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 Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:24 am
The Resurrection and Events Surrounding It
The crucifixion leaves Christians without hope . . . unless they keep reading the Bible and realize Jesus’ death is not the end of the story! Just as Jesus predicted, He rose from the dead three days after He was buried. This is referred to as the resurrection.
And just as skeptics promote that the crucifixion was a fairy tale, many often believe Christ’s resurrection was also a hoax. Yet, concerning the crucifixion, we have documented proof that it was indeed a common practice in Jesus’ day. We also have proof that Jesus was actually crucified.
If we continue to let history speak for itself, we soon realize Jesus actually did what He promised He’d do: He conquered death! The resurrection actually happened.
Josh McDowell entered college as a young atheist who was soon challenged by a professor to prove that the claims of Christ were simply a pack of lies. As Josh began researching the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, he soon came to a crossroads: Either Jesus Christ really is who He claims to be . . . or He’s the greatest liar the world has ever known and successfully deceived an entire planet with an incredible hoax.
Josh didn’t want to believe, but as he continued trying to disprove Jesus’ claims, he was finally convinced — by the facts — that Jesus Christ truly is the Son of God, was crucified for our sins and rose from the dead three days later.
You, too, can study the facts. Let the evidence speak for itself. For more study, check out Josh McDowell’s book More Evidence That Demands a Verdict. Another great book that will enhance your research is The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel.
Over the years, skeptics have created several theories to try and explain away the resurrection. One such theory is called “The Wrong Tomb.” Skeptics state that the disciples were so distraught at the death of their Leader, they didn’t pay close enough attention to where He was buried. Therefore, when they arrived at the tomb on Sunday morning and found it empty, they were actually at the wrong tomb!
But Matthew, Mark and Luke all tell us that Mary, the mother of Jesus, and a few others watched Him be buried. There’s no strong witness than an eye witness! His mother knew where His grave was located. Would she suddenly forget in three days? Were the other who were with her suddenly forget as well? The “wrong tomb” theory is nuts!
Know It!
Don’t believe the resurrection simply because you’ve heard the story all your life. Know the facts! Do your research. The only way you’ll be able to defend your faith is if you know why you believe what you do!
Read It!
Matthew 27:50-66; Mark 15:46-47; Luke 23:55; Hebrews 12:2.
Pray It!
Dear Jesus, sometimes I don’t know what to say when others try to disprove Your death and resurrection. Give me Your thoughts and Your words. Help me to know the facts, so I can speak out confidently
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 5:54 pm
Devotional Reading for:
3/28/2008
Associated Scripture Readings:
Luke 24:13-27
Psalm 100
Hope Revived
We had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel. Luke 24:21
We had hoped,” the disciples said to the risen Jesus, their unrecognized companion, “that He was the one to redeem Israel, but our priests and rulers crucified Him” (see vv. 19–21). “We had hoped.” We’ve said it too, when facing grief or a problem that leaves us hopeless. Our prayers have echoed back from heaven with empty answers. God doesn’t seem to care, and faith is all but gone. We’re down where death is, and giving up on God threatens to destroy us.
Jesus radiates compassion and hope. “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?” (vv. 25–26). Christ’s resurrection affirms that He has taken away our sin. In Him, we have redemption, love, forgiveness, and help in time of need. St. Paul says: “I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39). In Christ, we are born anew. Death is conquered, life is regained, forgiveness is secured, and our hope is revived.
O God, keep filling me with Easter hope. Amen.
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Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:31 am
Devotional Reading for:
3/29/2008
Associated Scripture Readings:
John 21:1-14
Psalm 22:22-31
The Risen Lord Provides
Cast the net on the right side. John 21:6
Back to Normalcy” was a political slogan of 1920. In the aftermath of World War I, it was a fitting slogan to go back to the normalcy of peace.
After Easter, the disciples returned to Galilee and to their normal routine of work. “I am going fishing,” Peter said (v. 3). All the rest went with him, “back to normalcy.”
After the high of the Easter celebration, the inclination is to slip back into the old ways in our faith and Christian living. It’s back to the normalcy of sin and a way of life that isn’t affected too much by the Christian proclamation and hope. Such attitudes deaden, or even kill, our faith.
