January 13, 2010

In a Position to Save a Life

In a Position to Save a Life

Somehow the driver lost control on a small California bridge. In an instant, the car with a family of four in it catapulted through the railing and into the water. Immediately, that car began to disappear beneath the water. Well, there were just frantic moments that followed, and the two parents emerged from the car, swimming to the top. Mom had actually been able to free one of her children and help her get out, as well. But their little boy was trapped in the car at the bottom. Meanwhile, a few passersby had gathered on the bridge above, and one man, who heard the mother's screams for help for her son, dove from the bridge and into the water. A nurse was actually one of those who happened to be on the bridge that day. Realizing that the boy was going to need immediate CPR if he was rescued, she shook off her fear and she also plunged into the water. After a short time, the man surfaced - carrying that boy with him. The nurse immediately began working on him, right there in the water. His life was saved that day by two people who certainly had not planned to rescue anyone that day.

It was really moving to see the mother of that rescued little boy tearfully trying to put her gratitude into words. Someone had cared enough to take the risks to save a life just because he happened to be in the right place at the right time to make the difference.

If you belong to Jesus Christ, I hope you see yourself in that picture. Like that man on the bridge, you're in a position to do something about a person who's dying - spiritually dying, that is. The Bible describes people without Christ as "those being led away to death" (Proverbs 24:11). And it adds a command, "Rescue those who are being led away to death." Who should rescue them? Whoever is in a position to reach them. The Bible uses another example to describe those we know who don't know our Savior. It says they are "in the fire." And, again, it gives a command. "Snatch others from the fire and save them" (Jude 23). Don't just let them die without a chance. Do something to rescue them.

As you think about the people at work today, at school, in your neighborhood, in your family or the place you shop or recreate - among those people must be those who have probably never been to the cross of Jesus to have their sins forgiven. The only One who can forgive their sins is the One who died to pay for them. And if they die with their sins unforgiven, they have no chance of getting into God's heaven. You know that. You know Christ. You know them - which means you're responsible.

Living a Christ-honoring life before them is important, but it's not enough. You have to tell them about Jesus' death for their sins. They won't guess that because you're a nice person. The reason you haven't told them so far, is probably your fear. Jesus said in Mark 10:45, our word for today from the Word of God, "Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Our fears are all about "me" - what might happen to me if I tell them about Jesus; how I might mess it up. But Jesus abandoned Himself to save us. Rescuers always do that. They have a greater fear than what might happen to them. It's what might happen to the dying person if they don't try to rescue them.

Years ago, God spoke to Moses about His enslaved people and He said, "I have come down to rescue them... I am sending you" (Exodus 3:8, 10). He's saying that to you about the lost people within your reach. It's no accident you are where you are, who you are, doing what you do. God has put you in a position to help save some lives and help some people be in heaven with you. It's the most important thing you have to do; the most important difference you can possibly make with the rest of your life.

Ron Hutchcraft

January 11, 2010

God's love in one sentence

God's love in one sentence

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

A number of years ago, Karl Barth, the famous German theologian, was lecturing at a major northeaster seminary. At a Q&A session, a man asked Mr. Barth what the most profound thought was that ever entered his mind.

The man clearly expected to hear some philosophical comment from Mr. Barth. But the theologian looked at the man and simply said, "The most profound thought that has ever occurred to me is this: Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so."

You and I need to realize how remarkable the message of God's love truly is. It is simply profound and profoundly simple! And no other verse of Scripture summarizes his love for us as completely as John 3:16: "For God so loved the world...."

It is an undeniable fact. God loves you!

The expression of his love is evident from the first page to the last of Scripture. And if you will look, the expressions of Jesus' love for you are written throughout the pages of your life. It's there!

See his goodness, his patience, his kindness, his grace, his long-suffering, his faithfulness, his mercy, and so much more.

Never doubt his love for you. Jesus loves you!

"JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO."

Jack Graham

January 9, 2010

Knowing God with Us Today

Knowing God with Us Today

The blessing of God with us started at Christmas, but triumphed at the cross and empty tomb. After Resurrection Day Jesus said now I am with you always (Matthew 28:20). That means that the greatest blessing of Immanuel is how Jesus is now available anywhere, anytime, and to anyone.

