Dear Church,
 
Our attitudes that matter most to God  
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”   
(Matt. 5:3) 

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus began by speaking about attitudes, moved on to actions, then issued alarms, and finally spoke of awards, the eternal rewards in the life to come. At the heart of His message lies this profound truth: what matters most to God is not our “altitude” (i.e., worldly success), but our attitude. 

The world often considers the rich, independent, dynamic, intelligent, clever, ambitious, and highly successful as "blessed." But Jesus taught something radically different: the truly blessed person is the one who feels utterly impoverished in spirit. 

To be "poor in spirit" is to have a deep awareness of our neediness recognising that we have nothing, are nothing, and can do nothing apart from God. It is total dependence on Him for every need. Such a person knows that, without God, they are morally, physically, and spiritually bankrupt. King David expressed this clearly when he cried out to God, “I have no good apart from you” (Psalm 16:2). 

When a person’s pride is broken, it becomes easier to seek help - not just from others, but from God. Pride says, “I can do it myself.” False humility says, “I did nothing; only God did it.” But true humility confesses, “With God’s help, I did it.” Heaven supports those who think less of themselves and more of God. God gives grace only to the humble. 

This kind of humility is not weakness, rather it is the strongest position a believer can take. It opens the door to grace, invites the presence of God, and allows His power to work through us. The blessing of being "poor in spirit" is not just a future reward, but a present reality. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). That means we begin to live under God's rule and care even now. 

So let us not be discouraged by our limitations or failures. Instead, let them drive us to deeper dependence on God. The more we recognise our need for Him, the more space we make for His strength, wisdom, and love to flow through our lives. 

God Bless, 
Amutha 

Dear Church,

Let the Spirit invade us!

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues
as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:4).
 
We approach Pentecost, a significant church festival in the Christian calendar that falls on the
50th day after the Resurrection Sunday. Three major events that took place on that special day: firstly, God sent His Holy Spirit to dwell among the believers, just as Christ had promised before His ascension; secondly, the power of the Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to boldly proclaim the good news; and thirdly, through the sharing of the gospel, the Church of Christ was born in this world.

The same Holy Spirit who breathed life into the church nearly 2,000 years ago is still alive and at work in us today. Ephesians 1:13 reminds us, “When you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” He is the Spirit of the Living God. When God saved us, the Spirit transformed our old selves into a new creation. Now, God’s presence is always with us, and we are His children!

The Holy Spirit’s purpose is not only to dwell within us but also to empower us to do greater things for the Lord. On the day of Pentecost, there were many ethnic backgrounds, speaking different languages were gathered together. This diversity recalls the scattering at the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. Who could unify one Church under one Gospel with such a diverse group of people? God, through His Holy Spirit, communicated the Gospel to them all in their own languages - an incredible reversal of Babel! In that power, Peter preached a sermon, and “that day about three thousand people were added to them.” The early Church was birthed and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Let us welcome the Holy Spirit to invade our hearts and lives. As recipients of God’s Spirit, we are not called to simply receive and remain idle. The Spirit kindles us and equips us to share the Gospel with those who are lost and searching. Like the early disciples, may we declare the magnificent acts of God in our own tongues and in our own communities.

Now is the time, the ground has been ploughed and is ready. Let us rise together and engage in missional work right where we are. Let us eagerly seek opportunities to share the Gospel using the unique gifts the Spirit has poured into each of us. May we bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit in every area of our lives. 

I pray that you recognize the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in your life - especially this coming Pentecost Sunday!

​God Bless,
Amutha

Dear Church, 

God qualifies the called! 

“Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace.” – Judges 6:24

Pastor Mark Batterson once said, “God does not call the qualified, but qualifies the called.” In the book of Judges, we meet Gideon, a man who saw himself as "the least." Yet God saw in him what many overlook in themselves: a mighty warrior, chosen to deliver Israel from oppression. 