The risen Jesus intervened for His disciples, and He does the same for us. “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” He told them, and they enclosed a large catch of fish. “Cast the net on the right side,” He tells us. Look at what the Lord is ready to give you: the stupendous catch of the richest resurrection gifts. The risen Lord gives us Himself. He comes with forgiveness, peace, comfort, and strength for life’s way. It’s not back to normalcy for us. Every day is fresh and new with all that is needed to be alive in Christ Jesus.
Lord Jesus, keep intervening in my life with forgiveness and new life in You. Amen.
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Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:09 am
Forgotten Cell Phone
By: Caitlin Henderson
A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother Proverbs 18:24
Have you ever forgotten something? Maybe it was something small like reading the newspaper, or maybe it was something big like your purse or your cell phone. Someone that I know recently left their cell phone at a party that was two hours away. It really wasn’t their fault because their cell phone had fallen out of their purse, but I still found it humorous. After learning of the missing phone, they contacted someone who lived near the party. That person not only picked up their phone, but also overnighted it, saving the cell phone owner a lot of trouble. What an amazing friend.
Did you know that the Bible talks about being a friend? In Proverbs, it states that a man who has friends must show himself friendly. Isn’t that what the person who mailed my mom back her phone was doing? (Oops, did I say my mom?) They really showed that they were a true friend, and this can be an example to us all. We should all try to help our friends out when they are in need.
Though we should strive to be the best friends we can be, did you know that we have a friend that sticks even closer than a brother? God will always be there for us no matter what. He is the perfect friend that we can look up to and try to model. His friendship has no limitations.
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Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:44 am
Devotional Reading for:
3/30/2008
Associated Scripture Readings:
Romans 6:20-23
Psalm 105:1-11
The Wages and the Gift
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
Even though modern medicine has boosted life expectancy, the death rate remains the same—one death for every person.
The Bible defines death as the paycheck for sin. The paycheck is big for each of us, because we labor overtime in the employ of sin. Sin is born in our hearts. It grows in our thoughts and desires. It matures in our words and deeds. It diminishes this life. It takes us to the grave. Beyond death and the grave is the place the Bible describes as a condition of weeping, darkness, and pain. Hell’s tragedy is final hopelessness and despair. That’s the wage.
Here’s the gift—eternal life. Christ’s death and resurrection provide the gift. It’s a costly gift. The price brought Him down from heaven to become one with us, to become sin for us, to accept the wage for us, to suffer hell on the cross and die for us, and to rise again—all to earn and proclaim the gift for us. The gift is forgiveness, newness of life, a grave that has become the passage to greater life, resurrection of the body, and eternity with God in heaven. It’s ours now through faith in Jesus, and it goes on forever.
Good and gracious God, help me live the gift of eternal life with joy, through Jesus, my risen Lord. Amen.
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Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:12 pm
The Resurrection and Events Surrounding It
Jesus did indeed conquer death! He is alive! As Christians, that gives us incredible reason to celebrate! Let’s take a closer look at what happened.
On Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene approached the tomb and found the stone rolled away. Peering inside the tomb, she found the body of Jesus was gone, but His grave clothes were still there, folded neatly where He had once lain.
Angels appeared to her and explained that Jesus had risen from the dead. She informed the disciples, and Peter and John ran to the tomb to discover the same thing: It was empty!
Later that day, Jesus Himself appeared to two of His followers as they approached the village of Emmaus. Jesus also appeared to the 11 disciples and proved to them He had actually conquered death. Thomas wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus first entered their meeting place, but Jesus appeared among them again with Thomas among them, and told Thomas to feel the holes in His hands where the nails had been, and to place his hand in His side where He was pierced with the sword.
Thomas fell on his knees and proclaimed that Jesus truly was His Lord. Jesus continued to appear to the disciples and several hundred others during the 40 days after His crucifixion.
Know It!
Again, there is no stronger witness in a court of law than an eye-witness. Several hundred people were eye-witnesses to Christ’s life after His death. The facts speak for themselves: Christ rose from the dead and is alive today! People saw Him, talked with Him, ate with Him and touched Him after His resurrection from the grave. Yes, our hope lies in the fact that Jesus is alive. But even that isn’t the end of the story! Jesus promised He’d return. He’s coming back! And you serve a living Savior who never breaks His Word! What He says He’ll do . . . He will do!
Read It!
Mark 16:9-20; Luke 24:1-52; John 20; Acts 1:1-9.
Pray It!
