Hello Saints and Friends,
​A new kid moved into the neighborhood and was changing the dull routine of life into something more exciting! He began holding after-school Bible studies and bringing people together to help one another in special ways. Many of the kids at school enjoyed being around him and looked up to him. But not the bullies. They did not like the new kid because the other kids who hung out with him stopped giving their lunch money to them. So the big bullies got together to make a plan. They said among themselves, “We could beat him up real good, then no one would feel safe around him.” “No,” said another bully. “We need to discredit him so he is rejected by others. Not even welcome at school.”
“Ya, a real hypocrite!” “Let’s plant something in his locker and tell the Principal he stole it.” “Yea! Great idea!” ​So the bullies stole something from another student and something else from a teacher’s desk, then planted them in the new kid’s locker. After doing so, the bullies put an anonymous note where the Principal would find it. After reading the note, the Principal called the new kid into his office and asked if this was true. The new kid said it was not true. He had not stolen anything from anyone. So the Principal and the new kid walked to his locker. When it was opened, the stolen items were there. Even though the Principal thought the new kid was innocent, he felt this would be a good opportunity to demonstrate that stealing at school would not be tolerated. So in the sight of everyone, the Principal took the new kid into his office and closed the door. The new kid’s friends and other students began to ask one another: “Is it true? Could he have done this?” “Is he a hypocrite?!” His friends left and went their way. Those in the office could hear the sound of the Principal’s wooden paddle on the backside of the new kid. After being disciplined for something he did not do, the new kid was suspended from school. ​As Billy and Johnny, friends of the new kid, walked home, they felt discouraged and defeated. They thought the new kid was going to change the whole city for the better.
Then the new kid met them with a big smile, saying, “Hey guys, why do you look so down?” Surprised by his appearance, they replied, “What are you doing here? Why are you so happy?” “Remember in our Bible study, I told you from the Bible that sometimes bad things have to happen in order for good things to come about?” “Yes, we remember.” “Well, one of the bullies went to the Principal and confessed what he and the others had done. I had not left the school yet, when someone told me that the Principal wanted to see me. When I arrived, the former bully apologized to me. He said that my response to all that happened to me proved my faith was real! Then he prayed to receive Jesus as his Savior!”

​Have you ever been accused or thought to be guilty of something you supposedly said or did? If you said, ‘Yes’, you are in good company. The Bible tells us that Joseph was falsely accused of attempted rape. Job was accused by his friends of having done something deserving of God’s judgment. Moses, Paul, and others were all falsely accused. In each instance, God used it for His glory. No one has been more falsely accused, nor brought more glory to the Father, than Jesus the Son. Falsely accused of blasphemy, the religious authorities sought the death penalty. Not allowed to carry out the sentence themselves, they sought the Roman government to kill Jesus for them. A weak government leader who knew Jesus was innocent, gave the command to have Jesus crucified. Little did that official know he was part of God’s grand plan to save Man and bring glory to Himself. Before Jesus bowed His head and voluntarily gave up His life, He said, “It is finished.” John 19:30 He fulfilled all that the Father sent Him to do, including dying in the place of all who would trust in Him. The Bible says, ‘The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ Romans 6:23 Jesus paid the price for our sins. Whoever trusts in Him is forgiven and receives eternal life, which is lived in heaven. You can trust in Him now. Tell Him from your heart: ‘Jesus, thank You for dying in my place. Save me and help me to live for You. Amen’