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 Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 3:11 pm
Off the Wire
The following are actual news clippings from around the world.
o Police in Northbridge, Mass., caught a former donut- shop employee who robbed the place after he left a trail of coins leading to his apartment.
o Fishermen in Russia's Far East have been buying up Chinese-made Barbie dolls and using their golden hair as bait.
o A man from Saegertown, Pa., was tired of looking at two telephone service boxes at the edge of his property, so he ripped them up with a tractor. The state police noted the man couldn't be reached for comment; his phone is no longer in service.
o An Australian cricket player, desperate for some plain food after two weeks in India, called home for an emergency shipment of canned baked beans and spaghetti.
o Bank tellers in Virginia Beach, Va., handed over the money when a robber demanded cash. But they also slipped in an explosive dye pack that burns at about 400 degrees. The crook stuffed the loot down the front of his pants and was out the door before he realized something was wrong.
o A motorist led officers on a freeway chase until his sport-utility vehicle ran out of gas, but the pursuit didn't end there. The man jumped out of his SUV and began pushing it. California Highway Patrol officers waited until he got tired and then arrested him.
o A lawmaker seeking re-election to the Danish Parliament has said the country's 11 million pigs should be given toys to play with.
Often times truth really is stranger than fiction, isn't it? It's hard to believe these actual news clippings were pulled from a wire service. Have you ever wondered what would happen if Christians had a wire service? What if anyone, at any time, could tap into a wire service and pull information from it about your spiritual life?
What would they read?
o Seventeen-year-old Christian says God is the most important thing in his life, but he hasn't read the Bible in months. Says he can't find it.
o Nineteen-year-old female disciple was seen tailing an elderly woman driver and angry because she was going too slow.
o Sixteen-year-old president of Fellowship of Christian Athletes received $1.00 more in change than he should have at Wal-Mart. After he pocketed the money, he turned to his friends and said, “You could tell it was her first day on the job. Serves her right. What a twit!”
Or would people be able to pick up positive news about you? Clippings that tell about your integrity, your character and your commitment to stand up for the under-dog? Though there really isn't any such wire service for Christian actions, isn't it enough to know that your heavenly Father sees all, hears all and knows all?
Know It!
As a Christian, your greatest desire should be to reflect God Himself.
Read It!
Mark 9:50; Mark 16:15-20; 1 Corinthians 16-17; Ephesians 5:1.
Pray It!
Ask God to point out any actions or habits in your life that are misrepresentative of Him.
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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 2:42 pm
Gems of Life
There's an old Arabian tale of a caravan of camels making its way across the sandy desert. As the men and their animals inched their way across the sand, the camel drivers began to notice small rock-like pebbles. Some of the drivers dismounted and gathered a few of the stones and placed them in their pouches. Others didn't want to add weight to the already burdened animals.
When evening approached, around an oasis, the drivers washed their pebbles and were startled to find that they had actually found precious jewels! Early the next morning, the caravan quickly returned over the same route expecting to find more of the same pebbles, but the special rocks were gone. The camel drivers who had taken time to gather a few pebbles were grateful, but were also disappointed that they hadn't gathered more when they had the opportunity.
We can look at these gems in two different ways. (1) God Himself. You can have as much of God as you want. All you have to do is choose Him. Like gathering pebbles, make it a point to gather time for God. Get alone with Him. Read the Bible. Get to know Him in as deep a way as possible. The saddest thing in life would be to someday think back and say with regret, I wish I would have gotten to know God better. You can, right now! So do it.
We can also see these gems in another way. (2) In a sense, you've had the opportunity to scatter a few pebbles of worth during your day today. Did you speak a kind word to the lonely person in the cafeteria? Were you too busy running to practice that you didn't take time to smile at someone along the way? In the rush of your school day, did you stop and pick up a book for someone who dropped it? These are the gems of the day that can't be picked up again. Once you pass by an opportunity, you'll never have that exact same opportunity again. Are you making good use of the situations God brings your way? Or like the drivers who were too lazy to pick up the pebbles, do you tend to think, I'm too busy today. But maybe tomorrow I'll pick up some gems and spread them around.
Start collecting some gems right now. Today, make time to read your Bible and pray. Set some spiritual goals for yourself. Then make a list of ways you can distribute God's gems tomorrow to those around you.
Know It!
Let God know He can trust you with people who have specific needs by passing out gems. Make it part of your lifestyle to become as close to Christ as you can.
