BIG GUY, BIG HEART

Philippians 4:10-19
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 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. 13 I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. . . . 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.


One day shortly after our 17-year-old daughter Melissa's memorial service last June, I was looking through the list of people who signed the register at Mell's funeral. As I scanned the long list, I received encouragement from each new name. But one name jumped off the page like no other: Floyd Wilson.

I didn't go to church with Floyd. I didn't work with Floyd. He's not my neighbor, my doctor, or one of my kids' schoolteachers. He's a guy I play lunchtime basketball with. Just twice a week. Just an hour or so each time. A former Division I basketball player, he joins the over-the-hill hoopsters for exercise and an occasional flashback to the day when we could really play. A big power forward who loves hoops.

He heard about Melissa's accident, and he took time out of his day as an executive for a chain of grocery stores to honor her with his presence. A few months later, when I felt up to playing ball again, I thanked him. He replied that it was the least he could do. Then, with true compassion, he told me that our family had continued to be in his family's prayers.

I cannot explain how comforting that was. We've had hundreds and hundreds of people express their love and do many kind things for us since Melissa's accident. But for some reason, the loving condolences and promise of prayer from this big guy touched me deeply. All he knows about me is my jump shot, yet he cares.

Floyd is a great example of what we should all be as followers of Christ. We should take action when others are in need. A kind word. A call. A visit. An e-mail. Whatever it is, we need to seize every opportunity to show we care. It's the kind of action the Philippian people took to lift Paul's spirit, and it can help others today.

We can't all be a big power forward like Floyd, but we can all have a big heart for others. In the name of the Savior, do something special for someone else today. --Dave Branon

DESTINATION POINTS

* Are Christians more or less compassionate than non-Christians?
* Can I think of a couple of people who are hurting for one reason or another? Can I do something to help them right now? How can I give them my heart?
* What's something helpful someone has done for me? Have I, as Paul did, told them thanks?

LINKS:
How Can I Live With My Loss?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/cb921/

bottom line: Show God's love in unexpected ways.

soul journey

Too Much of a Good Thing
By Steven Halter

Too often, we as Christians believe in the wrong things, and we are quick to believe in them, too!

Faith is a wonderful thing. We have been saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8). By faith we have become children of God (John 1:12). With faith, it is possible to please God (Heb. 11:6). When we believe God, impossible things become possible.

But can we believe too much? "Certainly not!" you may say. But to really answer that question, we have to consider what and in Whom we are believing. Too often, we as Christians believe in the wrong things, and we are quick to believe in them, too!

For example, sometimes we're quick to believe in gossip about co-workers (2 Cor. 12:20). We may believe the latest rumors about celebrities. We might believe misinformation and slander about politicians. Bosses could believe a bad report about employees. By doing these things, we can hurt others by believing (and sometimes acting on) something about them that is not true. We misjudge them, and we make it worse by telling others the half-truths and lies we've believed.

Sometimes we hurt ourselves more directly by believing whatever teaching we hear. Or we may believe a smooth talking con artist who is utilizing the latest financial scheme.

How can we protect ourselves and keep from hurting others? There are a number of things we can do. One thing is to not believe just one side of a story that is told about someone. We need to hear both sides of a story, then we can understand the situation better (Prov. 18:17).

In addition, we can protect ourselves from false doctrine by comparing what we hear to the whole counsel of the Bible (Acts 17:10-12; Eph. 4:14). We should test everything with the Bible and the guidance of the Spirit (1 John 4:1; 1 Th. 5:21).

Let us resolve to not hurt ourselves or others by believing in things that we shouldn't. Let us ask the Lord to give us discernment about what is true and wisdom about what is right. Jesus Himself once said to His disciples, "be wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matt. 10:16). James wrote, "If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you" (James 1:5).

Yes, faith is a wonderful thing! But let's not have too much of a good thing. Let's keep God and His truth as the focus of our faith. When we do that, we will be a brighter light to the world around us (Mat. 5:14). And as God helps us to grow in these areas, we will become more like our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus! We will be more conformed to image of God's Son (Rom. 8:29). Thank God that His love is everlasting towards us as we continue to grow in Him.

cbn

An Adventure on the Beach
By Jackie van der Velde

Breaking out of the comfort zone to reach outside the church walls.

Not knowing what to expect, we headed to the beach with nervous anticipation. With coolers and guitars in hand, we walked along the boardwalk to determine what would be the best spot for our endeavor. The grassy patch next to the 17th street Dairy Queen was a beautiful site! It had everything we needed; people strolling up and down the boardwalk, lots of room to sit and hang out, and bathrooms close by. It was perfect! We were ready to have home group on the beach!

Our group had always met every Friday night for worship, prayer, and mutual encouragement in the Lord at someone’s home. Lately though, we had been stirred to move our group out of the home and into open areas to testify of His mercy and grace by sharing what God has done in our lives. A prompting so strong and unified, we had to obey.

“Obedience is better than sacrifice”, says the Lord. And so it is!

As we stepped out in obedience, he took care of the rest. Within minutes of singing worship songs, we had several people stop by.

It’s totally awesome to watch God in action, to watch Him call His wayward children back home. One by one they came. Some heard a familiar song and wanted to join in; others just wanted to see what we were all about. Whatever the reason, all were welcome to hang out.

One man that came up was named Roy. He came and listened to the music for a while, talked about his life and how he felt he had messed it all up. We assured him of God’s love for him, and how much he longs to have fellowship with him. Within minutes he had rededicated his life back to the Lord. Through tears of repentance, he surrendered it all to Jesus. It was absolutely awesome!

Later on in the evening came Diane, David, and Lori. They stopped and watched from a distance. We offered them sodas and invited them to join us. David was a bit uneasy, but Lori and Diane jumped right in.

As we sang and talked about the love of God, it was obvious by the look in Lori’s eyes that she wanted to know more. God was calling her to Himself. She was hungry, yearning to know the true love and acceptance that only comes from giving your life to Jesus. She told us she had her own religion, but she liked hanging in our circle because of the positive energy she felt.

What she felt was God’s presence and in His presence is fullness of joy.

Her cousin David, on the other hand, seemed a little uncomfortable as he was motioning to Lori that he wanted to walk on. Maybe he felt we would try to push something on him. Maybe he just didn’t want to hear about God.

Their aunt, Diane, seemed to be comfortable as she was told us about different churches she had visited. They stayed quite a while longer, before they continued down the beach. It was evident that something had happened in Lori’s heart. I felt that they would be back, maybe that night, maybe next week.

But even if they don’t come back, God is working in their lives. He made an impact on their hearts. I know God will continue to reveal Himself to Lori, Diane, David, Roy, and every other person who walked by on that first Friday night at the beach. What an exciting night!

We saw God touch people’s lives! It wasn’t anything we prepared, no speeches, no tracts, no "in your face" evangelism. All we did was praise the Lord and people responded. It was totally God! Father God is drawing his children -- and we have the privilege to be there and welcome them back home.

