Monthly Archives: September 2016

The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Christ’s Power, Not Ours

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Today’s Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”

We are not to wage this warfare against sin in the strength of our own willpower. Instead, just as we by faith look to Christ for our righteous standing before God, so by faith we’re to look to him for the enabling power to live the Christian life. This power comes as a result of our vital or living union with him. Jesus referred to this union in John 15:1-5 when he called himself the vine and us the branches. Just as the branches derive their life and nourishment from the vine, so we are to receive our spiritual life and power from him.

All believers are spiritually united to Christ in such a way that our spiritual life comes from him. We’re not completely passive, however, in this relationship. Rather, we’re to abide or remain in him by faith. We’re to actively rely on Christ for the enabling power we need to wage war against the sin that remains in us, to put on the positive virtues of Christ-like character (called “the fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23), and to serve Christ effectively in all that he calls us to do.

The apostle Paul had in mind our union with Christ and the power that comes from him in such Scriptures as Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (NIV), and Colossians 1:29, “To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me” (NIV). Paul waged war against indwelling sin, and he worked hard in ministry, but he did both in dependence on Christ and the power that comes through a living union with him.

 

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Christ’s Power, Not Ours

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Today’s Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”

We are not to wage this warfare against sin in the strength of our own willpower. Instead, just as we by faith look to Christ for our righteous standing before God, so by faith we’re to look to him for the enabling power to live the Christian life. This power comes as a result of our vital or living union with him. Jesus referred to this union in John 15:1-5 when he called himself the vine and us the branches. Just as the branches derive their life and nourishment from the vine, so we are to receive our spiritual life and power from him.

All believers are spiritually united to Christ in such a way that our spiritual life comes from him. We’re not completely passive, however, in this relationship. Rather, we’re to abide or remain in him by faith. We’re to actively rely on Christ for the enabling power we need to wage war against the sin that remains in us, to put on the positive virtues of Christ-like character (called “the fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23), and to serve Christ effectively in all that he calls us to do.

The apostle Paul had in mind our union with Christ and the power that comes from him in such Scriptures as Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (NIV), and Colossians 1:29, “To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me” (NIV). Paul waged war against indwelling sin, and he worked hard in ministry, but he did both in dependence on Christ and the power that comes through a living union with him.

 

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BreakPoint

BreakPoint – Ignoring Child Abuse in Afghanistan: We Sent Our Troops to Fight for This?

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Last autumn, Marine Corps Major Jason C. Brezler got into trouble for sending classified email via an unclassified email server. But the principle source of his trouble had nothing to do with email servers or even classified documents—it was the subject of those emails: child sexual abuse by our so-called “allies” in Afghanistan.

A year ago, I told you about a disturbing story in the New York Times whose headline read, “U.S. Soldiers Told to Ignore Sexual Abuse of Boys by Afghan Allies.” BreakPoint listeners learned about the ancient Central Asian phenomenon known as “bacha bazi,” which means “boy play.” The form of sexual abuse was the subject of the 2010 PBS documentary, “The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan.”

As I noted, “since the early 20th century there have been several attempts to outlaw the practice, but with one notable exception, these have met with limited success. The exception was the Islamist Taliban, which made the practice punishable by death. Their success in eradicating the practice was part of the reason that ordinary Afghans supported, at least initially, the Taliban’s coming to power.”

The ouster of the Taliban meant open season on young boys, which is horrendous enough. But making matters even worse, the United States, as the Times reported, is turning a blind eye to this abuse out of fear of offending our “allies.”

Which brings me back to Major Brezler. According to the Washington Post, Brezler was “asked by Marine colleagues to submit all the information he had about an influential Afghan police chief suspected of abusing children.”

Unfortunately, he sent the email via an unclassified server, an infraction which he self-reported. Despite his coming clean, the Marine Corps recommended that he be discharged. The Department of the Navy agreed with this recommendation.

But it’s why they upheld the recommendation that should trouble us. According to the Washington Post, “Navy officials also assessed that holding new hearings on the case would renew attention on the scandal surrounding child sex abuse in Afghanistan.”

