The Priesthood of Believers Revelation 5:9-10
According to Scripture, the believer’s citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). In other words, we’re not going to be citizens of an eternal kingdom; we already are.
What’s more, every person who professes Jesus Christ as Lord is part of God’s priesthood. In the ancient Israelite culture, priests were the privileged servants of Almighty God. They carried out all the tasks related to keeping the Law and preserving the spiritual well-being of the people. They cared for the temple, offered sacrifices, and interceded on behalf of the community.
When John says in Revelation 1 that you and I are priests, he is placing us among the ranks of a people set apart as God’s servants. It is a blessing and calling to worship the Lord, to adore and honor Him, and to ensure that all glory is given to His name. Our duties also include interceding on behalf of others.
The one priestly task we do not have to do is perform sacrifices. God Himself offered the final sacrifice on the cross of Calvary, when His Son died in our place. Our part is to bear witness to the breadth and depth of His love for all people. Once you grasp the fact that God looks on His children—every one a former slave to sin—with unconditional devotion, you can’t keep quiet about it.
Believers are special in the eyes of their God and King. We are a sacred people and a holy order. What are you doing with your life? As a believer, you are not your own anymore (1 Corinthians 6:19). You are a priest and a privileged servant of the Most High God.
The New Birth
“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (James 1:18)
The term “born again” has come into wide use—too wide and popular, in fact, for many who use it have little comprehension of its meaning. First of all, there can be no real Christian who is not a “born-again Christian.” Jesus said: “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. . . . Ye must be born again” (John 3:3, 7).
The Creator of the new birth is the Creator of the universe, as the text declares. He begat us as a kind of first fruits of His creatures. The new birth is not a new leaf, or a new morality, but a new creation! “Except a man be born of . . . the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
The miracle is accomplished through faith in Christ, believing the record of His saving work, as revealed by the Scriptures. “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” (1 John 5:1). “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23).
Those who are truly born again will inevitably exhibit the characteristics of a spiritual birth, just as those who are born physically exhibit signs of physical life. As one characteristic of the new birth, “whosoever is born of God doth not commit [i.e., ‘practice’] sin” (1 John 3:9). Another sign is that of true Christian love, for “every one that loveth is born of God” (1 John 4:7). Furthermore, “whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).
The new birth is not a religious cliché but a miracle generating everlasting life. “According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). HMM
Written for Our Learning
�For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.� (Romans 15:4)
Let no modern Christian ever think that he can ignore the Old Testament and base all his faith and practice on just the 27 books of the New Testament, as vital as they are. Even the apostle Paul, who wrote more of the New Testament than anyone else, depended heavily on the Old Testament Scriptures for his exposition of the New Testament doctrines he had received �by the revelation of Jesus Christ� (Galatians 1:12).
For example, in the longest and most doctrinal of all his epistles�that is, Romans�he actually quoted from the Old Testament no less than 60 times, even though the epistle had been specifically addressed to Gentiles (Romans 11:13).
In his letter to the Gentiles at Corinth, after an extensive discussion of the Old Testament account of the experience of the Israelites in the wilderness, he said: �Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come� (1 Corinthians 10:11).
In this passage, the word translated �examples� is the Greek tupos, from which we derive our word �types.� Thus, the experiences of the Israelites were actually revealed by God to be �types� of Christ and our relation to Him. Therefore, in addition to the many explicit prophecies about Christ in the Old Testament, many other Scriptures can be profitably expounded as �types� of Christ. Indeed, in all the Old Testament Scriptures, as Christ Himself taught, are �things concerning himself� (Luke 24:27). HMM
Healing Prayerby Max Lucado
In my med-school class we discussed the place of prayer in the hospital. As you can imagine, we heard strong opinions on both sides. What are your thoughts? What is the purpose of healing prayer?
We tend toward one of two extremes on this subject: fanaticism or cynicism. Fanatics see the healing of the body as the aim of God and the measure of faith. Cynics consider any connection between prayer and healing as coincidental at best and misleading at worst. A fanatic might seek prayer at the exclusion of medicine; a cynic might seek medicine at the exclusion of prayer.
A healthy balance can be found. The physician is the friend of God. Prayer is the friend of the physician.
The example of Jesus is important.
Great crowds came to Jesus, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, those who could not speak, and many others. They put them at Jesus’ feet, and he healed them. The crowd was amazed when they saw that people who could not speak before were now able to speak. The crippled were made strong. The lame could walk, and the blind could see. And they praised the God of Israel for this. (Matt. 15:30–31 NCV)
What did the people do with the sick? They put them at Jesus’ feet. This is the purpose of praying for the ill. We place the sick at the feet of the Physician and request his touch. This passage also gives us the result of healing prayer. “They praised the God of Israel for this.” The ultimate aim of healing is not just a healthy body but a greater kingdom. If God’s aim is to grant perfect health to all his children, he has failed, because no one enjoys perfect health, and everyone dies. But if God’s aim is to expand the boundaries of his kingdom, then he has succeeded. For every time he heals, a thousand sermons are preached.
Speaking of sermons, did you notice what is missing from this text? Preaching. Jesus stayed with these four thousand people for three days and, as far as we know, never preached a sermon. Not one time did he say, “May I have your attention?” But thousands of times he asked, “May I help you?” What compassion he had for them. Can you imagine the line of people? On crutches, wearing blindfolds, carried by friends, cradled by parents. For seventy-two hours Jesus stared into face after hurting face, and then he said, “I feel sorry for these people” (v. 32 NCV). The inexhaustible compassion of Jesus. Mark it down. Pain on earth causes pain in heaven. And he will stand and receive the ill as long as the ill come in faith to him.
And he will do what is right every time. “God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day, and he will not be slow to answer them” (Luke 18:7 NCV).
Stop Robbing the Body of Christ
1 Corinthians 12:14-21
Every day, you get out of bed, put on clothes, and walk to the table to eat breakfast. You greet the rest of the household and maybe read the paper. A few minutes later, you drive to work at 60 m.p.h. on a strip of asphalt where other vehicles can pass by within four feet. In the first hour or so that you’re awake, your body completes thousands of complex tasks that are so routine they go unnoticed.
Our physical frame is a creation of remarkable beauty and intricacy. And while certain parts seem more attractive than others, all are useful. The body’s interdependent nature—that is, the way every part relies on other parts to perform properly—is an apt metaphor for a Christ-centered church. When believers use their gifts and talents to operate together lovingly, the whole body functions properly to the glory of God.
