Read: 2 Corinthians 4:1-12, Colossians 1:15
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image.” (Gen. 1:26)
When a child is born, someone inevitably will say, “He’s the spitting image of his dad.” In terms of physical appearance the boy is a lookalike. But as a child grows, someone might remark: “He’s a hard worker like his mom” or “She is gentle, just like her dad.”
Continue reading Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – In the Likeness of God
During a recent visit to New York City, 2016 presidential candidate Rick Santorum and two associates were riding in a cab on Manhattan’s west side. Kenneth, the cab driver, looked at Santorum in the rear-view mirror and said, “I know you. You’re Rick Santorum.” Richard, one of the two men with Santorum, was a pastor. He asked Kenneth, “What do you think of Jesus?” Kenneth responded, “Oh, that’s not for me.”
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
Psalm 16:5
Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team; H.L.M. – An Eternal Ride
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.—Luke 18:1
Why should we pray? The simple answer is because Jesus told us to. Jesus himself was a model of prayer. He was always praying.
In the Garden of Gethsemane as Jesus contemplated the horrors of the cross, He prayed, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39).
On the cross, Jesus prayed for His enemies, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46).
Before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, we read that He lifted up His eyes to heaven and prayed (see John 11:41–42).
“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Genesis 50:20)
Thrown into a pit.
Bound with rope and sold into slavery in a far-off land.
Sentenced to life in prison for something you didn’t do.
Forgotten for two years by the man who promised to help you.
You would probably have a hard time rejoicing if these things happened to you. In fact, you would probably wonder why God allowed all these horrible things to take place in your life.
Continue reading Kids 4 Truth International – God Allows Evil for His Reasons
Today’s Scripture: Zechariah 9:17
“How great is his goodness!”
Joel prophesied God’s judgment upon Judah through a plague of locusts that would devour all the trees and plants, resulting in widespread famine. Then, in the midst of a prophecy of restoration, God made the following promise: “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you” (Joel 2:25).
Consider the amazing generosity of God. He did not limit his promise merely to restoring the land to its former productivity. He said he’ll repay them for the years the locusts have eaten, years they themselves forfeited to the judgment of God. God could well have said, “I’ll restore your land to its former productivity, but too bad about those years you lost! They are gone forever. That’s the price you pay for your sin.” He would have been generous just to have restored them—but he went beyond that. He would cause their harvests to be so abundant they would recoup the losses from the years of famine. He said he’ll repay them, though he obviously owed them nothing.
Today’s Scripture: Joshua 18-21
“I tell you…there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” – Luke 15:7
I attended a Christian conference where two men gave a testimony on the subject of evangelism. The first man told of a meeting at which the speaker asked everyone to jot down the names of five friends who were nonChristians, and then begin praying for them on a regular basis. He and his wife just stared at each other. They didn’t have five nonChristian friends.
They began to look for ways to meet nonChristians. The husband went to the local gym and met a worldly young lawyer, who was quite skillful in asking argumentative questions. The Christian was quite skillful in answering them from the Scriptures. The lawyer eventually came to Christ, and these two men now were telling their story.
by Eric Metaxas (Editor’s Note: Today’s commentary first aired January 19, 2016).
Imagine having dozens of new friends come into your life this year—friends who are, like you, committed Christians. These friends have the capacity to change your life forever, and help you develop your own ministry, using your own vision and your own God-given gifts. Plus, they’re a lot of fun. Wouldn’t you gladly embrace new friends like these?
Well I think, folks, you’d be crazy not to. Because these new friends are the leaders and participants of the Colson Fellows Program, formerly known as the Centurions Program.
As a Colson Fellow in training, you’ll spend nine months reading the best books, participating in teleconferences with the best thinkers, and attending three residencies with the best teachers of Christian Worldview—people like Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family; Joni Eareckson Tada; Sean McDowell of Biola University, Nabeel Quereshi of the Ravi Zacharias Institute, and our own Colson Fellows National Director, Dr. Bill Brown, former president of Bryan College and Cedarville University. And yes, of course John Stonestreet and I will be speaking to you as well!
Read John 4:27-38
The lyrics to the song “Sometimes by Step,” written by Rich Mullins and David Strasser, describe what it often feels like to labor for the Lord: Sometimes the day could be so hot / There was so much work left to do / But so much You’d already done. Ministry is work, and work can make us weary. Although Jesus was weary from the journey to Samaria, He was eager to explain the gospel to a woman who came there for water.
Jesus’ disciples had gone to find food. When they returned, they urged Him to eat, perhaps because they saw the people of the town approaching (vv. 30–31). The disciples’ reaction to Jesus’ statement is almost humorous. They interpreted it literally when He replied, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about” (v. 32). Jesus explained that He was sustained by doing the will of the Father. Ministry is hard work—but God is able to sustain us even when we are weary.
Continue reading Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – JESUS THE WEARY (PART 2)
It sounds like the beginning of a bad joke: “A televangelist and a Catholic Sunday school teacher were talking one day . . .” But Tuesday night it really happened: Pastor Joel Osteen appeared on Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show to discuss Osteen’s latest book, The Power of I Am.
Colbert, one of the most biblically literate Hollywood celebrities, noted God’s description of himself as the “I Am” (Exodus 3:14). It turned out, the book is about something else entirely.
Osteen explained to Colbert that he wrote about what follows the words “I am” in a person’s mind. He illustrated: Sometimes we say “I am slow” or “I am unlucky” or “I am not attractive.” Instead, he wants us to say “I am blessed” or “I am strong” or “I am talented.” According to Osteen, “We don’t realize how many times we speak negative things about ourselves.” To which Colbert responded with his typical wit: “I do that all the time. I’m so stupid.”
Continue reading Denison Forum – JOEL OSTEEN ON STEPHEN COLBERT’S ‘THE LATE SHOW’
DAILY DEVOTIONS, NEWS AND INFORMATION 