Relationships are Important!

"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news of good things'" (Romans 10:14-15). 

I have some good friends who are missionaries in Brazil. This is an excerpt from their newsletter:

"Romans 10 contains a beautiful passage of Scripture that describes the necessity of hearing the gospel message in order to be saved. This necessity does not only mean that someone hears words, but that they hear with such understanding that they can apply these words to their own lives. In order to communicate anything with anyone, you must have a relationship with that person. When relationships are strong, the likelihood that your message will be listened to increases.

Sharon Beougher

"The best thing about living in Brazil is the relationships that we have developed. It is extremely encouraging for us to spend time with nationals and experience life with them. Why? Because God designed humanity to live in relationships to facilitate the spread of His glory. What a privilege to do what God has designed us to do!"

No matter where we live, God works through relationships. Let us press on to build the relationships God has put in our lives.

Rise Up

"Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead,
and the Messiah will shine on you."
Ephesians 5:14, HCSB

Have you heard the song "Dreamers" by Daniel Bashta? You can hear it on YouTube here. The lyrics stood out to me - they reminded me of the verse above, Romans 16:20, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 and Romans 6:4:

"Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life" (HCSB).

In Ephesians 5:14, what does "the dead" mean? In context (see Ephesians 5), this chapter is talking about living in the light versus walking in darkness.

Kelli Martin

Has something been taking your eyes off God lately? Maybe here and there? I've been asking myself this recently. Christ's sacrifice and God's offer to forgive are meant to free us from living in darkness. God searches hearts and brings light (Job 12:22, Romans 8:27).

Let's get out of our graves - or whatever is holding us back from giving our best adoration to God.

Let's rise up to pursue this relationship and walk with God.

Let's pray God gives us the opportunity to help others understand what it means to find this renewed life in Christ, so they may know Him and find new life in Him, too.

Another great song: "Savior's Here" by Kari Jobe

Discipline and Godliness

"On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."1 Timothy 4:7b-8

Kari Beougher

Our culture today focuses so much attention and media on ways to lengthen life. Eating organically, getting the proper amount of exercise, avoiding certain food, drinks, and habits, etc. We are bombarded with new ways to be as healthy as possible and live life to the fullest extent. And yet, this passage reminds us of how temporary life truly is. Bodily discipline is "only of little profit" with benefits "for the present life."

 Believers certainly have a responsibility to take care of their bodies. However, the discipline of godliness is the only discipline that holds the promise of eternal life. Reading God's Word, prayer, Scripture memorization, worship and service are the only truly lasting disciplines. Godliness is "profitable for all things."

What will we focus our attention on today? What disciplines will occupy our thoughts and time? Today may our relationship with the Lord and pursuit of holiness be our priority.

A Life of Faith

But someone may well say, 'You have faith and I have works;

show me your faith without the works,

and I will show you my faith by my works' (James 2:18).

 

 

If our faith in Christ is only talk, but does not have any actions, then it is worthless.  Our faith must be lived out through our "walk" and not just our "talk."  

 

Sharon Beougher

At the age of 79, an avid atheist named Malcolm Muggeridge became a Christian and joined a church.  As member of the church asked him about his conversion, he said that he was not affected by any books he read, any speaker/preachers he heard or anyone's witnessing techniques.  The factor that caused his transformation was the example of a person living out her faith.  That person was Mother Teresa.  He could not resist what he saw in her life.  He knew that he wanted whatever she had.

 

As we hold on to our faith, we must also be conscious of how we live and what we do. The world is looking at us to see our faith reflected in our actions!

 

Lord, help us not just talk the talk, but walk the walk as well.

The same yesterday, today and forever

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8, NASB). 

Last night, I thought about how God is simply a striking difference from me. I can miss chances to help someone, but His wisdom and love are ongoing. This morning, I read the verse above. It reminded me of Jesus' faithfulness and how much we need Him.

God's love is shown through Jesus' actions. Jesus, God's Son, was a blameless substitute for the price of our wrongs. God kept His Word about the Messiah - Jesus fulfilled this prophecy from the past. Jesus' sacrifice makes it possible for us to be freed today from the grip that sin threatens to have on us. In Him, we can have a restored relationship with our Creator, by grace and through faith.

Kelli Martin

How is Christ changeless? Some thoughts that came to mind for me:

• As God, He is faithful and keeps His promises (Psalm 33:4, Isaiah 9:6)
• His sacrifice sets believers free from fear - our confidence is in Him (Hebrews 4:14-16)
• He vouches for us as our substitute (Hebrews 2:17-18)
• As we face hard times and doubts, He's a disciple's anchor - we believe in Him and His lead (Hebrews 6:19)

Let's thank God for His faithfulness. Let's pray we see times to share this changeless Christ with others.

Song: "Approach My Soul the Mercy Seat" by Sojourn Music 

The God of All Comfort

"In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider— God has made the one as well as the other" Ecclesiastes 7:14

The tragedy of the recent tornadoes is utterly devastating. It is truly unthinkable to imagine what the family members of victims and those who lost all their possessions are going through. My freshman year of college at Union University, an F-4 tornado ripped through the campus destroying 80% of our buildings. I can easily recall the terror and horror of the evening.  In the aftermath of the weeks that followed, I read this passage in Ecclesiastes 7:14 and it brought me such comfort to remember that God is in control. "God has made the one as well as the other." There is nothing that surprises the Lord and that He is not capable of bringing good from. God, in His Sovereignty, is able to "work all things together for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). 

God is Creator and Sustainer of the world and absolutely Sovereign. However, He is also the God of ALL comfort and the Father of MERCIES. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. 

May we commit to praying for the families struck by this horrible tragedy and may we proclaim the Good News of the Gospel to a broken and hurting world.

Too Busy to Pray?

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks;

 for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  (I Thessalonians 5:17-18).

 

                                       I got up early one morning

                                        And rushed into the day

                                     I had so much to accomplish

                                  That I didn't have time to pray.

 

                                     Problems just tumbled about me

                                      And heavier came each task;

                            "Why doesn't God help me?"  I wondered,

                                      He answered, "You didn't ask."

Sharon Beougher

 

                         I wanted to see joy and beauty,

But the day toiled on gray and bleak;

I wondered why God didn't show me.

He said, "You didn't seek."

 

I tried to come into God's presence,

I used all my keys at the lock.

God gently and lovingly chided,    

"My child, you didn't knock.:"

 

                                  I woke up early this morning

                           And paused before entering the day

                                 I had so much to accomplish

                                 That I had to take time to pray.

 

                      Lord, help us not be so busy that we don't take time to pray. 

                      Teach us how to pray without ceasing.  As we pray, always

                      let us be aware of at least one person we can pray for to

                      come to know You and Your plan of salvation.