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Friday 25 April 2014

Remnant and Its Mission--Fundamental Belief #13



Fundamental Belief #13--Remnant and Its Mission

The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His second advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth. Every believer is called to have a personal part in this worldwide witness. (Read the verses here. Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:10; Jude 3, 14; 1 Peter 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Rev. 21:1-14.)


The Story:
You will need an almost empty dish detergent bottle and a clear drinking glass in which to sit the upside-down bottle.


Good to the Last Drop
Thomas was helping Daddy wash the dishes after supper one evening.  Daddy filled the sink with warm water and asked Thomas to get the detergent from underneath the sink so they could begin washing the dirty dishes.

Thomas opened the cupboard door and sighed, “I don’t think we’ll have enough detergent to wash the dishes.”

“Why not?” asked Dad who was looking at the nearly empty bottle in Thomas’ hand.

“Can’t you see?” said Thomas, “The bottle is nearly empty.  How can we do dishes if we don’t have detergent?”

Daddy smiled and turned the bottle upside-down over the sink.  Slowly the remaining detergent drained down the neck of the bottle and as Daddy squeezed, out came a stream of thick dish detergent.  Daddy closed the stopper and left the bottle upside-down in a glass.

“Well, I never thought there could be so much detergent in that empty bottle,” said Thomas.

“That’s because the bottle wasn’t really empty,” said Dad, “If you look at the upside-down bottle you’ll see there’s enough left for another sinkful or two of dishes.  Never overlook the remnant.”

Thomas peered at the upside-down bottle and nodded in agreement.  Indeed there was a sizeable pool of detergent collecting in the upside-down neck of the bottle. 

Daddy and Thomas finished washing and drying and put the sparkling clean dishes in the cupboards ready for another meal and another washing.

Later on that evening, as Thomas was getting ready for bed, Dad came into his room to tuck him in and tell him a story before bedtime prayers.   As Thomas put away his toys and pulled on his pajamas he was rather thoughtful and Daddy asked what was on his mind.

"I was thinking about what you said when we were doing the dishes," said Thomas. "You said not to overlook the rema... rema..."

"Remnant," said Daddy.  

"Yes," said Thomas. "What does that mean?"

Daddy laughed as he explained, "The remnant is the last part of something.  The last bit of detergent is the remnant or remainder of the full bottle.  Just because there was just a small amount left doesn't mean it couldn't be used or it isn't as good as the first part of the bottle.  The squirt or two of detergent we used tonight was just as powerful as the first squirt out of the bottle."

Thomas nodded and added, "Oh, I see.  I guess I have a remnant of glue in my glue bottle and Janie has a remnant of her red crayon in her crayon box."

"Yes, that's right," said Daddy, "The glue and the crayon are still useable even though they are remainder of something that was once full or whole." 

Thomas crawled into bed and Dad pulled the blankets up around his little boy's waist.  Daddy reached for Thomas' Bible and opened it up.  Daddy began reading, "'And the dragon was angry with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:17 KJ2000B)'"

"Daddy, that Bible verse has the word "remnant" in it," said Thomas.  "And I thought there was no such thing as a dragon," Thomas continued.

"Yes," said Daddy, "it does have the word "remnant" and you're right about dragons.  But in the Bible, "dragon" is another name for Satan.  Let me tell you all about it."

"When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and left their beautiful garden home Jesus promised that one day Satan would be defeated.  That happened when Jesus died on the cross and ever since that time Satan has tried even harder to get as many people on his side as he can because he knows his time is short.  Just before Jesus comes back to take us to heaven Satan will try even harder than he ever has before and will make trouble and war with God's people.  God's people are the ones who remained loyal and faithful to God throughout the ages right until today.  Anyone who leaves sin behind and loves and obeys God is considered a remnant or the last ones who will love God on this earth before He comes back and destroys Satan forever.  Satan will know who we are because we will love God and keep His commandments.  But when things get tough and difficult Jesus tells us to hang on.  'God’s people need to be very patient. They are the ones who obey God’s commands. They remain faithful to Jesus.  Revelation 14:12 (NIRV)'  While we are waiting for Jesus to return we need to keep busy helping others and telling them the Good News about Jesus. People need to know He is coming again and how they can be saved from Satan."

