3 Crosses on that Hill. My thoughts on this Good Friday, 2016

There were three crosses on that 1st 'Good Friday' that we have been celebrating for many years. Yes the prophesy said, "HE was numbered among the transgressors" Isa53:12 and I see many other stuff that we can learn from the three crosses. 1. We will suffer and die physically as well spiritually for the sins we commit if we are not repentant. 2. Even when we have committed sins, when we recognize the Holy God and Lord Jesus and repent and ask forgiveness, we will suffer physically, and die physically too, but spiritually we will be alive forever, and we will be at peace, redeemed and forgiven. 3. The middle Cross is supposed to be for us but SOME HOLY ONE took our place so that you and I can be redeemed and be forgiven. But we must ask God to do that. And B. like that middle Cross, God may call us to suffer injustice even when we have not done anything wrong, when we are in a right relationship with God thru His son Jesus Christ, we will suffer physically as its given us to not only believe but to suffer for Christ, but we learn to obey God in every moments of our lives and even when called upon to die, to pray to be faithful till the end and we will live eternally. Mostly God calls many to be a living sacrifice, and not just die, but few are called to die as well. I pray that we learn to live to be a living sacrifice; yes, that means we dont have a right to live our lives to please our own flesh and desires but to please God. Jesus living in and thru us.

So lets go back to the 3 crosses.  

1. One cross had a thief, a criminal who wanted Jesus to help him get rid of his physical pain which was a result of his own sinful wrong doings. He just wanted an easy way out; he was not sorry for his sins. Doesn't this shock that he was SO CLOSE to Jesus even in the last moments of his life and yet FAILED to recognize the HOLY One? In fact, he mocked along with others: Luke 23:39"One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" 

And this criminal died, went away without forgiveness that was available right next to him.

We can easily say, Wow! suffering in your last moments and yet hurling abuse at the Holy One? but we could be the same way, even today, we may NOT be able to recognize the REAL Jesus because we are so used to the what we were introduced the only one sided character of his, meek and mild, easy going Jesus for a long time, or we have been introduced to a stern angry Jesus who has no mercy type Jesus, and so we are so angry at the disciplining Jesus that does not excuse our sins. Or we have a wrong concept of Jesus, either too easy going or too stern.

This thief represents many, even within the church, so many people thinking Jesus will excuse all of their sins, get them out of their physical or immediate results of sin but they are not repentant to turn away, because they have false confidence that once they said the 'saved' prayer, they can continue to live to please themselves and their life does not reflect the forgiveness at all but they mistakenly think they will make it to heaven, that is WHY they do not want to change their lifestyle. They don't want to be caught and when caught they want to be free to go and sin more! We live and worship among many like this too. And this thief also represents many in the world who see nothing wrong in sinning, they think God is there to serve them, they think they are gods to themselves. They want God to 'save' them from the unpleasant consequences of sins but they do not want to live by God's holy standards. They are actually trying to mock God. But the Bible says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Galatians 6:7-8 

2. The other side on the cross also had a thief, a criminal again. And other gospel account says that both had mocked him,"Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him." Mark15:32. But, it appears, from Luke's account, that in those last few moments when this criminal saw Jesus' love and forgiveness and his response to the mockers, something within him changed. And he recognized the HOLY One. Luke 23:40. "But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 "And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." 42 And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" 43 And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."

This criminal also did sinful things, and knew that they both were receiving the just punishment. Under grace was able to recognize who Jesus is, and he was repentant. He went away with a promise. We pray that we will recognize Jesus as soon as we hear of Him, and repent and NOT wait till the deathbed to say sorry to Jesus. This thief had no chance to be baptized, or take physical Holy Supper, but he did, the change of heart and receiving Jesus spiritually was what God is after. I believe even if he was given a chance to live, he would have lived for God and not go back to his sinful lifestyle.

