Entries for September 2014

ONE SAVIOR FOR ALL NATIONS

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost."Matthew 28:19

As Christians come under attack by an increasingly anti-Christian culture bent on granting religious rights to everyone but those who follow Jesus Christ, we must be on the front lines of the fight for religious liberty. If you and I, disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, do not speak up to defend our foundational values, who will?

Islamic extremists do not hesitate to declare, "One nation under Allah!" Their goal is global. "One nation under Allah" does not mean only one nation, but all nations, one after the other.

Christian responsibility to take the gospel to all nations will be achieved in proportion to how well we spread and protect the gospel in our own nation and how we live it.

BE COURAGEOUS! Our children and their children's children will live free in "One nation under God" if we stand our ground and declare our convictions in our schools and churches, in the public square, and in the voting booth.

PRAYER: Jesus, the Great Commission is connected to Your promise, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." In this place in history, help me to make disciples in my family, my neighborhood, my nation, so all nations can be blessed.

In Your name, Amen.

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THE ABUNDANT LIFE

"The thief does not come, except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10

Jesus spoke these words in response to questions asked by Pharisees, religious leaders who set the standard for Jewish spirituality. Because they remained critical, Jesus said they were deaf and blind, unable to recognize him as their Messiah. When he identified himself as the good shepherd who would lay down his life for the sheep, they said he was insane and to listen to him was not worth the bother.

Things have not changed. The devil still comes to steal and to destroy our ability to know and to hear the Lord. Praise God, Jesus still comes and speaks to us. Do we recognize him and hear when he speaks or do we listen to the enemy?

Today Jesus comes to speak faith into your heart. Enjoy life abundantly. Never let the thief destroy your joy when Jesus speaks to you.

ENJOY THE ABUNDANT LIFE! Listen when Jesus speaks. It is well worth the bother.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to perceive and resist the enemy who comes to deceive me. I treasure every moment I share with you. Thank you for abundant life. Amen

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A Remedy for Weariness of Life

"And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind and the sun beat on Jonah's head, so that he grew faint, Then he wished death for himself and said, "It is better for me to die than to live!" Jonah 4:8

Jonah had some problems, mostly of his own making, but none of them called for a drastic death wish. It wasn't the problem, but the solution that troubled Jonah. God asked him to go to Nineveh and preach repentance. Jonah didn't like those people in Nineveh. He ran away and he would rather die than go back.

If every new day seems more difficult to face than the one before, it might be you are carrying a burden of disobedience to God's will. Ask Him why you are so 'down'.

PRAYING RESTS THE WEARY. When the heart is sad and dreary, don't forget to pray.

PRAYER: Father, I know that when I am in your will my heart is light. When my heart is heavy, show me your will and give me the grace to obey. I want to do your will, even when it is hard to do. In Jesus' Name, Amen

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