Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what He has done for me. (Ps 66: 16)

It was the Divine Mercy hour. Wednesday of the Holy Week of 2011, 20th April. I was with Shalom TV’s “Divine Mercy Prayers” and later with “Vachana Deepthi” from Divine Retreat Centre. I had spent the morning preparing for the Good Friday Service with some special devotions and hymns. At 3.35 pm and here comes a gripping pain in the centre of my chest. I thought the pain would decrease and vanish and so continued listening to Vachana Deepthi. But soon, the pain was increasing in intensity and the area of pain was slowly growing larger in the thoracic area. I was all alone at home, but with the Lord by my side.

My first response was to praise and thank the Lord for this predicament in keeping with Psalm 34:1 and Ephesians 5:20, which say, “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth”… “giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. As I worshipped, I asked the Lord, as to how to handle this… and without any delay, the answer came in a counter question – “What will you do or tell someone else who has this problem?” Immediately, it flashed upon that “inward eye” that I normally speak the Word of God to such people, to edify them and give them confidence to appropriate the promises of our covenant-keeping God. Isaiah 55: 11 and Psalm 89: 34 came to my mind and I vocalized them in prayer. I received my answer as promised in Psalm 50:15, “Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” (Jeremiah 33:3).

Having received the Divine Counsel, I began speaking the Word of God to myself beginning with – “Johnson, do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me”. (John 14:1)… Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)… I am the LORD who heals you. (Exodus 15:26)… You shall worship the LORD your God … and I will take sickness away from among you (Exodus 23: 25)… The LORD will turn away from you every illness… (Deuteronomy 7: 15) and I also began to pray (not say or recite) Psalm 91, with great focus on Verses 1-3; 9-10; and 14-16. Psalm 103:1-5 and Psalm 23:4 were also greatly consoling and comforting. I was confident of the Lord’s mercy, protection and healing because my prayer was as our Saviour Jesus Christ taught us in Mark 11:24. “So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Meanwhile, I had called my elder brother residing nearby and had asked him to take me to a nearby hospital which he did, in less than five minutes. At the hospital, the doctors gave me certain first aid medicines and injections after assessing that I was going through a heart attack and rushed me to the Cardiac ICU. Even as the staff were connecting me to various cables and leads, I was experiencing the healing touch of our Lord Jesus Christ and His ever-abiding covenant promises, which are “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12), because the author Himself is alive “with us always, to the end of the age” (Mathew 28:20), for He is our “Immanuel” (Mathew 1:23) and “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). And if He cured “all” who were sick and cured “every” disease and “every” sickness (Mt 4:23-24; 8:16-17; 9:35) to fulfill the prophecy in Isaiah 53:4 (1Pet 2:24), then He will heal me too, for He does not show partiality (Acts 10: 34; Rom 2: 11). The Chief Cardiologist evaluated me and gave his opinion that I look normal and apparently there was some “natural canalization” of the blocked arteries, but nevertheless, there is a need for better evaluation. Praise the Lord ! Yes indeed ! He sent His Word and healed me and delivered me from destruction… (Psalm 107:20).

Soon I was shifted to another hospital for better evaluation and treatment, but I kept saying that all is well with me because I felt so and was convinced that the Divine Doctor Jesus Christ was in control. However, I landed up in the new specialist hospital and many tests were done and after four days they gave their verdict : “There are no risk factors for the patient – no hypertension, no diabetes, non-smoker, non-alcoholic, no stress, not quick-tempered, but the few blocks in the arteries indicate ‘triple vessel disease’. However, the patient is active and is asymptomatic of a heart attack or even the blocks.” Why look at the storm, when you can focus on the Creator and Sovereign Lord? “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body.” (Proverbs 3:5-8). They even asked me as to how this heart attack could have taken place – it is mysterious ! And I answered them that just as its occurrence is mysterious to you, you will see that the recovery will be miraculous, for my Lord Jesus Christ had said so.

