Sebastian Neduveli – The Word Literature Ministry

God is waiting

Leave a Comment / Ideal Living / Sebastian Neduveli

The Holy Bible presents the holy God as a good father who is loving and merciful. Jesus addresses God as Father. Jesus is the only person in history and scripture who fully obeyed, accepted and honoured God as Father. Jesus repeatedly makes it clear that he was sent by the Father and that God the Father is the source of power for all his activities. In the 17th chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus repeats the word Father six times in his prayer. Jesus said: “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” (John 11:27). It is human nature to seek to persecute those who oppose them, those they dislike, and to rejoice in their downfall. The nature of God the Father is so different. God is so much higher than human nature. Jesus presented a God who ‘makes the sun shine on the wicked’. If you love those who love you, what will be the reward for you? – Jesus asked. The law in the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18) asks you to love your neighbour. But Jesus taught us to love our enemies. No other teacher has ever taught us to love even our enemies so deeply. God loves his great creation, man, more than anything else. God hates no man; never forsakes. God the Father loves with all his heart even those who disobey Him and turn their backs on Him! When Jesus revealed this divine love through his own life, those who prided themselves as the elite of society turned against Jesus, to the extent of crucifixion. But even on the cross, Jesus addressed God as Father. Jesus approached those who criticized him for being loving and friendly with sinners, by telling parables that reveal meanings. Jesus told them parables, taken from familiar situations and related to nature. In the 15th chapter of the Gospel of Luke, we see the joy of the return of the son who was thought to be lost. This is a parable that has found its place in the world literature under the name “The Prodigal son.” This parable has been considered as one of the great stories of the world classics. It depicts the relationship between God and man in a paternal relationship. It is also a historical story of a man who is alienated from God. In the Gospel of Luke, there is a journey that begins at 9:51 and ends at 19:46. This is the journey of Jesus to Jerusalem. During this journey, we meet Jesus as the Saviour of sinners and those rejected by society. It was during this journey that Jesus presented the parable of the prodigal son to the community. As an introduction to this, Jesus tells two more parables. The first is the parable of a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine in search of one missing sheep among a hundred sheep. The second is the parable of a woman who, after losing one of her ten silver coins, lit a lamp and sweeps the whole house. The man searching for the lost sheep and the woman searching for the lost coin symbolize the Father, Mother, and Guardian God who lovingly seeks out the sinner who strays from Him. “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:12-14 It is after these two parables that Jesus presents the parable of the prodigal son, the most well-known in the world. This parable has twenty one verses and three characters. The youngest son who divides all his property and leaves home away from his father, the eldest son who is although hardworking, but also selfish and jealous. The third character is the compassionate and loving father who embraces and happily accepts the return of the youngest son, without showing any resentment. The main protagonist in this parable is the father who shows immense love, mercy and affection to his two children. The parable begins as follows: A man had two sons. The youngest of them said to his father: Father, give me my due share in the property; And he divided it for them. A family consisting of two sons and a father who live by hard work. It is normal to think that there was nothing lacking in the house. But the younger son is not satisfied with that. The younger son found it difficult to live within the confines of the house under his father’s control. It is difficult for many people to live under the divine rule like this. According to Old Testament Jewish law, when property was divided, the eldest son would receive a double share. That is, when the property is divided between two sons, the elder son gets two-thirds and the younger son gets one-third. The property thus obtained should be transferred only after the death of the father. In prodigal Son’s parable the younger son is hastily trying to take over his father’s property. He prefers to live his own life without wanting to be with his father and family members. The father, on the other hand, divided the property without expressing any objection. Perhaps many advices might have been shared. Everything we have belongs to God the Father. All gifts, physical, financial, mental and spiritual, are from God on high. The father divided the property without disturbing the younger son. Here we see a dignified father. Father respects individual freedom. God has given us the freedom to accept good and evil. We have the individual freedom to choose