"Daddy," Thomas interrupted, "does that mean I'm a remnant?"

"Yes," said Daddy, "anyone who loves Jesus and obeys his commandments are His remnant people." 

"Is that why you and Mommy help people and ask Mr. and Mrs. Gill to the meetings at church?" asked Thomas. 

"Yes, that's part of it," said Daddy, "it also means remaining faithful to Jesus when things are hard and relying on Him to keep us safe and in His care.  We can't do anything on our own without His help.  That's why we have worship and pray together and ask Jesus to guard us and keep Satan away from us." 

By now Thomas was getting sleepy so Daddy kissed him good night and prayed with him.  Would you like to hear the prayer daddy prayed with Thomas.  Close your eyes and we'll pray with Daddy and Thomas.

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, thank you for taking care of us.  Be with us as we work and play and get ready for You to come back to take us to heaven. Keep us faithful until You come. Amen.

The Bible Verses:

And the dragon was angry with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.  Revelation 12:17 (KJ2000B)

God’s people need to be very patient. They are the ones who obey God’s commands. They remain faithful to Jesus.  (Revelation 14:12 NIRV)


The Song:

Trust and Obey
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

~Words by J. H. Sammis
#590 Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal


The Colouring Sheet:


Dish Washing: http://donnamarie.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/washingdishesbnw.jpg
Detergent Bottle:  http://www.clker.com/clipart-dish-soap-bottle-outline.html





Saturday 19 April 2014

The Church--Fundamental Belief #12




Fundamental Belief #12--The Church

The church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In continuity with the people of God in Old Testament times, we are called out from the world; and we join together for worship, for fellowship, for instruction in the Word, for the celebration of the Lord's Supper, for service to all mankind, and for the worldwide proclamation of the gospel. The church derives its authority from Christ, who is the incarnate Word, and from the Scriptures, which are the written Word. The church is God's family; adopted by Him as children, its members live on the basis of the new covenant. The church is the body of Christ, a community of faith of which Christ Himself is the Head. The church is the bride for whom Christ died that He might sanctify and cleanse her. At His return in triumph, He will present her to Himself a glorious church, the faithful of all the ages, the purchase of His blood, not having spot or wrinkle, but holy and without blemish. (Read verses here. Gen. 12:3; Acts 7:38; Eph. 4:11-15; 3:8-11; Matt. 28:19, 20; 16:13-20; 18:18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1:22, 23; 5:23-27; Col. 1:17, 18.)

The Story
You will need a hand mirror, or even a larger wall mirror will do, near the end of the story so the children can look at themselves.



We Are the Church
It was an awful day.  The pastor was in tears.  The people were in tears.  The children were in tears.  What could make everyone so sad?  Everyone had been so happy.  It was almost Christmas and the people at church were looking forward to the church's Christmas programs and activities.  Some people had planned to take food to the homeless, the children and the choir had practiced Christmas carols for the Christmas program, the pastor had prepared a special Christmas sermon. Now, everything had changed. 

Very late in the evening of December 23 the roof of the church had caught on fire and soon the whole building was engulfed in flames. The roof and part of the walls collapsed, the water pipes burst and anything not burned was flooded with water. There was nothing that could be saved.  Everything was ruined.  The church and everything in it was destroyed...or was it?   

As the church members sadly looked at the smoldering ruins of their much beloved church building they realized it was only a building and their church was still a strong and vibrant part of the community.  They were the church, each and every member made up the church.  The church wasn't a building but it was a group of people who loved and followed Jesus.  They were God's family and they were waiting for Jesus to come and take them to heaven.    It was a sad day when they lost their church building but it was a happy and exciting day when they realized the real church was not destroyed.  Jesus was at the head of the church and it could never be destroyed or lost.  

Soon the people were offered a place to worship until they could rebuild their church building.  They continued to worship together and do God's work in their community. They fed the homeless, they sang and prayed together, they spread the good news about Jesus and God blessed them.  It took a few years for a new building to be constructed and it was a great day when the church finally had a place of its own where the people could come together for worship and fellowship. 

