We Have a Trustworthy Guide Psalms 32:8-9
Hanging on my office wall is a print that I’ve had for nearly 60 years. It shows the Lord Jesus standing behind a young man whose eyes are focused in the direction that the Master is pointing. Jesus’ hand is on the man’s shoulder, and I imagine He is saying, “This is the way we’re going. I will get you to the destination.” Although the road will be marked with both joy and suffering, the Lord leads His followers all the way to their eternal home.
Anyone who is honest will admit that he or she is ill-equipped to go through life alone. Our all-knowing God created us with a need for His guidance. In our own strength, knowledge, and reasoning power, we are simply not able to figure out how to make the wisest decisions. But the Lord’s assuring hand at our shoulder can lead us down right paths to good choices.
The Lord is willing and able to guide us, if we will let Him. It isn’t difficult to fall in step with Him. Acknowledge that you have wandered down paths of life that led to sin and disobedience. Choose to follow His lead instead by reading the Word of God and applying biblical principles to your life. And learn to pray through both large and small decisions as you seek the path He has set for you.
Just beyond our last heartbeat lies eternity. That’s where our Savior is pointing us. The path may not be clear to our eyes, but Jesus is leading us there with a steady and sure hand. Our part is to follow in obedience so that we may reach heaven and hear the Father say, “Well done.”
If So Be
�If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.� (1 Peter 2:3)
The little phrase �if so be� (Greek ei per) is used four times in the New Testament, each time setting forth a vital spiritual result established on the basis of a vital spiritual premise. The premise in today�s verse is that a new Christian has truly experienced the saving grace of Christ. The result will be that these �newborn babes� will truly �desire the sincere milk of the word� (1 Peter 2:2). The �word� (Greek logikos) is always both pure and reasonable.
Then, �ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you� (Romans 8:9). When a person truly receives Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells his body, and the result is that he will henceforth live in the guidance of the Spirit instead of the flesh.
But this life in the Spirit will necessarily entail suffering for the sake of Christ, and this is the premise that assures our future inheritance and glorification. The indwelling Spirit bears witness that we are �heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together� (Romans 8:17).
Finally, our future resurrection is assured by the certainty of the bodily resurrection of Christ. �We have testified of God,� Paul says, �that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not� (1 Corinthians 15:15). Christ�s resurrection is proved as well as any historical fact has ever been proved, so the dead surely rise also.
These �if so be�s� of Scripture, although seemingly expressed in the form of conditions, actually speak great assurances. The true Christian life is one of thirst for the logical words of God, guidance by the indwelling Spirit of God, certainty of future resurrection, and anticipation of a glorious inheritance in Christ. HMM
The Path of Life
Jeremiah 10:23-24
Life is like an untraveled trail with complex twists and turns. Appealing activities can be detours that lead to the quicksand of sin. And engaging philosophies may form side paths that end up in a mire of muddled thinking. Even the best route isn’t all sun-dappled meadows and quiet riverside lanes. We may at times have to journey over hard terrain or shadowed valleys. The only way to be sure we’re walking right is to follow one who knows the way perfectly.
God is the perfect, full-service Guide. No one can go wrong by keeping to the pathways He selects. Consider that He lovingly and intentionally created you for this time and this place. The Lord watches over your steps because He desires to see your purpose fulfilled and His plan come to fruition through you (Prov. 3:5-6). Therefore, He promises to counsel those who follow Him (Ps. 25:12). When God warns His children away from a tempting sidetrack, it is because He foresees the dangers that lurk on that road.
There’s a correlation between ignoring God’s guidance and ending up in trouble: the one who stumbles off course has trusted his own “sense of direction”--his emotions, desires, or personal version of morality. He’s been pursuing what feels good or looks right instead of seeking the Lord’s will.
God has mapped out the path before you. He is aware of every obstacle and miry pit, and He knows exactly which sidetracks will tempt you. What’s more, He has committed to walk beside you as a Guide and Comforter so that you never face the twists and turns of this life alone.
If by Any Means
“If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” (Philippians 3:11)
The usage of this seemingly insignificant phrase, “if by any means” (Greek ei pos), follows a significant order of development in the New Testament. Occurring only four times, it is used to express the urgency of an object sought and the background needs and means for its attainment.
