The Skeptic

The Skeptic

From: Our Daily Journey

Mar 13, 2017

Read:

John 20:24-29
“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed (John 20:28).

Not long after the fall of the Iron Curtain, I traveled to Ukraine with a Christian ministry. One evening, I met with two college students who peppered me with questions about faith and God. I was struck by their open and earnest searching, because they had lived for years under a communist regime in which God and religion were outlawed. They weren’t looking for easy answers, but simply wanted to figure out what they believed.

It’s likely this encounter has stuck with me because I often operate the opposite way—with a skeptical rather than seeking posture. I can be overly cautious, slow to commit, and prone to poke holes in a belief wherever I possibly can.

Perhaps Thomas was somewhat similar. After Jesus’ resurrection, the Savior met with His disciples, but Thomas wasn’t there. When the disciples excitedly told the skeptical disciple about their encounter, Thomas dismissed the story. “I won’t believe it,” he insisted, “unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side” (John 20:25).

It’s unfortunate we’ve saddled the disciple with the name “doubting Thomas,” for apparently Jesus was little bothered by Thomas’ suspicion. Jesus came to him, offering His wounds for him to investigate. Face to face with his friend and teacher, the skeptic fell to his knees. “My Lord and my God!” he exclaimed (John 20:28).

Perhaps it would have been better if Thomas had been able to take his friends’ words without requiring evidence, but I’m struck by Jesus’ kindness. He came to Thomas, loving him even in his doubt. None of us has to leap very far to find ourselves in Jesus’ open arms. We have only to say yes to the love He offers to us.

The Piercing Question

The Piercing Question

From: Utmost.org

March 1, 2017

 

Do you love Me? —John 21:17

 

 

Peter’s response to this piercing question is considerably different from the bold defiance he exhibited only a few days before when he declared, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” (Matthew 26:35; also see Matthew 26:33-34). Our natural individuality, or our natural self, boldly speaks out and declares its feelings. But the true love within our inner spiritual self can be discovered only by experiencing the hurt of this question of Jesus Christ. Peter loved Jesus in the way any natural man loves a good person. Yet that is nothing but emotional love. It may reach deeply into our natural self, but it never penetrates to the spirit of a person. True love never simply declares itself. Jesus said, “Whoever confesses Me before men [that is, confesses his love by everything he does, not merely by his words], him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8).

Unless we are experiencing the hurt of facing every deception about ourselves, we have hindered the work of the Word of God in our lives. The Word of God inflicts hurt on us more than sin ever could, because sin dulls our senses. But this question of the Lord intensifies our sensitivities to the point that this hurt produced by Jesus is the most exquisite pain conceivable. It hurts not only on the natural level, but also on the deeper spiritual level. “For the Word of God is living and powerful…, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit…”— to the point that no deception can remain (Hebrews 4:12). When the Lord asks us this question, it is impossible to think and respond properly, because when the Lord speaks directly to us, the pain is too intense. It causes such a tremendous hurt that any part of our life which may be out of line with His will can feel the pain. There is never any mistaking the pain of the Lord’s Word by His children, but the moment that pain is felt is the very moment at which God reveals His truth to us.

The Viral Gospel

Good Deeds Are Part Of Christianity

The Viral Gospel

February 21, 2017

From: Our Daily Bread

Read: 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 | Bible in a Year: Numbers 1–3; Mark 3

The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. 1 Thessalonians 1:8

The Viral Texts project at Northeastern University in Boston is studying how printed content in the 1800s spread through newspapers—the social media network of that day. If an article was reprinted 50 times or more, they considered that “viral” for the Industrial Age. Writing in Smithsonian magazine, Britt Peterson noted that a nineteenth-century news article describing which followers of Jesus were executed for their faith appeared in at least 110 different publications.

When the apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica, he commended them for their bold and joyful witness to Jesus. “The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere” (1 Thess. 1:8). The message of the gospel went viral through these people whose lives had been transformed by Jesus Christ. In spite of difficulties and persecution, they could not remain silent.

Lord Jesus, help us to live boldly and tell others about You today.

We convey the story of forgiveness and eternal life in Christ through kind hearts, helping hands, and honest words from all of us who know the Lord. The gospel transforms us and the lives of those we meet.

May the message ring out from us for all to hear today!

Lord Jesus, help us to live boldly and tell others about You today.

There’s no better news than the gospel—spread the word!

Stand Firm in the Lord        Philippians 4: 6-8

…6   Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

7   And the peace of God,which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts andyour minds in Christ Jesus.

8   Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.

Being in Christ brings peace. A little baby sleeps with mom and dad watching. When you sleep in Christ the angels and God are watching.