(Hold a mirror so each child can look at themselves while you continue the story.)
Boys and girls you can see yourself in the mirror.  You are part of the church.  Even though we worship in a building the real church is each one of us.  Even though the building has been dedicated to God's work, it is the people who make up church. No matter where we are or what we are doing we are still the church.   Jesus is the head of our church and He has died for each one of us so we can come before God all clean inside just as if we had never sinned or done anything naughty.


Aren't you happy to be part of God's family and part of His church?  Let's pray and thank Jesus today.

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, we are so happy to be part of of your family, to be part of your church.  We thank you for your wonderful gift to each one of us.  Amen. 

Story Source: http://archives.adventistreview.org/article/2304/archives/issue-2008-1536/36cn-christmas-eve-fire-destroys-baltimore-church 


The Bible Verses:
Now you are no longer strangers to God and foreigners to heaven, but you are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.     Ephesians 2:19 (TLB)

We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.  Ephesians 4:15 (EVR)



The Song: 
The following link will bring you to a YouTube video of We Are the Church. You can also hear the song here as well. On the colouring sheet I have used the arrangement that is in the book Sing For Joy.  It is the same tune but the verses are arranged differently. This is a lovely song to teach the children and the whole church as well.  You will notice the song starts with the chorus.

We Are the Church 
Chorus:
I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together!
All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes, we're the church together!

The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple,

The church is not a resting place, the church is a people!

And when the people gather, there's singing and there's praying,

There's laughing and there's crying sometimes, all of it saying:

Sing Chorus:

We're many kinds of people, with many kinds of faces,

All colours and all ages, too, from all times and places.

I count if I am ninety, or nine, or just a baby;
There’s one thing I am sure about, And I don’t mean maybe:

Sing Chorus:


Words and music by Richard Avery and Donald Marsh
#141 Sing for Joy



 

The Colouring Sheet:



Picture of people: http://picturesforcoloring.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/people-coloring-pages-04.jpg

Saturday 12 April 2014

Growing in Christ--Fundamental Belief #11

Painting by Harry Anderson,© Review and Herald

Fundamental Belief #11--Growing in Christ

By His death on the cross Jesus triumphed over the forces of evil. He who subjugated the demonic spirits during His earthly ministry has broken their power and made certain their ultimate doom. Jesus' victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still seek to control us, as we walk with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love. Now the Holy Spirit dwells within us and empowers us. Continually committed to Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we are set free from the burden of our past deeds. No longer do we live in the darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaninglessness of our former way of life. In this new freedom in Jesus, we are called to grow into the likeness of His character, communing with Him daily in prayer, feeding on His Word, meditating on it and on His providence, singing His praises, gathering together for worship, and participating in the mission of the Church. As we give ourselves in loving service to those around us and in witnessing to His salvation, His constant presence with us through the Spirit transforms every moment and every task into a spiritual experience. (Read verses here. Ps 1:1, 2; 23:4; 77:11, 12; Col 1:13, 14; 2:6, 14, 15; Luke 10:17-20; Eph 5:19, 20; 6:12-18; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:18; 2 Cor. 3:17, 18; Phil 3:7-14; 1 Thess 5:16-18; Matt 20:25-28; John 20:21; Gal 5:22-25; Rom 8:38, 39; 1 John 4:4; Heb 10:25.)


The Story:
Have several plants prepared for this story.  An African Violet is a good plant for this story as it is easily divided for the illustration. Plant food and water should also be part of your illustration.  As you tell or read the story use the plants to show the children what Janie and Thomas' plants looked like at each stage of growth.



Cut two leaves from an African Violet plant and place in the soil.  The little plants will stay fresh for your story and if you leave them in the soil they will eventually take root and you will have two new plants.  But for the story the leaves in the soil will give the children a good visual.

Prepare two more separate pots.  In one pot place a normal size leaf and find a tiny leaf and place that next to the larger leaf.  In the second pot place a withered leaf.  To wither the leaf place it in the microwave for 10 seconds.  That will instantly give you a droopy leaf.

