tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16018339026166446372023-07-18T10:28:20.248+05:30Christianity TalkNōn nōbīs, Domine, nōn nōbīs, sed nōminī tuō dā glōriamJesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-36139843762807109962012-05-05T11:59:00.000+05:302012-05-05T11:59:23.333+05:30The Lighthouse by Ronnie Hinson<br />
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<h1>
The Lighthouse</h1>
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There's a lighthouse on the hillside <br />That overlooks the sea <br />When I'm tossed it sends out a light <br />That I might see <br />And the light that shines in darkness now <br />Will safely lead me o'er <br />If it wasn't for the lighthouse <br />My ship would be no more <br /><br />(Narrative) <br />It seems that everybody about us says <br />Tear that old lighthouse down <br />The big ships just don't pass this way anymore <br />So there's no use in standing around <br />Then my mind goes back to that one dark, stormy night <br />When just in time, I saw the light <br />Yes, it was the light form that old lighthouse <br />That stands up there on the hill <br /><br />And I thank God for the lighthouse <br />I owe my life to Him <br />Jesus is the Lighthouse <br />And from the rocks of sin <br />He has shown a light around me <br />That I might clearly see <br />If it wasn't for the lighthouse <br />Tell me where would this ship be?Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-60695985562217422252011-07-27T19:08:00.000+05:302011-07-27T19:09:01.678+05:30We are so blessed lyrics1. We are so blessed, by the gifts from Your hand<br />Just can't understand why You loved us so much.<br />We are so blessed, we just can't find a way or the words that can say<br />Thank You, Lord, for Your touch.<br /><br />CHORUS:<br /><br />When we're empty You fill us 'til we overflow<br />When we're hungry You feed us, and cause us to know.<br />We are so blessed, take what we have to bring,<br />Take it all, everything, Lord, we love you so much.<br /><br />2. We are so blessed by the things You have done,<br />The vict'ries we've won and what You've brought us through.<br />We are so blessed, take what we have to bring,<br />Take it all everything, Lord, we bring it to You.Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-57250512965624500642011-07-21T16:23:00.003+05:302011-07-21T16:47:45.115+05:30The Silver-liningUnmerited favor is the truest definition of grace. It took me time to comprehend that. There were doubts and questions. But through it all, I'm glad I understood. I felt the vacuum when I tried to be someone I couldn't be. It was a tough fight. It was more like hypocrisy. But then I understood. Beyond the cloud of doubt and confusion, I could see the silver-lining. That grace is the only medicine to be what God wants me to be. Forgiven by mercy, having escaped justice and holpen by grace.<br /><br />The feeling was warm. The environment was nothing so sacred. In the most normal of circumstances, as I went through my own notes - the answer was there. The hope that I had once dared to believe in, stared me back in my eyes. And it won! Yes, grace won in my life! Everything changed when I took it in all again. When I again chose to believe that God's grace is all that can save me, and it is all His doing, its all His grace, its all God - I could feel the pulse of freedom - the joy streaming down my veins again!<br /><br />O how great that feeling! To be free from the clutches of sin! From the pangs of loneliness! From the scourge of guilt! From the pain of worthlessness! Grace brings freedom. Grace brings peace. Grace is the answer to life's greatest question - Why am I here? I'm here because of GRACE: forgiven, healed, justified and sanctified. Beyond the shadow of all doubt, greater than the massiveness of law, shunning the gloom of dark clouds - there is a silver lining. There is GRACE.<br />The ultimate, final and absolute answer.<br /><br />Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,<br />That saved a wretch like me.<br />I once was lost but now am found,<br />Was blind, but now I see.Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-65370855089256505942011-04-03T17:59:00.002+05:302011-04-03T18:28:05.564+05:30Grace, grace and just graceA child tries to walk.<br />He slips and falls.<br />He tries again...<br /><br />Quite my story of life. I tried to be sinless, I slipped and fell, only to rise and try again. Well, whatever that exercise was, futile or otherwise, I can't say. But it sure led me to the light - that its grace - and Grace is all that counts.<br /><br />1 John 2:1 puts it ever so beautifully <span style="font-style: italic;">'My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:'</span> Sometimes, as Christians, we focus too much on our own righteousness or the lack of it - that we lose focus of the ONE who makes us righteous. We find it difficult to accept that Christ has not only forgiven our past and present, but also our future. We're afraid that so much freedom would doom us.<br /><br />But the Good News is it doesn't! We are free! I am not endorsing a license to sin as we wish. The point I am trying to make is, we are free! We love Him because we are free! Absolutely free! We abstain from sin because we're free! We love because we're free! We give because we're free! Romans 8:1 puts it like this <span style="font-style: italic;">'There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.' </span>No condemnation! For those who are in Christ and walk after the Spirit, there is NO CONDEMNATION!<br /><br />Have you slipped? Have you fallen? Kids who try to walk do slip and fall. And the lesson is simple, try again! And you will learn that its not your commitment, or your prayers, or anything you can do - its grace, grace and just grace - that can make anyone righteous! To GOD be the glory!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? - Galatians 3:3<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: </span><span style="font-style: italic;">- Romans 5:20<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span>The above verses don't try to minimize sin as the succeeding verses would convey. It is only that we get to understand that sin is so huge and insurmountable by our own strength. As I've written from the start, if there is one antidote for sin - its grace, grace and just grace!<br /><div menubottom="0" menuright="0" menutop="0" menuleft="0" activeid="-1" expanded="0" style="display: none;" id="divCleekiAttrib"></div>Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-8907098551461685862010-08-06T20:54:00.001+05:302010-08-06T20:55:43.330+05:30Thanks to Calvary<span style="font-weight: bold;">A really amazing song... one, that always makes me cry...<br /></span><div menubottom="0" menuright="0" menutop="0" menuleft="0" activeid="-1" expanded="0" style="display: none;" id="divCleekiAttrib"></div><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aG9CFMbM7QY&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aG9CFMbM7QY&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object>Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-18702646298312541572010-08-06T20:42:00.001+05:302010-08-06T20:46:01.840+05:30Psalms 23 - looking back....<span style="font-size:130%;"><div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">The Lord is my Shepherd<br />That's Relationship!</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: blue; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"> </span></b> </p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: blue; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"> </span> </b></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img id="_x0000_i1026" src="http://mail.newindia.co.in/src/download.php?absolute_dl=true&passed_id=774&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=3" height="80" width="150" /></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">I shall not want <br />That's Supply </span></b></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img id="_x0000_i1027" src="http://mail.newindia.co.in/src/download.php?absolute_dl=true&passed_id=774&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=4" height="302" width="268" /></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.<br />That's Rest!</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: blue; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"> <b> </b></span> </p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: blue; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"> </span> </b></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img id="_x0000_i1028" src="http://mail.newindia.co.in/src/download.php?absolute_dl=true&passed_id=774&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=5" height="168" width="179" /></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">He leadeth me beside the still waters.<br />That's Refreshment!