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Become a good friend of God

Leave a Comment / Ideal Living / Sebastian Neduveli

I love God, I worship HIM – this is what those who claim to know about God say. If so, what is the relationship with God, that they claim to have found? Have you known God personally? Most people approach God like walking into a store or supermarket with a shopping list. They submit their needs to God. There would be necessary and unnecessary things in it. That is their prayer. God knows us best. Even our thoughts are clear to God. But to know about God who is our good benefactor, we neither have desire nor time. Many people have the image of a God who gets mesmerized and is obsessed with flowers, garlands, bundles of notes and gold coins, and does anything for them. God, who is the owner of all the wealth of this world, does not look at the things or the hands of the devotee who approaches Him. They are only a measure of what one gives back from what HE gives. God cares only whether the doors of the heart of the devotee, who approaches Him, are open for Him. He will see if a seat has been prepared for him, in a heart prepared for him. He needs a devotee, who comes with gifts, not gifts. God cares more about the giver, than the gift. God wants him whole. Let us surrender ourselves to God. That is the greatest gift to God. The Holy Bible, in the New Testament, tells about the great gift of love, that God gave to the world. It is said that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. God showed His love by handing Jesus over to the cross and giving that sacrificial blood to mankind. Jesus is the person who taught us how to live in this world and how to love God and man. Jesus continues to this day as a guiding light that has never been extinguished for two thousand years. Jesus is always our role model. Who was this Jesus who split time in two, divided history into AD and BC? The Bible says that when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son into the world (Galatians 4:4). When Jesus grew up, he showed the world a lifestyle different from what the world had seen. Jesus taught the world about a new system of life based on divine laws. Jesus taught about life in God’s kingdom according to God’s system of governing, how to experience God’s closeness, how to receive God’s blessings, how to live beyond financial bondage, how to get healing from God, how to break the bonds of demonic bondage. Jesus gave hope to the underprivileged and oppressed. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” Luke 4:18, 19 Jesus, who was born as a Jew, revealed to the world how to be saved by putting aside religions. The birth of Jesus reminds us of God, the great star that still gives light to the world today. Prophet, guru, sage, philosopher, financial advisor, miracle worker – although Jesus embodies these personas, Jesus is more than that. There were ups and downs in the life of Jesus too, like people call good times and bad times. Jesus is one of the most persecuted people in history without committing any crime. But neither time nor this world could weaken the mind of Jesus. That life was always full of hope. God and the time gifted Jesus with resurrection. It is this resurrection that draws many to Jesus. If God is with us, no time, no man, no devil can weaken or destroy us. For that, we must become completely under divine protection. Throughout our lives, God is trying to bring us to Himself. Often we just don’t know it. It is because our desires and God’s desires do not match, that we face difficulties. God deals with each person in a different way. It might not be others’ experience that we have. If you look for the circumstances and experiences of getting closer to God, they will all be different. God has always been the embodiment of the most transcendental personality. Be it a beggar, a millionaire, a child, a woman, a man, God can handle them in their own circumstances. Jesus chose 12 people as his main disciples. They all lived together, slept together and died together. But they were all different characters. It may seem difficult for a common man to understand that Judas was one of them. Judas carried the money box of Jesus and his companions. It was the eye on that money box that brought Judas down and led him to suicide. Peter was fickle and angry. At first, Peter was also a coward who denied Jesus, even in front of a woman. Thomas looked for reasons behind every incident. John, on the other hand, was loving and a gentle person. We may all be different personalities. But God the Father can guide us in any situation if we surrender ourselves. So we should not try to imitate others. Let us surrender ourselves to God. Then God himself will take control of us. None of us are perfect. We are the owners of imperfect personality. God is fully convinced about this better than us. God will work in our weakness. If we rely on God, we will see that He stands as a crutch in our weakness. Loyalty and love are important to approach God. Who are we? What do we love? So why don’t we love God the most who paved the way for our beloved relationships and is always with us in all things? Faithfulness is also needed with love. Faithfulness is necessary for a warm husband-wife

