...easter

 “By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also” 1 Corinthians 6:14.

Millions and millions of Christians around the world celebrate Easter every year. But for far too many of us the story has become boring and rote. We have the basic facts down. Jesus was arrested. He was crucified. And three days later, God raised him from the dead.

Yet we miss something very important. We miss what turns Easter from a one-dimensional holiday to a multi-dimensional, life-transforming way of life. We miss that the story of the Resurrection isn’t just Jesus’ story — it’s our story as well.

You see, you are a part of the Resurrection. Jesus’ death and Resurrection didn’t just prove there was life after death. The Resurrection proves you can have life after death, that there’s life beyond your grave.

Jesus says, if you trust in him, death becomes a transition, not an ending point.

One day your heart will stop. But it will not be the end of you. God made you to last forever. That’s why you often have a feeling there’s more to life than this. Jesus made this amazing promise in John 11: 25-26: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die”

That’s quite a promise! Jesus proved he could do it by resurrecting himself. Otherwise, we would have no reason to believe it. If Jesus hadn’t died on the cross and been resurrected more than 2,000 years ago, you would have zero chance of getting to Heaven - no hope of the afterlife and no eternal life.

The Bible says, “By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also” 1 Corinthians 6:14.

As Easter comes our way this year, that’s a truth to hang our lives upon. It’s great news that Jesus rose from the dead. But what turns that truth from black and white to living color is that one day - if you trust in Him - He will raise you from the grave, too.

That’s the promise of Easter.

-rick warren

....welcome

In Luke chapter 15, Jesus tells a parable about a missing sheep. In the story, the shepherd searches relentlessly until he finds it. Then he lays it on his shoulders and lovingly carries it back home. The Lord wants us to follow His example and send out search parties to look for the lost sheep among us. 

These missing sheep are our neighbors, friends, and family who have wandered away from the flock.

Here are some specific ways you can help someone who has left the church:

• Pray for them. God promises, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” 2 Chronicles 7:14. Prayer is powerful.
• Invite them back! The biggest issue facing former members is how to reconnect with the church. They could be waiting for the invitation, so you can be the one to help them find a path back. In some cases, a friendly phone call or visit might be all that is needed. 
• Remember to treat missing members the way you would want to be treated. Offer a warm, no-pressure invitation. Be loving and nonjudgmental, and leave room for the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts.

We should also “receive one another, just as Christ received us” Romans 15:7. Be prepared to receive with open arms those who return, as the father received the prodigal son Luke 15:20. The shepherd in Jesus’ story called his friends and neighbors in for a celebration. He told them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!”

At the end of the parable, Jesus says, “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” Luke 15:7. Shouldn’t we feel the same way? Imagine how a person would feel if the entire church turned out to celebrate their return!

"And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in." Isaiah 58:12

-doug batchelor

....?left

Everyone knows at least one person who was once walking with Jesus and was enthusiastic about being a Christian, but then he or she stopped attending church.

 

There are many reasons people stop going. About 2.7 million former church members reported they drifted from church activity due to their lives being too busy, while others said they no longer believed in some of the teachings of the church. But, surprisingly, the vast majority indicated that they simply didn’t like the pastor or had a conflict with another member. It happens all too often. Look at these sad statistics:

• Each year 3,500 churches in America close their doors permanently.

• 150,000 people leave churches for good every week.

• 32 percent of people surveyed after leaving church reported that no one from their congregations ever contacted them.

 

It’s unfortunate that anyone has felt ignored, rejected, ostracized, or injured by another church member or group of members. The church should be a loving and safe place, a sanctuary where sinners come to find hope, healing, and spiritual nurturing. But it doesn’t always work out that way. People don’t always follow the Lord’s command to love one another, and often the result is that someone leaves the church.

 

When Jesus said, “But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” Matthew 10:6, He was speaking of these missing members who have drifted away from the church. He was letting us know that we should be especially involved in searching for them. Rather than turning our eyes away from the problem, we should “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2.

 

We should search for these people with enthusiasm, like the woman searching for her lost coin Luke 15:8. Searching is the first step in bringing them home.

 

"And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: 

thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; 

and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in." Isaiah 58:12

-doug batchelor

 

 

....bailey

God recently allowed me to see Jesus through the eyes of someone seeing Him for the first time. Having the advantage of knowing how the story ends, we can easily forget the cost of our redemption and the love of our Savior.

