The Story Behind the Hymns. THE STORY BEHIND "O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED" “O Jesus, I Have Promised” was written by English hymn writer John Ernest Bode (1816–1874), an Anglican clergyman and scholar. Bode wrote the hymn in 1868 for the confirmation service of his own children at Castle Camps, Cambridgeshire, England. The hymn grew out of a deeply personal moment. Bode’s children were publicly affirming their Christian faith and promising to remain faithful to Christ. He wrote the words to express the seriousness of that commitment, not simply as a promise made during confirmation, but as a lifelong decision to follow Jesus. The opening words, “O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end,” immediately establish the hymn’s central message: faithful Christian service. The following verses recognise that keeping such a promise is not always easy. Temptations, distractions and the pressures of life can weaken a believer, which is why the hymn repeatedly turns to Jesus for strength and guidance. Its most familiar lines include the prayer: “ O Jesus, Thou hast promised To all who follow Thee, That where Thou art in glory, There shall Thy servant be.” The hymn became widely known in churches and schools and has remained a beloved hymn of commitment, especially at confirmation services, because of its direct and personal language. “O Jesus, I Have Promised” continues to speak across generations because its message is simple but demanding: to follow Christ faithfully, to resist the distractions of the world, and to depend on Him for the strength to remain true to the promise.

Dear Father, I pondered on the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman. I was particularly struck when she said, “I have no husband,” and His response to her, saying, “Thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband...” Five husbands?! What exactly fueled this drive? Should I call it a need, an obsession, or the air she thought she must keep breathing to stay alive? How was she able to seek more after having two, even after having five? I may never know the exact reason she kept trusting that, after five failed relationships with men, what she still needed was a relationship with one more, but I see a case of fitting wrong solutions into unrelated problems. And sadly, some of us are guilty as well--of seeking perfection in imperfect things. We may not go seeking and obtaining a list of husbands and ex-husbands, but perhaps we have obtained a list of certificates and still seek more, whose acquisitions may not be bad in themselves but are still faulty because of our motives for acquiring them: to be better or to feel complete? In this context, there is a need to distinguish between fulfilment and complements: people and material things can become complements to what You are doing in our lives, but they are not designed to be the source of our fulfilment. So the issue arises when we strive to find fulfilment in complements, and with temporary satisfaction, we seek even harder, seeking the right things in the wrong places. I pondered again on the various areas of my life where I may be found wanting. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6 : Portuguese #LettertoGod #fulfilment #completeness #perfection #solutions

Dear Father, I pondered on the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman. I was particularly struck when she said, “I have no husband,” and His response to her, saying, “Thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband...” Five husbands?! What exactly fueled this drive? Should I call it a need, an obsession, or the air she thought she must keep breathing to stay alive? How was she able to seek more after having two, even after having five? I may never know the exact reason she kept trusting that, after five failed relationships with men, what she still needed was a relationship with one more, but I see a case of fitting wrong solutions into unrelated problems. And sadly, some of us are guilty as well--of seeking perfection in imperfect things. We may not go seeking and obtaining a list of husbands and ex-husbands, but perhaps we have obtained a list of certificates and still seek more, whose acquisitions may not be bad in themselves but are still faulty because of our motives for acquiring them: to be better or to feel complete? In this context, there is a need to distinguish between fulfilment and complements: people and material things can become complements to what You are doing in our lives, but they are not designed to be the source of our fulfilment. So the issue arises when we strive to find fulfilment in complements, and with temporary satisfaction, we seek even harder, seeking the right things in the wrong places. I pondered again on the various areas of my life where I may be found wanting. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French in comments Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #fulfilment #completeness #perfection #solutions

I N V I T A T I O N Dear Brothers and Sisters, If the WARS between nations are to end, the time has come to establish a 'Democratic World Government' elected by people around the world. If the people of the world are unable to pressure world leaders to do this, a 'Third World War' could break out at any time. If that happens, there will not be a single human left on this earth to even write the history of the human race. Understanding this terrifying reality and urging world leaders to act is the responsibility of all human beings on this planet. It is in this context that the people's movement 'International Action Council for Democratic World Government' has been working globally since 1985. Irrespective of party, political, caste, or religious differences, all peace-loving people across the world can become members of the 'International Action Council for Democratic World Government'. Membership is free. All Action Council members who work for 'World Peace' will be declared as 'Peace Ambassadors'. Those interested in working as a 'Peace Ambassador' for the Action Council should send their name, age, address, e-mail ID, WhatsApp number, and photo, along with any ID card, to the WhatsApp number +91 9315503394. Details must be written in English. Please do not call this number; send a message only. Thank You Rajeev Joseph Chairman International Action Council for Democratic World Government New Delhi, India Whatsapp: +91 9315503394

I N V I T A T I O N Dear Brothers and Sisters, If the WARS between nations are to end, the time has come to establish a 'Democratic World Government' elected by people around the world. If the people of the world are unable to pressure world leaders to do this, a 'Third World War' could break out at any time. If that happens, there will not be a single human left on this earth to even write the history of the human race. Understanding this terrifying reality and urging world leaders to act is the responsibility of all human beings on this planet. It is in this context that the people's movement 'International Action Council for Democratic World Government' has been working globally since 1985. Irrespective of party, political, caste, or religious differences, all peace-loving people across the world can become members of the 'International Action Council for Democratic World Government'. Membership is free. All Action Council members who work for 'World Peace' will be declared as 'Peace Ambassadors'. Those interested in working as a 'Peace Ambassador' for the Action Council should send their name, age, address, e-mail ID, WhatsApp number, and photo, along with any ID card, to the WhatsApp number +91 9315503394. Details must be written in English. Please do not call this number; send a message only. Thank You Rajeev Joseph Chairman International Action Council for Democratic World Government New Delhi, India Whatsapp: +91 9315503394

