the main point.

Today is a grace day and so that means I get to choose what I want to write about. I hope it is ok that I am choosing to write about Revelation. So here we go!

I am not sure, but I'd be willing to bet that this particular book is one of the most studied, most talked about, and most "argued over " books in the New Testament! Lets face it, it's just so irresistable. It's full of dragons, harlets, bowls of wrath, hybrid beasts, predictions, warnings, angels, demons... And let's not forget...those haunting horses who's riders bring with them impending death and destruction!! Phew!

For the most part, many people think of this book as a book about the future. They would be right because it contains many future elements, but what the reader needs to know and remember is that this book a "beginning to end" book. Really, the book is a symbolic synopsis of the entire history of the heavens and the earth, and also it's future. Pretty cool, if you ask me!

It explains the fall of Satan, and reveals to us his evil plots and plans. It recounts and foretells to us the struggles and plight of man, but let us keep the main point of this book THE MAIN POINT! In a world enveloped by suffering, evil and darkness, most importantly, it reveals to us FROM whom and BY whom our SALVATION COMES!! ... BEHOLD THE LAMB!!... BEHOLD THE RIDER who is KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS!!

I am not a bible scholar, but it seems evident to me that there are two main climax's in this book. The first is in chapter five when Jesus is revealed as the Lamb (Savior). At this time we see that all authority has been given to Him for the salvation of mankind. The second climax is in chapter nineteen when Jesus is revealed as the King (Lord). At this time it is revealed that all authority has been given to Him to rule and reign eternally. So then, the two main climax's are centered around ONE main purpose! Revealing Jesus!

Whatever our theories are about the "End Times" or what has been revealed in this book, I think it is important to remember the point!... Jesus revealed.

Our Savior!.. Our Lord!.. And our COMING KING!

So be encouraged! You don't have to understand everything in this book in order to reap the INTENDED benefit of this book! The world is a dark and scary place, and our enemy (the devil) has a very sinister plan... But our Savior and Lord has overcome our enemy, and He has overcome the world!! Set your eyes on Him, hold fast to your faith, and then we too shall OVERCOME!!

Then... HALLELUJAH! We will join with eternity and worship the KING!!

Can I get a??.. AMEN!

Guest Blogger: Anna Finley

am I getting ready?

Revelation 12-22 is a summarization of all that is happening today, the judgment to come, and a glimpse of the beginning of eternity. As the news events appear each day in the newspapers or on the Internet, it becomes evident that the harvest of the earth is becoming ripe. Then the wrath of God, as revealed in the seven plagues, will be poured out. Judgment and suffering are in store for those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s book of life.

What difference can I make in their lives? What influence can I have in order to affect their eternal destiny?

We have a choice; we can allow our sins to pile up as high as the heavens, or we can come out of Babylon. God’s people will not participate in the sins of this world nor receive the plagues that will be poured out. Make the choice now, and have your name written in the Lamb’s book of life.

How does it all end? Salvation and glory and power belong to our God. The marriage of the Lamb will come, and His bride will be dressed in fine linen, bright and clean. Am I getting ready to be that bride? Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Lastly, for those who overcome, they will inherit and dwell in the New Jerusalem, the Tabernacle of God. I want to be there and be one of God’s people. Christ is coming quickly, and His reward is with Him. Jesus said, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus (Rev 22:20).

Today's Blogger: Ernie Thompson

Tomorrow's Text: Grace Day

we get to spend eternity with Him!

Rev. 1:1-11:19


Today we start reading the last book of the New Testament.

The apostle John wrote this book while he was exiled to an island because of his Christian beliefs. God gave him this Revelation of Jesus' return to earth. The message was originally sent to 7 churches in the area the Romans called Asia. The present country of Turkey is the location of these cities today.

The reading we are doing at this time is to survey the broad picture of this book. Don’t become frustrated in trying to sort out all the details at this point. You have the rest of your life to study. For now try to see the big picture. Here are a few thoughts that may help.

In the first 3 chapters God encourages and challenges the churches to evaluate their current relationship with Him. Are they faithful or are they drifting away? Take a few minutes to ask this question of yourself as you read through the book.

Remember this is a Revelation (singular) of the 2nd coming of Jesus. Note the certainty of the fact that what He promised He will do. Live in light of this truth.

There in fact have always been tribulations and trials living in a sinful world and they may intensify towards the end. However, tribulation is only for a time and when He comes He will make all things right.

If some of the descriptions of these judgments frighten you, remember you have been saved by the blood of Jesus and you do not have to face the wrath of God’s judgments unless you reject His Son. In the end we know He wins and we get to spend eternity with Him. What a joyful message!

