Mother's Day Sunday Service — தாய்மை நாள் ஆராதனை

Introduction — A Mother Should Bring Today's Word (முன்னுரை — இன்றைய செய்தியை ஒரு தாய் தான் கொடுக்கணும்)

Today is Mother's Day — அன்னையர் தினம். Greetings in the name of Christ to every mother. And it is only fitting that today's message is brought by a mother.

In the passage we read from 2 Timothy, Paul writes to Timothy:

"When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also." — 2 Timothy 1:5 (NKJV)

"உன்னிலுள்ள மாயமற்ற விசுவாசத்தை நான் நினைவுகூருகிறேன்; அந்த விசுவாசம் முந்தி உன் பாட்டியாகிய லோவிசாளுக்குள்ளும், உன் தாயாகிய ஐனிக்கேயாளுக்குள்ளும் நிலைத்திருந்தது; அது உனக்குள்ளும் நிலைத்திருக்கிறதென்று நிச்சயித்திருக்கிறேன்." — 2 தீமோத்தேயு 1:5 (TAOVBSI)

None of us likes everything about our parents — that is honest. There will always be some matter on which we don't agree with our father or mother. You won't fully like even me; in some things yes, in others no. And in many things my own mother and I had different ideas. But in one matter I must always be thankful — it was my mother who led me to the Lord. அல்லேலூயா!

It was my mother who introduced me to Jesus. That is exactly why Paul tells Timothy, "the faith that was in your grandmother and your mother is now in you." A grandmother and a mother carry an enormous responsibility — to carry the faith forward to their children. Paul says elsewhere, "From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures." Who taught Timothy those Scriptures? His mother.

A mother is a child's first teacher, the one who first shows it the world. Teachers come later. The father's role becomes visible only as the child grows. But in those first years, especially up to age ten or so, the child walks in the way the mother shows. My mother led me to the Lord when I was small. There were many years later when I drifted from Him. But that I stand here today doing God's ministry — under God Himself, the first earthly reason is my mother. So I plead with every mother here: raise your children the way my mother raised me. Train them up in the way they should go. "He who spares his rod hates his son." What you do not bend at five, you cannot bend at fifty. If you teach the fear of God in childhood, they will keep watch over themselves all their lives. If you miss those early years, they will fear no one to the very end. Teach them the Word. Even if it is not your own child — any little child who comes near you, send them away with one Bible verse on their lips.

I Am Seventy Tomorrow — A Personal Testimony (நாளையோடு எனக்கு 70 வயது — ஒரு சாட்சி)

Alleluia! Praise be to the holy name of God. Tomorrow I complete seventy years.

Many people are very curious about my age. Some ask directly; some go around behind asking others. But yesterday a young girl named Nandhini came up to me and said, "Paatti, paatti, I was looking for you. I didn't realise you were the owner of this house. Why do people call you paatti (grandmother)? I don't see you that way at all — I call you Aunty." Alleluia!

The reason is simple — I myself do not think about my age. Let others think about it; I don't. Our driver gave a testimony similar to this — he went into a shop, and the shopkeeper asked him, "How is amma? Is she still moving about?" He answered, "She is exactly the same as she was when she worked at the bank." The reason for all this is one thing: the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. Alleluia! These seventy years, God has led me. To my God be ten thousand thanks.

To this congregation that has stood with me — through the ministry, through family troubles — strengthening me, loving me — I give my thanks. In those early days I would often fast for forty days. I cannot forget Beulah. Even ₹10 was a big thing in those days; she would faithfully send a full pot of buttermilk through her brother-in-law at exactly 2:00 PM, and refuse any payment. She sustained me through that fasting.

I remember the day a child from our church filed a police complaint against me. I went to the station. Our Brother Kingston came and stood with me as support. Our Rajathi Amma was there — she went and spoke to the inspector, defended me, and the complaint went no further. I cannot forget that.

In those early years it was Sheela who took responsibility for Sunday School and VBS — when we sent her for training, she came back and ran everything. Now she is missing from among us. It grieves me. She must come. "Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together" — the Word says so.

I think of my parents. We never once saw our father and mother quarrel. My brother is here — ask him, did you ever see them fight? Never. No raised voices, no shouting, no biting words against each other. There were problems, of course — every family has them, and they had differences of opinion. But not once did we see them shout at each other. My mother would rise at 4:00 AM and go about her work singing — Tamil hymns, sometimes English songs. That sound at 4:00 AM was so beautiful to us. Growing up hearing those songs gave me my own love for hymns. The way my parents supported God's servants, the love and mercy they showed to the poor — I watched all of this from childhood. For that I thank my parents.