</span></b> </p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img id="_x0000_i1029" src="http://mail.newindia.co.in/src/download.php?absolute_dl=true&passed_id=774&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=6" height="256" width="256" /></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">He restoreth my soul<br />That's Healing!</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: blue; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"> </span></b> </p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: blue; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"> </span> </b></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img id="_x0000_i1030" src="http://mail.newindia.co.in/src/download.php?absolute_dl=true&passed_id=774&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=7" height="83" width="67" /></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.</span> </b><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><br />That's Guidance!</span></b> </p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img id="_x0000_i1031" src="http://mail.newindia.co.in/src/download.php?absolute_dl=true&passed_id=774&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=8" height="128" width="128" /></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">For His name sake <br />That's Purpose!</span></b> </p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img id="_x0000_i1032" src="http://mail.newindia.co.in/src/download.php?absolute_dl=true&passed_id=774&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=9" height="196" width="181" /></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.<br />That's Testing!</span></b><br /> </p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img id="_x0000_i1033" src="http://mail.newindia.co.in/src/download.php?absolute_dl=true&passed_id=774&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=10" height="196" width="179" /></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">I will fear no evil.<br />That's Protection!</span></b> </p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><br /><img id="_x0000_i1034" src="http://mail.newindia.co.in/src/download.php?absolute_dl=true&passed_id=774&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=11" height="208" width="164" /></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">For Thou art with me<br />That's Faithfulness </span></b></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img id="_x0000_i1035" src="http://mail.newindia.co.in/src/download.php?absolute_dl=true&passed_id=774&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=12" height="149" width="130" /></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me,<br />That's Discipline!</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: blue; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"> <b> </b></span> </p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: blue; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"> </span> </b></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img id="_x0000_i1036" src="http://mail.newindia.co.in/src/download.php?absolute_dl=true&passed_id=774&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=14" height="200" width="107" /><img id="_x0000_i1037" src="http://mail.newindia.co.in/src/download.php?absolute_dl=true&passed_id=774&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=13" height="165" width="165" /></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies.<br />That's Hope!</span></b><br /> </p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img id="_x0000_i1038" src="http://mail.newindia.co.in/src/download.php?absolute_dl=true&passed_id=774&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=15" height="162" width="210" /></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Thou anointest my head with oil,</span></b> <b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><br />That's Consecration!</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: blue; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"> <b> </b></span> </p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span> </b></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img id="_x0000_i1039" src="http://mail.newindia.co.in/src/download.php?absolute_dl=true&passed_id=774&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=16" height="196" width="185" /></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">My cup runneth over.<br />That's Abundance!</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: blue; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"> </span></b> </p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: blue; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"> </span> </b></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img id="_x0000_i1040" src="http://mail.newindia.co.in/src/download.php?absolute_dl=true&passed_id=774&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=17" height="315" width="410" /></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.<br />That's Blessing!</span></b> <b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: blue; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"> </span></b> </p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: blue; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"> </span> </b></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img id="_x0000_i1041" src="http://mail.newindia.co.in/src/download.php?absolute_dl=true&passed_id=774&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=18" height="314" width="280" /></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">And I will dwell in the house of the Lord.</span> </b><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><br />That's Security!</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: blue; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"> <b> </b></span> </p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: blue; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"> </span> </b></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img id="_x0000_i1042" src="http://mail.newindia.co.in/src/download.php?absolute_dl=true&passed_id=774&mailbox=INBOX&ent_id=19" height="311" width="266" /></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Forever.<br />That's Eternity!</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Source: Anonymous</span><br /></span></b></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span><div menubottom="0" menuright="0" menutop="0" menuleft="0" activeid="-1" expanded="0" style="display: none;" id="divCleekiAttrib"></div>Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-814132342711019842010-08-04T19:48:00.003+05:302010-08-04T20:01:57.363+05:30A beautiful retrospection<div class="OutlookMessageHeader" dir="ltr" align="left" lang="en-us"><span style="font-family:'Georgia','serif';">THE LORD'S PRAYER<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(79, 129, 189);">Our Father Who Art In Heaven.<br /></span>Yes?<br />Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.<br />But -- you called ME!<br />Called you?<br />No, I didn't call you.<br />I'm praying.<br /><span style="color: rgb(79, 129, 189);">Our Father who art in Heaven</span>.<br />There -- you did it again!<br />Did what?<br />Called ME.You said,<br />"Our Father who art in Heaven"<br />Well, here I am..What's on your mind?<br />But I didn't mean anything by it.<br />I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day.<br />I always say the Lord's Prayer.<br />It makes me feel good,<br />kind of like fulfilling a duty.<br />Well, all right.<br />Go on.</span></div> <div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Georgia','serif';"><br />Okay, <span style="color: rgb(79, 129, 189);">Hallowed be thy name</span> .<br />Hold it right there.What do you mean by that?<br />By what?<br />By "Hallowed be thy name"?<br />It means, it means . . good grief,<br />I don't know what it means.<br />How in the world should I know?<br />It's just a part of the prayer.<br />By the way, what does it mean?<br />It means honored, holy, wonderful.<br />Hey, that makes sense..<br />I never thought about what 'hallowed' meant before.<br />Thanks.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Georgia','serif';"><br /><span style="color: rgb(79, 129, 189);">Thy Kingdom come,<br />Thy will be done,<br />on earth as it is in Heaven.</span><br />Do you really mean that?<br />Sure, why not?<br />What are you doing about it?<br />Doing? Why, nothing, I guess.<br />I just think it would be kind of neat if you got<br />control, of everything down here like you have up<br />there. We're kinda in a mess down here you know.<br />Yes, I know;but, have I got control of you?<br />Well, I go to church.<br />That isn't what I asked you.<br />What about your bad temper?<br />You've really got a problem there, you know.<br />And then there's the way you spend<br />your money -- all on yourself.<br />And what about the kind of books you read ?<br />Now hold on just a minute!<br />Stop picking on me!<br />I'm just as good as some of the rest<br />of those People at church!<br />Excuse ME..<br />I thought you were praying<br />for my will to be done.