PEOPLE ARE PRECIOUS TO GOD

JOHN 3:16 KJV
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER
BELIEVETH ON HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.

We are too familiar with John 3:16 for its message to impact us as it should.
When it says that God loves the world, it means the people of the world, that is
each one of us.

God loves people -- even the sinners. ALL the people of the world are loved by
God. (That does not mean He approves of their behavior. But God loves them.)

People are created in the image of God. We are like God, His children. (You must
receive Jesus to be a true child of God,  But originally mankind was created in
God's image, as His children.)

You know what happens when you accept Jesus Christ into your life.
Bible says in JOHN 5:26 (KJV)  AS THE FATHER HATH LIFE IN HIMSELF; SO HATH HE
GIVEN TO THE SON TO HAVE LIFE IN HIMSELF.

When you accept Jesus into your life, you are inviting the very EVERLASTING LIFE
OF FATHER, WHICH IS IN JESUS CHRIST ALSO IN TO US. Then our spirit (AATHMAVU)
will be alive for ever with the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Bible also says
is in JOHN 6:47 (KJV) VERILY, VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, HE THAT BELIEVETH ON ME
HATH EVERLASTING LIFE.

Children are precious to their parents. No matter how many children a parent
has, every child is precious to them. They are all loved. So it is with God. He
desires good for us -- every one.

When we deal with people who are acting terrible, it can be difficult to
remember they are precious to God.

1 JOHN 3:16 SAYS (KJV)
HEREBY PERCEIVE WE THE LOVE OF GOD, BECAUSE HE LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR US: AND WE
OUGHT TO LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR THE BRETHREN.

When we read the famous verse John 3:16, always think of 1 John 3:16 also.

People will last for eternity. People will live with God and give Him pleasure
in the ages to come.

Let's stay focused on what is really precious and worthwhile. Material
possessions are nice and have their place, but are nothing compared to the worth
of a human being -- even if that human being is not perfected yet.

Even with rough edges, people are valuable. You are precious to God! So is
everyone else.

LOVE GOD! LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

Georgey

But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing (τo
καύχημα) in himself alone, and not in another (Galatians 6:4).The Apostle
is
saying: “Let every man scrutinize (this is the meaning of prove) his own
deeds,
to determine if he acted out of vainglory, hypocrisy, or some other human
failing. If he finds himself innocent of such sins, may he not boast and look
down on others. But if he cannot restrain himself and humble his thoughts, let
him at least confine his boasting (τo καύχημα) to himself alone.”
This means, let
him compare his own progress from day to day, striving to make today’s deeds
better than yesterday’s, and let him exult in doing good work. Paul instructs
the Galatians in this manner, not as a commandment, but as a temporary
condescension to their weakness. Thus, step by step, they will learn to cut off
their pride altogether. He who has learned to refrain from boasting like the
Pharisee in front of his neighbor, will soon learn to desist from boasting
altogether.


Blessed Theophylact of Ochrid, Explanation of the Epistle of St. Paul to the
Galatians
http://orthodoxbookstore.ecrater.com/p/12990701/explanation-of-the-epistle-st-pa\
ul-to

READ: Psalm 119:9-16

Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. —Psalm
119:11

My childhood piano teacher was a stickler for memorization. Being able to
play a piece without error was not enough. I had to play several pieces
flawlessly by memory. Her reasoning was this: She didn’t want her
students to say, when asked to play, “I’m sorry, I don’t have my music
with me.”
As a child, I also memorized Bible passages, including Psalm 119:11. Due
to my limited understanding, I believed that simple memorization would
keep me from sin. I worked hard at memorizing verses, and I even won a Moody
Bible Story Book as an award.
Although memorizing the Bible is a good habit to develop, it’s not the act of
memorizing that keeps us from sin. As I learned soon after my
winning efforts, having the words of Scripture in my head made little
difference in my behavior. In fact, instead of victory over sin,
knowledge alone generated feelings of guilt.
Eventually I realized that the Word of God had to spread through my whole being.
I needed to internalize Scripture, to hide it “in my heart” the way a
musician does a piece of music. I had to live the Bible as well as I
could quote it. As God’s Word spreads from our heads to our hearts, sin
loses its power over us. —Julie Ackerman Link
O Lord, my God, may Your Word become so
much a part of me that obedience comes
naturally and cheerfully from my heart.
Change me andmold me into Your image.
Let God’s Word fill your memory, rule your heart, and guide your life.

SERMON OF THE WEEK
November 11, 2012

Next Sunday is known asHoodosh Eetho Sunday. It refers to the custom of
dedicating our churches to God. The Feast of Dedication was a Jewish
festival in commomoration of the second destruction of the Jerualem Temple. This
rededication is an annual event during the beginning of the Jewish calendar
year.

Gospel reading is from John 10:22-30

Message:

Next Sunday is Hoodosh Eetho Suday, the day set apart for the dedication of our
churches to God again. Last Sunday, Koodosh Eatho, we were called upon for
purification of ourselves. On this Sunday, our churches along with each and
every one of us is called upon for re-dedication to God. 

The first line in today's gospel reads, "Then came the Feast of Dedication in
Jerusalem. It was winter." For the Jews at that time, the Feast of Dedication
commemorated how the Jerusalem Temple, the most holy and revered place of
worship, had been dedicated to the God of Israel after having been desecrated by
the Syrian-Greek pagans as recorded in the First Book of Maccabees.

