Romance That Never Runs Out

William Jennings Bryan, the great American orator and defender of the faith, was at one point in his midlife having his portrait painted. The artist, in helping to make Bryan “picture-perfect” inquired of him, “Sir, why do you wear your hair over your ears like that?” William Jennings Bryan replied, “Actually, there is a romance connected with it. When I first pursued Mrs. Bryan, she declined my every invitation.

“Later a close confidant of hers whispered to me that it was not that she did not like me but that there was something about the way my ears stick out that turned her off. I decided then and there to remedy the situation. So as to remove the obstacle of our relationship, I grew my hair long enough to cover my offending parts.”

“That was a long time ago and fashions have changed, sir”, the artist responded. “Would you consider cutting your hair now?” “Absolutely not,” said the statesman-orator, “I am still pursuing my romance with Mrs. Bryan.”

True romance never runs out. An advertisement in the Personal section of a local newspaper was headlined “Husband for Sale.” The text below read, “Age 52, in good health. Out or sorts most of the time. No longer verbalizes ‘I love you’. Is only rarely touching and tender. Asking price is 2 cents. Note: Price negotiable!”

According to the wife who placed that message in the newspaper, her husband is not worth even two cents. We chuckle at such advertisement; then we hope for all the world that it really is just a joke. William Jennings Bryan was aware that when romance leaves a marriage, holy wedlock becomes holy deadlock. Something bad has happened to that relationship.

The same is true with our relationship with our Maker. It can deteriorate to the place where it is virtually worthless. We need constant reminders that fashions come and go, times and circumstances change, but our romance with God through Christ must not be allowed to fluctuate. We were made for intimacy with Him, and it is always in our best interests to deal with any part of our lives that offends Him.

In the sacrifice of His Son, God made it possible for us to cover our offending parts. No relationship on earth will ever substitute for this relationship He makes possible. None will ever take its place. Indeed, no relationship on earth will ever be truly right without our intimate connection with God first being in place.

How can I say this with such certainty? First, because the Bible says it is so. Our relationship with God is at the same time the foundation and the model for our relationship with one another. Second, I can testify to this point because of a wonderful personal experience. Barbara (Robert Leslie Holmes’ wife) and I were not committed to Christ when we married. Baptized as children, we were brought up in church but we somehow missed understanding the reality of God’s redeeming grace through Christ. We were married, in the church and had a good and loving relationship from the beginning.

When we married, we were committed to each other for life. We were still not Christians, however. It was sometime after our second wedding anniversary that we each, at separate times, came to faith in Christ. When Christ entered our lives individually and when He entered our lives together, we found a level of closeness and love for one another that we had no idea existed before. This romance of ours, after over thirty-three years of marriage, is stronger than ever, and we agree that it is because God is at the centre of it.

That is not to say that making a commitment with Christ is a Pollyanna recipe for a good marriage nor that all marital problems somehow float away just because a couple commit their way to Christ. It does mean that when Christ is at the centre of a marriage, the issues and concerns that are a normal part of married life are seen from a different perspective.

When Christ is at the centre there is a renewed sense of commitment to working through difficulties in a way that is positive and constructive for both the husband and the wife. The family that prays together really does stay together. The Christian principles that make for better marriages are true for other relationships as well.

*** Written By Robert Leslie Holmes ***

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Let Your Knowledge Of God Become An Experience In Your Life

Being knowledgeable about God does not automatically translate into an experience. You must consciously take and apply the word of God to your life daily.

Text: James 1:23-25; Hebrews 11:1-6; 2 Chronicles 16:9

There are many provisions in the word of God for His children. 2 Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him”. This implies that he whom God finds faithful to His promises will receive a visitation from the Lord.

There are general or specific provisions of God for an individual and this provision is determined by what you know about God. God said “because without faith, it is impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

The secret to faith is finding out the subject of faith and its capacity to do beyond what you can ask or think. Having a big faith in a small God is not going to help but having a small faith in a big God will work wonders in your life. You must be sure of your faith. The sureness of God is built on the foundation of accurate knowledge and not guess work (2 Peter 1:16).