To help us see what Jesus wants to do as God with us today, we have the New Testament record. If we just limit our examination to one event in each of the chapters in the gospel by John we can understand how Jesus was meeting people right where they were -- just as He wants to do right here in our lives today:

1. Watching Nathaniel sit and think under a tree, Jesus answered his questions (1:46-49).
The Lesson: You can bring all your questions about the future to Jesus.

2. Attending a wedding, Jesus rescued the servants when the wine ran out (2:9).
The Lesson: You can bring your emergencies big or small to Jesus.

3. Waiting up, Jesus explained salvation to Nicodemus when he slipped to Christ's side in the dark (3:2).
The Lesson: You can bring your spiritual struggles, even your doubts about salvation, to Jesus.

4. Sitting on the well, Jesus revealed His true identity to a seeking woman overflowing with sins (4:18-19).
The Lesson: You can bring your sins past, present, and future to Jesus.

5. Approaching the paralytic lying on the ground, Jesus healed him when he was hopeless and helpless (5:6).
The Lesson: You can bring your limitations, weaknesses, besetting sins and all to Jesus.

6. Coming across the waves to a storm-tossed boat, Jesus quieted the fearful disciples (6:17-19).
The Lesson: You can bring all your fears to Jesus.

7. Finding the blind man in his darkness, Jesus opened his eyes (9:6-7).
The Lesson: You can bring your confusing times to Jesus.

8. Defeating death and its hopelessness at the grave of Lazarus, Jesus offered new life (11:25-27).
The Lesson: You can bring your fears about death to Jesus.

9. Accepting the worship of Mary who loved Him so, Jesus received it as a sweet fragrance (12:3-8).
The Lesson: You can bring your love and pour it out upon Jesus.

10. Confronting His disciples with their dirty feet and hearts filled with pride, Jesus washed away their sin (13:5-15).
The Lesson: You can bring your besetting sins to Jesus for His cleansing.

11. Assuring His disciples when they had troubled hearts, Jesus promised that they had a future mansion with Him in heaven (14:1-6).
The Lesson: You can bring your future to Jesus.

12. Promising to convict when hearts were sinful, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to keep His children on track spiritually (16:7-9).
The Lesson: You can bring your secrets to Jesus.

13. Praying for sanctification by the truth of His Word, Jesus promised to open His children's understanding of the Scriptures (17:17).
The Lesson: You can bring your need for life changing Bible-study times to Jesus.

14. Caring for His mother even as He died, Jesus set an example of the importance of family (19:25-27).
The Lesson: You can bring your family and each individual need and entrust them to Jesus.

15. Finding Thomas in his doubt and bringing him to faith, Jesus lovingly reassured him (20:25-29).
The Lesson: You can bring your doubts no matter how dark, painful, and embarrassing to Jesus.

16. Standing on the shore when Peter needed restoration, Jesus lovingly inspired Peter to greater service for Christ (21:15-18).
The Lesson: You can bring your failures whether public or private to Jesus.

I encourage you to go back through the above list and pause on the bold action statement at the end of each point. Think about what Christ wants to do in your life personally.

It can help cement these truths in your mind if you say each of them out loud:

a. "I want to bring my questions to You, Jesus;"
b. "I want to bring my emergencies to You, Jesus;"
c. "I want to bring my struggles to You, Jesus"; and so forth.

Dr. John Barnett

January 7, 2010

Genuine Salvation

Genuine Salvation

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:13-14

Many people today have essentially believed a watered-down gospel that deletes the message of repentance. They believe in an all-caring, nonjudgmental God who requires no repentance or a change in their lifestyle. They will say things like, "I believe in Jesus Christ, but my God is not judgmental. My God would never send a person to hell. But I am a Christian."

Yet they cannot have it both ways. They can't make it up as they go.

There are many people, even in the church, who hold to a watered-down belief. This diluted gospel may be the most dangerous plague the church is facing today, because it gives a sense of false assurance to the person who believes it.

The Bible speaks of false prophets who give false assurance. In Jeremiah 6:14, God says, "They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, saying, 'Peace, peace!' when there is no peace."

It would be like going to the doctor when you are having a heart attack, and having the doctor tell you, "Oh, you are fine. You are being so dramatic! You will be OK."

There are ministers today who say, "God loves you and everything is fine. You can do whatever you want and live however you want to live. Let's just love one another and have a great time."