The book of Maccabees 1 describes the rededication of the Temple, which took
place after Judah the Maccabee and his men conquered Jerusalem, and the
institution of the holiday of Hanukkah. Thereafter, Judah undertook a policy of
fighting against Israel’s neighbors who had supported the Hellenists and the
Seleucids. But after the death of Antiochus IV in 164 B.C.E., the Seleucids
again turned their attention to Judea.

1 Maccabees 4:36-41 reads:  "Then said Judas and his brothers, “Behold, our
enemies are crushed; let us go up to cleanse the sanctuary and dedicate it.”
37 So all the army assembled and they went up to Mount Zion. 38 And they saw the
sanctuary desolate, the altar profaned, and the gates burned. In the courts they
saw bushes sprung up as in a thicket, or as on one of the mountains. They saw
also the chambers of the priests in ruins. 39 Then they rent their clothes, and
mourned with great lamentation, and sprinkled themselves with ashes. 40 They
fell face down onthe ground, and sounded the signal on the trumpets, and cried
out to Heaven. 41 Then Judas detailed men to fight against those in the citadel
115 until he had cleansed the sanctuary."

For a thousand years the glorious Jerusalem temple, built by King Solomon, stood
as the central focal point of the Jewish world, dedicated each year to make
their offerings to God fresh. Even though the Temple was glorious and beautiful,
the sacrifices offered there was incomplete. It was incomplete for the reason
that the blood of animals did not cleanse the people's hearts.

The Temple is perceived as a foreshadow of the Church that Jesus built. As
people began to turn away their hearts away from what God has prized more than
any sacrifices, that their sacrifices became a broken spirit. But the mysterious
body of the Church that Jesus built would never perish as Jesus promised, "The
gates of hell shall never prevail against it."

All that was incomplete in the Old Testament became filled by Jesus in the New
Covenant. Christ offered his own blood for the atonement and renewal of man.
Thus the blood offerings made in the Temple were no longer necessary as they had
been the shadow of things to come. In the Old Testament, forefathers celebrated
the Feast of Dedication to commit the Temple to God. In remembering that
dedication, the Holy Church of Jesus Christ considers the death and resurrection
of Christ fulfilled and completed all that was being anticipated in the Temple.
The one true offering for our sins was offered up on the cross at Calvary. When
that is completed, the Church becomes complete, but the people in the church
still remains incomplete. The Church, like the Temple, is filled with fallen
people. We dedicate ourselves to God as we come together to worship on this
Sunday. In dedicating ourselves to God, we offer up to Jesus as we were
commanded with the Cross in our
  hearts and submit to the Church that Jesus established. Let's listen to today's
gospel passage. Jesus says (in versus. 27-28), "My sheep, hear my voice, and I
know them, and they follow me."

Let's give ourselves completely to Jesus as sheep to a shepherd. That's Hoodosh
Eetho.

Prepared by
Rev. Dr. V Kurian Thomas Valiyaparambil

“Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son”

Gen. 22:9-12: “Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And
Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac
his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his
hand and took the knife to slay his son.
But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, ‘Abraham,
Abraham!’ So he said, ‘Here I am.’ And He said, ‘Do not lay your hand on
the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have
not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”’



May this be my moment, Lord:  To offer on the altar my nearest, dearest, and
best - with this faith: That you are able to raise from the dead (Heb.
11:17-19), and fulfill what you have promised. Lord, let me stand before you
with Abraham’s faith in my heart, and my will identified with yours. May I
stand on the ground of faith and obedience as Abraham stood as he “stretched
out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.”  Let me be willing to be led
to the place of sacrifice (“not my will”),Lord, to the altar (Christ), be
bound to your will, be offered on the altar, and be identified with Christ’s
death on the cross in obeying you. May this lowly body of mine, offered on the
altar, do your will (Rom. 12:1-2), in the power of Christ’s resurrection,
Rom.6: 4-5. Amen.

“the place of which God had told him” – God leads us to the specific place
of sacrifice.

“Abraham built an altar” – Christ is our altar, Heb. 13: 10-12. We come to
the Crucified One.

“he bound Isaac his son” – We bind ourselves to God’s call to offer our
bodies a living sacrifice, Rom. 12:1-2; we bind ourselves to obedience as Christ
did.

“and laid him on the altar” – We identify ourselves with Christ’s
obedience, praying as He prayed, “I have come to do Your will, O God,” Heb.
10:9; thus by faith we lay ourselves on the altar that Christ is.

“took the knife to slay his son” - This is the ministry of the priest: To
slay the sacrifice. We as priests of God, submit willingly to His will as Christ
offered Himself on the cross praying, “Not My will, but Yours, be done.” We
offer our bodies (our whole being: desires; will) as sacrifice, Rom. 12:1-2.
When we come to this point of offering of ourselves and our dearest, we are on
the ground of faith for resurrection (Heb.11: 17-19), and we may live by the
life of Christ – in the newness of life, Rom.6: 4-5. Grant me such faith, O
God.

Quote: “A sacrifice of self to God’s will made half-way, or even
nine-tenths, is a grinding, cruel experience. When it is made the whole way,
with the altar built and the self laid upon the altar, God always comes with
love and joy that the hardship of the sacrifice sinks out of sight.” Messages
for the Morning Watch, Springs in the Valley.