Every year we attend a local church pageant at Christmas time, which tells the story of Jesus from His birth through His resurrection. It is a spectacular event, with live animals and hundreds of cast members in realistic costumes. The magi enter the huge auditorium on llamas from the rear, descending the steps in pomp and majesty. Roman soldiers look huge and menacing in their costumes and makeup.

Of all the years we have attended, one stands out indelibly in my heart. It was the year we took our then three-year-old granddaughter, Bailey, who loves Jesus. She was mesmerized throughout the entire play, not just watching, but involved as if she were a player. She watches as Joseph and Mary travel to the Inn and is thrilled when she sees the baby Jesus in His mother's arms.

When Jesus, on a young donkey, descends the steps from the back of the auditorium, depicting His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Bailey was ecstatic. As he neared our aisle, Bailey began jumping up and down, screaming, "Jesus, Jesus! There's Jesus!" Not just saying the words but exclaiming them with every fiber of her being. She alternated between screaming his name and hugging us. "It's Jesus. Look!"

I thought she might actually pass out. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at Jesus through the eyes of a child in love with Him, seeing Him for the first time. How like the blind beggar screaming out in reckless abandon, "Jesus, Jesus!", afraid he might miss Him, not caring what others thought. Mark 10:46-52

This was so much fun.

Then came the arrest scene. On stage, the soldiers shoved and slapped Jesus as they moved Him from the Garden of Gesthemane to Pilate. Bailey responded as if she were in the crowd of women, with terror and anger. "Stop it!" she screamed. "Bad soldiers, stop it!" As I watched her reaction, I wished we had talked to her before the play. "Bailey it's OK. They are just pretending."

"They are hurting Jesus! Stop it!"

She stood in her seat reacting to each and every move. People around us at first smiled at her reaction, thinking "How cute!". Then they quit smiling and began watching her watch Him. In a most powerful scene, the soldiers lead Jesus carrying the cross down the steps of the auditorium from the back They were yelling, whipping, and cursing at Jesus, who was bloodied and beaten.

Bailey was now hysterical. "Stop it! Soldiers! Stop it," she screamed. She must have been wondering why all these people did nothing. She then began to cry instead of scream. "Jesus, Oh, Jesus!" People all around us began to weep as we all watch this devoted little disciple see her Jesus beaten and killed as those first century disciples had.

Going back and forth between her mother's lap and mine for comfort, she was distraught. I kept saying, "Bailey, it's OK. Jesus is going to be OK. These are just people pretending to be soldiers. She looked at me like I was crazy. In my lap, we talked through the cross and burial. "Watch, Bailey, watch for Jesus!"

The tomb began to tremble and lightening flashed as the stone rolled away. A Super Bowl touchdown cheer couldn't come close to matching this little one's reaction to the resurrection. "Jesus! He's OK. Mommy, it's Jesus!" I prayed that she wasn't going to be traumatized by this event, but that she would remember it. I shall never forget it. I shall never forget seeing Jesus's suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection through the eyes of an innocent child.

Following the pageant the actors all assembled in the foyer to be greeted by the audience. As we passed by some of the soldiers Bailey screamed out, "Bad soldier, don't you hurt Jesus." The actor who portrayed Jesus was some distance away surrounded by well-wishers and friends. Bailey broke away from us and ran toward him, wrapping herself around his legs, holding on for dear life. He hugged her and said, "Jesus loves you." He patted her to go away.

She wouldn't let go. She kept clinging to Him, laughing and calling His name. She wasn't about to let go of her Jesus.

I think God in heaven stopped what ever was going on that day and made all the angels watch Bailey. "Now, look there! You see what I meant when I said, 'Of such is the kingdom of heaven?'"

Bailey's reaction should be our reaction every day. When we think of Him, who He is, what He did for us, and what He offers us, we have to say, how can we do anything less than worship Him?

-david langerfeld 

 

....victory

 “Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

The cross is empty and so is the tomb.

    You can try to bury Power, but it won't stay there.

    You can try to bury Truth, but it is not dead.

    You can try to bury Love, but it cannot be contained. 

Jesus is alive, He won the victory of sin and death.  And He’s still the same, even in all the days after the Easter weekend. He never changes. He made a way for us to live free.  No other truth in history has the ability to change our lives and affect our future like this. Yet so many still choose to reject Christ’s sacrifice and love. He offers us a choice today, and it’s the best decision you could ever make.