The document setting forth the decision, known as a “legal review,” concluded that “calling for a new administrative review, known as a Board of Inquiry, would delay actions in the case another six to nine months and possibly increase attention on the case, ‘especially in the aftermath of significant media attention to the allegations regarding the practice of keeping personal sex slaves in Afghanistan.’”

Continue reading BreakPoint – Ignoring Child Abuse in Afghanistan: We Sent Our Troops to Fight for This? →

Moody Global Ministries

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – A BRAVE QUEEN

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Read ESTHER 4:9–17

In 1982, Angela Cavallo was watching her son Tony while he worked on his 1964 Chevy Impala. Suddenly, the car came off the jacks and collapsed on top of him. In an unbelievable act of strength and courage, Angela lifted the car up four inches while neighbors pulled her son to safety. She credits her unexpected surge of strength to prayer.

Today’s passage describes an act of courage that could be fueled only by prayer. When Esther heard Mordecai’s request, she was troubled. She sent back word, explaining the penalty that might come to her if she bothered the king with an unwanted request (v. 11). She was required to wait until being summoned by the king. It was highly unusual, even forbidden, that she—or anyone else for that matter—should enter the king’s presence unbidden.

While Esther had been the king’s favorite, there was no guarantee that he would extend the golden scepter to her and spare her life. Mordecai reminded Esther that, whether she went to the king or not, she would be at risk. As a Jewish woman, she too would be killed. Then Mordecai reminded her of the miraculous circumstances of her life, challenging her to answer: “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (v. 14).

Esther took seriously the gravity of the situation. A woman of faith, she asked that the Jews in Susa fast for her. For three nights and three days, Esther, her attendants, and the Jews in Susa would fast. Then, she would enter the king’s presence and make her risky request.

Esther’s final words reveal the status of her heart: “And if I perish, I perish” (v. 16). She would pray, take action, and trust the consequences to God.

APPLY THE WORD

Today’s passage is a portrait of courage, and it also highlights the importance of prayer. Before taking action, Esther and the community spent time in prayer and fasting. Before our bold moves should come our bold prayers (see Heb. 4:16). What do you need to bring before God in prayer today? Pray for the requests on your heart.

 

http://www.todayintheword.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – POPE REBUKES PASTORS WHO ‘BECOME PRINCES’

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“Jesus was not a prince,” Pope Francis stated yesterday during his General Audience. “It is awful for the church when pastors become princes, far from the people, far from the poorest people. That is not the spirit of Jesus.”

According to the pope, true followers of Jesus take up his yoke to receive and welcome the revelation of God’s mercy, bringing salvation to the poor and the oppressed. He called us to learn from Jesus “what it means to live in mercy in order to be instruments of mercy.”

The fact that the pope’s call for servant leaders is resounding in today’s news says as much about the culture as it does about the church. Clearly, Christian leaders need to be reminded regularly that we serve Jesus when we serve those in need (Matthew 25:40). Our Lord came “not to be served but to serve” (Matthew 20:28) and called us to imitate his sacrifice in loving and serving others (John 13:15).

At the same time, the pope’s call resonates today in large part because our culture is so skeptical of leadership. We have watched politicians resign from office after admitting moral failures, business leaders go to prison for corruption, and athletes face suspensions for using banned drugs. Such failures are so common that they no longer surprise us. Leaders who choose to serve with humility and public integrity seem the exception more than the rule.

But authoritarian leaders are not true leaders.

  1. Oswald Sanders, in his now-classic Spiritual Leadership, claims that “true greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you.” Max De Pree, the former CEO of Herman Miller and author of bestselling leadership literature, defines leadership this way: “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between the two, the leader must become a servant and a debtor. That sums up the progress of an artful leader.”