Read It!
2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Philippians 2:1; Colossians 2:6-7.
Pray It!
Ask God to give you specific opportunities to spread gems of kindness to those around you.
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Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 3:46 pm
Precious Gems
There are two more ways we can look at the gems along the road. (1) We can see them as personal invitations to an eternal life with Christ through faith in Him. Noah was somewhat like that camel caravan in his day. He scattered pebbles of invitation to those around him to come to the safety of the ark. He desperately warned his neighbors and friends of the impending flood. But since the earth had never been watered by rain, and people didn't know what it was, they simply laughed at him. (Up to this particular time, the earth was watered with a daily dew.)
Many people helped Noah build the ark. He had carpenters, laborers and men working with pitched. They worked on the ark, around the ark and even inside the ark. They built the rooms, the cages and filled the ark with hay, grain and other edibles. They did a lot of great work, but because they didn't pick up the gem of Noah's invitation, they weren't saved.
Good actions won't save us. A good lifestyle won't save us. Until we accept the gem of invitation from God Himself to forgive our sins and live eternally with Him, we won't be saved.
We can also view the gems (2) as God's precious fruit of the Spirit. His fruit is yours for the asking. He'll cultivate it, grow it and multiply it in your life, if you'll do your part and tell Him you desperately want to produce godly fruit. To all who want joy and peace and love, God will grant it-plus other fruit of the Spirit as well.
Know It!
Why stop short? Instead of simply settling for a good life, go for the best life possible-a life fully committed to Jesus Christ. Allow Him to give you all He has in mind for you to receive: A full platter of the fruit of His Spirit and plenty of invitations to extend to those around you so they, too, may inherit eternal life with Him.
Read It!
Proverbs 10:28; Proverbs 12:20; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 1:6.
Pray It!
Ask God to help you distribute His invitations for eternal life to those around you. And make time on a daily basis to allow Him to develop His fruit of the Spirit in your life in fullness.
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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 11:29 am
A Little Bit of Heaven
It was Sunday morning, and Pastor Smith had worked all week on his sermon about heaven. He delivered it with great articulation and power. The next morning he saw one of his wealthy church members in town. The man stopped him and said, “Pastor, that was a great sermon on heaven. I really enjoyed it! But you forgot one thing.”
“What's that?” Pastor Smith asked.
“You forgot to tell me where heaven is,” the man responded. “I've never been clear on that.”
“Ah,” Pastor Smith responded. “I'm glad you brought that to my attention. I've just returned from the home of Mrs. Elmore. You may know who she is. Her husband died several years ago, and she's trying to care for her two small children alone. She's very sick today, and both of her children are sick. She doesn't have anything in the house. No bread, no meat, no milk. I have an assignment for you: Buy a few groceries and take them to her in the name of Jesus. Then ask to borrow her Bible and read the Twenty-Third Psalm to her and her children. After you do that, get on your knees and pray for her and her children. If you don't see heaven before you're finished, I'll pay the bill for the groceries.”
The man stopped by the church office the next morning. “Pastor Smith, I saw heaven! There's no bill for you to pay. Thank you so much for pointing me in the right direction. I understand now.”
Every time we do something in Jesus name-going the second mile, giving in faith, sharing our resources with someone in need-we experience a little bit of heaven. Jesus told His disciples that anytime they offered a cup of cold water to a stranger, it was as if they were giving the water to their heavenly Father.
Have you experienced heaven on earth? Consider doing any of the following in striving to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around you:
• Ask your pastor for the names of three older people in your congregation who have not been able to come to church in a while because of poor health. Call each one and ask to come sit and pray and read the Bible for them.
• Do something to earn a little extra money specifically for the purpose of giving it away. Baby-sit, wash cars, have a garage sale. And use all the of proceeds to buy groceries for a needy family.
• Make a list of five areas of need you'd love to see Jesus meet. Spend one week fasting one meal a day and praying for these needs.
Know It!
You don't need to wait until you die to experience heaven. God wants to help you experience a little bit of heaven right here on earth through your actions, your attitude and your commitment to Him.
Read It!
2 Corinthians 5:1; Philippians 3:20; Revelation 5:13; Revelation 19:1.
Pray It!
Ask God for the desire and strength to do one or all of the above examples for another person.
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Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 10:14 am
Shut the Door!