Jesus is real, He’s not false. God wants you to come to a place that your knowledge and experience of Him becomes a reality. The knowledge and information we get in the Bible is designed of God for us to duplicate it in our lives and make them our own experience. Everything good you see happen to people in the Bible, God can make it happen to you too. God is looking for people that will take Him at His word and stand upon it to determine their experience and outcome in life.

You cannot be surer of anything in life that the experience of God you have. What becomes your experience starts as a revelation or information that you test and discover. The knowledge of God without being proven will never become your personal experience.

Jesus heals the sick, but it will not become an experience or influence on you till either you face a challenge with your health or someone you know faces it, and therefore, takes the knowledge of the Word demanding that Jesus should do what He said He can do. And when it happens it becomes your experience.

*** Written by Olusola Areogun ***

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What It Means To Be A God Warrior

Most people think that if you go to church then you are considered a Christian. But there is so much more to it than that. Some who claim to be Christian and go to church put on a very different face outside of church. I’m sure you know someone who fits in this category.

None of us are perfect. Even Christians mess up sometimes. But the difference between a regular church attendee and a true warrior for God lies in a person’s heart, and the actions that come from their heart.

To start with, character and integrity are extremely important to a God warrior. What do those words mean, though? When I was in school, I remember one of my teachers explaining character this way:

“Character is who you are and what you do when no one is looking.”

Sometimes you think you can get away with something when no one’s looking, and sometimes you succeed. But even though people may not see what we do, God sees what we do, and He knows why we do it.

A person with good character doesn't feel good about doing something wrong. Integrity is what guides a person’s character to be good, and the opposite of integrity is dishonesty. It is our moral conscience and we can decide to ignore it or not.

A God warrior doesn't just have good character and integrity. There are a lot of people who have good character but they are still not a God warrior. So what is the difference between a God warrior and a good person?

If you believe in God and care about doing His will, then you will have a sincere longing and desire to live a life of character and integrity. What is His will and why should you care about it?

“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Part of doing God’s will is following His example. You decide to be nice to other people. You help others. You are compelled to share Him with others so they can learn who He is.

As a warrior for God, you also actively seek opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus. There are a lot of people who want to lie about who God really is. They want to hate God. They even want to say He does not exist.

When you are on God’s side, these things will make you sad and angry. This is because you know God is real. You know He is love. In fact, by letting Him in your heart, He shows you who He really is. And it is up to us to defend who He really is. 1 Peter 3:15 says:

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

We shouldn't stay silent as others walk all over God. It is our duty to defend the truth. And we can take these situations as opportunities to share who God is in the face or our enemy.

Even if we don’t know what the bible says, we can share who God is in our own lives and help others. By doing things like this, people will start to see who God is through us. And a God warrior gets excited when others decide to come to Christ.

It is also through grace that we are even able to accomplish His will. Now that you know what His will is, how does His grace help you carry it out?

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

We are not perfect. We all make mistakes whether it’s on purpose or not. So through Jesus’ death, grace is God’s acceptance of us. He gives us a clean slate by forgiving and forgetting.

Without this, we can’t do His will on our own. We are not perfect, but He is. We don’t know all things, but He does. We may fail, but He does not. When we know He is our source of all things and that He freely gives it, we can stand up in courage through His strength.

Prayer is also part of who a God warrior is. When we pray, we speak directly to Him like we would a friend. You can share with Him your deepest feelings, thoughts, pains, hopes. And you can ask Him for strength, advice, direction, or help anytime and anywhere.

By being a warrior for God your primary goal is to discover and fulfill God’s purpose. You still have personal interests and goals but they are not your primary focus; fulfilling the destiny God has for you becomes your top priority. Everything you do starts to revolve around that primary goal.

To reach this goal, you will need resources. A God warrior needs tools and training to defend against the enemy. This is why the bible is such an important resource for every Christian. The more you want to learn about God, the more He will help you find Him.

Will you step up to be a God Warrior? Will you be our one in a million?

You can start now by visiting www.warriorarise.com to learn more. You can register your youth group to join the movement, take the Warrior Pledge, or help us by volunteering. Sign up for all three if you want because we’d love for you to join us!

If you liked this message, I encourage you to share it with everyone you know. May the God of peace and the peace of God be with you. Amen.

