SPOKEN, WRITTEN, LIVING
Issue 1 2012
Did God create
evil?
‘Jesus Christ’ Banned From Text Messages in Pakistan
bad attitudes!
Get rid of
Until!
Plan Of SALVATION Question: “If I am saved and all of my sins are forgiven, why not continue to sin?” My husband never wants to talk about any subject that causes conflict ...
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Editors Letter I am happy to welcome you to the first installment of TheMessageforlife Newsletter. We want this newsletter to have long shelf lives and to be the centrepieces of any coffee table, and we now believe we can claim to have produced one of the most beautiful and impacting newsletter in
PUBLISHER Roosevelt Cowan roosevelt@themessageforlife.com
EDITOR Bertha L. Moore bertha@themessageforlife.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Min. Bertha Moore Bishop Whittaker Jeff Schapiro
the Cayman Islands. Building the first issue has not been easy. We want to offering something distinct, even unique. With that in mind, our articles have been written by seasoned professionals, various religous backrounds such as, Jews, Penticostals, Seventhday to name a few. Living in Cayman is a special experience, and reading TheMessageforlife should be equally satisfying. Bertha L. Moore Editor, TheMessageforlife
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---Š TheMessage Ltd 2007. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form of advertising without permission in writing from the TheMessage. No responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of material in this publication can be accepted. The views and opinions of the writers of articles in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of any organisation that they are employed by, or otherwise associated with.
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Understanding that you can change only yourself puts you in a unique place to do well in relationships. Most people waste much energy and time trying to change their respective mates, only to be utterly disappointed with the reality that there is nothing they can do to make that happen.
On the other hand, we feel your frustration about wanting to clear the air about issues in your relationship while thinking your
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to have peace at home, avoiding any kind of “drama” at all cost. The truth is, when a married couple takes the time to talk about their differences (conflicts) in a controlled and calm way, the results are often outstanding. In order for this to happen, couples need to learn to communicate effectively —not an easy task, even for the best of us. As a rule we tend to believe we are right and our mate is wrong. This is the reason we get upset, making it very difficult
more closeness you experience with your husband, the easier it will be for him to talk with you about other areas of conflict. The more you clear the air between you, the stronger and more satisfying your relationship will become, creating an environment of greater trust and openness to deal with more issues. This approach will not solve your problems overnight. However, the more patience you exercise, the more successful and rewarding your marital relationship will
to talk to each other in a kind and gentle voice during such times. Make up your mind that you will approach areas of conflict in your marriage in a calm and agreeable way. Start with issues that are pretty simple, which you can handle relatively easily. When you solve those seemingly insignificant differences, your marriage relationship will experience greater intimacy. The
be. When you create this kind of home environment, you will be a blessing to your children, to your neighbors, and to your friends. This is very difficult to do. Trust God for the strength (Philippians 4:13), and you will be victorious. We hope that from this day forward you and your husband will experience greater peace and a renewed marriage relationship. We are praying for you.
My husband never wants to talk about any subject that causes conflict.
I can change myself, but I can’t solve our problems by myself.
husband has no interest. Ask yourself why your husband seems reluctant to talk about issues you often disagree about. Is it possible that when you are not getting along there are bad feelings between you for a long time? Or, perhaps, when you speak about disagreements your conversation tends to escalate out of control, and you say things you later regret that further distance you from each other? Most men want
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Question: “If I am
saved and all of my sins are forgiven, why not continue to sin?” Answer: The apostle Paul answered a very similar question in Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” The idea that a person could “trust in Jesus Christ” for salvation and then go on living just as he/she lived before, is absolutely foreign to the Bible. Believers in Christ are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). The Holy Spirit changes us from producing the acts of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) to producing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:2223). The Christian life is a changed life because the Christian is changed.
