Jesus – James & Carolanne https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com Serving God as a web programmer with Digital Strategies. Fri, 09 May 25 11:58:10 +0000 en-US Some Statistics https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/2014/10/10/statistics Fri, 10 Oct 14 09:52:56 +0000 https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/?p=2278 www.powertochange.com ptc-decisions-oct10 So far today on just this site, there are 24 people who have indicated that they've decided to accept Jesus as their forever-friend. And the day isn't over yet.]]> Bono Answers "Who Is Jesus" https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/2014/04/07/bono-answers-jesus Mon, 07 Apr 14 13:14:16 +0000 https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/?p=2247 http://powertochange.com/itv/spirituality/jesus-is-unique-8/ [caption id="attachment_2250" align="alignnone" width="640"]Jesus claims of divinity Jesus claims of divinity[/caption]]]> Easter... What's the big deal? https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/2013/03/30/easter-whats-the-big-deal Sat, 30 Mar 13 15:37:32 +0000 https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/?p=1860 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. So, to be saved, you simply have to pray, confessing that you have sinned, asking for forgiveness and believing that Jesus Christ as the son of God has paid for your sin.  If you don't know what to say, here is a sample prayer.  It's not a formula ... you can use your own words, but it's a place to start...
Lord Jesus, I need you. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.
If you have prayed this prayer, I'd love to hear about it and celebrate with you.  If you have more questions, feel free to check out some of the resources we have at Power to Change.  If you want to read about Jesus life and more detail of what I've written above, you could read the book of Luke in the Bible.  Read it here online.]]> God Loves You https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/2011/11/28/god-loves-you Thu, 01 Dec 11 14:46:43 +0000 https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/?p=1507 20 I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the Lord my God for Jerusalem, his holy mountain. 21 As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. 23 The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision. (NLT) The part I really noticed was how God felt about Daniel.  "for you are very precious to God".  The creator of the universe, the King of Kings, the Ancient One is known in heaven to care very dearly about Daniel.  This is the same King of Kings that Daniel has a glimpse of a few chapters before as He sits as judge on His throne of blazing fire, with millions upon millions ministering to and attending Him. In verses as basic as John 3:16 we see that God loves us too.  In fact, He loves us so much He gave everything to give us the chance to be saved from the situation we've gotten ourselves into.  Jesus tells us that God knows us better than we know ourselves.  He knows the number of hairs on our heads (let alone simple things like our names).  He values us and longs for us to be restored to fellowship with Him. And yet He has also made what must be one of the most difficult choices of all, and that is to let us go.  I'm sure you have heard the saying, "If you love something, let it go."  Well, that's exactly what God did for us.  He loved us so much that he let us go.  He gave us the chance to make our own decision about Him, without pressuring us or forcing us into something, He gave us the chance to make up our own minds and choose to accept or reject Him.]]> Global Daily for CHC https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/2011/11/01/global-daily-for-chc Fri, 04 Nov 11 15:22:39 +0000 https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/?p=1426 Tell us about a Scripture book or passage that is especially meaningful to you." I (James) think my favourite parts of the Bible are those highlighted in red text.  I love reading and learning about what Jesus said to His disciples and to us.  I love learning about His character and personality, His humour, compassion and love.  Lately I've been reading through the Old Testament and it continues to amaze me with how many things in the OT are simply reflections of the more complete picture given in the NT.  It reminds me of Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 13:12 when he said that "now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully".  And I know that the best is yet to come. As for our prayer requests, we have a few: - For our financial support.  We still have a long way to go.  Praise the Lord for those who have recently joined our team. - For more volunteers.  We need more people to help respond to the many questions and prayer requests we receive from the websites.  Visit www.truthmedia.com/mentor for information on how you could help. - For the daily new believers that we try to help grow in their new faith. - For the protection and guidance of all the staff and volunteers.  Many are struggling themselves with various life situations.  Sometimes it seems as though working with this ministry results in a large target being placed on your back for Satan to shoot flaming arrows at.  Pray that God would give each of us courage and strength for the work, and that He would provide generously for each of our needs. Thank you so much for standing behind us in this. All the best, James and Carolanne Warkentin]]> Who do you smell like? https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/2011/08/22/who-do-you-smell-like Thu, 01 Dec 11 14:47:45 +0000 https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/?p=1333 biennial Zone Conference I had an interesting conversation with one of our newer staff members.  He was telling me all about his favourite hobby restoring an old car.  His wife, apparently, doesn't share his same passion, referring to the vehicle as his "mistress".  She could always tell when he'd been spending time with "his mistress" because when he came in he brought with him a certain "aroma".  (Eau de engine oil and axle grease) This was the comment that caught my attention and I spent most of the conference pondering it.  As a follower of Christ, do I "smell" like I've been spending time with Him?  I've been reminded recently that we can't say we have a relationship with someone unless we actually know them.
As a follower of Christ, do I "smell" like I've been spending time with Him?
Furthermore, you can't really know someone unless you actually spend time with them, talk to them, hear their heart and passions.  So using those criteria I've been challenging myself: "do I have a relationship with Jesus?  Or do I just know OF Him?"  When others interact with me, can they tell that I've been spending time with Him?  Can they smell His presence on me? I have many struggles in putting this into action.  I know that the most important way I can learn about Him is through reading about His life and ministry in His word, the Bible.  I know that I always enjoy it and feel refreshed and renewed when I spend time reading and in prayer and yet it's so easy to postpone it due to the busyness that I create.  It takes a lot of strength of will to stop and force myself to spend time in His presence, even though I know I always enjoy it.  There are always other things I could do, or think about, or resolve. Another problem is that of superficial familiarity.  "I've read it all before!"  When I think about starting to read His word, my first thought is often "I already know how that story goes."  I've actually found it really helpful recently to read other books ABOUT Him that perhaps have opened my eyes to see Him in a new light.  One such book I read recently was "The Shack".  After reading that, I couldn't HELP but go back to the Bible and read more about this Jesus, the man, the carpenter.  The Gospels are also a fascinating read, especially when you focus on who Jesus was and what he was doing.  It always makes me smile when He leaves the "religious leaders" speechless.  You can't deny that He had a pretty decent sense of humour. Another way to find time to spend with Him is while commuting. (plus it may help combat road rage ;))  Buy the Bible on CD (or digital download) and listen to it on your way to work.  When I drive to work, it's an hour each way and usually I can make it through more than one book of the New Testament per trip.  (when I'm not carpooling) I'm starting to get preachy so I'd better stop.  (that wasn't my intent)  I hope you've found this inspirational.  Maybe you have some ideas that I haven't mentioned on how to "keep it fresh".  I'd love to hear them.  Hope you have a great day and week.]]>