Shadow Of Wings of Protection - Testimony

Jesus is our protector.  He protects us over and over again from evil situations.

Protection in Jungle Road:

When I was a little girl, my dad would often drive from town to another in his jeep.  We often drove passed wild forests and I remember many journeys through these forest roads in the night.   The stories of wild animals tearing villagers to pieces were very common and more common were the horror stories of elephants trampling people to "flat chapattis" (flat kind of unleavened wheat).  Wild elephants in India are known to come into villages on an attacking spree killing many villagers.  One afternoon, as my dad was driving through a forest road, a huge elephant stood in front of the road, staring at us.  He did not look friendly and seemed in the motions of wanting to attack.  We sat quietly in the jeep, silently praying, after a while a few more vehicles stopped behind us until finally a long line of vehicles queued behind us waiting .  We were all told to keep silent or if agitated, the noise would aggravate the elephant and he would definitely charge and we were the first in line.  After a very long debate within the elephant's mind, he decided to walk back into the forest!  It was clear that the prayers protected us.  The elephant was in an attacking, defensive mode, and such killings were very common, so today, I recall it was a protection from God because of our silent prayers.  Psalm 121:7 The LORD will keep you from all harm- He will watch over your life."

Protection During Activists Movement:

In Darjeeling, with the uprising of the Gorkha movement as the Gorkhas wanted a separate state away from West Bengal, the times were not safe.  Many were killed during that movement.  Sometimes, we heard gunshots in the night by the border security forces who were stationed in Darjeeling during that time, and we were afraid to find out who would be killed when we would hear the news in the morning.  Oftentimes, as I went up the hill to college, me and my friend would be threatened with knives to return back home as they wanted curfew and we had no idea it was a curfew sometimes.  No one was seen on the roads after 5 pm.  People were afraid to say anything because they did not know how their words would turn against them, even to death.  We lived in fear for our lives.  During that season, Psalm 91 became real to me, it became my comfort, my strength and my shield.  As I would recite Psalm 91 aloud, I would feel a calm surrounding me and peace descend and a supernatural protection surrounding me and my family.  Psalm 91:7  “A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you." 

Today, with the rise of terrorism to a degree the world has never seen, as believers of Jesus Christ, we can take these verses and pray them over our lives.  God is our protector, He will shield us with the promises of His Word.  The Word of God is life.  It is alive!  We do not need to be afraid of evil or terror when we have the shield of prayer surrounding us.

Protection From Accident:

A few years ago, recently, my husband, two young sons and I were driving back home late in the night.  We were tired and well, my husband was sleepy.  Usually on those late night drives, when he is sleepy, he pulls over and dozes off a while.  However, I do not know what happened that night, but as he was driving along the highway on the forested way back to Hosur, and nearly falling asleep, he suddenly braked.  It was a reflex action and he did not know why he did that, but he had nearly crashed into the side of the road!  The next instant a car raced on in front of him, we don't know how it happened, but as he braked suddenly, we all jerked and awoke from a zone of sleepiness with a shock.  He told me he braked and he did not know why, in his half sleep.  This was no reflex action.  Psalm 91:10  No harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. And He will indeed send His protection over our lives.

Protection From Angry People!

Yes! Angry people!.  Sometimes we have an onslaught from an angry person and it can be painfully hurtful and shock you out of your senses.  I have learned practicing the presence of Jesus is the most powerful way to live our lives on Earth.  This means, talking to Him and listening, listening, listening!  In His presence, even unkind people start to become nice.  Even enemies turn friends. This is an amazing highway which protects our lives, our homes, our families, our children and our relationships.

Over and over again, when someone is angry with me or just plain angry all the time, I start talking to Jesus during the situation, and suddenly something snaps in the atmosphere, the person's eyes seem to clear and they calm down, suddenly silent, or start speaking normally again.  I believe that when we commune with the Lord, we are abiding in Him, and His presence starts to change our situations in our lives.  Those times, I do not even pray, I abide, and I see miracles!  John 15:5:  I am the vine, ye are the branches.  He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit."

