June/July 09 Newsletter
Touching Lives, Changing the World
Touching Lives, Changing the World
Church Newsletter June/July 2009 Volume 2 Issue 2
Bethlehem Punjabi Church: (Our Mission)
One Church different locations:
We welcome you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are a multi-cultural church. Our congregation is made up of Punjabi, Hindi, Gujarati, Malyali, Urdu and Gayanese. Pastor Jatinder P. Gill who is a man of God ministers this church. We are located in Richmond Hill, (Queens) area of New York. Our second church is located in Punjab, India. We are a strong believer of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God has given us a burden to carry out the Salvation and healing message to the lost soul. With God’s help we have been planting prayer centers, cell groups and teaching about discipleship in Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu speaking Communities Worldwide. We believe it is vital to live life according to the promise book (HOLY BIBLE) with all our heart, mind and soul. We are also affiliated with “Assembly of God” church. If you are ever in our area we encourage you to come join our Sunday evening worship service. We promise you will be blessed with spiritual food. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)
Summer is here: This is the season of singing, let us rejoice in the Lord. Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. (Be Blessed as you stand on this verse)
Inside this Issue
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Bethlehem Punjabi Church: (Our Mission) Message by Pastor J. Gill (Purpose Driven Believer) -Article of the Month, - New book by Pastor Jatinder P. Gill (Rooh di khurak) Church News: -Cell groups -Building Project -Prayer of Intercession -Bethlehem Punjabi Church (Punjab, India) Mukti ka Antim Avsar(Poem) Kids Corner Upcoming Event: Annual Convention Guest Speaker: Rev. Simon Gounder Father’s Day Service
Message from Rev. J. P. Gill:
(Purpose Driven Believer)
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-Father’s Day Article -Kids Quiz -Quiz Answers -Adult Quiz
Church Contact: Pastor Jatinder P. Gill 87-47 111th Street Richmond Hill, NY 11418 Info@punjabichurch.org www.punjabichurch.org Phone 718-785-5921
Paul was a fanatic religious Jew who wanted to kill Christians. He was full of enthusiasm, but had wrong motives. He wanted to spread the religion and prove that his faith was the perfect and only way to God. But you know it is not religion but your relationship with God, which will save us. Religion will make you rigid, but relationship with God will make you righteous. It is not the fanaticism but a real living faith in God that will save us. It is not the thoughts of man, but the Word of God, which will save us.
Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus experience and changed him from a fundamentalist opponent to the faith-filled Apostle of Jesus Christ. He got a purpose in his life. This is his last letter which he wrote before he was executed in Rome at the time of King Nero. Looking back at 30 years of his labor (36-66 AD), he was writing this letter to young Timothy who was taking care of the church at Ephesus. Now having finished the God-given purpose of his life, he is satisfied and with full confidence he encourages Timothy to carry on the ministry with full of zeal. From this verse we learn a threefold purpose for a believer's life. I FIGHT A GOOD FIGHT. Most people want to excel in a bad fight, but this is a good and honorable fight. In 1 Tim. 6:12 Paul tells Timothy to fight a good fight of Faith. This is also clear in 1Tim 1:18 "This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare…” Whether you agree or not, believe or not, want or not, the Christian life is warfare and if you are a believer you are in that warfare. When you believe in Christ you are clothes with Christ. We are not fighting men but…1. Satan. In Ephesians 6:10-13 Paul writes "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." James 4:7 writes "Resist the devil and he will flee from you." 2 Cor. 10:3-6 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."2. Sin. This is a war against sin, worldliness, social evil system, beliefs and superstitions. Apostle John writes in his epistle 1 John 2:15 "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."3. Self. This is a fight against our own self and selfish desires. Jesus said, if anyone wants to be my disciple "let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me
(Message Continues on Page 4)
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The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge...(Proverbs 1:7)
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June/July 09 Newsletter
Touching Lives, Changing the World
Article of the Month: Why go to Church?
Did you know Jesus attended church? This is something we do not hear about often, but it is true. If we want to follow and imitate Jesus, then we must follow His example; Jesus made it a custom to attend temple services. Once, when He had wandered away from His parents as a child, He was later found in the temple. When Mary and Joseph finally located Him, His explanation for His disappearance was, "… How is it that you had to look for me? Did you not see and know that it is necessary [as a duty] for Me to be in My Father's house and [occupied] about My Father's business?" (Luke 2:49, AMP) As an adult, if you were looking for Jesus, one place you would definitely find Him was teaching in the synagogue. In everything God tells us to do, we have a choice whether to obey Him or not. Hebrews 10:25 says, "Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another…" (AMP). He has commanded through His Word that we should gather together with other Believers in a corporate setting. Notice God said some forsake this practice. This simply means they ignore it and turn away from it. Why does God take this so seriously? Because gathering together with other Believers in church allows us to connect with others to receive strength and encouragement. When we come to church, we learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives to overcome the things we go through. We receive the wisdom we need to live victoriously in our everyday lives.
