4thegloryofthelord

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A site to glorify the Lord with words of encouragement

Draw the Circle – Mark Batterson

Taking a 40-day journey through Mark’s follow up book Draw The Circle will make us realize how much more we still have to learn about prayer! Draw The Circle is intended to be read slowly, with just one prayer thought each day for 40 days, allowing us to add another component to our prayer arsenal each day.
On the last page, Mark sums up the subject of prayer well when he writes—

Prayer is the difference between appointments and divine appointments. Prayer is the difference between good ideas and God-ideas. Prayer is the difference between the favor of God and the luck of the draw. Prayer is the difference between closed doors and open doors. Prayer is the difference between possible and impossible. Prayer is the difference between the best we can do and the best God can do.

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Live Second

This book contains 365 daily readings that challenge you to consider what life would look like if Jesus were first. This book is for anyone looking to discover meaning in life, your mission on this planet, or the cure to life’s difficulties. You do not need to believe in Jesus to start this journey, but I think you will be challenged by his message before you trek too far. I believe the power of his love, the vastness of his forgiveness, and the strength of his presence will inspire you to rethink your relationship with God.

Wherever you are, let this book take you one step further in your journey with God. I believe and hope this book will be more than a daily reading, that it will be a guidebook for travelers, a handbook for seekres, and a motivational manual for the uninspired. This book may not always soothe your soul, but I think it will always insire your reflection and challenge your daily routine.

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Wisdom Meets Passion

Wisdom Meets Passion When Generations Collide and Collaborate by Dan Miller and Jared Angaza

There is a unique clash between the wisdom of the Baby Boomer generation and the passion of Generation Y. According to Wisdom Meets Passion When Generations Collide and Collaborate, the question is not which is right, but rather how can the two work together?
By bringing these two voices to the issue, Wisdom Meets Passion takes readers through understanding the American Dream, the quest for security, and work that matters—regardless of age. Through candid storytelling, the authors uncover various generational approaches to work, money, success, and relationships, proving that it is possible to be both passionate and wise

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The Reason by William Sirls

William Sirls in his new book, “The Reason” published by Thomas Nelson begins in a small town in Michigan, where the storm clouds begin gather over the small town, thunder shakes the sky, the lights inside the local church flicker right before going out. All is black as lightning slices the sky, striking the church’s large wooden cross catching it on fire and splintering it in two.

The Reason is a new novel, which wrestles with questions such as: Where is God when bad things happen? And does God ignore the prayers of the faithful? The answer each character receives is astounding and offers an unforgettable call to hope, to change, to only believe.

Sometimes all people need to stir up faith is a catalyst. In the case of this town in Michigan it is a lightning bolt that hits the church’s cross and sets it afire during a storm. This allegorical book doesn’t take a lot of work to decipher the meaning of most of its images but it is so worth it. “The Reason” is filled with great characters brought to life in the hands of a very skillful author. Each character comes alive on the pages and we care about every single one of them, even the not so nice ones. “The Reason” is a marvelous read full of atmosphere and details.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Grieving God’s Way, the Path to Lasting Hope and Healing

“Grieving God’s Way, the Path to Lasting Hope and Healing,” by Margaret Brownley is a 90-day journey looking at grief. The author teamed up with Diantha Ain who wrote thoughtful, beautiful Haiku poems for each chapter.

It is written like a devotional book, one excerpt for each day for a total of ninety days. Since no way can really explain why, Grieving God’s way doesn’t attempt to answer the why, but it does give answers as to how to travel through grief.

Each day has verses from the Bible to meditate on, a Haiku poem, and practical ideas of things to do as you journey through grief. Beginning with explain what grieving is, to practical breathing lessons, to how to begin the healing process. The book is broken down into four sections to heal the entire being focusing on healing the grieving body, the grieving soul, the grieving heart and the grieving spirit.

This practical book is intended to help one on their own personal journey to grief as well as enable you to reach out to help those you know going through the grieving process.
The author says each person goes through grief at their own pace, and that it is not a process that you can “just get over it” and move on. It takes healing in all areas. The process of grief is not linear, and there is not a set amount of time that it will take for each person.

