Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Uploaded videos (playlist)
Make sure to 'like' us on Facebook, and become a 'Follower' here, or sign up for email notifications on the bottom right of this page. As always, thanks for stopping by, and may God bless you!-Walking In The Way
True Gospel vs False Gospel
Here is the difference between the true gospel and the false gospel. The false message says that you should come to Christ “because something is missing in your life—you have a God-shaped hole in your heart. God has a wonderful plan for your life.” But there is no biblical precedent for a message of life-improvement upon conversion. None. In fact, the Bible promises us trials, tribulations, temptations, and persecution.
The reason any of us should come to Christ is because we are deceitfully wicked sinners, and we desperately need a Savior. Without the mercy of God in Christ, we will come under God’s just wrath, and end up in hell. We should come to Christ for no other reason.
The false message is very popular for obvious reasons, and that is why many who preach the false gospel have such large followings. However, some people are beginning to notice the discrepancy and asking why. It is my earnest prayer that they reform the message they are preaching.
Jeremiah 23:32“Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” says theLord, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,” says the Lord.
The reason any of us should come to Christ is because we are deceitfully wicked sinners, and we desperately need a Savior. Without the mercy of God in Christ, we will come under God’s just wrath, and end up in hell. We should come to Christ for no other reason.
The false message is very popular for obvious reasons, and that is why many who preach the false gospel have such large followings. However, some people are beginning to notice the discrepancy and asking why. It is my earnest prayer that they reform the message they are preaching.
Jeremiah 23:32“Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” says theLord, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,” says the Lord.
No Condemnation
Read | Romans 8:1-4
Some believers are plagued by feelings of condemnation. Either they think they'll never live up to God's expectations for them or they're nearly drowning in guilt over past sins. These men and women cannot seem to shake the sense that God is displeased with their puny efforts at being Christlike.
The book of Romans confronts this lie head-on: "There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1). When the Savior went to the cross on our behalf, He lifted the blame from our shoulders and made us righteous before God. Those feelings of condemnation do not belong to us; they are from Satan. He amplifies our guilt and feelings of inadequacy and then suggests that's how the Lord feels about His "wayward child." Nothing could be further from the truth. Our sins are wiped clean, and we are chosen and loved by God.
Condemnation is reserved for those who reject the Lord (John 3:36). Sin is a death sentence (Rom. 6:23). Anyone who chooses to cling to sin instead of seeking divine forgiveness must pay the penalty, which is an eternity separated from God. Two synonyms of condemn are 'denounce' and 'revile.' Those words certainly describe Jesus' statement to unbelievers in Matthew 25:41: "Depart from me, accursed ones."
There is no condemnation for those who receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. The believer's penalty for sin is paid, and he can stand blameless before God. Trust in the Lord's love and let go of Satan's lie. God's beloved children are covered by His grace and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Some believers are plagued by feelings of condemnation. Either they think they'll never live up to God's expectations for them or they're nearly drowning in guilt over past sins. These men and women cannot seem to shake the sense that God is displeased with their puny efforts at being Christlike.
The book of Romans confronts this lie head-on: "There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1). When the Savior went to the cross on our behalf, He lifted the blame from our shoulders and made us righteous before God. Those feelings of condemnation do not belong to us; they are from Satan. He amplifies our guilt and feelings of inadequacy and then suggests that's how the Lord feels about His "wayward child." Nothing could be further from the truth. Our sins are wiped clean, and we are chosen and loved by God.
Condemnation is reserved for those who reject the Lord (John 3:36). Sin is a death sentence (Rom. 6:23). Anyone who chooses to cling to sin instead of seeking divine forgiveness must pay the penalty, which is an eternity separated from God. Two synonyms of condemn are 'denounce' and 'revile.' Those words certainly describe Jesus' statement to unbelievers in Matthew 25:41: "Depart from me, accursed ones."
There is no condemnation for those who receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. The believer's penalty for sin is paid, and he can stand blameless before God. Trust in the Lord's love and let go of Satan's lie. God's beloved children are covered by His grace and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Monday, October 29, 2012
He is our Salvation
The world needs to hear that salvation is only in the Lord. They look in vain for salvation from any other source. He alone is our salvation; it’s not a matter of what we do or what we know, but who we know: “He who has the Son has life” (1 John 5:12).
“Every person in your personal world is on one of two lists: saved or lost. First John 5:12 says, ‘He that has the Son of God has life. He that does not have the Son of God, does not have life.’ There are two destinations for everybody we know. Think of the people you know and love as you hold their eternity in your hands. That’s why you are where you are...Do whatever it takes and whatever it costs to take the people you know to heaven with you!” Ron Hutchcraft
Jeremiah 3:23 Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, And from the multitude of mountains; Truly, in the Lord our God Is the salvation of Israel.
“Every person in your personal world is on one of two lists: saved or lost. First John 5:12 says, ‘He that has the Son of God has life. He that does not have the Son of God, does not have life.’ There are two destinations for everybody we know. Think of the people you know and love as you hold their eternity in your hands. That’s why you are where you are...Do whatever it takes and whatever it costs to take the people you know to heaven with you!” Ron Hutchcraft
Jeremiah 3:23 Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, And from the multitude of mountains; Truly, in the Lord our God Is the salvation of Israel.
Typography for Christ (playlist)
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Sunday, October 28, 2012
Heckled By Chance
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Friday, October 26, 2012
A Heart for the Task
For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. 2 Chronicles 16:9
God's choices often seem so illogical from our point of view. We tell ourselves it can't be what He really means. . . .
Would you have singled out a sun-withered, eighty-year-old shepherd to face down one of the mightiest kings in the world? Moses had been out to pasture for forty years. He had completely lost touch with his people. He'd been raising a little family, living with and working for his father-in-law. In four decades, the man couldn't scrape together enough shekels to build a little place of his own.
Admit it, doesn't he seem like a highly unlikely prospect for the job of delivering an entire people group from the clutches of a mighty nation? . . .
God's eyes roam across the planet to find specific individuals whose hearts are just right for a particular task He has in mind. And when He finds them, watch out! He plunges them into the stream of action, upholding them with His mighty hand.
The Work of the Believer
Read | Romans 12:5-7
The world's definition of success differs greatly from God's. Take the role of a pastor, for example--it would be easy to accept accolades for church growth, as many people equate high attendance numbers with a minister's effectiveness. But the Lord desires that we obey Him with humility. Whether we draw a crowd or not, success is measured by obedience.
This looks different for each believer. Some Christians have very visible jobs, so their efforts are public and obvious. Others serve Christ in quiet, less noticeable ways.
God bestows upon His followers gifts tailored to each one's ordained assignments. The Holy Spirit reveals our calling, and we're to give our best effort. Of course, no matter what the task may be, the result will be worthless unless the Father breathes life into it. In other words, we are entrusted with God-appointed work. He assigns the duty, provides the skills, and causes growth. The Lord deserves all of the glory. We are blessed simply to be a part of His plan.