If you are a Christian, you are part of the Body of Christ. Give honor to God by obeying His Word with a willing and obedient heart. Consider the wonderful things God has done for you! Come into His presence in a corporate setting to give Him thanks and to encourage a brother or sister in Christ. God wants you to desire His presence and have joy when you are in His house of worship. Lets us follow the example of the psalmist who proclaimed towards God: 1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. I encourage you to stir yourself up with this scripture ----Cecil Christian
'Ruh di Khurak'
(Author Pastor Jatinder P. Gill) (Soon to be released) Also Visit online @ www.RuhDiKhurak.co.cc
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the book authored by Pastor Jatinder P. Gill is soon to be released. We encourage you all to either reserve your copy in advance through email/phone or Please look out for the released date. This book includes topics such as Discipleship, Church Ordinances, Faith, Baptism , ‘I AM’ sayings of Christ., Hebrew names of God , Shabad ,Fasting Commandments
,Effective Prayer ,Holy Spirit ,Ministry of Laying on of Hands ,Utterances of Christ on the cross ,Twelve Disciples' biographies, Giving & Tithing ,General knowledge of the Bible And much more. We assure that by reading this book you will be blessed abundantly with
the spiritual food. (What others are saying about this book.)
Dear Pastor Jatinder Gill, Congratulations on the release of this wonderful book which I have just read. I believe this is a powerful tool to bring unbelievers to Jesus Christ and to disciple even the new believers that as they will see and understand the basis of our faith………. - Anil Kant-Anil Kant Ministries (Lyricist, Singer & Worshiper) INDIA Dear Friend, If the truth sets us free (and it does), what you read and receive in this book will change your life forever. Why? Because the Word of God prepares us to live both now and for eternity. The principles covered by Pastor Jatinder Gill will encourage and inspire you to live a life that matters! You will be blessed indeed as you open your heart and receive God’s Word for yourself. Blessed reading as you hear from Pastor Gill – a man who loves God and loves people from the depths of his heart! Rev. Bill Kirk (Assistant Superintendent of the New York District Assemblies of God) After reading this book it seems that Pastor Jatinder Gill has put whole ocean into a small pot. From this book not only new believers will be benefitted but ministers of the Word also get well organized Bible based revelation for their ministries….. Rev. Nasir Iqbal (Hope in Christ International T.V. Evangelist (TBN) USA) The lack of Punjabi Christian literature was felt in every area of Christian ministry. But I want to thank the Lord that I had the privilege of reading this book written by my friend Pastor Jatinder P. Gill. Though he lives thousands of miles away from India but the burden for the souls of India was never missed from his life. He has taken deep spiritual issues and simplified them in such a way that they seems so relevant and so understandable to people of all walks of life. The principles explained in the book are so convincing and compelling; they just reach to the deep down in the heart. I believe this book is going to be a powerful tool to reach thousands of souls for the kingdom of God. I want to congratulate Pastor Jatinder for this great work. Balbir Suffi(Christian Gospel singer & lyricist)India The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge...(Proverbs 1:7)
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June/July 09 Newsletter
Touching Lives, Changing the World : All the Praises go to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving us a vision to plant our own Church in Queens ( NY). We had been praying for it and God has revealed to us about the things He will be doing through our own Sanctuary. The whole congregation and others have been very generous in helping us for this God given vision. In the month of February at our monthly men’s meeting we had raised $9,000 within an hour. I thank God for dedicated men in our congregation. Others have been helping us monthly with their special Building Fund. We encourage all to keep the building project in your daily prayer. We are confident that God will accomplish his purpose through his people. If God is talking to you about sowing a financial seed for the Building Project, obey it. Luke 11:28 says "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." For update regarding Building Project, contact: Gladwin, Surjeet & Donald. MUKTI KA ANTIM AVSAR (Poem)
