"I am come down to deliver them" (Exodus 3:8). These were the words God spoke to Moses regarding His people, which were in Egypt. The children of the patriarch Jacob, whose father was Isaac and grandfather Abraham, were called the children of Israel, a seed chosen by God. They were allowed by God to go down to Egypt and there wait for over four centuries before they inherited the promised land of Canaan. God described this land as a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:8). In Egypt the patriarchal family multiplied into a nation, but went through bitter affliction as slaves of Pharaoh. The book of Exodus opens with a grim picture of the people of God as well as their desperate need for deliverance and freedom. They were enslaved, made to serve with rigors and their lives were made bitter with hard bondage (Exodus 1 : 12 -14 ). Is this not a classic description of the human race? We are slaves to many sinful vices and serve the devil by carrying out his dictates. If we are honest, we should accept that we are, and we live, in a world of liars, cheaters, misrepresent, false witnesses and double: - talkers. The sum total is, we are in bondage to deadly sins, in our public and private lives and in spite of our sincere efforts do not know the way of deliverance. Yes, it takes more than human efforts to deliver ourselves from the slavery of sin. But there is good news, as our text tells us; God saw the captives toiling at Egypt's brick kilns; heard their groaning; knew their sorrows and their misery and said,"1 am come down to deliver them".

If any help is given to the people of Israel, it must "come down" for no man" can by any means redeem his brother" (Psalm 49:7). Here we have the 'Good News'; "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son" (John 3:16) and, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"(1 Timothy 1: 5), "God was manifest in the flesh" (1 Timothy 3:16) and in the Person of Jesus Christ. How majestic is this statement! Jesus is the eternally existent God. He did not begin at birth, any more than His life ended on the cross; but at His birth, He showed Himself to mankind. He appeared among us, sinful beings. His feet which trod the dusty roads of Galilee and walked on the sea of Gennesaret, were the same that walked in the fire with those three brave men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to rescue them from fire (Daniel 3:25), and are come down now to deliver us from eternal hell fire. He came to this world of war, poverty, sickness, lust, crime, evil and hatred. It was an Errand of Rescue that God the rather wanted Him to accomplish. '-hat is why Jesus often told that He was "sent" by the Father (John 4:34, 5:37, 6:44, 7:33, 17:18 etc.). Jesus never withdrew from the world of men, neither did He shut Himself up in a monastery nor was a recluse or a mendicant. He mixed with men. "Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him"(Luke 15:1 ). He trod this earth in human nature and in human form, moving among men and sharing their toil and pain. l lived a simple life and mingled with everyone, title "friend of publicans and sinners" (Luke 7:34). He loved the sinful sons of men and died for them on the cruel cross to redeem and save them from eternal hell fire. He came to us. He made Himself available to wretched sinners. That is the message of Christmas. "...thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matt. 1: 21 ).

This news of 'God coming down to deliver' is not for the Jews only, but for all people throughout the world. The 'good news' is about a Wonderful Person -not a religion; not a movement and not an experience. It is Jesus Who in Himself is the 'Gospel' or the 'good news'. "He came" (John 1: 11). Thank God, He did! Where would a world of lost sinners like us turn for help and deliverance? How could mankind ever grope its way out of darkness to Him, Who is Holy, Exalted and in Glory? Remember, my friend, none of us are so far gone into sins, so deep down in iniquity, that we cannot be delivered by Jesus. "If we confess our sins, he (Lord Jesus) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1John 1 :9). This tidings has been proclaimed far and wide. A great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues" (Revelation 7:9), has come to believe on Him. Have you my friend? Jesus came to deliver you from the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15) and your cruel oppressor, the devil, and sustain you in this life, and give you victory as you walkthrough this dangerous and deceitful world.

