Living in the Valleys

Living in the Valleys

And Miriam answered them: "Sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!" So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. Exodus 15:21-22

Mountaintops are great places. As you stand on some lofty peak it seems as if you can see forever. But most people don't live on mountains. The demands of reality require that life is generally lived in the valleys.

The Israelites had just come through one of the high points of their nation's history -- a mountaintop experience. Pursued by Pharaoh's army, they crossed the Red Sea with dry sandals and then saw the waters rush together again upon their enemy's horses and chariots. With tremendous joy, they sang God's praise. Then they hit the valley -- from the fresh air of the mountaintop to the dry, oppressive air of the wilderness. For three days they traveled without finding water. Compared to the mountaintops, the valleys are real spiritual challenges.

But that's the way real life is. Spiritual mountaintops are wonderful. You feel particularly close to God during your devotional time; you return from a weekend retreat knowing the living Lord has met with you in a special way; you come home from church after the pastor's sermon has met a deep spiritual need in your life. You revel in the warmth of these marvelous mountaintop experiences.

But that's not where you live. You live in the valley, where there are dirty dishes to wash, lawns to mow and children to raise. Often real life isn't much fun.

Fortunately, Israel discovered, as will you, that God is with you both on the mountain and in the valley. He never leaves you, never allows you out of His loving care. We all appreciate those times when we encounter God in a special way, but we know that God is also with us when we sink to spiritual lows and feel a little dry. The God you meet in the good times is the same God who meets you in the hard times.

The God who dwells on the mountains also inhabits the valleys.

Warren Wiersbe

The Old and the New

The Old and the New

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! (AMP)

A little girl about seven years old tapped on a neighbour's door and waited. A lady opened the door, and the child held out a tiny box and said, "Would you please give something for the poor in another land?" Looking at the girl, the woman hesitated for a moment, then got her purse and dropped a half-penny into the narrow opening at the top of the box. With a quick "Thank you", the girl raced to the corner sweet shop and purchased a large bag of inferior candy.

I am ashamed to acknowledge that I was that child! Thus you have a glimpse into the corrupt and wicked character of the young "Old Me".

Today, I am a "New Me" -- still very interested in the work of missions, but for a totally different reason. My first interest was to obtain monies for personal gratification, momentary enjoyment -- some poor-quality candy, quickly eaten, and the flavour soon forgotten. I thank God that He forgave me for this dishonest act, and during my adult years, entrusted me to spread the gospel of love under various circumstances -- a gospel which has a long-range program and reaches into eternity.

Perhaps, there is a mother or grandmother who is reading this devotional and thinking my former character describes their own young son or daughter, or grandson or granddaughter. Let's not become discouraged. My mother must have been horrified upon being told how I obtained the money to purchase the candy. I could not tell an untruth, while looking into my mother's searching blue eyes. I told her every detail of my missionary endeavour. This story has a wonderful ending, for my mother and father had the pleasure of seeing the New Me involved in Christian ministry for a number of years.

Our gracious heavenly Father, You are the God who can make the impossible, possible. You are the God who saw the possibilities in the life of a little girl, regardless of her outward activities. You are the God who gave Your dearest and best to enable such a selfish little child to become a giving and joyful adult. Thank You, Father, for Your Son and our Saviour, Christ Jesus. Amen.

Vena Pole

There's Jesus Now!

There's Jesus Now!

"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will be qualified to teach others." 2 Timothy 2:1-2

There are certain people in our life that have made a significant impact. One was an old man by the name of Ernest. I say old, but that was from the point of view of a boy of four or five. In fact, he was only in his 60's. Now that I have passed into my 70's, that seems pretty young. He was one of those precious souls that loved the Lord from the depths of his being, and was not afraid to demonstrate it in his actions. He used an old Bible that was as worn and battered as he. The cover bore scars from excessive use.

Ernest used to sit in his old rocking chair and read his Bible. He would read silently, but his lips would move as he read verse after verse. He would sometimes hold the younger grandchildren on his lap as he read the life revealing Word of God. One could only wonder if he realized he was impacting those young lives by his quiet devotion.

There came a day in his life, when things just did not feel right. He consulted a doctor and learned that he had cancer. There were many days of pain and exhaustion. He lived at a time when medical treatment was limited, and Ernest realized that his days on this earth were very limited. He sent word to his eight children that he would like to see them all one more time. They came from Texas, California, and those who lived near him in Washington state.

In his final hours of life, he shared from his heart all that God had done for him, and how much he loved the Lord. As his children gathered around his bed in that small living room, he encouraged those of them who were not serving the Lord, to do so while there was time. For those who did know the Lord, he challenged them to be faithful in their walk. His breathing became easier, and it seemed as if the pain had been removed from his body. He raised up on his elbow and looked toward the door. These were the last words of Ernest Thompson, my grandfather; "There's Jesus now!"

I cannot begin to count the number of times I have told the story of grandpa Thompson. I do know it is nothing as compared with the countless times I have thought of his words. It has given me a hope that there is a heaven to be gained, and a hell to be shunned. It has been a constant beacon to direct my way through the storms of life.

What about you, who have not had a "grandpa Thompson?" You are stuck with me! Stop that whimpering right now!!! You see, I was not in that room when grandpa died. His words and the scene was related to me by my dad. I have been living the glory of grandpa Thompson's death as a result of what my dad had seen and shared. Now, I have related it to you, it is up to you, to accept it in faith and allow it to give you a light in your darkest night.

Paul encouraged Timothy to recall those meaningful words and the actions that he had observed in Paul's life and pass them on to the faithful who could in turn pass them from one to the other. It might be said that the Gospel was the first and greatest multilevel marketing strategy in the world. It only takes one who will duplicate himself in the lives of others, who in turn will repeat the process, until the world realizes the presence of Jesus.

None of us know for sure, where we will be when it is our time to die. We also have no idea when it will be. The only certainty is that each of us will die unless the Lord catches up His church in the rapture. I have a driving ambition to be faithful in teaching and living as Jesus has instructed. I myself am a grandpa Thompson now.

As I mentioned earlier, I am older than my grandpa, Ernest Thompson was when he died. I have many precious spiritual children and grandchildren. I want them to see my battered Bible, and watch as I read those precious words, and also watch as I live a life that is committed and real. Regardless if I die surrounded by people, or all alone, my desire is that my last words will be; "There's Jesus Now!"

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

Lord, Help Me Look Ahead

Lord, Help Me Look Ahead

Lord, help me look ahead. It's time to look ahead. Help me to turn my attention away from the things that have already passed and direct my focus toward the things that are yet to be. I've spent too much time looking back. I have spent too much time dwelling on the things that I cannot change. I have spent too little time on the opportunities that lay ahead.

Lord, help me to enjoy the memories I have of my children as they have grown and moved toward independence. But, help me not to dwell so much on "those days" that I miss "these days" we are living now, and enable me to enjoy them to the fullest.

