2018-07-10
2 https://www.bible.com/bible/1/2CO.5.17.kjvCorinthians 5:17 KJV
Nothing in history compares to what has been accomplished by Christian missionaries. Over one hundred years ago, a writer returning from a trip around the world discovered that missions and missionaries were being bombarded with criticism in the London newspapers. So he wrote a letter to the papers defending missions. In it he said that the transformation of wild savages in the isles of the South Seas was something to behold, and that to make light of this was a heinous crime: “In a voyager, to forget these things is base ineptitude; for should he chance to be at the point of shipwreck on some unknown coast, he will most devoutly pray that the lesson of the missionary may have preceded him.” The author of that letter was none other than Charles Darwin. And after his return from his around-the-world trip he was transformed. Consider the Papuans, one of the aboriginal tribes of New Guinea. Missionaries from Holland began to work with them, and in 1860, the first fruits of the New Holland Mission were seen when a man named Nathaniel Pepper, one of the aborigines, accepted Christ. Some years later, when thousands had been converted, the Papuan school won first prize in academic competitions among the twelve hundred colonial schools in New Holland. Quite a feat! Skeptics may have built a few leprosariums, hospitals and orphanages, but by far it’s been the followers of Jesus Christ who have made the greatest impact on this world.
Soul food: 1 Sam 27-31; Luke 6:1-16; Ps 122; Prov 17:18-21
2018-07-09
Philemon 1:15-16 KJV
What finally brought about an end to slavery? The gospel of Jesus Christ. Note the small letter Paul wrote to Philemon. A runaway slave was thrown into a Roman prison along with Paul, and Paul converted him to Christ. And when the slave was released, Paul sent him back to his owner, Philemon. The custom at that time was to kill escaped slaves after they’d been recaptured. But now Philemon had also become a Christian, another convert of the apostle Paul, who instructed him to “receive him…not…as a servant, but above a servant, a brother.” And in that new brotherhood slavery found its death knell. Now, fast forward to the days of William Wilberforce, who was convicted of his sin and converted under the preaching of John Wesley. Wilberforce, a slight, hunch-backed man, became one of the most powerful members of Parliament. Consumed by the gospel and the freedom that Christ offered, Wilberforce devoted all his energies and eloquence to overthrowing the obnoxious African slave trade. And his success in abolishing it throughout the British Empire led to agitation for similar action in the United States. In fact, it was through the proclamations that thundered from pulpits throughout the northern states that abolitionist parties came into being and succeeded in destroying slavery once and for all. So it was through the church that slavery was eradicated. Jesus came “to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives” (Luke 4:18 NKJV). Are you a member of Christ’s redeemed church? If not, you can sign up today!
Soul food: 1 Sam 24-26; Luke 5:27-39; Ps 110; Prov 17:15-17
2018-07-08
Matthew 16:18 CEV
The Christian church is twice the size of its nearest rival. The odds against that are staggering. Suppose today a group of missionaries showed up in your town and told you that a peasant who’d been put to death was reputed to have risen again. Furthermore, He was no less than the Creator of the universe. Would you buy it? The apostles did in the pagan Roman Empire, and what’s more – they succeeded in overthrowing the Roman Empire. In the face of terrible persecution, Christianity continued to flourish. Even the attempts of Julian the Apostate to overthrow Christianity and re-establish the pagan Roman religions met with no success. When Julian’s onslaught against Christianity was at its worst, one of the emperor’s followers asked a Christian, “What is your carpenter’s son doing now?” The Christian replied, “Making a coffin for your emperor!” It wasn’t long after this that Julian was mortally wounded in battle. Falling to the ground, he picked up a handful of sand mingled with his blood, tossed it into the air, and declared, “Thou hast conquered, O Galilean.” No, the church is not perfect; that’s why people like us are welcome there! Nevertheless, there are many valid reasons why the church of Jesus Christ continues to triumph. It’s a hospital for the wounded, it’s a family for the lonely, and it’s a school for those being trained in the principles of discipleship. And ultimately, when everything temporal goes up in smoke, it’s the only thing that will be left standing (See 2 Peter 3:10-12). So commit your life to Jesus Christ and join His victorious church!
