"Come Unto Me"

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28

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“Hate the sin, but not the sinner”

You may be familiar with the phrase and idea to “Hate the sin, but not the sinner,” but this is often easier said than done. When someone sins against us, we would tend to hate that person too, and itch to see his undoing, but what we are blind to is our hypocrisy. We practice this concept of “Hate the sin, love the sinner” with our own selves, but not with others. CS Lewis recognized this hypocrisy in himself, as he wrote, “How can you hate what a man did and not hate the man? But years later it occurred to me that there was one man to whom I had been doing this all my life – namely myself.” We easily excuse ourselves for our sins. We justify lying, we give in to pride and lustful fantasies, we hold grudges and give in to fear and worry. Yet, despite these things we continue to love ourselves though we hate the things we do.

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Listen to Jesus

Listen to Jesus, and listen to Him carefully. We like to say that Jesus will change your life, when you listen carefully to him. That is, when you really listen, like trust and obey, not like “in one ear, out the other.” And yes, it will change in ways like making you a more effective worker. You will become humble, and a good servant. You will also be able to truly love your neighbor as yourself and fulfill the golden rule. And all these things are good, but the greatest and most compelling reason to listen carefully to Jesus is because he has come to save us. Recognize that you are a lost sinner in this world. Recognize that the world has nothing to offer you for your salvation and perfection. History can prove this. Finally, by listening carefully to what he says, you will be able to live according to the truth, and not only will your soul be saved, but you will also be equipped to save others.

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God's Commandments

“I am the way, the truth and the life” JOHN 14:6

The 10 Commandments - God's Revelation in the Old Testament The 10 Commandments are found in the Bible's Old Testament at Exodus, Chapter 20. They were given directly by God to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai after He had delivered them from slavery in Egypt:

"And God spoke all these words, saying: 'I am the LORD your God…
ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'

TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'

THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.'

FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.'

FIVE: 'Honor your father and your mother.'

SIX: 'You shall not murder.'

SEVEN: 'You shall not commit adultery.'

EIGHT: 'You shall not steal.'

NINE: 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.'

TEN: 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.'

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"God Is Our Strength - Not Trusting In Our Own Strength"

Exodus 15:2


The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.


Deuteronomy 4:37

Because he loved your forefathers and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength,


Deuteronomy 6:5

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.


Deuteronomy 11:8

Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to go in and take over the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess,


1 Samuel 30:6

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

1 Chronicles 16:11

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

Nehemiah 1:10

"They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.



Nehemiah 8:10

Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.



Psalm 20: 7-8

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.



Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?



Psalm 28:8

The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.



Psalm 31:24

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!



Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

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God Loves Sinners "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." —Romans 5:8

I am saddened by the hatred that some professed “Christians” have for the unsaved. It is tragic. Yes, God hates sin and the wrath of God abides upon Christ-rejecters (John 3:36); but let us never stray from the great Biblical doctrine of God's wondrous love for mankind, which allowed Christ to be nailed to the cross for our sins. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Notice the words, "God so loved THE WORLD."
Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." God in His foreknowledge knew how sinful and rotten mankind would be, but He looked beyond our faults and saw our need for redemption. Jesus Christ died, was buried and rose again from the grave to TAKE AWAY our sins. Jesus did this by the shedding of His own physical blood. 1st Peter 1:18,19, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold... But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." Christ died for all men, because God loves all mankind, even the vilest of sinful men.
I have received dozens of letters from professed “Christians” who are upset with me for my article God Loves People. One woman sent several internet links to me, linking to articles which teach that God doesn't love sinners. Oh, listen my friend, God loves mankind more than we could love Him in return. Luke 19:10 reads, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." 1st John 3:16a, "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down his life for us." Notice the words, “the love of God.” God loves humanity, which is why He sent His Son to pay the debt for our sins. How could anyone say that God hates sinners? God DOES hate sin, and God IS angry with the wicked every day; but God equally loves each and every person and desires for them to repent and get saved. 2nd peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." God is “not willing that any should perish.”
When Moses went up to the top of Mount Sinai to beg God to forgive the sins of the Jews, God did. Exodus 32:14, "And the LORD repented of the evil which He thought to do unto His people." Unfortunately, the people were dancing naked around a calf committing idolatry before Moses even got back down to the camp. Then Moses got mad. Please notice that NO ONE died that day accept those who chose to. Exodus 32:26 reads, "Who is on the LORD's side? let him come unto me." The Jews who refused to come over to the Lord's side were killed that day (thousands of them). God didn't just kill them! It was their own sinful pride that got them killed. Pride is destructive! America's day of reckoning is coming, when her proud neck will be broken.
Yes, God does get angry about sin, very angry! In fact, Psalm 7:11 declares that "God is angry with the wicked every day." John 3:36 warns that the "wrath of God abideth" upon Christ-rejecters.
However, the entire Bible is based upon the FACT that God loves mankind, so much so that God the Father sent His only begotten Son into the world to suffer and die for our sins. Romans 5:8,9 reads, "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." God proved His love toward mankind by sending His Son into this hostile, sin-cursed world and giving His life for our sins.

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GOD’S WORD TO ALL PEOPLE

The Bible has been translated into many languages. Today, God’s Word can be read by more people than ever before; and although the words in these various translations are different, the message remains the same. God did not limit his Word to only one group of people, or for only one language group; rather, the Bible is for everyone! If God has given you the opportunity to have a Bible, share its message with others.