Lord, help me never forget the times and the ways you have delivered me in the past, but do not allow me to think that Your days of deliverance are over, and help me never doubt that You will continue to deliver me in the future.

Lord, help me stop dwelling on the mistakes of the past to such an extent that I am paralyzed with fear of making another mistake.

Lord, remind me that my sins have been forgiven and that I am free to live a life of victory with confidence and boldness in the future.

Lord, thank You for enabling me to accomplish some good things in my life, help me to not be satisfied with those things already accomplished, and help me to continue to rely on You for everything I endeavor to accomplish in the future.

Lord, help us as Your people, to let go of the past, to admit where we have failed, rejoice where we have succeeded, and move on toward what You have planned for the future.

Lord, help us to take responsibility for our oversights of the past, learn from them, and venture into the future without guilt, or regrets, and be fully determined to do a better job as Your ambassadors to the world in the future.

Lord, You have brought us through tragedy and triumph. You have never failed us. We have every reason to believe that our future with You will be glorious. So, let us live today it to the fullest and with confidence and with hope.

Consider the example of Moses: "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. Hebrews." (11:24-28, NIV)

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

Lord, I have wasted too much time dwelling on the past. We have wasted too much time dwelling on the past. Help me, and help us, to stop looking back and look ahead to what You have planned.

Tom Norvell

The Resume of Jesus Christ

The Resume of Jesus Christ

Address: Ephesians 1:20
Phone: Romans 10:13
Website: The Bible

Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus

Hello!

My name is Jesus - The Christ. Many call me Lord! I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking The Top Management Position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.

Qualifications:

I founded the earth and established the heavens. (See Proverbs 3:19)

I formed man from the dust of the ground. (See Genesis 2:7)

I breathed into man the breath of life. (See Genesis 2:7)

I redeemed man from the curse of the law. (See Galatians 3:13)

The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant come upon your life through me. (See Galatians 3:14)

Occupational Background:

I've only had one employer. (See Luke 2:49)

I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.

My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me. (See Matthew 3:15-17)

Skills Work Experiences:

Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised. (See Luke 4:18)

I am a Wonderful Counselor. (See Isaiah 9:6)

People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil. (See Proverbs 1:33)

Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins. (See I John 1:7-9)

Educational Background:

I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding. (See Proverbs 2:6)

In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (See Colossians 2:3)

My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. (See Psalms 119:105)

I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart. (See Psalms 44:21)

Major Accomplishments:

I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times. (See Genesis 1:26)

I laid down my life so that you may live. (See II Corinthians 5:15)

I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly. (See Colossians 2:15)

I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead! (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)

There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www.theBIBLE.com

But then, you don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website. You can read them on in my Word - The Bible.

References:

Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healings, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance.

In Summation:

Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths (See Proverbs 3:5-6) and lead you into everlasting life (See John 6:47).

When can I start?

Time is of the essence. (See Hebrews 3:15)

Author Unknown

Giving Honor and Respect

Giving Honor and Respect

“If a man pampers his servant from youth, he will bring grief in the end.” Prov. 29:21

If you had to guess as to where respect for authority was taught and carried out better than any place you can think of, where would you guess? My guess would be the military. It is something they demand and ingrain into every single soldier. The respect they show to those in authority is an example that this country could greatly benefit from if people paid attention.

I love respect and giving honor where it’s due. I wasn't always that way, but it certainly was shaped within my heart since I've become a Christian. God's Word has so much to say about having the 'fear of the Lord,’ and respecting authority. That doesn't mean God wants us to fear Him like we would fear someone or something that was evil or would cause harm. No it means to have a reverence and awe of the Lord for who He is. It is in this relationship, that God takes His rightful place on the throne of our heart. When we reverentially fear the Lord, He will never be a casual or profane subject of our conversation. He’ll be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Ps. 33:8 says, "Let all the earth reverentially fear the LORD; let all the people of the world stand in awe of Him." It's no wonder people don't put much trust in God. They have minimized who He is in their hearts and unknowingly hindered their own ability to have great faith in Him because they haven't awed at His greatness, ability and love.

The Lord wants us to revere Him. He also wants us to give honor and respect wherever it is due. Rom. 13:7-8 says, "Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law."

God considers giving honor and respect a debt that is not paid when it is not given. That is a thought contrary to all we see before us. God's Word foretells us that as we approach the second coming of Jesus Christ, that respect will be something that will be in short supply. 2 Tim. 3:1-4 reveals, "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God --" All that is listed here is a product of having no respect or honor for any position of authority. It is a problem that undermines unity, order, and the blessing that God desires to bring into our lives.

We see this problem in its grass roots in today's Fresh Manna verse. It says, "If a man pampers his servant from youth, he will bring grief in the end." I don't know if you can instantly see what's wrong with the picture painted in this verse but it’s bad. The picture is saying that the servant is showing disrespect and grief to the one he is in authority to. The one in authority in his attempt to be kind and maybe overly compassionate is pampering the servant (or child which is implied in the original Hebrew) and will have regrets in the end. Again the original Hebrew implies that in the end, you will want to hold this person or child out at an arm’s length from your life because they will turn out to be a problem.

To really understand this, understand the position or definition of a servant. A servant is a person “who is privately or publicly employed to perform domestic services who expresses submission, recognizance, or debt to another: your obedient servant.” A person in authority is “one who has been given the power to enforce laws, exact obedience, command, determine, or judge.” There are times when most of us walk in some position of authority and then there are times when we all walk as a servant under someone's authority. We are all ultimately under God's authority. Because of this, we are to give honor, respect, and even reverence where it is due. We are to receive that same respect when appropriate.

If we let our children grow up without showing respect and honor to whom it is due, then they themselves will in all likelihood, grow up as someone that will not have the respect of others. God’ Word says that will lead to grief. Of course we are always to be understanding and considerate with our children, but when they don't respond rightly, we are to remember that the parent is in authority and that the child is the one under authority -- similar to the servant in needing to respect and obey. Pamper and put up with disrespect and you will later live to regret it.

The same is true with an employer. Although one in authority has the responsibility to be caring, kind, and considerate in his or her management style, at the point that an employee begins to take advantage of his kindness and whines or show disrespect for instruction and command, that person is a growing problem. Pamper that kind of a person and you will live to regret they work for you. Don't let this turn you into a dictator. Be a godly boss but, don't let their inappropriate behavior change your appropriate behavior. Simply enforce what is right and give them time to respect authority or let them go.

For the employee or person that is showing disrespect or causing grief to anyone that is in authority, recognize that you've become the pampered servant that is heading for trouble. Fix yourself before trouble comes upon you and be sure to reverence God and thank Him for teaching you this valuable lesson. It will save your life in more ways than you know. It will also help keep the channels of blessing open. Lastly, it will keep your heart pliable and teachable which are characteristics of a very promotable quality - humility.