Now as we venture out to the beach, there is a whole new excitement and anticipation. We can’t wait to see what God is going to do. It’s so much fun being out with people, talking to them, loving them. Sharing with them that God knows exactly where we are, and it doesn’t matter where we’ve been or how long we’ve been there, God loves us!

cbn

THE DISCIPLINE OF SILENCE

Job 13:3-5; 40:1-5
3 I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. 4 You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you! 5 If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom. . . .

1 The Lord said to Job: 2 "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? Let him who accuses God answer Him!" 3 Then Job answered the Lord: 4 "I am unworthy--how can I reply to You? I put my hand over my mouth. 5 I spoke once, but I have no answer--twice, but I will say no more."


"Sssh." Have you ever wondered how long that traditional hushing sound has been around? Probably hundreds of years. The Old Testament book of Job may give us an indication. God had to hush that old patriarch and his friends who just couldn't stop giving their opinions about one of life's mysteries: Why do people suffer? God didn't exactly stop Job's chatter with a "sssh," but with a "whoosh!" He got Job's attention with a whirlwind. Earlier in the book, Job had really been upset with his friends and told them to stop talking--so he could start talking. But in the end, even he had to shut his mouth so he could listen to God.

That's the main thing about developing the discipline of silence: it helps us hear God. The prophet Elijah learned this in a situation even more dramatic than Job's. God got Elijah's attention with a whirlwind too, but He followed it with an earthquake and then fire. This man, who himself was the voice of God to the people of Israel, was startled by the noise. But what caught his ear was what came in the silence that followed: the Lord's "gentle whisper" (1 Kings 19:12). We can learn from these two important appearances of God to people He loved that we need to stop our incessant talking and start listening. We need times of silence to hear the voice of God speaking to us.

Our silence keeps us from saying things that are wrong or hurtful. William Penn, the "father of Pennsylvania," left a letter of advice to his children. Among hundreds of wise admonitions, he wrote, "True silence is the rest of the mind. It is to the spirit what sleep is to the body: nourishment and refreshment. It is a great virtue: it covers folly, keeps secrets, avoids disputes, and prevents sin."

Then he referred his children to Proverbs 10:19, "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."--Dean Ohlman

DESTINATION POINTS

* Am I uncomfortable with silence? Do I sometimes use noise and distraction deliberately so I don't have to hear the convicting voice of God?
* Am I guilty of talking too much and listening too little?

LINKS:
William Penn's Advice To His Children:
http://www.qhpress.org/quakerpages/qwhp/advice1.htm

bottom line: Silence can be godly . . . and golden.

soul journey

Hope For The World

Read: Isaiah 2:1-5

. . . looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. —Titus 2:13

PEACE TALKS FALL APART AGAIN. UNEMPLOYMENT RATE RISES. TORNADO RIPS THROUGH TOWN.

These newspaper headlines selected at random tend to lead us to despair. There just doesn't seem to be any hope for this world. And yet, according to the Scriptures, the dream of abolishing war is not merely wishful thinking. The idea of prosperity for all is more than a political gimmick. The Bible tells us that the eventual taming of nature is a certainty.

The hope for this world, however, is not to be found in human efforts but in the return of Jesus Christ. He alone can solve the problems that are baffling mankind.

The prophet Isaiah said that someday "nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore" (Isaiah 2:4). This glorious prospect will become a reality when the Lord Jesus Himself returns as "King of kings and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15) to set up His kingdom of peace and righteousness. We are to be "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). Because we have this hope, we can be optimistic even in the deepening gloom of this age.

Keep looking up! —Richard De Haan

FOR FURTHER STUDY
What does the Bible say about the future?
Read What Can We Know About The Second Coming?

The only hope for world peace is the coming of the Prince of Peace.

Gathering Your Rainbows
By Brittany Waggoner

One of the hardest lessons for me to learn was that when something goes wrong in my life that there is always a purpose behind it and a chance to catch a rainbow.

You would think that now that I'm an actual adult (by a few months), I would be over my fascination with rainbows. As a kid, I remember dashing to my window with every rainstorm, hoping that I could see the sun through the clouds which would result in this natural beauty. To be honest, I still dash to the window. Rainbows are one of my favorite things in life, not only because of the spectacular sight of them, but also because of what they represent. Only through clouds and rain mixed with sun are rainbows made. This recipe holds true in real life as well. Through clouds of confusion and tears of pain mixed with faith in the Son of God, colorful rainbows of joy are made. Not all of our experiences are going to be difficult for us. Some experiences that God will use in our lives will be delightful, and we will enjoy passing on these stories of God's goodness, however often the experiences he uses most are the ones that hurt the most. But rest assure that each confusing or painful experience in our lives will one day produce a breath-taking rainbow of praise to God.

One of the hardest lessons for me to learn was that when something goes wrong in my life that there is always a purpose behind it and a chance to catch a rainbow. The Apostle Paul writes about this in II Corinthians 1:3-4, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble." Our disappointments and the lessons we have learned from them are meant to be shared with others.

One of the greatest lessons that God has ever taught me came through a lot of heartache and disappointment. Brent and I had dated on and off for years, and I can say without a doubt that I loved him. One inevitable day, Brent told me that he didn't want to be with me anymore. I thought that my love alone would convince him to stay. It didn't. For a while I couldn't understand why God would allow me to go through such pain. It was then that I looked up and saw one of the most beautiful rainbows that God has ever given me. We are called to be Christ-like, children of God. We can't do all the miracles that Christ could, but we can experience some of the same feelings that he did. In loving Brent completely and having him reject my love for no reason, I felt how Christ must feel. He gave his complete love to a world of sinners, but very few ever accept his love and salvation. Whenever I encourage someone who still loves a person who has rejected him or her, I reach into my bag of rainbows and splash color into their dark sky. May God grant us grace to see the lessons he has for us in each heart ache or disappointment we face.

cbn

Salvation: The Long And The Short Of It
By Ellen Prohaska

I can't do it for you. Your parents couldn't do it for you. Your church can't do it for you. It all comes down to you. You make the decision. God gave each of us a free will and only we can chose for ourselves if we will walk in His plan or our own.

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. If any man be in Christ he is a new creature, Old things have passed away, all things have become new. Today is the day of salvation. Harden not your hearts.

What kind of a title is that? Well a long time ago God created everything. Stuff like the earth, and sky, and sea, and then everything that lives in or on them. That of course includes you and me (or at least our ancestors). Then God rested. God was happy. He had a plan. But first Satan, and then man, opted to try and do it a better way.

Then, not so long ago, Jesus came to this earth. He was sent by God our Father to try and get us back to following God's plan. He fed people, preached, healed their bodies, and set them free … He did all this in only 3 years, but it changed the world forever. Once again Satan and man thought there was a better plan. So they killed Him in order to try and keep things the way they had been.

But the short of this is that part of God's plan included Jesus' death on the cross to reconcile us back to Him. Separation from God entered our world through Adam's disobedience and self will. Reconciliation entered our world through Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection. But the real long and short of it is that salvation will only enter your personal life when you acknowledge what Jesus did to pay your debt for sin and rebellion and accepting His sacrifice for you. I can't do it for you. Your parents couldn't do it for you. Your church can't do it for you. It all comes down to you. You make the decision. God gave each of us a free will and only we can chose for ourselves if we will walk in His plan or our own.