During Gideon’s time, the Midianites were relentless in their attacks. They ravaged the land, destroyed the crops, and left no suste nance, neither sheep nor oxen. So severe was the oppression that Gideon resorted to threshing wheat in a winepress, hiding his action in fear of the Midianites. While hiding and working in fear, the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and addressed him as a “mighty man of valor.” Though timid and uncertain, Gideon was being called into something greater. When Gideon realized he had encountered the Lord, everything changed. His first response was not to gather an army or strategize for battle, but to worship. He built an altar to the Lord and called it “The Lord is Peace” (Yahweh Shalom). In a time of national chaos and personal fear, this act of worship was profound. The name did not signify the absence of trouble, but rather the presence of God. It was a declaration of faith amid fear.

After this act of worshipful obedience, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, equipping him to lead Israel to a miraculous victory. Gideon’s story speaks powerfully to us today. In our own seasons of fear or uncertainty, are we making space for God’s voice and presence? In the busyness of life, do we still ourselves to hear His call? Are we ready to respond, “Here I am, Lord”? We may not feel qualified by the world’s standards for the calling God has placed on us, but He is not looking for credentials. He is looking for hearts willing to say yes. Like Gideon, we may feel weak or unprepared, but God still calls! He still equips! He still empowers! 

Let us build altars of worship in our own lives, places where we recognize His presence and respond with faith.

God Bless,
Amutha

Dear Church,

Let us journey through the Holy Week!

Holy Week invites us to walk with Jesus through the final days of His life. As we reflect on His suffering, death, and resurrection, we are reminded of the great love He has for us and the incredible price He paid for our salvation. 

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, a celebration of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The joyous shout, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matt. 21:9) stirs congregation’s connection in greeting the King. Jesus came not to overthrow earthly rulers but to offer salvation to all through His sacrifice. On Palm Sunday, we reflect on the nature of Christ’s kingship, which is not about power and domination but about humility, love, and service.

On Maundy Thursday, we remember the night when Jesus shared His last meal with His disciples in the upper room. This meal, known as the Last Supper, is where Jesus instituted the sacrament of Communion, offering His body and blood as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. As He broke the bread and shared the cup, He said, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (Lk. 22:19). It is also on this night that Jesus washed His disciples' feet, demonstrating servant leadership and teaching them the importance of humility and love.

On Good Friday, we solemnly remember the crucifixion of Jesus. This is the day Jesus endured immense suffering and died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. Through His sacrifice, He paid the penalty for our wrongdoing, offering us the gift of eternal life. As Jesus hung on the cross, He uttered the words, “It is finished” (Jn.19:30), declaring that the work of salvation was complete.

Resurrection Sunday is the climax of Holy Week - the day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This is the day that changed the course of history, offering hope to all who believe in Him. Through His resurrection, Jesus conquered sin and death, offering eternal life to all who trust in Him. On Easter Sunday, we joyously proclaim, “He is risen!” (Matt. 28:6). The resurrection is the ultimate victory, not just for Jesus, but for all who believe in Him. It is a day to remember that just as Jesus was raised to life, we too can experience new life in Him - today and for eternity. 

May this Holy Week be a time of renewal, reflection, and rejoice as we journey together toward the empty tomb and the victory of Easter.
Amen!

God Bless,
Amutha

Dear Church,

The Season of Lent calls us for self-reflection!

“In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” – Matt. 7:12 A Finnish soldier in the three-month winter war with Russia, lay wounded on the battlefield. A Russian soldier approached, pointing his rifle. The Finn was certain his end had come. However, the Russian handed him a medical kit, then kept moving. Remarkably, later on, the roles reversed. The Finn found himself in a similar situation—only this time, a Russian soldier lay wounded and helpless. The Finn, remembering the grace extended to him, handed over medical supplies and walked
on.

This is the Golden Rule (Matt. 7:12) that Jesus taught us to live by. Imagine how different our world would be if we all practiced this simple yet a significant principle! Its simplicity doesn’t lessen its significance, though it is often overlooked. We live in a world of excess, indulgence, and greed, where few stop to consider the needs and feelings of others. Society is driven by social status, and many are willing to do anything to get ahead, often at the expense of others. But our Lord was clear and precise in His command. The Golden Rule lies at the heart of humanity—it speaks of the love and care that should be present in all people. 