Show a fully grown plant.  If possible it would be nice to have one with flowers.  Mine has not flowered yet but it is healthy and lush.


The Little Gardeners
Janie and Thomas were watching Mommy water the flower plant that was sitting in the middle of the dining room table.  Mommy had started the plant from a little leaf that the next door neighbour had given her.  It had grown over the months and now it was a pretty plant with beautiful purple flowers.  As Janie watched Mom carefully pour the water into the flower pot saucer, she wished she could have a plant of her own. 

“Mommy, may I have a plant to take care of?” asked Janie.

“Of course,” replied Mommy. “Would you like a plant of your own, too?” she asked Thomas who was watching with his sister. 

“Yes,” replied Thomas.  “But I don’t know how to take care of a plant.”

Mommy assured Thomas she would help him and show him what to do.  So, with Mommy’s help, both children filled a little container with potting soil.  Then Mommy carefully cut off two healthy looking leaves from her plant for the children.  She showed them how to make a little hole in the dirt with their finger and tuck the stem into the dirt and gently pack the dirt around the stem.   Next they watered the baby plants and placed them in a sunny area where the light could reach them but not shine directly on the delicate leaves.  Next she showed them a bottle of plant food and explained how to use it when watering the plants.  Both children were quite pleased to have their own little plant.


Every day Janie looked at her plant to make sure the soil wasn't dry and watered it carefully with the plant food just as Mommy had showed her.  Her little plant looked green and healthy.  As the days and weeks went by she faithfully kept watch over the plant.  One day as she did her daily inspection she noticed a tiny new green leaf pushing up through the soil next to the original leaf she had planted.

"Mommy, mommy, come quick."  Janie called out, "See my plant.  It has a baby!"   

Mommy came running to see what all the commotion was about and sure enough, there next to the big leaf was a tiny green leaf emerging from the soil.  

"Your plant is growing because you watered and fed it.  You'll soon see more leaves pushing through the dirt until you have a lovely new plant," said Mommy to the very pleased Janie.  

Thomas had heard his sister's shouts of delight and had come running to see her plant.  He had a strange look on his face as he looked at Janie's plant.  How come his didn't look like that, he wondered.   Mother caught sight of Thomas' face and guessed all was not well with his plant.  

"Thomas, would you like to show me your plant?" asked Mommy.  

Thomas slowly walked to his room with Mom following close behind.  Thomas' plant didn't look healthy.  It looked dead.  The leaf hung loosely over the container and was limp and lifeless.  

"Thomas, did you forget to water your plant?" asked Mom.

"I watered it a couple of weeks ago," said Thomas. 

"Did you feed it like I showed you?" asked Mommy.

"No, I forgot so I poured some into the dirt," Thomas confessed.

"Well, Thomas, I believe your plant is dead," said Mommy.  I don't think there's any hope for it now.  You didn't take care of your plant so it could not grow strong and healthy."

Thomas nodded his head in resignation.  He decided he wasn't a very good gardener.  Mom gave him a hug and told him he could start over again if he wished. 

Janie continued to care for her plant and several months later she was rewarded with many new leaves.  The plant had grown so much it needed to be transplanted to a larger pot.  Janie enjoyed her plant for many years and was able to help Thomas grow a new one as well.  

Boys and girls Christians are a little like a plant.  When we first give our hearts to Jesus we become one of his children.  We are like a little leaf starting to grow.  That little leaf needs water, sunshine, good soil and plant food.  Christians need "food" also.  But I'm not talking about potatoes or peas or roast.  I'm talking about things that help us grow more and more like Jesus.  

What would happen, if after we gave our hearts to Jesus, we said, "Well, now I'm a Christian I don't have to do anything else.  I love Jesus and Jesus loves me.  That's all there is to being a Christian."  So we never come to church again. We never read our Bibles or pray or sing a hymn or Sabbath School song.  We don't do anything to help others or tell anyone about Jesus.  We don't even think about Jesus any more.  Do you think we would grow more like Jesus or would we start to forget all about our new life?  I think we would soon be like Thomas' plant--limp and lifeless--no longer a happy Christian.  We would soon forget all about Jesus.  