Today's Blogger: Rev. Barry Kwallek

Tomorrow's Text: Rev. 12:1-22:21

w w j d

2 Tim, 1, 2, 3 John, Jude


In the books 1-3 John, John talks a lot about the commandment we have received to love one another. I think we all know about this commandment, but do we truly know the meaning of this commandment deep inside?

For example, it’s one thing to read books and watch videos about war; it’s another thing entirely to go to war. It’s one thing to hear about the Grand Canyon; it’s another thing entirely to view it yourself. An experience is always superior to simply having knowledge. So, does that mean we have to string ourselves up on a cross to understand love? I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I could pull that one off more than once.

We can find the answer in I John 2:7-8. To paraphrase John, he says “When I tell you guys to love one another, I’m not telling you anything new. But even though it’s an old truth, it’s been given new life! Jesus lived this truth, and since we watched Him do it, we get to live this truth too.”

It wasn’t just Jesus dying on the cross that showed us love. His whole life was love. Why could John say in I John 4:8 that God is love? Because He walked with Jesus and realized what God was really like, because Jesus was “God with skin on”.

Simply put, if we know Jesus, we know how to follow God’s commands and be just like Him. How would Jesus treat your friend? How would Jesus reach out to your co-worker?

When we spend enough time in His presence to know how He loves us, it’s a whole lot easier to do it ourselves. Let us not merely look at Jesus’ recorded life as a cookbook to loving others, but also seek intimacy with the One that defined love with His life. Then we can truly be “Jesus with skin on” to those we are called to.

Today's Blogger: Tim Chapman

Tomorrow's Text: Rev. 1:1-11:19

a prayer of strength over me

John 11-21

One of the things I have found to be very beneficial and is now something I look for throughout the scriptures, are prayers that the writer has written out as he has spoken them over the reader. I have fallen in love with these types of prayers because of the power that rests in them and the amount of revelation that is accompanied with them.

Often times these prayers seem to add an even more personal touch to the passage I am reading, as if Jesus or Paul or any of the other writers are standing with me in my situation praying a prayer of strength over me and reminding me of my true identity as a Son of the Most High God.

Recently I had another one of these experiences where I came across a prayer and so identified with it that I made it my own. It is found in John 17:

Father, You granted Your Son Jesus authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those You have given Him. Now this is eternal life: that we may KNOW You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You sent…. Holy Father, protect us by the power of Your name – the name You gave Your Son – so that we, Your people, may be one as You and Your Son are one….so that we may have the full measure of Your joy within us…. Sanctify us by the truth…. May we also be in You so that the world may know that You sent Your Son Jesus. You have given us the glory that You gave Your Son. May we be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You have loved us… Your Son has made You known to us, and will continue to make You known in order that the love You have for us may be in us and that Your Son may be in us.

Today's Blogger: Rob Hagstrom


Tomorrow's Text: 2 Tim.; 1 John; 2 John; 3 John; Jude

once upon a puppy . . .

John 1:1-10:42

A year or 2 after I got married my wife and I decided we wanted to get a dog. My wife was always a “dog person” because she had grown up with them. A lot of them. I think at one point they had 8 Dobermans and a Gordon Setter. I never had any mammals for pets growing up, but I sure did think they were cute.

We had decided to get a Jack Russel Terrier. We named him Kruger and he came from a several time US and Canadian national racing champion and serious working dog stock. Kruger was nothing short of a riot. He would bounce off the walls and tear all over the place. We had all kinds of fun with him until our daughter Ella came.

For a time, they co-existed very well together. But there was a point when Kruger became more aggressive toward Ella and we had to let him go. This was not his fault it was ours (for not being able to give him the exercise he required), but the simple fact was that Ella was family and Kruger was not.

I thought of this experience as I was reading John. John 8:35 “Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.” He is talking about how we are all slaves to sin, but is the Son sets us free, we will be free indeed. When we put our faith in him and turn from our sins, we are part of His family! The maker of the heavens and the earth, the giver of life, the redeemer, the almighty... yup, He’s my father!

Today's Blogger: Dave Bode

Tomorrow's Text: John 11:1-21:25

clear!

“Refresh my heart in Christ.” Philemon 20b

Recently my 68 year old father underwent a procedure called a Cardioversion. It’s a harsh procedure where part of the process is “shocking” or “numbing” the heart into a flat lined state with electric paddles.

Just like that procedure we too will go through seasons or events that stop us dead in our tracks and rend us immobile and unable to function.

“Heart stopping” moments like an unexpected diagnosis, betrayal, the sudden loss of a job, or the death of a loved one. These are the circumstances the enemy uses to cause us to doubt and lose hope (flat line)….

