YOUTH FOCUS

One of the major challenges of the churches in this era is to equip our younger generation for the ministry in the 21st century. The time has come that the Pentecostal churches especially the malayalee Pentecostal churches in the United States have to pay more attention to this crucial issue. Very often we concentrate on our own agenda and seldom pay attention to the spiritual well being of our next generation. The children are always looking toward their parents and the leadership of the churches for guidance and answers. Unless there is a willing ear to listen their concerns it is hard to win them and keep them in our faith and in our churches. We are living in a world in which it is very easy for our next generation to get involved in all kinds of ungodly things. Committing sin is a mouse click away in cyber space. How many of us are paying attention to this serious situation?

Day in and day out we hear about serious crimes committed by children as young as 8 years old. Television and newspapers always bring these horror stories and some even glorify the people and children committing these crimes. As a result of this more people are adopting the path of destruction and violence. Before something horrible happen in our communities and churches, we need to wake up to face the reality because time is limited. This is the time for the churches to get involved in the matters of our younger generation. Differences in opinion cause schisms and divisions within church. Since these differences remain unresolved, many members leave the church. Friendship between our young generation, which they have developed for years is being broken. This will inflict deep wounds in their minds, which may lead them away from our faith and churches. We need to do everything possible to keep our children and mold them as a valuable asset to the kingdom of God.

The way to equip our younger generation is to go back to the Bible and teach them the sound doctrines of the Bible. A believer who is weak in the knowledge of the Bible is always vulnerable to the attacks of the devil. When Jesus Christ was on this earth, we read in Mathew chapter 4 that the tempter Satan came to Jesus and tried to tempt him while he was in the wilderness. Satan thought Jesus was very vulnerable, because he was fasting for 40 days. Having this knowledge, Satan approached him, quoting the verses from the Bible. We can find that Jesus himself rebuked Satan by quoting scriptures. We need to understand that verses of the Bible, because that has more power than our own words. It was spoken by the servants of God through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Few people show any interest to learn the word of God. Many churches do not have systematic Bible study program. If we can get the children involved I believe they will listen and learn the word of God.

We need to help them to be equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit. The churches need to pay more attention to the teachings of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Without the power of the Holy Spirit in our life, we cannot lead a victorious Christian life. The Pentecostal churches need to come back to the experience of Pentecost rather than the name of Pentecost. In order to win a battle with the powers of darkness we need to possess the right weapons. Our weapons are the Word of God and the Power of the Holy Spirit. Encourage our youngsters to tarry for the anointing so their witnessing will be effective. The Holy Spirit cannot manifest in our midst very often because we have not prepared ourselves to receive it. We have to have a pure heart and lead a holy and separated life until then, we cannot experience the power of God in our life. God does not fill any vessel with the power of the Holy Spirit, but fills only the right vessel. So let us submit ourselves in the hands of the great potter so that he can mold us as an honorable vessel so that God can fill it with His glory. So let us show our younger generations the importance of the Word of God and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

We need to equip our youngsters with a burden for the lost souls. Evangelization is the greatest mission of the church. God never intended the church to be limited inside the four walls of the building. The church needs to reach out to the communities and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. The greatest joy of a child of God on this earth is to bring another lost soul into the kingdom of God. We need to teach and train our younger generation for this great mission of the church.

Dear friends, if we can equip our younger generation with these tools, they are going to be victorious in their Christian life. Bible says: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” (psalms 119:9). May God bless you all. Amen.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1

What does that statement really mean? I have often wondered that, actually it is very simple because anything that has to do with our understanding of God Almighty, He makes it simple.

Few would say they do not want salvation. But many seek it where it cannot be found. Many think by being good, by doing good works they will be saved. By giving, doing, and striving they think they will be saved. Others think by adhering to the law will save them. Still others believe that their good character will determine their entrance into heaven. All these are important but there is only one way to God. Jesus Christ is the door and faith is the key that unlocks that door.

