Happy Friday

REJOICE EVERMORE
By JOHN McKAY, Pastor

Scripture Reading: I Thessalonians 5:16

Do you know how God dealt with people before this present Age of Grace began? He dealt with the people immediately before our age by means of Law. It is called the Age of Law, or the dispensation of law through Moses. The law could make nothing perfect (Hebrews 7:19). The law made Moses tremble with fear (Hebrews 12:21). It had a shadow of good things to come, but could not "take away" sins. (Heb. 10:1-4). God's grace today has made us accepted in Christ, has given us absolute righteousness for our official standing, has provided forgiveness of sins, and grants mercy and peace for our present condition. What a striking contrast between Law and Grace!

The chapter in the Bible known as First Thessalonians five also contains some striking contrasts. The believers under Law did not know the times and the seasons. The believers under Grace do know about them (verses 1-5). Israel under Law will go through the tribulation, but the Body of Christ will not go through the tribulation (verse 9). National Israel never recognized Christ as their Saviour, and never knew what He accomplished for them when He died. The Church under Grace does know, by means of Paul's Epistles, just what the Saviour accomplished, and does have His presence with us (verses 9-11). Those under the Law were to sanctify themselves by obedience. Those under Grace have the Lord Himself as their Sanctifier and Preserver (verses 23-24).

Is it any wonder that the Apostle Paul would command or exhort believers today to "rejoice evermore" and "give thanks" in everything? We live in the marvelous Age of Grace. We should know what we have and rejoice in it! 
 
Are you washed in the blood?
Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Refrain

Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Refrain

When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Refrain

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
O be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

Refrain
 

Daily Smile:
In a restroom at the Houston Medical Center, a floor supervisor had placed a sign directly above the sink. It had a single word on it: "THINK!"

The next day, when he went to the restroom, he looked at the sign and right below, immediately above the soap dispenser, someone had carefully lettered another sign which read: "THOAP!"

In The News:

Pakistan: Pastor Released on Bail After Mistaken Blasphemy Accusation
In a rare instance in Pakistan, a judge granted bail to a pastor accused of blaspheming Islam because the complainant admitted that he had mistakenly accused him, Morning Star News reports. Karma Patras, a 55-year-old pastor of Bado Malhi, Sangla Hill, had been languishing in Sheikhupura District Jail since October after preaching on Jesus' sacrifice at a funeral attended mainly by Christians. Some Muslims present thought he was speaking against the Islamic animal slaughter ritual observed at the time, and Patras was confused when police showed up at his home later that day and arrested him on charges of defaming Islam. Victims of false accusations of blasphemy in Pakistan usually spend months in jail without trial, and then many more months after conviction; if charges are dismissed, it does not usually happen until cases reach appeal, as most trial judges cannot withstand the pressure of furious Islamic extremists. Retraction of an accusation is also rare in Pakistan. "Patras' release is the rarest instance of a complainant in a blasphemy case retracting his statement," one attorney said.

Yale Considers Joining Other Universities That Pay for Student Sex Changes
Yale is considering joining Brown, Penn, Harvard and Cornell universities by picking up the tab for students who want sex changes, Fox News reports. The New Haven, Conn., school is still reviewing policies regarding the procedure for its 5,322 undergraduate students and 6,526 graduate and professional students, but has already extended gender reassignment coverage to employees. "The benefit is offered to faculty and staff, and is being considered for students," said Yale spokeswoman Karen Peart. "Cost would vary depending on treatment." If Yale makes the change, it won't just join fellow Ivy League schools. At least 36 colleges and universities nationwide cover sex change surgeries in their student health plans. It's unknown how many students have the surgery, which can cost $25,000 or more.