Interestingly enough after my father’s procedure I asked the nurse if they actually had to “shock” the heart again to get it started. Her reply was “no”. She also said something that really stuck with me. She said, “99.9% of the time the heart starts back on its own.”

At that moment I was reminded that all things are possible and that we can trust that if we chose to turn to the Lord He promises to refresh our hearts in Him and give us the strength we need to work through the pain and live, laugh, and love again. The apostle Paul reminds us that we are conquerors in Christ and when we are at our weakest He promises to be strong “in us” (2 Corinthians 12). Simply put, Jesus helps our hearts to start beating again!

I asked the nurse what all the doctors and nurses do when the heart that has been stopped actually starts beating again. She said “after a few tense moments when we finally see the heart take its first beat we all shout, 'Hurray!'”

I can’t help but believe that heaven is waiting to shout “Hurray” over your and my life today!


Today's Blogger: Sherrie Anderson

Tomorrow's Text: Grace Day

you have what it takes!

Philemon; 1 Peter; 2 Peter; 1 Tim.; Titus

“His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” – II Peter 1:3, 4 (emphasis added)


“You have what it takes!” It’s a powerful message encapsulated in a simple and concise statement. It’s a message that elicits confidence from a place of personal affirmation and validation. It is a seed of the truth that we are deeply and absolutely loved and accepted; that nothing we say or do could ever change that love. Once that truth is firmly rooted in our belief system it has the ability to radically alter the trajectory of our lives. It propels us into a life of purpose. So the question remains, if we truly are partakers in the very nature of God and possess everything needed to live a life that pleases God, why do we find it so difficult live from that place of truth?

For the answer, I look at the story of the one who penned this revelation. Peter was a hardened fisherman; a self-made man. He was boisterous and confident. He was loyal and passionate. In spite of that, Peter experienced a soul-crushing failure at one of the most defining moments of his life. He betrayed his friend and Messiah when he denied his association with Jesus. I can only imagine the video collage that endlessly rolled through his mind’s eye; the “I should have’s” and “I wish I had’s” that haunted his every waking moment. His regret and self-doubt must have been debilitating. He was a broken and defeated.

How did Peter overcome? When Peter encountered his risen Savior on the shores of the Sea of Tiberias (John 21), everything changed. Jesus lifted Peter out of the mire of his regret when He restored him to relationship. Jesus then went a step further, rescuing Peter from the pit of self-doubt, when He commissioned him back into ministry. I believe that Jesus expressed to Peter, “You have what it takes!” In that moment Peter received affirmation and validation. A seed of truth took root in Peter’s belief system and changed his life. It was that personal revelation that Peter later confidently declared to us.

We are deeply and absolutely loved and accepted. Nothing could ever change that truth. The voice of regret and self-doubt no longer has a hold. Be empowered by the voice of your heavenly Father as He speaks to you that “You have what it takes!”

Today's Blogger: Greg Ross

Tomorrow's Text: Grace Day

a home in our hearts

Colossians, Hebrews


Occasionally, I wish I had the time just to lie on my back and watch the clouds go by.

A few weeks ago, I was driving north to the city and having these cloud thoughts when I looked straight ahead and saw an amazing thing: my initial in the clouds! “J” was right there in the fluffiness – and then I glanced to the right and saw a “W” – my name was written in the clouds!

I pulled over and stopped so I could take a photo, but as you can see the clouds were already dissipating and my special “message” was being eroded away by the second.

In Colossians, we read that Jesus Christ, creator of everything in the Universe, actually holds it all together by His power.

Most people can identify with the hugeness of God, the awesomeness of His power throughout the universe. Yet, the same Lord who holds it all together is the One who touches our individual lives in such a personal way that we can respond to His love for the unlovely “me.” He writes His name into our hearts and lives.

We see in Hebrews 11 the long list of those who, by faith, heard Him speak guidance and followed all the way – even unto death. They are commended for acting on the word God spoke to their hearts. They are held up as models to encourage us to press forward to reach the goal that the Lord holds before each of our lives.

What a great God we serve! He not only provides for every need of the whole world, He knows the finest details about my life, and your life, and already has planned for our future needs to be supplied in a loving way!

There is nothing that escapes Him and there is nothing impossible for Him.
Can I trust Him in the everyday pressures I face? You bet! Will I follow wherever He leads me? Will I share my deepest thoughts and feelings freely with Him? I hope I can.

He is full of goodness and mercy and continually pours His grace and love into our lives – He does not force Himself, although He could, but seeks to walk with us in partnership, in loving relationship.

