Happy Friday the 13th

When Fear Paralyzes Your Faith

by Renee Swope

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:1-2 (NIV)

As I crawled in bed, fear came over me. My husband was out of town for work and I was afraid to go to sleep. Fear had become a constant companion during his nights away.

I needed to trust God, but I didn't. I went through the motions of what I knew I should do: pray, read scriptures, and tape verses to my bedside table and bathroom mirror. But there was also a phone on my pillow, and a neighborhood directory and Bible next to the bed.

One night I took it a step further. I put toys on the stairs to trip possible burglars, brought my children into my room to sleep with me, and moved the dresser in front of the bedroom door.

Still fear kept me awake. I thought I was controlling my circumstances, but instead fear had taken control of me. Frustrated I still couldn't sleep, I opened the Bible and read these familiar words:

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze" (Isaiah 43:1-2).

That night God showed me something I'd never seen: my fears were like flames and my efforts to protect myself were like gasoline. Every feeble attempt to ease my fears was like pouring fuel on the fire, and now fear was consuming me. Gently, the Holy Spirit reminded me that God had not given me a spirit of fear but a spirit of power and love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

The only way I would overcome fear was by walking through it.

I had to put away the props in which I'd placed my faith and go to bed trusting God, realizing that even if my fears came true He would be with me. Crawling out of bed, I started putting everything away. The dresser went back in place. My kids went back to their rooms and I went to sleep without my phone on the pillow.

For me, it was like walking through the flames of fear, doing what God was calling me to do–to fear not. And you know what? I slept better than I had in weeks.

Fear lost its power when I actively put trust in God's promises.

To be free from fear so we can walk in faith, we have to hold on to God's truths, replacing our natural ways with the steps He offers to guide us.

Let's ask God to show us fears that paralyze our faith and keep us from living confidently in His peace and freedom. And then let's give God a chance to come though for us as we courageously walk through our fears, holding God's hand and trusting His heart to lead, protect, and preserve us each step of the way.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me walk through my fears by facing them instead of being paralyzed by them. I want to take Your hand and trust Your heart with all that is within me. Give me courage today to take the first step. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Happy Thursday

THE ART OF FORGIVING...

The most creative power given to the human spirit is the power to heal the wounds of a past it cannot change.

We do our forgiving alone inside our hearts and minds; what happens to the people we forgive depends on them.
The first person to benefit from forgiving is the one who does it.

Forgiving happens it three stages: we rediscover the humanity of the person who wronged us; we surrender our right to get even; and we wish that person well.
Forgiving is a journey; the deeper the wound, the longer the journey.

Forgiving does not require us to reunite with the person who broke our trust.

We do not forgive because we are supposed to; we forgive when we are ready to be healed.
Waiting for someone to repent before we forgive is to surrender our future to the person who wronged us.

Forgiving is not a way to avoid pain but to heal the pain.

Forgiving someone who breaks a trust does not mean that we give him his job back.
Forgiving is the only way to be fair to ourselves.

Forgivers are not doormats; to forgive a person is not a signal that we are willing to put up with with what he does.

Forgiving is essential; talking about it is optional.
When we forgive, we set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner we set free is us.

When we forgive, we walk in stride with the forgiving God.

Happy Wednesday

When Helping Others Helps Us

Renee Swope

 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

 

I don't like open heights. I can't stand narrow balconies. And when driving across a bridge, you'll find me hugging the rail along the inside lane. A few years ago, our friends John and Laura tried to help me conquer this fear of heights by inviting our family to an indoor rock-climbing center. My heart raced as we entered the doors and faced the highest peak at 25 feet.

 

The instructors assured me that a web of ropes and harnesses would hold me tight. Before I could say "no thank you," I was signing an injury waiver and getting strapped in.

After a few practice rounds, I started to climb. Little by little, I went higher and higher. But I never could get past my fear of climbing to the highest peak of 25-feet. I needed something to help me overcome my anxiety and this high rock wall! Our friend's eight-year-old son Steven needed help too.

 

Towards the end of the day John asked Steven if he wanted to climb to the highest peak. Steven wasn't crazy about heights either, but he loved a challenge.

 

With admiration I watched as Steven started the climb with confidence. He made it to 10 feet, then 15. But as he inched past the next face of the wall, he looked down. Realizing how high he was and how far he still had to go, he insisted he couldn't do it.

 

By this time, Steven's dad was consoling their very fussy 3-year-old and his mom was feeding their hungry infant daughter. My brave husband was not close by, and I quickly realized the only one standing there with a free hand to do something was me!

