GFA Hopes Missionary Conference Will Spark Outreach Revolution

by Allie Martin
June 2, 2005

(AgapePress) - Later this month Gospel for Asia is sponsoring a conference aimed at increasing the effectiveness of churches' mission programs and outreaches. This year's "Renewing Your Passion Missions Conference" takes place June 27-29 at GFA's international headquarters in the Dallas suburb of Carrollton, Texas.

The 2005 "Renewing Your Passion" conference will feature church planting experts and other Christian ministry specialists from across the U.S., who will work with church pastors and leaders to help them learn to function more efficiently and productively when it comes to missions outreach programs. Dr. K.P. Yohannan, founder of GFA, says those attending the event will gain a better understanding of what makes missions work effective.

Yohannan is buoyant about the upcoming conference, and all that it has to offer the Christian leaders who participate. He says, "This is a time I really believe that they will go away [from] not with a lot of emotional challenges -- although that is important -- but with real, genuine, practical [information on] how to do missions in terms of partnering with the body of Christ in many nations and also getting their own people involved."

Conference workshops will cover topics such as short-term mission trips, developing missions leadership in the local church, renewing people's passion for Christ and the unchurched, and disaster relief. Yohannan believes these and other training sessions offered at the conference will help participants expand their evangelical outreach, especially since, he contends, most churches do not have a biblical conception of missions.

"The local pastors really have so little understanding," the GFA founder says. "Nor are they getting involved in seeing the lost come to Christ, seeing them baptized and [led to] be part of the church in many of these nations."

And that, Yohannan contends, is where one of the main problems is, that "missions have become today a lot of information, pictures and maps, rather than a 'Book of Acts' type of actually making a difference among the people who need to know the Lord Jesus Christ." But the GFA spokesman believes the 2005 Renewing Your Passion Missions Conference will address that problem and help missionaries get to the heart of outreach. In so doing, the Carrollton event has the potential to be "one of the most revolutionary conferences of this kind," he says.

Gospel for Asia trains and deploys native missionaries into the most unreached areas of Asia. Currently there are more than 14,000 GFA native missionaries planting churches throughout the Asian continent.
Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.

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Observers Say McCain Sealed His Fate in the GOP with 'Compromise' Role

by Bill Fancher and Jody Brown
June 2, 2005

(AgapePress) - A leader of the modern conservative movement says the bipartisan deal to end the filibusters of President Bush's judicial nominees was all about the presidential election of 2008.

Arizona Senator John McCain was one of the seven Republicans involved in brokering the recent controversial "compromise" that suspended a Democratic-led filibuster and allowed judicial nominee Priscilla Owen to finally get an up-or-down vote before the full Senate. The deal called for allowing two other nominees to go before the Senate for a confirmation vote, but permitted Democrats to continue their filibustering tactics on future nominees.

Paul Weyrich, the founder and director of the Free Congress Foundation, has been on the Washington scene for decades. Weyrich is convinced "pure politics" were behind McCain's efforts to broker the judicial compromise that ended the filibusters before Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist could lead a change of Senate rules ending the unprecedented blocking tactics.

"I think John McCain could not stand to see Bill Frist [become] a hero to the conservative movement, which he would have been had he been able to deliver," says Weyrich. He feels the Arizona senator's hopes of someday moving into the Oval Office took over.

"To try to derail Frist's possible campaign for the presidency, McCain was willing to undercut his president, undercut his majority leader, undercut Republicans in the Senate, and undercut the country," Weyrich says matter-of-factly. "It is the kind of raw, nasty politics that most of us abhor [and] the kind of issue that is not going to be forgotten. In my opinion, this absolutely seals his fate in Republican primaries and conventions."

Weyrich is not alone in that assessment. Grover G. Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform, told FreeRepublic.com that by his actions, McCain has essentially written himself off as a potential nominee.

"When McCain brokered the deal to betray his Republican colleagues by negotiating a private surrender to the Democrats, he publicly declared he has no interest in the presidency," Norquist said. "No Republican could expect to win the GOP nod after betraying his party's rank and file on one of their most central concerns."

McCain's bid to gain the GOP nomination in 2000 failed, but the high-profile lawmaker has been suspected of having presidential aspirations for 2008. Weyrich contends that if Frist had been successful in leading a change to the Senate rules, it would have propelled him past McCain in the race for the 2008 nomination.