Seth stopped at a gas station to fill his Honda. After he paid the bill, he noticed a pay phone and decided to call his buddy Tim and ask him to go to the batting cages with him. The connection was made, but Tim kept saying, “Seth? I can't hear you! Talk louder. Seth? Talk louder, man, I can't hear you!” All Tim could hear was the noise of traffic in the background. He finally screamed, “Seth! Shut the door, man! Shut the door so I can hear you!”
Many Christians mistakenly assume that God doesn't speak to them. The truth is, God speaks to you every single day. But if you're not hearing Him, it could be because there are too many other noises in your life competing for your attention. How can we hear God's specific voice if we always have the TV on?
Christian music is great, but if we never turn it off, we'll have difficulty tuning into the voice of God. There are times, when we need to “shut the door” to the world and all it offers so we can intently focus on God and God alone. The Bible tells us to “be still” and know that He is God. It's in the quiet moments, those times when we learn to completely silence ourselves before our Creator, that we hear Him speak.
Have you learned the sound of God's voice? Have you learned how to be completely still before the Lord? Being quiet isn't the only time God speaks to us, but it's usually those times when we're able to more clearly hear His voice. It's fine to use Christian music, Christian reading and other Christian materials to help you focus more completely on your relationship with God. But there comes a time when you'll need to put everything down, turn everything off and shut the door so you can hear God speaking through your thoughts, your heart, your mind and His Word.
Know It!
If you're unsure of God's voice, make it a point to seek His voice this week! Come to Him in total honesty and tell Him you desperately want to hear from Him. Understand it may not be an audible voice. Ask Him to help you learn what His voice sounds like through your heart and through Scripture. If you set aside the time to learn His voice, God will be faithful and teach you His inflection. When you make a consistent habit of shutting everything else out to focus more clearly on your heavenly Father, it will make all the difference in the world!
Read It!
Proverbs 14:16; Proverbs 18:10; Isaiah 48:17-18; Isaiah 56:1-2.
Pray It!
Tell God you want to be extremely sure of His voice, and ask Him to help you recognize it when He speaks.
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 10:08 am
Just Like Sin
Can you imagine having to scream, “Unclean! Unclean” as you cross the street at a busy intersection so those around you would immediately distance themselves from you? In Bible times, people who had leprosy were forced to announce that about themselves whenever they went outside. Having to admit you're unclean was probably very embarrassing. But once someone contracted leprosy, they also contracted a stigma that never left them. They weren't allowed to be in public places such as markets, temples or schools. Friends stopped associating with them and family members often shunned them.
Leprosy is a disease that still exists today. It's commonly referred to as Hansen's disease and there are treatment facilities in various parts of the United States. We don't hear much about any more, because with the proper medication, it's very treatable. People tend to think having leprosy means that a foot or hand suddenly falls off. That's really not what happens.
Leprosy is caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae that's from the same family as the organism that causes tuberculosis. Leprosy destroys the nerves, which makes the patient insensitive to pain. For example, if you have leprosy in your foot, you may walk barefooted over a rusty nail and not know it-even though the nail has broken through your skin, caused an open wound and is now getting infected. If you continue to walk on that foot without realizing you're hurt (because you're now insensitive to pain), the foot will become severely infected and may eventually need to be amputated.
Can you imagine an extremely severe case of leprosy throughout the entire body? Eventually, if it's untreated, it can be fatal.
Sin works in a similar way. It's possible to become so accustomed to the sin in our lives that eventually it no longer bothers us. As we continue to sin, and as we allow our hearts to harden, we become desensitized to evil. It becomes difficult to even feel the pain we're causing our heavenly Father. Eventually, sin will destroy us . . . unless we turn to God with a repentant heart.
Like leprosy, sin is treatable. God is willing not only to forgive our sins but to completely remove them from His mind. But if we continue to ignore the tender prompting from the Holy Spirit, we allow our heart to harden and the sin simply spreads through our spiritual lives.
Know It!
Have you asked the Great Physician to treat the sin in your life?
Read It!
Isaiah 64:5; Jeremiah 31:30; John 1:29; 1 John 1:7.
Pray It!
Ask God to reveal any unconfessed sin in your life and seek forgiveness from Him. Tell Him you want a tender heart that's sensitive to the prompting of His Spirit.
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 3:25 pm
Do You Get It?
Check out the following actual statements found in patients' hospital charts.
• Patient's medical history has been remarkable insignificant with only a 40-pound weight gain in the past three days.