 

Suddenly courage and strength surged through my body and I called out, "Don't give up buddy. You can do it. I'll help you!"

In record time, I reached Steven to encourage him, reminding him of how far he'd come. I told him he could make it up to 25 feet with God's strength and that it would be worth it if he'd persevere. Remembering Joshua 1:9, I encouraged him, "Be strong and courageous Steven. Don't be afraid; God is right there with you and I am too."

 

Filled with new confidence, Steven turned his eyes and his thoughts toward the reward of getting to a place he had stopped believing he could reach.

 

And the same thing happened in me. The voices of my own fears were silenced by focusing on helping someone overcome theirs.

 

In that moment, I realized the promises I had claimed for Steven were true for me, too. My anxiety could be overcome and my fears conquered with God's strength.

 

Each day we have the same opportunity. Like God did with Joshua in Joshua 1:9, and like He does with us, we can come alongside each other in some of life's hardest challenges and highest peaks. We can remind others of this truth from God's Word too.

 

Isn't it amazing that when we take our eyes off our fears, doubts, and struggles to focus on someone else's needs, we somehow forget our own? And in believing the power of God's promises for others, our confidence in His promises for us increases.

 

Let's look for ways to encourage and help someone else today, knowing we may just help ourselves in the process.

 

Jesus, Your words give me courage to become who You've created me to be-to go to places You're calling me to and to reach heights that seem out of my reach. Thank You for encouraging my heart. I want to pass that on to someone else today. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Happy Tuesday

Drifting???

I was in Honolulu to speak at a large national conference. I scheduled an extra day onto the trip since I had never been to Honolulu and because a few great friends were also at the conference. The day after the conference, we awoke at the crack of dawn to visit Pearl Harbor. As we stood above and looked down upon the sunken USS Arizona, the depth of our experience came to life. It was moving and humbling.

Upon our return to the hotel, I had some time to spare before departing to the airport. A couple of my friends and I decided to rent a raft large enough to hold three adults. We targeted the white-capped waves, out in the distance, as our destination. With the incoming waves, we had a hard time getting away from the shore. At first, there seemed to be enormous momentum keeping us "grounded." Slowly, but surely, we began to make progress. It seemed to get easier. We eventually got within a few feet of the whitecaps and decided to board our raft and relax as a celebration of our efforts. It was in our moment of pause that we felt the reality of our situation. Drifting two feet out and one foot in. Again, two feet out and one foot in. We all felt the unsettling formula of our ever-so-gentle drift out to sea. We immediately abandoned the raft and grasped for safety, with one arm holding the raft and the other arm aggressively swimming. I have never scissor-kicked so hard in my life.

Twenty minutes later we had made minimal progress. Out of nowhere, a lifeguard on a kayak appeared on the scene asking why we were so far out. Feeling the comfort of his presence, we laughed for a moment, lightly commenting about our distance from the shore. He wasn't laughing.

The orange balls had warned us, and we unknowingly ignored them. Infrequently placed across the ocean's surface, they created an invisible line on the ocean's floor. They silently warned us not to drift beyond them regardless of our vision or mission. "You see those big orange balls on top of the water?" the lifeguard inquired. We could see them, but they didn't look very big from where we were still struggling in the water. They did, however, give us the insight that we were basically five times farther out than we should be. I think the lifeguard was trying to teach us a lesson. He didn't leave us, but he didn't assist us either. Forty-five minutes later we walked up on the shore. I was shaking from exhaustion. I began, for the first time, to feel the numerous cuts on my legs and feet from the sharp coral rocks lining the ocean floor.

We had briefly noticed the orange balls on our way out. We had paid little attention to them and certainly had not given any thought to their significance. We had been too focused on our mission to get to the white-capped waves in the distance!

We don't go running away from our values. We go drifting away, and one day wake-up in a place we never meant to be, drifting in a direction we would have never chosen.

Happy Monday

Let's be friends

Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses. Proverbs 10:12, HCSB

Nothing compares to the power of love in bringing healing to someone who has sinned. God, for example, chose to redeem a sinful world, not by punishing us, but by loving us and sending his Son to die for us.

Don't underestimate how much your love can help someone who is carrying a burden of sin. When a friend is caught in sin, don't withdraw and tell everyone what your friend has done. Instead, find ways to restore him. Help him be reconciled with those he has offended. Encourage him to lean on the incredible love of God.

Has someone sinned against you? How are you going to respond? Will you refuse to forgive? Will you strike back in anger? Will you break off your friendship?

Will you continue to bring up the offense?

Love doesn't do that. Love forgives. Love doesn't hold on to a grudge or continue to make the person feel guilty. Love gives another chance. Love assumes the best of those who sin against you. Genuine love forgives many sins, not just the first one. There should be no limit to your forgiveness.

If you have friends who are suffering from the consequences of their sins, why not reach out in love today to help bring them healing? God will take care of disciplining them. He asks you simply to love the people around you.

What's the first thing you typically do when someone mistreats you?

Happy Sunday

Construction

 

To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory. . . . —Jude 1:24

 

Years ago, Ruth Bell Graham, wife of evangelist Billy Graham, saw a sign by the road: “End of Construction—Thank you for your patience.” Smiling, she remarked that she wanted those words on her gravestone.

After her death in June 2007, her desire was carried out. Her grave marker bears the Chinese character for righteousness (Mrs. Graham was born in China), followed by the words that made her smile.

Every follower of Christ can share the confidence that God’s faithfulness will carry us through this period of spiritual building on earth. We echo Jude’s words of praise: “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever” (Jude 1:24-25).

Today, we’re in the construction zone. Jude’s letter challenges us to grow in faith, pray in the Spirit, and remain surrounded by God’s love (v.2 0-21). But this construction is not a self-centered process. We are to show mercy to others and rescue those in danger of spiritual ruin (v. 22-23).

One day our construction will be complete, a prospect that’s worth so much more than a smile.  — David C. McCasland

When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way. —Crosby
To build a godly life, let God be the architect and His Word the blueprint.

Happy Saturday

Do You Trust Him With Your Life? ...  

by Dawn Pasley

Recently, my husband and I watched the new movie, "Fireproof." In this movie, one of the characters asked another, "Do you trust Him with your life? "This question struck a chord with me. Often, we say that we've given our life over to God, or we pray about a problem, but we still fret and worry about it, anyway. Let's look at scripture and find what God says about giving him our cares: "Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in  the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in  Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall  bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the   LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not  fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes   to pass. "(Psalms 37:3-7, NKJV)

First, he says by trusting in him and doing good, we have a place to live and food to eat. He will provide for our needs, if we will let him. Sometimes, we make things harder on ourselves because we are searching for our own way around a problem. God has the answers. If we will go to him for these answers, our lives will become easier.

Second, he says to delight in him. Isn't it difficult in the midst of trials to delight or be joyous? God says to delight in him and he will bless you with the desires of your heart. However, as James cautions us, let us examine our desires to be sure they are within his will (James 4:3). 

Third, committing your way to the Lord means everything we do should be for him. Not only that, but "trust" in him. There's that word again that we often have trouble with. However, God says to do this and he shall bring it to pass. Your righteousness will be shown for all to see.

Fourth, here is another thing that we struggle with. We must rest and be patient on God. He works on his own time, but he does work. Then he reminds us to focus on ourselves. Don't worry about the wicked that prosper, but do all things that bring him glory.God continually reminds us that he is greater. I am reminded of the great painters who painted wonderful masterpieces. However, if you looked closely at one spot in the painting all you would see were tiny dots.Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where our way is blurry. We need to look at the Master Painter because he sees the larger picture and he will help guide our steps.

— Dawn Pasley is married to James Pasley, the preacher for the Butler Church of Christ in Butler, Alabama. Dawn is busy writing, selling books and Avon,homeschooling her children and being a preacher's wife.

Happy Friday

Dying to Live

"I have been crucified with Christ: it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Galatians 2:20,

There are questions I have to ask myself. Have I really been called to a particular work? Where does my heart’s desire lie? How important are material things? Can I lay everything down at His feet? Do I want reward, recognition or glory for myself? Am I willing to die to live? Is the Lord my exceeding great reward, or do I seek something else? Am I willing to lay aside good works in order to pray? Am I willing to say ‘Your will be done, not mine’?

As I start to seek the Lord’s face, I find He’s running to meet me, like the father ran to meet the prodigal son. The questions I’ve asked myself are not things that I have to strive for alone – for the Lord’s said that it’s a work that requires co-operation. It’s not only His work, but mine. It’s our work together.

Together we reckon the old nature died with Christ, and ‘Crucified with Christ’ takes on a new meaning. There’ll be no freedom or joy of resurrection until this first part takes place. It’s a daily, momentary experience that the Lord and I are in together. He shares my failures, troubles, difficulties and heartaches, and I share His strength, and patience, and new life.

