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by Don Ginkel |
The very first words that Jesus spoke from the cross sound forth a deep love for people who despised and mistreated Him. "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). The love of Jesus is so deep. Jesus never died for groups of people. He died for individuals. He died for you. I recently had dinner with my CPA, Steve. He told how years ago a pastor told him the story of Calvary, and when he got to the suffering Savior on the cross, the pastor started to cry in great sorrow. Steve said that made a huge impression on him, and he then and there confessed the crucified Christ as his personal Savior. When I get to the suffering Christ on the cross when preaching or witnessing, like that pastor, my heart is crushed. I know that my sins put Him there. The Romans didn't put Him to death. The Jews didn't. I did. And it is for sinners like you and me that Jesus prayed in deep agony, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." There are many ways to describe us: cowardly, lying, unfaithful, slandering, self-centered, proud, dishonest! There is one way to describe the suffering Savior: infinite compassion for the sinner! By the power of the Holy Spirit let Jesus make you clean and forgiven. By the power of the Savior let Him move you to be very moved when you tell the story of His suffering to others. May the love and forgiveness of Jesus warm your heart and fill your soul today. A. B. Christiansen wrote: "Father, forgive them!" thus did He pray. E'en while His life-blood flowed fast away; Praying for sinners which in such woe - No one but Jesus ever loved so. Blessed Redeemer, precious Redeemer! Seems now I see Him on Calvary's tree Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading - Blind and unheeding - dying for me! | |||||
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by Kent R. Hunter |
Do your knees knock, does your blood pressure go up, and does intestinal flu set in with the concept of telling an unbeliever about Jesus Christ? You can relax - it just got a lot easier. One of the most frequent challenges Christians report is the desire to be able to witness their faith. We all have a neighbor, hair dresser, fellow worker, fellow student, who doesn't have a relationship with Jesus Christ. We have often thought how we might tell them about the Savior. Most often, we don't get it done. Why? Most people don't witness because they feel biblically inferior. Others are just afraid of rejection. These challenges, however, don't exsist much anymore. You don't have to be a Bible scholar. People don't really want a sermon about how Christianity is truth. They want to learn, does it work? Has it made a change in your life? As for rejection, our research shows that people are very spiritually interested. They want to talk about their faith and life. Focus on these issues:
Dr. Kent Hunter is nationally known as the Church Doctor. You can contact him at (800) 626-8515, or visit his Web site at www.churchdoctor.org. | |||||
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Suppose: "Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." The acidulous wisdom of Mark Twain speaks to us today as some members of congress mobilize to save American ports from the dreaded hands of Dubai... Good News/Bad News for the Pastor: Good News: Church attendance rose dramatically in the last three weeks. Bad News: You were on vacation... How popular is the adult study course, I Have Good News For You which is used for adult classes for new members and for members? Popular enough to sell 10,000 copies a year for the last 37 years... Michael Newdow, the California atheist, is back in court. He is now asking a federal court to declare our national motto, "In God We Trust," to be unconstitutional. He says he is offended by it. Pity the man now and on the Last Day (Matt. 25:41). Francis Scott Key introduced a variation of our motto when he wrote The Star- Spangled Banner in 1814. Its fourth stanza declares: "And this be our motto, 'In God is our trust'"... Church office staff: You save your church money on UPS shipments delivered to your church when you sign for your package. Tell your driver you always want to sign for packages... Recently a pastor called Church Press and told of a man in his community whose life was totally messed up. The pastor got the man to agree to watch the DVD lessons for I Have Good News. In Lesson 4 on the Holy Spirit the class is focusing on 2 Cor. 6:2, "...now is the time of God's favor." The class is asked, "What time is it?" They respond: "7:36 p.m." They are asked, "What is the time to believe in Jesus as your Savior?" They respond, "7:36 p.m." The man watching the DVD looked at his watch and it says, "7:36." Guess what happened next. He did. Thank You, Lord! Thank You!... Sobering statement: In a speech recently to the National Press Club, Don Rumsfeld said of Islamic terrorists, "They will either succeed in changing our way of life, or we will succeed in changing theirs." It's going to be a long war... Friendlier church: One pastor makes it a habit to make this final announcement to the worshippers at the end of each service - "Before leaving the sanctuary, please find two people you don't know or don't know well, introduce yourself, and have a brief chat with them."... Have a question? If you have a question you would like to direct our way, just email it, and we'll try to answer... Not ashamed: Don't be embarrassed about Jesus. You have a great story to tell, and you know some people who are "dying" to hear it! Here is a hymn by Gregg & Oliver that gives us a nudge: Jesus! Oh, how could it be true, A mortal man ashamed of
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You Might Be A Preacher If... You've ever spoken for free and were worth every penny of it. Instead of getting "ticked off," you get "grieved in your spirit." You've ever wanted to "lay hands" on a deacon's neck. Duh At Taco Bell My daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a taco. She asked the individual behind the counter for "minimal lettuce." He said he was sorry, but they only had iceberg. | ||||||
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Yes, you can order heaven for Easter! How? Just invite Easter worshippers to attend the best selling Bible study course, The Many Wonders of Heaven. Church Press will provide you with colorful bulletin inserts for your Easter service free of charge. Start the following Sunday. Email us today for your free bulletin inserts. Tell us how many you want. | ||||||
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by Michael B. Boyd |
Following our last membership class we confirmed ten adults and had seven baptisms. The following week two couples came to me and said, "We're so used to meeting together we'd like to continue. Do you have any good Bible studies like the one we did to keep going?" After this pleasant surprise I set them up with Pastor Ginkel's Old Testament study, A Time To Laugh or Cry. They invited a few neighbors to join them. One of the couples we had actually released from membership over five years ago for chronic lack of attendance. The Holy Spirit is so evident in their lives. They are on fire for the Lord. Last weekend they actually came to both worship services "just because." Lesson 1: Never give up inviting people to church even after they've been released for inactivity - the Holy Spirit never stops and neither should we. Lesson 2: Never miss the opportunity to ask new Christians or new members to do something as basic as asking friends/relatives over to their Bible study group. Pastor Michael Boyd is pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church, a very active congregation in North Judson, IN. | |||||
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E. Glenn Wagner offers the following prayer which you can lift up to the Lord each day and which your brothers and sisters can also be encouraged to pray: Lord, let my pastor spend quality time with You, being with You on a daily basis. Teach him how to enjoy You, to see You in all Your beauty and glory, to have a real sense of how wonderful, how awesome You are. Teach my pastor daily new truths about Yourself so in turn he can share with me what You are showing him. Let my pastor's heart be quick to respond to whatever You say. Thank You, Lord. Amen. What a great prayer! Let's move on it, and invite our people to pray it. "My Father will give you whatever you ask in My name... Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete" (John 16:23-24).
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