Which side are you on?

John 8:2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

11"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

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I read this situation and I saw three people, the accused, the accusers and GOD. Years ago I used to think I was like the accused. Yes, I may have sinned but the way the religious people handled me seemed harsh and uncaring. They were busy making sure that I confessed my sin while they went about committing their own.

Now years later, I see there are instances where I have become the accuser. It’s easy to do. When I read the Bible, I wanted to clean up my act. It felt good to drop off those sins and to worship GOD. But somewhere along the way, I picked up a new sin that GOD despises, the sin of judgment.

• When I judge people by what they are wearing (cheap or expensive) I miss who they really are.
• When I judge people by their driving, I miss out on praying for their distractions.
• When I judge people by what they are still doing or not doing, I miss out on being graceful.
• When I judge people by what they say, I cannot hear their pain.
• When I judge people by their title, I cannot understand GOD's plan for that person.
• When I judge people by their monetary status, I make assumptions that are wrong.
• When I judge people by where they work or not work, close the door on a relationship that could bring them closer to CHRIST.

It slips in so easy! Judgment happens when a person thinks they have made it. When a person believes they are clean and others have to do the same is the moment they become an enemy of GOD.

The third person in this story is GOD. HE is the only one able to accuse or forgive people. As HE wrote on the ground the accusers quickly saw what they had done. I have no idea what HE wrote, but it could have been their name and the current sin they were committing.

HE says some very interesting words. "Then neither do I condemn you" and "Go now and leave your life of sin." I like the first set of words because it shows that GOD loves me in the middle of my sins. But I don't like the last set of words. I want to keep sinning and have GOD keep forgiving me without consequence. GOD wants me to stop my sin.

Each day I choose a side. The only side I cannot choose is being GOD.

• Are you judging someone today?
• Are you holding onto sin and trying to justify it?
• Will you show grace and mercy to someone today?

The HOLY SPIRIT has the toughest job!

John 7:37On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

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I was born with a sin nature. This means my natural inclination is to do the opposite thing GOD wants me to do. When HE says to trust HIM, I fill my heart with fear and doubt. When HE says to love someone, I build my case for why I need to be loved. Even my righteous acts exhaust me sometimes because I am doing them to get recognized by humans.

GOD did a great thing in my life, HE allowed HIS SON to die for my sins and now that I believe in HIM I was given the HOLY SPIRIT who lives inside of me. What a tough job! JESUS did a wonderful thing, but few speak about the HOLY SPIRIT who lives inside each of those who believe in CHRIST.

• The HOLY SPIRIT sees every thought.
• The HOLY SPIRIT sees every sin.
• The HOLY SPIRIT protects me.
• The HOLY SPIRIT prays for me in ways I don't understand.
• The HOLY SPIRIT pleads to the FATHER for me on my behalf.
• The HOLY SPIRIT provides comfort when I am sad.
• The HOLY SPIRIT is the one who helps me bear fruit.

GOD did some amazing things to ensure HE would spend an eternity with me. HE wrote HIS laws on my heart. HE became the only human to never sin. HE became a sacrifice in place me. HE sent HIS HOLY SPIRIT to live in my sinful body. HE prompts me to serve HIM the way HE wants to be served.

Now "streams of living water" flow from me.

• I can tell people that I do the wrong things and I am still accepted.
• I can tell people they are no longer bound to do the sin they easily fall into.
• I can tell people about my sin and not feel ashamed.
• I can tell people that I have joy instead of depression, fear and sorrow.
• I can tell people there is hope!

The HOLY SPIRIT gets little credit for living inside my sinful body. I don't have a clue what HE has done to make my life better, but I appreciate the love HE has shown me.

• Are you following what the HOLY SPIRIT is telling you?
• Is the little voice in your head telling you to serve or to be served?
• Are you focused on things GOD would cheer about or what humans would cheer about?
• Do you know legalism, fear, lust, envy and other sins can keep you from hearing the HOLY SPIRIT?
• What is the HOLY SPIRIT telling you today?

Don't take credit for what GOD is doing.

John 6:43"Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered. 44"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. 45It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.

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As a young Christian I used to think that I would "save" people with my words. I would get excited and tell people about CHRIST whether they wanted to hear it or not. I would make sure they heard the message each time I saw them.

I have grown up to see witnessing is much more than telling.

• Witnessing is caring for a person.
• Witnessing is praying for a person.
• Witnessing is listening to a person.
• Witnessing is not judging the person.
• Witnessing is blessing the person.
• Witnessing is laughing with the person.

I like to be accepted for who I am. When I sense people judging me, then I move away from them. It is no different for those who need a relationship with CHRIST. The minute they feel judged, the quicker they move away from CHRIST and me.

GOD has shown me that I need to be a magnet to people. My life should be attractive to people so that they become curious. GOD will use my life to draw people to HIMSELF. HE is the attractor, not me or my words. If people point to me then that's a problem.

GOD draws people to HIMSELF by giving me the right words at the right time.
GOD draws people to HIMSELF by bringing circumstances in the persons' life that make them look for HIM.
GOD draws people to HIMSELF by accepting people just as they are.
GOD draws people to HIMSELF by demonstrating ultimate love through the death and resurrection of HIS SON JESUS.

When I finally realized that it is not me or my words that are attractive, then I began to bear fruit. I let go of people that I am trying to arm wrestle to CHRIST. HE has given me some people that I can specifically witness to. There are some people I cannot reach, but GOD will bring the right person in their life to draw them to HIMSELF.