The context of the first occurrence is the presumed need for physical comfort and security. “Because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter” (Acts 27:12). This particular goal, however, was never attained.
The second is a more noble object, that of reaching an area of spiritual ministry. “Without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,” Paul said. “Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you . . . that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift” (Romans 1:9-11).
The next occurrence speaks in even greater urgency, the object being the conversion of Paul’s Jewish brethren. “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles. . . . If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them” (Romans 11:13-14).
The final occurrence is in today’s verse, speaking of the supreme importance of a Christ-centered life: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11). By all means, therefore, we should, like Paul, seek to live for Christ, minister to others, and win souls for Him. HMM
God Is Our Loving Father
Luke 15:11-24
Humanity tends to project its own faulty habits onto God. This is especially true regarding the nature of His love. We think we must barter, plead, or try hard to earn the Lord's favor. But as the prodigal son learned, the Father's love is unconditional.
God Remembers
“And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged.” (Genesis 8:1)
This verse contains the first mention of the beautiful word “remember” in the Bible, and it tells us that God remembers! During the awful cataclysm of the Flood, the most devastating event thus far in the history of the world, God still remembered the faithful obedience of Noah, and He even remembered every living thing!
We may forget many things, but God remembers: “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name” (Hebrews 6:10). Nor does He ever forget a promise. The first mention of “remember” in the New Testament is the Spirit-inspired testimony of Zacharias: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people . . . to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham” (Luke 1:68, 72-73). That promise had been made 2,000 years before, but God remembered.
God even remembers the sparrows: “Not one of them is forgotten before God” (Luke 12:6). And He certainly remembers His own children: “For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14).
Even after the children of Israel had gone deeply into idolatry, He could still say, “I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness” (Jeremiah 2:2).
God remembers the evil as well as the good, of course. The one thing He chooses not to remember is the sinful past of those who have come to Christ for forgiveness. “And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17). HMM
Justification
“And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” (Genesis 7:1)
This is the first mention of the great doctrine of justification in the Bible—that is, being seen as “righteous” by God. The same Hebrew word is translated “just” in Genesis 6:9: “Noah was a just man.” The reason why Noah was seen as righteous and therefore as just, or justified before God, was that “Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8). This is the first mention of “grace” in the Bible. The first mention of “faith” or “belief” is also associated with justification. “[Abraham] believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).
Thus, justification is by grace through faith in the Old Testament and certainly in the New. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” and also “being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 3:24; 5:1).
Justification—that is, being seen and proclaimed as perfectly righteous, even in spite of past sins—must of course be authorized by God the Creator. “It is God that justifieth” (Romans 8:33). That God can indeed be both “just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans 3:26) is based entirely on the substitutionary death and bodily resurrection of Christ, who conquered death. “Being now justified by his blood,” the Lord Jesus Christ “was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” (Romans 5:9; 4:25).
Now, although we are freely justified by grace through faith, such justification inevitably generates good works also, for “by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). HMM
How to Pray for the Soul - Yours or AnotherJohn Piper
For thoughtful people, how they pray for the soul is governed by how they believe God acts. So, for example, if they believe God changes people’s souls so that they make new and right choices, then they will ask God to make those soul-changes through evangelism and nurture. But not everybody is thoughtful about the way they pray. They don’t think about what view of God is behind their praying.
So what I suggest is that we learn first to pray for the soul from the way the Bible prays for the soul. If we do that, then our prayers will probably be good prayers, and in the process we will also learn about how God acts. Here is the way I pray for my soul. I use these prayers over and over again--for myself and my children and wife and for the staff and the elders and for all the church. This is the meat and potatoes of my prayer life.
The first thing my soul needs is an inclination to God and his word. Without that, nothing else will happen of any value in my life. I must want to know God and read his word and draw near to him. Where does that “want to” come from? It comes from God. So Psalm 119:36 teaches us to pray, “Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to gain."
Next I need to have the eyes of my heart opened, so that when my inclination leads me to the word I see what is really there and not just my own ideas. Who opens the eyes of the heart? God does. So Psalm 119:18 teaches us to pray, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.”
Then I need for my heart to be enlightened with these “wonders.” I need to perceive glory in them and not just interesting facts. Who enlightens the heart? God does. So Ephesians 1:18 teaches us to pray “That the eyes of your heart may be enlightened.”