His Presence of Protection In Salvation:

I went through a black phase in my life.  I later went to Calcutta.  In November 1992, one evening I was sitting in my sister's corner room and I picked up a Bible.  I read the Gospels,  I was suddenly struck by the love Jesus had for people, the forgiveness.  I always thought I was a relatively good person who could  never harm anyone but that night as I read the Bible, I suddenly saw for the very first time in my life I was a sinner, wretched and how much I had hurt the Lord by turning away and I wept tears of repentance.  I then had the most amazing experience I ever had in my entire life.  I felt a power, like supernatural Love wrap me up like a blanket.  I was in the midst of this very powerful force, Love, it was not my love.  It was not human love. I was immersed in this cloud of Love for two weeks. After that I was filled with a love for people I knew was not mine. I felt I was walking in Heaven.  I could forgive people who had harmed me, and that was not natural forgiveness.  I was allowed to experience this wonderful presence of Love, which I believe was the Presence of God with a pure love for people, and such joy that I felt I was in heaven. It was a very different power, unlike the presence in the cave in Katra, which was cold and frightening.  This Presence of Love left me after two weeks when I started worrying again about things, like what should I do, where should I work.....The presence of His Love is stronger than any power on Earth, and may we meet with that Love when we meet with Him.  In Christ, when we know Him, we have our greatest protection on Earth.  Nothing can compare to His presence of protection in our lives!  Jesus presence protects and saves us from many troubles.  We get special authority over evil in Jesus name, as I will share below....

Protection From Hexes and Attacks:
People putting hexes on others or even black magic is prevalent in our land and quite common.  In my early days of knowing Christ, I was temporarily staying in a hostel for a season in Calcutta.  One evening, as I came to my room, which was shared with a few other girls, I noticed a couple of girls were busy doing some sort of ritual on the veranda.  I have no idea what it was. As I was about to sleep that night, the word "evil" flashed through my brain and suddenly I was suffocated with a blackness I had never seen before.  I felt myself being dragged, dragged down far below.  I was struggling to speak and struggling to move!  I started trying to pray in my mind "God is great, God please help me, God who created the Heavens glory be to You!"  Nothing happened and the attack continued, feeling myself suffocated and sliding down, very down, it was a "soul slide."  Finally after a long time I struggled to say "In Jesus name, go!"  Instantly that thing left me!  In the early dawn, I saw a black crescent moon hanging in the air.  I understood that the channel of attack had been through that.  It then faded away.  I learned there is power in Jesus name when we take our authority and rebuke evil telling it to leave in Jesus name, it has to leave!

We have nothing to fear when Jesus is here!  We rise under His wings of protection!

Rita Farhat Kurian
_______________________________________________________________________

Email Us For Prayer!

You can send E-mail for prayer requests and also urgent prayer and will pass this on to the prayer group in Siliguri of Elder Richard Tamang's so do send in your prayer requests! We will all pray!

Email: ritafarhatkurian@gmail.com

Only God is the true  converter of a human soul.  No human can convert anyone.  It is God's Spirit to a human's spirit that converts.

How Great Is Your Love - Imtipokyim - True Story

O How He Loves Us!

From a troubled teen, to knowing Christ, God started to change his life.

 Imtipokyim

My Early Days

When I was born, my mother was very weak and in danger of losing her life.  While my dad was pacing around anxiously, the doctor gave my dad a choice, "Your wife or the baby, make a choice."  My dad obviously very worried about my mother chose my mother to live and I do not blame him.  I have thought many times if I was in his place, I would have done the same.  Through the grace of God, however, I did not die as expected as I too was very weak when I was born on that rainy day in monsoon, the 4th of July in Kohima, Nagaland.  I had an elder brother at that time when I was born.  The next year, on my birthday, when I was one-year-old, my mother, who was very ill, sadly, passed away.  Perhaps God kept her alive for that one year to take care of me and took her away.  My grandparents took care of me and my brother after that.