However, churches today are filled with people who feel insignificant. Upon seeing the successful work of others, they decide they’re not really needed or assume they haven’t got the “right” talents to make a worthwhile contribution. Those are lies from the Devil. When his misguidance succeeds—which is all too often—he manages to get one more Christian to back away in hopes that someone else will do the Lord’s work.
Hanging back instead of seeking a place to serve is a form of thievery: you’re robbing the Lord’s church—His people—of your unique contribution. Your role might be small or go unnoticed, but it is vital to Jesus Christ and to the smooth functioning of His body on earth.
Haste Makes Waste
“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” (Isaiah 28:16)
This is one of the great Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament, promising a Savior who would be the sure foundation of the eternal temple of God; yet it was 700 years before the promise was fulfilled. God did not “make haste,” but His promise, nevertheless, was sure. No doubt many believing Jews wondered why it was taking so long, but in the “fulness of the time” (Galatians 4:4), Christ came.
It is so easy to rush ahead of God instead of waiting for His leading. With good intentions and admirable zeal, Christians plan great programs, establish new organizations, promote legislation, and become involved in a thousand-and-one good activities, all in the name of Christ and His kingdom. Such activism is urgent, they believe, because the time is short. Nuclear war is coming; maybe even Christ is coming; and we must hurry.
But the Scripture says: “Therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him” (Isaiah 30:18).
We must not fail to follow when He really leads through His Word, but all too often undue haste results in confusion and collapse. When our text is quoted by Peter (1 Peter 2:6), the phrase “make haste” is rendered by “be confounded,” or “be ashamed.” It is not honoring to God for Christian projects and activities to “be confounded,” so Christian believers must be careful not to “make haste.” “Wait, I say, on the LORD” (Psalm 27:14). HMM
God Loves to Bless Us - by Greg Laurie -
According to Scripture, the believer’s citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). In other words, we’re not going to be citizens of an eternal kingdom; we already are.
What’s more, every person who professes Jesus Christ as Lord is part of God’s priesthood. In the ancient Israelite culture, priests were the privileged servants of Almighty God. They carried out all the tasks related to keeping the Law and preserving the spiritual well-being of the people. They cared for the temple, offered sacrifices, and interceded on behalf of the community.
The one priestly task we do not have to do is perform sacrifices. God Himself offered the final sacrifice on the cross of Calvary, when His Son died in our place. Our part is to bear witness to the breadth and depth of His love for all people. Once you grasp the fact that God looks on His children—every one a former slave to sin—with unconditional devotion, you can’t keep quiet about it.
Believers are special in the eyes of their God and King. We are a sacred people and a holy order. What are you doing with your life? As a believer, you are not your own anymore (1 Corinthians 6:19). You are a priest and a privileged servant of the Most High God.
The New Birth
“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (James 1:18)
The term “born again” has come into wide use—too wide and popular, in fact, for many who use it have little comprehension of its meaning. First of all, there can be no real Christian who is not a “born-again Christian.” Jesus said: “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. . . . Ye must be born again” (John 3:3, 7).
The Creator of the new birth is the Creator of the universe, as the text declares. He begat us as a kind of first fruits of His creatures. The new birth is not a new leaf, or a new morality, but a new creation! “Except a man be born of . . . the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
The miracle is accomplished through faith in Christ, believing the record of His saving work, as revealed by the Scriptures. “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” (1 John 5:1). “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23).
Those who are truly born again will inevitably exhibit the characteristics of a spiritual birth, just as those who are born physically exhibit signs of physical life. As one characteristic of the new birth, “whosoever is born of God doth not commit [i.e., ‘practice’] sin” (1 John 3:9). Another sign is that of true Christian love, for “every one that loveth is born of God” (1 John 4:7). Furthermore, “whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).
The new birth is not a religious cliché but a miracle generating everlasting life. “According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). HMM
Written for Our Learning
�For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.� (Romans 15:4)
Let no modern Christian ever think that he can ignore the Old Testament and base all his faith and practice on just the 27 books of the New Testament, as vital as they are. Even the apostle Paul, who wrote more of the New Testament than anyone else, depended heavily on the Old Testament Scriptures for his exposition of the New Testament doctrines he had received �by the revelation of Jesus Christ� (Galatians 1:12).
For example, in the longest and most doctrinal of all his epistles�that is, Romans�he actually quoted from the Old Testament no less than 60 times, even though the epistle had been specifically addressed to Gentiles (Romans 11:13).
In his letter to the Gentiles at Corinth, after an extensive discussion of the Old Testament account of the experience of the Israelites in the wilderness, he said: �Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come� (1 Corinthians 10:11).
In this passage, the word translated �examples� is the Greek tupos, from which we derive our word �types.� Thus, the experiences of the Israelites were actually revealed by God to be �types� of Christ and our relation to Him. Therefore, in addition to the many explicit prophecies about Christ in the Old Testament, many other Scriptures can be profitably expounded as �types� of Christ. Indeed, in all the Old Testament Scriptures, as Christ Himself taught, are �things concerning himself� (Luke 24:27). HMM
Healing Prayerby Max Lucado
In my med-school class we discussed the place of prayer in the hospital. As you can imagine, we heard strong opinions on both sides. What are your thoughts? What is the purpose of healing prayer?
We tend toward one of two extremes on this subject: fanaticism or cynicism. Fanatics see the healing of the body as the aim of God and the measure of faith. Cynics consider any connection between prayer and healing as coincidental at best and misleading at worst. A fanatic might seek prayer at the exclusion of medicine; a cynic might seek medicine at the exclusion of prayer.
A healthy balance can be found. The physician is the friend of God. Prayer is the friend of the physician.
The example of Jesus is important.
Great crowds came to Jesus, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, those who could not speak, and many others. They put them at Jesus’ feet, and he healed them. The crowd was amazed when they saw that people who could not speak before were now able to speak. The crippled were made strong. The lame could walk, and the blind could see. And they praised the God of Israel for this. (Matt. 15:30–31 NCV)
What did the people do with the sick? They put them at Jesus’ feet. This is the purpose of praying for the ill. We place the sick at the feet of the Physician and request his touch. This passage also gives us the result of healing prayer. “They praised the God of Israel for this.” The ultimate aim of healing is not just a healthy body but a greater kingdom. If God’s aim is to grant perfect health to all his children, he has failed, because no one enjoys perfect health, and everyone dies. But if God’s aim is to expand the boundaries of his kingdom, then he has succeeded. For every time he heals, a thousand sermons are preached.