 

What Christ’s Death on the Cross and the Power of His Resurrection Offers:

1.  It provides a bridge, a way, to God.

It gives us an opportunity to have a personal relationship with the very God who made us and loves us more than we could imagine. Without the cross, there is no way to cross over to the other side of relationship with him. Any attempt will fail. He is the Only Way.

2.  It provides opportunity for forgiveness of sin. 

Through the price that Jesus paid on Calvary, we have the chance to be forgiven of our own sin. He took our sin and shame upon his very shoulders. He took the blows on our behalf so we wouldn’t have to suffer. Such incredible love. Such amazing sacrifice.

3.  It provides freedom to all those who believe.

Freedom from the shackles of sin. Freedom from shame. Freedom from fear. Freedom from worry. Freedom from hopelessness. Freedom from despair. Freedom from addiction. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from darkness and eternal separation from God.

4.  It provides new life.

We are not only forgiven and set free, but we have a whole new life and destiny through Christ. We are changed, from the inside. He renews our minds. He changes our hearts and desires. He gives us fresh purpose for every day set before us.

5.  It provides power for us to live today. 

When Jesus died on the cross, and was buried, it didn’t stop there. The final picture of all that the cross provides lies in the powerful Resurrection of our Lord. He won. He didn’t stay dead. His power broke through, and that same power is alive within us today. As believers, God gives us the power of the Holy Spirit, living and moving through us each day.

6.  It provides the way to have victory over the enemy. 

We don’t have to fear him or his attacks. As we live aware of his traps, the power of Christ over our lives gives us a covering and protection from his evil schemes. We’re not left to fend for ourselves. We don’t fight in our own strength. We can stand strong in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ.

7.  It provides for us an eternal heavenly home.

We never need to fear about what will happen when we die. In Christ we have been given the gift of eternal life. This earth is only our temporary home. God is preparing a place for us, with him, to live forever. And you can be assured it will be far greater than we could ever imagine.

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor.15:57

- debbie mcdaniel

 

....sermon

An Anglican vicar from Lancashire, England, has delivered a 28-hour, 45-minute sermon, breaking the world record for the longest unscripted speech. Chris Sterry, 46, began his marathon sermon June 29, 2001. He was not allowed to repeat himself, talk nonsense, or to pause for more than 10 seconds, but was permitted a 15-minute break every eight hours. Two referees who worked four-hour shifts were on hand to make sure rules were followed.

A former lecturer on the Old Testament, Sterry “talked his way into the Guinness Book of Records” when he took the first four books of the Bible as the text of his sermon. Before he began preaching, he stated, “As a former lecturer on the Old Testament I am looking forward to unlimited opportunity to talk about one of my great enthusiasms.” 

Sterry’s sermon was broadcast live every 15 minutes on CNN throughout June 30. He says he undertook the challenge as a fund-raising effort for his church. There were more than 100 people in church when he broke the record. If it looked like he was about to drop off, people in the congregation would “heckle” (encourage) him to keep going. News reports do not indicate whether any of his parishioners also lasted the entire distance! 

The Sermon on the Mount was Jesus’ most famous and longest recorded sermon in the Gospels. Given when Christ appointed the twelve disciples, it was like an inaugural address that tells us about how the kingdom of heaven was to operate. The “sermon” was given from a mountain. 

Just as Moses proclaimed God’s law from Mount Sinai, Jesus’ proclamation from the “mount of blessing” affirmed the same law. What is recorded in the Gospels is probably an abbreviation of the greatest sermon ever given.

 

When is the last time you prayerfully read through Christ’s Sermon on the Mount? Why not take time to read Matthew 5:1 to 8:1, or the shorter version found in Luke 6:17-49. 

And it won’t take you 28 hours and 45 minutes! 

"And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:"Matthew 5:1"And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,"

-doug batchelor

....freedom

 

The Bible gives us 76 different word pictures for forgiveness, but the main word the New Testament uses for it means “to release.” In Scripture, to forgive means to write “canceled” over a debt.

Forgiveness isn’t giving in to another person; it’s getting free of that person. It isn’t about whether he or she deserves your forgiveness. You may even think that you’re hurting someone by harboring a grudge against them. But its you being hurt.

It’s like eating rat poison and waiting for the rat to die. When we harbor anger and bitterness toward someone who has hurt us, we’re not destroying them. We’re actually destroying ourselves. When you withhold forgiveness, it will eat you up inside.  If you don’t forgive, then you’re choosing to hate. 

The first to apologize is the bravest. 

The first to forgive is the strongest. 

And the first to forget is the happiest.

