and Kut Pa’, in its literal sense, mean ‘Feast lady and Feat gentleman’, or ‘guest of honor’ given to a particular individual in a particular festival where a Mizo community observed and celebrated community festivals. Therefore, as a ‘Kut Pa’, I wish you ‘all the best’, and at the same time wish you all ‘to have a blessed time’ as we observe and celebrate this chapkar kut today.

For chapchar kut message, a humble contemplation i would like to bring out and share with you is a very short reflection on ‘an exhortation given by Paul to the church of Corinthians’ mentioned in 1 Cor 5:8.

If we recollect some records of the OT, God has given 7 feasts to the people of Israel to be observed and to be celebrated. Therefore as they (people of God) have taken very seriously, observation of different feasts among the people of God have become an important event within the community of God’s people.

During the time of Jesus and during the period of the early church, we also could see number of records of different occasions/events where people of God have gathered together to observe their feasts in a specific times and places.

However, my point of interest from this short reflection is – it is likely that, people who have gathered together to observe and celebrate their feast, probably have gathered together with their old leaven, i.e. an old leaven/cloth which is no longer suitable at all for a new community of God’s people; a leaven/cloth of wickedness, a leaven/cloth of envy, a leaven/cloth of slander, a cloth of hatred, a cloth of prejudice, etc.

As Paul says, ‘since Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us’; he further said, “let us therefore keep our fast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Therefore, though it is unsuitable to make comparison between the Passover feat and the fast of chapchar kut, for both have their own meanings and purposes. But in spite of all its differences/variances, one important point for our meditation, what I would like to mention from this chosen text is –
As every festival have their points of significance, for e.g.;

-    To relief us from monotony of life
-    To create an environment of cultural harmony.
-    To promote social interaction and friendliness.
-    To teach us to forget our enmity and embrace one another in a bond of love.
-    And to give us some inspiration to remember the important things and moments in life.
-    And to help us realize the salvific action done and demonstrated by God through Jesus Christ.

**Let us, therefore consider the life that can lead our whole life honestly and uprightly. Let us celebrate God’s giving life to every individual with a sense of purity and sanctity. Let us keep ourselves free from the feeling/attitude of discrimination, hatred, communalism, narrowness and nasty politics.

Whether the lives we enjoy coincide with the fast we suppose to celebrate and observe; our entire life, every moment we spend must go or in line with God’s standard. Therefore by doing so, we all will produce a more meaningful life, a life that can please God, a life that will bear more fruits.
Let the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, love and support, unity and cooperation, a spirit of peace and harmony be our top priorities to make us observe every single moments and days of our life.