What differentiates Christianity from every other religion is that Christianity is based on what God has done for us through Jesus Christ’s—divine accomplishment. Every other world religion is based on what we must do to earn God’s favor and forgiveness—human achievement. Every other religion teaches that we must do certain things and stop doing certain other things in order to earn God’s love and mercy. Christianity, faith in Christ, teaches that we do certain things and stop doing certain things because of what Christ has done for us. How could anyone, having been delivered from sin’s penalty, eternity in hell, go back to living the same life that had him on the path to hell in the first place? How could anyone, having been cleansed from the defilement of sin, desire to go back to the same cesspool
of depravity? How could anyone, knowing what Jesus Christ did on our behalf, go on living as if He were not important? How could anyone, realizing how much Christ suffered for our sins, continue sinning as if those sufferings were meaningless? Romans 6:11-15 declares, “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey it’s evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!”
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Did God create e v i l?
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God is the Creator of the world. Not only ‘that’ He’s the Creator of the cosmos and all reality. He is not confined to the reality humans have access to, but He did design it
and
spoke
it
into
being.
Everything
humans experience is in existence because God’s power holds all things together. If this is so, what is responsible for the origin and continuation of evil? If God made
everything
and
holds
everything
together, is He accountable for evil as well?
Looking at things from a human perspective, it would make sense. If God created all things, He must have created evil. However, evil is not a ‘thing’ like a rock or a puppy. Just as cold is the absence of heat, evil is merely the absence of good. Therefore, creating good was all that was necessary for its opposite to come into being. Although God’s creation was good, He put in it two humans with volition, the choice to obey or rebel. Sadly, they chose the latter. Just as Lucifer rebelled against His perfect Creator in the perfect heaven, so Adam and Eve chose to rebel against Him and evil was born out of that rebellion. This is the definition of evil: rejection of the purpose and the operating system God intended for His creation. The existence of “evil” requires the standard of an outside authority. That authority is the Creator—God. His purpose, His standard as Creator is by definition good. He is not an imperfect computer programmer
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who constantly has to come up with updates. His ways are perfect, and His creation reflects His character. Anything that does not reflect the character and purpose of the Creator is, by definition, wrong, or evil. The real question of evil is, why did He allow Satan and the other fallen angels and the first two humans the choice to reject Him? We do not know the mind of God, but as an omniscient Being, He knew of the rebellion long before it happened. This is not to say He created evil, ‘however but He did allow it. If He didn’t, He would not be sovereign. The only conclusion we can come to is that God’s purpose was to create a world in which His glory could be manifests in all its fullness, and that included His allowing evil to exist. The universe was created to display God’s glory (Psalm 19:1), and the wrath of God is revealed against those who fail to glorify God (Romans 1:23), just as His glory is on display through His mercy and love to the fallen creatures. The glory of God is manifests when His attributes are on perfect display, and the story of redemption, which necessitates the existence of evil, is part of that. In the end, God will be glorified as His chosen people worship Him for all eternity with the angels, and the wicked will also glorify God as His justice and righteousness will finally be vindicated by the eternal punishment of all unrepentant sinners (Philippians 2:11). None of this could have come to pass without the rebellion of Satan and the fall of Adam and Eve. God did not create evil, but He did allow it for His perfect purpose.
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On behalf of the Executive Council and the entire membership, we welcome you to Light Of The World Christian Fellowship. We are delighted that you have chosen to share in our worship experience today. It is our prayer that you will have a life changing encounter with the presence of God and experience the unusual love and fellowship that exist here at “The Light”.
Live Streaming on
lightoftheworld.ky / • Facebook.com livestream.com/lowgrandcayman (Live On Sundays)
Bishop D. W. Whittaker Pastor Lorraine Whittaker
God Bless You
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It is not a question of how good you are, whether you go to church, or how much money you give to charity. God says, in order to go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3).
Plan of Salvation: How can we be Born Again? The plan of salvation is right in the Bible. God gives us His clear plan for being “born again.” First, we must acknowledge God as the
is death” (Romans 6:23). This includes eternal separation from God. But God loved each of us so much that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, to bear our sin and die in our place. “God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). It’s very clear in the Bible, believe in Jesus as the one who bore your sins, died in your place, was buried, and whom God resurrected.