Thankful for your prayers,
Bro.Shibu Luke Podiyam
Washington D.C

The Malankara World Journal Issue 107 - Theme: Storms and Suffering -
(Nov 8, 2012) is available online at:

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWJ_107.htm

*Table of Contents - Issue No: 107 - Theme: Storms and Suffering *

1. Hurricane Sandy, Evil in Syria and Hurricane Neelam: Is God Trying to
Tell us Something?

Tens of thousands of people had their lives are changed in significant
ways as a result of Sandy. It is difficult to calculate the human toll
emotionally and spiritually. As usually happens during such catastrophe,
people blames God. How can a loving God do such thing to His creation?
Some atheists may even join biblical character Job's wife in 'advising
people to curse God and die.' ...

2. Bible Readings for This Sunday (Nov 11)

Hoodhosh Eetho (Dedication of Church) Sunday

3. Sermons for This Sunday (Nov 11)

Sermons for the Hoodhosh Eetho (Dedication of Church) Sunday

http://www.Malankaraworld.com/Library/Sermons/Sermon-of-the-week_Hoodosh-eatho.h\
tm

4. Inspiration for Today

"Perfect through suffering." (Heb. 2:10)

5. Destruction of St. Mary's Monastery Church in Dair Al-Zor, Syria by
Archbishop Eustathius Matta Roham

The attached photo is my church in Dair Al-Zor, Syria. This is St.
Mary's Syrian Orthodox Church in Dair Al-Zor, which is located on the
Euphrates River. It was destroyed by dynamites on Saturday, 27 October
2012. I heard in the news that there was an explosion near the church,
but I never had an idea how much damage was done to it? ...

6. Russian Orthodox Bishop: Syrian Christians Facing 'Extermination'

The Russian Orthodox bishop, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of
Volokolamsk, warned that that the situation for the Christian population
of Syria has deteriorated to an alarming degree. Hilarion compared the
situation today, after almost two years of fighting in Syria, as
analogous to Iraq, which saw a virtual depopulation of Christians
following the U.S. invasion in 2003. ...

7. North Carolina Baptists respond to need for help after Hurricane Sandy

About 75 North Carolina Baptist Men (NCBM) volunteers are now on site
assisting with response efforts after Hurricane Sandy. All three NCBM
feeding units are serving in the New Jersey/New York area. The three
large feeding units have a combined capacity of 80,000 meals per day.
Recovery, administration and chaplaincy volunteers are also on site. ...

8. God and Sandy

It has been deemed the most destructive storm, hitting the most densely
populated areas of our country, in decades. At the time of this writing,
over fifty deaths have been reported. Damage is estimated to be in the
$20 billion range. Over 8 million have been without power in 17 states.

So where was God? Some would say this proves there isn't a God, or at
least a loving, benevolent God. If there was, He would have intervened.
So either He wouldn't (a bad God) or He couldn't (a weak God). Others,
with equal determination, claim that this is just another example of
God's sovereignty. There was a Sandy because God wanted there to be a
Sandy. So take that, New Jersey. ...

9. A Long and Winding Road

At times the road before me seems long, steep and challenging. I can
feel lost. Uncertain. Afraid. Sometimes I'm not sure I have the strength
for the journey. It's in those times that God wants me to remember I'm
not traveling alone. He is my ever-present guide. He knows where the
road leads. He can see what lies ahead. And that's not all. ...

10. How to Weather Life's Storms

You may be facing a storm today. You begin to feel a breeze or a ripple.
Your company is downsizing, your mortgage is upside-down. A gust becomes
a gale. Your husband walks out the door, leaving you with three kids and
a broken heart. Your biopsy report comes back and it's bad -- really
bad. You start to submerge. Where's Jesus? It's foggy and you're
frantic. ...

11. Health: Dengue Fever Remedy - Papaya Leaf Juice

Papaya Leaf juice is a natural cure for dengue fever. As dengue fever is
rampant now, I think it's good to share this with all. ...

12. Family Special: How to Deal with Unemployment

About six years ago, our family went through a period of unemployment.
Fear and bitterness consumed me, and although I knew in my head I needed
to cling hard to God, my heart propelled me in the other direction.
Through that experience I learned that God is good even when life is
hard, and His love is greater than our emotions. ...

13. Humor: Mysterious deaths that made even top doctors wonder......

14. About Malankara World

========================

Read all the articles and features in this week's Malankara World
Journal online at:

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWJ_107.htm

Thank you for your support and help.

In HIS Service

Dr. Jacob Mathew
Malankara World
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/
Hudson, Ohio
ID No: 956

Even though knowledge is true, it is still not firmly established if
unaccompanied by works. For everything is established by being put into
practice.


Mark the Ascetic, The Philokalia: the Complete Text, Volume On
http://orthodoxbookstore.ecrater.com/p/2261267/philokalia-volume-1
http://orthodoxbookstore.ecrater.com/p/2261216/philokalia-4-volumes

READ: Colossians 3:8-17

Holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness,
long-suffering. —Colossians 3:12

One day my wife called me at work and said, “Something’s going on next
door. Lots of cars are there.” Because of my neighbor’s occupation, I
feared the worst, and soon those fears were realized. Our neighbor,
policeman Trevor Slot, had just been killed in the line of duty, trying
to stop the escape of two bank robbers. Our community was stunned.
Trevor had no time to prepare for his death. Yet he was ready. His faith in
Christ was secure, and his reputation as a remarkable man was intact. At his
funeral, attended by hundreds of fellow officers, his colleague
Detective Brandyn Heugel said, “He was a dedicated police officer, but
first and foremost he was a loving husband to Kim and a doting father to Kaitlyn
and Abbie.” Indeed the theme of Trevor’s tributes all centered
on his great personality and his love and care for his family.
Trevor’s life exemplified the words of Colossians 3:12-13, “Put on tender
mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one
another, and forgiving one another.” Those traits leave an inspiring
legacy.
We don’t know when God will call us home, but we do know this: Each day is an
opportunity to leave a testimony worthy of our faith. —Dave Branon
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful;
May the fire of our devotion light their way;
May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe,
And the lives we live inspire them to obey. —Mohr
Each day we add to our legacy—good or bad.