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I'm not appalled at anything, and I know that many people have been pointed to Christ with these books.

I guess my objection comes more with this line than any other: I would imagine that the writer is responsible for more people coming to Christ than those who make fun of his books.

To say that any human is "responsible" for the souls of others is just strange to me and offensive to God. Do you think he'd let an imperfect people such as us determine who goes to heaven or hell? The authors are responsible for no one; the people being "saved" are responsible for themselves.

Just curious - what's your objection to the term "Saved"?

It's just so...churchy. It's one of those terms among many (such as "born-again," being a "believer," etc.) that kind of makes everything feel fake. I don't have any preferred terms; I kind of think that it would be difficult to accurately describe being "saved" without sounding churchy. I guess it's not a bad thing, it's just so cliche.  

Sapphire,

God uses imperfect people, books, films, Bible tracts, and all kinds of other media every day to reach the lost.

Ref. the terms of Salvation, it sounds like you're having a bad hair day.    If you come up with a term that you like, by all means use it.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Psalms 103:15  As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

Dear BS,
I appreciate your insight and perceptive comments. It makes the hour and a half that I spent writing my first post on this site really seem worthwhile. I really feel welcome here.

With all of the insight given you by the holy spirit and the kindness and maturity expressed on this site I am sure your board will be a complete success. I know your kind attitude and considerate welcome makes me want to be a regular here on CU. Keep up the good fight for the truth of literalism - it's the only way.

Larry

Brother Larry,

The comment given appears to be fairly simple and considerate. Sarcasm is not a part of the Holy Bible, and that's all that was said. The portion of Scripture you quoted involves Paul admonishing the Corinthians and telling them how to restore peace and order in their services. Paul addressed numerous issues. I do hope that you enjoy Christians Unite. We do have a large number of sweet Christians here.

Love In Christ,
Tom

John 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

[By George H. Morrison Faith Refusing Deliverance - Part 4]

By George H. Morrison
 
Faith Refusing Deliverance - Part 4

Christ Refused False Deliverance                                    

In closing, may I just remind you how true this was of our Lord Jesus Christ? He is our Savior not because He refused deliverance. "All these kingdoms will I give thee," said the Tempter, "if thou wilt fall down and worship me." Was not that a road to power and princedom which would have escaped the torture of the cross? But He was tortured, not accepting deliverance. He chose the bitter way that led by Calvary. He scorned deliverance by that compliance, and so He has won deliverance for the captive. Then think again, when He approached the cross, how the women offered Him the opiate. And had He but drunk it, His senses had been numbed, and the agony of crucifixion had been deadened. But having tasted it, He put it from Him. He could not and He would not drink it. And He was tortured, not accepting deliverance, that He might be the Savior of mankind. Now He preaches freedom to the captive. Do you know it? Have you experienced it? Can you this minute bear witness in your heart that you are a freed man in Jesus Christ? if so, to you may come those darksome hours when voices call you to some mean escape, and just because you are a man in Christ, with all the saints and martyrs you will scorn it.

_______________________

By George H. Morrison
_______________________

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[By George H. Morrison Faith Refusing Deliverance - Part 3]

By George H. Morrison
 
Faith Refusing Deliverance - Part 3                                                          

Sometimes Deliverance Can Be Failure or Treachery

The same issue of faith is also seen in public and in Christian service. I suppose there is no one engaged in that who does not feel at times a longing for release. It may be that enthusiasm has vanished. It may be that we are disappointed. It may be that those whom we are called to labor with are irritating and interfering people. So sooner or later comes to us the day when we are tempted to have done with it; to take our armour off, and hang it up, and pass into the oblivion of peace. Now I am far from saying that that is always wrong. Sometimes it may be right and necessary. A man may be forced to it by doctor's orders, and if he be wise he will attend to these. A man may be led to it by the appeal of conscience telling him he should be more at home, and that no service can have heaven's blessing if wife and children are neglected. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. That is a matter for heart and God. All that I want to do here is this: it is to warn you that all release is not like that. There may be times when deliverance is treachery; when to seek for freedom is to fail; when a man's first duty is to continue serving, even though his service may be torture. "They were tortured, not accepting deliverance," and sometimes we are called with that vocation. If we trust God we shall refuse relief, and stick to the service we have put our hand to. God has no pleasure in these sorry workers who are always threatening to send in resignations. No man having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.                                    