As mere vessels that God uses, we should be thankful for anything He accomplishes through us. And by giving Him all the credit, we need never feel defeated with disappointment. Rather, in spite of how things may appear, we trust Him to achieve His good purpose.
Honor is misplaced unless it goes directly to the One who creates, sanctifies, and sustains. God created you for specific tasks to further His kingdom. He wants to use your life--and will allow you to watch His powerful hand at work. Listen for His leading, and praise Him for all He accomplishes.
The world's definition of success differs greatly from God's. Take the role of a pastor, for example--it would be easy to accept accolades for church growth, as many people equate high attendance numbers with a minister's effectiveness. But the Lord desires that we obey Him with humility. Whether we draw a crowd or not, success is measured by obedience.
This looks different for each believer. Some Christians have very visible jobs, so their efforts are public and obvious. Others serve Christ in quiet, less noticeable ways.
God bestows upon His followers gifts tailored to each one's ordained assignments. The Holy Spirit reveals our calling, and we're to give our best effort. Of course, no matter what the task may be, the result will be worthless unless the Father breathes life into it. In other words, we are entrusted with God-appointed work. He assigns the duty, provides the skills, and causes growth. The Lord deserves all of the glory. We are blessed simply to be a part of His plan.
As mere vessels that God uses, we should be thankful for anything He accomplishes through us. And by giving Him all the credit, we need never feel defeated with disappointment. Rather, in spite of how things may appear, we trust Him to achieve His good purpose.
Honor is misplaced unless it goes directly to the One who creates, sanctifies, and sustains. God created you for specific tasks to further His kingdom. He wants to use your life--and will allow you to watch His powerful hand at work. Listen for His leading, and praise Him for all He accomplishes.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Joseph foreshadows the Savior
After a lengthy imprisonment for a crime he did not commit, Joseph was called to serve Pharaoh. Pleased with Joseph’s service, Pharaoh exalted him to a high position of authority. When Joseph’s brothers later come to him for help, Joseph forgave them for their betrayal of him and saved their lives by providing the food they needed.
In these details, Joseph continues to foreshadow the Savior to come, who took the form of a slave, was crucified as a sacrifice for sins He did not commit, and was then raised from death. God the Father was “well-pleased” with Jesus (see Matt. 3:17) and exalted Him to the highest position of authority.
Compare the account of Pharaoh’s exalting Joseph in Gen. 41:40–44 with descriptions of Jesus in Eph. 1:19–22; Matt. 28:18; Phil. 2:7–10. And compare the risen Christ in John 17:2, “You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him” with Joseph’s statement to his brothers in Gen. 45:7, “And God sent me before you . . . to save your lives by a great deliverance.”
Genesis 41:38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”
In these details, Joseph continues to foreshadow the Savior to come, who took the form of a slave, was crucified as a sacrifice for sins He did not commit, and was then raised from death. God the Father was “well-pleased” with Jesus (see Matt. 3:17) and exalted Him to the highest position of authority.
Compare the account of Pharaoh’s exalting Joseph in Gen. 41:40–44 with descriptions of Jesus in Eph. 1:19–22; Matt. 28:18; Phil. 2:7–10. And compare the risen Christ in John 17:2, “You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him” with Joseph’s statement to his brothers in Gen. 45:7, “And God sent me before you . . . to save your lives by a great deliverance.”
Genesis 41:38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”
Wretched: The God with Whom You Must Do.
Make sure to 'like' us on Facebook, and become a 'Follower' here, or sign up for email notifications on the bottom right of this page. As always, thanks for stopping by, and may God bless you!-Walking In The Way
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Fishers of Men
“The expression ‘fishing for men’ is an important one for us to understand. Another way to translate it would be ‘catching men alive’ (women, too, of course). We find this unique phrase only two times in the Bible, first in Matt. 4:19 and then in 2 Tim. 2:26, where it describes those who have been ensnared by Satan. Thus, Scripture provides a striking contrast: either we will catch men and women alive or the devil will.” Greg Laurie
Matthew 4:19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 4:19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Close to God
"Every man is as close to God as he wants to be; he is as holy and as full of the Spirit as he wills to be...Yet we must distinguish wanting from wishing. By ‘want’ I mean wholehearted desire. Certainly there are many who wish they were holy or victorious or joyful but are not willing to meet God’s conditions to obtain.” A. W. Tozer
Psalm 119:10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Psalm 119:10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Making Disciples
Read | Matthew 28:18-20
Scripture teaches us to tell others about Jesus Christ. And while sharing the gospel is awesome, it is simply not enough. We should continue to encourage and invest in new believers. Many don't know where to begin reading in the Bible or how to spend time with their heavenly Father.
Of course, God takes each person's spiritual journey seriously, and He won't leave a seeking heart unsatisfied. At the same time, we have a responsibility to invest in the lives of spiritual brothers and sisters by sharing our understanding and experience.
This type of teaching is called discipleship, and it is both an honor and a great responsibility. As you commence this type of relationship, consider the following points.
First, make sure to continually spend time with the Lord so that you are growing and in tune with His Spirit. Second, be prepared with a plan. Your friend needs to understand the basics, such as how to read the Bible, what prayer is, and where to find fellowship. New believers will have questions--answers are important, as is your ability to find resources when you are unsure of how to reply. Third, help the individual understand generally what to expect as he embarks on his Christian walk.
Most of us learned, struggled, and learned some more till we began to understand the basics of life in Christ. Godly mentors can be a tremendous help. And remember, no matter how long we've believed, we never stop needing advice and encouragement from those farther along in the journey.
Scripture teaches us to tell others about Jesus Christ. And while sharing the gospel is awesome, it is simply not enough. We should continue to encourage and invest in new believers. Many don't know where to begin reading in the Bible or how to spend time with their heavenly Father.
Of course, God takes each person's spiritual journey seriously, and He won't leave a seeking heart unsatisfied. At the same time, we have a responsibility to invest in the lives of spiritual brothers and sisters by sharing our understanding and experience.
This type of teaching is called discipleship, and it is both an honor and a great responsibility. As you commence this type of relationship, consider the following points.
First, make sure to continually spend time with the Lord so that you are growing and in tune with His Spirit. Second, be prepared with a plan. Your friend needs to understand the basics, such as how to read the Bible, what prayer is, and where to find fellowship. New believers will have questions--answers are important, as is your ability to find resources when you are unsure of how to reply. Third, help the individual understand generally what to expect as he embarks on his Christian walk.
Most of us learned, struggled, and learned some more till we began to understand the basics of life in Christ. Godly mentors can be a tremendous help. And remember, no matter how long we've believed, we never stop needing advice and encouragement from those farther along in the journey.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Avoid Compromise
Read | Proverbs 2:1-22
Although the temptation to compromise threatens every believer, we don't have to give in. If we're aware of the danger and understand the downward progression and ultimate consequences, we can determine to be vigilant in obedience to the Lord.
The first step in learning how to avoid compromise is understanding why it is so tempting. When others pressure us to take part in in what we know God has forbidden, it's easy to give in because we don't want to feel rejected. But anyone who's committed to living a godly life must be willing to stand alone and face ridicule or even persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). At other times, we consent to activities that violate our conscience just to avoid conflict, but peace at any price means we have to sacrifice obedience to God.