Thank You, Jesus, that even in my darkest days, my hope remains steadfast and strong . . . as long as my hope is in You!
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:42 pm
Reinstating Peter
Isn’t it comforting to know that Jesus knows you much better than you know yourself? When you feel discouraged, hopeless and alone, He understands. Peter must have felt pretty low. After all, he boldly bragged at the Last Supper that he’d never desert Jesus — that He’d even die for Him. Yet when approached by a young girl in the early morning hours following Jesus’ arrest, Peter denied ever having known Jesus. He lied!
This was the same man upon whom Jesus had said He would build His church! This is the guy who walked on water and appeared with Jesus at the Mount of Transfiguration (the special place where Moses and Elijah spoke with Jesus). Peter, one of the privileged three who was with Jesus when He raised a girl to life — this same Peter — didn’t even admit He knew Jesus when it mattered the most.
Can you imagine how low he must have felt? He failed. He boldly stated He’d follow Jesus to the end, but he blew it. Can you identify? Have you ever felt as though you didn’t deserve God’s forgiveness?
After the crucifixion, Peter went back to something familiar — fishing. We often do that, too, don’t we? We tend to lean toward our comfort zone when we feel insecure or intimidated. And Peter was certainly at home on the water. It was his business, his life.
But Jesus knew exactly where Peter was. (Jesus always knows where you are, too. Even in your darkest hour, Jesus knows where you are and how you feel.) And Jesus, knowing Peter would be in his boat, headed toward the beach. It was breakfast time. While Peter is still out on the water, Jesus started a fire and a fish-fry on the shore.
Peter, seeing His Lord (and smelling the fish), quickly rowed to shore and met Jesus on the sand. After they had shared breakfast, Jesus reinstated His mission for Peter. He wanted Peter to know that even though he had blown it, He still dreamed big dreams for His disciple.
Jesus instructed him to “Feed sheep.” Jesus had to repeat it three times, but Peter finally caught on that Jesus wasn’t talking about playing shepherd-man and chasing after wooly-coated animals. Peter knew that Jesus referred to His children as His sheep. Peter took the challenge — to feed the flock of God.
Know It!
Christ issues the same challenge to you as well. He wants you to spread the gospel and to care for His people. Are you actively doing that right now?
Read It!
Romans 8:35; John 21.
Pray It!
Dear Jesus, thank You for continuing to dream dreams for me even though I’ve failed. I want to be all You dream for me, Jesus. Help me to remember that You always know where I am and how I feel.
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:02 pm
Devotional Reading for:
3/31/2008
Associated Scripture Readings:
Matthew 22:1-14
Psalm 147:1-11
You Are Invited
The wedding feast is ready. Matthew 22:8
We’re invited to the banquet of salvation. Our Scripture calls it a wedding feast. What do we do with this invitation? Do we make excuses? If we see no sin that grieves us, if we have no burden we can’t carry, if we have no need we can’t fulfill—then we’re ready to make excuses not to come. If we do, we exclude ourselves from God’s salvation banquet.
Perhaps we want to come on our own terms. In Jesus’ day, wedding guests were provided a garment to wear at the banquet—but here we come in our own wardrobe: “I’m a good person. I’m as good as the next
fellow. The good I’ve done cancels out the bad. I have a long list of accomplishments that will impress the host.” Surprise! It doesn’t count! And we’re expelled.
God’s banquet is for those who know sin’s burden and feel its guilt, for those who despair of ever standing before God because of what they have or haven’t done.
Come to the banquet. God provides everything. In Christ, you leave behind guilt, condemnation, death, judgment, and hell. You wear the wedding garment—our Savior’s robe of righteousness woven for you on the cross, forgiveness, peace, acquittal, and heaven. The banquet is open to all. Bring someone with you.
Thank You, God, for the invitation to Your banquet. I come to feast on Your mercies in Christ. Amen.
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Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:54 pm
Feed Sheep?
We can’t help but wonder why Jesus had to ask Peter the same question three times after breakfast. It’s kind of intimidating when someone keeps repeating the same question to us, isn’t it? When a teacher asks, “Are you paying attention?” more than once, we’re embarrassed.
When parents ask, “Have you cleaned your room?” over and over again, we’re frustrated.
The Bible tells us that Peter was grieved at the way Jesus kept rephrasing His question and repeating it. Why did Peter need to hear it three times? Was it because he just didn’t get it at first?