Pastor Tim Burt
Fresh Manna
http://readfreshmanna.blogspot.com

Giving Thanks!

Giving Thanks!

Daniel 6:10
"Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before."

I have a question for us: “What do we require before we give thanks to the Lord?” Let me clarify that question. Do we need something good or pleasant to happen before we give thanks to the Lord?

Daniel was a very wise man and an old man. He was no doubt in his eighties or beyond when we read today’s Scripture. His wisdom and judgment caused the king to elevate him to a position of authority along with two others. Now the king planned to set him over the entire kingdom.

Jealousy arose in the other leaders who plotted how they could get rid of Daniel. They knew that he was so blameless and upright that they could only discredit him by something to do with his worship of his God, Yahweh.

They convinced King Darius to issue a decree that could not be altered; that no one could worship any god or man for 30 days except Darius. He must have thought Daniel was in agreement and signed the decree. By doing so, he unknowingly condemned Daniel to the lion’s den. You know that story, or you may want to read all of Daniel 6 to refresh your memory.

Here is the point I would like to make. With a visit to the lion’s den in the balance, Daniel prayed as was his usual practice. And what was his usual practice? Daniel prayed three times a day; on his knees; giving thanks to Yahweh and asking Him for help.

I want to stop right there. I want to challenge each of us with this passage:

Do you have a consistent prayer life?

How would you pray if you knew that to pray would possibly mean that your life was on the line?

Would your enemies know that the only fault they could find in you was in the way you worshiped the Lord?

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

Consequences!

Consequences!

"‘Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.’ David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.’ Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!’” II Samuel 12:4-7a

Back in the 1970’s I was working for the State of Idaho and also taught a Bible class at the Idaho State Penitentiary. One of the men had been convicted of murder and was serving a life sentence. One night he was sharing with the group what had happened. His act was accomplished in the heat of emotion. His evening had begun in a festive atmosphere but ended with him behind bars for life.

The result of our actions will always result in consequences. The result of doing things God’s was will result in honor and blessing. Refusal to obey God and His commands will carry shame and dire consequences.

David was God’s selection to be the mighty King of Israel. David had served the Lord faithfully for many years and God had showered him with honor and blessings.

In II Samuel 11:1, we read; “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army.” What a sad sentence. At a time when David should have been with his army he stayed at home. I am sure that he rationalized that he was needed back home, but that was not the place he was called to serve. KINGS LEAD -- THEY DO NOT SEND!

You no doubt recall the sad story of David’s sin. He STAYED -- He STARED -- He STOLE -- He SLEW! He was guilty of not going into battle with his men; of committing adultery and of killing Bathsheba’s faithful husband.

I am sure that David’s conscience bothered him, but it is possible that he may have thought he had escaped the consequences. God knew! Not only did God know, but He sent a prophet named Nathan to confront David about his sin.

As we read today’s Scripture, we see that David is enraged by a wealthy and powerful neighbor who would steal his poor neighbor’s one ewe lamb. He fumed out his vengeance on such a vile man but was stopped in his tracks by Nathan’s words of judgment: “You are the man!”

David repented of his sin, but there were serious consequences. Like my friend at the Penitentiary, a consequence was required. In David’s case it was the death of his baby and chaos between his sons.

Repentance also had its consequences. My friend became a born again Christian and led many other inmates to Jesus. David felt the touch of the Lord and wrote many Psalms with a broken heart. He became known as a man after God’s own heart. Where are you right now? I urge you to repent and reap the consequences of God’s love and forgiveness.

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

Cast Off Discouragement!

Cast Off Discouragement!

Mal. 3:16-17 “Then those who feared and loved the Lord spoke often of him to each other. And he had a Book of Remembrance drawn up in which he recorded the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him. "They shall be mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in that day when I make up my jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares an obedient and dutiful son.”

If discouragement was a football, then I would like to be the greatest punter of all times so I could drop kick it right out of my life. The enemy tries to work discouragement in our lives so we'll focus on negative circumstances and miss seeing the blessings that God has happening all around us. There have always been two things I have focused on to drop kick discouragement out of my life. One is to have a heart of thanksgiving for even the tiniest blessing in my life. The other is to talk about the goodness of God and His promises with my friends. To accomplish the later, I started two discipleship groups. I meet with one three days a week and the other one day a week. First, we each share a promise from God’s Word that speaks to our heart. Secondly, we thank God for His promises and goodness to us and pray those promises over the people God has put in our lives. (That includes you!) I have been doing this for over seventeen years.

Over the years, I have met many people who have wanted to walk a closer walk with God and for a period of time have done so. But, evitably, times of discouragement over something have crept in and when they have, they have felt let down by God. They have wanted to 'throw in the towel.' Because we don't always see things turn out in the way we envision, it is possible to face an outcome that at least for a season seems like a disappointment. Yet at times like this, you have to remind yourself that even though man fails you, God will never fail you. Hebrews 13:5 says, "...God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

God is worthy of all our trust despite what at the time looks like a disappointment. When we read the story of Joseph, we read about a young man who at the age of seventeen had a vision from God about being a ruler that even his own family would bow down to. That dream eventually proved true and yet not long after he dreamed it, he was thrown in a pit left to die by his own jealous brothers. He was then later sold as a slave, promoted as a manager of a pagan household because of faithfulness to God and then falsely and undeservingly accused of coveting his master's wife. It felt like a barrage of disappointments. He was thrown in jail for years. He faced injustice from the age of seventeen to thirty years old - thirteen years of injustice. How did Joseph protect himself from disappointment and blaming God? Why didn’t he throw in the towel? Joseph would not cave to disappointment because He believed God to be a God of promise. He clung to that truth. He would not give up on God. The result? He was finally promoted as ruler over all of Egypt under Pharaoh.

In the book of Malachi we see disappointment take root. The Lord is warning His people of their rebellious and slothful attitude. They had given up trusting in God's ways and instead resorted to depending on themselves to get things done. They had stopped tithing and God exposed the deception that had permeated their hearts. In Mal. 3:13-15 we read His Words to them. "You have said harsh things against me," says the LORD. "Yet you ask,’ what have we said against you?' "You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out His requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.'" These people lost their love and joy of God and began to see living for Him as drudgery and obligation. They 'threw in the towel' and moved to living outside of God's instruction. They blinded their eyes to His goodness leaving them only to experience the disappointment of their own ways. Man seldom accepts responsibility for his own lack of success. Blame is the game and God (or your Pastor and church) most often becomes the scapegoat.

Joseph represented the heart of those that don't quit and trust God knowing that He is bigger than a momentary circumstance appearing to be a setback. We read of great blessing to those who like Joseph, keep on trusting God knowing of His love and precious promises. Mal. 3:16-18 reveals those blessings. "Then those who reverence the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored His name. "They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not."

