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EXPRESSIONS

       

 

BEST OF 2001-2002 

BEST OF 2002-2003

BEST OF 2003- 2004

BEST OF AUG 04 - JULY 05

NEWS

Special three year   anniversary 9-11 edition

Blasi on Board Brings Brightness!

President Bush's inaugural address focuses on freedom, friendship, and faith!

Pop singer Michael Jackson acquitted of all 10 counts!

SGB ELECTIONS:

'Driven', 'Proven' and 'Results Matter' slates sweep SGB election!

Endorsing the fabulous five for Student Government Board (SGB) elections on Nov 17!

ELECTION 2004:

MORAL PUSH 4 BUSH WORKED!

Kerry for a weaker America: Running for president, they call him Kerry!

PSelect-cision 2004 asks: "What are issues that are most important to you that you are basing your vote on and why?"

PSelect-cision 2004 asks 40 students, "Which presidential candidate will best lead this country and why?"

Kerry for DRAFT which Bush is against!

Trial advocate Edwards could not defend Kerry against charges!

Who cares for the the 2nd victim!

Republicans are the political party for African-Americans and people of different ethnicities!

Answering, "Voting for neither candidate of a major political party is going to bring us closer to God."

IMPRESSIONS

Carnegie Library corrupts the morals of a minor!

SGB and Rainbow Alliance’s view of homosexuality is not held by all!

Juveniles escape of death penalty could influence abortion decisions.

FDA should continue to ban gay sperm and ignore editorials opposing them!

EXPRESSIONS

Archives of Daily Devotionals Delivers Dosage!

Christian groups seek to provide haven for incoming students!

Boston Red Sox ace Curt Schilling knows all about spiritual strikeouts!

Vote for the perfect candidate 24-7!

HOTPRESSIONS:

The Pitt News editorial, 'Troop casualties undercounted by 17,000'  makes it sound like......

Rebuttal to Daniel Masny's Feb 03,05 Pitt News column

SPORTS    

Pitt  2004 Cheerleading and Dance Team surrounded Schenley Quad with their Squad!

Pitt Cheerleaders and Dance team try to cheer up Panther fans!

"Golf’s New 'Sultan of Swat' Victorious Again"

There’s a New 'Berg' in the ‘Burgh.'

Three Panther fans weather the floods at 6:30 a.m.

Steelers Open Season with Home Victory

Pitt's Track and Field could go the distance!

Pittsburgh Steelers come back with rookie and backup players!

Deja Vu for the Steelers

ENTERTAINMENT:

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

FEATURE

"Top 25 reasons given for why students think the original candy cane was made with red and white stripes and was in the shape of a candy cane?"

Top 14 answers to "Love is....."

My Kiss of a Lifetime hopes to be special!

Top 14 responses to 'A Loving friend is........'
 

In celebration of Valentine's Day, the top 50-26 responses to 'Love is....'

In celebration of Valentine's Day, the top 25-1 responses to 'Love is....'

Top 5 responses given by students to, "What is the most important lesson your mom taught you?"

Acrostic Poem for Mother's Day!

GREEK LIFE:

Greek communities can communicate charity and care!

Kappa Kappa Gamma sister Jessica shows her Pitt spirit with her friends!

Newest sisters of Delta Zeta sorority enjoy a meal at Schenley Cafe after their initiation!

Student Government Board member Liz Blasi enjoys a meal at Schenley Cafe with her Chi Omega sisters!

FOOD

PGSIS 2005 Taste with Haste Cereal Poem

PGSIS Class of 2005 Favorite Cereal Survey Results

EDUCATION

Human Resource Management Final Exam Sample Questions II

Human Resource Management Final Exam 45 Sample Questions

MONTHLY
ARCHIVES

 

   

"Christ's Awesome Power Truly Invokes Valid Inspiration To You!"(C.A.P.T.I.V.I.T.Y)

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

Editors note: The devotionals that appear from this month on will be taken from the summer archives because I want to go over the Gospel of Mark from the beginning.. It is possible they will have updates and will be highlighted in pink.

Quiet Times: (Psalm 105, and Mark 1:19-28)

“They went to Capernaum and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.” (Mark 1:21-22)

“Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.” (Mark 1:23-28, NIV)

Observations:

I asked myself who are involved in verses 23-28:

1. Man

2. Evil spirit

3. Jesus of Nazareth

4. People

Observations/Interpretations:

I asked myself what function do each play?

Point 1: Man

  1. A man is in their synagogue.

  2. The man was possessed by an evil spirit.

  3. The man questions Jesus 2 times.

  4. The man makes a declarative statement regarding Jesus.

I asked myself why it’s significant that a man in their synagogue’ is mentioned.