A list of helpful resources are included to enable you to find additional help in your journey towards healing.

Filed under: Book Review,

8/12/12 LET YOUR HEART BE BROKEN JEREMIAH 8:4-13, 18-9:1

Today’s lesson is entitled “Let Your Heart Be Broken”. A better title could be “Compassion”. As the NFL game ended and the Packers celebrated their victory over the Bears, a, 4-year-old girl was crying which seemed odd since neither of her parents cared who won the game. When her mom asked her why she was crying, she said, “I feel sorry for the Bears. They look so sad.” We can learn something from this preschooler about compassion. In a world where winning is so important and losers get rejected and forgotten, we need this reminder: People need compassion. When we see others struggling with a loss are we willing to shed tears, put our arms around them, and offer to help?

Scripture challenges us to treat others with compassion. Philippians 2:1-3 tells us to think of others above ourselves, looking out for their interests—not just ours. I Peter 3:8-12 reminds us that compassion means treating others “as brothers,” and Colossians 3:12-15 says that mercy, kindness, and humility are marks of those God has redeemed. Our Scripture today instructs us to look around us. Go beyond feeling bad for the one with loss and reach out with compassion and God’s love.

A parable is a story that has a meaning beyond the illustration and before we get into Jeremiah, let’s take a look at the parable of the Good Neighbor also called the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37

The lawyer was one who knew every aspect of religious laws. He asked a question he already knew the answer too. He asked, “what do I need to do to inherit eternal life?” Deuteronomy 6:5 He felt trapped so he wanted to justify himself so he asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus shares with him a story which tells us that being a good neighbor requires the right emotion. (v.33) The priest and the Levite both see and go by on the other side. It is clear that they knew he was hurt. They did this because they had an entitlement attitude, thinking they had got here on their own and they deserved their position. The Samaritan’s emotion should be our default emotion. He had compassion. A lot of things we could feel at this point (smugness, told you so attitude, or pity) but compassion is the most Christ like response. Compassion is the word used most in describing Jesus’ emotions more than any other word. . Matthew 14:14, Luke 15:20 Compassion describes an inside being that is an instinctive, overwhelming, immediate response. This is what we need to feel when we see people on the wrong side of the road.

Being a good neighbor requires a good action. (v34. -35) To show mercy is the word Hesed. It is when the person from who I have a right to expect nothing gives me everything! It is mercy and lovingkindness. “Thought the wounded man on the ground had no right to expect anything from a no-good Samaritan, he received over the top mercy.

When you provide aid, it will result in dirty hands. You can’t show mercy without dirtying your hands. The right action will result in dirty hands. We should rarely ignore a generous impulse. Let’s do mercy! The needs were beyond the ability of the Samaritan to take care of on his own so he partnered with the inn keeper saying you do it and I’ll pay you. We may not be able to take care of a need but we can partner with others through prayer and giving to meet that need.

Also, being a good neighbor requires the right question. (v36) The lawyer asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus changed the question to “Who proved to be a neighbor?” Jesus told a story that changes the question from “What kind of person is my neighbor?” to “What kind of person am I?” He changes the question from “What status of people are worthy of my love?” to “How can I become the kind of person whose compassion disregards status?” Instead of looking for who we need to help it becomes a quest on who we need to be.

What it means to love your neighbor as self is be a neighbor. We are the wounded one on the side of the road and Someone (Jesus) was that neighbor to us. The man on the side of the road received radical neighboring. Jesus is the Good Samaritan. He is the One who meets our needs. Too often we want to do the minimum to get by but Jesus showed we need to do mercy. The remedy is to move from an entitlement attitude to one of gratitude realizing we are the one on the side of the road and Jesus rescued us. When we have a sense of gratitude, we will prove to be a neighbor. Being a good neighbor requires a response of free grace. To stop and rescue us didn’t risk Jesus’ life, it cost Him His life. When we see Jesus as our true neighbor and what He done for us, we’ll become a true neighbor to others.