Serving others is not only the best way to lead, it is also the best way to serve ourselves. Pete Wilson made headlines this week when the popular megachurch pastor resigned from his position, citing burnout and stress. As he noted, “Leaders who lead on empty don’t lead well. For some time, I’ve been leading on empty.” Christianity Today is reporting on the thousands of pastors like Rev. Wilson who will leave the ministry this year, burned out and hurting.

One of the reasons for this epidemic is that many pastors have shifted from serving people to running organizations. They lose their connection with the souls they serve and wonder why their hearts are hurting. But God feeds us when we feed each other. He gives us what we will give away.

George MacDonald encouraged us to “trust God to weave your thread into the great web, though the pattern shows it not yet.” Choose to serve those you influence today and know that your Father is using your love to impact more lives than you can know.

One of the souls you bless will be your own.

 

Denison Forum

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Accountability Is Scriptural

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James 5:13-16

There are plenty of biblical directives about making ourselves accountable to one another. But for many, the idea of revealing personal information seems restrictive or even an invasion of privacy. Such confession may feel like a hindrance to the pursuit of pleasure, prosperity, and prestige. Most people prefer to keep to themselves and not involve others in their business.

The Bible, however, makes it clear that Christians are to be mutually supportive and accountable: “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed” (James 5:16).

Accountability in the body of Christ is a biblical principle. Church members take direction from their pastor (Heb. 13:17). Paul tells us to be subject to one another (Eph. 5:21); yet he was answerable to the church (Acts 14:27), just as Timothy was subordinate to him (1 Tim. 4:13-16). The apostles were certainly under the authority of Jesus (Luke 10), even as Jesus was subject to the Father (John 8:28-29). Of course, the Bible tells us that the whole church is obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:24). Regardless of one’s position, everybody is accountable to somebody. And this holds true for the entire family of faith, from the congregation to the ministers to Jesus Himself, who serves God the Father.

People avoid accountability for various reasons, including pride, ignorance, fear, and self-reliance. This is a dangerous approach to life. Our enemy knows our weaknesses and how to exploit them. But we can prevail with the support of friends. There is strength in the body of Christ.

Bible in One Year: Daniel 5-6

 

http://www.intouch.org/

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Beyond Time

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Read: John 6:53-69

Bible in a Year: Proverbs 19-21; 2 Corinthians 7

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”—John 6:68–69

During 2016, theater companies in Britain and around the world have staged special productions to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. Concerts, lectures, and festivals have drawn crowds who celebrate the enduring work of the man widely considered to be the greatest playwright in the English language. Ben Jonson, one of Shakespeare’s contemporaries, wrote of him, “He was not of an age, but for all time.”

While the influence of some artists, writers, and thinkers may last for centuries, Jesus Christ is the only person whose life and work will endure beyond time. He claimed to be “the bread that came down from heaven . . . whoever feeds on this bread will live forever” (v. 58).

When many people who heard Jesus’s teaching were offended by His words and stopped following Him (John 6:61-66), the Lord asked His disciples if they also wanted to leave (v. 67). Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God” (vv. 68-69).

When we invite Jesus to come into our lives as our Lord and Savior, we join His first disciples and all those who have followed Him in a new life that will last forever—beyond time. —David McCasland

Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of eternal life in fellowship with You today and forever.

Jesus is the Son of God, the Man beyond time, who gives us eternal life.

INSIGHT: The backdrop for today’s passage is the forty years God miraculously sustained the Jews with manna (Ex. 16). The feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1-13) caused the Jews to compare Jesus to Moses. Jesus told them it was God, not Moses, who had fed the Jews (v. 32). He then gave them one of the key revelations of His identity: “I am the bread of life” (vv. 35, 48) sent from heaven to offer eternal life (vv. 51, 58).

 

http://www.odb.org

Ray Stedman

Ravi Zacharias Ministry – A Living Faith

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I have little doubt that the single greatest obstacle to the impact of the Gospel has not been its inability to provide answers, but the failure on the part of Christians to live it out. I remember well in the early days of my Christian faith talking to a close Hindu friend. He was questioning the experience of conversion as being supernatural. He absolutely insisted that conversion was nothing more than a decision to lead a more ethical life and that, in most cases, it was not any different from other ethical religions. I had heard his argument before.