• She is numb from her toes down.
• While in E.R., she was examined, X-rated and sent home.
• Patient was alert and unresponsive.
• The patient refused autopsy.
• The patient has no previous history of suicides.
• I saw your patient today, who is still under our car for physical therapy.
• Discharge status: Alive but without my permission.
• Skin: Somewhat pale but present.
• Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities.
Even though we laugh at the above statements, they can make us wonder if the medical staff dedicated the time necessary to properly asses each patient. They were probably overworked and rushed and simply made some humorous mistakes.
Spiritually, it's imperative that we make the time to “get it” and get it right. Are you “getting” what God is trying to teach you? Are you understanding His ways, His Words, His Truth?
We're told in Acts chapter 19, that the apostle Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months about the Kingdom of God. Many of his listeners became obstinate. They didn't “get” it. So Paul took the disciples with him and left. They headed to Tyrannus and had a revival there that lasted two years! Obviously, the listeners in Tyrannus “got” it.
And God began doing extraordinary things through Paul. The Bible goes on to say that even when Paul's handkerchief touched someone, they were healed because of God's power surging through Paul and through everything he touched. Paul “got” it, didn't he? He understood what God was teaching Him, and he was intensely tuned in to God Himself.
But it took awhile. Remember, Paul was originally Saul-the one who hated Christians and was instrumental in many of their deaths. It took temporary blindness and a name change, but Paul finally “got” it.
Know It!
God desperately wants you to “get” it. He wants you to understand, receive and obey all that He's trying to teach you. And fortunately, He'll go to great lengths to make sure you do get it. Are you paying attention?
Read It!
Acts 19:1-4; Acts 19:8-12; Acts 19:22-29; Acts 19:35- 41.
Pray It!
Pray that God will help you “get” it spiritually. Ask Him to keep you from taking spiritual shortcuts.
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Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 3:01 pm
Try This!
Having a tough time removing a stain? Try these helpful hints!
• If you're trying to remove a permanent marker stain from appliances or counter tops, try using rubbing alcohol on a paper towel to do the trick.
• Need to get rid of crayon marks on walls? A damp rag dipped in baking soda works great with lots of scrubbing.
• Have a blood stain on your clothes? Pour a little peroxide on a cloth and use that to wipe off the blood. Works every time.
• If you're trying to remove a stain from the bottom of a vase, fill it with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets for amazing results.
It's interesting how we use trial and error over and over again to come up with just the right solution for removing stains found in everything from toilet bowls to clothing to counter tops. Sometimes it takes years for a researcher to discover how to remove a specific stain from a certain material.
Many people search for years trying to find a way to remove their stain of guilt caused by sin. You may have a friend who's an alcoholic. Perhaps he turned to alcohol to try to forget the guilt he's carrying from his past. Others turn to drugs as an escape. Some people are in and out of relationships-seeking that certain someone who can fill the void in their lives that the stain of sin has caused.
Guess what! You weren't meant to be able to remove the stain of sin from your life. You can spend years searching for just the right product, but there's only one way to get rid of the stain of sin forever, and that's through the blood of Jesus Christ. Ironic, isn't it? The blood of Christ doesn't cause stains, it totally removes stains! And His blood doesn't simply work for the moment. When Jesus Christ forgives, it's forever.
An old preacher once said, “Jesus forgives your sins and forgets them. He tosses them in the Sea of Forgetfulness and posts a sign that read 'No Fishing.' ” In other words, Christ wants you to forgive yourself as well. Once He's forgiven you, He doesn't want you to wallow in guilt. He died for your guilt as well as your sins, and He desires that you live in freedom, confidence and grace.
Know It!
If you've accepted Christ's forgiveness for your sins but are still living in guilt, try this strategy: (1) Memorize specific Scripture verses that prove you're forgiven. When Satan plants seed of doubt in your mind, quote Scripture as your defense. (2) Change the immediate environment in which you feel guilty. For example, if you used to drink and have quit and are forgiven, don't go to places that serve alcohol. That only reminds you of your past.
Read It!
Isaiah 6:7; Mark 2:7-10; Hebrews 10:22; 1 John 1:9.
Pray It!
Spend some time thanking God for His forgiveness and ask Him to free you from the stain of guilt your past sins have caused.
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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 9:30 am
You Are Blessed!