However, the temptation to compromise doesn't always originate with others. In fact, James 1:14 says we are tempted when we're carried away by our own lusts. How many Christians have fallen into sexual immorality or pornography by desiring a second look? Greed is another motivation that drives us to compromise. If you fudge on your income tax or take a few things home from the office, you've stepped over the line of obedience to God. Our choices should be based on scriptural truth, not on our feelings and desires.
In order to stand firm against compromise, we must make God's Word the standard for our conduct. If you begin each day with the Lord in His Word, He will guide your way. Then when the Spirit gives a warning, obey immediately, because giving consideration to the temptation opens a door for Satan.
Although the temptation to compromise threatens every believer, we don't have to give in. If we're aware of the danger and understand the downward progression and ultimate consequences, we can determine to be vigilant in obedience to the Lord.
The first step in learning how to avoid compromise is understanding why it is so tempting. When others pressure us to take part in in what we know God has forbidden, it's easy to give in because we don't want to feel rejected. But anyone who's committed to living a godly life must be willing to stand alone and face ridicule or even persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). At other times, we consent to activities that violate our conscience just to avoid conflict, but peace at any price means we have to sacrifice obedience to God.
However, the temptation to compromise doesn't always originate with others. In fact, James 1:14 says we are tempted when we're carried away by our own lusts. How many Christians have fallen into sexual immorality or pornography by desiring a second look? Greed is another motivation that drives us to compromise. If you fudge on your income tax or take a few things home from the office, you've stepped over the line of obedience to God. Our choices should be based on scriptural truth, not on our feelings and desires.
In order to stand firm against compromise, we must make God's Word the standard for our conduct. If you begin each day with the Lord in His Word, He will guide your way. Then when the Spirit gives a warning, obey immediately, because giving consideration to the temptation opens a door for Satan.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
The Landmine of Compromise
Read | 1 Kings 11:1-13
Carefully camouflaged landmines are deadly weapons of war. If a soldier unwittingly steps on one, he will suffer serious injury or death. What is true in physical battles is also true in the invisible realm. Deadly spiritual landmines are scattered in the path of every Christian. They cause major damage to unsuspecting believers who tread on them.
One such hidden danger is compromise. King Solomon is a tragic example of a man who was hurt by this spiritual landmine. God equipped him with surpassing wisdom to rule Israel and gave him the task of building His temple. Yet despite these blessings, his heart began to drift from the Lord. He followed his own desires and married many foreign women who led him into idolatry. His heart didn't become divided suddenly. It developed through a slow process of bad choices that violated God's commands.
Too often we think that one small step away from God isn't that bad--after all, we can always turn back. But Satan is just waiting for that one step. As soon as you take it, he wins. Now he has a toehold and will redouble his efforts to draw you farther along the path of disobedience. From that point on, each step becomes easier. In short order, you are rationalizing that this really isn't sin.
Compromise endangers in ways you may not realize. It breaks fellowship with God, and because you've ignored the Holy Spirit, your strength to resist temptation is weakened. Since unbelievers are quick to see hypocrisy in Christians, it also ruins your witness. Refuse to take that first step.
Carefully camouflaged landmines are deadly weapons of war. If a soldier unwittingly steps on one, he will suffer serious injury or death. What is true in physical battles is also true in the invisible realm. Deadly spiritual landmines are scattered in the path of every Christian. They cause major damage to unsuspecting believers who tread on them.
One such hidden danger is compromise. King Solomon is a tragic example of a man who was hurt by this spiritual landmine. God equipped him with surpassing wisdom to rule Israel and gave him the task of building His temple. Yet despite these blessings, his heart began to drift from the Lord. He followed his own desires and married many foreign women who led him into idolatry. His heart didn't become divided suddenly. It developed through a slow process of bad choices that violated God's commands.
Too often we think that one small step away from God isn't that bad--after all, we can always turn back. But Satan is just waiting for that one step. As soon as you take it, he wins. Now he has a toehold and will redouble his efforts to draw you farther along the path of disobedience. From that point on, each step becomes easier. In short order, you are rationalizing that this really isn't sin.
Compromise endangers in ways you may not realize. It breaks fellowship with God, and because you've ignored the Holy Spirit, your strength to resist temptation is weakened. Since unbelievers are quick to see hypocrisy in Christians, it also ruins your witness. Refuse to take that first step.
Man in the Dark
Without the illumination of the moral Law, man is in darkness as to his true sinful condition in God’s eyes (see Rom. 7:7,13). The Law demands perfect righteousness (see Psa. 19:7). Even one transgression against its holy precepts will condemn us (see James 2:10), but in reality, the most righteous of human souls has a multitude of sins (see Jer. 30:15; James 5:20).
Friday, October 19, 2012
Wretched: Quit stealing my worldview.
Make sure to 'like' us on Facebook, and become a 'Follower' here, or sign up for email notifications on the bottom right of this page. As always, thanks for stopping by, and may God bless you!-Walking In The Way
What is Forgiveness?
"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony" - Colossians 3:12-14
Forgiveness is a decision. It's an act of will to release a person from the obligation that resulted when they injured you.
Unforgiveness sounds like this: "You owe me! I'm going to make you pay by hating you, by slandering you, by returning in kind, by recruiting other people to my bitterness. I'm holding this over you!"
Here's forgiveness: "You don't owe me. I'm not trying to get even. I'm not looking for a chance to pay you back. God didn't make me that way. I choose to forgive."
You say, "James, I can forgive today, but I know by Thursday I'll have that thing back on my back again." I understand that. Get this: forgiveness is a crisis and a process. The first thing you have to do is see your unforgiveness as sin. You have to acknowledge that God's not going to forgive you if you don't forgive others. You've got to have that crisis. You've got to stop explaining, defending, holding onto it, cherishing, and reviewing it. You've got to say, "I don't want this for my life."
The crisis means, "I choose to forgive. I'm letting it go." But the process means, when the painful matter comes into your mind again, you promise yourself to maintain the following process: "I won't bring it up to the person; I won't bring it up to other people;" and most hard by far, "I won't bring it up to myself anymore."
Someone said to me, "James, I can't help myself. As soon as I see the person, Bam! My mind goes right to that thing." That's why forgiveness is a crisis and a process. In the crisis you decide, in the process you live it out.
Now, here's a key: When you fail in the process you have to return to the crisis. When you find yourself flashing back to unforgiveness, realize you failed in the process. You've got to return to the crisis. You've got to get before the Lord and say, "God, forgive me. I want to be a forgiving person and here I'm holding this again, Lord. Help me again. I commit afresh to let it go."
Crisis/process. Over time you'll let it go and you'll be a lot happier because of it. -James MacDonald
Forgiveness is a decision. It's an act of will to release a person from the obligation that resulted when they injured you.
Unforgiveness sounds like this: "You owe me! I'm going to make you pay by hating you, by slandering you, by returning in kind, by recruiting other people to my bitterness. I'm holding this over you!"