I was five years old when I was sent to a boarding school in Dimapur, Nagaland.  Soon after, I had a new step mom.  We as a family were not close to the Lord.  We were a broken home with a lot of tension and unrest in the home.  Over time, I had two new step brothers and a step sister, in total there were five of us.   I was often confused and soon became an angry little boy, lonely and hurt.  I took comfort in nature sometimes.  I remember a little stream near our house, rolling green hills of Kohima and tall trees surrounding our home.  The hills looked a glorious sight in the night, glittering with tiny lights and the clean fresh cool air always refreshed me, while I even saw fire flies dancing around in the jungle areas and sparkling stars in a clear dark sky at night.

Guns and Goons 

Soon, as a young boy, I got into the "bad stuff."  I had young uncles who took me along with them and taught me how to drink wine.  Eventually I started drinking wine regularly, which got worse and worse. Later, in Nagaland, I got to associate with some people who introduced me to guns.  I soon learned how to shoot guns well.  I got into many fights with guys twice my size and got bashed up badly many times, but that did not stop me.  I wanted to join the mafia and be the don and fight for the good of the society due to the corruption in society!  All intentions were good, but everything in my life was a big mess during those early teenage years.  I am very grateful to God that He saved me from committing mega crimes and protected me from going to jail for even at one time, I out of great fury, thought of killing my parents.  I just stopped in time, I know now today God stopped me because at that time, I had access to guns and bullets and I would have killed or fought more because I had a lot of anger and unrest raging inside me at that time.

Great Unfathomable Love!

When I was 18 years old, I used to go for tuition to a place where I go just below public ground, called Nepali ground in Kohima.  There were some girls attending the tuition who were my friends.  As I was mischievous, I enjoyed disturbing them just for kicks, and when they were studying, I would distract so they would not be able to study.  That  summer, there was a big healing crusade held in Kohima by Cross Wonder Church, an inter-denominational church.  This was going to be held for three nights.  Some of these girls who were my friends were leading the worship in the crusade.  I decided it would be fun just to go to the crusade and distract them while they were singing.  So, I went.  The crusade started.  The speaker was powerful and the Word of God was convicting, but I did not give myself to God, nor was I convicted.  The second night was the same and I was basically untouched.  On the third night of the crusade, the powerful preacher was speaking about the Love of God and I was suddenly hit with a deep conviction of my sins. I immediately felt the Love of God and His overpowering mighty presence.  This was an amazingly new experience for me and I broke down, ran to the altar, knelt down, deeply aware of my state of sinfulness overwhelmed under the power of conviction.  The wonderful supernatural Love of Jesus was powerful!  Such love is beyond human words and understanding!.  I with my whole soul sang along the song that was being sung by the worship team:

I stand amazed in the presence

Of Jesus the Nazarene

And wonder how He could love me

A sinner condemned, unclean.

How marvelous!

How wonderful!

And my song shall ever be

 How marvelous!

How wonderful!

Is my Savior’s love for me!

I felt that God's love was so marvelous.  I felt overwhelmed that I was not even fit to be put in a dustbin, but He loved me!  I felt forgiven and deeply loved by God.  I was a new person inside now, clean and forgiven.  Some miraculous changes happened after that night.  I gave up drinking alcohol instantly even though I had been addicted to drinking.  I found I could no longer relate to old thoughts and old friends.  It was like a new person was inside me.  It was amazing! One struggle I did have occasionally sometimes was anger.  I was not always angry, but if I did get angry, it would be with fire and fury and I found that I needed a gun or a knife in my hand at that time.  In this struggle, I would go to a friend whom I would trust and ask for prayer for me and their prayers helped me.

My family did not understand my salvation, because I was the first to be born-again in my family and my faith and love for God irritated them.  They would even scold me for going to church.  I had to sneak out to go to church. I did struggle asking God "Why does it have to be so hard just to get close to You?

