CRITERION MISSION INDIA

A High level overview of the difference between the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Religion . Religion is man-made !   The Gospel is God-given ! Religion is what man does for God !   The Gospel is what God does for man ! Religion is man's search for God ! The Gospel is God's search for man ! Religion is adherence to a system ! The Gospel is devotion to a person ! Religion is after membership ! The Gospel is after a relationship ! Religion places emphasis upon doing ! The Gospel places emphasis on being ! Religion says try !   The Gospel says trust ! Religion says do right to get right ! The Gospel says righteousness without works !   Religion strives for outer transformation !    The Gospel gives an inner transformation! Religion is good views ! The Gospel is good news !   Religion whitewashes ! The Gospel washes white ! Religion changes with the times ! The ...

I came upon an outcropping of rocks,  and as I sat on the highest rock to rest and look out over the valley, I saw a nest in the branches of a tree. The young birds in the nest were crying noisily. Then I saw how the mother bird returned with food for her young ones. When they heard the sound of her wings and felt her presence nearby, they cried all the more loudly and opened their beaks wide. But after the mother bird fed them and flew away again, they were quiet. Climbing down to look more closely, I saw that the newly hatched birds had not yet opened their eyes. Without even being able to see their mother, they opened their beaks and begged for nourishment whenever she approached.  These tiny birds did not say: “We will not open our beaks until we can see our mother clearly and also see what kind of food she offers. Perhaps it is not our mother at all but instead some dangerous enemy. And who knows if it is proper nourishment or some kind of poison that is being fed t...

O God of burning cleansing flame: Send the fire! Your blood-bought gift today we claim: Send the fire today! Look down and see this waiting host,  And send the promised Holy Ghost;   We need another Pentecost!  Send the fire today! Send the fire today! God of Elijah, hear our cry: Send the fire! And make us fit to live or die: Send the fire today!  To burn up every trace of sin, To bring the light and glory in, The revolution now begin!  Send the fire today! Send the fire today! It’s fire we want, for fire we plead: Send the fire!  The fire will meet our every need: Send the fire today!  For strength to always do what’s right,  For grace to conquer in the fight, For power to walk the world in white:  Send the fire today! Send the fire today! To make our weak hearts strong and brave: Send the fire!  To live, a dying world to save: Send the fire today!  Oh, see us on Your altar lay, We g...

THE BOOK OF PSALM 116:13 SAYS: I will lift up the cup of Salvation and call on the name of the Lord ! The most exciting phrase “ The cup of Salvation ” is mentioned only once in the Bible  that is in Psalms 116:13. Usually the cup speaks of a drinking vessel. According to Hebrew root word “To hold together”.  But throughout the Bible it is used very often in a figurative sense. Like for example................. Cup of consolation (Jer 16:7)  Cup of wrath (Rev 16:19)      Cup of blessing (ICor 10:16) …………etc. The word cup & cups are mentioned altogether 65 times in the Bible. But among all these cups only one is higher & supreme;  That is The cup of Salvation. It is not found in world’s treasures or in kings palaces.  But only in God who is both the Creator & the Savior of the world. It is high in value, It is of a great price, A very unique cup of Salvation. What does the psalmist mean...

Brethren! (What must be the virtues of the Brethren according to Jesus Christ?) The Lord answered them, saying, who is My mother, or My brethren? (MK 3:33). My mother and My brethren are these who hear the word of God and do it. (Luke:8:21). 1. Brethren speaks of Obedience. For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother. (Matt:12:50). The will of God is that every man must be saved so that they may become the Lord’s brethren. (ITim:2:4). 2. Brethren speaks of a Saved group . But go to My brethren and say to them. (Jn:20:17C). The Lord did not use other phrases like my fellows or my people but My brethren. 3.Brethren speaks of a Relationship . I am ascending to My Father and your Father. (Jn:20:17D). The Father of my Lord is also the Father of mine. Every thing that belongs to my Lord belongs to me too. If Christ is the heir of all things we too are heirs with him. 4. Brethren speaks of Heir ship . I am ascendin...

I rejoiced at your Word as one who finds great treasure . Here God’s Word is like a great treasure to the psalmist. For David, It’s more than pure gold & sweeter than the honeycomb. (Ps:19:10). Such experience is very uncommon & unfamiliar to many Christians. For many Christians God’s Word is like a Text  But for few It’s like a Treasure .  For many it’s a Book but for few It’s a Banquet . For some it’s a Religious Book but for few It’s a Book of reality . Many are Bored by it; Yet there are few who Rejoice in it. And here the psalmist is one among those few who Rejoice in the Word. How can I Rejoice in the Word? How & when can I see The Word as a great treasure? Very simple answers for these simplest questions are found  in a familiar portion of the Bible that is (Ps:19:8). The statutes (God’s Word) of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment (God’s Word) of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes . Her...

A SINGLE WORD A single word is enough to increase your faith! A single word is enough to strengthen your soul! A single word is enough to forgive your sin! A single word is enough to lift up! A single word is enough to give u life! A single word is enough to give you joy & peace! A single word is enough to lead u heaven! Millions are familiar with that word; That is JESUS !!! And the amazing thing is that He is our Lord and God! HELPLESS I AM Helpless I am, O Lord! Helpless without your power! Helpless without your presence! Helpless without your Spirit! Helpless without your grace! Helpless without your name ! Helpless without you !I need thee every hour! Jesus said: For without me u can do nothing! (Jn:15:5) JESUS’ EXAMPLE Jesus set forth an example for us: His life & behavior is an example for me! His sayings & actions is an example for me! His prayer & passion is an example for me! His overcoming temptation is an ...

A PRAYER OF SERENITY God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change! ( Ex: color, shape, background, intelligence, and the blunders I made in the past...etc.) God grant me the boldness and courage to change the things I can! (Ex: Bad temper, lustful looks, wasting of money and time, mingling with the world...etc.) God grant me the wisdom to know the difference between what I cannot change and what I can change.   —Reinhold Neibuhr.        What a beautiful prayer! What a lovely prayer! May God help us and bless us to understand this very fact which is so much essential for our Christian growth.

My Beloved is The Sinless of all— Yet, was called the friend of sinners. (IJn 3:5; Lk 7:34) My Beloved is The Wisest of all— Yet, was associated with 12 uneducated & ignorant men. (Lk 2:47; Act 4:13)   My Beloved is The Richest of all—   Yet, He had no place to lay His head. (IICor 8:9; Matt 8:20) My Beloved is the Greatest of all— Yet, He humbled Himself. (Jn 1:1-3; Philip 2:8) My Beloved is The Mightiest of all— Yet, was silent as sheep before it’s shearers. (Jn 2:19; Is 53:7)   I n conclusion the final thought is :   My Beloved is The Chiefest of all—   Both in heaven & on earth, There is no other name. (Philip 2:9-11; Act 4:12)   Fairest of all the earth beside, Chiefest of all unto Thy bride, Fullness divine in Thee I see, Wonderful Man of Calvary.