*** Written by Sarah Sloan | Warrior Arise Ministry ***

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The Devil’s Strategy

Millions today profess to hate, abhor, shun and reject the devil because they know he is their enemy. They say, “I don’t worship him, I don’t obey him.” But alas! They are directly being controlled by this arch-enemy of the Light. Friend, if you discover that you are under him, please don’t wait to think. Flee for refuge!

I need not tell you he is wicked. He makes you serve him and later kills you. Jesus said of him in John 10:10, “The thief (the devil) cometh not, but for to steal, to kill and to destroy…”

Text: 2 Corinthians 2:11; John 3:3-5; Isaiah 55:1-8

He comes gently to you to do his evil business either in your room when you are alone, in your place of work when you are signing the attendance register, on the street when you see a lady, in the bus with the conductor, in the class during examination, in the office when he tells you to say that you are married (when you are not) so as to receive double leave grant, or in the hospital with the doctor as you plan to abort a pregnancy. Whichever method he uses, he has his aim – to capture you and get you to that other end – HELL.

His chief method is deceit. He doesn't want you to know that there is a dangerous pit at the end of the sinner’s life’s journey. Remember, he is a lot older than 6000 years; he is a lot older than man. So he is wiser and has more experience than you. Do you care about your soul? Then read on.

If you were the President of a country at war with a neighboring country, and during one of your visits to the war-front, you were deceived into the enemy’s camp, what would you do at the least chance of escape? Linger on for a chat or escape? Escape, or course! The devil’s business in your life is to deceive you into a false hope of heaven. He makes you walk confidently on mats spread over a deep, dangerous pit, and blinds your eyes to the fact that underneath lies a raging, angry and unquenchable lake of fire, burning with brimstone.

Are you a business man, private or public? Or do you work in an organization somewhere? And you are totally given over to the progress of your office? You just want money? Isn't that? Listen! You have a soul that cannot die. When that soul departs from your body, then you become a dead person. But where does your soul go?

“As it is appointed unto men ONCE to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Everyone involved in stealing, lying, murder (including abortion), fornication, adultery, idolatry, pride, wickedness, hatred, covetousness, envy, drinking of alcohol, gossiping and so on will be judged! To escape then will be utterly impossible.

You think that your regular attendance of church services, confirmation, baptism, fasting, giving of alms and offerings, and probably buying some equipment for the church or mosque puts you on a safe ground because your righteousness outweighs your unrighteousness? That’s deceit! You are heading to the other side – HELL, because nothing that defiles shall enter into heaven (Revelation 21:27). Do you care about your soul? Stop and think!

Be startled! You are in the devil’s net. You are fast sliding into horrible hell on a church pew. But do you know that God loves you more than you love Him? That is why He is revealing to you that your good moral life and the very best you can do can never and will never please God, for all our righteousness are like filthy rags in His sight (Isaiah 64:6).

You might have stopped attending church services because you discovered that your pastor or priest is a hypocrite, he drinks and commits sin with women secretly. In fact, he has children born to him outside wedlock. Now, you have concluded that as long as you love God and you love your neighbor as yourself (the golden rule), you’ll surely make heaven. Sorry, you are yet in his net, because you also bound in your sins. Or perhaps you have stopped because you are bored with the things done in the church. You only believe in God, heaven and hell.

Nevertheless, you are presently bound by the chains of alcohol, firmly gripped by the destructive power of smoking and really wallowing in the mire of fornication and adultery. You cannot but attend parties and visit film houses and your way out of trouble is to tell lies. But your hope is “I will be saved someday.” Your condition is greatly to be pitied. You are yet in his net! Read on.

There is only ONE way of escape for you, and this only way of escape from false and muddled beliefs into which the devil has successfully deceived you is JESUS CHRIST (John 14:6). And He (JESUS) was manifested to destroy all the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).

You must be BORN AGAIN (John 3:3). You must have the salvation experience. It does not mean baptism, confirmation or taking of sacraments. It is TRANSFORMATION – a sudden and definite change of your life in JESUS. You become a new creature, old things pass away, and all things become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

This is the only way of escape from eternal damnation for the businessman, doctor, accountant, student, church-enthusiast, Muslim and the free-thinker. Allow Christ to destroy all the works (deceit and sin) of the devil in your life. He will wash you in His blood, the devil will take his hands off you and you will no more be under his dominion.