It's easy to take the blessings God gives us for granted. Have you recently stopped to actually thank God for His specific blessings and provision in various areas of your life? Use this checklist to get you started in the direction of gratitude.
• If you own just one Bible, you're abundantly blessed. One-third of the world doesn't even have access to one copy.
• If you awoke this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million people in our world who won't even survive this week.
• If you've never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you're ahead of 500 million people around the world.
• If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest or death, you're more blessed than almost three billion people in the world.
• If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you're richer than 75 percent of the people in this world.
• If you have money in the bank, in your wallet and spare change in a dish someplace, you're among the top eight percent of the world's wealthy.
• If your parents are still married and/or alive, you are very rare, even in the United States.
• If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you're blessed because the majority of people in the world can but don't.
• If you can hold someone's hand, hug her or even touch her on the shoulder, you're blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.
• If you prayed yesterday and today, you're in the minority, because you believe in God's willingness to hear and answer prayer.
• If you believe that Jesus is truly the Son of God and the only way to heaven, you're part of a very small minority in the world.
• If you can read this devotional, you're more blessed than over two billion people in the world who can't read anything at all.
Know It!
We all have bad days. But the next time you're frustrated or angry, stop and ask the Lord to help you focus on the blessings He's so generously given you.
Read It!
Isaiah 40:22-26; Isaiah 40:31; Isaiah 41:1-2; Isaiah 41:13.
Pray It!
Pray for a genuine attitude of gratitude.
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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 9:31 am
Real Love
Genuine love always gives a part of itself. Imagine you've ordered a thick crust pepperoni pizza with extra cheese. It's just been delivered to your door, and you're sitting at the table with the first gooey bite in your mouth. The doorbell rings, and you welcome your friend Rachel inside.
“Hi, Rachel! Great to see you. Listen, uh . . . I'm just now eating a pizza in the kitchen. Why don't you have a seat in the dining room, and I'll be right back.”
You run down to the Chinese food at the corner, and bring back egg rolls, sweet and sour chicken and egg drop soup. You then set Rachel a place at the dining room table and place the Chinese food in front of her. “Hope you enjoy it, Rachel! I'll be in the kitchen finishing my pizza.”
Even though you would have done a great job providing for your friend, you probably would hurt her feelings as well. After all, she came over to see you, but by putting her in the dining room and not offering to share your pizza with her, you've shut her out.
Real love doesn't simply give nice things or provide well; genuine love gives a part of itself. It was said of a now-deceased multimillionaire, that while he lived a wild life and enjoyed all the material things he wanted, he never showed any interest in God. But once in a while, he was known to give large sums of money to religious enterprises. Even though the organizations surely appreciated his lavish gifts, he made it known he was not giving because of his personal faith; he had none. He was giving simply to be giving.
God doesn't just want your gifts. He wants you! And those around you don't really need a slice of your pizza; they need a piece of your heart. What specifically are you doing to give yourself away?
Know It!
God didn't simply give you a plan for eternal life; He gave His one and only Son-the biggest part of Himself He could give. And Jesus didn't simply give you a prayer to memorize; He gave His blood. What are you giving to those around you?
Read It!
Leviticus 19:34; Numbers 14:18; Joshua 22:5; 1 Corinthians 13.
Pray It!
Ask God to show you specific ways you can give yourself to those around you with genuine love.
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Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 1:28 pm
Between You and God
The crew on a B-29 suffered a direct hit from a flak shell from Tokyo during World War II, on June 1, 1945. Half of the plane's nose was shot away, and the pilot, strapped in his seat, died in the air. The co-pilot tried to control the airplane, but blood was flowing all over his body, and his left arm was hanging uselessly at his side. All the plane's instruments were broken, so the co- pilot didn't know his speed, altitude or direction. He was flying blind.
If he bailed out of the plane, with the enemy waiting for him below, he would certainly die. Just when his situation seemed impossible, two American P-61 Black Widow Night Fighters suddenly appeared on the horizon. They flew beside the damaged plane and nudged it back safely to Iwo Jima.
Almost 40 years later, in 1984, the crews of the three planes met for a reunion in Long Beach, Calif. They talked about the day they almost died and relived their safe landing.
Your non-Christian friends and family members are flying blindly in a spiritual sense. Death is their destination, unless someone will intervene, come along beside them and guide them to safety. Will you dare to be that person? What can you do specifically to help guide the non-Christians in your life to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ?