<br />If that is to happen,<br />it will have to start with the ones<br />who are praying for it.<br />Like you -- for example ..<br />Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups.<br />Now that you mention it,<br />I could probably name some others.<br />So could I.<br />I haven't thought about it very much until now,<br />but I really would like to cut out some of those things.<br />I would like to, you know, be really free.<br />Good.Now we're getting somewhere.<br />We'll work together -- You and ME.<br />I'm proud of You.<br />Look, Lord, if you don't mind,<br />I need to finish up here.<br />This is taking a lot longer than it usually does.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Georgia','serif';"><br /><span style="color: rgb(79, 129, 189);">Give us this day, our daily bread.</span><br />You need to cut out the bread..<br />You're overweight as it is.<br />Hey, wait a minute! What is this?<br />Here I was doing my religious duty,<br />and all of a sudden you break in<br />and remind me of all my hang-ups.<br />Praying is a dangerous thing.<br />You just might get what you ask for.<br />Remember, you called ME -- and here I am.<br />It's too late to stop now.<br />Keep praying.. ( pause . . )<br />Well, go on.<br />I'm scared to.<br />Scared? Of what?<br />I know what you'll say.<br />Try ME. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Georgia','serif';"><br /><span style="color: rgb(79, 129, 189);">Forgive us our sins,<br />as we forgive those who sin against us</span>.<br />What about Ann?<br />See? I knew it!<br />I knew you would bring her up!<br />Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories.<br />She never paid back the money she owes me.<br />I've sworn to get even with her!<br />But -- your prayer --<br />What about your prayer?<br />I didn't -- mean it..<br />Well, at least you're honest.<br />But, it's quite a load carrying around all that<br />bitterness and resentment isn't it?<br />Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her.<br />Boy, have I got some plans for her.<br />She'll wish she had never been born.<br />No, you won't feel any better.<br />You'll feel worse.<br />Revenge isn't sweet.<br />You know how unhappy you are --<br />Well, I can change that.<br />You can? How?<br />Forgive Ann.<br />Then, I'll forgive you;<br />And the hate and the sin,<br />will be Ann's problem -- not yours.<br />You will have settled the problem<br />as far as you are concerned.<br />Oh, you know, you're right.<br />You always are.<br />And more than I want revenge,<br />I want to be right with You . . (sigh).<br />All right, all right . .<br />I forgive her.<br />There now!<br />Wonderful!<br />How do you feel?<br />Hmmmm. Well, not bad.<br />Not bad at all!<br />In fact, I feel pretty great!<br />You know, I don't think I'll go to bed uptight tonight.<br />I haven't been getting much rest, you know.<br />Yeah, I know.<br />But, you're not through with your prayer, are you?<br />Go on.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family:'Georgia','serif';"><br />Oh, all right.<span style="color: rgb(79, 129, 189);">And lead us not into temptation,<br />but deliver us from evil.</span><br />Good! Good! I'll do that.<br />Just don't put yourself in a place<br />where you can be tempted..<br />What do you mean by that?<br />You know what I mean.<br />Yeah. I know.<br />Okay.<br />Go ahead. Finish your prayer.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(79, 129, 189);font-family:'Georgia','serif';" >For Thine is the kingdom,<br />and the power,<br />and the glory forever.<br />Amen.<br /></span><span style="font-family:'Georgia','serif';">Do you know what would bring me glory?<br />What would really make me happy?<br />No, but I'd like to know.<br />I want to please you now.<br />I've really made a mess of things.<br />I want to truly follow you..<br />I can see now how great that would be.<br />So, tell me . . .How do I make you happy?<br />YOU just did.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Georgia','serif';">Source: Anonymous<br /></span></p></div><div menubottom="0" menuright="0" menutop="0" menuleft="0" activeid="-1" expanded="0" style="display: none;" id="divCleekiAttrib"></div><div menubottom="0" menuright="0" menutop="0" menuleft="0" activeid="-1" expanded="0" style="display: none;" id="divCleekiAttrib"></div>Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-22736985112777360522010-08-01T07:50:00.002+05:302010-08-01T07:53:34.608+05:30Happy Friendship day!A friend loveth at all times<br />- Proverbs 17:17<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><br /></span>Here are the lyrics of one of my favorite songs...<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Friends are friends forever</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">by Michael W. Smith</span><br /><br />Packing up the dreams God planted<br />In the fertile soil of you<br />I can't believe the hopes He's granted<br />Means a chapter of your life is through<br /><br />But we'll keep you close as always<br />It won't even seem you've gone<br />'Cause our hearts in big and small ways<br />Will keep the love that keeps us strong<br /><br />And friends are friends forever<br />If the Lord's the Lord of them<br />And a friend will not say never<br />'Cause the welcome will not end<br />Though it's hard to let you go<br />In the Father's hands we know<br />That a lifetime's not too long<br />To live as friends<br /><br />And with the faith and love God's given<br />Springing from the hope we know<br />We will pray the joy you live in<br />Is the strength that now you show<br /><br />We'll keep you close as always<br />It won't even seem you've gone<br />'Cause our hearts in big and small ways<br />Will keep the love that keeps us strong<br /><br />And friends are friends forever<br />If the Lord's the Lord of them<br />And a friend will not say never<br />'Cause the welcome will not end<br />Though it's hard to let you go<br />In the Father's hands we know<br />That a lifetime's not too long<br />To live as friends<br /><br />And friends are friends forever<br />If the Lord's the Lord of them<br />And a friend will not say never<br />'Cause the welcome will not end<br />Though it's hard to let you go<br />In the Father's hands we know<br />That a lifetime's not too long<br />To live as friends<br /><br />To live as friends<br /><br />Though it's hard to let you go<br />In the Father's hands we know<br />That a lifetime's not too long<br />To live as friends<br /><br />No a lifetime's not too long<br />To live as friends<div menubottom="0" menuright="0" menutop="0" menuleft="0" activeid="-1" expanded="0" style="display: none;" id="divCleekiAttrib"></div>Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-84175870702247306822009-12-26T18:33:00.002+05:302009-12-26T18:37:09.618+05:30If My PeopleII Chronicles 7:14<br />If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.<br /><br />The boy walked along the ocean shore... trying not to stray. He looked up to his Father saying " Dad I want to play." His Father looked upon him, with love showing in his eyes. "Do what you want to, my son... but do not leave my side." <br /><br />"I would never leave you daddy, I love you way too much." But the boy took a step away, out of his fathers range of touch. He walked through the surf, The waves tickling one toe. "If I take one more step in... " he thought "Father will never know." <br /><br />His father called out to him, "Son, to me remain true." The boy thought with glee... At the moment I don't need you." His Father felt a sadness, But he held his tongue. Sometimes lessons need to be learned... even when so young. <br /><br />The boy stepped out a little further... the water covering his waist. His Father spoke with urgency... his father spoke with haste. "My Son come Back to me," he said " The day is almost done." Not yet, Dad," the boy yelled, " I'm having too much fun!" <br /><br />But the Boy did not have his fathers sight... So he could not tell... The Tide was coming in fast... There would be no time to yell. "Father!" he tried to scream As the water covered his head. "I need you now daddy!" was what the boy had said. <br /><br />And in a single instant his father was by his side. "I thought you left me daddy... I thought you went to hide." The Father looked upon his son... a tear streaming down his cheek. The Boy looked upon his father. and cried the sobs of the meek. <br /><br />"I would never leave you son... For I love you just the same. " "I was only waiting... for you to call upon my name."<br /><br />Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.<br />Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.<br />Give us this day our daily bread.<br />And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.<br />And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.<br /><br />Adapted.Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-40510870824635651552009-12-26T08:51:00.000+05:302009-12-26T08:53:18.098+05:30Why I know God is thereThis is one of the best explanations of why God allows pain and suffering that I have seen...