Run into the arms of Jesus now! It is not too late for you, Jesus loves you. Today is the day of your deliverance. Will you pray? If not, why not? Confess your sins, forsake them, and ask for pardon. Remember that God is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse you from all your sins. Believe now and thank Him!

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Tested By Fire

Has your faith ever been tested by the fire of afflictions and trials? This test of trial occurs when something in our lives goes contrary to the way things are supposed to be. Since we have against us an enemy who is a thief that comes to kill, steal, and destroy, almost daily are we faced with the task of confronting the evil hosts of darkness.

Text: 1 Peter 1:6-7; James 1:2-4,12; Psalm 34:19-22

Certainly a test or trial will create a need in our lives and God has chosen faith as the avenue to which Christians get those needs met. Our faith in God and our willingness and ability to believe the Holy Scriptures will be tested with each and every trial we face. 1 Peter 1:6,7 says, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Faith needs a challenge and will get its greatest opportunity for use through the tests and trials that come our way in everyday living. God’s Word builds your faith up but only tests and trials will allow your faith to go into action and operation.

In his second letter to the Thessalonian church, Paul commends his fellow believers for having a faith that “grows exceedingly” (2 Thessalonians 1:3). The Bible teaches that faith “comes” by getting into and hearing the Word of God but how does faith “grow”? The answer is found in the following verse, “And this is a cause of our mentioning you with pride among the churches of God for your steadfastness - your unflinching endurance and patience - and your firm faith in the midst of all your persecutions and crushing distresses and afflictions under which you are holding up” (2 Thessalonians 1:4 AMP).

When faith comes it must always be tested by fire because God wants a pure and glorious church without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). Is your faith like pure gold or is it cheap gold plating? Faith is exercised and grows in the midst of persecutions and afflictions. This is why it is so important to stay in the Word and pass through the fire when tests and trials come. Psalm 12:6 says, “The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”

Many times, it is in the midst of the fire and the furnace of affliction that the grace and mercy of God is recognized the most. There is only one thing the devil wants from you and that is your faith. Without faith you are no threat to him. Satan’s goal is to keep you distracted and ignorant of the truth that will set you free. He knows that he is no threat to you by himself and has never won the battle yet. He is a total failure and cannot successfully attack and defeat you without first getting your permission. Permission is granted to him each time we run away from our tests and trials and when we refuse to do anything about them.

2 Thessalonians 1:5, 11, says that our worthiness to God is proven by our passing through the fire. Don’t try to get out of all your troubles by taking the easy way out. You must pass through the fire! How? By using your faith! Your faith will not fail if you continue hearing and hearing and hearing the Word of God. Don’t fall into the devil’s trap by allowing distractions to keep you from reading and confessing God’s Word daily. Know for certain that God will honor your faith at the point it’s developed.

Since faith can grow, continue to build on the faith you now have so that your next walk through the fire won’t take so long and the victory will be greater. Believe Philippians 4:13 which says, “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” Say out loud, “Yet in all these things I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves us” (Romans 8:37). Be convinced in your heart that God is on your side and He is bigger than any problem you have.

Let the peace of God rule in your inner man during your times of trial. Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of God. The book of Isaiah 59:1 (AMP) says, “When the enemy shall come in, like a flood the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him and put him to flight - for He will come like a rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives.”

In Paul’s final letter before his death, he tells Timothy, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). When tests and trials come, Jesus tells us to “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven…” (Luke 6:23a). Satan cannot stand the sound of praise for it reminds him of the ministry he once had as the top angel in heaven.

For sure, giving glory to God in the midst of the fire is the quickest way to make the devil shut up. Giving praise to God during a test or trial will be the last thing many of you will want to do but we must do it anyway. This is what is called a “sacrifice of praise” (Heb. 13:15). Continually making a sacrifice of praise will touch the heart of God more than anything we know. This is faith in action. When you do this you are not focusing on the circumstances around you but rather on your Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

From a dungeon cell, Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always - delight, gladden yourselves in Him; again I say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 AMP). The Greek word for “rejoice” means to ‘brighten up, leap, and spin around.’ When trials come, don’t look sad and gloomy. Instead, put a smile on your face and brighten up! Stand in your living room and begin to jump up and down. Leap for joy! Spin around as you’re leaping and make a joyful noise unto the Lord. “But this isn't normal,” you might say. Of course it’s not. That’s why we’re called a “peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9). The bottom line is that it works.