Then I am concerned that my heart is fragmented and that parts of it might remain in the dark while other parts are enlightened. So I long for my heart to be united for God. Where does that wholeness and unity come from? From God. So Psalm 86:11 teaches us to pray, “O Lord, I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.”
What I really want from all this engagement with the Word of God and the work of his Spirit in answer to my prayers is that my heart will be satisfied with God and not with the world. Where does that satisfaction come from? It comes from God. So Psalm 90:14 teaches us to pray, “O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”
But I don’t just want to be happy in my own little private world with God. I want my happiness to be as full as possible for spreading and expanding for others. I want to be strong in joy. This will make me durable in the face of threats or adversity. Where does that strength and durability come from? It comes from God. So Ephesians 3:16 teaches us to pray, “That God would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man.”
Finally, I want my strength in Christ to produce good deeds for others so that the glory of God will be seen in my life. Who produces these good deeds? God does. So Colossians 1:10 teaches us to pray, “That [we] will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord . . . bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
All this I pray “in Jesus’ name,” because God gives these things to my soul only because Jesus died for me and removed the wrath of God so that the Father might “freely give me all things” (Romans 8:32).
To remember some of these prayers, I use an acronym--IOUS--almost every day in praying for those I love, asking God to give us an inclination to his Word and not to money or fame or power (Psalm 119:36), and to open our eyes to see wonderful things when we read his Word (Psalm 119:18), and to have hearts united in the fear of God rather than fragmented over a dozen concerns (Psalm 86:11), and to be satisfied in his steadfast love (Psalm 90:14).
Learning to pray and learning how God acts,
Pastor John.
Good news for a change - Bill Wilson -
Matthew 26:47-50
I�ve counseled plenty of folks who argue that they are not worthy of God�s love. Of all the passages I could point to that describe the Lord�s devotion, today�s is the one I think best showcases the unqualified friendship He offers His followers.
As Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane on the night before His crucifixion, Judas Iscariot approached him with a band of men. The betrayer stepped forward and kissed the Lord�s cheek. And what was Jesus� response? According to another disciple, Matthew, He called the man �Friend� (Matt. 26:50).
Judas expected Jesus to establish His kingdom on earth and drive the Romans out of Israel--anyone who could calm a storm at sea could easily remove an oppressive government! But Judas�s interest in Jesus was more personal and political than spiritual. In fact, John reported that his fellow disciple stole from the money box (12:6). Today the man�s name is synonymous with those who betray others for personal gain.
In spite of Judas� greed, blind ambition, and betrayal, Jesus never stopped loving him; He still used the word �friend� to address the one-time disciple. The Lord does not place conditions on His love or reject people who fail to meet certain standards. He simply cares for us as we are.
People cannot earn Jesus Christ�s love and friendship. He takes the initiative, reaches out, and draws into fellowship those who are willing. We are not worthy, but we are privileged to live in His love anyway. In the Lord, we find a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Prov. 18:24).
Things We Know
�And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.� (1 Peter 5:4)
In these days of relativism, situational ethics, and changing mores, it does a Christian good to note the many things in Scripture we can know, things we can count on, things that do not change. Following is a sampling of such truths, with little comment, intended to encourage the reader to extend the list, perhaps as an ongoing project.
We can know that Christ is God: �I and my Father are one� (John 10:30).
We can know that we are saved: �He that believeth on me hath everlasting life� (John 6:47).
We can know we are His dear children: �Beloved, now are we the sons of God� (1 John 3:2).
We can know His protection: �And they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand� (John 10:28).
We can know He answers prayer: �If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it� (John 14:14).
We can know He will help us through temptation: �In that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted� (Hebrews 2:18).
We can know how we should act: �For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done� (John 13:15).
We can know He desires us to speak on His behalf: �Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you� (1 Peter 3:15).
We can know that He will come again: �I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also� (John 14:3).
We can know of our eternal rewards, as in today�s verse: �An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you� (1 Peter 1:4). JDM
The Battle Is the Lord's
�And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD�s, and he will give you into our hands.� (1 Samuel 17:47)
These were the ringing words of faith uttered by young David as he faced the Philistine giant, Goliath. Without armor, or spear, or shield, and with only a sling and five smooth stones, David confronted the nine-foot champion of the pagan army in the name of the true God, and soon the giant lay dead with his face to the ground.
