To Life!

 

 

Matt Levy, cbn.com

Serving on staff at The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) is an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. I get to connect with people from all walks of life, in multiple countries, and on many different levels. I create financial partnerships with our supporters and pray over a variety of topics—spanning from a mother’s prayer for the healing of her child who skinned their knee to a prayer of desperation for much more significant healing in a stage 4 cancer patient. Whether you’re calling the CBN prayer center to pray for a loved one or to let us know that you’ve just prayed with Gordon or Terry to follow Jesus for the first time, there is undoubtedly a Spirit-filled anointing of life with each conversation.

One of my favorite prayers is with Christians for their unbelieving family members, neighbors, and friends. Many times, the prayer request goes something like this: “My dad is a truly good guy. He’s caring, generous, very kind, and supportive, but he just doesn’t believe in Jesus.” We all long for our loved ones to know Jesus as we do!

New life is born every day in hospitals around the world. And new life is also established in holy matrimony, where two become “one flesh.” But the ultimate new life is being born again—new life through a spiritual birth in Jesus, which is available to all.

A difficult truth for some to embrace is that Jesus didn’t die to make bad people good. He didn’t die to make good people better. Instead, He died to make dead people alive!

Consider this passage in Ezekiel regarding a future salvation for the Jewish people:

“This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD”
(Ezekiel 37:5-6 NIV).

Just as it was prophesied that new life will be breathed into the Jewish people (Ezekiel 39:27-29, Rom 11:25-27), so also, will new life be breathed into all who believe (Ephesians 2:1-5).

In reading Ezekiel 37-39, I can’t help but see God’s character revealed as the God of love. The God of grace. The God of mercy. Multiple times God says through the prophet Ezekiel, “I will gather you” and “put my spirit in you.” When we look back from the beginning of our day, it is easy to overlook the many drops of mercy that drips from God’s hands.

Whether dry bones of the Jewish people as foretold by the prophet Ezekiel, or a simple, yet powerful, surrender and embrace by anyone believing the message of the Gospel at a neighborhood church service, the method of salvation is the same. Our God breathes new life into our bones, a supernatural reality to all who believe. This is a fantastic reason for us to rejoice today!

So, join me in celebrating this new birth all over the world, the salvation of our souls. From death to life!

The Father’s Calling

 

Isaac Earlenbaugh – cbn.com

My dad was raised without the kindness of a father until his mother remarried a man I only knew as grandpa. Grandpa served in the United States Marines and as a U.S. mailman. Grandpa was a man of courage, grit, integrity, and under the surface was a huge heart. He assumed the role of fatherhood, stepping into superhero stature when he accepted my dad as his own son. He wasn’t a perfect father, but he loved his children and grandchildren.

When Grandpa went to be with the Lord, the world seemed to stand still, but his example will always command action. His life remains like a monument in my mind. For me, he served as a reminder of how our Heavenly Father has adopted each of us as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself. Despite what our past says about us, we are invited into a righteous standing with God. This is not simply an invitation but a calling.

And in Christ, we have already been accepted. God the Father has called us His own and has given us all we need!

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires (2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV).

Truly consider this fact: You have been called a child of God! The Father gave His only son, Jesus, to bridge the gap that sin created—and He has received us as His very own. This is extraordinary news. Not only have we been accepted into the family of God, but we have also been invited to participate in God’s divine nature.

It is with this sacrificial adoption that we have received such an inheritance from our Heavenly Father, who equipped us for every good work—so that we would be compelled in the service of God. Such a wonderful gift commands action.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love (2 Peter 1:4-7 NIV).

Why not take a moment today to remember someone in your life who stands out as an example of the Father’s kindness? Grandpa was that example to me. Think of those who inspire you in the service of the Lord. Also, do you find rest in the acceptance of your Heavenly Father? If you are looking for someone to accept you, you’re in the right place. There is an invitation with your name on it. And if you want to affirm your identity as a child of God and receive the call He has placed on your life, the Father’s arms are wide open.

Sound the Alarm All Over the World

 

 

Ulises Aaron Gomez Mendez -cbn.com

Noises surround us in this swift and fast world. We have made some of them useful — for example, the sound of a cell phone’s alarm to wake us up or remind us to exercise. Even the microwave beeps when the food is ready and warm. Noise alerts are those noises that help us live well. What would become of us without these alarms?

The Word of God warns us about and gives the value of alarms, both to the one who sends the message and the one who receives it:

Then if those who hear the alarm refuse to take action, it is their own fault if they die. They heard the alarm but ignored it, so the responsibility is theirs. If they had listened to the warning, they could have saved their lives (Ezekiel 33:4-6 NLT).

God has given us the opportunity to be those living alarms, those alarms that encourage the helpless, that raise the fallen. God has put His Word in our mouths for salvation for this time. By His mercy, we have been chosen as watchmen.  Because of this, we have the responsibility to use any means to issue the alert: messages, images, voice notes, movies and songs—anything goes to carry the loving and encouraging message of God, as it says in Ezekiel:

…You are saying, ‘Our sins are heavy upon us; we are wasting away! How can we survive?’ As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live (Ezekiel 33:10-11).