There are times we don’t get it as quickly as we’d like. Often we have to be told over and over again to do something. Sometimes we’re asked the same questions only phrased a little differently to make sure we truly understand. Could it be that Peter was on a totally different wave length than His Savior?
When Jesus told Peter to “feed sheep,” maybe Peter took Him literally. What?!? Me? Feed sheep? You’ve gotta be kidding. I’m a fisherman. I don’t do sheep.
Maybe Peter thought he was above doing what Jesus was asking him to do. Hey, look at me! I’m used to battling horrendous waves on rough seas. I’m a man’s man. I don’t prance around the hills watching a bunch of sheep chew grass all day.
But as Jesus kept rephrasing the question and coating it with, “Do you love Me?” Peter began to understand that Jesus was commissioning him to be the hands and feet of God.
What are some specific ways you can do that today? You see, through the years, God’s call on our lives hasn’t changed. He’s still commissioning us to take care of His children — to be the hands and feet of our heavenly Father.
If you were to take that call seriously . . . and truly begin living it out through your actions on a daily basis . . . what would it look like? Would you let someone cut in front of you? Would you go out of your way to help a friend? Would you sit with someone who’s totally alone in the school cafeteria? Would you reach out to the campus weirdo? Would you go the second mile for someone who needed you?
Know It!
If you’ll ask God for opportunities to feed His sheep, He will give them to you! So . . . what are you waiting for?
Read It!
John 21; 1 John 3:11; 1 John 3:18.
Pray It!
Jesus, I want to take Your call on my life seriously. Help me to “feed Your sheep.” Show me specific things I can do to be Your hands and feet to those around me.
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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:04 pm
Don’t Be a Fool!
An atheist was complaining to his new acquaintance in the seat next to him. He’d just discovered his seatmate on the flight to Baltimore was a Christian. “You Christians are lucky,” he said. “You have Christmas — a holiday during which time you can take off work and celebrate.”
“Yes, that’s one of my favorite holidays,” the Christian replied.
“And the Jewish people can celebrate during Hanukkah.”
“Yes, that’s correct. I have several Jewish friends who celebrate during Hanukkah.”
“But we poor atheists don’t have a holiday to celebrate.”
The man seated behind them couldn’t help overhearing their conversation. He leaned forward and said, “There’s always April Fool’s Day.”
Many of us have a lot of fun pulling pranks and setting our friends up with jokes on April Fool’s Day. But Christ had some strong things to say about being a fool. He taught that anyone who held onto his life on earth would eventually lose it for eternity. Those who chose to call their own shots, do their own thing, control their own lives were actually fools; while those who gave their hearts to Christ were making the wisest decision they’d ever make.
Jesus told us He’s the Way, the Truth and the Light. If we truly believe that and follow Him, we’re wise. If we allow others to deceive us with vain words and shallow philosophies, we’re foolish. Those who don’t know Jesus Christ personally, will say you’re a fool for trusting a God you can’t see. But to be a fool for Christ is actually an extremely intelligent decision. In the past few days, we’ve looked at the facts concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus. They are historical events that have been proven. To ignore the evidence would be foolish.
You have a choice: You can look stupid in the eyes of the world and be a fool for Jesus. Or you can embrace your culture and its beliefs and be a fool for eternity.
Know It!
You’ll never go wrong by trusting God.
Read It!
Proverbs 13:19-20; Proverbs 14:9; 1 Corinthians 1:18- 25; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 3:19; 1 Corinthians 4:10.
Pray It!
Dear Jesus, sometimes I care too much about what others think. Help me to get past that, Lord, and simply concentrate on pleasing You with my entire life.
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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:23 pm
Devotional Reading for:
4/2/2008
Associated Scripture Readings:
Colossians 3:12-17
Psalm 90:12-17
The Architect’s Reputation
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23
It takes hundreds and sometimes thousands of workers to build a great cathedral. The architect’s reputation is dependent on the reliability of each worker. Though the hours of work may seem like drudgery, every stone that is laid either enhances or detracts from the masterpiece and, consequently, the reputation of the architect.
The reputation of Christ, our Master Architect, is also at stake by the way we perform our daily tasks. The stones we lay may seem ordinary; the cutting and hammering may seem to lack significance. But under the direction of the Master, the mundane composes the magnificent. Whatever we do in life, we strive to please God and to bring honor to Him before others.