The battle must always be the Lord�s. �For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against . . . the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places� (Ephesians 6:12). Spiritual battles are not won by bullets, nor by ballots, nor by any human means. �Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God� (Psalm 20:7). �There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. . . . Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy� (Psalm 33:16, 18).
We even have a mandate to attack the enemy in His stronghold. Christ taught, �Upon this rock [of faith in Christ as divine Savior] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it� (Matthew 16:18)
It is easy, in trying to do a work for God, to rely on human abilities and devices, but these will fail, for the battle is the Lord�s. When the battle is going well, we must not boast, for the battle is the Lord�s. When the battle is going hard, we must not despair, for the battle is the Lord�s.
He is our strength. �For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)� (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). HMM
Forgiven? Then Forgive - By Greg Laurie -
Hanging on my office wall is a print that I’ve had for nearly 60 years. It shows the Lord Jesus standing behind a young man whose eyes are focused in the direction that the Master is pointing. Jesus’ hand is on the man’s shoulder, and I imagine He is saying, “This is the way we’re going. I will get you to the destination.” Although the road will be marked with both joy and suffering, the Lord leads His followers all the way to their eternal home.
Anyone who is honest will admit that he or she is ill-equipped to go through life alone. Our all-knowing God created us with a need for His guidance. In our own strength, knowledge, and reasoning power, we are simply not able to figure out how to make the wisest decisions. But the Lord’s assuring hand at our shoulder can lead us down right paths to good choices.
The Lord is willing and able to guide us, if we will let Him. It isn’t difficult to fall in step with Him. Acknowledge that you have wandered down paths of life that led to sin and disobedience. Choose to follow His lead instead by reading the Word of God and applying biblical principles to your life. And learn to pray through both large and small decisions as you seek the path He has set for you.
Just beyond our last heartbeat lies eternity. That’s where our Savior is pointing us. The path may not be clear to our eyes, but Jesus is leading us there with a steady and sure hand. Our part is to follow in obedience so that we may reach heaven and hear the Father say, “Well done.”
If So Be
�If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.� (1 Peter 2:3)
The Path of Life
Jeremiah 10:23-24
Life is like an untraveled trail with complex twists and turns. Appealing activities can be detours that lead to the quicksand of sin. And engaging philosophies may form side paths that end up in a mire of muddled thinking. Even the best route isn’t all sun-dappled meadows and quiet riverside lanes. We may at times have to journey over hard terrain or shadowed valleys. The only way to be sure we’re walking right is to follow one who knows the way perfectly.
God is the perfect, full-service Guide. No one can go wrong by keeping to the pathways He selects. Consider that He lovingly and intentionally created you for this time and this place. The Lord watches over your steps because He desires to see your purpose fulfilled and His plan come to fruition through you (Prov. 3:5-6). Therefore, He promises to counsel those who follow Him (Ps. 25:12). When God warns His children away from a tempting sidetrack, it is because He foresees the dangers that lurk on that road.
There’s a correlation between ignoring God’s guidance and ending up in trouble: the one who stumbles off course has trusted his own “sense of direction”--his emotions, desires, or personal version of morality. He’s been pursuing what feels good or looks right instead of seeking the Lord’s will.
God has mapped out the path before you. He is aware of every obstacle and miry pit, and He knows exactly which sidetracks will tempt you. What’s more, He has committed to walk beside you as a Guide and Comforter so that you never face the twists and turns of this life alone.
If by Any Means
“If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” (Philippians 3:11)
God Is Our Loving Father
Luke 15:11-24
Humanity tends to project its own faulty habits onto God. This is especially true regarding the nature of His love. We think we must barter, plead, or try hard to earn the Lord's favor. But as the prodigal son learned, the Father's love is unconditional.
The wayward son expected his father's love to be diminished. Therefore, he went home hoping for a place among the family servants. Imagine the boy's delight when Dad greeted him with a hug and a celebration. His actions certainly didn't merit an outpouring of affection, but Jesus' parable is all about a Father who doesn't give people what they deserve.
