A recent study on divorce has revealed that divorce is increasing in India. In New Delhi alone, 30 to 75 divorce cases are files everyday. It has been found that in the last one decade divorce has increased by 150% in Kerala, 150% in Punjab and Haryana, 40% in Calcutta and 25% in Madras, Hyderabad and Bangalore.
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is His reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate”.
A middle aged Christian officer, once approached a pastor and said, “Pastor I am a believer. I loved my wife before my marriage very much. I married her because of her appearance and her good status in life. After a married life of six years, I find it very difficult to love her now”. The pastor wanted to know the reason behind the problem
Smoking affects not only the smokers but also others who are exposed to the fumes from smokers. The exposure to the toxic fumes generated by smokers is called passive smoking. Dr Cedric F. Garland said, “The link between passive smoking and health problem are now as solid as any findings in Epidemiology (the science of epidemics)”.
When I studied in the high school I had a friend. He was a Christian but he fell into bad company and became a chain of smoker and a drug addict. He was not happy with his bad habits. He wanted to stop them but could not do so.
Turn your problem to the Lord. When you get the temptation or craving for smoking say aloud the Bible verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Phil 4:13 and pray to God for strength. He is able to help those who are tempted. “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted”. Heb 2:19
Rajan was from a Christian family. He was brought up in a Christian atmosphere. For higher studies, he went to college in the nearby city and stayed in a hostel. In the beginning he prayed and read the Bible daily. After a few months, Rajan stopped his religious activities. He acquired some friends. All his friends were smokers and they introduced him to smoking
Walk a little plainer, Daddy Said a little boy so frail, I’m following in your footsteps, And I don’t want to fail.Sometimes your steps are very plain; Sometimes they’re hard to see
So walk a little plainer, Daddy, For you are leading me.
In all cigarette packets and advertisements there is the statutory warning, ‘Cigarette smoking is injurious to health’. In spite of this warning billions of people smoke cigarettes and bidi daily. It has been reported that about 5.4 trillion cigarettes are produced annually in the world.
Edward England, while writing about David Watson quoted the following favourite story of Watson – David Watson had a friend by name Bishop Festo Kinengene. One evening Festo had an argument with his wife. Later he had to go out and preach in a church…