READ SEE THE PROBLEM JEREMIAH 8:4-7
When people fall down or realize they’re headed in the wrong direction, it makes sense to get up and change directions. But as God watched the nation, he saw people living sinful lives by choice, deceiving themselves that there would be no consequences. They had lost perspective concerning God’s will for their lives and were trying to minimize their sin. Repentance is more than changing directions or actions. It involves changing our thinking to the same way God thinks. Wisdom is seeing and responding to life’s situations from God’s frame of reference so repentance is utilizing wisdom and changing our thoughts first and then our actions to how God would act or react.

The Lord’s Word came to Jeremiah, and he was to proclaim it to the unrepentant people. These fallen people, even though called to be sons and daughters of God, continued to go through the external motions of the service in the Temple while living in unbelief. We must ask ourselves if we’re only going through the motions or do we truly believe God’s Word. John 4:23

The Israelites were asking “What have I done?” not in repentance for the people didn’t care about God, His Word, the Gospel, or about what was right and wrong. How we live does make a difference! They were willing to know and have other gods. The people didn’t bother to ask, “Is what I am doing right or wrong? Is this a sin?” They didn’t care. They continued to depart from the truth and as a result, “each one turned to his own course, like a horse plunging headlong into battle.” This is a course that departed from the Way of Life. Proverbs says there’s a way that seems right to a man but the pathway thereof leads to death. A man might, worship one god for a while and another for a bit, and then stride on into the House of the LORD as spiritual insurance policy. These people had fallen from the truth so they were incapable of being convicted by God’s Law. We must guard our hearts to avoid having that happen to us. Prov 4:23 “They hold fast to deceit, they refuse to return.” We must give heed and listen but keep in mind that even in Jeremiah’s time there were those who refused to listen and obey.

We haven’t achieved God’s standard.. Romans 3:23 We’re the guilty party. If we ask “What have I done?” with a repentant heart, it places us in a position where the Law is doing its job of accusing our old nature; and into a posture where the Good News of God’s forgiveness may be announced. “Yes, this is what you have done but behold, dearly beloved; I want you to listen to what I have done! I have given you My Word and promised the Savior. ‘I AM your Shield, our exceedingly great reward’ (Gen. 15:1) and this is in spite of what we’ve done nor is it because of anything that we could do. Our hope is because of what Jesus has done and will do. Hope is a seed God plants in our hearts to remind us there are better things ahead. Hope is Holding Out for Possibilities Every time. Even though you have sinned greatly and grievously, ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine (Isaiah 43:1). We have a re-created heart and the LORD dwells within us. It’s no longer us who lives but the Redeemer and we’re a temple of the Holy Spirit. The child of God will fall, but the Good News ought to produce in us a habitual hunger and a recurring thirst that draws us back to God. This longing is like the migratory birds returning each year. Often, even with those who claim to be the children of God, this does not happen. Jeremiah says “Even the stork in the heavens knows her times; and the turtledove, swallow, and crane keep the time of their coming; but My people know not the requirements of the LORD.” When our fellow brother and sisters fall, we must say except for the grace of God there goes I and seek to restore that one. Gal 6:1
READ JEREMIAH 8:8-13 AVOID SUPERFICIAL RESPONSES

The scribes thought they had arrived. They built a stone wall around their hearts not willing to allow anyone to touch them with the realities of what was going on. They were like the wizard in the Wizard of Oz who said to the tin man, “As for you, my galvanized friend, you want a heart. You don’t know how lucky you are not to have one. Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable.” The Wizard of Oz declared being heartless was the safer way to live. How sad! We must do life together and doing life together is going to have heartbreaks and hurts.

The spiritual leaders had tweaked and twisted God’s law to fit their own agendas. Because they had convinced the people they could sin without any consequence, God would bring grave consequences. These men treated brokenness superficially by saying everything was OK when it wasn’t. They claimed there was peace when the enemy was battering away at the gate. Instead of skin-deep reassurances, the people need to hear the truth and comfort of the Word. II Corinthians 1:3-7 Many think that when God comforts us, our troubles should go away. But if that were always so, people would turn to God only out of a desire to be relieved of pain and not out of love for Him. We must understand that being comforted can also mean receiving strength, encouragement, and hope to deal with our troubles. The more we suffer the more comfort God gives us. If we’re feeling overwhelmed, we must receive God’s comfort and remember every trial we endure will help us comfort others who are suffering similar troubles.

