Monday 4 September 2023

 

THE HEART OF ASIAN OUTREACH / Peter U, Chairman

The power of our God’s miracles, signs and wonders is a vital part of our heritage and faith as Children of God. We value everything He has done for us, but the greatest miracle is what happens inside us not just the physical healing. Being God’s channel changes our faith and blesses us more than we can ever imagine. The miracle power of Jesus Christ leads to the salvation of precious souls. We each have the tremendous responsibility and privilege of working alongside a Miracle-working God and being a channel for His miracles. He is interested in our participation and God wants to involve us in His miracles. People’s lives are changed; their health has been restored; and their purpose in life is being renewed.

Our Foot Soldiers have been witnesses to many miracles in the mission fields. It has been such an encouragement for us and we would like to share some with you. Ramesh and Suresh were both involved in robbery, drugs, and most of the crime in the area. These two young men were brought up poor and from an early age they learnt to fend for themselves. They had no family, and no one cared about them so they took care of each other. Most people in this area were so poor and there was nothing much to steal in this community. Also, people hated them because of what they did and would hurl abuses at them.

There came a time when they were destitute and did not know what to do. The young men planned to end their lives and were looking for a way to do it. As they were walking in the market square, they heard someone sharing the Gospel, that Christ is the only Hope who can give you a new life, as He has already paid the price for our sins. They moved closer to hear what was being said and saw Ps Maniraj. The message touched their hearts and impacted them and they felt Hope renewed. At the end of that sharing both men accepted Jesus and gave their lives to him. Ps Maniraj disciples them and they faithfully attend their Bible classes eager to know more.

Ramesh and Pooja were a young couple with two kids living in Chennai. Three years back a friend took them to Ps Paul’s church and when they heard the Gospel preached something stirred inside them and at the end of the service, they accepted Jesus into their hearts. They were so excited to share with their families and relatives but when their families heard about this, they were extremely angry and threatened them, forbidding them to go to church. Family members refused to talk to them and treated them badly but they never gave up and prayed secretly together for a breakthrough.

Strange things suddenly started to happen to family members who opposed them. Some fell sick, some lost their jobs and were struggling financially. This was a sudden downturn and they realized this started happening when they threatened Ramesh and Pooja about their faith in Christianity. The family members repented and Ramesh and Pooja were allowed to go to church and eventually were baptized. The family situation began to improve too and the family were amazed at the power of Ramesh and Pooja’s God. They are praying for their family members now to come to know Christ.

He demonstrates His miracle power to open hearts and change lives. George Muller, a Christian Evangelist once said, “Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends.” With man it may be impossible. But with God nothing is impossible. God has a plan for us and is working a miracle amid our biggest challenge.

Hebrews 2:4 “God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will.”