The Call

For the first year of my born-again experience, I had no close friends and my greatest friend was God, and I had good fellowship with Him.  Cross Wonder Church built my faith on a rock.  One night, the pastor was preaching from Matthew 9: 37:  Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” This verse convicted me of God’s calling to serve in His field, and that night I committed myself to serve the Lord.

When I told my dad I wanted to go to Bible College, he was not pleased and responded negatively that he would not support me if I went because of his poor financial position.  So, by faith, through the grace of God, I managed to go without his help. My church, Cross Wonder Church showed up to sponsor me right when I needed help. After class 12, I went to Kohima Bible College, complete B.Th.  I am now doing my masters in theology at Evangelical Theological Seminary of Asian Christian Academy, Tamil Nadu.

God gave me a special love and burden for children.  I believe children are precious and deserve to be loved.  This is possibly because as a child, I was depressed many times and felt neglected and forsaken.  Right after my born again experience, I started working with children in Cross Wonder Church, Kohima.  At that time, I was in class 11, around 18 years old.

When I finish Bible College, I would like to go back to Kohima and help the church with the youth and children.  I am praying to start a ministry for children, especially lonely, rejected children even if they have parents as sometimes parents can be too busy to have time for their children.  God has brought in my life an amazing girl (I call her Eva) who has the same vision and heart for children, and we are praying to be married and serve the Lord together.

The wonderful miracles continue.  My parents are no longer the same.  My step mom gave her life to Jesus after I was saved and she loves me like her own son.  Her love for me is more than ever.  My dad gave up alcohol, and he has accepted Christ and he has changed.  At first when I wanted to go to Bible College, he vehemently disliked the idea and was angry with me for my choice, and I went without his support.  He later visited me in Kohima Bible College in the 3rd year.  He left with tears in his eyes.  Now he supports me for my master’s degree in Bible College in ACA.  He encourages me to for ministry, and to church.  We are still learning and climbing uphill, we may stumble sometimes, but now we are learning together, holding hands, which is a marvelous miracle.  I can only say, "Jesus is amazing.  His grace is overwhelming."

The love of Jesus and His gift of eternal life is the reason for Christmas...My experience of that amazing love is what Jesus wants to offer us with the gift of eternal life when we believe in Him...

 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Imtipokyim

About Imti:  Imti has a wonderful gift with children and draws children to him like a magnet and all the children love him.  He has a special anointing on his life and is a very gifted and caring person.  When he leads the worship service, there is clearly a blessing on the worship and people can see the hand of God on his life and God is using him in marvelous ways.  He is presently studying his masters in theology at Evangelical Theological Seminary of Asian Christian Academy, Tamil Nadu, in 2015.

Only God is the true  converter of a human soul.  No human can convert anyone.  It is God's Spirit to a human's spirit that converts.

The Power of Forgiveness - Poem

When we are wounded

Hurt and angry with pain

When someone we have trusted

Has vexed us in vain

When people often pass by

Without a smile

When people keep a safe distance

About a mile

When nights we may lie awake

Wondering what we had done

Clouds hanging and no sun

When we feel

How falsely they think

We are alone in a boat

And about to sink

When someone we loved has hurt

And rejected us and walked out

Life seems to end, no doubt

We in pain want to give up

And in hurt and pain

We bubble over with blame

When someone has killed
A loved one
Or maimed, hurt, robbed and destroyed
The pain is too great to bear

Gently whispering in our ear
 He says "Forgive them!"

We answer, "Lord, Is that you?

We can't forgive them here"

May be in Heaven

but not now Lord, they really hurt

The wounds they inflicted

Are ingrained like dirt

He patiently answers

"My Child, Just forgive them

With the love I will give you

You cannot do it

I will help you

I have forgiven you even

When you fall and fail

Forgive them the same way

With a step of faith start anew

Believe me !

When you forgive your enemies

I will take you to great heights

Where you will fly high

If you do not forgive

In chains you will live

But forgiveness sets you free

From a broken soul's jail

When you choose to forgive

You set yourself free!