Beware of False Deliverance from Moral and Intellectual Doubt

I am impressed again by the same truth in regard to our spiritual and intellectual difficulties. I may be speaking to some here who have great difficulties about faith and God. They would fain believe, and yet they find it hard. They would fain trust, and yet they cannot trust. They cannot feel their need of a Redeemer. They cannot grasp the power of the cross. Or it may be that, having grasped it once, they have been thrown into darkness by their reading, and cannot reconcile the facts of science with the old message of the love of heaven. My brother, I want to say to you that Christ has got deliverance for you. He has come to preach deliverance to the captive, and there is no captivity so dark as doubt. But there are times of darkness and perplexity when other methods of release will face you, and if you are a man you will reject them, and face the torture which rejection brings. You will not take shallow answers to great questions. You will ,or yield up moral questions in despair. You will not fall back upon a life of sense, as if in sensuality were rest. But you will be true to all the light you have, and you will cling to all the good you know, and you will trust that, when the night is past, the singing of the birds is sure to come. To thine own self be true, and it must follow as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. It is sometimes better to be tossed and tortured, than to be sleeping on a couch of ease. This is one mark of every earnest soul that has come at last to liberty and light, it has been too faithful to the Highest to accept deliverance upon unworthy terms. "Not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection."

--------------------------See Page 4

[By George H. Morrison Faith Refusing Deliverance - Part 2]

By George H. Morrison
 
Faith Refusing Deliverance - Part 2

It Takes Faith to Refuse to Be Liberated from the Troubles Entailed in the Performance of
Needed Common Tasks                  

The same issue of faith is seen again amid the troubles of our common life. in precisely the same manner it is witnessed in the pettier martyrdoms of every day. Each of us has got his cross to carry. There is no escaping from the law. Each of us has got his secret bitterness, and his burden, and his travail or his fear. For one the trouble may be in business matters; for another, the cross may be at home; while for a third, perhaps, it is the body that wakes the heart to trembling in the night. Now I believe that whatever be the trouble, Jesus Christ has come to preach deliverance. There is peace in Him, and quietness of soul, and conquest over death and all its terrors. But remember that there are other outlets which sometimes loom upon our gaze invitingly, and promise us the release that we are craving—if only we are untrue to our best selves. I think that all of us are tempted so, though these are temptations of which we seldom speak. Sometimes indeed we hardly understand them, they are so subtly hidden and disguised. But always there is a tampering with conscience in them, and a certain lowering of the flag of youth, and a sinking clown upon a lower level than we know to be worthy in our hearts. it is when a man or woman is so tempted that faith in God is needed to be true. To choose the drudgery and spurn the liberty is the sign-manual of faith in him. "They were tortured, not accepting deliverance." They let the laughter and the sunshine go. And sometimes in the quiet of our obscurity, you and I may be called to be their children.

Don't Miss the Best by Choosing the Easier and More Remunerative in Disregard of Conscience

Now I might illustrate how to beware of choosing the easier in disregard of conscience by many instances. For example, the case of a young man. His work is hard and irksome and ill-paid, and he has a father who is dependent on him. From morning till evening it is a weary grind. There is no encouragement. There are scarce any prospects. And when evening comes he is so fagged that he can hardly follow a good book. And then there comes to him the glittering chance of work that is easier, and pay that is far better, on the condition that he shuts his eyes, and does not trouble about a tender conscience. Many a man accepts that swift deliverance. He offers the grain of incense to Diana. And then he prospers, and is kind at home, and there are comforts for the aged father. But nothing on earth can alter the old fact that such an act was faithless and untrue, and that a man forever from that moment has left the company of saints and martyrs. He has been tortured and accepted deliverance, and the world and the devil are exacting creditors. Somehow, as the years unroll themselves, he will discover he has missed the best. And if my words have any weight on young men who are starting out on life, they will write upon their hearts this text of Hebrews, and avoid that tragic mistake.          

