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Greetings, dear friends & family! How much does it cost to reject God? I'm not talking about whether you believe in God or not. I'm talking about whether you've accepted His terms on how to come to Him. Most people believe they'll go to heaven when they die because they tried to live a good life. And as we already discussed in a previous newsletter, when we compare ourselves to others, we can always find someone who's worse than we are! But here's what the Bible says: Those who receive Jesus Christ's gift of salvation will spend eternity with God. And those who refuse the gift will not. The price for rejecting God is eternal separation from Him. Contrary to what many believe, Christianity — true Christianity — isn't about being a good person or going to church. It's about coming face-to-face with the Most High God and recognizing that we're not good enough to deserve anything from Him — and then confessing our sins and seeking His forgiveness. You see, the fact is that we are all born with a sinful nature. Don't believe that? Think about this: We don't have to teach children how to misbehave or lie. The first time they break something accidentally or sneak a cookie without permission, almost without thinking they lie about it. It's a part of who we are. We are sinners! And that sinful nature alienates us from our Creator and holy God. No matter how hard we try or how sincere we are, we cannot avoid sinning again and again. That's because of our inherent sin nature. And also contrary to what many believe, becoming a Christian doesn't make us perfect. Oh! How I wish it did! No.... we won't be free of that sin nature until we're fully glorified in God's presence. But when we come to Christ, He forgives all of our sins and declares us no longer guilty. Why??? How??? Because Jesus' perfect sacrificial death paid the penalty for your and my sins — once and for all time. But, if someone rejects the free gift of salvation through the atoning death of Jesus Christ, he has nowhere else to turn. His good works won't be enough to get him into heaven — a place of sinless perfection. And all his wrong-doings remain unforgiven. If a person rejects Christ's sacrifice, then he/she must pay the price himself/herself. I'm not writing this to scare you. I'm simply trying to get you to understand that there's a price to be paid for rejecting Christ. God has set before each one of us a choice between eternal life and death. Oh, precious one, choose life! by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him." Deuteronomy 30:19-20  Be blessed in Jesus' name, and remember: Christianity isn't about going to church; it's about coming to Christ!
Your sister & servant in Christ,  My Redeemer Lives Christian Ministry Because of the volume of e-mail I receive, it is impossible for me to respond to every person who writes. If you have an opinion or question, please understand that I will not offer personal advice or debate theological issues. You are welcome to send your opinions, corrections and questions, but I can't guarantee I'll be able to respond. If you're looking for some good Bible study sources, I recommend: Bible.org — Trustworthy Bible Study Resources, Blue Letter Bible Study Resources, Christian Courses by RBC Ministries, Precept Ministries International, In Touch Ministries, Shepherd Serve, Today In the Word, Today's Turning Point, all of which offer hundreds of pages of well-organized teaching articles, Bible studies, and/or daily email devotionals. |
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Give the Gift of Giving!  Many of the abandoned and destitute children we're trying to help make their "homes" under makeshift lean-tos in garbage dump sites where they regularly compete with wild dogs and pigs for their daily food. Most of them have never even heard of Christmas. And for those who have, Christmas is for "other" people, but not for them....While most of us celebrate the holiday with our families and friends, some of these children will be trying to find one morsel to quiet their hunger pangs. Sadly, many of them have missed so many meals that they don't know what it feels like to not be hungry! The "lucky" ones may eventually be 'adopted' into brothels or as temple prostitutes. The rest, unless rescued by the mighty hand of an Almighty God, will join the thousands of other beggars and lepers who barely survive day-to-day, eventually finding release through death — unseen and unknown by the rest of the world.... Thankfully, God has enabled five of my partner ministries* to provide a safe home, food, clothing, and an education to more than 250 orphans and abandoned children in India and Kenya. These children have either lost both parents or their mothers are too poor to care for them.  These are the truly fortunate ones; they may not have new toys to play with on Christmas morning, but they will wake up in a warm bed with a roof over their heads, at least one nutritious meal, and people who care about them.In addition to our children's homes, five other partner ministries* in India, Kenya, Pakistan, Tanzania, and Zambia are regularly helping approximately 800 poor or destitute children — 20% of whom are Muslims or Hindus — in nursery and elementary schools or church outreach programs. For 560 children, the only meal they receive Monday through Friday is through our school ministries. (When there is no school, there is no food....)  What we're trying to do goes beyond just meeting their basic physical needs with food or clothing. Many of them have never celebrated even one Christmas, and a large number have never heard the Christmas story. We want them and their families to actually see Jesus working through us!If each person receiving this letter would give just $5, we would not only be able to provide a nice holiday meal for the children and some of their families and give each child a new outfit or shoes, but we would be able to meet all of these children's basic needs for an entire year! Use the Gift order form and share God's heart with one of these precious ones. Whether you can personally help or not, would you please post this request at your church, and where allowed, at your school or workplace, too? His purpose was you; His motivation was love!  Click here for a print-friendly copy of this article.* Contact me for a list of each ministry's name, location, and needs. |