Here's forgiveness: "You don't owe me. I'm not trying to get even. I'm not looking for a chance to pay you back. God didn't make me that way. I choose to forgive."
You say, "James, I can forgive today, but I know by Thursday I'll have that thing back on my back again." I understand that. Get this: forgiveness is a crisis and a process. The first thing you have to do is see your unforgiveness as sin. You have to acknowledge that God's not going to forgive you if you don't forgive others. You've got to have that crisis. You've got to stop explaining, defending, holding onto it, cherishing, and reviewing it. You've got to say, "I don't want this for my life."
The crisis means, "I choose to forgive. I'm letting it go." But the process means, when the painful matter comes into your mind again, you promise yourself to maintain the following process: "I won't bring it up to the person; I won't bring it up to other people;" and most hard by far, "I won't bring it up to myself anymore."
Someone said to me, "James, I can't help myself. As soon as I see the person, Bam! My mind goes right to that thing." That's why forgiveness is a crisis and a process. In the crisis you decide, in the process you live it out.
Now, here's a key: When you fail in the process you have to return to the crisis. When you find yourself flashing back to unforgiveness, realize you failed in the process. You've got to return to the crisis. You've got to get before the Lord and say, "God, forgive me. I want to be a forgiving person and here I'm holding this again, Lord. Help me again. I commit afresh to let it go."
Crisis/process. Over time you'll let it go and you'll be a lot happier because of it. -James MacDonald
Triumph through Trouble
Read | 2 Corinthians 4:5-18
There's no such thing as a trouble-free life, but something within us still expects it. There are even those who think that when a person becomes a Christian, God removes the difficulties from his or her life. It's not long before disappointment sets in, as they discover that instead of less trouble, they may have more. This could be because God is in the process of cleansing and changing old attitudes and habits that do not fit in a believer's life.
Salvation is the beginning of a lifelong process of transformation. There are areas in our life that need to be sanded, sifted, and shaped into Christlikeness, and trouble is one of God's most effective tools. The men and women of Scripture whom God used greatly were those who endured hardship and responded correctly.
For example, the apostle Paul gave his entire life to serve Christ. He founded and encouraged many churches, answered difficult theological questions, and wrote many of the epistles in the Bible. Yet his sufferings exceed anything most of us have endured. It seems unfair of God to let him go through so much hardship, but it was the suffering that shaped and equipped him to be such an effective servant of Christ. Without it, he wouldn't have developed an intimate relationship with God or been used so mightily.
I don't know what you're going through right now, but I'm sure God can use it to draw you to Himself. Every difficulty demands a choice. You can waste your suffering and be miserable, or you can let the Lord use it to transform and equip you to become His valuable and effective servant.
There's no such thing as a trouble-free life, but something within us still expects it. There are even those who think that when a person becomes a Christian, God removes the difficulties from his or her life. It's not long before disappointment sets in, as they discover that instead of less trouble, they may have more. This could be because God is in the process of cleansing and changing old attitudes and habits that do not fit in a believer's life.
Salvation is the beginning of a lifelong process of transformation. There are areas in our life that need to be sanded, sifted, and shaped into Christlikeness, and trouble is one of God's most effective tools. The men and women of Scripture whom God used greatly were those who endured hardship and responded correctly.
For example, the apostle Paul gave his entire life to serve Christ. He founded and encouraged many churches, answered difficult theological questions, and wrote many of the epistles in the Bible. Yet his sufferings exceed anything most of us have endured. It seems unfair of God to let him go through so much hardship, but it was the suffering that shaped and equipped him to be such an effective servant of Christ. Without it, he wouldn't have developed an intimate relationship with God or been used so mightily.
I don't know what you're going through right now, but I'm sure God can use it to draw you to Himself. Every difficulty demands a choice. You can waste your suffering and be miserable, or you can let the Lord use it to transform and equip you to become His valuable and effective servant.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Wretched: Is God a megalomaniac?
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What Hollywood Believes-Matt Dillon
“He who does not take the step of faith, and so enter upon the road to heaven, will perish. It will be an awful thing to die just outside the gate of life. Almost saved, but altogether lost! This is the most terrible of positions. A man just outside Noah’s ark would have been drowned; a manslayer close to the wall of the city of refuge, but yet outside of it, would be slain; and the man who is within a yard of Christ, and yet has not trusted him, will be lost.” Charles Spurgeon
When working on a movie about Buddhism, Matt Dillon was given a Buddhist “amulet” by two people working on the film. He said he used the amulet to protect him from fear, and he still wears it. “It reminds me, whenever I’m afraid, to replace it with a faith that things will work out.” He was raised as a Roman Catholic but said he appreciates Buddhism’s “rational, informal quality. Coming from my experience of growing up a Catholic, I found Buddhism to be refreshingly easygoing and forgiving.” It is interesting to note that Matt Dillon struggled with the miraculous side of the Bible. He said, “I find myself immediately put off by magical realism...miracles just happening, people walking on water. I struggle with that. I’m convinced that Jesus was a great holy man. He had a great message, but I question the walking on water.” He went on to say, “I pray every day. I don’t pray to any specific deity, but that’s my thing. That’s important.”
If Jesus was indeed “a great holy man,” then what He said was true. If He lied about Himself even once, then He is neither great nor holy. He instead was a deceiver, and there is therefore nothing “holy” about Him. C. S. Lewis stated it this way: “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said wouldn’t be a great moral teacher. He’d either be a lunatic—on a level with the man who says he’s a poached egg—or else he’d be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But don’t let us come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He hasn’t left that open to us. He didn’t intend to.”
When working on a movie about Buddhism, Matt Dillon was given a Buddhist “amulet” by two people working on the film. He said he used the amulet to protect him from fear, and he still wears it. “It reminds me, whenever I’m afraid, to replace it with a faith that things will work out.” He was raised as a Roman Catholic but said he appreciates Buddhism’s “rational, informal quality. Coming from my experience of growing up a Catholic, I found Buddhism to be refreshingly easygoing and forgiving.” It is interesting to note that Matt Dillon struggled with the miraculous side of the Bible. He said, “I find myself immediately put off by magical realism...miracles just happening, people walking on water. I struggle with that. I’m convinced that Jesus was a great holy man. He had a great message, but I question the walking on water.” He went on to say, “I pray every day. I don’t pray to any specific deity, but that’s my thing. That’s important.”
If Jesus was indeed “a great holy man,” then what He said was true. If He lied about Himself even once, then He is neither great nor holy. He instead was a deceiver, and there is therefore nothing “holy” about Him. C. S. Lewis stated it this way: “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said wouldn’t be a great moral teacher. He’d either be a lunatic—on a level with the man who says he’s a poached egg—or else he’d be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But don’t let us come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He hasn’t left that open to us. He didn’t intend to.”
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Knowledge of sin
The heavens break their silence and Almighty God speaks to a mortal man. How incredible that He inspired the Bible’s authors to record His words.