Reading about it really touched me because what came to my mind is that the synagogue was not just populated with people whose lives were going well. This man belonged to their synagogue and yet we learn that he was far from well. He was dealing with an evil spirit or demons in his life that were in control of him.

I am reminded that the man only questions Jesus after Jesus teaches with authority in the synagogue and the people are amazed. It is possible that the man was dealing with this captivity for a long time but kept attending the synagogue but for the first time, he saw a way out. He did not give up.

Point 2: Evil Spirit

The man cried out but the evil spirits seem to be doing the talking. There is a battle within the man. An evil spirit possesses the man and talks to Jesus through the man regarding 3 things:

  1. What do you want with us Jesus of Nazareth?

  2. Have you come to destroy us?

  3. I know who you are—the Holy One of God!

I asked myself what is significant about these two questions!

I found it very significant that an evil spirit in the man felt that Jesus was interfering in the man’s life. The evil spirit wanted to destroy the man but now felt opposition and names the opposition to be Jesus of Nazareth. The evil spirit does not seem to be speaking just on his behalf but on the behalf of all his demons and seems to be claiming that the man belongs to them. This is evident by the phrases ‘with us’ and ‘destroy us’.

I asked myself what is significant of the declarative statement ‘I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’

This is such a powerful statement that the evil spirit makes after mentioning the name of Jesus because the evil spirit is admitting to Jesus being ‘the Holy One of God’. Let us remember that Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan who sends out his evil spirits to do his dirty work but Jesus overcame the temptations of Satan by focusing on God and the Scriptures.

By admitting Jesus to be the ‘Holy One of God’, I get the feeling the evil spirit was telling Jesus not to bother with the man in their synagogue who is not holy. The evil spirit wants the man to be left to them. Yet, Jesus does not ignore the man’s plight. Knowing it is an evil spirit that is controlling the man and making him captive, Jesus intervenes after the teaching.

Point 3: Jesus of Nazareth

I asked myself what Jesus does?

1. Jesus commands the evil spirit sternly to ‘Be Quiet’!

2. Jesus commands the evil spirit sternly to ‘Come out of him’!

I asked myself the significance of these commands!

First, Jesus quiets the evil spirits from revealing more about Jesus. It is interesting how much the evil spirits seemed to know about Jesus. Now, Jesus performs a miracle by removing the evil spirit from the man by commanding it to come out of him. The evil spirit had to obey Jesus and came out of the man with hesitation. This is evidenced by the verse, ‘The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.’

Whatever the man was facing, Jesus healed him. This man was someone in their synagogue who was possessed and Jesus intervened. This causes a reaction among others in their synagogue which is evidenced by point 4.

Point 4: People

I asked myself what happened after the healing took place!

1. The people were all so amazed.

2. They asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority!”

3. They announced that Jesus even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.

4. They spread the news about him over the whole region of Galilee.

What stuck out to me from these statements is the phrase ‘He even gives orders’. This tells me that they recognized the awesome teaching with authority that Jesus had given before performing the healing. Now they know that Jesus can even heal people possessed with evil spirits.

Implications:

I saw important implications for my own life here. Just because someone is at church or coming to fellowships, etc I should not assume that everything is ok in their lives. I should be involved in their lives to see if they are troubled and need help. I need to make myself available to others who may want to talk and need help. Jesus calls us to be His Ambassadors and His servants to carry out His work here on earth. Not all are given the same gifts but when we are faithful, available, and teachable having a heart to reach out with the love of Christ, He will use us in mighty ways for His Kingdom.

This summer I took 40 days off to spend in prayer and reading of the Word from Genesis to Revelation completely. It took me 33 days to finish reading through the Bible. One of the verses that stood out for me was in Acts 20:24 which has become my signature verse too!

"But life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus --- the work of telling others the Good News about God's mighty kindness and love." (Acts 20:24, TLB)

I ask you now dear friend, what captivity are you facing today?

Dear friend, I do not know what captivity you are facing but Jesus Christ knows. The captivities we face are here to destroy us and to bring our hopes and dreams down. We do not have to allow them to take control of our lives. Yes, friend whatever you face or you know someone is facing, there is hope and the hope is in Jesus.

I do not assume anymore that if someone comes to church regularly that everything is okay in their lives and they are walking and growing strong in the Lord. This can be far from the truth. Many of them can be facing silent bondage that only the Master’s Hand can heal. But the Master uses His servants’ lots of time to bring His healing. At times the healing of Jesus comes directly.