• Do you think GOD can use you to bring people to HIMSELF?
• Are you trying to get credit for what GOD is doing in someone's life?
• Are you trying to witness on your own strength or on GOD's strength?
• Do you feel exhausted in your Christianity?

Celebrate Our Savior by Joanna Fuchs

On Easter morn, we celebrate our Savior;
Whatever people seek in Him, they find.
In history, there has never been another
So holy, sacrificial, good and kind.


His resurrection makes us all immortal;
In heaven, we’ll be together with our King.
Eternally we’ll share in all His blessings;
Happy Easter! Jesus Christ is everything!

Easter Song

Here the bells ringing
They're singing that you can be born again
Here the bells ringing
They're singing Christ is risen from the dead

The angel up on the tombstone
Said He has risen, just as He said
Quickly now, go tell his disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead

Joy to the word, He has risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah

Hear the bells ringing
They're singing that you can be healed right now
Hear the bells ringing, they're singing
Christ, He will reveal it now

The angels, they all surround us
And they are ministering Jesus' power
Quickly now, reach out and receive it
For this could be your glorious hour

Joy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah, hallelujah

The angel up on the tombstone
Said He has risen, just as He said
Quickly now, go tell his disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead

Joy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
Hallelujah

Do you know "GOD's plan" for you?

John 6:4The Jewish Passover Feast was near. 5When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" 6He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

7Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"

8Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 9"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"

10Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

12When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." 13So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

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It's Easter weekend, the time in which I celebrate the death and resurrection of CHRIST. This is a very special weekend to me because it is a time of celebrating what GOD did for me. HE came to earth as a man and died in my place. I deserved eternal separation from HIM but HE saved me.

GOD has amazing plans for you and me. Right before HIS capture HE had plans to feed a hungry crowd. It says 5000 men but the crowd was about 15,000 to 20,000 people. HE already knew what HE was going to do. HE was going to feed them. It doesn't say HE was going to harm them or put them through another trial.

HE was planning to take care of HIS people. Sometimes I forget that GOD has great plans for me. I plan things and when they don't go so well I ask GOD, "Why" or "What's going on between YOU and I?"

• Sometimes I want to go left and HE wants me to sit and watch.
• Sometimes I want to be rich and HE wants me to praise HIM.
• Sometimes I want to sit and do nothing and HE wants me to cry with someone.
• Sometimes I want to leave HIM alone and HE wants me to feed someone.

I hear many people say they can't hear GOD. I think it's because they are not listening to what HE has to say. I can hear HIM talking to me telling me to serve people and tell them about HIS SON.

When I get tired of doing that or when I sin and feel too ashamed to tell people about HIS SON, then instead of running away from GOD, HE troubles my SPIRIT and draws me to HIM. When I feel scared, HE sends HIS COMFORTER to provide me with peace.

JESUS has some marvelous plans for me every day. Yes, every day GOD desires a special, intimate, close relationship with me. HE enjoys when I bare my soul, confess my sins and tell people about HIS SON. HE knew what HE was going to do with this crowd and HE knows what HE is going to do with me.

• Can you hear what GOD wants from you today?
• Are you feeling like your plans are not working?
• Are you tired or energized?
• Is GOD providing for you?
• Do you know you are special to HIM?

Please don't judge me!

John 5:22Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

24"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. 25I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. 27And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

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Okay, let me admit right now that I am a sinner. Whew! now that I got that off my chest I feel better. Over the years I realized that "ALL" sin will come out in the open no matter how much I try to hide it.

My sin that I think I do in private will be as public as being on the news. I was born a sinner so even when I don't sin I never deserve GOD's grace. My sinful nature sometimes demands that HE gives me grace and that HE does stuff for me and gives me stuff.

GOD just looks at me when I demand things from HIM and HE shows me grace. GOD the FATHER is amazing. HE is the most special FATHER anyone could have. HE gave all judgment to HIS SON JESUS and allowed JESUS to choose a sinner like me.

JESUS looks at all of my sin , hidden or overt and HE says "do you know the penalty?" I have to say back to HIM, "My sins should send me to hell." Then HE says "Don't worry, since you have heard my word, believed in the FATHER and ME, then you will have eternal life."

Wow! JESUS saved me from dying an eternal death. HE is the one who will judge mankind. So then I go on my merry way and I tell people about this great news. They see my excitement and they believe. This is great!

But then I saw someone who said they were a Christian commit sin. I was ready to jump on that person because the Bible says to tell people about their sins. After pouncing on a number of people I noticed that I wasn't drawing humans to GOD, I was repelling them.

I can't let people just go on sinning, what should I do? I have realized that I cannot reach everyone in the world so I have to reach the people HE has sent to me.

• When I tell people about my sin GOD draws people to HIM.
• When I tell people about my sin GOD helps them realize that they can be forgiven too.
• When I tell people about my sin GOD melts their heart so they can believe in HIS SON.
• When I tell people about my sin GOD says to them "there is hope for you too!"

I have attended churches where people are full of judgment. They wonder why all the "sinners" don't attend. They wonder why people are not listening to their message about CHRIST. Personally I believe that it is because JESUS doesn't need another judge. HE can do that HIMSELF.

• Are you judging others without confessing to them sins you commit?
• Have you told another person what they have done wrong without saying the wrong things you have done?
• Are you drawing people to GOD or are they running away from you?
• When is the last time you have talked about CHRIST to someone who isn't a Christian?Do you have any "true friends" who are not Christians?