READ REFLECT GOD’S BROKEN-HEARTEDNESS JEREMIAH 8:18-9:1
These words portray Jeremiah’s emotion as he watched his people reject God. He responded with anguish to a world dying in sin. We watch that same world still dying in sin, still rejecting God. We must ask ourselves how often is our heart broken for the lost and hurting? Only when we have Jeremiah’s kind of passionate concern will we be moved to help. We must begin by asking God to break our hearts for the world He loves. John 3:16

V. 22 We are to be the one’s who apply the “balm” to the hurting. Although people’s spiritual sickness is deep, it can be healed. God can heal our sin sickness but He won’t force His healing on us. His grace must be willingly received. Jeremiah was angered by the peoples’ sin, but he had compassion too. He was set apart by his mission for God, but he was also one of them. Jesus had similar feelings when he stood before Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37. We must pray to be more like Jesus.

There’s a song that perfectly fits Jeremiah’s message in today’s lesson. The song is called Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath.

Looked down from a broken sky Traced out by the city lights My world from a mile high Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black tar Hold on for the sudden stop Breathe in the familiar shock Of confusion And chaos All those people goin’ somewhere Why have I never cared?

Step out on a busy street See a girl and our eyes meet Does her best to smile at me To hide what’s underneath
There’s a man just to her right Black suit and a bright red tie Too ashamed to tell his wife He’s out of work, he’s buyin’ time All those people goin’ somewhere Why have I never cared?

I’ve been there a million times A couple of million eyes Just move and pass me by I never thought that I was wrong Well I want a second glance So give me a second chance To see the way You’ve (Jesus) seen the people all along

Give me Your eyes for just one second Give me Your eyes so I can see Everything that I keep missing Give me Your love for humanity Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten Give me Your eyes so I can see

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Covenant Child by Terri Blackstock

Terri Blackstock does it again with her thought provoking suspense novel The Covenant Child. The characters become so real you feel as if you could reach out and touch them. You want to help the two twin girls and right all the wrongs. This book will grab you from the beginning and keep you on your toes until the last page. Excellent book.
The children grew up thinking their step mom has abandoned them for money so they feel unloved and unwanted. Little did they know the sacrifices that were made throughout the years and how much they were loved and wanted.

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6 10 12 That You May Believe – The God Talk – John 17 – Pastor Rick Pughe

The God Talk – John 176/10/12 Rick Pughe, Lead Pastor First Eustis

THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE
THE GOD TALK
JOHN 17

God wants a genuine authentic communication with us and with each other. Who is it that when they speak you listen? Allow God to speak to you with reality. God is praying for and continues to pray for you. He cares! We all have something going on. James 5:16 No one is more righteous than Jesus. What do you have your heart anchored to?
Three things Jesus prayed for that changed everything. We must always seek Divine Providence without Divine Providence forget it. The hour has come – we all have stressful hours. “God, as I go through this hour may I bring You glory.” It’s all eternal life. This was the completion of Jesus’ mission that people may come to know Him. John 17:11-17 Jesus prays protect them and sanctify (set apart) them. Protect them from the evil one. All but one of the apostles died a horrible death. John was boiled and exiled. Jesus was building in and through these guys. Why did Jesus allow this?
1. To win unseen victory – that we may receive the benefit
2. Prepare for a greater blessing
3. A higher position
4. To increase and further the witness and testimony of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Set them apart for a bigger plan with bigger intentions.
Jesus prayed for all those who believed. Jesus prays for me right now. Phil. 4:13 Quit taking a defeated attitude. “God, You can do this through my life.” V. 20,21,26 If they had not gotten the message out, they wouldn’t complete the mission. That we may be one in the Word, truth, and message of the gospel not in our opinion. Main thing is the message of Jesus Christ.

Adoration – He was praying to the Father – When you adore something, you put it on the pedestal. How close are you with God right now? Can I say I love You for You and nothing else?
Petition – God allow me to complete the mission.
Intercession – for the apostles and for us. If you’re a follower of Jesus, confessing sin and following Him, He is obligated to hear your prayer. May be stuff that hinders answer but He hears. Revelation 5:8 Your prayers are special to God. He saves them in a golden bowl. Jeremiah 33:3 Are you a person of prayer?