SUN LO PHIR EK PUKAR, MASIHA AANE WALA HAI HO JAO SAB TEYAAR, MASIHA AANE WALA HAI 1. DUNIYAN MAIN JISNE AAKE, AASHCHARYA KARAM DIKHAYE ANDHON KO DI THI AANKHEN, MURDE BHI THE JILAYE HATHON SE CHOO KE APNE, ROGI ASANKH BACHAYE DO MACHLI PANCH ROTI SE, SEKHRON MANUSHAY KHILAYE PHIR SE WAHI AVTAR, MASIHA AANEWALA HAI HO JAO SAB TEYAAR, MASIHA AANE WALA HAI 2.JIS NE SABHI KE KARAN, SOOLI PE DE DI JAN APNE LAHOO SE DHO KAR, HAMAIN APNI DI PAHCHAN PYARE PITA NE AISA, HAM PAR KIYA AHSAN HAI KOI AUR AISA, JO HOGA YUN KURBAN? LUTANE PHIR WAHI PYAR, MASIHA AANE WALA HAI HO JAO SAB TEYYAR MASIHA AANE WALA HAI 3. ANTIM SAMAY NIKAT HAI, YESHU KE PAS AAO KADMON MAIN AAKE USKE, JEEWAN ANANT PAO EK JAATI DHARM BANKE, YESHU KA GHAR SAJAO PHIR NA MILEGA MAUKA, YE WAQT NA GANWAO LENE APNA PRIWAR, MASIHA AANE WALA HAI HO JAO SAB TEYYAR, MASIHA AANE WALA HAI SUN LO PHIR EK PUKAR, MASIHA AANE WALA HAI…..
Church News:
: Cells groups are basically groups of people fellowshipping during the week or the weekend. People take turns in hosting this fellowship. Aside from Sunday worship this is a great way of staying in touch with the congregation and also praying, meditating the word and encouraging one another. God is working in a might way through cell groups. People are getting stronger in their faith and gaining more knowledge about the Word. We encourage all to get involved in cell groups. (Please contact church office with any questions) : 1Timothy 2:1-3 says when we pray for others it pleases God. We have a prayer & Intercession once a month on Saturday. Last month (February) as the Pastor prophesized people were filled with Holy Spirit. As a result of it, many people have experienced physical and spiritual healing. People have dedicated their lives to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We encourage each one to come and experience the prayer & Intercession. For more information contact: Hardeep / Raman
Building Project
Cell Groups
Prayer of Intercession
Bethlehem Punjabi Church: (Punjab, INDIA) God is doing amazing things at
our churches in India. More and more people are accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Pastor S. Gill ministers this church along with Pastor Tarsem and Pastor Victor. With God’s help church is being able to help the needy with everyday necessities. The church believes in teaching discipleship so more people can go and spread the gospel around the nation. People are participating in Gospel tract giving to save the souls. Praise God for that. Short term Bible school and prayer centers are being planted around the nation.
-Donald Singh
KIDS CORNER: Hey Kids, how are you! How many of you heard the story of the Prophet Samuel. Samuel was a little boy just like you guys when his mother put him in Lord’s temple to worship God. Little Samuel used to help Eli in doing Lord’s work. God was very pleased with little Samuel. God used to wake little Samuel in the middle of the night and speak to him. God kept blessing Samuel throughout his life. How would you like to be able to speak to God? It is not hard. Kids, why don’t you start doing what little Samuel used to do and start praising and worshiping God? Kids, don’t forget to keep God first in everything you do. You will be blessed just like Samuel. (Read 1 Sam. 3)
Upcoming Events:
Annual Convention on August 9th & 10th. VBS-July 6th, 7th, 8th. July 9th Evangelism Day. Gospel Concert with Balbir Suffi-July 26th. Holy Communion is on every first Sunday of the month. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and been
baptized we encourage you all to take part in Holy Communion with us.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge...(Proverbs 1:7)
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June/July 09 Newsletter
Touching Lives, Changing the World
." Paul writes in 1 Cor. 9:27 "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." II. FINISH THE RACE. Let me tell you a purpose driven life is not a lazy life of idle faith but an active, energetic race to run. It is not an optional morning or evening walk, but a definite race with a purpose. Of course you know a racer has to discipline himself, he has a goal, which he has to complete within set rules and regulations. Paul clarifies this in the following verses. 1 Cor. 9:24-26 "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.” Acts 20:24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."Phil. 2:16 "Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain"Gal. 2:2 " And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain."Heb. 12:1 "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…" III. KEEP THE FAITH In order to fight and run, you would need to have faith and lots of perseverance, because this is not going to be an easy journey but rather full of struggles at every step. One thing is sure if you have fixed your eyes on Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, victory belongs to you. If God is with us who can be against us. The Living Bible puts this way 2 Tim. 4:7 "I have fought long and hard for the Lord, and through it all I have kept true to Him…" It is not how we start, but how we end is what matters. (MESSAGE CONTINUES) Message Continues (Pastor J. Gill) If your beginning was not good, don't worry about your beginning; your past doesn't have to decide your future. The past is history you can't change, but you can change your present that will determine your future. Therefore, take