1. Live out loud. Contemporary Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman sings a song called “Live Out Loud.” Every day that you actually live your faith through your actions, you're “living out loud.” Your lifestyle is one of the best ways possible to come alongside a nonbeliever and gently guide them to Truth.
2. Know your Bible. It's important not only to read your Bible, but to memorize Scripture and study it. Then you'll be prepared when the non-Christians in your life ask questions.
Know It!
God desperately wants every single person in the entire world to come to Him. He can use you as a guide to bring nonbelievers safely to Him, if you'll let Him.
Read It!
John 8:31-47; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Ephesians 3:7; Colossians 1:28.
Pray It!
Ask God to bring the names of five people to your mind whom you can begin praying for and coming along side of.
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Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 2:33 pm
The Simple Truth
Dr. Owen pastured an average-sized church and had come to his congregation with high credentials from a prestigious seminary. After he had been at the church for almost a year and had not seen much growth, he became concerned that his preaching might be too affluent; too complicated; too educated.
So he worked extensively on his upcoming sermon for Sunday, and on Wednesday he decided to try it out on Betty, one of the kitchen workers. She listened to about 10 minutes of his sermon, before he stopped and said, “Betty, do you understand what I'm preaching?”
“No, I really don't,” she responded. Dr. Owen repeated his ideas in simpler language and asked her again if she understood it. “I see it a little,” she said. Again, Dr. Owen simplified his sermon and repeated the question. “Take it down a little more,” she said. Once again, the pastor simplified his language and Betty looked at him with a spark in her eyes he'd never seen before and said, “I get it! I understand it now!”
Dr. Owen returned to his study and rewrote his entire sermon in the most simplified language he could. He kept Betty in mind as he wrote it and imagined that he were giving the sermon only to her.
Sunday morning approached, and Dr. Owen went to church a bit apprehensive. He was nervous that his congregation might be offended at his simplistic style, but he was determined to try his experiment. He began preaching, and to his amazement, he noticed the people in the pews were paying attention more than they ever had before. There were even tears in the eyes of many of his congregation. From that time on, Dr. Owen changed his style of language and watched the church grow numerically as well as spiritually.
We often think we need to “doctor” up the gospel. We assume if we simply tell it like it is, it will come across too plain, too elementary, or too boring. But guess what - the gospel is simple!
God doesn't want his message to be complicated. His desire is that everyone would hear, understand, and respond to the gospel in a positive way. If it took a rocket scientist to understand the fact that God's forgiveness of sins and eternal life is a gift, many of us would be excluded.
Know It!
Never be ashamed of the gospel! Instead, share it with joy and pride knowing that it's for everyone who's willing to listen.
Read It!
Romans 1:16; 15:16, 20; 1 Thessalonians 2:4
Pray It!
Ask God to give you a burden for those who don't know him. Tell him you want to share the gospel in a confident manner.
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Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 2:40 pm
Stand Where the Fire Has Been
Thomas and Dorothy Buttering lived in a log cabin in the middle of a vast prairie in the last 1800s. One evening about sundown, they stood contentedly looking out across the vast prairie in front of them. Their land seemed to stretch forever-miles and miles of long, tall grass. They loved their quiet lives and the peaceful area in which they lived.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a dark cloud appeared on the horizon and behind it was a fierce, fiery glare. Though it was still a long way off, Thomas knew exactly what it meant. “Dorothy! The prairie's on fire!”
This was no ordinary grass fire. Driven by the wind behind it, the fire approached the Buttering's cabin at the rate of 15 miles an hour. Animals were already starting to run from the fire. They were terror-stricken.
Thomas intently focused on the situation at hand. Then he held Dorothy close as he gently but firmly explained his plan. “Honey, we must set the grass in front of us ablaze.”
“What?!? Thomas, no! Let's run. I'm frightened.”
But Thomas stood his ground. “Listen to me, Dorothy. If we set fire to the grass in front of us, it will move toward the prairie fire. And when the prairie fire reaches the ground that's already burned, it will go no further. There will be nothing more to consume!”
Dorothy caught her husband's vision, and together they set the ground in front of them on fire. They held each other closely as they watched the two fires come together and eventually die. Dorothy and Thomas stood safely on burned, blackened, charred ground. They discovered that after the fire had gone over a place once, it couldn't do so a second time around. By standing where the fire had been, they were safe from the raging flames around them.