God says that when we trust Him and focus on His promises and talk about them with others, it draws His presence. He is so honored that He lists our names in a book of remembrance. He says that deliverance will come to those that trust. Thanksgiving of who and what He is to us keeps our eyes open to His involvement in our lives and protects us from the deception that can come from disappointment. So, begin to mediate on everything you are thankful to Him about and praise Him for it. It will lift you up!

Pastor Tim Burt
Fresh Manna
http://readfreshmanna.blogspot.com

The Trials of Christianity

The Trials of Christianity

James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (NKJV)

As servants we are going to experience troubles in this life. The Master was persecuted and crucified because He stood against the world and exposed their wickedness for what it was. Because we represent Him, and we live by and proclaim the same truths that He did, we too will face troubles in this life. As well, we will face trials and suffering simply because we live in sin-cursed world where wickedness runs loose trampling both the good and the evil (Matt. 5:45). For the world, troubles and difficulties are something to be avoided at all costs, and ended as quickly as possible when they do occur. For the servant of Christ, we understand that God has purpose and meaning in suffering and will use it to bring about the very best for our life (Rom 8.28). Not that we need to go out and seek out suffering. If you have a heartbeat, suffering will come your way inevitably.

What are some practical benefits of troubles and trials? We learn to better understand and minister to others who are suffering. Our spiritual and emotional strength is increased. It allows us to be clearly reminded what sin has done to God's creation. It allows us to see tangible proof that our faith in God is genuine.

We have the opportunity to see our loving God care for us and bring us through the dark times. Suffering keeps our mind on heaven and helps us remember not to get too attached to this world. There are many more reasons, too much to cover here.

Have you ever stopped to consider that your trials and hardships are precious and beneficial? Or do you simply seek to avoid suffering if at all possible? Is your first thought to end troubles as quickly as possible when they do occur?

Do you have God's mindset about tough times in this life? Or the world's?

Brent Riggs

Those Hard-Hitting Holy Men

Those Hard-Hitting Holy Men

When our older son was in high school, he ate, and drank, and slept football. He was a lineman and, being descended from me, he wasn't all that big. But he played with real intensity! John was one of his teammates, and John was a pretty hard-living kid who had sampled a little of everything. And John knew that our son was one of those Christian-types. And he came to him after the first week of practice and said, "Hey, Hutch, I thought you were a holy man. How come you hit so hard?"

That comment from our son's teammate was about football, but it revealed what a lot of people think Christian manhood is all about. I remember one young man from Harlem said, "The Jesus in paintings doesn't look like He could last ten minutes in my neighborhood."

Well, it's definitely time for our word for today from the Word of God, John 2, beginning in verse 14. "In the temple courts Jesus found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So He made a whip out of cords, and He drove all of them from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves, He said, 'Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father's house into a market!'" This is the hard-hitting Jesus! Single-handedly, He threw out the Temple Mafia. This is no wimpy Savior.

We don't have a physical description of Jesus, but we know He was a carpenter in the days before power tools, that He silently endured brutal beating, torture, and crucifixion, that He spent 40 days in the wilderness without food, and He physically expelled these crooks from the temple.

There is no doubt that Jesus was so tender that children were drawn to Him like a magnet. He was compassionate toward the outcasts, the wounded, the vulnerable. He made people feel very loved and very valuable everywhere he went. But that doesn't mean He was weak. He was every inch a man in tenderness and in strength.

There's a common misconception that Christianity is just for the ladies. And it certainly is for women; no one elevated women more than Jesus did. But look at who Jesus' first followers were - twelve men. Four of them were fishermen, for example, rugged men. And they found what millions of men have found since then: that when a man comes to Jesus, he doesn't lose his manhood, he discovers it.

A man is wired to give 110% of himself to something - like sports or business, or whatever. Every cause, though, is ultimately a letdown. It's never enough. The rush never lasts. So many of us men end up still looking for a cause that is worth everything we've got. When a man like Simon Peter encounters Christ, he says, "This is it! I have found my cause!"

As a man, you're going to be incurably restless until you find the Lord that you were built to serve. When you know you belong to the One who has everything in His control, you have an inner peace that can bring stability to every situation. You discover a better best than you have ever known. You find the power in Christ to conquer the animal inside you that has always conquered you. Plus you've got a new capacity for love and sensitivity and courage that you have never known before.

Listen to Jesus the Man - the God-Man, calling you as He did men two thousand years ago with these words. "Follow Me." He died on a cross to forgive your sin; to give you a new beginning. If you have never surrendered your life to the Man who gave His life for you, let today be your day. If you want to become a follower of Jesus Christ as so many men have over the years and discover full manhood, then I want to invite you to go to our website to follow a path there that I've tried to lay out in simple non-religious words to be sure you've begun a relationship with Jesus Christ. It's YoursForLife.net. And I hope you'll go there at your first opportunity today. Or you can send for the booklet - no charge. It's a toll free call. It's 877-741-1200.

You will find in Jesus Christ an intensity, a strength, and a passion that you have never tasted before.

Jesus will make you what you were born to be!

Ron Hutchcraft

Why, God?

Why, God?

Why does God allow tragedy? We've all heard it stated in many ways. Why does He allow babies to be born with disabilities? Why does He permit wars to rage? Why does He seem to turn the other way when innocent people are being killed? What about all of those horrible injustices in our world? This hurricane. That epidemic. This wildfire. Why do these horrible things afflict our world? If God can prevent such tragedies, why does He allow them to take place?

Here is the classic statement of the problem. Either God is all-powerful but He is not all good, therefore He doesn't stop evil. Or He is all good but He is not all-powerful, therefore He can't stop evil. And the general tendency is to blame all of the problems of the world on God. To say that God is the one who is somehow responsible.

"If God is so good and loving," people will say, "why does He allow evil?" Now the first part of that question is based on a false premise. By even stating it in that way, what I'm really saying is that I don't believe God to be good and loving.

By questioning God's goodness and love, I am in essence saying that I know more about it than He does. The fact is, God doesn't become good because that's my opinion of Him, or because I happen to personally agree with His actions or His words. Nor does He become good because we vote on it and all agree that is the case.

God is good because God says He is good. And it's not up for a vote.

Jesus said, "No one is good except God alone" (Luke 18:19 NIV).

You see, God is good whether I believe it or not, and He alone is the final court of arbitration. As the apostle Paul said, "Let God be true, and every man a liar" (Romans 3:4 NKJV).

What, then, is "good"? Good is whatever God approves. And by the same token, bad is exactly what God says is bad.

Some might say, "That's circular reasoning." Yes, you could say that. But I would describe it as biblical reasoning. The Word of God is our source of truth, defining right and wrong, and what our values ought to be.

