By V.Chacko Jacob

Praise the Lord. It has been a while since I wrote something to glorify God. I thought this would be a right time to do so as I have just shifted back to Chennai from Pondicherry.

The time at Pondicherry has been a blessed ride & I just wanted to tell you how… The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:16&17, “16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works” .

Yeah! That’s exactly what I wanted to tell you all. In Pondicherry I definitely grew in my career as I held a position only next to the top management of my company but above all, I grew in the word of God. I was in a church blessed by a young & blessed teacher of the word of God. He is 27years old, Pas.Steve Asir, the pastor of Halluejah AG Church English congregation. Through him, I was blessed to do many programs that would be the envy of many bigger churches. We did rock concerts, seminars, conferences, workshops, large scale dramas; name it, “we did it all”, for Jesus in the 3 years that I was at Pondicherry. I was also blessed to substitute for Pas.Steve in a few places as a preacher of God’s word. I just repeated in my style what he preached in the morning sermon in the afternoon/evening services. I was so blessed by the word at Pondicherry that I am writing a personal book titled “The 100 sermons by Pas.Steve Asir that touched me”

I was not only encouraged by the word, the word also yielded fruit in my life. I undertook my first overseas mission trip to Sri Lanka from Pondicherry. In my work place, where I was employed for the first 2 years in Pondicherry (until suddenly retrenched), I have left a permanent mark. Most people say till today that “Chacko came & made this factory a much safer place to work in”. Praise God, that is what we need right? As a Christian in a Corporate, our deeds have to speak loud enough to match our faith & thus glorify God.

I had to continue in Pondicherry for one more year due to my son’s educational needs. I had no job but God miraculously opened avenues for me as a freelance trainer. Every month, God gave me whatever business that I needed to lead my life as a good witness for him. In every CCF prayer bridge, my brothers prayed for my career & God answered them & me faithfully. The month, in which I was shifting to Chennai, I had my best month, 21 days of training, enough money to enable a smooth shifting back to Chennai.

Now, that I am here…. Am I back for the better?  All I know is, God knows. As I write this article, I am being considered for the post of Director – Growth & Development in a secular forum called JCI (Junior Chamber International), which is an honour (even though it’s for one of the local chapters created for trainers). I attended 2 meetings & they are considering me for this position. What did they see in me in 2 meetings? God knows. As I write this article, I am also finalizing my next job with a training company in Chennai, that’s part of one of the leading industrial houses in India. I am getting an opportunity to build a business with the backing of a strong corporate house. Had I got this opportunity 3 years ago, it would have been great. But, God knows the right time to open the right door. Maybe He felt, I had to become stronger in the Word. Maybe He wanted me to have the experience of doing different type of programs before I got this opportunity. I don’t know, God knows.

I know, it is a tough ask at times to trust God when things are not going fine, but trust me; if things are working out good for me then so will it work out for you. Just keep your faith & trust in God.

My dear friends, I just want to conclude by saying that there are times in our lives when everything seems out of our control. Don’t worry… God is in control. Even if you don’t know what you are doing, He knows what He is doing with his child … and, everything He does is always for the better. The Bible says in Proverbs 16:9, “ A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps” . The Lord our God always directs our steps for the better, so that you may be lifted up & through your witness, He will be lifted up among all men. God Bless You.

Mighty Work of God
it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him – John 9:3

For long I have read psalms 91 but never have I tasted it so much as I have now. The Lord has blessed us (me and my wife) with a baby boy on Oct 27^th.

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward. – Ps 127:3

If the labor had been normal, I will have no reason to testify the faithfulness of my Lord Jesus. However, I never wanted it to be normal, but supernatural so that I can testify and witness about His great faithfulness for He has said,

Before she was in labor, she gave birth;
Before her pain came,
She delivered a male child. – Isa 66:7

This is our 2^nd child and having seen my wife during labor pains in with the 1^st child, I held on to Isa 66:7.

Leading in prayer

The labor and the nature of the birth were supernatural indeed, but not how I had prayer for. The day before the labor as I started to pray for my wife, the Lord urged me to pray for Israel. So I did. As I had prayed for about an hour for Israel, the Lord reminded me about the covenant that He made with Abraham in Gen 12:3 – “I will bless those who bless you.”

Then, the next day as my wife was in labor room I was in prayer waiting eagerly outside. Then the Lord said, “Nothing is impossible with God” – Luke 1:37; and then He said, “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad” – Matt 5:12. I did not understand at that time why the Lord had said these but I did as He said.