Speaking of sermons, did you notice what is missing from this text? Preaching. Jesus stayed with these four thousand people for three days and, as far as we know, never preached a sermon. Not one time did he say, “May I have your attention?” But thousands of times he asked, “May I help you?” What compassion he had for them. Can you imagine the line of people? On crutches, wearing blindfolds, carried by friends, cradled by parents. For seventy-two hours Jesus stared into face after hurting face, and then he said, “I feel sorry for these people” (v. 32 NCV). The inexhaustible compassion of Jesus. Mark it down. Pain on earth causes pain in heaven. And he will stand and receive the ill as long as the ill come in faith to him.
And he will do what is right every time. “God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day, and he will not be slow to answer them” (Luke 18:7 NCV).
Stop Robbing the Body of Christ
1 Corinthians 12:14-21
Every day, you get out of bed, put on clothes, and walk to the table to eat breakfast. You greet the rest of the household and maybe read the paper. A few minutes later, you drive to work at 60 m.p.h. on a strip of asphalt where other vehicles can pass by within four feet. In the first hour or so that you’re awake, your body completes thousands of complex tasks that are so routine they go unnoticed.
Our physical frame is a creation of remarkable beauty and intricacy. And while certain parts seem more attractive than others, all are useful. The body’s interdependent nature—that is, the way every part relies on other parts to perform properly—is an apt metaphor for a Christ-centered church. When believers use their gifts and talents to operate together lovingly, the whole body functions properly to the glory of God.
Hanging back instead of seeking a place to serve is a form of thievery: you’re robbing the Lord’s church—His people—of your unique contribution. Your role might be small or go unnoticed, but it is vital to Jesus Christ and to the smooth functioning of His body on earth.
Haste Makes Waste
“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” (Isaiah 28:16)
This is one of the great Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament, promising a Savior who would be the sure foundation of the eternal temple of God; yet it was 700 years before the promise was fulfilled. God did not “make haste,” but His promise, nevertheless, was sure. No doubt many believing Jews wondered why it was taking so long, but in the “fulness of the time” (Galatians 4:4), Christ came.
It is so easy to rush ahead of God instead of waiting for His leading. With good intentions and admirable zeal, Christians plan great programs, establish new organizations, promote legislation, and become involved in a thousand-and-one good activities, all in the name of Christ and His kingdom. Such activism is urgent, they believe, because the time is short. Nuclear war is coming; maybe even Christ is coming; and we must hurry.
But the Scripture says: “Therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him” (Isaiah 30:18).
We must not fail to follow when He really leads through His Word, but all too often undue haste results in confusion and collapse. When our text is quoted by Peter (1 Peter 2:6), the phrase “make haste” is rendered by “be confounded,” or “be ashamed.” It is not honoring to God for Christian projects and activities to “be confounded,” so Christian believers must be careful not to “make haste.” “Wait, I say, on the LORD” (Psalm 27:14). HMM
God Loves to Bless Us - by Greg Laurie -
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?-Matthew 6:26
I have a stray cat that comes to my house, and I give him milk. I also give seed to the birds that come to my backyard. And if I do that for animals, then won't I take care of my own children and grandchildren?
In the same way, we don't follow a stingy God. Jesus said, "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32 NKJV).
We're not serving a God who is reluctant to show affection toward us. We're serving a God who loves to bless us and wants to lavish His love on us.
Jesus essentially argued this point by saying, "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26 NKJV).
And the apostle Paul pointed out that God proved His love for us by sending His Son, Jesus, to die for us. In Romans 8 he wrote, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (verse 32 NKJV).
Basically Paul was saying, "Look, while you were a sinner, God gave His best by sending His Son to die for you. Therefore, now that you are His children, will He not give you all that you need? He's going to take care of you."
Paul also wrote to the believers in Ephesus that God "is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" (Ephesians 3:20 NLT).
God loves to bless us. And He will give us the things we need when we need them.
Loved by a Faithful Godby Max Lucado "I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ...�
Philippians 3:8
Peer through the small window in the wall of the Roman jail. See the man in chains? The aging fellow with the stooped shoulders and hawkish nose? That�s Paul, the imprisoned apostle. His chains never come off. The guards never leave. And he�s probably wondering if he�ll ever get out. . . .
By the time we find Paul in his cell, he has been beaten, lied about, storm tossed, rejected, and neglected.
Ah, but at least he has the church. At least he can take comfort in the thought of the unified Roman congregation he helped strengthen, right? Hardly. The Roman church is in trouble. . . . Power-hungry preachers occupy the parsonage. You expect such antics out of nonbelievers, but Christians preaching for personal gain? Paul is facing Prozac-level problems. . . .
And who knows what Emperor Nero will do? He feeds disciples to the Colosseum lions for lunch. Does Paul have any guarantee the same won�t happen to him? . . . Paul is not naive. He knows the only thing between him and death is a nod from moody Nero.
Paul has every reason to be stressed out. . . .
But he isn�t. Rather than count the bricks of his prison, he plants a garden within it. He itemizes, not the mistreatments of people, but the faithfulness of God.
�I want you to know, brethren� (Phil. 1:12) �that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel� (1:12 NIV). He may appear to be bumped off track, but he is actually right on target. Why? One reason. Christ is preached. The mission is being accomplished.
The Names of God
�And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.� (Genesis 7:16)
Many stirring books have been written on the general subject of the names of God. Most of the names make use of one or two of the three primary names. The first is Elohim, meaning �mighty one.� It is a uni-plural name�plural in form but singular in meaning and verb usage, suggesting the uni-plural nature of the triune Godhead, appearing in most English translations as �God.� It most often is used when worldwide events or attributes are discussed, including creation, judgment, sovereignty, transcendence, and salvation. The second is Jehovah, meaning �the self-existent one,� which appears as �LORD� in English translations. It stresses God�s holiness, nearness, concern for man (especially Israel), hatred of sin, love of sinners, and His revelatory nature and communication. The third is Adonai, a more general term meaning master and used of both men and God. It appears as �Lord� in English Bibles.