As you praise God in this fashion and continue to confess what the Word says about your situation, all of a sudden God will get bigger and bigger in your heart and the obstacle will get smaller and smaller. Before you know it, you will exit from the other end of the furnace of affliction having successfully passed through the fire. Rejoice during the times of struggle because “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

Tested by Fire

Every Christian should view their tests and trials as stepping stones on their journey to becoming Christ-like. Satan will contest everything God wants to do for you and tests and trials are sure to come. Understand, however, that you are not Satan’s punching bag. When God sees an arrow coming at you, He won’t stop the arrow but He will put up a shield (Ephesians 6:16).

Tests and trials are an open invitation for believers to use their faith as a shield against whatever Satan brings their way. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we walk by faith and not by sight.” The prophet Isaiah wrote, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you” (Is. 43:2).

A test is nothing to fear if you are able to pass it with flying colors. With Jesus on your side, you can do just that.

*** Written by Randall J. Brewer ***

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Humility - Key To Being Lifted Up

On a recent adventure, a rock climber saw something that taught him a valuable lesson on the subject of humility. Two mountain goats stood facing each other on a narrow ledge, one going up the mountain, the other coming down. There was not enough room for both of them to pass each other at the same time so there they stood facing each other in a silent confrontational showdown. Moments later the lesson was learned.

Text: James 4:6-10; Proverbs 11:2; 22:4; Psalm 138:6

Humility

The climber watched in utter amazement as the goat going up the mountain lowered itself down onto its knees and then laid down further on its stomach and became perfectly still as it allowed the other goat to walk over him on its way down the mountain. Once passed over, the goat got to its feet and continued its journey up the mountain. The lesson here is that when you humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, you may sometimes be walked over and downtrodden but ultimately the Lord will lift you up to success and victory.

On the other hand, prideful people who walk over others are all heading downhill on the path to defeat and destruction. The book of 1 Samuel tells the story of a humble young man who personified the story of the one mountain goat who made it to the top of the mountain.

The people of Israel wanted a king. The sons of the prophet Samuel did not rule uprightly as their father had. They were greedy and instead of judging honestly they took bribes from the people. At the same time, the surrounding countries were ready to harass and oppress them on all sides, so the people went to the elder Samuel and demanded that he anoint them a king who would lead them in victory over their enemies.

They were turning from faith in the invisible God in order to put their confidence in a visible king. When approached by Samuel about this, God told the prophet to “heed their voice and make them a king.” He also told the prophet to forewarn the people and show them the ungodly behavior of the king who would rule over them. Still, the people persisted and was therefore given a king whose name was Saul.

Saul was a tall man, head and shoulders above every person under his rule. By outward appearances he seemed to be the perfect man for the job but inwardly, Saul considered himself unworthy and was ruled by low self-esteem. When told that he was chosen by God to be king and that he was the desire of all Israel he replied, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin?” (1 Sam. 9:21).

Saul lacked confidence in himself and in the Godly heritage of his family. When the time came for him to become king he ran away and hid. Saul was a deceitful, jealous, moody, and faithless man who as king turned his back on God in willful disobedience.

The day soon came when God told Samuel that He wanted a new king for His people. He told Samuel to go to Jesse’s house and one of his sons would be the new king. When the prophet arrived, a great feast was given and a sacrifice was prepared. All were invited to the celebration. All, that is, except one. A humble shepherd boy named David, Jesse’s youngest son, was left in the fields keeping sheep in submissive obedience to his father. He was left in obscurity and contempt but God often exalts those whom men despise and look down upon.

Be humble and nothing will touch you

One by one, the sons of Jesse stood before the prophet and each time God revealed to Samuel that they were not the one to be chosen king. When told of a younger son out in the fields tending sheep, the prophet refused to let any-body sit down to eat until David was brought in. He who was designed not to sit at the table is now waited upon as the principle guest. David was the last one called but he definitely was not the least of his brethren.

David had an honest look on his face, sweet and lovely. He had a clean complexion, a good eye, and a lovely face. His name means “beloved” for he was a type of the beloved Son of God. The Lord told Samuel when David arrived, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” (1 Sam. 16:12). In the midst of his brothers, David was anointed to one day be king. 1 Sam. 16:33 says, “And the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.”