A love based on conduct would keep people guessing, Have I done enough? Instead, God cares for you simply because you're you, and He expects nothing in return. Consider the prodigal's life after his homecoming party. He didn't move into the servants' quarters and get to work. He was reinstated to his place as the second son of a wealthy man, with all of the privilege that entails. In the same way, believers are the Lord's cherished children (2 Cor. 6:18). When God looks at His loved ones, He doesn't focus upon past failures, faults, or sin. He sees the heirs to His kingdom--men and women who love Him and desire to spend eternity in His presence.
No matter how far we may wander from the Lord's perfect will for our lives, we are always welcome back. The Bible teaches that God's love cannot be lost, regardless of sin or poor decisions (though we may have to live with the consequences). Our Father's arms are always open.God Remembers
“And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged.” (Genesis 8:1)
Justification
“And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” (Genesis 7:1)
How to Pray for the Soul - Yours or AnotherJohn Piper
For thoughtful people, how they pray for the soul is governed by how they believe God acts. So, for example, if they believe God changes people’s souls so that they make new and right choices, then they will ask God to make those soul-changes through evangelism and nurture. But not everybody is thoughtful about the way they pray. They don’t think about what view of God is behind their praying.
So what I suggest is that we learn first to pray for the soul from the way the Bible prays for the soul. If we do that, then our prayers will probably be good prayers, and in the process we will also learn about how God acts. Here is the way I pray for my soul. I use these prayers over and over again--for myself and my children and wife and for the staff and the elders and for all the church. This is the meat and potatoes of my prayer life.
The first thing my soul needs is an inclination to God and his word. Without that, nothing else will happen of any value in my life. I must want to know God and read his word and draw near to him. Where does that “want to” come from? It comes from God. So Psalm 119:36 teaches us to pray, “Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to gain."
Next I need to have the eyes of my heart opened, so that when my inclination leads me to the word I see what is really there and not just my own ideas. Who opens the eyes of the heart? God does. So Psalm 119:18 teaches us to pray, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.”
Then I need for my heart to be enlightened with these “wonders.” I need to perceive glory in them and not just interesting facts. Who enlightens the heart? God does. So Ephesians 1:18 teaches us to pray “That the eyes of your heart may be enlightened.”
Then I am concerned that my heart is fragmented and that parts of it might remain in the dark while other parts are enlightened. So I long for my heart to be united for God. Where does that wholeness and unity come from? From God. So Psalm 86:11 teaches us to pray, “O Lord, I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.”
What I really want from all this engagement with the Word of God and the work of his Spirit in answer to my prayers is that my heart will be satisfied with God and not with the world. Where does that satisfaction come from? It comes from God. So Psalm 90:14 teaches us to pray, “O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”
But I don’t just want to be happy in my own little private world with God. I want my happiness to be as full as possible for spreading and expanding for others. I want to be strong in joy. This will make me durable in the face of threats or adversity. Where does that strength and durability come from? It comes from God. So Ephesians 3:16 teaches us to pray, “That God would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man.”
Finally, I want my strength in Christ to produce good deeds for others so that the glory of God will be seen in my life. Who produces these good deeds? God does. So Colossians 1:10 teaches us to pray, “That [we] will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord . . . bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
All this I pray “in Jesus’ name,” because God gives these things to my soul only because Jesus died for me and removed the wrath of God so that the Father might “freely give me all things” (Romans 8:32).
To remember some of these prayers, I use an acronym--IOUS--almost every day in praying for those I love, asking God to give us an inclination to his Word and not to money or fame or power (Psalm 119:36), and to open our eyes to see wonderful things when we read his Word (Psalm 119:18), and to have hearts united in the fear of God rather than fragmented over a dozen concerns (Psalm 86:11), and to be satisfied in his steadfast love (Psalm 90:14).
Learning to pray and learning how God acts,
Pastor John.
Good news for a change - Bill Wilson -
In reading through the headlines this morning, there wasn't any good news to report. A lot of stories about the celebrities wearing black because of their sexual assault claims; the NAACP wanting people to wave white towels at the college championship game because they see President Donald Trump as a racist; The recent ex-"president" spending taxpayer money on a lavish presidential library; Town to fine drivers $200 for taking GPS-guided shortcuts; US sets new cost record for major disasters; and it goes on and on. We live in a world where the media is tabloid style--rather than reporting the truth--it reports the sensational in this ever competitive 24-7 news cycle. So is there any good news out there?
