2021-06-23
Acts 15:37-38 NLT
Paul and Barnabas were a great missionary team. On their first tour, a young man named John Mark had joined them. But it seems he had grown homesick and returned to Jerusalem. On their second missionary tour, Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them again, but Paul said no. “Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark…Paul chose Silas” (vv. 39-40 NLT).
Can you imagine it; two spiritual giants couldn’t resolve their conflict! Yes, it happens in the best of circles. Paul was the totally focused, no-nonsense type. Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement,” was the long-suffering and lovable type who believed in reconciliation and refused to strike anybody off his list. There are two valuable lessons in this story about handling disagreements.
(1) When it comes to our friends and family members, we all have blind spots. Rare is the leader who has the objectivity to look beyond a blood bond and focus on what is best for the organization. As a result, the vision God gave them often suffers.
(2) Sometimes you need a wise and trusted third party to help resolve the problem. When it comes to trouble in the church, Jesus laid down clear guidelines. First, you must go privately, one on one, and deal with the issue. Second, if that doesn’t work, you should take one or two others with you and try to resolve it. Third, you must take the situation to mature spiritual leaders and get their input (See Matthew 18:15-18). That’s the scriptural way to handle disagreements, and it must be our way too.
Soul food: Jer 7-9; Luke 2:8-20; Ps 8; Prov 14:9-12
2021-06-22
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Some skeptics like to say, “Which ‘god’ are you talking about: Thor, Zeus, etc?” The inference in this question is, “These were mythical gods, and so is yours.” Atheists are correct about these gods being myths. Man gravitates toward idolatry as a moth does to a flame.
There are millions of false gods. Hinduism has about 330 million. But there is only one creator, and that’s the God who revealed Himself to Moses and gave us His moral law. That’s the God who became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, died and rose for us, and provided salvation. And that’s the God you will have to face on judgment day. You say, “I don’t believe in judgment day!” What if you are wrong?
Another argument atheists use is that they can’t prove God doesn’t exist, just as you and I can’t prove the tooth fairy doesn’t exist. This is pseudo-intellectual and a condescending way of equating belief in God with belief in the tooth fairy. It’s true that we cannot disprove the existence of either one.
However, as one minister writes, “Belief in the existence of the tooth fairy is inconsequential. Belief in and therefore obedience to God has eternal consequences.” Irrevocable ones! The Bible says: “For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God” (Romans 14:10-12 NIV). Today accept Jesus as your Saviour, and you’ll meet God in peace.
Soul food: Jer 4-6; Luke 2:1-7; Ps 144:9-15; Prov 14:5-8
2021-06-21
Romans 9:5 NIV
Some people say that Jesus Christ never existed. A Christian minister writes: “While skeptics may choose to reject the Bible’s moral message, they cannot deny its historical accuracy. Over 25,000 archaeological finds demonstrate that the people, places, and events mentioned in the Bible are real and are accurately described [25,000, no less!]. No archaeological finding has ever refuted the Bible. In fact, the descriptions in the Bible have often led archaeologists to amazing discoveries. Non-Christian journalist Jeffrey Sheler, author of the book Is The Bible True?, concluded, ‘In extraordinary ways, modern archaeology is affirming the historical core of the Old and New Testaments, supporting key portions of crucial biblical stories.'”
Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection are irrefutable historical facts. Josephus, among the most renowned of Jewish historians, is attributed as writing this: “Now, there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works – a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this date.”
Jesus not only lived, but He died that you might have eternal life. Receive Him today as your Saviour.
Soul food: Jer 1-3; Luke 1:67-80; Ps 144:1-8; Prov 14:1-4
2021-06-20
2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV
How can we trust the Bible when men wrote it? Answer: Do you write the letter or does the pen? The pen is merely the instrument you use. In the same way, God used men as instruments to write His “letter” to humanity. That’s why Sir Isaac Newton said, “I find more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible, than in any profane history whatsoever.” That’s why Winston Churchill said of Scripture: “Let men of science and learning expound their knowledge and probe with their researches every detail of the records which have been preserved to us from those dim ages. All they will do is fortify the grand simplicity and essential accuracy of the recorded truths which have lighted so far the pilgrimage of men.”
There’s a reason why Abraham Lincoln said, “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man.” Josh McDowell, a Christian apologist says: “Here’s the picture: 1500 years, 60 generations, 40 authors, different walks of life, different places, different times, different moods, different continents, three languages, writing on hundreds of controversial subjects. Yet when they are brought together there is absolute harmony from beginning to end…There is no other book in history to even compare to the uniqueness of this continuity.”
You can trust your Bible. Its prophecies have been fulfilled, its promises have been time tested, and its principles for living really work. Do you know why the Bible was written? John gives us the answer: “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13 NKJV).
Soul food: 1 Ki 17:1-7; 1 Ki 18:41-46; Mark 4:35-41
2021-06-19
Romans 2:4 NLT
Isn’t the church full of hypocrites? The word hypocrite comes from the Greek word for “actor.” Hypocrisy is “the practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold.” The true church of Jesus Christ is made up of true believers; hypocrites are “pretenders” who sit among God’s people. Jesus even had one among His twelve disciples – Judas.
Let’s be honest; people have left the church because of hypocrisy. There are more actors in the church than in Hollywood. Hypocrisy runs rampant in the modern church – but be careful if you judge it. Remember the old bumper sticker: “Christians are not perfect, just forgiven”?
Before you take it upon yourself to pass judgment upon people who make mistakes and struggle with weaknesses, read these words: “You may think you condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (vv. 1-4 NLT). Don’t worry about the hypocrites in the church; God will sort them out, the “wheat” from the “tares” (See Matthew 13:30).
Soul food: Hosea 11-14; Luke 1:57-66; Ps 139:13-24; Prov 13:25
2021-06-18
2 Peter 3:13 NIV
What about suffering – doesn’t that prove there isn’t a loving God? Adam was given a choice: to obey God or disobey Him. He chose disobedience, and God said, “Cursed is the ground [earth] because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life” (Genesis 3:17 NIV). Note the word “painful.” Think how many people are plagued with cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, emphysema, Parkinson’s disease, and other debilitating illnesses. Did God “blow it” when He created humanity? Sadly, many use the issue of suffering as an excuse to reject any thought of God, when His existence is the very reason we should believe in Him.
In the beginning God created perfect humans, and they lived in a perfect world without suffering – it was heaven on earth. When sin came into the world, death and misery came with it. What’s the ultimate answer? “We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found…at peace with him” (2 Peter 3:13-14 NIV).
Suffering reached its zenith when Jesus said from the cross, “It is finished.” Those words mean “paid in full.” They mean when you accept Jesus as your Saviour, you will go to heaven when you die, and you will live in a glorious earth made new without sin or suffering. “No eye has seen…no ear has heard…no human mind has conceived – the things God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV). If you’re not sure this is true, today put your trust in Jesus.
Soul food: Hosea 6-10; Luke 1:39-56; Ps 139:7-12; Prov 13:24
