THE MASTERS LIST Dean W. Masters

A Note of Encouragement
May God hear thankful hearts!

Volume XIV, Issue 45

November 10, 2014

She sat on the floor. Heavy drapes guarded the window, smothering any light 
that dared enter. A small lamp shone dimly in the corner. Another lonely day
or endless night? She didn't care.

"Just going to sit there?" The gentle voice came from a nearby chair.

"Doesn't matter. Nothing's going to change."

"Not if you refuse to see."

"My eyes are open," she snapped, glaring at the chair.

"Perhaps, but you do not see."

"See what? You know what's going on! There's nothing I can do."

"There is one thing. You can be thankful."

Drapes swept aside and light rushed into the dark room. The window opened to 
a brilliant sunny day. Geese crossed an azure sky as children's laughter 
floated
in on a gentle breeze.

She gazed at the beauty of the world. She smiled at memories of family and 
friends, laughter and joy. Slowly, bit by bit, her dreams of tomorrow faded
into blessings of today. Then she remembered that through it all---the good 
and the bad---one had stayed with her, giving her love she could never 
return.
And for the first time in ages, she thanked Him.

Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18a, ESV)---a verse 
frequently misused and often misunderstood, especially in anger's rage or 
sorrow's
cry. "I can't believe this happened! It's horrible...terrible. My life is 
over. And you're telling me I'm supposed to be thankful for it?!"

Yeah, that whole "thankful" bit. Awfully hard to be thankful when tragedy 
strikes and life takes a terrible turn. An angry "Thank you" is not very 
convincing.
And what's all this about being thankful for our circumstances? Ah, therein 
lies the problem.

Careless use of words creates misunderstanding. "A journey of a thousand 
miles begins with a single stop." "Encourage one or the other." Even small 
words
can have enormous impact. Such as "not". Without it, "Do not put finger in 
electrical outlet" could have serious consequences.

Paul did not tell the Thessalonians to be thankful for everything that 
happened to them. He never said, "I don't care how bad it gets, give thanks 
for
the pain, the loss, the sorrow." Instead, he taught them to express 
gratitude IN their circumstances. See the difference?

Lonely? God will never leave you. Lost all you own? He will provide all you 
need. Afraid? He will give you courage. Sick? He has prepared a place 
without
disease and pain. In all circumstances, we can be thankful, clinging not to 
what we see in this world but to the assurance of what awaits us in the 
next.

Expressing gratitude changes how we see everything. After all, thankfulness 
is a state of mind, an attitude, a window through which we choose to view 
life...a
window built by a carpenter long ago.

Take care & be God's,
Chuck

Are You Lost in a Maze of Worldliness?
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost
”Luke 19:10 (NIV).
maze2
It's this way.
No, over here.
That's a dead end. You're not looking at the map.
This was only a part of the conversation punctuating the cornfield maze my 
grandchildren, my oldest son and I had on a recent sunny October afternoon.
The maze, along with other activities, was a part of many fun-filled and 
educational opportunities for all ages at a northeastern Oklahoma farm.
Before entering the maze, we were handed a map, along with instructions to 
find clues located on several signs along the way. At the top of the map was
a phone number we could call if we couldn't find our way out. As we wove our 
way through the twists and turns of the maze, we were often slapped in the
face with dangling corn stalks.

We often found ourselves going in circles. When we discovered a sign on the 
trail, I was amazed to see we could use our smart phones to read a QR Code.
For those who are not familiar with a QR Code, it's similar to a bar code 
found on products scanned at the checkout. In this case, the QR Code 
revealed
information via the smart phone to locate our position on the map.
Other than the map and the signs along the way, we had no way of knowing 
where we were in the maze of corn. We laughed along the way even as we 
disagreed
sometimes on which path we needed to take to find our way out of the jungle 
of corn stalks.
Our lives are often like that corn maze. We can become so caught up in the 
things of this world we can't figure out where we are, where we need to be 
and
why we're making the wrong choices.
In Mere Christianity author C.S. Lewis wrote, Progress means getting 
nearer to the place you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning, 
then
to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, 
progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and 
in
that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man.
If we want to make progress in our relationship with the Lord and quit 
hitting dead ends along the way, we must turn to Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 says, 
Let
us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the 
joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at
the right hand of the throne of God.
The theme of being lost is found in many of the scriptures. Remember the 
parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin? What about the prodigal son?
We are lost, just like the Israelites in the desert, when we don't surrender 
our lives to Jesus. Through His saving grace, we can find our way to God 
with
reassurance. His Word is our map.
Are you lost in a maze of worldliness?
Carol Round


The Immensity of God
KenBible.com
Posted: 21 Sep 2014 09:55 PM PDT

O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
(Psalm 8:1, 3-4, NIV)

Have you ever had the experience that the psalmist describes above? Have you 
been out under the clear night sky and looked up at the stars and the 
vastness
of the heavens? Have you marveled that the Creator of all this has any 
interest in you? Here are some facts that may stimulate your imagination.

Light travels so fast that a beam of light can circle the earth more than 7 
times in a second. The moon is a quarter of a million miles away, and its 
light
reaches the earth in less than a second and a half. The sun is approximately 
93 million miles away, and its light arrives in approximately 8 minutes.

Our own galaxy or group of stars is called the Milky Way. How long do you 
think it would take light to travel just across our own galaxy? 100,000 
years!
Light travels around the earth 7 times in a second and 93 million miles from 
the sun in only 8 minutes. But our galaxy is so vast that even light takes
100,000 years to cross it.

Galaxies are vast beyond our imagination. But ours is only one galaxy. How 
many galaxies do you think there are in the universe? Estimates vary, but in
1999, data from the Hubble space telescope led scientists to estimate that 
there are 125 billion galaxies in the universe. Some estimates run much 
higher.
Try to imagine that: 93 million miles in 8 minutes; 100,000 years to cross 
our galaxy; 125 billion galaxies.

We are so very small. Reality dwarfs us. It dwarfs the human race. It dwarfs 
the entire earth.

But here's something else to consider: this vast universe is only the 
smallest taste of the Living God. He overflows the physical universe. Job 26 
talks
about God's mighty works in creation, then in v.14 says that in all these we 
see only the fringes of His robe. We hear only a faint whisper of Him.

What's more, the gap between God and us is far greater than the size of the 
universe. The real gap between God and us is in the essence of who we are.

He is all-powerful and all-wise, unbounded by matter and time. We are weak 
and blind, living momentary lives, consumed with the here and now.
 He is holy and pure. Without Him, we are corrupt and sinful.
 He is unlimited love. We are proud, small-minded, and selfish, wrapped up 
in our own comfort and narrow interests.

But now for the most amazing truth: God's love has bridged this gap between 
us. This immense chasm of time, space, and character has been closed by God's
all-encompassing love. All the immensity of God, all the eternity of God, 
all His glory and power and holiness have been embodied in a human being: 
Jesus
Christ. We are united with this immense God in Christ (Colossians 2:9-10).

World Challenge Pulpit Series
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Need in You and How to Meet It
by David Wilkerson | September 8, 2014
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]

This message is for anyone carrying a need right now. It is
especially for those who have been afraid to express their
need. In fifty-eight years of preaching around the world, I
have learned that often people carrying the deepest needs
can put on a front. On the outside it looks as if everything
is okay in their lives, but inside they feel like death.

When The Cross and the Switchblade was first published, I
met a number of well-known personalities on TV talk shows.
One was a comedian who had been divorced ten times. For the
first hour we listened to the comedian mock marriage. He
joked, "I'm about to get married for the eleventh time." All
that time his future wife was sitting in the audience. The
comedian said men should leave their marriage if they aren't
happy and find themselves a younger wife.

At one point the host turned to me and said, "Mr. Wilkerson,
you haven't been saying anything." At that moment the Spirit
of the Lord came upon me, and I said to the comedian, "Sir,
I think I've just met the loneliest man in America. I think
you cry yourself to sleep at night. You've made light of
marriage and your own past marriages. But I think it's an
act."

The host quickly went to a commercial. A few hours later,
after the show was over, I was waiting outside to hail a
cab. The comedian drove up in his car with a sad look. He
said, "Mr. Wilkerson, I've got to talk to you. Please let me
take you to your hotel." I climbed into the backseat of his
car while he and his fiancée sat in the front. The comedian
looked at me in the back seat and said, "Reverend, you hit
the nail on the head."

As he drove along, he shook his head and continued: "Ten
women couldn't be wrong. And I have maligned this woman," he
said, nodding to his fiancée. "I think I need God. All along
I've had a need deep inside me. And when it couldn't be met,
I went from one woman to another. I was trying to find
somebody who would meet this hounding need." I ministered to
that man, told him about Jesus and prayed with him and his
soon-to-be-wife.

In all my years of ministry, I have yet to meet anyone who
doesn't have a need.

I've worked with young people who had drug addictions so
fierce that society's experts said we should give up on
them. But I knew that every craving that led to their
addiction was driven by a deep need for love - God's love.

There is in each of us some deep question, some deep hurt,
some unhealed pain. It could have to do with anything -
family, children, marriage, job or simply loneliness. Try as
we might, we can't hide our need in the presence of God. The
Holy Spirit is a hound from heaven who comes to us to open
up the love of Jesus. The Spirit manifests this love not
just in words but in deeds, showing us the way to meet our
deep needs.

We can't do anything physically to meet our need. No doctor
or psychologist can provide it. And we can't do it by
looking for some emotional answer. No pastor or friend, not
even a mate, can meet this inner need. No one can get to the
root of it because they don't have the ability.

There are people with vast amounts of wealth who have come
to this realization. I remember reading about the owner of
one of New York City's football teams whose daughter's life
was snuffed out. This young woman had all the money she
wanted. She had fast cars and led an equally fast life. Then
one day her life was gone, and no amount of her father's
money could bring her back.

It amazes me how many young people continue to give
themselves over to the party life to try to meet their great
need. For many in this country, every night is a party.
They're binge drinking and smoking pot in larger numbers
than ever. It's all an attempt to stave off emptiness and
ease their fears as they consider their future.

I asked a preacher's son recently why he was running with
the pot crowd. He answered, "I've never felt my life was
worth anything. I'm a slow learner, and I was never accepted
by the mainstream crowd. So I got in with some friends who
were smoking pot. I feel accepted by them. Pot eases my mind
for a little while. In those moments I don't feel left out.
I'm not afraid my life will turn out to be nothing."

But he admits it's not helping him. Whenever I talk to him,
he reveals he has gone deeper and deeper into pot smoking -
and he's finding less and less peace in it. I know this is
true of some readers. Perhaps you've turned to pot, alcohol
or some other drug to try to ease your pain and meet that
deep need in you. But it's not working.

The Bible doesn't hide the fact that the pleasures of this
world seem to give relief for a while. Yet there is a
problem with sins of pleasure: The relief they bring
diminishes over time. In fact, these sins keep subtracting
relief until finally your soul has a negative balance. The
things that once brought pleasure now take you deeper and
deeper into despair.

Some people reading this message have been caught in that
trap. Yet among them are those who have come to grips with
this reality - and they have accepted the truth of the
gospel.

You can't find help for your need anywhere else in the world
but Christ.

There is no other place to turn on the face of this earth.
There is no other hope. You have to settle in your mind that
your need is spiritual. And no drugs, no human, no amount of
money can meet it.

There are three things the Holy Spirit wants you to know:

First, your only hope is to recognize that your need is
spiritual. It has very little to do with your past. The
problem isn't where you are now, but what drove you to this
point.

Second, you can't just hear the truth; you have to do the
truth. Scripture makes this very clear: Jesus said, "I am
the way, the truth and the life. If you love me, you will
obey me. You will do what I say. You will do the truth."

Don't be mistaken: It is not enough to know the truth. Maybe
you know the Bible from earlier in life. But even if you
don't, God makes clear in Romans he has made himself known
to the world through the wonder of nature and by speaking
into the heart of man. We all have been made aware of the
truth of God.

Yet there is more to it than just knowing the truth. There
is the "doing" of truth. This means hearing Christ's gospel,
accepting it as truth, and walking according to that truth.
God's design is for us to live the truth.

This may sound simple enough. But the apostle Paul speaks of
those who "have heard the truth yet refuse to walk in it,
loving their unrighteousness and pleasures."

Your great need will never be met if you still say in your
heart of hearts, "I love what I'm doing. I can't give it
up."

There has to come a cry in your heart. You have come to the
end of your rope. Many reading this message know that.
They've heard enough of the gospel to know everything I have
said here is true. This brings me to the third thing the
Holy Spirit would say to you:

In John 17, Jesus is speaking of his followers when he says
something marvelous and astounding.

In this passage, Christ is praying for his disciples. Yet
Jesus' prayer here is also meant for every future generation
who would put their trust in him as Savior and Lord. Jesus
says this: "I pray...that thou shouldest keep them from the
evil one" (John 17:15).

Jesus doesn't stop there. He adds in verse 20, "But [I pray]
for them also which shall believe on me through their word"
(my italics). In other words, "I pray not just for those who
will believe in me. I pray also for the people my followers
will be preaching to."

As I read this recently, Christ's prayer hit me full force.
He was praying for you, dear reader, as you read the words I
write to you now. Indeed, as you read my message, this
passage of Scripture is being fulfilled.

Jesus started praying for you before this written message
ever came into my head. And what I'm saying to you here is
accompanied by the prayers of Jesus himself to the heavenly
Father. He's praying that your heart will be open to what
you read: "Father, give this one ears to hear and eyes to
see."

Know that as Jesus prays for you, God has never turned down
the prayers of his Son. Right now, it is all up to you. I
say the following in love but with the responsibility given
me as a minister of the Lord: It is a serious matter to
shake off the loving grace of God.

There is a tendency to harden your heart over time. The more
you hear about Jesus, the less you want to hear it - and the
harder your heart becomes. So, dear one, this is the day for
you. This is the time God has set for you to hear him. He
hasn't brought these words before you by mere accident. You
are reading this in his perfect, divine will.

He has known all along the deepest need in your heart. And
he has born witness to every attempt you've made to meet
that need. He has heard the deep cry of your soul. Ask him
now to meet you in his Son, Jesus. Christ is the way to meet
every need you have. Everything you need is in him. Amen.

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READ: Genesis 50:15-21

He comforted them and spoke kindly to them. —Genesis 50:21
The years following World War II were labeled the Cold War as nations exchanged threats and jockeyed for power. The Berlin Wall, built in August 1961, stood for almost 3 decades as one of the most powerful symbols of the smoldering animosity. Then, on November 9, 1989, it was announced that citizens could cross freely from East to West Berlin. The entire wall was demolished the following year.
The familiar Old Testament story of Joseph follows a favorite son whose brothers hated him (Gen. 37–50). Yet Joseph refused to build a wall of hatred between himself and his brothers who sold him into slavery. When a famine brought them face to face after many years, Joseph treated his brothers with kindness, saying, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good . . . . And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them” (50:20-21), helping to restore the relationship between them.
Twenty-five years ago today, an oppressive man-made barrier was opened, offering freedom and reuniting families and friends.
If we’ve built walls of anger and separation between ourselves and others, the Lord is willing and able to help us begin tearing them down today. —David McCasland
Heavenly Father, examine my heart; reveal to
me where I have erected walls in relationships.
Show me the way to start tearing them down
that there might be reconciliation.
Anger builds walls; love breaks them down.
Bible in a year: Jeremiah 46-47; Hebrews 6
Insight
Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, forgotten by people he helped, falsely accused, and unjustly imprisoned. But he overcame all these setbacks to become the second most powerful man in Egypt. Earlier in Genesis 45:5-8, and again here in Genesis 50:20, Joseph acknowledged God’s sovereignty and purpose in his life—that God overrules human sin for His glory and the ultimate good of mankind. Paul succinctly summed up the same truth in Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Copyright © 2014, RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI 49555 USA. Written permission must be obtained from RBC Ministries for any further posting or distribution. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Dean Masters Owner of the Masters List.

November 8, 2014

Refuge Wanted
by Charles R. Swindoll

A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went off leaving him half dead. . . . But a certain Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him, and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, "Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you." Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands? 

And he said, "The one who showed mercy toward him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do the same" (Luke 10:30-37).

People don't want to listen to a recording of some sermon when the bottom drops out. They want a place to cry, a person to care, someone to bind up their wounds, someone to listen, the security of a few close, intimate friends who won't blab their story all over the church---who will do more than say, "I' ll pray for you." They want refuge.

Stop and think. Who and where is your refuge for bruised believers?

Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll, Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers). All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission
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© 2014 Insight for Living. All rights reserved worldwide.
Dean Masters Owner of the Masters List.

Jail & Bail

"Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, 
for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,†says the Lord. “But if 
your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for 
in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.â€" (Romans 12:19-20, 
NASB95)

A friend of mine was approached by a sheriff’s deputy who served him with a 
warrant. The friend was then handcuffed and placed into a cruiser. He was 
then taken to a makeshift jail where he had to serve time until he could 
raise enough funds to get himself out. This was part of a fund raiser called 
“Jail and Bailâ€.

The person who was served with a warrant could pay some money not to serve 
time. Whether the person served time or not he could for a price find out 
who had taken the warrant out on him. Then for a price he could take a 
warrant out on the person who had taken one out on him. In this case revenge 
was a good money maker.

It is part of our human nature to want to take revenge. From the Scripture 
above we know that we are not to do this, though. We are to do the opposite 
which we can only do if we have Jesus Christ living inside of us.

Prayer: Father, please forgive us when we want to take revenge rather than 
forgive. Help us to love others as You would have us love them. In the name 
of Jesus Christ, Your Son, Amen.

Thought: Let us not take revenge but show forgiveness.

by Dean W. Masters

Who Is Jesus?
Life is full of Choices

Seeing Prayer a New Way
Monday, September 22, 2014

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it 
will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks 
finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
– Matthew 7:7-8 NASB
Jesus made it clear: In prayer, we are to ask, seek, knock, confident that 
what we need and ask for will be given to us. But the opposite also is true. 
If we don’t ask, what we need will not be given to us. If we don’t seek, we 
will not find.
The reality is that, if we never knock, the door never will open. We can 
stare at the door but nothing will change. And if we don’t seek, we will be 
stuck in the same position. If we never show initiative, we never will find 
what we are interested in, or would like to have.
There may be many reasons why we don’t ask or aren’t more specific in 
prayer. We may not feel worthy, or embarrassed, concerned about what God 
would think if we asked. We may not feel that God would hear us, or 
confident in our relationship with Him. Or we may feel we don’t know how to 
ask.
But, no matter our excuse, we can be sure not to receive anything if we don’t 
ask, seek, or knock.
How confident are you about your relationship with God? Do you really think 
that, if you ask, it will be given? That if you seek, you really will find? 
If you knock, the door really will be opened for you? What keeps you from 
believing these truths?
Remember that without faith, you will not receive the answers you need or 
find what you are looking for. Don’t be bogged down with lethargy or 
skepticism. And don’t be hampered by doubt or reluctance. Instead, take 
Jesus at His Word, confident in Him. Believing that His Word is true.
Today's Inspiration Prayer

Today's Inspiration Prayer

Father, I commit these needs to You: ________. I will ask and keep asking. 
Seek and keep seeking. I will knock until the door is opened. In Jesus’ 
name. Amen.

Further Reading: Matthew 7

“Why Me, LORD?”
Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own 
understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths 
straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

“Why, LORD? Why me?”

I’ve said that a time or two. I bet you have too.

There is nothing wrong with us trying to understand why during the difficult 
times of life. However, the Bible clearly tells us not to depend on or lean
on our ability to answer the tough question…why.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,” the writer of Proverbs tells us, 
“and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Don’t depend on 
your
own mind to figure life out. You just can’t do it.

Ultimately, God is in control, and His ways are higher than our ways. God 
reminds us: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my
ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are 
my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah
55:8-9).

Dr. James Dobson, in his book, When God Doesn’t Make Sense, says, “Trying to 
analyze His [God’s] omnipotence is like an amoeba attempting to comprehend
the behavior of man.” It is simply not possible.

But one thing we can be sure of, “all the ways of the Lord are loving and 
faithful,” whether we understand them or not (Psalm 25:10).

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to 
face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known”
(1 Corinthians 13:12).

It may not be until we cross over from the temporal to the eternal that we 
understand the many “whys” of life. Until then, we must trust in the 
sovereignty
of God.

No matter what we have gone through or what we will go through in the 
future, God promises: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, 
for I
am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my 
righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

God wants to know if you will trust Him no matter what your outward 
circumstances may be. He is still on His throne. He is still in control.

If you’re willing to let go of “why me” and grab hold of “I will trust in 
God,” click over to my
Facebook
page and leave a comment that says, “I’m trusting God.”

Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father, there is so much about my life that I don’t understand. The 
good news is I don’t have to. I trust that You have it all under control.
As the song goes, when I don’t understand, when I can’t see Your plan, when 
I can’t trace Your hand, I’ll trust Your heart.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

More From the Girlfriends

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Your Scars are Beautiful to God: Finding Peace and Purpose in the Hurts of 
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True freedom comes when you use what you have gone through to minister to 
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this resource will help you in that area as well.

Seeking God?
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Understatements
by Charles R. Swindoll

Proverbs 10:19

You've heard of "too little and too late." How about "too many and too 
much"? That's the way I'd describe our times. In a society overrun with 
overstatements,
I find an occasional "not quite enough" a sheer delight.

Too much empty talk. Too much rich food. Too much emphasis on success, 
winning, being the biggest and the best. Too much comparison and 
commercialism.
Too many meetings. Too many pages in the newspaper. Too many TV channels, 
neon signs, sports teams, schools, and opinions. Too many options on stuff 
like
cars, sound systems, computers, and soft drinks.

We find ourselves making the extreme the standard. Periods are fast being 
replaced by exclamation points. "Nice" is no longer sufficient. Now it's got
to be "fantastic" or "incredible."

Whatever happened to a quiet, barefoot walk along a beach? Or an evening of 
just listening to music? Or going on a bike ride, topped off with an ice 
cream
cone, single dip? Or flying a kite, then lying on our backs and taking a 
snooze? When did we let candle-lit loveliness and holding hands with someone 
we
love get bumped by the fluorescent and flashy?

How nice to be surprised by subtlety. To stumble across genuine beauty, true 
sincerity without overt attempts to impress. First-class class . . . 
understated
elegance that leaves room to imagine, to think, to decide for ourselves, to 
appreciate. Films and other art forms that give us spaces of silence to 
feel,
to sigh. Speeches, sermons, and writing that reflect true craftsmanship, 
convincing us that so much more was meant to be said.

My plea in a nutshell? More originals, fewer copies. More creativity, less 
technology. More implying, less explaining. More thought, less talk. Someone
put it like this:

When's the best time to stop talking? Probably now.

A story is told about FDR when he was a young lawyer. He heard his opponent 
summarize a case before the jury in eloquent, emotional, but lengthy appeal.
Sensing the jury was restless, FDR is reported to have said, "You have heard 
the evidence. You have also listened to a brilliant orator. If you believe
him, and disbelieve the evidence, you will decide in his favor. That's all I 
have to say." He won. Overstate and bore. Understate and score. When a 
baseball
umpire says, "Strike three!" he doesn't have to add "Yer out." That's what 
strike three means.

"To state with restraint . . . for greater effect." That's what 
understatement means. As in "I love you." Next time you're tempted to say 
too much, just
say that.

Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share My Hope, Copyright © 1985, 1988, 
1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by 

© 2014 Insight for Living. All rights reserved worldwide.

Understatements
by Charles R. Swindoll

Proverbs 10:19

You've heard of "too little and too late." How about "too many and too 
much"? That's the way I'd describe our times. In a society overrun with 
overstatements,
I find an occasional "not quite enough" a sheer delight.

Too much empty talk. Too much rich food. Too much emphasis on success, 
winning, being the biggest and the best. Too much comparison and 
commercialism.
Too many meetings. Too many pages in the newspaper. Too many TV channels, 
neon signs, sports teams, schools, and opinions. Too many options on stuff 
like
cars, sound systems, computers, and soft drinks.

We find ourselves making the extreme the standard. Periods are fast being 
replaced by exclamation points. "Nice" is no longer sufficient. Now it's got
to be "fantastic" or "incredible."

Whatever happened to a quiet, barefoot walk along a beach? Or an evening of 
just listening to music? Or going on a bike ride, topped off with an ice 
cream
cone, single dip? Or flying a kite, then lying on our backs and taking a 
snooze? When did we let candle-lit loveliness and holding hands with someone 
we
love get bumped by the fluorescent and flashy?

How nice to be surprised by subtlety. To stumble across genuine beauty, true 
sincerity without overt attempts to impress. First-class class . . . 
understated
elegance that leaves room to imagine, to think, to decide for ourselves, to 
appreciate. Films and other art forms that give us spaces of silence to 
feel,
to sigh. Speeches, sermons, and writing that reflect true craftsmanship, 
convincing us that so much more was meant to be said.

My plea in a nutshell? More originals, fewer copies. More creativity, less 
technology. More implying, less explaining. More thought, less talk. Someone
put it like this:

When's the best time to stop talking? Probably now.

A story is told about FDR when he was a young lawyer. He heard his opponent 
summarize a case before the jury in eloquent, emotional, but lengthy appeal.
Sensing the jury was restless, FDR is reported to have said, "You have heard 
the evidence. You have also listened to a brilliant orator. If you believe
him, and disbelieve the evidence, you will decide in his favor. That's all I 
have to say." He won. Overstate and bore. Understate and score. When a 
baseball
umpire says, "Strike three!" he doesn't have to add "Yer out." That's what 
strike three means.

"To state with restraint . . . for greater effect." That's what 
understatement means. As in "I love you." Next time you're tempted to say 
too much, just
say that.

Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share My Hope, Copyright © 1985, 1988, 
1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by 

© 2014 Insight for Living. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Woman of Samaria

Her character: Looked down upon by the Jews because she was a Samaritan and 
disdained because of her many romantic liaisons, she would not have been 
most
people's first choice to advance the gospel in a region where it had not yet 
been heard.
Her sorrow: To have lived in a way that relegated her to the margins of her 
society.
Her joy: That Jesus broke through barriers of culture, race, and religion in 
order to reveal himself to her.
Key Scriptures:
John 4:1-42

Her Story

Every day, the woman carried her water jug to Jacob's well just outside 
Sychar, a town midway between Jerusalem and Nazareth. Even though it was the 
hottest
time of the day, she preferred it to the evening hours, when the other women 
gathered. How tired she was of their wagging tongues. Better the scorching
heat than their sharp remarks.

She was surprised, however, to see that today someone had already arrived at 
the well—a Jew from Galilee by the looks of him. At least she had nothing
to fear from his tongue, for Jews did their best to avoid Samaritans, 
despising them as half-breeds who worshiped not in the temple at Jerusalem 
but at
their shrine on Mount Gerizim. For once she was glad to be ignored, 
grateful, too, that men did not address women in public.

But as she approached the well, the man startled her, breaking the rules she 
had counted on to protect her. "Will you give me a drink?" he asked.

What kind of a Jew was this? she wondered. Certainly not a Pharisee, or he 
would have taken the long way around Samaria to get to Galilee. With a toss
of her head, she replied, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can 
you ask me for a drink?"

But he wouldn't be put off. "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that 
asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you
living water."

"Sir," she replied, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. 
Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, 
who
gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his 
flocks and herds?" That should take him down a notch or two.

But the man kept pressing. "Go," he told her, "call your husband and come 
back."

This last request took the wind out of her. Her quick tongue was barely able 
to reply, "I have no husband."

"You are right when you say you have no husband," Jesus said. "The fact is, 
you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. 
What
you have just said is quite true."

His words cut her. Shaking off the hurt, she tried changing the subject, 
diverting him by stirring up the old controversy between Jews and 
Samaritans.
"Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this 
mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in 
Jerusalem."

Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship 
the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship
what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the 
Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will 
worship
the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the 
Father seeks."

The woman said, "I know that Messiah is coming. When he comes, he will 
explain everything to us."

Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

Leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the 
people, "Come see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the 
Christ?"

Meanwhile, his disciples, who had gone into the town to look for food, 
returned and urged him, "Rabbi, eat something."

But Jesus replied, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."

...

Dodge, counterdodge—nothing the woman said would keep Jesus at bay. He kept 
pressing beneath the surface, inviting her to a deeper understanding, 
hemming
her in by revealing his knowledge of the most intimate details of her life. 
Overwhelmed, she finally admitted the truth. And when she did, Jesus 
startled
her with a revelation about himself: He admitted, for the first time, that 
he was the Messiah. Though she hadn't known it, she had been conversing with
her Savior.

Jesus had arrived at the well thirsty, hungry, and tired from the journey 
north to Galilee. But by the time his disciples returned from their shopping
trip in Sychar, he seemed refreshed and restored by his encounter with the 
woman.

She, in turn, was so deeply affected by him that she exclaimed to whoever 
would listen: "He told me everything I ever did." At the Samaritans' urging,
Jesus stayed on for two days and many came to believe, saying to the woman: 
"We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for
ourselves and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

Her Promise

Are you thirsty? Is there a longing in you that you just can't seem to meet? 
Do you hunger for something to fill some void, some emptiness you can't even
explain? Look everywhere, try everything—you'll find nothing in this world 
that will satisfy. Only Jesus can provide the living water that will fill 
you
to overflowing, that will satisfy your longing, that will soothe your thirst 
so completely you'll never be thirsty again.

Today's devotional is drawn from
Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture
by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. Visit
AnnSpangler.com

Welcome to the Nugget

September 18, 2014

In the Moment

By Answers2Prayer
It was a cold, cloudy and rainy morning outside my kitchen window today. I 
shivered and walked over to the kitchen table with a hot cup of coffee in 
one
hand and a steaming bowl of oatmeal in the other. I sat down, gave thanks, 
and took in a spoonful of the oatmeal and a sip of the coffee. I sighed as 
my
chilled insides grew instantly warmer.

Just then I felt a nudge on my knee. I looked down and saw my little beagle, 
Snoopy's warm brown eyes looking up at me. I petted her head and smiled down
at her. Suddenly, I felt two arms wrap gently around my neck as my daughter 
gave me a loving hug. I squeezed her arms with my hand and said "Good 
morning"
to her. I gazed out the window and saw a single ray of sunshine breaking 
through the clouds and shining on the Maple tree in the meadow behind my 
house.
A red Cardinal flew down, landed on a branch, and looked at me. It was 
beautiful. At that moment I felt so loved! I felt loved not only by my 
daughter
and my dog, but by God and life itself. At that moment I had what we all 
want in this life: sweet, wonderful, glorious happiness! I looked to the 
heavens,
laughed, and thanked God for my life!

Most of us go through life with one eye looking towards the future and the 
other eye gazing into the past. Half our sight is focused on our goals and 
desires.
The other half is looking back with regret at mistakes and missed 
opportunities. In order to be happy, though, both of our eyes have to be 
here in the
present. In order to be happy we have to live here now.

The future is only a dream and the past is only a memory. God doesn't want 
us to live in either. God wants us to live in this moment. God wants us to 
love
each other in this moment.

God wants us to share kindness and have happiness in this moment. Life is a 
collection of moments. May you always fill yours with love, joy, and oneness
with God.

"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, 
for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" (Heb 13:5 ESV)

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

Announcement:

Great news!
Answers2Prayer
has a webpage offering 68 Online Bibles available in different languages. 
Please visit us! If you know of an online Bible in a language that we do not
yet have available, please let us know by sending an e-mail. Thank you my 
friends.

©Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely 
give."

PUT ME IN, COACH

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who 
will go for Us?' Then I said, 'Here am I. Send me!
Isaiah 6:8

Did you play sports as a kid? I did and loved it. Basketball became my 
main sport of choice. I played on the school team from 5th grade until high 
school
graduation. I would have played in college were it not for one small 
problem  I wasn't good enough.

Most of us who have played sports have had the unwanted experience of 
œriding the pine. Obviously, not everyone on the team gets equal playing 
time.
In seventh and eighth grade, I had many games where I was on the bench, 
chomping at the bit for the Coach to call my name and get me on the 
basketball
floor. As the famous song, "Centerfield," by John Fogerty says, Put me in, 
Coach. I'm ready to play.

PLAYING ON GOD'S TEAM

When it comes to the Lord's team, are you chomping at the bit to get out 
there for Jesus? Isaiah surely was. When the Lord asked the penetrating 
question
of who would go out on the floor for the King of kings, Isaiah's hand shot 
up. Put me in, Lord. I'm ready to go anywhere and do anything for You.
And God responded by selecting him as His spokesman to Judah for fifty 
years.

Isaiah was ready, willing, and eager to play. How about you?

The sad reality is that many
Christians
are simply Sunday morning bench warmers and they don't seem to be too 
bothered by that fact! When the Lord says, Whom shall I send, and who will 
go
for Us?there is silence from so many of the lambs. Is there silence from 
you?

Remember,
Christianity
is not a spectator sport. God did not save us to sit, soak, sour, and 
stink. He saved us to serve. He wants us to get in the game and put our 
spiritual
gifts into practice whatever those gifts may be.

LOOKING IN THE MIRROR

Be honest. Are you sitting on the spiritual sidelines? Are you riding the 
pine? Our Coach, the Lord Jesus Christ, wants to put you in the game. He
wants to use your life to make a difference in His kingdom. But, I'm 
scared! you confess. Everyone is a little bit, especially at the first. 
It always
is a little scary when you initially enter the game and teach that class, 
share your faith, sing that solo, do that deed in His name, and make that 
stand
for Christ. But the good news is He will be with you every step of the way.

But, I don't have the ability! you counter. Well, here is a great truth. 
God is not looking for people with ability. He is looking for people with
availability. You see, the best ability is simple availability. God wants 
people just like you to say, Here I am, Lord. Send me wherever You want me
to go. I am surrendering myself to You. Use me, Lord, as You see fit. 
That is a prayer God longs to answer.

Jesus is looking down the bench today to see who will lock eyes with Him and 
say, Put me in, Coach. I'm ready to play!

Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
P.S. I would love to hear from you and read how God is working in your life 
for His glory. You can contact me at pastorjeff@fromhisheart.org.

Jeff Schreve founded From His Heart Ministries,
www.fromhisheart.org,
in 2005 with the vision to reach as many people as possible with the good 
news of God's love. Jeff believes that no matter how badly you may have 
messed
up in life, God still loves you and has a great plan just for you. He 
broadcast on radio, TV and in the internet around the world from his pulpit 
ministry
as Pastor of First Baptist in Texarkana, Texas. This ministry is completely 
listener/viewer supported. It continues only through the faithful and 
generous
gifts of people like you. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. 
All gifts go to further the broadcast.

SPECIAL OFFER

Let's face it: life is filled with tough times! You and I will face 
difficult circumstances and impossible situations as we walk this earth. The 
tough
times in which we live require strong faith to rise above and overcome ... 
and that strong faith can be yours! This booklet from Pastor Jeff Schreve 
will
encourage your heart and strengthen your faith. When the impossible meets 
God, miracles take place!

AND FOR A DONATION OF $25 OR MORE: You will not only receive the Booklet
Strong Faith for Tough Times: When the Impossible Meets God,
but you'll also receive Pastor Jeff's brand-new 6-message CD Series The 
School of Prayer.

Featured Sermon
from
LightSource.com


Our Daily Bread is hosted by Les Lamborn

READ: Genesis 32:3-12

I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant. —Genesis 32:10
Unlike those who think highly of themselves, Jacob knew that he had been ruined by sin (Gen. 32:10). He thought himself a man unworthy of God’s grace. He had cheated his brother Esau out of his birthright (ch.27), and his brother hated him for it. Now, years later, Jacob was going to face Esau again.
“I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies,” Jacob prayed, using a word for “least” that suggests the tiniest object. “Deliver me, I pray” (32:10-11).
How odd to see those phrases side by side: I am unworthy of Your mercies . . . . Deliver me! Yet Jacob could pray for mercy because his hope lay not in his own worth, but in God’s promise to look with favor on those who throw themselves at His feet. Humility and contrition are the keys that open the heart of God. Someone has said that the best disposition for praying is being stripped of everything. It is crying out of the depths. It comes from the soul that knows its deep depravity.
Such prayers are offered by those who are thoroughly convicted of their sin and shame, but, at the same time, are convinced of God’s grace that goes out to undeserving sinners. God hears best those who cry out: “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” (Luke 18:13). —David Roper
Lord, I am like Jacob, in need of Your mercy.
I have failed You, and I bow at Your feet today.
Thank You for being a merciful God, ready
and able to forgive and restore me.
It is fitting for a great God to forgive great sinners.
Bible in a year: Jeremiah 34-36; Hebrews 2
Insight
Jacob had good reason to fear his brother Esau. With trickery and deception, Jacob had stolen both Esau’s inheritance (Gen. 25) and his blessing (Gen. 27). Esau’s last recorded words before he met Jacob again (Gen. 32) were “I will kill my brother Jacob” (27:41).

Share your comments on today’s devotional at
odb.org.

Life is full of Choices

The Gospel for Everyone
Saturday, September 20, 2014

“The woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and said to the men, 
‘Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not 
the
Christ, is it? They went out of the city, and were coming to Him.John 
4:28-30 NASB
Some Believers feel afraid to share their faith. Others feel inadequate. One 
common excuse is believing that ministry is the responsibility of full-time
Christian workers like pastors or missionaries.
But a growing number of African Christians have realized that God has called 
them to minister to their people. They've concluded that the best way to 
reach
Africans is for other Africans to testify about how Jesus has changed their 
lives. They are telling their own story in their own words, making it clear
that the Gospel is for everyone in every nation.
A young woman, for example, recently confessed that she had been intimidated 
by the prospect of witnessing for the Gospel. But she gradually realized 
that
God had placed her in a special place where she could “live as an example in 
the midst of widespread sexual immorality.
Other Africans have realized that some doors are closed to missionaries but 
open to other Africans. One missionary leader has said that resistance 
makes
it increasingly difficult for traditional missionaries to enter their 
countries. But the church in Africa is strategically well-positioned for 
modern
mission frontiers.
These truths apply to Believers in every country. For all of us are special 
to God. He has made each of us with a unique personality and unique 
interests.
He has a specific plan for each life but also has designed us so we have a 
unique ministry. That He will bring people into our lives to whom we can 
minister.
In your life, be open to God's leading and direction. Be sensitive to the 
people He brings into your life. Then faithfully share the Good News.
Today's Inspiration Prayer

Today's Inspiration Prayer

Father, I commit my time, talent, and treasure to You. Open doors that I 
might share the Gospel with others. Thank You for Your special plan for my 
life.
In Jesus name. Amen.

Further Reading: John 4

Compassion, Part One
by Charles R. Swindoll

James 2:15-17

It was one of those backhanded compliments. The kind that makes one pause, 
think, then respond, rather than gush out a quick "Hey, thanks."

The guy had listened to me talk during several sessions at a pastor's 
conference. We had not met before, so all he knew about me was what he'd 
heard in
days gone by: Ex-Marine . . . Texan by birth . . . schooled in an 
ultraconservative (dispensational!) seminary . . . committed to biblical 
exposition .
. . noncharismatic . . . premil . . . pretrib . . . pro this . . . anti 
that. You know how all those scary labels go.

I really think he expected your basic, squeaky clean preacher: dark suit; 
white shirt (buttoned-down collar); tight-knot tie; scuffed, black, wing-tip
cowboy boots; pocket stuffed full of tracts; a big Ryrie Study Bible (King 
James Version, of course); deep frown, thunderous shouts; and a rather large
fist flailing away in midair.

Since that's not what he got, he was thrown a low curve over the inside 
corner of the pulpit. Finally, toward the end of the week, he decided to 
drink
a cup of coffee with me and risk saying it straight.

It went something like this: "You don't fit. What's with you? You've got the 
roots of a fundamentalist, but you don't sound like it. Your theology is 
narrow
but you're not rigid. You take God seriously, but you laugh like there's no 
tomorrow. You have definite convictions, but you aren't legalistic and 
demanding."

Then he added, "Even though you're a firm believer in the Bible, you're 
still having fun, still enjoying life. You've even got some compassion!"

That did it. By then both of us were laughing out loud. A few eyes from 
other tables flashed us those "Would-you-two-quiet-down!" looks. I often 
encounter
such glares, especially when I'm having fun.

Well, what could I say? The man could've been more severe, but he had me 
pretty well pegged. It was that last statement, however, that really got me 
thinking.
It woke up with me the next morning. "You've even got some compassion!" As 
though it was not supposed to be there. In other words, if you're committed
to the truth of Scripture, you shouldn't sweat the needs of people. Don't 
get concerned about people stuff---heartaches; hunger; illness; fractured 
lives;
struggles with insecurities, failures, and grief---because those are only 
temporal problems, mere horizontal hassles. Our main job is to give 'em the 
gospel.
Get 'em saved! Don't get sidetracked by their pain and problems. It's 
conversion we're really interested in, not compassion. Once they're born 
again and
get into the Word, all those other things will solve themselves.

Be honest now. Isn't that the way it sometimes is? I know there are 
exceptions, but we're talking about the general rule, not the exceptions, 
okay?

I want to know why. Why either-or? Why not both-and? I'd also like to know 
when. Not just, why can't we be theologically conservative and personally 
compassionate,
but when . . . when did we depart from the biblical model? When did we begin 
to ignore Christ's care for the needy? When did we stop thinking of how 
valuable
it is to be healing agents, wound wrappers like the good Samaritan? When did 
we opt for placing more emphasis on being proclaimers and defenders and less
on becoming repairers and restorers? When did we decide to strengthen our 
focus on public condemnation and weaken our involvement in private 
restoration?

Think it over. We'll talk more about it tomorrow. Until then, a little 
assignment: Note God's compassion for His people in Jeremiah 31:7-20. Who 
needs
to see this kind of God through your life?

Compassion, Part Two
by Charles R. Swindoll

Mark 2:16-18

What happened to compassion among conservative Christians? When did we stop 
thinking of how valuable it is to be healing agents, wound wrappers like the
good Samaritan? When did we opt for placing more emphasis on being 
proclaimers and defenders and less on becoming repairers and restorers?

Maybe when we realized that one is much easier than the other. It's also 
faster, swift as the flash of a sword. When you don't concern yourself with 
being
your brother's keeper, you don't have to get dirty any more or take risks or 
lose your objectivity or run up against the thorny side of an issue that 
lacks
easy answers.

Let's go back to that repairer-restorer comment I just made. It's not an 
original idea. The prophet Isaiah mentioned it first, way back when. The 
nation
to whom he wrote was going through the empty motions of a hollow religion. 
All the right words, all the right appearances, but zero results. They even
fasted and prayed. Still nothing. I suppose we could say they looked and 
sounded orthodox, but missed God's favor. They observed the external 
Sabbath,
but lacked the internal Shalom. Why? Don't hurry through the answer (Isaiah 
58). It's worth reading aloud, perhaps more than once.

"Is this not the fast which I choose,
To loosen the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the bands of the yoke,
And to let the oppressed go free
And break every yoke?
Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
And bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the naked, to cover him;
And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then your light will break out like the dawn,
And your recovery will speedily spring forth;
And your righteousness will go before you;
The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am'
If you remove the yoke from your midst,
The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness,
And if you give yourself to the hungry
And satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness
And your gloom will become like midday.
And the LORD will continually guide you,
And satisfy your desire in scorched places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins;
You will raise up the age-old foundations;
And you will be called the repairer of the breach,
The restorer of the streets in which to dwell."
(Isaiah 58:6-12)

And what will happen when we traffic in such compassion? The New 
International Version says, "'then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I 
will cause
you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of 
your father Jacob.' The mouth of the LORD has spoken" (v. 14).

Yes, He has spoken, but have we heard? The fact is that He has been talking 
like this ever since He asked Cain about the welfare of his brother Abel. 
When
did we stop listening? How long will it be before we realize that others 
won't care how much we know until they know how much we care? If you really 
want
to "ride on the heights" and to "feast on [your] inheritance," prefer 
compassion to information. We need both, but in the right order.

Come on, let's break the mold and surprise 'em. Let's allow compassion to 
create a hunger for the truth. We'll be in good company. That's exactly what
Jesus did with you and me and a whole bunch of other sinners who deserved 
and expected condemnation, but got compassion instead.

Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share My Hope, Copyright © 1985, 1988, 
1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by 
permission.

Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - A Word With You

A Word With You
Daily Devotional
A Soldier's Rescue - and the Ones We Leave Behind - #7221

"Never leave a soldier behind." That's pretty powerful stuff. It is the 
time-tested promise of our military to its men and women. And the stated 
reason
that our government swapped some dangerous detainees for one imprisoned - 
and controversial - sergeant in Afghanistan.

But in all the emotional debate about this particular soldier, I never heard 
anyone say that "never left behind" is anything but the right thing. It's
just too bad life isn't like the military in this case.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "A 
Soldier's Rescue - and the Ones We Leave Behind."

We've got plenty of people around us who actually feel like we do leave 
people behind. That widow who feels like everybody withdrew once her husband 
died.
The senior citizen, feeling like she might as well die because everyone 
treats her like she already has. Kids abandoned to a foster care system that 
often
leaves them abused and angry. And 40 million kids in this country alone, 
waiting for someone who will give them a family.

How many times has the immigrant, or the newcomer in the neighborhood felt 
abandoned? I've been the guy, in another culture, surrounded by a language 
and
customs I didn't understand. And I'll tell you, it was just plain lonely!

The crowd blows right by those that they consider "un-cool," leaving them 
feeling like a discarded paper plate. It's people who can't do anything for 
us,
whose association might make us look bad. Who've been hurt so bad that they 
protect themselves with a "leave me alone" vibe, which is really the last 
thing
they want.

So many are feeling "left behind" by a world of people too self-absorbed to 
go after them; the painfully shy person, the troubled - and maybe 
troublesome
- kid. In virtually every workplace, every school, every neighborhood, every 
roomful of people - there's someone who feels invisible, small, left out,
left behind.

It's been bothering me. I want eyes to see those people no one sees. To stop 
for those people no one's got time for. To gravitate to the person on the
edge, in the corner. To make the "little guy" feel big for once. To show 
love even when it's inconvenient. Because that's what my Hero did.

In His world, no one touched the repulsive lepers. But He did. No one 
treated children like they were more important than the big shots. He did. 
No one
treated women with dignity and respect. He did. No respectable person hung 
out with those reviled "sinners." But He did. See that's my Jesus. He came 
after
me when I was a deserter, a cosmic deserter, because I had turned my back on 
the very God who gave me my life. Walking away from the One who loved me 
like
no one else; selling out to my dark side. In essence, waving at God with one 
hand and shaking a fist in His face with the other.

The Bible says that's a choice we have all made, that all of us "have 
wandered away like sheep" it says in Isaiah 53. And "All have sinned and 
fallen short
of the glory of God." So we have left Him behind, but He refused to leave us 
behind. I'm so glad.

Our word for today from the Word Of God, 1 Peter 3:18 says, "Christ 
died...the righteous (that's Him) for the unrighteous (that's me), that He 
might bring
us safely home to God." That's how much He doesn't want to lose you and me.

That's why He's come after you where you are now. Perhaps through what 
you're hearing right now, that He is reaching out and the voice you're 
hearing now
in your heart is not mine. It is the heart of Jesus who said, "I'm not 
leaving her behind. I'm not leaving him behind."

This is your day to reach out and grab the man who loved you enough to pay 
the death penalty for your sin on a cross. Nobody loves you like He does. 
And
I would love to help you be sure you have made that connection and got this 
settled once and for all if you go to our website ANewStory.com and find 
there
the One who's been looking for you for a long time.

I want to be like Him, and leave no one behind.
Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc. · P.O. Box 400 · Harrison, Arkansas 72602 · 
USA

Love Worth Finding Ministries

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Seizing Opportunities to Serve

BIBLE MEDITATION:
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially 
unto them who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:10

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Do you remember the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37? He was on 
a journey but stopped and helped a bruised and broken man. He didn’t make 
excuses
saying, “It’s none of my business.†It was a golden moment, and he took it.

All around you are people who need the compassion of Christ. They need you 
to see their pain as a golden opportunity to serve them in the name of 
Jesus.

The chief enemy to kindness is busyness. We have our priorities, our jobs, 
our duties, our responsibilities, and we’re too busy. But if we’re too busy
to be kind, we’re too busy.

ACTION POINT:
Whats on your schedule for today? If someone had a flat tire, could you fix 
it? If someone called and needed a ride to the hospital, could you take 
them?
Clear the way for Jesus, my friend.
© 2014 Love Worth Finding Ministries | PO Box 38300 - Memphis, TN 38183-0300
3628 cdd Sharing Opportunity
Tuesday September 16, 2014
Volume 15 Number 192

Today's Author: Pastor Bill

Scripture: Galatians 6:10
"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to 
those who are of the household of faith" NKJV

The account is told of Roscoe when he was 13 years old. Roscoe and his 
father were standing in line to buy tickets for the traveling circus which 
had come
to town. The line was long and it was close to starting time. They had 
rushed over right from Church so they would not miss a minute of the 
performance.
Roscoe had desired to see the circus for years and this was his big chance. 
Roscoe and dad out for the day!

Finally, there was only one family between Roscoe and his dad at the ticket 
counter. The family had eight children which appeared to be all younger than
Roscoe. By the way they were dressed, you could tell they didn't have a lot 
of money, but their clothes were neat and clean.

The children were well-behaved; all of them standing in line, two-by-two 
behind their parents, holding hands. They were chattering about the clowns, 
animals,
and all the acts they would be seeing that afternoon. By their excitement, 
you could sense they had never been to the circus before. It would be a 
highlight
of their lives.

The father and mother were at the head of the pack standing proud as could 
be. The mother was holding her husband's hand, looking up at him as if to 
say,
"You're my knight in shining armor." He was smiling and enjoying his family.

The ticket lady asked the man how many tickets he wanted. He proudly 
responded, "I'd like to buy eight children's tickets and two adult tickets, 
so I can
take my family to the circus." The ticket lady stated the price.

The man's wife let go of his hand, her head dropped, and the man's lip began 
to quiver. Then he leaned a little closer and asked, "How much did you 
say?"
The ticket lady again stated the price. The man didn't have enough money. 
How was he supposed to turn and tell his eight kids that he didn't have 
enough
money to take them to the circus?

Seeing what was going on, Roscoe's dad reached into his pocket, pulled out a 
$20 bill, and then dropped it on the ground. (They were not wealthy in any
sense of the word!) Roscoe's dad bent down, picked up the $20 bill, tapped 
the man on the shoulder and said, "Excuse me, sir, this fell out of your 
pocket."

The man knew what was going on. He wasn't begging for a handout, but 
certainly appreciated the help in a desperate, heartbreaking, embarrassing 
situation.
He looked straight into my dad's eyes, took my dad's hand in both of his, 
squeezed tightly onto the $20 bill, and with his lip quivering and a tear 
streaming
down his cheek, he replied, "Thank you, thank you, sir. This really means a 
lot to me and my family."

Roscoe and his dad went back to their car and drove home. The $20 that 
Roscoe's dad gave away was what they were going to buy their own tickets 
with. Although
they didn't get to see the circus that night, Roscoe and his dad both felt a 
joy inside that was far greater than seeing the circus could ever provide.

Prayer: Father thank you for helping me not miss opportunities to share 
sacrificial love with others. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Backpack Blessing Prayer and Scripture
Father I ask that loyalty and kindness flood ___________ life. Bind these 
twin virtues around his/her neck and enter into everything accomplished 
today.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Proverbs 3:3-4
"Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a 
reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with 
both
God and people, and you will earn a good reputation" NLT (Don't forget to 
place the prayer inside the backpack!)