For example, the name Elohim, the transcendent, uni-plural Creator God, is appropriately used exclusively in Genesis 1:1�2:4, the account of creation from God�s perspective. Throughout the rest of Genesis 2, the account of creation from man�s perspective, the combination name Jehovah-Elohim is used. Man was at this point without sin, in full accord with his Creator, and experiencing the fullness of His love and communication. The curse, as related in chapter 3, changed things forever, and in chapter 4, Adam and his offspring, painfully aware that their sin has broken God-established relationships, relate better to Jehovah, the Savior. In our text for the day, we see Noah obeying the orders of Elohim, the sovereign judge, to enter the Ark, but Jehovah, the loving Savior, making them secure. JDM
The Heart of an Intercessor - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
�I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy.� (Philippians 1:3-4)
One would suspect from his frequent use of the phrase �you all� that the apostle Paul had come from Alabama or Georgia! But in his writings, �you all� is not a southern idiom but a warm expression of Christian fellowship. His heart was burdened, not just for a few close friends and loved ones (as in most of our own prayers), but for �all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord� (1 Corinthians 1:2).
He assured the Philippian church that he was, in every one of his prayers, praying for �you all.� He told them of his confidence in their continued growth in Christ, that it was altogether fitting for him to believe this of �you all,� thankful that �in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace� (Philippians 1:7).
He wrote in a similar vein to the Thessalonians at the start of his (chronologically) first epistle: �We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers� (1 Thessalonians 1:2). Paul had a long prayer list.
To the Roman Christians he wrote: �I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world� (Romans 1:8). Then he wrote his benediction: �Now the God of peace be with you all� (Romans 15:33). He concluded his message to the Christians at Corinth: �The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all� (2 Corinthians 13:14).
Peter and John used the same expression in their writings, for they also were large of heart and concern. Finally, these are the very last words of the Bible: �The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen� (Revelation 22:21). HMM
How Do I Have a Quiet Time?by Max Lucado
I�m a new Christian who is trying to figure out how to grow closer to God. Friends tell me I need to have a quiet time with God each day, but I can�t figure out exactly what to do.
Denalyn and I like to go to the same restaurants over and over again. You could call our dates predictable, but for us they are special. We like the food. We like the servers. We like the atmosphere. When we�re there, we remember special moments we�ve shared before. Our hearts open up . . . we lose track of time . . . because we�re comfortable in that place. We talk to each other, listen to each other, laugh, and cry. I love those times!
A quiet time with God is very similar to a date. Here are some tools to help you keep your very special date with God.
Decide on a regular time and place. Select a slot in your schedule and a corner of your world, and claim it for God. A familiar place will remind you of similar feelings you experienced before with God. You need to get comfortable.
How much time should you take? As much as you need. Value quality over quantity. Your time with God should last long enough for you to say what you want and for God to say what he wants.
You should bring on your date an open Bible�God�s Word, his love letter to you. You won�t necessarily hear God speak out loud, but you can hear what he has to say through his eternal dialogue with humanity.
You also need a listening heart. Don�t forget the admonition from James: �The man who looks into the perfect mirror of God�s law, the law of liberty, and makes a habit of so doing, is not the man who sees and forgets. He puts that law into practice and he wins true happiness� ( James 1:25 PHILLIPS). Listen to the lover of your soul. Don�t just nod your head, pretending to hear. Your date knows when you�re engaged.
The Message the World Needs to Hear
Mark 16:15-20
Suppose I asked what the mission of the church is�how would you answer? Although the church accomplishes many tasks, its only message to the world is the gospel of Christ. Everything else we do is merely an extension of that primary goal. The gospel we offer the lost is superior to every worldly philosophy. Never outdated or in need of correction, it is always sufficient to meet humanity's greatest need: reconciliation with the Creator.
Although the message is always the same, methods of making it known are many�including the spoken word, music, printed material, and electronic media. But all these avenues of communication require the individual involvement of God's people. It is every Christian's responsibility to use his or her spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities to help fulfill the Great Commission.
Some Christians think that this role is given only to pastors, missionaries, or other people with an "up-front ministry." But all of us have the responsibility to be involved in whatever way we are able and in whatever opportunity God gives us. Not everybody is called to go abroad as a missionary, but we all can give, pray, and tell friends and family what the Lord has done for us.
When you're truly committed to getting the gospel out, God will reveal what work He is calling you to do. He has a place for every one of us�nobody is insignificant or unusable. The limiting factor is not the Lord's ability to use us but our availability to His call.
Surviving Prosperityby Max Lucado
Are you �rich in this present age�? Almost half the world lives on less than $2.50 a day. If your income is higher, then you are rich, and your affluence demands double vigilance.
How can a person survive prosperity? First of all, do not be haughty. Do not think for a moment that you had anything to do with your accumulation of wealth. Money is an untrustworthy foundation. The United States economy endured ten recessions between 1948 and 2001.
Don�t trust money; trust God. He owns everything and gives us all things to enjoy. Move from the fear of scarcity to the comfort of provision. �Do good � be rich in good works, ready to give and willing to share� (1 Timothy 6:18).
What if Things Only Get Worse? by Max Lucado
Christ tells us that they will. He predicts spiritual bailouts, ecological turmoil, and worldwide persecution. Yet in the midst of it all, he contends bravery is still an option. (Matthew 24:4-14)
Things are going to get bad, really bad, before they get better. And when conditions worsen, "See to it that you are not alarmed" (Matt. 24:6 NIV). Jesus chose a stout term for alarmed that he used on no other occasion. It means "to wail, to cry aloud," as if Jesus counseled the disciples, "Don't freak out when bad stuff happens."
"See to it�" Bosses and teachers are known to use that phrase. "See to it that you fill out the reports." Or "Your essay is due tomorrow. See to it that you finish your work." The words call for additional attention, special focus, extra resolve. Isn't this what Christ is asking of us? In this dangerous day, on this Faberge'-fragile globe, with financial collapse on the news and terrorists on the loose, we have every reason to retreat into bunkers of dread and woe.
But Christ says to us, "See to it that you are not alarmed." (NIV)
"Keep your head and don't panic" (MSG).
"See that you are not troubled" (NKJV).
