31/07/2016
*Pastor Manasseh’s Life and Ministry – a tested stone, a precious stone in Zion*
*As a tree when it falls,* either by the violence of the wind, or being cut down by its owner’s order, for there it lies ready for the master’s use; (Eccl. 11: 3)
*Pastor Manasseh was* a precious seed sown in the Master’s vineyard. 28 years back, at the young age of 24, armed with a Masters’ Degree in Social Work, and as a State-level acclaimed football player, when as a youth with the prime of health and strength, he had the whole world in front of him to make merry and to enjoy, he chose to “suffer disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward,” by sacrificing all the vanities and the pleasures of the world to gladly suffer for the sake of God’s Kingdom in His vineyard!
*He had a special burden for* the perishing youth both in India and in abroad. He always focused on the Holy Spirit in his sermons and as a lovable parent, he powered the gift of the Holy Spirit into the lives of thousands of young brothers and sisters who have gone forth with zeal and with faith to serve the Lord in His Vineyard.
*His spiritual dynamism was* way beyond ordinary. It was a life completely surrendered in meekness to the perfect will of God.
*Although demonic forces were* creating trouble for the Children of God and the Saints of God in many parts of India and abroad, he took it upon himself to defend the faith against all powers of the enemy through a life of striving through prayers.
*A Spiritual Father to* thousands of youths, he was always looking the spiritual health and welfare of others. Thousands of students from all streams, have testified the powerful shaping influence that Pastor had on their college lives. He also mandated prayer groups among youths to make sure the fire within them is kept burning for the Lord.
*Thousands have testified* how Pastor was instrumental in their work place through his ceaseless love, prayers.
*Again, thousands have testified how* broken marriages were reunited, those bound by evil spirits got immediate deliverance, and how thousands have received the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and how many have committed themselves to do full-time ministry in the Service of the Lord, and the list goes on…
*Humility and Obedience were* his cardinal principles. His affectionate smile had the power to bind even the worst sinner with the powerful love of God.
*He always gave a patient ear* to all the worries, anxieties, burdens and frustrations of the thousands of youths who came to him with tears, and comforted and counseled them with a divine comfort.
*The prayer sessions, with* which he winds up every counseling session, where never even for once, a prayer that came from the lips. They were prayers that came deep down from the heart with the utmost conviction and burden. He would bind the power of the enemy and get the deliverance through prayer and after finishing his prayer, he would give a farewell smile filled with such grace and love, that would make it extremely difficult for anyone to say the farewell ‘Praise the Lord’, leave alone depart from the holy presence of Pastor Manasseh.
*After having labored* for His Master in His vineyard for 29 years, Pastor Manasseh has now got a blessed and a bold conviction: “I have kept everything that was entrusted to my care” (I Tim 6: 20)
*With this conviction,* Pastor says, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day (II Tim 4: 8)
*What a blessed conviction! What a blessed hope!*
*Indeed, now Pastor Manasseh would* have got a rousing reception in Heaven, where the angels would be blazing their musical instruments, and welcoming the ‘Faithful Servant’ with full Heavenly Honour and Glory.
*Yes, the Lord would have* surely given a testimony about our Pastor, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. (Mat 25:21)
*“It maters so little*
How much you may own
The places you've been
Or people that you know
For it all comes to nothing
When placed at His feet
It's nothing to Jesus
Just memories to me
*You can take all the treasures*
From far away lands
And take all the riches
you can hold in your hands
And take all the pleasures
Your riches can buy
But will it help
When it's your time to die
*Only one life*
*Soon it will pass*
*Only what's done for Christ will last*
*Only one chance to do His will*
*So give to Jesus all you days*
*It's the only life that pays*
*When you realise*
*You have but one life*
*Dear Pastor*, even as we mourn with an inexpressible grief looking at your mortal body that is laid before us, we can see, with our inner eyes, and hear you worshipping, rejoicing and dancing and singing with great delight and happiness in the presence of your Maker Creator, ‘where there is no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’
*Yes dear Pastor*, we also hear you sing your favourite song,
*என் நேசர் மார்பிலே நான் சாயும் நேரமே*..
*ஆ என்ன இன்பம் என்ன மதுரம் சொல்ல இயலாதே!*
*Dear brother and sister,* this is the blessed assurance that inspires you and me to run our race cheerfully in this world. Let us throw off everything that hinders our race and the sin that so easily entangles.
*And let us run with* perseverance the race marked out for us fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
*The sprawling Faith Home at* Irumbuliyur would never be the same without his gracious presence within its four walls.
*We can never imagine how* Youth Camps would look like, without Pastor’s spirit-filled presence among the youth. International Conventions and Special Bible Studies may never be the same again.
*But our Faithful Master Jesus* says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” (Jn 12: 24)
*Yes! He is able to raise up thousands of Pastor Manassehs* to comfort and to counsel and to lead his flock and to prepare a glorious group of people for His Kingdom.
*Amen. Even so come Lord Jesus*
