Serving God's Purposes in Our Generation (Acts 13:36b)
Category: Articles

Book Review: Rousing The Warriors – A Prophetic Call To Rise Up And Boldly Advance The Kingdom Of God.

 The greatest army the world has ever seen is being assembled, made up of men, women and children, people from every tribe, tongue and nation. The educated and uneducated, poor and rich are all responding to the trumpet call. The army is being assembled on every continent of our planet. It is an army greater than our world has ever seen, more powerful than any historical, or present day army. They will be a mighty force for the Kingdom in these last days.  . . No longer will they be apologetic, passive, survivors but instead militant Kingdom advancers in their cities, nations and the world. . . . The world will become darker and more evil but this army will become stronger and their light brighter. They will be a beacon of hope to the lost and will save many from the dominion of darkness into the Kingdom of light. The world has not seen anything like this army before.

From Rogue To Revivalist – A Pastor's Journey

Before he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, Pastor Kul Bal (full name Kuldip Singh Bal) had accomplished feats of physical and mental discipline involving other religions especially in Hinduism, Sikhism and various marshal arts. Kul Bal was quite content with mediocre religion and did not want to rock the boat of life with any serious issue. However, Kul Bal was drinking all the time and had a bad temper which he lost frequently. He would be moody for days, and Elaine, his wife would suffer the blunt of his sharp tongue inspired by a selfish and egoistic mindset. . . When he returned to his job as an instrument technician on an oil rig in the North Sea off Scotland, he told Elaine she could pursue Christianity as long as she did not force him into it. Rules were simple – no preaching to Kul Bal and no church visits.

Book Review – The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity by Philip Jenkins

To quote Philip Jenkins in the first chapter: “We are currently living through one of the transforming moments in the history of religion worldwide. Over the past five centuries or so, the story of Christianity has been inextricably bound up with that of Europe and European-derived civilizations overseas, above all in North America. Until recently, the overwhelming majority of Christians have lived in White nations, allowing theorists to speak smugly, arrogantly, of ‘European Christian’ civilization. Conversely, radical writers have seen Christianity as an ideological arm of Western imperialism…”

Vital Signs In Global Mission!

No one can deny that a fresh wind of God's Spirit is moving around the world. The heightening optimism in mission circles today for the completion of The Great Commission is not unfounded. There is now evidence of the existence of believers in almost every inhabited political entity in the world. The Church of Jesus Christ has become truly global both in presence and in mission. Here are five encouraging vital signs of how the Lord is continuing to build His Church (Matthew 16:18): Increased Partnership, Increased Personnel, Increased Participation, Increased Persecution and Increased Prayer.





The Next Move of God: Church in Community

In 1999 the Spirit of God began to emphasis the recognition of the marketplace as part of the kingdom of God, and since then many began to recognize the biblical mandate to disciple whole nations according to the dominion mandate of Genesis 1:28 and Matthew 28:19. Now I believe it is time that we go from talking about taking cities to actually doing it in a practical way. The following article is based on what I have been doing through Resurrection Church in my particular community. I am not dealing in this article with what we have been doing in the body of Christ in our city, but what we are doing for our community.

Be An Effective Leader- Relationship Management and Emotional Intelligence

Study after study, not to mention good old common sense, demonstrates the key to exceptional leadership lies in developing the leadership competencies related to people skills.  Strengthening one's interpersonal skills elevates a person's leadership abilities and results dramatically.  These people skills are well defined and discussed within the concepts set forth in the groundbreaking work done by Daniel Goleman on Emotional Intelligence.  Studies have demonstrated that leaders who consistently outperform their peers not only have the technical skills required, but more importantly, have mastered most of the aspects of Emotional Intelligence.

Two Roads And Two Lovers

Romans 6:15 -7:6 was my inspiration. From this part of scripture, I understand there is essentially two ways to live. I can follow the ways of the world, which leads to death. But, if I choose to follow Christ and be under the law of righteousness there is life and fullness. As a believer, we have those two choices. Everyday, I can choose to listen to God's truth or listen to the lies of the devil. Two roads lay in front of me – God’s way or the World’s way.

