InHouse - A Quarterly Publication of TROTB Ministries | Oct - Dec 2024

Only Believe

Greetings in the Mighty Name of Jesus!

Dr John Joseph

As we close out a remarkable year, we praise God for His powerful work across various regions and in our personal lives. This year, we saw significant growth in the Lord’s Kingdom and many steps of faith taken as a ministry family. In 2024, the message of “Total surrender” resonated deeply, with many dedicating their lives to fully obeying and serving God. Looking ahead to 2025, I believe God is calling His church to deeper faith with the message: “ONLY BELIEVE.” Let us step into the New Year with unwavering trust, surrendering fully to Him and expecting His glory to be revealed in us!

What is the Lord saying when He calls us to only believe?

A true life of surrender requires trust – a faith that believes even in the darkest moments that God will strengthen us and reveal His glory. This faith is not passive but an active choice to trust God’s promises, even when we can’t see the outcome. The Bible tells of ordinary people stepping out of their comfort zones, facing challenges with courage and faith. This is God’s call for you. Like building muscles through pain, your faith will grow by stretching you beyond what you thought was possible.

In his 1933 inaugural address, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Fear can paralyze us, hindering progress. However, throughout the Gospels, God repeatedly told us, “Do not fear.” In Mark 5:22-43, Jairus, a synagogue leader, was desperate. His daugther

was dying, and he begged Jesus to come and heal her. While on their way, a woman with an issue of blood touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, and He paused to acknowledge her faith and heal her. While this brief interruption brought a miracle for one, it brought devastating news for Jairus. The messengers told Jairus not to trouble Jesus further. It was over, they said. Death had spoken. But Jesus, undeterred by the facts, turned to Jairus and declared, “Don’t be afraid; just believe” (Mark 5:36).

Was Jesus ignoring reality? Hardly. He simply operated from a higher reality. The facts said that the child was dead. But Jesus, rooted in the truths of God’s Kingdom, declared she would live. Where others saw finality, Jesus saw opportunity. Where others mourned with defeat, He proclaimed victory. When Jesus arrived at Jairus’ home, He found a scene of chaos and despair. “Why are you weeping?”, He asked. “The child is not dead but sleeping” (Mark 5:39). Laughter and scorn met His words, but Jesus remained undeterred. While others wept over what was dead, Jesus walked in and raised the dead! Faith always has the last word.

The ‘lower realities’ of life often focus on past failures, fears, and hopelessness. In this higher Kingdom, we live by faith, not fear; hope, not despair. While the lower realities present facts, the higher

truths proclaim God’s promises. The final word is not death, but life; not despair, but hope; not fear, but faith. By fixing our hearts on Christ’s Kingdom, we can face challenges with courage, knowing His Word prevails. In His Kingdom, His final word is always good. True Faith is not the absence of challenges, but the courage to trust God through them. Daniel faced the lions, David faced a Goliath, Joseph the prison, Jesus the cross, and Paul reached the lost at all costs. Faith transforms despair into hope and impossibility into possibility. Faith doesn’t deny challenges but refuses to be defined by them. Faith changes the narrative.

Faith vs. Fear

Belief is foundational to the Christian life, key to our relationship with God and the gateway to salvation through Jesus. The word ‘believe’ appears more often in the New Testament than in the Old, emphasizing its central role of faith in Christian life. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Faith is not just a one-time event, but a daily choice to trust God over fear. Mark 9:23 highlights that when we believe, all things are possible, unlocking God’s power to do what we cannot.

Faith doesn’t deny challenges but refuses to be defined by them.

What does Fear do to us?

In Mark 5:36, Jesus tells Jairus, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe”. What does fear do to us? Fear clouds our vision and makes us doubt God’s power, paralyzing our spiritual lives. It contradicts God’s promises, causing us to doubt and retreat. Fear steals our peace and joy, clouds our judgment, creates anxiety, and hinders our problem-solving ability. Finally, it damages self-worth, distorts reality, and disconnects us. A man of God once said, “Fear tolerated is faith contaminated.”

What does faith do in us?