He seeks to find a home in our hearts.

Today's Blogger: Pastor Jerry Warsaw

Tomorrow's Text: Philemon; 1 Peter; 2 Peter; 1 Tim.; Titus

aspirations for a minor role

Luke 24:1 – 24:53 ; Ephesians ; Philippians

Theater has been part of my life since I was young – even now I enjoy working with a local high school drama club in the Fall and Spring and love watching a show come together. When I was in 10th grade, I remember auditioning for a musical and knew from the start that I had little chance of a good part – in fact, when we ordered our cast T-shirts I had them print “Boy in the Background” on the back of mine, celebrating my anonymity. The end of Luke’s gospel reveals a minor role that I aspire to play and hope that the audition of my heart is satisfactory.

Simon of Cyrene – I am grateful for the sacrifice of Jesus and have become very aware that I don’t have to climb up on that cross. Our Father wants nothing more than for us to release our fleshly desire to suffer more in addition to the cross and simply accept Christ’s atoning sacrifice as complete. However – as one who tends to proceed with caution in many things I am struck with how near to Jesus’ sacrifice that Simon of Cyrene came. He didn’t end up nailed to it, but he carried the cross up the hill – he was close . . . close enough to smell blood . . . close enough to hear the labored breath.

He was from northern Africa, a father of 2 sons and little more is known of him – a minor role. Carrying the cross up to Golgotha I can only speculate what went through his mind, but as a father myself, I often look at people in the midst of trauma and consider that they too are someone’s child. It wasn’t the steps of this previously unknown man that redeemed us – but the blood-slicked footprints of our Redeemer and sandled steps of this “Boy in the Background” shared an identical path to the place of redemption. Simon walked close.

God help me not to distance myself from the crucifixion while still allowing You to pay the full price for me.

Today's Blogger: James Harrington


Tomorrow's Text: Colossians; Hebrews

"wasting" my life to love Jesus

Luke 10:38-42

For those of you who know me, you know I am a very task-oriented person. I love to accomplish tasks, make things happen, and get stuff done.

When I moved to Mexico in June 2009 to work in a church, I had a whole list of expectations and tasks that I thought I would be completing in my 15 months on the job. It turns out the Lord had another idea. As the result of some uncontrollable factors, my job descriptions was changed and I found myself working in the House of Prayer. (The HOP here, similar to that of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, is a place where people gather to worship and intercede).

So, you can imagine my thrill (sarcasm) when my job went from organizing and executing to spending anywhere from 2-10 hours in the prayer room daily. I couldn’t help but think to myself that my time could be used more efficiently or effectively somewhere else. I almost felt like the very skills and talents the Lord has given me were going to waste just sitting there praying.

In January I had the opportunity to go visit the IHOP in Kansas City. I was talking with a friend there when the Lord used him to speak so clearly to me—Am I willing to “waste” my talents, my skill, my life, to love Jesus?

I have read the story of Mary and Martha many times, and I have heard several sermons about this passage, but for some reason it never quite sank in like it did that day in Missouri.

Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in “advancing the Kingdom” that we forget the importance of just loving on the Lord.

Sometimes we need to slow down and let our to-do list wait and do what could seem like a waste of time to us. We need to throw logic out the window and sit at the feet of Jesus and just love Him, because that is ultimately what we were put here to do.

Today's Blogger: Traci Cavanaugh

Tomorrow's Text: Luke 21:1-24:53; Ephesians; Philippians

how can I be sure?

Luke 1

Do you ever wonder if God will really come through for you?

Zechariah must have. He and his wife spent decades praying and asking God for a child… but got no response.

One day an angel shows up, frightens Zechariah to death, and gives him the best news he’s ever had: he’s going to be a father!

You’d think that after decades of desperately longing for a child, Zechariah would respond like he had just won the lottery. But something holds him back. Something causes him to respond instead with a question:

“How can I be sure of this?”

Now, when I ask that question, angelic visitation is usually pretty high on my list of ways God can prove himself to me.

Why did Zechariah respond this way?

Did the years of unanswered prayers discourage him so much that he was afraid to hope? Had the disappointment caused him to doubt that God really cared for him? Did the promise that his son would be a prophet just seem too good to be true?

Contrast this with Mary’s response, mere verses later, when an angel shows up and tells her something even more improbable. She, a virgin, is going to give birth to the Messiah. What’s her question?

“How will this be?”

Her question assumes that God will do it. She doesn’t understand how it can happen. She wants to know more. But she believes.

What’s your response when God doesn’t meet your expectations?