Throughout my stay in both the hospitals, I was flooding myself with the Word of God and drenching myself in the power of God and the Lord took me to His promises in Exodus 14: 13-14, which I paraphrased — “Johnson, do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you today; for the sickness (Egyptians) that you see today you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” On the day I received these promises, my prayerful wife, a woman of great faith, came upto me and said that while praying, she received the instructions as in 1Corinthians 16:13, which says, “Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.” That was confirmation enough from the Lord that the purposes of His finished work on the cross was manifested in me for the greater glory of God…By His stripes, I am healed ! Praise the Lord ! “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God ?” (John 11: 40)… he was sick (born blind) so that God’s works might be revealed in him”. (John 9: 3).

The Lord was using this incident to increase my faith, to improve my prayer life and to move me to greater levels of service in His Kingdom, which began even as I was in the ICU… “He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit He prunes to make it bear more fruit.” (John 15:2). I used my time to share the Good News to the fellow-patients and all those who believed went home unscathed and healed by the Blood of Jesus, because – “All things can be done for the one who believes.” (Mark 9:23). He is the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for Him ? (Jeremiah 32: 27).

I am now back at home with greater zeal for the Lord and doing all my routine work better than before, in all humility and total submission to the Lord, bringing to fulfillment Romans 8:28 – “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

- – - written by M.L. JOHNSON, CHENNAI

God expects us to fulfill His plans in our life with the power He gives.

Prayer is the fuel that drives Christian life. We are all different vehicles created by God for Him to travel around and reach various destinations. Just as a vehicle can offer maximum mileage only if it maintains an optimum combination of fuel and oil, the mileage (the souls we gain for Christ) will directly depend on the fuel (prayer) and oil (love) within us.

If a vehicle does not give us the mileage that is claimed of it, one of the first things we do, is to take it to the service station. The service station as far as a Christian is concerned is the confessional. Another important factor is the quantum of air (Word of God) in the tyres. A punctured tyre can take even a good vehicle nowhere.

Over the years God has and still continues to design vehicles with specific mileage to reach various destinations. One such vehicle He designed for His journey in Kerala (His own country) is St. Alphonsa of Bharananganam. That she had a wonderful prayer life is quite obvious from this prayer of hers. “O Lord Jesus, hide me in the wound of your sacred heart. Free me from my desire to be loved and esteemed. Guard me from my evil attempts to win fame and honor. Make me humble till I become a small spark in the flame of love in your Sacred Heart. Grant me the grace to forget myself and all worldly things. Jesus, sweet beyond words, convert all worldly consolations into bitterness for me. O my Jesus, Sun of Justice, enlighten my intellect and mind with your sacred rays. Purify my heart, consume me with burning love for you, and make me one with you.”

A prayer becomes a prayer only when it comes out of a person’s heart.

It becomes even more meaningful and powerful if it follows the scripture and its sentiment. Very often our prayers reflect the desires or states of our heart. This prayer of St. Alphonsa which has all the ingredients required for the recipe for saintly life, reflects the true state of her heart. A heart that was full of the optimum combination of prayer, love and the Word of God. Each time we pray this little prayer, it reminds us of this saint’s devotion, attitude and faith. It reminds us of her devotion towards the Sacred Heart of Jesus (a powerful medium for sanctification), her attitude towards fame and honor and her attitude towards the world and its objects of comfort.

Joshua 3:5 goes thus – And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves; for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” This sentiment is reflected in the line – purify my heart. One of the vices that seems to have smitten the current generation is its quest for fame and honor. They are willing to do anything for fame and honor. Exodus 23:2 states – “You shall not follow a multitude to do evil; nor shall you bear witness in a suit, turning aside after a multitude, so as to pervert justice;” this sentiment is very obvious in the line – ‘Guard me from my evil attempts to win fame and honor.’

