Arguments Happen

 

 

Vernell Windsor – Prayer Center Coach, cbn.com

I had a heated argument with my boyfriend over the phone in college. I stood directly in front of a mirror as I spoke very loudly. I saw that terrifying look of anger on my face and thought, Who are you, and what have you done with Vernell?

It sounds funny now, but that experience taught me that I got too angry. While reading Acts 15, I pondered their argument about the need to circumcise the Gentiles for salvation. Did these men of God exhibit more restraint than I did? Paul, one of my heroes, probably let them know precisely what he thought about them and their ideas!

Acts 15:2 says,

“And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders.”

We have a modern saying, “Go big or go home!” So, Paul and Barnabas went to the top authorities of their day for resolution as the magnitude of the argument warranted it.

The spirited debate continued in Jerusalem. Peter intervened to bring forth the wisdom of God. It must have sounded like a modern-day mic drop! Let’s read what Peter said to them,

“And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will” (Acts 15:8-11).

Clearly, confrontations can occur at any level. Peter’s manner of speech brought silence to those gathered. James was able to make his recommendation to the council after hearing about all the wonders the Lord had done through Paul and Barnabas. There is nothing like the wisdom of God to get to the heart of a matter.

Paul, Barnabas, and Peter recognized the grace of God upon the Gentiles. They boldly spoke the mind of Christ to those gathered. The Lord did not ask anyone for permission to pour out His Spirit upon the Gentiles. Peter was an eyewitness to the Holy Spirit’s visitation upon Cornelius and his whole family in Acts 10. This same outpouring reached all the way through time to me! After college, I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and boldly proclaimed the name of Jesus as well!

As believers, God invites us to come to Him for His wisdom in those difficult situations with others. Of course, arguments happen, but God prevails when we yield to Him.

The Gift of Difficulty

 

 

Fabiola Rojas Perez – Digital Media Assistant – CBN Costa Rica and CBN Latino, cbn.com

A few days ago, I reviewed viewer messages to Superlibro through our social media platforms. As is very common, people often write to us looking for a comforting word of encouragement or prayer. However, this time, I came across a note that deeply touched my heart, and I felt compelled to stop my work and pray to the Lord.

Heartbroken and confused, I expressed my question to the Lord, “How can it be possible that there are brothers in Christ going through such difficult situations?” I remained silent until God brought to my mind the words of Paul and Barnabas to the disciples of Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch:

“We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22

So, I opened my Bible and read the entire chapter. The Disciple Luke recounts the persecution facing Paul and Barnabas because they preached the gospel. However, in the last verses, he emphasizes that despite these difficulties, they must continue with their mission to train and exhort the disciples of Jesus and persevere in their faith despite trials. God used this story from His Word to bring conviction to my heart and teach me that He uses difficulties to make His work evident in us and prepare us for the day our Lord Jesus returns. After learning this valuable lesson, I responded to the writer to encourage her to persevere in her faith journey, to take notice of the Lord working in her life – even in painful situations – and I shared with her about the gift of difficulty.

Many Christians have been taught that tribulations are not for God’s children, failing to realize the significant place suffering has as part of God’s plan to use our lives. On the contrary, suffering is a gift that builds our character and requires us to rely on Him, which ultimately glorifies Jesus!

It is typical for these situations to confuse us for a moment, and we even demand answers as Job did with the Lord (Job 13:3). However, this gift does not escape God’s will, but rather what makes it even more beautiful is that He promised to be right there with us in every difficult process we face. The shadow of His wings is the best place to understand that He is sovereign and governs everything that happens in our lives, and this is our hope in times of trouble.

If you are also facing a difficult time, I invite you to pray and ask God for direction so that you can understand what He is forming in your character through your difficult circumstances. And, as David says in Psalm 57:1,

“I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.”

Rest in His sovereignty and take heart amid pain because He is faithful in perfecting you until the day of His return.

Why the Word?

 

 

Terry Meeuwsen – Co-Host – The 700 Club, cbn.com

When I first made a commitment to Christ in the early 70s, the Word of God cut through the hardness of my heart and caused me to recognize my need for the Savior. I had been singing professionally and was a self-sufficient, self-centered, cynical young woman. I thought I knew what I wanted and what it would take to make me happy. I had set about trying to achieve those goals with fervor. Spurning God wasn’t a conscious effort on my part. He simply wasn’t part of the equation.

I grew up in Wisconsin and attended church regularly, knew catechism, could verbalize church doctrine, and was baptized and confirmed. But I had never read the Word of God. I knew nothing about it. In our home, we went to church regularly, prayed before meals and at bedtime, and observed Christian holidays. I knew about God but I didn’t know Him.