Man is sinful from birth and there are two problems he faces, death and guilt. The “wages of sin is death”. Since we all sin, we are dead in our trespasses; that means we cannot help ourselves out of this problem. Only divine life can save us. God provides the divine answer to our problem of death and guilt. That is regeneration and justification. Regeneration means to bring to life again and that is change that takes place in the life of a born again believer. Justification is our standing before God. We are accepted as righteous in the eyes of God. It is as if I had committed no sin in my life. We understand that God Almighty is Holy; and we cannot approach Him without being justified. That way is only through Jesus Christ.

Justification originates from grace (unmerited favor) and it is received through the redemptive and substitutionary work of Christ. Jesus Christ died in your place because in the scriptures it says the “wages of sin is death but the free gift is eternal life through Jesus. Justification is objective. We have nothing to do with it. It is a state of being declared righteous because Christ pardoned our sin and that produces peace with God. Without being justified God Almighty cannot look at us because we are unholy and our nature is hostile to God. Christ is our peacemaker and we become the peace takers. Accept this sacrificial love

Justification is not merely forgiveness; it deals with our new position and relationship because we are restored to fellowship with God. The believer has access into the grace of God by faith in Christ. We can go boldly to God without being afraid and we also have a firm foothold through Christ. You are a child of God.

Justification brings to the believer a hope of the glory of God. Dangers may come but a believer can stand firm and unshaken. Hope in God never disappoints us because the love of God is given without measure to believers.

God provided salvation through His Son Jesus Christ because man is weak. Man is incapable of working out a righteousness of our own because we are not strong enough to break the power of sin or to achieve a righteousness that would commend us to God. Our ungodliness and the fact we were enemies of God led us to constantly missing the mark or sinning. It is while we were in this state Christ died for us, thus demonstrating His love for us. That is why Christ came at the time appointed by the Father when mankind needed the Savior the most.

When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and ask Him to forgive you of our sins and live a life that is pleasing to Him, you are truly blessed in this life and in the one to come. You are considered not guilty in the presence of God Almighty, you are a child of God with all the privileges of being God’s child, you know that your prayers are being heard and answered. I challenge every person reading this to do that. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ and Him alone.

       	..Verses which might indicate that the Spirit did in fact indwell OT Believers 
	contain the Hebrew proposition 'in.' Gen. 41:38 and the verses in Daniel are alike 
	in that a heathen ruler observes a divine spirit in a faithful follower of Yahweh. 
	In the case of both Joseph and Daniel it was their ability to interpret dreams, not 
	a question of deep holiness of life, that evoked the comments of Pharaoh and the 
	Babylonian rulers, respectively. The two references in Ezekial (2:2, 3:24.) state 
	that 'the Spirit entered me-.' In each case this indwelling must have been temporary: 
	Ezekiel was filled with the Spirit for a certain amount of time, the duration of the 
	prophetic event-. The Spirit would heighten the prophet's mental ability so that he 
	could understand and remember what would be revealed to him. Receiving prophecies 
	involved repeated fresh anointing and empowering, not a continuous indwelling of the 
	Spirit.

"Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free!" Jesus Christ is the truth and when you really know Jesus Christ, He will set you free! Unfortunately, many Christians don't know Jesus Christ and what He really did for them. They know a Jesus but not THE JESUS. Jesus Christ came to set us free from sin. In this short article I will answer the following:

1. What is Sin?
2. What are the Consequences of Sin?
3. How to Discern the Deeds of the Devil?
4. God's Attitude towards Sin
5. Our Attitude towards Sin
6. How to not sin and defeat Satan?

"Some time ago, two Indians who had been watching a lighthouse go up came over to see the thing open on the big day. It was all set up with the lights and the bell and the horn; but the day it was due to open, the worst fog of all fogs came in.One Indian said to the other, "Light-Shine, bell- ring, horn-blow, but fog come in just the same."

"We've never had more lights shining, and bells ringing, and horns blowing in the church than we have today. We've never had more fog. (Vance Havner)

· This is the case with sin. We have clouded or fogged up the issues dealing with sin. "One reason sin flourishes is that it is treated like a cream puff instead of a rattlesnake." (Billy Sunday).

