Chris Gnanakan

If the parable of the lost sheep (Lk.15:1-7) is about being ‘lost and desperate about it’, this coin was ‘lost and couldn’t help it’. Comparisons can be made between the lively sheep that willfully strayed away from the flock of 100 and this inanimate coin that a woman ‘lost’ of 10 she possessed. Jesus may have deliberately picked a woman to serve his purpose as she would passionately express the deep grief and exuberant joy in finding what is lost. The point remains: We have a searching God, who actively seeks after lost souls, and rejoices whenever the ‘one’ is found (more…)

Something is said to be ‘lost’ if it is missing and the plain inference is that it needs to be found and put back in its rightful place. Yet, in our selfish, materialistic world, we don’t see the obvious, nor consider the serious consequence of losing something valuable. Jesus was accused by the religious leaders of his day for associating with and working for those who morally were considered the last, least and lost of society! Jesus silences his critics by telling them a story of the lost sheep (Lk.15:1-7). He wanted them to catch a vision – God’s vision – of helpless people without hope who are desperate. This parable can then promote Christian mission as we examine what was lost, why and how was it recovered? (more…)

When God wants to drill a man,
And thrill a man,
And skill a man
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;

When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways! (more…)

Christians seems to have worn out the verse ‘Nothing is impossible with God’. Did you know the ad for the footwear Adidas claims: ‘Impossible is Nothing’! We can demonstrate God’s power at work on behalf of people if only we learn how to put feet to our faith and this is no small challenge. Abraham’s call to obey God (Gen 12) came in the form of ‘tests’ that help us examine and prove our own faith and commitment to God and His purposes. While there are distinct steps in Abraham’s life of faith that tested him, in Hebrews 11:8-19, there are at least four that challenge us: (more…)

Abraham’s life reveals what genuine faith in God can do. This man whom 3 world religions claim as their ‘father of faith’, died in peace, satisfied; full  and importantly ‘in faith‘ (Gen.15:15; Heb.11:13ff). The heritage he left for Isaac, his son and us, is pictured by 3 icons: an altar, a tent and a well that symbolize a godly example of faith in God’s promises (Gen.26:25). Spiritual blessings meant more to Isaac than material and their significance can help us find our future, make a mark, and leave a legacy of ‘faith in God’ for our generation.

I find it intriguing how Isaac was the son of a famous father (Abraham) and the father of a famous son (Jacob)! Due to his quiet, peaceable life, he often gets ‘lost’ in between the two patriarchs. Yet in the Bible, it is Isaac who is a type or representation of Christ. Let us consider these 3 emblems that marked Isaacs’ life of faith and allow them to increase our own faith in God (more…)

Have you been in a situation where you were asked not to talk about ‘faith’, or come across someone who told you they don’t have faith or lost their ‘faith’? But first, do you know the one thing that pleases God and is the only thing that also challenges him? The answer is ‘faith’ in who God is and what he has done for you!

The Bible teaches that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), which is the reason human’s were created. Many of us are privileged to have been brought up by, lived with, or been influenced by some great men and women of faith – ‘faith in God’, a God who is faithful, who can be trusted, counted on to keep his word and fulfill his purposes in our lives. Therefore to live a ‘life of faith’ in this God is indeed life’s ultimate goal and the precise way we bring God glory. Let’s talk about what ‘faith’ is, and what faith in the God of the Bible look like? (more…)

What do you think should be the Christian worker’s main purpose, highest motive and chief end in life? Paul’s exhortation in 1Tim.2:15 was: ‘Do your best to present yourself as one APPROVED unto God, a workman who does not need to be ASHAMED, because you correctly handle the word of truth’. This was also his life’s goal (1Cor.5:9-10) and has become my life’s mission and ambition – to be approved, to trust and seek ‘to please God’. After all, we were created for God’s good pleasure and without faith it is impossible to please God! There are 3 questions, I almost daily ask myself from this verse, that serve to check my ‘approval rating’ before God (more…)

A good memory when coupled with a godly conscience and a brave heart can repair and restore broken relationships. In John 21:1-25, three images: boats & nets, bread & fish and fire & coal, must have brought memories to Peter of Jesus’ words, works and worth that led him to recommitment to following Christ and be reinstated to service. These can help us examine our own call & commitment to the cost of discipleship, Christian formation and mission (more…)

Ministering to persecuted Christians in Orissa and teaching CPE at the Baptist hospital I was asked questions on the purpose of pain. Suffering is a human experience we are ‘called’ to endure (Phil.1:29), the one language we all recognize. Yet our view of and reaction to pain makes a difference. It depends on how we perceive what is happening to us during suffering. Following Christ on the path of true discipleship is marked by constant struggle, conflict and trials. In all this, we need to discover pain’s meaning, God’s design and greater purposes. Normally we seek relief, a quick fix, some way out at any cost. A criterion I’ve found helpful to understand and undertake God’s purposes in and for my pain is to ask: Is this a rod, a thorn, or a cross? (more…)