Pastor Bill Team Prayer:

Father please bring 1............. 2............. 3.............. into your 
kingdom.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Copyright (c) 2014
Pastor Bill Christian Cyber Ministries
All Rights Reserved


A New Way to Look at Sin
Friday, September 19, 2014

To one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is 
sin. James 4:17 NASB
What is sin? Although we tend to think of sin as acts of evil, immoral 
thoughts or deeds, or actions that violate God's Word, James provides a 
different
perspective: Sin is also anything we should have done but did not do.
As we examine the context of this verse (vs. 11-17), we see that sin can 
result from situations in which we excessively trust in ourselves, and do 
not
humble ourselves before God.
We see this context in that we are not to speak against one another.†We 
are to remember that there is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is 
able
to save and to destroy.†James reminds us that none of us is in a position 
to judge our neighbors. Simply being critical can be a sin in God's sight. 
In
fact, gossip is not just a bad idea but a sin!
We are warned about not being boastful or taking the future for granted. In 
the context of James teaching about sin, we see how it can be sinful to 
depend
on our own plans and to realize that boasting is associated with pride and 
that “all such boasting is evil.
If we trust in God, we will realize that we have nothing about which we can 
boast and that boasting, in His sight, demonstrates that we are thinking 
first
about ourselves, not on God. This is sin.
Today, meditate on these things as you ponder your own life. Are there 
things you know you should be doing? Are you willfully ignoring some 
Biblical truths?
Has God given you a burden that you have not followed? Are there people to 
whom He has called you to minister?
Remember that, in His sight, anything can be considered a sin if it is 
something you know that you should do be doing, but do not do.
Today's Inspiration Prayer

Today's Inspiration Prayer

Father, show me if there are things I should be doing. Keep me from sin. I 
desire to be pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Further Reading: James 4

Starting Out on the Right Foot

Psalm 5:3 (NLT)
3 Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests 
to you and wait expectantly.

Mark 1:35 (NLT)
35 The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into 
the wilderness to pray.

What do Jesus and the psalmist have in common in these two verses? They 
start the day out in prayer. The apostle Paul does tell us to pray without 
ceasing and we need to be willing and available to pray short prayers during 
the day when things come up but we do need a specific time together with the 
Lord. Before things get started and get hectic is the best time. It may take 
you setting the alarm a little earlier in the morning to do this but it is 
worth it. Below is what three men of faith have to say about it:

Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards. 
Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into 
harmony with Him.
…J. Hudson Taylor

I have so many things to do today, I dare not ignore my time with God.
...Martin Luther

He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the 
day.
…John Bunyan

If these people needed to start their days out with prayer, how much more do 
we. Start your day talking to the Lord and get started on the right foot.

by Dean W. Masters

How to Pursue Spiritual Formation through Means of Grace
Whitney Hopler

Editor's Note: The following is a report on the practical applications of 
Kyle Strobel's new book,
Formed for the Glory of God: Learning from the Spiritual Practices of 
Jonathan Edwards,
(InterVarsity Press, 2013).

One of the greatest minds in Christian history“ 18th century pastor and 
theologian Jonathan Edwards  can inspire your own spiritual development. By 
using
the spiritual practices that Edwards called “means of grace,†you can 
encounter God's glory in ways that transform your soul so you become the 
person God
wants you to become.

Here's how you can follow Edward's classic example of spiritual formation 
through practices that connect you with God's grace:

Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal God's beauty to you and bind you to Him in 
love. Spiritual formation is all about God's work within your soul through
the power of His Spirit; your part in that work is simply to pursue God and 
respond to how He works in your life as you seek Him. Pray for the Holy 
Spirit
to show you more of God's beauty every day. As He does, let yourself fall in 
love with God. The more you learn about God, the more you grow to love
Him, which will then motivate you to learn even more about Him in a 
wonderful cycle that constantly draws you closer to God.

Start the journey with love in mind. Edwards presents the Christian life a 
journey of seeing God more clearly every day that you focus on Him and seek
to grow closer to Him. Keep in mind as you travel on your spiritual 
pilgrimage that love is your goal, because God is love. Heaven  a place of 
pure love is the ultimate destination on your journey because God lives there. 
Expect to be changed on your journey. As you travel closer to the God of 
beautiful
love, He will make you a more beautiful and loving person yourself.

Walk in affection. God loves you personally, so He wants you get to know Him 
personally. Rather than just seeking to learn about God, seek to know God
on a personal level. Let your growing knowledge of God inspire affection in 
your soul. In order to share in the life of love that God offers you, you 
must
undergo a renovation of your heart. Encountering God in a transformative way 
involves more than just thinking about Him; it involves responding to God's
love by loving Him back. Aim to walk in harmony with God by having your 
emotional heart beat in rhythm with God's heart. As you do, you come to 
seeboth God and yourself more accurately and understand how deeply you need God 
to love and redeem you.

View spiritual disciplines as means of grace. Edwards saw spiritual 
disciplines as means people can use to experience more of God's grace in 
their lives.
When you practice spiritual disciplines such as
prayer
and Bible reading, you place yourself in a posture of dependence on God, 
thereby positioning yourself to receive His love. Spiritual disciplines 
usher
God's grace into your life by orienting your mind and heart to God and 
inviting God to transform them.

Experience God's grace through His Word. God reveals His mind and will to 
people through His Word, the Bible. Since the Bible is the primary way that 
God
reveals Himself to the world through Jesus Christ, the Bible can help you 
understand all of the other means of grace. When you read, study, and 
reflect
on the Bible, ask the Holy Spirit to give you the wisdom you need to 
understand its message and apply it faithfully to your life.

Experience God's grace through prayer. Prayer the main way of 
communicating with God  gives life to all of the other means of grace. Pray 
with
faith,
expecting God to listen to your prayers, care about them, and respond to 
them according to what's best for you. Pray from the heart, expressing your 
thoughts
and feelings honestly to God since God wants to relate to personally and is 
willing to meet you wherever you are. In prayer, you can orient your life 
around
God's presence and power, which will then transform you for the better as 
God works in your life.

Experience God's grace through self-examination. When you examine your soul 
before God with honesty and humility, inviting God to show you sin that you
need to confess and repent of to keep growing closer to Him, you can 
experience the grace of spiritual freedom as God forgives you and empowers 
you to
grow.

Experience God's grace through meditation. Saturating your mind with 
Scripture verses from the Bible and carefully reflecting on them will give 
you a fresh
perspective on God's beautiful glory, Edwards says. As you meditate on a 
specific truth about God, you also hold it before you as a kind of spiritual 
mirror
so you can get a more accurate view of your own life in relation to God. 
Meditation will help you focus on the realities of God's holiness and your 
own
sinfulness, inspiring you to more deeply appreciate the love and forgiveness 
God offers you.

Experience God's grace through contemplation. Edwards says that 
contemplation is similar to meditation, but with the focus only on God 
rather than on yourself
as well. Contemplation involves setting your mind completely on God in order 
to learn more about Him. Ask God to help you approach contemplation with 
quietness,
calmness, humility, patience, and hope.

Experience God's grace through the Sabbath day. Resting from work one day 
per week creates space in your life for you to recalibrate your soul to God 
and
experience the joy of living according to God's rhythms, without unhealthy 
stress.

Experience God's grace through fasting. When you fast, you give up something 
that you crave (such as food) but that may sometimes distract you from 
pursuing
God as your top priority. Suppressing your natural appetite for whatever you're 
fasting from exposes weaknesses in your soul (such as pride, control, lust,
and arrogance) that you can hold before God in repentance during fasting. As 
a result, spiritual breakthroughs may occur. Edwards recommended that people
fast together in church communities rather than privately so that they could 
support and encourage each other in the process.

Experience God's grace through conferencing. The practice of conferencing 
involves discussing Bible passages or church sermons with other people in 
your
congregation. Working together, you can encourage each other to grow closer 
to God and hold each other accountable along the way.

Experience God's grace through soliloquy. Edwards uses the term soliloquy
to refer to the practice of speaking directly to your own soul as you hold
it open before God in prayer. When you invite God to show you who you really 
are through soliloquy, you learn more about who He is, and how His grace
can transform you for the better.

Experience God's grace through silence and solitude. Incorporate both 
silence and solitude into your life regularly, because both of these 
practices create
the space necessary for you to practice prayer, meditation, and 
contemplation.

Adapted from
Formed for the Glory of God: Learning from the Spiritual Practices of 
Jonathan Edwards,
copyright 2013 by Kyle Strobel. Published by IVP Books, an imprint of 
InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Ill.,
www.ivpress.com.

Kyle Strobel (Ph.D.,University of Aberdeen) is professor of theology at 
Grand Canyon University and research associate at the University of Free 
State
(Bloemfontein). Strobel previously published
Jonathan Edwards' Theology: A Reinterpretation
(T&T Clark). He blogs at
metamorpha.com.

Whitney Hopler, who has served as a Crosswalk.com contributing writer for 
many years, is author of the new novel Dream Factory, which is available in 
both

FINDING CHRIST IN THE BOOKS OF HISTORY

THE BOOKS OF HISTORY ARE FOUNDATIONAL TO THE BIBLE

Today, may I impress upon your heart that the book you hold in your hands is 
unlike any other in the Universe? And with that truth deeply upon our 
hearts,
in the days ahead, shouldn't we treat it differently, read it diligently, 
wait before it expectantly and from it learn to live triumphantly? There are
three reasons why I believe the Bible is truly like no other book anywhere: 
Because The Bible is Unique; Because The Bible is Powerful; Because The 
Bible
is Divine. Today we are going to examine these three components of the 
Bible's Character, that make the Bible so precious.

I. THE SCRIPTURES ARE CHRIST CENTERED

A. JESUS SHINES FROM EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE. Each reveals 
some truths about our beautiful Lord Jesus. And, there is one that has as 
its
theme and central purpose to unveil and reveal JESUS CHRIST THE LORD. To see 
the central theme of Christ in all the Scriptures look at these verses: 
Revelation
19:10, John 5:39 and Luke 24:27.

B. CHRIST IS SEEN IN THE BOOKS OF HISTORY:

1. In GENESIS He is Creating the Universe. The Scriptures 
are the only reliable source of information on the origin and purpose of: 
universe,
man, sin, nations, covenant and curse. Key Word = GENERATIONS [used 10x in 
book as outline].

2. In EXODUS He is Delivering His People. He is the Way 
out: of Egypt, of sin, of Earth. Key Word = DELIVERANCE.

3. In LEVITICUS He opens the Approach to a Holy God, Who is 
present with His people[1:3 before the Lord 60x in book]; Who demands 
holiness
in His people [11:44; 19:2; 20:7]. Key Word = HOLINESS occurs 93x in the 
book.

4. In NUMBERS He is the Faithful One Dealing with His 
Unfaithful People. Key Word = CHASTENING

5. In DEUTERONOMY He is Seeking Loyalty from His chosen 
people as their PROMISE KEEPER. Key Word = COVENANT which occurs 27x.

6. In JOSHUA He is Commander of the Lord's Army, Leading 
His People in Conquest. Key Idea = OBEDIENCE.

7. In JUDGES He is Chastening His wayward people who follow 
seven specific sin-
salvation
cycles though this book. Key Idea = DISOBEDIENCE

8. In RUTH He is Kinsman to His needy people. Key Word = 
LOYALTY

9. In I SAMUEL - II CHRONICLES He is the Perfect King. IN 
Samuel God Seeks for a Man; In Kings God Sees All; in Chronicles God Saves,
Preserves, Rewards His Own. Key Words = EYES OF THE LORD used 13x.

10. In EZRA He is our Peg in the Holy Place. Key Word = 
RETURNING

11. In NEHEMIAH He is our Sure Foundation. Key Word = 
RESTORING.

12. In ESTHER He is our Unseen Defender. Key Word = PROTECTING.

To continue reading this message on Finding Christ in the Books of History 
please copy and paste this URL into your browser bar: 
http://www.dtbm.org/sermon/finding-christ-in-the-books-of-history-/

For more from Discover the Book Ministries, please visit
discoverthebook.org
and
Listen to Dr. John Barnettat OnePlace.com.

How to Pray for the Soul
John Piper

For thoughtful people, how they pray for the soul is governed by how they 
believe God acts. So, for example, if they believe God changes people's 
souls
so that they make new and right choices, then they will ask God to make 
those soul-changes through evangelism and nurture. But not everybody is 
thoughtful
about the way they pray. They don't think about what view of God is behind 
their praying.

So what I suggest is that we learn first to pray for the soul from the way 
the Bible prays for the soul. If we do that, then our prayers will probably
be good prayers, and in the process we will also learn about how God acts. 
Here is the way I pray for my soul. I use these prayers over and over 
again-for
myself and my children and wife and for the staff and the elders and for all 
the church. This is the meat and potatoes of my prayer life.

The first thing my soul needs is an inclination to God and his word. Without 
that, nothing else will happen of any value in my life. I must want to know
God and read his word and draw near to him. Where does that "want to" come 
from? It comes from God. So Psalm 119:36 teaches us to pray, "Incline my 
heart
to Your testimonies and not to gain."

Next I need to have the eyes of my heart opened, so that when my inclination 
leads me to the word I see what is really there and not just my own ideas.
Who opens the eyes of the heart? God does. So Psalm 119:18 teaches us to 
pray, "Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law."

Then I need for my heart to be enlightened with these "wonders." I need to 
perceive glory in them and not just interesting facts. Who enlightens the 
heart?
God does. So Ephesians 1:18 teaches us to pray "That the eyes of your heart 
may be enlightened."

Then I am concerned that my heart is fragmented and that parts of it might 
remain in the dark while other parts are enlightened. So I long for my heart
to be united for God. Where does that wholeness and unity come from? From 
God. So Psalm 86:11 teaches us to pray, "O Lord, I will walk in Your truth; 
unite
my heart to fear Your name."

What I really want from all this engagement with the Word of God and the 
work of his Spirit in answer to my prayers is that my heart will be 
satisfied
with God and not with the world. Where does that satisfaction come from? It 
comes from God. So Psalm 90:14 teaches us to pray, "O satisfy us in the 
morning
with Your lovingkindness, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our 
days."

But I don't just want to be happy in my own little private world with God. I 
want my happiness to be as full as possible for spreading and expanding for
others. I want to be strong in joy. This will make me durable in the face of 
threats or adversity. Where does that strength and durability come from? It
comes from God. So Ephesians 3:16 teaches us to pray, "That God would grant 
you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power 
through
His Spirit in the inner man."

Finally, I want my strength in Christ to produce good deeds for others so 
that the glory of God will be seen in my life. Who produces these good 
deeds?
God does. So Colossians 1:10 teaches us to pray, "That [we] will walk in a 
manner worthy of the Lord... bearing fruit in every good work and increasing
in the knowledge of God."

All this I pray "in Jesus' name," because God gives these things to my soul 
only because Jesus died for me and removed the wrath of God so that the 
Father
might "freely give me all things" (Romans 8:32).

To remember some of these prayers, I use an acronym - IOUS - almost every 
day in praying for those I love, asking God to give us an inclination to his
Word and not to money or fame or power (Psalm 119:36), and to open our eyes 
to see wonderful things when we read his Word (Psalm 119:18), and to have 
hearts
united in the fear of God rather than fragmented over a dozen concerns 
(Psalm 86:11), and to be satisfied in his steadfast love (Psalm 90:14).

Learning to pray and learning how God acts,

Pastor John

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website:
www.desiringGod.org.

Anna

Her name means: "Favor" or "Grace"

Her character: Married for only seven years, she spent the long years of her 
widowhood fasting and praying in the temple, abandoning herself entirely to
God. A prophetess, she was one of the first to bear witness to Jesus.
Her sorrow: As a widow, she would probably have been among the most 
vulnerable members of society, with no one to provide for her financially or 
to take
care of her if her health failed.
Her joy: That her own eyes beheld the Messiah she had longed to see.
Key Scriptures:
Luke 2:22-38

Her Story

A small bird darted past the Court of the Gentiles, flew up to the Women's 
Court, and then on to the Court of Israel (one of the inner courts of the 
temple,
accessible only to Jewish men). Anna blinked as she watched the beating 
wings swerve into the sunlight and vanish. She wondered into which 
privileged corner
of the temple the little bird had disappeared.

For most of her eighty-four years, she had been a widow who spent her days 
praying and fasting in the temple. Though Anna had walked past the outer 
court
thousands of times, she never failed to notice the warning inscribed in its 
walls in both Greek and Latin: "No stranger is to enter within the 
balustrade
round the temple and enclosure. Whoever is caught will be responsible to 
himself for his death, which will ensue." It was an awesome thing to come 
into
the presence of the Holy One.

Though she could not echo the prayer of Jewish men, who praised God for 
creating them neither Gentiles nor women, she could at least be grateful for 
the
privilege of ascending beyond the Court of the Gentiles to the Women's 
Court, where she would be that much closer to the Most Holy Place. Having 
done so,
she bowed her head, rocking back and forth to the rhythm of her prayers (
Psalm 84:1-3).

Suddenly a voice interrupted her recitation of the familiar psalm. Old 
Simeon, she saw, was holding a baby to his breast, pronouncing words that 
thrilled
her soul: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your 
servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have 
prepared in
the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for 
glory to your people Israel."

Like her, Simeon had lived for nothing but Israel's consolation. Though he 
had not seen, yet he had believed. Anna watched as the child's parents hung
on the old man's words. Then he handed the infant back to his mother, this 
time speaking more softly: "This child is destined to cause the falling and
rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so 
that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce 
your
own soul too."

Anna placed her arms gently around the young mother's shoulders and gazed at 
the sleeping infant. Words of thanksgiving spilled from her lips. Her heart
felt buoyant, her hope unsinkable. More vividly than Jacob, who had dreamed 
of a ladder full of angels, or Moses, who had beheld a bush burning in the
desert, she, Anna, a widow and prophetess from the tribe of Asher, had 
experienced the very presence of God. Her eyes had seen the promised child, 
whose
brilliance would scatter the darkness and bring deliverance for all God's 
people.

Now she too felt like a sparrow soaring freely in the house of God. It no 
longer mattered that she was forbidden entry into the innermost courts of 
the
temple. God himself was breaking down the dividing walls between Jew and 
Gentile, male and female, revealing himself to all who hungered for his 
presence.
That day a child had transformed the Women's Court into the holiest place of 
all.

Scripture doesn't tell us whether Anna ever actually wished she were allowed 
to enter the innermost courts of the temple in Jerusalem. But her longing
for God is obvious. Clearly, she was a woman with a great spiritual 
appetite, who abandoned her life to God and was rewarded by meeting Jesus 
and his parents
just forty days after his birth, during the presentation in the temple.

Her Promise

Anna's life revolved around prayer and fasting in the temple. She evidently 
had no family, no home, no job. Instead, God was her family, the temple her
home, and prayer her occupation. Though you may not have the freedom to 
spend every moment in prayer, as she did, you can be sure the time you do 
spend
is never wasted. If you long to see your Savior, to experience his presence 
in your life, let Anna's devotion encourage you.

Today's devotional is drawn from
Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture
by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. Visit
AnnSpangler.com

Welcome to the Illustrator
Today's Bible Verse:

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are 
mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you 
pass
through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." (Isaiah 43:1b-2a)
By Answers2Prayer


Beneath The Cross Of Jesus

"Tell me what your escape routes were," Rev. David Robertson asked his 
United Church congregation in High River, Alberta, Canada, to begin an 
impromptu
worship service last Sunday. Just over a week earlier, on June 21, 13,000 
residents had been evacuated due to a flood.

"How many of you escaped by car or truck?" He began. About half the hands of 
the church of about 80 people went up. "How many walked out?" He asked as
a few more hands went up. "How many of you escaped by front-end loader?" A 
couple of other hands rose. "Combine?" More hands. "What about a manure 
spreader?"
Laughingly, several more hands moved into the air. Finally, David asked, 
"What about helicopter?" Amazingly two hands indicated removal by 
helicopter.

Then David turned to his wife and co-pastor, Rev. Susan Lukey, and asked her 
to share the amazing story of how she had spent the night of the "flood of
a century" in her High River church "beneath the cross of Jesus".

That morning, Rev. Susan had been working with others in her church. When 
the waters outside grew to the extent that it began to cause real concern, 
the
others made a hasty and safe departure, while Susan tied up some loose ends. 
By the time she had finished and was prepared to leave, it was too late. The
water had quickly become so high that it was no longer possible to open the 
doors against the rising tide.

A quick call to 911 suggested that if she was safe, she should hunker down 
and wait until the flood lessened, when it would be safer to move about. As
the water seeped through the front doors, Susan found a stepladder and put 
it against the highest part of the church -- the choir loft in the 
sanctuary,
right below the cross of Jesus. As the waters rose, Susan climbed the ladder 
to a ledge, about three feet wide, on which the cross sits, and there, she
settled in for a long night, with food, water, and prayer shawls as her 
source of physical comfort, but the cross of Jesus, directly about, her 
spiritual
comfort, as the troubled water splashed beneath her.

Susan reported that she was never really afraid. "I thought that the rest of 
the town was safe and that I would walk out in the morning to my family. I
kept reading over Psalm 29 which speaks of God being enthroned over the 
flood. I still don't totally understand what that means, but it reminded me 
that
God is more powerful than the rising waters."

Psalm 29:3,10 "The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory 
thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. The Lord sits enthroned 
over
the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever." (NIV)

What a great image, with flood waters raging below, sleeping fearlessly 
"beneath the cross of Jesus"!

Isaiah speaks on behalf of God when he says:

Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I 
am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my 
righteous
right hand." (NIV)

Susan made it safely back to her family the next morning, after discovering 
that they, along with the rest of the town, had been evacuated. Since then,
those words of Isaiah have focused her faith day by day, as they should for 
all of us.

Prayer: Loving God, as the troubled waters often swirl around us and 
threaten both our way of living and also life itself, help us to focus on 
You, on
Your love, and on Your peace, for it is those things that get us through the 
long night. Amen.

Rick Potter

Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Thanks to
PresbyCan Daily Devotional

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give."

Experiencing LIFE Today

Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but 
in every leaf in springtime.”Martin Luther

Okay, here's one truth that no one likes to think about too much, 
particularly after watching the latest zombie flick:

Your body will decompose.

Yuck. No need to talk about this one much. Whether your body is cremated, 
put in a casket, or donated to medical science... the result will be the 
same:

All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all 
return. Ecclesiastes 3:20

What happens after that? There are several very popular theories out there 
(but none of them can be backed up with the Bible):

Soul sleep. This is the eternal nap theory. The soul still exists, but 
in death it goes into an unconscious snooze forever.
 Nihilism. I call this the "poof" theory. After death, the soul and spirit 
just kind of evaporate and cease to exist altogether.
 Reincarnation. This is the repeat theory. When any living thing dies, 
its soul goes into other living things actually becoming something else over
and over again in a neverending cycle of life and death.

None of that sounds like a great option, in my opinion. HOWEVER, there is 
definitely a flip side of the coin of death and it's really awesome if you 
know
Jesus Christ personally:

Your spirit will dwell.

For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would 
prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 
5:7-8

This passage reveals the heart of a godly, and yet struggling, man. Paul 
says that he would prefer to be away from the body... he would rather be 
dead.
When the body dies, our spirit is freed from tangible flesh and we can be 
with the Lord at home ”home, where we will be alive and aware, home with the 
Father
experiencing His love without distraction, home where we belong.

Paul had this in perspective and I think it's one of the reasons he lived 
such a free, focused, Paul had this in perspective and I think it's one of 
the
reasons he lived such a free, focused, purpose-driven life. Yes, he knew he 
had good reasons to stay. But he knew from the heart that he would be moving
on to much, much better things, and it gave him the freedom to live 
powerfully and fearlessly while on earth.

Father, conform my perspective of death to the principles of Your Word. 
Release my grip on physical life, which I cannot keep, so I can live freely 
in
light of eternity, prioritizing my days for the things that will last 
forever. Amen.

Listen to Pete, Jill & Stuart Briscoe on the
Telling the Truth broadcast
at OnePlace.com

Today's Daily Encounter

Do It Today

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of
Christ."1

"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good
thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I
can show to any fellow-creature, let me do it now; let
me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this
way again." This timely advice is attributed to Stephen
Grellet, Franco-American Quaker (1773-1855).

John, one of Jesus' disciples, wrote, "Let us stop just
saying we love people; let us really love them, and
show it by our actions."2

Do you need to make a phone call, send a card, or do
something special for your wife, husband, children,
friend, or neighbor? If so, do it today. Do you need to
resolve an impaired relationship? Do it today. Do you
need to take care of that responsibility you've been
putting off for weeks/months? Do it today. Do you need
to tell someone how much you love them? Do it today.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please use me to be as
Jesus to the people in my world. Today. Help me to be a
part of what You are doing in the world. Today.
Whatever loving deeds I need to do or responsibility to
fulfill help me to do it today. Thank You for hearing
and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesusâ€s name,
amen."

1. Paul the Apostle, Galatians 6:2 (RSV).
2. 1 John 3:18 (TLB).

<)))><

NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
Click on:
http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php.
Or
if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ,
please click on
http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php
to note this.

* * * * * * *

Daily Encounter is published at no charge by
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Copyright (c) 2014 by ACTS International.

Where Sin Increased, Grace Overflowed
Ryan Griffith / October 30, 2014
Where Sin Increased, Grace Overflowed

October 31 marks an important day in the history of the church — a day on 
which a monk deeply impacted by his close study of Psalms and Romans was 
propelled
into the center of a revival of Christ-centered joy. So, before you stock 
the candy bowl and prepare to welcome people to your home this Halloween, 
consider
a biblical reality that fundamentally shaped the life of Martin Luther and 
the course of the Reformation.

Luther understood perhaps better than anyone the personal implications of 
Romans 5:20–21.

Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace 
abounded all the more, so that as sin reigned in death, grace might also 
reign
through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Upside Down in Sin

In Romans 5, Paul has been showing the cause and consequence of rebellion, 
sin, and corruption. All humanity has been born “into Adam†— heirs and 
perpetuators
by nature of the sinful rebellion that turned the world upside down. Through 
Adamâ€s act of rebellion, all men stand under the power of sin and the 
corresponding
judgment of death. The many “have died†because of the rebellion of “this 
one†(Romans 5:15).

Humanity, however, is so poisoned by sin that even the sinfulness of sin is 
opaque. While mankind realizes that something is amiss (Roman 1:21–32), we
donâ€t sense the urgent severity of our dying condition. This, according to 
Romans 5:20, is where Godâ€s law figures in redemptive history — shining the
noonday sun of Godâ€s revealed will into our dark lives. The lawâ€s arrival is 
not the solution; it is unable in itself to improve our serious situation.
In fact, it shows that sin is not simply “doing bad things.†Sin is 
rebellion — deliberate offense against a righteous God. The law causes us to 
see our
sin clearly and to realize that our problem is far more serious than we 
thought. The law shows sin for what it is, and where it is — everywhere. 
Anything
not done from faith is sin (Romans 14:23).

Undone by Godâ€s Law

Lutherâ€s own experience testified to the role that the knowledge of Godâ€s 
law plays in highlighting human sin:

I, blameless monk that I was, felt that before God I was a sinner with an 
extremely troubled conscience. I couldn't be sure that God was appeased by 
my
satisfaction. I did not love, no, rather I hated the just God who punishes 
sinners. In silence, if I did not blaspheme, then certainly I grumbled 
vehemently
and got angry at God. I said, “Isnâ€t it enough that we miserable sinners, 
lost for all eternity because of original sin, are oppressed by every kind 
of
calamity through the Ten Commandments?†(
Preface to Lutherâ€s Latin Works)

We have all had similar experiences. We read or hear a text from the Bible 
and realize a habit of heart that we have been cultivating is not only 
unhelpful,
it is explicitly forbidden. Or we identify in ourselves a pattern of life 
described as rebellious by Scripture, seeing for the first time the depth of
offense it is against a holy God. We see our sin as transgression. We are 
undone.

But that, praise God, is not the final word: “where sin increased, grace 
abounded all the more, so that as sin reigned in death, grace might also 
reign
through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ†(Romans 
5:20–21).

Ushered into Grace

The point is that, no matter how deep in the power of sin we have sunk, Godâ€s 
grace is deeper still. The condemnation that Adam brought by rebellion, 
Christ
has overcome by his perfect obedience (Romans 5:19). No matter how deep in 
the power of sin we have sunk in the rebelliousness of our lives, in Christ
grace abounded all the more in order that righteousness, rather than sin 
(and life, rather than death) might have the final word (Romans 5:21). 
Luther
writes,

The Law is a mirror to show a person what he is like, a sinner who is guilty 
of death, and worthy of everlasting punishment. What is this bruising and
beating by the hand of the Law to accomplish? This, that we may find the way 
to grace. The Law is an usher to lead the way to grace. God is the God of
the humble, the miserable, the afflicted. . . . When the Law drives you to 
the point of despair, let it drive you a little farther, let it drive you 
straight
into the arms of Jesus who says: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are 
heavy laden, and I will give you rest.†(
Lutherâ€s commentary
on the parallel passage, Galatians 3:19, pages 129–130)

Lutherâ€s first published hymn captures the beautiful reality of the 
super-abounding grace of God. May his words from “the devilâ€s dungeon†
deepen your
rejoicing in the God of all grace this Halloween.

In the devilâ€s dungeon chained I lay,
The pangs of death swept oâ€er me.
My sin devoured me night and day
In which my mother bore me.
My anguish ever grew more rife,
I took no pleasure in my life.
And sin had made me crazy.

Then was the Father troubled sore
To see me ever languish.
The Everlasting Pity swore
To save me from my anguish.
He turned to me his father heart
And chose himself a bitter part,
His Dearest did it cost him.

Thus spoke the Son, “Hold thou to me,
From now on thou wilt make it.
I gave my very life for thee
And for thee I will stake it.
For I am thine and thou art mine
And where I am our lives entwine
The Old Fiend cannot shake it.
(Luther, Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice,15231524)

Protestantism's Birthday - A New 95 Theses Needed

By Rick Marschall
Special to ASSIST News Service

SWARTZ CREEK, MI (ANS) -- This is Reformation Week, commemorating the 
traditional date of October 31, when the Augustinian monk Martin Luther 
nailed 95
theses -- point-by-point criticisms of contemporary Roman Catholic 
practices -- onto the wooden door of Wittenberg Cathedral in Germany. All 
throughout
northern Europe, churches were the centers of each town's social, as well as 
spiritual, life, and their doors were the precursors of our day's "postings
to your wall."

Everyone in the town square saw Luther's manifesto. It was not startling 
except, perhaps, for its formality and audacity. But Luther had been 
complaining
about practices in the Church for some time: corruption in its operation, 
committing errors in doctrine. And so had many others complained. In other 
German
cities and states. And in Switzerland. And the Netherlands. In northern 
Italy. Even a hundred years earlier, when a dissident Moravian priest, Jan 
Hus,
was burned at the stake. I have stood in reverence before his statue in 
Prague's Old Town Square. And even before Hus, one who protested the ethical 
and
doctrinal corruption in Rome: John Wycliffe, of England. One of his "crimes" 
was translating the Bible into English (the "language of the people," 
instead
of Latin), as Luther later dared to do with his German translation.

For all the brewing opposition to the Vatican, the Reformation, if not 
Reformed theology, is popularly regarded as having begun with Luther, and 
specifically
on that day in 1517 when he nailed those 95 indictments to the church door. 
That is because a dam burst, metaphorically, in the Catholic Church, in 
larger
Christendom, in society, in politics, in the arts, on all cultural levels. 
Half the German princes opposed the Pope's political and military 
prerogatives,
as well as papal ecclesiastical authority. After Hus's martyrdom, major 
social upheavals led to Bohemia soon becoming 90 per cent Hussite (today's 
Moravian
church) or other variety of Protestant.

So the 95 Theses were the spark that lit a bonfire, but there were burning 
embers and brushfires aplenty for two centuries previous. Also, the times 
were
right for a revolution like the Reformation. Rome's corruption was 
outrageous; extra-biblical doctrines were offending the pious; and, 
hand-in-hand with
the ideas behind the Renaissance, men were learning to think for themselves. 
And act for themselves; and organize, and trade, and read, for themselves.
Literacy: a few centuries earlier, Luther's manifesto would have a been a 
paper with meaningless scribbles to passersby. On that Sunday, however, the 
theses
were read, and devoured, and discussed. The Pope was furious when he was 
told that Luther's tracts were best-sellers of the day in Germany.

It is frankly the case that the revolution that Luther sparked was not fully 
intended by him. He did not want to break away from the Catholic Church, 
least
of all have a denomination named for him. He scolded his followers who 
stormed Catholic churches and knocked over statues ("idols," to them). 
But... he
was excommunicated. For a time he was hidden by protectors because the 
Church wanted him dead. He married a former nun, settled into a life of 
preaching
and writing (many volumes!) and preaching "sola Scriptura" (Scripture Alone) 
as the basis for faith, and for salvation.

His era's handmaidens, Renaissance thought, humanism, and neo-Classicism, 
were not particularly welcome movements to Martin Luther. If anything he was
closer to Orthodoxy, at least in rejecting "modern" trends in theology. He 
went so far as to say that "Reason is the enemy of Faith." Rem ember, he 
relied
on "Scripture Alone." Ironically, he was especially venerated during the 
Enlightenment because (despite some history books claiming the period to be 
one
of liberation from the Bible) Newton and others saw scientific discoveries 
as explaining God, not marginalizing Him. So Luther, father of the 
Reformation,
was not the first of the Moderns, but the last of the Medievalists.

In spite of Luther -- or, rather, an inevitable component of the Protestant 
Reformation -- social and political freedoms were unleashed. Literacy 
spread,
and as people split from the church they increasingly asserted their civil 
rights too. In a very real sense, we can say for convenience's sake if not 
dramatic
effect, that Western civilization was one way before Oct 31, 1517; and 
another way afterward. With Martin Luther, formally, on that day, began the 
battle
of the individual against authority, the primacy of conscience over 
arbitrary regulations.

Those battles continue, of course. But blessings flowered... and malignant 
seeds sprouted to o. Democracy has led to social disruption and 
near-anarchic
relations between classes and nations. With broken ecclesiastic authority, 
public morality has degenerated. And as denominations have multiplied, their
influence has virtually evaporated in Western culture and in the United 
States.

It can be said -- and has been said, frequently -- that the Roman Catholic 
Church brought the Reformation onto itself. Perhaps (for instance) some of 
the
mistresses and illegitimate children of Popes would have a say in that 
discussion. The widespread device of selling "indulgences" still stands as a 
major
offense: common people were persuaded to pay money to guarantee that their 
dead ancestors would be delivered from torture in Purgatory (despite the 
fact
the Bible does not say that we can have influence of the souls of the 
departed. or even that there is such a place as Purgatory). Yet an 
enterprising priest,
Tetzel, invented a rhyme, "When a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from 
Purgatory springs." Much of this was a scheme to build and de corate St 
Peter's
in Rome. Clever venture capitalism, bold entrepreneurial management, 
perhaps; but rotten theology.

Very specifically, these vile offenses confronted Luther when he travelled 
on foot from Germany to the Holy See on a mission. He was aghast at the 
corruption,
decadence, sin, money-grubbing, and countless heresies -- not in the city of 
Rome, but in the Vatican itself. A biographer of Luther wrote, "the city,
which he had greeted [from afar] as holy, was a sink of iniquity; its very 
priests were openly infidel and scoffed at the services they performed; the
papal courtiers were men of the most shameless lives."

Let me fast-forward 500 years, and let us ourselves enter the Holy See of 
Protestantism (as it were) and assess what Reform has brought to the Church 
of
Jesus Christ, those portions of the Body.

Do we see denominations inventing and "discovering" their own doctrines? Do 
we see churches bending their theology in order to fill the pews? Do we see
widespread moral failings in the clergy -- everything from pedophilia to 
homosexual encounters? Do we see story after story in the news about 
financial
shenanigans? How many churches wallow in obscene opulence, as the poor live 
in their shadows? How many charities are shams; how many mission outreaches,
we learn with sad hearts, are looted? How often are "modern" sins excused by 
the heretical lies of relativism in the church? How have seminaries become
breeding-grounds of Progressivism; why are entire denominations denying the 
divinity of Christ, the existence of Absolute Truth? What is this 
extra-biblical
"Prosperity Gospel"? -- when preachers procure "seed-faith" offerings, and 
offer "prayer hankies" to customers who are assured of God's blessings -- 
HOW
is that different from selling indulgences?

Racing through that list, you will recognize problems that are endemic to 
this or that denomination; sometimes still the Catholic church; mainstream 
or
evangelical Protestants; Pentecostal or post-modern; "Seeker" or emergent. I 
believe that the Christian churches of contemporary Europe and A merica 
might
grieve the Heart of God no less than the corrupt Church of the Popes 500 
years ago.

We need a New Reformation. We need "Scripture Alone" as our guide again. We 
need holy indignation from the remnant of faithful followers of Jesus 
Christ.

I intend to compose a New 95 Theses (knowing that a list of problems with 
today's churches could be a larger number!). I will be writing more, as I 
compose
this, but as I look for hammer and nails to post them, or publish them, I 
invite readers to nominate some of the practices in today's churches that 
need
reforming. We ARE Christ's representatives here on earth; and a royal 
priesthood of believers. We have a responsibility. And let us be guided by 
Martin
Luther, in one of the greatest moments of human history. Hauled before a 
court of the Holy Roman Empire, condemned by the Pope himself, threatened 
with
excommunication and death, ordered to renounce his thoughts and denounce his 
books and sermons... nevertheless he was defiant in opposition: "Here I 
stand.
I can do no other. God help me."

A mighty fortress is our God.

+ + +

Two clips. The first is the dramatic confrontation, and Luther's dramatic 
defense, at the Council in Worms, Germany, that presumed to judge him. From 
the
classic black-and-white, award-winning biopic starring Niall MacGinnis. The 
second clip is a signature performance, a cappella, by Steve Green, singing
before thousands. "Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also; The body 
they may kill: God's truth abideth still, His Kingdom is forever!"

Click:

"Here I Stand -- I Can Do No Other!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=2xQsCtpcj_E

Click:
The Reformation's Battle Hymn, composed by Luther; sung by Steve Green
https://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=eqpB8S38kg8
Share
See all ASSIST News articles at
www.assistnews.net
----------------------------------------------------------
This story is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily 
reflect the views of the ASSIST News Service or ASSIST Ministries.

A NORVELL NOTE by Tom Norvell
- http://www.anorvellnote.com

A Norvell Note
Vol. 17 No. 37 September 15, 2014
Bad Connection

Father, our connection is bad. It is my fault. Naturally! I am always the 
one who pulls away. I am the one who chooses to disconnect. You are never 
far
from me and you never disconnect from me.
You are always there waiting to hear from me. Waiting to offer me help. 
Waiting to fill me with Your Spirit. Waiting to listen to the concerns of my 
heart.
Waiting to remove the stains on my heart that have been put there by sins 
that I have committed. You are waiting to wipe those stains away. Waiting to
offer me a safe place to unload the burdens that I insist are mine to bear. 
You are always there waiting. Yet, from my perspective it seems as if I am
the one waiting.
Waiting for You to do something. Waiting for You to show me the way. Waiting 
for You to give me the answer I am looking for. Waiting for Your direction
on the path I should take or the decision I should make. Waiting to hear a 
clear message from You. Waiting to hear Your voice. Waiting for the other 
voices
to grow quiet so I can hear Your voice. Waiting for things to work out the 
way I want them to work out. Waiting for You to change people that I cannot
change. Waiting for You to make the wrong things right.
Father, our connection is bad. It is my fault. Naturally! I am always the 
one who chooses a different course. You are always walking nearby, or 
sitting
nearby, or abiding nearby. I am the one who walks away.
You are always longing for me to come back to You. You are always looking 
for me to turn around. You are always inviting me to come to You. You are 
always
the One asking me to be still. You are always reminding me that You are 
close by putting a sunset in the sky, a bird on my window sill, or a child 
in my
arms. You are always telling me that You love me. You are always providing 
me opportunities to do good things, to help people in need, and to love 
people
who need to be loved. You are always offering me the freedom to just be me. 
You are always waiting with open arms for me to come home. Yet, it seems 
like
I am always searching.
I am always searching for affirmation that I am loved. I am always searching 
for the better way. I am always searching for a place to rest. I am always
reaching for the more exciting adventure. I am always straining to achieve 
more. I am always wanting more. I am always dreaming bigger. I am always 
pushing
harder. I am always wearing myself out. I am always preparing for the next 
thing. Trying harder to do life better.
Father, our connection is bad. I know it’s my fault. Thank You for not 
giving up on me and for wanting to stay connected with me. I am working on 
it.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2014. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Of Cats and People
(By Michael Newnham)

Lord, this cat you gave me... she just doesn't listen.

-I told her the rains were coming...she goes out anyway
and comes back soaked.

-I told her not to lay in weeds...yet everyday she comes
in and expects me to pull all the stickers out of her fur
....from laying in the weeds.

-I told her that as much as it's up to her to be at peace
with all cats...yet she expects me to tend to her wounds
from the fights she is always in.

-She embarrasses me in front of the neighbors by instigating
disputes with their cats...she thinks she owns the whole block.

-She is constantly doing what she ought not to do and suffering
the consequences.

-Worse, she seems to blame all her misfortunes on me...at least
she expects me to deal with all the results of her disobedience.

I always do, but she never seems to learn.

-Furthermore, Lord...she has never missed a meal, but when she's
hungry she yowls as if she hasn't had a meal in weeks.

She makes it sound as if I'm a negligent and cruel father.

The truth is that I always feed her and even give her treats.

Just wanted you to know...

-To top it all off, she is often distant and ignores me until
she wants attention or me to provide something.

-This cat makes me feel used.

-Sometimes I wonder if she loves me, or just loves what I can give her.

-It's a pretty one sided relationship.

-Despite all of this, I love the cat and I've chosen to keep her.

-Lord, that makes no sense, but I know you'll understand...

...Make your own application...

- By Michael Newnham (via Laugh & Lift)

Mary, The Mother of Jesus

Her name means: "Bitterness"

Her character: She was a virgin from a poor family in an obscure village in 
Galilee. Her response to Gabriel reveals a young woman of unusual faith and
humility. Her unqualified yes to God's plan for her life entailed great 
personal risk and suffering. She must have endured seasons of confusion, 
fear,
and darkness as the events of her life unfolded. She is honored, not only as 
the mother of Jesus, but as his first disciple.
Her sorrow: To see the son she loved shamed and tortured, left to die like 
the worst kind of criminal.
Her joy: To see her child raised from the dead; to have received the Holy 
Spirit along with Christ's other disciples.
Key Scriptures:
Matthew 1:18-25
;
2
;
Luke 1:26-80; 2:1-52
;
John 19:25-27

Her Story

She sat down on the bench and closed her eyes, an old woman silhouetted 
against the blue Jerusalem sky. Even the wood beneath her conjured images. 
Though
she could no longer recall the exact curl of his smile or the shape of his 
sleeping face resting next to hers, she could still see the rough brown 
hands,
expertly molding the wood to his purposes. Joseph had been a good carpenter 
and an even better husband.

These days the memories came unbidden, like a gusty wind carrying her away 
to other times and places. Some said drowning people see their lives unfold
in incredible detail just before they die. Age had a similar effect, she 
thought, except that you could relive your memories with a great deal more 
leisure
…

A cool breeze teased at her skirts as she balanced the jug on her head, 
making her way toward the well. A stranger, she noticed, was approaching 
from the
opposite direction. Even in the dusky light, his clothes shone, as though 
bleached bright by the strongest of fuller's soap.

"Greetings," he shouted, "you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

No Nazarene, she was sure, would ever dare greet a maiden like that. But 
with each step his words grew bolder, not softer, rushing toward her like 
water
cascading over a cliff:

"Do not be afraid, Mary….
You have found favor with God….
You will give birth to a son….
He will be called the Son of the Most High….
The Holy Spirit will come upon you….
Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in
her old age."

Wave after wave broke over her as she listened to the angel's words—first 
confusion and fear, then awe and gratitude, and finally a rush of joy and 
peace.
Her whole being drenched in light. Then she heard more words, this time 
cascading from her lips, not his:

"I am the Lord's servant.
May it be to me as you have said."

Though the angel departed, Mary's peace remained. The Most High had visited 
the lowliest of his servants and spoken the promise every Jewish woman 
longed
to hear: "You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to 
give him the name Jesus. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father 
David,
and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never 
end." The moon hung like a smile in the night sky as Mary lifted the 
brimming
buckets and began walking across the fields. As the water swayed and 
splashed to the rhythm of her movements, she realized that she too felt full 
and satisfied—as
though she had just finished a favorite meal. Questions, she knew, would 
come with the morning. For now, it was enough to look up at the stars and 
know
that God was at work shaping her future.

...

"Mama, Mama," he yelled, running toward her, chubby arms flung out 
beseechingly.

"Jesus, what is it now, child?" she smiled, scooping the chunky boy into her 
arms before he could topple over in the usual tangle of arms and legs. But
he was all kisses, squealing and nuzzling his curly head against her breast, 
as though to bury himself in her soft, warm flesh. She sighed contentedly.
How many mothers had she known? But none had adequately described the sheer 
wonder of a child—the laughter, the constant surprise, the tenderness. Not
to mention the fear and worry that were also part of the bargain.

But this was no time to entertain such thoughts. The men from the East had 
recently left. How strange these Magi seemed, with their tales of a star 
that
had led them all the way to Bethlehem in search of a new king. They had 
bowed before her dark-eyed child, laying out their treasures of gold, 
incense,
and myrrh—as though paying homage to royalty. One morning, however, they had 
packed in haste, saying only that a dream had warned them to return home 
without
reporting news of their successful search to King Herod. Even the mention of 
that king's name had filled her with dread. Bethlehem lay just six miles 
south
of Jerusalem—dangerously close to the man who had murdered his own children 
out of jealousy for his throne. How would such a ruler respond to rumors of
a child-king in Bethlehem?

Two nights ago Joseph had shaken her awake, shushing her with details of the 
dream he had just had: "Mary, an angel appeared to me. We must leave before
sunrise. Herod plans to search for our child and kill him!"

Now they were on their way to Egypt, reversing the steps of Moses, Aaron, 
and Miriam, who had led her ancestors to freedom so long ago. Mary wondered,
as they rested, if they would ever see their homeland again.

...

"Woman," he breathed the word softly, painfully, through lips encrusted with 
blood, his lean arms flung out on either side of him, as though imploringly.
The palms of his hands were pinned with spikes. He looked at her first and 
then at the young man standing beside her. "Here is your son." The words 
came
haltingly.

Then to the man, he sighed: "Here is your mother."

She wanted to reach for him with all the might of her love, to bury his 
sorrow in her breasts, to tell him he was the son she needed most. Would not 
the
God who pitied Abraham also pity her? Would he allow her to suffer what even 
the patriarch had been spared—the sacrifice of a child? All her life she had
loved the God whose angel had spoken to her, calling her "highly favored." 
But how could a woman whose son was dying on a Roman cross ever consider 
herself
"favored"?

Suddenly her own words came back to her, as though a younger version of 
herself was whispering them in her ear: "I am the Lord's servant. May it be 
to
me as you have said."

The midday sky had blackened, but she could still see her son's twisted form 
on the cross, his eyes searching hers. Thorns circled his forehead in the
shape of a crown, a crude reminder of the sign the Roman governor had 
fastened to the wood: "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."

She thought of the Magi and their priceless gifts. The gold and incense, 
royal treasures that had helped them survive their stay in Egypt. She had 
always
wondered about the myrrh. Now she knew—it was embalming oil for the king the 
wise men had come to worship.

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" His cry pierced her. The earth 
shook violently and she fell to her knees, barely able to complete the words
of the psalm for the man who hung dead on the cross:

O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, and am not silent….
But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by men and despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads….
Yet you brought me out of the womb;
you made me trust in you
even at my mother's breast.
From birth I was cast upon you;
from my mother's womb you have been my God….
They have pierced my hands and my feet.
I can count all my bones;
people stare and gloat over me.
They divide my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing.
But you, O Lord, be not far off;
O my Strength, come quickly to help me….
You who fear the Lord, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! …
Future generations will be told about the Lord.
They will proclaim his righteousness
to a people yet unborn—
for he has done it. —
Psalm 22

By the time Mary opened her eyes, the setting sun had turned the city into a 
golden land. She smiled, wiping the tears from her wrinkled face. How true
the angel's words had been. No woman from Eve onward had ever been blessed 
as she, the mother of the Messiah, had been. Yes, the past was alive inside
her, but it was the future that filled her with joy. Soon, she would see her 
son again and this time it would be his hands that would wipe away the last
of her tears.

Today's devotional is drawn from
Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture
by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. Visit
AnnSpangler.com

Today's Turning Point with David Jeremiah
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Today's

Turning Point
Friday, September 12

Worshiping in the Darkness

I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises 
to You.
Psalm 138:1

Recommended Reading
Job 42:1-6
The nineteenth-century South African pastor and writer, Andrew Murray, was 
feeling unwell one day when a woman came seeking his advice about a 
difficult
situation in which she was involved. Unable to see the woman in person, he 
wrote down a few paragraphs on paper for his housekeeper to give to the 
woman.
The last line he wrote was a summary for her to believe: "I am here (1) by 
God's appointment, (2) in His keeping, (3) under His training, (4) for His 
time."

In short, Andrew Murray gave his visitor four reasons for worshiping God 
even in times of trouble. If we are where we are by God's appointment, in 
His
keeping, under His training, for His time, what could we possibly have to 
worry about? Those four points are usually what we think when things are 
going
well, when we really feel like worshiping God. But if they are true all the 
time, even when things are hard, why wouldn't we worship God in those times
as well? We agree with Job: "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not 
accept adversity?" (Job 2:10)

We don't worship God because things are good or otherwise. We worship Him 
because of His sovereign oversight and care for our life.

Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light.
V. Raymond Edman

Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah
Copyright © 2014 Turning Point for God. All rights reserved.
Turning Point, P. O. Box 3838, San Diego, CA 92163

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Life is full of Choices

Our Precious Lord
Saturday, September 13, 2014

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am 
your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will 
uphold
you with My righteous right hand.”
– Isaiah 41:10 NASB
Thomas Dorsey grew up in a Christian home in Georgia. His father was a 
pastor, and his mother was a church organist. He displayed considerable 
keyboard
skills even as a boy, but turning his back on his Christian upbringing, he 
could not resist the attraction of secular entertainment.
In 1910, when he was only 11, he took a job at a local theater. In 1917, he 
left for Chicago, where he became known as the “whispering piano player,” 
able
to play quietly at parties in order to avoid police attention
This lifestyle eventually took its toll, leading to a nervous breakdown when 
he was 21. Recuperating back home, his mother encouraged him to turn to God.
But he returned to Chicago, gaining renewed prominence. Finally, after 
experiencing a second breakdown, he took her advice, renewed his commitment 
to Christ,
and began writing Gospel music.
Then, in August 1932, his wife and son died during childbirth. Dealing with 
his grief, he wrote the song, “Take My Hand, Precious Lord.” Dorsey wrote,
“Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am 
weak, I am worn; through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the 
light.”
God sustained him during this ordeal, and he wrote, “The night draws near, 
and the day is past and gone.” He felt God’s presence, holding his hand.
The message of this song is true for anyone going through difficult 
circumstances. As Thomas Dorsey learned, God is with us in every situation. 
In your
life, remember that you do not have to fear. He is with you, to help and 
sustain you. Call on Him, and give Him your burdens. He will show you the 
way.
Today's Inspiration Prayer

Today's Inspiration Prayer

Father, I commit these situations to You. Thank You for being with me. Thank 
You for holding my hand. Thank You that I can trust in You. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Further Reading: Isaiah 41

Inspiration Ministries
3000 World Reach Drive, Indian Land, SC 29707
+1 803-578-1899 US | 0845 683-0580 UK
www.inspiration.org

One Bad Apple

In the late 1970’s my hometown, Erwin, Tennessee, started a festival which 
is now our annual Apple Festival which occurs the first weekend of October. 
That gets me to thinking about apples around this time of year. You may have 
heard the phrase, “One bad apple spoils the whole bunch.” That is what 
happened after the walls of Jericho come a tumblin’ down. God had told the 
Israelites just what to do. That included just taking the items He had told 
them to take to be used for God’s service. What happened?