Many years later when a young girl asked me if I was a Christian, I wasn’t sure how to answer. She gave me a little pamphlet called The Four Spiritual Laws, and that night, alone in my hotel room; I read the biblical plan of salvation. As I read the pamphlet, the Scriptures practically leaped off the page at me. I recognized how far away from God I was. I was also drawn to a sense of purity and righteousness in the Scriptures. I wasn’t sure if God was real. But I knew that if what I was reading was available, I needed it. The Word of God convicted me of my sin and at the same time revealed God’s love to me.

I’d had preconceived ideas about the Bible even though I’d never read it. I thought it was impossible to understand and that it contradicted itself. Fortunately, the young girl who had given me that little pamphlet also gave me a modern translation of the New Testament. I grudgingly agree to read a chapter a day. To my amazement, I couldn’t put it down. It was all totally new to me.

I didn’t know the Old Testament from the New Testament. I didn’t realize that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were four accounts of the life of Christ. As I read some of the same gospel accounts I was irritated because I thought someone was moving my bookmarker. I had no idea that Jesus was coming again. But I began to understand how much God loved me, and I began to walk with Him.

What an incredible journey it’s been. Through it all, His Word has been a steady, unfailing compass. God’s Word says,

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6 (NKJV)

Yet God’s great love letter to us is at our fingertips. He’s given us the instruction manual for all creation, and it’s filled with advice, principles, and promises. I encourage you to get into the Word yourself. As you read these jewels of Scripture taken from God’s Holy Word, I am praying that your faith will be built and your heart encouraged. May He touch you right where you are with His grace and His love.

Fireworks and Faith

 

 

Lina Johnson – Prayer Center Coach

“If I buy some fireworks for the 4th of July, can I set them off at your house so we can all enjoy them?” my friend Allen asked.

“I’ll pray about it,” I answered with my usual response.

I sought the Lord, and I heard Him say to my spirit, “No one will get hurt.” I had peace. I called Allen and told him yes.

That 4th of July was beautiful — perfect temperature, no humidity, and no rain. Who could ask for a better night?

My best friend Sarah and I spread blankets at the top of the driveway against the garage. We put a baby fence in front of the blankets to keep our young children from the temptation to run down the driveway into danger. Then we all sat down to enjoy the show; me with my three-year-old son Daniel in my lap. We were all having a great time. The fireworks were beautiful. Everything seemed perfect.

Allen dropped the next firework into the launching tube. As he lit it, he bumped the tube, and it fell. Instantly, a bright blue glowing firework headed straight toward my face! I could not move because Daniel was still on my lap. I remember it so clearly. I closed my eyes, crying out to God, “No! God, You said no one would get hurt!” My silent cry to God was heard by Him and Him alone. Yet, when I opened my eyes, the firework was gone!

Sarah was patting the blanket around us looking for ash or even a burn mark. There was nothing! I looked at Sarah and she told me, “The firework was headed straight for your face. It got a foot away, dropped straight down to the ground, and disappeared!”

We looked all around us. There was no sign of it happening at all – no ash, nothing!

Ephesians 6:10-18 instructs us to put on the full armor of God. I strive to do this every day. That night, it was the shield of faith from verse 16 that saved me and my son Daniel.

…above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one (Ephesians 6:16).

From studying Romans 10:17, we know that faith comes by hearing. I had spent time with God, listening to His voice. Therefore, when the time came, I was able to stand on His promise and no one got hurt. Oh, how important it is to spend time with the Lord and in His Word! We cannot stand on what we do not know. That 4th of July, we literally saw God use a shield of faith to quench a fiery dart. God is so good!

He tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

God wants to direct us, we just need to be still and listen.

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10a).

Justification

 

Ian Walton – Regional Director, Southern Africa, cbn.com

Job 25:4 poses a question that’s hardwired inside every one of us and accompanied by a deep, instinctive longing to be fully reconciled with our Creator:

“How can a man be in the right before God?” (ESV).

The answer: justification by faith in Jesus.

What is justification exactly? Biblically, it is a legal declaration from God that we are innocent of sin. Instead of being punished, we are declared right before Him. It is not mere pardon – justification still respects the law. Rather, it is an act by which God determines to treat the guilty as righteous, just as if they had not sinned. The basis for this? The finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ at the cross. He takes our place as Accused Number 1 and is put to death in our place.

“He who knew no sin becomes sin for us, broken for our brokenness” (2 Corinthians 5:21, author’s paraphrase).