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Floods in Kenya Are Destroying Churches and Homes In Eldoret, Kenya heavy monsoon rains are flooding homes and churches and threatening further devastation.  In the photo on the right, Pastor Peter Mwangi is hastily digging trenches in an effort to cause the flood waters to flow away from his home. Pastor Peter is asking for emergency assistance to move his family and some others to a safer area while they wait for the water to recede and then rebuild their flood-damaged homes. He also asks that we stand with them in prayer for God to prevent any water-borne diseases — like cholera, malaria, and typhoid — from breaking out in the area.Residential Youth Camp in South India during Durga Puja Festival Puja means "prayer". In general, it is a religious ritual that Hindus perform on a variety of occasions to pray or show respect to their chosen gods or goddesses. Puja is also performed on special occasions, such as the Ganesh Nimajjanam that took place on 24th September when they took huge idols of the god Ganesh and immersed them in rivers and lakes. This year, the Durga Puja will be observed between 12-21 October when they will seek divine blessings from the goddess Durga. During this time, the Hindus paint their houses, and virtually everything they own — from crafts and tools to vehicles — becomes an object of worship. They also worship their elders who have died by presenting them with food and new clothes. Pastor Arvind Dass explains that his ministry decided to host the youth camp because "our Rural churches with few members face a real challenge and are left alone! Young people often feel that they belong to no one." During the two days, men, women and young people come together to sing, worship, study and meditate, and to experience the presence of the living God. Pastor Dass says, "They go totally changed. And then we follow them up." Pastor Dass invites anointed preachers, pastors, and their spouses to come to these meetings. He also asks you pray for an electronic keyboard to aid them in their worship. Update from Living Hope Ministries & Ramah Nursery School in Tanzania Pastor Innocent says that while they have no resources so far for the new school, "we do not want to give up, because God would not tell us to give up."   Donate online by credit card or e-check! |
take my mind, and think through it; take my heart, and set it on fire." William H. Aitken (1887-1964) Back to top |
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It has been the distinctive aim, and the sincere desire of my ministry — to make known and to endear the Savior to your hearts. Oh, how worthy is He . . . of your most exalted conceptions . . . of your most implicit confidence . . . of your most self-denying service . . . of your most fervent love! When He could give you no more — and the fathomless depths of His love, and the boundless resources of His grace, would not be satisfied by giving you less — He gave you Himself! Robed in your nature, laden with your curse, oppressed with your sorrows, wounded for your transgressions, and slain for your sins — He gave His entire self for you! His redeeming work now finished — He is perpetually engaged in meting out blessings to His people, from the exhaustless treasures of His love! He constantly woos your affection — invites your grief — and bids you repair with your daily trials to His sympathy, and with your hourly guilt to His blood. You cannot in your drafts upon Christ's fullness, be too covetous; nor in your expectations of supply, be too extravagant! You may fail, as, alas! the most of us do, in making too little of Christ — but you cannot fail, in making too much of Him! It is utterly impossible to know Christ, and not become inspired with a desire . . . to love Him supremely . . . to serve Him devotedly . . . to resemble Him closely . . . to glorify Him faithfully here . . . and to enjoy Him fully hereafter! Received from Grace Gems (choice electronic books, sermons, and quotes) Back to top |
in height inconceivable, in power incomparable, in wisdom unrivaled, in goodness inimitable, in kindness unutterable." Theophilus of Antioch, "Apologia ad Autolycum" (c. A.D. 170) Back to top |
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(We Can't Make Them Go Away!) I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call center. One day I got a call from an individual who asked what hours the call center was open. I told him, "The number you dialed is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week." He responded, "Is that Eastern or Pacific time?" The start of the new school term always brings out the most interesting questions for computer consultants on campus. The predominant questions this term pertain to "getting into" E-mail and how to access the "Information Highway." An obviously distraught student came into the consulting office yesterday complaining that his E-mail wasn't working. His attempts to get tickets for an on-campus concert kept resulting in returned mail. He showed me the mail address he was attempting to reach. I asked him where he obtained such an unusual mail address. He replied, "The sign advertising the concert said, 'begins@7:30PM'." I had been doing Tech Support for Hewlett-Packard's DeskJet division for about a month when I had a customer call with a problem I just couldn't solve. She could not print