Joshua 7:1 (NLT)
1 But Israel was unfaithful concerning the things set apart for the Lord. A 
man named Achan had stolen some of these things, so the Lord was very angry 
with the Israelites. Achan was the son of Carmi, of the family of Zimri, of 
the clan of Zerah, and of the tribe of Judah.

No one was to take anything for himself. Achan did not obey. God didn’t say 
that Achan was the only one responsible, God was blaming all the Israelites. 
They next went up against the small city of Ai. They said there would be no 
problem with this city but because of the sin of Achan they were defeated. 
Not only this but because of what Achan did, God commanded for all his 
family and animals to be stoned and burnt. What a terrible price to pay for 
one man’s sin.

Achan hid the things he had stolen. He was pretending to be a good 
Israelite. He probably thought that it was just a little stuff that he took 
and it didn’t matter. One can fool others but cannot fool God. God does not 
take sin lightly. Innocent people suffered because of what Achan did.

Achan excused his sin but we need to examine ourselves daily to see if we 
might be the bad apple in the barrel. Then we should not excuse what we have 
done wrong but should deal with it.

Is there someone in your local congregation that looks like a Christian and 
comes all the time but is continuing in something that is not pleasing to 
God? They may not think what they are doing is detrimental and they may make 
excuses for what they do but God doesn’t like it. That one person can stunt 
your church. Innocent people will be affected. You will be affected by their 
living in sin. Achan’s relatives didn’t know what was going on until they 
were stoned to death. The effect on the church may not be as drastic but 
there will be an effect.

It is not popular to preach against sin today. Most preachers you hear on 
radio and television try to build people up instead of coming against sin.

1 Peter 4:17 (NCV)
17 It is time for judgment to begin with God’s family. And if that judging 
begins with us, what will happen to those people who do not obey the Good 
News of God?

WE do not condemn anyone but we can judge by their fruits as to where they 
stand. One place Paul says not to have anything to do with these people that 
they might turn from their sins. Paul did recommend that the Corinthians 
throw one person out of their church but then asked that same church in his 
second book to the Corinthians to let that person in since he had repented 
of his sin.

One bad apple does spoil the bunch in some way. Ask God to lead you by his 
Holy Spirit in what to do with the bad apples in your midst.

by Dean W. Masters
Owner of the Master's List


Be There to Respond
Robbie Seay / September 6, 2014
Be There to Respond

The only way to understand the Psalms is on your knees, the whole 
congregation praying (singing) the words of the Psalms with all it’s 
strength. – Dietrich
Bonhoeffer

I love coffee.

I love strong coffee.

All of you who prefer a mug of two-thirds cream, I bring no judgment. I was 
you at one time. But these days I’m looking for coffee that mirrors motor 
oil
and bites your lip when you take a sip (though to clarify: the taste has no 
resemblance to motor oil). I almost repent for how much I look forward to 
the
coffee when my church community gathers. Our coffee is especially excellent 
(and strong). There’s even a Texas Pecan option. How very annoyingly Texan
of us, I know.

The Morning Off

Since I’m a worship pastor it’s not so often that I have the opportunity to 
stand beside our people in worship. On a typical weekend, I’m holding a 
guitar
and leading in worship upfront. However, a few weeks ago, I had the morning 
off from leading. So I grabbed a cup of coffee and made my way in to worship
with my family alongside our community.

As we began to sing that day, I suddenly found myself standing with coffee 
in one hand and my iPhone in the other. It didn’t seem odd to me at first. 
Maybe
I was so conditioned to having two hands on an instrument that the idea of 
holding onto something during worship wasn’t too strange.

But I soon noticed an older man during one of the songs drop to his knees. 
He didn’t make a big deal out of it. He didn’t holler or distract anyone. He
dropped to his knees and raised his hands as he sang. All the while, his 
worship pastor (me) sat two rows behind him, hands occupied with coffee and 
a
gadget. I was the professional worship leader guy and yet here was this man, 
an engineer I believe, leading me in worship. It wasn’t based on a set of
rules or guidelines reserved for a particular time in the gathering. He 
encountered God as he worshiped with other believers — and so he responded.

Knelt Down, Hands Raised

The Psalms give us two reoccurring physical responses to God: Lift your 
hands and kneel down.

“Come let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our maker!” 
(Psalm 95:6)

“But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. 
I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.” (Psalm 5:7)

“So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my 
hands.” (Psalm 63:4)

“Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!” (Psalm 134:2)

Because of the cross, these invitations to worship are not part of a formula 
or ritual that grants us access to God. They become honest, outward 
expressions
of an inward surrender to God.

Pressing In

As you gather this Sunday with the people of God, hopefully you greet one 
another in the name of Jesus, and perhaps even have a good cup of coffee. 
But
more than that, hopefully you’ll celebrate the grace and love of Jesus 
Christ. Rejoice in the salvation that God has made yours by way of the cross 
and
resurrection of Jesus. Know that the Spirit of God is with you, that he 
speaks through God’s word, that he intercedes for you according to God’s 
will (Romans
8:27).

And whether you are a worship leader or an engineer, a teacher or 
businessman, a student or a nurse, let’s together put down the phones, and 
put down the
coffee, and let’s press into God’s grace and be moved by it. Let’s be there 
to respond.

Jumping into Risk

"Men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." -
Acts 15: 26

Oh yeah, baby. Jumping off things is in our DNA. It took me about two 
seconds to come up with my short list of things that I used to love jumping 
off as
a young boy. The roof into a cold pool, trampolines, the swings, jumping 
into risk for the simple thrill of it.

It’s not a mystery that Jesus used the parable of a little boy to answer 
this question. “Who’s the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Imagine being a 
first
generation man looking on, wondering the same thing. “What can I do here 
that will make me significant up there with God.” Jesus looked at his guys 
and
new exactly what message to send.

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said, “I tell 
you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will
never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore who ever humbles himself is the 
greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:2-4)

Risk is in the DNA of every man, put there by and for God. You many have 
misplaced it, neglected it, misused it, but it is time to get it back. It is 
time
to do something great for God with it right now.

Is He omnipotent or impotent? Sovereign and aloof, omnipresent and available 
or high and lifted up or familiar, punitive or kind, faithful or flaky, 
loving
or vengeful, just or unjust, able or unable to make a difference, creator or 
kill-joy?
Lord, am I taking any risk at all? Thank you for faith building risk?
Featured Sermon rom LghtSource.com
Bob and Audrey Meisner
My New Day
© 2014 Salem Web Network. All rights reserved. 111 Virginia Street, Suite 
500, Richmond, VA 23219.

10 Commandments for Becoming You
Nicki Koziarz

The bathroom mirror seems to be the culprit of these types of conversations 
within me. I stand there day after day bushing hair, examining wrinkles and
blemishes, looking into my tired-worn-out eyes, while wondering… who are you 
really becoming?

The truth is, these days I’ve let too much noise in. Understanding who I am 
becoming feels hard to determine. I feel stuck, like there’s a me trying to
get out, but I find myself living in the leftovers of so many life 
situations.

I guess I always assumed that by the age of thirty-four I would know exactly 
who I was and where I was going.

But now it seems most days I’m not sure I will ever arrive at that confident 
place.

And so, as I try to unstick my life process today, I’m thinking through what 
it really means to become … me.

I’m giving myself these permissions, these orders, these Ten Authenticity 
Commandments so to speak… to help me stay true to myself while becoming 
myself.
Maybe if you are feeling a little lost today they might speak to you too…

1.You shall live as though life is a process of becoming.

This process of discovering who we really are isn’t something we simply 
awaken to one day. Life’s peaks, valleys and plateaus all lead us through 
this
process. While life has a start line and a finish line, much of the 
in-between isn’t so definable. But each day has something to offer in the 
shaping
of our souls.

2.You shall pay close attention to the people you are surrounding yourself 
with.

That saying, “you become most like the five people you spend the most amount 
of time with,” it’s true. Do you leave the company of those five people 
feeling
inspired and better about yourself or anxious and fearful of everything you 
said? Choose your five wisely.

3.You shall embrace where you are not where you wish to be.

Life is short. Assume today is all you get. We cannot really live by chasing 
the “one-day” scenarios. What if this is it?

4.You shall have permission to change your mind.

That color you thought you would love until the grave and now you hate it? 
It’s ok to change your mind. That job you worked so hard to get but now your
just not sure? It’s ok to change your mind. Living as you is messy and 
complicated. It’s ok to change your mind, even more than once.

5.You shall do something each day that makes you feel alive.

We will lose ourselves no faster than when we stay in the cycle of busy and 
go. What is it that makes you feel alive? Is it snapping a picture? Feeling
dirt beneath your feet? Watching the sunset or rise? Is it laughing until 
your core hurts? Press pause on busy and make a mad dash each day towards 
those
things that make you feel alive.

6.You shall not believe the life you live is second best.

No matter how small someone makes you feel, what the world screams you need 
more of or the lack of something you have today, this life is your life and
it’s the number one life for you. And it’s a great life —if we see it that 
way.

7.You shall keep your excuses in check so they will not become reasons to 
stay the same.

There will always be things you need to work on. Staying healthy, having the 
right thoughts, working harder, working less… there is always room for 
personal
improvement.

8.You shall love your peculiarities rather than try to hide them.

The way you snort when you laugh. Your expressions on selfies. How you 
narrate your dogs life. The way you slurp spaghetti noodles. Your really 
bizarre
Starbucks order. These are the beautiful things that make you, you.

9.You shall love yourself in a way that reflects Gods love for you.

Those moments where you just don’t like yourself? They will come. But 
remember, love covers a multitude of wrongs. [Proverbs 10:12] Give yourself 
grace.
Grace for your failures, grace for the bent places in your life, grace for 
the process of becoming you.

10.You shall stay in the shadow of someone long enough to learn what you 
must learn but then you must move to your own sunlight.

There is a time to learn, a time to sow, and a time to grow. But then there 
is a time to shine your light and help others find their own. Know when your
season of shadow is done.

What about you? Which of these do you need the most in your life right now? 
I’d love to hear what’s going on with you in the comment section today.

Featured Sermon
from LghtSource.com Chuck Swindoll Insight for living 
Someday
by Charles R. Swindoll

Philippians 4:11-13

SOMEDAY WHEN THE KIDS ARE GROWN, things are going to be a lot different. The 
garage won't be full of bikes, electric train tracks on plywood, sawhorses
surrounded by chunks of two-by-fours, nails, a hammer and saw, unfinished 
"experimental projects," and the rabbit cage. I'll be able to park both cars
neatly in just the right places, and never again stumble over skateboards, a 
pile of papers (saved for the school fund drive), or the bag of rabbit 
food---now
split and spilled. Ugh!

SOMEDAY WHEN THE KIDS ARE GROWN, the kitchen will be incredibly neat. The 
sink will be free of sticky dishes, the garbage disposal won't get choked on
rubber bands or paper cups, the refrigerator won't be clogged with nine 
bottles of milk, and we won't lose the tops to jelly jars, catsup bottles, 
the
peanut butter, the margarine, or the mustard. The water jar won't be put 
back empty, the ice trays won't be left out overnight, the blender won't 
stand
for six hours coated with the remains of a midnight malt, and the honey will 
stay inside the container.

SOMEDAY WHEN THE KIDS ARE GROWN, my lovely wife will actually have time to 
get dressed leisurely. A long, hot bath (without three panic interruptions),
time to do her nails (even toenails if she pleases!) without answering a 
dozen questions and reviewing spelling words, having had her hair done that 
afternoon
without trying to squeeze it in between racing a sick dog to the vet and a 
trip to the orthodontist with a kid in a bad mood because she lost her 
headgear.

SOMEDAY WHEN THE KIDS ARE GROWN, the instrument called a "telephone" will 
actually be available. It won't look like it's growing from a teenager's 
ear.
It will simply hang there . . . silently and amazingly available! It will be 
free of lipstick, human saliva, mayonnaise, corn chip crumbs, and toothpicks
stuck in those little holes.

SOMEDAY WHEN THE KIDS ARE GROWN, I'll be able to see through the car 
windows. Fingerprints, tongue licks, sneaker footprints, and dog tracks 
(nobody knows
how) will be conspicuous by their absence. The back seat won't be a disaster 
area, we won't sit on jacks or crayons anymore, the tank will not always be
somewhere between empty and fumes, and (glory to God!) I won't have to clean 
up dog messes another time.

SOMEDAY WHEN THE KIDS ARE GROWN, we will return to normal conversations. You 
know, just plain American talk. "Gross" won't punctuate every sentence seven
times. "Yuk!" will not be heard. "Hurry up, I gotta go!" will not accompany 
the banging of fists on the bathroom door. "It's my turn" won't call for a
referee. And a magazine article will be read in full without interruption, 
then discussed at length without mom and dad having to hide in the attic to
finish the conversation.

SOMEDAY WHEN THE KIDS ARE GROWN, we won't run out of toilet tissue. My wife 
won't lose her keys. We won't forget to shut the refrigerator door. I won't
have to dream up new ways of diverting attention from the gumball machine . 
. . or have to answer "Daddy, is it a sin that you're driving forty-seven in
a thirty-mile-per-hour zone?" . . . or promise to kiss the rabbit goodnight 
. . . or wait up forever until they get home from dates . . . or have to 
take
a number to get a word in at the supper table . . . or endure the pious 
pounding of one Keith Green just below the level of acute pain.

Yes, someday when the kids are grown, things are going to be a lot 
different. One by one they'll leave our nest, and the place will begin to 
resemble order
and maybe even a touch of elegance. The clink of china and silver will be 
heard on occasion. The crackling of the fireplace will echo through the 
hallway.
The phone will be strangely silent. The house will be quiet . . . and calm . 
. . and always clean . . . and empty . . . and filled with memories . . .
and lonely . . . and we won't like that at all. And we'll spend our time not 
looking forward to Someday but looking back to Yesterday. And thinking, 
"Maybe
we can babysit the grandkids and get some life back in this place for a 
change!"

Could it be that the apostle Paul had some of this in mind when he wrote:

I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. (Philippians 
4:11)

Maybe so. But then again, chances are good Paul never had to clean up many 
dog messes.

Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share My Hope, Copyright © 1985, 1988, 
1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by 
permission.
© 2014 Insight for Living. All rights reserved worldwide.

Overriding Your To-Do List
LEAH DIPASCAL

"But Jesus told him, 'Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I 
plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.'"
Luke 9:62
(TLB)

I was a woman on a mission and nothing was going to stop me. Or, so I 
thought.

With an over-ambitious mindset and a determined heart, I clutched my lengthy 
to-do list as if it were a sacred antidote for life.

Having much to accomplish and only a few hours to spare, I whipped into a 
parking spot and made a mad dash towards the front doors of my local 
convenience
store.

On the way in, I noticed a group of people staring at something on the 
ground. Avoiding the distraction, I shifted my direction and headed towards 
another
set of doors on the opposite side of the store. Then the unexpected 
happened.

A nudge. A knowing. A whisper in my heart: "Go over to the crowd."

At first, I dismissed it as curiosity. A random thought that needed to be 
ignored. But then it dawned on me ... I wasn't curious at all. In fact, I 
was
much more interested in getting in, getting out and going my own way.

I'm not involved, so it's not my problem.

Then I sensed the whisper again: "Leah, I want you to go over there."

With a smile on my face and joy in my heart, I made a beeline for the crowd. 
NOT. Instead, it went something like this: Heavy sigh. Slow turn. Unsettled
feelings.

I recognized God's nudge, and I wanted to obey. Really, I did. But, another 
part of me just wanted to keep walking.

This distraction is going to throw off my schedule and keep me from 
accomplishing what I need to get done today. It's probably nothing.

Reluctantly making my way back across the parking lot, I approached the 
crowd and saw a man on the ground. A heavy concoction of sweat, alcohol 
fumes and
stale smoke filled the air.

Glancing at his tattered clothes and swollen feet, I noticed the scratches 
on his arms and face.

His eyes were swollen shut, and he wasn't moving. The crowd stood silently 
staring at his body. I couldn't tell if he was breathing, but I could hear 
the
faint sounds of an ambulance in the distance.

Help was on its way, so I could now be on my way. Then the whisper came 
again: "Kneel down and pray for him."

Seriously Lord ... kneel down? Here in the parking lot? Can't I just stand 
here and pray silently for him? All these people will think I'm a weirdo. 
Besides,
help is coming.

"Kneel down and pray for him."

So I did. Kneeling down next to the man, I stretched out my hand and gently 
placed it on his shoulder. I began to pray out loud. No one else said a 
word.

At first it felt awkward. Uncomfortable. Crazy. But then I felt someone's 
hand rest gently on my shoulder. Within moments, a woman bent down next to 
me
and placed her hand on the sick man's arm. Another hand extended. Another 
voice responded to the prayers.

In just a few seconds, this unlikely mix of strangers transformed into a 
powerful prayer group. Right in the middle of a busy convenience store 
parking
lot. An unwanted distraction became a divine appointment.

No one objected. No one walked away. We continued to pray until the 
paramedics arrived, treated the man and left for the hospital. As the sirens 
faded
into the background, I stood there astonished at what God had just done in 
our midst.

Had I ignored the whisper I would have missed out on the miracle. I could 
have overlooked the distraction, but I would have missed my divine 
appointment.
My "important" schedule paled in comparison to what I had just experienced: 
God tying hearts together and weaving a beautiful blanket of prayer over one
of His broken children.

In the midst of the ordinary, God breathed the extraordinary ... all within 
a circle of strangers willing to be distracted for a moment in time.

Did you wake up this morning with a long to-do list and an ambitious 
mindset? When distractions come your way, try pausing for a moment to see if 
God is
unwrapping a divine appointment for you. It may be disguised as ordinary 
circumstances. But as you peel back the layers, whispering "Yes Lord, I'll 
obey,"
you will no doubt experience His presence and glory!

Lord, thank You for entrusting me with divine appointments, and let my 
answer to Your call always be yes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Jeremiah 7:23b,
"Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you." 
(NIV)

Philippians 2:13,
"... for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill 
his good purpose." (NIV)

Welcome to the Illustrator
Today's Bible Verse:

"And the King will reply, 'truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the 
least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" (Matthew 
25:40)

By Answers2Prayer
I saw Jesus Yesterday

I saw Jesus yesterday!

He asked me for a tissue to blow his nose.

But I was too busy to give him one.

Oh, my excuses were many.

But Lord, It was 6:00! I had already worked an 11 hour day! There were 
nurses around! One of them could have given Jesus His tissue!

God's answer was immediate: "Let your light so shine before men, that they 
may see your good works and glorify your father in Heaven." (Matt 5:16)

But Lord, I was already an hour late sending out the Nugget! I just couldn't 
take the time . . .

"For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than 
burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6, NIV2)

Oh, but Lord, I still had charting I had to do before I could finally go 
home! Rob was waiting at home for supper! As it was, we didn't eat until 
6:45!

"For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave 
me nothing to drink," (Matthew 25:42, NIV2)

But I still wasn't done: Lord, I truly didn't know it was You . . . All I 
could see was a patient sitting in the hallway . . . If I had only known . .
.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, 
you did not do for me." (Matthew 25:45, NIV2)

I saw Jesus yesterday, but when He asked me for a tissue, I turned and 
walked away.

"And the King will reply, 'truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the 
least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" (Matthew 
25:40,
NIV2)

Think about it!

Lyn Chaffart

Announcement:

I want to thank our dynamic group of volunteers for making a difference in 
this world. Thanks to them, we can provide you with the many aspects of this
ministry. God is our guide and He blesses others through you! If any of our 
subscribers feel called to possibly reach out to others, please let me know.
There is still a need for more volunteers! Many are called, but few answer 
the call. Your part would mean a lot to the Lord's work. If interested,
please contact us.
Thank you.

©Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely 
give."

3622 cdd The Confrontation

Monday September 8, 2014

Volume 15 Number 186
Today's Author: Pastor Bill

Scripture: Galatians 2:11b
"I had a face-to-face confrontation with him because he was clearly out of 
line" MSG

It was the first day of school. Everyone looked their best with new clothes 
and full of stories about the past summer. The sun was high in the sky as 
Jake
and his group of under classmen stepped out of the front door. The pack of 
six starting walking down the steps toward the parking lot when they we 
confronted.
Not the whole group --- just Jake.

It was a friend from the past who stepped out and shouted, "Hey Christian." 
Jake knew the voice immediately and turned face to face with Thomas. The two
had parted ways a few years back with Jake walking with the Lord and Thomas 
walking as far away from Christianity as his demons would take him.

Now standing on the school steps Thomas yelled into his face pointing a 
finger at him. "Hypocrite, yes hypocrite. I know what you were doing all 
summer.
I was watching you from afar. And if you were on trial for being a 
Christian --- sad to say you would be acquitted."

Then in a tirade heard by the gathering crowd --- Thomas staring Jake in the 
eyes --- started in a very loud voice:

"You say that your God is almighty. You say that He is an all loving God who 
sent His only Son Jesus to die on the Cross for the sins of man. You say 
Jesus
was raised from the dead. You say that Jesus created the heavens and the 
earth. You say that through faith in Jesus Christ I could have a whole new 
quality
of life. You say a life with peace, love and joy. You say my life with Jesus 
would have purpose and meaning ending in eternal life."

Then Thomas turned toward the burgeoning crowd.

"I say all that is a lie and you know it. I say if you really believed it 
you would pay any price to tell everyone who would listen. I say that what 
you
claim is the greatest news the world has ever heard. I say it couldn't be 
true or you would be more enthusiastic about it. I say if you believed what 
you
say you believe, you would sell everything you have and use every resource 
at your command to reach the largest possible number of people with this 
good
news."

Jake stood listening with all eyes from the enlarging crowd on him. Each 
word was like a dagger in his back. He and Thomas had been the best of 
friends
for years. How could this have happened?

Silence --- you could hear a gentle breeze rustling through the trees. Jake 
turned to face his friends and now about 250 people who had gathered to see
what the confrontation was all about.

Jake finally spoke: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is my best friend and 
colleague for Christ, Thomas. In less than 200 words you just heard the 
entire Gospel
of the Lord Jesus Christ. I for one am all in for Jesus. And as Thomas said, 
"If I believed what I believe, I would sell everything I have and use every
resource at my command to reach the largest possible number of people with 
this good news."

Today in front of everyone here --- this begins. My thoughts, hopes, dreams, 
ambitions, finances, relationships and future are all tethered to Jesus 
Christ.
If you want to know more Thomas and I will remain here to discuss the most 
important decision of your life. We are here to tell you this good news.

And the Christian drama club had just completed their first assignment --- 
Draw a crowd on campus and tell them the Good News of Jesus Christ in less 
than
200 words.

Prayer: Father thank you for those who will stand up to be counted for 
Christ in all situations. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Pastor Bill Team Prayer:

Father please bring 1............. 2............. 3.............. into your 
kingdom.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Copyright (c) 2014
Pastor Bill Christian Cyber Ministries

Other People Might Think I'm Crazy
TRACIE MILES

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the 
least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"
Matthew 25:40
(NIV)

It was a record-setting day, with the temperature reaching three digits. I 
was on the verge of whining when I saw a frail, exhausted and obviously 
pregnant
woman at the edge of the busy highway, wearing long sleeves and pants that 
hung from her tiny body.

She was walking with her head down, despair evident in her posture. And 
despite my initial reaction to keep driving, my heart wouldn't listen.

I sensed God tugging at my heart to help her, but as my hands gripped the 
steering wheel, excuses gripped my mind. I'm already late to pick up my 
daughter
up from practice. It's dangerous to pick up strangers on the side of the 
road. Other people might think I'm crazy if I stop to help. Someone else 
will
help her.

But God's voice continued speaking to my heart, reminding me of the passage 
in Matthew 25:40: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least
of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

God's pull to turn around was stronger than my excuses to keep driving, so 
despite my hesitations, I did it anyway.

I made a U-turn, pulled up slowly beside her and asked if she needed help. 
She was hours from home and her car had run out of gas. The nearest station
was five miles away, and she had no way to get to the gas, physically or 
financially. I realized both she and her unborn child were in danger lost — 
in
every sense of the word.

The truth is, all too often I get busy with life and neglect to see those 
who may need a helping hand, a warm hug, a shoulder to cry on or a tank of 
gas.
But if I really want to follow Jesus and make an earthly — and possibly 
eternal — difference in another person's life, I need to care for those 
Jesus called
the "least of these."

This helpless woman was the "least of these" Jesus mentioned in Matthew 
25:44-46. In this passage, Jesus told the crowd a story about a king to 
teach them
the importance of caring for those the world dismissed.

Jesus explained when they cared for others, they were also caring for Him. 
Their actions to love the "least of these" were equivalent to serving the 
Savior.
The faithful ones who showed compassion and exhibited a love for others were 
the ones to inherit His kingdom.

Unfortunately, society hasn't changed much. In fact, there are more lost and 
needy people in the world today than ever, and Jesus' instructions to love
the least of these are as important today as they were then.

When we exhibit sacrificial empathy, tenderness, kindness and compassion, 
His light shines through as we extend to others the grace and mercy He's 
extended
to us.