Regardless of our diligence, we cannot earn favor with God. But Jesus earned God’s favor on our behalf. Christ accomplished the work of our salvation when He carried our sins on the cross. His resurrection was God’s mark of approval that proclaims Christ’s victory over our sin. We cannot add to His gift, but daily work, done in faith, can be a grateful response that honors our Master Architect.
Eternal Master Architect of our faith, lead us so to trust Your Word and promises, that all our thoughts, words, and deeds may honor and please You. Amen.
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 4:18 am
Devotional Reading for:
4/3/2008
Associated Scripture Readings:
Ephesians 1:3-14
Psalm 32
All-Inclusive
[God] has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:3
One winter we enjoyed an all-inclusive vacation trip. The provider expected the payment up front. After we paid the painful payment, we were lavished in luxury. But in God’s all-inclusive plan of salvation, the Provider pays the painful payment up front, and then we are lavished in grace.
A huge price had to be paid to make us right with God. The bill was paid through Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. The payment for the debt of our sin is presented to us as a gift, compliments of God, through our Baptism into Christ.
God’s gift is all-inclusive. Along with the forgiveness of sins, God grants us “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” Included in the gift is the privilege of being God’s children and sharing the inheritance of the saints. Through the Holy Spirit’s power, we partake of Christ’s divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Christ is constantly present to guide and protect us. In fact, God is willing
to do more for us than we could ask or even think of (Ephesians 3:20). God lavishes us with the all-inclusive benefits Christ has purchased and won for us, and He leads us to believe and trust His promises, that we may enjoy them.
Lord, thank You for the grace You have lavished on us. Amen.
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 3:33 pm
Quiz Time
• Jesus was ARRESTED
a. with handcuffs and leg shackles.
b. in the Garden of Gethsemane.
c. among thieves and gangsters.
• This arrest was illegal, because
a. it took place at night.
b. there was no search warrant.
c. He was betrayed by one of His own disciples.
• During the Last Supper, Jesus
a. asked what the cost was for the room they were renting.
b. rebuked His disciples for eating too much.
c. told His disciples that His body and blood would soon be given for them.
• Pilate released Jesus to the crowd of accusers to be crucified, because
a. Barabbas was a good friend of his, and Pilate wanted to spare his life.
b. he wanted to satisfy the crowd.
c. he had seen Jesus steal money and knew He was guilty of several other crimes as well.
• The Romans used a whip called a flagrum to beat Jesus. Several pieces of sharp bone and metal were attached to
a. chariots that were set on fire.
b. wild beasts that attacked Jesus.
c. long shreds of leather strips.
• Jewish law stated that a prisoner couldn’t be whipped more than how many times?
a. 39
b. 176
c. 12
• The path that Jesus took to Golgotha, where He was crucified, is known today as
a. the road to death.
b. the road to Zion.
c. the Via Dolorosa.
• During His remaining time on the Cross, Jesus spoke how many sentences?
a. Seven
b. 68
c. Too many to count.
• The guards threw dice for Jesus’ garment, because
a. it was made of flannel.
b. it was a rare color.
c. it was seamless.
• The soldiers broke the legs of the two thieves who died with Jesus, but they didn’t break His legs because
a. His knees were grossly swollen.
b. He was already dead.
c. they felt sorry for Him.
• Skeptics who refuse to believe, have created some theories in an attempt to explain away Christ’s resurrection. Some of them are:
a. The “Dead Man Wasn’t Really Jesus” theory.
b. The “Wrong Tomb” theory.
c. The “Jesus Was Drowned, Not Crucified” theory.
d. The “Disciples Stole His Body” theory.
e. The “Alien Abduction” theory.
f. The “Jesus Never Really Died; He Only Fainted” theory.
Know It!
The death and resurrection of Your Savior is no fairy tale. It really happened. Know the facts and be willing to share them with your non-Christian friends.
Read It!
2 Timothy 4:1-5; Titus 3:14; Hebrews 4:2.
Pray It!
Jesus, I want to be sure of my beliefs. Thank You for having the ability and the desire to answer all my questions and handle my doubts. Help me to become more and more confidents of the facts concerning Your death and resurrection.
