Prodigious and Miniature

Spurgeon got converted at sixteen,

Began preaching at seventeen,

Became a pastor at eighteen,

Dominated England at nineteen!

In 2 years period, before he came to London,

When he was just 19, preached 670 sermons.

He went on to preach over 7000 sermons,

Of which we have around 3600 sermons.

At 17, I began preaching to my peers,

Since then I’ve been preaching for 12 years,

Yet achievement of Spurgeon’s first 2 years

Is still an impossible feat, it appears!

              – S.R. [2020]

Block Diagramming: Ephesians 4:21-23

A Eulogy To Ravi Zacharias – by Suanlal

[This is a eulogy to Ravi Zacharias written by one of my friends, Suanlal. He is a voracious reader, reading a wide range of books of different genres. You can reach him through Facebook here.]

Suanlal with Ravi-ji, Delhi

“God buries His workmen, but carries on His work.” —Charles Wesley.

March 2016 @ Delhi, I met you, Uncle Ravi. You were so humble to respond to my question, a man who came from a small unknown town. That moment, as I look back I truly understand what you often said, “behind every question is a questioner.” My tryst with you started somewhere around 2012/13. I was a new believer then who had silly questions concerning the Christian Faith. You demonstrate Christianity is intellectually plausible and existentially satisfying and relevant. In other words, you make me understand Why the Mind Matters in Christianity and the role of reason in spiritual transformation.

BACK THEN, to be honest, I didn't always understand what you said or wrote. Your vocabulary was way beyond my comprehension. It has been a journey to coming to know you. I still remember me looking forward to every Friday for your radio program "Let My People Think." I still remember listening to your testimony "Faith Under Fire" in my hostel room and weeping! You will continue to minister to my heart. Uncle Ravi, I will miss your distinct voice. There is something that ticks with it. You have a way of touching the nerve center of life. You left a large void in my heart. Tremendous loss. I am still processing the weight of this loss.

Thank you, Ravi, for your influence on my formative Christian life. It was you who introduced me to the field of Apologetics. My life has never been the same knowing you. I am reminded of what Isaac Newton have said centuries ago "If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants."

Now that, You have met the one who speaks to you in your suicide death-bed “Because I live, you will live also,” you will have all your questions answered personally and hear the word “Well done, good and faithful slave!” Oh, what a thought!

Ravi is a convincing proof of the Gospel power to transform lives. Reflecting on how God’s grace is beyond description over his family, Ravi concluded, “He lifted all of us over the walls of our own imprisonment.” The same God can free you from your bondage too. Friends, we should remember Ravi Zacharias, and in remembering him, remember Jesus Christ, the Savior and Lord he loved and served so faithfully.

“Apologetics is seen before it is heard,” says Ravi. This is one of the many sayings of Ravi that keeps tugging in my heart that I will never forget in my Christian Walk. Coming from a not so good background, I could only cherish what I have heard from him saying, “Jesus Christ does not only change what you do, he changes what you want to do,” which is personally evident in my life.

I would like to end with one of his most inspirational lines that I came across from one of his books, Jesus Among Other Gods: “From then on, my longings, my hopes, my dreams, and my every effort has been

to live for Him who rescued me,

to study for Him who gave me this mind,

to serve Him who fashioned my will,

and to speak for Him who gave me a voice.” – Ravi Zacharias.

#ThankYouRavi

Written by Suanlal Zou

You can also read my eulogy to Ravi Zacharias HERE

Reflection on (a kind of brooding over) the death of Ravi Zacharias.

Ravi Zacharias is without parallel the most influential Christian India has ever produced. We might not see again a person of his caliber in our lifetime. Even in the stage of the whole wide world, he remains one of the greatest Christian apologists of the late 20^th century and the early 21^st century. True to the motto of his ministry, he persuades the believer to think and the thinker to believe.

The death of Ravi Zacharias is heart-breaking to those who look up to him as the defender of the faith. Especially for Indians, whose contribution to the churches across the world is small, he has been the model for many Indian Christians. Now, “we have Ravi Zacharias,” will be “we had Ravi Zacharias.” Surely, he emigrated, but his upbringing, his blood, his fluency in Indian language, and his looks scream out loud that he has been an Indian all his lifelong though his earthly citizenship may not be.