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5/27/12 A LEGACY OF LOVE 2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-15, ACTS 17:1-4, I THESSALONIANS 1:2-10

5/27/12  A LEGACY OF LOVE  2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-15, ACTS 17:1-4, I THESSALONIANS 1:2-10

A legacy of love can be built outside of our families.  We can build it across the seas without even going there.  Here’s a story of the legacy of love theSBChas built inVietnamwhere war cut their work short, but 36 years later, the investment is paying off. 

 

Saigonwas falling to North Vietnamese forces. Missionary James bargained with God for more time, but his family had flown to safety so James was joining them. Waves of doubt and regret flooded his heart. How could he abandon the Vietnamese after pouring his life into theirs? These converts were family to him. He had taught, baptized, discipled, and counseled them, all while sharing a relationship with Jesus.

 

God safeguarded the seeds planted. Their efforts freed thousands from spiritual slavery starting Vietnamese churches. One church survived the communist revolution and is making Christ’s name known today.

 

This was possible because Southern Baptists started a legacy of love by praying and giving support to missionaries. WhenSouth Vietnamcollapsed, this church was there and 48 years later, it still stands spreading the Gospel, but victory came at a price. The Vietnamese survived the Communist Party threats and persecution.

 

“Faith in Christ was the reason for us to live,” says the pastor of Vietnamese church “Thanks to God’s grace; we could suffer and keep our faith.” Reaching the career-focused, more materialistic youth with the Gospel presents a challenge for the church. Baptists must be willing to change to remain relevant, packaging timeless truth in more contemporary ways.”

 

“Young people have more opportunities and more temptations. In the past, people had nothing, and they longed for some god to lay their hope on. Now, people have so many things to follow.”   As Vietnamese move from poverty to prosperity, some recognize that money isn’t the answer. There’s hope forVietnam. Some have hard hearts but seekers are there.  The question is whether churches are willing to take opportunities to win these people.”

 

What we do today matters for the generation tomorrow just as those who planted seeds before us have affected our growth and life today. 

READ LOVE COMPELLED 2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-15

 

What compels or motives us?  If we truly understand Christ’s love for us, we’ll be motivated to live for Jesus to become a living sacrifice as it says in Romans 12:1,2.   Revelation 1:5,6  If we could get Who this is we would care!  If we’d really grasp this we’d care because we’re a direct result of our belief system.  It doesn’t matter what we say if that isn’t what we live, but our behavior, decisions, what we are living out (our defeats and victories) is coming from what we truly believe when no one is watching. If we’d grasp what Christ has to show us of Himself, it would dramatically transform our entire life system. 3 things Jesus does:

 

  1. He loves us.  Don’t take this lightly.  Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.  Do we really know that? He loves not loved (meaning He still does) 
  2. He has freed us.  (past tense)  Making reference to the cross of Christ.  Our chains aren’t holding us. We’ve been freed. Nothing can force its hold on us. Galatians 5:1  Enemy wants us to think we’re stuck in bondage. We have a calling on our life (Christ loves compels us) that we’ve been set free to do.  We’re compelled by the love of Christ.  Christ has freed us! Ask Christ every morning – reveal Yourself to me, show me something today. Show me the real You. 
  3. He made us to be a kingdom of priests – Jesus will make our lives.  He’ll make us something we can’t be without Him. Isaiah 6 shows the throne in a temple. A throne is royalty and the temple is priesthood. The throne of authority and righteousness is seated there in the sanctuary.  I Peter 2:9    Revelation 1:6  This is a doxology. Doxa – glory – ascribing glory to Christ.  Christ Jesus is 100% divine not only the Son of God. He is God.  Jesus Christ is Lord. 

