Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – How to Assure Success

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“Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way, Jehoshaphat stopped and called them to attention. ‘Listen to me, O people of Judah and Jerusalem,’he said. ‘Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall have success! Believe His prophets, and everything will be all right!”‘ (2 Chronicles 20:20).

God does the same things for us in our time that He did so often in the Old and New Testament accounts of His power and grace.

I remember an eventful week at the University of California in Berkeley in 1966 when the president of the university was fired by the board of regents during the turbulent days of student revolution. Campuses throughout California erupted in anger and violence.

On the Berkeley campus, however, about 600 Campus Crusade staff members and students had gathered from across America to present the claims of Jesus Christ to more than 27,000 students. During the week, through some 80 meetings in dormitories, fraternity and sorority houses, international groups, at athletic banquets and faculty breakfasts and luncheons, in personal appointments and finally at a great meeting of some 8,000 gathered in the Greek theater, almost every student had an opportunity to hear the good news of God’s love through Christ. Literally thousands responded.

When the camera crews from the local television stations rushed out to film the predicted violence, they were amazed to find that the Berkeley campus, fountainhead of the radical student revolution, was remarkably quiet. Music, singing and sharing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ prevailed. Many point to that week as a turning point in the direction of a world-famous university.

Light is more powerful than darkness. Believing God and obeying His commands assure eternal dividends.

Bible Reading: Joshua 1:5-9

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: Today I resolve to believe God and do those things He directs me to do, regardless of the consequences. Then I am assured of success as, by faith, I live the supernatural life in the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – Happy in Jesus

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John Sammis gave up his life as a businessman and part-time YMCA worker to study for the ministry. In 1880, he was ordained and pastored several churches. In his later years, Sammis taught at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. Together with Daniel Towner, he wrote more than 100 hymns. One of his most well-known pieces is still sung today in congregations around the world. In it, Sammis wrote: “Trust and obey / for there’s no other way / to be happy in Jesus / but to trust and obey.”

Showing steadfast love to…those who love me and keep my commandments.

Exodus 20:6

When God’s own finger engraved the Ten Commandments into stone, He indicated in the midst of them that those who love Him will keep His commandments. Yet it seems many nowadays have renounced God’s laws, no longer even calling them the “Ten Suggestions.” Who among you can say you’ve kept all of His commandments? While obedience may be lacking, the Sammis lyrics remind you that trusting is the other half of happiness in Jesus; trusting Him to forgive you, lead you, inspire you, and love you forever.

When you intercede for America’s leaders today, pray that they will find and know Jesus through both trust and obedience…and therefore experience His steadfast love.

Recommended Reading: Exodus 20:1-17

Greg Laurie – The Ultimate Sacrifice

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God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. —John 3:16

I heard a true story about a man who operated a drawbridge. At a certain time every afternoon, he raised the bridge for a ferryboat to go by and then lowered it in time for a passenger train to cross over. He performed this task precisely, according to the clock.

One day he brought his son to work so he could watch. As his father raised the bridge, the boy got excited and wanted to take a closer look. His father realized his son was missing and began looking for him. To his horror, his son had come dangerously close to the bridge’s gears. Frantic, he wanted to go rescue him, but if he left the controls, he would not be back in time to lower the bridge for the approaching passenger train.

He faced a dilemma. If he lowered the bridge, his son would be killed. If he left it raised, hundreds of others would die. He knew what he had to do. With tears streaming down his face, he watched the passenger train roll by. On board, two women chatted over tea. Others were reading newspapers. All were totally unaware of what had just transpired. The man cried out, “Don’t you realize that I just gave my son for you?” But they just continued on their way.

This story is a picture of what happened at the cross. God gave up His beloved Son so that we might live. But most people don’t give it a second thought. How about you? Are you conscious of the ultimate sacrifice God made on your behalf? Will you be sure to thank Him?