To those of you who call yourselves Christians, take your time to read this article and reflect on it.... because I know of some "Christians" who actually will react the way these Churchgoers reacted in the article.

If Jesus / God can forgive.... who are WE as sinners to condemn?

Original Article : The Pastor´s Son (Clickable Link)

The Pastor’s Son

Author Unknown

Like many inspiring movies and books, this short story may be fictional. However, the impact that this work will have on its readers is very real. Enjoy!

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.

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 problem 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.

As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand.

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 fiancee's 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.

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 our 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.

Psalms 55:231 John 1:9

Well, That´s Just Perfect!

Thursday January 29, 2015

The seminar speaker emphasised a positive mental approach to everything. And I´m okay with that, for the most part.

She elaborated on how we might stay positive in the face of annoyances. Suppose someone rudely swwops into that prime parking spot just ahead of us. Simply stop and say, "Well, that´s just perfect! Now I can get more exercise by walking further."

Such an approach can help us stop whining about trivialities. Some situations are far from "perfect", however. Sometimes maintaining a positive mental attitude is not only difficult, it isn´t even sane.

In a sense, the entire Bible is devoted to the fact that everything is not perfect. Whole sections of Scripture tell of unspeakable deeds : murder, rape, cannibalism, treachery, genocide - Earth´s intolerable experiences are well documented.

One bookend of all that mayhem is a garden where the first man and woman lived in perfection. The other bookend is a promise that the Creator of that good garden will return to make everything new (Genesis 2:1-25; Revelation 21:5). And in the middle, woven into the flawed fabric of life, is a unifying thread that gives us reason for real joy.

"[Christ]... existed before anything was created," writes Paul. "He holds all creation together" (Colossians 1:15, 17). "He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ´s blood on the cross" (v. 20).

When we trust Jesus, we trust the One who put all of this in motion. He came to walk among us and offer the perfect sacrifice for the damage we have inflicted on His creation. And He´s restoring everything to its proper order. One day we´ll say without a hint of irony, "This is just perfect!" - Tim Gustafson

Read
Colossians 1:15-22
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created : things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now he has reconciled you by Christ´s physical body through death to present you hoy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

More : 
- For the perfect beginning, re-read Genesis 2
- For the perfect ending, read Revelation 22

Question to Ponder 
What´s your most pressing issue right now?
How can you trust God with it?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

The Gift

Wednesday, December 24 2014

Most people aren´t naturally wired to say they can die in peace. One has to experience something profound to mouth those words! But that´s precisely what Simeon said as he held baby Jesus in his arms. He said to God, "Let your servant die in peace" (Luke 2:29).

The righteous man´s response leads to a question : What exactly had Simeon seen Jesus do? The answer : nothing. There´s no indication that Jesus performed a miracle of some kind at His tender age, nor was there a nativity-like chorus of angels overhead. He probably seemed like an ordinary baby, and little more. Yet Simeon said, "I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people" (v.30).

So why did Simeon react the way he did? This is explained in part by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. For it was the Spirit that brought Jesus to Simeon and revealed His true identity (the long awaited Messiah) to the old man (vv. 25-26).

What a great reminder that we need the Spirit to help us see Jesus clearly! But, in addition, I think Simeon responded the way he did because he had been faithful his entire life and truly knew God. Luke labelled him as both "righteous and devout", and being a man of God, he knew that He is good and loving (v.25). So God´s servant would surely be good and loving as well. Because Simeon trusted the Giver, he was able to see the Gift (Jesus) for what he truly was!

In order for us to recognise God´s good gifts, we nee to focus not only on the gift itself, but on the character of the One who gives it. And if we have faith in a good, wise and powerful Father, then surely we can trust that whatever He gives will be wonderfully good as well! - Peter Chin

Read
Luke 2:25-35
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord´s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, SImeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying : 

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all people,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel."

The child´s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

Luke 11:1-13

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

He said to them, "When you pray, say :

"Father, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins,

for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

And lead us not into temptation"

Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' "

"Then the one inside answers, 'Don´t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can´t get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man´s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs."

"So I say to you : Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good giftrs to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows.

Question to Ponder

Have you ever received something from God that didn´t seem to be a gift? 

Was there some way that "gift" did indeed and up being a blessing?

What gifts will you praise God for today?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue