A RESURRECTION EXAMPLE

The grayish brown dead looking substance covered the limbs of my pecan tree up and down the trunk. It ran up the limbs and followed a downward spiral of a limb that was broken. Now the tree's leaves were gone, it was noticeable.

At first I thought the ugly stuff was a parasite sucking the life-giving nutrients from the tree. I made plans to remove the unwelcome visitor. The tree's purpose for existing was to produce pecans and provide shade for my backyard in the summer time. It also provided a home for numerous squirrels. Myriads of birds rested on its limbs as they darted backward and forward, up and down, when the snakes, also living in the tree, chased them.

Winter turned into spring and I never got around to attacking the intruder in the tree.

The spring rains came with more volume than the dry parched earth had seen in several years. A hurried glance toward the tree one morning revealed fronds of vibrant green where the grayish-brown decayed stuff had been. A query to my neighbor revealed the green to be Resurrection fern. "It is not a parasite," he said. "It is an air plant. It receives its nutrients from the air and water. I've heard the substance can lie dormant for a hundred years and resurge into life again from a small amount of moisture."

"I've also heard," he continued, "this tiny plant has been taken on a Space Shuttle mission to watch its resurrection in space."

After my interesting discussion with my neighbor, I went to Wikipedia to see what had been written about this interesting plant. I found it is a member of the Polypodium Polypodioides Classification; the same family as orchids, bromeliads and Spanish moss.

It gets its water and nutrients from rain and dust and causes no harm to the tree that supports it. It does not reproduce by seeds or fruits but uses spores. They are found in clusters, called sori, on the bottom of the blade near the edge. The rhizomes can be cut and divided into new plants.

With all this information on hand, I knew I had to find a use for it. Immediately, I gathered some of the fern and placed it in a dry box for storage. My grandchildren would be coming to my house Easter weekend and I had a plan.

When they arrived on Good Friday, I begin to explain the Easter story to them. We talked about how Jesus had died on the cross; His body taken down and placed in a tomb. Then I told them the story of how he arose on the third day. I showed them the dead ferns and explained death to them.

Early Easter morning, I spread the ferns out on a table in the yard and gave each child a sprinkling bottle filled with water. We will sprinkle the ferns once each hour, I told them and see what happens. When our bottles were empty, I set the timer and refilled the bottles for the next hour. By the third hour a little green color could be seen in the dried, grayish brown ferns. By the fourth hour it was evident something was happening. By the sixth hour all the ferns were green and the children were filled with awe and excitement. The word resurrection had become real to them. Not only would the resurrection fern be of interest to them, but so would Easter.

Christ's body when it was taken from the cross, wrapped and placed in Joseph of Arimathea's tomb, was in horrible shape with blood stains, nail prints, bruises and slashes. The fern appeared ugly and dead when the children had observed it the day before. I also explained to them that water was a spiritual symbol in the Bible that represented the Holy Spirit. When they applied the water to the fern, it revived. The Spirit was alive again in His body on Easter morning, therefore, He lived again.

Jesus' death and resurrection had been a symbol to us of how his Holy Spirit can resurrect us from the death of sin and allow us to live again, vibrant and green as the fern was today.

One grandchild remarked: "that means Jesus went up on the cross, down into the grave and up again into our hearts."

I knew my example had worked.

From Ruby Haskins

He Lives

Author: Roy Allan Anderson

 

A prominent minister in Los Angeles was holding special revival meetings in his church a few years ago. Among those attending night after night was a gentleman obviously unacquainted with the general program. After a few meetings the preacher made a special point of speaking to him, and discovered that he was not a Christian.

 

"What do you think of the Christian religion?" the preacher asked.

 

"Oh," said the visitor, "Christianity is very interesting as far as it goes, but I could never be a Christian."

 

"Why?" asked the minister.

 

"Because I could never believe that I could get salvation from a dead Jew," was his reply.

 

"Neither do I," said the preacher.

 

"Oh, yes, you do," he said. "Don't you Christians claim that salvation comes through the death of Christ?"

 

"Not through His death alone," said the preacher, "but rather because Christ rose from the dead."