When we give our hearts to Jesus there are some things we can do to grow like Jesus.  We want to keep close to Him everyday and become strong and healthy Christians.  We can start our day with prayer and reading our Bibles.  This is just like talking to Jesus.  We can sing songs about Jesus and what He has done for us.  We can come to church to worship and fellowship with other Christians.  Just being together, worshipping and talking about Jesus, will help us grow.  With the Holy Spirit's help we will start to put others first and try to help them.  That's like growing new leaves.  Instead of staying a "baby" Christian we will be a "growing" Christian learning each day how to be like Jesus.  

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, thank you for saving each one of us.  We want to grow into strong, healthy Christians and do Your work.  Send the Holy Spirit to guide us in our lives.  Amen.


The Bible Verse:
Grow in the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Get to know him better. Give him glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 (NIRV)

Grow, Grow, Grow
Read your Bible, pray every day,
Pray every day, pray every day.
Read your Bible, pray every day,
And you’ll grow, grow, grow.
And you’ll grow, grow, grow.
And you’ll grow, grow, grow.
Read your Bible, pray everyday,
And you’ll grow, grow, grow.

~Music by Harry D. Clarke; Words: Unknown Author

Music same as I Will Make You Fishers of Men.

The Colouring Sheet:


Picture credits:

Singing: http://www.sermons4kids.com/true-worship-esp.gif

Sabbath School: http://www.raisingourkids.com/coloring-pages/printable/bible/018-free-bible-pages-to-print.html

Flowers: http://childrenschapel.org/biblestories/graphics/2peter318.jpg

Prayer: http://www.teachustopray.com/img/prayebookth1.jpg 


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Friday 4 April 2014

Experience of Salvation--Fundamental Belief #10

Photo courtesy of http://pdphoto.org

Fundamental Belief #10-- Experience of Salvation
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Lord and Christ, as Substitute and Example. This faith which receives salvation comes through the divine power of the Word and is the gift of God's grace. Through Christ we are justified, adopted as God's sons and daughters, and delivered from the lordship of sin. Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our minds, writes God's law of love in our hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in Him we become partakers of the divine nature and have the assurance of salvation now and in the judgment. (Read verses here. 2 Cor. 5:17-21; John 3:16; Gal. 1:4; 4:4-7; Titus 3:3-7; John 16:8; Gal. 3:13, 14; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; Rom. 10:17; Luke 17:5; Mark 9:23, 24; Eph. 2:5-10; Rom. 3:21-26; Col. 1:13, 14; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 3:26; John 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:23; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 8:7-12; Eze. 36:25-27; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rom. 8:1-4; 5:6-10.)

The Book Steps to Christ is a wonderful resource for this belief.

The Story:  

Information about the life-cycle of butterflies can be found by doing a search on the internet.  Here are two sites with lots of pictures.

http://www.thebutterflysite.com/life-cycle.shtml  http://www.butterflyschool.org/new/meta.html

The story of the demon possessed man may be found in the following scriptures:

Mark 5:1-20

Luke 8:26-39 

Matthew 8:28-34

 

Changed From the Inside
How many of you have ever seen a butterfly or a moth?  Of course you all have.  Butterflies are beautiful, fluttering about with their pretty wings, flying from flower to flower or flitting around your yard.  I don't know of anyone who is afraid of the pretty butterfly. 

Butterflies and moths looks much alike and they have the similar life cycle.  You may already know that the butterfly or moth was once a caterpillar crawling about on the leaves and trees.  The caterpillar eats and eats as soon as it hatches from a tiny egg.  It grows from a small grub-like creature to a nice, fat, caterpillar.  Have you ever picked up a caterpillar and let it crawl over your hand.  It's little feet tickle as he moves up your arm. You may have even caught caterpillars and put them in a jar with leaves and grass.  They are fun to watch.