Do you allow unanswered prayers and unfulfilled dreams to keep you from seeing the goodness and faithfulness of God? Would not even an angelic visitation be enough to convince you?

Or do you continue to look to God and trust Him even as you cry “God, I don’t understand!”

Today's Blogger: Tom Warsaw


Tomorrow's Text: Luke 10:1-20:47

my refuge in You

“And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:7

I love to lie in the cool grass on a summer’s evening and watch the sunset blanket farms and fields in its warmth. There are very few things that recreate such a profound sense of stillness in my soul. But, I’ve been wondering, why do I feel such peace at the sight of a sunset? Why should I be at peace at all? Should I look for peace in the beauty that surrounds me? Should I look for peace in the lifestyle I provide for myself? Should I look for peace in the fellowship of others? What is my sanity anchored to?

I love Sister Sylvia Evans’ quote: “You know you're resting when the thought of being totally dependent on God doesn't bother you.”

As Paul explains in this verse from Philippians, true and lasting peace is not rooted in anything of this world. It stems from a deep-rooted trust in these two pillars: God is able to do anything, and God is the very embodiment of love. Anything else we lean on will prove in time that it cannot hold the weight of our expectations.

Thank God that this truth transcends all understanding… that it doesn’t have to add up. By His Grace, we are given the power to rest in the uncomfortable places, thrive in hostile environments, and let the stillness in our souls influence the storms around us.

Psalm 11:1 says “In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: 'Flee like a bird to your mountain.’” David understood that, no matter what was going on, there was a refuge for him. He did not need to flee from the battle to experience peace.

Even when you are going through the stuff of life, even when you are far from your "mountain" of comfort, whatever that may be, there is still refuge.


Today's Blogger: Nathan Hinton


Tomorrow's Text: Luke 1:1-9:62

I love you, Dad!

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:15 (New International Version)

One translation notes that Jewish children called their fathers "Abba," so a better word for us today would probably be "Daddy" or "Dad."

Too often, we tend to think that God is some starchy, far away "person." That’s why he sent Jesus to show us that he’s really very down-to-earth, and why he gave us his Spirit so we could know him up close!

I find myself needing to remember every day that He’s right here at my side. ...that he’s ready to hear me any time I want to talk to him – and ready to respond. I may not see him; I may not hear him speak out loud, but He’s here!

"Good morning, Dad. I love you." When I can get myself to say something like that, things are just different!

What do you think? Could you begin to remind yourself during each day to say something like, "Dad, thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Thank you for sending Jesus to show me what you’re really like. Thank you, Jesus, for being willing to die for me! Thank you, Holy Spirit, for living in me! Dad, help me do everything I do out of gratitude to you."

If you dare to start something like this, I’ll guarantee it’ll make a difference in the way you do things. A good difference. And he’ll be there – right at your side – helping you!

Today's Blogger: Rev. Hayden Bennett

Tomorrow's Text: Grace Day

rejoicing in hope!

Romans 12:12 "Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer..."

These qualities are certainly important for us as believers today.

Paul tells us in Romans 15:13 "...Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing...."

We really are to rejoice in the Lord because He is the God of hope. As we place the God of hope before us we can more easily work patiently through our trials and tribulations and be able to continue steadfastly in prayer.

Over the past years I have been an advisor for the Middle East prayer group at Elim Bible Institute. We as a group prayed for all the countries of the Middle East including Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey, asking the Lord to bring the peoples of these nations to salvation.

In 2005 and 2006 Shawn Neitz was the student leader of that group. On August 26th of this year our Afghan family, the Ebrahimis, arrived, and the next day as we toured the EBI campus Shawn came up. I introduced him to the Ebrahimis and remembered that Shawn had once led our Middle East prayer group. I asked him what years he had led the group. He replied, "2005 and 2006."

The Ebrahamis came to a country in the Middle East in 2005 and began attending a meeting of those who followed Jesus. In 2006, through a series of events among the same believers, the couple came to a place of full commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. The very years Shawn and the prayer group had prayed for these countries were the years the Lord was working to answer and on Friday, August 27th He very quietly brought us together to show us what He had done.

Through the prayers of that group and many others the Lord was faithful to answer prayer and then after four years quietly bring us together. So, let us rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and continue steadfastly in prayer!

Today's Blogger: Pastor Dick Dreyer


Tomorrow's Text: Grace Day

foreshadowing

1 Cor. 12:1-16:24; 2 Corinthians

Almost every good book or movie contains an element of foreshadowing. In the greatest story ever told, our God left us some clues as to His future plans for the story of mankind.