Faith is a powerful transformative force that reshapes our minds and perspectives, aligning us with God’s truth, to live the life of God, and do the works of God. It renews our thinking and empowers us to see beyond our immediate challenges, trusting that God is working even when we can’t see the outcome. Faith offers a renewed perspective, helping us view life through God’s eyes, as we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). It provides clarity, giving wisdom and insight, as we rely on God’s guidance (James 1:5). Through faith, we develop a God-kind of thinking, focusing on God’s goodness and possibilities (Philippians 4:8). It brings empowerment, filling us with strength to face challenges (Philippians 4:13), and offers peace

freeing us from anxiety (Philippians 4:6-7). Faith also fills our hearts with hope, trusting in God’s good plans (Romans 15:13), and builds resilience, helping us endure trials with perseverance (James 1:24). Ultimately, faith transforms us by renewing our minds, aligning our thoughts with God’s will, and empowering us to live boldly in His purpose.

Walk by Faith, Not by Sight!

In 2 Corinthians 5:7, Paul urges believers to live by faith, not by sight. This means our daily lives should be guided by faith in God’s promises, rather than by visible evidence or tangible results. Living by faith does not mean ignoring reality but recognizing that the unseen spiritual realm is more enduring than the physical world around us. Faith calls us to trust in God’s promises, guidance, and power, even when circumstances seem unclear or difficult. In moments of uncertainty, faith enables us to believe that God is working behind the scenes, and it is His faithfulness, not visible evidence, that gives us peace and hope.

We must choose to believe. Belief is more than intellectual assent; it is active trust. It is holding on to His promises, even when circumstances scream otherwise. Fear says, “God has forgotten me”, but Faith declares, “God has got me! His plans for me are

good.” Faith builds the ressurrection power of Jesus inside of us. The Bible reminds us in 2 Timothy 1:7 that, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Fear does not belong to us; faith does. 1 John 5:4 tells us, “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.” Our victory comes not from our own strength but from our trust in God’s power.

Different levels of Faith

The Bible reveals different levels of faith, showing us that there is a spectrum of faith from doubt to unwavering belief. Jesus taught about “mustard seed faith” (Matthew 17:20), which, though small, has the power to move mountains when placed in the right source - God. The Bible illustrates various levels of faith, showcasing how individuals progress in their trust in God. ‘No faith’ is seen when the disciples are consumed by fear or disbelief, as Jesus highlighted in Mark 4:40, when the disciples panicked during a storm. ‘Little faith’ is often marked by doubt mixed with trust, as when Peter walked on water but began to sink when he focused on the waves (Matthew 14:31). ‘Weak faith’ struggles with uncertainty but still seeks God, like the father who cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). ‘Growing faith’ emerges as believers begin to see

God’s faithfulness, like the Samaritan woman who moved from skepticism to belief in Jesus as the Messiah (John 4:29). ‘Great faith’, such as that of the centurion in Matthew 8:10, trusts fully in God’s authority without needing visible evidence. Lastly, the Bible speaks of ‘Perfected faith’, a mature, unwavering trust that fully rests in God’s promises, exemplified by Abraham’s confidence that God would fulfill His word (Romans 4:2021). These levels of faith remind us that growth is a process, and God patiently meets us wherever we are on the journey. These levels remind us that faith is dynamic, always inviting us to deeper trust and reliance on God’s Word and promises.

Did you know that you could grow in your faith?

Faith is the key to overcoming challenges. How can we can grow from ‘No faith’ to ‘Little faith’, and then to ‘Great faith’ and finally to ‘Perfect faith’?

1. Feed Your Faith, Starve Your Fears - Nourish your faith with God’s Word, as it strengthens and guides you. Romans 10:17 emphasizes that faith comes from hearing God’s Word. Meditate on Scripture, speak it aloud, and surround yourself with a faithfilled community to build your trust in God’s promises. Reject your fears!

2. Believe in God’s power and promises - With God, nothing is impossible. In Mark 9:23, Jesus assures us, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Faith connects us to God’s limitless power, empowering us to face obstacles with confidence.

3. Speak Faith, Silence Fear - Words have life and shape reality. Speak faith, not fear. Proverbs 18:21 highlights the power of the tongue.

4. Act on Your Faith - Faith requires action. James 2:17 teaches us that faith without works is dead. Step out in obedience, trusting that God will lead you through every challenge.

5. Resist the Enemy with Faith - Faith is our shield against the enemy’s attacks (Ephesians 6:16). Stand firm in faith and resist the lies of the enemy, knowing that God’s power is greater.