If you are married, then you really need to learn how to forgive. Someone once asked Billy Graham’s wife, Ruth, what the secret was to a strong and lasting marriage. She replied that a successful marriage is made up of two good forgivers.

Is there someone you need to forgive at this very moment? Maybe it’s your mom, your dad, your child, your friend, your coworker, or your spouse. Has someone hurt or betrayed you, and you’re sitting around plotting your revenge? That has to stop. Lay it at the foot of the cross, and put them in the hands of God. You don’t want to be bound by it anymore. Let it go.

When you forgive someone, you set a prisoner free: yourself. 

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

-greg laurie

......death

"Whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:26

When Jesus died on the cross, He conquered sin. But when He rose again from the dead, He defeated death.

Death is not a subject we usually want to discuss. But when you get down to it, that is what Easter is all about. Easter is about the death of death, because Jesus came to conquer death.

We don’t like to discuss this subject of dying. It is a hard subject for us to talk about. Many don’t even want to use the word death. They will use other words, like passed away or expired. We will refer to someone who has died as “the dearly departed.”

Some, in an attempt to avoid its seriousness, will make light of it with expressions like “kicked the bucket” or “cashed in their chips.” We don’t want to deal with death. It is a hard subject to grapple with.

Easter is a day that marks the death of death. Death died when Christ rose. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die” John 11:25–26.

I understand that we die. I understand that our bodies go into a grave. But here is what I am saying to you: death is not the end. Sure our bodies go into the ground. The Bible says that one day our bodies will be resurrected as well.

This is the hope of Easter. Death is not the end of the road; it is only a bend in the road. 

When Jesus died and rose, He rendered death powerless.

-greg Laurie 

.....resurrection

Within three days Jesus's followers went from heartbroken sadness to triumphant jubilation. The cross screamed, “The End,” making them feel hopeless and helpless. But the resurrection trumpeted, “The Beginning,” bringing confidence and courage. The cloud of doubt and despair that had shrouded them melted away and was replaced with unshakeable faith.

Can you imagine how they felt when they realized Jesus had risen from the dead? Suddenly hope came alive; now everything He had said was validated as truth. They had not believed a lie. His victory over death was the acid test that forever sealed their sure conviction that He was the Messiah.

We commemorate Jesus's death on the cross with solemnity, but the resurrection calls for thunderous applause, praise, and song. All the blessings that come our way through the Savior’s cross are confirmed by the resurrection. It proved that the Father was satisfied with the Son’s payment for our sins. Now we can know that our transgressions are forgiven and we’re eternally secure.

What’s more, Jesus promises that we, too, will be resurrected and given new bodies. Physical death could not hold Him, nor will it overpower us. Because He overcame the grave, His followers have the same kind of life He has—eternal and indestructible.

As Christians, because of the resurrection event, our lives have been forever changed. We’ve been transformed and given new life. With unwavering faith, we trust the Bible because Christ’s power over the grave proves He can and will fulfill every word.

-charles stanley

....child

 "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18

There was a little girl, very young, who was on a flight back to her home where her father was to meet her. I forget why she had gone away. The stewards were giving out free sweets to all the young children and the girl, for the whole flight home, ate sweet after sweet after sweet.

When they had almost got home the girl was sick all over her seat and her dress. The stewardess who had given her all the sweets was so disgusted she refused to clean up the mess.

As the plane landed the father was waiting patiently for his little princess who he hadn't seen for such a long time. He had just come from work and was wearing his newest, smartest suit. A suit he loved so much to wear.

As the plane door opened the little girl, wanting her daddy, ran out in the terminal. Excited at the sight of her daddy she runs straight for him. The father immediately notices the horrible mess that covers his daughter's dress as she runs straight for him but as she reaches him he snatches her up in his arms and hugs her tightly to his chest, ruining the clothes he wore. He loved his new suit. But the love he had for his daughter was unbeatable, and even though she was a mess, and would ruin his suit, he cared much more about her and just wanted to hold her in his arms.

Jesus Christ, too, wants that relationship with us. Our lives are in a mess. But He does not care. He loves us - every single one of us. And, He waits with open arms for us to run to Him and embrace Him, where He will clean us up and never turn us away. Run into His arms today and, if you are already there, help others reach this wonderful goal!

-dave langerfeld

...knew

 Earl C. Willer tells the story of two men who grew up best friends.  Though Jim was just a little older than Phillip and often assumed the role of leader, they did everything together. They even went to high school and college together.

