Fw: The Blood {Jan Bagwell Ministries}

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From: "Jan Bagwell"
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:05:44 -0400
To: David Bagwell<Davesworld@aol.com>; Easlic Linda B<lbeaslic@aol.com>; Bill Armstrong<armstrong_1952@yahoo.com>; bonnie alverson<bonnie_alverson@yahoo.com>
Subject: The Blood {Jan Bagwell Ministries}

One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart.

She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution.

But, the change in her was evident. As time went on she became a faithful member of the church.

She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children.

It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor's son.

The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans.

This is when the problems began.

You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son.

The church began to argue and fight about the matter.

So they decided to have a meeting.

As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand.

The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past.

As she began to cry the pastor's son stood to speak.

He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be. He began to speak and his statement was this:


"My to be wife  past is not what is on trial here.

What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin.

Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?"

The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters.

Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot cleanse us completely.

If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble.

What can wash away my sins?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus! End of case!!!!

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

Psalm 55:23

 This prayer is powerful and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive.

There is no cost but a lot of rewards, let's continue to pray for one another.

Here is the prayer:

"Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives and email buddies reading this right now.

Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment.

Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace.

In Jesus' precious name.

Amen

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Posted By Jan Bagwell to Jan Bagwell Ministries at 8/29/2009 03:55:00 AM

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Florida School Officials Face Jail for Mealtime Prayer

Florida School Officials Face Jail for Mealtime Prayer

Aug 15, 2009 11:03 AM EDT

A principal and an athletic director in Florida could be charged with crimes and spend six months in jail after they prayed before a meal at a school event, the Washington Times reported.

Pace High School Principal Frank Lay and athletic director Robert Freeman will go on trial in federal district court Sept. 17. They're accused of violating the conditions of a lawsuit settlement reached last year with the American Civil Liberties Union, according to the Times.

Local pastors and some students and teachers are outraged that Lay and Freeman face criminal charges, and they have protested during graduation ceremonies, the newspaper said. "I have been defending religious freedom issues for 22 years, and I've never had to defend somebody who has been charged criminally for praying," said Mathew Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, the Christian-based legal group that is defending the two school officials. But an ACLU official said the Santa Rosa County School District has been guilty of "flagrant" First Amendment violations for years, the Times reported.

"The defendants all admitted wrongdoing," said Daniel Mach, ACLU's director of litigation for its freedom of religion program. "For example, the Pace High School teachers handbook asks teachers to 'embrace every opportunity to inculcate, by precept and example, the practice of every Christian virtue.'"

The case stems from a Jan. 28 incident in which Lay, a local Baptist church deacon, asked Freeman to offer mealtime prayers at a lunch for school employees. Staver said no students were there and the event took place on school property after hours. Mach countered that the event was held during the school day and Lay has admitted in writing that there were students present, according to the newspaper.

The ACLU contends that the allowance of the lunchtime prayer was a breach of last year's settlement, in which the district promised, among other things, to prohibit all school employees from promoting prayers during school-sponsored events, espousing their religious beliefs and trying to convert students.
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Two Little Boys

Two Little Boys     

There were two little boys Walking down a dusty lane...

They came upon this old white house With broken window panes. The paint was faded, the shine was gone... The grass had grown so high. Still they made their little feet go To see what was inside. They opened up the squeaky door And then it came to light. This must have been an old church house...Once upon a time. Dirty, dusty wooden pews...

A pulpit that still stood A Bible laid upon it Though the pages weren't too good. An offering plate and song books too Were lying on the floor. They must have left this old church fast The day they closed these doors. And over in the corner. A piano was still there... It must have played a pretty tune...

But I guess nobody cared. So little Bill looked up at Tommy And Tommy looked at Bill. 'Why don't we clean this old church up, And get these old pews filled? 'They took a rag and wiped the dust, To try, and make things shine.... And then they took the offering plate... And put in it their last dime.

They took a broom and swept the floor And picked up broken glass They got it all so nice and neat And then they mowed the grass. They lifted up the old church sign And stood it by a tree. Right down by that old dirt road Where everyone could see.

They ran back home, to find Daddy gone But their Momma was inside.. Just to find her hurt again When Daddy had made her cry. Don't cry Momma, wipe those tears, 'Little Bill and Tommy smiled. 'Cause we have a big surprise for you... Just down the road a mile. 'Hand in hand they tugged at her ..Until they made her run...