Spoken out of a whirlwind, His words in these verses also apply to contemporary evangelism. Many sincere people preach the gospel but fail to precede it with God’s moral Law. Such preachers ignore the fact that the Law brings the knowledge of sin (Rom. 3:20), and thus the counsel of the gospel remains darkened “words without knowledge” to lost sinners.
The preaching of the cross will be foolishness to the world as long as we fail to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and open up the divine Law before we preach the gospel (see Mark 10:17–21; Luke 10:25–37; 18:18–22).
Job 38:1 The Lord Reveals His Omnipotence to Job Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:2 “Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge?
Spoken out of a whirlwind, His words in these verses also apply to contemporary evangelism. Many sincere people preach the gospel but fail to precede it with God’s moral Law. Such preachers ignore the fact that the Law brings the knowledge of sin (Rom. 3:20), and thus the counsel of the gospel remains darkened “words without knowledge” to lost sinners.
The preaching of the cross will be foolishness to the world as long as we fail to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and open up the divine Law before we preach the gospel (see Mark 10:17–21; Luke 10:25–37; 18:18–22).
Job 38:1 The Lord Reveals His Omnipotence to Job Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:2 “Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge?
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Fear is a whisper
Never listen to your fears when approaching the unsaved. The fear will always be there whispering its poison, but faith in God deafens its pathetic voice. The amount of fear we have reveals the amount of faith we have. The disciples were fearful in a storm because they had “little faith” (see Matt. 8:26). Always remember that the LORD your God goes with you.
Deuteronomy 20:1 “When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see thorses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.2 So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people.3 And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them;4 for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’
Deuteronomy 20:1 “When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see thorses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.2 So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people.3 And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them;4 for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’
Wretched: Witnessing to a Super Hero
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Friday, October 12, 2012
Evangelism: Our most Sobering Task
It was late in December, 1996. A large family gathered in Los Angeles for the joyous occasion of wrapping Christmas presents. It was a big family because it was the product of two marriages. There were so many gathered that night, five of the children slept in the garage. It was a converted structure, kept warm during the cold night by an electric heater which sat by the door.
During the early hours of the morning, the heater suddenly burst into flames, blocking the doorway. In seconds the room became a blazing inferno. The frantic 911 call revealed the unspeakable terror of the moment. One of the children could be heard screaming, "I'm on fire!" The distraught father vainly rushed into the flames to try and save his beloved children. He received burns to 50% of his body. Tragically, all five of the children burned to death. They died because steel bars on the windows of the garage thwarted their escape. There was only one door, and that was stopped by the flames.
You are back in time. It's minutes before the heater burst into flames. You peer through the darkness at the peaceful sight of five sleeping youngsters. You know that at any moment the room is going to erupt into an inferno and burn the flesh of horrified children. Can you in good conscience walk away? No! You must awaken them, and warn them to run from that death trap!
The world sleeps peacefully in the darkness of ignorance. There is only one Door by which they may escape death. The steel bars of sin prevent their salvation, and at the same time call for the flames of Eternal Justice. What a fearful thing Judgment Day will be! The fires of the wrath of Almighty God will burn for eternity. The Church has been entrusted with the task of awakening them before it's too late. We cannot turn our backs and walk away in complacency. Think of how the father ran into the flames. His love knew no bounds, and our devotion to the sober task that God has given us will be in direct proportion to our love for the lost. There are only a few who run headlong into the flames to warn them to flee (Luke 10:2). Please be one of them. We really have no choice. The Apostle Paul said, "Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16).
It was the "Prince of Preachers," Charles Spurgeon, who said the words, "Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that." A Christian cannot be apathetic about the salvation of the world. The love of God in him will motivate him to seek and save that which is lost. You probably have a limited amount of time after your conversion to impact your unsaved friends and family with the Gospel. After the initial shock of your conversion, they will put you in a neat little ribbon-tied box, and keep you at arm's length. So it's important that you take advantage of the short time you have while you still have their ears.
Here's some advice that will save you a great deal of grief. As a new Christian, a friend of mine did almost irreparable damage by acting like a wild bull in a crystal showroom. He bullied his mom, his dad, and many of his friends into making a "decision for Christ". He was sincere, zealous, loving, kind, and stupid. He didn't understand that salvation doesn't come through making a "decision," but through repentance, and repentance is God-given (see 2 Timothy 2:25). The Bible teaches that no one can come to the Son unless God "draws" him. If you are able to get a decision but they have no conviction of sin, you will almost certainly end up with a still-born on your hands.
In his"zeal without knowledge" he actually inoculated the very ones he was so desperately trying to reach. There is nothing more important to you than the salvation of your loved ones, and you don't want to blow it. If you do, you may find that you don't have a second chance. Fervently pray for them, thanking God for their salvation. Let them see your faith. Let them feel your kindness, your genuine love, and your gentleness. Buy gifts for no reason. Do chores when you are not asked to. Go the extra mile. Put yourself in their position. You know that you have found everlasting life. Death has lost its sting! Your joy is unspeakable -- but as far as they are concerned, you have been brain-washed. You have become part of a weird sect. So your loving actions will speak more loudly than ten thousand eloquent sermons.
It is because of these thoughts that you should hold back from verbal confrontation until you have knowledge that will guide your zeal. Pray for wisdom and for a sensitivity to God's timing. You may have only one shot, so make it count. Keep your cool. If you don't, you may end up with a lifetime of regret. Believe me. It is better to hear a loved one or a close friend say, "Tell me about your faith in Jesus Christ," rather than you saying, "Sit down. I want to talk to you."
It is important to realize that we should share our faith with others whenever we can. The Bible says that there are only two times we should do this -- "in season and out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2). The Apostle Paul pleaded for prayer for his own personal witness. He said, ". . . that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak," (Ephesians 6:19-20).
Remember that you have the sobering responsibility of speaking to other peoples' loved ones. Many times when you open your mouth for the Gospel, you may be the answer to the earnest prayer of another Christian. Perhaps he has cried out to God that He would use a faithful witness to speak to his beloved mom or dad, and you are that answer to prayer. You are that true and faithful witness that God wants to use.
Never lose sight of the world and all its pains. Keep the fate of the ungodly before your eyes. Too many of us settle down on a padded pew and become introverted. Our world becomes a monastery without walls. Our friends are confined solely to those within the Church, when Jesus was the "friend of sinners." So take the time to deliberately befriend them for the sake of their salvation. Remember that each and every person who dies in their sins has an appointment with the Judge of the Universe. Hell opens wide its terrible jaws. There is no more sobering task than to be entrusted with the Gospel of Salvation -- working with God for the eternal well-being of dying humanity.
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Wretched: That Woman is Mad at Christians
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Wretched: Depression is a Liar!
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Wednesday, October 10, 2012
White as Snow
How incredible that the God of the universe would condescend to speak with human beings. But even more incredible is that the Judge of the Universe would reason with guilty criminals (see also 43:6). Our sins stand out to a holy God like a crimson, blood-soaked rag, but through the mercy of the cross we can become pure as the driven snow (see Psa. 51:7).