The word “alarm” can scare us, but the noble work of an alarm is just to keep us safe. The Bible invites us to change, to leave our sinful lives behind.

Today, we have television and mass media within reach to broadcast the message. As it says in 1 Peter 5:8-10:

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So, after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

In Mexico, we live in a culture of disaster prevention due to our history with earthquakes. Seismic alarms and alerts are part of our society. I was born on September 19, 1985, and have survived the Mexican earthquakes of 1985 and 2017. My life was spared and I believe it is my duty to raise my voice, sound the alert, and activate the greatest alarm in history: Christ is the way, the truth, the life —and He will return soon for everyone who loves him.

As an editor of Christian programming, I am currently experiencing the exciting honor of sharing this message of hope with Latin America. From CBN México Studios, we sound the trumpets and pray that everyone can hear the alarm and stay safe while it is sounding.

The Fiery Trial

 

 

Kimberly Poteet -cbn.com

My husband has faint scars on his arms and hands.

It was not unusual to get the occasional burn at his former place of employment. He once worked at a die-cast factory, forcing molten metal into molds to form automotive parts.

The process began by putting chunks of impure metal into a hot furnace.

Then, once the metal melted, the refiner would throw in handfuls of granules that helped to separate the impurities from the pure liquid metal. These impurities looked like clumps of black lava as they broke loose and floated to the top of the silver molten liquid. The refiner then used a large metal tool to skim the surface and remove them.

This process continued until no further impurities floated to the top.

But the real way to know if the metal was free of impurities came when the refiner leaned over and looked upon the vat of liquid metal. When he saw his reflection—like looking into a mirror—he knew it was ready.

In 1 Peter 4:12-13 NLT, believers in Christ were told:

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.”

Most Christians would not consider fiery trials and suffering as reasons to be very glad. In fact, it seems logical that such things should be avoided.

In Matthew 16:21, Jesus told His disciples about how He would suffer terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He said he would even be killed. But He added that on the third day, He would be raised from the dead.

This did not make sense to Jesus’ disciples.

“Heaven forbid, Lord,” Peter said to Jesus in verse 22. “This will never happen to you!” 

Peter probably thought he was being loyal, even a good friend.

But in verse 23, Jesus said:

“Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

In verse 24, Jesus said to His disciples,

“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”

Following Christ—even during the hard times—promises great rewards for believers.

This spiritual refining process helps Christians to identify with Christ’s sufferings. It also helps sanctify us from those sinful habits that try to weigh us down in life — to keep us from accomplishing God’s purpose for our lives.

So, when the Lord allows the heat to get turned up in our lives at times, it is not for nothing. He is the Refiner who removes these impurities from us so that His reflection is evident to all.

He is molding us into a strong creation that is not easily broken. He is shaping us into His own likeness.

The Thankful Heart

 

Aaron M Little -cbn.com

The soft plaster and drywall underneath the dining room window should have motivated a response long before the decay forced me to provide one. The hidden water damage was discovered shortly after moving into our family home in 2007, but it was an easily ignored nuisance in an under-used room. As a 29-year-old father with a pregnant wife, full-time job, and graduate school course load, there were more pressing matters at hand. At the time, I did not expect a delayed reaction to also include spiritual consequences.

Fast-forward to November of 2018 (yep, over a decade later) when an attempt to be a 40-year-old handyman resulted in an onion-peeling experience revealing just how serious decades of a small water offensive could be. As the baseboards disintegrated while prying them loose, the crumbling drywall exposed many completely rotted 2x4s that framed the window. This was an unwelcome nightmare of a problem to face right before Thanksgiving. Suddenly, gratitude and thankfulness were not residing in my heart. Hope had taken a serious hit as the holiday season would now kick off at a $2,000.00 deficit because of this unplanned repair expense.

I wish I could say that I immediately recognized this situation as an attempt by the enemy to steal my joy and peace. If only I had just shrugged it off and called the contractor without being stressed, frustrated, and even angry. The emotions of, “Why now?” and “Why me?” were overwhelming and my heart was way off from the appropriate place for the season of gratefulness. A focus on circumstances resulted in a hopelessly negative and defeated attitude.

In the same way, circumstances in today’s world can seem oppressive. Most of us are experiencing the pinch of finances in response to rising inflation. Political division is invading almost every facet of life. The government, media, and entertainment industries are racing to indoctrinate our children to abandon any semblance of a God-fearing existence. Hope is at a premium. Thankfulness is elusive. Circumstances appear bleak.

As Christians, we cannot afford to lose hope. We must prioritize gratefulness. In this, God’s word is clear:

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15, CSB).