Now go back and read those Scriptures you skimmed over at the top. Today is the day of salvation. Harden not your heart. God has been calling out to you. Take the time now to align yourself with His plan for your life. Take a moment and pray this prayer:


Father, I admit that I have sinned and fallen away from you and your plan for my life. I acknowledge that Jesus is your Son and that He came to this earth to try and win me back to you. I know His death paid my debt for sin and I now realize no one but me can set the record straight with you. So today, right now, I ask you to forgive me of my sins. I accept what Jesus did in my behalf and I want to walk in your plan for my life. Thank you Jesus. I accept you as my Savior and Lord. Amen.

cbn

Today's scripture is Matthew 6:31

"Therefore do not worry and be anxious."

God is vehemently against worry. Jesus preached against it. Paul preached against it. The whole Bible preaches against worry because it was designed by Satan to produce stress, strain, and death. What are you supposed to do then with all the concerns you have about your problems? In 1 Peter 5:7, God says you should "cast them all upon Him." All. Not 75 percent of them. Not all of them but the ones about your kids. All of them!

Remember, though, God will not take your cares away from you. You have to give them to Him. Then you have to replace those worries with the Word. You are the one who has to keep your thoughts under control. But you can do it. The Greater One dwells within you. He is able to put you over. Commit to it. You'll never have to worry again.

bible shack

ONE QUICK, TWO SLOWS

James 1:2-20
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. . . . 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. . . . 12 Blessed is the man who
perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. . . . 19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

In a presentation to a Congressional subcommittee, a US Air Force general said that an asteroid could trigger a nuclear war. At least 30 times a year, the general said, a space rock enters our atmosphere and explodes, releasing energy equal to that of an atomic bomb. The United States has satellite instruments that quickly determine if the explosion was a nuclear weapon or an asteroid. Butother nations with nuclear capabilities don't have such instruments. During a time of heightened tensions with military forces on alert, a natural explosion could start a war, all because of a quick reaction to a misperception.

Nations don't have a corner on misunderstandings and retaliation. A lot of friendships and families have been plunged into conflict when someone struck back after an imagined attack. A joke, a comment, or a look can seem like a deliberate attack on us. We are most vulnerable to this kind of misjudgment when we're stressed out and on edge.

The book of James was written to Christians who had been displaced from their homes by persecution. After encouraging them to persevere under the trials that come to test their faith, James offered this warning: "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires" (James 1:19-20).

When we are quick to listen, we try to hear what others are actually saying, not what we think they mean. Being slow to speak allows time to process their words without immediately concluding, "She/He said that just to hurt me." Being slow to become angry allows a further interval to defuse a tense situation.

When you're tired, under pressure, and emotionally vulnerable, ask God for the strength and wisdom to avoid lashing back at others. "One quick plus two slows" can prevent the kind of conflict in which nobody wins. --Dave McCasland

DESTINATION POINTS

* What recent misunderstanding and retaliation has created conflict in my life?
* How could following the "one quick and two slows" method have helped me in that situation?
* Have I asked God for wisdom (James 1:5) to deal with difficulties?

LINKS:
Moses: His Anger And What It Cost Him
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0716

bottom line: Move quick--and slow--to end conflict.

soul journey

ADVANCE MAN

Luke 3:2-18
2 The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all mankind will see God's salvation.' . . . 15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. 16 John answered them all, 'I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. . . .' 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.

Let's say you were about to introduce an extremely important person to a group who knew nothing about him. You'd want to send along a representative who would impress those people. Someone with some sophistication, someone who had it all together.

You probably wouldn't want a guy who got his clothes from Wilderness Camel instead of American Eagle. You wouldn't want a guy who got his food at the local Honey-baked Locust outlet. You wouldn't want a guy who spent his time out in the desert, denouncing the folks who would come out to hear him.

You probably wouldn't want John the Baptist. But Jesus did. John the Baptist was Jesus' advance man. It was John who spread the word that Jesus was around. It was the camel-skin clad, locust-munching, desert-dwelling John who was chosen to spread the news that Jesus was coming--to baptize the people, and even to baptize Jesus.

That tells us that Jesus doesn't choose people by our standards and our estimation of value--which are often external evidences of things we like: how a person looks, what he wears, or what he drives. Instead, when Jesus wants to get a job done, He chooses the willing and the obedient--not necessarily the suave, the slick, and the smooth.

This reality should be a challenge and an encouragement to all of us, because we all feel inadequate in one way or another. Not rich enough. Not cool enough.

If John the Baptist and the disciples are any indication, those aren't the traits our Lord is looking for. The people in Jesus' inner circle were just common folk, doing minimum-wage jobs and getting their hands dirty at ordinary tasks.

Listen to God's call to service. If you have ripped jeans, a beat-up old Yugo, and a Big Mac budget, you could be just the person God is looking for. You could be Jesus' advance man for someone who needs to find out about Him. --Dave Branon

DESTINATION POINTS

* In what ways do I sometimes feel inadequate to be a member of God's team of workers?
* What are three things I feel I can do to let someone know about Jesus? When will I begin doing those things?
* Which of the disciples am I most like? Or am I most like John the Baptist? What traits do I have that Jesus could use?

bottom line: Feeling inadequate? God will still use you!

soul journey

Load Limit

Read: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able. —1 Corinthians 10:13

We've all seen load-limit signs on highways, bridges, and elevators. Knowing that too much strain can cause severe damage or complete collapse, engineers determine the exact amount of stress that various materials can safely endure. Posted warnings tell us not to exceed the maximum load.

Human beings also have their load limits, which vary from person to person. Some people, for example, can bear the pressure of trial and temptation better than others; yet everyone has a breaking point and can take only so much.

At times, circumstances and people seem to be pushing us beyond what we can bear. But the Lord knows our limitations and never allows any difficulties to enter our lives that exceed our strength and ability to endure. This is especially true when we're enticed by sin. According to 1 Corinthians 10:13, "God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able."

So when trials and temptations press down on you, take courage. Remember, your heavenly Father knows the limits of your ability to stand up under life's pressures. Draw on His strength; no temptation will ever be greater than that! —Richard De Haan

When sorrows assail us or terrors draw nigh,
His love will not fail us, He'll guide with His eye;
And when we are fainting and ready to fail,
He'll give what is lacking and make us prevail. —Anon.

If you yield to God, you won't give in to sin.

daily bread

"WE DO IT ANYWAY"

Romans 7:21-25
21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

I was attending a Sunday worship service at the International Church in Minsk, Belarus. The congregation leases space in the cultural center, which is right across the street from the Linguistic Institute. Because the service is in English, some of the students attend so they can hear English spoken. We were led in a praise session by some American and Russian young people.

Yulya, one of the praise singers, led us in prayer. She praised God, honoring Him and extolling His name for all He has done for us, including our salvation. She had become a believer after attending a church to hear English.