But then he said something I have never forgotten: “If this conversion is truly supernatural, why is it not more evident in the lives of so many Christians I know?” His question is a troublesome one. In fact, it is so deeply disturbing a question that I think of all the challenges to belief, this is the most difficult question of all. I have never struggled with my own personal faith as far as intellectual challenges to the Gospel are concerned. But I have often had struggles of the soul in trying to figure out why the Christian faith is not more visible.

After lecturing at a major American university, I was driven to the airport by the organizer of the event. I was quite jolted by what he told me. He said, “My wife brought our neighbor last night. She is a medical doctor and had not been to anything like this before. On their way home, my wife asked her what she thought of it all.” He paused and then continued, “Do you know what she said?” Rather reluctantly, I shook my head. “She said, ‘That was a very powerful evening. The arguments were very persuasive. I wonder what he is like in his private life.’”

Continue reading Ravi Zacharias Ministry – A Living Faith →

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – Spiritual Restoration

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“Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1).

Those walking by the Spirit are to restore sinning fellow believers.

God never intended that the spiritual walk be an end in itself. Instead, He wants believers to have a positive influence on fellow believers so that the church will be purified and built up. Galatians 6:1 reveals how those who walk by the Spirit ought to minister to others within the Body of Christ. Paul says they are to restore other brothers and sisters who might have fallen into sin.

“Caught in any trespass” denotes falling into a sin and becoming bound by it, just as an animal might become caught in a trap. Whenever another believer we know gets ensnared by any sin—no exception—the Holy Spirit wants “you who are spiritual” to seek his or her restoration. The “spiritual” designation does not refer to some elite class of Christians but simply includes anyone who is walking by the Spirit.

The one who is spiritual and is relying on the Spirit’s wisdom and guidance will restore the sinning believer with patience. The Greek verb in Galatians 6:1 translated “restore” strongly implies that spiritual restoration will need to be a methodical, persevering process. (The Greek originally referred to the mending of fishing nets or the realigning of a frame or joint.)

The verse further indicates that we must approach the entire restoration process with “gentleness.” As believers who have this fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23), such an approach should be almost automatic for us. But since we are merely sinners saved by grace, we need Galatians 6:1 and other reminders of the right way to restore a sinning brother or sister: “And yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thess. 3:15).

Suggestions for Prayer

Pray that your church leaders would be faithful in confronting and seeking to restore those members who fall into sin.

For Further Study

Read Galatians 5:16-26.

  • What two things within the believer are at odds early in the passage?
  • Record two or three observations that are most striking to you about the contrasts between the individual good and evil character traits listed here.

 

http://www.gty.org

Uncategorized

Wisdom Hunters – Do Your Own a Passport?

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Before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. Revelation 7:9

Christ commands Christians to go into all the world and make disciples. The Lord’s vision is for all nations to come to know Him through faith in Jesus. There is a divine burden for the burden of sin to be lifted from those who need forgiveness. Our Heavenly Father wants all people around the globe to hear the good news of Jesus and to grow in a personal relationship with Him. Disciples are made by hearing the gospel, believing, and obeying Christ’s commands. Is your faith expression landlocked for fear of leaving your comfort zone? Have you experienced the joy of taking Jesus to other shores outside your homeland security?

Heaven will be populated with people from “every tribe and tongue”—reached because of the faithful carrying the gospel to far away places. The evangelist John paints a portrait of diverse ethnicity in eternity—one result of 144,000 Jewish witnesses taking the gospel of Jesus to the ends of the earth—sharing the good news during an economic meltdown and worldwide natural disasters. The Lord’s love reaches beyond all geographic borders to bring all cultures to Christ.

“I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6).