The Lord has given me one good brother, who has come today with his family — for that I am grateful. The Lord has given me good children — for that I have prayed for many years, and He has led them as such. If I begin to share testimonies I will not stop. To every one of you who has been my support in this ministry — thank you.

Let us sing one song and then move into God's Word — hymn 2821, "தாய் போல தேற்றி…"

The Bible Is for Every Area of Life (வேத புஸ்தகம் வாழ்வின் ஒவ்வொரு பகுதிக்கும் உரியது)

Many people think the Bible is only for Christians. And many Christians think it is only for preachers, or for the educated, or for those who know how to pray well. That is not true. This book contains everything about how a person ought to live, how he can be blessed, what kind of life he should lead.

You want health? It is in this book. The Bible is a book of medicine. It is all in there. In the Second World War, in England, they had to transport explosives without them detonating in transit, and they could not figure out how. Someone found a verse in the book of Job and they discovered they could pack the bombs in ice and carry them safely. Even how to fight a war — they found it in the Bible. Politics is in this book. How to run a family is in this book. From birth to death, and what lies after death — how to enter the world to come, how to live there — everything is in this book. அல்லேலூயா!

So this book must be read with attention — கருத்தோடு கூட. This is the Word of God. And the Lord Jesus Christ has another name. Do you know what it is? Look at what you are holding in your hand. This is not an ordinary book. This is not just a religious book. This is the Word of the God who created all things. Jesus' name is "The Word of God." We hold the Lord Jesus Christ Himself in our hand.

So how carefully, how lovingly should we keep it? Some people pick up their Bible on Sunday and on the next Sunday have to go looking for it. Some don't even bring a Bible. Whether you can read or not, keep a Bible with you.

I will tell you one thing — the Bible is a shield. I read once of a soldier; the enemy shot him in the chest. He fell, and the enemy thought him dead and left him. His fellow soldiers carried him back to camp — and he was alive. Why? The bullet had not entered his heart. Why? He had been carrying a New Testament in his breast pocket. The bullet pierced the New Testament and could not pass through to his heart. The Word of the Lord is always your protection. Honour this Book. Carry it. Read it. Walk according to it. அல்லேலூயா!

The Place of a Mother Is the Highest (தாய் என்ற ஸ்தானம் மேன்மையானது)

Now, the position of "mother" is a very exalted one. As long as a mother is living, no one is an orphan. As long as a mother is with us, no one is an orphan.

How many of you still think of your mother? Whatever our age, we think of our mother. I think of mine daily. As soon as I rise in the morning I thank God: "You gave me a good mother. You gave me a good father." அல்லேலூயா!

Standing in such a position, God has written for us in the Word what a mother ought to be and ought not to be. Let us look at it quickly — half of it my son has already preached. Open to Proverbs 31:28.

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." — Proverbs 31:28 (NKJV)

"அவள் பிள்ளைகள் எழும்பி அவளை பாக்கியவதி என்கிறார்கள்; அவள் புருஷனும் எழும்பி அவளைப் புகழுகிறான்." — நீதிமொழிகள் 31:28 (TAOVBSI)

The first witness about a mother must come from her own children. Why? Because from the moment a child opens its eyes, the mother is everything. Up to twelve years of age — for boys and even longer for girls — what the mother says is Scripture to the child. The mother is the one who shows the child the world.

Here Scripture says her children rise up and call her blessed. "My mother is so blessed. My mother is so good." How many mothers today can say their children speak well of them outside the home?

Children — Honour Your Mother in Speech (பிள்ளைகளே — பேச்சில் தாயை கனம் பண்ணுங்கள்)

Christian children — until now you may have addressed your father and mother in all sorts of ways. We use the respectful வாங்க, போங்க (the polite "come, go") to every rowdy, every drunkard, every fool, every passer-by on the road — but somehow our tongue refuses to speak that way to the very mother and father who bore us. வா, போ (the casual "come, go"). அவா, இவா ("she, that one"). எங்க அம்மா சொன்னா, எங்க அம்மா போனா ("my mother said, my mother went" — in casual, dismissive grammar). What kind of speech is this? The Lord sees it. "Honour your father and your mother." From today change the way you speak to your parents. Give your mother the respect she deserves. When children speak about their mother that way, it is like molten lead poured into my ears.