“I occasionally use colored filters over my lenses when I photograph in black and white. For instance, a light yellow filter darkens the sky, while brightening the clouds. A red filter enhances the white still more. That particular day, I experimented with viewing a red dot on white paper through a red filter. To my amazement, the dot, when seen through the red filter, appeared white. At that moment I realized the overwhelming truth of God’s forgiveness. Our sin, depicted as deep red by Isaiah, becomes white as snow and wool when seen through the red cross of Golgotha. This is the great transformation of forgiveness…God in Christ has cleansed you of every stain of sin.” Charles Stanley
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us treason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.
“I occasionally use colored filters over my lenses when I photograph in black and white. For instance, a light yellow filter darkens the sky, while brightening the clouds. A red filter enhances the white still more. That particular day, I experimented with viewing a red dot on white paper through a red filter. To my amazement, the dot, when seen through the red filter, appeared white. At that moment I realized the overwhelming truth of God’s forgiveness. Our sin, depicted as deep red by Isaiah, becomes white as snow and wool when seen through the red cross of Golgotha. This is the great transformation of forgiveness…God in Christ has cleansed you of every stain of sin.” Charles Stanley
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us treason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.
Walking In The Way Co-Founder release first Children's Book
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Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Elements of Productive Bible Study: Believe
by John MacArthur
The role of Scripture in your spiritual growth cannot be overestimated. In this short series, we’ve already seen the vital importance of reading it faithfully, interpreting it accurately, and even teaching it regularly.
However, no amount of reading and studying the Bible will encourage your spiritual growth if you lack the illumination of the Holy Spirit. In simple terms, for God’s Word to do its work in your life, you need to believe it.
It is true that nonbelievers can gain knowledge from the Bible—around the globe it is studied as literature, poetry, and narrative history. To some degree, anyone can read and make sense of the basic facts, study other people’s teaching, and gain something of an intellectual understanding about the meaning of Scripture.
But apart from the Holy Spirit, the Bible is a mystery to the human heart.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. . . . But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised (1 Corinthians2:12, 14).With the Spirit of God comes illumination—the capacity for understanding His Word. Having directly inspired the biblical authors, the Holy Spirit gives believers unique insight into the meaning and the implications of God’s Word. And without His illuminating ministry, the truth of Scripture could not penetrate our hearts and minds, or accomplish its transforming work in our lives.
Put simply, if you don’t know Christ, you can’t know the Bible. That’s why cults that abuse and twist Scripture are so tragic. Their elaborate perversions of the Bible only compound their spiritual darkness and confusion, hardening them against the true meaning of Scripture.
Jesus’ rebuke to the Pharisees in John 8 illustrates how rejecting Him is a barrier to a clear, accurate understanding of His truth.
You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me (John 8:44-45).The illuminating work of the Holy Spirit is absolutely crucial to a proper understanding of God’s Word. But on its own, it’s not enough for spiritual growth. It cannot replace the vital role of conscientious study in your sanctification.
Too many Christians skip over reading and interpreting God’s Word, waiting instead for His Spirit to move in them, bringing direct revelation or instantaneous understanding for the needs of the moment. That is simply not how illumination works—you don’t just open your Bible and wait for God to speak to you.
The Spirit’s illumination works in harmony with our diligent study of Scripture—not in spite of it. We still need to be disciplined students of God’s Word: reading it faithfully, interpreting it carefully, applying it consistently, teaching it accurately, and trusting the Lord to make His truth clear through the influence and insight of His Spirit.
All of those steps are key elements of productive Bible study. Leave out any one of them, and you can guarantee you won’t get the most out of God’s Word.
Make sure to 'like' us on Facebook, and become a 'Follower' here, or sign up for email notifications on the bottom right of this page. As always, thanks for stopping by, and may God bless you! -Walking In The Way
Monday, October 8, 2012
Sackcloth and Rope
"You have never failed in business; you have brought up your children well; you never swear; you were never a drunkard; midnight orgies never saw you mixed up in them; this is well, but I pray thee, put not on this as thy proper dress: the proper dress for a sinner to go to Christ in, is sackcloth and the rope. ‘Well,’ says one, ‘I never will acknowledge that I deserve to be damned!’ Then you never will be saved. ‘Well,’ says another, ‘I never will take the language of a great sinner upon my lips.’ Then you shall never be saved; for unless you are willing to confess that God may justly damn you, God will never save you; but if you feel in your heart to-night, that if he sends your soul to hell, his righteous law approves it well; if you wonder how it is that you are not in the pit, and marvel why such mercy should have been shown to you, come, brother, come; come as you are, for you wear the true court-dress of a sinner.” Charles Spurgeon
1 Kings 20:31 Then his servants said to him, “Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Please, let us put sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will spare your life.”32 So they wore sackcloth around their waists and put ropes around their heads, and came to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-Hadad says, ‘Please let me live.’ ” And he said, “ Is he still alive? He is my brother.”33 Now the men were watching closely to see whether any sign of mercy would come from him; and they quickly grasped at this word and said, “Your brother Ben-Hadad.” So he said, “Go, bring him.” Then Ben-Hadad came out to him; and he had him come up into the chariot.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Acknowledge the Offense
We must help the lost see their sin so that they can acknowledge their offense against a holy God. Only then will they seek the Savior.
“Everything God has done proves that He is in earnest about the salvation of men’s souls. He has proved it by giving His only Son to die for us. The Son of God was in earnest when He died. What is Calvary but a proof of that? And the Lord wants us to be in earnest when it comes to this great question of the soul’s salvation. I never saw men seeking Him with all their hearts but they soon found Him.” D. L. Moody
Hosea 5:15 I will return again to My place Till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”
“Everything God has done proves that He is in earnest about the salvation of men’s souls. He has proved it by giving His only Son to die for us. The Son of God was in earnest when He died. What is Calvary but a proof of that? And the Lord wants us to be in earnest when it comes to this great question of the soul’s salvation. I never saw men seeking Him with all their hearts but they soon found Him.” D. L. Moody
Hosea 5:15 I will return again to My place Till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”
Lifting the Weight
Read | Matthew 11:28-30
Throughout life, we all bear many burdens. Some may concern everyday things like finances or relationships, but we might also feel overwhelmed about future unknowns. These can weigh us down to the point of exhaustion if we do not handle them biblically.
Jesus knew how difficult life would be for us. After all, He was human too. But our Savior did not want us to bear unnecessary weight, for He knew that our heavenly Father can carry it for us.
So He spoke the words from today's passage--words full of promise and the hope of relief. Yet how do we, in the midst of difficulty, practically apply what He's telling us? First, He wants us to acknowledge that we have a specific burden. Next, we are to identify the issue. Then we can bring the problem before God. He tells us to cast it upon Him (Ps. 55:22), and He will carry our load.
When we kneel before the Lord in prayer and truly ask Him to take care of the problem, we can be relieved of its weight. While He may choose to miraculously change the circumstances, He often allows them to remain--at least for a while. So we may continue to think about the problem and live with its ramifications, but we no longer have to buckle under its pressure.