You also release your offender free

So they can become what they should be

If they so chose that choice of change

No longer in thick chains

Then the ones who have hurt you

Will also slowly start to change 

When you forgive

That burden will lift

Your soul will shine

You will start to change

And over your life

New blessings will rain

Life will never be the same

Because in the Road of Forgiveness

The Power of the Law of Love reigns

The Rule of the Kingdom of Darkness

Will have to depart

And now a victorious new life

You will restart

Because in forgiveness is freedom!

Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.

© Rita Farhat Kurian

In His Presence - Poem

If today Christ lived on Earth

The world would run

To see great miracles done

Millions would flock

Just to see His kind face

Praying for a miracle

To touch them with grace

Yet now, a greater miracle

Is gifted to us

In the Heavens

While Christ rules above

He pours His Spirit

On us from above

His Spirit on us

Desends like a dove

His Spirit is now indwelling

Overflowing

And renewing each day

In His presence

He is here to stay

He is with us

Each moment, each hour

The source of all

Unlimited power

In His presence

Great things happen to us

When we remain in Him

In rest and not rush

In His Presence

Miracles happen

The Heavens open

His Face shines down

He nourishes with

Morning Dew

Abiding and guiding

In His Presence

Life takes a new road

Off goes that heavy load

New beginnings bud

Silver springs gurgle

New life starts to sparkle

In His Presence always

Great wonders happen

May we always

Seek His Presence

Day by day

John 14:16:  And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may be with you for ever.

Rita Farhat Kurian

In His Presence

Life takes a new road

Off goes that heavy load

New beginnings bud

Silver springs gurgle

New life starts to sparkle

In His Presence always

Great wonders happen

May we always

Walk in His Presence
Day by day

John 14:16:  And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may be with you for ever.

By Rita Kurian

He Who Began A Good Work In You... - Poem

There once stood a house

Ruined and wrecked

The mice ran around
Broken wooden beams unchecked

The hungry wind whistled down

The chimney each night

Oh! That house lay in the wilderness

With no one in sight

Then the Maker came

And visited that house

A carpenter He was

He mended it and out ran the mice!

Each shattered wooden beam He repaired

Each corner He touched

Even the floor He didn’t spare

His love mended all the wear and tear

Soon the house, glowing and polished

Beaming under His care

That house is your very own soul

He rebuilds, heals and makes you whole

When the time is due

A touch from His hand

Will make feeble legs stand

Transforming your life

To something new

No matter how down you go

When His Hand touches your life

It will start to glow

Your life will never be the same

He transforms you into a beautiful vessel

He fills your soul with healing springs

And joy and peace within you sings

Because He who began a good work

Will bring it to perfect completion

Philippians 1:6

And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ

Rita Farhat Kurian

\Email Us For Prayer!

You can send E-mail for prayer requests and also urgent prayer and will pass this on to the prayer group in Siliguri of Elder Richard Tamang's so do send in your prayer requests! We will all pray!

Email: ritafarhatkurian@gmail.com

Protection from Accidents - Testimony

Couple of very simple little testimonies of how God in His mercy protected us from unanticipated harm...

It was a cold windy Sunday afternoon day in Delhi.  I and my friend had gone to the market in South Extension to buy some provisions that afternoon.  We did not realize that the weather was wild outside as the wind struck with greater fury some minutes later.  The market looked deserted due to the wind storm that arrived out of a whirlwind dust storm and hit certain parts of the city.  The dust storm arose ferociously ravaging anything in its pathway.  The chaiwalla (tea man) selling tea under a huge umbrella-like tree had a nasty surprise when his tea pan went flying off and his stove overturned.