 

"Ah," said the visitor, "you can never prove that to me."

 

Then began a long and interesting discussion. The preacher was well informed and brought up argument after argument. But all to no avail. The gentleman held to his position. Realizing that his arguments had failed to convince him, the preacher said:

 

"My friend, I have not given you my most important reason. I know that Christ is living because He lives His life in me."

 

"What do you mean by that?" asked the man.

 

For the next hour the preacher told what Christ meant to him, showing from both the Old and the New Testament how the Holy Spirit operates in the life of one who yields himself to God.

 

"I'm beginning to understand," remarked the stranger, "and I must know more about this. I feel a need in my own life."

 

Before parting they lifted their hearts to God in prayer. Reaching his home that night, the minister, Pastor A. H. Ackley, slipped into his study and penned these well-known lines. The next morning he set them to music, and thus was born one of our best-known gospel songs. Here are the first stanza and chorus of those words that so well emphasize the fact that Christ lives.

I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today;

I know that He is living, whatever men may say;

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,

And just the time I need Him He's always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how

I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

The greatest argument in favor of Christianity is not the organization of the church; not her literature nor her buildings; not her institutions nor her schools of learning; not even her hospitals nor her far-flung mission fields. Rather it is the power of God seen in the lives of those who make up the church.

 

By Roy Allan Anderson, Signs of the Times, April 1964.

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20

This Changes Everything

Acts 12:11

"And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people."
NKJV

Today, we rejoice in the most incredible event in the history of mankind. We celebrate the death, burial and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yet, how many of us stop and consider the wonder of what really happened? Often, we find ourselves caught up in the planning and celebration of this extraordinary event, never giving thought to the significance this has for us. Let me encourage you to take a few minutes to reflect on the impact of Jesus' victory. Take some time with your spouse, family or friends and read the story in Matthew 27 and 28. Reflect on what this means to you. For me, it means that I can be forgiven, death has been conquered and the guilt of my sins can be washed away. This event not only changed human history, it changed my history. Jesus is alive. His tomb is empty... this changes everything.

Life Lesson: We should live our lives in amazement at what the Lord has done.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for conquering death, sin and the grave. Help me to stop and consider what You have done for me. Lord, I often go through my life without pausing to reflect on the most important things. Help me to take the time to consider what happened. Lord, please forgive me afresh for all of my sins. Help me to live for You and to love others. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee
Cross the Bridge
crossthebridge.com

Kingdom Without End!

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." -Matthew 24:14

In the sixteenth century, a man named Suleiman ruled the Ottoman Empire in Eastern Europe.  To the world, he was known simply as "the magnificent."  His goal was to set up a worldwide kingdom that would be known for its justice and humanity.  But then Suleiman died, his son who ruled after him was a drunken and immoral man, and the kingdom that Suleiman had worked so hard to build began to collapse.

How different it is with Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God.  When Jesus was crucified, it appeared that all hope for the coming kingdom of God had been destroyed. The faith of the disciples burned at a low ebb.  They had followed Jesus and believed Him, but had seen Him die on the cross.

And then with heart-stopping joy, Jesus came to them, alive forevermore, with these words: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." He had defeated even death itself. And while the disciples looked at Him in awe and wonder, He gave them a command that would change the course of their lives, and of the world.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you ... and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20). 

These are the words of a king who has given a royal commission.  It begins with a royal claim, proceeds to a royal command, and ends with a royal covenant to His followers.  AMEN!  Even so, King Jesus, COME QUICKLY!

Prayer

"Lord, by Your power and presence I want to help fulfill the Great Commission.  Amen."

We have been commissioned by a King whose kingdom will come, and it will have no end ... are your bags packed?  Mine are packed and ready for the Rapture!

Anonymous Writer

Fatal Decision

So then he delivered him to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led him away. - John 19:16

So we see the sad and terrible end of Pilate's weak struggles with his conscience and his sense of right. He first tried every way to avoid the issue; then he temporized, hoping in some manner to get free from responsibility. At last he yielded; and his name goes through history pilloried for ever as the man who delivered Jesus to be crucified. He is known by no other act. It had been a thousand times better for him if he had remained for ever in obscurity, instead of going to that high place of power where he had to meet and deal with this momentous question of history.