Who must teach this? The mother herself, from the very beginning. Children grow up watching how their mother speaks and behaves. And what is the verse just before Proverbs 31:28? It is the mother's hard work — searching for wool and flax, working with willing hands, like the merchant ships bringing food from afar, rising while it is yet night to give food to her household, putting her hands to the spindle, making coverings of tapestry. "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness." No evil word comes from her mouth. She does not gossip the neighbours. She does not speak ill of others. She does not speak arrogantly to her husband. She does not curse him. Children watch all this. If a mother respects the father, only then can children respect the father.

A Mother of Diligence and Generosity (உழைப்பும் தர்மமும்)

"She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy." — Proverbs 31:20 (NKJV)

"சிறுமையானவர்களுக்கு தன் கையை திறந்து, ஏழைகளுக்கு தன் கரங்களை நீட்டுகிறாள்." — நீதிமொழிகள் 31:20 (TAOVBSI)

I learned to give in charity from my mother. My mother learned it from her mother. She used to tell me — my grandmother kept cows and milked them, and if a child needed milk, she gave it free, refusing payment. That spirit came down from my grandmother into my mother, from my mother into me, and from me into my children. Good character does not come automatically. It must come from the mother. The mother must teach it.

When my two boys were little, one day I was inside the house and there was a sound at the gate. I said, "Praveen, someone is calling — go see." He looked and came back saying, "Amma, a beggar (pichaikkaran) has come." Immediately Naveen turned to him and said, "Hey — you must not say pichaikkaran. You must say pichaikkarar (the respectful form)." I was so proud at that moment. Children learn by watching us. If we respect others, our children will learn to respect others.

A Mother Who Saves (சேமிக்கிற தாய்)

"She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard." — Proverbs 31:16 (NKJV)

"ஒரு வயலை விசாரித்து அதை வாங்குகிறாள்; தன் கைகளின் சம்பாத்தியத்தினால் திராட்சைத் தோட்டத்தை நாட்டுகிறாள்." — நீதிமொழிகள் 31:16 (TAOVBSI)

That mother saves. Mothers — are you saving? Or are you buying whatever catches your eye? Today this "chit" group has come up, and many mothers have fallen into it, dragging the whole family into debt they cannot climb out of. Before any expense, think a thousand times. Is this really needed? Spending here, borrowing there — one day the family locks up and collapses. The mother in Proverbs 31 saves — for the day of need, so that her family will not lack.

So if you have not been saving until now — let me say this clearly: just as a tenth of your income belongs to the Lord, a tenth of your income must compulsorily be your savings.

Watching Over the Household (வீட்டு காரியத்தில் கண்ணோக்கம்)

"She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness." — Proverbs 31:27 (NKJV)

"அவள் சோம்பலின் அப்பத்தை புசியாமல், தன் வீட்டு காரியம் எப்படி நடக்கிறது என்று கண்ணோக்கமாக இருக்கிறாள்." — நீதிமொழிகள் 31:27 (TAOVBSI)

She watches her children, her husband, how the household is running. Today many mothers take no real interest in their children. The moment the child fusses they hand it a mobile phone — "watch a video." Slowly it grows up watching all sorts of things. By then can we set it right? No. Mothers — keep your eye on your children. Where is my child going? Where is she coming from? Who is she talking to? Today many parents let go too easily — "he's her brother, he's his friend, he's his classmate" — and they take no notice. They are busy with their own work. Yes, you work for your children. But if the children are spoiled, what good is everything you did for them? No good at all.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord." — Psalm 127:3 (NKJV — cf. v.4)

"பிள்ளைகள் கர்த்தரால் வரும் சுதந்திரம்." — சங்கீதம் 127 (TAOVBSI)

Children are a gift from the Lord. If someone gives me a precious gift, will I carelessly hand it over to anyone? Never. No mother hands her child over to another, no matter how hard the days are. In this very church I have seen mothers who endured terrible hardship rather than give up their children. Their eye was on the child. But "keeping an eye" alone is not enough — your eye AND your mind must be on them. கண்ணும் கருத்துமாக இருக்கணும்.