The next part of her prayer went something like this: "We admit to You, God, that sometimes we sin. We know it is wrong. The Holy Spirit warns us. Yet we do it anyway. Please forgive us. Help us to overcome our weaknesses, and to call on You when we need help. Amen."

This relatively new believer had the courage to confess publicly that--like every believer--she sins. She expressed the same kind of frustration Paul felt in Romans 7 when he said, "The evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing" (v.19). But almost immediately he said, "Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord." (vv.24-25).

That's the trouble. We know better. The Holy Spirit throws a big red STOP sign in front of us. But, as Yulya prayed, we "do it anyway."

The important thing is that we acknowledge it, confess it, and experience God's forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Then we can keep moving ahead in our Christian lives--gaining victory over longtime sins. When we stop that process, when we become discouraged and just sort of give up, we're playing right into the devil's hands.

If we'll honestly admit that we keep breaking God's laws, perhaps committing the same sin over and over again, we'll be on the track to spiritual growth and victory. Let's say to God, as Yulya did, "I did it anyway. Please forgive me." --Dave Egner

DESTINATION POINTS

* When I sin, do I deny it? Blame someone else? Secretly think it was God's fault? Or confess it immediately?
* Does God get tired of this sin/confess, sin/confess cycle? Do I get tired of it? What will I do about it?
* What sins do I keep on repeating, even though I know better? Who could be an accountability partner to help me finally overcome it?

LINKS:
The Forgiveness of God
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0602

bottom line: Spiritual growth starts with repentance.

soul journey

What Time Is It Anyway?
By Cathy Irvin

It is a time to trust God and not a time to live in fear. It is time for revival to come into our hearts. This means to change the way we have lived.

We hear daily about the times in which we live. "What time is it anyway"? With all the terrorists in the land, it is " A Wake Up Call". Let me explain what that means to me in a nutshell. We have been doing our own thing for so long that is now God's time to do His.

It is a time for the things that God has on His agenda. One thing He wants is a time of seeking Him. This means we must look to God for the answers to our problems and not man's ideas on the matter.


The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God (Psalm 14:2).


The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out (Proverbs 18:15).

I believe daybreak is coming after this dark hour and on the horizon the SON will shine as the noonday sun. He wants this to be a time of crying out for wisdom. The greatest thing we can ask the Lord for in these turbulent times is knowledge. We all need direction for the future of our land, our families, and our destiny's.

It is more than a time of war. It is a time to praise the living God. This sets confusion in the enemy's camp. It is not just the terrorists who are our enemies. The real enemy of this world is Satan. He is the one ruling the hearts of terrorists and he goes about seeking whom he can devour. He is using these people as a tool in his hands. They are like mere puppets.

I want you to know that it is a time to hear some Good News. Jesus is in control! Regardless of what it looks like, things are not always as they appear. God says so in His Word:


He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; He hears their cry and saves them. The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy (Psalm 145:19-20).

It is a time to trust God and not a time to live in fear. It is time for revival to come into our hearts. This means to change the way we have lived. We have lived for ourselves and we need to live a life pleasing to God.

It is a time to pray! Does prayer really change things? We have heard about modern day revivals that have sprouted up across the land. Several years ago revival broke out in Brownsville, FL, Toronto, Canada, and Kansas City, MO. All of them are going on to this day. The one in Kansas City that originally started in Smithton, MO. had to move because of their growth. People are hungry for the Lord. God wants revival to be like wildfire in every city. America needs to wake up. Your destiny calls to you. It is time.

What time is it? It is time for Revival!

cbn

Reverse The Trend

Read: Proverbs 15:1-7

A soft answer turns away wrath. —Proverbs 15:1

Researchers at Kenyon College conducted a test in cooperation with the US Navy. The purpose was to discover how the tone of the voice affected sailors when they were given orders. The experiments revealed that the way a person was addressed determined to a large extent the kind of response he would make.

For example, when an individual was spoken to in a soft voice, he would answer in a similar manner. But when he was shouted at, his reply came back in the same sharp tone. This was true whether the communication was given face-to-face, over the intercom, or by telephone.

This study reminds me of Proverbs 15:1, which states, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." What we say and how we say it not only makes a difference in the reaction we'll receive, but it also determines whether conflict or peace will result. Many arguments could be avoided and tense situations relaxed if we practiced the truth of this verse.

The next time someone speaks to you in a harsh or angry tone, reverse the trend by expressing meekness, quietness of spirit, and loving concern. What a difference a soft answer can make in our relationships! —Richard De Haan

So many folks use words that are harsh,
When angry, they speak their mind;
But Christ would have us reverse this trend
With words that are always kind. —D. De Haan

To get out of a hard situation, try a soft answer.

daily bread

KLEZ WORM!

Leviticus 4:13-20
13 If the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord's commands, even though the community is unaware of the matter, they are guilty. 14 When they become aware of the sin they committed, the assembly must bring a young bull as a sin offering and present it before the Tent of Meeting. 15 The elders of the community are to lay their hands on the bull's head before the Lord, and the bull shall be slaughtered before the Lord. 16 Then the anointed priest is to take some of the bull's blood into the Tent of Meeting. 17 He shall dip his finger into the blood and sprinkle it before the Lord seven times in front of the curtain.18 He is to put some of the blood on the horns of the altar that is before the Lord in the Tent of Meeting. The rest of the blood he shall pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 19 He shall remove all the fat from it and burn it on the altar, 20 and do with this bull just as he did with the bull for the sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven.

If you use e-mail often, you've probably heard of the KLEZ WORM virus. I hope you've been able to avoid these nasty cyber intruders that rob system resources and destroy your files. This bug has been around for quite a while and is the most reported computer virus. Once you get a variation of the KLEZ WORM on your computer, you have to use anti-virus software to remove it.

You've probably heard of another virus that has been around much longer than KLEZ WORM--the SIN WORM virus. The SIN WORM virus can cause an entire community to err, go astray, wander, or stagger away from the purposes of God. It is the most common virus in existence today. This nasty intruder attacks the heart, and if unchecked it will destroy families, friendships, careers, opportunities, finances, futures, and--most of all--your fellowship with the Lord. It is the great interrupter of your desire and passion for God.

Read Leviticus 4:13-20 again. In the Old Testament the sin offering was God's anti-virus software for the SIN WORM virus. The purpose of the sin offering was to provide a substitute for specific unintentional sins, forgiveness of sin, and cleansing from defilement. This mandatory sin offering was a specific way for a penitent sinner and community to attain full restoration of fellowship with God.

Today we don't need bulls, goats, rams, or lambs to sacrifice to God for our sins. Jesus offered Himself to God as our substitutionary atonement, one sacrifice "once for all" (Hebrews 10:10). God wants us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus through our faith in Him (Romans 10:9).

Jesus is God's anti-virus software to remove the SIN WORM. Daily confession is the way to maintain our fellowship with Him. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). --Marvin Williams

DESTINATION POINTS

* Have I placed my trust in Jesus' sacrifice to remove my sins?
* What sin tends to interrupt my desire and passion to fellowship with God?
* What sins do I need to confess to God today?

bottom line: Jesus removes sin from your heartdrive.

soul journey

PEACE IN A PILL?