Soul food: Matt 5:7; Matt 18:21-35; Ps 103:8-18; Lam 3:22-24
2018-07-07
Genesis 50:20 NLT
At seventeen, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. At thirty, Pharaoh made him ruler of Egypt. During those thirteen years Joseph suffered terribly at the hands of his brothers. Now he held the power of life and death over them. Yet he chose not only to forgive them, but to feed them in the time of famine. It’s one of the greatest examples of forgiveness in history. As they stand trembling before him, Joseph says: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children. So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them” (vv. 20-21 NLT). Notice four things: (1) Only God understands people’s hearts, therefore only He is qualified to judge them. (2) As you become more mature, you’ll be able to see the hand of God at work in some of the situations you’ve been through; you’ll see the “good” in them rather than the evil. (3) Because you have grown spiritually, you’ll acknowledge that others are capable of growing and changing too. (4) Because of the favor and blessing that God has given you, you’ll not only speak kindly to your offender but be generous toward them. Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44 NKJV). Are you willing to do that? Are you at least willing to pray, “Lord, make me willing?”
Soul food: 1 Sam 20:30-23:29; Luke 5:12-26; Ps 102:18-28; Prov 17:11-14
2018-07-06
Genesis 33:8 NLT
Here’s something you need to know in order to move forward. The person who hurt you may never offer an apology in the manner you desire. After Jacob cheated his brother Esau out of his birthright, things got so bad between them that Jacob went to live with his Uncle Laban in Haran. Later in life, when both brothers had become wealthy and successful in their own right, Jacob decided to seek reconciliation with his brother. At first Esau refused to accept his brother’s gifts, but when Jacob persisted, “Esau finally accepted the gift” (v. 11 NLT). Notice, Jacob never said, “I’m sorry I stole your birthright; please forgive me.” Basically he said, “I’d like to try and make amends.” At this point Esau showed real maturity by valuing his relationship with his brother over his right to exact revenge. So the family was united. There’s a lesson here. God wants you to grow up and exercise spiritual maturity. You can’t control what others do; you can only control your response. Furthermore, if you insist that someone apologize to you – in a certain way – the relationship may never be healed. As a result, you’ll be left holding a grudge. And holding a grudge is like holding a hot coal; it will keep burning you until you let it go. For example, you may want your husband to apologize for his behavior. But if instead he buys you a gift or does something extra nice for you, respond with grace instead of judging either his methods or his motives. In other words, “close the account” and move forward.
Soul food: 1 Sam 18:1-20:29; Luke 5:1-11; Ps 102:12-17; Prov 17:7-10
2018-07-05
John 17:4 NKJV
The ant literally dies working. Now let’s be clear, the Bible doesn’t promote a workaholic lifestyle that endangers your health and causes you to neglect your family. Too many marriages fall apart when a couple subscribes to that philosophy, and too many children grow up resenting the fact that their parents never had time for them. That being understood, the contemporary concept of retirement can’t be found in the Bible. Yes, you may retire from a job, but you never retire from work. As long as you’re alive, there’s always work God wants you to do. Harvard University commissioned a study of some of its graduates. One group of one hundred participants retired at age sixty-five, while those in the other group worked to age seventy-five. In the first group seven out of eight were dead by age seventy-five. In the second group, of those who continued to work – only one in eight had died by age seventy-five. Researchers consequently concluded that retiring too early can reduce longevity. Stop and consider the three-and-a-half-year ministry of Jesus. At the end of it, He said, “I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” Has it ever occurred to you that salvation is available because Jesus proved Himself a faithful laborer who stayed on the task until the job was done? Again, rest, relaxation, and retirement are worthy and well-deserved rewards for a life of hard work. But the truth is, as long as you’re alive God has something for you to do! And in doing it you’ll not only find joy and fulfillment, you’ll bless those around you too.
Soul food: 1 Sam 16-17; Luke 4:31-44; Ps 102:1-11; Prov 17:4-6
