Notes
Rev. K Kamchinkhup
Rev. K. Kamchinkhup equated the tottering state of society and spiritual life of Lamka to the physical condition of Jerusalem during the time of Anani. The fight against immorality had started from the Bijang and Rengkai side of the town, which seemed to sweep evils to the heart of Lamka. The response of ladies folk in prayers and deeds had succeeded in suppression of bootlegging in Damkam Bazar. More prayers are needed, he said.
Applauding the Nehemiah Project he reminded the Church members that the youth at home look upon Delhi for inspiration. He was programmed to deliver a full sermon in EBCC Central Delhi later in the day.
Rev Ginmalsawm-
God’s Way, Not Man’s
Rev. Gin Malsawm captivated the attention of the worshippers with the story of Israelites who were taken from Egypt towards Canaan through a circuitous road. Instead of marching through the land of Philistines, they took a winding road where they had to witness the miracle of parting red sea and spend 40 years in the desert. God was with them as cloud by day and as fire by night. The fastest way of achieving success is not necessarily God’s way. Even Martha felt that Jesus should have come right over when his brother died.
There were some things in the long and circuitous route.
The Israelites faced the Red Sea. From behind them the highly incensed battalion of Egyptian soldiers was chasing. At the time there was tension and panic of extreme proportions Moses gave a controversial order: ‘Stand firm’. Sometimes life of a Christian appears like a joke. And upon the stretching of Moses’ hand the sea was divided leaving a patch of dry land in between. So does the pains and tensions a Christian bears on behalf of God eventually have an exit. However, that was not end of the journey.
On the other side of the Red Sea stretched a dry land hounded by bitter water and poisonous snakes. And that’s the will of God!.
Apostle Paul was given an enormous task and a defective eye sight. He wanted his shortcoming removed. But God replied, “My Grace is sufficient for you”. Ridiculous by worldly standards!
Malsawm, who almost lost his adoring son to a strange ailment, drove home the point that the stories of the Israelites and Apostle Paul are relevant to the contemporary Church members. God wants them to live through the deserts, the marrahs, the serpents and the short-sightedness of the Government and society in Manipur. That is simply a process of hardening in preparation for the huge responsibilities to be handled in the Canaan of life.
Obedience, poise and opening up one’s heart to the commands of God at the time of confusion are vital for earning the respect and admiration of others.