Job 3:20-26
20 Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, 21 to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure, 22 who are filled with gladness and rejoice when they reach the grave? 23 Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? 24 For sighing comes to me instead of food; my groans pour out like water. 25 What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. 26 I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.

Australian doctor Philip Nitschke is working on a suicide concoction he calls the "peaceful pill." When asked who would qualify for access to it, Nitschke responded, "Anyone who wants it." He believes the pill should be available in supermarkets "so that those old enough to understand death could obtain death peacefully at the time of their choosing."

As long as people have been dying, there have been people looking at death as an exit from pain and suffering. Job knew something about that. He lost his livelihood, his children, his health--I wonder if he would've opted for the "peaceful pill" if it had been available at the local market.

We may not understand what life is like for someone who is disabled, chronically sick, or often depressed. But we all have faced struggles that have gotten us down. If we have Jesus as our Savior, there is a truth we can always be sure of--no matter what our circumstances: We have peace with God because Jesus took away the sin that was keeping us apart. "Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

We can have peace from God even amid sadness and uncertainty. In John 16:17-33, Jesus told the disciples that He would die and they would grieve, but that they would find peace in knowing that He would be alive again and with the Father. "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace" (v.33).

And the peace Jesus offers is like nothing else we can find on earth--no pill, product, or process. "Peace I leave with you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27). And we have the Holy Spirit to remind us (v.26).

Do you identify with these words of Job: "I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil"? (Job 3:26). Don't look for peace anywhere but in Jesus. --Tracy Carbaugh

DESTINATION POINTS

* Have I ever thought about ending my life? What was it that made me so sad?
* Why is it important to talk to God about my feelings as well as my physical circumstances?
* What are a couple of things I have to look forward to in the next month? In the next year?

LINKS:
Why Would A Good God Allow Suffering?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0106

bottom line: Jesus is your peace.

soul journey

Suffering Afflictions and Going the Second Mile

I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also —Matthew 5:39

This verse reveals the humiliation of being a Christian. In the natural realm, if a person does not hit back, it is because he is a coward. But in the spiritual realm, it is the very evidence of the Son of God in him if he does not hit back. When you are insulted, you must not only not resent it, but you must make it an opportunity to exhibit the Son of God in your life. And you cannot imitate the nature of Jesus—it is either in you or it is not. A personal insult becomes an opportunity for a saint to reveal the incredible sweetness of the Lord Jesus.

The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is not, "Do your duty," but is, in effect, "Do what is not your duty." It is not your duty to go the second mile, or to turn the other cheek, but Jesus said that if we are His disciples, we will always do these things. We will not say, "Oh well, I just can’t do any more, and I’ve been so misrepresented and misunderstood." Every time I insist on having my own rights, I hurt the Son of God, while in fact I can prevent Jesus from being hurt if I will take the blow myself. That is the real meaning of filling "up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ . . ." ( Colossians 1:24 ). A disciple realizes that it is his Lord’s honor that is at stake in his life, not his own honor.

Never look for righteousness in the other person, but never cease to be righteous yourself. We are always looking for justice, yet the essence of the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is—Never look for justice, but never cease to give it.

my utmost for His highest

Life's Final Deadline

Read: Luke 12:16-21

Prepare to meet your God. —Amos 4:12

We're all confronted with deadlines. Bills must be paid, licenses renewed, tax returns filed— the list goes on and on.

One deadline, though, is of supreme importance. It's one we all will face. The Bible says, "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).

Except for believers who are living when Jesus returns (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), everyone will die. And all people from the beginning of history will stand before God in judgment. How foolish to neglect the preparation necessary for this inevitable accounting!

In Luke 12, Jesus told a parable of a rich man who planned to build bigger barns to store all his earthly goods so he could live out his days in pleasure and ease. But God unexpectedly announced, "Fool! This night your soul will be required of you" (Luke 12:20). His ultimate deadline had arrived.

Are you ready to meet God? If you've never received Christ as your personal Savior, do so without delay. Believe that He shed His blood on the cross to forgive your sins, and that He conquered death by rising from the grave. Ask Him to save you. Then you can face life's final deadline with confidence. —Richard De Haan


FOR FURTHER STUDY
To learn more about the future and how to prepare for it,
read Where Do We Go From Here?

If you believe that Jesus lives, you don't need to fear death.

daily bread

DOGS THAT TALK

Isaiah 8:17-20
17 I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in Him. 18 Here am I, and the children the Lord has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion. 19 When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? 20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak
according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

Have you listened to a dog or a cat lately? People called "animal communicators" claim they can hear telepathically what animals are thinking. A newspaper article told about a woman who said that a three-legged dog confided in her, "I have a sore left shoulder, but it's not a big deal."

Call me a skeptic if you want, but I just don't buy it.

What bothers me more than people claiming to speak for animals is when a person claims to speak for God--and what he's saying doesn't jibe with the Word.

I'm not just talking about a person who claims an alien gave him a message from the Lord. We need to be careful even when we read a book from a Christian bookstore or watch Christian TV, listen to a pastor or teacher in our own churches, or read what's in Soul Journey. We need to check our own thoughts and words by what the Bible teaches.

My dad often reminded me to evaluate my own thinking and writing by asking, "Does the Bible really say that?" Can a statement be backed up by Scripture, or is a speaker or writer merely saying what he wants to say, and tacking on a verse to try to give it legitimacy?

The Old Testament prophet Isaiah accused God's people of dabbling with the occult, listening to mediums and spiritists (who apparently dished out what the people wanted to hear). He told them they should instead be listening to what God has said (Isaiah 8:19-20).

If we're not evaluating ideas by an objective standard, who's to say that what anyone is saying is right or wrong? After all, according to one dog owner who believes animals can talk telepathically, "We will never know for sure. In the end, you have to go with what's in your heart."

Here's another option: Why not go with what's in the Bible?
--Kurt De Haan

DESTINATION POINTS

* Where are people going these days for spiritual guidance, other than the Bible?
* How gullible am I? Do I check what I read or hear by looking to the Bible? Or do I tend to believe people because they seem to agree with my views?
* How careful am I to support my own statements about God with clear Bible teaching?

LINKS:
Can I Really Trust The Bible?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0402
How To Identify A Dangerous Religious Group
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q1101

bottom line: The Bible's standards still stand.

soul journey

MONSTERS OF THE DARK

1 John 1:5-2:2
5 This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His Word has no place in our lives.

1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.


Monsters Inc., the hit animated film, plays off a familiar fear: every child's terror of what lurks in the closet! In the movie, the kids' fright provided electrical power for Monstropolis, where the monsters lived.

Now, I'm not here to debate the existence of Monstropolis, or its need to search for alternative energy sources. The movie's plot, however, touches a raw nerve we all experienced in our childhood. When the lights go out, the fear kicks in.

When we live in spiritual darkness--apart from God--we may experience fear. We can't see what lies ahead, behind, or around us. We need God to turn on the lights.