We read that Pilate took water in the presence of the Jews and washed his hands, - thus by symbol declaring that he was not responsible for the sentencing of Jesus to die. But the water did not wash away one particle of the stain of the guilt of that terrible sin. Pilate had the misfortune to be the only man in all the province who could send Jesus to the cross. Upon him, therefore, the final responsibility rested, no matter the pressure that was brought to bear upon him by the enemies of Jesus. The fact that others urge us to sin does not take away our guilt for that sin. No being in the universe can compel us to do wrong; if, then, we do wrong, the sin is our own.

We remember that the Jews responded to Pilate's act of washing his hands, “His blood be on us, and on our children.” No one who has read the story of the next forty years can doubt that their self-imprecation was fulfilled. Thirty years later thousands of the best people of the Jews were crucified. The crime of the Jews was successful; but what came of the success in the end? Let us learn the lesson that sin brings always terrible woe, and that the worst of all sins is sin against the Lord Jesus Christ.

THORNS OF AFFLICTION

Once I heard a song of sweetness,

As it cleft the morning air,

Sounding in its best completeness

Like a tender pleading prayer,

And I sought to find the singer

Whence the wondrous song was born,

And I found a bird sore wounded

Pinioned by an ugly thorn,

I have seen a soul of sadness,

While its wings with pain were furled,

Giving hope, and cheer, and gladness,

That should bless the weeping world,

And I knew that life of sweetness.

Was of pain and sorrow borne,

And a stricken soul was singing,

With its heart against a thorn,

Ye are told of One who loves you,

Of a Savior crucified,

Ye are told of nails that pinioned,

And a spear that pierced His side,

Ye are told of cruel scourging,

Of a Savior bearing scorn,

And He died for your salvation.

With His brow against the thorn,

Ye are not above the Master,

Will you breathe a sweet refrain!

Then His grace will be sufficient,

When your heart is pierced with pain,

Will you live to bless his loved ones,

Though your life be bruised and torn,

Like a bird that sang so sweetly,

With it's heart against a thorn.

 

Author Unknown

Matthew  ²¹ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Kill Me Now

by Shawn McEvoy, Crosswalk.com Managing Editor

If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now -- if I have found favor in your eyes -- and do not let me face my own ruin." Numbers 11:15 

...while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die."I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."  1 Kings 19:4 

Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live. 

Jonah 4:3 

What kind of a person feels like this? A schmo like me, at times, sure. Maybe you, or people you know. Surely not the heroes of the Old Testament.

Well, truth is, even God's greatest leaders and prophets got to the point in their respective stories where, even after witnessing indescribable miracles and blessings, their circumstances were so overwhelming, impossible and undesirable their attitude was, "Just kill me now, Lord!" Exhausted in body, soul, and spirit, they cried out that they had had enough. They could go no longer in their own power.

The first quote above is from Moses, who had a People Problem. The wandering Israelites were hungry, and as usual, it fell to Moses to solve the problem. He cried out to the Lord, "Was it I who conceived these people? Was it I who brought them forth?" He looked around and couldn't figure out how to satisfy everyone.

The second quote is from Elijah, who had a Pity Problem. This was a prophet who had just called down fire from heaven, destroyed the prophets of Baal, and witnessed the end of a long drought. But just a few verses later, one vow from one wicked queen has him in such despair that he fears he can't go on like this.

The third quote is from Jonah, who had a Pouting Problem. He'd finally obeyed to the point of going to Nineveh and preaching repentance, but when the Lord relented and stayed his hand rather than destroying the city, Jonah wasn't happy. He folded his hands and "became angry" that the destruction he forecast never arrived.

Consider who these men were and what they had seen, what the Lord had done through them. Moses parted the Red Sea and led a people out of slavery. Elijah stood strong during a time of tremendous pagan influence, prayed down fire and rain, and actually never died (so chalk up at least one unanswered prayer!). Jonah is one of the first stories we tell our children, about how God provided a great fish to swallow him for such a period as he could learn about obedience and repentance.

Not only that, but these guys all show up in the Gospels, in one way or another. Moses and Elijah are present at Jesus' transfiguration (Mark 9). In Matthew 12:38-41, Jesus tells the Pharisees they won't get any sign from him other than the sign of Jonah, foreshadowing the three days He Himself would spend in the belly of the Earth.

But interestingly enough, Jesus, even with all he had going on, apparently never felt this way. He knew his destiny was to die, but even so prayed that such a cup might pass from him. And let's not forget that he is our example, not Moses, not Elijah, and not Jonah, great as they were.

When we feel the way that these guys did, we need to realize that anyone wanting to die rather than trust God through adversity is under attack. And our enemy can bring that attack through people, pity, and pouting. It comes when our body is not healthy, our soul is not happy, and our spirit is not holy.

But conveniently enough, Paul shows us a prayer that covers all these bases. He writes in 1 Thessalonians 5, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass." (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

You aren't alone when you feel like you can't go on, or like you would be better off dead than standing strong in the face of the overwhelming task God has given you, especially when you are weak in body, soul, and spirit, and the enemy is on the attack. And truly, it is comforting to know that some of the Bible's greatest faith warriors and miracle workers shared these feelings. But it doesn't mean they were right. Let us not indulge hopelessness, for it may always be found. Instead, let us remember that we serve a God of hope and of miracles and we follow the One who never copped to people, pity, or pouting, but willingly laid his life down for others, not for himself.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Develop a plan that gives you exercise and rest in proper amounts for your body, soul, and spirit, so that you will be less prone to attack.

An Empty Egg

It was time for the annual Easter Egg Hunt in town.  Little Cory was so excited!  She could not hold back her enthusiasm.  Mom and Dad took her to the hunt at the local park.  They were excited for her.  This was the first time she would do all the running herself.  The Mayor came out and said he would blow the whistle and the kids could start running and looking for plastic eggs.  Each egg had treats in it and each one was different.  They had 20 minutes to locate as many eggs as they could.  Cory was ready...the whistle blew...Cory ran and ran and ran.  The end whistle blew and Cory came back to her Mom and Dad crying:(  She found only 1 egg and it had a piece of paper with something written on it.  Her Mom looked at the paper and smiled.  She said, "Cory, honey, you got the most special egg of all!  This piece of paper tells you that Jesus loves you.  You and only you was this special message given!"  Cory wiped away her tears and said, "Oh, I know Jesus loves me...He died for me on Easter...He left an empty tomb and now I got the empty egg!"  What wisdom from such a little child!  A few minutes later, the Pastor from Cory's church, asked who got the egg with the Bible verse.  Cory very shyly went up and showed him.  Pastor said, "Well, Cory, you are specially blessed today.  Your verse tells you how much God loved us and how much He cares.  I have a brand new children's Bible for you and this chocolate cross!"  Cory's eyes grew huge as she saw the gifts bestowed on her.  She dropped to her knees and thanked Jesus for His wonderful love and this gift she received.

What Does Easter Mean To You?

Is it nothing to you, all who pass by. - Lamentations 1:12 NIV

One day during the1930's, a man named John Griffin who controlled a railway drawbridge over the Mississippi river, took his son to work with him. After putting the massive bridge up, Griffin was eating lunch when suddenly he heard the whistle of the Memphis Express roaring towards the
crossing. Leaping from the observation deck he ran to throw the control switch. Glancing down, his heart stopped! His son had fallen into the gears, trapping his leg in the cogs.

Desperately he tried to devise a rescue plan. But there was no time. His son was down there - but there were 400 passengers on the train! Griffin knew what he had to do. Burying his face in his arm, he pushed the master switch just in time to lower the bridge into place as the train thundered across.

Then raising his head, he looked into the passing windows with tear-filled eyes. There were businessmen casually reading the newspaper, ladies sipping coffee and children eating ice cream. Nobody even looked at the control house, or glanced down at the great gearbox. In agony Griffin cried out, "I sacrificed my son for you people. Don't you care?"
But as the train rushed by nobody heard the anguished father's words.

