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 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. 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 fiancée'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! End of case!!!!
"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:23
This prayer is powerful and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive.
There is no cost but a lot of rewards, let's continue to pray for one another.
Here is the prayer:
"Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives and email buddies reading this right now.
Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace.
In Jesus' precious name.
Amen "
Shared by Inez Stubblefield
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
THE SCARS OF LIFE
Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida , a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went.
He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
His father working in the yard saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could.
Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved.
The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go."
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you.
The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.
God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through.
Never judge another persons scars, because you don't know how they got them.
Shared by Jimmie Sue Mathis
He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
His father working in the yard saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could.
Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved.
The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go."
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you.
The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.
God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through.
Never judge another persons scars, because you don't know how they got them.
Shared by Jimmie Sue Mathis
Monday, October 15, 2007
The 23rd Psalm in Single Words
Here is the 23rd Psalm in one word descriptions.
Relationship. Supply. Rest. Refreshment. Healing. Guidance. Purpose. Testing. Protection. Faithfulness. Discipline. Hope. Consecration. Abundance. Blessing. Security. Eternity.
Not let's expand this a little so we can all understand these descriptions.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, [RELATIONSHIP] I shall not be in want. [SUPPLY]
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, [REST] he leads me beside quiet waters, [REFRESHMENT] 3 he restores my soul. [HEALING] He guides me in paths of righteousness [GUIDANCE] for his name's sake. [PURPOSE] 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, [TESTING] I will fear no evil, [PROTECTION] for you are with me; [FAITHFULNESS] your rod and your staff, they comfort me. [DISCIPLINE] 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. [HOPE] You anoint my head with oil; [CONSECRATION] my cup overflows. [ABUNDANCE] 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, [BLESSING] and I will dwell in the house of the LORD [SECURITY] forever. [ETERNITY]
Shared by Windel Burton
Relationship. Supply. Rest. Refreshment. Healing. Guidance. Purpose. Testing. Protection. Faithfulness. Discipline. Hope. Consecration. Abundance. Blessing. Security. Eternity.
Not let's expand this a little so we can all understand these descriptions.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, [RELATIONSHIP] I shall not be in want. [SUPPLY]
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, [REST] he leads me beside quiet waters, [REFRESHMENT] 3 he restores my soul. [HEALING] He guides me in paths of righteousness [GUIDANCE] for his name's sake. [PURPOSE] 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, [TESTING] I will fear no evil, [PROTECTION] for you are with me; [FAITHFULNESS] your rod and your staff, they comfort me. [DISCIPLINE] 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. [HOPE] You anoint my head with oil; [CONSECRATION] my cup overflows. [ABUNDANCE] 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, [BLESSING] and I will dwell in the house of the LORD [SECURITY] forever. [ETERNITY]
Shared by Windel Burton
Happy Fall
Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff-- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see. This was passed on to me from another pumpkin. Now, it is your turn to pass it to a pumpkin. I liked this enough to send it to all the pumpkins in my patch. Happy Fall!
Shared by Windel Burton
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