I and my friend ran for refuge in front of an empty-looking shop, wiping away dust from our eyes and we could barely see, red-eyed and sore, a little frightened because we never saw such a furious dust storm.  We watched in horror as frying pans and objects flew around, with dust swirling in circles angrily.  As I kept watching, I was suddenly subconsciously stepped forward not knowing why I did that.  The very next moment, the shop steel shutter came crashing down on the exact spot that I had been standing a moment ago!  Had I still been there, well!  I would not have survived.  The shop steel shutter (which is used to close the shop when it is closed) was sharp and slicing.  I was numbed for a while and slowly realized that my life was saved.  I was filled with awe for God who protected me at that time. (Just to mention, my friend had been standing near the shop pillar and was quite safe there).

Another Incident

A few years ago, recently, my husband, children and I were driving from Coonoor (hills with tea gardens) back to Bangalore.  The mountainous road was winding and steep and a thick mist blanketed the narrow road of sharp precipices.  The mist turned into a fog, and we could barely see in front of us, so bad that the mountain road was not even discernible!  Each turn in that road was like agony and we were not sure when we would fly off the road and go crashing down into the mountains!  I just remember praying and praying until a calm surrounded our situation.  

When we finally reached the bottom of the mountains and entered into the plains, it was a beautiful glorious moment to know our prayers were answered and all was well!  

  I need to add that we always pray for protection when we start off on a journey in the car because we see many accidents and deaths while traveling as well, so now it is a habit to pray for protection on any travel.

I believe that we have angels watching over us.  We cannot imagine what accidents, mishaps and disasters we are saved from each day.  God keeps us safe and alive for a purpose.  He has a plan and that is why we have special protection.  No evil can befall them who trust Him.  We can claim our promises of protection from God.  Psalm 91:10  No harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. And He will indeed send His protection over our lives."


When we commit our day to the Lord and pray for protection specifically, we do get delivered from from evil, harm and danger.

Psalm 34:7:  The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.

Rita Farhat Kurian

A Way In The Wilderness - Poem

A Way in the Wilderness

Sometimes it seems all doors are shut

Your soul is worn with bruises and cuts

Be still! Know that the Lord is by your side

He is doing a new work in your life

So deep at times, you may not know

But slowly, bit by bit, your life starts to glow

In time, He will swing open doors of hope very wide

He will fill the darkest deepest corners of your soul

Binding up painful wounds and making you whole

His peace like a waterfall will descend in your valley

And through rough winding roads He will carry

All you need to do is trust in Him

And He will fill you with calm to the brim

Peace will flood you when you know He is there

In charge of each detail in your life, so never despair

He is the God of all hope, joy and peace

The more you lean on Him

More treasures will He release

Peace! Be still and know He is holding your hand

Leading you step by step so you can strongly stand

So rest in Him and all fears will be washed away

Then, on this Earth you will live a Kingdom Life each day

Isaiah 41:10: "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Rita Farhat Kurian

\Email Us For Prayer!

You can send E-mail for prayer requests and also urgent prayer and will pass this on to the prayer group in Siliguri of Elder Richard Tamang's so do send in your prayer requests! We will all pray!

Email: ritafarhatkurian@gmail.com

No Turning Back - Name Withheld - Testimony of how a lady came to Christ

Name Withheld- India
A powerful testimony of how a Brahmin lady came to Christ...

Early Life

I was born in a devout Hindu Brahmin family.  I had a deep interest in God and religion since childhood.  "Truth" meant a lot to me. If I heard anything contradicting, it would trouble me a lot until I found the facts and resolved the contradictions. If anything was true, I could just accept it. Fictions did not interest me much. I was more interested in religious or philosophical books. I used to like reading the Ramayana or Bhagwad Geeta to my grandmother.  Every vacation I would try and read religious or philosophical books written by Swami Vivekanand, Rabindranath Tagore and later J Krishnamurthy.

In one corner of my house, my parents had the pictures and idols of Hindu gods. My father lit an incense and a lamp before these every morning and evening and prayed. I too prayed before these gods every day and sometimes I used to get confused as to which god to pray to. I also had the habit of chanting some of the mantras that my parents had taught me, often during the day. However, I realized that whenever I was sad or upset about something, I could pray to God sincerely from my heart. But when everything was going well, it would only be a mechanical recitation of prayers. However much I tried, it did not seem to come from my heart.