<br /><br />A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.<br />As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. <br />When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists." "Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children?<br />If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things."<br /><br />The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.<br /><br />Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist." "How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!" "No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."<br /><br />"Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me." "Exactly!" affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist!<br />That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help.<br />That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."<br /><br />Most people think of the word Ego and think that it means your "arrogant" or you think that you are "better than others". Is that truly the definition of Ego? Is that the only example of Ego?<br /><br />Absolutely not. Ego is an invisible shield planted around yourself to protect yourself from the outside world. Ego shows up in all sorts of ways.<br /><br />Ego is being "shy" and not wanting to talk to people. Ego is fear of what others might think of you. Ego is self critical and refuses to accept compliments. Ego is a lack of trust for people because your trust has been violated. Ego is living inside of a comfort zone, because you are afraid of failing. Ego is thinking that everything you do is perfect or striving for perfection. Ego is taking the credit when it doesn't belong to you or not liking it when someone else gets credit. Ego is giving up on the persistence God implanted in you. Ego is being closed minded. Ego is not allowing yourself to learn and grow for fear of the responsibility that comes with that. Ego is not forgiving because you feel justified in your anger. Ego chooses to take offense to what others say or do. Ego is self righteous and critical. Ego is false humility. Ego is oppression and not wanting to move past the past. Ego is having to be in control of everything. Ego is thinking nobody can do it better than you. Ego is an inability to admit you need help. The Ego needs to "keep up with the Jones". Ego needs to appear like everything is perfect when it isn't. Ego is a victim. Ego is pride.<br /><br />This is only a few examples of Ego. We all comfortably wear our Ego. We just need to make the choice daily to take the invisible shield off and be the true person God intended for us to be. He is in control, he knows our path, he is ready to take on ALL road bumps in our path. If we hand over complete control to God and not try to live it alone, our Ego will safely be left outside the doorway of our life.<br />In short, Ego is Edging God Out.<br /><br />AdaptedJesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-84342217192393038812009-12-26T06:47:00.001+05:302009-12-26T06:48:50.098+05:30Tested faithDr. Werner Gitt relates the following story. He says: "Since my childhood, I am particularly fond of Sunflowers. One year, after planting sunflower seeds in several places in our garden, a kind of parable occurred to me about the growing plants. Some grew quite near the house, under a roof, protected from the wind. These grew very rapidly and reached a height of 3 meters but had thin stalks. Others stood in the open, where they were soon "attacked" by the wind and developed an appropriately strong stem and roots. <br /><br />One day a storm came and broke or knocked over the stems of the well protected sunflowers near the house, while the sunflowers standing in the open easily survived the storm, because they were accustomed to challenge. In the same way", Werner says, "tested faith will stand fast against tribulations and temptations". <br /><br />Some Christians think that they're called to wrap themselves up in an "Insulated Christian Environment" - distanced totally from the world - almost in a Christianese Communal Cocoon." But this is NOT what God has in mind for His people. Jesus said: "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world". <br /><br />We're not called to hide away from the world but to Go Into It! - knowing we're covered by God's Grace. To live IN the world, but not LIKE the world. We're called to be Overcomers - last time I looked, you could only Overcome something by actually facing it, you can't do that by sticking your head in the sand. <br /><br />Faith is tested and strengthened only by facing and resisting the adverse winds - not by hiding from them. <br /><br />To swim against the flow, we must first step out of our "protected", "comfortable", and "safe" little fish bowl, and into the big pond where a world headed for the great waterfall of destruction, desperately needs to hear what we have to say.<br /><br />Adapted.Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-40509750829199847422009-12-25T18:55:00.000+05:302009-12-25T18:56:24.050+05:30Why God became man!There was once a man who didn’t believe in God, and he didn’t hesitate to let others know how he felt about religion and religious holidays. His wife, however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have faith in God and Jesus, despite his disparaging comments.<br />One snowy Eve, his wife was taking their children to service in the farm community in which they lived.<br />They were to talk about Jesus’ birth. She asked him to come, but he refused.<br />“That story is nonsense!” he said. “Why would God lower Himself to come to Earth as a man?<br />That’s ridiculous!”<br />So she and the children left, and he stayed home.<br />A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump.<br />Something had hit the window. He looked out, but couldn’t see more than a few feet.<br />When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have been beating on his window.<br />In the field near his house he saw a flock of wild geese. Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and couldn’t go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed.<br />The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them to stay, he thought.It’s warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm.<br />So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. But the geese just fluttered around aimlessly and didn’t seem to notice the barn or realize that it could mean for them.<br />The man tried to get their attention, but that just seemed to scare them, and they moved further away.<br />He went into the house and came with some bread, broke it up, and made a bread crumb trail leading to the barn. They still didn’t catch on.<br /><br />Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction except toward the barn.<br /><br />Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where they would be warm and safe.<br /><br />“Why don’t they follow me?!” he exclaimed.<br /><br />“Can’t they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?”<br /><br />He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn’t follow a human “If only I were a goose, then I could save them,” he said out loud.<br /><br />Then he had an idea. He went into barn, got one of his own geese, and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese.<br /><br />He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight into the barn -and one-by-one, the other geese followed it to safety.<br /><br />He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes earlier replayed in his mind: “If only I were a goose, then I could save them!” Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier. “Why would God want to be like us? That’s ridiculous!”<br /><br />Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese-blind, lost, perishing. God had His Son become like us so He could show us the way and save us.<br /><br />As the winds and blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful thought. Suddenly he understood why Christ had come.<br /><br />Years of doubt and disbelief vanished with the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer:<br /><br />“Thank You, God, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!”<br /><br />Adapted.Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-26660210561077326502009-12-15T06:50:00.000+05:302009-12-15T06:51:53.060+05:30Rest in the Lord<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: - Psalms 37:7<br /><br />Recently, a large freighter was reported driven aground during a fierce storm. When the gale winds subsided, rescuers went to the stranded vessel's aid and tried to free it. First, they tried to push the ship off the sandbar. When that didn't work, they attempted to pull it off. Finally, they removed some of its cargo, hoping that by lightening the load, the ship would float free. Nothing worked.<br /><br />"There's only one thing left to do," said one of the shiphands. "Wait for the tide to come in." They did and the natural action of the sea freed the ship from its bondage.