As we consider the cross where God sacrificed His Son for each of us, He's asking, "Is it nothing to you, all who pass by?" Our question then becomes: "What...shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" (Mt 27:22 NKJV). Today, accept Him as your Lord and Savior. (272)

The God of Impossibilities

by shani4jc

“And Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Are any of you facing seemingly impossible situations in your life right now? Do the obstacles in your way loom larger and larger each day? Have you exhausted all of your resources only to discover that it’s not nearly enough? Are you drowning in the hurts and heartaches of life with no sign of a life preserver to be found? If any or all of these describe you, you’re not alone. Most every one of us is facing difficulties that are far more than anything we can handle on our own. We are facing the impossible, but there is good news! Jesus is the God infinite possibilities! Whereas we recoil at the sight of the impossible, He flourishes when given the impossible. When we can’t, He can! Where our strength ends, His is only beginning. When our well has run dry, He is a tsunami. There is NOTHING beyond His ability! Remember what is impossible for us is reality for Him.  Give Him the impossible and watch it become possible right before your eyes.

A spiritual legacy

Acts 12:21-24:  On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not a man." Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died (NIV).

This verse refers to Herod Agrippa I, who was the grandson of Herod the Great. Interestingly, this event is also recorded by the Jewish historian Josephus in his work, Jewish Antiquities. Josephus describes the royal robe Herod was wearing as "a garment of woven silver which gleamed in the rays of the rising sun." No wonder the people were impressed! In the end, however, Herod's arrogance couldn't save him from a humiliating demise.

Whether it is the newest gadget or the most fashionable clothes, the truth is, we often use material possessions to gain worldly validation for ourselves and our kids. The satisfaction these things bring, however, is always fleeting. Instead, God wants us to trust in Him by surrendering our glory for His.

What Sorts of Folks Got Crucified?

[Jesus said]: "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." --John 5:24

Early in Julius Caesar's political career, the people of Rome hated him so badly that he thought it best to leave his country. He sailed for the Aegean island of Rhodes, but on the way pirates attacked his ship and Caesar was captured.

The pirates demanded a ransom of 12,000 gold pieces, and Caesar's staff was sent to make the arrangements for payment. For almost 40 days, the pirates held Caesar captive.

He would jokingly tell them that he would someday capture and crucify them. The amused kidnappers dismissed his threats. But when the ransom was paid and Caesar was released, the first thing he did was gather his army together to pursue the pirates.

The pirates indeed were captured and crucified!

This was the Romans' attitude toward crucifixion. This cruel death was reserved only for the worst criminals. It was meant to show extreme contempt for the condemned. And the pain and humiliation experienced by someone crucified by the Romans was unmatched by any other.

They condemned and humiliated the person and name of Jesus thousands of years ago just as many people do today. And even though He died a lowly death, we as believers can rejoice in knowing that "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification" (Romans 4:25).

Jesus died for the sins of all--including those who beat Him and nailed Him to the cross. You may know of someone today who doesn't know Jesus. Will you be the one to tell them about the forgiveness He gives? Will you be the one who points them toward eternal life through Jesus?

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to bring someone into your life this Easter who you can share the story of His death, burial, and resurrection, and the price He paid for their sins.

An Unsearchable Love

He is an unsearchable God who pours out an unsearchable love.

As I look back through the Scriptural account of history, I can see how God sent His Son to be born in a manger, grow and live among us, and die for our sins upon a cross. I can clearly see how the sacrifice of Jesus allows us, through faith, to enter into God's presence. I can even see the purpose of His humble birth as an example of humility and service. But what I don't think I will ever fully understand is why. Oh, sure, I know the reason is love; "For God so loved the world that He gave..." (John 3:16), but I seriously doubt I will ever understand the amount of love required to sacrifice so much - the amount of love He had (and has)...for me!

Paul wrote to the Romans with the intent of setting foundational beliefs for the church. In this letter, Paul presented the greatest amount of teaching found anywhere in the Bible. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote on topics ranging from sin and judgment, to faith and Salvation; from the purpose of the Law and life through the Spirit, to the sovereignty of God and the future of Israel. But toward the end of the letter, Paul paused and wrote a short prayer of praise and glory.
Romans 11:33-36

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay Him? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen."

