News You Can Use

Remember years ago when Christians were persecuted?

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Christian Persecution Information

Verse of the day

1Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

Daily Devotional – April 28

Truth or fiction?

Do a Google search on "bible myths" and you will get 7,370,000 sites either promoting or dispelling such. I ran across one just recently that was very sophisticated that asked such questions as:

• How do we explain the way that God ignores amputees?
• How do we explain the fact that Christians need health insurance?
• How do we explain the fact that you cannot move a mountain?
• How do we explain the fact that bad things consistently happen to good people?
• How do we explain the fact that God is a huge proponent of slavery?
• How do we explain the fact that God demands animal and human sacrifice?

And a host of other questions.

These questions are interesting, valid and ones that any child would ask.

They are also questions that Christians should ask!

If we fail as Christians to ask the same questions that the world asks, then how do we expect to be able to answer them? More importantly, when faced with these questions in our lives do we bury our heads in the sand or does our own faith waver?

Even though we currently "see through a glass darkly" if we "study" we will understand those things that the world simply "can't".

Only then can we possibly be the light that can help the lost separate the truth from the fiction.

Daily Devotional – April 27

 

Can you imagine?

Most of us realize that the reason we do or don't in this life is for a reason.  It shouldn't be:

• out of obligation,
• just because it is the right or wrong thing to do,
• because we want a reward,
• or because we want recognition 

No, most of us realize that the only motivation for doing for Christ is because we love him.  That is the reason he did (and does) for us, and that should be the reason we desire to do for him and please him.

Even though this is the case in our Christian life, Christ tells us that what HE has in store for us is beyond our wildest imaginings.  

1CORINTHIANS 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

This shouldn't be our motivation for serving him, but it certainly gives us something to look forward to.  But what?  

I can't even imagine…

News You Can Use

We often approach things from a religious perspective, failing to realize that there is often secular application.  This from a site that helps business people overcome the habit of swearing (cussin' for us common folk)

Cuss Control: So What's Wrong With Swearing:

Swearing Imposes a Personal Penalty

• It gives a bad impression
• It makes you unpleasant to be with
• It endangers your relationships
• It's a tool for whiners and complainers
• It reduces respect people have for you
• It shows you don't have control
• It's a sign of a bad attitude
• It discloses a lack of character
• It's immature
• It reflects ignorance
• It sets a bad example

Swearing is Bad for Society

• It contributes to the decline of civility
• It represents the dumbing down of America
• It offends more people than you think
• It makes others uncomfortable
• It is disrespectful of others
• It turns discussions into arguments
• It can be a sign of hostility
• It can lead to violence

Swearing corrupts the English language

• It's abrasive, lazy language
• It doesn't communicate clearly
• It neglects more meaningful words
• It lacks imagination
• It has lost its effectiveness

Verse of the day

ROMANS 14:8
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

Daily Devotional – April 26

 

What is the greatest thing?  Part 2.

April 13's post suggested that many Christians think that the greatest thing is love, and that Jesus himself echoed this during his earthly ministry.

There is something that trumps love though, and it is imperative that humanity is aware of it.  

Rigthteousness–God's righteousness trumps love.

Ever hear someone say, "God wouldn't send someone to hell–man sends himself there."  Our sovereign and all powerful God DOES send those who reject him to hell, and no amount of love in the universe can save those who choose the unregenerate path.  Yes, God so loved the world that he gave his Son–but it was so that humanity could be reconciled to God's righteousness through the sacrifice of His Son.  Without that sacrifice, all of the love in the world would not save us from the pure and consuming righteousness of our awesome creator. 

Hebrews 10:31 [It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 

We need to remember to use our love to help others reach that reconciliation. 

Psalms 9:8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

Verse of the day

2CORINTHIANS 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me

Daily Devotional – April 25

 

"And Jesus said to them, ""I am the bread of life.  He who comes to Me
shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."""
JOHN 6:35

We know how to use physical bread.  Whenever we are hungry we simply go and eat.  Do we do that spiritually?  Jesus said if we believe in Him, we will never be spiritually hungry, or malnourished, for He is the ""bread of life."" Every time we face a spiritual need, it is a simple matter of going to Christ and allowing Him to provide us with what we need.

Our problem is that sometimes we interpret Scripture based on our own experience.  We say, "Yes, but I remember a time when I was spiritually hungry." If that is true, then either God did not tell the truth, or we misinterpreted our experience.  Could it be that we tried to satisfy our spiritual hunger with human resources?  Could it be that we relied so heavily upon friends and the experiences of others that we have never learned how to go to Christ for our own spiritual food?  Could it be that we had a great spiritual feast several years ago, and we were so "full" of Christ that we thought we would never have to eat again?  We grew lean and hungry because we were still operating on an encounter with God we had years ago.  If you are lacking something spiritually, it is not because God does not have an abundance of resources prepared and available for you.  It is that you have not come to Him in faith as He invites (John 10:10).

When God gave manna in the wilderness, the children of Israel had to go out each day to receive God's daily provision.  Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." Spiritual nourishment is something you must seek daily.  Have you found spiritual food from Christ today?

Verse of the day

PROVERBS 10:17
He [is in] the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.