Are you carrying a heavy load? Find relief in the Savior, as you release your concerns into His capable hands. Jesus desires that you experience peace even in the midst of trials. And He has provided everything necessary for freedom from burdens. Will you let Him take it from you?
Throughout life, we all bear many burdens. Some may concern everyday things like finances or relationships, but we might also feel overwhelmed about future unknowns. These can weigh us down to the point of exhaustion if we do not handle them biblically.
Jesus knew how difficult life would be for us. After all, He was human too. But our Savior did not want us to bear unnecessary weight, for He knew that our heavenly Father can carry it for us.
So He spoke the words from today's passage--words full of promise and the hope of relief. Yet how do we, in the midst of difficulty, practically apply what He's telling us? First, He wants us to acknowledge that we have a specific burden. Next, we are to identify the issue. Then we can bring the problem before God. He tells us to cast it upon Him (Ps. 55:22), and He will carry our load.
When we kneel before the Lord in prayer and truly ask Him to take care of the problem, we can be relieved of its weight. While He may choose to miraculously change the circumstances, He often allows them to remain--at least for a while. So we may continue to think about the problem and live with its ramifications, but we no longer have to buckle under its pressure.
Are you carrying a heavy load? Find relief in the Savior, as you release your concerns into His capable hands. Jesus desires that you experience peace even in the midst of trials. And He has provided everything necessary for freedom from burdens. Will you let Him take it from you?
Friday, October 5, 2012
A Prayer for Every Person
Read | Colossians 1:9-14
If you've ever been confused about how to intercede for someone, Paul's prayer in Colossians is appropriate for every person and every situation. Because it fits perfectly with God's will, you can ask these requests with great confidence--both for yourself and for others:
To be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Not only do we need to know God's plan for our lives; we also require discernment to distinguish His guiding voice from our own self-directed notions.
To walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in all respects. Our lives should be patterned after the One we follow, with the goal of bringing Him glory and delight.
To bear fruit in every good work. Instead of being wrapped up in our own jobs, possessions, pleasures, and plans, we should be contributing to others' lives.
To increase in the knowledge of God. By reading His Word, applying it to our lives, and observing His ways, we'll gain a deeper understanding of the Lord.
To be strengthened with His power in order to remain steadfast. The Christian life can be lived only with the Holy Spirit's power.
To joyously give thanks for all He's done for you. Believers should be characterized by joy and gratitude.
Too often we focus our requests on important temporal needs but miss seeing the deeper spiritual work God wants to do. Imagine how effective your prayers will be if you'll shift the emphasis of your petitions to the Lord's desires. He'll transform you and the people for whom you intercede.
If you've ever been confused about how to intercede for someone, Paul's prayer in Colossians is appropriate for every person and every situation. Because it fits perfectly with God's will, you can ask these requests with great confidence--both for yourself and for others:
To be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Not only do we need to know God's plan for our lives; we also require discernment to distinguish His guiding voice from our own self-directed notions.
To walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in all respects. Our lives should be patterned after the One we follow, with the goal of bringing Him glory and delight.
To bear fruit in every good work. Instead of being wrapped up in our own jobs, possessions, pleasures, and plans, we should be contributing to others' lives.
To increase in the knowledge of God. By reading His Word, applying it to our lives, and observing His ways, we'll gain a deeper understanding of the Lord.
To be strengthened with His power in order to remain steadfast. The Christian life can be lived only with the Holy Spirit's power.
To joyously give thanks for all He's done for you. Believers should be characterized by joy and gratitude.
Too often we focus our requests on important temporal needs but miss seeing the deeper spiritual work God wants to do. Imagine how effective your prayers will be if you'll shift the emphasis of your petitions to the Lord's desires. He'll transform you and the people for whom you intercede.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
The Miracle of God's Faithful Discipline - Paul Washer
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Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Needed Prayers for Uzbek
Several years ago I wrote you about one of our Brothers in Uzbekistan. His name is "Makset". At that time "Wanted" posters have gone up across Uzbekistan as police was on the hunt for Makset, our EE leader in Karakalpakstan (an autonomous region in Uzbekistan) They accused him in three things: proselytism (evangelizing Muslims), distribution Christian literatures and illegal Christian worship service. For this he could be in a prison for 3-5 years. Because of this Makset went into hiding to avoid arrest. On the picture you see Makset and I at that time.
Later on our brothers helped him and his family to escape to Kazakhstan, where he continued to serve the Lord with his big family - four kids and the fifth child is on the way. He was living in South Kazakhstan, city of Almaty. Uzbek authorities did not forget about Makset and finally found him in Almaty. They ask Kazakh officials to arrest Makset and to deport him to Uzbekistan. Unfortunately Kazakh authorities followed this request and on September 5 Makset was arrested and was put in jail.
During 40 days Kazakh officials will have to decide what to do with Makset either to deport him to Uzbekistan or to allow him to stay in Kazakhstan or some other country.
On the next picture you can see Makset in jail. The picture was taken from a mobile phone so the quality is not so good. Makset is waiting for a decision from Kazakh authorities. Please pray for Makset and his big family!
Another one of our leaders in Uzbekistan is a very faithful sister. You know her as "Mama Luda". She is a small Korean woman with a very big heart. Since I have trained her in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in 1994, she is ministering in Uzbekistan through EE and God abundantly blesses her. She became a leader of 27 home churches (Bible groups). It is amazing for her culture where a man must be the head of a group not a woman. Only God could do this miracle. Especially when we see how positively Muslims respond to Mama Luda's Gospel presentation. Almost 20 years God used her in Uzbekistan, but just eight months ago He gave Mama Luda a new vision - to ministry to Crimea Tatars, the least reached Muslim ethnic group in the world.
During 450 years this group of Tatars was living in Crimea. They arrived to Crimea after mongol-tatars invasion to Russia in the Middle Ages. First 250-300 years they lived under the rule of Turkey and last 150 years - under Russia and Ukraine. After the second World War Stalin moved Crimea Tatars to Central Asia, mostly to Uzbekistan, for their collaboration with Nazi and just recently, after the USSR fell, they were allowed to come back to Crimea peninsula. Hundreds of thousands of them came back to their native land. Turkey helps very much in this migration: helps financially, giving for every family $20,000 and helps in spiritual things. They have already built in Crimea more than 300 Mosques. Their final goal is to get back Crimea through "Muslim ideological invasion".
God loves all people and He wants to all to be saved. He wants to save Crimea Tatars and chooses His people to fulfill His desire. So our Lord has chosen Mama Luda and sent her to Crimea this summer. She already knows some Crimea Tatars from Uzbekistan, knows their culture very well. Mama Luda is ministering now in the city of Semphiropol, the capital of Crimea. It is another God's miracle that this elderly woman with much health problems including diabetes is starting a new ministry at the new place. She is very happy to have this privilege of being a part in God's work to save Crimea Tatars. These days Mama Luda is a guest at our home, staying with us in Kiev area and we are having a blessed time together (picture with my wife Olga and Mama Luda). Please pray about Mama Luda and her new ministry among the most unreached Muslim ethnic group - Crimea Tatars. She needs our constant prayers very much.