<br /><br />Sometimes we become bound by uncomfortable circumstances such as sickness, financial difficulty or job complications, and we long for quick release, instant release. We try all sorts of freeing maneuvers in hopes of lightening our load. We implore God to intervene, but time is often the healer. His answer--difficult though it may be to accept--seems to be "wait."<br /><br />When we accept His timetable, however, a natural action takes place. Like the tide which freed the great ship, a life force that has been operating from the beginning goes to work and in due time our problem is solved. The wise among us accept God's timing as perfect--never too late, never too early, but always on schedule.<br /><br />To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1)</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Source: Unknown</span></span></div>Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-73437357965331055422009-12-14T17:12:00.000+05:302009-12-14T17:13:13.511+05:30The Compass<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">An old sailor repeatedly got lost at sea, so his friends gave him a compass and urged him to use it. The next time he went out in his boat, he followed their advice and took the compass with him. But as usual he became hopelessly confused and was unable to find land. Finally he was rescued by his friends.<br /><br />Disgusted and impatient with him, they asked, "Why didn't you use that compass we gave you? You could have saved us a lot of trouble!"<br /><br />The sailor responded, "I didn't dare to! I wanted to go north, but as hard as I tried to make the needle aim in that direction, it just kept on pointing southeast."<br /><br />That old sailor was so certain he knew which way was north that he stubbornly tried to force his own personal persuasion on his com- pass. Unable to do so, he tossed it aside as worthless and failed to benefit from the guidance it offered.<br /><br />Perhaps you, like I, have spent some time in a sailboat. Relying on the boat to keep us afloat we slide across the water propelled by a gentle breeze. Yet within the confines of the shores, I had the opportunity and responsibility of guiding the rudder to determine the direction of travel.<br /><br />Is that not similar to living within the will of God? As Christians we must rest upon God to sustain us, and upon the breath of his Spirit to empower us. Yet within his moral boundaries, we each have the opportunity and responsibility to determine our course.<br /><br />But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. - Jeremiah 7:23</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Source: Unknown</span></span></div>Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-89554310686142419942009-12-12T16:48:00.003+05:302009-12-12T17:31:49.430+05:30The Dowry Deception<i>Written from an Indian perspective.</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Dowry is one of those social evils that is now being widely accepted if not encouraged in the Indian church. First, I would like to emphasize that this ain't a men vs women issue. There are men who oppose it and women who support it. In this post I would like to look at dowry from a biblical perspective.</div><div><br /></div><div>I Corinthians 6:9-10 (emphasis added)</div><div><div>Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,</div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Nor thieves, nor covetous</span></b>, nor drunkards, nor revilers, <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God</span></b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Its too obvious to escape one's notice, that dowry is all three - thievery, covetousness and extortion. Forcing the bride's family to pay-up is nothing short of robbery - whether taken in as dowry or as marriage expenses. Dowry in itself is covetousness - an ungodly lust for someone else' wealth. This is one of those sins that has been severely condemned in the Bible. Finally, as inferred from real-life cases dowry is usually an extortion that continues to extend even after marriage.</div><div><br /></div><div>Apart from its social implications, this passage from the first epistle to the Corinthians makes it explicit that dowry has eternal consequences too. For those who had already fallen into this trap, there is only one solution - pay it back! Well that's what Zacchaeus did. And that's what's called as genuine repentance.</div><div><br /></div><div>Its only highly unfortunate that several pastors actually encourage this practice and some even demand tithe out of it!!! O Church of India awaken!!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-534930566014288902009-12-11T17:37:00.002+05:302009-12-11T17:44:06.854+05:30Are we idolizing the Bible?<div>No, we don't. I phrased the question to attract readers. I often face arguments by certain religious people that I over-emphasize the Bible - almost elevating it to a status next of God. I'm afraid that's what I do. Because the Word says of itself, (emphasis added)</div><div><br /></div><div>John 1:1,14</div><div>1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and <b>the Word was God</b>.</div><div>14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.</div><div><br /></div><div>John 15:3</div><div>Now <b>ye are clean through the word</b> which I have spoken unto you.</div><div><br /></div><div>II Timothy 3:16</div><div><b>All scripture is given by inspiration of God</b>, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness</div><div><br /></div><div>Hebrews 4:12</div><div>For <b>the word of God is quick, and powerful,</b> and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, the Book containing the verses is certainly nothing more than any other book. But the words in that blessed Book, is <b><i>certainly nothing short of divine!</i></b></div>Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-78214017024181034442009-11-10T19:46:00.001+05:302009-11-10T19:50:48.732+05:30Fraternity<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Two brothers worked together on the family farm. One was married and had a large family. The other was single. At the day's end, the brothers shared everything equally, produce and profit.<br /><br />Then one day the single brother said to himself, "It's not right that we should share equally the produce and the profit. I'm alone and my needs are simple." So each night he took a sack of grain from his bin and crept across the field between their houses, dumping it into his brother's bin.<br /><br />Meanwhile, the married brother said to himself, "It's not right that we should share the produce and the profit equally. After all, I'm married and I have my wife and my children to look after me in years to come. My brother has no one, and no one to take care of his future." So each night he took a sack of grain and dumped it into his single brother's bin.<br /><br />Both men were puzzled for years because their supply of grain never dwindled. Then one dark night the two brothers bumped into each other. Slowly it dawned on them what was happening. They dropped their sacks and embraced one another. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Source: Unknown</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1<br /></span></span></div>Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-39653804975772016512009-11-10T19:36:00.001+05:302009-11-10T19:37:47.744+05:30A Classic Example of Grace<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. But, the change in her was evident. As time went on she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children.<br /><br />It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor's son. The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans. This is when the problems began. You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son. The church began to argue and fight about the matter. So they decided to have a meeting.<br /><br />As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand.<br /><br />The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past. As she began to cry the pastor's son stood to speak. He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be. He began to speak and his statement was this: " My fiancé past is not what is on trial here. What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?" The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.<br /><br />Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters. Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot cleanse us completely. If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble. What can wash away my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus....end of case!!! </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Source: Unknown</span></span></div>Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-83651456973049106902009-06-08T21:13:00.001+05:302009-06-08T21:16:22.298+05:30A must read poem<div>You are who you are for a reason.</div><div>You're part of an intricate plan.</div><div>You're a precious and perfect unique design,</div><div>Called God's special woman or man.