Can you, my friend, say that you have been delivered from Satan's galling yoke? Or are you still his slave? Slave to lust and passion, worldliness, the love of money, praise of men, drinking, gambling, swearing, lying and ill-temper? Beware, unless you experience the deliverance God has provided for you in the Person of Jesus Christ, Who said, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36, NIV); Satan will delude and destroy your soul now and for eternity. If you have not been set free by the Son of God, it is certain that you are still held in Satan's power, and he is leading you on day by day to the "lake of fire". This tidings has been proclaimed far and wide, liberty to the captive" and we are all commanded to believe it. A subject of an oriental prince had been sentenced to death. Shortly before the execution, which was attended by the prince, the condemned man was asked what his last wish was. The only thing he desired was a cup of water, which was given him; but he was so nervous that his trembling hands could hardly hold the cup. The prince said to him: "Relax, your life is secure until you have drunk the cup to the dregs." Immediately he took the prince at his word and poured the water on the ground so that nobody was able to get it back into the cup. His life was saved. Can you, my reader, say that you have taken God at His word and believed this 'Good News' which is "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1: 16)? Life is short; it quickly passes by. Please take time to get saved.

FULLNESS OF JOY - BAKHT SINGH - Scripture Text: John 12:1-3 ". ..and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment" (John 12:3).

That was the happiest home in the whole area, because the Lord Jesus Christ had done a great work in the family of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Every member of the family had become happy because of His grace and power. All who passed by that house could smell sweet fragrance from the house, even to a long distance. That is the desire of the Lord Jesus Christ for every new home, that, people may come to know Him through them and they themselves may receive great joy. The Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to make our joy full as He says in John 16:24 and also in John 15:11. The desire, plan and purpose of the Lord Jesus Christ in saving us, is to make our joy full. Now, that joy does not depend upon worldly possessions or worldly qualifications. We may be very rich or poor, educated or illiterate, have a high position or no position, we may belong to any country, yet our joy can be full under all circumstances, and no man upon the earth can take away our joy from our hearts. Our Lord says in John 16:22, "... your joy no man taketh from you". Earthly joy can be taken away by our enemies, friends and circumstances but this joy can no man take away from us. People may try by words, deeds and schemes, but they will never succeed. What a joy it is! This joy is for all times, not occasionally. This is Paul's testimony too as he says in Phil.4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice".

Whenever there is a marriage, there is joy. In Jer. 33:11 and Isa. 62:5, the joy of the bridegroom and the bride is compared to heavenly joy. It is not ordinary joy but heavenly joy and God wants every home to have such a joy. But you may say, "We don't have such joy." In many cases this is true. lt is not God's fault but our fault because we fail to abide by God's Word. In John 15:7 there is a very simple, divine law. "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you". First of all we must be sure that we have everlasting life flowing in us. Just as the branch abides in the vine and brings forth fruit, we should abide in Him.

The Lord says, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you". For every walk of life, we have God's Word-for childhood, youth, middle age, and for old age. For sickness, sufferings, trials and other circumstances, God's Word is given to us to overcome every situation and to come out victorious. We can say with Apostle Paul as a testimony in Phil. 4:13, " I can do all things through Christ". This man Paul was happy even in times of sorrow. "As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things" (2 Cor. 6:9, 10).

SHE REQUIRED NOTHING—4 - BAKHT SINGH

By having a living experience with the living Lord Jesus, we become Christians. Otherwise no one has a right to be called a Christian. God's Word says so in Rom. 8:9, last part. "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his". How can a holy God live in a sinful heart? It is not possible. Will you receive a guest of honor into a house, which is not swept for many years? I have traveled for many years and no one has ever allowed me to stay in a dirty house. How are you going to receive the Holy God into a filthy heart? God's Word says, "All have sinned". Before God, we all have filthy hearts. Only God can wash them and cleanse them. Those who want to be indwelt by God must have their sins forgiven and their hearts cleansed. That is why the Lord shed His blood and died. The living and the Holy God is willing to live in us. How can we know? We can feel the presence of God always. In sickness or health, in poverty or prosperity, in the midst of enemies or friends, far away from home, or right inside the home, in young age or old age, in war or famine, earthquake or scarcity, you will enjoy His presence. It is such an experience that gives happiness to the children of God. The great God, the mighty God, comes to live in us.

To have a happy home, be content. Do not murmur or complain, but prove God in every situation. Enjoy His presence at all times. God's Word says, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee". May the Lord make this true in your home. (Concluded)