On this particularly hot day, I paused to help a young woman in need. It did 
seem like a risky decision; I was late in picking up my daughter. And when
I had arrived at her practice with a total stranger in the passenger seat, 
some people did think I was a little crazy. But God's greater purpose is 
always
worth the sacrifice.

How different might the world be today, if we allowed God's whispers to 
drown out opinions of naysayers, or voices in our minds telling us not to 
help
those in need? Or when God calls us out of our comfort zones, if we'd put 
aside our inhibitions and commit to being His hands and feet?

After returning this sweet lady back to her car with a tank full of gas, she 
waved at me with a big, thankful smile and quietly uttered the words, "God
bless you."

But in my heart, I knew He already had.

Lord, give me Your eyes to see those in need and Your heart to reach to out 
to them. Bless me with the ability to serve You by serving others. Help me
develop a heart like Yours. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Philippians 2:3-4,
"Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of 
others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own 
interests, but
take an interest in others, too." (NLT)

Proverbs 3:27,
"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to 
help them." (NLT)


Today's Turning Point with David Jeremiah
Forward Email to a Friend

Today's

Turning Point
Tuesday, September 9

Singing Confuses the Enemy

When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to 
the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out 
before
the army.
2 Chronicles 20:21

Recommended Reading
2 Chronicles 20:18-30
Cliff Barrows, worship leader for the Billy Graham Crusades, tells how his 
father, an avid Gideon, traveled to Rangoon years ago. The area was under 
oppression
and Gideon Bibles had been removed from hotels. While there, he met with 
local Gideons who were trying to restore the Bibles. During the meeting, 
Barrows
had difficulty following the discussion because two men were singing hymns 
just a few yards away. Finally he asked, "Why are those men singing while 
we're
trying to have this meeting?" The local Gideon replied, "Because this room 
is bugged, and the singing confuses the enemy who is trying to listen to 
us."

Listen to Today's Radio Message
"There's a spiritual lesson in that," says Cliff. "When we sing, it confuses 
the enemy and allows the Lord's work to proceed."1

When we're discouraged, attacked, or faced with unanswered prayers, singing 
a song of triumph brings us back into focus, allowing us to express our 
thanks
to God for who He is.

The great hymns of the faith are continually flooding my mind. I revel in 
trying to recall their words.
Cliff Barrows

1Robert J. Morgan, Then Sings My Soul: Book 3 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 
2011), 282.

Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah
Copyright © 2014 Turning Point for God. All rights reserved.
Turning Point, P. O. Box 3838, San Diego, CA 92163

Dean Masters, owner of the Masters List

Living a 'Normal life' with MS from a Christian Perspective

By Chris Tatevosian
Special to ASSIST News Service

HOLLISTON, MASSACHUSETTS (ANS) -- Hi, My name is Chris Tatevosian and like 
you or someone you know, I have multiple sclerosis. Today I live to lift 
people's
spirits and help them to live a great life post diagnosis.

Chris Tatevosian in his wheelchair

I was diagnosed with MS in 1980 when I was a freshman in college and for the 
next 15 years, I had relapsing remitting disease with sporadic ups and 
downs.
Somewhere in the early 1990s, the disease became secondary progressive and 
in 1995 I began using a wheelchair.

The reality is that I have MS, and those of us with this disease is have two 
choices.. One, we can either think about what we can do, or two, we can 
think
about what we can no longer do. No matter what, this is our new reality. As 
difficult as our hardships maybe, it really is our choice how we choose to
go on living.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest 
(Matthew 11:28 -- NIV)

The first choice involves changes and adjustments to our new life, which 
will allow us to go on living and enjoying the life we have. smiling, even 
laughing.
Yeah, it's not what any of us expected, but life throws us curves every day. 
Sometimes it is as simple as locking our keys in the car, having the power
go out, or breaking a fingernail, so we adjust and continue our day.

Chris and his sisters (Michelle left, Lynn right) in 1990) on Martha's 
Vineyard, Massachusetts

I know the problems resulting from MS are not as trivial as breaking a 
fingernail or sitting on your eyeglasses, which I have done several times. 
How about
joking about the situation, which may not be funny at the time, but when you 
look back a lot of times the trials and situations we find ourselves in can
be hysterical.

For example, I got stuck on the soapy shampoo covered floor of the shower. 
Trying to extricate and up right myself from that situation was like an 
episode
of the Dick Van Dyke show - "Oh, Rob!" Well, I am aging myself I know, but 
if you're too young to remember or have seen the show, with today's 
technology
that's an issue easily rectified, or you can just visualize Bambi trying to 
stand up on a slippery ice covered pond.

I repeat again, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will 
give you rest (Matthew 11:28 -- NIV)

Chris (1983) with compromised balance and other invisible symptoms of MS 
standing on the bow of a friend's boat in Quick's Hole, Cape Cod, 
Massachusetts

The second choice is a life of despair, worry, and loss. Either way, if you 
are a believer and are truly walking the walk and not just talking the talk
as they say, you have eternal life in Christ. Remember, God has a plan for 
your life. MS does not present a stumbling block for our Savior. Do you 
think
that He is surprised by or taken back by the introduction of MS to our 
lives? Come on, our God, the great I Am, the Messiah, He who knows all that 
was,
is, and will be. He was the Victor and we are victorious in Christ Jesus.

The Apostle Paul wrote, "I consider that our present sufferings are not 
worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8: 18, 
NIV)

Remember, God is in control. For example, I remember back in the mid-1980s, 
keeping in mind that I was diagnosed with MS in 1980, I was out at a dance
club one night and I asked a young woman who I had never met if she would 
like to dance. She kindly said yes. After dancing to a few songs the young 
woman,
Liz, joined me at my table. My fir st statement went something like this, "I 
apologize for stumbling out on the dance floor. You see, I have MS". I was
surprised when Liz began to laugh, and so I said, with a smile, "Oh, you 
find that amusing?," to which Liz responded, "No, I have MS too."

Book cover

Turns out, at that time we both had been living with the invisible symptoms 
of MS. It turned out that Liz and I ended up dating for several years. So 
when
you hear people say, "God works in mysterious ways" know that it's true.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, 
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4: 6 NIV)

Both Liz and I were living with 99.9% invisible MS and we thought those 
trials and tribulations were difficult. I remember people thinking I was 
drunk,
which of course, I was not!

Looking back on those symptoms (dragging my right foot when I was tired, 
unsteadiness, numbness in my right hand. bladder urgency), I have to laugh 
at
what I saw as hardship.

Chris Tatevosian in a recent picture

Today I live with reduced sensation over 80% of my body, bladder issues 
worthy of an indwelling catheter, visual problems, lack of depth perception, 
nystagmus,
blurriness, missing portions of my visual field and shaky vision. All of 
which makes driving a real-life video game.

As someone who is legally blind, I had to stop driving in 1995. I'm also 
living with intention tremor, dizziness, cognitive issues made worse by heat 
and
stress and the big one -- I've been using a motorized wheelchair full-time 
since 2006.

And, who knows what the future holds. Yet, through all of this I know that I 
am truly blessed. Again, who knows what the future holds. Trust in God, and
with hope and faith we shall persevere.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own 
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight 
your paths
(Proverbs 3:5-6 -- ESV).

God knew what we were before MS and He knows while I have MS, and although I 
don't kn ow what the future has in store for us, what I do know is that the
Word of God says that He will not forsake us.

Now if we are children, then we are heirs -- heirs of God and co-heirs with 
Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share
in his glory (Matthew 8: 17 - NIV)

So here you have it. Our bodies maybe weak, but we can take comfort by 
knowing with are heirs of God and we can share in his glory!

----------------------------------------------------------

Chris Tatevosian grew up in Holliston, Massachusetts and graduated college 
in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and a minor in Chemistry. He 
received
a graduate certificate in adult education, from Trinity College prior to 
commencing his career in the field of Occupational Safety and Health. 
Stepping
back, in 1980 as a freshman in college, Tatevosian who was now an avid skier 
who had played baseball, hockey and was on the varsity wrestling team in 
high
school was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Chris resides in Southern New 
England and has written his life story in his book, Life Interrupted, It's
Not All About Me, which can be ordered at
www.amazon.com/Life-Interrupted-Its-Not-About/dp/1606045636/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409432668&sr=8-2&keywords=Life+Interrupted%2C+It%27s+Not+All 
+About+Me.
For more information, or to order a signed copy, go to his web site,
www.lifeinterrupted-nolonger.com/



How to Become the Good News Person You’re Meant to Be
Whitney Hopler

Editor's Note: The following is a report on the practical applications of 
Lance Ford’s new book
Revangelical: Becoming the Good News People We’re Meant to Be
(Tyndale, 2014).

The word “evangelical” means someone who brings good news. But in American 
culture today, that word is bad news to many people, who view evangelical 
Christians
as judgmental, bigoted, mean, and angry. Too often, evangelicals lecture 
others on the right beliefs without showing others how God – the source of 
all
love – is at work through their lives. They preach at people without 
building relationships with them. They’re known primarily for negative 
opinions: what
they’re against rather than what they’re for. Then evangelicals wonder why 
people don’t respond well to the Gospel (“good news”) message they 
communicate.

You can be the kind of evangelical that Jesus Christ intends: Someone whose 
life truly communicates the good news of the Gospel, inspiring others to 
seek
God. Here’s how:

Replace the “avoiding hell” Gospel with the “kingdom of heaven” Gospel. 
Instead of reducing the Gospel message down only to letting sinful people 
know
how they can avoid hell, embrace the Gospel in its entirety so you can show 
people how the kingdom of heaven is at work around them right now – and 
inspire
them to join that kingdom. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a fresh 
perspective on the Gospel so you can see that it’s much more than just a 
plan of salvation
for the afterlife; it’s a message that should affect the way you live every 
part of your life here and now.

Cast out fear with love. Ask God to give you his perfect love to cast fear 
out of your mind when you think about non-Christian people. Replace an “us 
versus
them” mentality that pits Christians like you against nonbelievers with an 
attitude that recognizes that we’re all sinners and God loves everyone 
completely
and unconditionally. Instead of focusing on how you can protect yourself and 
your
family
from other people who are ungodly, focus on how you can reach out to ungodly 
people with love that inspires them to change.

Seek to live your life as Jesus would live if he were you. Evaluate your 
worldviews, attitudes, and actions against those you seek Jesus 
demonstrating
in the Bible. When you see differences, confess and repent of the ways that 
you’re failing to represent Jesus accurately to other people. Moving 
forward,
embrace what Jesus embraces and put away what he scorns so you can build 
your life around Jesus’ values – decision by decision – and grow to be more 
like
Jesus.

Recommit yourself to your primary identity. If you’ve allowed your identity 
as an American citizen to overtake your focus on your primary identity (as
a citizen of God’s kingdom), reorient your life so you’re basing your 
decisions only on how Jesus leads you – rather than on your cultural or 
political
ideals. Stop categorizing people according to anything less than their 
identities as God’s children.

Build friendships with people whose viewpoints and lifestyles differ from 
yours. Don’t make snide or belittling comments – either in person, or online
– about people with whom you disagree, such as Muslims, homosexuals, and 
abortion rights campaigners. Keep in mind that Jesus would speak of every 
person
with kindness, not meanness. Rather than isolating yourself from people who 
differ from you, reach out to get to know them better and seek to understand
their opinions. Spend time with these “others” whom you meet at work and in 
your neighborhood. Share meals, entertainment, hobbies, and sporting events
with them. Listen and learn from them. In the process, you can show them the 
reality of Jesus’ love working through you, if you relate to them with no
other agenda than simply being their friend.

See yourself as someone whom God has sent to your neighborhood. Accept your 
God-given mission to represent Jesus to the people who live in your area, by
embodying his Gospel message through the way you live. Every day, ask the 
Holy Spirit to show you specific ways that you can be a good news person 
right
in your neighborhood. Show hospitality to your neighbors, pray for God’s 
will to be done in their lives, and serve them in practical ways (such as 
helping
them with yard work).

Work for the common good through social action. Since the Gospel of the 
kingdom of heaven is God’s idea of how human society should function on 
Earth,
it’s crucial to get involved in social action efforts as part of your “good 
news” lifestyle. Campaign at both the grassroots and policy levels for 
causes
such as empowering poor people; taking care of creation; protecting the 
sanctity of life helping vulnerable people such as the elderly, the 
disabled, and
refugees; seeking racial reconciliation; etc. Support social justice through 
your lifestyle, by focusing on the common good rather than on just you and
your own family. Reject materialism and live simply, as Jesus did, so you 
can fully use your talents and treasures to help others. Get rid of 
materialistic
obstacles to that goal, such as by paying off debt, downsizing your home, 
and donating possessions you don’t need to people who do truly need them.

Become a peacemaker. Jesus calls all of his followers to be peacemakers 
because that reflects the nature of God, who wants every person He has made 
to
live in peace with himself and all of creation. Pray regularly for the 
ability to be a peaceful influence on every challenging situation you 
encounter.
Follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance in all of your relationships, so that even 
the most difficult ones will be marked by peace rather than hostility and
vengeance. Forgive the people who hurt you, and ask the people you have hurt 
to forgive you. Rather than just believing in peace, behave peaceably.

Adapted from
Revangelical: Becoming the Good News People We’re Meant to Be,
copyright 2014 by Lance Ford. Published by Tyndale Momentum, a division of 
Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Ill.,
www.tyndale.com.

Lance Ford is a cofounder of the
Sentralized conferences.
With more than two decades of experience as a pastor and church planter, 
Lance is a writer, coach, and consultant who has designed unique training 
systems
currently being used by networks, seminaries, and leaders throughout the 
world. His passion is to help churches and leaders as they develop 
lifestyles
of living on the mission of the gospel. Lance holds a master's degree in 
global leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. He coauthored the book
Right Here Right Now: Everyday Mission for Everyday People
with Alan Hirsch. His other books include
UnLeader
and
The Missional Quest.
Lance serves on the national leadership team for the Forge America missional 
training network.

Whitney Hopler, who has served as a Crosswalk.com contributing writer for 
many years, is author of the Christian novel
Dream Factory,
which is set during Hollywood's golden age. Follow her on Twitter 
@WhitneyHopler.

Publication date: August 20, 2014

Welcome to the Nugget
September 4, 2014
Who You Need to Be
By Answers2Prayer


"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that 
suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, 
hope.
And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out 
into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." (Romans 
5:3-5)

My Dad gave me a few of my Grandma's old photo albums the other day. When I 
looked through them it was like taking a step back in time. It was so 
incredible
to see my brothers, my Mom, my Dad, and my Grandma all looking so young. And 
on some pages I even saw a smiling six year old boy with my face staring up
at me in sweet innocence.

I wondered what that boy would think if he could see what would happen to 
him during the next 40 years. He would have his home burn down in the middle
of the night and lose everything he owned before he was 12. As a young man 
he would watch his Mom fight a losing battle with cancer and die far before
her time. He would see his Grandma slowly lose her health and her memories 
to dementia before passing away as well. He would graduate college but still
struggle financially for many years because he refused to move away from the 
family and community he loved. He would have two sons who everyday must live
with the challenges of Autism. He would deal with daily physical pain from 
an injured back. And he would suffer emotional pain too from all he had lost
and all he had gone through. Yet, in spite of it all he would look back on 
the life he had lived so far and thank God for it, because it had helped him
become who he needed to be.

Just as God writes straight with crooked lines, He also takes the many 
twists and turns in our lives and uses them to help us to become the people 
we were
meant to be. Without all of that pain, struggle, and loss I would never have 
become who I am now. I would never have been able to love as deeply, to help
others as much, or to appreciate life as fully as I do today.

When I look at that boy in the pictures I wouldn't trade a second of his 
life. Even when his heart was broken again and again he never walled it up 
from
the world. Instead he allowed his love to flow freely through the cracks. 
Every time he stumbled and fell along the way he took God's hand, rose up, 
and
tried again. And no matter how difficult the path he traveled got, he still 
walked it with a loving heart and a joyous spirit.

No matter what you have gone through in this life, no matter how many 
troubles you have faced and agonies you have suffered know that God can use 
them
all for good. God can ease your heartaches with wisdom. God can heal your 
pain with love. God can temper your trials with joy.

God can help you to help others as well. God can guide you to become the 
person you needed to be in this life and in the life to come.

By Joseph J. Mazzella

Announcement:

FREEDOM FROM FEAR Fear of heights, fear of being alone, fear of pain, fear 
of close spaces, fear of death ... This world if riddled with paralyzing 
fear.
This all important series will be tracing fear back to its roots, defining 
it, and providing tips for complete "Freedom From Fear!" Check it out at by
clicking
here!

©Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely 
give."

Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - A Word With You

A Word With You
Daily Devotional
The Harvest Hang-Up - #7215

Our oldest son worked as a missionary among young people in a Native 
American tribe in the Southwest. His first few days there he ended up 
helping a Native
American man weed his corn field. The tribe lives in a place where it's 
pretty tough to grow anything. I mean, corn is the most important crop, but 
it
doesn't come easily because they're in a place where you can only get about 
10-12 inches of rain a year.

Well, they have perfected a method called dry farming. It means a lot of 
back-breaking work. One key is getting the weeds out of that garden before 
they
can steal some of the corn's precious moisture. Well, that's what my son was 
doing for this man. At the end of a hard, hot afternoon he said to the 
farmer,
"How much of your corn are you actually going to be able to harvest?" And 
the man said, "Oh, about 10%." To which my son replied, "Oh, man, after all 
this
work, that's too bad. What happened?" And he said, "Well, I'll tell you 
where I lose most of my crop." The answer was surprising.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The 
Harvest Hang-Up."

Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Matthew 9, beginning at 
verse 36. Oh, by the way, that farmer told my son, "I could harvest it all 
if
I only had a few more workers." Jesus knows that feeling. The Bible: "And 
when He saw the crowds He had compassion on them, because they were harassed
and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, 
'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the 
harvest,
therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.'"

Jesus said, "the harvest is plentiful." He's talking there about lost 
people; people without Christ. When I talk to farmers about what the word 
harvest
means to them, you know what the first word is they'll bring up? "Ready." 
Yeah, it's ready. That's what harvest is. We're surrounded by lost people, 
then,
who are ready for Jesus. The harvest is plentiful. You say, "Well, they 
don't seem very interested in Jesus to me."

That's only because they don't know what Jesus can do.

Relationships these days have never been more broken, more disappointing, 
more unfulfilling. Loneliness has never been more rampant, more incurable. 
It
seems like the future's never been this uncertain. Families are tough. The 
pain is wide spread. There's fertile ground there for the love that only God
can give you; the peace that only He can give you, the security, the power, 
the healing.

They're ready, but there's a problem. The laborers are few. Jesus can't get 
His people to go get them. That's the harvest hang-up! Not the harvest of 
lost
people; that's not the problem. It's the apathy of God's people. There are 
not enough workers!

What a tragic reason to lose the harvest; to let people slip into a 
Christ-less eternity. But right now God is trying to send workers out to His 
harvest
field - maybe you. Could it be that you've gotten so comfortable in the 
farmhouse that you've forgotten the urgent need of the lost people out 
there? A
lot of us are just sitting around tables, passing around another helping of 
spiritual blessings while the harvest dies.

Maybe you've become preoccupied with your own pressures and problems. In the 
days of Haggai, the prophet, he said, "My house (God speaking) remains a 
ruin
while each of you is busy with his own house." Could it be God's agenda, the 
lost people His Son died for, have gotten lost in your agenda?

Could it be you feel inadequate to tell people about Him? But God decided 
you were the one to be His personal representative in that circle of people.
He's going to give you the words. He's going to open the doors. Harvest time 
will not wait for you. Your wait is over.

Time is short. This is urgent stuff! Harvest always is. You've got a limited 
amount of time to bring in what's ready. You have nothing more important to
do than this.

My heart broke when I heard what that farmer had said, "I could harvest it 
all if I had a few more workers." We're not harvesting corn. No, we're 
harvesting
ever living, never dying souls. Would you step up to the task today and say, 
"Lord, you can bring in a few more, because You've got one more worker."
Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc. · P.O. Box 400 · Harrison, Arkansas 72602 · 

Unfulfilled Desire
by Sarah Phillips

"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, 
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do 
everything
through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4: 12 - 13

"For a long time I have not belonged to myself since I delivered myself 
totally to Jesus, and He is therefore free to do with me as He pleases." ~ 
St.
Therese of Lisieux

Do you have unrealized desires? They have a way of burning up our insides, 
don't they? Perhaps you wish to be married, but year after year remain 
single.
Or you wish for children, but remain childless. Or maybe you want to write 
books, but never make any headway.

Confusion and despair over unrealized desires feel the most intense when 
they seem natural and God-honoring. Doesn't the Lord want me to be married? 
Didn't
He place in me this desire to be a pastor? Didn't God give me these gifts? 
So why do all the doors remain closed?

I've been noticing a theme lately in the stories of revered Christian 
heroes. Most of them had personal desires that were put on hold or even went 
completely
unfulfilled - at least from the outside observer's perspective. Some of 
these desires seemed especially holy.

Take St. Martin of Tours for example. From an early age, this Christian 
convert's sole desire was to be a monk. But the laws in 4th century Rome 
required
him be a soldier - an occupation that did not suite him well. Even after 
the military finally released Martin, his plan to dedicate his life to 
solitary

prayer
never played out as he hoped. Martin's unique spiritual wisdom drew crowds 
to him and ultimately, the beloved monk was ordained a Bishop against his 
wishes.

St. Therese of Lisieux is another example. This French beauty from the 19th 
century longed to be a Carmelite nun and a missionary. While Therese's first
desire came true at the early age of 15, her second never did. At 22, 
tuberculosis limited her to her French convent.

Why does God allow some desires to go unfulfilled? There's no simple answer 
to that question, however, I think it's fair to say that when good desires
lay dormant, God does important work through us that might not otherwise 
have been possible. Paul articulates this when he is torn between two holy 
desires:
a desire for heaven and a desire to continue to build up the Church on 
earth. Through eyes of
faith,
he sees how God can work through both outcomes.

I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is 
better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 
Convinced
of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for 
your progress and joy in the faith
Philippians 1: 23 - 25

The same peace we see in Paul can be found in the stories of countless 
Christians who set their personal preferences aside.

In her autobiography
Story of a Soul,
St. Therese reflected, "God cannot inspire unrealizable desires. I can, 
then, in spite of my littleness aspire to holiness." Therese recognized that 
her
earthly desires really boiled down to a desire for God, and while her 
personal limitations frustrated her, they did not limit God's work in her 
life. Therese
spent her remaining two years on earth "in the mission fields" by praying 
for and corresponding with missionary priests who drew much strength from 
her
support.

St. Martin of Tours also accepted God's calling with peace in his heart. He 
made an excellent Bishop in spite of his introverted ways. The key to his 
contentment?
His love for God enabled him to love needy souls more than his solitary 
lifestyle.

While it's hard to accept that our personal desires sometimes have to be put 
on hold, it's also incredibly freeing. I think if you had a chance to speak
with Paul, Therese, or Martin they'd all agree that life is much more 
fulfilling when the Creator of the Universe is in control instead of our 
little selves.
What desires can you hand over to Him today?

Intersecting Faith & Life: What dreams have been put on hold in your life? 
Think of ways God has worked for good in your waiting. Write down one (or 
more)
blessings you may not have received had your original dreams come true.

Further Reading

James 4: 1

Psalm 37: 4

Welcome to the Illustrator
Today's Bible Verse:

"For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the 
Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to
give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action." (2 
Corinthians 9:2)
By Answers2Prayer

The Most you can Do

The Summer of my eleventh year was a wonderful time of joy and innocence. My 
days were spent riding my bike, walking in the bright green woods around my
home, swimming in the crystal clear river that ran by my house, playing in 
fields full of wild flowers, and looking up at the clouds. I wished those 
lazy,
peaceful days would last forever. But then it all changed.

It happened in the middle of the night when I heard my grandmother scream. A 
fire had started in her room and was rapidly spreading through our house.
We all ran outside with only the clothes on our backs. I watched in shock as 
fire devoured our home. There was nothing left.

That night I went from a happy and carefree child to a homeless and scared 
one. The following days were a blur. I didn't know what the future would 
hold.
All I could feel was fear.

Thankfully, good friends took us into their home, fed, and clothed us. One 
night around their dinner table my Mom thanked them for all they were doing
for us. Smiling, her friend said, "Honey, it was the least we could do." 
Later they began to share old stories and laugh. It was then that I smiled 
for
the first time in days and felt the fear finally fading from my heart.

Looking back on that time thirty five years ago, I now see that it wasn't 
the least they could do. The least would have been nothing at all. Instead 
they
opened their home and their hearts to us. They shared their food and their 
kindness. They helped us to start over when we had lost everything. They 
helped
a scared boy to feel safe, loved, and happy again.

The next time you are given an opportunity to help another then don``t just 
do the least you can do. Do the most you can do instead. Give from your 
heart.
Share from your soul. Live a life that makes Heaven smile. God put us here 
to love each other, to feed each other, to help each other, and to make this
world a better place for everyone. That is the most we can do.

Joseph J. Mazzella

Announcement:

I want to thank our dynamic group of volunteers for making a difference in 
this world. Thanks to them, we can provide you with the many aspects of this
ministry. God is our guide and He blesses others through you! If any of our 
subscribers feel called to possibly reach out to others, please let me know.
There is still a need for more volunteers! Many are called, but few answer 
the call. Your part would mean a lot to the Lord's work. If interested,
please contact us.
Thank you.

©Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely 
give."

Devotions by Christine Caine - Undaunted

Read
Philippians 3:12–14

The apostle Paul urges us to follow his example as he presses forward toward 
his goal and allows nothing to block his spiritual progress.

Blocking Our Hearts

If we are to guard our hearts against potential spiritual blockages, it is 
important to know what those blockages are.

