by Joe Bradley | Mar 28, 2016 | Articles, Testimonies
In the midst of uncertainty all around us, we find great solace, peace, hope and joy in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. One of my favorite all-time devotions is Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest. April 29 – “Certain Uncertainty” is a good one. Chamber’s articulates: “To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness, it should be rather an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God.” We’ve all experienced uncertainty, but let me suggest, not to the extent that Oswald suggests. Do we wait in breathless expectation for uncertainty? I know, if I’m really honest with myself that I loathe that position when and if I find myself there. Allow me to introduce you to my new friend Curtis. I first became aware of Curtis as I drove by him here in Phoenix, AZ on warm fall day. Curtis was holding up a sign that read: Need Rent Money. I made numerous observations…he was different from many of those standing on corners holding signs. He obviously had a place to live, or he wouldn’t be asking for rent money. He face was without expression. The next day, same intersection I encountered Curtis again, but this time with a different sign: Best Watch Repair at Diamond Jim’s Jewelry. Curtis had gotten himself a job flipping a sign at a busy intersection. Good for him, I thought. His face still without expression. For the...
by Jesse Hernandez | Mar 21, 2016 | Articles, Question to Ponder
If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:26 Jesus set out to Jerusalem and the crowds were quite sure He was ready to deal with the religious leaders, as well as overthrow the Roman government. Any political consultant of the day would have predicted that Jesus had a very good chance of successfully meeting the interests of the people. The large crowds were following Him and, in all likelihood, they would continue to grow the closer He goes to the city. All of a sudden, Jesus turns around and clearly shares these striking words with those who were following Him. Do these words strike you as odd? Perhaps a little too bold, or even rude? Note with me that Jesus addresses the crowd knowing that many wanted to be His disciple. However, in an effort to articulate the costs associated with being a disciple Jesus sets the bar quite high by challenging the crowd to seriously reconsider the most meaningful relationships. He does not settle for simply asking them to temporarily rearrange their priorities, or be willing to make a small sacrifice if necessary. Jesus demands that those who wish to be His disciples are required to “hate” all of their relationships (father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters). The disciple of Christ must be wiling to part with both the comfort, an apparent value, and prominence gained via those relationships. In Matthew 10:37, Jesus said, “He who loves father or mother...
by Ed Allen | Mar 14, 2016 | Articles, What Do You Think?
Acts 10: 34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. 36 “The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)— 37 you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. 38 “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 “We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. 40 “God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 “And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. 43 “Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” (Background) After God showed Peter in a vision that the good news about Jesus was meant not only for the Jews but also for the Gentiles He sent him to...
by Ron Hocutt | Mar 7, 2016 | Articles, Testimonies
Jer 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied three, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? While wallowing in self-pity, confusion, worry and uncertainty the other day, God reminded me of an eternal truth that’s worth sharing: if you think things are bad for you now, how are you going to react when they really are? Will you remain a man of faith? The truth is that it doesn’t take much effort to knock us out of a trusting relationship with Christ. Look around, however, and notice those who are suffering for Christ in ways few of us could comprehend. Even knowing this, my nature is to always focus on my own troubles and assume them to be excessive, unjust, and unwarranted. If this sounds familiar, I ask you to consider the following: * It is our lot as Christians to be used by Him in any manner He chooses while still believing and trusting in His fundamental Goodness. Even a cursory review of scripture will demonstrate how God used (and in our minds perhaps abused) His servants. Are you willing to be used as these people were used? If not, you have no basis to be assured of your relationship with Christ. * Being a slave of Jesus Christ and “dying to self” means a lot more than we commonly think it does. It means all of you – what you own, think, feel, and hold dear – it all belongs to Him. Everything you are and have is to be used for His...
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