6. Receive God’s Peace - Philippians 4:6-7 promises that God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds when we present our requests to Him in faith, overcoming anxiety and fear.

7. Remember Jesus’ Victory! - 1 John 5:4 reminds us that our faith overcomes the world. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, He secured our victory, empowering us to overcome any challenge.

Today, Jesus calls us to “Only Believe”.

When we choose to “Only Believe”, we tap into into God’s divine power and purpose, walking in victory, peace, and hope. Smith Wigglesworth said, “I’m not moved by what I see, by what I hear or by what I feel… I’m moved by what I believe and I believe the WORD of GOD!” This unwavering faith allows us to live beyond circumstances, aligning with God’s eternal truth.

Jesus said that if we believe, we will see the manifestation of God’s glory.

In the town of Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days. His sisters, Mary and Martha, were overcome with grief. When Jesus arrived, it appeared that all hope was lost. Martha, although she believed Jesus to be the Messiah, struggled to fully comprehend the depth of His authority over life and death. Yet, it was precisely in this moment of despair that Jesus called her—and all of us—to a deeper faith. He reminded her that belief was the key to seeing God’s glory, a glory that transcends our limited understanding. Standing before Martha, just moments before He would raise her brother Lazarus from the dead in John 11:40, Jesus declared, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” And then He raised Lazarus from the dead. Faith ignited the supernatural. Believing God preceded the manifestation of His glory!

The glory of God is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, from the grandeur of creation to the transformative power of resurrection. But what does it mean to truly see God’s glory? Is it a visible phenomenon, a personal spiritual experience, or perhaps both and more? By understanding this promise, we gain insight into how God’s majesty is revealed in our lives and how our faith allows us to perceive it. The glory of God refers to His divine essence—the display of His majesty, holiness, and infinite worth. God’s glory is:

- God’s visible splendour: When Moses asked to see God’s glory, God revealed His goodness and proclaimed His name (Exodus 33:1819).

- God’s Power: Surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe (Ephesians 1:19).

- God’s unchanging nature: God will manifest His nature of love and holiness.

- God’s manifest presence: Both the tangible anointing and the advent of Christ to save the world.

The church needs to see and carry this glory! Why is it very important for us to encounter the manifest glory of God? Because the manifest glory, strengthens our faith, inspires our worship, and transforms us. Though this glory is all around, people don’t see it because Jesus said if anyone

wants to see the glory, he must come believing in Jesus. We can be in the midst of a glory revival and yet miss seeing the glory like the Pharisees, as our eyes can be blinded through doubt, fear and unbelief. Hence it is so important to come believing and start by building the spirit man to a place of living every day in faith and obedience.

How do we build the Spirit Man to Walk in Faith?

Walking in faith requires intentional growth and spiritual discipline. The Bible provides clear guidance for building the ‘spirit man’, the inner self to align with God’s will. The carnal man and the spirit man are at enmity with one another. The carnal man wants to follow the natural; the spirit man the supernatural. The carnal man wants to follow his plans; the spirit man, the will of God. The carnal man will see death; the spirit man will carry glory.

Building the Spirit Man: Strengtening Your Connection with God

How can we build the spirit man, the real you that connects with God? Here are seven key principles grounded in Scripture:

1. Renew Your Mind with the Word of God - Romans 12:2 emphasizes the need for every believer to be trans-

formed through the renewal of the mind. Feeding on God’s Word strengthens the spirit man and aligns our thoughts with divine truth. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). So regular study and meditation on Scripture are foundational to walking in faith.

2. Pray in the Spirit - Prayer, especially Spirit-led prayer, builds our faith. Jude 1:20 encourages believers, “Build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” This practice builds our inner man to receive God’s guidance and power.

3. Be Led by the Spirit - Galatians 5:16 instructs us, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Living a Spirit-led life requires daily surrender to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide our decisions and actions.

4. Guard Your Heart - Proverbs 4:23 teaches, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Protecting your heart from negativity, sin, and distractions is crucial for nurturing your spiritual life.

5. Act on Your Faith - James 2:17 declares, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Faith is strengthened through obedience to God’s Word. Every step of faith whether forgiving someone, taking a

risk in ministry, or trusting God during trials—builds up your spirit man and draws you closer to God.