In Isaiah 1:18, we read: "'Come now, let us reason together,' says the Lord" (NIV).

Or as another translation puts it, "Come let us argue this out, says the Lord" (NLT)

God is saying, "Here's the way I see things. You need to see it the way that I see it." And He goes on to tell us that His thoughts are above our thoughts and His ways are above our ways.

So God is good.

Let's come back to the second part of that question. Why does He allow evil? The first thing we have to remember is that mankind was not created evil. Man and woman were created innocent, ageless, and immortal. Their responsibility in the Garden of Eden was to tend it, watch over it, and discover all that God had created. But of course we know that our first parents made the wrong choice, ate the forbidden fruit, and everything changed down to this day.

But don't be too hard on Adam and Eve, because if you had been in the Garden, you would have done the same thing. And so would I. We might have fallen sooner or we might have fallen later, but we would have surely gotten around to it, as evidenced by the fact that we all make wrong choices throughout our lives.

The result of that original sin (we know all too well) was that death entered into the human race. As we are told in Romans 5:12, "When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone for everyone sinned" (NLT).

So we need to keep in mind that humanity, not God, is responsible for sin.

In light of that, one might then ask the question, "Why didn't God make us incapable of sin?" Answer: Because He didn't want puppets on a string. He didn't want windup robots. He didn't want preprogrammed people with neither choice nor will.

Greg Laurie

Our "thorn"

Our "thorn"

"Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." 2 Corinthians 12:7

Paul tells us that his "thorn" was given to him -- to keep him humble, and save him from spiritual peril. Without it, he would have been exalted above measure and would have lost his spirituality. We do not know how much of his deep insight into the things of God, and his power in service for his Master -- Paul owed to this torturing "thorn". It seemed to hinder him, and it caused him incessant suffering -- but it detained him in the low valley of humility, made him ever conscious of his own weakness and insufficiency, and thus kept him near to Christ whose home is with the humble.

There are few people who have not some "thorn" rankling in their flesh --
In one it is an infirmity of speech;
in another an infirmity of sight;
in another an infirmity of hearing.

Or it may be lameness;
or a slow but incurable disease;
or constitutional timidity,
or excessive nervousness;
or a disfiguring bodily deformity;
or an infirmity of temper.

Or it may be in one's home--which
is cold, unloving, and uncongenial;
or it may be some moral failure;
or it may be a bitter personal disappointment
through untrue friendship or unrequited love.

Who has not his "thorn"?

We should never forget that in one sense, our "thorn" is a "messenger of Satan," who desires by it -- to hurt our life, to mar our peace, to spoil the divine beauty in us, and to break our communion with Christ.

On the other hand, however, Christ Himself has a loving design in our "thorn." He wants it to be a blessing to us. He would have it keep us humble -- and save us from becoming vain. Or He means it to soften our hearts -- and make us more gentle. He would have the uncongenial things in our environment to discipline us into heavenly-mindedness, give us greater self-control, and help us to keep our hearts loving and sweet -- amid harshness and unlovingness. He would have our pain teach us endurance and patience; and our sorrow and loss teach us faith.

Thus, our "thorn" may either be a choice blessing to us -- or it may do us irreparable harm. If we allow it to fret us; if we chafe, resist, and complain; if we lose faith and lose heart -- it will spoil our life! But if we accept it in the faith that in its ugly burden -- it has a blessing for us; if we endure it patiently, submissively, unmurmuringly; if we seek grace to keep our heart gentle and true amid all the trial, temptation, and suffering it causes -- it will work good for us, and out of its bitterness -- will come sweet fruit!

J. R. Miller

New Power!

New Power!

Isaiah 40:30-31
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Do you have purpose in your life? I certainly do! If for nothing else it is to put new batteries in watches, clocks and other such stuff that run on, AAA, AA, D, C or 9 volt types. Oops! How could I forget the dreaded watch batteries?!

Back in the day we did not have all of these different size batteries things ran on wind-up or plug-in. All the same, things always needed to have their power renewed on a regular basis to continue operating.

You know what is coming next don’t you... a spiritual application. I firmly believe that we should approach the most ordinary facets of our life in the same manner that we should approach Bible study: What does it say? What does it mean? How can I apply it to my life?

The first reality that comes to mind when I think of batteries going dead or springs winding down, is that there needs to be a constant renewing. Let me quote an explanation of the Second Law of Thermodynamics:

“The implications of the Second Law of Thermodynamics are considerable. The universe is constantly losing usable energy and never gaining. We logically conclude the universe is not eternal. The universe had a finite beginning -- the moment at which it was at "zero entropy" (its most ordered possible state). Like a wind-up clock, the universe is winding down, as if at one point it was fully wound up and has been winding down ever since. The question is who wound up the clock?”

What is true in the scientific world is also true in the spiritual world. Without a consistent renewal of our spiritual fervor we will begin to lose our power. What does that mean? It means that we will become shells of what we were meant to be.

God had intended for Israel to be a kingdom of priests to the whole world. The people were delivered from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. They saw miracle after miracle, but soon allowed their fervency for the Lord to wane.

God sent His prophets to recharge the nation’s batteries, but their hearts became dead to His call and they finally refused to acknowledge Him. Instead of proclaiming God to the nations of the world, they needed to be revived themselves.

I have worked with many Christians who started their walk with the Lord full of vim and vigor. They had the potential to be mighty servants of the Most High God, but lost their original power.

Jesus describes these Christians in Revelation 2:3-5; “You have persevered and have endured hardships for My name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place.”

The Lord gives us the secret of being re-energized. “Repent and do the things you did at first.” We may think that there is nothing for us to repent of, but if we place anything between ourselves and the Lord, it will sap our spiritual strength and leave us dead and worthless. I pray that we may be renewed!

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

Hokey Pokey Christianity

Hokey Pokey Christianity

"I feel persuaded that if I could follow the Lord more fully myself, my ministry would be used to make a deeper impression than it has yet done." ~ Robert M. McCheyne 1813-1843

Today I was reminded of a sermon I preached a while back. God reminded me of it when talking to some friends. I believe all of us have played the children's game "Hokey Pokey" at some time in our lives; probably more than once. In case you haven't, it's simple. There is a Hokey Pokey song, and you just do as the song says. It goes like this: You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out, you put your right foot in and you shake it all about. You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself about. That's what it's all about!

And the song goes on to list different parts of the body: the left foot, right arm, left arm, head, elbow and so on. You put in the center whatever body part is called out.

The night I preached this sermon, the Lord spoke to me about "Hokey Pokey Christianity". Now I was all into listening to Him tell me this because I could not figure out how He could make this children's song fit into anything about the a Christian's life. But He did!

