Month: February 2021

Forgiveness Is a Choice

/ newlifenarrabri / Leave a comment

Just on a year ago, the nation was outraged when four young children were killed in an instant as they were riding their bikes to a local shop to buy ice creams. Antony, Angelina and Sienna Abdallah together with their cousin Veronique Sakr. were killed on February 1, 2020, when a drunk driver crashed into their bikes.

Outrage turned to amazement as the parents of these children, devout christians, expressed forgiveness to the driver in the midst of their devastating loss. The Abdallah family have consistently modelled a way of grieving without giving in to anger or bitterness.

“After the kids’ incident happened, and the media approached me and they mentioned the driver, I just mentioned that in my heart I forgive him but I want the court to be fair,” remembered Leila last week.

Jesus told a story about a servant who owed his master millions of dollars but could not repay it. When the boss threatened to sell him, his possessions and his family, he pleaded with his boss for mercy and more time to find the money. The boss relented and the debtor went away rejoicing. Then he came upon a man who owed him a few dollars and he demanded the man pay him there and then. The boss was outraged when heard of this, and threw the first man into prison.

Jesus said this is how it is with us. God has forgiven us so much, yet we can be prone to holding a grudge against others over little things.

The Abdallahs have started a national day called I4give Day to encourage all of us to forgive. To be celebrated on the anniversary of the children’s death, the day will encourage us all to let go of the offences that spoil our relationships.

Just imagine how our lives, our families, our communities, even our nation would be changed if we could learn to make forgiveness our first reflex when we are hurt.

You don’t have to wait until next year to start forgiving others or to receive forgiveness from God. Make a start today!

Reflection on Matthew 4:12-25

/ newlifenarrabri / Leave a comment

Scripture

From that time on, Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Observation

Jesus moves to Capernaum. He begins to preach the message of repentance, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

One day, as He is walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus calls two fishermen, Simon Peter and Andrew. He tells them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.”

Jesus travels through Galilee preaching the Good News and healing every sickness. Large crowds gather everywhere He goes as the news spreads across the region.

Application

The message of Jesus is “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

God is present reigning over His people wherever they submit to His reign.

We no longer need a hierarchy of priests and endless sacrifices, because the ultimate price for sin has been paid by God Himself.

The kingdom of God is here, and that means every person has to make a choice. Will I follow my own path or will I place my life in the hands of Jesus? Will I make my own meaning out of my life? Or will I let the God who created me bring meaning to me?

To repent means to change our thinking. It means to see that the things that I once thought were important are not at all valuable, while the things I once despised are the most valuable of all.

It is a complete change of direction- no longer me and my wants, but only serving the Lord.

Prayer

Help me Lord to cast off sin and every attachment that stops me from worshipping and obeying you. Amen.

Chinese President ‘Terrified’ by Surge of Christianity, Fears Church Will Be 300 Million-Strong Within a Decade

/ newlifenarrabri / Leave a comment

From Caldronpool

The President of China is reportedly ‘terrified’ by the surge of Christianity across the nation and fears a 300 million-strong uprising within a decade.

Dr Ron Boyd-MacMillan, director of Strategic Research at Christian charity, Open Doors, told Express that Xi Jinping is becoming increasingly concerned about the growth of the Christian Church in China, which could reach 300 million people by 2030.

“We think the evidence as to why the Chinese Church is so targeted, is that the leaders are scared of the size of the Church, and the growth of the Church,” Dr Boyd-MacMillan said.Advertisement

“And if it grows, at the rate that it has done, since 1980 and that’s about between seven and 8 percent a year, then you’re looking at a group of people that will be 300 million strong, nearly by 2030.

“And, you know, the Chinese leadership, they really do long term planning, I mean, their economic plan goes to 2049, so this bothers them. Because I think if the Church continues to grow like that, then they’ll have to share power,” Dr Boyd-MacMillan added.

Last year, an international Christian watchdog organization for persecuted Christians worldwide, warned that the persecution of Christians in China is set to rise in 2021.

In its annual Persecution Trends survey, Release International warned that persecution is thriving in Communist China, which has gone unchallenged by the international community due to increased dependence on trade.

According to the organization’s partners: “The government of President Xi Jinping is increasing its ‘clean up’ of anything that does not advance the communist agenda. They appear to believe that they can achieve this by systematic opposition.”Advertisement

Release International’s website notes: “Tough new laws controlling religion have been imposed. Non-registered churches have been raided and closed in 2020, and increasing numbers of registered churches have been made to install CCTV cameras and put up posters proclaiming communist ideals and beliefs.”

The organization went on to accuse China of exploiting the pandemic in an effort to tighten restrictions on underground church gatherings.

Bob Fu of ChinaAid said: “The Chinese Government is trying every way to take advantage of the virus by increasing the crackdown against Christian churches. It has accelerated particular campaigns, such as the forced removal of crosses.”Advertisement

It’s estimated that there is currently between 60 to 100 million Christians in China.