Jesus states very clearly that He accompanies us as we go forth by faith to share His love. He energizes. He empowers. He engages. His Spirit invites the lost to Himself. His overseas mission mobilization is not limited to the few “navy seals” of the faith. All disciples are called to make disciples. Yes, there is spiritual preparation before you experience cross cultural missions. Make sure you are ministering to those in your home before you export your faith to foreign families. The Lord’s first opportunity to live out what you believe is with those who know you the best. Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Do Your Own a Passport? →

Girlfriends in God

Girlfriends in God – A Touch of Compassion

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Today’s Truth

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Friend to Friend

It was Easter Sunday, and I was sitting in the sanctuary waiting for the worship service to begin. Anticipating a large crowd, I arrived early to drop Jered off in the nursery, one of his favorite places to go since every nursery worker doted on him. As the choir filed in, a friend slipped into the pew beside me and said, “I think you need to go to the nursery. Something is wrong with Jered.” Jumping up, I leapt over legs, toes, and pews as I raced to the church nursery and my son.

When I got to the nursery, I was not prepared for what I saw. In a far corner, lying on his favorite red mat was Jered, staring at the ceiling, silent and rigid. As I bent over him, searching those beautiful blue eyes, huge tears slid down his chubby cheeks as he flew into my arms, sobbing. You have to understand – as a baby, Jered cried only when he was hungry, wet, or sick. Something was obviously very wrong. I kissed his forehead. No fever. I checked his diaper. Dry and clean. I had no idea what had broken my son’s heart, but I certainly intended to find out.

The nursery worker drew me aside and said, “We had a new little girl in the nursery today. It was her first time in a church nursery – ever. When her parents left, she immediately began screaming and wouldn’t stop. Jered came running and wrapped his arms around her, but she pushed him away. He then brought her his bottle, but she hurled it across the room and continued screaming. Desperate to help her, Jered then found his diaper bag and fished out Turtle.

Turtle was a small, green-and-blue stuffed turtle we had given Jered during a stay in the hospital when he was seriously ill with the croup. From the moment Jered saw Turtle they were inseparable. He slept, ate, and played with Turtle clutched tightly in one hand. Turtle quickly became Jered’s most precious possession.

Mrs. Giles continued, “I couldn’t believe Jered was willing to give Turtle to a stranger, but he tried.” The crying child took one look at Turtle and threw it in Jered’s face. Stunned, he picked up Turtle and lay down on the mat, refusing to move, Turtle clutched tightly in his arms.

Then I knew. I knew Jered couldn’t stand to see the little girl in pain and was determined to help. When he couldn’t comfort the little girl, he retreated, waiting for someone else to help. That’s compassion.

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – A Touch of Compassion →

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Blessed Peacemakers

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“Is there any such thing as Christians cheering each other up? Do you love me enough to want to help me? Does it mean anything to you that we are brothers in the Lord, sharing the same Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic at all? Then make me truly happy by loving each other and agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, working together with one heart and mind and purpose” (Philippians 2:1,2). “Happy are those who strive for peace – they shall be called the sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).

Few individuals are more pleasing to our Lord than those who seek to promote peace. He is our great example since He is the author of peace. He is called the Prince of Peace, and He promises, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27, KJV).

When you and I think of peacemakers today, we think perhaps of national leaders who have made great efforts toward international peace, or of negotiators who have served as intermediaries, attempting to eliminate strife between management and labor.

But more is involved in this beatitude – certainly more of a spiritual nature. You may know, or have known, as I have, members of churches whom the Lord has been able to use as peacemakers – those who calm fears and help to unruffle feathers when the inevitable quarrels arise.

Peacemaking is something that requires work. It does not come easily. Basically, man is hostile toward himself, toward his neighbor and toward God. The peacemaker is one who can build bridges of love and understanding and trust.

Continue reading Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Blessed Peacemakers →

Kids 4 Truth

Ray Stedman – One ManRay Stedman – One Man

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Read: Romans 5:11-21

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Romans 5:17

Paul’s argument is that Adam’s transgression permitted sin to reign over the whole race. This is talking about more than just the funeral at the end of your life. True, that funeral happens because of Adam’s trespass, but there is more to it than that. Not only does death come to us at the end of our life because of Adam, but it reigns throughout our life because of Adam. Paul is talking about forms of death other than the mere cessation of life.