'What Is it Bill, Oh Tommy, Just what have you two kids done? 'And then they came upon the house. Once hidden by the weeds. And there it stood, a country church. Just like it used to be.

But what is it, Mother? What's with your tears? We thought this would bring you joy. ''Yes, but hush kids now and listen close. My two sweet precious boys. 'They both got quiet and stood real still... For the words they heard so true... Was Daddy praying in the church With his head bowed on the pew.

'Forgive me Lord! Forgive me Lord! Though I'm not worthy of Your love Shine down on this sinner man. Sweet Salvation from above. 'For I've been out in the world, You know Living my life all wrong...

Until I came upon this church; The place where I belong. ''I never noticed it before. All those times I passed it up I guess I wasn't looking, Lord Or maybe I was drunk. ''Bless oh Lord, yes, bless oh Lord, The one who made me see... This little church that used to hide... Behind all those tall weeds.

'And then he raised his head and stood With his hands high in the air. To find two, dirty, tear-faced boys. With Momma standing there .They ran up to him, hugged him tight.

As their tears fell on the floor... 'Don't worry kids, I'm not the Dad, The one you've known before. 'Things are different for us now. So keep on those pretty smiles... And let's go gather people in. To walk down these church aisles.

'Then Bill looked up at Tommy And Tommy looked at Bill' Come on brother, let's get to work. To get these old pews filled.'

'For we need no special blessing for cleaning up this church...'Cause God gave us back our Daddy...And that's more than gold is Worth. 'Sunday morning, pews all filled. And smiles on every face Especially two little country boys The ones who found this place.

Though it was hid back in the weeds. And so far out of sight Nothing's ever hard to find...If you're walking toward God's light.
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Muslim Teen Who Became Christian Fears for Her Life

Muslim Teen Who Became Christian Fears for Her Life

Aug 11, 2009 5:59 PM EDT

An Ohio teenager says she ran away from home to Florida because her family threatened to kill her for converting from Islam to Christianity, local media reported.

Rifqa Bary, 17, testified Monday at a custody hearing in Orlando that she'd recently changed religions and is worried her relatives will do something drastic, according to WFTV in Orlando and Central Florida News 13. "They have to kill me because I'm a Christian. It's an honor (issue)," the girl told WFTV.

Such threats are common, even in the United States, her attorney, Rosa Gonzalez, told News 13. "She says her life is in danger and she could be killed in an honor killing," Gonzalez said after the hearing - which was held because the teenager's parents are trying to regain custody of her.

Rifqa, a non-citizen whose parents are from Sri Lanka, has for several weeks been staying with an Orlando couple who are pastors of a new Christian church there. She met them on a Facebook prayer group.

The Florida Department of Children and Families currently has custody of her, but ultimately, Ohio authorities will decide where the teen should live.
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Asking for Mountains

I wanted to share my devotional that I had this morning.

Asking for Mountains

8/3/2009

"Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said.

"JOSHUA 14:12"

Caleb's faith in God never wavered though everyone around him doubted. God convinced Caleb that the children of Israel should enter the Promised Land, but the people were intimidated by giants and fortified cities (Num. 13:28-33).

Their disbelief forced Caleb to wait forty years in the wilderness before he finally entered the Promised Land. Even after all those years, Caleb was as confident as ever in God's power. When God was dividing the land among the Israelites, the people were asking for the lush valleys and grassy plains. Caleb asked for a mountain. The Israelites had driven their enemies into the mountains, where they had built fortresses. This did not intimidate Caleb -- he asked for a challenge! He did not trust in his own strength but in God's presence.

Caleb longed to see God work in power, and he knew he would be less likely to rely on God if he dwelt in the easy places. He chose a situation in which he would have to trust in God. Caleb knew his inheritance from God was on the mountain. He refused to allow the difficulty of gaining it to stop him from enjoying all that God had promised him. If you always choose the easy way, asking for the peaceful valleys, you will never see God's power displayed to enable you to take a mountain. Seek out the mountains, and you will witness God doing things through your life that can only be explained by His mighty presence."    

You can learn more about Dr. Blackaby, his writings, and his ministry at

www.blackaby.org,

or write:

Blackaby Ministries InternationalP.O. Box 16338Atlanta, GA 30321
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