But that is a false gospel. Yes, God loves us. Yes, God receives any person who comes to Him. But He asks us to repent. He asks us to turn from our sins. If we are not willing to do so, then we are not experiencing biblical faith. And thus, we are not going to receive what the Bible describes as genuine salvation.

Greg Laurie

January 6, 2010

What is So Bad about Fornication?

What is So Bad about Fornication?

"Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body: but he who commits fornication sins against his own body." 1 Corinthians 6:18

Fornication consists of sexual relations outside of marriage. The Bible says it is a sin. Jesus gave it as the one and only reason for divorce, Paul said, "flee fornication", and Joseph ran out of the house when Potipher's wife grabbed him and tried to sleep with him.

But our society no longer holds to Biblical teaching. Just the other night I learned that a famous college listed as one of the rules for its dormitories: Students may not engage in sexual activity in the room if there is a third party present. Would you want your child to attend this school?

Why does God condemn fornication throughout the Bible? What possible harm can come from two consenting adults who are not married engaging in sexual relations? (I am not going to address the issue of adultery now.)

Let me start by saying, if God tells me not to do something, that is enough of a reason not to do it whether I understand or not. People would do well to say "what God?" before they say, "why God?"

Having said that let us set about answering the question, "what's so bad about fornication?" Why does God consider it evil?

For one thing it is unhealthy. It is quite clear having sexual relations with multiple partners exposes a person to the danger of disease. People who "play the field" put themselves in great peril. When they sleep with someone they are, in effect, sleeping with everyone that person has slept with. Most people who engage in sexual intimacy with casual acquaintances do not do a careful investigation of the sexual history of their partners.

Having sexual relations is not just a physical act, but an emotional one. There is definitely something wrong if that is not the case. Once it is done it can not be undone. Once it is done a part of you belongs to someone else. When you marry, your spouse will have to share the knowledge of you with every person you have known. That is not good because we are to be one flesh when we marry. Memories can have a diluting effect even though they may be slight. Also, a broken heart usually results when an uncommitted relationship is consummated sexually but not emotionally. If you can not tell your sexual partner, "I am yours," it is best not to be intimate.

Fornication can and does lead to pregnancy quite often. It is the leading reason so many babies are aborted. People use abortion as a means of birth control. All those babies, poor little innocent human beings slaughtered, why, because of a lack of commitment and a heart not for God. No child should grow up in a home where neither parent loves the other enough to say "Everything I have is yours." That is what marriage is; one flesh. Have you met daughters who detest and loathe their fathers because they are not there? It makes it very difficult for many of them to deal with relationships ever after. That's a result of fornication. Poor girls, poor boys without a responsible father to show them that being a father is a great responsibility and is the price a man should gladly pay for loving a woman.

Finally, fornication invariably leads to spiritual illness. You can not be at one with God if you are in disobedience to Him. When a person lives in sin it destroys his prayer life. Without an intimate bond with God a person's spiritual ship will sink for sure. We need Him every hour. That's what so bad about fornication. It comes between us and God. And let us always remember God's laws are given for our protection and benefit.

Will our society pay for its wanton disregard of Scripture? It is already paying a very heavy price through broken single parent families, poverty, children raising themselves with far less chance of success, higher crime rates, and so on. Everyone is suffering.

God is right. He is always right. Fornication is unholy and wrong. It may seem appealing at the time but very soon it loses that appeal and turns to bitter and bitter waters. And it inflicts so much harm on the children. We are better off being obedient to God -- always and in all things!

David Brandon

January 5, 2010

Seven Habits of Truly Effective Living

Seven Habits of Truly Effective Living

"They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green." Psalm 92:14

The phrase, "begin with the end in mind" probably strikes a familiar chord with readers of the popular life management book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Even if you aren't familiar with the phrase (or the book for that matter), you most likely get the general idea. In sum, it is best to ask the question "How do I want this to turn out?" before you begin a task or project. I agree. This question helps sharpen focus and lead to more effective action. What is missing from the book, however, isJustify Full the God-sized perspective that we see in Psalm 92. Frustration is actually the result for the individual who may lead a life of effective action, but whose only source of vision and motivation is the self.

Apart from God, the ends we picture for ourselves come only from minds and hearts that are hopelessly tainted with sin -- fallen from perfection, peace and fulfillment. Only by seeking the mind of God can we pursue that which is truly desirable -- the end which God envisions.