We get the feeling that Paul reviewed the first portion of his letter and just couldn't continue without praising the Lord. Paul had wrestled through many difficult issues and learned a valuable lesson: God is God, and sometimes this simple truth defies understanding.

God has a perfect plan where every piece fits neatly together, but there are many connections my finite mind fails to comprehend. I can't always see the purpose of my trials or the lessons I need to learn, and I get frustrated with His timing (I want to know His plan, now!). But I know His love gave everything; "He humbled Himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:8). I may not fully understand this love, but the little I know is enough to create a desire to live a life of devotion and faith. One day, all His mysteries will be perfectly revealed. Until then I will simply continue to worship and trust.

We may never fully understand, but I pray we are all drawn a little closer today. If you have never experienced His love, I pray you will release your heart into His care. If you're feeling unloved by the world, I pray you will look to Him and see a Father who gave His Son so He could hold you for all eternity. He is an unsearchable God who is glorified by pouring out, for you, an unsearchable love.

Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

When a Loved One Doesn't Share Your Faith

If you have been a believer for very long, there is a good chance you are concerned about the eternal well being of someone you love, be it a wayward child, a close friend, a parent or even a spouse. There's also a good chance you have had trouble finding the words to tell them about the hope you have in Jesus Christ.

Why is it so much easier to share this hope that you have with a stranger than with someone in your own family?

Maybe you fear being ostracized by this person in your life. Even if we have a sense of security in our familial relationships, there can sometimes be a fear of tension. Maybe you are a parent and you fear your grown children will not come visit as much if you talk about your faith. Or, maybe you feel your loved one will stop confiding in you because they feel uncomfortable with biblical solutions you offer to their problems.

Or, perhaps you became a Christian later in life and they remember the way you used to live. If you were an adult when you gave your life to Christ, it is very hard to explain your faith to your family—especially when they saw you live a long time apart from Him and His influence on your life. How do they know it's real? You might be frustrated because you can't seem to convince them it's not "just a phase."

So, how do we get over hurdles like these? Let's find out how Scripture tells us to handle this. It's not only about what we need to say or do. It's about who we need to be.

Be Holy

19th century Scottish pastor Robert Murray McCheyne is often quoted as saying, "My people's greatest need is my personal holiness." In this context, he was probably speaking of his congregation. But this can apply to us as we live alongside those who we want to see come to Christ.

When we are living inwardly holy lives, we are bound to see an outward manifestation of the effect it has on those we love.

1 Peter 1:15-16 says:

But, like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy for I am holy."

The more we become like Christ through the study of God's Word and through the Christ-driven choices we make in our behavior, the sweeter our relationship with Him will be. Our lives will not be perfect, but they will be peaceful and abundant.

But, the pursuit of personal holiness not only benefits us – it has a positive impact on those around us. When we are holy, we are "set apart." We are called to be different, and our loved ones will question why a Savior is needed if there isn't a notable difference in the way we live from the rest of the world.

Another crucial point to consider is the holiness of our speech, not just our actions. Many of us struggle with our faith. We have questions, doubts, and sometimes anger, when it comes to God. Part of our journey with Christ is examination, and He can certainly handle it.

There will be times when something seemingly unfair or nonsensical happens. In Psalm 73, the psalmist has witnessed the prosperity of the wicked. In verse 15, he comes to the realization that if he vocalized his frustration with God on this matter, he would "have betrayed the children of the children of thy generations." Let this be a lesson on our speech—our complaints, our gossiping and our slander of others. Be careful of what you say. Don't let your emotions get the upper hand when you feel the need to "vent" in front of those you love—particularly if they don't know Christ.

Be Consistent

People are watching us. Especially those who live with us or who are close to us. We can say what we want, but at the end of the day, they are watching whether our words are consistent with the way we live. Look at what 1 Peter 3:1-2 says about this:

"In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior".

Although this passage speaks specifically to wives, why couldn't the same principal apply to anyone in your inner circle? We can affect more than spouses and children—they are not the only ones watching us. Our friends, coworkers and even acquaintances are observing us to see if it is "real."