Your check you can send to: Evangelism Explosion International and mail to P.O. Box 23820, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33307-3820 Designate for: Fund #1120 Eurasia
Pay by Credit card: Go to www.eeinternational.org Click on "Support," Click "Online Giving," Type "Fund #1120 Eurasia". Type in the amount of your gift. Then follow instructions will ask for name, address, etc. Next you will be asked for credit card information.
May the Lord richly bless you.
Yours in Him, Nickolay
Later on our brothers helped him and his family to escape to Kazakhstan, where he continued to serve the Lord with his big family - four kids and the fifth child is on the way. He was living in South Kazakhstan, city of Almaty. Uzbek authorities did not forget about Makset and finally found him in Almaty. They ask Kazakh officials to arrest Makset and to deport him to Uzbekistan. Unfortunately Kazakh authorities followed this request and on September 5 Makset was arrested and was put in jail.
During 40 days Kazakh officials will have to decide what to do with Makset either to deport him to Uzbekistan or to allow him to stay in Kazakhstan or some other country.
On the next picture you can see Makset in jail. The picture was taken from a mobile phone so the quality is not so good. Makset is waiting for a decision from Kazakh authorities. Please pray for Makset and his big family!
Another one of our leaders in Uzbekistan is a very faithful sister. You know her as "Mama Luda". She is a small Korean woman with a very big heart. Since I have trained her in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in 1994, she is ministering in Uzbekistan through EE and God abundantly blesses her. She became a leader of 27 home churches (Bible groups). It is amazing for her culture where a man must be the head of a group not a woman. Only God could do this miracle. Especially when we see how positively Muslims respond to Mama Luda's Gospel presentation. Almost 20 years God used her in Uzbekistan, but just eight months ago He gave Mama Luda a new vision - to ministry to Crimea Tatars, the least reached Muslim ethnic group in the world.
During 450 years this group of Tatars was living in Crimea. They arrived to Crimea after mongol-tatars invasion to Russia in the Middle Ages. First 250-300 years they lived under the rule of Turkey and last 150 years - under Russia and Ukraine. After the second World War Stalin moved Crimea Tatars to Central Asia, mostly to Uzbekistan, for their collaboration with Nazi and just recently, after the USSR fell, they were allowed to come back to Crimea peninsula. Hundreds of thousands of them came back to their native land. Turkey helps very much in this migration: helps financially, giving for every family $20,000 and helps in spiritual things. They have already built in Crimea more than 300 Mosques. Their final goal is to get back Crimea through "Muslim ideological invasion".
God loves all people and He wants to all to be saved. He wants to save Crimea Tatars and chooses His people to fulfill His desire. So our Lord has chosen Mama Luda and sent her to Crimea this summer. She already knows some Crimea Tatars from Uzbekistan, knows their culture very well. Mama Luda is ministering now in the city of Semphiropol, the capital of Crimea. It is another God's miracle that this elderly woman with much health problems including diabetes is starting a new ministry at the new place. She is very happy to have this privilege of being a part in God's work to save Crimea Tatars. These days Mama Luda is a guest at our home, staying with us in Kiev area and we are having a blessed time together (picture with my wife Olga and Mama Luda). Please pray about Mama Luda and her new ministry among the most unreached Muslim ethnic group - Crimea Tatars. She needs our constant prayers very much.
Your check you can send to: Evangelism Explosion International and mail to P.O. Box 23820, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33307-3820 Designate for: Fund #1120 Eurasia
Pay by Credit card: Go to www.eeinternational.org Click on "Support," Click "Online Giving," Type "Fund #1120 Eurasia". Type in the amount of your gift. Then follow instructions will ask for name, address, etc. Next you will be asked for credit card information.
May the Lord richly bless you.
Yours in Him, Nickolay
Studd Quote
"We Christians too often substitute prayer for playing the game. Prayer is good; but when used to substitute for obedience, it is nothing but a blatant hypocrisy, a despicable Pharisaism... To your knees, man! And to your Bible! Decided at once! Don't hedge! Time flies! Cease your insults to God. Quit consulting flesh and blood. Stop your lame, lying, and cowardly excuses. Enlist!" C. T. Studd
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Prayer in times of inadequacy
Read | Nehemiah 2:1-10
After Nehemiah heard about the desperate condition of the Jews who had returned from exile to Jerusalem, his heart was burdened (Neh. 1:3-4). By getting his attention in this way, the Lord could reveal what He wanted Nehemiah to do. Scripture doesn't spell out the man's reaction on realizing that he was to be a part of the solution, but we can imagine a sense of inadequacy probably engulfed him. How could he possibly help? He wasn't even near Jerusalem, and as a servant of the king, he didn't have the freedom to pack up and leave.
But whenever God puts a burden on our hearts, He will open a door to accomplish His will. In this case, the Lord used Nehemiah's sad expression and desperate prayer to prepare a pagan king to send him on his mission.
How do you respond when you sense the Lord is calling you to a task that seems beyond your abilities? Do you list all the reasons you can't possibly do it? God already knows everything about you and the situation. He's not asking your permission to proceed; rather, He is calling you to move forward with faith and obedience. He didn't make an error in choosing you for the task, but you will make a huge mistake if you refuse to do it.
God will equip you for whatever He calls you to do. Because the Holy Spirit dwells within every believer, we have all we need to fulfill the Lord's mission. Instead of letting inadequacy hinder you from obeying, let it drive you to your knees so you can arise with renewed insight and power.
After Nehemiah heard about the desperate condition of the Jews who had returned from exile to Jerusalem, his heart was burdened (Neh. 1:3-4). By getting his attention in this way, the Lord could reveal what He wanted Nehemiah to do. Scripture doesn't spell out the man's reaction on realizing that he was to be a part of the solution, but we can imagine a sense of inadequacy probably engulfed him. How could he possibly help? He wasn't even near Jerusalem, and as a servant of the king, he didn't have the freedom to pack up and leave.
But whenever God puts a burden on our hearts, He will open a door to accomplish His will. In this case, the Lord used Nehemiah's sad expression and desperate prayer to prepare a pagan king to send him on his mission.
How do you respond when you sense the Lord is calling you to a task that seems beyond your abilities? Do you list all the reasons you can't possibly do it? God already knows everything about you and the situation. He's not asking your permission to proceed; rather, He is calling you to move forward with faith and obedience. He didn't make an error in choosing you for the task, but you will make a huge mistake if you refuse to do it.
God will equip you for whatever He calls you to do. Because the Holy Spirit dwells within every believer, we have all we need to fulfill the Lord's mission. Instead of letting inadequacy hinder you from obeying, let it drive you to your knees so you can arise with renewed insight and power.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Balance
“Some people have their own balances. A great many are making balances to be weighed in. But after all we must be weighed in God's balances, the balances of the sanctuary. It is a favorite thing with infidels to set their own standard, to measure themselves by other people. But that will not do in the Day of Judgment. Now we will use God's Law as a balance weight. When men find fault with the lives of professing Christians, it is a tribute to the Law of God.” D. L. Moody
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