6. Fellowship with BelieversHebrews 10:25 tells us not to neglect meeting together with believers. Fellowship provides accountability, encouragement, and strength, helping to nurture and build the spirit man through shared faith and community.

7. Fix Your Eyes on Jesus - Hebrews 12:2 calls us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” By focusing on Christ, we are empowered to overcome challenges and remain steadfast in our spiritual journey.

Thus, believers can build their spirit man, grow in faith, and walk confidently in the promises of God. Then faith becomes not just a thing to believe, but a Person to follow and a lifestyle, grounded in a deep relationship with God. This then makes us pursue God’s mandate for our lives leading us to a deeper sense of purpose and clarity. It shifts our focus from personal gain to advancing God’s Kingdom. This faith makes us trust God’s power to fulfil His calling. With His guidance, provision, and His

Feeding on God’s Word strengthens the spirit man and aligns our thoughts with divine truth.

presence, we will step out boldly in faith. As we embrace God’s mandate, our lives begin to have an eternal significance, thus bringing joy, fulfilment and peace, in fulfilling the purposes He designed for us.

Have Faith in God, Only Believe, Do the works of God! Have a blessed 2025!

TRAINING

A Hindi School of Breakthrough was held from the 16th to the 31st of August 2024 in New Delhi. The school was attended by 11 delegates. The school was coordinated by Dr. Mathew C Thomas. Various topics under Intimacy with Christ, Integrity of Character and Intensity for Missions were covered during the course of the school. The school was extremely beneficial to the attendees. Some of them testified that they were able to overcome their fears and doubts through the sessions like ‘Hearing God’s Voice’, ‘Faith’, the ‘Father heart of God’, etc. Overall they found the school spiritually enriching, practical and insightful for their relationship with God.

The Pan-India Agape Discipleship School took place from the 2nd to the 28th of September 2024 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The school, coordinated by Vinal Raj R and Bendangsua Jamir, was attended by 21 delegates that were below the age of 40. Prior to the school, from the month of May, the team took time to prepare by having regular times of online prayer. They also

Hindi School of Breakthrough

had weekly online training sessions on working as a team, serving with love and having the right perspective. The delegates testified that they experienced the transformative power of God through times of worship, prayer and teaching sessions. The teaching of the Word was certainly life-changing for the delegates as it helped them gain good and proper understanding of the Word. There were also interactive sessions like team activities and workshops on studying the qualities of a disciple. The delegates were eager to learn and imbibe the life embodied in the Scriptures. They also had a good time interacting with their peers which was evident in their enthusiasm shown in the group activities. They also shared the various talents and spiritual gifts that they discovered during their time at the school.

Here are excerpts of testimonies from the delegates:

“I came into ADS expecting to be refilled from God and I believe God has given me that. Definitely not in the way I was expecting but God still worked. God dealt with a lot of pain during certain sessions. God revealed Himself to me in so many ways from the worship, Word, workshops and in many other small and random ways. I go back with a desire to serve God more than I have been able to so far and also pursue my love for Him more. The personal time with the mentors and leaders also really helped me.”

“The Lord has truly transformed me from the inside out, stripping away everything until I stand in complete surrender, held only by His hands. Every personal longing has been consumed and reduced to ashes, leaving one singular, undivided desire—to know and serve Him alone.”

“The workshops have helped reveal to me the true posture of my heart, leading me to embrace selflessness and humility by recognizing God’s rightful authority over my life. I am a work in progress, and I know I have much growing to do, but I trust that living with integrity will guide me on that journey.”

“At ADS, I have personally been able to hear the voice of God a lot. Also, I have been able to inculcate a discipline of keeping a specific quiet time. And through the sessions, I feel more confident of my identity in Christ and in the calling that God has put over my life.”

“It was a beautiful yet challenging journey of yielding to the Word of God, letting go to get ministered to, etc. Helped break mindsets, decide to be more intentional about disciplining my life...Desire to improve for the Lord and not to please man

Agape Discipleship School

A Telugu School of Breakthrough was held from the 7th to the 16th of October 2024 in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh. This 10-day school was coordinated by Sampath Kumar, with 13 delegates that attended. Many found the sessions to be thought provoking. They were able to let go of their past, be healed and embrace the love of God in a new way. Some of the testimonies are as follows

“I used to have some anger against my father as he was always busy in the Lord’s ministry but here I realized God’s love and I got my breakthroughs in many areas. I learnt to spend time with God. Thank you for training and molding me into who I am now.”