</div><div><br /></div><div>You look like you look for a reason.</div><div>Our God made no mistake.</div><div>He knit you together within the womb.</div><div>You're just what He wanted to make.</div><div><br /></div><div>The parents you had were the ones He chose,</div><div>And no matter how you may feel,</div><div>They were custom-designed with God's plan in mind,</div><div>And they bear the Master's seal.</div><div><br /></div><div>No, that trauma you faced was not easy.</div><div>And God wept that it hurt you so;</div><div>But it was allowed to shape your heart</div><div>So that into His likeness you'd grow.</div><div><br /></div><div>You are who you are for a reason,</div><div>You've been formed by the Master's rod.</div><div>You are who you are, beloved,</div><div>Because there is a God!</div><div> - Russell Kelfer</div>Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-25271312367259415322009-04-07T17:48:00.002+05:302009-04-11T14:12:17.088+05:30Organizations serving missionaries and the persecuted church<p><b>Organizations serving the persecuted church:</b></p><ul><li><a href="http://www.barnabasfund.org/">Barnabas Fund</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.christianfreedom.org/">Christian Freedom International</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.csw.org.uk/">Christian Solidarity Worldwide</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.christiansincrisis.net/">Christians In Crisis</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.compassionradio.com/">Compassion Radio</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.drjobsmission.com/">Dr. Jobs Mission</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.persecution.in/">Global Council of Indian Christians</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.fishhook.org/">Fishhook International</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.greatercalling.org/">Greater Calling</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.persecution.org/">International Christian Concern</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.iranchristians.org/">Iranian Christians</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.jubileecampaign.org/">International Jubilee Campaign</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.opendoorsusa.org/">Open Doors</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.persecutionproject.org/">Persecution Project Foundation</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.persecution.com/">The Voice of the Martyrs</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.thelastharvest.com/">The Last Harvest</a><br /> </li></ul><p><b>Organizations sponsoring missionary activity:</b></p><ul><li><a href="http://www.ag.org/">Assemblies Of God World Missions</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.bmsworldmission.org/">Baptist Missionary Society</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.blessingyouthmission.org/">Blessing Youth Mission</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.cefonline.com/">Child Evangelical Fellowship</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Christian/www.indiaevangelical.org">India Evangelical Mission</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Christian/www.villagecareministries.org">India Village Care Ministries</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Christian/www.iemoutreach.org">Indian Evangelical Mission</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Christian/www.indianmissionarysociety.org">Indian Missionary Society</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Christian/www.tribalmissionindia.org">Indian Tribal Mission</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.missionindia.org/">Mission India</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.gideons.org/">The Gideons International</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.gemsbihar.org/">Gospel Echoing Missionary Society</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.salvationarmy.org/">Salvation Army</a><br /> </li><li><a href="http://www.wmpress.org/">World Missionary Press</a><br /> </li></ul><p>This list will be updated with time.</p>Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-61035153590809708292009-04-07T17:46:00.004+05:302009-04-09T15:29:23.680+05:30Jesus of the Bible<h2>Jesus of the Bible</h2><p>There are many false versions of Jesus in the world today just as Jesus Himself had predicted. He says in the Olivet discourse:</p><p>Matthew 24:<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0; font-family:'Charis SIL';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0font-family:'Charis SIL';"><sup id="en-KJV-23963" class="versenum" value="5" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">5</span></span></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0; font-family:'Charis SIL';color:font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.<br /> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0font-family:'Charis SIL';"><sup id="en-KJV-23982" class="versenum" value="24" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">24</span></span></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="letter-spacing: normal">Hence it is important for Christians to know the real Jesus - the Jesus of the Bible. The Jesus of<br />the Bible is</span></span>:</p><ul><li>the Creator</li><li>fully human</li><li>fully God</li><li>the One born of a virgin</li><li>the One who lived a sinless life</li><li>the One who was crucified on the cross for our sin</li><li>the One who was risen again bodily on the third day after His death</li><li>coming back again (yet future)</li></ul><p><b>The Creator</b><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0; font-family:'Charis SIL';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">By Him were all things created and all things are contained in Him.</span></span><br /><i>John 1:<br /></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0font-family:'Charis SIL';"> <sup id="en-KJV-26046" class="versenum" value="1" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.<br /></span><sup id="en-KJV-26047" class="versenum" value="2" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 2</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The same was in the beginning with God.<br /> </span> <sup id="en-KJV-26048" class="versenum" value="3" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">3</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.<br /> </span> <sup id="en-KJV-26049" class="versenum" value="4" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">4</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In him was life; and the life was the light of men.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0; font-family:'Charis SIL';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0font-family:'Charis SIL';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Colossians 1:<br /> </span><sup id="en-KJV-29482" class="versenum" value="16" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">16</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:<br /> </span><sup id="en-KJV-29483" class="versenum" value="17" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">17</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.</span></span></p><p><b>Fully human</b><br />He was made flesh and lived a perfectly human life.<br /><i>John 1:14<br />And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.<br />I Timothy 2:5<br />For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;</i></p><p><b>Fully God</b><br />He is eternally co-existent with the Father and is God for all eternity.<br /><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">John 1:1</span><br />In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Hebrews 1:8<br />But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.<br />Colossians 2:9<br />For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.<br />1 John 5:20<br />And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><p><b>Born of a virgin</b><br />He was conceived by the Holy Ghost and Joseph had no intimate physical relationship with her till His birth.<br /><i>Matthew 1<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-23163" class="versenum" value="18" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">18</sup>Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was<br />espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-23164" class="versenum" value="19" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">19</sup>Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a<br />public example, was minded to put her away privily.<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-23165" class="versenum" value="20" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">20</sup>But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared<br />unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-23166" class="versenum" value="21" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">21</sup>And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he<br />shall save his people from their sins.