Researching and writing this has made me realize how absolutely central the doctrine of justification is to our faith. It really is at the heart of all that we are called to believe, live by, and proclaim as Christians. Martin Luther wrote that justification is the cornerstone of Christianity. It sets our faith apart from all other world religions. And it is only possible because of God’s scandalous grace. No wonder our false sense of justice and piety makes it so difficult to accept.

The thief on the cross next to Jesus, instantly and wholly justified with just a few words of simple faith, is a powerful reminder that restoring the relationship between God and us is by grace alone through faith, not by any goodness on our part! God counts us as righteous through faith, justifying us because of Christ. The history-splitting sacrifice of Jesus, or atonement, justifies a fallen world before a Holy God. So that humans can once again walk and talk in relationship with Him, full of hope and wonderfully free.

Have you truly, fully embraced the mind-blowing doctrine of justification? Yet, His Word teaches us that it is a gift that we must keep grabbing onto to live the abundant, eternal, and freedom-proclaiming life for which we are all made! And it is also a gift we need to experience and tell unbelievers around us about – so they too can live free and fully justified before their Creator.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

Inside Out

 

Nia Taylor – Trainer – Virginia Beach Prayer Center, cbn.com

Have you ever felt like God’s not there, or He’s not listening? I have felt this more than I would like to admit. I wonder if Job may have felt that God wasn’t hearing him either when I read his petition in Job 23:

He says “Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning. If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say to me. Would he vigorously oppose me? No, he would not press charges against me. There the upright can establish their innocence before him, and there I would be delivered forever from my judge. “But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

If God tested us, would we come out as pure gold? Sometimes we are looking for Him, and He is right there waiting to see what we will do next. So often, I’ve looked to God for answers, and I realize that He was waiting on me to trust in Him!

When I met my husband, I didn’t question God; I just knew that God was in this union without a shadow of a doubt. However, in other areas of my life, I am constantly questioning my moves and if God wants me to do this or that. When times get scary, and things get rough, it is hard for us to trust God sometimes, but as believers, we have the Holy Spirit living inside us! God is always the answer, and we have the answer living in us! How cool is that?

Job was in a place where he wanted to state his case before God so the suffering might end. He didn’t know how his story would encourage us and help us through difficult situations so many years later. We are thankful for Job’s suffering because it helps us deal with our own. It helps us understand the character of the God we serve.

Today if you are struggling with finding God for an answer to life’s problems, look to the Holy Spirit within you. He will guide you. Trust whose you are and know that He is not gone, but sometimes the teacher is silent during the test.

The Good News

 

 

Maria Stockman – Digital Copywriter, cbn.com

As I stood on the stone steps of Joppa looking at the hoary wooden door, reading the sign that says House of Simon the Tanner’s, I couldn’t help but praise God for this blessing. Not only was I in Israel, but right where I stood was where God changed my eternity. In Joppa, a tiny town on the Mediterranean Sea, Peter is given a vision by the Lord, including the instructions, “What God has made clean, do not call common” (Acts 10:9-16). This vision was about more than just the food the Jews were allowed to eat; it was the moment that God commanded Peter to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. So as a Gentile, I praise God for this provision.

Having an opportunity to travel to Israel and walk the same streets and visit the same sites that Jesus did so many years ago was an incredible experience. My visit to Joppa was not on our planned tour, but just a short walking distance from our hotel. Joppa was so nice that I visited twice! Because it was the first part of my trip, I tried to remind myself throughout my journey to frame what I was seeing and learning through this posture of praise and thanksgiving that God made a way for me to be in community with Him forever.

In Acts 10:34, we do not know to how many people Peter is sharing the gospel, but we see him doing it boldly and simply. He opens his preaching with a statement effectively explaining that this message is for all:

“…Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”

Right before his sermon ends, Peter says,

“and he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead” (verse 42).

So again, I am thankful for Peter and the disciples and their willingness to obey God as He called them to share Jesus with everyone.

Could you imagine being the first people Peter shared about Jesus, having doors open for you that weren’t possible before? I suspect these new believers found themselves praising God and thanking Him for making a way for them!

As a believer, aren’t you thankful for Peter’s obedience to share Jesus with the entire world? I am forever grateful that the Word of God was taken throughout the nations and ultimately to my ears many years later.

Today I want to encourage you with two things. First, who shared Jesus with you? Say a special prayer to the Lord of thanks for them. If possible, reach out to them and thank them for sharing the Good News with you and helping lay the foundation for your eternity in heaven with Jesus! Second, who in your life needs to hear the Good News? Be bold and find strength in Jesus as you share the best news someone will ever hear!