I N V I T A T I O N Dear Friends, If the WARS between nations are to end, the time has come to establish a 'Democratic World Government' elected by people around the world. If the people of the world are unable to pressure world leaders to do this, a 'Third World War' could break out at any time. If that happens, there will not be a single human left on this earth to even write the history of the human race. Understanding this terrifying reality and urging world leaders to act is the responsibility of all human beings on this planet. It is in this context that the people's movement 'International Action Council for Democratic World Government' has been working globally since 1985. Irrespective of party, political, caste, or religious differences, all peace-loving people across the world can become members of the 'International Action Council for Democratic World Government'. Membership is free. All Action Council members who work for 'World Peace' will be declared as 'Peace Ambassadors'. Those interested in working as a 'Peace Ambassador' for the Action Council should send their name, age, address, e-mail ID, WhatsApp number, and photo, along with any ID card, to the WhatsApp number +91 9315503394. Details must be written in English. Please do not call this number; send a message only. Thank You 🙏 Rajeev Joseph Chairman International Action Council for Democratic World Government New Delhi, India Whatsapp: +91 9315503394

I N V I T A T I O N Dear Friends, If the WARS between nations are to end, the time has come to establish a 'Democratic World Government' elected by people around the world. If the people of the world are unable to pressure world leaders to do this, a 'Third World War' could break out at any time. If that happens, there will not be a single human left on this earth to even write the history of the human race. Understanding this terrifying reality and urging world leaders to act is the responsibility of all human beings on this planet. It is in this context that the people's movement 'International Action Council for Democratic World Government' has been working globally since 1985. Irrespective of party, political, caste, or religious differences, all peace-loving people across the world can become members of the 'International Action Council for Democratic World Government'. Membership is free. All Action Council members who work for 'World Peace' will be declared as 'Peace Ambassadors'. Those interested in working as a 'Peace Ambassador' for the Action Council should send their name, age, address, e-mail ID, WhatsApp number, and photo, along with any ID card, to the WhatsApp number +91 9315503394. Details must be written in English. Please do not call this number; send a message only. Thank You 🙏 Rajeev Joseph Chairman International Action Council for Democratic World Government New Delhi, India Whatsapp: +91 9315503394

I N V I T A T I O N Dear Friends, If the WARS between nations are to end, the time has come to establish a 'Democratic World Government' elected by people around the world. If the people of the world are unable to pressure world leaders to do this, a 'Third World War' could break out at any time. If that happens, there will not be a single human left on this earth to even write the history of the human race. Understanding this terrifying reality and urging world leaders to act is the responsibility of all human beings on this planet. It is in this context that the people's movement 'International Action Council for Democratic World Government' has been working globally since 1985. Irrespective of party, political, caste, or religious differences, all peace-loving people across the world can become members of the 'International Action Council for Democratic World Government'. Membership is free. All Action Council members who work for 'World Peace' will be declared as 'Peace Ambassadors'. Those interested in working as a 'Peace Ambassador' for the Action Council should send their name, age, address, e-mail ID, WhatsApp number, and photo, along with any ID card, to the WhatsApp number +91 9315503394. Details must be written in English. Please do not call this number; send a message only. Thank You 🙏 Rajeev Joseph Chairman International Action Council for Democratic World Government New Delhi, India Whatsapp: +91 9315503394

Dear Father, We all have desires and make requests to become better versions of ourselves. But sometimes, it looks as though we are not nearly as prepared for the responsibility as we are for the blessings that accompany it. The Scripture says, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” And so often, we believe in how much we must do in alignment with what has been entrusted to us. But very rarely do we discuss how much we must refrain from doing by virtue of the office we have been assigned. I believe the word in the passage, “require,” doesn’t just imply what we must give, but also what we must become. Because we rarely speak about the other side of the coin: that the blessing is expected to flow from the inside out; that we begin with being blessed by the blessing, to becoming shaped by the blessing. Perhaps only then can we wholesomely become a blessing to others. Like In situations where great wisdom is entrusted to us, it is required that we exercise discretion and establish the necessary controls around it. And this is where it gets difficult, because control may sometimes mean holding our peace when speaking could exonerate a person, but at the same time, put a stain on his office. Or when stewardship requires not just our undeniable talents, but also our character. What we must give, but also what we must become. This is, perhaps, the perfect blend. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #assignment #stewardship #consecration #talents

Dear Father, I love the teaching style of Jesus, particularly because He used parables to make illustrations, and from these parables, so much can be deduced. Today, I pondered the Parable of the Talents, which says: “The kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his servants and entrusted his goods unto them. He gave one five talents, another two, and another one. The one with five talents traded and gained five more talents, and he that had received two also gained two more. The last one did nothing with what he was given…” However, between the periods of receiving the talents and the reward lies a season of struggle. Such great conversions are not instantaneous; if they were, they would all have brought back returns. And perhaps the five talents measured as returns for the five given were not a literal representation of how his harvest was without losses. Perhaps, in the process of conversion, he gained some harvests and some lessons. And perhaps both the lessons and the fruits are counted as gains in this kingdom. In seamlessly telling the story, He had no intention of bypassing the struggle; He left us to discern the various ways in which it applies: that both the fruits and the lessons are counted as gains in this kingdom, so long as we proceed-- not to bury what has been entrusted to us, but to put it to use. I’d like to write You about the struggles and the lessons I’ve encountered, and how all people see are the fruits. But do I need to? When most of all, You see how in the midst of all these, I’ve grown. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #stewardship #purpose #gifts #talents