This significant principle cannot be separated from obedience to God. If we are to be what the Lord desires us to be, if we are to represent our Lord in a way that pleases Him, we must be willing to live according to this principle. When the “Golden Rule” is lived out in our lives, we show the love of God to others. We cannot truly please our Savior if we are unwilling to love our neighbours. Consider the treatment of Jesus prior to the crucifixion. He had every right to have destroyed His accusers. They were not worthy of His love and sacrifice. Yet, He did not repay them with what they deserved. He offered grace instead of wrath, and gave them what they needed, not what they deserved.

During this Lenten season, Jesus invites us to reflect on this golden principle, which is
simple, but significant.

God Bless,

Amutha

Dear Church,

We are blessed to be a blessing!

This year, as we reflect on our theme verse, 1 Peter 5:10, which highlights God’s restoring and strengthening power, let us remember that His blessings are not solely for our benefit - they are meant to equip us to serve others!

In 2 Kings 4, we read an inspiring story of a widow who is at the brink of despair. Her husband, a devout man had passed away leaving her with a significant debt. The creditor threatens to take her two sons as slaves to pay what is owed. Facing such a disastrous situation, she pleads to the prophet Elisha, crying out for help. This story unfolds on how God blesses us so that we may, in turn, become a blessing to others.

Elisha asks the widow a simple question: “What do you have in your house?” She replies, “Your servant has nothing there at all except a small jar of olive oil” (2 Kings 4:2). What she saw was insignificant, but God saw that as the basis for a miracle. Elisha instructs her to gather as many empty jars as she can from her neighbours and then to pour the oil from her small jar into these vessels. Miraculously, the oil continues to flow until every jar is full.

Often, like the widow, we underestimate the resources God has already placed in our hands. We focus on what we lack rather than what we possess. Yet, even the smallest gift, talent, or resource can become a channel of God’s blessing when surrendered to Him. 

Let us ask ourselves, how can we be a blessing to those around us? It might be through acts of kindness, sharing our resources, or offering encouragement to someone in need. Like the widow, we may have ignored the blessing God has already given us or it might look insignificant to our eyes, but if we surrender that in God’s hands, even a small, tiny mustard seed of gift can become a source of abundant blessing. May we live with open hearts and hands, ready to receive from God and to pour out His blessings to a world in need. We are truly blessed to be a blessing. 


God Bless,
Amutha

Dear Church,

Let us become fishers of men and women!

Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Then they left their nets and followed him. (Mark 1:17-18)

We are always interested in making a new start in our lives. Particularly, when the New Year begins, we desire to practice something new. As believers in Christ, we wish to take steps to fulfil our discipleship. How long are we going to remain milk-fed infants? Do we not want to grow? Are we not interested in chewing the meat? Are we not eager to shift from the ‘maintenance phase’ to the ‘mission phase’?

When you watch children play with toys, you will often see one treasured toy abandoned without a second thought in favour of something new. A child does this without even being aware that anything is being left behind. Perhaps we can learn from the play of children. When we hear this passage, we tend to focus on what a huge leap it was for the first disciples to abandon their nets. Perhaps it would help to look at the disciples' response to Jesus' call as a child responding to an exciting new game. In the disciples, we find an example of how to joyfully embrace the invitation to show God's love to others.

How and when have we experienced being called by Jesus? What have we "left behind" to follow Him? We are commissioned to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We are not left alone to take up this mission call - He will certainly be with us in every step we take.

Jesus’ words in the Great Commission reveal the heart of God, who desires “all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” This compels us to share the good news until everyone has heard. Like the servants in Jesus’ parable, we are to be about the Kingdom’s work, making disciples of all nations: “He called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13).


Wishing you a wonderful and peace-filled New Year!


God Bless,
Amutha