See, the Hokey Pokey is fine as long as it's a song or a children's game, but some adults have made this game into their lifelong motto. They put themselves into one thing for a little while, something happens and they pull out. Then they put themselves into something else, someone offends them and they pull themselves out again. They are never committed. They have HPC: Hokey Pokey Christianity. HPC is when you jump in one place that you find to be pleasant and to your liking, then jump into another place when the first place becomes pressure; not pleasure. You "shake it all about" from one place to another, but you never grow up. God says it is time for us to grow up.

God showed me some men in the Bible that are an example of this at some point in their lives: Judas, John Mark, Peter, James and John.

First Judas. Just to hear his name makes you think of betrayal and dishonor. But at one time in his life, he chose Jesus. He chose to forsake his home and surroundings and follow Christ. He walked with Him, suffered with Him, learned from Him, and lived learning the example Jesus lived day by day. He was also anointed and called by Him, sent out to preach, heal and bring the Kingdom of God to the people. And he did this for a season with success. But at some point, he jumped back. Somewhere he disagreed with the way Jesus was fulfilling God's plan. In some way, he became offended, shook himself and jumped back.

Peter, James, and John were selected by Jesus to spend what would be His last night in prayer. God alone knew what was coming and in what order. Jesus knew what His Father had shown Him and He knew He needed much strength to continue to fulfill the plan for the salvation of mankind. The only way to get strength for any given hardship is prayer. God is ministering to your soul. So Jesus chose these men who were so close to Him to join Him on His last night on earth. And they did... for a while. Then the heaviness of their eyes caused them to jump back from all night prayer and go to sleep. Three times Jesus tried to wake them, telling them to get up and pray. Each time they began but soon fell backwards again into sleep. Who knows what would have happened in this part of their lives had they stayed awake and received the same strength that Jesus received. I think that when Jesus was arrested in the olive grove, they would have strong resolve and been able to keep everyone calm around them. They may have been able to keep the disciples from running away. Peter may not have gotten in the flesh and cut that guard's ear off. Who knows how the story would read today had they stayed in prayer and not jumped back.

John Mark was on the mission field with Paul. He was doing great things for the Lord and something happened. It isn't recorded what it was but at some point, he decided he wanted to return home and left Paul. Maybe he was tired of the life on the mission field. Maybe he was tired of the endless conflict. Maybe he just missed the familiar surroundings of home. Whatever it was, it caused him to jump back out and return home. In the end, he repented when he realized this life at the home front was not where he was called to be and returned to the mission field. But not with Paul this time; he went with Barnabus. Though he returned to the right plan for his life, it was too late for him to return to the original partner God had for him. Sometimes you can get back to the place you are supposed to be, but God has to make an alternate partner for you. Again I have to wonder if it had been Paul and John Mark and not Paul and Silas, would the results of their mission been more powerful.

The lesson we learn from these powerful brothers: Stay in God's game and not the children's game.

All of these men played the Hokey Pokey. Some for a moment; some for a short season; some to an end that cost them everything. The point is that if you are not committed to the place God calls you, you won't stay in during the dry and hard times. So how do you get out of this lifestyle and grow up in Christ?

First, determine to keep your face forward. Adversity happens. Bad things happen to good people. Bad days happen. Financial hardships happen. Mean people happen...even in church. But if you won't determine now in the good days to keep your face forward and pray for strength for those bad seasons, when (not if) it comes, you will jump out and jump into another place that you think is more pleasant. The truth of the Word of God is that we all grow in adversity.

You never know the true character of a man or woman until you see them when they are pressed on every side. Are we faithful then or do we crumble? Are you faithful or do you crumble? If you don't determine to stand when the winds turn hot and violent, then you will find yourself running; not growing.

Secondly, determine that if you don't understand God's way in a specific season not to get offended and jump back. Remember that He is always at work FOR you, not against you. He is ALWAYS working things out in your life according to His good plan. No matter how it looks, God is still working. If you don't feel the wind, does that mean it is not blowing? No, it means it is blowing in another pattern, but it is indeed blowing. If you don't feel love, does that mean you are not loved? No, it means you are not able to sense what is true - that you are deeply loved. What you see or feel doesn't determine what is real or what God is doing.

Third, determine to not fail to be strengthened in advance, like Peter, James and John. You never know what lies ahead. In our part of the country, when we hear a hurricane is forming and may be coming our way, we know we can't wait until the last minute to go to the store for bread, canned foods, candles, water or gas for the car. You have to prepare in advance because in the last moments, there is no more food in the store and the gas stations are out of gas. It is the same with your spirit life. Prayer is essential for growth, and the Holy Spirit ignites us to pray more when He knows a hard season is coming upon us. Prepare in advance by staying in prayer and listening to the Holy Spirit.

Finally, remember in Hokey Pokey Christianity, you may be playing the game now, but you can always quit. I know if I see myself beginning to do something like the HP, I catch it and stay in the race God has for me. Otherwise I would be both sidetracked and ineffective in the calling God has for my life.

Are you playing the Hokey Pokey with your life today? God has a word for you: He has cut off the music and wants you to stop playing games with the children and start touching this world with the fire that has been placed within you.

Michelle Molina

The Deception of Unity?

The Deception of Unity?

II Corinthians 6:15-17
“What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’ ‘Therefore come out from them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.’ ”

The eyes of much of the world are being focused on Beijing, China and the 29th Summer Olympic games. At the opening ceremony, the president of the International Olympic Committee spoke of the theme for the games: "The theme of these Games 'One World, One Dream.’ "

With athletes from 204 nations packing the huge floor of the arena it was easy to be caught up in the euphoria of the moment. With such harmony and happiness -- surely this could be the start of peace on earth. BEEEEP! Wrong answer!

UNITY WILL NEVER INSURE WORLD PEACE! It is sad that even those who are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ have compromised the infallible Word of God by choosing unity rather than obedience.

Just because we observe others acting or re-acting in a certain way does not mean that it is true. I once was teaching a college class and wanted to demonstrate the danger of relying on the response of others.

I had washed a perfume bottle completely and purged it of any odor. Remember -- I had told the class that it was dangerous to rely on the responses of others. I was now about to catch them off guard.

Before class I had enlisted several students to assist me in the test. I asked them to sit in the front row and raise their hand after twenty to thirty seconds.

I told the class I wanted them to raise their hand at the moment they could smell the perfume. I would lecture in the ordinary manner and I wanted to see how keen their sense of smell was. (See how devious I can be?)

After twenty seconds the students I had enlisted to help me, began to raise their hands. Soon everyone on the front row had their hands up and then second row and several in the third row.

I stopped the lecture and asked them what fragrance they thought it was? They finally agreed that it was floral and probably lilac. They were stunned as I passed the bottle of pure water around and they discovered that there was no perfume and they had responded because others had responded. Some even said they were sure they could smell an aroma of perfume.

There are many religious leaders who are leading the faithful away from the pure Word by their charismatic personalities and the hoopla surrounding a polished production. We must never let this happen!