For today's New Testament passage, we are reading I Corinthians 12:1 through the end of II Corinthians. In I Corinthians 15, Paul talks about our future Christian hope in the resurrection.

20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

The resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, was a foreshadowing of the resurrection of the saints that will happen upon his return. He was the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." The firstfruits are just the beginning of the harvest. We will receive a perfect resurrection body just like Jesus. Our natural bodies will be buried in the ground like a seed, and they will be raised at the second coming as imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual bodies. (vs. 42-44)

What does this mean for us as Christians? It means the fear of death has no hold over us. And when we're not afraid of death, there is no fear than can hold us back from living 100% for the Kingdom of God.

Check out N.T. Wright's book "Surprised by Hope" for more on the theology of resurrection and the implications of the Christian hope.

If you’re into music as much as I am, check out the lyrics for the song “Perfector” by one of my favorite bands, My Epic.

Today's Blogger: Josh Cummings

Tomorrow's Text: Romans

beyond awesome

“We do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him…And so we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14, 17

I make no pretense that I understand what all will happen in the end times. I’ve heard from those who are pre-tribulation, post-trib, pan-millennialists, and I’m not sure what I think about the timing of it all. I am pretty confident, though, that toward the end, things are going to get very bad for a while, and I selfishly hope I’m not around then. But I am also totally confident that then Jesus WILL return, and that part will be BEYOND AWESOME! In fact, He is constantly working in our lives now to get us ready to meet Him. (1 Thess. 3:13)

He also is working to get as many people as possible into His kingdom before He returns. This year I experienced His incredible patience and love for those who are not yet His, as I saw Him woo my mother. My mom grew up in a Southern Baptist family who loved the Lord, but for whatever reasons she had not yielded her life to Him.

Over the years, I had shared my faith with her, as had several other family members, with seemingly no effect. Then last fall, she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and her health deteriorated rapidly. One day my uncle (a believer) visited her and told her frankly, “Fran, we want to be sure what's going to happen to you.” He then (again) explained how Jesus had died for her salvation and asked if she wanted to pray with him to accept Christ. And this time she said yes!

As I sat with my mom in her last days, as she teetered between this world and the next, I was able to encourage her to let go of her life here and that Jesus was waiting for her with loving, open arms in an amazing eternity. She died peacefully on February 22. Of course, I miss my mom a lot, but I don’t grieve “as those who have no hope.” I know she is with Him forever.

Today's Blogger: Terri Cavanaugh


Tomorrow's Text: 1 Cor. 12:1-16:24; 2 Corinthians

heresies are like weeds

Mark 12:1-16:20; James; Galatians

Mark, apart from the gospel that bears his name, appears elsewhere as a secondary figure. Cousin of Barnabas, he might have been the man who escaped from the soldiers who arrested our Lord. He is obviously something of an activist recording nineteen miracles compared with eight recorded by John and only eight parables compared with twenty-five recorded by Luke. After the briefest of introductions he enters immediately on his story.

Heresies are like weeds, they are hard to be rid of and seem to be self-propagating. Man is easily capable of inventing his own heresies and markedly incapable of improving on Divine revelation. Paul is emotional elsewhere but in Galatians I feel his passion, perhaps even rage, more strongly than anywhere else. He has perhaps learned by experience that nothing can be more frustrating and opposed to the gospel than the continuing effort to produce Christian character unaided by the Holy Spirit and then to assume that my acceptance by the Father is on the basis of that performance.

Paul's Christian experience began with his confession of Jesus's supremacy when he addressed Him as Lord. (Acts 9.5.) but my suspicion is that the doctrinal, ethical and practical fruition of that initial confession demanded more than his three days of blindness and might well have developed during his three years in Arabia. Did he visit Horeb where both Moses and Elijah had been before him?

We do not easily or rapidly accept our inate ignorance of what we must do to please the Father and when we have learned a little we must then discover our inability to perform what hopefully we now desire. One of my secretaries had on the wall of her office which was next to mine a framed Pennsylvania/Dutch proverb which read "We get too soon old and too late smart".

James, sometimes known as "the Less" or "the Just" the brother of our Lord became the first bishop of Jerusalem. Sometimes called "camel-knees" because of the deformity produced by his rigorous prayer practices, he was a strict vegetarian apart from the Passover lamb and history says he never cut his hair, shaved or bathed and continued to have a high regard for the law. The last reference to James in Acts 21. 18-26 would seem to confirm this.