He’ll whisper His words of unfailing love to me, as I lay my will at His feet each minute. This ‘dying to self’ releases Christ to truly live in me. It appears illogical and foolish, but it works. It sounds crazy, but it’s the perfection of wisdom. And the outcome is glorious life, as the transformation takes place in my heart, as surely as fruit comes from a seed that’s buried.

‘To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory’ (Colossians 1:27).

Prayer: Lord, let me share that grace of Thine, Wherewith Thou didst sustain The burden of the fruitful vine, The gift of buried grain. Who dies with Thee, O Word divine, Shall rise and live again. Albert Osborn

Today's Writer : Pam Smith

 

 

 

Daily Smile:

The economy is not going well and an unemployed engineer desperately needing work is nervous about an upcoming accountant job interview. The interview goes well, but as the engineer stands up to leave the manager says, "Oh just one more question. How much is four times eight?" Puzzled, the engineer responds that in all calculations, even simple ones like that, he never relies on his memory. He always uses a calculator with a paper printout, and double-checks his answer. "Fine", says the manager, but I just want you to tell me the answer anyway from memory without using your calculator. "Sure," says the engineer. "Four times eight is, uh, thirty-four." After saying goodbye and leaving the building, the engineer hurriedly pushes up four times eight into his calculator and curses when he sees the answer.

Nonetheless, he gets the job. Six months later, when he's doing well and feels confident enough, he walks up to his boss and asks him. "Sir, I'm curious. Why is it that out of all those engineering candidates, you hired me, when I gave you the wrong answer to four-times-eight?" His boss looks up and says, "Your answer was the closest."

In The News:
Atheist Couple Suing to Remove 'Under God' From Pledge of Allegiance in Massachusetts

A lawsuit to strike the words "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance goes before the Massachusetts Supreme Court this week, CBN News reports . An atheist couple sued on behalf of three anonymous children in the Acton-Boxboro School District. The American Humanist Association, which is representing the students, argues that the pledge uses wording that "strongly favors one religious class" over another. A lower court rejected the suit last year because students can refuse to say the pledge. It also said that including the words "under God" does not violate children's rights. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty is defending the school district.

Central African Republic: Bible Translation Teams Face Trouble After Coup

In March 2013, the government of the Central African Republic was overthrown in a coup d'état in the country's capital, Bangui. Since that time, the country has experienced significant unrest and turmoil. The country's volatile state has affected the lives of many innocent people and also the work of Bible translation, according to Wycliffe Associates . All expatriate staff were evacuated and the national Bible translation organization has suffered looting and pillaging. Translation teams throughout the country have experienced significant problems as a result of this and the activities of armed forces in their own areas. "Pray for God's protection of the innocent and for a return of lasting peace," Wycliffe said in a press release.


1 Million Syrian Refugee Children Gripped by Bloodshed, Upheaval

DAMASCUS, Syria (BP) -- "I am staying," a Baptist pastor in Syria said. "They tell me to travel, to leave, to emigrate, but I tell them I am staying."

He is one of several pastors who serve in Baptist churches throughout Syria caught up in civil war.

"I am staying for the church, to keep the message of Jesus as a light for the lost and frightened," the pastor said. "I am staying because the harvest is plentiful. I am staying to serve the needy."

The pastor, weeping, quoted the prophet Jeremiah, "'Oh that my head was water and my eyes were pools of water, that I may cry for the dead of my people.'

"Even though we are living in difficult times, let us not stop being faithful to our Lord."

Every day the numbers rise as Syria's crisis rages out of control and spills across borders into neighboring countries. There are now more than 2 million refugees, 5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 100,000 dead.

"This is an unparalleled challenge," said Don Alan*, a senior missions strategist for the Middle East. "It is destabilizing the whole region."

Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt struggle to cope with the escalating Syrian refugee situation. Within Syria, civilians are caught between armed rebels and government troops.

Over a period of three days in mid-August, 30,000 Syrians crossed the border into northern Iraq, overwhelming refugee camps. Drinking water and sanitation immediately became critical needs. Typically 6,000 Syrians a day flee their nation, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).


Teen Employment Hits Record Lows

For the fourth consecutive summer, teen employment has stayed anchored around record lows, prompting experts to fear that a generation of youth is likely to be economically stunted with lower earnings and opportunities in years ahead.

The trend is all the more striking given that the overall unemployment rate has steadily dropped, to 7.4 percent in August. And employers in recent months have been collectively adding almost 200,000 new jobs a month. It led to hopes that this would be the summer when teen employment improved.

In 1999, slightly more than 52 percent of teens 16 to 19 worked a summer job. By this year, that number had plunged to about 32.25 percent over June and July. It means that slightly more than three in 10 teens actually worked a summer job, out of a universe of roughly 16.8 million U.S. teens.

“We have never had anything this low in our lives. This is a Great Depression for teens, and no time in history have we encountered anything like that,” said Andrew Sum, director of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University in Boston. “That’s why it’s such an important story.”

The findings are important because a plethora of research shows that teens who work do better in a wide range of social and economic indicators. The plunging teen employment rate is likely to mean trouble for this generation of young workers of all races.

Happy Thursday

The Day Forgiveness Set Me Free

by Renee Swope

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ... Forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:2, 32 (NIV)

I thought I was over the hurt. I was sure I had moved on. But as my thumb slipped under the seal of the invitation to my 10-year college reunion, it hit me: I had not forgiven her.

During our last semester at school, the harsh tone and accusing anger of a friend had been more than my heart could handle, especially in the middle of my year-long battle with depression. A deep sense of sadness and self-doubt, that I couldn't explain or escape, had left me feeling depleted.

When she questioned something I had done and expressed deep frustration toward me, I didn't have the mental or emotional strength to process her criticism without being pulled into a pit of condemnation.

If I attended our class reunion I would likely see her and other friends who had gotten tangled in our mess. With that possibility came a flood of memories and emotions that made me feel the same yuck I felt the day our friendship ended. The day that pretty much ruined the last few weeks of our senior year.

Holding the envelope in my hand, that hurt took hold of me again. Instead of simply deciding how to RSVP, I stood at the edge of a pit filled with insecurity that threatened to pull me back in.

After weeks of holding onto the invitation I finally decided I was tired of living as prisoner to my hurt. I wanted freedom. The kind of freedom I'd come to know in the ten years in between. The freedom of forgiveness Jesus died to give me.

I spent hours praying and reading my Bible over the next month. Listening to worship music and messages on forgiveness, I asked God to drench me with His perspective and give me His assurance so I could walk into my reunion as a secure child of God.

By the time I arrived, my mind was filled with God's grace and promises. I literally wanted to find my old friend and restore our relationship. The confidence that came as I followed God's command to seek and offer forgiveness came as a surprise.

Forgiving those who hurt us is hard. Often we are afraid to forgive because it might open us to be hurt again. Or we're afraid if we bring something up it might unearth bitterness we don't want to deal with, so its left buried.

But any time we bury a hurt alive, it will keep rising from the dead to disturb us.

God used today's verses to show me how to let forgiveness set me free from the hurt I had buried. "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ... Forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you." (Eph. 4:2, 32)

Forgiving in the way this scripture describes has helped me recognize I need God's grace as much as anyone else. Although pardoning an offense is not easy, it is possible when we follow God's plan of being humble and gentle, patient and bearing with those who've hurt us. It's so worth what it takes to be set free.

Forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves when we offer it to others. In doing so, we don't forgive so we can forget. We forgive, as we have been forgiven, so we can find freedom from our past and live with confident hope for our future.

Lord, I need Your help. Help me process my hurt with You and let go of any bitterness that keeps me from wholeness and hope. Empower me to forgive just as You have forgiven me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Happy Wednesday

I Under-Stand

 Lysa TerKeurst

"... Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word." Ephesians 5:25-26 (NIV)

"I just feel mean so much of the time," my friend whispers through the leak of tears. Downward, the salty droplets slip and so does her heart, her resolve, and her assurance of being a good mom.

"I understand," I whisper back.

And sometimes that's all that needs to be said.

I don't remind her of gentleness verses. I don't try to fix anything. I don't offer solutions or articles or statistical data.

I simply under-stand.

Under ... to dip low and find that same place that lies beneath my outside veneer.

We all have an under.

And I admit to her, "I've felt mean so many times too. I've set out to have a super day with my kids only to be red-faced and aggravated minutes later. Buckling under the weight of my imperfections, I've wondered if I'll ever get it right. It sometimes feels like all the other moms are doing it better. But that's not true. All moms struggle."

Stand ... to come alongside in a position of strength, closeness, and unwavering support.

We all need those friends we know will stand with us.

And I reassure, "Somehow, God shows us what to do and fills in the gaps if we ask Him. The fact that you're crying shows a heart tender enough for God's molding and shaping to occur. Don't listen to the world's answers. And don't fall into the trap of trying to be like other moms. Just saturate yourself in God's Truth and trust the gut instincts He gives you."

