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Showing posts from March, 2013

TRUE HAPPINESS

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   TRUE HAPPINESS IS IN JESUS CHRIST Happiness is a choice.  Everyone is in the pursuit of happiness. Obviously, happiness is not easily obtained.  Some people believe it is a myth.  Yet some people claim that they are truly happy.  People have been claiming this for centuries.  The truth is, happiness can be found in a life with Jesus Christ. Bad things still happen.  Happy people still get sad, still get angry, but they have somewhere to take these feelings.  They have a personal relationship with a personal God, a God who knows all their wants, all their needs, before they even ask.  When they feel unhappy, they are able to go to God.  This brings peace.  This brings joy.  This makes them happy. In John 15, Christ tells us that He is the vine, and that God is the gardener.  We, the believers, are the vine’s branches, and we bear fruit.  This is an apt metaphor, because it shows us that God wants us to be fruitful.  Verse 8 says, “This is t

The Miracle of turning Water Into Wine

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Miracle of Jesus at Cana Wedding   John 2:1-11 Q. How were wedding celebrations like in eastern cultures? Who were invited? How long do the celebrations last? In Eastern cultures, weddings are like social events, where family, friends, distant relatives(extended families), neighbors are all invited. Parable of the Wedding Banquet Wedding celebration can last for 2-3, even 7 days or more. Q. The passage begins with 'On the third day', So what was is it referring to? What was Jesus' schedule like? Let us trace back to Jesus' schedule for that week. Take a note of ' The next day ' at the beginning of each verse. 1st Day -  John the Baptist spoke about the Messiah. (John 1:26-28) 2nd Day - John the Baptist testifies about Jesus (John 1: 29) 3rd Day - Jesus' first disciples are chosen- Andrew and Simon Peter (John 1:35) 4th Day - More disciples - Philip and Nathaniel (John 1:43)  ( Twelve Disciples of Jesus - bible study ) 7th

Martha or Mary – Who Are You

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Luke 10: 38-42 We often host many international students from the University at our home. My wife usually prepares a wonderful, delicious and hot meal that all students would relish. But one thing that always bothers me is the time she would spend in the kitchen preparing for the food, snacks, coffee or tea, when the students are over. She has a wonderful personality, along with great leadership and communication skills. She can bring many insights in our conversations which I usually have with students. But because of her work in the kitchen she would miss out on all these opportunities. Similar story was played out when Jesus came to Martha and Mary’s home. It seems likely that Martha was the elder sister, and she being the host was busy with all the preparations that needed to be done. Bible Study Topic on Luke 10: 38-42 Distracted, Dissatisfied, Disturbed Martha was disturbed that she was doing all the hard work while her sister was idly sitting at

Heals at the Pool of Bethesda

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Jesus Heals at the Pool of Bethesda John 5:1-15   Q. Where did the incident take place? The Pool of Bethesda Near sheep gate. Sheep gate was the gate used to bring sheep into the city to the temple for sacrifice. (Nehemiah 3:1) The Bethesda pool has been discovered by archeologists in 1960s.   Q. What was the occasion? Feast of Jews & Sabbath Three feasts of Jews                       1.      Feast of Passover & unleavened bread                       2.      Feast of Pentecost                       3.      Feast of tabernacles Q. Why was there lot of disabled people near Bethesda pool? Waiting for angel to come and stir waters. Angels and Demons in the Bible It is common to hear about hot springs in which people got or claimed to get healed in ancient times. Even today, in many parts of the world, people go to some of these hot springs, which supposedly have healin