Can My Kids Watch Harry Potter Films?

You just can’t ignore Harry Potter. He has become a household name, courtesy the powerful engines of Globalization. Harry Potter books and its product spin-offs are found everywhere. Even if you don’t want to read the book/s (watch the films), you still cannot manage to stay insulated. Hogwarts’ magic is slowly but steadily invading our living room through everyday conversations. Trust me, it is extremely difficult to be indifferent about Harry Potter and Hogwarts. Few books/films, like the Harry Potter series have evoked such ‘equal’ and ‘opposite’ reactions, all at the same time.

What Does Climate Change Have To Do With Spirituality?

Why do we need to think and act green? What does climate change have to do with spirituality? Right from the word go Biblical teaching underlines that creation was God’s handiwork and He considered it good! Stewardship of that good creation is then a divine mandate. In Genesis 2:15 we see that Adam and Eve were given the task of working with God in tending creation. But as a result of sin we also recognise that creation groans in pain (Romams 8:22). The call issued to Adam to work with God is a call that is just as relevant to us here today. We are called to tend and care for creation and help usher in God’s shalom into this fractured world. This is God’s world and His desire is that His children will be good stewards not only of their time and talents and treasures, which are essentially His gifts to us, but also of the world, another valuable gift of His. In that reckoning climate change has everything to do with spirituality. 

Sex

As a believer of true love and a lover of life, I perceive copulation as a holy and a sacred act. It is a God glorifying act that celebrates the covenant of marriage which is the physical and spiritual union of two monogamous individuals. It is a pure and powerful act that strengthens the relationship and it is well known among married couples that a good sex life is essential for a healthy relationship that is edifying to the two individuals. Sex is the act that consummates the marriage. It unites and cleaves the two individuals together that they shall metaphysically become one flesh. Read on as Rajwin Singh, a single guy researches and writes about "Sex" a taboo subject to most South Asians!

‘Story Keepers’ In An Information Age

Who are the storytellers of our times? J.K Rowling, Dan Brown, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Carl Sagan and a host of Hollywood/Bollywood producers are the story tellers who capture the imagination of our generation. We are called to be Story tellers/keepers. We need to re-tell the gospel story in a manner that would capture the imagination of contemporary audiences. It is not just enough to re-tell the gospel “attractively” and “intelligently” to command a listening by contemporary audience. It is important that we re-tell the gospel story “responsibly”. True, telling the gospel story in an information age isn’t easy. But then, every generation of story keepers have done it facing the odds. We can (and we must) re-tell the story of Jesus and keep the story alive . . . Our primary calling is to keep the story alive by being, doing and (re)telling the gospel to our generation and beyond.

Where Are You in the Journey?

The Bible teaches that the Scriptures were given to us so we could learn from their example (1 Corinthians 10:11). Out of all the biblical heroes, there was perhaps no one more enigmatic than Elijah, who experienced all the highs and lows most of us experience in our Christian and human journey. One day he was confronting the enemy; the next day he was running from the enemy in need a fresh word of the Lord to continue his mission. The following passages on the life of Elijah show the various stages all of us go through i.e. The Alone Stage, The Needy Stage, The Persevering and Testing Stage, The Great Faith Stage,  The Discouragement Stage, The Recharging Stage, The Reassessment Stage and The Recommissioning Stage.

Jesus, I Give You Me!

"Jesus, I don't have anything to give you today, but just me.  So Jesus, I give you me!" Take the First Step. When was the last time you gave Jesus you?  Why not do it today. I am not telling you to be a social pariah.  I am not telling you how you have to dress, who to associate with, what to do in your free time.  All I am saying is put Jesus first.  Be bold and live for Him, not for the world.  Stand up for what you believe in.  Close your eyes and tell Jesus, “Jesus, today I give you me.  Help me to be on fire for you.”  As you take one step, He will come running to you, with arms wide open. Remember, it is a daily surrender. “[Give] to God what is God’s.”  Give to God that which is made in His likeness. Give yourself to Jesus.