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Fast and be victorious

Leave a Comment / Fasting, Prayer / Sebastian Neduveli

When we go through a spiritual fast, we not only get closer to God, but also become stronger mentally and physically. But trying hard fasting without God may not achieve the goal; It will only result in failure. What if fasting aimed at a good cause backfires? It can also happen. The Holy Bible makes it clear that a person can achieve the full purpose of fasting only by following the divine laws. Fasting has been practiced by people of all religions since ancient times. The purpose behind this was to grow spiritually. As time has changed, fasting has also been modified in the modern era! An increasing number of people are practicing fasting in a gradual manner with the goal of maintaining physical beauty, restoring beauty, and warding off disease. Those who fast to improve their beauty are mostly young women trying to become a slim beauty. The health of most of them will deteriorate later. People who ends up sick due to lack of any restrictions on diet are often prescribed to fast. But fasting without proper care and knowledge can only harm the body. “Anorexia nervosa” is a disease that affects such people. People with this disease would have no interest in food. They feel aversion to food. It is a disease that puts their lives at risk by not eating. By practicing fasting for beauty, it leads to a state where not only the beauty but the body itself is destroyed. The Holy Bible makes it clear that fasting leads to a return to God for those who are suffering from God’s punishments due to their uncontrolled life. Consecrate a fast,Call a sacred assembly;Gather the eldersAnd all the inhabitants of the landInto the house of the Lord your God,And cry out to the Lord. Joel 1:14 Why did God ask the people of Israel to announce a fast through the prophet Joel? “Swarm after swarm, of locusts, settled on the crops; what one swarm left, the next swarm devoured” (Joel 1:4). In ancient times, people depended on an economy based on agricultural crops. Even in our country these days, farmers commit suicide when their crops fail and they run into debt. This is happening in the situation where banks, irrigation facilities, chemical fertilizers etc. are available. It would be good to remember how fearfully people used to farm in ancient times when there was no such facility. Natural disasters, destruction of agricultural crops, etc. are depicted in the Bible as God’s wrath. Natural calamities such as droughts, floods, etc. used to destroy the farmlands and then the people moved towards famine, poverty and eventual deaths. It was during such a time of divine wrath that the prophet Joel asked the people to enter into the presence of God through fasting. It was as if an army had come on the attack, as grasshoppers, locusts, caterpillars and green worms attacked the agricultural crops and wreaked havoc in the country. The fields were destroyed and the trees in the fields were gone. “Be ashamed, you farmers, Wail, you vinedressers, For the wheat and the barley; Because the harvest of the field has perished.” (Joel 1:11,12). Not only in our country, but in many parts of the world, when people forget God, natural disasters, famine, murders, suicides etc. are on the rise. This has to be considered as God’s warning. When God asked the people to come to Him for a dwelling through prophet Joel, they obeyed. Look at God’s answer to this: The Lord will answer and say to His people, “Behold, I will send you grain and new wine and oil, And you will be satisfied by them; I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations. But I will remove far from you the northern army, And will drive him away into a barren and desolate land, With his face toward the eastern sea and his back toward the western sea; His stench will come up, and his foul odour will rise, Because he has done monstrous things.”Fear not, O land; Be glad and rejoice, For the Lord has done marvellous things!Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; For the open pastures are springing up, And the tree bears its fruit;The fig tree and the vine yield their strength. Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the Lord your God;For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you— The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. Joel 2:19-25 In this way, people and countries prepare for fasting to remove God’s wrath; Fasting is also a remedy that God prepares to come to Him when we are moving towards destruction with a sinful life forgetting God. Nations also declare fasting. The America of old was not the America of today. Fasting and prayer were an early source of power in America. Americans today are the descendants of the British who left England when a false, spiritually destroying form of worship was forced upon them. In 1620, when the church was devalued the Puritans left England in 102 boats to Holland. But even there they were not satisfied. When they saw that the sinful life there would lead their children astray, they prayed before God with tears in their eyes. They came from Holland to America after the divine message they received while fasting and praying. On the dollar, the currency of the United States, there is a note that says ‘In God we trust’. Although they got spiritual freedom in America, they had to face adversity even then. All that time they fasted and prayed. They declared a fast day on June 1, 1774 when the British blockaded the port of Boston. Early presidents of the United States have issued proclamations