· Sin is the only thing that God abhors or hates. It brought Christ to the cross, it damns souls, it shuts heaven, and it laid the foundations of hell. (Thomas Brooks)

· "Sin is not weakness, it is a disease; it is red-handed rebellion against God and the magnitude of that rebellion is expressed by Calvary's cross."(Oswald Chambers)

· "Sin enough and you will soon be unconscious of sin!" (Oswald Chambers)

We are too Christian really to enjoy sinning, and too fond of sinning really to enjoy Christianity. Most of us know perfectly well what we ought to do; our trouble is that we do not want to do it.

Let's define what Sin really is? The truth about sin:

1) Sin is a transgression of the Law - lawlessness (1 John 3:4)
2) A grievous malady, contaminating the whole of man's being. (Isaiah 1:4,5; Romans 3:10-18)
3) An obscuring cloud, which hides the face of God's blessing (Isaiah 59:2)
4) A BINDING CORD which hold s man in its power (Proverbs 5:22)
5) An oppressive owner, who causes heartache to the lives of his slaves. (Nehemiah 9:37)
6) A disturber of rest, which causes disorder and anxiety. (Psalm 38:3)
7) A robber of blessing, which strips and starves the soul. (Jeremiah 5:25)
8) A terrible devastation, which brings untold desolation. (Micah 6:13)
9) A tripper-up, which continually overthrows the sinner to his hurt. (Proverbs 13:6)
10) A record writer, which leaves its permanent mark upon the committer. (Jeremiah 17:1)
11) A betraying presence, which "will out" no matter what pains are taken to hide it. (Ezekiel 21:24)
12) A sure detective, which turns upon the sinner and finds him out. (Numbers 32:23)
13) An accusing witness, who points its condemning finger at the prisoner in the bondage of sin. (Isaiah 59:12)
14) A sum addition which accumulates its weigh to the condemnation of the sinner. (Isaiah 30:1)
(Robert G. Lee)

Transgression - Hebrew and Greek words translated mean moral, religious, and national rebellion, revolt, unrighteousness, wickedness, violation, and breaking of law.

Sin is twofold: Outward Sin and Inbred Sin

The bible definition of Outward Sin:
1) "Sin is transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4)
2)  "Where no law is, there is no transgression" (Romans 4:15)
3) "By the law is the knowledge of sin" (Romans 3: 20; 7:7)
4) "Sin is not imputed when there is no law" (Romans 5:13)
5) "The thought of foolishness is sin" (Prov. 24:9; 2 Cor. 10:4-5)
6) "Without the law sin was dead" or dormant (Rom 7:8)
7) "Every idle word that men shall speak is sin" (Matt. 12:36-37)
8) "All unrighteousness is sin" (1 John 5:17)
9) "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Romans 14:23)
10) "If ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin" (James 2:9)
11) "He that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17)
12) All "actions" contrary to the law are sin . ( 1 Sam. 2:3; James 1: 13-1
13) "Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft" (1 Sam. 15:23)
14) Any "omission" of the law is sin (Matt. 23:23)
15) All "desires" and "lusts" contrary to the law, inwardly or outwardly manisfested are sin (Mark 7:19-21; Rom. 1:29-32; Gal. 5:16-21; Eph., 2: 3; Col. 3: 5-10; James 1:13-15).

The Bible definition of Inbred Sin:

1) "The prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Eph. 2:1-3; 1 John 3:8, John 8:41-44) This is one statement that defines the "old man" and inbred sin. It is the devil himself working in men of disobedience in contrast with "the new man", which is the Spirit and nature of God working in the sons of obedience.

