SUNDAY CHOICE – As The Deer Pants For The Water – by Charles Schokman As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? (Psalm 42:1-2) Water is necessary for life. It is possible to survive without water for only a few days, after which the effects of dehydration begin to shut the body down and then death. Seventy-one percent of the earth is covered in water. God created the world to sustain humanity with a sufficient quantity of water. Earth is a unique planet for the survival of the human race because of the presence of the nourishment essential for life. The body has mechanisms protecting the body from harm like thirst. The warning of dehydration is highlighted by the intense thirst created when the body does not have ...
Read This Inspirational Story About A Woman’s Final Request To Her Pastor. – By Charles Schokman Optimism and hope are two of the greatest qualities that a human being can possess. And those qualities can certainly have a long-lasting impact upon others.That is why when I saw this stunningly beautiful story of hope, I was deeply moved. In this touching tale, a terminally ill woman asks to speak with her pastor during her final days. What she asks of her spiritual advisor seems just as expected, until she makes one absolutely bizarre request: to be buried with a fork. When I hear the reason why? It is definitely hard not to be moved to tears. This piece has been circulating around the internet for several years. People around the world have been affected by this woman’s story because its message is one of unwavering positivity and deep faith. Please SHARE if this story touched your heart. Image Source : publicdomainpictures There ...
Nov 25, 2024
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Articles, Charles Schokman
Tagged A Woman’s Final Request, Bible, Charles Schokman, Woman’s Final Request To Her Pastor
SUNDAY CHOICE – My Grace Sufficient for You – by Charles Schokman Image Source : aclayjar Image Source : chronic-joy. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Paul was troubled by an affliction – a thorn in the flesh – that was not removed by prayer. Yet God had a response for Paul. God told Paul, My grace is sufficient for you. Instead of removing the thorn from Paul’s life, God gave and would keep giving His grace to Paul. The grace God gave Paul was sufficient to meet his every need. To receive this, Paul had to believe that God’s grace is sufficient. We usually don’t believe God’s grace is sufficient until we believe we are insufficient. For many of us, this is a huge obstacle. We ...
SUNDAY CHOICE – The Great Commission – By Charles Schokman Image Source : angelustemple (Matthew 28: 16–20) Jesus had arranged to meet the disciples in Galilee after his resurrection. They went to a high mountain and worshiped him, although Matthew notes that some doubted. Jesus gives them some instructions and reassurance; this event has become known as the Great Commission. Jesus tells the disciples to:– “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” The disciples began their missionary work in spreading the good news about Jesus and obeying his instructions from the Great Commission. Christians are also called to follow these instructions as disciples of Jesus. Some people do this by: carrying out missionary work across the globe giving themselves to religious life (perhaps by ...
Nov 8, 2024
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Articles, Charles Schokman
Tagged Charles Schokman, Christians, The Great Commission
An Inspirational Message for the Month of November 2024 – The Way of Mercy – by Charles Schokman Reflection Many of us have heard the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus multiple times. But today, we invite you to see it as an example of Jesus accompanying two people in desperate need of mercy. The two disciples are fleeing Jerusalem in fear. They’ve left the community of believers and set out on their own. Like so many in our community today, they have lost hope. Now, Jesus draws near to them and walks with them. He listens to their story and sorrow, empathising, consoling – accompanying them. Then he begins his instruction. He starts with a rebuke: they are “foolish” and “slow of heart to believe” (Luke 24:25). They are stuck in wrong-think, which is preventing them from seeing and receiving the good news. Recalling the ...
Nov 5, 2024
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Articles, Charles Schokman
Tagged INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE, Jerusalem, The Way of Mercy
SUNDAY CHOICE – His Mercy is More – By Charles Schokman Image Source : soundcloud Image Source : youtube The Story Of The Song: “His Mercy Is More” by Josh Maloy. But where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.(Romans 5:20) These powerful words from the Apostle Paul are the springboard for this magnificent song. Co-writers Matt Boswell and Matt Papa use this gospel concept to highlight the grace and mercy of our God that overwhelms the massive heap of our sins. This is such good news for sinners like us. Let’s think about it for a moment. The truth is our sins are overwhelming. The magnitude of their number is enormous. We are natural born sinners. There are so many terrible or shameful things we’ve done, thought, and said. There are so many good things that we neglected, failed to do, or refused to do. We identify with the confession of Ezra that ...
Nov 2, 2024
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Articles, Charles Schokman
Tagged Apostle Paul, Charles Schokman, His Mercy is More, Josh Maloy
SUNDAY CHOICE – Because of Jesus – By Charles Schokman Image Source : youtube Image Source : pinterest What are the steps to salvation? Many people are looking for “steps to salvation.” People like the idea of an instruction manual with five steps that, if followed, will result in salvation. An example of this is Islam with its Five Pillars. According to Islam, if the Five Pillars are obeyed, salvation will be granted. Because the idea of a step-by-step process to salvation is appealing, many in the Christian community make the mistake of presenting salvation as a result of a step-by-step process. Roman Catholicism has seven sacraments. Various Christian denominations add baptism, public confession, turning from sin, speaking in tongues, etc., as steps to salvation. But the Bible only presents one step to salvation. When the Philippian jailer asked Paul, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul responded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ ...
An Inspirational Message for the Month of October 2024 An interesting interpretation on the parable “The Prodigal Son” – By Charles Schokman Image Source : dailydeclaration The Prodigal Father Intention To welcome the repentant sinner back with open arms and for all to experience the unconditional love of the Father. Scripture “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” – Luke 15:21–24 Reflection Most people know the story of “The Prodigal Son”. And most Christians have spent ...
Oct 22, 2024
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Articles, Charles Schokman
Tagged The Prodigal Father, The Prodigal Son Charles Schokman
SUNDAY CHOICE – WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE – DEDICATED TO ALL OUR LOVED ONES – GONE TO BE WITH THE LORD – by Charles Schokman Image Source : itstheloveofgodforme And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads-Revelation 22:4 Join in the singing What a day that will be When my Jesus I shall see And I look upon his face The one who saved me by his grace When he takes me by the hand And leads me through the Promised Land What a day, glorious day that will be (in the second person) There’ll be no sorrows there No more burdens to bear No more sickness and no more pain No more parting over there But forever I will be With the one who died for me What a day, glorious day that will be What a day that will be When my Jesus I ...
Oct 19, 2024
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Articles, Charles Schokman
Tagged Christian faith and hope, Christian hope after death, Christian hymns, Christian lyrics on salvation, Christian reflections on heaven, Christian worship and praise, Comfort in Christian faith, Eternal life in Christ, Faith and grace in Jesus, Gospel songs about heaven, Inspirational Christian songs, Jesus in the Promised Land, No more pain or sorrow, Spiritual encouragement, Tribute to loved ones
VICTOR MELDER SRI LANKA LIBRARY – By Charles Schokman When I read the attached article on “Victor Melder Sri Lankan Library” by Beverley Pinder, my thoughts led me to reminisce about my association with Victor and it was heartening to recall the way we came to know each other. After I had migrated to Australia in1972 my late brother Shelton jnr. introduced me to Victor who was a contemporary of his, working in the Ceylon Government Railways. What intrigued me most was the modus operandi they pursued to communicate among their group of friends and this was only by the telephone (Land-line). Computers and iPhones were non-existent at that time. If anyone from their circle of friends had news worth sharing it somehow or another got around. Any information on someone’s illness or death were never left out. They also kept a record of the ex-Railwaymen receding in Australia and organised an annual ...