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READ: Matthew 14:22-33

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do
not be afraid.” —Matthew 14:27

I’ll never forget my childhood fear that the clothes thrown on my chair
would turn into a shadowy dragon-like figure after my bedroom lights
were turned off. My early experience of fear-driven insomnia reminds me
that when trouble arrives on the doorstep of life, fear is not our
friend. It disables us from moving forward and causes us to shrink from
doing what is right—unless we have our eyes fixed on Jesus.
When the disciples faced the raging seas that were threatening to sweep them
overboard, Jesus, walking on the water, assured them, “It is I; do not
be afraid” (Matt. 14:27). And to His followers who were fearfully locked away
in a room after His crucifixion, Jesus appeared and asked, “Why
are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?” (Luke 24:38).
Recognizing the inevitability of trials, He said, “In the world you
will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”
(John 16:33). The point is clear. Trusting in His presence and power is
the antidote to fear.
As the familiar hymn says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His
wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the
light of His glory and grace.” We can rest peacefully in the knowledge
that God is with us. —Joe Stowell
Lord, in our weak and fearful moments, remind
us that Your love for us guarantees Your
presence with us and Your power against
our fears. Teach us to trust in You.
Trust the presence and power of Jesus in the midst of life’s storms.

Be a Servant - Be a Servant of All!

When he was born without legs, his parents threw him over a cliff to be eaten by
wild animals. Somehow he survived and became a bitter beggar on the streets. A
believer gave him some money, but when this Christian tried to read Scripture to
him, the beggar exploded in anger, If there is a God, why did He let all of
these bad things happen to me?� Undeterred, the believer returned daily to read
Scripture to him.

One day the beggar exclaimed, I don't like your reading, but when I hear God's
Word my heart burns within me because I know it is true. Soon the beggar
accepted Christ as his Savior and became a dynamic witness of the Gospel.

If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of
all� (Mark 9:35).

No one is too small (the beggar mentioned above) or too great (President Obama)
to receive our love and the light of God's truth. Light does not discriminate
and neither should we. Anyone who approaches a source of light gets the benefit
of its brightness, and anyone who comes to us should get the blessings of God's
love flowing through us. We should always be ready and willing to take the
opportunity to do good to all men, especially fellow believers (see Galatians
6:10).

Anyone whom Jesus met or passed by was a candidate to receive the transforming
power of His love. Those whom society rejects and despises often become the most
radiant witnesses of the love and truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

With love,
Your brother  Shibu Luke Podiyan
Washington D.C

Viswasasamrakshakan special edition on Metropolitan Consecration of Very Rev.
Raban Mathews Karimpanackal
Download and read @
http://socmnet.org/viswasasamrakshakan/Cheppad_Metrapolitha_VS_spl.pdf

Coptic Christian Community in Wellington, New Zealand celebrates the dhukrono
feast of St. Gregorios Geevarghese Chathuruthy (Parumala Thirumeni) the great
Saint of Syrian Orthodox Church in Malankara for the first time!!
------------------------------------

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READ: Revelation 2:8-11

Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. . . . Be
faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. —Revelation 2:10

The Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, England, has a painting of a Roman
soldier faithfully standing guard in ancient Pompeii. The painting was
inspired by an archaeological discovery in Pompeii of an ashen-encased
Roman soldier in full military gear. The volcanic eruption of Mount
Vesuvius in AD 79 covered that city in lava, capturing the people and
their culture in a moment of time. The painting Faithful Unto Death is a
testimony to the sentinel’s continuing vigil even as his world was being
engulfed in fiery death.
The church at Smyrna—a first-century congregation that suffered persecution
for Christ—was challenged to be faithful unto death. Their spiritual
commitment had not gone unnoticed by the Master (Rev. 2:9). And for the
suffering that was to come, Jesus offered this encouragement: “Do not
fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the
devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested . . . .
Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life”
(v.10).
The Lord understands what we are going through now and what we will face in the
future. Though there’s suffering in this world, He promises eternal life to
His children. In His strength we can be faithful unto death
(Phil. 4:12-13). —Bill Crowder
Though the stress and strain of life
My thread of faith may break,
The cable of God’s faithfulness
No storm can ever shake. —Anon.
Our faith may be tested so that we may trust His faithfulness.

No clergy involved in the Malankara Varghese Case. CBI Final report.
Gimmicks of IO church leadership is exposed.