2) There are ther terms used in scriptures for "the old man" as the devil working in men are:

"Sin"- (John 1:29; 8:34, Rom. 6:4-22; 7:7-25; 8:2);		 "the body of sin"- Romans 6:6
 "darkness" (Acts 26:18)					"the body of this death" (Rom.7:24)
"the old man" (Rom 6:6, Eph.4:22-24)				"the lusts of the flesh" (Eph. 2:3)
"the lust of the eyes" (1John 2:15-17)				"the pride of life" (1 John 2:15-17)
"all ungodliness and all unrighteousness" (Rom 1:18)		"the world" (1 John 2:15-17)
"vile affections" (Rom. 1:26)					"the lusts of the mind" (Eph 2:3)
"a reprobate mind" (Rom. 1:28)				" the lusts of sin" (Rom 6:11,12)
"the motions of sin"(Rom. 7:5)					"the law of sin and death"(Rom 7:7-25; 8:2)
"the carnal mind" (Rom 8:1-13)				"the works of the flesh"(Gal. 5:16-21, 24)
"the flesh" (Rom 8:1-13; Gal 5:24)				the "carnal man" - (Rom 7:14-25)
"the power of Satan" (Acts 26:18)				"the god of this world" (2 Cor. 4:3-4)
"principalities….powers…..the rulers of darkness of this world….spiritual wickedness in high places"(Ephesians 6:12)
"the lusts of your father" the devil (John 8:44)			"sin that dwelleth in me" (Rom 7:7-25)
"the course of this world" (Eph. 2:2)				"the body of the sins of the flesh" (Col. 2:11)

These passages clearly states that sin is more than transgression of the law or outward sin, and something separate from man himself.

Every one of these expressions proves that there is a real law of sin and death, and back of this law, executing it, a real power from a real nature and real person who is stronger than man himself.

It is the "old man", "the body of sin",and " the body of this death" that are to be destroyed, and not the body, soul, and spirit of man (Romans 6:1-22, 8:1-13; Gal.5:24; Col.2:11)

Consequences of Sin:

There are 5 consequences of sin that we need to know:

1) It causes Spiritual Blindness
2) One becomes Servant to Sin;
3) The end is Death
4) It continually torments
5) Separates you from God Eternally!

How to Discern the Deeds of the Devil?

"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8)

The devil does the following 5 things:

1. The Devil Distracts: "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us for we are not ignorant of his 
devices" (2 Cor. 2:11).  The Satan is transformed into an angel of light. He attracts, distracts, 
and attacks (2 Cor. 11:14).  We must resist the devil and draw nearer to God by watching and praying. 
(James 4: 7-8).  "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in 
the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful" (Psalms 1:1)- Notice it is a progression, 
it starts with the walk, then you stand among the sinners, and then you are helpless as you sit with 
the sinners. The bible tells us to flee away from where sin exists.  Do not let the members of your 
body take you to places that Jesus would not go to.

2. The Devil Deceives: "… Satan …. Shall go out to deceive the nations…" (Rev. 20:7-8).  Satan tries 
to frustrate God's people.  His deception may cause the wrong to seem right and the right to seem wrong. 
 Brothers and sisters if you are still having problems with sin in your life, you need to read what 
1 John  Chapter 3 and repent.  Either you are in the light or you are in darkness.  Either you are 
going to heaven or you are going to hell.  There is no in-between state.  Romans 6:1,2 says, "Shall
 we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any 
longer therein? Verse 11 of Romans chapter 6 says, "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead 
indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."  Satan deceives many so called 
Christians today and they don't even know it.  1 John 4:7,8 says, "Beloved, let us love one another: 
for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  He that loveth not  - 
knoweth not God; for God is love."  1 John 3:6, 8-10 reads like this, "Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth 
not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him.   He that committeth sin is of the devil: 
for the devil sinneth from the beginning.  For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he 
might destroy the works of the devil.  Whosoever is born of God DOTH NOT COMMIT SIN - for his seed 
remaineth in Him.  AND HE CANNOT SIN; for His seed remaineth in Him; and HE CANNOT SIN, because he 
is born of God.  In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever 
doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.  

3. The Devil Disgraces: "… the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtility…." (2 Cor. 11:3).  Satan uses 
temptation to bring many to disgrace.  He tempts through illicit sex, the love of money, and the desire 
for popularity (1 Thess. 3:5).  We can defeat Satan through faith (Eph. 6:16).  Let us declare as Christ 
did, "Get thee behind me, Satan."  We defeat Satan by the blood and the word of our testimony.  Our 
testimony must be a victorious one rather than that of defeat.  