When He enlightens us spiritually, through a personal relationship with Him, it doesn't stop there. We must also walk in the light. God shines in our lives and shows us the way to go.

That certainly beats stumbling around in the dark. Sometimes, of course, we revert to our old ways. We close our eyes to shut out God's light. You can guess what happens: We start stumbling again. Or we stop dead in our tracks, afraid to take even one step.

The apostle John was a bottom-line thinker. To him, living in the light meant walking in the light. That has two practical implications. First, it implies obedience. And that's a theme you see throughout 1 John.

Second, as you walk in the light, take a look around, and what do you see? Other Christians! When we are in fellowship with God, we are also in fellowship with each other, and we walk together.

One helpful thing about light is that it helps you see everything. No monsters can hide; the light exposes them. So we have no reason to fear while walking in God's light.

The characters of Monstropolis don't need your fear to power their blenders. In fact, only your spiritual adversaries crave your fear so they can rob you of your spiritual energy. Instead, turn on the light! --John Carvalho

DESTINATION POINTS

* How will I walk "in the light" today? * What areas of my life should change because I'm walking in the light?

LINKS:
Am I Really Forgiven?
http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/8c2/8c2090.html

bottom line: Walking in the light dispels fear.

soul journey

Happy Among Crappie
By Dan Betzer

Jesus told us that He would make us "fishers of men." Apparently, some believers and some churches think that the fish are coming to us.

Recently I had the privilege of spending some time on the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. It is a massive body of water, created when the Osage River was obstructed by Bagnell Dam. My wife and I honeymooned there just 47 years ago this week.

The lake is filled with crappie -- maybe the best-tasting fish God ever created. There are places where they might be a bit bigger, but no place where they are more plentiful. One local told me the other day that he had caught over 40 of them just that morning.

Many fishermen use live minnows as bait, while others jig for them with doll flies. Ah, I have caught many crappie from those blue-gray waters. I would love to fish for them every day, but unfortunately, there aren't any of those "specs" (as they are called) in my back yard! I have to go where they are.

Jesus told us that He would make us "fishers of men." Apparently, some believers and some churches think that the fish are coming to us. They are not. We must go to them. The church must infiltrate its community and the world.

Remember Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan who found the beaten man dying beside the road? Jesus said that the Good Samaritan went to where the man was. We are just not going to catch many fish for Jesus from our pews. We have to go where they are.

How can we reach people we do not know? Whom we do not understand? This requires effort on our part. I tell you, though, a good day of fishing is well worth all of the effort expended.

Jesus expects it from us.

cbn

Leave The Door Open

Leave The Door Open
By Martha Noebel

We are living in times when people are asking questions. We have the answers, so why wouldn't God send them over?


I read a scripture in Matthew chapter 9 and saw it in a new and different way than ever before. It is Matthew 9:10-13:


And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. vs.10


And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? vs. 11


But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. vs. 12


But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. vs. 13

Now first of all, can you believe verse 10? Jesus was merely sitting in the house, eating with his disciples, when all of a sudden "many publicans and sinners" walked right through the door, into the house, and sat down. Verse 11 tells us that they reached over and began eating at the table. Jesus did not even seem alarmed or bothered by this. I can see this small living room filling up with strangers, one at a time. They began to eat and listen to whatever it was that the Son of God had to say.

I don't know about you, but if one night after cooking a big meal, putting it on the table, and sitting down with my family … if one by one my neighbors came through the door and sat down … well … I would hardly be able to handle myself. That would be such an awesome experience. But if God did it before, He can do it again.

We are living in times when people are asking questions. We have the answers, so why wouldn't God send them over? There's a part of me that wants to eat dinner every night with my front door open. I want to expect that this could be the day when I will serve more than my four. My desire is to have a fresh Word from God on my lips because I don't know when I will be called on to share the love of God to someone who wants to know.

If we share this attitude of being open and ready to share God with those around us, I know the Father will send them to us. His heart is that all men would know how much He loves them. Our "open door" could certainly lead to an "open door" of someone's heart finding peace, love, and joy for eternity.

cbn

THE SILENCER

Genesis 3:6-10

6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?" 10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."

Jana was hurting. Her friend Emily was the cause. Where is she? Hadn't we agreed for months to do this? Jana called her friend, who lived in
another state. She wasn't home, so Jana left a voice-mail.

Emily didn't respond.

Over the next week, Jana learned the truth from a few people in the know. The reason Emily hadn't shown up for their mini-vacation was that she had received a "better offer." Someone had proposed something that sounded more interesting to Emily, so she blew off her plans with Jana.

This made the pain even worse. The hurting friend called again. Emily wasn't there. Jana left another voice-mail. The return call didn't come. This went on for months. Message after message was left on the answering machine. But there was only silence on the other end.

Finally, just days before she knew she was going to see Jana at a party, Emily called. The guilt that had kept her silent for so long was apparent in her quavering voice.

When I talked to Jana about this situation, it reminded me of my own guilt. How many times have I gone silent because I knew I had hurt a friend?

Adam and Eve did the same thing with God. After eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, something God had prohibited (Genesis 2:17), they were filled with guilt.

After their disobedient act, God was walking in the Garden. Adam and Eve heard Him, but instead of coming out of the trees and experiencing sweet fellowship as they normally did, they hid. They were suffering in silence. God broke the quiet tension with three simple words: "Where are you?" (3:9).

Do you have a friend who's trying to reach you? Are you avoiding him and giving him the silent treatment because of your own guilt?

It's time to open up and confess your sin. Stop the silence and start healing. --Tom Felten

DESTINATION POINTS

* Is there someone I have been avoiding because of my guilt?
* Have I been silent before God? What does He want me to do about this silent strife?

LINKS:
How does the Bible say I should handle a fellow Christian who has wronged me?
http://www.questions.org/answer/relate/confrontation/confront.xml/

When Forgiveness Seems Impossible
http://www.discoveryseries.org/cb941

bottom line: Silence isn't golden when guilt is the cause.

soul journey

Dying For Encouragement

Read: Deuteronomy 3:23-29

Command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him. —Deuteronomy 3:28


In Deuteronomy 3 we read that Moses encouraged Joshua as he was about to assume leadership of the Israelites. No doubt Joshua was filled with fear and a feeling of inadequacy to fill Moses' shoes. The Lord therefore told Moses to encourage Joshua.

All of us need a word of encouragement from time to time to spur us on when we are facing a major new challenge. But we also need words of appreciation and commendation as we carry out our daily responsibilities, whether at home or at work.

When a corporate accountant committed suicide, an effort was made to find out why. The company's books were examined, but no shortage was found. Nothing could be uncovered that gave any clue as to why he took his life—that is, until a note was discovered. It simply said: "In 30 years I have never had one word of encouragement. I'm fed up!"

Many people crave some small sign of approval. They need a word of recognition, a caring smile, a warm handshake, and an honest expression of appreciation for the good we see in them or in their work.