Tense situation

Then all of the sudden my wife was transferred from the labor room to the operation theater (OT). While they took her in the stretcher she said to me “Gone, gone!” because she heard the attending doctor say to another doctor that she cannot feel the pulse of the baby. As she was in the OT, I waited eagerly. One of the two senior doctors who performed the C-section came out and informed me that my wife was fine but said that the other doctor will inform me about the baby. Tense situation! But I was quite peaceful, for the Lord said “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27).

Then after few minutes the other doctor brought the baby out. It was a very pleasant experience as I saw him exactly the way the Lord had showed him to me in a dream. Then the baby was taken immediately to NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit) because of the nature of his birth. While all these were going on I had very little knowledge about the same.

Cord Prolapsed

All I knew at that time was that my wife had a “cord prolapse.”  This is a very rare occurrence in labor. Statistics on cord prolapse vary, but the range is between 0.14% and 0.62% of all births, in most studies which is approximately 1 in 300 births. Why does this happen? There are many predicted reason but none has been conclusive so far. However, when it happens, oxygen and blood supplies to the fetus are diminished or cut-off and the baby must be delivered quickly. If attempts to deliver the baby promptly, fail, the fetus’ oxygen and blood supply are occluded and brain damage or death will occur.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy

In the natural, it is easy to blame the doctors or the hospital infrastructure or anything. But these things are not natural. It is not the will of God that people have “cord prolapse” for the scripture says in Isa 66:9 – “’Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?’ says the LORD. ‘Shall I who cause delivery shut upthe womb?’ says your God.”

The night before the delivery, my dad had a dream from The Lord. He saw a thief trying to break in to our house but was pushed out of the door and the door shut before him. It is exactly as Jesus said in John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

This is our 2^nd child out of 3 pregnancies. During the time of my wife’s 1^st pregnancy, The Lord was directing me into spending time in prayer. But often I disobeyed. In the 2^nd month of the pregnancy my wife had a miscarriage. We were terribly broken in our hearts. But the Lord clearly told me that because of my disobedience He could not protect me when the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. One thing that I understood is that as much as the Lord loves me, the devil hates me and would like to kill me, if not for the Lord who is my refuge and my fortress and a shield and bulwark. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”  (Eph 6:12)

The birth

But after everything was over, on the day my wife and baby were discharged from the hospital the doctor told us what had taken place. She said, “It was a stillbirth” and then she started to glorify God for He had raised the child from the dead.

The baby was born dead but came back to life after few minutes. The hospital kept him in NICU to see if he was normal or was there any brain damage. But after 4 days they returned the baby saying, “He is completely normal.”

How great is the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ for He has said,
“When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him” – Isa 59:19;
“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper” – Isa 54:17;
“Fear not, for you will not be put to shame” – Isa 54:4

Stillbirths’ Statistics

India has highest number of stillbirths, an average of 1,680 babies were born dead every day between 1995 and 2009 in India, says Lancet study.

Psalms 91:7 says, “A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not approach you.” I am very thankful to God for His promise and His faithfulness in keeping it to me but on the other hand I am also convinced that God does not want thousands and ten thousands to fall at the snares of the devil.

By Allyn Samuel

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 

கர்த்தர் உங்களுக்காக யுத்தம் பண்ணுவார்; 

நீங்கள் சும்மாயிருப்பீர்கள் யாத்திராகமம் 14:14

Right from my childhood I have loved the Tamil version of this verse, a ton……and it has become true in my life now.

The literal translation of this verse from Tamil would go this way ‘I will fight for you..You will do nothing’

We doing nothing and God fighting on our behalf… isn’t it nice to hear, but is it possible in this current world?

But our Heavenly Father is just and true to His Word! He is faithful enough to do that and his promises are true. AMEN.

I joined back office on Apr 17th , after 6 months of Maternity leave and God had a wonderful news for me to welcome me back into office.

What I thought wasn’t possible for two more years has become possible through Christ for me now itself.

Have you heard anyone returning from a long leave with a promotion???????????

Ridiculous talk isn’t it….but it isn’t ridiculous anymore…I have got promoted from  TA to TL after returning from my long leave.

For my first child I had taken leave for 6 months so my appraisal rating  for that cycle was an NA , so was not eligible for this role change in last June.

And again this year I had 6 months break for my second child , so my appraisal rating for this cycle also will get affected.

Cos of these two breaks in my rating, I  thought my role change would not be possible till next year.

But, while I was on my leave itself our God has made my promotion possible.

I was awestruck when I saw my Role Change effective from January this year!!!

How wonderful is our Daddy, providing us with what we require in the apt time when we don’t expect it to happen that time.

Its Jesus who had fought for me and I was at peace in my home happily doing nothing.

I have no words to Praise him….but I can say just one thing ‘Thank you daddy’.