We often envision our ideal life as one surrounded by beauty, valuable possessions and our favorite people. We want plenty of leisure time and the health to enjoy these things. But without God, such a life is depicted in Scripture as empty and deceptive. If we are to be highly effective at living, we must begin with God's end in mind.

In Psalm 92, the ideal end God depicts for one's life on this earth is that of the righteous person who is "full of sap and very green." In other words, he is filled with spiritual vitality, even at the end of life when the temptation to grumble and express radical selfishness is often the strongest. Instead of complaining, his lips are filled with praise -- declaring that there is no unrighteousness in God, his Rock (v. 15).

The roots for such vigor of soul are woven throughout the preceding verses where we see seven habits of truly effective living unfolded for us. They are:

#1
Seeing thankfulness and praise to God as desirable, not as duty (v. 1).

#2
Focusing on God's loving kindness in the morning and His faithfulness at night (v. 2). For the righteous man, each day begins and ends with God, implying that God is central in his thoughts throughout the entire day. Literally, loving kindness refers to God's covenant loyal love, which features His promise of salvation. The righteous person is not self-righteous, or externally moralistic. Rather, he looks to God's promises and unchanging character as the basis for his right standing before his Creator-Judge. The Lord Jesus Christ is, of course, the fulfillment of these promises. So, the one having faith in Christ is counted righteous and delivered from a petty life of vain pursuits.

#3
Enjoying resounding music and singing for joy at God's great works (vv. 1, 3-4).

#4
Pondering the deep thoughts of God (v. 5) -- not being characterized by a shallow, pragmatic view of God that sees Him merely as a means to get other things.

#5
Praising the transcendence of God -- declaring that God is the "Most High" who is above all His creatures. The righteous one realizes that man is in no way equal to God. Thus, he can never legitimately view God with suspicion or call Him into judgment (v. 8).

#6
Resting securely in the fact that, in the end, God will have the final say on all matters. He will deal justice to the enemies of righteousness (vv. 9-11).

#7
Depending continuously upon God for strength -- for "fresh oil" (v. 10), knowing that yesterday's supply never carries over to today.

Perhaps you know an older believer who embodies these seven habits. "Meme," my 89 year old grandmother, is one such saint. At the time of this writing, she lay in a hospital bed with very serious health complications. During a recent phone call, I listened as she expressed delight over truths that the Lord had shown her in her well-worn Bible and what hymns she had joyfully sung that morning. Her prayer at the close of our conversation was full of gratitude and praise to the Lord, evidencing a deep, personal knowledge of and trust in God. While I listened, I thought to myself: This is what Psalm 92 is all about. Here is a person who, by God's grace, has learned to practice the habits of truly effective living.

Alex Crain

January 4, 2010

Transforming Your Workplace

Transforming Your Workplace

This, then, is how you should pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven..." (Matthew 6:9-10).

What would your workplace look like if this prayer were answered today where you work?

"Transformation" is a powerful word. Just hearing it, you almost automatically think of radical conversions and incredible change. But is it possible to transform your workplace into something Christ-like? Jesus thinks so.

One example involves a story told in Ed Silvoso's book, Anointed for Business, about a Filipino business man who owned a hotel chain. God saved this man and began an amazing transformation in his life and his large scale hotel.

The man owned a 1600-room hotel that covered three buildings. Because of its rates and location, the hotel had become a haven for prostitution, with the rooms being used as much as five times a day. There were over 2000 employees, and the primary clientele were more than 3000 prostitutes.

One of Silvoso's associates shared with the owner a formula for winning the lost, so he hired 40 pastors and told them to follow these instructions: a. Speak peace to the wolves. Bless those who curse you. b. Eat and drink with the sinners. Become their friends. c. Pray for them and their needs. The pastors were not to share the gospel until they'd met these three requirements for two years. What an investment. But ultimately, it paid off.

The pastors followed these three rules and saw every single one of the 2,000 employees become saved. The hotel was upgraded to an executive level, raising the rates and forcing the prostitutes out because they could no longer afford it. They even added a prayer chapel with 24/7 prayer available to anyone by dialing '7' on the telephone. Two years later, 10,000 guests had received the Lord on the property.*

That's transformation! And that's the kind of transformation we can see in our workplaces. We just have to find the vision and the willingness to ask God, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me do?"

*Adapted from story in Anointed for Business, Ed Silvoso, Regal Books, Ventura, CA 2006.