What is life? Life is love, joy, and excitement. It is vitality, enrichment, power; it is fulfillment in every direction, in every possibility of your being. That is life. Death is the absence of life. Death is emptiness, loneliness, misery, depression, boredom and restlessness. How much of your life is made up of death? A lot of it, right? Some people never seem to have anything but death in their lives. Death reigns because of Adam’s transgression.

Paul is saying that Christ’s death provides such abundant grace and loving acceptance, which are available again and again and again, that all who are in him can reign in life now. You can have life in the midst of all the pressures and circumstances and suffering and troubles. Your spirit can be alive and joyful — experiencing fulfillment and delight. Life in the midst of death! We reign in life now. Love, joy, peace, glory, and gladness fill our hearts even in the midst of all the heartaches and pressures of life.

Paul is drawing this parallel so that we might see how much more we have in Jesus than we ever had in Adam. What we lost in Adam, we regain in Jesus, plus so much more. Just as a climber on a mountaintop can dislodge a pebble which rolls on and accumulates others until it begins to launch an avalanche that will move the whole side of a mountain, so Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden dislodged a pebble that has built into an avalanche of sin and death that has swept through our entire race. But, Paul tells us, Jesus has launched another avalanche of grace, and in him there is ample counteraction against all that Adam has brought.

Continue reading Ray Stedman – One ManRay Stedman – One Man →

Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – Transposing

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Read: Genesis 1:1-2:3

God saw everything that he had made. (1:31)

My mother used to sing alto; some of her music still sits by my piano. My soprano aunt, though in a different league (she was a professional singer, and a very fine one), would have found Mum’s songs difficult, unless they had been transposed to a higher key to suit her higher voice.

In intercession—praying for people and situations and projects—we regularly need to do some transposing. I’m ashamed to say that I don’t remember when I last spent a whole hour in intercessory prayer for God’s world. An hour, did I say? Only an hour? For a world so big, so complex, that even in the condensed picture of its making that God gave us in Genesis 1, he takes six days to portray it all? And when beyond that we think of its billions of people, let alone the eons of time and the vastness of space in which they are just one tiny phenomenon! Charles Wesley might have exclaimed in respect of the wonders of creation as he did about the wonders of the gospel, “Where shall my wondering soul begin?”

From this point of view, I find Herbert’s next definition of prayer an exhilarating challenge: “The six-days-world transposing in an hour.” To use quite a different metaphor, can you fit a gallon of water into a pint jar? Oh, I think so. Under his guidance we learn how to transpose God’s unimaginable Opus 1 into manageable terms, in a singable key.

Here is the poem in its entirety:

Continue reading Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – Transposing →

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – The Right Perspective

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And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” —Revelation 6:10

Are our loved ones watching us in heaven? How much are they aware of what’s going on in our lives?

Revelation 6 gives us a little insight on this topic. In verse 10, we read of those who have been martyred for their faith. They are saying with a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” They are aware that the injustice they experienced has not been avenged. They are aware of the fact that time is passing. They are asking the Lord to intervene.

This is a good indication that in heaven we may know more than some people think we will know.

Often people go to extremes on this topic. Some think that our loved ones are watching everything we do and sending us messages and such. Others will say that people in heaven are oblivious about what’s going on—that they’ve had a heavenly lobotomy and are sitting on clouds sleeping. These people reason that if there is no sorrow or tears in heaven, our loved one can’t be aware of what’s going on here on earth because they would be saddened by our suffering.

But both of those extremes are incorrect. From this passage in Revelation we know that there is some level of awareness of happenings on earth. To what degree, we don’t know. But if we are being watched by our loved ones in heaven, I believe they would see everything with an eternal perspective. That is the key.

My grandson Christopher sometimes comes to me with his little battery-operated trains. “Papa, it is broken!” He is sad. His world has just ended. He doesn’t have my adult perspective.

