Resurrection Ready
Dr. Thomas Steele
Today’s Passage: Romans 6:5 – “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:”
Devotional Thought: Have you ever thought about the fact that some of us may not go through an actual resurrection? If
you are alive (both spiritually and physically) when the last trump
sounds (1 Cor. 15:51-52), you won’t be resurrected, but raptured. Although there are only two general resurrections (that I know of), we can experience the resurrected life daily. When you trusted the work that Jesus did on the cross for your salvation, you experienced spiritual resurrection. (Praise God! It blessed my soul to write that!) You see, the likeness of His death is simply to rest in Christ’s work on the cross. The likeness of the resurrection is the new life Jesus gives us when we first believe. But that isn’t the end of the story. Every day that we crucify one of our sinful ways, we get to experience the resurrected power again. It isn’t that we get saved again, of course, but that God’s power is ever flowing and that our sin diverts that power. The resurrection power is the power to conquer your daily sin so that you can have daily victory. Although
you are no longer under the penalty of sin, sin always bears the weight
of death and decay -- a weight that no Christian should carry yet so
many do. That is why we must do everything we can to exercise the
resurrection power in our lives.
Paul
told the Philippians “That I may know him, and the power of his
resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made
conformable unto his death;” First you must know Him, both “salvationally and experientially” Then you can make it a daily goal to experience the daily power of His resurrection in your life.
Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I?
Refrain
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine—
And bathed in its own blood—
While the firm mark of wrath divine,
His Soul in anguish stood.
Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!
Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died,
For man the creature’s sin.
Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt my eyes to tears.
But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give my self away
’Tis all that I can do.
Daily Smile:
“What are you learning at school now, Sue? Asked her Granny.
“French, German, and we’ve just started Algebra.”
“Really?” said the old lady, impressed. “I used to learn French and German but I have never heard anyone speak Algebra.”
In The News:
Wife of American Pastor Jailed in Iran Pleads for Help From U.S.
The wife of an American Christian pastor imprisoned in Iran told lawmakers Friday in emotional testimony on Capitol Hill that she's "disappointed" with the State Department's lackluster involvement in the case -- as her lawyers accused the government of going completely "AWOL" in the face of Saeed Abedini's plight, Fox News reports. Naghmeh Abedini described how her two young children could not understand what happened to their father, who was sentenced to eight years in prison in January: "They kept saying, 'Does Daddy not love us anymore?' ... And I had to tell them that he was in prison because he loved Jesus." The description of the State Department's involvement in the case provided by witnesses Friday stood in stark contrast to what administration officials have claimed in response to questions from the media. While U.S. officials have claimed they're pressing for Abedini's release, the witnesses said a State Department desk officer last year told Naghmeh "there is nothing the United States government can do for you." Attorney Jordan Sekulow said the same officer called Naghmeh as she was boarding the plane for Washington on Thursday to tell her, "You've never asked for our help." The State Department also declined to attend the hearing Friday despite being invited. "The State Department is AWOL," fellow attorney Jay Sekulow claimed. "I'm disappointed that our president and our State Department has not fully engaged in this case," Naghmeh said. "I'm disappointed that this great country is not doing more to free my husband -- a U.S. citizen. I expect more from our government."
Atheist Group Sues U.S. Government Demanding 'In God We Trust' Be Removed From Currency
A prominent atheist activist group has filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to have the historic phrase "In God We Trust" removed from the nation's currency, the Christian News Network reports. The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued a press release this week about the suit, advising that the case is being handled by well-known atheist Michael Newdow, who has filed numerous lawsuits challenging the mixture of God and government. The complaint, which has been filed in the U.S. District Courti n the Southern District of New York, claims the motto violates the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution as it serves to proselytize unbelievers. Those filing the lawsuit, which include seven children and their parents, along with other enttities and the group New York City Atheists, state they do not like being forced to look at the name of God on their money every time they make a purchase. "The motto necessarily excludes atheists and others who don't believe in one god or a god," FFRF asserts. "Our government is prohibited from endorsing one religion over another but also prohibited from endorsing religion over nonreligion." The motto "In God We Trust" has appeared on U.S. coins since 1864 and began being printed on paper currency in 1957.
Libyan Militias Torch Benghazi Church
In the latest instance of Christian persecution in Libya, Islamists torched a church attended by Egyptian Christians in Benghazi on Friday, CBN News reports. Witnesses said militants fired shots in the air before setting fire to the church in the downtown area of the eastern Libyan city. The fire caused no casualties, but burned the two-story building to the ground. A security official in Benghazi says his forces stopped the attackers before they could do more damage. The attack comes only a week after around 100 Christians in the predominantly Muslim country were detained and tortured by Islamist militias for allegedly spreading the gospel.
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