Thoughts for Life: NEW LIFE IN JESUS

NEW LIFE IN JESUS

Amy Boucher Pye- "Growing up together in Central Asia, Baheer and Medet were the best of friends. But when Baheer became a believer in Jesus, everything changed. After Medet reported him to government authorities, Baheer endured excruciating torture. The guard growled, 'This mouth will never speak the name of Jesus again.' Though badly bloodied, Baheer managed to say they might stop him speaking of Christ, but 'they'd never change what He has done in my heart.'

Those words remained with Medet. Some months later, having suffered illness and loss, Medet traveled to find Baheer, who had been released from prison. Turning from his pride, he asked his friend to introduce him to his Jesus.

Medet acted on the conviction of the Holy Spirit in the same way that those who gathered arount Peter on the feast of Pentecost were; 'cut to the heart' when they witnessed God's outpouring of grace and heard Peter's testimony about Christ (Acts 2:37,38). Peter called the people to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus, and some three thousand did.

Just as they let their old ways of life behind, so too did Medet repent and follow the Savior. The gift of New Life in Jesus is available to everyone who believes in Him. Whatever we've done, we can enjoy the forgiveness of our sins when we trust in Him."

Let's pray-

Lord Jesus, I thank You for dying on the cross and rising to New Life. I repent of my many sins and place my trust in You now, so that I can also have this New Life!

Today's word on the importance of wittnessing-

If Christians would open their mouths a little more, they would discover that many people are eager to experience a close relationship with God, if only they knew how!

Some encouraging words-

God puts us through rigorous workouts to produce top contenders. He puts us through some pretty tough training, with a view to making us mature and useful to the Master and prepared for service! Prayer is the greatest means of spiritual power and spiritual victory for us as Christians. Satan fears it more than all else we can do. Apart from God Himself and His heavenly beings, prayer is the greatest danger to Satan's purposes, plans and activities!

Church Notes:

Faith and Obedience

God calls for radical faith and complete obedience.

What we do defines what we believe.

Faith is resting in God's Ability to help, resting in the Reality of God.

Works effect the reality of our faith.

To obey Christ in the next thing is an act of faith.

Our choice is to obey God . . . or our flesh! Step by step, He has not failed us!

1) Walk in submission to God

2) Joyfully obey His Word

3) Get counseling when needed.

#96 Testimony- August H. Francke

"August H. Francke, a Lutheran minister arund 1700 and founder of the orphan homes at Halle, Germany, tells of a time when he needed a large sum of money. His treasurer came to him for the money. Francke told him to come after lunch, all the while praying earnestly.

After lunch the treasurer came again for the money, and Francke asked him to come in the evning. In the meantime, a friend of Dr. Francke came to see him. The two men prayed together. When Francke began to pray, God led him to recall God's goodness to humankind, going back all the way to Creation.

Francke praised God over and over for His goodness and faithfulness over the centuries but felt restrained from mentioning his urgent petition.

When the friend left, Francke accompanied him to the door. There stood the treasurer waiting for the money, and beside him a man who then handed Dr. Fancke a very large sum of money that fully met the need!"

1516-1520 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

1516- Ps. 63:2a "To see thy power and thy glory."

1517- Ps. 91:16 "With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."

1518- Is. 22:23a "I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place."

1519- Is. 25:9b "This is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad

and rejoice in his salvation."

1520- Job 31:35a "Oh, that one would hear me."

#96 Hymn- What a Friend We Have In Jesus

The information about this song, is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL (pg. 131)

Joseph Scriven, in 1855, received word that his mother was facing a crisis. Joseph wrote this poem and sent it to her. Mrs. Scriven evidently gave a copy to a friend who had it published anonymously, and it quickly became a popular hymn, though no one knew who had written it.

Until a short time before his death it was not known that he had a poetic gift. A neighbor, sitting up with him in his illness, happened upon a manuscript copy of "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." Reading it with great delight and questioning Mr. Scriven about it, he said that he had composed it for his mother, to comfort her in a time of special sorrow, not intending that anyone else should see it. Some time later, when another Port Hope neighbor asked him if it was true he composed the hymn, his reply was, "The Lord and I did it between us."

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26th- - WHAT I CONTROL and WHAT'S IN GOD'S HAND- Karen Girl Friday

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9th- WHEN DARKNESS CLOSES IN - Marten Wiles

16th- DON'T NEGLECT GOD'S WORD- Phyllis Quals Freeman

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