The first time I listened to Ravi Zacharias was 10 years ago in Shillong. The Internet was not available then as these days. I had a friend (bro. Juban Wahlang) who was working in an office of UESI-NE Shillong. He would let me use the office computer sometimes. I used to download the sermons of John MacArthur and had been listening regularly. My friend asked for pastor John’s sermon telling me he will give me the sermons (“let my people think” series) of Ravi Zacharias. Well, that turned out to be one of the best deals I ever had with anyone.

I was with SSEU (UESI-NE) in 2010-2013. We had a very good relationship with RZIM, Shillong. Many times we invited Dr. Balajied, bro. Tejdor to our programs. They also invited us to help them out as volunteers in one of their mega-events. When I graduated from St. Anthony’s College, Shillong, I paid a visit to the RZIM office to meet bro. Tejdor for a career opportunity, but he was out of the station. A few days later he was gracious enough to call me up and ask about my purpose of visit. Surely, the staff, whom I had a lengthy friendly conversation had informed him. Well, I was already on my way to Delhi boarding a train and ended up in Seminary a year later.

I have spent hundreds of hours listening to Ravi Zacharias, and have read some of his best books. Two of my favorites are “Can Man Live Without God?” and “I, Isaac, Take Thee, Rebekah.” Ravi Zacharias has mastered the art of illustrating truth statements and imprinting in the heart and mind of his listener. For instance, I had heard him many times in his lectures reciting the lyrics of “Cats in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin, I was so glad to find it in page 109 of “Can Man Live without God?” I have used that lyrics and many other illustrations more effectively thanks to the influence of Ravi.

One of my favorite sermons/lectures is from “Let my people think” about Jonah the reluctant prophet. Many years ago I saw my 11-year old sister misbehaving, and as a punishment for her, I decided to let her stay alone in a room with an earpiece on her ears playing that sermon. Well, she enjoyed the sermon and refused to give me back my phone. I am sure she didn’t understand many of the sophisticated vocabulary of Ravi Zacharias, but it is telling that a man of such intellect could mesmerize even the mind of an 11-year old kid.

Ravi is the first Indian Christian I enjoyed listening to and remains the best Indian Christian I will keep on listening to. He is also the best Indian Christian author I have ever read. He is the first apologist I came to know, and then through him, I let myself be influenced by Geisler and Lane Craig. By now, I have favored presuppositional apologetics but Ravi has always been more than an apologist, he is a preacher, communicator, evangelist, and a voice of clear thinking. I have never met him face to face, and I decided to be contented that I was able to attend one of his lectures in September of 2013 in Delhi. Well, it made no sense for me to waste his time. Maybe something like the attitude of Peter, “O depart from me, for I am a sinner!”

Some of my favorite Christian leaders who I enjoy listening to and reading their works have already gone to be with the Lord. Surely, death will come for all of us if Christ tarries to come. And surely each year, one after another, our favorite and beloved Christian leaders will make their way to heaven. Reflecting this fact is gloomy in one way because we are without giants of faith but the enemies are still roaring. At the same time, we must realize the baton is passed on to us, and the battle will go on and the victory will always be ours in the end for the Lord Jesus is the captain, alive and active.

Below here are some of the top Christian leaders who have gone to be with the King of glory in the last 5 years period, and their top books that have influenced me the most. They have run the race very well influencing millions along the way. Surely, the Lord has welcomed them with “Well Done!” as we bid them with farewell words, “You have lived well!”

Ravi and RC

Principles from Proverbs on Raising Teenagers

Most people believe Teenage is the period of life when one behaves rebelliously to parents and any authorities over him. However, Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Moreover, history has revealed that there were some teenagers who were smarter and wiser than many adults. Such as John Quincy Adams who in 1781 held an ambassadorial post in Russia, Laura Ingalls Wilder in 1882 taught in public school, David Farragut in 1813 commanded a captured British vessel[1]. Biblically, we have Joseph, Joshua, Jesus and many more. Parents can learn various principles to bring up teenagers from the book of Proverbs. Here are some of the Principles:

1.      We must teach them the fear of the Lord

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

Proverbs 14:27 “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.”

