Rev J N Manokaran

There was a legend that Zeus and Hermes once came to Lystra, as humans and none in the city recognized them. They were refused hospitality. One old couple entertained them. In anger, the gods destroyed the whole city and saved only the old couple. Paul and Barnabas went to the city and a paralyzed man […]

Bill Gates, one of the richest people in the world said that he thought: Sleep is lazy and unnecessary. In his 30s and 40s, he minimized his sleep. Later he realized sleep is essential for the healthy growth of the body including the brain. (NDTV News 9 August 2023) Sleep fulfills the physical need for

There are at least three songs written by Moses. One was after God’s victory for Israel over the Egyptian army; another was a song to teach Israel and his reflection about aging. (Exodus 15:1-8; Deuteronomy 32:1-43; Psalms 90) In Revelation, The Song of Moses is mentioned. (Revelation 15:3) Moses’ song of victory has five stanzas.

There is news about the sudden death of young people in accidents and strange diseases; some lose their memory or limb or become invalid. Amy Carmichael a missionary who was restricted to her bed, due to an accident for twenty-plus years. One person said: “How can a loving God do this to me?” Others struggle

Paul warns that Satan can take advantage and a believer should not be ignorant or naïve regarding the strategies of Satan. (II Corinthians 2:11) Deception: Satan is a liar, and he is the father of lies. (John 8:44) Hence, he will always use falsehood, lies, untruths, half-truths, twisted truths, and misinterpretation of Scripture to deceive.

One young woman volunteered in a closed country ruled by a dictator. She was an English language teacher. She was informed about restrictions and the government could expel her if she indulged in the conversion of local people. One room for her stay was allotted, and it was fitted with a bug – a miniature

Service to people has been commodified and commercialized. The services that should be done with concern, love, and care, have become money-making enterprises. In one city in India, there was a great advertisement for Ambulance services, with toll-free calls. The patients who traveled in that ambulance, which claimed to have world-class facilities, were a nightmare.

A dictator was angry hearing about a dissident who was criticizing him. His aide asked the dictator what should be done. He said: ‘Silence him’. The aide executed the dissident by shooting him dead. Peter writes about different kinds of silencing the dissidents, detractors, critics, and persecutors. This is indeed a radically natural response to

Ram Gidamool in his book, My Silk Road writes about his spiritual journey. He was born in Kenya to parents of Indian origin. His family brought him up in Hindu traditions, had exposure to Sikhism, and grew up among the Muslims in the school. For him Christianity was a white man’s religion, he had nothing

A child writhing in pain feels better by the gracious touch of her mother. If human touch, words, comfort, and embrace could heal a person, how much would be the grace of God? Paul experienced a thorn in his body, which was bothering him. It caused physical pain, emotional stress, mental agony of being buffeted