And remember: "All these [challenging times] are the beginning of birth pains" (Matt. 24:8 NIV), and birth pangs aren't all bad. (Easy for me to say.) Birth pains signal the onset of the final push. The pediatrician assures the mom-to-be, "It's going to hurt for a time, but it's going to get better." Jesus assures us of the same. Global conflicts indicate our date on the maternity calendar. We are in the final hours, just a few pushes from delivery, a few brief ticks of eternity's clock from the great crowning of creation. A whole new world is coming!
What if Things Only Get Worse? by Max Lucado
Christ tells us that they will. He predicts spiritual bailouts, ecological turmoil, and worldwide persecution. Yet in the midst of it all, he contends bravery is still an option. (Matthew 24:4-14)
Things are going to get bad, really bad, before they get better. And when conditions worsen, "See to it that you are not alarmed" (Matt. 24:6 NIV). Jesus chose a stout term for alarmed that he used on no other occasion. It means "to wail, to cry aloud," as if Jesus counseled the disciples, "Don't freak out when bad stuff happens."
"See to it�" Bosses and teachers are known to use that phrase. "See to it that you fill out the reports." Or "Your essay is due tomorrow. See to it that you finish your work." The words call for additional attention, special focus, extra resolve. Isn't this what Christ is asking of us? In this dangerous day, on this Faberge'-fragile globe, with financial collapse on the news and terrorists on the loose, we have every reason to retreat into bunkers of dread and woe.
But Christ says to us, "See to it that you are not alarmed." (NIV)
"Keep your head and don't panic" (MSG).
"See that you are not troubled" (NKJV).
And remember: "All these [challenging times] are the beginning of birth pains" (Matt. 24:8 NIV), and birth pangs aren't all bad. (Easy for me to say.) Birth pains signal the onset of the final push. The pediatrician assures the mom-to-be, "It's going to hurt for a time, but it's going to get better." Jesus assures us of the same. Global conflicts indicate our date on the maternity calendar. We are in the final hours, just a few pushes from delivery, a few brief ticks of eternity's clock from the great crowning of creation. A whole new world is coming!
All Things Work for Goodby Max Lucado
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
We know�There are so many things we do not know. We do not know if the economy will dip or if our team will win. We do not know what our spouse is thinking or how our kids will turn out. We don�t even know �what we ought to pray� (Rom. 8:26). But according to Paul, we can be absolutely certain about four things. We know�
1. God works. He is busy behind the scenes, above the fray, within the fury. He hasn�t checked out or moved on. He is ceaseless and tireless. He never stops working.
2. God works for the good. Not for our comfort or pleasure or entertainment, but for our ultimate good. Since he is the ultimate good, would we expect anything less?
3. God works for the good of those who love him. Behold the benefit of loving God! Make his story your story, and your story takes on a happy ending. Guaranteed. Being the author of our salvation, he writes a salvation theme into our biography.
4. God works in all things. Panta, in Greek. Like �panoramic� or �panacea� or �pandemic.�All-inclusive. God works, not through a few things or through the good things, best things, or easy things. But in �all things� God works.
Do We Really Need One Another
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
Believers have two responsibilities. The first is to worship God and the second is to work for His kingdom. Where and how we serve is based upon our unique talents, skills, and calling. But the one place where we are all expected to give of ourselves is the local church.
When you were saved, the Lord baptized you by the Holy Spirit into His church�the body of believers who live all over the world but are united by trust in Jesus Christ. You then chose, according to the will of God, to become part of a local, autonomous group of believers. He placed you there because He knows that you are needed (1 Cor. 12:18). You are significant to your home church.
The church is more than a community. It is an interdependent body with individual members who were created by God to function in communion with one another. We Christians, like the world at large, are a diverse group, and that means we often have to strive hard for unity. But our differences are actually something to be celebrated, because each person uniquely contributes to God�s purpose. A church that is truly operating as a unit�with all its varied gifts, talents, personalities, and intellects focused toward kingdom goals�must be a beautiful sight before the Lord.
Christianity isn�t a spectator religion. We all have jobs to do in God�s kingdom. The body of Christ functions best and most beautifully when all members resolve to serve God and each other to the best of their ability (v. 25). What are you doing for your church?
From Alienation to Reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5:14-21
Separation, rejection, and alienation are unpleasant experiences that we usually try to avoid at all costs. But we live in a fallen world, so we cannot totally escape them.
Isolation from other people is bad enough, but what's worse is that many individuals live apart from the heavenly Father. How tragic and futile life must be when it is spent completely detached from its Creator. God planted within each of us a desire to be in relationship with Him, so until we find our connection to Him, we will always feel that something is missing.
And yet as crucial as that relationship is to our well-being, something stands in its way: Whether by our thoughts or actions, we have all violated the Lord's commands (Rom. 3:23), and our pure, holy God cannot be in the presence of sin. Romans 6:23 states that the penalty for sin is death, which is an eternal separation from the Lord. Therefore, we will always have a void.
What a bleak outlook for mankind! But our loving Father solved the dilemma by sending His Son to pay our penalty. Fully God and fully man, Jesus lived the perfect life, took all our iniquity upon Himself, and died a gruesome death on the cross. No longer are we condemned for our wrongs, because Christ took our place. And three days later, He victoriously rose to life.
Salvation is available to anyone who believes and receives this remarkable gift. John 3:16 describes how reconciliation puts an end to our alienation: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
Loved by a Trustworthy Godby Max Lucado
�You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.�
Matthew 24:6
Nature is a pregnant creation, third-trimester heavy. When a tornado rips through a city in Kansas or an earthquake flattens a region in Pakistan, this is more than barometric changes or shifts of ancient fault lines. The universe is passing through the final hours before delivery. Painful contractions are in the forecast.
As are conflicts: �wars and rumors of wars.� One nation invading another. One superpower defying another. Borders will always need checkpoints. War correspondents will always have employment. The population of the world will never see peace this side of heaven.
Christians will suffer the most. �Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me� (Matt. 24:9 NIV).
But remember: �All these [challenging times] are the beginning of birth pains� (Matt. 24:8 NIV), and birth pangs aren�t all bad. (Easy for me to say.) Birth pains signal the onset of the final push. The obstetrician assures the mom-to-be, �It�s going to hurt for a time, but it�s going to get better.� Jesus assures us of the same. Global conflicts indicate our date on the maternity calendar. We are in the final hours, just a few pushes from delivery, a few brief ticks of eternity�s clock from the great crowning of creation. A whole new world is coming! . . .