My son (2yrs and 2 months) was admitted in hospital with high fever of 102 degrees on last week of August.

The doctors confirmed it as pneumonia. Though he was put under antibiotics, there was no improvement in his health. The fever was 102-103, it never decreased. We would give fever medicine, it would decrease to 101 but not below, so we would give him a small bath with cold water now and then to reduce his body temperature. 

His hands were poked with needles to send the antibiotics. Since his hand is very small and nerve are too small, that nerve could be used for only 2 days, again they will have to search for another vein and put the needle. Like this his hands were poked more than 10 times. I am not explaining this to scare you folks or to make you sad. But want to share God’s glory here. Each time he is taken inside the room to change the vein passage, I would cry out to Lord not able to bear the pain my son is going through. I would ask God to strengthen him. I was amazed by God’s mercy when one of the Nurses said to me.

“Your son is very bold and strong. He is not afraid of the needle or of the pain. He is really very cooperative. I have never seen a kid like him before.” I knew it was Lord’s Mercy which was holding my son and My Lord Jesus was right next to him to strengthen him and to drive the fear out.

In so much of pain I was not able to pray at all. I would sit to pray but no words would come out, even if it comes it will not be from my heart.  I was just struggling to pray. I would sit down at night after my son sleeps and finish the 1000 praises book, I would recite all possible known prayers but will not be able to bring anything from my heart except tears. But Jesus was merciful. He knew my burden. He accepted even my weak prayer.

More than two weeks we stayed in hospital each day was like hell. No improvement in my son’s health. The doctors said he is having a severe pneumonia, his lungs are affected. He had to be operated and some procedures had to be done in his lungs to cure it.

But I believed in the Living God. I put it in Lord’s feet. I just said to God. “Lord you gifted me my son. You will not take him from me. I believe only in you. You are merciful beyond explanation. You love my Son million trillion times than I do. And in faith I confess you will cure him. He will be discharged from hospital by this Saturday that too without surgery”.

Though I was not praying whole heartily he accepted all that I asked. He was so merciful he heard my feeble cry. My son’s fever just crashed.  His temperature reached normal from 102 and never rose again.  My son was discharged that Saturday and doctors said he does not need any surgery.

Praise God with all my heart and all my life. He saved my son. He also gave a promise for my son.

“With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation”Psalm 91:16

I realized He listens our unspoken words. He knows our each movement. He feels our silent pain.

I know behind my each weak prayer, there was the strong prayer of the Holy Spirit.  He was praying for me. He was groaning for my son, He was interceding for him.

Our Lord is amazing. So next time any of you are in such situation, where your pain makes your prayer weak. Don’t be afraid. For he is always near us to strengthen us.  He has promised

“I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

One more praise point. By Lords Mercy and Grace we have bought a House in irumbuliyur.  This too was purely a miracle that came down from heaven.

“Praise the Lord our God Jesus Christ!”

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This testimony is from a software professional in Chennai

‘Umakaga thanae ayya naan uyir vazgiraen ayya (It’s for you I live alone)
intha udalum ullam ellam anbar umakkaga thanae ayya (My soul, heart and everything belongs to you, my Lord)’

I love this song….. Whenever I feel I am left alone, and in desperate conditions, God always reminds me I live for Him alone. But it is hard to live on those lines in this world.  Anyone will agree with me. Most often when we are surrounded by trials, we often ask God, “Why did it happen to me, Lord? If God is in control, how could He let it happen to me?” But, often we see the present and forget about our future. We forget that God always has the best for us. When God molds, He is preparing a great treasure for us too.

The below is my testimony, though with pains and fear, I believe that God is in control and He always does what is good to me.

I got married in May 2012, and as everyone expects myself and my husband were longing for the good news in our house. We use to pray, “Lord, let everything be done in your perfect time alone”.

I know, God will do everything in His time as a man of God blessed us saying, “God will bless your generation”.  But that day, on April 1st, 2013, I was praying to God, “Lord you have promised me to bless me with a child. It’s gonna be 1 yr now since my marriage. And nothing has happened.  What plans do you have in my life?”

Whenever these questions arise in my mind, God asks me to wait. That whole week, God was speaking with me with the verses from I Samuel, where Hannah was praying to God and as God promised, she is blessed with a child.

I took it as confirmation and was praising God for hearing my prayers. His plans are always different. Also, He was always showing me the verse where Hannah promised God to dedicate her child –

“And she made this vow: ”O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you, He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut” – I Samuel 1:11(NLT)”.

This verse got deep-rooted in my mind and I understood what God was expecting from me. I surrendered myself and gave God a promise that my first-born was for His service, and shared the same with my husband.