Discipline — The Rod and the Mother's Love (கண்டிப்பாய் வளர்க்கணும் — பிரம்பு)

"He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly." — Proverbs 13:24 (NKJV)

"பிரம்பை கையாளாதவன் தன் மகனை பகைக்கிறான்; அவனை நேசிக்கிறவனோ அவனை ஏற்கனவே சிட்சிக்கிறான்." — நீதிமொழிகள் 13:24 (TAOVBSI)

Children must be raised with discipline. Do not strike with your hand — it does not register. Every home must have a rod. Compulsorily. The Bible says so, not I. Because foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod drives it far from him.

Today in America they do not strike children — if you strike a child it is a great crime. The child calls the police and the parents are arrested. And what has America become? Filled with every kind of sin. At ten years old children wander wherever they please. At twelve and thirteen they roam with friends. At fourteen they are pregnant. Anyone can join with anyone, anyone can leave at any time. Do we want such a society? So we must correct from the beginning.

If there is no rod in your house, tell me — there are plenty here, I will give you one. But the rod is not for venting your anger. Don't take out your anger at your husband on the children. Don't strike them with frustration meant for someone else. The rod is for correcting them, for teaching them what is good. அல்லேலூயா!

So when a mother disciplines us with the rod, it is not hatred — it is love. It is because she loves us that she corrects us. My brother got far less than I did, because I was the one running about all over the village. The boy didn't go out. I would get a thrashing. Even today I remember every blow my mother gave me.

One day I dragged him out with me. I was about six or seven; he was three or three and a half. I wandered off and forgot him. By evening when I came home the house was in uproar — they could not find him. They were searching the well, the canals, the river. Finally they found him asleep on a stone slab under an arasa tree in the threshing yard — beneath one of those little roadside shrines people set up with sticks. They brought him home. I got the beating. That day was hard. But today, every single day, I thank my mother for those beatings. I only feel one regret: "While my mother was alive, I should have told her all this." Children — when your mother corrects you, it is out of love. Understand that first.

So raise your children with discipline. Do not spoil them with indulgence. Don't buy them everything the moment they ask — even by taking out loans. First make them understand: "Is this really needed? To get this, this much money must be spent; to earn this money, this much work must be done; if we had this money, what else could we do with it?" Teach them.

No Favouritism Between Children (பாரபட்சம் வேண்டாம்)

Do not show favouritism among your children. Genesis tells us — Isaac had two sons, Esau and Jacob. Esau hunted, roaming outdoors. Jacob stayed home by the hearth, helping his mother — and so the mother favoured him. When the day came for the father's blessing, the mother acted in favouritism — she taught Jacob every trick to deceive his father Isaac and steal Esau's blessing. What was the result? Hatred between Esau and Jacob. Did it end when Esau and Jacob died? No — it continues to this day. The wars between Israel and the nations around her — the root is that brothers' quarrel. We too are affected — diesel prices rise, gas runs short, everything. So between your children, do not act in favouritism. Do not create division. அல்லேலூயா!

Unfeigned Faith — Pass It On (மாயமற்ற விசுவாசம் — கடத்துங்கள்)

"When I call to remembrance the genuine (unfeigned) faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice…" — 2 Timothy 1:5 (NKJV)

"உன்னிலுள்ள மாயமற்ற விசுவாசத்தை நான் நினைவுகூருகிறேன்; அந்த விசுவாசம் முந்தி உன் பாட்டியாகிய லோவிசாளுக்குள்ளும், உன் தாயாகிய ஐனிக்கேயாளுக்குள்ளும் நிலைத்திருந்தது." — 2 தீமோத்தேயு 1:5 (TAOVBSI)

Where did this faith come from? From grandmother, then from mother, and now it is in Timothy. Who noticed it? Paul. Paul observed it carefully and wrote about it.

What kind of faith? மாயமற்ற விசுவாசம் — unfeigned faith. Not faith that changes according to need. Today many raise their children like this: when there is a need, they pray; the rest of the time they run from the Lord. When there is a need, they read the Bible; otherwise it sits in a corner gathering dust. They don't think of the Lord. They wander where they please, speak foul words, drift about, come home like rubbish.

But if that unfeigned faith is in you, it will be passed on to your children. So how do you measure the faith of your children? The measure of YOUR faith is the measure of theirs. The way to raise them in unfeigned faith is to raise them as belonging to the Lord — கர்த்தருக்கு உரியவர்களாக.