3. Now comes the middle one, 'JESUS of Nazareth, the King of the Jews' the 'crime' listed on top of the Cross. He had committed no crime. A sinless, Holy One yet he died a brutal death and bled every ounce of his blood. "Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. 11 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,  and he will bear their iniquities." Isaiah 53: 10-11
"Surely he took up our pain  and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God,  stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray,  each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:4-5-6

Jesus suffered for us, willingly for you, dear reader!! He took the blow and covered you so you will not be condemned IF you believe Him to be Your Savior and live a holy life with His help. And When we obey God, we may be called to suffer like Him. True Christianity is not an easy matter. But there is eternal peace and blessing and its worth every thing you have. So, what would your response be to Jesus knowing He died for you personally??? What would you do with this Jesus called Christ? God does not overlook sin, He does not excuse sin, He is a righteous God, and yet God is loving and merciful. Sin had to be punished, so Jesus took the punishment upon Himself and bore God's wrath so you and I can go free IF we repent of our sins and turn 180 degrees towards holiness. 

Remember as someone has said, "One thief was saved so none may despair, but ONLY ONE so none may presume." 

My prayer is that you will bow your head in humility and repent of your sins and be accepted in HIS righteous, holy and loving Kingdom. You can start by saying, "Dear God, I am a sinner in need of your forgiveness, forgive me my sins and help me to live a new life that only Jesus gives. I realize that I cannot earn it by doing good works, but receive it by faith as a gift from you. Thank you, for sending Jesus to die for my sins and take my place. I receive the gift of forgiveness and decide to live for you every day of my life. Help me to live a holy life like that of Jesus until I see you face to face and then live with you eternally. In Jesus saving same, Amen."

If you pray this prayer, please write to me. I will be praying for you and connect you to how you can grow in your new found faith in Christ.

Working in His Harvest field,
In Christ,
Kalpana Christian Sharma. (Mrs.) 
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Thandi Raatein- (Hindi) Christmas Dandiya song by Kalpana Christian Sharma

This song is written and sung by me as well, in Hindi language, its about the birth of Christ and the music is Gujarati Dandiya folk music done by Darsheet Shah in Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa in 2001. The song is a part of the my first ever audio CD "Reach Out" with 12 Christmas songs (3 in Hindi and rest in English). Hope you enjoy the music and the song!

"Anand Karo" (Rejoice) by Kalpana Christian Sharma (Mrs.)

Dear friends, 

Hope you are doing well. I was invited yesterday at the Gujarati Christian meeting in Naperville, IL to sing the gospel song I wrote in Hindi in 2001. The original is recorded in 2001 in Nairobi, Kenya. This is yesterday's live singing. If you understand Hindi, this song is talking about the joy that comes from knowing Jesus came, died, rose again, sustains us and is coming back for us, so "Anand Karo" Rejoice! Be blessed as you hear my heart. If you are interested to get a copy of my original CD with 12 songs, please let me know if you want one! I live by faith! meanwhile Enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC9fWabKWZk

in Christ and for HIS glory, 

Kalpana

The book of Jude recited by Kalpana Christian Sharma

God's rescue mission and a better plan for my life.

November 4th, 2015

36 years ago today I was rescued! 

And was put on a KQ (Kenya Airways) flight from BOM to NBO, if I am not mistaken it was KQ 205. 

At that time I did not get it but for few years now I have learned to clearly see this as God's divinely orchestrated rescue mission for me; literally, physically and spiritually, from dangerous, unhealthy and ungodly circumstances! How grateful I am to God for this!

I was born in India and grew up part of my life there as well of which, few years were away from my parents, since they were working in Kenya, Africa. As much as I am thankful for the relatives and neighbors who did do good to us, sadly some of the folks back 'home' did not prove to be trustworthy and so we not only lacked proper upbringing but were also taken advantage of at a young age. 

