Bro. R Stanley

04/03/2022

Dear Friend(s),

My Corrective Bible Teaching Lessons will be sent daily from 6 March 2022, in audio format. These Lessons, totalling 200, titled, "Bible Treasures," cover 20 Topics from Repentance the beginning of Christian Life to Death the end of Physical Life.

We will send forth these Lessons in two versions: English and English-Tamil.

(a) To receive the *English* version, Click the link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K169UzB0Aw6Da1uPc3hckb

(b) To receive the *English-Tamil* version, click the link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BwuqOWbSpzH4cUNUuofEgP

- R. Stanley

WhatsApp Group Invite

30/12/2021

December 30

New Year Resolutions
Reading: Philippians 3:12-21

"It is God who works in you
both to will and to act according to His good purpose" (Phil 2:13)


There is hardly anyone who has not made New Year or Birthday or Anniversary decisions anytime in his life. But almost everyone regrets that he has not been able to keep them up. In course of time we conclude that it is not worth making resolutions at all. Little do we realise that such a conclusion is to our disadvantage and it stunts spiritual growth.

"It is God who works in you both to will and to act according to His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). Therefore in the strict sense none of the desires of God's children for making resolutions is self-generated. The guiding hand of the Father is there behind them. Good resolutions help positive growth. Resolutions are like goals. Decisions help us focus on the aim sharply and avoid distractions.

We are bothered by the fact that we are unable to keep up our resolutions. The accompanying guilt discourages us from attempting again. But we must remember that no failure is final for God's children. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,... Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down" (Psa 37:23,24; Prov 24:16).

Resolutions must not be overambitious. They must be realistic. For example, if you had been by and large prayerless, don't straightaway decide that you would spend atleast two full hours each day in solid prayer. Rather, begin with fifteen or thirty minutes. After steadying up at that level, increase the duration step by step. Great things have small beginnings (Zech 4:10).

Don't make too many resolutions at a time either. Instead of taking twelve decisions at the beginning of a year, you can take one at the beginning of each month. Christian life is a walk, not a jump! It's true we can soar on wings like eagles when we wait on the Lord. But eagles don't reach lofty heights instantly (Isa 40:31). A good principle of growth in Christian life is that lengthening must be proportionate to strengthening (Isa 54:2).

Share your resolutions with your prayer partner or spouse. Such accountability is beneficial. But there's no need to make personal resolutions public. Resolutions are not vows. Tell God the desires of your heart and trust Him for His enablement (Psa 37:5). At the end of the year, review your performance and treat yourself with a good dinner or a new dress for your accomplishment (Eccl 9:7,8; 2 Tim 2:6).

28/12/2021

December 29
Next Day

"A" to "Z"
Reading: Hebrews 11:1-16

"Let us run...fixing our eyes on Jesus,
the Author and Perfecter of our faith" (Heb 12:1,2)

"Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." This text occurs four times in the Bible. We will find out its significance.

Romans 4:3,10, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness... How then was it accounted?... While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised." This is comparable to salvation the initial experience of Christian life. This points out that salvation is not by good deeds but by faith alone.

James 2:21-23, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?... Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Abraham shows his faith through deeds. In obedience to God's command, he laid on the altar his beloved son for whom he had been waiting for so many years. This refers to our surrender to Christ and walking in holiness.

Galatians 3:6,8, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness... The Scripture...preached the Gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, In you all the nations shall be blessed." The Great Commission given to us two thousand years ago was given to Abraham even several thousands of years earlier! Thus Abraham is the genesis of missionary work.

Genesis 15:4-6, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them... So shall your descendants be. And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness." When Abraham did not have strength to bring forth a child, he took God at His Word. God gave life and strength to a man, who was as good as dead, and multiplied his descendants. This is a picture of resurrection.

Our text in Romans refers to Salvation; in James it refers to Sanctification; in Galatians it is the Great Commission; and in Genesis it portrays Resurrection. Which means, Christian life is one of faith from new birth to the new earth. It's faith from beginning to end!

Simply trusting every day, trusting thro' a stormy way;

Even when my faith is small, trusting Jesus, that is all!

(E. Page)

27/12/2021

December 28

(D)anger!
Reading: Genesis 4:1-16

"Your anger can never make things right in God's sight" (Js 1:20)

If we review how we have lived all through this year, we will find out that it was "anger," more than any other sin, which has hurt us and others most. The word a-n-g-e-r is just one letter short of the word D-A-N-G-E-R!