yellow. All the other colors would print fine, which truly baffled me because the only true colors are cyan, magenta, and yellow. For instance, green is a combination of cyan and yellow, but green printed fine. Every color of the rainbow printed fine except for yellow. I had the customer change ink cartridges. I had the customer delete and reinstall the drivers. Nothing worked. I asked my co-workers for help; they offered no new ideas. After over two hours of troubleshooting, I was about to tell the customer to send the printer in to us for repair when she asked quietly, "Should I try printing on a piece of white paper instead of this yellow paper?" I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area, so I went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained professional and I was in good hands. "Now," she asked me, "has your plane arrived yet?" While working at a pizza parlor I observed a man ordering a small pizza to go. He appeared to be alone and the cook asked him if he would like it cut into 4 pieces or 6. He thought about it for some time before responding. "Just cut it into 4 pieces; I don't think I'm hungry enough to eat 6 pieces." |
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The following photographs are the fourth set in a series of 10 photos I'm sharing with you that beautifully portray our loving Father's handiwork in nature. Enjoy!  .. Contributed by Christine Lichtenberg Notice: If you want to send photos for inclusion in this newsletter, please ensure they are in JPG or GIF format, the dimensions do not exceed 360 x 270 px, and/or the file size is no larger than 30 Kb. Back to top |
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is not intellect, but obedience." Oswald Chambers (1874–1917), Missionary & Author Back to top |
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"But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift." Ephesians 4:7 (NIV) In "The Christian Reader", Paul Francisco wrote about his experience as a child in church. On the first Sunday of every month, before Communion, a benevolence offering was taken. One Sunday, for the first time, his mother gave him a dime to put in the offering. That Sunday, he started to take the bread and cup along with everyone else when his mother said, "You can't take Communion yet." "Why not?" Francisco asked. "I paid for it!" We smile at that young man's logic: We pay our money to God and get to partake of the privileges rightly ours. It's the American way! While we smile at a child's reasoning, how many adults view the grace of God the same way—something for which we must pay? Free grace takes a lifetime to contemplate—the idea that there is nothing we can do to earn God's love and forgiveness. Did anyone pay a price? Only Jesus, who resisted temptation, walked in holiness, and died as a sacrifice for our sin. Jesus paid for the gift that is freely given to us. Few people would turn down a free gift, especially one of eternal value. Make sure you have embraced the gift that is yours. Back to top |
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pardon there was multiplied to me; there my burdened soul found liberty... at Calvary." William R. Newell Back to top |
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A man was brought to Mercy Hospital, and went in for emergency coronary surgery. The operation went well, and as the groggy man regained consciousness, he was reassured by a Sister of Mercy waiting by his bed. "Mr. Smith, you're going to be just fine," the Nun said while patting his hand. "We do have to know, however, how you intend to pay for your stay here. Are you covered by insurance?" "No, I'm not," the man whispered hoarsely. "Can you pay in cash?" "I'm afraid I can't, Sister." "Do you have any close relatives,then?" "Just my sister in New Mexico," replied, "but she's a spinster Nun." "Nuns are not spinsters, Mr. Smith," the nun replied. "They are married to God." "Okay," the man said with a smile, "then bill my brother-in-law." |
 Come to sing and dance like King David did with the Psalms. We pray you will worship and praise in spirit and in truth with our anointed messianic CDs. Back to top |
"Hello. (Pause.) Hello? (Pause.) Hello! (Pause.) No, it doesn't look as if I'm in right now. Maybe you should leave a message at the beep or call me back later. BEEP. (Pause three seconds.) Just kidding, that wasn't really the beep. Are you ready now? Okay. Go!" <:))))><........<:))))><........><((((:>........><((((:> "If a telephone rings in an empty room and no one is there to answer it, was there really a phone call? Help me investigate this phenomenon by leaving your name and number after the tone, and see if someone calls you back." Back to top |
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Here's an example of how the Lord's Prayer can guide your prayers... Our Father Thank you for adopting me into your family. Who is Thank you, my Lord, for being a God of the present tense. My Jehovah-jireh (the God who provides), My Jehovah-raah (the caring Shepherd), My Jehovah-shalom (the Lord is peace), My Jehovah-rophe (the God who heals), And my Jehovah-nissi (Lord, my banner). In heaven, Your workshop of creation reminds me -- if you can make the skies, you can make sense out of my struggles. Hallowed be thy name. Be holy in my heart. You are a "cut above" all else. Enable me to set my sights on you. Thy kingdom come, Come kingdom! Be present, Lord Jesus! Have free reign in every corner of my life. Thy will be done, Reveal your heart to me, dear Father. Show me my role in your passion. Grant me guidance in the following decisions... On earth as it is in heaven. Thank you that you silence heaven to hear my prayer. On my heart are the ones you love. I pray for... Give us this day our daily bread. I accept your portion for my life today. I surrender the following concerns regarding my well-being... Forgive us