<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-23167" class="versenum" value="22" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">22</sup>Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the<br />Lord by the prophet, saying,<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-23168" class="versenum" value="23" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">23</sup>Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they<br />shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-23169" class="versenum" value="24" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">24</sup>Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden<br />him, and took unto him his wife:<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-23170" class="versenum" value="25" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">25</sup>And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called<br />his name JESUS.</i></p><p><b>Sinless</b><br />He committed no sin and in Him was no sin.<br /><i>I Peter 1:19<br />But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and<br />without spot:<br />I Peter 2:<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-30421" class="versenum" value="21" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">21</sup>For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us,<br />leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-30422" class="versenum" value="22" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">22</sup>Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:<br />John 3:5<br />And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is<br />no sin.<br />Matthew 27:<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-24133" class="versenum" value="3" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">3</sup>Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned,<br />repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-24134" class="versenum" value="4" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">4</sup>Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.<br />II Corinthians 5:21<br />For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.<br />Hebrews 4:15<br />For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.<br />Hebrews 7:26<br />For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;<br />Luke 1:35<br /></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0font-family:'Charis SIL';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be<br />called the Son of God.</span></span><br /></p><p><b>Crucified on the cross</b><br />He was crucified on the cross for our sins.<br /><i>Acts 2:<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-26972" class="versenum" value="22" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">22</sup>Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God<br />among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-26973" class="versenum" value="23" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">23</sup>Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:<br />Acts 2:36<br />Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the<br />same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.<br />Matthew 27:<br /></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0font-family:'Charis SIL';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><sup id="en-KJV-24162" class="versenum" value="32" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">32</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.<br /> </span><sup id="en-KJV-24163" class="versenum" value="33" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">33</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,<br /> </span><sup id="en-KJV-24164" class="versenum" value="34" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">34</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.<br /> </span><sup id="en-KJV-24165" class="versenum" value="35" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">35</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.<br />John 19:<br /> </span><sup id="en-KJV-26843" class="versenum" value="17" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">17</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:<br /> </span><sup id="en-KJV-26844" class="versenum" value="18" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">18</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.<br /> </span><sup id="en-KJV-26845" class="versenum" value="19" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">19</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.</span></span></p><p><b>Resurrected on the third day</b><br />He rose again bodily on the third day after His death.<br /><i>Matthew 20:19<br />And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third shall rise.<br />I Corinthians 15:<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-28722" class="versenum" value="3" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">3</sup>For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-28723" class="versenum" value="4" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">4</sup>And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the<br />scriptures:<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-28724" class="versenum" value="5" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">5</sup>And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:<br />Luke 24:<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-25993" class="versenum" value="1" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">1</sup>Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto<br />the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-25994" class="versenum" value="2" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">2</sup>And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-25995" class="versenum" value="3" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">3</sup>And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-25996" class="versenum" value="4" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">4</sup>And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-25997" class="versenum" value="5" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">5</sup>And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-25998" class="versenum" value="6" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">6</sup>He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, <br /> <sup id="en-KJV-25999" class="versenum" value="7" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">7</sup>Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be<br />crucified, and the third day rise again.</i></p><p><b>Coming again bodily (Second Coming)</b><br />He's coming back bodily to this earth at a time, yet future.<br /><i>Acts 1:<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-26934" class="versenum" value="10" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">10</sup>And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-26935" class="versenum" value="11" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">11</sup>Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.<br />I Thessalonians 4:16<br />For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:<br />Matthew 16:27 <br />For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.<br />Philippians 3:<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-29442" class="versenum" value="20" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">20</sup>For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:<br /> <sup id="en-KJV-29443" class="versenum" value="21" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; ">21</sup>Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious<br />body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.<br />Revelation 22:12<br />And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.</i></p><p>The Jesus of the Bible <b>IS NOT</b></p><ul><li>The Jesus who suffered in hell for our sins.</li><li>The Jesus who took on the nature of Satan on the cross.</li><li>The Jesus who already came back in the first century.</li><li>The Jesus who is going to come back <i>spiritually</i>.</li><li>The Jesus who was an angel pre-Incarnation.</li><li>The Jesus who is a created being.</li></ul><br /></span>Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-12195383015720698862009-04-07T17:45:00.001+05:302009-11-16T18:26:07.215+05:30Don't tell them Jesus loves them...<h2>Don't tell them Jesus loves them</h2><br /> <p>...till you're ready to love them too.