In this very church there are many I have seen — in the early days they wept and prayed; the church was everything to them; they took part in every ministry. But the moment good fortune came into their lives, they vanished. The world is bigger to them now; their work is bigger; their relatives are bigger. That will never come good. That is not unfeigned faith. There may be faith — but it is faith only for inheriting the world's goods, for receiving the world's blessings. The unfeigned faith is what will carry us to heaven.

Like Pharaoh's Daughter and Moses' Mother (பார்வோனின் குமாரத்தியும் மோசேயின் தாயும்)

"Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages." — Exodus 2:9 (NKJV)

"இந்த பிள்ளையை எனக்கு வளர்த்துக் கொடு." — யாத்திராகமம் 2:9 (TAOVBSI)

When Pharaoh's daughter pulled Moses from the water and handed him back to his own mother (not knowing she was the mother), she said, "Raise this child for me." That mother had to raise a child destined for the palace. She had to raise him fit to enter the king's house. When the queen asked, she had to hand him over fit for that throne.

In the same way, God hands children to mothers and says, "Raise this child for Me." Today we feed them Boost, Horlicks, every supplement, every kind of soup — to build their bodies. For girls we provide every adornment. Then comes school — out of twenty-four hours, twenty-two are study. We dream that our child will be a doctor, an engineer, a great lawyer, an IAS officer, a collector. Every mother has these dreams, and we do it all. But whatever you teach your children, if you have not taught them that there is a life after death and that they must be ready for it — nothing else profits. Have you told your children this? "Be careful. Death can come any day. After death there is another life. Heaven or hell? We decide that, not the Lord. The Lord has shown the way. We decide."

That decision is shaped by my conduct, my faith — the unfeigned faith. Have you taught it to your children? Have you given it the importance it deserves? Think about it.

Today many do not come to church. Paul says, "Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together." Was Paul a fool? He was a great minister who endured so much in ministry — and he wrote those words. Some of our people research the Word and say it is unnecessary to go to church, we can sit at home and pray. The Lord will come, find you sitting at home, and go on without you. Do not be like that. Read every word of Scripture, strive to walk by it, honour it.

Zeal for the Lord, Not the Ways of the Nations (பக்தி வைராக்கியம் — புறஜாதியாருடைய மார்க்கம் வேண்டாம்)

Next — raise children in zeal for God. "Do not learn the way of the Gentiles." Whatever the nations around us do, our children must not do. Teach them not to count idols as anything, not to serve idols, not to participate in any practice tied to idols. Today many mothers raise their children to go to their friends' temple festivals and have those friends come for Christmas in return. This is wrong. Zeal for the Lord means: even if I starve, even if I die — apart from Jesus, no other.

Remember Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. The king said, "Bow or be thrown into the furnace." They answered: "Our God is able to deliver us. But even if He does not, we will not bow to your image." The furnace was heated seven times hotter. When they were thrown in, were they burned? Were they killed? Because of that zeal, God Himself came down into the fire and delivered them. The king watched them walking in the flames as in an air-conditioned room. When he called them out — not a hair singed, not a thread burned, no smell of smoke. அல்லேலூயா! Create that zeal in your children. Not by quarrelling with non-Christians — but by not learning their ways.

Let me tell you of one mother in this very church. A widow, with two daughters — one in tenth standard, one in ninth. Because of her hardships she put the older girl in a hostel at an RC convent in Mannarkudi. The girl said, "I will not stay in that hostel." Why? "Once a week they make us dust the idols there — Mary, Anthony, Gabriel, all of them — touch them and bow." The girl said, "No, I will not stay." The mother pleaded — "Just this one year, somehow stay." The girl asked her mother a question that pierced: "Amma, till yesterday you taught me to call only one person Father. Today if you tell me to call another by that name, how can I?" Look at the zeal in that little girl.

But do you know what that mother did? In that village they hold an enormous ear-piercing ceremony — they re-pierce ears that are already pierced, and call the whole village. There is even a special invitation listing all the people to whom that family has previously given gift-money, so they will reciprocate. That mother wanted to hold this ceremony for both girls. She did not ask me — because she knew our position. She asked the staff member with them, who told her, "We do not do these things." The girl told her too. But the mother went ahead. The day came; the invitation was printed; she sent me the invitation card on WhatsApp. At the top — a beautiful Bible verse. At the bottom — "Jesus, Mary, Joseph — be our help." Can you accept this? And who is this mother? An anointed mother, one who speaks in tongues, a saved mother. There have been times when I was unwell, when I asked her to lead the worship herself.