Jesus – My Mentor, Leader, Role Model and Hero

Jesus didn't just speak of healing, he performed it. He didn’t just dislike the devil, he cast him out. He didn't simply sympathize with the hungry, he fed them! He was willing to do, he was ready to act. His words were heard and repeated, not because of their excellence in language, but for their effectiveness in function! Remember Christian, mere words will be trashed by this world, but true authority will liberate the bound. . . .When you preach the gospel it is not mere words. There is ALMIGHTY power ready and available to back the 'truth' that you preach! . . . Remember saint, “The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." (I Corinthians 4:20)

Spiritual Authority, Natural Authority and Accountability

There is a great deal of confusion over the subject of Spiritual Authority because people tend to confuse natural authority and spiritual authority. True spiritual authority is the power to be the servant of all, and being a servant is without question foundational. Only people who have laid down their lives and who have the active power of the Holy Spirit in their lives can be true servants. True spiritual authority is one of the most difficult things to master because it requires self-sacrifice and self-denial. Spiritual authority is the power to take up one's cross and follow Christ. Men who submit themselves to the true spiritual authority of the Holy Spirit will not become the spiritual authority to others. They know that to do this would be to supplant God.

Revelation of My Unity With Divinity

 This story is a perfect picture of the church today. We are singing, preaching and talking like chickens. We have even mastered how to be ‘saved sinners’ and tolerate sin, sickness and poverty. However, when someone tries to tell us we are eagles, we refuse to believe it, choosing rather to live as chickens. If we could just get the revelation and allow a seed of the Word to be sown in our hearts, that seed will grow and we will soar high in heavenly places in Christ Jesus far above all principalities, power and might and every name that is named! Ephesians (1:17-22) A time is coming in the earth when there will be many SONS walking in the likeness of Jesus, the Son of God – the firstborn-again person who showed us what a human united with God could do on the earth. There will be a manifestation of the Sons of God that will invade the earth in a greater way than is already happening. 

See The Answer!

Can You See The Answer? All of us are good at seeing the problems. But how many of us can see the answers? When problems overwhelm you, it is quite difficult to see that the answer is already given. We forget everything that God has already done. We forget the promises upon our lives. We forget the spiritual authority granted to us. Instead of standing up as a giant and exercising the spiritual authority, we crumble on our knees and start crying like babies.Until we learn to acquire that mindset, we will be fretting over a lot of things.  May God help you to win the battles in your life today!

The Dreaded Champions Are Coming

There is emerging on the earth, an army, the likes of which have not been seen before. It is an army of ‘dreaded champions’. They are dreaded because they cause dread to come into the camp of the enemy. They are champions because they do not live for themselves but champion the cause of their king Jesus. Creation itself has been waiting for these champions to be revealed. ‘The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.’ Romans 8:19. You have an opportunity to rise up and be a part of this end time army of believers, a dreaded champion of the last days. I encourage you to embrace the Lords highest purpose for you so that the nature of Christ is formed in you. You are a Champion in the making!


Global Day Of Prayer – Saturating The World in Prayer

In July 2000 God captured the heart of a South African Christian businessman, Graham Power, with a vision based on 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." South Asian Connection joins the local and global community of believers in saturating the world in prayer. We encourage all South Asian Christians to be an active part of this move of God in your family, cell-groups, church and community.  To learn more . . .

Indian Diaspora and South Asia Statistics – I'm Loving It, Are You?

We're not talking about the McDonald's slogan "I'm loving it!" but a love for Indian Statistics. Indian statistics is mind blowing in its diversity, numbers, nature, scope and even numbingly shocking in its type of reported cases that can only happen in India. India is going through a mega-shift revolution being catapulted from the pre-modern to the post-modern era with ramifications in all sheres of social, economic, educational, financial, societal and family life.  Dr. JN Manokaran is an expert at this 'numbers game' so read on and discover an India you never knew.