Thankfully we don't have to be perfect. God has made a way to free us from the mistakes we make so we can keep going forward without the chains of regret. Ephesians 5:25-26 tells us, "... Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word."

I love that picture of Christ washing us through the Word. Some versions of Ephesians 5:25-26 actually call this washing sanctifying.

The Greek meaning of this sanctifying is hagiazo. When we unwrap the package of this word, we find three simple treasures. Hagiazo means:
1. To cleanse externally.
2. To free from the guilt of sin.
3. To purify internally by the renewing of the soul.

Externally, I wash my tears away with the truth of Lamentations 3:22-23 that God's mercies make all things new. Past minutes are gone. But this minute brings with it a fresh start.

Relationally, Colossians 1:14 frees me from the guilt. God's Word reminds that I can live in the freedom of repentance and forgiveness.

Internally, I see my depravity but refuse to wallow in it. I recall the words of Micah 6:8 as a call to action. Another place to receive the Truth as a cleansing agent from fear, doubt, hopelessness.

Yes, I understand. My need to be sanctified is great. Just like your need is. We're all in that place. We all sometimes feel mean.

Unable.
Incapable.
Insecure.
Broken down.

So, let the Word of Christ wash afresh over you, in you, and all about you. And let the whispers of a friend assure you, I under-stand.

Dear Lord, I praise You today for being such an understanding, loving God. Thank You for carrying me through every storm that I face, and for placing special people in my life to encourage me along the way. Help me to be that voice of encouragement for someone else today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

In The News:
Bangladeshi Christian Locked Up, Beaten by His Own Brothers

Bangladeshi believer Nur Hossain was held up by his own brothers on August 13 for choosing to follow Jesus, Open Doors USA reports. A day before, they had requested 30-year-old Hossain to return to their hometown and asked him to retrieve his personal belongings. Hossain obliged, oblivious that it was a trap. "His brothers beat him and locked him up in a room," said a local source, unnamed for security reasons. "They waited to see who would come to his rescue, so they could find out the person who brought Hossain to Christianity." Under such dire circumstances, Hossain was compelled to give the name and mobile number of his pastor. His brothers lost no time and called the pastor, wanting him to come and rescue Hossain. The pastor immediately contacted an Open Doors worker and pleaded for prayers on behalf of Hossain and his family. "Pray for God to strengthen Hossain, who remains locked up," said the Open Doors worker in Bangladesh. "Pray for the pastor who is trying to get the police to help." It was not the first time that Hossain has had a brush with his brothers.

Eritrean Authorities Arrest 30 More Christians

Eritrean authorities arrested 30 members of the Church of the Living God gathered for prayer on the evening of Aug. 24 in the Kushet suburb of the capital Asmara, Open Doors USA reports. The group includes 12 women. Sources say they are held at Police Station 5 in Asmara and are under pressure to recant their faith. Since the beginning of the year, the religious atmosphere in Eritrea has deteriorated, with authorities arresting at least 261 Christians. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have reported that the government of Eritrea continues to incarcerate prisoners under inhumane condition, and officials continue to deny access to organizations like The Red Cross to investigate the state of prisons. "The church in Eritrea is deeply saddened by the continued scrutiny and distrust from the government and highly appreciates the prayers of our brothers and sisters around the globe," commented an Open Doors source who remains anonymous for security reasons.

USCIRF Reports 12,000 Killed in Anti-Christian Violence in Nigeria Since Beginning of 2012

In a recent report released by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), the non-partisan group says about 12,000 people have been killed since the start of 2012 in the largely anti-Christian violence that has swept across northern Nigeria, International Christian Concern reports. The report also outlines attacks against Muslim leaders and critics, as well as state and private institutions. USCIRF gathered the information from multiple sources, and said it only included the attacks claimed by the Islamic group Boko Haram, so the impact could be even greater. USCIRF has recently recommended to the U.S. government that Nigeria needs to be designated a "Country of Particular Concern" for its violations of religious freedom.

Happy Tuesday

Unforgiveness is a Negative Witness

by Dr Larry Ollison

Why is it that the devil is attacking so much in the area of offenses and unforgiveness? In John 10:10 it says the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus came to give us abundant life. 

If the devil wants to kill, what does he want to kill? He wants to kill us, but specifically he wants to steal the work of God, kill the work of God, and destroy the work of God in your life. He wants to get at God through the body of Jesus that is here on this earth. He wants to destroy the ministry of Jesus Christ. His goal is to get you tied up in unforgiveness and in offense so you will be weak and without joy. (Neh. 8:10.)