The quest for justice and wisdom is obvious in – O my Jesus, Sun of Justice, enlighten my intellect and mind with your sacred rays. Jesus, sweet beyond words, reflects the confidence of a person who is in close touch with Christ. It is in fact a different way of looking at Psalms 34:8–“O taste and see that the LORD is good! Happy is the man who takes refuge in him!”

Though St. Alphonsa had to endure weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ she prayed for the grace, the very same grace that the Lord promised to St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 12 :9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” It was this grace that made her forget herself and all that she had to endure in her quest for Jesus and His kingdom. Little wonder then that this vehicle still continues to offer its designer – maximum mileage.

- – - written by Lajan Miranda

Why is the Bible the best book in the world?

The authenticity of the scriptures is also revealed in the fact that the prophecies come true in due time. The Bible is unique. Holy Bible is the best book in the world. There is no book in the world like it. It covers a period of 1600 years (1500 B.C. to A.D. 100) and was written by 40 different men from all walks of life. Some were kings, priests, and prophets; others were simple fishermen and farmers. Some were highly educated, like Moses and the apostle Paul; others had no formal education.

More than 3000 times, these men claimed what they wrote came directly from God (Moses: Ex.17:14; 24:4; 34:27. Paul: 1 Cor. 14:37. Peter: 2 Pet. 1:16-21. John: 1 Jn. 4:6). As utterly impossible as these facts seem, the record speaks for itself.

Jesus stated that the Old Testament is God’s Word (Mt. 5:17-18; 24:15; Lk. 24:44; Jn. 10:35). He confirmed the authorships of Moses, King David, the prophets Isaiah and Daniel. He validated the truth of such historical events as God’s creation of Adam and Eve, Noah and the universal flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and Jonah being swallowed by a great fish. When tempted by the Devil, He did not answer with His own words of wisdom but countered each temptation with, “It is written,” followed by quotations from the Hebrew Scriptures (Mt. 4:4, 7, 10).

In Luke 4:25-27 Jesus confirmed the divine miracles recorded in the Hebrew Bible (TANAK) , concerning Old Testament revelation, stated, “I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved” (Mt. 5:18). In other words, Jesus affirmed the inspiration, inerrancy and accuracy of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Nothing in the Bible is a Myth

There is no myth in Bible, the best book in the world. The theologians teach the WORD Ministry saying that the first 7 chapters in the book of Genesis, the book of Job, and the crossing of the Red Sea is a “MYTH” The book of Job is the oldest book written by Job himself, in Arabic and was later translated into Hebrew by Moses.

The books of the Old Testament were canonized throughout Israel’s history and divided into three sections: the Pentateuch (Five Books of Moses), Prophets and Writings. Jesus accepted these three divisions, and the books contained therein as God’s Word (Lk. 24:44); and He taught the authority, reliability, unity, clarity, sufficiency, historicity, inspiration, revelation, inerrancy, infallibility, and indestructibility of the Old Testament.

The Jewish Canon (Tanak) is not arranged in the same order as our Old Testament. Divided into three sections, consist of Torah the first 5 Books then the Prophets (Nevi’im) of 19 books and lastly Writings (Kethuvim) of 11 books; the total is 35 books. It begins with Genesis, and concludes 2 Chronicles. This order explains Jesus’ comment to the sinful religious leaders in Mt. 23: 34-35.

Prophecies in the Bible

One sure way to prove the Bible’s accuracy and veracity is to analyze the Hebrew scriptures’ prophecies. The number of events foretold by the prophets is enormous, and the events themselves are so specific they could only have been known and revealed by only God.

The prophecies recorded in this best book in the world are very precise and so specific that when they are fulfilled, it’s very clear there’s something unique and special about them. More than one-fourth of the Bible was prophetic at the time it was written. The Bible is a book of prophecy. It contains about 1000 prophecies, about 500 of which have already been fulfilled down to the minutest detail. With this kind of proven track record – 500 prophecies fulfilled with 100 percent accuracy – we can believe with confidence that the remaining 500 yet to be fulfilled prophecies will also come to pass at their appointed times.