After college they joined the Marines. By a unique series of circumstances they were sent to Germany together where they fought side by side in one of history's ugliest wars.

One sweltering day during a fierce battle, amid heavy gunfire, bombing, and close-quarters combat, they were given the command to retreat. As the men were running back, Jim noticed that Phillip had not returned with the others. Panic gripped his heart. Jim knew if Phillip was not back in another minute or two, then he wouldn't make it.

Jim begged his commanding officer to let him go after his friend, but the officer forbade the request, saying it would be suicide. Risking his own life, Jim disobeyed and went after Phillip. His heart pounding he ran into the gunfire calling out for his friend. A short time later his platoon saw him hobbling across the field carrying a limp body in his arms.

Jim's commanding officer upbraided him, shouting that it was a foolish waste of time and an outrageous risk. Your friend is dead, he added, and there is nothing you could do.   "No sir, you are wrong," Jim replied. "I got there just in time. Before he died, his last words were 'I knew you would come.'"

Think of it friends. Someday, we'll be together in Heaven and I'm certain that we'll be rejoicing and saying the same thing.  "Jesus, I knew you would come back for me."

He is the epitome of Loyalty. His love for us was so great that He gave up His life on the cross.  He said that He would come back and take his church back to Heaven to spend eternity with Him. You can count on that!

I don't believe that it's a long time off in the future either. Be ready!!!

"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work."  Revelation 22:12

-tim levin

hero

 “The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.” Proverbs 4:18

We live in a culture that’s in search of real heroes. In fact, I’m not sure whether we know what a hero is anymore. We use the term very loosely. I think we live in a culture that has a lot of celebrities but very few heroes.

As historian Daniel J. Boorstin pointed out, “Celebrities are people who make news, but heroes are people who make history. Time makes heroes but dissolves celebrities.”

That is certainly what we have before us in the life of Joseph. He was a true hero, and he changed his world. There are a lot of things we can learn from Joseph, including how to overcome adversity.

In Joseph’s story, we discover how we can overcome envy, face adversity, resist sexual temptation, have faith in the promises of God, and forgive those who have horribly wronged us.

Joseph’s life showed very little promise. As the 12th of 13 children, he was a bit on the pampered side and given to visions of grandeur. But God gave him dreams. In the beginning, his dreams got him into trouble. In the end, however, other people’s dreams got him out of trouble.

If Joseph were alive today, his life verse would be Romans 8:28: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them”.

If anyone could have had an excuse for turning out badly, it was Joseph. He lived in a family dominated by lying, deceit, immorality, manipulation, and even murder. He could have blamed his parents for all the problems of his life.

Yet amazingly, Joseph turned out to be a very godly young man with a sterling character. And he changed the world because God changed his world first.

-greg laurie

.......build

 "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

In August 1995, the church I pastored made the decision to do a major renovation on our thirty-five-year-old sanctuary. The first step was to put together a crew of people to do internal demolition. Around forty people showed up to take care of this task.

Dust was everywhere as we ripped up carpet, knocked out walls, tore down ceilings, and dismantled the platform. There were people of all shapes, sizes, and ages. It was a wonderful project for individuals like me because absolutely no skill was needed. It doesn’t take much training to destroy something.

When this phase was completed, the remodeling began. This was the part that required skilled and trained people - those who knew how to construct, build, and refurbish. 

Their task was much more difficult and it took much longer than the demolition.

Anybody can tear down, but not everyone can build up. It doesn’t take a genius to destroy something, but it does take some know-how to construct something of value. 

The unskilled can quickly take apart that which takes the skilled a lot of time to put together.

Do you build or demolish?   

Encourage or Discourage? 

Christians should always leave people better than they found them.

-p. stevenson

.......win

 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us."  (Hebrews 12:1)

 

Faith in Jesus Christ always seems to call for double action...

    repent and believe

    lay down evil and take up good

    throw off every sin and run with perseverance

The command is never one-sided.  It is never intended to make us empty with no refilling. 

 

What are the sins that weigh me down?  

Are they little things like selfishness and ingratitude?  

Things not big enough to totally disqualify me for the race, but annoying enough to slow me to a walk? 

 

Then let me lay them aside... not because the Christian life says I must get rid of things, but so I will be able to run!

 

 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."  1 Cor. 9:24

-david langerfeld

....praying

 There are times when I tell my children to do something and they hear "request". I say to them, "When you clean your room be sure to remember to straighten the bottom of your closet."  What they hear is, "If you clean your room you 'may' want to straighten up the bottom of your closet." I am not sure what happens between the time the words leave my mouth and enter their ears, but something surely takes place.

