15th ANNIVERSARY OF JEEVAN DHAM CELEBRATED WITH DELIGHT AND GRATITUDE!

 
  NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP

O Mother of Perpetual Help, grant that I may ever invoke your most powerful name, which is the safeguard of the living and the salvation of the dying.
O Purest Mary, O Sweetest Mary, let your name henceforth be ever on my lips. Delay not, O Blessed Lady, to help me whenever I call on you, for, in all my needs, in all my temptations I shall never cease to call on you, ever repeating your sacred name, Mary, Mary.
O what consolation, what sweetness, what confidence, what emotion fill my soul when I pronounce your sacred name, or even only think of you.
I thank God for having given you, for my good, so sweet, so powerful, so lovely a name. But I will not be content with merely pronouncing your name: let my love for you prompt me ever to hail you, Mother of Perpetual Help.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be...

    ANGER: A Biblical Perspective

Everyone gets angry at one time or another. Something happens in our life that doesn’t quite go the way we expect. We may have been wronged by a spouse, friend, co-worker, neighbour, et al. How we respond to these wrong doings will either bring glory or dishonour to God. Here are some verses to keep in mind as we consider this topic of anger:
“You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness.” (Jam.1:19-20)
“Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil.” (Eph 4:26-27) Let us read how the Book of Sirach clearly speaks of anger and vengeance:
“Anger and wrath, these also are abominations, yet a sinner holds on to them. The vengeful will face the Lord’s vengeance, for he keeps a strict account of their sins. Forgive your neighbour the wrong he has done, and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray. Does anyone harbour anger against another, and expect healing from the Lord? If one has no mercy toward another like himself, can he then seek pardon for his own sins? If a mere mortal harbors wrath, who will make an atoning sacrifice for his sins?
Remember the end of your life, and set enmity aside; remember corruption and death, and be true to the commandments. Remember the commandments, and do not be angry with your neighbor; remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook faults. Refrain from strife, and your sins will be fewer; for the hot-tempered kindle strife, and the sinner disrupts friendships and sows discord among those who are at peace.
In proportion to the fuel, so will the fire burn, and in proportion to the obstinacy, so will strife increase; in proportion to a person’s strength will be his anger, and in proportion to his wealth he will increase his wrath. A hasty quarrel kindles a fire, and a hasty dispute sheds blood. If you blow on a spark, it will glow; if you spit on it, it will be put out; yet both come out of your mouth.” (Sirach 27:30-28:12)

There is nowhere in the Bible that says anger is a sin. The emotion of anger is not inherently sinful. It is an emotional response to injustice or wrongdoing. However, the expression of anger can be sinful.

IS ANGER REALLY GOD-GIVEN?
Frequently, throughout the Old Testament, we see situations where God’s anger is kindled toward either a person or a group of people who have acted wickedly before Him. God’s wrath was poured out upon Sodom and Gomorrah for their abominable acts against Him. Different kings of Israel, when they acted wickedly, were dealt with according to God’s anger. God’s display of His anger is directed toward the sinfulness of mankind. You see, God’s anger is in response to the wrongdoing and injustices that take place among mankind as a result of living in a fallen world as a fallen creature. The reality that we even possess anger is evidence that we are created in God’s image with a concern for justice and righteousness. It is an internal barometer of discerning between right and wrong.

DISTORTED, SINFUL ANGER
Oftentimes anger is a result of distorted thoughts or beliefs. The account of Naaman in 2Kings5 is an example of distorted thoughts that led to his anger. The prescribed remedy for his leprosy was not what he expected! It was until after his servant talked him into dipping himself into the Jordan that his anger subsided and he was able to receive the remedy for his leprosy.
Sometimes, anger rises within when a personal ‘right’ has been violated. The truth is, the only right we have is to be called ‘sons of God’ (John 1:12). Psalm 24 tells us that the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it. This includes what we believe to be our rights.

THINKING THROUGH ANGER
Proverbs 14:29 tells us that “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” Being slow to anger is the first step in thinking through anger. Asking yourself, “Why am I angry?” “What are my expectations?” “What ‘right’ do I think is being violated?” will prolong a “knee-jerk” reaction to a situation that triggers emotions of anger.
Understanding the sovereignity of God in the midst of your circumstances also helps in thinking through your anger. After all, God could have prevented the situations that trigger your anger from occurring. But He will use them to move you to depend on Him and resolve the issue that causes your anger to flare.

HANDLING ANGER BIBLICALLY

1.GIVE YOURSELF TO GOD’S CONTROL.
Seek God’s help in handling the situation. The Apostle Paul told the Philippians that he...” could do all things through Christ...” this also pertains to our handling anger biblically. There is a right way to express anger.