All things, big and small, flow out of the purpose of God and serve his good will. When the world appears out of control, it isn�t. When warmongers appear to be in charge, they aren�t. When ecological catastrophes dominate the day, don�t let them dominate you.
Let�s trust our heavenly Father.
Uncontrolled Weakness
Judges 16:1-24
The book of Judges tells of a man named Samson, who was so strong he could kill a lion with his bare hands (14:5-6). He possessed physical strength unequalled by any human being. But this could not compensate for his inner weakness.
All of us have areas of weakness. God wants these character flaws to show us how totally dependent we are upon Him. When we handle them properly, they drive us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Lord. But uncontrolled weakness wreaks havoc in a person�s life.
Samson�s Achilles� heel was uncontrollable lust. Although he was raised in a godly home and had a clear calling in life, he gave in to his desires and deliberately violated the truth he knew so well. Despite Nazirite laws forbidding involvement with foreign women, Samson pursued a harlot in Gaza (16:1). Later, he met a woman named Delilah, and even though her motives were blatantly treacherous, he gave himself over�heart, mind, and spirit�to sexual indulgence. He was in such bondage to the sin that he ultimately allowed it to dictate his actions, even at the cost of his life.
Before he died, Samson lost everything: his strength, eyesight, and honor. The man who once led his country mightily became a slave to his enemies (vv. 18-25).
What is your weakness? Is it lust, insecurity, fear, greed, gossip, or pride? Personality flaws can be a powerful motivation for good or ill, depending on our response. A proclivity for sin can ruin your
Feasting in a Famine - by Greg Laurie -
Philippians 3:8
Peer through the small window in the wall of the Roman jail. See the man in chains? The aging fellow with the stooped shoulders and hawkish nose? That�s Paul, the imprisoned apostle. His chains never come off. The guards never leave. And he�s probably wondering if he�ll ever get out. . . .
By the time we find Paul in his cell, he has been beaten, lied about, storm tossed, rejected, and neglected.
Ah, but at least he has the church. At least he can take comfort in the thought of the unified Roman congregation he helped strengthen, right? Hardly. The Roman church is in trouble. . . . Power-hungry preachers occupy the parsonage. You expect such antics out of nonbelievers, but Christians preaching for personal gain? Paul is facing Prozac-level problems. . . .
And who knows what Emperor Nero will do? He feeds disciples to the Colosseum lions for lunch. Does Paul have any guarantee the same won�t happen to him? . . . Paul is not naive. He knows the only thing between him and death is a nod from moody Nero.
Paul has every reason to be stressed out. . . .
But he isn�t. Rather than count the bricks of his prison, he plants a garden within it. He itemizes, not the mistreatments of people, but the faithfulness of God.
�I want you to know, brethren� (Phil. 1:12) �that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel� (1:12 NIV). He may appear to be bumped off track, but he is actually right on target. Why? One reason. Christ is preached. The mission is being accomplished.
The Names of God
�And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.� (Genesis 7:16)
Many stirring books have been written on the general subject of the names of God. Most of the names make use of one or two of the three primary names. The first is Elohim, meaning �mighty one.� It is a uni-plural name�plural in form but singular in meaning and verb usage, suggesting the uni-plural nature of the triune Godhead, appearing in most English translations as �God.� It most often is used when worldwide events or attributes are discussed, including creation, judgment, sovereignty, transcendence, and salvation. The second is Jehovah, meaning �the self-existent one,� which appears as �LORD� in English translations. It stresses God�s holiness, nearness, concern for man (especially Israel), hatred of sin, love of sinners, and His revelatory nature and communication. The third is Adonai, a more general term meaning master and used of both men and God. It appears as �Lord� in English Bibles.
For example, the name Elohim, the transcendent, uni-plural Creator God, is appropriately used exclusively in Genesis 1:1�2:4, the account of creation from God�s perspective. Throughout the rest of Genesis 2, the account of creation from man�s perspective, the combination name Jehovah-Elohim is used. Man was at this point without sin, in full accord with his Creator, and experiencing the fullness of His love and communication. The curse, as related in chapter 3, changed things forever, and in chapter 4, Adam and his offspring, painfully aware that their sin has broken God-established relationships, relate better to Jehovah, the Savior. In our text for the day, we see Noah obeying the orders of Elohim, the sovereign judge, to enter the Ark, but Jehovah, the loving Savior, making them secure. JDM
The Heart of an Intercessor - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city.-Acts 17:16
Have you ever experienced righteous indignation? The Bible tells us that when the apostle Paul went to Athens, "he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city" (Acts 17:16 NLT).
In the same way, we can have righteous indignation when we look at our culture today. We can say, "I'm sick and tired of the devil ripping people off and ruining their lives. We've got to do something about it."
So what are we going to do? We've got to get out there with the message of the gospel, because only the gospel can change the course of a life.
The Lord wants us to care about people who don't know Him. But all too often we don't like to share our faith. We clam up. It's an unchallenged fact of the universe that in general, we don't like to share.
Think back to your earliest days and how your parents or other adults in your life told you to share. You could go from happiness to misery in an instant. Do we ever outgrow this?
Sharing isn't in our nature. But God wants to change our hearts so we have the heart of an intercessor. Let's stop looking at nonbelievers as the enemy and realize they're under the power of the enemy, the devil.
Paul described this in 2 Timothy, when he wrote, "That they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will" (2:25-26 NKJV).
We could talk all day about how to start a conversation about Jesus. But that won't matter if we don't have a concern and a burden for people who are not believers.
You All�I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy.� (Philippians 1:3-4)
One would suspect from his frequent use of the phrase �you all� that the apostle Paul had come from Alabama or Georgia! But in his writings, �you all� is not a southern idiom but a warm expression of Christian fellowship. His heart was burdened, not just for a few close friends and loved ones (as in most of our own prayers), but for �all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord� (1 Corinthians 1:2).
He assured the Philippian church that he was, in every one of his prayers, praying for �you all.� He told them of his confidence in their continued growth in Christ, that it was altogether fitting for him to believe this of �you all,� thankful that �in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace� (Philippians 1:7).
He wrote in a similar vein to the Thessalonians at the start of his (chronologically) first epistle: �We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers� (1 Thessalonians 1:2). Paul had a long prayer list.