From my later conversations with my parents in Nairobi, Kenya, I saw how much they had worried about me during those years; They told me that they thought of me every time they heard a song that talked about a young girl's protection, especially these lines from a song of an Indian movie of those time, "Mukh chamke jyun Himalay ki choti, ho na padosi ki neeyat khoti, O Gharwaaalon jara usko sambhaalo, yeh toh hey badi bholi" (Her face shines like Himalaya's peak, may the neighbors' motives not get corrupted to molest her, O folks back home, please take care of her she is very naive.) Sadly, the motives did get corrupted and yes, I was taken advantage of by some of those people. 

BUT God!!! Well, yes, thank God, that I also grew up going to church and learning about God. Spiritually speaking I was a baby in my faith walk; 'born again' 'in principle' on August 15th 1978, but I did not know what that really meant practically at a tender age of 14 in a real day to day living! Even though in some areas I had a clear sense of right and wrong, in some important things of life I did not have discernment and was introduced to twisted ideas at an early age, so continued still living in sin thinking it was love, care, fun and something you had to give back to get protection or help;

Aren't you ever so grateful along with me that God divinely steps in our lives to protect us from wicked people and also stops us from self-destructing ourselves, even when we are young and naive? In 1979 with the wisdom of my uncle John and of my caring cousin Rev. Ashok Parmar, and of course of my parents, GOD uprooted me from a sin sick environment I was involved in Nadiad, India, living among some wolves; and GOD brought me to Nairobi, Kenya, on 04 Nov 1979 on that KQ flight. From then on it has been an excellent faith journey. 

I thank God for His better plan for my life, for cleansing me, for bringing godly and truly caring people like Mrs. Madhu Sheth, my mentor during those years and Joyce Kabiru (Odongo) my prayer partner and fellow singing group member who worked with me and taught me the truth with grace; helped me learn to live in purity, grow in wisdom, in understanding, and in Biblical knowledge so as to stay on a narrow path. God blessed me with good friends, good jobs and yes even though there are wolves all around but God continued to protect me. I live to glorify God and my life is an amazing testimony of a changed life. Jesus transforms life even today!

Dear reader, no matter what your past is for has been, whether evil was done to you or you chose it, Lord Jesus can bring you out of it and change you into a whole new person and make your life worth living. God has given you conscious, His grace is available; take the help that He provides, do not think to allow abuse of any kind in your life to become normal. Let God rescue you. Let me conclude with this beautiful Psalm that I read today in my devotion:

Psalm 121: (NKJV)

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help?

2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

To God be the glory! 

Kalpana Christian Sharma (Mrs.) 

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Parents, require obedience of your children, a good article by John Piper

Hi Dear friends,

This is a good article by John Piper about what God expects of us as parents! I hope you find this article useful to read and even to share with others who can benefit from it. Let us encourage parents to do their part.

Blessings,

Kalpna

here is the link: http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/parents-require-obedience-of-your-children

Jeera-Mari Biscuits/Cookies (Cummin-Pepper bikis).

Jeera-Mari Biscuits/Cookies (Cummin-Pepper bikis). 

I found the recipe in my old recipe book.This is a salty snack. There is a sweeter version also but today its the salty one's turn;

Ingredients needed: 

1 cup All purpose/plain flour
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
salt as per your taste
3/4 tsp. Jeera (cummin seeds)
1/2 tsp coarsely crushed Mari (black pepper)
2 Tbsp corn flour
1/4 tsp Baking powder
1 Tbsp soji (Semolina)

1. Mix the flour, baking power and corn flour and sift thru seive (strainer) 2-3 times. Add Soji.
2. cream the butter and add jeera and mari and mix it well.
3. Add the flour mixture and mix well till it forms dough like texture. NO need to add water or milk. The butter alone is enough.
4. Divide into two balls and roll it with a pin to a good medium thickness (not to thin and not too thick). Cut into the desired shapes with cookie cutters.
5. Pre-heat the oven and bake the bikis at 200F. for 10 min and reduce to 150F until they have a light pink color. (use your own timing and judgement as weather and oven temp differ at times) Do not overcook. Enjoy with tea!

(This recipe had first come into an old Gujarati "Stri" magazine 35 years ago) I had tried it then and over the years as well and find it very delicious.