Memory Verse (week 4)

Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

Becareful to do what is right in the

eyes of everybody. If it is possible,

as far as it depends of you, live at

Peace with everyone.

Romans 12 : 17 - 18

The Easter Answer

The Easter Answer

Edith always introduced herself by saying, "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and often, people would pray to receive Christ.

Edith was Doctor Will Phillip's favorite patient. After a series of tests, the doctor said, "You have cancer, and you're not going to live long. " Edith said, "Why are you so sad? You just told me I'm going to see my precious Lord Jesus, my husband, my friends. I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having trouble giving me my ticket!"

A few months later Edith called Dr. Phillips from the hospital. "Will, I'm very near home, so would you make sure that they put women in my room who need to know about Easter?" The doctor agreed, and as a result, many women came to know Christ. Everyone loved Edith except the head nurse, Phyllis Cross, who had been a nurse in an army hospital and was tough as nails. Phyllis thought Edith was just a "religious nut". One morning Phyllis had to give Edith a shot. Edith smiled and said, "Phyllis, God loves you and I love you, and I have been praying for you." Nurse Cross snapped, "Well, you can quit praying for me. I'm not interested." Edith said, "I have asked God not to let me go home until you come into His family." Phyllis quipped, "Then you will never die, because that will never happen, " and stormed out of room.

Days later Phyllis said she was strangely drawn to Edith's room and sat down on her bed. Edith said, "I'm so glad you have come, because God told me that today is your special day. " Phyllis said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question, 'Do you believe in Easter?' but you have never asked me." Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted many times, but God told me to wait until you asked me first, and now you have ... "

Edith took her Bible and shared with Phyllis about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Edith asked, "Do you believe that Jesus is alive and that He wants to live in your heart?" Phyllis answered, "I want to believe with all my heart, and I do want Jesus in my life." Right there, Phyllis prayed and invited Christ into her heart.

Four days later, which was amazingly enough, Easter Sunday, Phyllis came into work, bringing Easter lilies for Edith. When she walked into the room, Edith was laying with her hands in her Bible, a sweet smile on her face. She realized Edith was gone. Her left hand was on John 14: 2-4. Her right hand was on Revelation 21 : 4. Phyllis lifted her face toward heaven, with tears streaming down her cheeks, and said, "Happy Easter, Edith , Happy Easter!"

She walked out of the room, over to a table where two student nurses were sitting, and said, "Hi, my name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"

Look up the last two Scriptures Edith read, John 14: 2 - 4 and Revelation 21: 4.

How about you? Do you believe in Easter? If you don't, today can be your day. If you do, share with someone today with Easter means to you - and what it can mean to that person.

Ivan's Blog

Good Friday

Well, I guess this is my 1st blog about myself. Just want to make this blog more interesting, not only weekly devotion & sharing. Correct me if my english is poor.

Just back from college hostel - extremely tired! Had a night stayed in my friend's house on Thursday for group study but guess that didn't help much. End up we just studied for 4 hours & 3 hours went for cc ==. Did not took our rest that night & struggling to force ourselves awake. Felt like a zombie crossing the street in the early morning - undying. Not even have strength to click & move my mouse when playing dota.

But miraculously I did studied that night =). With 3 of my friends in a table, we put all our mental & physical strength to prepare for our final exams. Somehow in nowhere, we started a topic of Christianity during our talk. So, 3 of them are non- believers & I am the only one who is a believer. 1 of them is interested to attend Church because he never went before but end up the other 2 influence his behaviour & decision. I learned a lot through their sharing and observation of Christianity. 1 of them had experience in attending church camp before but he extremely dislike the camp. Saying that is boring & so many rules & regulation for example - pray before u eat, pray everyday etc. Another said Christian psychos peoples behavior and mind. And they dislike Christians is because they are very pushy in forcing people to believe in Christ & pulling them to church like a direct selling or a salesperson. In addition, said Christian is proud with their knowledge & his religion. Then they started to cursed Christian with all sort of disrespectful statement about Christ. And my reaction was so speechless =x. But somehow they understand I'm not that kind of Christians which they told about. Though they dislike Christian but they keep me as their friend.

I asked another question : "Do you think that God exist?". One said : "No, humans are God." The second said : "I don't bother". & the other didn't said anything. And my reponse is if God is not exist, who would be the one who created the stars ,the nature & the universe? The creation had certain that God is exist since the beginning of the earth & man had no authority or power to do such things.

Unfortunately, they reject & prefer their of way of thinking. One of my friend stopped the conversation by saying : "this is complex, let's just put our forcus on our studies rather than religion". But they still keep on insult me with my religion because in their thought, I am very spiritual guy to them==. But praise Lord that I can shared with them & I learned :

1) We often only remember the bad / negative side of a person or particular thing instead of the good/postitive side of a person - this is human nature behavior which often leads us into misunderstanding.

2) If I'm not a Christian, will I become one of my friends too? so, let us be a great example of Christ. Although we are holding the truth but we should not uses force in preaching the Gospel. Did Christ force people to believe in Him? No, He preached to those who ask and seek for Him. If he/she does not believe, is fine but when they ask, we are responsible to answer.

Another day past, it reminds me of exams again =(

Memory Verse (week 3)

Let This Verse Remind Us Always

For God so loved the world

that he gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in him

shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3 : 16

He Covers Me (week 3)

A man had a dream that he was in a room filled with small index card files, like the ones still found in many libraries. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. The man then realized that this room was a crude catalog system of his own life. Here were the actions of every moment, big and small, listed in detail. He began randomly opening files and reading. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others shame and regret. A file name 'Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed." The titles ranged from "Books I Have Read" to "Lies I Have Told," from "Comfort I Have Given" to "Lustful Thoughts." Each card in each file confirmed the truth. Each was written in his own handwriting. each signed with his signature.

He began to panic: "No one must ever see these cards! They must be destroyed!" No one must ever know about this room. He must lock it up and hide the key. As he pushed away tears, he saw Him. No please, not Him! Not here! Oh,anyone but Jesus! The man couldn't bear to watch Jesus' response. The Lord walked over and put His arms around the man. He could have said so many things, but He didn'y say a word. He just cried with the man. Then he walked to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one began to sign His name over the man's on each card. "No!" he shouted, rushing to Jesus. "Your name shouldn't be on these cards." But there it was, written in red. The name of Jesus covered the man's. It was written with His blood. Jesus placed His hand on the man's shoulder and said, "it is finished." The two walked out of the room. There was no lock on its door, because there were still cards to be written.

Read John 3:16 - 21

Through Him, Your sins are forgiven! He is worthy today of your praise and worship.