A divine power went along with the sign of being anointed with oil. Due to his humility and obedience, David soon found himself inwardly advanced in wisdom, courage, and all the necessary qualifications of being a king. David was a first-rate type of individual. He was good looking, knew music, and was a skilled warrior. He had a genuine concern for God’s people and was quick to learn and comprehend. He was humble, obedient, submissive, and the Lord was with him. Everything that a king needed for success David had. He humbled himself and God lifted him up (Matt. 23:12). And humble as he was, David did not forget his obligations to his father and before long he was back in the fields watching over his father’s sheep.

Throughout Saul’s reign, the Israelites were continually at war with the Philistine army. On one occasion, the two opposing armies were drawn up on facing mountains with a valley between them. These armies had fought before but this time it was different. The Philistine army brought with them a giant from the city of Gath. Gath was well known as being the residence of a remnant of the Anakim, men of great stature. All their confidence was placed in the prideful Goliath.

This fearsome giant was nearly ten feet tall and had six fingers on his hands and six toes on his feet. He had been a warrior since his youth and had the finest armor and the best weapons a soldier could have. Daily, Goliath would go out into the valley and jeer at the Israelite army. With arrogance and pride, he proposed a challenge for one man to come out and fight him and the winner would determine the outcome of the war. As king, Saul should have been the one to rise up to the challenge and fight Goliath but like the rest of his army, he also cowered in fear and low self-esteem. There was no person alive who could defeat this giant. Or so they thought.

Three of Jesse’s oldest sons were in the Israelite army and one day, David was asked to bring some provisions to his brothers. David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, and went as Jesse had commanded him. While there, the Philistine champion, Goliath, once again came out into the valley and challenged the Israelite army. All the men of Israel fled from him and were dreadfully afraid. David saw this and spoke to the men who stood by him, “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam. 17:26).

David was then brought to Saul to whom he said, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with the Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:32). A little shepherd boy who just came in from the field had more faith and courage than all the men of Israel. Notice also the humility of David. Three times during this conversation with Saul he refers to himself as “your servant.” Next, David tells the cowardly king why he should be allowed to go out and face the giant Goliath. He tells of facing down and killing a lion and a bear that came and attacked his father’s sheep. And, most important of all, David gave God the glory for these two victories. That’s humility!

1 Samuel 17:37 says, “Moreover David said, ‘The Lord Who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of the Philistine.’ And Saul said to David, ‘Go, and the Lord be with you!’”

God lifts up the humble

As the humble young shepherd left the presence of the king to face the giant, he was in between a man of low self-esteem and a man of pride. That’s precisely where humility should be. Unworthiness is wrong and so is ignorance. When Goliath saw David coming out to meet him, he disdained the youngster and began to curse him by his gods. “Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the Name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel Whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand’” (1 Sam. 17:45,46a).

With bold confidence, David ran towards the towering giant and with skilled precision slung a smooth stone at his adversary and struck him in the forehead. In an instant moment of time the pride of the Philistine army lay motionless on the ground. “Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled’’ (1 Sam. 17:51).

Humility had once again prevailed over low self-esteem and pride. David humbled himself and was lifted up to become the greatest king in the history of Israel. Lifting you up is what humility is all about. It worked for David and a mountain goat on a rocky ledge. Surely it will work for you as well.

*** Written by Randall Brewer ***

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Justification To Judge and Condemn

Do not judge or condemn others because you never know what’s going on in their lives. Counting other people’s sin doesn't make you a saint either. “He that is without sin, let him first cast a stone” (John 8:7).

Text: John 8:1-11; 1 John 3:18-24

Don't judge and condemn

The Lord Jesus Christ came to the world not to judge and condemn anyone but to save mankind (John 3:16-17). He came that we may have abundant life and be totally free from sin and death. Jesus truly is love and mercy personified, and there is no greater love than what He did for us on that old rugged Cross at Calvary.

The life of Christ and being like Him is the essence of Christianity. His character, conducts, attitude and behaviours are what heaven-bound pilgrims should emulate everyday of their lives. The story of John chapter 8 teaches mercy, forgiveness and what God expects from every one of us in action and deed toward others.