“I was beyond blessed. Though I came with less expectations, but God moved in a different way. I understood the Father’s heart and got reconnected to God the Father in a special way. God filled me with His Spirit and I got to know my identity in Christ. He gave wisdom about His hidden mysteries and also gave me confidence.” or prove myself.”

Telugu School of Breakthrough

A Life Transformation Seminar was held from the 18th to the 20th of October 2024 in Kochi, Kerala. The seminar, which was coordinated by Joban Abraham, was attended by 13 delegates. Many responded well to the sessions on ‘The Heart of Worship’, ‘Quiet Time’, and ‘The Holy Spirit’.

An Alumni meeting coordinated by Mr Immanuel Lawrence, was held on 22nd October 2024 in Bangalore, Karnataka. There were 10 attendees present who were part of the previous schools and seminars coordinated by TROTB. Vinal Raj R shared from the Word about ‘God’s good work in us’ and Ms Jolena led worship. It was a good time of reunion and fellowship.

Bendangsua Jamir and P Chingkai were invited by the Capital Baptist Church and the Trinity Worship Centre to teach at their meetings on the 23rd of November 2024 in Agartala, Tripura. Around 35 people attended the meetings. Some of the topics dealt with were ‘Believers Authority’, ‘Surrendering to God’s call’, ‘Becoming successful’, ‘Revival’ and ‘Submission to Authority’. The attendees were challenged and encouraged by the Word of God, especially on ‘Believers Authority’ and ‘Submission to Authority’ as these topics were new to them. They also witnessed the glory and the power of God touching the lives of people in a mighty way through miracles and healings.

The Weekly GUILD sessions held by the Kerala team and the Monthly Online Conferences held by the Punjab team continue to take place regularly. These programmes enable and encourage the participants to be intentional in their walk as disciples of Jesus.

NETWORKING

The Northeast team led by Bendangsua Jamir, visited and ministered amidst a group of church leaders on 19th October 2024 in Arunachal Pradesh. They encouraged leaders to be more intentional in their walk with the Lord and to continue to serve with integrity with respect to life and finances as well.

Vinal Raj R, Immanuel Lawrence and Leena Varghese networked with pastors and leaders in Bangalore and Bidar, Karnataka from the 23rd to the 25th of

Life Transformation Seminar, Kerala

October 2024. The team was able to spend time in prayer and encourage pastors and leaders in both these places. Our schools alumni, Jairaj Kempenoor and his wife Divya joined them during their time in Bidar. Pastors appreciated the prayer and encouragement received from the team. One of the leaders mentioned that this was the first time wherein someone had come to pray for them and their church without any other agenda. The team also spent time visiting some of their families to pray and encourage them.

The online National team Monthly Intercession organized by Neha Joseph with the help of Dr. Madhuri Nune and Sentikumla Jamir, takes place regularly in which our leaders, team members and intercessors from various regions gather to pray for the various needs of the ministry. Every month, different regional teams are assigned to lead the times of prayer, worship and Word of encouragement.

A monthly City Wide Prayer meeting along with different churches continues to be spear-headed by the Madhya Pradesh team in and around Gwalior. This meeting serves as a source of unity and upliftment for the pastors and leaders.

Regular online prayer and intercession takes place in various regions like Kerala, Goa, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Nagaland and Northeast regions of India.

TRANSFORMATION

The teams in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Punjab continue to serve the community through transformational activities.

House of Hope in Kochi, Kerala continues to distribute food kits to needy families in Ernakulam, Kerala. They also have a skill development course for women from underprivileged families who are taught stitching and tailoring.

TROTB TEAM

The Nagaland Team had their Regional Summit on 26th August 2024 in Dimapur, Nagaland. 17 TROTB associates and volunteers were present for the meeting. Imnawati Ajem led worship and the Word was shared by Alemsunep Jamir who spoke on the ‘Two kinds of Hearts’. It was a refreshing time of fellowship for all.

InHouse - A Quarterly Publication of TROTB Ministries | Oct - Dec 2024 | English

2025 UPCOMING EVENTS