January 2008
Volume 9, Issue 1 |
From the Desk of Rev.
Abraham P. Varkey
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Inside this Issue
1. Message from the Vicar
2. Wedding Anniversaries
3. Birthdays
4. Bible Readings
5. News and Announcements
6. Quiz
7. The new birth issues a new sinless nature
8. Worship Services
9. Deadline for article submission and Acknowledgement |
Reflection of the New Year Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God (Mat.5:9)
Another new year has dawned with new opportunities and
possibilities. Year 2007 witnessed many unpleasant experiences. Despite
our unfaithfulness, God remained faithful and has granted us one more
year. Let us praise God for all his mercies and steadfast love.
Every one is looking for peace and people follow many
avenues trying to find it. They look for peace in money, parties, self-improvement
programs, fancy cars, luxurious homes or promoting a cause. That is the
wrong list. The right one is find in Mathew 5. Jesus taught us that deep
and lasting peace and happiness come from being right with God. He said we
are blessed or happy when we are peacemakers-sharing the peace Christ
offers, and promoting peace with one another. (Mat.5:9)
The peace prayer “Lord make me an instrument of peace”
was written by St. Francis of Assisi. He was born in a period of
incredible turbulence, strife, violence and warfare. During his youth he
watched his own city and country being wrecked by civil war and revolts of
peasants against feudal system. At the age of 20 he became a warrior but
he was captured and had to spend a year in jail. Two years later, he was
set again for war, this time in a Papal army bound for crusades. But
during the assault Jesus, the Prince of Peace captured him. On his way to
the battle he had a vision from God and it took one year for him to
understand the meaning of this vision. In the process, he came to deep
faith in God, gave himself to live the life that Jesus lived, and turned
from the pursuit of warfare to the practice of peace.
We are living in a world of unrest, unhappiness and fear
.The New Year is calling us to join hands with God and to work with him as
instruments of peace. Let us become peacemakers in the world church and
home and enjoy the blessedness of the Kingdom of God.
Wish you all a Happy and
Christ-Centered New Year!
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Identify the Bible references from the book of Genesis.
1. The Creation.
2. The animal life of sea and air.
3. The animal life of earth.
4. The creation of Man.
5. Provision of food.
6. The beautiful Garden of Aden.
7. God made women.
8. The temptation and fall of man.
9. God curse the serpent.
10. The expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eaden.
11. The two brothers, Cain and Abel. 12. Murder of Abel by Cain
Please e-mail your answers to danielthampi@bellsouth.net or mail to
Dr. Thampi Daniel, 1438 Church Street, Apt# 606, Decatur, GA 30030. Tel/Fax: 404-687-9155 or 404-964-2974
Answers will appear in the next edition of the newsletter.
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Answers
for December Quiz
1. Romans. 7: 1-6
2. Romans. 7:7-25
3. Romans. 8: 1-39
4. Romans. 9:1-5
5. Romans. 9:6-29
6. Romans. 9:6-9
7. Romans. 9:10-13
8. Romans. 9:14-18
9. Romans. 9:19-26
10. Romans. 9:25-29
11. Romans. 9:30-33
12. Romans. 10:1-3
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Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed
remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. St. John:3:9
This is one of the most misunderstood verses in the Bible. Do not try to
understand it in the light of personal experience. Keep in mind that the above
verse is speaking of the new nature - not old nature - because the old nature is
not born of God. The old nature is born of fallen man, and is depraved. The new
nature is born of God, and is holy.
First, let us see what this verse says about new nature:
1. The new nature does not commit sin, because it is the product
of the "seed (sperm) of God".
2. The new nature cannot sin, because it is the divine nature of
God (11 Peter 1:4) and since God cannot sin, the new nature that issues from His
holy seed cannot sin.
Second, let us see what the Bible says about the old nature:
1. The old nature does sin any time you let it sin (Rom. 6:12)
As a child of God, you will keep under the old nature (1Cor.9:27) by not
yielding to the desire of the flesh; or the old nature will keep you under, and
you will live a defected Christian life (Rom. 6:23).
2. There is nothing good in the old nature (Rom. 7:18) The power
to live a righteous life cannot be found in the old nature; it can be found only
in the new (Gal: 2:20).
If you have been "born again", you have two natures -
the old and the new - and you are walking according to one of the two. Examine
your Christian walk in the light of: (Rom. 8: 5,6).
Next Month: The New Birth is Incorruptible
-Dr. Thampi P. Daniel
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