Today's Blogger: Rev. David Edwards

Tomorrow's Text: 1 Thess.; 2 Thess.; 1 Cor. 1:1-11:34

"be a man"

Mark 1:1-11:33

"Be a Man" had always been my motto. The idea that I can do anything and everything gave me a lot of scars, aches and pains. Many of us have grown up in a country where we self make ourselves, weakness is looked down on, failure is not an option. We honor those who have no known weaknesses or flaws, but this is completely contrary to what Christ taught us.

Christ's message was about humility. I remember after a mistake that was made Pastor Mike Cavanaugh sent me an email that said, “perfection is not our aim, humility is.” This is what Paul was told after pleading with the Lord three times to remove a thorn in the flesh, “But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

When we don’t try to hide our weakness or be something that we are not, we actually see Christ glorified in our lives. When we try to cover up our weaknesses in our own strength we actually diminish the access to Christ's power in our lives. God is not looking for the healthy - Jesus actually said He didn’t come for the healthy but the sick. God desires for us to call out to Him in our weakness, so He can help us. If we don’t recognize our weakness we can’t recognize our need for Him.

My challenge for you today is to call out to God for help in your weak areas, whether it be your marriage, your job, your finances, your sickness, any area you may be lacking faith in, and let’s see His power made perfect in our lives.

Today's Blogger: Pastor Seth Goodson

Tomorrow's Text: Mark 12:1-16:20; James; Galatians

I think myself happy . . .

Now, that is a strange title to a blog, right? “I think myself happy…” These words struck me as so odd as I read them this morning. I think you will feel the same as I tell you the context in which I found these words.

These are Paul’s words to King Agrippa in the beginning of Acts, chapter 26. Paul says this after he has been imprisoned for several years; the last two of which he was imprisoned by the “as a favor to the Jews”. Unfortunately, certain Jews had Paul arrested on claims they could not prove and intended one way or another to see Paul killed. Persecution does not get much more intense than this. Yet, we see Paul given an opportunity after years of imprisonment to state his case before King Agrippa. It seems that almost any other words would have come out of Paul’s mouth at this time other than, “I think myself happy…”

In real estate you have heard there are three main ingredients to selling a property – location, location, location! I am sure there is a lot of truth to that statement. I believe I can make a similar statement about living the Christian life – attitude, attitude, attitude! John Maxwell says this about attitude, “A person with a positive attitude is like a bumblebee. The bumblebee should not be able to fly, because the size, weight, and shape of its body in relationship to its wingspread make flying aerodynamically impossible. But the bumblebee, being ignorant of scientific theory, flies anyway and makes honey every day.”

I think Paul had this kind of attitude. He considered his situation, realized there were a lot of things he could say to a king who was potentially in position to free him and chose to start off his thoughts with, “I think myself happy…” As Paul’s discourse continues in chapter 26 we find Paul actually beginning to win King Agrippa over to the Christian faith!

How about you? Have life’s circumstances got you thinking anything but happy thoughts? Let’s take a lesson from Paul’s playbook and turn what could be our next gripe session into an opportunity to see God’s Kingdom expanded in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

Today's Blogger: Pastor Eric Scott


Tomorrow's Text: Mark 1:1 - 11:33

a ticket to ride

Matthew 7:7-8

There is a wonderful Gospel song performed by Cissy Houston on the Divas of Gospel album called "Glory Train" (Spooner/Penn). You can hear a snippet of it here

"All aboard the Glory Train
Step forth, don't remain
Don't stand there shackled by your sin
Just get on board and let the Glory begin"

"All Aboard" reminds me of those black and white movies, where dramatic scenes play out between a handsome man in a tweed suit and fedora and an beautiful young lady with silk gloves and elegant hat. A cloud of steam billowing from the locomotive, while the whistle and the conductor's call amplifies the drama with time pressure.

"All aboard the Glory Train
There's a journey ensuing, so much to gain
You're standing at the crossroads, will you turn back
Or will you ride the Saviors train down the Glory track"

There's drama playing out in each of our lives that has eternal implications, with time pressure pushing us to the decision point. When Jesus gave his life for us at Calvary we were each handed a ticket to ride with Him for eternity.

"The Holy Spirit, conductor of souls
Just follow Him, if you're ready to go
You qualify, so come as you are
Get on board, the Glory car"

He didn't call a select few, He said "ALL Aboard". We all qualify because we have that ticket in our pocket. We don't need to clean up and look the part like the actors from those black and white movies of yore to ride this train. You have a ticket, so come as you are.

Just as the conductor won't chase you down the platform and drag you onto the train, our Lord is waiting for you to use the ticket He gave you at Calvary. He is waiting for you to knock and eager to see you walk through the door. (2 Peter 3:9)

Are you standing on the platform watching the train? Hesitating? Waiting? For what? The whistle has blown and the final call went out. Time is running out and you need to act. (Psalm 39:4) The Conductor doesn't want to see anyone left on the platform when the train leaves the station, holding a ticket for His train.