 

READ LOVE COMMUNICATED ACTS 17:1-4 

When we reach the conviction that Jesus died for each one of us personally, we decide to live no longer for ourselves but for Him. We see life, death, and people very differently. I Cor 5:7 We walk by faith, not by sight. We realize reconciling people with God is the most important thing we can do. I Cor 5:20-21 This makes us ambassadors for Christ, God as it were appealing through us. We implore you, in Christ’s name: be reconciled to God! For our sakes God made Him Who did not know sin, to be sin, so that in Him we might become the very holiness of God.  When Paul spoke in the synagogues, he wisely began by talking about the Old Testament writings and explaining how Jesus fulfilled them, moving from the known to the unknown. This is a good strategy for us.  When we witness for Christ, we should begin where people are, establishing common ground, affirming the truth they do know, and then we can present Jesus, the One who is truth. 

 

READ LOVE CONTINUED I THESSALONIANS 1:2-10

 

Paul commended these Christians for their work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope. These characteristics are the marks of an effective Christian.  The gospel came with power. Whenever the Bible is heard and obeyed, lives are changed. Christianity is more than a collection of interesting facts. It’s the power of God to every one who believes. We should ask ourselves, “What has God’s power done in our lives since we first believed?”  

 

The Holy Spirit changes people when they believe the gospel. When we tell others about Jesus, we must depend on the Holy Spirit to convince them that they need salvation. God’s power changes people – not our cleverness or persuasion. The Holy Spirit not only convicts people of sin but also assures them of the truth of the gospel.

 

v. 5  You know what kind of men we were among you for your benefit.  The Thessalonians could see what Paul was preaching was true because he lived it. Do our lives confirm or contradict what we say we believe?

 

The message of salvation while welcomed with great joy brought suffering because it led to persecution. Having accepted the gospel and new life in Christ, apparently many believed nothing bad or hard would happen to them, but this is not what Jesus promised.  John 16:33   

 

We should respond to the Good News like the Thessalonians did: turn to God, serve God, and wait for Jesus’ return. We should turn from sin to God because Christ’s coming to judge the earth. We should be fervent in service because we have little time before Christ returns and be prepared for Jesus’ return because we don’t know when He’ll come.  

 

Our spiritual lives will be tested by the observing eye of those around us examining what we do with those we disciple, mentor, and gently correct while celebrating their growth. When we do this, we will be approved by the Lord and passing along a legacy of love. 

 Prayer:

Lord, burden each of us to share the love of Christ with another person!

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5/27/12 A LEGACY OF LOVE 2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-15, ACTS 17:1-4, I THESSALONIANS 1:2-10

5/27/12  A LEGACY OF LOVE  2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-15, ACTS 17:1-4, I THESSALONIANS 1:2-10

A legacy of love can be built outside of our families.  We can build it across the seas without even going there.  Here’s a story of the legacy of love theSBChas built inVietnamwhere war cut their work short, but 36 years later, the investment is paying off. 

 

Saigonwas falling to North Vietnamese forces. Missionary James bargained with God for more time, but his family had flown to safety so James was joining them. Waves of doubt and regret flooded his heart. How could he abandon the Vietnamese after pouring his life into theirs? These converts were family to him. He had taught, baptized, discipled, and counseled them, all while sharing a relationship with Jesus.

 

God safeguarded the seeds planted. Their efforts freed thousands from spiritual slavery starting Vietnamese churches. One church survived the communist revolution and is making Christ’s name known today.

 

This was possible because Southern Baptists started a legacy of love by praying and giving support to missionaries. WhenSouth Vietnamcollapsed, this church was there and 48 years later, it still stands spreading the Gospel, but victory came at a price. The Vietnamese survived the Communist Party threats and persecution.

 

“Faith in Christ was the reason for us to live,” says the pastor of Vietnamese church “Thanks to God’s grace; we could suffer and keep our faith.” Reaching the career-focused, more materialistic youth with the Gospel presents a challenge for the church. Baptists must be willing to change to remain relevant, packaging timeless truth in more contemporary ways.”

 

“Young people have more opportunities and more temptations. In the past, people had nothing, and they longed for some god to lay their hope on. Now, people have so many things to follow.”   As Vietnamese move from poverty to prosperity, some recognize that money isn’t the answer. There’s hope forVietnam. Some have hard hearts but seekers are there.  The question is whether churches are willing to take opportunities to win these people.”

 

What we do today matters for the generation tomorrow just as those who planted seeds before us have affected our growth and life today. 