A woman was caught in the very act of adultery. Her accusers had wanted to stone her to death and brought her before Jesus to tempt Him and hear His verdict on her case. It is typical of humans to be quick in judgment and cast aspersions on someone for no just reason. “Our hearts are deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know them but the Lord? (Jeremiah 17:9-10). However, it takes only a saved and sanctified heart to act differently as to love and forgive.

God’s hatred for adultery is undoubtedly very clear (Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 5:18; Jeremiah 5:7, 7:9, 23:14; Matthew 19:18, 5:27-28). You may want to say who wouldn't be tempted to condemn and ridicule a woman caught in such a despicable act as adultery? The people of the world could and sadly to say, that some Christians could be found wanting in this regard as well. But Christ teaches us here what we ought to do and how best we should react to the shortcoming of others, whether an unbeliever or a backslidden brethren.

We must always be willing and ready to show mercy and forgive others for their shortcomings and weaknesses. We all err even as God continues to lead us towards perfection by His grace (Matthew 5:48). “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). We all, at one point in time, have done terrible things that we are not proud of but imagine if we had been condemned and made to face instant judgment from God for all we have done, who would have survived it?

Don't judge

Psalm 130:3 says, “If the Lord should mark all our iniquities, who shall stand?” “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” which is you and I. He commandeth His love towards us and sent His only Son to ransom us, even when we were yet sinners (Romans 5:6-12) like the adulterous woman in the book of John. He showed us love, compassion and mercy and wants us to show same to others.

There is no room to brag about being a Christian. In fact, it’s a privilege being one in the first place as the only thing that differentiates anyone in Christ from an unbeliever in the world is “grace”. Nothing but God’s grace!

We were dead in trespasses and sins; fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy…quickened us together with Christ and saved us by grace through faith; and that not of ourselves: it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:1-9).

For this reason should we not become haughty to the point we start thinking we are holier than others just because we are Christians. Jesus has given us an example to follow, that we should follow His footsteps (1 Peter 2:21). If He couldn't condemn the adulterous woman in John 8:11, why should we condemn someone who steals, the prostitutes at night, ignorant rapists, drunkards, among others? Instead, we should share our testimonies of faith with them, pray for and with them, and share with them the love of God through His word; encouraging them to surrender to the Saviour and be saved.

The world is in dire need of genuine and practical Christianity. It is not enough to have increased number of churches mounted in every street and thousands of church goers with the Word in their heads and not in their hearts. The world craves after practical faith, pragmatic beliefs, unwavering convictions and unquestionable evidence of salvation (the newness of life in Christ).

Now is the time to stop playing church and start being the Church that Christ prepares to meet at His coming – a perfect church unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13); a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27).

Let’s not be like the Scribes and Pharisees who seek justification to judge and condemn others. “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measure to you again… (Matthew 7:1-5).

Don't condemn others

“This I say therefore, brethren, that ye henceforth walk and live not as unbelievers in the vanity of their minds, having their understanding darkened and alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their hearts…for ye have not so learned Christ…

“If so be that ye have heard Him and have been taught by Christ through His word, put off the old man, which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness, love and true holiness…” (Ephesians 4:17-31).

The only justification there is, is to love and not to judge. And since we are the ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), let’s act like it in word, deed and truth (1 John 3:18) that the name of the Lord may be glorified through us and among us.

*** Written by Jacobs Adewale (Admin) ***

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Our Unsaved Loved Ones

Our Unsaved Loved Ones

Key Verse: “How can I bear to see the destruction of my family? (Esther 8:6)

About 475 BC, Queen Esther asked the burning question that forms the essence of this article. She was referring to her own people, the Jews, who were in very grave danger. A decree had been signed that all Jews were to be put to death (Esther 3:13). Esther was horrified, and filled with concern for their deliverance. Her words have something solemn to say to us, for:

1. Some people who are near and dear to us are in very great danger.

Esther spoke of the destruction of her family. What is the spiritual condition and position of our loved-ones who are not Christians? Take your Bible, and you will discover that they are:

Lost - Luke 19:10; 2 Corinthians 4:3.

Perishing - John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9.

Condemned - John 3:18; 1 Corinthians 11:32.

Under God’s wrath - John 3:36; Romans 1:18.