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Jesus’ treatment

2 Comments / Healing, Health / Sebastian Neduveli

Jesus thought that suffering and sickness should not exist in a world under divine control. Sickness is not part of God’s purpose. Suffering and sickness are contrary to God’s purpose. So Jesus healed everyone who came to him with sickness. Jesus also healed some of those who did not approach him. The purpose behind this was only to reveal the divine power and the coming of the divine kingdom to the world. The spirit of Jesus who was crucified and resurrected lives on today. Jesus said do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but those who kill the soul. In this situation we need to find divine power through divine healing. Once we understand the divine power, we will fear God more and love Him more. Salvation of the soul comes to us through complete submission to God. Note the record of Jesus’ public ministry in Matthew’s Gospel: Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Matthew 4:23,24 It is recorded in many passages in the Gospels that many demon-possessed and sick people were brought to Jesus and Jesus healed them. This shows that healing is part of God’s plans. Even when the lame walked, the blind received sight, and the sick were restored to health, God was felt to be working. Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. (Luke 13:10-13). Here, where it says diseased spirit, it means plague. The sick person is not looking for Jesus, but Jesus is approaching the sick person and healing them. Recovery was quick. When God wants to deliver a demon-possessed person from the bondage of the devil, it just has to happen in some way. Plagues work on humans by observing one’s relationship with God. The devil can make someone sick, afflicted, or enslaved depending on how close that person is to God. Therefore, the relationship with God should be improved for self-healing. In the Gospel of Matthew chapters 8 and 9, we see many healings. The healing of the leper, the healing of the centurion’s child, the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, the healing of the demon-possessed in the land of Gadara, the healing of the paralytic, the healing of the daughter of Jairus, the healing of the two blind men and the demon-possessed are recorded in these two chapters. The world-famous Sermon on the Mount is recorded in chapters 5, 6, and 7 before that. We can believe that these healings have come to those who have repented after listening to the Sermon on the Mount and the goodness of God has penetrated into their minds. Look at the events after the Sermon on the Mount: “When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” (Mathew 8:1-3). This is the beginning of a series of healings. The Sermon on the Mount is the mission of bringing the human mind closer to God. The Sermon on the Mount has influenced many people, including Mahatma Gandhi. Do as many good deeds as possible. Don’t waste any opportunity to do good and stay away from mistakes. Pray to God whenever you have time. If you feel that the actions you are doing are wrong, confess it to God and make amends. Thank God for every good thing He gives us. Then God will be pleased. That will bring happiness to our hearts. The waves of that happiness will also enter the body. Afflictions have no place in a person who is happy with the experience of God. He will have to run away. If any disease comes, do not transfer it from the body to the mind. Don’t pretend that you are sick. For that, the mind needs to be healthy. If the mind wants to be healthy, the mind must be fearless. To be fearless one needs divine presence in the mind. The divine presence in the mind will also reflect in the body. If this is the case then “permanent diseases” will not grip the mind and body. Stay in touch with God at all times by praying continuously. Be careful never to carry the fear of disease with you. When one is filled with fear of disease, his thoughts and attention goes to the disease. This fear of a person is enough to make him sick. Many people are living with ‘imaginary diseases’. It will spread from imagination, to the mind and then to the body. As soon as the thought of sickness enters the mind, confess the word of God, “I am healed by His wounds.” Thus expel the ‘soul of disease’ from the body. The Holy Bible says: Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore. Psalm 37:27

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Jesus’ Healing

Leave a Comment / Healing, Health / Sebastian Neduveli

The physician of the New Testament, the Son of God, Jesus came into the midst of those afflicted with diseased bodies and minds. Wherever Jesus went, those who wanted to regain their lost health gathered around him. Those who could not see because of blindness, those who could not hear because of deafness, those who could not walk because their legs had no influence, lepers, those suffering from fever… all these went to Jesus. What was Jesus’ response? ‘Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.’ (Matthew 9:36). And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Matthew 4:23, 24 Jesus said: ‘I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10). Having said this, Jesus has promised to give a man everything he needs. Is it good health that is needed? Is it energy that is needed? Is it peace of mind that is needed? Jesus says: ‘Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ (Matthew 11:28). But when Jesus heals, there are some conditions attached to it – sin no more (John 8:11). They must turn to God and repent. Jesus does not change. If Jesus cast out demons and healed the sick two thousand years ago, He continues to do so even today. Let us turn to Jesus for abundant life and health. Let us obey the words given by Jesus. Healing from Jesus is associated with obedience to God’s word, faith and prayer. Jesus’ response is remarkable when the disciples failed to heal a child possessed by an unclean spirit. Jesus said that only through prayer and fasting will these kinds of spirits go away. Jesus is rebuking the disciples’ lack of faith. Jesus also pointed out the power of prayer. Everyday, early in the morning, Jesus went to a lonely place and prayed. It was by the power gathered from God the Father, through prayer, that Jesus cast out demons and did healing ministry. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Matthew 12:28 Jesus pictured his healing ministry as the coming of the kingdom of God. The Pharisees even asked Jesus if he was casting out demons with Beelzebub, the king of demons. It was as a proof that the kingdom of God has come that Jesus gave healing and cast out demons. We can desire the kingdom of God. By obeying the laws of the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus introduced, healing will come naturally.