Proverbs 15:16 “Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.”

Proverbs 23:17 “Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.”

2.      We must warn them of a bad decision

Proverbs 22:8 “Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.”

3.      We must persuade them with hope

Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”

Proverbs 2:1, 5 “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you . . . then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.”

4.      We must warn them of unhealthy emotions

Proverbs 19:19 “A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.”

Proverbs 20:3 “It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.”

Proverbs 25:28 “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”

5.      We must equip them with life skills

Proverbs 9:12 “If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.”

Proverbs 22:24-25 “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”

6.      We must teach them to respect and submit to authorities

Proverbs 30:17 “The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures.”

Proverbs 15:5 “A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.”

Proverbs 19:26 “He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach.”

7.      We must be committed to building a relationship with them

Prov. 18:13 “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”

Proverbs 23:26 “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.”

8.      We must show them our examples.

Proverbs 4:1-4 “Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.”

9.      We must be praying earnestly

Proverbs 15:29 “The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.”

Proverbs 8:17 “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.”

10.  We must warn them of bad character

Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Proverbs 12:22 “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.”

Proverbs 25:14 “Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.”

11. We must teach them not to fear man.

Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.”

12. We must teach them to accept criticism

Proverbs 12:25 “Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

Proverbs 15:32 “Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.”

13. We must teach them to seek God especially in difficulties

Proverbs 18:10 – “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.”

14. We must teach them to obey God rather than personal desires

Proverbs 3:5-8 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ​Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”

Proverbs 21:3 – “To do righteousness and justice is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.”

15. We must teach them to guard their heart

Proverbs 4:23 – “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”

Proverbs 28:26 “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”

16. We must teach them to hate sin

Proverbs 1:10 “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.”

Prov. 13:13-15 “Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. ​Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.”

Proverbs 5:3, 8 “ the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, . . . Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house,”

Proverbs 4:14 “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil.”

17. We must recognize that they are to be taught. Children learn incrementally. They must learn with the exercise of self-control.

Prov. 18:15 “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”

Prov. 1:2-4 “To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth—“

18. We must teach them of Relationships

Proverbs 22:24-25 “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”

Proverbs 27:6 “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”

In Conclusion: There are scores of other topics to be taught to teenagers from the book of Proverbs alone, but these are the most common and relevant ones I have been thinking about. No matter how much one can and may gather Scriptural teaching from the Proverbs on raising up teenagers if one does not live a life of discipline and godliness and prayer and love for God, family, and children, raising up teenagers in a godly way will not be possible. The world is polluted enough with sin. The depravity of a sinner (both child and young teenager) should be driven away by either a rod of discipline or punishment. Like God chastens whom he loves, the parents must do so.

---

[1] Reb Bradley, Parenting Teens with the Wisdom of Solomon

Block Diagramming: Ephesians 2:8-10

A screenshot of block diagramming of Eph. 2:8-10

Block Diagramming: Ephesians 1:3

A laptop screenshot of a block diagramming of Eph. 1:3

Image Scripture: Proverbs 2:1-5

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

CHURCH AND LOCKDOWN

—Challenges And Hopes In Times Of Lockdown—

Dear Pastors, Church Members and Christians,

I pray and hope that God's grace is sufficient for us and our church at all times, even in this unusual time of Lockdown. For Christians, to not able to come to church for this long, when we are in good health is very unusual. We don't enjoy it. Yes, there were few Sundays, especially in winter, when we wished to stay under the blanket and skip church. But that feeling is not what we wear in our hearts this time. I am sure every Christian is missing the church fellowship after 5 consecutive Sundays being gone just like that. Sure, we might not be pious and devoted like the Psalmists (Ps. 27:4; Ps. 42:2; Ps. 84:10; Ps. 122:1) but we do agree as genuine Christians that we love to be in the house of God. The teaching of Hebrew exhorting us not to give up the habit of meeting together is not just an issue of sin for us anymore. (For if we skip church continuously, it's a sin because the Scripture commanded us not to. Any disobedience to the teaching of the Scripture is a sin.) Now, it is an issue of missing the blessings of fellowship— the delights, encouragements, services we missed from one another.

