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THE LOST WARRANTY AND THE ANTIDOTE FOR DECAY – By Lakshman Navaratne “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourself this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. Joshua 24:15 EXCHANGING YOUR CROSS WITH A CROWN As born-again Christians; the Lord that operates in our lives is the God of Joshua, we shall receive him into our hearts only once in our life-time. The first experience we have with the written “Word”, every sin we need to confess is removed and our hearts become pure, Psalm 103 “who forgives all your iniquities and remembers no more”. The spirit that lives in you will never let you sin ...

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The Burgher Exodus from Sri Lanka: A Reading in 1988 – By Michael Roberts Source : thuppahis Barbara Crossette, in New York Times way back in 1988 …. where the title runs thus “Colombo Journal; A Proud People, Scattered and Forgotten by Time” In Sri Lanka, a country torn by violence, the holiday season is perhaps most poignant for a small minority that has not been part of the ethnic strife at all.  They call themselves the Dutch Burghers, but the name, most generously defined, can cover a rich ethnic mix of Portuguese, Dutch, British and other Europeans who settled here over several centuries. The Burghers, who are Christians, also number among themselves the Eurasian descendants of Europeans and high-born Sinhalese or, less often, Tamils. Ethnic Sinhalese account for about 74 percent of the Sri Lankan population of about 16 million; Tamils, 18 percent Once a wealthy, visible and influential population, there are no ...

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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 ...

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SUNDAY CHOICE – PALM SUNDAY-HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST – By Charles Schokman   Today, Christians around the world are celebrating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (which we usually call “Palm Sunday,” because the crowd welcomed Him by spreading palm branches in His path). Those who greeted Him were convinced He was the Messiah (or “anointed one”), sent by God to establish His Kingdom on earth.   Why did the crowds turn against Jesus so quickly? One week they welcomed Him, and the next week they demanded He be crucified.   Billy Graham addressed this important question numerous times in his My Answer column.   “No events in human history were more important than Jesus’ death and resurrection, and yet many people (even Christians) never take time to study them.   It must have been a dramatic sight as Jesus approached Jerusalem on a donkey (which was a sign of His humility). The ...

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The Message of Easter – By Nilan James Source :  Dæhæna – March 2024 Easter is the most important religious festival for Christians. It celebrates Jesus’ victory over death. It defines the beginning and the foundation of Christianity. For Christians, the resurrection is an important treasure. It’s also a great love story. Jesus did not come into the world simply to suffer and die. He came to bring God’s message of unconditional love The Resurrection of Jesus takes us beyond the Cross to the joy and hope that comes from seeing the Risen Lord. Christ risen allowed us to know that there is a future for every human being and that our cry for unending life is indeed answered in Him. This is the true message of Easter! We also have gives us a new sense of certitude, even if when it is very difficult in our lives, even if ...

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SUNDAY CHOICE – Thank you Jesus for the blood applied – by Charles Schokman Thank you Jesus for the blood applied. An important element of life with God: that we thank him for his past work and his continual work. As Christians, there are some obvious things we can be thankful for. Jesus’s atoning death on the cross that has brought salvation. One day we will go to heaven. We have a relationship with God. But what about what God is doing now? Philippians 1:3–6 ESV                                                                                                                                        ...

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SUNDAY CHOICE – JESUS, KEEP ME NEAR THE CROSS – by Charles Schokman   How many of us can sing by heart the words of the song that starts “Jesus, keep me near the cross”? Can you recall the next few lines? More than just a song, it’s a much-needed prayer for Christians. Too many of us have an incomplete understanding of what happened when Jesus willingly embraced the cross and died upon it. We tend to think of the cross as a way for us to get more of God’s goodies, the ticket, as it were, to our best life now. Of course, there is a degree of truth in that notion: without the death of God’s Son, you and I would still be in our sins, and therefore rightfully under God’s wrath. But there’s more, so much more to it. When Jesus suffered on the cross He was ...

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Ash Wednesday for the year 2023 is celebrated / observed on Wednesday, February 22nd – Sent to elanka by Charles Schokman This is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and falls on the first day of Lent (the six weeks of penitence before Easter). It is observed by Catholics in the Roman Rite, Lutherans, Moravians, Anglicans,  Methodists, Nazarenes, as well as by some churches in the Reformed tradition (including certain Congregationalist, Continental Reformed,  and Presbyterian churches). As it is the first day of Lent, many Christians begin Ash Wednesday by marking a Lenten calendar, praying a Lenten daily devotional and making a Lenten sacrifice that they will not partake of until the arrival of Eastertide. This is a prayer sung, and to be remembered, during this Holy Season. Pray it will be a Blessing to you.  ...

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SUNDAY CHOICE – PRAYING FOR OTHERS – by Charles Schokman There is a misconception that only certain people are called or gifted to be intercessory prayer warriors. There are people in our churches and our lives who seem to have that special intimate connection with God. They are relentless when it comes to praying for others. The truth is we are all called to pray for others. In Ezekiel 22:30, God is searching for those who would stand in the gap, to intercede for others. The invitation is for all Christians to serve through intercessory prayer. Praying for others is not a choice; it is our privilege.  Whether we believe it or not, we are all equipped to be prayer warriors on behalf of others. We are heirs with Christ. We are adopted sons and daughters and therefore possess the same power and access to God that our Saviour enjoys. We can whisper, or cry out, ...

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Christmas in Sri Lanka – By Dr Harold Gunatillake Website: www.Doctorharold.com Magical and sensational Affair Transcript: Though 70% of the inhabitants in Sri Lanka are Sinhalese Buddhists and minority Christians, and Hindus, Christmas in Sri Lanka is celebrated with much passion and enthusiasm by everyone. It is a time when families living far apart, some across the seas, meet in their ancestral family home in Sri Lanka and rejoice the season most joyfully. Preparations and arrangements begin a month before Christmas. It is a time to share love, kindness, compassion, and, most importantly, gifts with family and friends. People in Sri Lanka are known to host lavish parties during Christmas. History states that European Colonies influenced Sri Lankan customs and traditions from the 16th century to the 20th century. This is how Christmas became vital to Sri Lankan customs and traditions. It is traditional for Sri Lankans, especially the Burgher ...

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