4. The Devil Depresses: "… Satan … smote Job with sore boils .. "(Job 2:7).  Satan discourages God's 
people.  He afflicts them with testing, trial, trouble, and torment.    God will help and heal, 
strengthen and sustain those who trust Him.  He is greater than Satan is (1 John 4:4).  Greater is 
He that is in you than He that is in the world.

5. The Devil Destroys:  "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life…" (Rom. 6:23). 
 Satan is in the sin business.  His ultimate desire is to defeat God and destroy His people (1 Peter 5:8). 
 Since God is more than a match for Satan, Satan is doomed for defeat.  He shall be cast down and destroyed.
 (Rev. 12:10)  Hallelujah!!

God's Attitude toward Sin: 
God loves the sinner but hates the sin.  Always, remember that God will not compromise in this matter.   
He wants you to acknowledge first that you have sinned.  Then He wants you to go to Jesus Christ for your 
forgiveness. He wants you to walk in the Spirit and exercise Love since "God so loved the world that He 
gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Our Attitudes toward Sin
    If you haven't received Jesus as your Personal Savior, you need to first acknowledge that you have sin in your life and that you are a sinner.  Regarding sin, you need to:
· Confess It
· Forsake it
· Be Born Again
· Resist the Devil and the temptations

If you are born again and still struggling with sin in your life, read 1 John chapter 3.  You need to first 
of all have faith in what the Lord Jesus Christ did for you.  The same spirit that is in Jesus Christ and 
the Almighty God indwells in you.  This spirit is holy and seeks after righteousness.  This spirit will 
guide you into all truth.  You need to realize that God expects you to be holy and separated from the world.
  The Holy Spirit is reminding you to shed some things in your life - right away; flee from the sin that's 
pulling you back; resist the devil and he will flee from you; Do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, 
nor stand in the way of sinner, nor sit in the seat of the scornful but delight in the law of the Lord and 
meditate upon it day and night.  Put on the whole spiritual armor of God every day for the day in which 
we live in is evil.  Satan is going about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.  Therefore, 
acknowledge your sins, confess your sins, forsake it, and resist the devil and put on the whole spiritual 
armor of God!  

Every morning, before getting out of bed pray the following prayer:
"Father, I rededicate my life to you again… to you this morning. I give my life anew.  Take my mind… 
conscious and unconscious mind. and fill both parts with your blessed, holy, and wholesome thoughts.  
Take my heart and empty it of all lesser loves and fill it with your love…full to overflowing so I can 
love you, every person I meet this day, and myself rightly… as you would have me love.

Father, I clothe my body with these garments, I remember that I am to put on your armor if I am to be 
victorious in the temptations that will come my way today.  I put on the shoes of peace, the belt of 
truth, the breastplate of righteousness (right living), the shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and 
the sword of the Holy Spirit, which is the word of God… the Bible.

Also in prayer, I clothe each family member in God's armor.  In addition I plead the Blood of Jesus over 
myself, and each family member: I also plead the Blood of Jesus over all personal and family belongings, 
property, transportation, homes, pets, relationships, jobs, etc. every area of life.  I place each family 
member's mind especially ears and eyes of children under the Blood of Jesus.

Now, father, I am ready to live this day.  I am ready to live it in such a way that it will bring glory 
and honor to you for I am your child ready and willing to do what you want me to do.  I give you charge 
over my talents and treasure, and put household and myself on your timetable.  Please surround me with 
your angels.  In the name of Jesus, I gag, bind, and rebuke any spirits contrary to the Holy Spirit 
(Satan and the demon powers), and forbid them access to anyone or anything for which I pray.  I place 
all contrary spirits in the custody of Jesus, and forbid them to try to return or send any others in their 
place.  Jesus, fill me and all for whom I pray with Your light, so that there will be no room for anything
 but YOU.

Thank you Father, for Your Love.
Thank you, Jesus, for your presence within me
Thank you, Holy Spirit, for your power to put into practice what I believe

Amen.

God Bless you and Keep you is my prayer for you.