How about if we make our own good news? I'm thinking that each of us has a good news story that we can share. One that I would like to share with you is what we have done in Ghana, West Africa this past year under the able leadership of Pastor William Agbeti. William and I have been working together since 1992 in various outreach projects. He's an honest, selfless, tireless visionary who puts his thoughts to action in helping make the world a better place. Over the years, we have worked on projects to build houses, teach people how to build computers, give homes to severely handicapped children, bring sanitary kits to Ebola-infected areas, clean water, clothing and food to rural areas where the big churches refuse to go. To the people these project impact, that's pretty good news.
William says that Daily Jot readers have impacted the poor, rural people of Ghana greatly. He reports, "The support and donations that came from and through you made it so! Each donation helped a great deal to impact a soul, touch a family, transform a community, put food on the table, ignite a heart and glorify God. Above all, His Kingdom expanded as many accepted Christ. Well over 1,200 children benefited from the benevolence of donors, not to mention needy parents who received the gift of love, hope and material things. Some children were saved from the throes of death, others received the gift of life (Water), while many were snatched away from the devastating effects of hunger."
A little bit from each of us makes a big difference in a lot of people's lives. We are not a big ministry. We don't have a staff. The Daily Jot is designed to inform and equip people of news from a Biblical perspective. It is a free news service. There are no salaries. No expensive offices. Those who donate to this ministry see their gifts multiplied in the examples given by Pastor Agbeti. We have a Great Commission, Matthew 28:19-20 heart: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." We try to spread the Good News for a change in lives.
A Prayer for the Enemy - By Greg Laurie -
"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." -Matthew 5:44
The first statement Jesus made from the cross was, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (Luke 23:34). Maybe we would have understood it more if He had said, "Father, condemn them," or "Father, judge them." But the first thing Jesus said from the cross was a prayer for His enemies: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Jesus was practicing what He preached. Remember, in the Sermon on the Mount He said, "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).
And Jesus also was fulfilling a Messianic prophesy. Isaiah 53, written hundreds of years before Christ died, said that the Messiah would make intercession for the transgressors. And that is exactly what Jesus was doing. He was interceding for all the people who played a role in His death.
Pilate himself knew Jesus was innocent. He said, "I find no fault in this Man" (Luke 23:4). But because he was so concerned about his career and position, he would not pardon Jesus and let Him go. The religious rulers knew that no legitimate charge could be brought against Christ. Even the Roman centurion at the cross said, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:39). Judas Iscariot knew he had done wrong, saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood" (Matthew 27:4).
So Jesus was essentially saying, "Father, forgive them. They don't realize how bad this is. Forgive them, because they need forgiveness so desperately. Forgive them, for they have committed a sin that is beyond all comprehension. Forgive them, for they have done something that is beyond bad. Father, forgive them."
When was the last time you prayed for your enemies?
Jesus Our Intimate FriendMatthew 26:47-50
I�ve counseled plenty of folks who argue that they are not worthy of God�s love. Of all the passages I could point to that describe the Lord�s devotion, today�s is the one I think best showcases the unqualified friendship He offers His followers.
As Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane on the night before His crucifixion, Judas Iscariot approached him with a band of men. The betrayer stepped forward and kissed the Lord�s cheek. And what was Jesus� response? According to another disciple, Matthew, He called the man �Friend� (Matt. 26:50).
Judas expected Jesus to establish His kingdom on earth and drive the Romans out of Israel--anyone who could calm a storm at sea could easily remove an oppressive government! But Judas�s interest in Jesus was more personal and political than spiritual. In fact, John reported that his fellow disciple stole from the money box (12:6). Today the man�s name is synonymous with those who betray others for personal gain.
In spite of Judas� greed, blind ambition, and betrayal, Jesus never stopped loving him; He still used the word �friend� to address the one-time disciple. The Lord does not place conditions on His love or reject people who fail to meet certain standards. He simply cares for us as we are.
People cannot earn Jesus Christ�s love and friendship. He takes the initiative, reaches out, and draws into fellowship those who are willing. We are not worthy, but we are privileged to live in His love anyway. In the Lord, we find a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Prov. 18:24).