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:37 pm
The Right Signals
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed fervently for God to rescue him. For days, he scanned the horizon for help, but his situation seemed hopeless. He eventually managed to build a small lean-to out of driftwood and leaves to protect him from the wind and rain and to protect the few possessions he had.
Several weeks passed, and one day while scavenging for food, he arrived back at the lean-to only to discover it in flames. He fell on the sand and sobbed while watching the smoke rise to the sky. The worst had now happened; he had lost what little he had.
Desperate and filled with anger, he shook his fist and screamed toward heaven, “God! How could You do this to me? I have no hope. Why won’t You help me? Now I’ll surely die.” Exhausted, he fell asleep heavy with grief.
Early the next morning, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island. He began frantically waving his arms, and when he saw them lower a small boat, he knew they had come to rescue him.
When he was finally safe and aboard the ship, he asked his rescuers, “How in the world did you know I was here?”
“We saw your smoke signal,” the said.
It’s easy to get discouraged when things don’t go our way, isn’t it? We often feel we’re at the end of our rope and without hope. But God has promised never to abandon us.
Can you trust the Creator of the universe to solve your problems? When things look the worst, God is often at work behind the scenes. All we need to do is trust Him.
For all the negative things we say to ourselves, God has a positive response:
We say, “It’s impossible.”
God says, “All things are possible.”
We say, “I’m too tired.”
God says, “I will give you rest.”
We say, “No one really loves me.”
God says, “I love you.”
We say, “I can’t go on.”
God says, “My grace is sufficient.”
We say, “I can’t figure things out.”
God says, “I will direct your steps.”
Know It!
The next time your security goes up in smoke, know that it could be a signal that’s summoning the grace of God.
Read It!
(And match these Scriptures with the above quotes.) Luke 18:27; Matthew 11:28-30; John 3:16 and John 13:34; 2 Corinthians 12:9 and Psalm 91:15; Proverbs 3:5-6.
Pray It!
Dear Lord, I confess I often jump the gun when things don’t go my way. I quickly assume the worst instead of waiting patiently for You to act. Teach me to trust You more, Jesus.
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 1:09 pm
Who Knew?
Who would have guessed that . . .
• You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching TV.
• Oak trees don’t produce acorns until they’re 50 years of age or older.
• The first product to have a bar code was Wrigley’s gum.
• American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one olive from each salad served in first- class.
• Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts.
• All United States Presidents have worn glasses. Many just didn’t like being seen wearing them in public.
• Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise.
• The plastic things on the ends of shoelaces are called aglets.
• Walt Disney was afraid of mice . . . yet he created the most famous mouse in the world.
• Pearls dissolve in vinegar.
• It’s possible to lead a cow upstairs, but not downstairs.
• Betsy Ross is the only real person to ever have been the head on a Pez dispenser.
• The average life span of a major league baseball is seven pitches.
• A duck’s quack doesn’t echo.
• Richard Milhouse Nixon was the first United States president whose name contains all the letters from the word “criminal.”
• William Jefferson Clinton was the second United States president whose name contains all the letters from the word “criminal.”
Who would have guessed all that?
And who would guess that you have a personal, loving, growing relationship with the Creator of the universe . . . unless you tell them? Before Jesus physically left the earth, He commanded His disciples to go into all the world and spread the gospel. Note He didn’t say, “When you feel ready,” or “When you get around to it” or “If it’s convenient” or “When you figure out a splashy way to do it.” He just said, “Go.”
So what are you waiting for? Have you ever “gone”? Short-term mission trips can be life-changing adventures. Would you dare to allow God to stretch you? Would you be willing to get out of your comfort zone? Would you be willing to make the sacrifices necessary to earn and save enough money to fund such a trip?
If so, then you may want to pray about participating with Focus on the Family’s Brio magazine’s annual two-week international missions trip. Each year we take approximately 500 teens out of their comfort zone. And guess what! They come back totally changed, charged and centered. If you’re interested in such an adventure, get more information from the Brio Web site.
Know It!
God never asks you to do something without equipping you with everything you need to do it.
Read It!
Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:25; Philippians 4:13.
Pray It!
I don’t know, Jesus. Leaving my family and friends — even for a couple of weeks — seems pretty bizarre. I’m not sure I’m ready for such an experience. But I do want to be part of spreading the gospel. Help me become more confident in my relationship with You. And give me Your deep, settled peace if You want me to go on a missions trip.
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