Oh! How we miss the fellowship! It is rightly so because we are to grow in the community. A Christian cannot exist individually as a lone Christian. Our calling as a Christian is in the body of Christ, where Christ is the head, and the church is His body. Each of us is a member of the body as an ear, eye, hand, etc. As an eye cannot exist alone and as an eye needs an ear and hand and so on, without a community of believers it is unthinkable for a Christian to exist. Therefore, missing the church in this Lockdown is a sign of being a true Christian. 

We have only a few people here in our church. Actually, looking at the nature and prospect of the ministry, it is difficult to call it a church, but we all know that there's no perfect church anywhere since the beginning of the conception of the first visible local church. So, we do not lose heart to go on as a body of Christ. Though we are young and immature, we understand the nature of the church and continue to seek and value the importance of meeting together at least once a week. So, even in this time of Lockdown, we convene Zoom Meeting. We sing, pray, read and study God's word, exhort and give updates about one another. Those who had the habit of skipping church continue to do so with this and that excuses. Those who love to have fellowship continue to show up irrespective of the timing. While the faithful realize the blessedness of fellowship in this Lockdown, the ignorant enjoy the suspension of church services. I suppose they fool their conscience by saying to themselves, "The government declared Lockdown, so stay home no matter what!" Before the Lockdown, even the nominal Christians had some sense of guilt for not coming to church. Now, they can fool their conscience from the feeling of guilt.

But you who are sensible know that feelings and reality are different. You can be guilty and not feel guilty. Also, you can feel guilty and actually be not guilty. As Ben Shapiro would always put in an effective way, "Fact doesn't care your feelings." Those ignorant who don't feel guilty for not coming to church now has always been guilty. And those faithful who feel terrible and guilty for missing the church for so long aren't guilty. You see, it's not the issue of circumstances, it's the issue of the heart, "Do you truly love the Lord Jesus Christ and His bride?"

We are not naive to have unrealistic expectations in this time of the pandemic, but we expect God to work in His time for His glory alone. We have been open to the idea that those who weren't able to wake up in time for Sunday worship service (before the Lockdown) would be able to join us if we schedule it in the evening. But it is evident that those who are faithful will remain faithful irrespective of circumstances, and those who are ignorant will remain ignorant even if an angel from heaven shows up. Abraham's reply to the rich man concerning the request of the rich man to send Lazarus to warn his brothers from the reality of his damnation in the story narrated by Jesus is indeed telling (Luke 16:19-31). A friend of mine once asked, "Why do you convene a meeting in Zoom seeing that it has only 45 minutes duration, why don't you use WhatsApp or other apps because you are few in numbers? Well, my reply is, "We know we are few, but we aren't supposed to be few. There are people who profess to be Christians, and by their profession, they should be joining us. Whether they join us today or not we are reserving a space for them where they should rightly occupy even if they don't show up today. And BTW, they may show up next time." Well, it has been 5 Sundays, and those who weren't serious before the Lockdown continue to be unmindful of. Some have hardened themselves by terminating the means of communication. As Pastor John MacArthur wisely counseled that a preacher should preach to the ones on the seats, and not be bothered with the empty seats. And as there are tares and wheat in the same field, we must rejoice with the wheat and not be discouraged with the tares of the field.

In summary: The challenge is, of course, the social distancing and the technical issues that come with the technology. Also the hardness of the hearts of some! The hope of ministry is that the Grace of God continues to work in us irrespective of circumstances, that the faithful remain faithful, and realize the grace of God in ordinary times (before the Lockdown) which we hardly took time to consider upon when things were going OK. As we endure this time, Pastors, as Paul exhorted Timothy, we must preach in season and out of season (2 Tim 2:2). Christians, we must remember the question of Jesus, “When the Son of man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8). And Church Members, be of good cheers that Jesus is building His church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against His bride (Matthew 16:18).