heed to the warning in Rev 2:7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." Rev. 3:11 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown." There was man named Saul in the Old Testament who was the first king of Israel. He had a very good beginning. He reigned Israel for 40 years, and he fought many wars and won in the name of Yahweh. But the later years of his life he began to rely upon his own strength. He even started neglecting the priests of God and consulting divinations. Henceforth, God left him and an evil spirit began to torture him. Unfortunately at the end of his life he was killed by his own sword. He had a very good beginning, but a bad end. In contrast, Paul of the New Testament had a very bad beginning: killing Christians and hating Christ and the Church. But one fateful day, a supernatural encounter with the Jesus Christ transformed a hateful sinner to a humble saint. He had a very vile beginning but a victorious end. Beloved, keep on doing good and remember that the God who started this good work in you will bring in to completion. You are made for eternity; walk seriously with God. Whatever you do now will affect your life eternally. You can't change your past, but you can change your present by turning to God and your present will change your future forever. -Pastor Jatinder P.Gill
Message from Pastor J. Gill (continued):
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY: “The Father is waiting”
The story of the “Prodigal Son”, also known as the “ Parable of the Lost Son”. Jesus is telling this story to the Pharisees and other Jews, bringing out the relationship between man and God. The Prodigal Son is the human nature. Since the beginning of the earth, man has been rebellious and disobedient to the Lord. The nature of prodigal son is very much similar the human kind. The prodigal son is rebellious, selfish, worldly thinking, disobedient, has limited thinking, no knowledge of future. If we try to compare ourselves to this prodigal son, we will find our human nature in him. Typically, a son would receive his inheritance at the time of his father's death. The fact that the younger brother instigated the early division of the family estate showed a rebellious and proud disregard for his father's authority, not to mention a selfish and immature attitude. Pigs were unclean animals. Jews were not even allowed to touch pigs. When the son took a job feeding pigs, even longing for their food to fill his belly, it reveals that he had fallen as low as he could possibly go. This son represents a person living in rebellion to God. Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom before we come to our senses and recognize our sin. The father is a picture of the Heavenly Father. God waits patiently, with loving compassion to restore us when we return to him with humble hearts. He offers us everything in his kingdom, restoring full relationship with joyful celebration. He doesn't even dwell on our past waywardness. The father is waiting, is he waiting on you? --Christal Christian
Answers to Last month’s Bible Quiz: Adult Quiz Answers: *Which of the four gospels shows a
much different picture of Jesus than the other three? (Is it Matthew, Mark, Luke, John?) Answer: JOHN *Which Bible book does this verse come from? "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (Is it 1 Corinthians, Esther, Isaiah, John?) Answer: 1 Corinthians 13:13
Last Month’s Kids Quiz Answers: 1.When David was a little boy which music instrument did he play? Answer: Harp 2.What was the name of the Giant? Answer: Goliath 3.Who did David believe in? Answer: GOD 4.What was the name of the animal David’s family own? Answer: Sheep 5.Where did David’s stone hit Giant? Answer: Forehead This Month’s KIDS QUIZ: 1. What was the name of Samuel’s birth mother? 2. What was the name of the Lord’s servant whom little Samuel stayed with in the Lord’s temple? 3. How many times God harkened Samuel’s name while he was sleeping? (Hint: 1 Samuel 1 & 1 Sam. 3)
We thank God for our man of God Rev. Dr. Jatinder P. Gill for all his hard work for this ministry. At our church we believe in equal opportunity. If anyone would like to participate in any church ministry we encourage you to contact the church office. If God is speaking to you about sowing a financial seed into this ministry or our Building (church) fund, please contact church office or you can donate by mail or online. For constructive comments and information regarding Newsletter please do not hesitate to email Cecil / Cristal:
Last Thought:
Email: Info@punjabichurch.org
Adult Bible Quiz:
1.What was Jesus' first miracle? 2.Whose daughter did Jesus bring back to life? 3. Where did Jesus conduct most of His early ministry? 4. Which disciple first had the revelation that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God? Test Your Knowledge: Answers will be provided in the next issue. God Bless You!
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge...(Proverbs 1:7)
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