Prophecy is the most credible proof of the uniqueness and divine inspiration of the Bible. Fulfilled prophecy also demonstrates that the Bible’s content is not man-made, but rather has its origins outside our own time-space continuum.

For example, 25 Jewish writers provided prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures detailing the life and ministry of the Messiah. The Messiah is the only person in history to have had His ancestry, birth, character, teaching, career, reception, rejection, death, burial, and resurrection pre-written at least 500 years before His birth. Jesus Christ clearly fit all the descriptions and fulfilled all the prophecies, including those that foretold of the messiah’s birthplace (Mic. 5:2; Mt. 2:1), manner of death (Isa. 53:8; Lk. 23:46), and resurrection (Ps. 16:10); Acts 2:29-32).

There are also numerous prophecies concerning Israel’s ruin (Dt. 28:15-68) and restoration (Ezek. 36:25-37:28). Some have been fulfilled, and others will be fulfilled.

How do we know the Bible we possess today is God’s Word? First, Jewish scribes were meticulous in copying the Hebrew text and counted every letter they wrote. If a mistake was made, the text was not corrected but, rather, immediately discarded. The nation of Israel collected and accurately preserved manuscripts of the Law of Moses and the Prophets through the centuries (Dt. 31:26; 1 Sam. 10:25; 2 Ki. 23:24; Neh. 9:14, 26-30); Dan. 9:2, 6, 13).

Second, the Dead Sea Scrolls provide evidence of this extraordinary preservation. For example, the book of Isaiah – discovered in its entirety within the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls that date from 125 B.C. to 100 B.C. – contained the same Isaiah text we possess in our Bibles today.

The same can be said about the inspiration and inerrancy of the New Testament, which was written after Jesus ascended to heaven. Jesus said the Holy Spirit would guide the apostles in writing the content of the New Testament (Jn. 14:25-26). The Holy Spirit superintended the revelation the apostles wrote, providing the New Testament’s content and accuracy.

How each book was selected to be in the New Testament canon?

In light of the fact that there are over 5000 Greek manuscripts, some 9000 versions and translations, the evidence for the integrity of the New Testament is beyond question… Thus, the New Testament has not only survived in more manuscripts than any other book from antiquity, but it has survived in a much purer form than any other great book, whether or not they are sacred works, a form that is over 99 percent pure.

Over the centuries, both the Old and New Testaments having undergone extensive microscopic analysis conducted by renowned scholars who specialize in biblical history, literature, grammar, and archaeology. Although some textual critics have pointed out what they consider discrepancies, errors and contradictions within the Bible, centuries of careful analyses have never conclusively proven the Bible text to be in error. While variant readings exist within the copies, they are minor and relate to spelling and word order. They affect no major doctrine of Scripture.

Keeping Up with False Teaching

Throughout history God sounded the alarm to His people to be on guard for false teachers. The Torah warns of false prophets (Dt. 18:20-22). The Gospels warn of wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing (Mt. 7:15), and the Epistles warn of false teachers (2 Pet. 2:1-3). False teaching brings confusion to the body and can keep people from the truth of the gospel message. Catholics who read the Bible regularly know these predictions are wrong. Why? Because Jesus said, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Mt. 24:36).

Why we call Bible the best book in the world? To have 40 different authors over a period of 1,600 years write a unified book without error or contradiction is unique indeed in both ancient and modern history.

Please Read What Good Does Reading The Bible Do?

The Douay Rheims (Rev. Fr. Haydock) clearly explains the revealed mysteries of divine truth; most Popes have recommended that this is the only Bible where you will find the answers to doubts in the footnotes. This Bible is the only most accurate than any modern bible. The Douay Rheims is based on the Vulgate, which in turn is based on ancient texts no longer extant which were “captured” and frozen so to speak, by St. Jerome in his Latin Vulgate.

- – - written by Capt. Mervin John Lobo