Tag Archives: gospel of jesus christ

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Unity in the Body of Christ

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Charles Stanley

Ephesians 2:11-22

A great deal of friction and enmity is generated by those who see themselves as superior to others by virtue of their race, religion, or social status. Such attitudes destroy peace between individuals, communities, and even nations. The early church confronted this problem when it addressed the status of non-Jewish believers. These Gentiles had been excluded from the commonwealth of Israel with all its privileges and covenants, so it was easy to view them as second-class citizens in the church despite their faith in Jesus. Even after Pentecost and the outpouring of the Spirit, the old ways of thinking were hard to abandon.

The apostle Paul spoke to this very problem in Ephesus when he said, “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall” (Eph. 2:13-14).

Today there continue to be many dividing walls between people. Human nature is no different in the modern age than it was in the first century: power, pride, and privilege still dominate in the kingdom of darkness. Unfortunately, many dividing walls also exist in the Christian community. Yet the gospel of Jesus Christ is just as powerful today in “mak[ing] the two into one new man, thus establishing peace” (v. 15). It doesn’t matter what the barriers are—we can overcome them by recognizing that we all have our access to the Father through the same Spirit (v. 18).

 

 

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – No More Accommodation

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All July you’ve been reading about God’s unchangeable faithfulness to you. What about yours to Him?

If we are faithless, he remains faithful.   II Timothy 2:13

American patriot Patrick Henry wrote: “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians – not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

As a nation, America has accommodated the world’s values, abandoning Godly paths and principles. Congress has all but legislated God out of existence. Military chaplains can’t have Bibles on their desks. Prayers are forbidden at graduations. Religious freedom is challenged in the courts. And yet, when tornados tear through Oklahoma or hurricanes blast the Gulf Coast, God is suddenly acknowledged…though, sadly – He gets the blame.

It is time for spiritual change in the United States, and that begins with you standing on biblical principles, not giving accommodation to the conspiracy of silence in order to be seen as politically correct. Then tell others the many ways God has been faithful to you. Place yourself and America squarely before the Lord as you pray today. Ask for the fire of revival to fall upon this nation, top down and bottom up – that America might once again become a nation of faithful people.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 14

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Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – Memorial Day 2013

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Not Theirs Alone

Deployment…you know the word because so many in this nation have been affected by it. The military takes a position of readiness to aid in the battle against terrorism. Any way you look at it, it means leaving the comforts of home and family and extending themselves to serve this country.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. Matthew 28:19

In much the same way, Jesus’ disciples were deployed to tell the resurrection story – a battle of a different kind. They sacrificed much to serve the Lord. The book of Acts recounts their struggles and suffering, as well as their successes, in proclaiming that Christ had risen. They did what Jesus told them to do.

But that command was not theirs alone. Deployment is not just for today’s military or for yesterday’s apostles. It is for you…you who know that Christ died and that He rose again to save the sinner from the punishment he should receive.

Take time on this Memorial Day to remember the men and women who died fighting for the freedom you enjoy. Then thank God for those who have gone before you unafraid to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ…even to the point of death. Don’t waiver. Serve the Lord. Spread the good news!

Recommended Reading: I Thessalonians 5:4, 8-17

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Charles Stanley – Telling It Like It Is

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Matthew 10:32-33

Life often demands proof. Sometimes it seems that no matter what we say, people simply will not

believe us unless we can provide some definite verification. That can be a good thing when what you’re

sharing is the most important news in the world—and you have the evidence to back it up.

The news I’m talking about is the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. And the proof is your own personal

testimony.

Every single believer has an irrefutable account of how Christ saved him or her from sin. It is

disheartening when people downplay their faith story as boring or “ordinary.” How could this story ever

be ordinary? It isn’t just some narrative about how you spent your day; we’re talking about a

supernatural event. This is the chronicle of how Almighty God entered your heart. News like that is far

from boring.

Remember that no one can discount your testimony. It’s your own story—the truthful telling of how

God has worked in your life. A testimony is similar to a fingerprint: no two are the same. And regardless

of the details, no one can ever deny your own personal experience. Even if some people do not believe

in the power of Christ, they cannot refute what He has done in your life.

Boldly giving your testimony can be a challenge, especially if you’re not sure how your audience will

react. At such moments, however, know that your story will be something they’ve never heard before.

God gave you a special gift in your unique testimony. Are you sharing that gift with others?

 

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Not Over Yet – Greg Laurie

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Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both — Ecclesiastes 11:6

Saul, later to become the apostle Paul, was doing the work of the kingdom before he was even in it. Had he not persecuted the church, I think the first-century Christians probably would have been content to stay in their little holy huddle in Jerusalem and never leave town. It was great, God had blessed, and there were believers all around. So who wanted to leave Jerusalem? But with Saul’s persecution, the Christians were forced to spread out, and in the process, they took the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.

I think the person who probably had the greatest influence in bringing about the conversion of Saul was Stephen, the church’s first martyr. I believe it was Stephen’s bold testimony that actually threw fuel on Saul’s fire, because Saul was under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Stephen didn’t have a long ministry. He never wrote a book of the New Testament. But if his only convert was Saul of Tarsus, then he was one whopper of a convert.

You may not reach millions. You may not reach thousands. You may not reach hundreds. But you may be the person whom God uses to reach someone who will, in turn, change the world. Or, it may be a child whom you raised in the way of the Lord who reaches someone else who talks to someone else and eventually shares the gospel with someone like Saul. So here is what you need to realize: It’s not over till it’s over.

We need to be faithful in sowing the seed of the Word of God, because we don’t know where that seed will go . . . in this life . . . or in the next generation . . . or in the next one.