Meanwhile, one man of God prophesied to my mom that I will get conceived that month.

It was May 20, 2013.  I was very tired and there were some changes in my mind and body and when we went to the doctor, she confirmed that I am carrying. I along with my husband was praising God for all He did in our lives. Days were running and I felt the Spirit of God lying with my baby. I was sure that my child was a chosen one for God. And I also had a chance to meet a family with my friend who were about to travel to abroad. When we were in prayer I felt the Spirit of God and the brother who was praying for me said that he saw my womb glowing. What else will make a mother happy? I was happy that my son will become an Ambassador for Christ.  I was in clouds writing poems about my son and singing songs for him. To my surprise he was very active. Doctors were surprised seeing him so active in my womb.

October became the busiest month for me because of my brother’s marriage.

And after my brother’s marriage some questions arose in my mind as if someone was asking it to me,
“Will you give your son to me as promised now?”

I was totally confused as I thought that voice to be my imagination.  I just prayed, “Lord, I know nothing will stop my Son growing for you. I can feel it. Be with him, guide him and use him as you wish”.

The next day was so awful for me. It was October 26. I didn’t feel the movement of my baby and went to the doctor.

She said she was not able to hear the heartbeat and I was asked to take scan immediately.  I felt like God was doing something and this will be a miracle. I didn’t lose my faith but I just couldn’t understand what was going on. “The baby will be safe”, this was the only thought running in my mind. I just started talking with God in my mind and asked my friend to send a prayer request to everyone.

But things were not as I expected. The scan report said that my baby’s heartbeat stopped and the doctor asked me to get admitted in hospital and they were arranging to take my baby out.

I just thought, “What on earth was happening and why was it happening to me?”

My eyes flooded with tears. Many were praying for me and were giving hope to me. Till last minute, I believed that nothing would happen to my child and I surrendered totally to God. One of my friends, who prayed for me, said there are angels visiting me and something great will happen.

Doctors were surprised to see me sitting without pain and they tried to take my baby out that night.

It was about 1.30 am on Oct 27. My baby was born. He was so cute, fully formed with lots of hair (as God showed me) but he was dead. I was uncontrollable. The doctors were not able to give reasons for my baby’s death as they found me and my baby healthy. But everything happened for a purpose and according to His will alone.

One of my friends who prayed for my baby fervently said that she saw a boy angel taken into heaven and a sister sent me a message,
“God has taken your first born for the heavenly choir and the rest will be yours”.

She doesn’t even know about my promise to God and my friend too sent a same message. Though I am into worldly pain, I was happy that God chose my child to be with Him. As job said, “God gives and takes away”, I bless the one who gave me and took away my child. My friend, who came to visit me, said, “Don’t ever question God for the things happened?”

Though it made me strong in Faith, sometimes, some thoughts often pondered into my mind disturbing me. But God knows our heart right.

I know a missionary who was working in Kashmir. He often came in my dreams for the past one week and was trying to convey something to me. But I couldn’t understand anything. I got a call on 14th November from an unknown number. To my surprise, it was the missionary. He lost my number somewhere and was trying to contact me for the past one week.

Somehow, he got my number he called me. He said, “God wants me to tell you something”. I got shocked and he continued saying, God wants to tell you that you have trained your son well. He sung well and God loves hearing his song in heaven”. I said in a surprise,” What? “He said, God was urging me to tell you for the past one week and he also said the song which I usually sing when my baby was in my womb.

The missionary, who spoke to me, didn’t know anything happened here and he was saying “I don’t know why God was pushing me so much to tell you this.” I explained him everything happened here and said, “If someone who knows everything have called and said these, I will trust in God but there will be a chance for me to think that they are trying to console me, but now I can’t doubt God at all right”.

I praise God for choosing my son in His heavenly choir.

I know it will be very hard for us to forget when we lose some one. But God has some plans in our life. When we are engulfed with sorrow and despair with the thoughts, “Where is God?” Despite personal stress and painful circumstances, we can be confident that God is sovereign and He is in control of our life-boats.  When we walk through tough situations, and if we focus on the waves of difficult situations around us without faith in Jesus, we may despair and sink.  But remember always, that God has some purpose in our life and His plans are always for our good and trust Him to walk in His faithfulness.

His peace always will be with us and I am sure that I will be meeting my child in heaven someday. Everything He did was for a purpose. It might be a testing time for us or God is preparing us for something greater.

I am thankful to everyone who prayed for my family in tears. It’s not that our prayers were unanswered but God has a better plan for us is what I believe. 

Carolin Divya, IT Professional with a MNC in Chennai and she can be reached through the editor ([email protected])