Viswasasamrakshakan special edition on Metropolitan Consecration of Very Rev.
Raban Mathews Karimpanackal.
Download and read @
http://socmnet.org/viswasasamrakshakan/Cheppad_Metrapolitha_VS_spl.pdf

Macarius the Great
From: St. Macarius the Spiritbearer
http://orthodoxbookstore.ecrater.com/p/2265761/macarius-the-spiritbearer-of-egyp\
t

READ: Philippians 2:25-30

Hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death.
Philippians 2:29-30

During basic training, Desmond Doss irritated his drill instructor and fellow
soldiers. A pacifist by conviction, he refused to carry a weapon into battle,
and this made his peers doubt his courage. Trained as a medic, the young
Christian had no qualms about facing combat. But his goal was to save lives.

Doubts about Doss would change, however, when his military unit faced combat.
During the World War II Battle of Okinawa, he ducked under machine gun fire to
pull the wounded to safety. He prayed, Lord, give me the strength to save just
one more wounded soldier.� Eventually he lowered more than 70 injured men down a
hill for further medical attention. For his efforts, Desmond Doss was awarded
the Medal of Honor the highest honor his country could bestow.

Scripture tells of another Christian who took great personal risks to help
others. Of Epaphroditus, Paul wrote, “Hold such men in esteem; because for the
work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life(Phil. 2:29-30).

Around the world today, many believers risk their lives for the cause of Christ.
Let's pray that our God will protect them as they serve Him under threatening
circumstances. Dennis Fisher

O Lord, listen to our cry for mercy; in Your faithfulness
come to the relief of those who are in danger because of
their faith. For Your name's sake, preserve their lives;
in Your righteousness, bring them out of trouble.

Courage is not having strength to go on it is going on when you don't have the
strength.

as newborn babes�: 1 Pet. 2:2: Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit,
hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,  as newborn babes, desire the pure milk
of the word, that you may grow thereby.  May God grant us faith to believe that
we are newborns as if today is my first birthday! Our past is behind us,
committed to God's mercy. Our whole future is before us, all goodness and
mercy,� Ps. 23:6. A new beginning each morning, Lord, a new creation that brings
eternity into the present  moment. Let me desire the Word of God as a newborn
longs for the mother's breast, Lord. Amen. Let us see the newness of being a
newborn in the light of the cleansing by the blood of Jesus, 1 John 1:7: But if
we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.� We need this
cleansing to be preserved in the newness of the newborn. Amen.

Thankful for your prayers,
Bro.Shibu Luke Podiyan
Washington,D.C

SERMON OF THE WEEK
November 18,�2012

Next Sunday is commemorated as the day when the birth of John the Baptist is
announced to Zachariah by Angel Gabriel.
�
Theme: "Nothing will be impossible for God.

Gospel Reading: (Luke 1:5-25)
*5 In the time of Herod king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who
belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a
descendant of Aaron.
*6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God,
observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly.
*7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they
were both well along in years.
*8 Once when Zechariah's division was
on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
*9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into
the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
*10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled
worshipers were praying outside.
*11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the
altar of incense.
*12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.
*13 But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah;
your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are
to give him the name John.
*14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his
birth,
*15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or
other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from
birth.
*16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God.
*17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to
turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the
wisdom of the righteous to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
*18 Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and
my wife is well along in years."
*19 The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of
God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.
*20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens,
because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper
time."
*21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed
so long in the temple.
*22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a
vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to
speak.
*23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home.
*24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained
in seclusion.
*25 The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his
favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."
(Angel Gabriel appears to Zachariah)
�
Message:
In the land of Israel about two thousand years ago at the time of
King Herod, a priest by the name Zachariah lived there with his wife
Elizabeth. They were married for a long time but didn't have any children.

Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's
commandments without blame.

One day as Zachariah was praying in the Temple where he was serving
as a priest, an angel appeared and said, "Do not be afraid, Zachariah; your
prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to
give him the name John." Then Zachariah asked the angel, "How can it happen? I
am an old man and my wife is well along in years." The angel answered, "I am
Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to tell you this
good news. And because you did not believe my words, you will remain silent and
not be able to speak until the day it happens."

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zachariah and wondered why he
stayed so long inside the Temple. When he came out, he could not speak.

He kept making signs to the worshipers and remained unable to speak.
After this, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months they both
remained in seclusion. She said, "The Lord has done this for us. "

The story teaches that believing in God will guide us to many possible
impossibilities. It will make us stronger.

At the end of the story, Elizabeth's child is born. The neighbors and
friends wanted their son's name to be Zachariah. But Elizabeth said they are
going to call him John because that's what God told them through the messenger.
The tongue-tied Zachariah wrote on a tablet, "His name is John"

Zachariah couples believed that nothing was impossible for God. They had the
courage to do what God wanted them do.

If we also trust in God and do things His way, then God will give us the
strength to heal our broken life. If God wants to give us a gift, just wait for
that. Believe in it. It will come. It will be ours. Nothing will be impossible
for God.

According to Jewish historians, John the Baptist was a Jewish
preacher in the time of Pontius Pilate. John called on the people to
repentance and to a renewal of their Covenant relation with God.
He was imprisoned and eventually put to death by Herod Antipas,
son of Pontius Pilate, for denouncing Herod's marriage to Herodias,
the wife of his still living brother Phillip. In order to marry Herodias, Herod
divorced his fist wife who was the daughter of King Aretas of Damascus. Aretas
subsequently made war on Herod which was
regarded by many devout Jews as a punishment for Herod murdering
John the Baptist.