Search the Bible — was there ever an ear-piercing ceremony? Yes, ears were pierced — but for whom? For male slaves, as the sign that they belonged to a master forever. Read Exodus. Were there ever ceremonies for it? No. Did girls not get born in those days? Think about it. "Do not learn the way of the Gentiles." Teach this to your children.

Fight the Good Fight of Faith (விசுவாசத்தின் நல்ல போராட்டத்தை போராடு)

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life…" — 1 Timothy 6:12 (NKJV)

"விசுவாசத்தின் நல்ல போராட்டத்தை போராடு." — 1 தீமோத்தேயு 6:12 (TAOVBSI)

Teach your children, from a young age, to fight the good fight of faith. The world is a terrifying world. We will face many problems, many battles, many wounds, much shame. How many people are committing suicide today? Whole families, broken in spirit, ending their lives. If at this young age you do not teach your child the fight of faith, when they grow up they will not be able to face any battle. Their hearts will break, and they will seek ways like that.

But how do you teach this? By locking them at home, forbidding them to speak with anyone? No. You yourself must be the catalyst that gets them to mingle freely with everyone in the church. Only then will they know good from evil. We always think our problem is the biggest. But go and speak with the person next to you and you will find their problem is a hundred times greater than yours. Then we walk in courage.

There is no shame I have not faced, no battle I have not faced, no tear I have not shed. But every tear has been shed in God's presence — never in front of people. Not before any human being. If you look in my old Bible you can still see the tear-stains; I keep that Bible carefully. So a mother must teach the fight of faith now. It does not arrive suddenly. When a crisis comes at twenty, the strength does not appear at twenty. It must be grown from childhood — in faith, in faith, in faith. The world is evil; battles will come; peace will be in short supply. But when the Lord is with you, you will live in peace. அல்லேலூயா!

When I went to that village, no one there knew me. No relatives, no one. When I went, the whole village gathered — the women came and stood outside the house I was staying in, shouting at me, abusing me, cursing me with foul words. I have no thin skin (சூடு, சொரணை) when it comes to ministry — I cannot afford to. As I have said before, a Christian must not eat salted rice — meaning we must not be quick to take offence. Even when little children spit on us, we wipe it off, smile, and walk on. Children may do many things in ignorance. We may be angry — but we must never abandon them. Whatever child it is — do not give up. "Chasten thy son while there is hope." As far as we can, as long as we can.

To Widows and Single Mothers (விதவைகளுக்கும், தனிமையாய் வளர்க்கும் தாய்மாருக்கும்)

"The Lord… relieves the fatherless and widow." — Psalm 146:9 (NKJV)

"விதவைகளை கர்த்தர் ஆதரிக்கிறார்." — சங்கீதம் 146:9 (TAOVBSI)

Whether anyone sees us or not — the Lord supports us. Whatever situation we find ourselves in, He supports us. And "supporting" is not only providing food — it is giving peace, removing anxieties, granting joy. All of that comes from Him.

"Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day." — 1 Timothy 5:5 (NKJV)

"உத்தம விதவையாயிருந்து தனிமையாயிருக்கிறவள் தேவனிடத்தில் நம்பிக்கையுள்ளவளாயிருந்து, இரவும் பகலும் வேண்டுதல்களிலும் ஜெபங்களிலும் நிலைத்திருப்பாள்." — 1 தீமோத்தேயு 5:5 (TAOVBSI)

Elder women — continue night and day in prayer and supplication. We have so much time. Pray for the family, the children, the ministry, the ministers, for the salvation of those around us. How many of our own relatives today live without knowing Jesus, without knowing salvation, walking toward hell. We can pray for them. We have plenty of time.

"Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully." — 1 Timothy 5:14 (NKJV)

"இளவயதுள்ள விதவைகள் விவாகம்பண்ணவும், பிள்ளைகளைப் பெறவும், வீட்டை நடத்தவும், விரோதியானவன் நிந்திக்கிறதற்கு இடம் உண்டாக்காமலிருக்கவும் வேண்டும் என்று நான் இருக்கிறேன்." — 1 தீமோத்தேயு 5:14 (TAOVBSI)

These are evil days — so many wrong relationships form. Mothers, if there are young widows in your circle, counsel them, because the times are evil.