To the Roman Christians he wrote: �I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world� (Romans 1:8). Then he wrote his benediction: �Now the God of peace be with you all� (Romans 15:33). He concluded his message to the Christians at Corinth: �The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all� (2 Corinthians 13:14).
Peter and John used the same expression in their writings, for they also were large of heart and concern. Finally, these are the very last words of the Bible: �The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen� (Revelation 22:21). HMM
How Do I Have a Quiet Time?by Max Lucado
I�m a new Christian who is trying to figure out how to grow closer to God. Friends tell me I need to have a quiet time with God each day, but I can�t figure out exactly what to do.
Denalyn and I like to go to the same restaurants over and over again. You could call our dates predictable, but for us they are special. We like the food. We like the servers. We like the atmosphere. When we�re there, we remember special moments we�ve shared before. Our hearts open up . . . we lose track of time . . . because we�re comfortable in that place. We talk to each other, listen to each other, laugh, and cry. I love those times!
A quiet time with God is very similar to a date. Here are some tools to help you keep your very special date with God.
Decide on a regular time and place. Select a slot in your schedule and a corner of your world, and claim it for God. A familiar place will remind you of similar feelings you experienced before with God. You need to get comfortable.
How much time should you take? As much as you need. Value quality over quantity. Your time with God should last long enough for you to say what you want and for God to say what he wants.
You should bring on your date an open Bible�God�s Word, his love letter to you. You won�t necessarily hear God speak out loud, but you can hear what he has to say through his eternal dialogue with humanity.
You also need a listening heart. Don�t forget the admonition from James: �The man who looks into the perfect mirror of God�s law, the law of liberty, and makes a habit of so doing, is not the man who sees and forgets. He puts that law into practice and he wins true happiness� ( James 1:25 PHILLIPS). Listen to the lover of your soul. Don�t just nod your head, pretending to hear. Your date knows when you�re engaged.
The Message the World Needs to Hear
Mark 16:15-20
Suppose I asked what the mission of the church is�how would you answer? Although the church accomplishes many tasks, its only message to the world is the gospel of Christ. Everything else we do is merely an extension of that primary goal. The gospel we offer the lost is superior to every worldly philosophy. Never outdated or in need of correction, it is always sufficient to meet humanity's greatest need: reconciliation with the Creator.
Although the message is always the same, methods of making it known are many�including the spoken word, music, printed material, and electronic media. But all these avenues of communication require the individual involvement of God's people. It is every Christian's responsibility to use his or her spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities to help fulfill the Great Commission.
When you're truly committed to getting the gospel out, God will reveal what work He is calling you to do. He has a place for every one of us�nobody is insignificant or unusable. The limiting factor is not the Lord's ability to use us but our availability to His call.
Surviving Prosperityby Max Lucado
Are you �rich in this present age�? Almost half the world lives on less than $2.50 a day. If your income is higher, then you are rich, and your affluence demands double vigilance.
How can a person survive prosperity? First of all, do not be haughty. Do not think for a moment that you had anything to do with your accumulation of wealth. Money is an untrustworthy foundation. The United States economy endured ten recessions between 1948 and 2001.
Don�t trust money; trust God. He owns everything and gives us all things to enjoy. Move from the fear of scarcity to the comfort of provision. �Do good � be rich in good works, ready to give and willing to share� (1 Timothy 6:18).
What if Things Only Get Worse? by Max Lucado
Christ tells us that they will. He predicts spiritual bailouts, ecological turmoil, and worldwide persecution. Yet in the midst of it all, he contends bravery is still an option. (Matthew 24:4-14)
Things are going to get bad, really bad, before they get better. And when conditions worsen, "See to it that you are not alarmed" (Matt. 24:6 NIV). Jesus chose a stout term for alarmed that he used on no other occasion. It means "to wail, to cry aloud," as if Jesus counseled the disciples, "Don't freak out when bad stuff happens."
"See to it�" Bosses and teachers are known to use that phrase. "See to it that you fill out the reports." Or "Your essay is due tomorrow. See to it that you finish your work." The words call for additional attention, special focus, extra resolve. Isn't this what Christ is asking of us? In this dangerous day, on this Faberge'-fragile globe, with financial collapse on the news and terrorists on the loose, we have every reason to retreat into bunkers of dread and woe.
But Christ says to us, "See to it that you are not alarmed." (NIV)
"Keep your head and don't panic" (MSG).
"See that you are not troubled" (NKJV).
And remember: "All these [challenging times] are the beginning of birth pains" (Matt. 24:8 NIV), and birth pangs aren't all bad. (Easy for me to say.) Birth pains signal the onset of the final push. The pediatrician assures the mom-to-be, "It's going to hurt for a time, but it's going to get better." Jesus assures us of the same. Global conflicts indicate our date on the maternity calendar. We are in the final hours, just a few pushes from delivery, a few brief ticks of eternity's clock from the great crowning of creation. A whole new world is coming!
What if Things Only Get Worse? by Max Lucado
Christ tells us that they will. He predicts spiritual bailouts, ecological turmoil, and worldwide persecution. Yet in the midst of it all, he contends bravery is still an option. (Matthew 24:4-14)
Things are going to get bad, really bad, before they get better. And when conditions worsen, "See to it that you are not alarmed" (Matt. 24:6 NIV). Jesus chose a stout term for alarmed that he used on no other occasion. It means "to wail, to cry aloud," as if Jesus counseled the disciples, "Don't freak out when bad stuff happens."
"See to it�" Bosses and teachers are known to use that phrase. "See to it that you fill out the reports." Or "Your essay is due tomorrow. See to it that you finish your work." The words call for additional attention, special focus, extra resolve. Isn't this what Christ is asking of us? In this dangerous day, on this Faberge'-fragile globe, with financial collapse on the news and terrorists on the loose, we have every reason to retreat into bunkers of dread and woe.
But Christ says to us, "See to it that you are not alarmed." (NIV)
"Keep your head and don't panic" (MSG).
"See that you are not troubled" (NKJV).
And remember: "All these [challenging times] are the beginning of birth pains" (Matt. 24:8 NIV), and birth pangs aren't all bad. (Easy for me to say.) Birth pains signal the onset of the final push. The pediatrician assures the mom-to-be, "It's going to hurt for a time, but it's going to get better." Jesus assures us of the same. Global conflicts indicate our date on the maternity calendar. We are in the final hours, just a few pushes from delivery, a few brief ticks of eternity's clock from the great crowning of creation. A whole new world is coming!