</p><br /> <p>Recently I heard a song that touched me so much. I'm just putting the chorus here:</p><br /> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Don’t tell them Jesus loves them till you’re ready to love them too</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Till your heart breaks from the sorrow and the pain they’re going through<br /><br /> With a life full of compassion may we do what we must do </span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Don’t tell them Jesus loves them till you’re ready to love them too<br /><br /> -<i> Don't tell them Jesus loves them</i> by </span><i><span style="font-size:85%;">Steve Camp</span></i></p><br /> <p>Exactly. People need more than our prayers. They need our material, physical and emotional help too. Doesn't the Bible itself teach that? Claiming to be part of the Body of Christ, Christians are supposed to pass the love of Jesus to this world. Evangelism would never be fruitful if Christians are stingy and selfish. Here's a chorus from another beautiful song:</p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">If we are the body<br /><br /> Why aren't His arms reaching?<br /><br /> Why aren't His hands healing?<br /><br /> Why aren't His words teaching?<br /><br /> And if we are the body<br /><br /> Why aren't His feet going?<br /><br /> Why is His love not showing them there is a way?<br /><br /> <br /> - <i>If we are the Body</i> by <i>Casting Crowns</i></span></p><p><br /> Concluding, our actions should speak louder than our words. I remember a famous one-liner:</p><br /> <p><i>"Preach the gospel always, if necessary use words" - St. Francis of Assisi</i></p>Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-76561572896115486952009-04-07T17:38:00.001+05:302009-04-09T15:09:45.715+05:30Bible contradictions??<h2>Bible contradictions!?</h2><p>Skeptics have often come with so-called contradictions in the Bible.<br /> Most of these contradictions have been well answered. I'm listing a few<br /> links here.</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.tektonics.org/lp/merrit01.html">Tektoniks</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.rationalchristianity.net/contra0.html">Rational Christianity</a></li> <li><a href="http://debate.org.uk/topics/apolog/contrads.htm">Debate website</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.carm.org/bible-difficulties/genesis-deuteronomy">Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry</a></li></ul><p><b>Note: </b>I may not endorse everything on those websites.</p>Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-66991447413919770982009-04-07T17:35:00.003+05:302009-05-14T10:16:50.403+05:30Baptism<p>It has been a faulty understanding of certain scriptures that has led people to believe that baptism saves a person. Baptism cannot save anyone - for biblical reasons. If it does then a person should never leave the baptistery, because the person may commit sin after baptism and die before being baptized again.</p><br /><p><b>Scriptures that seem to imply salvation through baptism:</b></p><br /><ul><li><i>Matthew 28:19</i><br /><i>Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:</i><br />Water baptism is a command instituted by God. But not a requirement for salvation. Its repentance and faith in the shed blood of Christ for the remission of sins that results in salvation</li><br /> <li><i>Mark 16:16</i><br /><i>He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.</i><br />This is a catchy verse. Out of four possible combinations, only three are addressed: a baptized believer, an un-baptized believer, a baptized unbeliever and an un-baptized unbeliever. The verse only talks about the damnation of the unbelievers. It doesn't say a word about an un-baptized believer. However in the light of other scriptures we can safely<br /> conclude that an un-baptized believer is saved.</li><br /> <li><i>John 3:5</i><br /><i>Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.</i><br />Verse 6 talks of being born of the flesh and being born of the spirit. Contextually interpreting verse 5, it is clear that Jesus was talking of the water involved in physical birth and not baptism.</li><br /> <li><i>Acts 2:38</i><br /><i>Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.</i><br />The word 'for' here can be taken as implying the 'cause' or the 'result'. Taking it in the<br /> 'cause' sense, nobody's forgiven till they are baptized. And in the 'result' sense, people are baptized, because they are forgiven.</li><br /> <li><i>Acts 22:16</i><br /><i>And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.</i><br />Washing away of sins is connected with repentance and faith, and calling on the name of<br /> the Lord, not baptism.</li><br /> <li><i>I Peter 3:21</i><br /><i>The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:</i><br /><br /> The verse is actually clear: its the good conscience toward God - a life hidden in Christ that saves us and not baptism. Also the context of the passage shows that in Noah's time, those who were saved were those who didn't come in contact with water. Those who<br /> got wet, also drowned.</li></ul><p><b>Should a Christian be baptized?</b></p><p>Very much, yes. Jesus Himself obeyed God in baptism. But not as to fulfill a requirement for salvation but rather out of love toward God and His Word. Remember the thief on the cross went to paradise in spite of the fact that he was never baptized. John 3:5 was stated long before<br />Jesus met the thief! <i>Sprinkling or immersion? </i>Though it is highly debated, immersion baptism is what pictured in the Bible.</p>Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601833902616644637.post-7105247734530993912009-03-17T10:10:00.006+05:302009-04-09T15:29:58.997+05:30Is tithing for today's church?Tithing was indeed a law under the old covenant, but close scrutiny of the Bible reveals that it doesn't hold for today's church. I'm not trying to imply that one shouldn't give to Christian missions but rather that one should give out of freewill and not of fear! St. Paul says give according as God as blessesed (I Cor 16:2), <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">for God loves a cheerful giver (II Cor 9:7)</span>.<div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Abraham tithed - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">of what??</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Christians are often reminded that Abraham tithed a tenth to the then High Priest, King of Salem, Melchizedek. </div><div>Genesis 14:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL';"><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><sup id="en-KJV-355" class="versenum" value="18" style=" font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; font-size:0.65em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">18</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. </span><sup id="en-KJV-356" class="versenum" value="19" style=" font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; font-size:0.65em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">19</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: </span><sup id="en-KJV-357" class="versenum" value="20" style=" font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; line-height: normal; font-size:0.65em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">20</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;">But a closer look to the preceding verses show that he wasn't tithing from anything his! He was tithing the spoils of war - the property of the people of Sodom, etc.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Mosaic law</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia;">It is true that God institued the tithe several years later under Moses. But that was with a specific purpose - it was to provide for the preists and Levites who had no inheritance. It was also to conduct the temple rituals and feasts. Finally, to provide for widows, orphans and strangers. It was not instituted to provide <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">fradulent so-called evangelists </span>with chartered jets and million-dollar homes. </span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Malachi 3:8,9?</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia;">These verses were written in an old testament context. Tithing was to be given to priests who were Levites. But preachers today would rather have us believe that the Mosaic law and the Aaronic priesthood was done away with the cross. How then can tithing alone continue? Here's where prosperity doctrine comes into picture. Prosperity preachers use Malachi 3:10-12 to make people think that they can use God like an ATM machine - put in tithe and draw out blessing. Here's a good quote: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">"He that serves God for money will serve the Devil for better wages"</span> - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Roger L'eStrange</span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Closing thoughts</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia;">If a child of God is in severe financial strait he shouldn't feel obligated to tithe but rather the church should reach out to help him in his need. Give out of love not out of fear.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;">II Corinthians 9:7</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;">Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.<br /></span></p></span></div></div></div>Jesso Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756439865026983782noreply@blogger.com0