Every day let's determine to encourage (not flatter) at least one person. Let's do our part to help those around us who are dying for encouragement. —Richard De Haan

It may seem insignificant
To say a word or two;
But when we give encouragement,
What wonders it can do! —K. De Haan

A word of encouragement can make the difference between giving up or going on.

daily bread

IMITATE THE BEST

Ephesians 5:1-10

1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.

The Louvre in Paris is probably the world's most famous art museum. It is filled with the paintings of the masters--Rubens, da Vinci, Delacroix, Michelangelo, Ingres, Vermeer, and others. During the off-season, the Louvre opens its doors to aspiring artists who come in to copy the masters. Hour by hour they sit in front of a painting and try to reproduce it exactly. One young woman from California was doing a Delacroix. To observers it may have seemed that she had copied it exactly, but she was dissatisfied. "It's the hardest copy I've ever done," she said.

Amal Dagher, a 63-year-old man who has been copying paintings at the Louvre for 30 years, continues to learn from the masters. He said, "If you're too satisfied with yourself, you can't improve."

The Bible tells us to imitate God (Ephesians 5:1). We are to become as much like Him as we can possibly be. We are to use the canvas of our lives to reproduce Him in holiness, love, and truth. We can never do it exactly, of course. But I'm sure that we can be better than we are. Our responsibility is to keep trying, keep improving, keep getting better and better. Our problem is that we are inclined to give up too soon. We despair so quickly. We feel like such a beginner compared to His model. So we just give up.

We can't afford to be satisfied where we are. All of us still have a long way to go. Choosing Jesus as our example, let's do all we can to live as He lived and do as He did. He's the Master. --Dave Egner

DESTINATION POINTS
* Why is it so difficult to live like Jesus? Is it because I spend so little time reading the Gospels?
* Is it wise for me to choose a fellow Christian as a role model? What's good about it? What's the danger?

LINKS:
So What Would Jesus Do?
http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/8c6/8c6018.html

bottom line: Jesus is the Master we should imitate.

soul journey

Today's scripture is Hebrews 12:3

"Consider [Jesus] that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."

Look up...because in times like these, your very life may depend on it. Look up! Get your eyes off the circumstances around you and onto your heavenly source. Don't be afraid you're going to lose everything. God is your Source, not the world. He can take care of you regardless of what happens around you.

If you've gotten weary lately, begin to lift your eyes. Raise your head up instead of looking down. God is up. Jesus is up. The devil is down--under your feet. Look up!

bible shack



My Country, 'Tis of Thee
By Kenneth W. Osbeck

Read the story behind this patriotic song, taken from the book, Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions by Kenneth Osbeck.

"Men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants." -- William Penn

Moved deeply by the desire to create a national hymn that would allow the American people to offer praise to God for our wonderful land, a twenty-four-year-old theological student, Samuel Francis Smith, penned these lines on a scrap of paper in less than thirty minutes in 1832. Yet even today many consider "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" their favorite patriotic hymn and call it our "unofficial national anthem."

The easily singable words of the song are matched with a popular international melody used by many nations, including England, where it accompanies "God Save the King/Queen." The emotionally powerful ideas that Smith expressed had an immediate response. The hymn soon became a national favorite. The stirring tributes to our fatherland in the first three stanzas lead to a worshipful climax of gratefulness to God and a prayer for His continued guidance.

Following his graduation from Harvard and the Andover Theological Seminary, Samuel Smith became an outstanding minister in several Baptist churches in the East. He composed one hundred fifty hymns during his eighty-seven years and helped compile the leading Baptist hymnal of his day. He was also editor of a missionary magazine through which he exerted a strong influence in promoting the cause of missions. Later he became the secretary of the Baptist Missionary Union and spent considerable time visiting various foreign fields. Samuel Smith was truly a distinctive representative of both his country and his God.

My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing:
Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims' pride,
From ev'ry mountain side let freedom ring!

My native country, thee, land of the noble free, thy name I love:
I love thy rocks and rills, thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills like that above.

Let music swell the breeze, and ring from all the trees sweet freedom's song:
Let mortal tongues awake, let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong.

Our fathers' God, to Thee, author of liberty, to Thee we sing:
Long may our land be bright with freedom's holy light;
Protect us by Thy might, great God, our King!

cbn

I'm Running For My Life
By Martha Noebel

Satan wants to destroy us. He wants to keep us discouraged and beaten down. But when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, then we are called to greatness. We have a job to do for God. We don't have time to be defeated.

I've recently learned a new song. At first it didn't mean too much to me. It sounded like a cute song but that was all. Now it has new meaning for me. I'll never be the same again. The song is called "Running For My Life." After the hard road I've recently traveled, I understand it perfectly. You see, when you "go through" something, no one has to tell you what it is like being in such a place. You know for yourself.

Depression or rather a spirit of depression had come upon me. I had been tormented, tested, and tried by this spirit. Its mask is that it comes on you slowly. You find yourself in a weak and painful place and you have no idea how you got there. Your mind struggles for normalcy and finds no rest.

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed..." (II Corinthians 4: 8, 9 KJV).

As I sought for help from the Lord He told me to keep my mind on Him. When you feel like you are losing your mind, this is somewhat of a challenge. Sounds like too simplistic a solution anyway. But the Word of God says:

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!" (Isaiah 26:3 NLT).

Here are the words to this great song:

I'm running for my life, running for my life
Running for my life, running for my life
If anyone asks you, what's the matter with me…?
Tell them I'm saved, sanctified
Holy Ghost filled, fire baptized
I've got Jesus on my mind
And I'm running for my life.

That is just what I am doing, running for my life. Satan wants to destroy us. He wants to keep us discouraged and beaten down. But when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, then we are called to greatness. We have a job to do for God. We don't have time to be defeated.

In Oswald Chambers book, MY UPMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST, he shares how we need to be as broken bread and poured-out wine to please God. We are to be "separated to the gospel" which means being able to hear the call of God for our lives. Our lives are to be used to preach the Good News to those around us, just like Paul in Romans 1:1.

"This letter is from Paul, Jesus Christ's slave, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News" (Romans 1:1 NLT).
For some of us, it is a literal call to become a preacher. Others may hear this Word of exhortation as a reminder to witness to those Christ puts in our paths every day. If God calls you to preach His Word, then we need to stay on the road that leads to becoming that man or woman of God He has called us to be. Oswald Chambers also said, " Once someone begins to hear that call, a suffering worthy of the name of Christ is produced. Suddenly, every ambition, every desire of life, and every outlook is completely blotted out and extinguished. Only one thing remains- '…separated to the gospel….' Woe be to the soul who tries to head in any other direction once that call has come to him. Beware of competing calls once the call of God grips you."

This part of the book encouraged me so much. For a long time I've struggled to be accepted by the church and organizations that don't understand the calling of God on my life. I have felt rejected and discouraged. But I know that no matter how long it takes, I must press on. I can not give up or turn away from the calling of God for me.

I want to encourage each of you today. Whatever calling the Lord puts on your heart to do, don't give up during the struggle. Don't let the voices around you that speak defeat and rejection rule your life. The outcome is up to you. Everyone must go through a struggle before they get to where they are going. It is a time of preparation for what is ahead. I am determined to stay focused on Christ and the calling He has placed on my life. I'm running for my life with my mind on Jesus. Won't you run with me too?