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Prayer : When? How? To whom?

Leave a Comment / Prayer / Sebastian Neduveli

There are no believers who do not pray. But the majority of those who pray are frustrated with prayer. Their complaint is that God does not answer their prayers. But they pray. Many people reject God when they don’t get what they want. When this happens, the believer becomes an atheist! In history, Jesus said the most about prayer. Jesus exhorted his followers to pray continually. He taught what prayer is and how to pray. Moreover, Jesus Himself set the example in prayer. Jesus emphasized prayer above all else in life. Time was found for prayer before breakfast. The Holy Bible says: ‘Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.’ (Mark 1:35). Even as the people rushed to see him, Jesus wanted to talk to God through prayer: ‘However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. (Luke 5:16). When Jesus stood by the dead body and prayed, the dead came back to life. When he prayed with five loaves of bread and two fishes, the hunger of many thousands was satisfied. Sinners were able to draw near to a holy God when they prayed on the cross. Why is prayer unanswered? The Bible says that there are some things behind the unanswered prayers from God. God does not bless those who pray but do not obey Him. God shares His desires and hopes through the Bible. The Bible is the written word of God. It talks about blessings and curses. The Bible makes it clear how we can receive blessings from God by obeying Him. Selfish interests also prevent the prayer to be answered. For example, if you pray to destroy the one who opposes you, God will not cooperate with it. ‘You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.’ (James 4:3). Prayer with doubt is not answered. He is a god. A prayer to show who it is will not work. When should we pray? People who pray daily, might set aside some time for prayer. This could be in the morning, evening or night. Some pray only when they are in some crisis or danger. But God asks us to pray to him at any time and on all occasions. We should pray not only in times of sorrow but also in times of joy. Only then will God be with us in times of trouble. Therefore, wherever you are, you should remember the God who gave you life and life; Pray. A prayerful man is stronger than any weapon. A person who constantly communicates with God through prayer can find a solution to any of his problems. The Bible teaches many things to receive God’s blessings through good prayer. Let’s see what they are. God loves his children Jesus asked us to pray, saying, ‘Our Father in heaven’ (Matthew 6:9). A father has duties to his children. Children can ask and get from their father. Moreover, the blessings of the father are the inheritance of the children. So the person who prays should become a loving child of God. How to become a son or daughter of God? The Holy Bible says: ‘But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name’ (John 1:12). Those who believe in Jesus and live according to Jesus are children of God. When they pray to Jesus, their prayers are answered. Many people say that they do not know how to pray. But don’t take this as an issue. It is enough to pray like a son or daughter as if they are confessing things to their father. Jesus, who taught his disciples to pray, will also guide you in this matter. Pray with faith For a child of God, God’s riches and blessings are in store. So pray believing that you have received them. Jesus, who taught us to pray, says: ‘Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.’ (Mark 11:24,25). Obey God Only prayer from a heart fully surrendered to God will yield the desired results. The Bible says: ‘And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.’ (1 John 3:22). Obedience is the key to effective prayer. Jesus is the only person who lived according to all the commandments of God. So know what Jesus is asking. Live by it. Jesus said that His words are ‘life’. To whom should we pray? Jesus clearly says to whom to pray. Note: ‘And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, keep My commandments.’ (John 14:13-15). Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24 Jesus makes another promise. Jesus has said that if two of you agree on anything they ask on earth, it will be received from my Father in heaven (Matthew 18: 19, 20). Why pray only to Jesus? The Bible reads: For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:5). Seek God’s Will Most people pray to get their needs met. Before offering a prayer to God, one must inquire whether it is God’s will. Understand that God only gives

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Obeisance to the Great physician – The Physician of Gilead