The Deep Search

I had a close friend who was also very religious and we would talk about God and spiritualism often. One day we both agreed that there were many gods and goddesses but we will only seek the Most High God, the one and only Absolute TRUTH and the Ultimate Reality. I always felt there was more to life than just physical or material. But I did not know how to pursue spiritualism and know its truths and I always prayed to God that though I wanted to study well and build a good career (I loved studying and always did well in my exams) and perhaps would get married and have a family too, but my ultimate goal in life was salvation, but I did not know how to achieve it.

I heard about transcendental meditation once and went for it. I practiced it for sometime but did not seem to get anywhere. Time went by and I finished my studies, got married, found a good job and started working too. But deep down within me a flicker of a desire for salvation kept burning. I studied engineering & MBA and took up a job in an export oriented Information Technology company. As I was getting exposed to the world, I felt that I was going further away from God. I also realized that man had the potential to be good and also be equally bad. I thought one day, if I were to die will I be with God? And I knew I was far from God.

In Hinduism, people pursue self realization. Thus through practice of yoga and meditation arrive at a state in which one no longer identifies with one’s body but the spirit within. Depending on the progress of the individual in this practice, which may continue over many births, is finally expected to  culminate in the state of ‘Samadhi’ and the individual is considered to have merged with the universal consciousness and is considered to have achieved ‘Moksha’ or salvation. If salvation was all about realizing one’s own self with the help of a guru who was more advanced in the practice, I came to wonder about the existence of God. Did God really exist or was it just a concept or a state of being?

  

After completing my studies of engineering degree and an MBA, I got married and was working in an export oriented computer software development company. A new set of people joined the project I was working on and our manager introduced one of the members saying that he believed in God. I was intrigued and got talking with this person about his beliefs and experiences. And I found that this person’s faith seemed quite real. For every issue he would talk about praying to God about it and then would claim that God had heard his prayers and that his prayers will be answered and they would get answered.

After looking at the faith of my colleague, I one day decided to ‘believe’ in God’s existence and prayed to God that if HE did exist to help me find HIM one day. Within three months of joining the project, this colleague of mine was released and sent on another project abroad in answer to his prayers, while I continued in Mumbai. After few months, due to the stress at work I had a problem of hormonal imbalance and went for a residential yoga camp.  In this camp I learnt about the principles of yoga, its theory and practice, and thought that God was leading me to HIMSELF. So I resolved to practice everything that I had learnt, religiously, till I achieved the goal of my salvation and of knowing the ‘ABSOLUTE TRUTH’. So after returning from the camp I tried to put into practice everything that I had learnt, the physical exercises – the asanas, the breathing exercises and meditations called pranayamas and resolved to live by the principle of ‘karma yoga’ i.e. selfless service and observe the disciplines i.e. ‘yamas’ and ‘niyamas’ of truth and non-violence in my day to day life.

While I was practicing these yogic principles, I found a very positive effect on my body and mind, but it was a great struggle to practice the principles of selfless service and live a truthful life. It made me aware of my sinfulness and I almost concluded that it was impossible for a man to become morally pure by his own efforts.

While I was struggling with these things, my colleague returned from his project abroad. I started discussing with him my experiences. He would read out passages from the Bible in response to my queries and one thing that hit me the most was the second commandment God gave to Moses which said ‘Worship the Lord God and HIM only, for HE alone is worthy of our worship. Do not make any idols in any form and do not bow down before them as it is an abomination in the sight of God. Also do not worship any created things like Sun, Moon, Stars, Earth, water, birds or animals, but only the one and only Creator God.’ Now, among Hindus, even if one is not very religious, the least that one does is to bow down before idols at home or in the temples. It shook the very foundations of my beliefs and I felt as if the earth was being removed from under my feet. Hindus also believe that all religions are different paths leading to the same God and the same Truth. But I started wondering why the same God would command different human beings to practice contradictory things to please Him. I started wondering what the truth was and very ardently started seeking to know the truth about God and spiritualism. I started praying to the One and Only True Almighty Creator Most High Sovereign God, The God who personified love truth peace justice righteousness. And prayed to HIM to show me the way to HIMSELF.