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven" (Philippians 3:13, 14 NLT).

cbn

WHERE DID REUBEN GO?

Genesis 37:17-30
17 Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. 18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. . . . 21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. "Let's not take his life," he said. 22 "Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don't lay a hand on him." Reuben said this to rescue him from them. 23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, . . . they took him and threw him into the cistern. 26 Judah said to his brothers, . . . "Come, let's sell him." 28 So . . . his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver. 29 When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. 30 He went back to his brothers and said, "The boy isn't there! Where can I turn now?"


More than three-quarters of Americans drive to work alone--and like it that way. In fact, the longer the commute the better. It's a chance to take a break, to get away from pressures and demands. To listen to music or just chill. But it's not always a good idea to take a break.

In one of the Bible's more dysfunctional families, Reuben was the oldest of 12 brothers--and Joseph, the second-youngest, was a tattle-tale. In Genesis 37:2 we're told that Joseph ratted on his brothers to their father. When the brothers saw him coming again later, they started planning how to get rid of the fink once and for all (v.18). But Reuben came up with an alternative. "Throw him into this cistern" (vv.21-22). He planned to come back and rescue Joseph later--but he would be too late.

Reuben was a firstborn. Maybe he had a bigger sense of responsibility than his brothers did. He wanted to look out for Joseph. But he took a time-out, and assumed that everything would be right where he left it when he came back. The Bible doesn't say where Reuben went, but he wasn't around when his brothers sold Joseph to slavers (v.28). Maybe he just needed a break from his angry, hateful siblings.

Working hard to be good all the time can get tiring. Sometimes you wish you could be irresponsible like that carefree friend or sibling who seems to get away with everything. If you're a firstborn like Reuben, you might feel added pressure to be a success and a good example, or to take care of everyone's problems.

When Reuben realized he had really messed up, he asked, "Where can I turn now?" (v.30). How would you answer that question for yourself? You can turn to Jesus, your Savior, no matter how many times you mess things up. Jesus said, "Whoever comes to Me I will never drive away" (John 6:37). He never takes a break from caring for you. --Tracy Carbaugh

DESTINATION POINTS

* Have I ever wanted to take a break from being good? What would happen if I did?
* Have I ever let Jesus down by taking a break from Him? What should I do about it?

LINKS:
Joseph: Overcoming Life's Challenges.
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0715

bottom line: Don't take a break . . . from what's right.

soul journey

Favorite Colors
By Kathy Schultz

Do I say kind, encouraging, inspiring words to others? God's Word certainly tells us to do so.

Pink is my granddaughter's favorite color. She had been telling me this since she first discovered colors. The other night as she chatted away, she added that yellow was another one of her favorite colors. When had this color been added? What caused this change in opinion? I knew she was growing up, and people often change their thoughts on such matters. Possibly there was an underlying cause for this announcement.

Oh yes, she had a good reason for adding yellow. She began by telling me when she went to music class, Mrs. Cooke, the music teacher told her she was a bright yellow crayon, bright as the sun. This is a wonderful description of my grandchild! The teacher was right. Alex, as her family calls her, is a bubbly, cheerful, child. Truly, she is a bright ray of sunshine.

Words have such power. A small statement made by her teacher had truly inspired my granddaughter. It made her even list yellow as her favorite color. I doubt Alex will ever forget the teacher's kind remarks. This made me think of the words I say. Do I say kind, encouraging, inspiring words to others? God's Word certainly tells us to do so.


The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up. Ecclesiastes 10:12 (NKJV)

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29

In this world we live in, the negative is spoken so often. As a child, I had heard that sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. That statement is not true. In fact, words may not break our bones, but they certainly can damage our spirits.

God is Spirit and Truth and even the truth needs to be spoken in love according to God's Word.


Instead, speaking the truth in love... Ephesians 4:15 NIV

When we need correction, NO and NOT are wonderful words of warning and correction. God uses these words in the "Ten Commandments." These are words spoken for a reason, given in love, to keep us safe and in God's will. However, negative words, used without love, may be more harmful than the physical hurts.

We can get sick or break a bone, but our bodies can eventually be restored to health. We can forget the pain we felt. Ask any mother if she remembers the pain of childbirth. Often she will not, but she will remember the joy of the birth of her child. On the other hand, we can remember the hurtful words spoken to us by someone we love. It sometimes takes more time to heal from unkind words spoken in anger than for our bodies to mend physically.

At church this past Sunday, our pastor divided the congregation into two groups. Each side read the Bible, speaking words from scripture to the people on the opposite side of the room. It was one of those wonderful moments that made me once again see how wonderful God's Word is to us.

The Bible is full of encouraging, wonderful words of promise to each of us. Can we, who are made in God's image, begin to speak words in truth and love to each other? My desire is that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to God. I wish to speak words of encouragement and inspiration to others, much like the music teacher spoke to my granddaughter.

Yellow will always be a favorite color for my granddaughter -- the color of sunshine -- much like God's words to us. They make us come alive!

cbn

BOULDERING OR BELAYING?

Romans 15:1-7
1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on Me." 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Through my teenage son Steven, I've been introduced to a new sport and a whole new vocabulary. The sport is indoor rock-climbing, which Steve can do all day long. (Of course, the mystery of how he can climb up and down walls all day without tiring but grow bone-weary after 15 minutes of helping me paint a room in our house still baffles me, but that's a topic for a different time.)

Not long ago, I didn't know a carabiner from a caribou. I thought a hex was something you'd see on pro wrestling. Now I know that a carabiner is a metal loop that you use to attach safety devices, and a hex is something you can put in a crack to keep you from falling when you're climbing outdoors.

And then there are these two terms: bouldering and belaying. Bouldering is climbing rocks freestyle--without a rope to stop you if you fall. Belaying means that you are climbing with the help of a rope, and a companion is holding the rope for your safety. One is solo; the other is done with assistance.

It seems to me that this is a good way to examine our spiritual lives. Are we using the bouldering or the belaying method? Are we trying to make it by ourselves in our walk with Jesus, or are we seeking the help of others? Just like in rock climbing, the danger of falling is much greater if we are bouldering our way through life.

When you go it alone spiritually, you run the danger of coming up with some very bad ideas about the Christian faith. You also run the risk of growing tired and falling spiritually because you have no support system. Even if you have dozens of others bouldering with you, you're not connected and can't really help each other.

The belaying method is the way to go. Find a trusted brother or sister in Jesus to support you spiritually.

It could make the difference between a successful climb and a disastrous fall. --Dave Branon

DESTINATION POINTS

* Do I prefer to go it alone spiritually? If so, is it because I don't want to be accountable to others who might challenge me toward higher spiritual goals? * What areas of my life are dangerous if I go bouldering? What could happen if I fall? * When have I been rescued while belaying? Is there someone else I can help in the same way?

bottom line: Going it alone leads to a lonely end.

soul journey