Our ministries go out of strength due to lack of proper connection with the true power source.

A man from a remote village had gone to the city. He was wonder struck by seeing the modern technologies and the city way of life. He saw the whole city was illuminated with bright lights, drinking water was supplied to houses and fans gave cool air in the hot summer. He wanted to enjoy the same, back in his village. Therefore, he bought some electric lights, fans and water taps. When he reached his village he fixed the light and fan waiting for the light and cool air. He fixed the water tap in a wall and waited for water. But nothing happened because the electric bulb and fan were not connected to electricity and the water tap was not connected to a source of water.

Today, we too are attracted to Christ and want to be partner in His mission work. Therefore we build massive buildings and spend lot of money to help the poor and the needy. But if we are not connected to Christ and live a Christ centered life, we cannot be effective and faithful in the mission of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the scripture tell us to go beyond, and be rooted in Christ and have an intimate experience of God, only then we would be able to withstand the trials and persecution that come on the way.

This message is beautifully brought out in the life of St. Paul. Prophet Amos tangibly experiences the living Word of God and that experience leads him to raise his voice against the unjust structures of the society and exploiting religious leaders of the time. He cries out: “Let justice role down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.” Yes, he is fully aware that challenging the then existing system would bring danger to his life. But he listens to the Word of God and relies on the power of God.

In the New Testament, we see Jesus sending the 12 Apostles for His mission. But before He sends them out for the mission, He keeps them with Him, because He wants them to have a personal relationship with Himself. He desires that they live in His presence to learn, to draw strength, courage and spiritual energy from Him. He wants them to see Him praying, healing and teaching so that their faith in Him may be deeply rooted and they may eventually begin to absorb and assimilate His very character and behavior.

We too are called to be with Him, to experience Him deeply and follow Him very closely. Only then we become the true ambassadors of Jesus and full representatives to carry out His message to the whole world. Like the prophet Amos, St. Paul, the 12 apostles and there are many, we too are sent on a mission to fight against the evil, sinful, unjust and ungodly ways of the world. We are sent to alleviate pain, suffering, sorrow and misery from the lives of people around us.

In Japan there was a beautiful statue of Jesus Christ placed in the middle of a village. During the World War II, bomb fell in the village and the statue was broken into pieces. The parish priest collected the broken pieces and joined them together. Unfortunately the hand of Jesus was not found. So, the parish priest wrote bellow the statue that, “who would be my hand to help out my people?” By seeing this all the people came together and extended their hands to rebuild the lives of the people over there.

Today we are like Christ’s hands to raise those who are fallen. We are like His feet to go in search of the lost sheep. We are like His ears to listen to the cries of the sufferings and the lonely. We are His tongue to comfort and encourage those who are sad, disappointed, sick, lonely and depressed.

- – - written by John Singarayar SVD

One day, a man went to visit a church. He arrived early, parked his car, and got out. Another car pulled up near him, and the driver told him, “I always park there. You took my place!”

The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat, and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, ”That’s my seat! You took my place!” The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After Sunday School, the visitor went into the church sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, “That’s where I always sit. You took my place!” The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.

Later, as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, “What happened to you?”

The visitor replied, “I took your place.”

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Jesus died for us. He took our place and died for our sins on the calvary.

Live this new life that He gave us, expressing our gratitude to Jesus for taking our place.

How to be more Christlike?

Being more Christlike is the desire of every believer, and it is encouraging to know that God has the same desire for us. The Bible says that God “predestined believers to be conformed to the likeness of his Son” (Romans 8:29). Making us Christ-like is God’s work, and He will see it through to the end (Philippians 1:6).

We should be willing to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. Becoming more Christ-like requires both divine power and the fulfillment of human responsibility.

Three Things to be more Christ Like

1. Surrender To God – Being more Christ-like is the result of surrender to God. Romans 12:1-2 says that worship involves a total self-dedication to God. We volunteer our bodies as “living sacrifices,” and our minds are renewed and transformed.

2. Freedom From Sin – Being more Christ-like is the result of freedom from sin. Since Jesus lived a sinless life, the more we consider ourselves “dead to sin” (Romans 6:11) and live a life of purity, the more like Jesus we will be. As we offer ourselves to God, sin is no longer our master, and we are more clearly identified with Christ (Romans 6:1-14).

3. Spiritual Growth – Being more Christ-like is the result of Christian growth. When we are first saved, we are immature in wisdom and knowledge, and inexperienced in grace and love. But then we grow. In each of these things, our charge is to become stronger—and more Christ-like. “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else” (1 Thessalonians 3:12).

God works in us. “We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). One day, however, the process will be complete. “When he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

The promise of being fully Christ-like in the future is in itself motivation for becoming more Christ-like now: “Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure” (1 John 3:3).