There must never be a compromise with anything or anybody who deviates from the pure Word!

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

I’m the Greatest!

I’m the Greatest!

Mark 9:33-35
“They came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.’ "

Did you ever wonder what the disciples of Jesus were like? Were they plaster saints without faults or failings? Did they fall short of being the men of God that they should have been?

In today’s Scripture we have one glimpse into the behavior of the disciples that may often go unnoticed. They were proud and self-seeking! That is so hard to say that I hardly can believe I typed it.

Perhaps it is human nature to desire to be better than others. If so, it is our fallen nature. Pride is sin! I want to repeat that for effect: PRIDE IS SIN! The sin of many believers is going beyond pleasing the Lord -- rather it is being in competition with other Christians. In God’s kingdom there is no place for Super Saint!

Jesus stopped their arguing by telling them what they had been saying and going beyond to describe who is truly the “great one” in His kingdom: “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

That is so far removed from what we would ordinarily think that it is hard to fit it into our thought process. We tend to feel that it is essential to be recognized as being number one on someone’s list. That is not what the Lord desires.

The disciples must have been following at a distance from the Lord when they had this argument. It reminds me that there are things we may hide in our heart that we do not want the Lord to know about. We often deceive ourselves by thinking that God does not know what is going on in our mind. HE DOES!

I think the answer to being able to deal with pride and arrogance in our life is to stay close to Jesus. It is when we stray from His presence that we start thinking thoughts that are self-centered and willful.

In Psalm 119:133, the Psalmist David directs this prayer to the Lord; “Direct my footsteps according to Your word; let no sin rule over me.” Lelia N. Morris has written a hymn that reflects that prayer:

NEARER, STILL NEARER

Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart. Draw me, my Savior, so precious Thou art; fold me close to Thy breast, shelter me safe in that “Haven of Rest,” shelter me safe in that “Haven of Rest.”

Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring. Naught as an offering to Jesus my King: Only my sinful now contrite heart, grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart. Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.

Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last, ‘til safe in glory my anchor is cast; through endless ages, ever to be, nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee. Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee.

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

Protecting Your Son from Aggressive Girls

Protecting Your Son from Aggressive Girls

One of my primary responsibilities as the father of four daughters was to help protect them from losing their innocence, especially as they approached the adolescent years. As part of this effort, I met and talked with nearly every young man who wanted to go out with my girls. I asked specific questions and challenged these young men to a high standard of purity.

These experiences led to my book, Interviewing Your Daughter's Date, which was published last year. I received a lot of positive feedback from appreciative dads, but I also got something that I didn't expect. Quite a few parents contacted me to say, "I really appreciate the helpful advice for raising daughters, but we really need something to help our sons deal with aggressive girls in this sexually-saturated culture."

Listen to this mother's frustration:

"I have a very outgoing, charming, attractive 15-year-old son. I have literally been chasing the girls away from the door ever since the seventh grade. The phone calls, identified by caller ID, were left for the answering machine to answer. The aggressiveness and promiscuity of young girls nowadays is beyond words. Their dress is so alluring and inviting to a young man, what's a guy to do? Moreover, what's a mom to do?"

Another mother wrote after hearing the FamilyLife Today™ broadcast we did on my book:

"After listening to your "Interviewing Your Daughter's Date" program today, I'm wondering if you have been on a high school or junior high campus recently. While I agree with your points today, I have a seventh grade son. Let me tell you that the girls are relentless. So aggressive. He's at a Christian school, and this is a problem. I can only imagine what it may be like elsewhere. Please address this issue."

Back when I was growing up, there were some girls who were called "boy crazy," but very few were as forward and aggressive as what we're seeing today. Based on my conversation with parents, and what I've seen through research on the Internet, I think parents are facing some serious challenges. We're seeing more girls taking the initiative with guys at younger and younger ages, and aggressively attempting to lure them into sexual activity. As I've done research on the issue, parents are telling me about groups of girls getting together and targeting young men.

Of course, I'm not talking about all young ladies. But the situation has changed enough in recent years that we need to ask, "How can we prepare our teenage sons for dealing with the attention and temptation being thrown at them by some sexually aggressive girls?"

What in the world is happening?

What is going on in the hearts of some young girls that causes them to be so assertive? I think there are several reasons for what we are seeing:

First, the culture is supporting it. Movies, television shows, commercials, magazines, books ... they all glamorize sex and intimacy and the right of young women to go after whatever it is they think will make them happy.

Second, we have a whole generation of young men who are confused in their own sexual identity. Are they supposed to be sensitive or aggressive? Leaders or helpers? Many young men today are not being taught how to treat a young lady with nobility, dignity, and respect. Many are growing up without a father or male figure to provide guidance. As a result, some of these young men have no idea how they "should" expect to be treated by a "real" young lady.

Third, the breakdown of the family has resulted in a whole generation of daughters who have been abandoned. And in the absence of a healthy, emotional attachment to their fathers and mothers, they're trying to fill their emotional gas tanks with the opposite sex.

Finally, there's little or no preparation for adolescence occurring among parents of preteens or early teens. This may be the core problem. When you ask parents of preteens how many of them would like their children to have the same experience they had in adolescence, there aren't many hands that go up. But those same parents often become increasingly detached as their children move into the adolescent years.

Teenagers need training to understand the culture, peer pressure, what's happening in them with their hormones, and what's happening with the opposite sex. That's why we have resources like Passport2Purity® and So You're About to Be a Teenager -- to help parents ground their children in the Scripture that anchors their hearts to withstand the winds of culture and peer pressure.

Protecting Your Boys

There are six assumptions you need to make in training and educating your sons in how to handle aggressive girls:

Assumption #1: Young boys are clueless to a lot of what is going on around them. They need to be prepared for the reality of today's world, and this preparation needs to start while they are still boys. This is why I'd suggest that mothers and fathers talk with their 11- or 12-year-old sons about how they relate to the opposite sex before they face the temptation. There's a much greater probability of success if you can have these conversations before the hormones hit.

Assumption #2: Aggressive girls will likely come into your son's life. The problem is that most parents won't know it, because teenage boys don't talk about anything. But it could be taking place in your son's life and he's just not letting you know, so you have to pursue him in the process.

Assumption #3: You, as a parent, need a proactive plan. That plan will involve fathers and sons, but...

Assumption #4: Moms, that plan needs to involve you. You know how girls think and you can help your son understand girls in ways that a father can't.

Assumption #5: With a son, instruction, teaching, and call to accountability don't end with the adolescent years. It continues into adulthood. (And in my opinion, it doesn't stop after they get married.) Why? Because there are women who are still preying upon men who are married and every man needs an older man in his life who is asking him "Remember those conversations we had, Son? You're a married man now, but that does not exempt you from temptation. How are you doing with that?"