We may say that after all everyone gets angry. According to a Tamil proverb, "Where there's anger there will be character!" This is not always true. Anger is one of the manifestations of the unregenerate man which prevents our inheritance of God's Kingdom (Gal 5:19-21). Anger stands against everything God desires (Js 1:20). It grieves His Spirit (Eph 4:30-31). It's cursed because it's the root cause of murder (Gen 49:6,7).

Pride, prestige and jealousy are some of the causes of anger. Naaman got angry when Prophet Elisha asked him to bathe in Jordon. It was because of pride (2 Ki 5:11,12). Jonah got angry because of prestige (Jon 4:1-4). When God blesses our brothers and sisters we get angry due to jealousy. Cain's anger with Abel, Saul's with David, and that of the ten disciples with the other two are classic examples (Gen 4:5,6; 1 Sam 18:8,9; Mt 20:20-24). The elder son was angry because he could not appreciate the forgiving love of God the Father (Lk 15:27,28). God views anger seriously. Moses was denied entry into Canaan because of anger (Num 20:10-12). King Uzziah was struck with leprosy because of his fury over the priests (2 Chr 26:17-20).

We sometimes justify our anger quoting the fight between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36-39). Was David right, then, that he sinned? These are all written as warning and for our learning. If we must forgive others as God has forgiven us, we should overcome anger (Eph 4:31-32). King Solomon wrote, "People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs" (Prov 19:11).

Even if we get angry, we should not keep it for long. It is in the heart of fools that anger "rests!" (Eccl 7:9; Prov 14:17). Anger should subside before sunset. The maximum permissible time is morning six to evening six only—not even 24 hours! If it stays beyond, it's sin (Eph 4:26). Even God's anger is but for a moment! (Psa 30:5; Isa 57:16). What we try to do "with" anger can be better done "without" anger. Anger is useless.

Let's reconcile with all those we have hurt because of our anger, before this year ends! (Mt 5:21-24).

26/12/2021

December 27

Root & Fruit
Reading: Psalm 19:1-14

"If the roots are holy, the branches will be, too" (Rom 11:16)

Gifts of the Holy Spirit are "received" whereas His fruits are to be "cultivated." It is by the fruit of the Spirit we overcome the desires of our sinful nature (Gal 5:19-23). There's no magic seed which grows and yields fruit in one day! Who has heard of an instant harvest? We are not mushrooms but trees planted by God! Impatience in agriculture is detrimental. Hybrid varieties are man-made and they are inferior to what is supernaturally natural.

Our life is like a garden. Each virtue is represented by a tree. Tending the garden requires lot of patience. Regular and unhurried meditation of the Bible is like weeding and watering. We shall be "like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail" (Psa 1:2,3). The Bible tells us what we are and what we ought to be. Its truths are deep but not complicated. If only we are sincere enough to follow its simple guidelines, we will experience a daily transformation in our lives, and become better everyday! It was in the context of fruitbearing Jesus encouraged His disciples saying, "You are already clean because of the Word which I have spoken to you" (Jn 15:1-3).

Outward decorations don't take long or last long. We are not Christmas trees with stars and lights! We are called to bring forth real and abiding fruit. This is not possible without taking care of the root. "If the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too" (Rom 11:16b). Our hearts are the root. Vices originate in the heart (Mt 15:19). That's why we are admonished to keep a constant vigil over the heart (Prov 4:23). For every failure in life, there is a root cause. Healing and restoration do not come unless "the axe is laid at the root!" The process may be slow and painful, but this is how we can bring about a change in character. According to the Bible, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim 6:10a). Unless this monster is dealt with, it will show its ugly head in so many areas of our life. The true sign of Pentecost is the loosening of grip on gold (Acts 2:1,44,45). Very few acquire this blessedness overnight. Scales from our eyes fall off one by one, and then we begin to see the vanity of riches. Has our desire for riches diminished this year?

Some are sowing the seed of noble deed,

With a sleepless watch and an earnest heed;

With a ceaseless hand in the earth they sow,

And the fields are all whitening where'er they go!

(Emily S. Oakey)

26/12/2021

December 26

Fourth and Final Year!
Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7

"What more could have been done to

My vineyard that I have not done in it?" (Isa 5:4)

A fruitless Christian is a self-contradiction. Fruitfulness means reproduction. We are saved to save others, blessed to bless others. Jesus says, "I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit" (Jn 15:16). Let's not forget our basic calling which is to fish men for Christ (Mt 4:19). Fruitbearing is not an option but an obligation. Fruitlessness may be due to laziness, but it's actually called "wickedness" (Mt 25:26).