Captivities can come in many shapes and forms. They do not just have to be demon possession but they can be an unforgiving spirit, living in the past, having trouble to move on because of things that have happened, loss of hope and dreams, guilt, etc. If we dwell in them, they will control us but the Good News is that Jesus wants to reach you where you are friend. Yes, He does! Allow Him to come and work in your life. Allow Him to be the Lord of your life.

Don’t give up but keep holding on! If you know someone who seems to be in captivity to something, what they need is your understanding and love. This does not mean the action is condoned but allowing the person to share with you and working with the person to get help. There are couple of awesome churches I know that have done that very well.

Whatever you are dealing with, allow Jesus to heal you and believe He will. He loves you friend. He will give you the strength and endurance to deal with these captivities. Yes, He will! His Blood was shed for you and can heal you where you are. Yes, He can! Don’t give up! Jesus wants to be the Lord of your past, the Lord of your present, and the Lord of your future. As Jesus works in your life, you can be the one to bring light into someone’s life with the Light of Jesus.

The people were amazed with Jesus not only because of His teaching but because He personally got involved in people’s lives and brought healing to them. The news of what Jesus did started spreading across Galilee. If churches and individuals do that, the news will spread that something is happening there. It is not for our glory but for the glory of Christ.

May you know the Lord that can heal you and will heal you as you wait upon Him! May you know the strength He gives you as you depend on Him to endure through the issues that you are facing! Amen!

“Christ's Awesome Power Truly Invokes Valid Inspiration To You!"(C.A.P.T.I.V.I.T.Y)/"What captivity are you facing today?"

May the background song to this message also uplift you!

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, I want to thank you so much for the healing you performed in the man’s life. Even though you are Holy and the man was far from holy, you intervened in his life and healed him. You cared for Him in his weakness. You do that for us too. Thank you Jesus so much for what you have done and what you still do in our lives. I pray now for all those who are in captivity to different things in their life. Sometimes they feel they cannot go on and just want to give up but you Oh Lord are a God who heals the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds. You meet us where we are and we ask you for your healing in people’s lives that need your amazing love. Help us be the vessels you want us to be to carry out your work in this broken world. May our actions bring your Light into people’s dark and aching souls! Please be the Lord of their past, present, and future. Help us to be instruments of love and heal us in our own lives please Jesus. We want you to be lifted higher and higher. Help us to be sensitive to those around us and reach them with your love Jesus. Thank you so much Jesus for your help. Thank you for your healing power, for hearing and answering us! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

If you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as you pray this prayer, meaning it in your heart.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I am a sinner Lord. I am so sorry for my sins. I confess my sins to you. I confess the wrong things I have done and messed up my own life. I need you Lord right now and in the years to come. I have gone my own way and have not found what only you can give me. You alone have the words of Eternal Life. You alone love me unconditionally for who I am. Thank you Jesus! I turn myself to you Oh Lord in this Fall of September 2005. Please forgive me of all my sins and come into my heart.  I accept you Jesus into my heart. Thanks Jesus for coming into my heart. Thanks for forgiving me of all my sins. Thanks for giving me a new identity in you. I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior as I believe in my heart that you died and came back to life to save me now and forever. I give myself to you and ask you to be in control of my life. Thank you Jesus for the coming days we can do things together. Thanks for being my Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and answered me. Thanks Jesus for changing me and helping me through life's storms and winds. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Friend, you may feel something or you may not but this you can be assured that the Lord Jesus has come into your life and will give you a new beginning! Amen!

Get yourself involved in a campus Bible study, fellowship, and most of all find a Bible believing church and be involved to grow in your Christian walk with the Lord. They all need to be supplements for your own precious time with the Lord in prayer and meditating on His Word. If you need a Bible, please let me know!

If you need anyone to talk to, pray with, or study the Bible with this Fall of September 2005, you can email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com or call me at 412-720-4579.

Love in Christ,
Ramesh

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SEPTEMBER 2005

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SEPTEMBER 2005

CHAPTER 1

How seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y to prophecy?  (Sept 01, 05)

Who do you P.O.I.N.T to? (Sept 02.05)

"Will you take a S.T.A.N.D?" (Sept 03.05)

How is your loving P.R.A.I.S.E? (Sept 06.05)

"How do you handle T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N?" (Sept 07.05)

"Who controls your T.I.M.E?" (Sept 08, 05)

"What kind of P.R.O.F.E.S.S.I.O.N are you in?" (Sept 09, 05)

"Whose T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S do you listen to?" (Sept 12, 05)