I continued my practices of yoga but prayed to God that I was doing it not for any health, emotional or mental benefits but to know THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH. I was seeking to know GOD with all my heart, mind, soul and strength above everything else in my life. I was also reading books on meditation and mantras and spiritualism written by Hindu rishis and saints. While I was reading one such book, I found that the author was quoting Jesus Christ quite often. So I thought why not read the Bible itself and know first hand what Jesus had to say? So I started reading the Bible which my colleague had given me. He had suggested that I should read the gospel of John, so I started reading it. And every time I came across a concept that was different from what I had learnt as a Hindu, I would ask God to help me know what the truth was. And every time I found, either through some experience or through deep thinking, that I could not reject what the Bible said.

After I read John saying ‘Ask whatever you wish in my name and it shall be given to you’, I was standing in the balcony of my house musing about it and heard a cuckoo bird cooing. I started searching for the bird but could not locate it among the leaves of the tree and I had always only heard it, never seen it. So I wanted to put a hard fleece before God and prayed closing my eyes and asking Him if what the Bible said was really true, then to show me the cuckoo bird I was looking for and as soon as I opened my eyes, I saw the bird right in front of my eyes with its red mouth open, cooing away. I was amazed. God had heard my prayer so specifically that I could not reject what the Bible said!

I did question my husband about contradictions between religious beliefs and practices and he said it was because of the difference in place, cultures and times. And when I put this before God and sought HIS answer, God brought to my attention the contradictions between Jainism and Hinduism, though both had originated in India and were being practiced by Indians right now.  On certain special days when Hindus fast, they mainly eat only those vegetables that grow underground. However, devout Jains don’t eat vegetables grown underground at all. So who was really pleasing God? What was it that really came from God and which of these practices were rituals instituted by men? I desperately sought to know the truth.

The Encounter

As I continued reading the Bible, whatever I read, I felt as if it was happening right there before me. It was so alive. Jesus was alive and God’s presence was so real to me. And then one day as I was praying I just felt God saying, ‘Wait!’. As I was waiting on God, HE asked me if I was willing to receive Jesus in my heart as my Lord and Savior. I had read John 3:16, which said ‘God so loved the world that HE sent HIS only begotten Son to die for the sins of the world, so that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life. But whosoever does not believe in Him is already condemned and shall die.’ And John  :  which says ‘Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through Him.’ Though I still had many doubts and fears, I said to God that if what the Bible says is really true then ‘yes’ I am willing to receive Jesus in my heart. As soon as I said yes, I felt like a flash of lightening fall upon me and my heart was filled with love and joy. (It was the baptism of the Holy Spirit which I read about in the Bible later on). Jesus, when His time for crucifixion was near, had told his disciples that when He would go to the Father, his Father would not leave them as orphans but will send HIS Holy Spirit, The Spirit of Truth, who will guide the disciples into all truth and help them work out their salvation. And then in Acts at Pentecost, when the disciples had gathered together and were praying, there was a strong wind and the Holy Spirit descended on each of them as tongues of fire. Thereafter they found the Scriptures being opened before them and they received understanding about God’s salvation. They started preaching God’s word and performed miracles in Jesus name and thousands believed everyday and were saved.

After that experience, God’s presence was so real to me and I started talking with God inquiring every now and then about what was right and pleasing to HIM.  I have a real relationship with God for over 20 years and I am blessed to truly know the Living God.

Matthew 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the Truth shall make you free.

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This was about more than 20 years ago.  This wonderful prayerful lady is still praying for her husband to know Christ, who is very strong in his own belief in Hinduism.   She is a firm believer and a strong prayer warrior and truly, there is no turning back with her.  She has stood every test and is a good mother and wife and faithful to God.
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