At that time of the year when Jesus approached the fig tree, edible figs were still about six weeks away, but the bland fruit must have been there (Mk 11:13). If leaves alone appeared, without the early figs, that tree would bear no figs that year. Jesus cursed the tree because of its pretence. Oftentimes we deceive ourselves by exaggerated or generalised statements about what we do for the extension of God's Kingdom. The day of reckoning is near. Like the five-talented and two-talented men, we must be able to submit a factual account of what we did with the spiritual, physical and material blessings the Lord has bestowed on us (Mt 25:20,22). "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded" (Lk 12:48).

In this incident the Lord cursed the tree instantly. But in the parable of a fig tree He narrated elsewhere, a grace time of one year was given after three years of fruitlessness (Lk 13:6-9). May be this is your fourth and final year! Invest your time and talent for the winning of souls. Obey your missionary call without further delay. Give up your small ambitions of this life for eternal reasons. Involve yourself in personal soulwinning and neighbourhood evangelism. If you are still indifferent, the tree may be cut off or the vineyard given to prospective vinedressers (Mt 21:40,41).

The tens of thousands of people in Iran, when they went to bed on the 25th December 2003, would have never thought that they would leave this earth due to an earthquake before the dawn of the 26th, and would not enter 2004! Whoever thought that 17000 people would die and many thousands be badly affected due to a sudden leakage of poisonous gas in the Union Carbide factory of Bhopal in Central India on December 2-3 in 1984? Let's renew our commitment and make our consecration to God and His work more meaningful before we enter another year. If we abide in Christ, we cannot but be fruitful! (Jn 15:5).

Must I go — and empty-handed? Must I meet my Saviour so?

Not one soul with which to greet Him? Must I empty-handed go?



(C.C. Luther)

24/12/2021

December 25

Merry Christmas!
Reading: Luke 2:1-20

"Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift" (2 Cor 9:15)

The Church calendar has fixed December 25 as the Christmas Day. There is so much of dispute over its accuracy, but it does not matter. The fact remains that the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity entered this world in flesh and blood on the first Christmas Day. History is His Story! He only has divided history as B.C. and A.D.

Remembering the birth of Christ in a special way on a particular day of the year has nothing unscriptural about it. "He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it" (Rom 14:6). One has total freedom to celebrate or not to celebrate Christmas. "Let us not judge one another anymore" on such matters (Rom 14:13).

But the way we celebrate Christmas is important. In several so-called Christian countries and communities, it has become a day of drunkenness and revelries, and it brings dishonour to the Babe of Bethlehem. Our celebration may include new dresses and good food but we must remember that "the Kingdom of God is not food and drink, but joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom 14:17).

On the first Christmas Day the shepherds "made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child" (Lk 2:17). Make the Christmas season a time of aggressive evangelism! Instead of visiting Christian homes with carol singing, go to slums, villages and street corners to proclaim the message to non-Christians! Further, the shepherds were "glorifying and praising God" (Lk 2:20). Let Christmas Season be a time of rich worship and lavish praise for "God's unspeakable gift." How deplorable it would have been for us if Christ had not come!

When we remember Christ's First Coming let's get ready for His Second Coming by reaching people who have not yet heard about His First Coming even after about 2000 years. Let every tribe and tongue and people group sing, "Glory to God in the Highest!" (Rev 7:9; Lk 2:14). Have you spoken to atleast one non-Christian this year about Christ? Decide that you would do all that's possible in the coming year to share the love of God with those who have never heard about the first Christmas!

Oh, come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant;

Oh, come ye! oh, come ye to Bethlehem;

Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;

Oh, come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

(Author unknown, composed in the 18th Century in Latin)

23/12/2021

December 24

The Supreme Star!
(Another who obeyed)

Reading: Psalm 40
"Behold, I have come ... to do Your will, O God!" (Heb 10:7a)

The Father God did not push His Son into the world. Rather the Son Himself volunteered to come down from Heaven. Perhaps in a dateless past, God the Father presented the dire need of the world in the Heavenly court saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" What we read in Hebrews 10:5,7 is probably the Son's response. "When He came into the world, He said: Behold, I have come... to do Your will, O God!" The Son's initial act of obedience gave us a Christmas and it culminated at Calvary. Apostle Paul combined both the incarnation and crucifixion, and wrote, "Coming in the likeness of men and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (Phil 2:7,8).

Jesus is the "Word become flesh" (Jn 1:14). The spoken and written Word of God became incarnate in Jesus. Besides incarnation, all that had been written in the "volume of the Book" got fulfilled in the life of Jesus because He lived in obedience to fulfil every minute detail of the Law (Heb 10:7; Acts 24:27; Mt 5:17,18).