One day a little boy was out in the school yard playing at recess when he noticed a funny looking leaf on bush.  He went closer and realized he was looking at a little cocoon.  He broke off the little branch and carefully brought it to his teacher.   The teacher found a large jar and they laid the branch with the cocoon inside, nestled between some grass and leaves. Then they carefully covered the jar with a lid that had small holes punched in it so air could flow through to the little cocoon.  For the first few days the children in the classroom were very interested in the jar but soon they grew tired of watching because nothing changed.  Every day the little branch with the cocoon just sat in the jar looking as if nothing was happening.  But unknown to the boys and girls big things were happening inside that cocoon.  The little caterpillar was changing into an adult moth.  Wings and antennae were forming and even the caterpillars mouth was changing from a chewing mouth to a sucking mouth.  But no one in the classroom could see this.

A few weeks went by, when one day someone shouted, "Come quick and see what's happened in the jar!"

The children all gathered about the jar and there flitting about was a little yellow moth. It was no longer a caterpillar. It had been born again as a moth.  It had come from the cocoon all ready to begin life as an adult moth.  How different it looked from the caterpillar and how different it's life would be as a moth.  Now it could fly.  It didn't have to stay on a leaf or tree.

The teacher and children took the jar outside and took off the cover. They watched the little yellow moth fly away flapping it's wings as if to say, "Good bye.  I'm happy with my new life."

Boys and girls, caterpillars are not the only ones that can change from the inside.  People can change as well from the inside out.  When we invite Jesus into our lives things will happen.

When Jesus was on earth He sailed across the Sea of Galilee to another country.  When He and His disciples stepped out of the boat they were met with an awful sight.  Running toward them was a demon possessed man.  He was dirty, smelly and full of dried bloody scabs where he cut himself with sharp stones.  He was fierce like a wild animal and wore no clothing.  His family, friends and townspeople were so afraid of him they had bound him in chains but he broke loose and, driven by the demons, ran away to the caves where the dead were buried.  That's where he lived and anyone who dared pass by could hear him screaming day or night.  And now this man was running toward Jesus.  What would happen? 

When the wretched man came to Jesus he fell at His feet and Jesus, knowing what this man longed for, commanded the demons to leave him.  But the demons did not want to leave and screamed at Jesus to leave them alone.  But Jesus is more powerful than Satan and the demons could not stay where Jesus was so they left the man and went into a herd of pigs. The pigs went mad and plunged over a cliff into the sea. 

People from town heard what had happened to the man and the pigs and came out to see for themselves.  There they found the man, in his right mind, dressed in clothing and sitting at the feet of Jesus.  He was changed into a new man.  They hardly recognized him.  Now, instead of screaming and cutting himself he sat at Jesus' feet and worshipped Him.  No longer did he belong to Satan because Jesus had made him all new and clean inside.  The things he once loved to do, he now hated.  He could now go back to his town and live and work and tell others what Jesus had done for him.  He had been saved from a horrible, wretched life.  He knew Jesus had saved him and he would love and serve Him forever. 

You know, boys and girls when we ask Jesus into our lives, when we say we're sorry for the naughty things we do and ask Jesus to forgive us He will treat us just as if we had never done anything wrong.  We will become a new person from the inside out, just as if we had been born again, all new and clean.  We will become more like Jesus every day.

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, change our hearts. We want to become new inside and live for you. Amen.


The Bible Verse:

When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside.  He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!  2 Corinthians 5:17 (TLB)


The Song:    This is an older and almost unknown chorus but it was stored away somewhere in the recesses of my mind and it seems to be the perfect song for "The Experience of Salvation".  I could only find one You Tube video of the song which is sung at a United Methodist Church meeting.    It isn't found in many songbooks but the old blue "Advent Youth Sing" contains the song (#186) which I have scanned and you can see it below.    You can also find a power point presentation for "Advent Youth Sing" with the words ready to project on a screen. Although the song is not well-known the words and  guitar chords  are available online. I guess someone is still singing the song and I hope you will learn it as well. 



Things are Different Now
Things are different now, something happened to me
Since I gave my heart to Jesus.
Things are different now; I was changed it must be,
Since I gave my heart to Him.
Things I loved before have passed away,
Things I love far more have come to stay.
Things are different now; something happened that day
When I gave my heart to Him.

~Words and Music by Stanton W. Gavitt
#186 Adventist Youth Sing 





The Colouring Sheet