If you don't have a relationship with Jesus Christ or aren't sure, go to the Conductor of Souls and hand Him your ticket today. He desperately wants to welcome you aboard. Will you use your ticket today? (Romans 3:22-24)

"Get on board the love express
turn your back on your past, it's time to confess
Whatever you do, you gotta lay down your pride
Let the Lord God take you on a real good ride"

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."
Matthew 7:7-8 (NASB)

Ask, seek, knock. Receive, find, enter.

Take action today. (Joshua 24:15)

"All Aboard the Glory Train!"


Today's Blogger: Mike Schutterup


Tomorrow's Text: Grace Day!

from Peter to Paul to the ends of the earth

Acts 16:1 - 28:31


Pack your bags. Get in! Start your engine. Shift gears! You are about to travel with Paul to the ends of Europe and through the end of his ministry and life. The first part of Acts was mostly about the transition from Jesus to the disciples; then specifically, Peter's story. The last half of Acts follows Paul on many journeys, dangers, toils and snares.

Enjoy the courtroom drama, the adventure on the high seas at the end, and imitate Paul's faith as you read, listen to the Holy Spirit, and obey. The great part about the end of Acts is that it never really ends. You could say that it is the most open ended book of the New Testament - Acts 29 and beyond is waiting to be written in your life and in the earth! Go ahead! Write your chapter with your life!

This is a good day to pray for missionaries you support or know of. Pray as the Spirit gives you words. Pray for their health and safety and for an open door for the word of God through their ministry. Amen.


Today's Blogger: Pastor Sean Steinke

Tomorrow's Text: Grace Day!

learning to hear

Acts 5:1-15:41

Ahhh, the early church, this passage is full of stories of the wonders of the church in its formational stages.

Is it the model we should follow for the church today – full of love and unity, sharing communally, evangelistic, missions minded, expanding!?! Or is it merely the birth pangs of learning how to deal with a faith community?

The answer is Yes!

Let me explain. The early church was a beautiful model of all things wonderful but perhaps not like you would think. Some have made charts of each action the early did and then proceeded to make a how-to prototype for us to follow in hopes of the same dynamic results. But perhaps the “correct” method is not so much in how they did things but how they leaned on the Spirit’s guidance and grew in relationship with Him learning to hear His voice in each situation.

Have you noticed He seems to like to have His own way? He may do things differently and as He chooses. It’s a part of His sovereign nature.

Personally, I’d rather have a list of hoops to jump through, a how-to prototype to “get what I want” but He’s not like that. He wants relationship with us. He’s going to do things His way and the only way we can know that that way is to spend time with Him! He has a plan for each situation we are facing, each difficulty, each need, but we have to go to Him in faith and learn Him.

Enjoy learning to hear from Him today and every day!

This is the great adventure!


Today's Blogger: Cindy Scott



Tomorrow's Text: Acts 16:1-28:31

what will you do?

Matt. 24:1-28:20; Acts 1:1-4:37

St. Francis of Assisi (b. 1182) was hoeing his garden one afternoon when a friend, passing by, stopped and asked, “Francis, what would you do if you knew that at sunset this evening you would be standing in the presence of Jesus Christ?” Francis thought a moment and said, “I would finish hoeing my garden.”

As the Gospel of Matthew is concluding, Jesus is especially interested in preparing His followers, not just for His departure and Second Coming, but for the period of time between the two. The disciples wanted to know when He would return and what to watch for (Matthew 24:3). Jesus gave them signs, but He emphasized the importance of knowing how to live while He was away.

In the closing hours of His earthly ministry, Jesus taught them (and us) to be faithful and wise servants in His absence (24:45ff); to be a wise ‘virgin’ with oil for our lamps, prepared for the return of the Bridegroom (25:1ff); to faithfully invest the talents we have been given – for “after a long time the Master of those servants returned” (25:14ff); and to help other people in very practical ways, for in serving others we are ultimately serving Him. And when He returns to separate the sheep from the goats, these very works will be mentioned (25:31ff).

God is looking, not just for ‘superstar-saints’ with great works of faith, but for regular people, faithful in doing what He has called them to do, whether the work is small or great. Jesus calls us all, like St. Francis, to ‘hoe our garden’ and live our everyday lives in the light of His coming, always watching for His return. What has God called you to do? “Blessed is the servant whom his Master finds so doing when He returns.” (24:46)

Today's Blogger: Dick Grout


Tomorrow's Text: Acts 5:1-15:41