We earlier referred to the rich knowledge Mary had had in the Old Testament. How much of Scriptural teaching and training the Boy Jesus must have received in the carpenter's home at Nazareth is for anyone to guess. He thrilled the teachers at the Jerusalem temple with His understanding of the Scriptures. He asked His parents whether they had not known that He must be about His Father's business. But He did not allow His wisdom and knowledge to puff Him up and make Him unaccountable to His earthly parents. In obedience to the fifth of the Ten Commandments which was "the first commandment with promise," He was "obedient" to Mary and Joseph (Lk 2:47-51; Eph 6:1,2).

The gospel records are silent about the eighteen years of Jesus from His twelfth year. But that He walked in obedience before God is obvious from what His Father testified at Jordan when He turned thirty. "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Mt 3:17). This must be our aim in life: To walk in obedience before God to please Him in everything. Consistent obedience is what pleases Him. Obedience is first an attitude, and then an act.

Obedience from the Cradle to the Cross!

A life lived out 100% to please God!

22/12/2021

December 23

On His Majesty's Service!
(Another who obeyed)

Reading: Luke 2:1-14

"Praise the Lord, all His heavenly hosts,
you His servants who do His will" (Psa 103:21)

It was Angel Gabriel who told Zacharias and then Mary that they would respectively bring forth John and Jesus (Lk 1:19,26,27). But the angel who appeared to Joseph and the shepherds is not named, but introduced as "an angel of the Lord" (Mt 1:20; 2:13,19; Lk 2:9). It could well be Gabriel. Only two angels are named in the Bible. The other one is Michael (Dan 10:13,21; Jude 9; Rev 12:7). Gabriel was often a messenger who communicated God's plan (Dan 8:16; 9:21).

Including the heavenly host, the angels we meet in the Christmas narrative came specifically to earth on assignment. After their job was over they went away "into Heaven" (Lk 2:15). Even today they are "sent forth" by God to serve His people (Heb 1:14). But with the completion of the canon of Scriptures, God's guidance comes to us for all general matters and most of the personal and specific issues through the written Word. Leaving this main and fundamental source of guidance is sure to lead us into deception in the spirit world. Satan is not foolish to come to us in black with horns and a tail. He usually appears in bright white (2 Cor 11:14).

Psalmist David's description of the angels is a challenging call for obedience: "His angels, who excel in strength, who do His Word, heeding the voice of His Word... His hosts... His servants, who do His pleasure" (Psa 103:20,21). By reading the Christmas story in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke we can easily imagine the briskness and promptness with which the angels flew between Heaven and earth as God's communicators. The disobedient and the rebellious angels are the ones who joined Lucifer. While referring to head-covering of women as a symbol of "authority" on them, Apostle Paul refers to the presence of watching angels in the Church meetings (1 Cor 11:10). Apostle Peter contrasts the spirits of the "disobedient" people of the days of Noah against the angels who are "subject" to God (1 Pet 3:20,22). He adds that since angels are so desirous to look into the glorious gospel blessings we enjoy, we must walk as "obedient children" with all sobriety (1 Pet 1:12-14). We can constantly enjoy the joy of angelic presence around us when we walk in submission and obedience before God. Angels teach us that obedience is celebration!

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!"

(Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, the singer-brother of John Wesley)

21/12/2021

December 22

Dr.X, Dr.Y, Dr.Z
(Others who obeyed)

Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Prov 1:7a)

The wise men came from the East to Jerusalem asking, "Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews?" (Mt 2:2). This indicates that they were non-Jews. They were probably astrologers. They were quite fascinated by the appearance of an unusual star and they named it as "His Star!"

They must have been discouraged when they found that the King had not been born in Jerusalem, and the leaders in Israel had not had sufficient knowledge concerning the birth of the Messiah. The journey had been long and weary. But God rewarded their earnestness. He made "His star" reappear! "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy" (v10).

Here is an encouraging truth for us. If we are sincere to know God's will and obey it, He will certainly reveal it to us eventhough there may be temporary delays and we may deviate mistakenly in between. God's voice of correction from behind is assured if we happen to deviate from the straight path (Isa 30:21).

The wise men became "wiser" when they had to return to their country. "Being divinely warned" in a dream they took a different route back home (Mt 2:12). "Warned of God" in the original means "oracularly answered," implying a preceding question. The Amplified Bible renders it as, "Receiving an answer to their asking, they were divinely instructed and warned in a dream not to go back to Herod..." Having made a mistake once, because they solely depended on their common sense and went to Jerusalem, they now sought a definite divine guidance.