I have a screwdriver. I have more batteries. I have got him covered. I am going to fix it. He doesn’t have to worry about it. He might be sad, but I am not, because I know the outcome.

It’s all about having the right perspective.

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – Jesus Will Never Change

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“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Have you ever gotten ready for school in the morning and decided you did not like your outfit? Maybe you did not like that color of socks. Maybe that shirt is uncomfortable. Maybe your shoes were too tight or too dirty to wear. Unless you are short on time, it is usually OK to change your clothes. People do it all the time.

Have you ever realized that a food you used to hate is starting to become a favorite food now? Maybe you used to hate spinach. After all, it is slimy and green. Your parents made you try it when you were little, and you wanted to spit it out! But let’s say that you just tried spinach again recently. (You had to, because it was in Grandma’s manicotti dish, and you love Grandma’s manicotti! So you tried it again – you put it on your fork, turned it around so you could get a good look at it, tasted it thoughtfully, and swallowed it right down! And you could not believe your tastebuds! After all those years of hating spinach, you are starting to love it. People are like that. As we grow older, our tastes change.

Did you ever lose track of someone who used to be a good friend of yours? Maybe you moved to another town, or maybe you just got busy with things going on at church or with your schoolwork. Maybe something happened in your family, and you just have not been seeing the same friends every day anymore. Or maybe your friends and you have just become interested in such different things that you do not need to spend much time together. That happens to people. Some friends will always be a part of our lives. But some of our friends will change over the years. We make new friends. We may never forget the old friends, but we might spend less time with them.

Change is a part of every human being’s life. Things change around us. We have to deal with that change. Other people change around us. And we ourselves change, both inside and out. We change our minds about little things like favorite clothes or what to drink at breakfast-time. We change our minds about big things, too, like whether we will obey our parents and what we want to be when we grow up. Sometimes it takes a very long time for us to change – it takes a long time to grow taller or wiser! On other things, we might change overnight – it does not take too long to decide whether or not to obey, does it?

Continue reading Kids 4 Truth International – Jesus Will Never Change →

The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Discouraged by His Discipline

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Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 12:5

“Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.”

Another improper response to God’s discipline is to “be weary” when he reproves us. We tend to lose heart when we think God is disciplining us out of anger instead of out of love. Hebrews 12:6, however, explicitly states that “the Lord disciplines the one he loves.” I acknowledge it’s often difficult to sense God’s love when we are undergoing his discipline, but we must by faith accept the testimony of Scripture.

The Puritan Samuel Bolton (1606?654) wrote, “God has thoughts of love in all he does to his people. The ground of his dealings with us is love (though the occasion may be sin), the manner of his dealings is love, and the purpose of his dealings is love. He has regard, in all, to our good here, to make us partakers of his holiness, and to our glory hereafter, to make us partakers of his glory.”

When the writer of Hebrews told us not to lightly regard the Lord’s discipline or be wearied by his reproof, his purpose was to encourage us. A good part of that encouragement must come from the realization that the hardships we encounter come from a God who is not only in sovereign control of every circumstance of our lives, but who also loves us, and who deals with us only on the basis of love. He’s not only the sovereign ruler of his universe, but also our heavenly Father through the Lord Jesus Christ.

So in times of adversity, don’t lose heart under it by failing to see his love in it. (Excerpt taken from The Discipline of Grace)

 

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – No Pain, No Gain

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Today’s Scripture: Romans 4-5

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. – James 1:2-4

I have a friend who says that physical conditioning is simply a matter of how much pain you’re willing to endure. And I believe it. But all those people who voluntarily exercise and abstain from hot fudge sundaes are convinced that their ultimate gain is worth their present pain.

I wonder if we have that same attitude toward our life of daily discipleship. Are we willing to endure pain when it comes to growing in our lives as Christians? In Romans 5:2, the apostle Paul wrote, “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” But he doesn’t stop there. Notice the next words: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” The hope spoken of in Romans 5 is much more than keeping our fingers crossed and wishing for the best. It’s a confident, joyful expectation.