After John the Baptist had reached adulthood, he spent much of his
time in the wilderness. He preached and baptized besides the Jordan
river in the wilderness. He called on his hearers to repent their sins, be
baptized, changes in their lives, and prepare for the coming the Kingdom of God.
He spoke of one greater than himself who was to
come after. Jesus came to be baptized, and john told his disciples,
"This is the man I spoke of. My mission is to proclaim Jesus as Christ.

He must increase, and I must decrease."

John represents the climax of a long tradition of Jewish prophets looking
forward to the promised Messiah. He lived in the wilderness, a life with no
frills, when food and clothing are concerned. He had renounced the joys of
family life and dedicated completely to the mission of preaching, of calling
people to an observance the law, to the ordinary standards of virtue. He
represented the Law at that time.

Prepared by Rev. Dr. V Kurian Thomas, Valiyaparambil

Keys to Orthodox Christian Spiritual Renewal
Renewal (Foundation) Sunday

Every day we are called to the spiritual life, but so often we take the
spiritual gifts for granted. Sometimes we forget to partake of the spiritual
nourishment available to us in Holy Church.

Fr. John Brian talks about spiritual renewal, using Luke 9:23-27 to bring to
light keys for our continuing and daily renewal as Christ asks of us: "He who
wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross every day
and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

This sermon uses and refers to scripture readings appointed by the Syrian
Malankara calendar and was given on Sunday, November 11, 2012 by Fr. John-Brian
Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

Please pray for us and help us.

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
LISTEN ON-LINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2012/11/keys-to-orthodox-christian-spiritual.html

Very Rev. Raban Mathews Karimpanackal Consecrated as Mor Theimothous by His
Holiness The Patriarch of Antioch and All The East Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I
Iwas and assisted by Mor Theophilos George Saliba, Mor Philexinos Mathias Nayis,
Mor Nicodemos Dawood Matti Sharaf , Mor Chrysostmos Michael Shimon, Mor
Filuksinos Yusuf Cet�n, Mor Ivanios Mathews, Mor Miltheos Yuhanon, Mor
Theodosius Mathews, Mor Koorilos Geevarghese, Mor Irenious Paulose, Mor
Philoxinos Zacharias, Mor Osthatheos Ishaq at Mor Gabrial Dayaro at Ajaltoen,
Lebanon on 15 November 2012.

Newly concerted metropolitan will be the Metropolitan secretary for Malankara
affairs.

Indian ambassador His Excellency Ravi Thapar was the chief gust. Monks, Priests,
Deaconess, relatives, and hundreds of faithful form all over the world attended
the consecration.

An outpost of Aramaic speakers

WHEN the Young Turks enlisted Kurdish tribesmen to take part in the mass
slaughter of the Armenians in 1915, Muslim clerics spurred on their flocks:
those who slew Christians would be blessed with wealth and beautiful girls and
their places in heaven assured. Although the deaths of around 1m Ottoman
Armenians are well documented, little is known about the tens of thousands of
Syriacs, one the world's oldest Christian communities, who fell with them.

From Stockholm to Sydney, an increasingly vocal Syriac diaspora is lobbying for
international recognition of the killings as genocide. Home to a large
population of Syriacs, Sweden already has. As the centenary of the 1915 tragedy
looms Turkey is waging a counter campaign and an ancient monastery in Turkey's
mainly Kurdish south-east is feeling the heat. Perched on a barren hilltop near
the town of Midyat, the monastery called Mor Gabriel, is at the centre of a land
dispute pitting Kurdish villagers backed by Turkey's mildly Islamist government
against Timotheos Samuel Aktas, the combative crimson-robed bishop. His
ever-shrinking flock speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ. Monks at the
monastery are struggling to pass it down.

The Syriacs' latest troubles started when Kurds from surrounding villages began
claiming land in and around Mor Gabriel just as a steady trickle of Syriacs
began returning from Europe. Many were encouraged by the ruling Justice and
Development party's embrace of minorities after it shot to single rule in 2002.
But as the Syriacs began rebuilding their homes, the Kurds grew hostile. And in
a stream of complaints to the local prosecutor they claimed that "strangers"
gathered "secretly" for "illegal activities" at the monastery which itself had
been erected on top of a mosque. "Never mind that Mor Gabriel existed 174 years
before the birth of the prophet Mohammed," huffed the bishop on a recent
afternoon.

Until recently the bishop and his entourage viewed their travails as greed robed
in Islamic piety. That was until the Treasury intervened in 2009 and began
claiming the monastery's land as well. At a recent hearing, a local court ruled
in favour of the Treasury even though the monastery had presented documents
proving its ownership of the contested properties and that it had been paying
their taxes for decades. The prosecution claimed it had no record of these. As
news of these legal tangles have spread, the Syriacs have stopped returning.

Separate audiences with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister, and Abdullah
Gul, the president, held last year failed to make a difference And both leaders
appeared to allude to the Syriacs' campaign for recognition of the 1915
massacres as a genocide. "Your community abroad is talking," they complained to
Mr Aktas. The monastery has appealed to a higher court. True justice, says the
bishop, will be delivered by God.
Source:
http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21565655-battle-mor-gabriel-outpost-aramaic\
-speakers

The Malankara World Journal Issue 108 Theme: Advent and Hope - Waiting
For The Savior (Nov 15, 2012) is available online at:

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWJ_108.htm

*Table of Contents Issue No: 108; Theme: Advent and Hope - Waiting For The
Savior*

1. News Update From Jazirah Archdiocese, Syria by Archbishop Mor
Eustathius Matta Roham

There is a great fear among families of different communities about
their future. People are so much afraid of a real war, which might
happen at any time between Turkey and Syria, because of the Turkish
clear interference in the Syrian crises. This war could lead other
counties into regional war. People are so much worried about their
children, women and properties. Many of them are getting themselves
ready to immigrate to Europe and to other safe neighboring countries. It
is very difficult to say what could happen tomorrow. All we need now is
your prayers for peace, and your support to end this evil fighting.

