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A historical moment took place in the UK a few days ago when Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams sat down and agreed to sharing power in governing N. Ireland starting 8th May (see pic). Ian is a Protestant priest turned politician, leading the Democratic Unionists Party (DUP), the largest political party in N. Ireland. Gerry Adams is leader of Sinn Fein, the 2nd largest party who used to support the IRA (representing the Catholics) arms struggle against British rule. Ian had always branded Sinn Fein as terrorists and did not accept them as a credible political party. It is a miracle that the two have agreed to rule N. Ireland jointly. It is the power of forgiveness!
This week echoes the most significant week in the history of mankind when Jesus entered triumphantly into Jerusalem riding a little donkey some 2000 years ago, preparing to pay the Price of Forgiveness on behalf of all men. The price cost God's Son's life. This wonderful act paved the way for receiving God's Forgiveness of our sins and empowers us to forgive others of their wrongs!
Forgiveness is the hallmark of Christianity and anyone who does not forgive cannot claim to a Christian, in the truest sense of its spirit. Broken relationship can be mended through forgiveness. Normal relationship can be enriched through a forgiving spirit. God understood its importance and He was willing to allow His Son to suffer for it. "Praise the LORD ..... who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion ...... he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities....." [Ps 103:1-22 NIV]
God is a God of blessings for those who obey Him. The obedience was initiated by God through His Son's example, even to the extent of dying on the cross. That same obedience was seen in Abraham when God asked him to leave home and go to a foreign land. "The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country...... I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." [Gen 12:1-3 NIV]. We are the offspring of Abraham and we are God's blessed people when we walk in obedience.
That obedience applies to following Jesus. It is a tough choice sometimes between God and our personal affairs. But Jesus made it plain. "Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." [Luke 9:57-62 NIV]. I can testify to God's tremendous blessings in my life, my family and my ministry when I follow Jesus fully in obedience.
May this Easter season renew our love for Jesus as we meditate on what He went through this week some 2000 years ago and what He has done for us on the cross. May this message be "like the coolness of snow at harvest time....refreshes the spirit.......like cold water to a weary soul.....from a distant land." [Prov 25:12-14,18-20,25-26,28 NIV]
Have a wonderful Easter!
This week echoes the most significant week in the history of mankind when Jesus entered triumphantly into Jerusalem riding a little donkey some 2000 years ago, preparing to pay the Price of Forgiveness on behalf of all men. The price cost God's Son's life. This wonderful act paved the way for receiving God's Forgiveness of our sins and empowers us to forgive others of their wrongs!
Forgiveness is the hallmark of Christianity and anyone who does not forgive cannot claim to a Christian, in the truest sense of its spirit. Broken relationship can be mended through forgiveness. Normal relationship can be enriched through a forgiving spirit. God understood its importance and He was willing to allow His Son to suffer for it. "Praise the LORD ..... who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion ...... he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities....." [Ps 103:1-22 NIV]
God is a God of blessings for those who obey Him. The obedience was initiated by God through His Son's example, even to the extent of dying on the cross. That same obedience was seen in Abraham when God asked him to leave home and go to a foreign land. "The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country...... I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." [Gen 12:1-3 NIV]. We are the offspring of Abraham and we are God's blessed people when we walk in obedience.
That obedience applies to following Jesus. It is a tough choice sometimes between God and our personal affairs. But Jesus made it plain. "Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." [Luke 9:57-62 NIV]. I can testify to God's tremendous blessings in my life, my family and my ministry when I follow Jesus fully in obedience.
May this Easter season renew our love for Jesus as we meditate on what He went through this week some 2000 years ago and what He has done for us on the cross. May this message be "like the coolness of snow at harvest time....refreshes the spirit.......like cold water to a weary soul.....from a distant land." [Prov 25:12-14,18-20,25-26,28 NIV]
Have a wonderful Easter!
1 comment:
dear Pastor PK,
nice to see you here. Pls send me greeting to Kim, and the hope church.
this is my contact
MSN: jacky_lin@hotmail.com
email: telejacky@yahoo.com
yours
Jacky
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