READ LOVE COMPELLED 2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-15

 

What compels or motives us?  If we truly understand Christ’s love for us, we’ll be motivated to live for Jesus to become a living sacrifice as it says in Romans 12:1,2.   Revelation 1:5,6  If we could get Who this is we would care!  If we’d really grasp this we’d care because we’re a direct result of our belief system.  It doesn’t matter what we say if that isn’t what we live, but our behavior, decisions, what we are living out (our defeats and victories) is coming from what we truly believe when no one is watching. If we’d grasp what Christ has to show us of Himself, it would dramatically transform our entire life system. 3 things Jesus does:

 

  1. He loves us.  Don’t take this lightly.  Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.  Do we really know that? He loves not loved (meaning He still does) 
  2. He has freed us.  (past tense)  Making reference to the cross of Christ.  Our chains aren’t holding us. We’ve been freed. Nothing can force its hold on us. Galatians 5:1  Enemy wants us to think we’re stuck in bondage. We have a calling on our life (Christ loves compels us) that we’ve been set free to do.  We’re compelled by the love of Christ.  Christ has freed us! Ask Christ every morning – reveal Yourself to me, show me something today. Show me the real You. 
  3. He made us to be a kingdom of priests – Jesus will make our lives.  He’ll make us something we can’t be without Him. Isaiah 6 shows the throne in a temple. A throne is royalty and the temple is priesthood. The throne of authority and righteousness is seated there in the sanctuary.  I Peter 2:9    Revelation 1:6  This is a doxology. Doxa – glory – ascribing glory to Christ.  Christ Jesus is 100% divine not only the Son of God. He is God.  Jesus Christ is Lord. 

 

READ LOVE COMMUNICATED ACTS 17:1-4 

When we reach the conviction that Jesus died for each one of us personally, we decide to live no longer for ourselves but for Him. We see life, death, and people very differently. I Cor 5:7 We walk by faith, not by sight. We realize reconciling people with God is the most important thing we can do. I Cor 5:20-21 This makes us ambassadors for Christ, God as it were appealing through us. We implore you, in Christ’s name: be reconciled to God! For our sakes God made Him Who did not know sin, to be sin, so that in Him we might become the very holiness of God.  When Paul spoke in the synagogues, he wisely began by talking about the Old Testament writings and explaining how Jesus fulfilled them, moving from the known to the unknown. This is a good strategy for us.  When we witness for Christ, we should begin where people are, establishing common ground, affirming the truth they do know, and then we can present Jesus, the One who is truth. 

 

READ LOVE CONTINUED I THESSALONIANS 1:2-10

 

Paul commended these Christians for their work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope. These characteristics are the marks of an effective Christian.  The gospel came with power. Whenever the Bible is heard and obeyed, lives are changed. Christianity is more than a collection of interesting facts. It’s the power of God to every one who believes. We should ask ourselves, “What has God’s power done in our lives since we first believed?”  

 

The Holy Spirit changes people when they believe the gospel. When we tell others about Jesus, we must depend on the Holy Spirit to convince them that they need salvation. God’s power changes people – not our cleverness or persuasion. The Holy Spirit not only convicts people of sin but also assures them of the truth of the gospel.

 

v. 5  You know what kind of men we were among you for your benefit.  The Thessalonians could see what Paul was preaching was true because he lived it. Do our lives confirm or contradict what we say we believe?

 

The message of salvation while welcomed with great joy brought suffering because it led to persecution. Having accepted the gospel and new life in Christ, apparently many believed nothing bad or hard would happen to them, but this is not what Jesus promised.  John 16:33   

 

We should respond to the Good News like the Thessalonians did: turn to God, serve God, and wait for Jesus’ return. We should turn from sin to God because Christ’s coming to judge the earth. We should be fervent in service because we have little time before Christ returns and be prepared for Jesus’ return because we don’t know when He’ll come.  

 

Our spiritual lives will be tested by the observing eye of those around us examining what we do with those we disciple, mentor, and gently correct while celebrating their growth. When we do this, we will be approved by the Lord and passing along a legacy of love. 

 Prayer:

Lord, burden each of us to share the love of Christ with another person!

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