2. Bible Readings for This Sunday (Nov 18)

Annunciation to Zachariah

3. Sermons for This Sunday (Nov 18)

Sermons for the Annunciation to Zachariah

http://www.Malankaraworld.com/Library/Sermons/Sermon-of-the-week_annun_Zachariah\
.htm

4. Inspiration for Today

5. Featured: Zechariah and Elizabeth: Facing Dead Hopes

  From Zechariah and Elizabeth we can learn what God's faithfulness means
when our hopes die. ...In the Christian year, Advent is the start of the
year. It lays the foundation for everything else that is going to happen
in the year. So all the promises of God, all the mighty acts of God are
still in the future. It's the start of our hopes. And so since that is
the real meaning of what we should be doing in Advent, I would like to
challenge you to face some of these hopes, some of these struggles that
are in your life. Take some time and think about if all the stops were
off, if God could do whatever you want in your life, whatever kind of
growth or development, if all the stops were pulled out, what would it
be? ...

6. Advent: Hope of a Savior

God is your father,
And his promise is the same yesterday today and forever.

Do not fear what the world can do to you.
Do not listen to the financial naysayer
For in the midst of it,
God will bring to you.
A new depth of Glory and Understanding.
Every prayer is heard.
Every tear is registered in heaven,
In the best of times and in the worst of times,
God will answer in his most effective way. ...

7. Hymn - The Great Forerunner of the Morn

8. Redefining the Virtue of Hope

Real hope - biblical hope - isn't hope for; it's hope in: Hope in Christ
- what He did for us on the Cross; and what He will do for us when He
comes again and sets up His kingdom. A hope for is never better than
wishful thinking. Hope in Christ is an expectation based on the
certainty of who Jesus is and what He accomplished. ...

9. The Fulfillment of God's Promise

What are you doing with the conditional promises of God? Are you
refusing to keep the condition of the promise? Or have you simply just
given up? ..

10. Trust His Timing

One thing I've learned is that God doesn't always work on our time
table. In fact, He rarely does. But, in a single moment, God can change
your life! All throughout scripture, we see examples of how God was
working behind the scenes and instantly turned things around for His
people. ...

11. Health: Physician Touts 5 Hidden Benefits of Exercise

Exercise is not just for weight control anymore. It has a far reaching
effects on your system from clearer skin to stronger immune system. ...

12. Recipe: Left-Over Turkey Recipes

Here are some delicious dishes you can make with the left over Turkey
from Thanksgiving. ...

13. Family: Marriage - Don't Hope...Decide

Michael Hargrove tells about a scene at an airport that literally
changed his life. ...

14. Hope Turkey Does Not Mean to Go Into a Real Direct War With Syria by
Archbishop Mor Eustathius Matta Roham

15. About Malankara World

========================

Read all the articles and features in this week's Malankara World
Journal online at:

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWJ_108.htm

Thank you for your support and help.

In HIS Service

Dr. Jacob Mathew
Malankara World
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/
Hudson, Ohio
ID No: 956

READ: Genesis 3:6-13,22-24

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. —Revelation
1:5

I smelled something burning, so I hurried to the kitchen. Nothing was on
the stove or in the oven. I followed my nose through the house. From
room to room I went, eventually ending up downstairs. My nose led me to
my office and then to my desk. I peeked beneath it and there, peering
back at me with big eyes pleading for help, was Maggie, our dog, our
very “fragrant” dog. What smelled like something burning when I was
upstairs, now had the distinct odor of skunk. Maggie had gone to the
farthest corner of our house to escape the foul smell, but she couldn’t
get away from herself.
Maggie’s dilemma brought to mind the many times I have tried to run away from
unpleasant circumstances only to discover that the problem was not the
situation I was in but me. Since Adam and Eve hid after sinning (Gen.
3:8), we’ve all followed their example. We run away from situations
thinking we can escape the unpleasantness—only to discover that the
unpleasantness is us.
The only way to escape ourselves is to stop hiding, acknowledge our
waywardness, and let Jesus wash us clean (Rev. 1:5). I am grateful that
when we do sin, Jesus is willing to give us a brand-new start. —Julie
Ackerman Link
From the wondrous cross on Calvary
Flows the stream that still avails,
Cleansing hearts and bringing victory
Through that love which never fails. —Elliott
Sin’s contamination requires the Savior’s cleansing.

“…such a heart in them that they would fear Me…”

Deut. 5:29: “Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me
and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with
their children forever!” [Fear = reverential fear; awe. Heart = our innermost
being; fear of God  is a matter of the heart ]

“such a heart” – O Father, this is your desire for US; give US such a
heart: a heart that fears you always. Thus, Lord, let US keep your commandments
and inherit the blessing for US and OUR children forever. Let US always abide in
the fear of God (Prov.23:17), trusting in your mercy, Ps. 130:4. The spirit of
godly fear that was on Jesus (Isa. 11:2) - may WE share in that spirit, O
Father. The spirit of godly fear with which He prayed (Heb. 5:7) -may WE share
in that spirit, O Father. Amen.

