Page 9 - Good News May 2007 paper

ipula Faloyida was a and died while he was still in the village.
powerful figure in her young. After Rishi’s death, Vipula was in this state when
Vsociety. She was a rumours began to circulate Gospel For Asia missionary
member of the elite, upper about Vipula among her family Shami Das found her. He
caste of Brahmins and was and in the village. People said ignored the rumours and
also an ojha, a type of witch that Vipula had killed her gossip about Vipula, and saw
doctor widely believed to be husband to appease the her simply as someone who
powerful enough to perform bloodthirsty demands of the needed to hear that Jesus
exorcisms. Most ojhas were goddesses she worshipped. loves her. Shami told her how
men, and since Vipula was a Even though they accused her Jesus died for her, and Christ's
woman, she was seen as of murder, Vipula followed love so gripped Vipula’s heart
something extraordinary. Indian tradition and remained that she immediately received
Vipula lived in a village in with her in-laws until her son, Jesus as her Saviour.
Bihar, India, and was known Kapi, was old enough to take Vipula’s family and fellow vil-
for worshipping two popular over leadership in the family. lagers were surprised at the
goddesses. Ritualistic wor- Unfortunately, Kapi had a sudden transformation in her
ship of their images was her slight mental problem, and his life. She began attending
first task every day. attempts to lead the family church and testified about the
Everyone thought Vipula’s life failed, causing even more love of Christ to the neigh-
was perfect - she had a ridicule and shame to be bours and relatives who had
husband, three children and heaped on Vipula. previously turned to her for
together they enjoyed a life of She fell into a deep depres- spells and charms.
relative prosperity. However, sion, even turning away from As a result of her testimony,
the family structure would her daily ritual of worshipping many of them also received
soon crack at its very foun- the deities. She went from Jesus as their Saviour. Now
dation. Vipula’s husband, being a powerful ojha to being they all worship God together!
Rishi, began to drink heavily, one of the most hated women Source: Gospel for Asia

n the 4th chapter of Philippians Paul tells us, have to fight before we can obtain an inner
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever peace and serenity. “For the weapons of our
Iis honourable, whatever is right, whatever is warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We
repute, if there is any excellence and if anything are destroying speculations and every lofty
worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (Phil. thing raised up against the knowledge of God,
4:8). This is part of what it means to have the and we are taking every
“mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16b). Before we can thought captive to the obedi-
make this a practical reality, however, we must ence of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:4-5).
first cleanse our minds. This does not happen 6. Building Up. Whenever we
overnight, but as Christians it is part of our tear down the negative, we
destiny. There are several practical steps to need to build up the positive in
having the mind of Christ. its place. “But you, beloved,
1. Confessing. We need to stay up-to-date in building yourselves up on your
confessing our sins. “If we confess our sins, He most holy faith, praying in the
is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” the love of God, waiting
(1 John 1:9). anxiously for the mercy of our
2. Forgiving. We have to forgive anyone who has Lord Jesus Christ to eternal
wronged us. “The heart knows its own life” (Jude 20-21). Praying in
bitterness, and a stranger does not share its the Spirit with the gift of
joy” (Prov. 14:10). As we go on the “inward tongues has been a great and
journey” (contemplative / reflective prayer), old vital key for me through the
hurts and offenses will rise up and cry out to us. years. It is not just a spiritual
The road to all healing, as well as to the deeper discipline for me, but a way of
life of intimacy with God, begins with the path of life.
forgiveness. 7. Putting on. We have to
3. Forgetting. An important part of good “dress up” in the new spiritual
Christian mental health is the art of forgetting. garments Christ has given us.
“Forgetting what lies behind and reaching “Put on the Lord Jesus
forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the Christ...” (Rom. 13:14a). “Put
goal for the prize of the upward call of God in on the full armour of God...”
Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14). Forgetting does (Eph. 6:11a). “So, as those who
not mean that we develop spiritual amnesia and have been chosen of God, holy
no longer remember the pain and hurt of the and beloved, put on a heart of
past. It does mean that through the grace of God compassion, kindness, humi-
the debilitating sting of pain is removed so that lity, gentleness and patience...
we can continue the journey. Beyond all these things put on
4. Removing. There are worldly attitudes, love, which is the perfect bond
habits, and practices that we need to remove of unity” (Col. 3:12,14).
from our lives so that we can focus exclusively [From: Wasted on Jesus, Jim
on Jesus. “Let us... lay aside every encum- W. Goll, 2000, Destiny Image
brance and the sin which so easily entangles us, Publishers, Inc.]
and let us run with endurance the race that is set Sponsored by:
before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus...” (Hebrews Lemon Blossom Guest House
12:1b-2a). 4 Kerk Street Potchefstroom
5. Combating and Withstanding. Sometimes we (018) 297 1137 or 082 803 3872