Spiritually blind - 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians4:18.

Spiritually dead - Ephesians 2:1; Colossians2:13.

Without God, hope and Christ - Ephesians2:12.

Their present condition and their future prospect are indeed terrible (John 8:21,24). If our unsaved loved-ones die in their present condition, they die in a state of separation from God, from Christ and from Heaven. This is what Jesus taught and what the Bible teaches. Study 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, and apply the teaching from the Bible passage to those whom you love but do not belong to the Lord.

It was the thought of the actual danger that her people faced that caused Esther to cry out in agony (Esther 8:6). Do you feel like that about your loved-ones who are not Christians? Surely, bear in mind their desperate need and share the good news of the Gospel with them.

2. We should feel a deep concern for the salvation of our loved-ones.

Esther did. She cried, how can I bear seeing my people die? It was almost more than she could bear. Indeed, from Esther 4:16 you will see that she was willing to die if need be in order that her people might be saved from destruction. What a tremendous love and compassion filled her heart for her people! The book of Exodus32:32 and Romans 9:1-3 reveals something similar.

However, when our loved-ones are in physical danger, we are immediately filled with a great concern for them. Do we have any concern in relation to their greatest need, the need for their soul’s salvation? After all, our bodies are only temporal, but our souls will never die (Mark 8:36-37; Revelation 20:12-15).

How is it with your brothers, sisters, your husband, wife and children? Are they Christians? If not, have you any real concern for their salvation? Do you in any sense say with Queen Esther that “how can I bear the thought of my loved-ones being separated from God in eternity when I, through His grace, will be enjoying the blessings of my heavenly home?”

If we have any concern for the salvation of our loved-ones, surely we shall need to do something about it in a practical way with love and concern.

3. Concern for our loved-ones should lead us to do something for their salvation.

When Esther realized the danger her people were in, she went into action in three ways. Her concern showed itself in her determination, her intercession and in the co-operation she sought for their deliverance. These are the three ways in which we are to go into action for the salvation of our loved-ones:

He that winneth a soul is wise

DETERMINATION

Esther resolved to give herself no rest until her people were saved. How wonderful it would be if every Christian with unconverted relatives were filled with a holy determination like this! This resolve to help her people gripped hold of the Queen! Here is something you can do: make a list of the members of your family and friends who do not, as far as you know, belong to the Lord, and pray daily for God to work in their hearts.

INTERCESSION

Esther went into the presence of the king and pleaded for him to release her people. You will find this in Esther 8:5. The king had the power to deliver the Jews, so Esther asked him to do it. Here is a picture of a Christian going into the presence of the King of Heaven to plead for the salvation of his or her loved-ones (Romans 10:1). This is what you must do with your prayer-list: pray systematically and believingly for each relative by name. Will the Lord deny such a prayer? Check out what the book of James 5:17 have to say about this.

CO-OPERATION

Esther and her uncle Mordecai worked together for the salvation of their people. We must do the same. We can work together by prayer, as we are encouraged to do in Matthew 18:19, and we can also work together by practical effort, as illustrated in Mark 2:1-5.

It is a good idea to write a letter to some of your Christian relatives and friends and ask them to join you in prayer and in other practical ways for the salvation of the members of your family circle who are not yet Christians.

Whenever Christians determine to pray and co-operate for the salvation of the members of their own family, the Lord will lead them, step by step, into the ways and means for bringing those loved-ones to the point of decision. Do not limit the power of God or the ability of the Holy Spirit to perform mighty miracles in answer to prayer. At the same time, do not forget that the Lord may be waiting to perform these miracles through your determination, your intercession and your co-operation.

Why should your loved ones perish? God still awaits people who would stand in the gap for the salvation of others. Be the “Esther” for your family and loved ones and watch the mighty hands of God work miraculously to save them from sin and death.

Esther’s passion to save her loves ones was eventually rewarded beyond measure (Esther 8:16). The Lord is looking up to you to spread the Gospel light among your family members, in your neighborhood and your community.

Remember, you are the light of the world…let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16). “He that winneth a soul is wise” (Proverbs 11:30) and “they that turn many to righteousness will be as the stars that shine forever and ever (Daniel 12:3).

*** Courtesy Francis Dixon | Words of Life Ministry ***

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