And to single mothers — those raising children alone — you have endured great hardship. Pray for them. Give them counsel. Embrace them. Give them the counsel they need from the Word of God.

To Children — Do Not Despise Your Mother (பிள்ளைகளே — உங்கள் தாயை அசட்டை பண்ணாதீர்கள்)

We have looked at the mother. Now what should children do for their mothers? What gift will you give her?

"Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old." — Proverbs 23:22 (NKJV)

"உன்னை பெற்ற தகப்பனுக்கு செவிகொடு; உன் தாய் வயதுசென்றவளாகும்போது அவளை அசட்டைபண்ணாதே." — நீதிமொழிகள் 23:22 (TAOVBSI)

Do not despise her. You do not know the agony of a mother. She bore you through pain. She nearly died to give you life. You don't know that. And the moment you grow up — "Hey, dad, do you even know your own worth? You are the reason this family is ruined." So many families speak like this. That's why I say — disobedience, the casual வா, போ, the dismissive அவா, இவா, "What are you to ask me?" They have become big — bigger than their mother, they think. What can they do?

But the Word says: as you grow older, your mother grows older too. What does a mother expect? That her son will earn crores and bring them to her? No. She has only one longing — that her child will sit beside her for ten minutes and ask, "Amma, have you eaten? Amma, have you had water? Are you doing well? Yesterday you said you weren't well — how are you today? Shall I get you a tablet?" Mothers, tell me — is this what you want? Is there anything else? Nothing else. How many of you children ask this? Think about it.

I will say it with pride about my brother. The way he cared for our mother — like a daughter would. Both our parents — he cared for them beautifully. Our mother would search for me. She would be in the ICU and ask for me. I had ministry here — sometimes I could not go. When I took leave and went, the moment I peered through the door — there from her bed she would say, "Ah, my daughter has come," and try to sit up. From the ICU bed she would try to sit up just at the sight of me. But the daily caring — all of that was done by my brother. The full blessing of caring for them has gone to him. Beautifully he cared, right beside them, attending to every need.

Children today — how are you? Are you speaking with your mother? How many of you sit with your mother for ten or fifteen minutes a day? Raise your hands. I will check. I will count the time. Just one is admitting it. The rest of you? Do the elders still have their mothers? How many of you sit and speak with your mother? Ask, "Are you well? Have you eaten?" Nothing.

Daughters-in-law — the mother-in-law is a daughter too. How many of you have inquired after your mother-in-law? Both my daughters-in-law call me amma. I take great pride in that. Their first question to me: "Have you eaten?" "How are you?" "Doctor Amma, did you take your medicine?" The moment they come, food appears in front of me. அல்லேலூயா!

Children — do not despise your mother. We think we are educated. My mother only studied up to fifth standard. I have done my MA. So who is bigger? No — your mother has the experience of life. Experience alone gives wisdom. Your mother has more of it than you. And what do some do? "Leave her — she is mad. She is half-cracked." I am telling you, you will receive no blessing. So children — be careful.

When you speak about your mother, when you speak to your mother — first practise the respectful வாங்க, போங்க. After all these years it will feel hard at first. But you must learn. Sit with your mother. Understand her struggles. Understand where the money comes from, what is spent. My elder son told me once when he was small — you know my husband was a heavy drinker in those days — Naveen, just a little boy in seventh or eighth standard, came to me and said, "Amma, trust me. In my life I will never drink. I will never use any intoxicant. I will never smoke." That little boy said, "Trust me, amma." To this very day he has kept that trust. அல்லேலூயா!

Raise your children that way. And children — give your mother that assurance. "Don't be afraid for me, amma. I will live well, I will live morally, I will never do wrong." Speak with her. Ask after her. Show her love. Give your mother a kiss. How happy she will be. Nothing is more precious than that. We Indians feel shy about that. But in Europe and America they embrace their mothers and kiss them — have you seen? Watch. Some good things you should watch.

So raise your children according to the Word, and children, be raised according to the Word. Only when you give your mother the honour due to her will she be honoured in society. If you call her அவா, இவா, the neighbour will too. If you curse her, the neighbour will curse her too. By then it is too late to go and pick a fight. You taught them. Mothers — be careful. Children — be careful.