 

This problem is not isolated to children.  We, who are older, suffer the same disorder. When we read God's Word, through which He speaks to us, we often hear something much different than what He says. Our response often reveals that we did not pay attention, hear correctly, or that we have ignored God's direction.

In His Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 6:5, Jesus says, "When you pray..." Listen carefully. Jesus repeats it in verse 7 - "When you pray..." There is a powerful assumption in this statement. Jesus assumes His disciples ARE praying. He does not command us to pray, but instructs us on how we are to pray, assuming that we are already praying.

It has often been said it is much easier to talk about prayer than to pray. We are great examples of that. The prayer workshops, books, and Bible studies are innumerable. We want to rush past the "when you pray" of Jesus' teaching and get to the "do's" and "don'ts" He speaks about. The instruction and discussion are important, otherwise Jesus wouldn't have given it. 

But, the daunting question before us is not "if we know how to pray". Rather, it is, "are we praying"? Jesus' "when you pray" places a criterion before us that requires self-examination. Even now, I am tempted to discuss the reasons why we avoid prayer, or do not pray, or hesitate to pray. But after all the discussion, this question remains - do we pray?

In Luke 11:1 Jesus is praying and when He gets done, one of His disciples comes up to Him and requests, "Lord, teach us to pray."  Jesus responds, "When you pray" and proceeds to give a pattern prayer. The request was "teach us to pray" but Jesus gives a pattern. They didn't need to be taught to pray. His followers desire to pray and they are compelled to pray. His disciples are a praying people. What was needed was instruction on how.

    It is not that we should not study about prayer.

    It is not that we should neglect learning about how to pray.

    It is that we should be praying as we study and learn.

 

No one needs to teach us to talk with family and friends. Even the smallest infant attempts to communicate with its parents. Though we do not need to learn to pray, we do need to be taught how.

The Word of God is our meat and drink. Prayer is our breath. As eating and breathing are necessary for us to live, so feasting on God's Word and praying to Him are for those in Christ. Whether the babbling prayers of an infant Christian or the mature prayers of the seasoned saint - let us pray!

-gerald wherstone

......!alert

Thousands of cars are stolen every year in California, but in 1981, there was one car theft that made all the local papers and was the lead story on the evening news. The police had issued an all-points bulletin to find the missing car and to make contact with the person who stole it.

Why was this car theft getting so much attention? The owner of the stolen car had informed the police that on the front seat of the car was a box of crackers laced with a deadly poison. The car owner had planned to use the crackers as rat bait. So the police were desperately trying to find the thief not to punish him, but to save his life. They were afraid he would eat one of the crackers and die.

In the same way, our Heavenly Father pursues us - not because he wants to punish us but because he wants to save us. You may be running away from God because - like the car thief - you are a sinner. You have broken God's law.   

But what you may not realize is that God is trying to rescue you, not condemn you. The penalty for your sin has been paid by Jesus Christ on the cross, and God wants to give you your freedom. So stop running and turn yourself in. Your life is at stake!

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

-wayne rice

.........100

"There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed."

Isaiah 65:20

This text has confused many Bible students. The wording seems to imply that death might still plague the saints in God’s new eternal world. But some scholars believe we need to look more closely at the context, which indicates a subjunctive form of speech. This would mean that the prophet was using human terminology to describe heavenly conditions. In other words, Isaiah was saying, “Should (or if) certain conditions prevail, then such and such would result.” 

Here’s another translation that gives more of the poetic sense of the passage; from The Message Bible: “No more babies dying in the cradle, or old people who don’t enjoy a full lifetime; one-hundredth birthdays will be considered normal—anything less will seem like a cheat.” 

Isaiah was seeking to illustrate the facts of eternal life in heaven by earthly comparisons. Therefore, he had to call on his readers to imagine certain mortal conditions as being in the new earth so that they could grasp the truths of immortality. Poetic language can get us in trouble when we try to squeeze out a literal message that was never intended by the writer. 

Another way to understand this passage is to recognize that prophecies often had multiple fulfillments. For instance, God’s Spirit was promised by Joel to be poured out in his time Joel 2:28. Peter later applied this same promise to the early rain poured out at Pentecost Acts 2:17. But we also know that in the very last days of earth’s history, there will be a special outpouring of God’s Spirit, called the “latter rain” James 5:7.