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are you ready to implement the plan, by receiving Gods gift of His Son, Jesus Christ? If so, believe in Christ, repent of your sins, and commit the rest of your life to Him as Lord: Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ
Plan Of
SALVATION Creator of everything, and accept It’s Christ’s blood and resurrection our humble position in God’s that assures us of everlasting creation. “You are worthy, O Lord, life when we call on Him as our To receive glory and honor and Lord and Savior. “For whoever power; For You created all things, calls on the name of the LORD And by Your will they exist shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13). and were created.” (Revelation “Whosoever” includes each and 4:11). Next, we must realize every one of us. Therefore, if you that we are sinners. “For all have understand that you are a sinner, sinned, and fall short of the glory and you believe that Jesus Christ of God” (Romans 3:23). Because came as the one and only Redeemer we are sinners, we are condemned of sin, then you understand the to death. “For the wages of sin plan of salvation. The question is
died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
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Get rid
bad attitudes!
of
Bad attitudes are sins of the heart, which keeps us away from all of our relationships and also from God .It blocks the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and leads to many sin and temptations and causes us to hurt other people.
The bad attitudes are displayed outwardly in the form of our words or actions, such a criticalness, rebellion, impatience, self pride, ego, uncooperative, discouragement, independence, presumption, arrogance,self-centeredness,rudeness , groaning, murmering disrespectful tone of voice, rolled eyes, sarcasm, stomping feet ,angry look , hitting the things etc . These are examples of bad attitudes which Christians should reject. We are the representative of God, and our behavior is part of demonstrating our relationship with God . We need to witness Christ and other people by being the imitators of God through our words, attitude, and actions. We have spent a life time developing patterns of sinful attitudes by rebelling against God in our thinking and behaviors. With commitment, true repentance & proper discipline we can replace these sinful bad attitudes with Godly behaviour.
God has said that he has given each of us a conscious(Holy Spirit) that will guide us to distinguish right from wrong behavior and that we have also been given the “free will” to follow that conscious or ignore it. Since God has given each of us a free will and it is for the most part by our own choice that we give ourselves to these things, subject ourselves to these bad attitudes. If we submit ourselves to our Lord Jesus Christ in every area of our life , we will have the power to control ourselves by the help of the Holy Spirit and can avoid sinful behaviors. As we walk by the Spirit God will give us the strength to break our bad attitudes if we Follow and obey God’s Word. If we have a godly attitude, we will stay away from sin and sinful things. Our behavior is a natural fruit of salvation and is grounded in what Christ has already accomplished for us at Cross. 1 Th. 5:21-22 “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.” God bless you as we walk together in this walk of transformation to be like Christ in the depths of our hearts!
Until by: Minister Bertha L. Moore
Until... Until I Reach You Until I Feel You Until The Pain Goes Away Until The Fears Subside
I Will Praise You Until Until The Darkness Gives Place To Light Until Wrongs Are Made Right Until Your Glory I See Until Your Warmth At Last I Touch Until My Eyes Meet Yours
I Will Praise You Until Until I Am Convinced Of Bright Hope For Tomorrow Until I Conquer Today Until I Slaughte What Held Me Bound Yesterday
I Will Praise You Until Until The Rain Stops Falling Until The Sun Begins To Shine Until YOu Speak Until At Last I Can Hear You Until You Touch Me Until I Touch You Until I Know Where You Are Leading Me Until I Get There
I Will Praise You Until Until You Are Pleased Until I Hear Well Done Until And As Long As It Takes
I Will Praise You Until
A guiding hand towards creative...
How may we be of service to you?