Spiritual peace

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” John 14:27

Suggested Further Reading: Ephesians 2:11-21

If you would maintain unbroken peace, take advice from God’s minister this morning, young though he be in years. Take advice, which he can warrant to be good, for it is Scriptural. If you would keep your peace continual and unbroken, look always to the sacrifice of Christ; never permit your eye to turn to anything but Jesus. When you repent, my hearer, still keep your eye on the cross; when you labour, labour in the strength of the crucified One. Everything you do, whether it be self-examination, fasting, meditation, or prayer, do all under the shadow of Jesus’ cross; or otherwise, no matter how you live, your peace will be but a sorry thing; you shall be full of disquiet and of sore trouble. Live near the cross and your peace shall be continual. Another piece of advice. Walk humbly with your God. Peace is a jewel; God puts it on your finger; be proud of it, and he will take it off again. Peace is a noble garment; boast of your dress, and God will take it away from you. Remember the hole of the pit whence you were digged, and the quarry of nature whence you were hewn; and when you have the bright crown of peace on your head, remember your black feet; nay, even when that crown is there, cover it and your face still with those two wings, the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ. In this way shall your peace be maintained. And again, walk in holiness, avoid every appearance of evil. “Be not conformed to this world.” Stand up for truth and rectitude. Suffer not the maxims of men to sway your judgment. Seek the Holy Spirit that you may live like Christ, and live near to Christ, and your peace shall not be interrupted.

For meditation: The Christian has permanent peace with God (Romans 5:1). The ruling peace of Christ in the heart is not supposed to be an optional extra (Colossians 3:15).

Children need God. They need their moms to teach them. 

Hebrews 12:5-11
No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

February 17, 2017 The One Small Prayer That Fulfills Our Greatest Dream ALICIA BRUXVOORT

“And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” >Luke 11:9 (ESV)

“So, what’s your greatest dream?” I asked my new friend, Heidi, as we lay beneath the moon with a gaggle of sleeping girls and a splattering of starlight.

We’d spent the week as camp counselors together. We’d chased squirrels from the bath house. We’d chased boys away from our chocolate stash, and we’d tried to chase a handful of little girls closer to the heart of Jesus.

But we hadn’t talked about the dreams we planned to chase when we left church camp in the morning.

Heidi intrigued me. She oozed joy, moved with confidence and offered grace with ease. She was purposeful, but not pushy. Tenacious, yet tensile. Popular, not plastic. But it was her relationship with Jesus that intrigued me most.

Heidi lived like our Savior was lingering beside her. When the canoe teetered and the girls wailed, she’d laughed and invited Jesus to calm the current — as if He were sitting right next to us in that tipsy boat. And when our homesick campers cried in the dark of night, she’d prayed as if the One who’d spun the stars stood bent over those wooden bunk beds, too.

Maybe that’s why I asked that question in the dark of night. With her vibrant personality and confidence in Jesus, I was certain Heidi could accomplish anything she aimed to do.

“I want Jesus to be my greatest dream,” she whispered wistfully. “How about you?”

Did I dare tell the truth? I wanted Jesus to bless my greatest dreams, but I wasn’t certain I wanted Him to be my greatest dream. I wanted to do ambitious things for my Savior, but I wasn’t planning to make Him my chief ambition.

“I don’t think I love Jesus enough to make Him my greatest dream,” I finally admitted.

“That’s okay,” Heidi said as she gave my hand an understanding squeeze. “All you have to do is ask. That’s a prayer Jesus loves to answer.”

Though our paths never crossed again, Heidi’s words stuck with me long after the sweet summer we shared. And, over the years, when I grew weary of my own striving, and I slowed long enough to wonder why I felt so empty inside, I’d think of my friend from church camp and echo her simple prayer.

Jesus, be my greatest dream. I want to love You more.

At first, I wasn’t sure it would work. Or maybe, I wasn’t even sure I wanted it to work. After all, I had big dreams for my life, and Heidi’s prayer seemed so small.

But, in time, I found that even my grandest ambitions failed to satisfy me. My most significant accomplishments still left my soul sapped and wanting.

So, I followed the advice of Luke 11:9 and persisted in prayer.

Jesus, be my greatest dream. I want to love You more.

I prayed it when I got my first job offer and when I received my first byline.

I prayed it when I kissed the first child of my womb and when I signed my first mortgage.

I prayed it when my plans thrived and when my plans failed, when my expectations were met and when they weren’t.

I persisted until that small plea became the greatest cry of my heart.

And not long ago, I realized that the 44-year-old woman staring back at me in the mirror has something in common with that radiant young friend I met long ago at church camp.

I really do love Jesus more.

More than my well-laid plans.

More than my fabulous family.

More than my achievements or success.

More than my fears or my failures.

More than my hopes or my wishes.

More than a 15-year-old girl ever thought she could when she lay beneath the stars with a gaggle of little girls and a friend who dreamed big.

I can’t pinpoint when it happened, but somewhere along the way, my Savior answered my prayer.

And, sweet friend, He’d love to do the same for you.

We could pray it together — this big and beautiful prayer — and see where it takes us. I have a feeling that it will lead us somewhere far beyond our wildest dreams.