All Things Work for Goodby Max Lucado
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
We know�There are so many things we do not know. We do not know if the economy will dip or if our team will win. We do not know what our spouse is thinking or how our kids will turn out. We don�t even know �what we ought to pray� (Rom. 8:26). But according to Paul, we can be absolutely certain about four things. We know�
1. God works. He is busy behind the scenes, above the fray, within the fury. He hasn�t checked out or moved on. He is ceaseless and tireless. He never stops working.
2. God works for the good. Not for our comfort or pleasure or entertainment, but for our ultimate good. Since he is the ultimate good, would we expect anything less?
3. God works for the good of those who love him. Behold the benefit of loving God! Make his story your story, and your story takes on a happy ending. Guaranteed. Being the author of our salvation, he writes a salvation theme into our biography.
4. God works in all things. Panta, in Greek. Like �panoramic� or �panacea� or �pandemic.�All-inclusive. God works, not through a few things or through the good things, best things, or easy things. But in �all things� God works.
Do We Really Need One Another
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
Believers have two responsibilities. The first is to worship God and the second is to work for His kingdom. Where and how we serve is based upon our unique talents, skills, and calling. But the one place where we are all expected to give of ourselves is the local church.
When you were saved, the Lord baptized you by the Holy Spirit into His church�the body of believers who live all over the world but are united by trust in Jesus Christ. You then chose, according to the will of God, to become part of a local, autonomous group of believers. He placed you there because He knows that you are needed (1 Cor. 12:18). You are significant to your home church.
Christianity isn�t a spectator religion. We all have jobs to do in God�s kingdom. The body of Christ functions best and most beautifully when all members resolve to serve God and each other to the best of their ability (v. 25). What are you doing for your church?
From Alienation to Reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5:14-21
Separation, rejection, and alienation are unpleasant experiences that we usually try to avoid at all costs. But we live in a fallen world, so we cannot totally escape them.
Isolation from other people is bad enough, but what's worse is that many individuals live apart from the heavenly Father. How tragic and futile life must be when it is spent completely detached from its Creator. God planted within each of us a desire to be in relationship with Him, so until we find our connection to Him, we will always feel that something is missing.
What a bleak outlook for mankind! But our loving Father solved the dilemma by sending His Son to pay our penalty. Fully God and fully man, Jesus lived the perfect life, took all our iniquity upon Himself, and died a gruesome death on the cross. No longer are we condemned for our wrongs, because Christ took our place. And three days later, He victoriously rose to life.
Salvation is available to anyone who believes and receives this remarkable gift. John 3:16 describes how reconciliation puts an end to our alienation: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
Loved by a Trustworthy Godby Max Lucado
�You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.�
Matthew 24:6
Nature is a pregnant creation, third-trimester heavy. When a tornado rips through a city in Kansas or an earthquake flattens a region in Pakistan, this is more than barometric changes or shifts of ancient fault lines. The universe is passing through the final hours before delivery. Painful contractions are in the forecast.
As are conflicts: �wars and rumors of wars.� One nation invading another. One superpower defying another. Borders will always need checkpoints. War correspondents will always have employment. The population of the world will never see peace this side of heaven.
Christians will suffer the most. �Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me� (Matt. 24:9 NIV).
But remember: �All these [challenging times] are the beginning of birth pains� (Matt. 24:8 NIV), and birth pangs aren�t all bad. (Easy for me to say.) Birth pains signal the onset of the final push. The obstetrician assures the mom-to-be, �It�s going to hurt for a time, but it�s going to get better.� Jesus assures us of the same. Global conflicts indicate our date on the maternity calendar. We are in the final hours, just a few pushes from delivery, a few brief ticks of eternity�s clock from the great crowning of creation. A whole new world is coming! . . .
All things, big and small, flow out of the purpose of God and serve his good will. When the world appears out of control, it isn�t. When warmongers appear to be in charge, they aren�t. When ecological catastrophes dominate the day, don�t let them dominate you.
Let�s trust our heavenly Father.
Uncontrolled Weakness
Judges 16:1-24
The book of Judges tells of a man named Samson, who was so strong he could kill a lion with his bare hands (14:5-6). He possessed physical strength unequalled by any human being. But this could not compensate for his inner weakness.
All of us have areas of weakness. God wants these character flaws to show us how totally dependent we are upon Him. When we handle them properly, they drive us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Lord. But uncontrolled weakness wreaks havoc in a person�s life.
Before he died, Samson lost everything: his strength, eyesight, and honor. The man who once led his country mightily became a slave to his enemies (vv. 18-25).
What is your weakness? Is it lust, insecurity, fear, greed, gossip, or pride? Personality flaws can be a powerful motivation for good or ill, depending on our response. A proclivity for sin can ruin your
Feasting in a Famine - by Greg Laurie -
Finally, they said to each other, 'This is not right. This is a day of good news, and we aren't sharing it with anyone! If we wait until morning, some calamity will certainly fall upon us. Come on, let's go back and tell the people at the palace.'-2 Kings 7:9
In 2 Kings we find the story of four men with leprosy who stumbled upon a feast in the middle of a famine. The Arameans had laid siege to Israel, and everyone in the city was starving to death.
Leprosy back then was essentially a death sentence. So these four guys said, "We will starve if we stay here, but with the famine in the city, we will starve if we go back there. So we might as well go out and surrender to the Aramean army. If they let us live, so much the better. But if they kill us, we would have died anyway" (2 Kings 7:4 NLT).
But when they arrived at the Aramean camp, they were shocked to find it was empty. At some point the Arameans heard a loud noise that sounded like an approaching army. So they ran for the hills, thinking they were under attack.
Meanwhile, their tents were set up with tables of food as far as the eye could see. As the four men devoured the food, they started to feel guilty. They said, "This is not right. This is a day of good news, and we aren't sharing it with anyone!" (2 Kings 7:9 NLT) So they went back to the city and told the others, and everyone was able to eat.
That can be us as believers. We feast on God's Word and reflect on its great truths, but does it ever occur to us to share our faith with someone outside the church walls?
You may not be into evangelism, but are you into recommendations? Most of us talk to people about a great restaurant or a great movie. So can't we recommend that someone believes in Jesus?
The greatest way to show your love for someone is to tell them about Jesus Christ.
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