Faithfulness Is Better Than Happiness When Happiness Is Brought On by What Is False

Or I might take the case of a young woman who is set amid uncongenial surroundings. She is not happy. Perhaps she has to work, and probably her health is very far from good. I shall not paint the picture at its blackest, though I have seen it at its blackest for myself. I shall not touch on that most awful freedom that lurks on every street of every Babylon. But I shall say that she gets the offer of marriage from someone to whom God has never led her, and to whom in her woman's heart there is no drawing, as of those cords which have been knit in heaven. There is the chance of freedom, if you like. There is deliverance from all the drudgery. But, O my sister, at what an awful cost of all that is most womanly and delicate! A thousand times better to be tortured daily than to accept deliverance like that—and it is there, you see, that faith comes in. Faith that God can uphold you in the darkness, and give you music in the weariest mile. Faith that there are better things than happiness, when happiness is bought by being false. Faith that the best in life is ,ever lost when you are true to what is high and beautiful; and always lost when you have played the traitor to the sweet sincerities of womanhood.

---------------------------------See Page 3

[By George H. Morrison Faith Refusing Deliverance - Part 1]

June 1

By George H. Morrison
 
Faith Refusing Deliverance - Part 1

He hath sent me... to preach deliverance to the captives— Luk_4:18

Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance— Heb_11:35

Faith Leads to Deliverance

Among the blessings which we connect with faith, one of the most conspicuous is deliverance. The Bible is a great record of deliverance effected through the agency of faith. Abraham was delivered from idolatry. Joseph was delivered from his brethren. David was delivered from Goliath, and Peter from the prison at Jerusalem. And most notable of all, there was the Exodus, when Israel was delivered from its bondage—drawn out of Egypt, by the might of God, into the peril and the prize of liberty. All these are instances of deliverance, wrought in the power of a living faith. Men trusted God, and in the joy of trust were freed from darkness and captivity. And so the Bible, as we read its pages, grows into a great argument for this, that God is able and willing, if we trust Him, to set the feet in a large room.

The same issue of faith also arrests us when we come into the company of Jesus. Here, too, as in the rest of Scriptures, faith is a mighty power to deliver. We see the maniac released from legion, and sitting clothed and in his right mind. We see the withered arm restored again; the eye that had been blind regaining sight. We see a woman delivered from infirmity, and a loved brother delivered from the grave, and a great company whose eyes are glad because they have been delivered from their sin. Christ was the great enemy of bonds. He was the lover and the light of liberty. He came to preach deliverance to the captives, and to bestow the gift which was His message. And so again we learn this happy lesson, that faith is a mighty power to redeem; and that in every sphere where faith is active, one of its blessed fruits is liberty.

There Is a Faith That Refuses Deliverance

Yet while that is true, and gloriously true, in a way I trust we all know something of, there is a suggestion in our second text that it is fitting we should not forget. "They were tortured, not accepting deliverance," and the whole chapter is a song of faith. The chapter is a magnificent review of all that faith is powerful to achieve. So this is also a result of faith, not that it brings deliverance to a man, but that sometimes, when deliverance is offered, it gives him a fine courage to refuse it. There are seasons when faith shows itself in taking. There are seasons when it is witnessed in refusing. There is a deliverance that faith embraces. There is a deliverance that faith rejects. They were tortured, not accepting deliverance—that was the sign and seal that they were faithful. There are hours when the strongest proof of faith is the swift rejection of the larger room.

Better to Be Faithful Than Free                

Think in the first place of the martyrs, to whom our text immediately applies. When a man was charged with being a Christian, deliverance was always at his hand. He had only to blaspheme the name of Christ—a word or two of cursing—that was all. He had only to spit upon the name of Christ, when the Roman centurion scratched it on the wall. He had only to put his hand into a box, and take a grain or two of incense from the box, and sprinkle it without a single word before the beautiful statue of Diana. On the one hand was life, and life was sweet. On the other hand was death, and death was terrible. On the one hand was liberty and home. On the other hand was torture and the grave. And they were tortured, not accepting deliverance. They might have had it by a single word. It was their faith that led them to the scaffold. It was better to be faithful than be free.

---------------------------See Page 2

Please pray for Christian who are persecuted.

ABSOLUTELY!!! - EVERY DAY!!!