While all of us want this God-given hope, very few of us get excited about the process by which it is produced. There is a definite progression here: suffering, when taken in the right spirit, will produce patient endurance. Over a period of time this persistent obedience to God produces character. And out of integrity of spirit emerges hope.

We can’t skip over any part of the process. One of the clearest teachings in the New Testament is that God wants His children to grow up to be strong disciples and not remain spiritual babies. He wants us to be mature, godly people with staying power in our walk with Him.

Prayer

Lord, as You shape me into a fit vessel for Your use, help me to realize that the pressure You put on me will make me strong. Amen.

To Ponder

When a clay pot emerges from the fire, it has beauty, strength, and color not possible without the heat.

 

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BreakPoint

BreakPoint – New Fossil Discovery Poses Problem for Evolutionists

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There’s an old story about a chemist, a physicist, and an economist stranded on a desert island with nothing to eat but a can of soup. Puzzling over how to open the can, the chemist says, “Let’s heat the can until it swells and bursts from the buildup of gases.” “No, no,” says the physicist, “let’s throw it off that cliff with just enough kinetic energy to split it open on the rocks below.” The economist, after thinking a moment says, “Assume a can opener.”

There’s more than one trade that deals in assumptions. The way Darwinists approach the origin of life is a lot like that economist’s idea for opening the can. The Darwinian mechanism of mutation and natural selection explains everything about life, we’re told—except how it began. “Assume a self-replicating cell containing information in the form of genetic code,” Darwinists are forced to say. Well, fine. But where did that little miracle come from?

A new discovery makes explaining even that first cell tougher still. Fossils unearthed by Australian scientists in Greenland may be the oldest traces of life ever discovered. A team from the University of Wollongong recently published their findings in the journal “Nature,” describing a series of structures called “stromatolites” that emerged from receding ice.

“Stromatolites” may sound like something your doctor would diagnose, but they’re actually biological rocks formed by colonies of microbes that live in shallow water. If you visit the Bahamas today, you can see living stromatolites.

What’s so special about them? Well, they appear in rocks most scientists date to 220 million years older than the oldest fossils, which pushes the supposed date for the origin of life back to 3.7 billion years ago.

Continue reading BreakPoint – New Fossil Discovery Poses Problem for Evolutionists →

Moody Global Ministries

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – A RISKY MESSAGE

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Read ESTHER 4:6–8

During the Revolutionary War, the British and American armies used invisible ink to deliver confidential messages. They would mix ferrous sulfate and water to place secret messages in between the lines of a seemingly innocent letter. When the letter was placed over the flame of a candle, its hidden message was revealed.

Today’s passage involves a secret message that needed to be delivered to the queen. At Esther’s request, Hathak, one of the eunuchs appointed to her service, left the palace and met Mordecai in the open square of the city (v. 6). Mordecai was unable to pass through the king’s gate while he was in mourning. Esther, likewise, could not go to Mordecai directly.

Not wasting any time, Mordecai laid out all of the details of Haman’s plot to destroy the Jewish people, a plot that threatened both himself and Esther. He provided specific evidence to prove his case, the exact amount of money Haman had promised, and a copy of the edict. He could not risk this message being dismissed as an empty rumor or fear-mongering.

Mordecai realized that Esther alone was in a prime position of influence. She was the one person who might be able to prevent the destruction of God’s people. He would ask Esther, this woman whom he had raised as a daughter, to risk her life on her people’s behalf (v. 8).

This conversation held risk for everyone involved. If Haman or Xerxes were to find out about this collusion, they would not wait eleven months to punish them. Esther, Mordecai, and Hathak had to trust each other to keep the information confidential and prioritize the safety of the Jewish people over their own immediate security.

APPLY THE WORD

Believers around the world today must take great risks in order to worship together, to share the gospel, or even to read the Bible. Let us support our brothers and sisters in Christ in our prayers, and may their testimonies inspire us to live boldly for God. For more information about how you can pray for persecuted Christians, see persecution.com.

 

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