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Jesus Christ’ Banned From Text Messages in Pakistan By Jeff Schapiro | Christian Post Reporter
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority is taking some major criticism after sending a letter to mobile phone companies saying they should block text messages containing certain words and phrases, and among those phrases are “Jesus Christ” and “got Jesus.” According to the letter, Pakistanis have the right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press, but these freedoms are “subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam,” among other things. The letter and the two lists containing the banned words and phrases were posted on the Bytes For All (BFA) website. BFA, a human rights organization in Pakistan made up of information and communication technology professionals and users, is outraged over the ban. The letter establishes “harmful, fraudulent, misleading, illegal or unsolicited messages in bulk to
any person without express permission of the recipient” as spam, and says it is the responsibility of telecommunications companies to block such messages. The PTA sent each company two lists, which combined contain over 1,600 words in both English and Urdo that the government considers to be impermissible. Most of the words on the list are vulgar and sexual in nature, but some have drawn attention from critics for either being odd – such as “athletes foot,” “deposit,” “fart,” and “K Mart” – or for appearing to be discriminatory against Christians. BFA expressed its concerns about the “moral policing” in Pakistan, and how it will affect the nation’s citizens, in an article posted to the organization’s website Friday. Like us on Facebook “It is a matter of utmost concern for Pakistani citizens, for this decision is not just oppressive & hegemonic, but
unconstitutional well,” the BFA article states. It later says, “Once the authorities are allowed to filter SMS messages to ban abusive words, the restriction shall eventually not be limited to abusive words, rather, further fire the campaign to oppress the society by controlling its access to all kinds of information.” BFA is also critical of the authority’s decision to ban “Jesus Christ.” “We also condemn this fact that while indulging themselves in this hideous task of moral policing, PTA managed to hurt the religious feelings of many Pakistani Christians by adding ‘Jesus Christ’ in banned word list. If such thing happened in any other country, there would be an outrage already and if it was directed (mistakenly or intentionally) towards Muslims, the amount of an outrage would be uncontrollable,” the article says. as
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A failure....yet You have made me an overcomer (1 Jn 5:4). For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith
Fearful....yet You did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, andof a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7). For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Lord,
I feel.....
Friendless....yet You are a friend who sticks closer to me than a brother (Prov 18:24). A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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Poor....yet You supply all my need according to Your riches in glory (Phil 4:19). And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Sick....yet You are the Lord who heals all my diseases (Ps 103:3). ...who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
Troubled....yet You are my peace (Jn 14:27). Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you asthe world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Unclean....yet
You have made me more than a conqueror (Rom 8:37). No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us
You are a light unto my path and a lamp unto my feet (Ps 119:105). Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
You are the purifier and refiner of my life (Mal 3:3). He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify theLevites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will havemen who will bring offerings in righteousness,
Bound....yet
Lonely.....yet
Vulnerable....yet
You promised never to leave me nor forsake me (Heb 13:5). Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you;never will I forsake you.”
Beaten...yet
You are my deliverer (Rom 11:26). And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
Confused....yet You are my counselor (Isa 9:6). For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, [a] Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
In darkness....yet
Misjudged....yet I ‘ m accepted and approved by You (Eph 1:4). For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love
You are my strength and my strong tower (Ps 18:2). The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn [a] of my salvation, my stronghold.
Worthless....yet You see me as a pearl of great price (Matt 13:46). When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
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For Each Negative Thing We Say to Ourselves, God Has A Positive Answer For It.
You say: “I can ‘ t do it”
You say: “It ‘ s impossible”
God says: “I am able” (II Corinthians 9:8) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all thingsat all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every goodwork.
God says: “All things are possible” (Luke 18:27) Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
You say: “I ‘ m too tired”
God says: “I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28-30) Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
You say: “Nobody really loves me” God says: “I love you” (John 3:16 and John 13:34) 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. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
You say: “I can ‘ t go on”
God says: “I will direct your steps” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
God says: “You can do all things” (Philippians 4:13) I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
You say: “I ‘ m not able”
You say: “It ‘ s not worth it”
God says: “It will be worth it” (Romans 8:28) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
You say: “I can ‘ t forgive myself” God says: “I FORGIVE YOU” (I John 1:9 and Romans 8:1) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
You say: “I can ‘ t manage” God says: “I will supply all your needs” (Philippians 4:19) And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
You say: “I ‘ m afraid”
God says: “I have not given you a spirit of fear” (2Timothy 1:7) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
You say: “I ‘ m always worried and frustrated” God says: “Cast all your cares on ME” (I Peter 5:7) Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
You say: “I don ‘ t have enough faith” God says: “I ‘ ve given everyone a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3) For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
You say: “I ‘ m not smart enough” God says: “I give you wisdom” (I Corinthians 1:30) It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for uswisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
You say: “I feel all alone”
God says: “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5) Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you”
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