Some people have an entire Bible (Old and New Testament). Many others have only a New Testament or an even smaller portion of the Bible. Yet regardless of what one may have, it is important to read and study it. It is important for each “child of God” to know what God says—to fill his mind (his thoughts) with the words of his “Heavenly Father.” (1 John 3:1–3) The Bible is the word (or message) of life.

Some parts of the Bible will be easy to understand; other parts may be more difficult. But what is necessary for salvation and life can be understood by anyone willing to accept what is written. If, while you are reading the Bible, you find something that you cannot understand, be careful! If necessary, leave it for later, and study something else. (In 2 Peter 3:16, the apostle warns about the dangers of distorting the Word of God. Those who distort it do so “to their own destruction.”) Remember: The Bible is God's Word. Do not add to it or subtract from it! Do not change what it says. Accept it as it is! (See Proverbs 30:5–6; Matthew 5:19; Mark 7:5–13; Revelation 22:18–19.)

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Here are some of the verses in which the Bible describes itself

2 Timothy 3:16–17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12
The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

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Let the little children come to me

Mark 10:13-16
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

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Prayer

Psalm 55:16,17
But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.

Matthew 6:5,6
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:7,8
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 18:19
Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.

1 John 5:14,15
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

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Peace

Psalms 85:8
I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people his saints...

2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the LORD of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way...

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 32:17
The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

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Azizabad A.R.P Church

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Easter Is a time for Love

Easter is a time of love,
A time of death and pain undone,
So we may know the power of
The love that lives in everyone.
Each love we feel, unstained and free,
Redeems us--as with you and me.

By Nicholas Gordon

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Jesus Died For You

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
-1 Peter 1:3

 

Jesus stepped into darkness,
So that we may see the light.
Jesus became poor,
That we may be rich.
Jesus became a man,
to be tempted just as we are.
Jesus was whipped,
So that by His stripes we may be healed.
Jesus suffered,
So that we can be conforted.
Jesus went to hades,
To break the powers of darkness.
Jesus died,
So that our sins can be forgiven.
Jesus died,
So that we may have an abundant life.
Jesus was resurrected,
So that all who believe in Him will have an everlasting life!

By Lim Tianyi

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HAPPY EASTER

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Palm sunday

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THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS

"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do . . ." (Luke 23:34).

These words were spoken by Jesus from the cross. What an example for us! Jesus must have been suffering tremendous physical pain. Yet the inner pain must have far outweighed that pain that was in His body. Among those who cried, "Crucify Him, crucify Him," were those that He had ministered unto. Yet there had been no gratefulness on their part for the healing of their bodies, or whatever need had been met by Jesus.

Who was Jesus forgiving when He prayed that prayer? Surely all who were responsible for His death and had wronged Him in any way. Who was responsible for the death of Jesus?

Judas, the religious leaders, Pilate, the Roman soldiers, and many others--including you and I: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:5-6).

Because He has forgiven us, we can and must forgive others: "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you so also do ye" (Colossians 3:12-13).

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WHY WE CAN FORGIVE

In Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus gave a parable that teaches us why we can forgive others. The parable was taught in answer to Peter's question, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" It seems that Peter was keeping a careful count of how many times his brother had wronged him. He had in his mind that seven times should be the limit--and then he would get even with him in some way. How shocked he was when Jesus answered:

". . . I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven" (verse 22).

That is 490 times! Jesus really was not setting any limits. He was telling us that we must always be willing to forgive others. And there is a big reason why this should be easy. Jesus has forgiven us a great debt of sin.

"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him which owed him ten thousand talents (at least 60 million US dollars).But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt" (Matthew 18:23-27).

In this parable, we are the servant who owed a great debt that we could not pay, and Jesus Christ is the lord who forgave that debt whenever we humbled ourselves before Him. We have experienced the wonderful feeling of having all of our sins forgiven, when we should have suffered because of them. The song says:

I should have been crucified,
I should have suffered and died,
I should have hung on the cross in disgrace,
But Jesus my Lord took my place.

The debt that He forgave was great, so we should be able to forgive others who owe us a lesser debt.

"But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, which owed him an hundred pence (about 50 US dollars): and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses" (Matthew 18:28-35).

A person who holds grudges and unforgiveness in his heart has emotionally "been turned over unto the tormentors," because these things will eat like a cancer and destroy him. Forgiveness is the only cure for this kind of cancer.

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HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE FORGIVE

The "Lord's Prayer" was given unto us as a model prayer to be prayed daily! Included in this prayer are these words: "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (Matthew 6:14).

Let's look at this verse in the Amplified Version, to get a fuller meaning: ". . . for if you forgive people their trespasses--that is, their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go and giving up resentment--your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (Matthew 6:14, Amplified Bible). Then comes the warning:

"But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (verse 15).

Who are we to forgive? Everybody. Many people live in constant condemnation because they have been hurt by others and are not willing to forgive. The forgiveness Jesus is asking us to extend to others must be sincere. We must be willing to give up our resentment towards those who have hurt us.

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FORGIVENESS

Our relationship with God is determined by our relationship with one another:

"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"      (I John 4:20).

God will treat us as we treat others: "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven"      (Luke 6:36-37).

One of the most serious problems that plague mankind is unforgiveness. Many people have all kinds of resentments and bitterness that they have allowed to build up inside them through the years. This is true even among Christians. This is a tremendous hindrance to those who would really seek to love others with the love of Jesus. Besides this, God will turn a deaf ear to our prayers if we harbor unforgiveness towards even just one person!
 

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