1. Boredom. We must remain bold and adventurous on the faith journey if we 
want to keep our relationship with God fresh and dynamic. We must never 
think
that we have arrived, for the moment that we do this, we become stagnant and 
complacent. Instead, we must always fervently seek after the heart of God.
2. Familiarity. To keep our hearts alive and vibrant, we need to maintain an 
attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving for who God is and all that he has
done and continues to do. When we remind ourselves of the fact that we owe 
him everything, including our very being, we live in awe of him and never 
run
the risk of taking him for granted.
3. Lust. We must fix our eyes on Jesus, who is the author and finisher of 
our faith. Our hearts must be set on him and his plan and purpose for our 
lives.
No other person or thing can satisfy us in the same way. God himself must 
always be the object of our affection.
4. Laziness. We must continue to be about our Father’s business, engaging 
our lives in the cause of Christ. God has a plan for each one of us, and we 
must
do our part to see that his plan is realized. When our hearts are full of 
zeal for the Lord, even the most mundane good tasks are deeply fulfilling.
5. Disobedience. It is crucial that we understand the importance of our 
obedience even in seemingly insignificant and small things, because every 
decision
we make matters to God. Every single day, we take steps toward fulfilling 
our spiritual destinies simply by choosing to hear and obey the voice of God
and his Word.

A strong, blockage-free heart is essential if we seek to love God with all 
our hearts, souls, and minds. But we can only have a healthy spiritual heart
if we make a commitment to constantly guard and strengthen this spiritual 
core muscle. Recognizing and removing blockages from our heart can sometimes
be difficult and painful, but it is something we must do if we truly desire 
to experience the abundant life that Jesus came to Earth to give us.

Point to Ponder

Guarding your heart is an on-going exercise of time and commitment. Are you 
ready to do those things that ensure a healthy spiritual heart that 
continues
to love God completely and your neighbor as yourself?
Devotions by Christine Caine, Copyright © 2012 by Christine Caine and Equip 
& Empower Ministries.


September 5, 2014
The Mother of All Temptations
By Skip Heitzig

Ephesians 6:11 exhorts us to "stand against the wiles of the devil." Second 
Corinthians 2:11 tells us, "We are not ignorant of his devices." But how 
wise
are we about the ways in which Satan tempts us?

In Genesis chapter 3, we see the prototype, "the mother of all temptations." 
The Enemy uses the same, predictable temptations and tactics that he has 
always
used. Why? Because if something works, why change it?

Notice Satan's approach. In verse 1, he questioned the Word of God: "Has God 
indeed said…?" He didn't deny that God had spoken—he questioned if that was
what God really said, causing Eve to doubt. Whenever the Enemy causes you to 
question the Word of God, in reality it's questioning the love of God for
you: "If God really loved you, would He keep something good away from you?"

In verse 4, Satan denied the Word of God. He said, "You will not surely 
die." Once you question the Word of God, it's a very short step to just 
denying
it altogether: "No, God didn't say that." Then, in verse 5, he substituted 
the Word of God with a lie: "You will be like God." He misapplied and 
distorted
the truth and substituted it with a lie.

So, Satan tempts you to question the Word of God, question the love of God, 
deny the Word of God, and even substitute it with a lie.

In his first epistle, John spoke about "the lust of the flesh, the lust of 
the eyes, and the pride of life" (1 John 2:16). Genesis 3:6 says that Eve 
saw
"that the tree was good for food"—that's the lust of the flesh. And "it was 
pleasant to the eyes"—that's lust of the eyes. And also it was "a tree 
desirable
to make one wise"—that's the pride of life.

It's the same way that the Enemy tempts us today. The lust of the flesh: 
whatever you desire at that moment, be it food, sex, or whatever. The lust 
of
the eyes: I liken that to people who live in a fantasy world. Their eyes 
wander, and they fantasize about certain people or certain objects, their 
thought
life becomes corrupt, they project that into their life, and eventually they 
follow that corrupt thought life. The pride of life: this could be the 
pursuit
of knowledge,
religion,
or morality apart from a real relationship with Jesus Christ—anything that 
keeps a person from repentance and faith in Him.

When I'm being assailed by the Enemy, I always remember what Jesus told 
Peter when Satan wanted to "sift [him] as wheat": "But I have prayed for 
you" (Luke
22:31-32). So when I hear Satan's knock at the door of my heart, I just say, 
"Jesus, would you get that?" I don't try to argue with the Enemy or "bind"
him. I am absolutely helpless apart from Jesus Christ. I talk to my Lord 
about the Enemy and just let Him handle the situation.

That's my prototype solution to the Enemy's prototype temptation. Try 
it—you'll find it's very effective!

Copyright © 2014 by Connection Communications. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Nugget

August 30, 2014

Blood-thirsty God? Or God of Love?
By Answers2Prayer
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Why is the God of the Old Testament portrayed as such a blood-thirsty God?

It's a question that often comes up: If God is a God of love, then why did 
He destroy millions of people in the flood? Why did He kill all of Egypt's 
firstborn?
Why did He command Israel to commit genocide?

But is this only an "Old Testament" problem? We could also ask, why did He 
orchestrate the death of His own Son, Jesus, the Christ?

It's a good question. And when someone I correspond with wrote me this exact 
same question yesterday, I didn't immediately have an answer. After all, it
does seem so opposite of the God of love that is otherwise portrayed in the 
Bible!

In order to understand the answer, I believe it is necessary to take a 
God-view of the world through history.

God created this world to be a perfect place, and He created Adam and Eve, 
the culminating head of His creation, to be His special friends. He loved 
them.
He walked and talked in the Garden of Eden with them (See
Gen. 3:8).
And He was forced to see them fall to the clutches of the enemy.

But their fall didn't just affect them personally. It was like a black cloud 
went out, immediately enveloping the entire earth, affecting all of 
creation,
the plants of the fields, and all of Adam and Eve's offspring (
Gen. 3:4-10).
Just like that, one mistake, and it was done. The enemy had the foothold he 
needed to corrupt all of God's beautiful creation in an inky, oily cloud of
sin and deceit.

Nothing can cleanse us from this sin that we've all been born under. Nothing 
but the blood of Jesus.

So why all the blood and guts in the Old Testament?

God was preparing a way for Jesus!

But wait, that sounds awfully cruel! Ordering genocide? Killing babies?

We are at war, friends. And any move forward always comes at a certain cost. 
And just like pieces on a chess board, sometimes you have to sacrifice a 
piece
for the greater good.

But no! That can't be God! Sure, I get the sacrifice thing, but God loves 
us! He isn't willing that any should perish! Isn't it written in His Word: 
"The
Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is 
longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all 
should
come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV).

We also know that God never changes: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, 
today, and forever." (Heb 13:8-9 NKJV).

So why would He command the deaths of some, even for the greater good? It 
doesn't match up to the image of a loving God!

But wait. Did God ever command the death of anyone without giving them a 
chance to repent?

The ark took 120 years to be constructed. Was this not an extensively long 
grace period? No one kept all those millions of people out of the ark. They
didn't go in with Noah and his family because they choose not to!

And what about the deaths of all those first born in Egypt?

Let's remember that this was the last plague. The first few were but mere 
annoyances, not causing death at all, and then came ones that caused 
sickness
but not death. During all this time, God was trying to get the attention of 
those Egyptians!

We are also told that God didn't immediately allow Abraham to possess the 
land of Canaan. Instead they stayed in Egypt for 400 years, even enduring 
slavery,
because "...the iniquity of the Amorites not yet complete." (See
Gen 15
NKJV). God gave the Canaanites a 400 year grace period, folks! Does that 
sound like a vengeful, hateful God? Not at all! That sounds like a God of 
love!

In this world covered with the oily, murky darkness of sin, God prepared a 
way out, and God did not kill or have anyone killed without giving multiple
chances for repentance. Up to 400 years of them!

Now that, my friends, is a God of love!

In His love,
Lyn

Lyn Chaffart, Speech-Language Pathologist, mother of two, Author -- "
Aboard God's Train
-- A Journey With God Through the Valley of Cancer", Author and Moderator 
for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, and
Scriptural Nuggets,
a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems, with
Answers2Prayer Ministries.
Follow Lyn on
Twitter
@lynchaffart.

Announcement:

LESSONS FROM HANDICAPS!!! Are there lessons you can learn from handicaps? 
Clickhereand see!

©Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely 
give."


Elizabeth

Her name means: "God is my oath"

Her character: A descendant of Aaron, Elizabeth was a woman the Bible calls 
"upright in the sight of God." Like few others, male or female, she is 
praised
for observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations without blame. She 
is the first to acknowledge Jesus as Lord.
Her sorrow: To be barren for most of her life.
Her joy: To give birth to John, later known as John the Baptist, the 
Messiah's forerunner. His name, divinely assigned, means, "The Lord Is 
Gracious."
Key Scriptures:
Luke 1:5-80

Her Story

Her eyes were a golden brown. Like currants set in pastry, they winked out 
at the world from cheeks that had baked too long in the sun. Snowy strands 
of
hair straggled from beneath a woolen shawl, tickling her wrinkled face. 
Small hands rested tenderly on her rounded belly, softly probing for any 
hint of
movement. But all was still. From her vantage point on the roof of the 
house, she noticed a figure walking up the pathway and wondered who her 
visitor
might be.

She and Zechariah had been content enough in their quiet house these last 
few months, secluded in their joy. Each morning she had opened her eyes as 
though
waking to a fantastic dream. Sometimes she shook with laughter as she 
thought about how God had rearranged her life, planting a child in her 
shriveled-up,
old-woman's womb.

Six months ago, Zechariah had been chosen by lot to burn incense before the 
Most Holy Place, a once-in-a-lifetime privilege. But during his week of 
priestly
service in the temple, he had been frightened half to death by a figure who 
appeared suddenly next to the altar of incense. "Your wife Elizabeth will 
bear
you a son," the angel told him, "and you are to give him the name John. He 
will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his 
birth,
for he will be great in the sight of the Lord." It was Sarah and Abraham all 
over, Rebekah and Isaac, Rachel and Jacob. God was once again kindling a 
fire
with two dry sticks.

For the life of her, Elizabeth couldn't understand her husband's response to 
the messenger that had so terrified him. Once you'd laid eyes on an angel,
how could you fail to believe that anything was possible? But Zechariah had 
blurted out his skepticism and suffered the consequences. His voice had been
snatched away and would not be given back until the angel's words came to 
pass. These days he communicated by scribbling on a wax tablet.

Elizabeth looked down again at the figure advancing up the path, a green 
sprig of a girl. The older woman stepped carefully down the stairs and into 
the
house to welcome her guest. But with the young woman's words of greeting 
came something that felt like a gale force wind, shaking the beams and 
rafters
of the house. Steadying herself, the older woman felt suddenly invigorated. 
Her unborn baby leapt inside her as she shouted out a welcoming response: 
"Blessed
are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so 
favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound
of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 
Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be 
accomplished!"

Mary had made the journey all the way from Nazareth to visit her relative 
Elizabeth. The same angel who had spoken to Zechariah in the temple had 
whispered
the secret of the older woman's pregnancy to the virgin, who was also with 
child. The magnificent song of praise that burst from Mary's lips during 
their
meeting may have taken shape during the course of her sixty-mile journey 
south, to the hill country of Judea where Elizabeth lived.

The two women held each other, their bonds of kinship now stronger than what 
mere flesh and blood could forge. For Israel's God—the God of Sarah, 
Rebekah,
Rachel, Leah, Miriam, Deborah, Naomi, Ruth, Abigail, and Hannah—was on the 
move again, bringing the long-ago promise to fulfillment. And blessed was 
she
who did not doubt that what the Lord had said to her would be accomplished.

Her Promise

God always keeps his promises! For hundreds of years, God had been telling 
the people of Israel that he would send a Messiah. One who would provide a 
direct
bridge to God himself. One whose sacrifice would provide redemption for all 
time. The events in this first chapter of Luke are just the beginning of the
fulfillment of God's greatest promise to his people. With Mary we can say: 
"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!"

Today's devotional is drawn from
Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture
by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. Visit
AnnSpangler.com

Woman on a Mission
LIZ CURTIS HIGGS

"Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to 
the people, 'Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this 
be
the Messiah?'" J
ohn 4:28-29
(NIV)

When you leap into the arms of Jesus, you never know where He'll carry you. 
As a new Christian, I was certain God called me to a distant mission field.
Really distant: Indonesia.

True, I'd only been a believer six months, after a wild and wooly decade as 
a seriously Bad Girl. I also had no husband at the time, no college degree
and little knowledge about Indonesia other than where it landed on a map. 
Still, I knew that
Christians
were called to "go into all the world" (Mark 16:15, NIV). Shouldn't I go 
too?

When I threw myself at a mission board, certain they'd be thrilled to take 
me, the director was very kind. He listened, nodded, took notes. And then he
said the last thing I expected to hear: "I'm sorry, Liz. But ... no."

My heart sank. I thought if you offered to live in a hut and eat beetles, 
they'd say, "Great! Sign here."

Then he explained why I wasn't the best candidate for foreign missions: 
"Liz, you're already well versed in a culture most Christians know little 
about."

I knew where this was going. He meant my old life. My Bad Girl life.

His voice softened. "Do you know the story of the woman at the well? After 
she met Jesus, she went back to town, where everyone knew her sordid story,
and she told them about Jesus. That's what you need to do."

"You mean the people I used to hang out with?" My cheeks grew hot even 
thinking about it. "The people I partied with? The men I slept with?Those 
people?"

I could feel Indonesia slipping away as I pictured the faces of friends I 
knew well — and who knew way too much about me. People as lost and confused 
as
I'd once been. People who needed to know Jesus.

"Never fear," the director said as he placed a gentle hand on my shoulder 
and escorted me to the door. "God will take care of Indonesia."

So, I went back to Louisville and told my story. No hut, no beetles, yet a 
mission field for which I was already qualified, simply because I spoke 
their
language. And because I loved them.

Soon one coworker came to know Jesus. Then another. Then a third. Who knew?

God knew. But He never forgot my heart for Indonesia.

Twenty years after my no-go with the mission board, I stood in my 
publisher's booth at a Christian booksellers convention. The guy in charge 
of international
rights pulled me aside and said, "Liz, please meet Yani with World Harvest."

A tiny woman with thick, black hair looked up, her face radiant, "I am in 
the process of translating three of your books into my country's language."

"Wonderful!" I beamed at her. "What country might that be?"

She beamed back. "Indonesia."

Oh my. To think that my words would travel there, even if I never did! Only 
God could manage such a thing.

And He wasn't finished. When I shared my experience at an evangelism 
conference, one of the guest speakers approached me. "Liz, would you like to 
speak
in Indonesia?"

My heart skipped a beat. Would I?! I could barely get out the words. "W-who 
would my audience be?"

"Women," she assured me, then smiled. "Missionaries."

Lord, the tenderness of Your mercy overwhelms me. You miss nothing. You care 
about everything. You answer our deepest longings, according to Your perfect
will and perfect timing. You know our mission fields, Lord, far better than 
we do. Help us serve You, wherever You send us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
1 Thessalonians 2:8b, "Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to 
share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well." (NIV)

Ephesians 3:20-21, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all 
we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him
be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for 
ever and ever! Amen." (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES:
Want to know more about the Woman at the Well?
Click here
to visit Liz Curtis Higgs' Bible study blog where Liz unpacks her story.

If you long to experience the fullness of God's grace, Liz walks you through 
each step in her book
Embrace Grace: Welcome to the Forgiven Life.

Ready to take your own leap of faith? Lysa TerKeurst shows us
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God.

REFLECT AND RESPOND:
Liz was eager to share the gospel with the world because God's grace had 
changed her life. What compels you to tell others about Jesus?

Might someone cross your path today who needs to hear the good news?

© 2014 by Liz Curtis Higgs. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
630 Team Rd., Suite 100
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org

The Apple of Your Eye

"My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my 
commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them 
on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart." (Proverbs 7:1-3, 
ESV)

I have heard of boys who wanted a BB gun for their birthday or Christmas. 
Their parents would say they were not getting one because they might put one 
of their eyes out. Most of the time people are very careful about protecting 
their eyes. There are all kinds of goggles, masks and protective glasses 
that people wear for different jobs and leisure activities. In the above 
Scripture, the apple of the eye refers to the pupil of the eye.

If we are so protective of our eyes, why aren’t we as protective of God’s 
Word? WE take it for granted too often. Most of us have a number of Bibles 
around the house available for us to pick up and read but how many of us 
read them as much as we should? For the Word to be written on our heart we 
need to read it more and even memorize it.

What would you do if someone came and took all your Bibles away? You might 
say that you can read the Bible on the internet but what if that was also 
taken away? What if there was no access anywhere to God’s Word? WE would all 
wish we had taken it more seriously.

WE need to read the Word not just for information or to memorize it but so 
that it will affect our lives. AS the Psalmist wrote:

"I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. " 
(Psalm 119:11, HCSB)

And If you really know your Bible you might be able to solve a crime:

A Haifa policeman, who knew his Bible, got on the trail of a gang of 
smugglers. They used an ass-drawn caravan to escape. The policemen managed 
to capture some of the asses, though the smugglers got away. The clever 
officer let the beasts of burden go without food for several days and then 
he turned them loose. And just as he predicted from Isaiah 1:3, “the ox 
knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib,” the starving animals led 
the police directly to the smuggler’s hide-out!
—World Christian Digest

by Dean W. Masters

Owner of the Master's List

How to Believe in What You Can’t See
Whitney Hopler

Editor's Note: The following is a report on the practical applications of 
Jeff Lucas’ new book
Faith in the Fog: Believing in What You Cannot See
(Zondervan, 2014).

Living by
faith
in this fallen world can sometimes be like walking through a fog, where you 
can’t see where you’re going. You want to believe that God is with you on
your journey, but you can’t seem to find him while challenges such as 
sadness, shame, doubts, and confusion obscure your vision.

Jesus Christ shared breakfast on a beach with his disciples after his 
resurrection, and the story of that morning reveals that God sometimes shows 
up in
unexpected ways – breaking through the fog of ordinary life with surprising 
insights. Studying that story can help you believe in what you can’t see. 
Here’s
how:

Acknowledge the fog around you. Just as Jesus’ disciples were caught up in a 
fog of grief (after his death on the cross), you, too, will always be 
struggling
with some kind of fog surrounding you because the sin in this world obscures 
the way God originally intended it to be. Face the reality of the fog around
you, and be honest with God about it. Admit the reality of your situation if 
you’re: struggling with sorrow about unanswered prayers, confused about 
something
you’d like to believe but have doubts, discouraged by shame you feel because 
of your mistakes, exhausted from trying to reach a goal that keeps eluding
you, or wanting to skip church because of the difficult people there. Once 
you face the fog, you can start the process of breaking through it.

Look for God in the fog. Jesus was right there on the shore when the 
disciples looked over there from their fishing boat – but at first, they 
didn’t recognize
him. God has promised to be with you always, so choose to trust his promise, 
even when you can’t sense the reality of his presence with you. Keep in mind
that the Bible says while we’re living in this fallen world, our perception 
of God is like a reflection in a mirror, but when we get to heaven we’ll be
able to see him face to face. You may experience some dramatic encounters 
with God’s Spirit on Earth from time to time, but most often you’ll find God’s
faithful presence in the ordinary moments of your life – from enjoying a 
walk in nature to playing with your children – and the more you look for 
God,
the more you’ll start to notice him.

Accept God’s unconditional love for you. Despite their hard work fishing, 
the disciples hadn’t caught any fish to offer Jesus as food for the 
breakfast
meal they shared that morning. But once Jesus helped them, they caught so 
many fish that their nets were straining from being full. Jesus is willing 
to
meet you wherever you are and help you move forward from there. Don’t worry 
about coming to Jesus empty-handed, since he loves you unconditionally. He
knows all about your weaknesses and failures, yet loves you completely 
anyway. Accept that love by inviting him to fill the empty places in your 
soul with
his great love.

Keep going even when you feel like giving up. The disciples chose to cast 
their fishing nets into the Sea of Galilee one more time because Jesus asked
them to – even though they were discouraged from having failed to catch 
anything through their previous efforts. Then, they experienced incredible 
success.
No matter how discouraged you become, decide to keep living faithfully (such 
as showing up at church to worship God, volunteering to serve others, caring
for difficult people, and praying with endurance) and God will eventually 
give you a breakthrough.

Accept God’s forgiveness for your sins. At breakfast, Jesus reminded his 
disciple Peter that he had denied knowing Jesus prior to the Crucifixion, 
but
then forgave Peter for his sin. God won’t minimize, excuse, or overlook your 
sins, but he will forgive them if you confess them and repent by turning 
away
from them. Break free of shame by accepting God’s forgiveness and moving 
forward in his grace.

Take care of yourself by nourishing your body, mind, and spirit together. 
Rather than serving only spiritual nourishment, Jesus served physical food 
and
gave new mental insights to the disciples that morning on the beach. While 
it’s vital to take care of yourself spiritually, it’s just as important to 
take
care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. So eat a healthy 
diet, drink enough water, get the sleep and exercise that you need, and 
prioritize
time for investing in friendships and enjoying fun and relaxing activities.

Face the uncomfortable parts of life. Jesus’ conversation with the disciples 
during breakfast implied that their futures would include some suffering and
mystery that would make them uncomfortable. Faith doesn’t make anyone 
impervious to going through tough times or circumstances that don’t make 
sense to
human understanding. Choose to trust God with your future, no matter what, 
since he has good purposes planned for your life.

Devote yourself wholeheartedly to Jesus. The famous question that Jesus 
asked Peter during this resurrection appearance was: “Do you love me?” Jesus 
wanted
to know how much Peter truly loved him – how committed Peter really was to 
making a relationship with Jesus his top priority. Jesus is asking the same
of you. Show Jesus how much you love him by centering your life around your 
relationship with him. Once Peter devoted himself wholeheartedly to 
following
Jesus again, Jesus reinstated him to leadership. Jesus will work through 
your life in powerful ways after you devote yourself to him.

Let suffering strengthen your faith and courage. Jesus warned Peter that he 
would die as a martyr for his faith, but when that happened years later, God
brought good purposes out of Peter’s suffering. Be confident that when God 
allows you to go through suffering (from illness to unemployment), he will 
redeem
your ordeal by using it to accomplish good purposes when you trust him. 
Decide to follow Jesus as Peter did, not turning back but moving forward 
with confidence
that God will do what’s best through your life.

Focus on following Jesus wherever he leads you. Peter asked Jesus what would 
happen to another disciple, John, and Jesus essentially tells Peter that he
should focus only on God’s plans for his own life rather than getting 
distracted by what God may do in other people’s lives. Keep your own focus 
on what
matters most: following where Jesus leads you. When you do, fog will clear 
out of your life so you can see how God is doing something great through 
you.

Adapted from
Faith in the Fog: Believing in What You Cannot See,
copyright 2014 by Jeff Lucas. Published by Zondervan, a division of 
HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Grand Rapids, Mich..,
www.zondervan.com.

Author and speaker Jeff Lucas travels internationally in a ministry of Bible 
teaching which carries a specific vision to encourage and equip the church.
Jeff is the author of 22 books, as well as a number of study guides, 
booklets and a DVD teaching series called “Life Journeys.” Jeff’s books have 
been
translated into French, Italian, Korean, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese and 
German. He writes a monthly column for Christianity Magazine, and broadcasts 
three
weekly radio shows. Jeff and Kay live in Loveland, Colorado, where he holds 
a teaching post at Timberline Church, Fort Collins. Learn more at:
www.jefflucas.org.

Whitney Hopler, who has served as a Crosswalk.com contributing writer for 
many years, is author of the Christian novel
Dream Factory,
which is set during Hollywood's golden age. Follow her on Twitter 
@WhitneyHopler.
Publication date: August 25, 2014

UpWords from Max Lucado

Prayer is a Habit Worth Having
by Max Lucado

Do you want to know how to deepen your prayer life? At the risk of sounding 
like a preacher—which I am—may I make a suggestion? Why don’t you check your
habits?

In Romans 12:12, Paul says, “When trials come endure them patiently; 
steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer.” Prayer is a habit worth having. 
Don’t prepare
to pray. Just pray. Don’t read about prayer. Just pray. Don’t attend a 
lecture on prayer or engage in discussion about prayer. Just pray.

Posture, tone, and place are personal matters. Select the form that works 
for you. But don’t think about it too much. Don’t be so concerned about 
wrapping
the gift that you never give it. Better to pray awkwardly than not at all. 
And if you feel you should only pray when inspired, that’s okay. Just see to
it that you are inspired every day.

From
When God Whispers Your Name
WhenGodWhispers_S
Listen to
UpWords with Max Lucado
at OnePlace.com


Khamti Shan People
Aug 30, 2014 01:00 am

Today's Devotional

Romans 8:11 (NIV) "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead 
is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to
your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you."

This verse is about transformation! And we need transformation before we can 
forgive as the Lord wants us to. Our old nature is 100 percent unforgiving.
When we are walking in the Spirit, the Spirit living in us makes forgiving 
easy. This is because He paid the price for our sins and forgave us, so we 
can
pre-forgive everybody from now to eternity!

Pray for the Lord to bring about forgiveness and reconciliation through Him 
among every Shan people.

Today's People Group

At dawn, mother rises from sleep. Quietly she finds a dish of sticky rice 
and vegetables prepared the night before. She carries it into the shrine 
room.
Bowing three times, she places the offering before a small raised table. She 
starts a fresh incense stick. Then she goes outside and down the steps from
her raised home to her garden where she gathers a few flowers and spreads 
them around the food. This is her morning offering. In the evening, she will
repeat her devotion. As various family members start their day, they will 
enter the shrine room, bow three times, and pray. In addition to offerings 
at
their family shrine, she will send her sons to the nearby Buddhist monastery 
to give offerings of food and alms to the monks and nuns living there.

This mother and her family are part of the Khamti people, a group related to 
the Shan, who live in the triangle where Myanmar, India, and China meet. 
Faithful
missionaries brought the news of Jesus to this region long ago, but the 
Khamti people have yet to respond in noticeable numbers.