Satan will try anything to knock you over, trip you up and get you to turn from your faith. But though turmoil may surround you, God will provide a way for you to maintain your faith in Him. How do you react when the fire rages near you? Do you panic? Give up? React in anger?
Know It!
As a Christian, determine to burn the knowledge of God's Holy Word into your life so the storms of the world will have no affect on you.
Read It!
Colossians 2:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8; 2 Thessalonians 3: 5; 1 John 2:15-17.
Pray It!
Ask God to help you hide His Word in your mind and your heart.
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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:41 pm
Trust the Master With Your Key
Years ago, an elderly church organist sat on his bench and played for the last time. He was a good organist and had served his church faithfully and well over the past several years. But a new organist had moved to town, and the elderly man wanted to step aside with dignity. Though he knew he'd miss playing each Sunday, he was excited to be blessed by the new young man and the gift of music he would give the congregation.
The elderly man struck the last chord, closed the organ, locked it and carried the key to the back of the church. And in the foyer, the new young organist was anxiously waiting for him. He asked for the key, and then he literally ran through the aisles in the sanctuary to get to the organ. He excitedly unlocked and opened the great instrument and began to play.
Though the old organist had played each note with precision, this new musician played with more intensity, more depth and more passion. His music brought tears to the elderly man's eyes as he stood in the back of the sanctuary watching the young man's hands glide gracefully over the keys.
Within just a few months, the reputation of the new organist spread for miles around, and people began coming to church just to hear him play. The new organist was definitely a master of his craft. It was obvious he had more skill than anyone in that area had ever heard. The young man's name was Johann Sebastian Bach. As the elderly man left the sanctuary, he thought to himself, My! What a shame if I had never given him the key!
Your Master-Jesus Christ-wants the key to your life. He has special gifts, talents and skills He wants to bless you with. His desire is that you'll use those gifts to glorify the Giver. But He needs the key. When you place control of your gifts in the hand of the Master, He can do extraordinary things through you!
Know It!
You have no idea how God wants to use your gifts and abilities, but know this: He dreams BIG dreams for you! Your gifts in the hand of the Master are worth so much more than if you maintain control of them yourself. Have you given the Master the key to your life?
Read It!
Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Ephesians 3:20; Ephesians 4:4-13.
Pray It!
Commit your gifts, your talents, your self to the Master's control. Let Him use you in ways you've never imagined.
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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:43 pm
Between You and God
Reverend Lucas Abernathy pastored a small congregation in southern Texas. One Sunday morning he preached vibrantly on God's final judgment. Many folks in the church didn't like what they heart. Several of them got together the next day and appointed one man to approach Rev. Abernathy and discuss the matter with him.
Russell Browning made an appointment with the pastor and began the conversation saying, “I believe there's a small dispute between you and me, and I thought we should try to settle it.”
“I see,” Rev. Abernathy said. “What is it?”
“Well,” Russell began, “you say that the punishment of unrepentant sinners will be eternal, and I don't think it will.”
“Oh, I see,” Rev. Abernathy said. “It that's all this is about, then you can rest assured there's no dispute between the two of us.”
“I don't understand,” Russell responded.
“If you'll turn to Matthew 25:46, you'll find that the dispute is between you and the Lord Jesus Christ. I encourage you to go immediately and settle it with Him.”
It's easy to become angry with the messenger when we hear something that convicts us. It's hard to be confronted with Truth, isn't it? God's absolute Truth shines bright like a heavenly spotlight and points out the things that are inconsistent in our lives. Instead of becoming angry, we should be grateful that God cares about us enough to show us what's wrong in our lives so we can ask Him to help, guide and forgive.
Many Christians leave their church when the pastor starts preaching messages that make them uncomfortable. It's much easier to hear a “feel-good” message than to allow the Holy Spirit to nudge our conscience, help us feel guilty about what's wrong in our lives and then go to God in repentance. But if you're interested in becoming all God wants you to be, you'll find a pastor, a youth leader and other adults who will speak Truth into your life instead of simply what you want to hear.
Know It!
The next time you hear something that challenges you, makes you think, or causes you to change an attitude, stop and thank God for the messenger.
Read It!
Hebrews 4:12-13; Hebrews 5:12-14; Hebrews 6:1; Hebrews 6:12.
Pray It!
Pray for the godly leaders in your life-pastor, youth minister, Sunday school teachers-to be filled with the boldness needed to speak Truth to you and those in your congregation.
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