Leave a Comment / Healing, Health / Sebastian Neduveli

Gilead is a beautiful place in Israel that stretches from the southern end of the Sea of Galilee to the northern end of the Dead Sea and from the eastern Jordan to the desert. A mountainous country east of the Jordan river. Abundant rains in winter; a lot of snow in summer! Gilead is adorned with many cascading streams. The sky-high palm, trees like cedar, fig, jaggery, oak, teak, ashoka and pine create a cool woodland atmosphere. Lush vineyards perfect for any wine; The perfumed oil of Gilead was famous. The plateau here is used for cattle rearing and pulse cultivation. In short, Gilead is a place of peace for mind and body. In the Old Testament in the Song of Songs, the beloved says to his beloved girl: “How beautiful you are, my darling! … Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from the hills of Gilead..” “The harvest is past,The summer is ended,And we are not saved!”For the hurt of the daughter of my people I am hurt.I am mourning;Astonishment has taken hold of me.Is there no balm in Gilead,Is there no physician there?Why then is there no recoveryFor the health of the daughter of my people? Jeremiah 8:20-22 This is a very touching scripture in the book of Jeremiah. The medicinal ointment of Gilead was used to cure many diseases. The prophet is asking why the people of Israel could not get rid of their ‘disease’ even though there was a medicinal ointment in their own country. The New Testament (Covenant) points to the physician who came to heal the disease. The New Testament biographers present Jesus as a wonderful person who walked along the shores of Galilee, discipled fishermen on the seashore, and ate with “tax collectors and sinners”. We get the biography of Jesus through the four gospels of the New Testament. One of the four gospel writers is a young doctor! Luke is the only non-Jewish writer in the New Testament who did not see Jesus’ healing ministry as a mere miracle. Luke portrayed the doctor in Jesus as the healer. In the first Gospel, Matthew wrote: ‘And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.’ (Matt. 4:23-25). If we examine the works of Jesus, we can see that he was providing four types of healing: physical, mental, financial and spiritual. Jesus did not send away any sick person. He often sought patients. The very words of the ‘Physician of Gilead’ were the balm that healed the sick. This healing continued from the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry to the end. Healing was part of the preaching of God’s Word. Jesus highlighted God’s love for man through healing. He was able to bring people who were afflicted with diseased bodies and minds closer to God through healing. No reward was taken for it. Jesus made the dumb speak. The ears of the deaf were opened. The retina of the blind man’s eyes was healed. He gave wisdom to the unsteady. The legs of the paralytic were strengthened. The leper’s skin and body were restored to normal. The crippled woman got up and walked away. The bleeding woman stopped bleeding. He healed the epileptic and raised the dead. It did not require a syringe or a stethoscope. No other person has ever lived in the world who knew and touched the human body and mind so much. “When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick” Matthew 8:16 Exorcism was part of Jesus’ ministry along with healing. The epileptic healed by Jesus (Luke 9:37-43) was demon-possessed. The Gospels have recorded the release and healing of the demoniac who lived in the graves of Gadarenes and walked naked. The healing of the demon-possessed in Capernaum is also highlighted. Besides these, many exorcisms are recorded as having taken place with healings, without being recorded as a separate subject. Jesus is still the most trusted doctor in the world. Desperate patients who were judged by the doctors to not be saved are healed through Jesus.

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God’s health instructions

1 Comment / Health / Sebastian Neduveli

God has given clear instructions for a healthy life. We can find those through the Bible. God does not allow us to eat whatever is found in nature. Even ‘snake and worms’ are now human edible items. But, God created man as a herbivore. Let’s look at what God said to Adam and Eve: “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”. (Genesis 1:29, 30). In this way, it can be seen that God’s creation man started his life as a herbivore. All parts of the human body were created as for a herbivore. Carnivorous animals have sharp teeth and claws that are suitable for biting and eating meat. But humans have flat ‘molars’ that can chew plant food. Animal intestines also have speciality. Carnivores have a gut that is only three times the length of the body to quickly expel toxic substance. Meanwhile, humans have intestine that is twelve times the size of their body. The digestive juices of carnivores animals contain hydrochloric acid that can quickly digest meat. In comparison, the human digestive juice has only 1/20 intensity. It is clear that God created man as a herbivore. So give importance to plant diet; avoid meat as much as possible. But, we must remember that God has allowed man to eat meat. It is note worthy what God commanded Noah and his sons after the flood. “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.” (Genesis 9:3,4). For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Romans 14:2,3 It is written by Apostle Paul:“For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:4,5). Cleanliness: God gives great importance not only to the choice of food, but also to cleanliness. During the time when the people of Israel lived in the camp, God specifically insisted that they should live cleanly without impurity. Not only the sick person, but even the one who touched the dead body was quarantined from the camp (Numbers 5:1-4). Special instructions were also given regarding leprosy and infectious diseases (Leviticus 13:1-59). The Bible was written in a time when there was no refrigerator. Do not eat unclean meat. It is written to burn meat that is three days old (Leviticus 7:17). In the absence of latrines like today, it has been instruced that when going to defecate, one should carry a iron rod and use it to make a hole and cover it with soil. God has given many more laws of purification. There were many more rules related to cleaniness given by God. Everything must be followed. Moral Laws Must Be Followed: The Bible points out that moral rules must be followed for better health. Do not commit adultery is one of the most important laws in the Ten Commandments. Adultery questions God’s stewardship of the male and female body. This is an action that calls forth the severest punishment from God. It has already been proven by science that syphilis, gonorrhea, AIDS etc. can occur as a result of this. Along with that, the laws of purification in sex are also mentioned in the Bible. Rest is required: God has required us to work and earn our living. But, we must remember that work and rest are two sides of the same coin. A happy, healthy life requires rest. God commanded: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.” (Exodus 20:8-10). Relaxation is also essential for mental health. The seventh day is the Sabbath day; a day to worship God. By worshiping God on that day, one can achieve better spiritual, physical and material life. …And there was none feeble among His tribes. Psalm 105:37