Interestingly, the word "observe," as it is used in verse two is a word that indicates not just a one-time observation, rather a continual one (original Greek word is Epoptenu). One of my moms' friend is a terrific example of this principle. Early in her marriage, she became a Christian, but her young husband did not join her in her in her newfound faith. For thirty years, she prayed for her husband. He eventually came to Christ, but do you think it was after a few conversations? No—it took thirty years! That's not only a lot of conversations. That's a very long time of observation.

Thirty years is a long time to wait for, plead with and pray about someone, but in this case, it is what it took. The woman's life was so consistent with her words that her loved one—in this case, her husband—was won to Christ.

Be Prayerful

More than anything pray.

In doing so, remember that our prayer lives are affected by the way we live. James 5:16 tells us "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." Notice that it says righteous man. Are you living in such a way that the prayers for your family are being hindered? Are you pursuing holiness?

God longs to answer our prayers when we pray for things that line up with Scripture. He tells us that Christ came to seek and save the lost. So, if you are praying for your unsaved loved one, rest assured, you are praying according to God's will. If you have been praying for days, month, years—even decades—don't give up.

Pray that God will do something—or even allow something—in their lives to help them see their need for Him.

Pray that God will increase your desire to have holiness cultivated in your own life so that your family member will be won without words.

Pray that the spiritual movement in your family will start with you—not necessarily in what you say to them, or how you say it—but how your own walk in Christ is displayed before them.

He, who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Remember
Only one life, will soon be past,
Only what is done, for Christ will last.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Love & Prayers,                                         

Michael Jeremiah Knight.

"By the grace of God I am what I am…." 1 Cor 15:10.

The Parable Of The Good Samaritan: 5 Lessons Learned

England's former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once observed, "No one would remember the Good Samaritan if he'd only had good intentions – he had money too." Of course the Good Samaritan was not an actual historical figure; he was a fictional man in a story that Jesus told to a religious legalist who was trying to justify his unwillingness to walk the walk. The story goes like this:

A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, `Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I'll pay you the next time I'm here.'  "Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked. The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy." Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same."  Luke 10:30-37 NLT

Lessons from the Good Samaritan Story

1. He was willing to get involved.

We may quote scripture and recite platitudes on love and God, but unless we are willing to get involved in the lives of others, we are only blowing smoke. The Samaritan treated and bandaged the wounds. He set the injured man on his donkey. He took him to an inn and cared for him throughout the night. The Samaritan could have said to himself, "I give regularly to my church.  I donate to the Salvation Army every Christmas. I have done my part." But he didn't. As the scriptures say, he had compassion...and he acted on it.

2. He ignored racism.

Even though he was considered a "despised Samaritan," he rose above such shallowness to care for a fellow human being. I compare the Samaritan's actions to an American 19th century slave showing compassion to a plantation owner or a Jewish prisoner demonstrating concern for a Nazi guard during WWII.

3. He had money.

Margaret Thatcher was absolutely spot on: this was a man who managed his money. He undoubtedly lived on a budget, spent less than he made and maintained a contingency fund for unexpected expenses. My wife and I fully realize that we need to be very intentional if we are going to have such a giving fund, so we place cash into a "bless envelope" every month. Knowing that money is there has raised our antennae to the needs around us.

4. He had a good name.

One wonders if the Samaritan had been to that inn before, perhaps paying for some other needy person's stay. We know this: the innkeeper trusted the Samaritan, probably because he had proven himself to be trustworthy.

5. He was generous.

The Samaritan didn't know how long the injured man would be laid up, but I am guessing (because the text said the attack left him "half dead"), that it could be a prolonged stay. At any rate, the wellbeing of this stranger was more important to our Good Samaritan than whatever the cost might be. Again, this generosity would never have been possible if he hadn't had money in the first place.

The central message of this story is that, if we are to be good neighbors, we need to be more like the Samaritan. The implied message is to get strong financially and stay strong financially so we can have the means to act on our good intentions.

Jesus concludes with this admonition, "Go and do likewise." When we learn this lesson, we, and the world around us, will be better for it.

This article originally appeared on Christian Personal Finance. Used with permission.