Prayer Letter - September 2008

In our Prayer Letter for the month of August, we had seen that God provides us with 3 tools to aid us in fulfilling the “Great Commission” – Power, Love and a Sound Mind. We had focused on “Power” and seen that there are three supernatural “transformational agents” we depend on when sharing our faith.

• The power of the gospel
• The power of the Holy Spirit and
• The power of prayer

We’ll conclude this “refresher course” on Evangelism by focusing this time on the other two inputs promised in 2 Timothy 1:7 – “Love” and a “Sound Mind”

Love
Love is the second tool that empowers witnessing (2 Tim. 1:7). The unconditional, caring love of Christians reveals the truth of Jesus to the unbeliever and puts the stamp on His message of salvation: “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). We express this love in three ways that demonstrate Christ's presence in our lives and manifest the remarkable change salvation brings:

• Ø  Love “in deed” (1 John 3:18). There many practical ways to exhibit Christ-like love. For example, we can invite a couple over for dinner, bring them food during a time of illness, or help their kids with their homework or perhaps comfort them in their time of bereavement. Unless we are willing to make the effort to make the love of God “tangible,” few people will listen to our words. In effect, Christ-like love should have some “hands & legs”
• Love “in word” (Prov. 31:26). This means we encourage, praise, and point out the positive qualities of our lost friends. Our conversation reveals much about our faith. Do we gossip? Do we talk sarcastically about others? Do we grumble and complain? Our verbal lifestyle testifies to the inner reality of Christ. Do our words give evidence to the care, concern, and compassion that Christ has for the lost?
• Love that does not mock another’s beliefs. We are called to present the good news of Jesus Christ in love and without offence. Don’t mock another’s faith. Simply present Jesus Christ. Remember what He said: “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." (Jn 12:32). Our privilege is to lift Him high through our lives. He will do the rest!

We are called to be “salt & light”. That means making a visible difference in the lives of others – and doing it in love. For many of us unfortunately, evangelism seems to mean cramming the gospel down the unwilling throats of others. Transmitting the message of Christ is really transmitting the love of Christ! Throughout history, it is the love demonstrated by Christians towards their unbelieving friends (or enemies) and relatives that have won them the right to speak out for the cause of Christ. And people have listened!!

The fact of manuscript and archaeological evidence – The canon of Scripture is one of the most verifiable documents in all of history. There are thousands of authentic Greek New Testament manuscripts and numerous Hebrew Old Testament copies. Some copies are dated within a generation of the original manuscripts which in turn were written within 30 to 50 years after the death and resurrection of Christ

Archaeological evidence through the centuries has consistently verified the cultural data presented in the Bible.

The evidence of history validates the truth of Scripture. It is a valuable tool in presenting the gospel message, for people must believe with all their heart, mind, and strength.

Yes friends, God has given His followers the power of the gospel as well as sacrificial love and a mind able to absorb knowledge of Him. Using these tools, you can reach out to non-believing friends and loved ones in the power of the Holy Spirit, ready to share your faith with cultural relevance and sensitivity with confidence and joy. This is the fulfillment of the vision of Haggai Institute – so that India will be transformed!

Praise God For

• Mr. Rajesh Malaki’s fruitful ministry visit to Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Ambala-Haryana.
• The promotional meetings held at Cochin, Trivandrum & Kottayam.
• Mr. Vijay Sasane’s fruitful promotional visit to Solapur has resulted in planning of a seminar for the leaders.
• The newly formed Alumni Association at Sonebhadra, Uttar Pradesh dated 3rd Sep’08.
• The successful conduct of elections of Vizianagaram Alumni Association dated 27th Aug’08.
• The appointment of Mr. R. Rajkumar, National Executive Committee Member as the Honorary Dean of Faculty of Haggai Institute India as on 28th Aug’08.
• His protection over the family of Mrs. Kalpana Saxena, National Society Member who met with a major accident but escaped with minor bruises on 10th July’08.
• Mr. Anand Pillai Former Society Member who was awarded the global award, ‘The HR Professional of the year’, by HCL Technologies where he serves as the Senior Vice President, Global Head, Talent Transformation & Intrapreneurship Development.
• The seminars conducted in the month of August: Northern Region: New Delhi; Southern Region: Chennai, Pondicherry, BHEL Trichy, Bangalore SLS, Tuticorin; Eastern Region: Patna; Western Region: Maninagar, Lonavala SS, Daund (2); Central Region: Tilda, Bhilai; NE Region: Tura; AP Region: Kurnool.

Please Pray For:

• Forthcoming North India Regional Council Meet scheduled 19th Oct’08 at New Delhi at Mr. M. T. Meshram, President’s residence at 6:30 PM. Also pray for Mr. Meshram as he undergoes a knee surgery this month.
• Mr. Rajesh Malaki’s ministry visit to Dehradun & Missouri.
• The Faculty Initiation Seminar, a joint venture of Northern and Central Regions on 2nd  & 3rd Oct’08 at New Delhi.
• Forthcoming Chandigarh Alumni Get-together dated 13th Sep’08 and Ludhiana Alumni Get-together dated 1st Nov’08
• Mrs. Usha Abraham, wife of Mr. Thomas Abraham for complete recovery from kidney problem.
• The bereaved family of Mr. Preetam Kumar Patro, Hony. Regional Coordinator for Eastern Region whose father-in-law, Mr. Raphael Shah passed away on 28th Aug’08.
• The bereaved family of Mr. Ratnadeep Kamble, Alumnus whose brother Mr. Sandeep passed away on 15th Aug’08.
• The Retreat organized for the Faculty of Central Region scheduled 27th Sep’08 at Hotel Celebration, Raipur with a registration fee of Rs. 500 per faculty.
• The first Central Region International Alumni Get together scheduled to be held at Bilaspur dated 13th Nov’08.
• Mr. Donald Pant’s ministry visit to Kanpur & Lucknow.
• The situation in Orissa especially for Haggai Alumni to be strengthened in the Lord and continue the work of the Lord Jesus Christ and to stand strong in the midst of trials.
• Suitable candidate for the post of Regional Director for Western Region.
• The upcoming State Level Seminars in 2008-09: Agartala 12 – 17 Sep, Pune 15 – 19 Sep, Hubli 16 – 20 Sep, Nasik   23 – 27 Sep, Tirunelveli 1 – 5 Oct, Coimbatore 7 – 11 Oct, Kolhapur 18 – 22 Oct, Shirdi 21 – 25 Oct, Pune 25 – 29 Oct, Chandrapur 10 – 14 Nov, Warangal 9 – 14 Jan 09, Rajahmundry 13 – 17 Jan 09.

NS – National Seminar, SLS – Special Leadership Seminar, SLSD– SLS for Doctors,
In-house - seminar fee is not disclosed as it is a sponsored seminar.

Please Note: We seek your prayer support for all these National Level seminars coming up. We also solicit your assistance in the recruitment of suitable candidates for these seminars. For more information regarding these seminars please feel free to call us at 040 27131209, 27141221 & 32928823 or email at hiindia@haggai-india.com also browse our website: www.haggai-india.com

Seminars in September 2008

Note 1: Please be informed that you can now deposit your donation Cheques/DD’s favouring ‘Haggai Institute’ directly with our account # 01262560000416 in any branch of HDFC Bank. Please do intimate our office the deposit details indicating your name, the amount and the date of deposit.

Yours in Him,
Paul Balasundaram