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How are you?

1 Comment / Health / Sebastian Neduveli

When two people meet, this is the first question that is always asked – ‘how are you?’The God who created the man is asking the same question – ‘how are you?’ The Holy Bible says: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 2). Physical, mental illness and tension are contributions of the modern world. These are not presents of God. Today, hospitals are overflowing with patients. The situation in prisons is no different. The number of people dying from diseases like cancer, heart disease and AIDS is increasing. Similarly, the number of people suffering from blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol is also increasing. The number of people dying due to lack of food is less today. The number of people who die from diseases due to eating too much wrong food is more. Surely God does not want His most beloved creature, man, to become sick. At the same time, he wants to give relief to those who are suffering from the disease. God wanted eternal life for man when he created Adam. He could have been satisfied eating natural food and fruit from the tree of life. Never would have had to work hard. If he had not moved away from God and had not sinned, his tooth would not have fallen out. His hair would not have turned grey and his eyes would not have lost it’s sparkle. There would have been no difference in the rhythm of the heart. Man would have been blessed with abundant life forever. Before Adam had sinned, God had said: “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17). Death entered the world when Adam sinned and fell away from God. Then on, it can be seen that lifespan decreased with each generation. The first ten generations after Adam lived an average of 858 years. Man during these ten generations had multiplied and filled the earth. It might have been to fill the earth that God gave these early generations such a long lifespan. It can be seen that those who live in search of Godly righteousness may get longer life based on God’s plan. At the same time, youngsters lose life due to accidents and ill health. Name Age at the birth of next generation (years) Lifespan(years) 1. Adam 130 930 2. Seth 105 912 3. Enosh 90 905 4. Canaan 70 910 5. Mahalael 65 895 6. Jared 162 962 7. Enoch 65 365 8. Methuselah 187 969 9. Lamech 182 777 10. Noah 500 950 11. Shem 100 600 Life span of the first 11 generations including Adam Methuselah, who lived 969 years, was the oldest person recorded in the Bible. In Noah’s day, the earth was sinful. Later, only eight members of Noah’s family survived the great flood created by God. God not only destroyed others, but also shortened man’s life span. After the time of Noah, the human lifespan decreased again. While Shem, the first generation after Noah lived for 600 years, Arpashad in the second generation lived for 438 years. Saleh of the third generation lived 433 years and Eber of the fourth generation lived 464 years. The average age of this fourth generation was 484 years. On closer examination, it can be seen that the average age of the first ten generations was 858 and for the fourth generation after the flood, the average lifespan had halved. Again, after ten generations by the time of Abraham, the lifespan reduced to 175 years. Decreasing further, by the time of Moses, the sixteenth generation, the age was 120 years. This means that the human lifespan had become 120 years and even lesser like today, which was fixed by God three thousand years ago. The psalmist says: ” The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years” (Psalm 90:10). Today, the life expectancy is lower than this in many poor countries. The Holy Bible says that diseases have no place in human life if we know God and live according to God. “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”. (Exodus 15:26) On another occasion God promised that if they serve him completely, he would bless them with good health : “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.” (Exodus 23:25, 26).

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