Things We Know
�And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.� (1 Peter 5:4)
The Battle Is the Lord's
�And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD�s, and he will give you into our hands.� (1 Samuel 17:47)
Forgiven? Then Forgive - By Greg Laurie -
"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." -Matthew 6:12
The feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys was one of the longest-running in American history. One family lived in West Virginia, the other in Kentucky, on opposite sides of the Big Sandy River's Tug Fork. Conflicts developed, one person was killed, and then another. And by the time it was over, more than two dozen people were dead.
Our society doesn't value forgiveness. In fact, forgiveness is often seen as a sign of weakness, not strength. Our culture esteems vengeance and payback. We believe in the old adage "Don't get mad, get even."
But in what we know as The Lord's Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" (Matthew 6:12).
The word debt in this verse could be better translated "sins." In other words, forgive us our sins-or our trespasses or our shortcomings or our resentments or the wrong we have done or what we owe to Him.
Contrary to what we may think, we don't go through a day without sinning. Even if we might not break a commandment of God, we certainly fall short of a standard of God. We have sinful thoughts and attitudes. We commit sins of omission, failing to do good when we could have done it. The Bible says, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8).
We need to ask God every day to forgive us for our sins. And as we receive that forgiveness, we should also extend it to others. According to Jesus, our generous and constant forgiveness of others should be the natural result of our understanding of the forgiveness God has extended to us.
To put it simply, forgiven people ought to be forgiving people.
How Unforgiveness Hurts You - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. -Ephesians 4:32
If you're someone who holds grudges, if you keep score and can't let things go, then you need to know something: You will suffer in life. You also will see your prayer life come to a screeching halt.
Forgiveness is the key to all healthy, strong, and lasting relationships. That's why we must realize how important it is to forgive. Jesus said, "So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God" (Matthew 5:23-24).
Maybe you've decided that you won't forgive someone who has wronged you. Guess who will be the one to get hurt? You will. Harboring resentment and unforgiveness will hurt you more than the person you're refusing to forgive. If you want to be healthy and vibrant spiritually, then you must learn to forgive.
Jesus taught us to pray, "Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" (Matthew 6:12).
You may think they don't deserve forgiveness. But do you? Do I? No, we don't. Our forgiveness doesn't hinge on forgiving others, but forgiving others should hinge on God's gracious and generous forgiveness toward us.
The forgiveness that comes to us from Christ is based on His merit and on His death and His love for us. If we know anything about what Christ has done for us, then we should forgive others.
The Bible says, "Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32).
Forgiven people should be forgiving people. And if you want to be healthy and vibrant spiritually, then you must learn to forgive.
Words mean things - Bill Wilson -
President Donald Trump is once again facing a firestorm. This time, over his remarks about not wanting immigrants from what he called "S**Thole nations." The media and his opponents wasted no time in translating his words into the word "racist." Whether it was taken out of context or not, this President should know by now that every word he says comes under great scrutiny, and most of his words will be twisted and used against him. He should, therefore, curb his word usage and be more intentional about the messages he is sending. Otherwise, his effectiveness will erode. If politicians believe Trump to be racist, they will not want to be seen with him or work with him. The Bible has a lot to say about words.
Christ said in Matthew 7:12, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." It's called the Golden Rule. It starts out by treating others the way you would like to be treated. This is how we as Christians need to view the world. It should be a foundation of our life's philosophy, something etched in our heart. Christ also said in Matthew 15:11, "Not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man; but that which comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." No matter how much we want change in this country from the previous ways, we also must not abandon our Christian principles in the process. Accountability is key.
Proverbs says a lot about the words we use. 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." 12:18, "There is that speaks like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health." 15:1, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger." 13:3, "He that keeps his mouth keeps his life: but he that opens wide his lips shall have destruction." 10:19, "He that refrains his lips is wise." 25:11, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." 29:20, "See a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him." There are many who believe our President's harshness is necessary and that some people may deserve it, but scripturally speaking, it cannot be justified.
James 3:5-8 says," Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." Curb your tongue, Mr. President. Words mean things and the meaner your words, the meaner you are portrayed, and the less you will be able to accomplish.
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