Two Minutes With The Bible - God's Gifts to His Church


Jun 2

God's Gifts to His Church

By Paul M. Sadler, President

Scripture Reading:

"And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry."
  -- Ephesians 4:11-13

Paul warns us about those who, whether wittingly or unwittingly, would spread unsound doctrine among us.  We are living in a time when some of the brethren seem to deem it important to find something new.  Of course, it is not our intent to discourage anyone in regard to exercising the "Berean spirit."  However, care should be taken not to undermine the foundation upon which our faith rests.  We do well to remember that the "Doctrinal Statement" our forefathers forged for us was a product of intense debate with the denominational leaders of their day.  Each plank of the statement was carefully crafted as a defense and confirmation of the Fundamentals of the faith and Paul's gospel.  Therefore, let us not be too quick to challenge those things which are "tried and true."

At this late hour, there are those who tell us that the "gifts" of evangelists, pastors and teachers or pastor-teachers are no longer in operation today.  Some have even gone as far to say that the enabling "gifts" have also passed.  This flies in the face of our "Doctrinal Statement," which has served us well for over fifty years.  It states:

"The gifts necessary for the ministry of the Body of Christ are those enumerated in Eph. 4:7-16.  Of these, only the gifts of evangelists and pastor-teachers are in operation today.  All the sign gifts of the Acts period, such as tongues, prophecy and healing (I Cor. 12:1-31), being temporary in character, have ceased (I Cor. 13:8-11)."

Here in Ephesians, one of Pauls later epistles, the apostle sets the tone for the course of this dispensation.  Clearly, the context of this portion concerns itself with the gifts God has given to His Church.  It is true that the gifts of "apostles" and "prophets" passed with the completion of the Word of God (I Cor. 13:8-13 cf. Col. 1:25). Once the Word of God was dispensed, these two offices and the gifted men who held them were nonessential.  We now have something far better, the written revelation that they handed down to us, which is to be obeyed in matters of faith and practice.

There is no indication, whatsoever, that the gifts of evangelists, pastors and teachers have ever been withdrawn.  In fact, Paul plainly states their purpose: "For the perfecting [maturing] of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying [building up] of the Body of Christ."  And how long shall this continue?  "Till we ALL come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge [Gr. epignosis -- full knowledge] of the Son of God" (Eph. 4:13).

Surely, it could not be said there has ever been a period in Church history, past or present, that the "unity of the faith" has been attained, much less a "full knowledge" of the Son of God.  But this is exactly what we are being asked to believe; that is, the unity of the faith has been attained. Perhaps, we should put this to the Berean test.

Creation: Some believe God created all things in six literal twenty-four hour days.  Others teach the "ruin and reconstruction theory" that God created, destroyed and re-created.  This is commonly called the "gap theory" which places millions or billions of years between the original creation and the re-creation.

Redemption: The battle has raged for centuries over whether Christ died for the sins of all mankind or merely for the sins of the elect. Which do you believe?

Things to Come: It is well known there are those who believe the events covered in the Book of Revelation are entirely futuristic. Many would challenge this assertion as absurd.  They teach that the early chapters of the Apocalypse describe the various stages of Church history up to the present "Laodicean" age.  If we agree that there are two camps of interpretation on any Biblical subject, then we have yet to come into the unity of the faith.

There is not one scintilla of evidence that the "unity of the faith" has ever been attained by all.  Even in Paul's day, the saints were wielding the sword of the Spirit against one another (II Tim. 1:15 cf. 2:17-19).  In addition, we must inquire: Has the Church come to a full knowledge of the Son of God?  That is, of His person, work and present heavenly ministry.  We shall answer this question with a question: Has the Church, which is His Body, acknowledged the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the Mystery?

The "unity of the faith" and a "full knowledge" of Christ is a goal set before us that will never be fully attained until the Rapture. Thus, the responsibility of Gods gifts to His Church is to proclaim the whole counsel of God in light of the Pauline epistles.  Why? that the saints might be established in the faith!

There is also an experiential side to this truth as well.  When God called me into the ministry nearly thirty years ago, it was definitive.  Other pastors have testified of similar experiences, which confirms that the "gifts and callings of God are without repentance" (Rom. 11:29).  Beware of those who would rob you of this precious truth!