If Israel had fulfilled their promise after the Babylonian captivity and followed God’s ways, then in a local sense this Bible verse would have been fulfilled; yet it still has a greater and universal application when Jesus comes. 

-doug batchelor

.......off

 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33

Today I turned on my computer and began to type. I had finished about two lines before I looked at the screen and saw a confusing jumble of letters. I had unknowingly placed my hands one key to the left of proper starting position. Therefore, each word I wrote made absolutely no sense. 

The same could happen if I played the piano and put my hands in the incorrect position. The mistake would be audible and detected quickly, but the short musical interlude would be miserable sounding.

The same is true of my Christian walk. I may be off the "beaten path" a little; perhaps putting self first and exemplifying other characteristics which are not Christian. I would sound and look unappealing and make no sense as a Christian, even by being one step to the right or left of where I should be.

I am thankful God wants to place me back where I need to be, in the proper position in His beautiful plan. I need to remember to "look" where I am and "listen" to how I sound. Am I glorifying God in my actions and words? This is my desire, and I so am thankful that God taps me lovingly on the hand when I am out of place. 

How about you?

-marion smith

........free

Simon Bolivar was South America’s greatest general. He is known as “the great liberator” because his victories against Spain won independence for Venezuela, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and a country that bears his name, Bolivia.

In 1824, after Bolivar helped Peru win its freedom from Spain, the great general called for a convention to draft a constitution for the new country. After the convention, a delegation approached Simon Bolivar and asked him to become their first president. He gracefully declined, saying that he felt someone else deserved the honor more than he. But the people still wanted to do something special for Bolivar to show their appreciation for all he had done to free them from the oppression of Spain. So they offered him a gift of a million pesos, a fabulous fortune in those days. 

Bolivar thoughtfully accepted the gift and then asked how many slaves there were in Peru. He was told that there were about 3,000. “And how much does a slave sell for?” he wanted to know. “About 350 pesos for an able-bodied man,” was the answer. “Then,” said Bolivar, “I will add whatever is necessary to this million pesos you have given me, and I will buy all the slaves in Peru and set them free.” He added, “It makes no sense to free a nation unless all its citizens enjoy freedom as well.” 

The Bible teaches that Jesus came into the world to set captives free. Near the beginning of His earthly ministry, Jesus attended the synagogue in Nazareth on the Sabbath day and read from Isaiah’s prophecy about Himself: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” Luke 4:18, 19. 

On another occasion, when the Jewish leaders claimed that they were in bondage to no one, Jesus explained that “whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” John 8:34. But He assured the people, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” verse 36. There is true freedom in Christ alone. 

Are you truly free? 

"Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." Romans 6:18

-doug batchelor

........drift

 "People do not drift toward holiness."

Apart from a grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord.

    We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance

    We drift toward disobedience and call it freedom

    We drift toward superstition and call it faith.

    We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation

    We slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism

    We slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated

We do not drift toward holiness.  We must pursue holiness and righteousness.  We must pursue God!

  

 "With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!" Psalm 119:10

 "Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart." Psalm 119:2

 "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him." Lamentations 3:25

-d. a. carson  

...past

Like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb was one of the greatest baseball players who's ever played the game. Ty Cobb was known for stealing bases. They said when Ty Cobb would be on first base and he'd start for second, the catcher would fake to second, then throw the ball to third to try and block Ty Cobb when he slid into home. He truly was a base-stealer. But you know, he was thrown out more than any other man in baseball trying to steal bases.

Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball home-run hitter of all time, struck out more than any other man in baseball. He held the record, not only for home runs, but for strike outs!

These men didn't let their failures stop them. They kept striving to achieve their goal.

Fix your goal! Face your faults. Forget your failures. Failure in the spiritual life, in the Christian life, is not final. Your problem is, that you may have only a certain assessment of yourself. In that assessment, you are facing your faults, but you won't forget your failures.

Today is the day. Forget your failures! Forget your past mistakes.  Lock the door on yesterday and throw away the key!!!

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold f it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14

-dave langerfeld  

....confession

Principally, all sin is against God and must be confessed only to Him in the closet of prayer. Notice that even after David sinned with Bathsheba and killed Uriah, he prayed, “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight” Psalm 51:4. 

When Achan was identified by God for stealing, his sin was against God and the people. Joshua told him, “I beg you, give glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession to Him, and tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me” Joshua 7:19. Because his sin directly affected the people, or church, he was commanded to acknowledge this publicly. But the confession was to God, not man—because only God can forgive sin. “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins” Isaiah 43:25. 