What do you do? You decide you are going to let the offense go. Who decides if you are going to let it go? Who decides if you are going to forgive? You do! The person who has been offended and hurt has to make the decision.

Paul said he forgets those things which are behind and presses on towards the goal (Phil. 3:12-14). God forgives and forgets and we must be like God. We have to choose to forget. Forgetting does not mean that you don't remember. You still remember, but the surge of anger that you normally would feel when you remember isn't there. You remember it only as an historical event. You don't remember it with the pain.

When we start seeing people the way God sees people, we are not going to be offended and we are not going to be unforgiving toward things they do and say.

You can choose what you think about. The battle of faith takes place in the mind and the devil is the king of guilt. He'll try to make you remember your past. Is it your past that keeps you from going forward, or is it your present attitude about your past that keeps you from going forward?

Unforgiveness will affect your sanity. Have you ever been around somebody that won't let go of unforgiveness? The Bible says to think on certain things, which means you can control what you think. It is deception to say, "I can't help what I think."

Unforgiveness will make you open bait for the devil. You've got to realize that the devil is trying to pull you into a trap - everyday. The easiest trap he has is offenses and unforgiveness. Once he gets you in there, you are trapped. 

You may be trying to go on with your ministry. You may be trying to witness to a person you are working with. I know of a man who has been trying to witness to a co-worker for years. I'll be honest with you. He will never be a positive witness to him and see him saved. Why is that? Because in his current condition he is offended and has unforgiveness and it just pours out of him. While that unforgiveness is pouring out of him, he's trying to witness to his co-worker. Witnessing is taking place, only it's a negative witness instead of a positive one. The co-worker is probably thinking to himself, "If that guy is a Christian, I don't want what he has. He's a mess. He's mental." The world calls this being a hypocrite.

Second Timothy 2:25-26 talks about how we come to the truth. We hear the truth, we come to our senses and we escape the snare of the devil. The devil hopes you won't be smart enough to forgive. The devil wants you to be stupid when it comes to forgiveness. But forgiveness is the key to being set free. Forgiveness is possible in every situation. Forgiveness is a choice. That choice is totally ours. 

WHISPERING HOPE

Soft as the voice of an angel,
Breathing a lesson unheard,
Hope with a gentle persuasion
Whispers her comforting word:
Wait till the darkness is over,
Wait till the tempest is done,
Hope for the sunshine tomorrow,
After the shower is gone.

Refrain

  Whispering hope, oh how welcome thy voice,
  Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

If, in the dusk of the twilight,
Dim be the region afar,
Will not the deepening darkness
Brighten the glimmering star?
Then when the night is upon us,
Why should the heart sink away?
When the dark midnight is over,
Watch for the breaking of day.

Refrain

  Whispering hope, oh how welcome thy voice,
  Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

Hope, as an anchor so steadfast,
Rends the dark veil for the soul,
Whither the Master has entered,
Robbing the grave of its goal.
Come then, O come, glad fruition,
Come to my sad weary heart;
Come, O Thou blest hope of glory,
Never, O never depart.

Refrain

  Whispering hope, oh how welcome thy voice,
  Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

Daily Smile:

A little silver-haired lady calls her neighbor and says,

"Please come over here and help me.
I have a killer jigsaw puzzle, and I can't figure out how to get started."

Her neighbor asks, "What is it supposed to be when it's finished?"
The little silver haired lady says, "According to the picture on the box, it's a rooster."
Her neighbor decides to go over and help with the puzzle.
She lets him in and shows him where she has the puzzle spread all over the table.
He studies the pieces for a moment, then looks at the box, then turns to her and says,
"First of all, no matter what we do, we're not going to be able to assemble these pieces into anything resembling a rooster."
He takes her hand and says, "Secondly, I want you to relax. Let's have a nice cup of tea, and then," he said with a deep sigh ............

"Let's put all the Corn Flakes back in the box." 

Happy Monday

All-Weather Blessings

These are tough economic times all around. The same rules and assumptions that used to be part of the wall paint of life don't seem to apply any more. Housing values don't just automatically go up. The next stop on the Dow Jones index may not be a thousand more, perhaps a thousand less. Dividends that used to pay like clockwork may now be calculated at pennies on the share, if at all.

So when we open our Bibles and read, "Blessed is he who has regard for the weak," the poor, the helpless (Psalm 41:1), our minds almost immediately begin thinking up disqualifiers. Sure, if we had the money. Sure, if milk and gasoline weren't so expensive. Sure, if our 401(k) was still promising
us an ample retirement.