our debts, I thank you for the roof of grace over my head, bound together with the timbers and nails of Calvary. There is nothing I can do to earn or add to your mercy. I confess my sins to you... As we also have forgiven our debtors; Treat me, Father, as I treat others. Have mercy on the following friends who have wounded me... Lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil Let my small hand be engulfed in yours. Hold me, lest I fall. I ask for special strength regarding... Let your kindness be on all your church. I pray especially for ministers near and missionaries far away. Thine — not mine — is the kingdom, I lay my plans at your feet. Thine — not mine — is the power, I come to you for strength. Thine — not mine — is the glory, I give you all the credit. Forever. Amen. by Max Lucado, from "The Great House of God" Received from AllWorship, Commercial-Free Worship Music Back to top |
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and that the taller we grew in Christian character the easier we could reach them. I have now found that God's gifts are on shelves one below the other, and that it is not a question of growing taller but of stooping lower, and that we have to go down, always down, to get His best gifts." F. B. Meyer (1847-1949) |
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Vermont Whistling underwater is illegal. At one time it was illegal to tie a giraffe to a telephone pole. Women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth. It is illegal to deny the existence of God. At one time the law demanded that everybody take at least one bath each week — on Saturday night. New York Women may go topless in public, provided it is not for business. Citizens may not greet each other by "putting one's thumb to the nose and wiggling the fingers". The penalty for jumping off a building is death. It is illegal to dissolve a marriage for irreconcilable differences, unless both parties agree to it. A person may not walk around on Sundays with an ice cream cone in his/her pocket. While riding in an elevator, one must talk to no one, and fold his hands while looking toward the door. |
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Quick Jokes How do you fix a broken tuba? With a tuba glue. What takes longer, running from first base to second, or from second to third? Second to third, because you have to go through a shortstop. How do astronauts eat their ice cream? In floats. How do you make a dinosaur float? Put a scoop of ice cream in a glass of root beer and add one dinosaur! What do you get from an Alaskan cow? Ice Cream. What do you get if you divide the circumference of a bowl of ice cream by its diameter? Pi a'la mode. Back to top |
LoonyTunes™ Pages to Color Click on an image to open a page for printing it full-size.  .. .. .. .. Provided by All About Coloring Back to top |
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"Free Flight: Rio de Janeiro to Miami, Florida." I wasn't the only person to hear about the offer but one of the few to phone and request details. The courier service offered an airline ticket to anyone willing to carry a bag of mail to the States. No company makes such offers anymore. But this was 1985 — years before intense airport security. My dad was dying of ALS, and airline tickets were expensive. Free tickets? The offer sounded too good to be true. So I walked away from it. Many do the same with John 3:16. Millions read the verse. Only a handful trust it. Wary of a catch perhaps? Not needy enough maybe? Cautioned by guarded friends? I was. Other Rio residents saw the same offer. Some read it and smelled a rat. "Don't risk it," one warned me. "Better to buy your own ticket." But I couldn't afford one. Each call home to Mom brought worse news. "The doctor says it's time to call hospice." So I revisited the flyer. Desperation heightened my interest. Doesn't it always? When desperation typhoons into your world, God's offer of a free flight home demands a second look. John 3:16 morphs from a nice verse into a life vest. Some of you are wearing it. You can recount the day you put it on. These words have kept you company through multiple windswept winters. I pray they warm you through the ones that remain. Others of you are still studying the flyer. Still pondering the possibility, wrestling with the promise. One day wondering what kind of fool offer this is, the next wondering what kind of fool would turn it down. I urge you not to. Don't walk away from this one. Who else can get you home? Take Jesus' offer. Get on board. You don't want to miss the chance to see your Father. Thanks to the courier folks, I was present at my father's death. Thanks to God, he'll be present at yours. He cares too much not to be. Believe in him and you will . . . not . . . perish. You will have life, eternal life, forever. © Copyright 2007, W Publishing Group, Max Lucado Provided by "Up Words", Online Teaching Ministry of Max Lucado Back to top |
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has a vision for a great Christ awakening and revival around the world, and a passion to help bring this about, directly or indirectly, irrespective of national boundaries, languages, denominations, or ethnic, racial or social/economic castes or classes. We are a non-denominational, Christ-centered Free Church Ministry and Missions Society. In accordance with IRS Code § 508(c)(1)(A), all donations are tax-deductible. National Association of Evangelicals United Christian Ministries International Scripture taken from: King James Version (KJV), Copyright © 1990 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. New King James Version (NKJV), Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. New International Version (NIV), Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society World English Bible (WEB) Copyright © 2007. My Redeemer Lives Christian Ministry™. All rights reserved. |