God does allow us make mistakes, but with an educative purpose. The wise men had to return another way to bypass Jerusalem. They probably ventured far south to Hebron, then followed the rugged road to Gaza on the coast, where another road could lead them northward. This route would have carried them through Nazareth, then Capernaum and on to Damascus. This was obviously a much longer and more tedious journey. Obedience costs!

As they offered gifts most rare, at Thy cradle rude and bare,

So may we with holy joy, pure, and free from sin's alloy,

All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King!



(William C. Dix, 1837-1898)

21/12/2021

December 21

Grandpa Simeon
(Another who obeyed)

Reading: Luke 2:25-35

"My eyes have seen Your salvation
which You have prepared in the sight of all peoples" (Lk 2:30,31)

The players in the Christmas drama are of diverse background—young and old, rich and poor, wise and simple. Luke introduces Simeon simply as "a man in Jerusalem" (Lk 2:25). He was righteous, devout and Spirit-filled, awaiting the arrival of Messiah. The Holy Spirit is mentioned thrice in the three verses which tell us about him. The Holy Spirit was upon him... The Holy Spirit had revealed to him... The Holy Spirit led him (vv 25,26,27).

Simeon had come to the temple so often. But this was an unique moment. The timing was orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. That was exactly when Mary and Joseph had brought the Child Jesus into the Temple. If Simeon had belittled the gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit, he would have missed what he had been waiting for all those years.

We normally divide our affairs as major and minor. This of course is legitimate. But we should not think that obedience to God in major issues of life is more important than following His guidance in simple matters. What we may consider a trivial matter today may ultimately affect our life as a crucial factor. As children of God we must constantly be led by His Spirit in order that we may please our heavenly Father in everything. A rocket that is deviated by a fraction of a degree at the launching point will miss the target by million miles. For the Kingdom people, nothing is too small a matter to trifle with.

Simeon's life had been characterised by genial guidance not only from the Holy Spirit but also from the Holy Scriptures. With the Baby Jesus in his arms he blessed God and said, "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word" (Lk 2:28,29). The inscribed Word of the Scriptures and the inspired voice of the Spirit are like the two eyes of God or His two lips with which He directs our path. One complements the other and never contradicts. Forgetting this, many have fancied themselves into awry guidance and spurious experiences.

Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear:
Come and worship! Worship Christ, the newborn King!

(James Montgomery, 1771-1854)

20/12/2021

December 20

Hail Joseph!
(Another who obeyed)

Reading: Matthew 1:18-25; 2:13-25

"You shall call His name Jesus:
for He shall save His people from their sins" (Mt 1:21)

Engagement in Palestine was a legally binding contract, usually arranged by parents. Sexual relations were forbidden until after marriage. Joseph's character is shown by his decision to take private legal action to break the engagement instead of publicly humiliating Mary. His obedience to the Lord in taking Mary as his wife is the crown of his character. Matthew records, "Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife" (Mt 1:24). For a sexually immoral man it may not be shocking though surprising to find his fiancee already pregnant. But being "a just man" as Joseph was, with obviously a respectable standing in the society, it would have been a great embarrassment whatever be the explanation. But he didn't speak a word when the angel defended Mary's pregnancy and attributed it to the work of the Holy Spirit. He just obeyed the Lord though "the communication came only in a dream, least dramatically. Whatever be the mode of communication, once we have the inner conviction that God has spoken to us, we must not delay obedience in the guise of seeking further confirmation.

Joseph also teaches us that civil laws must be obeyed not as a matter of convenience but for the sake of conscience. Bethlehem was about 150 km from Nazareth. It was atleast a three day trip. In obedience to the decree of Augustus Caesar, to get their names registered, Joseph undertook this strenuous journey with Mary who was in her late pregnancy. Joseph had known that obeying the government meant obeying God (Lk 2:1-6; Rom 13:1-5).

God spoke to Joseph thrice in dreams after the birth of Jesus for the protection of the Baby from the hand of the enemies who sought to kill Him (Mt 2:13,20,22). From Bethlehem he fled to Egypt. Then when he came into the land of Israel, he had to turn aside into the region of Galilee. Such frequent shifts with a little child and the nursing mother would not have been pleasant. "Cannot God who so miraculously brought forth His Son into the world protect Him also miraculously in the world? Why should the angels be simply appearing to me to urge me flee from the enemies instead of encamping round about me and my family to deliver us from Herods? Is the Baby really the Son of God and the Saviour?" Such questions would have definitely haunted Joseph's mind. But being a habitually obedient man to God, he did not succumb to natural reasoning but walked by faith. Hail Joseph!