Assumption #6: Your son needs a call to manhood. Ultimately, the call to a young man is to step up and become a noble man, a moral man, a spiritual man, God's man. You're going to call your sons as they move through adolescence to step up to maturity and step up to real manhood. And to do that, they need a mother and a father repetitively teaching Scripture and encouraging them as they do take these steps toward maturity.

I think one of the finest illustrations of this is in Proverbs, chapters 5-7. In this passage, the writer was reflecting back on conversations he had with his son about aggressive women. And over and over he basically says, "Listen, my son. Hear my warnings. Embrace what I say, because it's important."

The writer concludes the whole passage by saying in 7:2-27, "Don't fool around with her, Son. Don't go near her. Because she runs a halfway house to hell, and she has your grave clothes and your coffin, Son. Heads up. This is dangerous stuff we're talking about here" (my paraphrase).

One other Scripture your son should be familiar with, and commit to memory, is 2 Timothy 2:22:
Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

That passage is equally helpful for young men and young women. And while we're on the subject, what if you have daughters; how do you keep them from being drawn into this culture of aggressive girls?

Training your daughters

If you are raising a daughter, there are at least four things you should consider:

1) Equip your daughter with a biblical, healthy, God-centered perspective of her sexuality. She needs to understand how her clothes and her behavior affect boys. When girls are too flirty or too friendly with the opposite sex, they need to be told. If you witness this kind of behavior, rehearse it and relive it later on and talk about what it does to guys. Explain what is appropriate in terms of a friendly relationship between a young lady and a young man. This needs to be done without being rude, but we cannot let our daughters get away with being overly friendly or overly aggressive.

2) Moms, model what you teach to your daughters. You need to dress appropriately, the way you would want your teenage daughters to dress when they've matured. There is a mixed signal that is sent when a mom is telling her daughter to dress conservatively, but her own clothes call too much attention to her body.

3) Dads, actively love your daughters. Give your daughter words of affection, warm hugs, and gentle kisses that let her know that she's sweet, you're her daddy, and that no matter how big she gets and how mature she is, you're never going to stop giving her those words and those hugs. No matter how threatening that may be as your daughter matures, you need to let her know that there's a wholesome love through words and affection that occurs within a God-centered family.

4) Appropriately correct inappropriate behavior. Pray about how you should instruct her, help her, and correct her. Then begin to train her as to what is appropriate and what isn't. This could be everything from how she looks at guys to the makeup she wears to the clothing she wears.

One of the most important things I did with our daughters was to go shopping with them. It was important for two reasons: It showed me how difficult it was for them to find appropriate clothing that is modest and fashionable; and secondly, it allowed me to give my approval or disapproval before the purchase was made.

Whether you're a mom or dad, and whether you're raising boys or girls, your children need your love and guidance as never before. They need to be loved when they don't believe in themselves. They need to be clothed in wisdom that morally protects them like armor.

Dennis Rainey
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Dennis Rainey is the president and cofounder of FamilyLife a division of Campus Crusade for Christ, and a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary. Dennis is senior editor of the HomeBuilders Couples Series® and daily host of the nationally syndicated and award winning radio program “FamilyLife Today.” He was the recipient of the National Religious Broadcasters Radio Program Producer of the Year Award for 1995 and 2003. Dennis has authored numerous books including Staying Close, a winner of the Gold Medallion Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

Ruts

Ruts

We have a new house and a new driveway. Our driveway is steep and it's made of gravel. We have been in the house for 8 months now. About two months ago, I noticed ruts forming in our driveway. For awhile, I noticed the ruts -- ironically, I did this every time I drove in them. Finally, I started driving beside the ruts to wear out the driveway a little more evenly. Every once and a while, when I don't think, guess what happens? I drive in the ruts! It is so easy to do the same old thing that I'm accustomed to doing without thinking about it.

Sometimes, we get into ruts with our lives. We do the same old things over and over. We become creatures of habit. Breaking out of our routines can be fun and refreshing. So why not try something new for a change. Go out to eat at a different place. Do something different for recreation. Go to a different place on vacation.

Watch out for those ruts!

We can get in to a rut in our churches too if we aren't careful. The Bible talks about doing "new things" (Isaiah 43:19) and singing "new songs" (Psalm 149:1). A few weeks ago, I felt like the Lord was leading me to do something I'd never done before in one of our services. Right in the middle of the service, I asked for volunteers to go out visiting. We had 8 volunteers that went out and brought back great reports of their visits. I have heard of other churches doing things that they "had never done before." Be open to God's leading in your church. He may give you some fresh new ideas that open up whole new opportunities for ministry.

Our personal walk with the Lord can get in to a rut, too. The Lord is so wonderfully creative. Pray and see if He might be showing you something new to do, for Him or with Him. Pray in a different place or in a different way. Read a new Christian book. Start a Bible study with a friend or family member. The Lord may show you a new ministry, so try different opportunities that the Lord makes available to you.

And ... watch out for those ruts! We have a tendency to just do the same things over and over. That's fine if the Lord is leading us that way. However, pray, watch and listen, in case He wants to show you something "new." God's steadfast love is providing us new mercies, and new opportunities, every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Mike Barres

Make a Difference!

Make a Difference!

Read Esther 2:19 - 3:15

Only one missionary invests his whole life in a remote area, and an entire tribe is ultimately evangelized. Only one statesman stands for right, and a country is saved. Only one strong-willed and determined citizen says, "I stand against this evil," and a community ramps up morally and changes its direction.

And only one woman decided it was worth the risk to break with protocol and speak her mind, and a nation was preserved.

The Jews have been threatened with extermination. Wicked Haman has influenced King Ahasuerus with his promises: "Because of this plan I have set up, it is possible for me to pour money into your treasuries and for us to rid the land of these people who will not bow down and worship you as the king." Though it pandered to the king's pride, that plan had the makings of the worst kind of holocaust. "The Jews will no longer be in our land. We'll be rid of these people."

In case you wonder what impact it had on the community, return to the last phrase in chapter 3: "the city of Susa was in confusion." That had to be a major understatement!

While Haman and Ahasuerus sat over their drinks in the palace, the general public wandered in bewilderment and confusion, especially the Jews, not unlike those in the ghetto at Warsaw and other European scenes of horror in the late '30s and early '40s. "What's going on here?" "Why have those in authority ordered this?" "How much worse can things get?"

What terror this struck in their hearts, what fear in their minds! "How can we continue?" "How can we fight this?" This was the law of the Medes and the Persians. When an edict was issued in that era, it was final. Nobody could change this plan, even the king, but certainly no Jew. Helplessness quickly eroded into hopelessness.

Yet, in the midst of all this, God was not sleeping. In His sovereign plan, He determined that one person would make the difference. One individual would stand in the gap. Her name is Esther.

Charles R. Swindoll