But the Bible's principles for sound money management are not dependent on the ebbs and flows of the stock market. Just because prices are up and wages are down, biblical truth is not temporarily suspended. Lean years don't exempt us from pursuing God's way of doing things. In fact, it's in times
like these—when real need is a lot closer to your front door than it may have seemed in days past—that the blessing of giving is actually the greatest. Your generous, sacrificial acts of service and care in Christ's name have more potential for touching hearts now than they ever did. You can take that to the bank.

Pray this prayer: Father, I get worried sometimes about where our financial picture is heading. But you have called us to be much more concerned for people than money. Help me to always keep this in mind.

Happy Sunday

Sitting on the Fence

 

There was a large group of people gathered. On one side of the group stood a man, Jesus. On the other side stood another, satan. Separating them was a fence running through the group. The scene set, both Jesus and satan began calling to people in the group. One by one, each having made up his or her own mind, went to either Jesus or satan. This kept going for a time. Soon enough, Jesus had gathered around him a group of people from the larger crowd, as did satan.

 

One man joined neither group. He climbed the fence that was there and sat on it. Jesus and his people left and disappeared, and so too did satan and his people. The man on the fence sat alone. As this man sat, satan came back, looking for something which he appeared to have lost. The man said, "Have you lost something?" satan looked straight at him and replied, "No, there you are. Come with me." The man said, "But I sat on the fence. I chose neither you nor him." satan said, "That's okay; I own the fence."

 

"Whoever is not with me is against me." - Jesus in Matthew 12:30

Happy Saturday

A Restless, Unsettled Heart

Lysa TerKeurst

"I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land." Psalm 143:6 (NIV)

A few years ago, I sat with a beautiful young woman as tears streamed down her face. Six months before our meeting, her world was full. A loving husband, a healthy toddler, fun friends, and a new home.

But part of her heart felt restless, unsettled, a little empty. She couldn't put her finger on it. She tried talking to friends, but they laughed it off as something that would pass.

Only the feeling didn't pass.

She felt detached from her husband and disappointed that his love didn't fulfill her. Why couldn't he make her feel loved? She'd always thought of marriage as the ultimate love. He was going to be the one to right her wrongs and fill up her insecurities, or so she thought.

Questions bombarded her ... What is wrong with him? Why doesn't he say what he's supposed to say? Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm not pretty enough, witty enough, good enough?

Then one day she met a man who said things she'd longed to hear her husband say. He made her feel pretty and witty. Soon, she rationalized that she'd never really loved her husband. She convinced herself she'd made a mistake marrying so young. That this new man was her true love.

She fell into his arms. A web of lies was spun. The thrill of new romance clouded every decision.

She had not wanted to come to the women's retreat. She knew it might make her feel guilty, and she was past guilty feelings. She was just waiting for the right time to leave her husband and start over with the real love of her life.

But her friends had started to grow suspicious of her pulling away. So, to appease them, she went.

Over the course of the weekend, the walls she'd so carefully constructed to keep everyone at a distance and her secret hidden started to crumble. By Saturday night, she sat down with me and confessed it all.

She desperately wanted to know how I felt so full of God's love. She'd never known that kind of relationship with Him. She now recognized it wasn't the love of another man her heart craved; it was the love of God.

I think this is true for many of us. We spend years chasing things we think will make us feel loved. But everything this world offers is temporary. Everything. And will leave our souls dry, crying out to God, "I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land" (Psalm 143:6).

The kind of love our souls crave is lasting, eternal. And only God can fill up our hearts with that kind of love.

Chasing love outside the will of God invites so much into our lives that is the exact opposite of love. First Corinthians 13:4-8 is a picture of God's perfect love. It is patient and kind. It does not envy ... it is not self-seeking ... it does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth ... it always protects and perseveres. Love never fails.

This is not a description of what is inherently ours when we fall in love with a person. It's a description of God's love.

Because our souls were designed for God's fulfilling love, if we aren't staying closely connected to Him, our hearts will start to feel empty. Restless. Unfulfilled. Parched.

Let us never think we are beyond being tempted. If we're honest, we're only a few bad decisions away from the same mess my friend is untangling herself from.

The kind of love our souls crave will never be found in the things of this world. Lasting, satisfying love will only be found when we stop chasing others or possessions, and thirst for the things of God.

Dear Lord, please help me see my marriage for the sacred gift that it is. Help me to remain faithful in a way that honors You and brings joy to our home. In Jesus' Name, Amen.