TWO SEAS

There are two seas in Palestine. One is fresh and fish are in it. Splashes of green adorn its banks. Trees spread their branches over it, and stretch out their thirsty roots to sip its healing waters. Along its shores the children play, as children played when He was there. He loved it. He would look across its silver surface when He spoke His parables, and on a rolling plain not far away, He fed five thousand people. The river Jordan makes this sea with sparkling water from the hills. So it laughs in the sunshine and men build their houses near it, and birds their nests, and every kind of life is made happier because it is there.



The river Jordan flows on south into another sea. Here is no splash of fish, no fluttering leaf, no song of bird, no children's laughter. Travellers choose another route unless on urgent business. The air hangs heavy above its waters which neither man nor beast nor fowl will drink.

What makes the difference in these two neighbouring seas? Not the River Jordan! It empties the same good waters into both. Not the soil in which they lie; not the country, round about.

This is the difference – the Sea of Galilee receives but does not keep. For every drop that flows into it, another drop flows out. The giving and receiving go on in equal measure.

The other sea is shrewder, hoarding its income jealously. It will not be tempted into any generous impulse. Every drop it gets, it keeps. The Sea of Galilee gives and lives. The other sea gives nothing. It is named the Dead Sea.


There are two kinds of people in the world – there are two kinds of seas in Palestine.

KARDAR SINGH (Martyr of 18th Century)

“THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY OF THEM”

KARDAR SINGH was born at Patiala of the Punjab State in India. He was the only Child of his- parents. His father was a rich 'Zamindar'. He was brought up in all the Comforts and luxuries of life. But when he grew up he had no real peace or joy in his heart. It was at such a time that he happened to hear the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He gradually understood the Truth, and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal saviour. He soon became a real servant of the Lord and openly witnessed for the extension of His kingdom.

Kardar's parents were much troubled about this. They tried their best to change the conviction and faith of their son. But the more they tried the more they failed.' Kardar's faith and courage grew from strength to strength. Finally they sent to him, the beautiful girl who was engaged to Kardar's Singh. . She pleaded with him to give up his faith at least for her sake. Kardar was thus placed in a very awkward position. He was to choose between the girl of his love and the Saviour who loved him and gave Himself for him. But Kardar was firm in his faith. He would rather have Jesus than anything else. He explained to her his stand in the following unmistakable terms. "I HAVE ONLY ONE HEART. I HAVE ALREADY GIVEN IT TO MY BELOVED JESUS AND NOW I HAVE NO HEART TO GIVE YOU." Hearing this firm declaration of his faith she left him for ever.

Then His parents drove him away from their-house. But Kardar Singh was neither discouraged nor disheartened. He continued to boldly witness in the city of Patiala and the sorrounding villages. The following were the rewards that he received during this time Hunger, thirst, blows, insults etc. He confronted all these with a victorious smile and felt proud that he was found worthy to suffer all these for the sake of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally .He was led by the spirit of the Lord to go to Tibet. The Buddhists of Tibet flatly refused to accept what Kardar preached. Instead they began to persecute him. But nothing could prevent him from boldly proclaiming the Gospel in the' streets and villages of Tibet. One day the people of Tibet caught him while he was preaching at a town called Itsingham and took him to the Lama of that town. The Lama who hated Christianity with all his heart, sentenced Kardar Singh to death.

But Kardar was not frightened in his heart. He was only too willing to lay down his life for his dear Lord who had died for him. He was prepared to prove that THE NAME OF JESUS WAS GOOD NOT ONLY TO LIVE BY, BUT ALSO TO DIE BY.

He was striped naked and was stiched inside the wet skin of a Yak. Then they threw it in the hot sun, which made the skin to gradually shrink, which in its turn was taking away the life of Kardar little by little. A big crowd was present there to witness the torturous death of this 18th century martyr.

After pathetically suffering in this manner, he requested the people who stood by him to release his right hand for some time. When this was done he slowly stretched out, his right hand and took the New Testament that was lying close to him and wrote on it as follows: " I REALLY ADMIRE THE LOVE OF A HINDU WIFE WHO PLUNGES INTO THE FUNERAL PYRE OF HER HUSBAND REFUSING TO BE SEPARATED FROM HER HUSBAND EVEN AFTER DEATH. BUT MY LOVE FOR MY BELOVED SAVIOUR IS IN NO WAY LESSER THAN THAT."

His life was going away from him inch by inch. Finally he cried with great faith ''0, Jesus, I commit my life into thy hands" and peacefully passed into the hands of his master whom he served so faithfully, Kardar's father who heard about his son's cruel death, even though was broken hearted at first, yet he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ after some time.

The Lama who sentenced Kardar Singh to death, read the last words written on Kardar's Bible and was saved. He became a mighty witness for Christ at Tibet.

ASHES

The important aspect in Christian living is ‘surrender’. An absolute victory and a total sanctification in our life demands an unrestrained, an unconditional and a complete surrender to God. In the Old Testament, God gave the law concerning the burnt offering (Lev.6:8-11). In a burnt offering the fire of the altar had to be burning in it. When everything is fully burnt to ashes, the priest carefully takes the ashes and puts it beside the altar. He then puts off his linen garment, puts on other garments and comes back to collect the ashes, and carries it forth to a clean place outside the camp.
What is fully laid on the altar is fully burnt. Being fully consumed to ashes means being entirely sanctified. We are the burnt offering. When fully surrendered on the altar, the fire of God will burn us up until we are completely turned to ashes. When the fire of God burns in us, a life of holiness, of separation, of victorious living will all be burning bright in us. Those who have laid themselves fully on the altar will get God's full attention and they will be preserved in the Church, in the fellowship of the saints. Soon, Jesus our High Priest will come to collect the ashes. He is coming back to gather His perfected saints and to take them to the place He’s prepared for them.
But let us remember, before our High Priest returns, everything of our life, all our dross should have been fully consumed to ashes, for He comes only for the ashes. Nothing that is left unburnt will ever draw His attention.
Let us consider what the work of sanctification can do in our lives. It kills all ambitions and desire for power and praise. We find perfect rest in God. We will be willing to be overlooked and unknown. Our thoughts are turned towards heavenly places in being found in Christ, in being hid in Him and in winning Him. We can be fully aware of the circulation of unkind statements, even slanders, and yet be full of rest and peace all the time. The work of sanctification puts an end to all uneasiness in us about the future. Peace like a river floods our soul continually.
Dear child of God, are you willing to be a sacrifice fully yielded on the altar that the fire of God may burn you up to ashes?