But if we hurt, offend, or abuse another human, whether Christian or pagan, we should acknowledge it and ask them to forgive us. “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” Matthew 5:23, 24. 

Public sin should be acknowledged publicly; offences against individuals should be addressed only with those involved; private sin should be confessed to God privately. Such confession should not be taken lightly. It needs to come from a humble heart. True confession explains what was done. There are no excuses. Paul’s example of such specific honesty can be seen in Acts 26:10, 11. 

When we genuinely confess our sins to God (and to each other), we will experience God’s love and peace. We will be cleansed from unrighteousness. 

 

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16

-doug batchelor

...........thinking

Recently I have been picking a book - usually a short one - out of the Bible and reading it non-stop.  I try to take the time to let it speak to my mind and my heart. 

 

The last few days I have been reading the book of Second Timothy.  This verse caught my mind and my heart, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."  The two words that caught my attention were "sound mind".  Actually, there is one compound Greek word that is translated "sound mind".  [sos = safe + phren = mind, thus "safe-thinking"] 

 

Oh, how we have a need in our world today for "safe-thinking"!  "Safe-thinking" is found in the Word of God.  The Apostle Paul stated it this way, "Finally, my brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8

 

What more contemporary words of encouragement for wholesome, "safe-thinking" could be given than these?  In a world filled with the antithesis of "safe-thinking"  what better guidelines than those found in Philippians 4:8? 

 

I am concerned that, in today's media, we find much that is unwholesome and unsafe.  Television is filled with programs and commercials that take us away from "safe-thinking", and move us toward the profane and dark side of mankind.

 

Thoughts generate direction, and direction determines destination.  We all would do well, in the unwholesome media blitz, to consider what direction our thoughts are encouraging us to go, and what destination we are headed for. 

 

In a world whose airwaves are being filled with "darkness", and are controlled by the prince of the power of the air, I would like to encourage us all to follow the Apostle Paul's exhortation in Romans 12:2 - "Do not be conformed (allow peer pressure and trends to be the model to follow) to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, (by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit) - that you may prove (by testing the truism of Scripture) what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." 

-ken trevithick

....mindedness

 Lord of reality, make me real

     ...not plastic, synthetic, pretend, phony,

     ...not an actor playing out his part - a hypocrite.

I don't want to keep a prayer list

     .......but to pray,

I don't want to agonize to find Your will

     .......but to obey what I already know,

I don't want to argue theories of inspiration

     .......but to submit to Your Word.

I don't want to explain the difference between eros and philos and agape

     .......but to love.

I don't want to sing as if I mean it

.     ......I want to mean it.

I don't want to tell it like it is

     .......but to be like You want it.

I don't want to tell others how to do it

     .......but to do it;

I don't want to have to be always right

.     ......but to admit it when I'm wrong.

I don't want to be a census taker

     .......but an obstetrician

I don't want to be insensitive

     .......but to hurt where other people hurt

           

I don't won't to say "I know how you feel", but to say, "God knows"

      .......and "I'll try if you'll be patient with me"

     ........and meanwhile I'll be quiet.

I don't want to scorn the clichés of others

     .......but to mean everything I say - Including this.

"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ." Philippians 1:9-10

joe bayly   

....laying

As a New York skyscraper went up, hundreds paused daily to glance up at it. One day they watched a ponderous metal beam go up to take its place in the steel skeleton. As the girder came near, a workman leaned out from the sixteenth floor to seize it. The spectators gasped as he lost his balance and fell. Desperately, he clutched the girder's end with arms and legs.

 

The ground crew stopped the hoisting engine, but the man's weight at one end began to tilt the beam to a vertical position, which would eventually cause him to lose his grasp and fall to his death.

 

With swift decision, another worker on the same floor, seeing his friend's predicament, leaped through space and landed on the other end, where his weight leveled the beam. Amid the applause of the crowd, both men were safely lowered to the street.

 

Every day people around us lose their balance on moral questions - they consider having an affair with a co-worker, taking company funds, lying to close a deal, toying with drugs and alcohol.

 

Wrong decisions will hurt them and their families for years and cost their souls in Eternity. They need friends who are interested in helping them keep their balance, by leading exemplary lives, by sacrificial living, by speaking a word for Christ. Here on this earth, no one will applaud, but it will be worth it all when we receive the approval of the Master. 1 Cor 4:5

 

Live your life in the manner which Christ lived and others are sure to take notice.

w.w. clay