2. REJOICE IN WHAT GOD IS DOING THROUGH THIS SITUATION.
James 1:2-4 tells us, “whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.” God strengthens our faith in Him when trials come our way. The Apostle Paul tells us to “rejoice in the Lord always.” (Phil. 4:4)

3. FOCUS ON THE PROBLEM, NOT THE PERSON.
When your focus is directed toward the person through whom an angry situation may come, you’re not working to resolve the problem. “You make me mad” is an improper response to a situation that triggers your anger. “I get angry when...” is a more accurate response since the focal point is on the problem, not the person.

4. USE THE SITUATION AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SELF-EXAMINATION.
Evaluate what part you play in the circumstance that causes your anger. Have you been lazy, irresponsible, stubborn, critical, wasteful, ungrateful, bossy, haughty, overly demanding, a nag, inconsiderate, unwilling to change? Often we sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. Our problems are often the mirror of our own faults. According to the Bible, we roll a stone and it rolls backs on us; we dig a pit and fall into it ourselves; we are taken captive by our own iniquities.

REPENTANCE IS NECESSARY
Repenting from displays of sinful anger is necessary in overcoming this growth-stunting behavior. Put yourself in the place of the one to whom you express your anger. Would you want to be the brunt of such hostility? Confess your sin to God and the one who gets the fallout of your anger, with the commitment to allow the Spirit to work self-control in you in a way that will enable you to deal with your anger.

NEW BIBLE READING PLANS FOR 2006

The Holy Bible, the Divine
Word of God, the Book of Faith and Revelation, should be read regularly everyday to nourish our Spirit, to strengthen our faith, hope and love, and to guide us at every moment of our life. Last year we had presented you with the 365-Day Bible Reading Plan- covering the whole Bible, with plans corresponding to each month of the year. We believe that, although it was little stretched out, it had benefitted the readers who stuck to the schedule and read the whole Bible within the year. This year we would like to introduce two new plans, viz., the 26-Week (6-month) NT reading Plan and the 52-Week (1 Year) OT reading Plan, which would help you to read the OT and the NT daily (OT in the morning and NT in the evening or vice versa). Hence, starting from this month, we will be providing you with both the reading plans every month. Set apart some time to read the passage everyday (early morning/evening/late night) and try your best to stick to the schedule. You’ll definitely get incredible results.
God Bless You!

A) THEY GOT RID OF ARTHRITIS THROUGH THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD!

I, Sharda (age-50 years) (standing on the left in the picture), was an arthritic patient for the past 3 years. Three years ago, the joints in my fingers started aching. The pain later spread to other joints in my arms, shoulders, back and knee. The doctors at the Hindu Rao Hospital, New Delhi, gave injections on my knees and treated me for 2 years before they gave up and referred me to AIIMS. There too the doctors could not help. They told me that to replace my knee socket is the only way out of such a situation. But I was afraid and never took the risk of an operation at my old age. Then I started taking treatment from Gangaram Hospital. As my condition deteriorated, I had to continue taking injections. Everywhere I met despair and failure. One day a gentleman told me about the healing prayer service being conducted at Jeevan Dham every Sunday. Miraculously, I got relief on the first Sunday itself. Surprisingly, I walked without anyone’s help and climbed on to the stage like a normal person. Today, I feltmuch better. I could walk fast and could even sit down on the ground. Thanks be to the Lord! Sharda , New Delhi
I, Nirmala Minz (age-30 years) (in the middle), was suffering from body pain especially back pain since birth. Sometimes I had stomach ache and headache too. Even after spending thousands of rupees, I felt miserable. Moreover, my blood count was also always found to be low. I came here at Jeevan Dham, hearing about it from a lady who used to attend the prayer service regularly. I came here the last Sunday and since then I left taking medicine as I got some respite from my body pain. Today, I felt so relieved, fit and healthy as I have never been in all my life. I can not explain my joy in mere words or praises. Through God’s grace I can now sit down and get up easily and do not feel exhausted on walking. Praise the Lord!
Nirmala Minz, Jharkhand
I, Maya Sharma (age-30 years), was an arthritic patient for the past 13 years. I used to walk with the help of a stick and was unable to do any work. I got treatment from Escorts Hospital and then from Sarvodaya Hospital. I did all the recommended exercises but in vain. The Doctor in Sarvodaya suggested me to undergo an operation done to replace my knee socket. Yesterday, my neighbour told me about the healing prayer service conducted at Jeevan Dham and hence, I came here today for the first time. In the morning itself, when the praising was over, I regained some strength and got much respite from my pain. I stood up and kept on praising God. I could not believe my eyes when I started walking all by myself without anyone’s help or support. I could move easily and climbed up the stage with ease. I experienced the mercy and love of the Almighty God. I am indebted to Him and thank Him for all the blessings showered on me.
Maya Sharma, Faridabad.

“O you who hears prayer, to you shall all flesh come...By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas.” (Ps. 65:2,5)

GUIDE MAP TO REACH JEEVAN DHAM

  And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”(Isaiah 30:21)