The Church Is a Mother to This Town (இந்த சபை இந்த ஊருக்கு ஒரு தாய்)

Finally — the church too is a mother. Just as a mother bears, nourishes, raises, and forms a child, so a church planted in the middle of a town is a mother to that town. You are a mother to this town. Each of you is a mother to Keelapavoor.

So what must you do? Bear them. How? With tears, weeping, agonising in prayer for them. Share the gospel. Bring them in. Once you come and see — have we ever forced anyone? Have I ever dragged anyone in saying, "Come, accept Jesus, get baptised"? Many of you came from a Hindu background. You came having heard from here, having heard from there. We invited some — "Come, listen to the Lord's Word."

Who turned? You turned. What turned you? The rupees the sister gave? Today many say this — "If you give me a lakh of rupees, I will come to the Word. With that lakh I could clear my debt." It is not like that. No one here pays anyone to do anything. A foolish slander has come into society — that money comes by the bundle from abroad and we use it to convert people. Can you convert anyone with money? We know this — at the election four or five parties gave us money. How many did we vote for? Even if I gave you a lakh of rupees, would you change your vote? You would vote for the one you intended to. Likewise, if I gave you a lakh of rupees to become a Christian — would you change? No.

The Word of the Lord alone will change you. So what should you do? Bring them. Bring the little children. Youth — bring the young people. Boys — bring the boys. "Come and see. Come and listen. We will not change anyone. We will not dunk anyone in water and pull them out." அல்லேலூயா! That is not even our job. Only when you yourself hear this Word, when the Lord speaks to you, when the Spirit works within you, will you change. I cannot convert anyone. My son cannot convert anyone. No one can convert anyone. Only the Word of the Lord changes a person.

"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all." — 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NKJV)

"சகோதரரே, ஒழுங்கில்லாதவர்களுக்குப் புத்திசொல்லுங்கள், திடனற்றவர்களைத் தேற்றுங்கள், பலவீனரைத் தாங்குங்கள், எல்லாரிடத்திலும் நீடிய சாந்தமாயிருங்கள்." — 1 தெசலோனிக்கேயர் 5:14 (TAOVBSI)

A church, as a mother to this town, must do its work — must seek the good of others. Many who come to church will have their weaknesses. Certainly. That is why this verse says: warn the unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak — and toward all of them, be patient. Don't give up on them. Don't say, "It's over, I can do nothing for them." The church must never give up on a person. With the help of the Holy Spirit, again and again and again, we must be ready to bear them up.

Every person in this town is your child — placed in your hands. The Lord will ask. He will say, "I placed you in that town." I myself have come here from Madurai. Each of you has come from a different village — and God has gathered us into Keelapavoor. He did not place us here without reason. He did not bring you into this family without reason. He has placed His trust in you. "I have placed this child here — she will be a mother to this town. I have placed this man here — he will be a mother to this town." With expectation, with hope, He has set this church here.

So from today onward — let us throw ourselves into the church's ministries with joy, and for no reason draw back. You are not doing this for Praveen. You are not doing it for me. You are doing it for the Lord. The Lord has placed all these people into your hand. Tomorrow He will ask for an account. He has placed your own relatives into your hand. Tomorrow He will say, "Did you raise them for Me?" What will you answer? "I don't know — that was Praveen's job"? You cannot say that. So as a mother, the church must labour to bring many into salvation.

Closing Prayer (இறுதி ஜெபம்)

Let us bow our heads and pray. Let us ruminate on these things we have learned. The Lord has given precious children into our hands as a gift, as a love-gift. Whatever kind of child it is — you are responsible for that child.

Pray with me, mothers: Lord, help me to raise my children rightly — to raise them in Christ, to raise them in faith, to raise them to fight the good fight. Help me, Lord.

And children: Lord, help me to support my mother. To love my mother. To honour my mother. Amen.

Father of all goodness, we give You thanks. Spirit of God, ten thousand thanks that You have spoken with us. For our children, Lord, at every age and stage, help us to do what is needed for them. Help us not to give up on our children, but to seek their good, Father. Help us at every stage and in every matter to do what each age requires, that those children may grow and multiply and fill this earth, walking in the Lord. Help every one of us mothers. Lord, keep us from being a stumbling block to those children. And for this whole town, Lord — we are its mother. Let this church rise as a mother and bring many into the Lord. Help us, we humbly pray, in the name of Jesus, good Father. Amen.