Pray that nearby groups who have embraced the gospel will reach out to the 
Khamti people. Pray that they will discover that God already gave the 
ultimate offering of His Son for our sins.
Learn more at
Joshua Project.
read more
Like Khamti Shan People on Facebook
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Copyright 2014 U.S. Center for World Mission, All rights reserved.

How Was Your Trip?...by John McMath

Returning from Kenya, I often heard, "How was your trip?" Immediately I'd be 
unable to speak. My mind seemed incapable of forming any word to describe
just "how" our first mission trip had changed us! Sandy and I considered it 
an opportunity to witness and be used by God to bless some poor and less 
fortunate
people in another part of the world. Boy, were we wrong! We never imagined 
the effect these people would have on us. We were the ones who received the
Blessing!

How was your trip? What words can describe bringing food, supplies, toys, 
and gifts to an orphanage and realizing we are the few visitors they will 
see?
How do I express the feeling of holding children who receive us with such a 
deep craving for love and attention? Of their cry when we put them down or
clinging to us when it is time to depart?

How do we express...the sadness of children abandoned by parents and the 
difficulty in accepting that at least they are cared for and not living on 
the
street? I remember their smiles playing dodge ball and laughing when they 
are "out". I still savor their sweet spirit of contentment and gratitude, 
holding
great respect for the committed workers and sponsors who reach out to them.

How can we describe...worshiping on the edge of one of the largest slums in 
Nairobi, the church packed and loud with praise, singing, and true worship
for Our God and Father. What words convey the total acceptance by a 
congregation though we neither looked nor sounded anything like them? A 
fellowship
who sees no color or nation but seek to serve the One True God. We remember 
with tears the music of familiar hymns sung in two languages (never noticing
the service lasting 4 hours) and the meal these sweet people gladly prepared 
for us out of the little they had to share.

How do we explain...spending 2 days in a slum and having a wonderful time 
playing games, doing crafts, and teaching schoolchildren Bible stories and 
songs?
Or how they so wanted to touch us physically, while managing to touch our 
hearts? What is the word for the JOY they displayed---though next to the 
largest
landfill imaginable, yet thankful to go to school and be fed a meal each 
day.

What do we tell...of helping a women's encouragement ministry in another 
slum to discuss health care and God's love? Or how we happily gave them the 
$3
a day they could have earned working or scavenging had they not come? How do 
we describe the sight of 30 children in an 8 x 10 foot daycare room---no 
window,
toys, water, or bathroom and only one worker and one mattress? Our sadness 
fades recalling the smiles and contentment in the faces of these women and 
children.

How do we convey...our experience of providing most of the materials and 
tools as we worked alongside 10 church members for 2 days to build a much 
needed
office? Were we proud? Humbled? What are the words that share the marvel of 
watching God meet the needs of these men of Faith?

"How was your trip?" For us, the best answer is simply this...

We left expecting to minister to people in Nairobi and see what we could 
offer to "fix" their world. Instead, we returned wanting to impact our own. 
We
want to experience the joy of contentment in having what we need, not what 
we want. We want to see people honestly caring for one another. We want to 
worship
again with the enthusiasm and freedom we witnessed while worshiping with 
these precious People of God!

We left to change their world, but their world changed us. May God continue 
to bless the Kenyans, and may He bless you.

And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made 
perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9a

John
John McMath is a member of the Ciloa Board of Directors. He and his wife, 
Sandy, are both contributors to the Notes of Encouragement. They live in 
Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA.

Today's Daily Encounter

Songs in the Night

Job asked, "Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in
the night?"1

I have read how Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the
world's greatest musicians, was born into a musical
family in Germany.

By the age of eleven he was already composing his own
music and conducting an orchestra. In his late teens he
went to Vienna for further study. There he reached
fame, though not fortune.

According to the story, one evening when Beethoven
visited in a cobblerâ€s house, he noticed that the young
lady at the piano was blind, so he offered to play the
piece for her. He did so for her for more than an hour
and while he did, darkness fell and the lone candle in
the room had gone out.

Outside in the night sky the moon shone brightly and
sent its radiant beams glistening into the room where
Beethoven sat playing beautiful music. He was so
inspired by the appreciation of his music by the young
lady and the beauty of the atmosphere in the room that
he composed his famous "Moonlight Sonata."

Do you ever feel that your dreams have been shattered
and you feel all alone in the darkness of despair? I
certainly have. However, when our life is committed to
Christ, it's in these "dark nights of the soul" that
God is working in us to give us more understanding of
life and compassion for others, and in time will bring
back “beautiful music" into our life.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please put a song in my
heart, a song of gratitude and love for You for all
that You have done for and given to me. Thank You for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesusâ€s
name, amen."

1. Job 35:10 (NIV).

<)))><

NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
Click on:
http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php.
Or
if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ,
please click on
http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php
to note this.

* * * * * * *

Daily Encounter is published at no charge by
ACTS International, a non-profit organization,
and made possible through the donations of
interested friends. Donations can be sent at:

http://www.actscom.com

ACTS International
P.O. Box 73545
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U.S.A.

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Copyright (c) 2014 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
ACTS International.

ARE YOU IN?

Do you know if you are "in" yet? Are you assured of eternal life? Who is 
really going to Heaven?

Dr. Berry was one of the first of the so-called New
Theology men, who preached salvation
by character rather than by the atoning blood of Christ, salvation by 
ethical culture rather than by personal faith in the Lord Jesus, salvation 
by reformation rather than by regeneration. Popular, eloquent and personally pleasing, he 
attracted large audiences, who hung upon his words and depended upon him as
their spiritual mentor.

But a great change was seen in his preaching, which resulted from a new 
experience with God which revolutionized his thinking. He said that late one 
stormy night, as he was preparing to retire, the doorbell rang. When he went down 
and opened the door, there stood a poorly dressed young woman who asked if 
hewas the minister. Upon being assured that he was, she begged him to go with 
her at once to get her mother in.

He thought that she meant that her poor mother was out in the storm and the 
darkness in an intoxicated condition; so he demurred, saying he could hardly
be expected to go out and get her mother in and suggested that she see a 
policeman who might give the help required.

The girl explained that her mother was not drunk and added, "You must come 
with me. My mother is dying, and she is afraid to die. She wants to go to 
heaven,but she doesn't know how to get in. I told her I'd get a preacher to take 
her in. Do come sir, and get my mother in"

He now understood that the dying woman needed someone who could show her the 
way of salvation, but he hesitated, thinking it was hardly a case for him.
He urged the girl to go to a missioner living near the wretched locality in 
which she lived. But she refused. She insisted she wanted a real minister 
and begged him to go with her. "Do come, sir. I want you to get my mother in 
before it's too late. Please sir, do come with me."

At last, he consented to go, and the girl led the way to one of the worst 
sections of the city. In this miserable neighborhood, she took him into a 
tenement house and up a rickety flight of stairs to a poverty-stricken room. Down 
stairs many men and women were drinking and carousing, and the air resounded 
with horrid oaths and vile language. The minister found the poor woman lying on a 
miserable makeshift of a bed, evidently near to death.

"I've brought him!" exclaimed the daughter. "I've got the minister from the 
big church where the swells go. He'll get you in, Mother. Just do what he 
says."

"What can I do for you, my poor woman?" he inquired as kindly as he could.

"Why sir, I'm dying, and I want you to get me into heaven. I've been a great 
sinner, and I don't know how to get in."

The minister began to speak of the necessity of a good life, of building a 
noble character, and how goodness always paid in the end.

"You don't understand, sir!" she cried. "That won't do! I'm dying and I've 
lived a bad life. It's too late for me. Oh, can't you get me in?"

He tried again and gave some good advice and endeavored to comfort her by 
expressing the hope that all would be well if she would only seek to lead a 
Christian life.

"That won't do!" she exclaimed. I'm a poor sinner! I've no time to lead a 
Christian life. I'm dying and I want to go in. Oh, can't you tell me how I 
may get into heaven?"

Dr. Berry did not know what to say or how to comfort her. At last he 
thought, "Why not tell her what my mother used to tell me? Why not give her 
some of the simple texts and Gospel stories I learned as a child?"

With this in mind he began to repeat some of the precious Gospel verses 
telling of God's love for sinners and of the Savior who had died to redeem. 
The woman listened eagerly. "That's it! That ought to get me in, shouldn't it! 
Did he die for sinners? Then that should get me in."

Stirred to the depths of his own being, he told the story of the cross as he 
had not preached it for years. Like a thirst soul, she drank in the living
water. Finally, he knelt and prayed with her. She trusted Christ for 
herself. Her fears were allayed and she entered into peace.

"Jowett," said Dr. Berry years afterward, "I helped get her in that night, 
and while I was helping to get her in, I got myself in also!"

Jesus talked more about HELL than He did about Heaven for a reason, "many 
will say to Me in that day - LORD, LORD…and I will say DEPART FROM ME!" 
(Matthew
7:21ff). Be sure while you can that you are born again and Heavenward Bound!

To continue reading this message please copy and paste this URL into your 
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Helping Kids See the Gospel
by John UpChurch, Senior Editor, BibleStudyTools.com

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these 
things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:9

First, I want to blow up a common misconception. You’ve probably heard that 
Francis of Assisi, that saint of old, said something along the lines of: 
"Share
the gospel. If necessary, use words." He did, but his story and evangelistic 
career don't end so abruptly in a manner that suggests we never speak our

faith.
When you study Francis's life, you find that he spoke the gospel… a lot. He 
preached on haystacks and street corners and pretty much anywhere people 
were.
He preached to peasants and nobles, lepers and prisoners. So, it's safe to 
say that he believed in the concept that "faith comes by hearing."

But Francis did back up his preaching with some pretty amazing examples of 
the gospel. He demonstrated the sacrifice of Christ in ways that the people
around him could see and touch. You could say that his life of poverty 
served as a parable for Christ giving up the riches of heaven (
Philippians 2).
Given the culture (which wasn’t too different), a rich man’s son choosing 
rags over raging parties does send a pretty potent message (it’d be like 
Paris
Hilton choosing a monastery over Malibu Beach houses).

So, Francis and his famous quip and his demonstrations of the gospel have 
given me something to think about. Namely, as a father, how do I make what 
Christ
did real to my girls? How can I show them what I teach with my words and 
through the Bible? Since I can’t exactly forsake all my possessions and 
provide
for them at the same time, I’ve learned to think on a bit smaller scale.

The Exchange: I admit it. This seems kind of hokey. But I’ve found that 
simply exchanging something dirty for something clean (with a gospel 
explanation)
has made quite the impact. For example, my oldest daughter hates for any two 
items on her plate to touch. Even a microscopic amount of mashed potatoes
befouling her green beans is enough to make her queasy. So, instead of 
fighting about the silliness of it, I recently just traded one of my 
un-besmirched
beans for hers. When I did so, I pointed out that this is similar to what 
Jesus did for us. He took our dirtiness of sin and gave us His cleanness (
2 Corinthians 5:21).
She studied the bean with squinty eyes and then ate it.

The Takeaway: This isn’t something I do often—just so we’re clear. But every 
once in a while, when my girls do something that deserves some “reflection
time” in the “reflection chair,” I take away the punishment completely. That 
only works if I know they’re truly repentant about what they’ve done (and
if they know it’s uncommon). I point out that they deserved 
punishment—according to our if/then Scripture chart—but they aren’t getting 
what they deserve
(
1 Thessalonians 5:9).

The Substitute: This isn’t one I’ve used just yet because I want them to be 
a little older. But my wife and I have planned something we hope will really
drive home the point. When they mess up, I'm going to take the punishment 
they deserved. I'm going to lose the privilege they should have lost, to 
suffer
the consequences of their failures. I want them to see that Jesus did just 
that for us (
Isaiah 53).

Intersecting Faith & Life: No earthly example can truly capture what Jesus 
did—not Francis, not my dinner table exchanges. His sacrifice is just too 
ridiculously
huge. But that doesn’t mean we can’t try. Be intentional with your teachable 
moments. A tangible example of what you preach with your lips can reach 
people
in ways that words alone cannot.

For Further Reading

Saint Francis by Robert West
Philippians

For more from Discover the Book Ministries, please visit
discoverthebook.org
and
Listen to
Dr. John Barnett
at OnePlace.com.

Gomer

Her name means: "Completion"

Her character: Though a married woman, she carried on numerous love affairs, 
crediting her lovers for the gifts her husband had given her.
Her sorrow: To have become the symbol of spiritual adultery—a picture of 
Israel's unfaithfulness to God.
Her joy: That her husband continued to love her despite her unfaithfulness.
Key Scriptures:
Hosea 1-3

Her Story

The man stood at the door, craning his neck and peering through the 
half-light. His limbs felt stiff and cold, despite the desert heat that 
still warmed
the narrow street. Other than a stray dog curled in a knot against the wall 
of a neighboring house, he saw nothing. It was too late for a woman to be 
walking
the streets alone. But, then, she wouldn't be alone, would she?

He didn't want to go inside yet, to listen to the absence of her chatter, to 
lie down on the empty bed. By noon tomorrow, the news of her betrayal would
fill every gossip-hungry soul in town like swill in a pig's belly. Hosea, 
the man who would steer the nation with his prophecies, couldn't even 
control
his own wife.

He felt grief and fury like a storm breaking inside him. He had meant to 
guard his heart; he had never intended to give himself so completely. His 
pain
was the worse for loving her so well. For Gomer had squandered his gifts, 
mocked his tenderness, and allowed herself to be seduced by other lovers.

Hadn't God warned him and instructed him to "go, take to yourself an 
adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty 
of the
vilest adultery in departing from the Lord"? He had named his children 
"Jezreel" (God Scatters), "Lo-Ruhamah" (Not Loved), and "Lo-Ammi" (Not My 
People).
Each successive child measured the growing rift between husband and wife. 
Hosea wondered whether he had even fathered the last two.

The word of the Lord that had filled Hosea's mouth now troubled his soul, 
rushing back with appalling force. So this was how God felt about his own 
people—bitterly
betrayed, cut to the heart, disgusted, outraged. His tender love, his every 
gift meant nothing to a people enamored with Canaanite gods. Israel's 
leading
men were the worst whores of all—virtuosos when it came to playing the 
harlot, cheating the poor and imploring idols to bless them with peace and 
riches.

But peace was elusive. Six kings had ruled the northern kingdom during a 
period of just twenty-five years. Four were murdered by their successors and 
one
was captured in battle. All the while, Assyria perched like a vulture at its 
borders.

If only Israel would learn its lesson and turn back to the Lord before it 
was too late—if only Gomer would turn back. Hosea wanted to shout in her 
face,
shake her awake to her sin. Enough of patience. Enough of tenderness. She 
had ignored his threats, shrugging them off as so many flies on a donkey. 
What
choice had he now? He would strip and shame her, punishing her 
unfaithfulness.

In the midst of his bitter grief, he heard the voice of God, strong and 
clear: "Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by 
another and
is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they 
turn to other gods."

So Hosea took back the wife he couldn't stop loving. And the word of the 
Lord transformed Lo-Ruhamah into Ruhamah (Loved) and Lo-Ammi into Ammi (My 
People).

The story of Gomer and Hosea portrays God's jealousy for his people. For the 
first time, a prophet dared to speak of God as husband and Israel as his 
bride.
But this is a tangled love story, one in which God's heart is repeatedly 
broken. Despite his pleas, regardless of his threats, Israel would not turn 
back
to him until after the northern kingdom was destroyed by Assyria a few years 
later.

Still, the knit-together lives of Hosea and Gomer were a living reminder to 
the Israelites of both God's judgment and his love. Hosea's beautiful words
still move us as we think about the church today, about our own 
unfaithfulness and God's forgiveness: "I will betroth you to me forever; I 
will betroth
you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. Let us acknowledge 
the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring 
rains that water the earth."

No longer Lo-Ruhamah, we are Ruhamah (Loved), and no longer Lo-Ammi but Ammi 
(My People). For our Maker has become our Husband, the one who hates our sin
but loves us still.

Her Promise

A tempestuous marriage. A wife who will not remain faithful to the husband 
who loves her. A husband who not only remains faithful, but loving. Children
whose paternity is in doubt. All these are the elements not of a soap opera 
but of a wonderful picture of God's love and faithfulness to his often 
unloving
and unfaithful people. The promises portrayed in the life of Gomer apply not 
only to the people of Israel but to the people of today. God loves us and
remains faithful to us. Even when we abandon him and turn away, he waits 
with arms open. He only asks our repentance and his blessings will again 
overflow.

Today's devotional is drawn from
Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture
by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. Visit
AnnSpangler.com

3613 cdd Looking into the Heavens
Tuesday August 26, 2014
Volume 15 Number 177

Today's Author: Pastor Bill

Scripture: Genesis 1:1
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" NKJV

The ad in the magazine read like an invitation to touch the maker of the 
universe for less than 3,000 dollars --- it reads like this:

"With its large primary mirror and impressive list of features, this 
telescope was built to reveal heavenly beauty in intricate detail. Fully 
computerized,
motorized and equipped with GPS, this telescope makes gazing into the 
heavens easy and comfortable. Aligning the telescope with GPS is a fast, 
efficient
process. Once you're dialed in, you can have the automated features find 
exactly what you are looking for. The telescope's quiet motorized mount 
swings
into action at the press of a button. You'll be enjoying the heavens in in 
no time."

Sir Isaac Newton living in the early 18th century holds a position as one of 
the most influential scientists of all time. He is considered a genius way
ahead of his time contributing theories in many different fields including 
physics, mathematics and philosophy. Most will recognize him as the 
scientist
who discovered gravity while investigating why an apple falls "down" from a 
tree.

Newton saw God as the masterful creator of the heavens he so enjoyed 
studying. "I can take my telescope and look millions of miles into space, 
but I can
lay it aside and go into my room and see more of heaven and get closer to 
God than I can assisted by all the telescopes and material agencies on 
earth."
Sir Isaac Newton.

Newton prayed in his room and came as close to God as possible on earth. 
Today impressive NASA telescopes like Hubble, Spitzer, Chandra and the 
advertised
3,000 dollar telescope search the heavens, and it is clear to me, that every 
day they scream, "Wow! What an incredible God who created all this."

And you and I can do the same thing Newton did 3 centuries ago. Go into our 
room and pray drawing closer to God than trillions of dollars of technology
randomly scouring the heavens.

Prayer: Father you created the universe and everything in it --- how 
wonderful You are --- yet you even know and care about the numbers of hairs 
on my
insignificant head. I am so honored to have a personal relationship with 
Your Son. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Pastor Bill Team Prayer:

Father please bring 1............. 2............. 3.............. into your 
kingdom.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Copyright (c) 2014

Today's Daily Encounter

Did I Make a Difference--Did You?

"Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my
sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek
justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of
orphans. Fight for the rights of widows."1

On a recent Saturday night Joy and I were relaxing at
home listening to gospel music and heard the Oakridge
Boys singing; "Did I Make a Difference?" The words were
very inspiring and challenging. Following are some of
the lyrics:

"I'm caught up in the push and shove,
The daily grind, burning time, spinning wheels,
I wonder what I'm doing here,
Day to day, year to year, standing still.
Somewhere there's a teacher with a heart that never
quits,
Staying after school to help some inner city kids,
A mother who's a volunteer, a soldier in the fight,
I can't help but ask myself when I lay down at
night.

"Did I make a difference in somebody's life?
What hurts did I heal? What wrongs did I right?
Did I raise my voice in defense of the truth?
Did I lend my hand to the destitute?
When my race is run, when my song is sung,
Will I have to wonder, did I make a difference?
Did I make a difference?"2

Dear reader, when your race of life is run and you come
to the end of life's journey and look back on your
life, will you be able to say that you have made a
difference in somebody's life, and in the world in
which you lived? Or when you stand before the Master,
Jesus, to give an account of your life,* will you be
able to say with confidence that you made a difference
with your life? And will I? Let's make absolutely
certain that you and I will truly be able to say, "Yes,
by the grace of God, I did make a difference."

The good news is that if you want to make a difference,
you can. Just make yourself available to God every day
to use you as He pleases!

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, again today I surrender my
heart and life to You. Please help me to so live today
and every day in such a way--to be 'as Jesus' in some
way to every life I touch--so that my life will make a
difference in somebody's life, and also in the world in
which I live. And please grant that by Your grace when
I stand before Your judgment seat to give an account of
my life, I will not be empty handed, but will hear Youe
welcoming words, 'Well done, good and faithful servant,
your life made a difference in many people's lives,
enter into the joy of your Lord.' Thank You for hearing
and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name,
amen."

*"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ, that each one may receive the things done in
the body, according to what he has done, whether good
or bad."3

1. Isaiah 1:16-17 (NLT).
2.
http://tinyurl.com/kxac9je
3. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NKJV).

<)))><

NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
Click on:
http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php.
Or
if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ,
please click on
http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php
to note this.

* * * * * * *

Copyright (c) 2014 by ACTS International
When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
ACTS International.

Hope in Barrenness

Isaiah 54:1

Although we may have brought forth some fruit and have a joyful hope that we 
are abiding in the vine, yet there are times when we feel very barren. 
Prayer
is lifeless, love is cold, faith is weak, each grace in the garden of our 
heart languishes and droops. We are like flowers in the hot sun, desperately
needing the refreshing shower. In such a condition what are we to do? The 
text is addressed to us in just such a state. "Sing, O barren one . . . 
break
forth into singing and cry aloud." But what can I sing about? I cannot talk 
about the present, and even the past looks full of barrenness. I can sing of
Jesus Christ. I can talk of visits that the Redeemer has paid to me in the 
past; or if not of these, I can magnify the great love with which He loved 
His
people when He came from the heights of heaven for their redemption.

I will go to the cross again. Come, my soul, you were once heavy-laden, and 
you lost your burden there. Go to Calvary again. Perhaps that very cross 
that
gave you life may give you fruitfulness. What is my barrenness? It is the 
platform for His fruit-creating power. What is my desolation? It is the dark
setting for the sapphire of His everlasting love. I will go to Him in my 
poverty, I will go in my helplessness, I will go in all my shame and 
backsliding;
I will tell Him that I am still His child, and finding confidence in His 
faithful heart, even I, the barren one, will sing and cry aloud.

Sing, believer, for it will cheer your own heart and the hearts of others 
who are desolate. Sing on, for although you are presently ashamed of being 
barren,
you will be fruitful soon; now that God makes you hate to be without fruit 
He will soon cover you with clusters. The experience of our barrenness is 
painful,
but the Lord's visits are delightful. A sense of our own poverty drives us 
to Christ, and that is where we need to be, for in Him our fruit is found.

Family Bible reading plan

verse 1 Lamentations 5

verse 2 Psalms 36

Click here to learn more about
Truth For Life

From Morning & Evening revised and edited by Alistair Begg copyright 2003. 
Used by permission of Crossway Books, a publishing ministry of Good News 
Publishers,
Wheaton, IL 60187,
www.crossway.org.

Welcome to the Illustrator
Today's Bible Verse:

Jeremiah 17:7-8 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose 
confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends 
out
its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; the leaves are 
always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear
fruit."
By Answers2Prayer

The Relationship

The two dogs were regular visitors right from the start. The moving truck 
had scarcely pulled out of the driveway when they appeared. Mocha was large 
and
sported a shaggy black and tan coat, while Skye being totally black and 
furry was often mistaken for one of the local black bears. They were soon a 
common
sight, stretched out on our front boardwalk.

Over the years the dogs have travelled along bush trails, protected our 
livestock and run beside the cart and pony when we take a jaunt to town. 
Both eat
their meals at our place and look to us for their general care. Mocha 
however has become much more a part of our family than Skye. Mocha comes to 
be brushed
and have the burrs and rose prickles removed from her now glossy coat. She 
likes to have her ears rubbed and tummy scratched and has learned to obey 
commands.
In fact 3 years ago, as winter approached, she even decided to move into the 
house with us in order to stay warm and enjoy a cozy dog bed. Mocha has 
indeed
become a vibrant and all inclusive family member enjoying its full benefits.

Skye however is very different. She still shies away from being physically 
touched, always keeping people at arm's length. She rarely listens, choosing
instead to go her own way which can often place her in the path of danger. 
Her dense coat is matted and dirty as she refuses to be groomed. And in the
dead of winter she will stand outside the house lifting one paw after 
another off the ground to find some relief from the bitter cold, but when 
invited
into the warmth of the house she seldom accepts the invitation. On the rare 
occasion when the freezing temperatures have forced her to reconsider, she
has ventured in to warm herself for a short period but then rises and stands 
at the door to go back out again as soon as possible. Skye has never 
received
anything but love and goodness from our hand and is definitely part of our 
family and yet still she has not become a full member of the family, 
choosing
instead to remain standing on the fringe of relationship looking in.

Many Christians are like Skye. They hear of God's love and move into the 
fringe of it by accepting the salvation he offers in Christ Jesus. They 
become
members of God's family and yet still, for whatever reason, they choose to 
not give up many of their own ways, never allowing Christ full Lordship of 
their
lives. This choice prevents them from receiving and enjoying the fullness of 
his blessings and the transformed life of victory amidst the trials of this
world.

Others like Mocha become fully committed family members. They not only 
receive the salvation Christ offers but also choose to trust and humble 
themselves
before his Lordship. By so doing their lives are transformed as they fully 
receive and enjoy the blessings of intimate relationship with Him. Victory 
in
life as well as death belongs to them.

Which one of these relationships best describes the one which you now have 
with Christ, full blessing or partial, victory or defeat?

The choice is yours.

Prayer: Father God, May all who have come to you for salvation reach out and 
choose to fully trust and have confidence in you that they may be like a 
tree
planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not 
fear when heat comes; the leaves are always green. It has no worries in a 
year
of drought and never fails to bear fruit. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

Lynne Phipps
Atlin, B.C.

Announcement:

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individual? Why don’t you encourage that person to
subscribe to our newsletter
and watch the Lord work on that individual via our newsletter? Doors will be 
opened and you will receive the opportunity to share Jesus with that person.

ÂCopyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely 
give."