Our hearts are our religious center. If we profess faith in Christ, He is therefore the cornerstone of our existence. Revering Christ naturally results in unending gratitude on our part, but also as the Scripture states, be prepared to share our hope. But we cannot share what we do not possess.

This world is in chaos. People are in pain. Christians must be the ambassadors of hope. We are to be a beacon of light amidst this darkness. Faith in Jesus Christ gives us more to be thankful for this season above any circumstance the world can throw at us. People are desperate for this hope. We have it. We must live in it. We must offer hope.

As we scurry through the holidays experiencing heightened stress and busyness, encountering challenges and frustrations in our paths, stop and reflect on God’s Word. Does your heart revere Christ as Lord? Is Jesus your center? If this is true, the way you live your life will attract attention. Those around you will notice your hope, so much so that they will ask, “How is it possible?” Are you prepared to give the reason for the hope that you have?

My dining room window was reframed. New drywall, plaster, and paint have been applied. Rehabilitation has occurred. Life is full of frustrations, challenges, and disappointments, but God is a God of restoration. He is calling us to live beyond our circumstances so that we can be sources of hope. Don’t let the discouraging situations of life rob you of a heart of thankfulness. Be grateful for hope. Share it. When people ask how you do it, be ready to give your answer this season and beyond.

Set Apart By God

 

Janice Moore – cbn.com

Peter understood the mission of the people of God. He beautifully describes it in the following Scripture:

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9 NIV).

Peter is saying we are of the office or of the position of a priest (priesthood)—and not just a priest but a splendid, magnificent, royal one.

When I first read this, I thought, really me? A severely withdrawn girl from the westside of Chicago, called out of darkness to be a part of a holy nation, a kingdom of priests?

I know now, yes, I am—and so are you. God’s priests. We are set apart for the very same reason priests were set apart in the Bible. Priests were set apart, called, and made holy for a purpose, a job, a ministry, and most importantly, to carry out the mission of God. Priests were not set apart to be isolated from people or pompously parade around the community, nor to condemn. God says be holy for I am holy. Priests are called to live out the character of a loving God—to be the hands and feet of our Lord—and so are we.

Our priestly calling brought us out of darkness and the muck and mire of sin into His marvelous light to bless His people and to live out our lives shining His truths and love throughout our world.

Several years ago, I volunteered at a pregnancy resource center as well as clinics for women. There, I spent time talking and ministering to them. It was the most rewarding time of my life. It was my calling, my priesthood, my ministry. As a ministering vessel, God used me to minister to many individuals at those facilities.

Peter says in 1 Peter 3:15:

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

We need to be ready, in season and out of season, to share our hope and faith. We may not always see the salvation of the Lord in people we minister to, but our mission is to share our hope in God. And God will shine His face upon them, lift up His countenance to them and give them His peace. Basically, He will do it all.

Lord, I pray that we realize we are Your chosen ones, Your priests called out of darkness to be set aside and sanctified to declare the works of the Lord. We, as ministers and priests, are to let our light shine so you, Lord, are seen and You are glorified.

Please Pass the Blessings

 

 

Gordon Robertson – President and CEO, CBN

The story of Jacob sounds like a soap opera, yet God was in the midst of it. Jacob and Esau were the twin sons of Isaac and grandsons of Abraham. Before their birth, God told Rebekah,

“Two nations are in your womb … and the older shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23).

Jacob tried to be first from the beginning, grabbing Esau’s heel as he was born; thus his name means heel-grabber.

Jacob was also a good cook, and it was for a bowl of his stew that Esau traded away his birthright as the eldest son. Later, Esau took two Hittite wives who were a grief to his parents. Rebekah then helped Jacob trick Isaac into blessing him instead of Esau. When Esau planned to kill Jacob, Rebekah convinced Isaac to send Jacob away to find a wife among her relatives.

Genesis 28:10 tells us, Jacob went out from Beersheba. Often, when you take that first step of faith on a journey, God meets you there. Jacob dreamed of a ladder from earth to heaven—and there God spoke to him.

Although he fell in love with Rachel, Jacob the trickster was tricked by his Uncle Laban into marrying her older sister first. The two wives were bitter rivals, involving their servants in a race to have children—twelve sons total. When Jacob finally headed home with his family, he didn’t know if Esau still wanted him dead.

He wrestled all night with God, who said,

“Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed” (Genesis 32:28).

If life had been easy, would he have persevered and prevailed?

The key is that Isaac had blessed Jacob:

“May God Almighty bless you and give you many children. And may your descendants multiply and become many nations! May God pass on to you and your descendants the blessings he promised to Abraham” (Genesis 28:3-4 NLT).

This was God’s plan. The blessings God gave Abraham were passed to Isaac, who bestowed them on Jacob. Through him came the twelve tribes of Israel, then the Messiah.

So this Thanksgiving, give thanks for what God has done, then pray over your family and bless them all. Pass along the wonderful blessings that God has freely given to you. As Galatians 3:14 says,

“Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham” (NLT).

God bless you.