Moses in his old age reminded the people, Deut. 13:4: “You shall walk after
the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice;
you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.” This verse helps us see how the
fear of God keeps us.

Prov.23:17: “…be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day.” Note here
also that the heart is to abide in the  fear of God, so that we are free from
envy. O God, let me  be “zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day.

Ps. 130:4: “But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.” See
here that  forgiveness should lead us to fear the Lord; and the fear of the Lord
keeps us from sin, Prov. 3:7; Prov. 8:13.

Thankful for your prayers,
BRO.SHIBU L PODIYAN
WASHINGTON D.C

The Malankara World Journal Thanksgiving Special - Issue 109 (Nov 19,
2012) is available online at:

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWJ_109.htm

*Table of Contents - Thanksgiving Special (Issue 109)*

1. Editor's Note - Thanksgiving
2. Inspiration for Today
3. Featured: On Prayer of Praise and Thanks by Pope Benedict XVI
4. Thankfulness: In Everything?
5. Thanksgiving: A Life of Thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
6. Giving Thanks
7. On The Grace of Gratitude - A Thanksgiving Meditation
8. Unexpected Thanksgiving
9. Living Your Thanksgiving
10. Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving in Three Tenses (Psalm 66)
11. Thoughts on Thanksgiving (an Orthodox Rabbi discusses Thanksgiving)
12. Recipe: Preparing a Thanksgiving Turkey
13. Recipe: Turkey Stuffing
14. Family: Giving Thanks
15. Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving
16. About Malankara World

========================

Read all the articles and features in this week's Malankara World
Journal online at:

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWJ_109.htm

Thank you for your support and help.

In HIS Service

Dr. Jacob Mathew
Malankara World
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/
Hudson, Ohio
ID No: 956

Bishop Tawadros enthroned and installed as the 118th Pope of Alexandria. He will
be known as His Holiness Pope Tawadros II. His Holiness the Patriarch of
Universal Syriac Orthodox Church started and concluded the enthronement ceremony
prayers in Syriac and addressed the gathered believers and invitees.

Congratulations form all our hearts, to each and everyone in the entire Church
of God around the whole world, for our new beloved Coptic Shepherd, His Holiness
Pope Tawadros II. May our Good Lord grant Him all HIS Heavenly blessings & mercy
be always with Holy Father for the glory of God's Holy Name forever.

More photos @
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.365158506910916.86589.159423580817744&\
type=1
Video
@ http://youtu.be/sHDNJV7P5-Q

The Patriarch ,His holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zach Iwas I ,supreme head of
universal Syrian orthodox church has bestowed upon Mr. George Korath the great
honor of the title of commander, by decree of his Kalpana.This honor was
presented to Mr. George Korath by His Eminence Eldo mar Titos the archbishop of
North America on 3rd November 2012 at Tampa Mar Gregorios Syrian Orthodox church
in Tampa, Florida. Mr.George Korath is serving Tampa church as Headmaster of
Sunday school and Secretary of Mar Gergorios Syrian orthodox church. He has done
commendable service to Tampa church in particular and Malankara Archdiocese in
general. In 2010 he was the national coordinator of Silver jubilee celebration
of Malankara archdiocese .He is the first coordinator ecumenical association of
Malayalee churches in Tampa bay area. He is a well known personality in
Malayalee community of U S A .He served as FOKANA President from 2004 thru 2006
and was regional vice president of FOKANA from 1996 thru 1998.  He lives in
Tampa, Florida with his wife Dina and two daughters Amy and Tina

Recognition well deserved. I congratulate him for this new achievement. May God
give him many more years of life to serve our church and Malayalee community of
U.S.A.

Link to YouTube video George Korath being presented commander Title
http://youtu.be/DjfUTDNudTg

Thanks

P.Varghese

ID#2913

Dear All,

The IOC ploy to malign the Jacobite Church and its Sheperd was not find any
substance in the CBI enquiry is a God given boosting to our Church and its
Sheperd HB Thomas-I Bawathirumeni. We all rejoice and thank the Almighty for
exonerating the Vicar of HIS Body, the Jacobite Church.

For the last 28 years of more of HB's untiring hard work brought the face lift
to our sleepy Church. The satanic leadership of IOC tried to malign by a direct
kick to our Bava, but the Saviour did not allow them to succeed.

They thought that they can take advantage in Malankara Varghese murder like in
the past Aana Pappy murder in early 19th century. The priestlings in IOC
(irrespective of their cadre) is the messengers of evil, by spreading the lie,
teaching the distorted history of Malankara Church, and thus the today's IOC's
birth and its growth. They are showing the money power, by buying people, who
bite on their offer, likewise Judas who betrayed our Lord by biting the 30
silver coins. Now they are making the Malankara Nazrani's (a 2 mellinium old
church) a laughing stock by celebrating the 100th year of its Catholicate. What
a great thing they are celebrating??

Foregoing 1900 years of long history of Malankara Church, just for an
unlawful act of a deposed Head of the Syrian Church. It gives pain to read the
church history some of their priests make now a days.

To overcome this onslaught on pure faith of the Malankara Church, we should
publish St. Parumala Thirumeni's Salmoosa in all the dailies of Kerala during
the week of the Saint's memorial days. Hope our Lord will lead us in staying on
our forefather's teachings and faith.

Regards,
Varughese, Ahmedabad
#1012