Dear Jesus, be my greatest dream. I want to love You more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Love God Your Lord

5.    “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with

all your might.…  Deuteronomy  6:4

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February 15, 2017 I Longed for Something More GLYNNIS WHITWER

“… It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel — I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this …” 2 Samuel 6:21-22a (NIV)

Growing up in a traditional church, singing traditional hymns, meant being a Christian was very matter-of-fact for me. I was a Christian in the same way I would have told you I was a student. It was very … academic.

Nothing much changed in my faith experience. Every Sunday, I gathered with faithful men and women of God, who taught Sunday School and served on committees. It was wonderful, and I grew up loving God’s Word and His church. Yet, something in me longed for more.

Then during high school, I was introduced to a new style of Christian music. These songs depicted a faith in God that was passionate and alive.

Something stirred within me as I listened to that music. The “more” I wanted was taking shape. My faith was expanding from head-knowledge to life-changing.

I can still picture myself in a sold-out symphony hall before a live concert as half the room yelled, “We love Jesus, yes we do. We love Jesus, how ’bout you?” I was on the other side, and we answered as loudly as we could, repeating the challenge. Joy and celebration vibrated through the hall as we shouted, jumped up and down, and waved our arms in the air for love of Jesus.

It was completely undignified and I was completely undone … never to be the same. I knew I wanted a faith like that. I wanted to be so excited about Jesus that it overflowed, and I didn’t care what my worship of Him looked like to others.

A few years ago, I read the story of King David dancing before the Lord. Now there was someone who didn’t worry what others thought. David had overseen the return of the ark of the Lord, and as it neared, he couldn’t contain his joy. He replaced his kingly attire with a simple outfit and danced with all his might.

His wife, Michal, watched from the window and didn’t approve of David’s behavior. She was disgusted with him and told him so. David wasn’t fazed and responded with words that encourage me today: “… It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel — I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this …” (2 Samuel 6:21-22a).

David was so in tune with God’s heart that he was unconcerned with any judgmental comments. David’s only focus was on worshipping his God with sincerity and abandon.

That’s my hope and prayer for myself. I want my longing for more of God to help me completely release my fears and worship with uncontained joy. One day, when I’m too old to dance, in some people’s opinions, I hope you’ll find my wrinkled hands raised, my gray head bobbing and my body swaying in worship — still wanting more. And then one day, beyond that, all my longings will be fulfilled. Oh, what a day that will be!

Dear Lord, King David got it right, and I want to as well. You are worthy of all my worship and adoration. Forgive me for letting other’s opinions influence how I worship You. Help me focus more on Your majesty and less on myself. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Coming Home

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.   Philippians 1: 21.

  I have been  crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and  gave himself for me.    Galatians 2: 20

1. How do you feel about going home to heaven?

2. Is the thought of going home a happy one?

3. Why is it scary to go home to heaven?

4. Is there joy and happiness in going home to heaven?

5. Did you know heaven is certain through faith in Jesus Christ?

Goin’ Home!

From; Get More Strength.org, By: Joe Stowell

Feb

10

2016

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

At the age of 96, my Dad went home to be with the Lord. I have to tell you those last few days with him were precious days in many ways, but most precious was the way our hearts were drawn to Jesus and heaven. The business of life has a way of blotting out what is really important. There’s nothing like standing at death’s door to remind you that life is fast and fragile, but if you have Jesus and the assurance of going home to be with Him at the end, you really have all you need.

As he spent his last days with us, my dad wanted all of us to sing hymns about heaven and seeing Jesus. These were those old songs that he had sung since he was a boy with words like, “When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus,” the song said, “we’ll sing and shout the victory.” Or maybe some of you know this one: “This world is not my home, I’m just passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue . . . and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.” Dad’s favorite, though, was an old hymn that concluded with these words, “And I shall see Him face to face and tell the story—saved by grace!”

Needless to say, these songs were sung with a few tears in our eyes. But underneath the tears was the solid and joyful confidence that he was moving on to a better place. Which made it easy to reply when someone said to me, “I hear you lost your dad”—“No, I know exactly where he is!”

I will never forget those last few days. They may have been the most significant hours I have ever spent with my dad. And the way he died reminded me of lessons he had tried to teach me since I was a boy. Watching my dad die stirred my heart afresh to live now for Jesus in a way that makes finally seeing him face-to-face a highly anticipated joy. Death for my dad was not a thing to be feared, but a door to all that is far better. He believed what Paul said when he wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

My heart was also stirred to think about living now for things that will last forever. I remember Dad telling me years ago, “Only one life,” he would say, “will soon be past, and only what’s done for Christ will last!” Through his life, he had invested heavily in eternal things. And now he was about ready to reap the dividends. None of his money, property, or things meant anything on his deathbed. All he had was what he had sent on ahead—and that was a lot!

And being with my dad when he died also reminded me to build relationships now that make those who will stand around my bedside grateful that they knew me. Just before he went home, my dad looked up at me and said, “Joe, we’re pals, aren’t we?” I’m going to hang on to that memory for the rest of my life!

Which reminds me of what C. S. Lewis said when he wrote, “Aim at heaven and you get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither!”