________________________

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Author: Mary Wilder Tileston
Source: Joy and Strength
Scripture Reference John 16:24


Joy of the Lord

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name, ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
JOHN 16:24

GOD'S "ask"
Meaneth all fulness and all grace,
Access in every time and place;
Yet we
To whom this mercy is so free,
This privilege of light to bask
In the full sunshine of His face,
Regard prayer even as a task.
ANNA E. HAMILTON

THERE is some power we have not yet discovered, some secret as yet unknown--but oh! what a marvelous power! what a blessed secret! that can make the Christian life a life of love, and trust, and bright serenity; something different from the duty-life, which, though real, does not satisfy; having all the activity and earnestness of the duty-life, but having with it the peace and joy which many and many a soul is craving.
WILLIAM R. HUNTINGTON

We do not value as we ought our inestimable privilege of being allowed to worship God. We do not prize our heavenly prerogative of being permitted to keep His commandments. We look at that as an obligation which is more properly a boon.
FREDERICK W. FABER

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Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Isaiah
Scripture: Isaiah 1:18 Matthew 15:19 1 John 1:7 Hebrews 9:13-14

The Trouble Within

Isaiah 1:18

"Come now, and let us reason together," says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

The Trouble Within

A pastor discovered that the clock at the back of the sanctuary was unable to keep the correct time. Repeatedly he set the hands to the appropriate hour and minute only to find by the next week that it was either too fast or too slow. Finally he gave up and hung a sign above the clock that read, "Don't blame my hands. The trouble lies deeper."

That is where the trouble lies with us when we do wrong. We can blame our environment, our education, or even our parents, but the real trouble lies deep within our own hearts. Jesus said, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" (Matt. 15:19).

Fortunately, God has provided a solution for that heart problem—the blood of Jesus Christ. Even the most crimson sin is washed away when the blood of Calvary's cross is applied. The apostle John wrote, "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). And the writer of Hebrews says, "For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Heb. 9:13-14).

God assures you that no matter how colorful your sins may be, they can be washed white like snow. If you're still struggling with how to be cleansed from your sin and forgiven by God, accept what the Bible says as true. Confess your sins, ask for your heavenly Father's forgiveness and begin to live with a pure heart and a clear conscience. The difference is as striking as crimson and white.

Scarlet sins are no match for Christ's blood.

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Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference 2 Chronicles 15 John 12:27-50


Check Engine Light


2 Chronicles 15-16, John 12:27-50
Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 15:4

Some people fastidiously maintain their vehicles, doing all the right things on schedule. They change the oil every 3,000 miles, rotate the tires and check the brake pads. They even follow the inspection guide in their owner's manual, going to the dealership at the prescribed times--"mileage milestones" for preventative car care.

The rest of us wait for the check engine light to come on. There's nothing like the red glow on the dashboard to encourage us to build our relationship with a mechanic! And we wince when asked, "When was the last time you . . . ?" Our typical answer is, "I was meaning to take care of that just the other day."

When something goes wrong, we seek help; when things are fine, we don't. We may live that way in regard to our cars, but we should not in our relationship with the Lord.

When Asa was king of Judah, the prophet told him, "The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you" (15:2). That is plain enough--but ignored. It was "'in their distress [that] they turned to the LORD'" (v. 4).

Sadly, we are more prone to turn to the Lord in a time of distress than any other time. God desires that we always look to Him, in good times and in bad, as well as all times in between. If today is a day of distress for you, turn to Him. He will not reject you. Then, make it the habit of your life. Don't wait for the "check engine light" to come on first.

If you have an urgent need, pray about it right now. And if there is nothing pressing, pray right now that God would help you always to turn to Him whatever the day might bring.

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AMEN SISTER CHRIS!

YES!!! - We do serve an Awesome GOD!

Sister, I'm happy this message touched and blessed you. It did the same for me.

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 John 5:14  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

Bronzesnake,

Brother, you are most welcome. I recently subscribed to The Voice of the Martyrs from the main area of Christians Unite. I've followed some links and read my first issue. God has richly blessed us in allowing us to worship and study in safety. I think it's good for us to read about what Christians face in other parts of the world. If nothing else, it should make us give thanks for our safety and not take anything for granted. In all reality, the same is true for food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities. God gives us these things in abundance, and I know that I don't deserve this abundance. BUT, I also know that I don't deserve the GIFT of JESUS.

I highly recommend that every Christian get a free subscription to Voice of the Martyrs. It will change the way that we think about everything.

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 John 5:14  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: