Sharing The Bread Of Life

I just began reading Max Lucado's latest book, "Outlive Your Life - You Were Made to Make a Difference." It was one of the gifts that my son bought me for Christmas. Since I had two other books to read before getting to this one, it has taken me two months to start Lucado's book.

I really enjoy Lucado's writing style. He always places some humorous anecdotes in his books while revealing profound truth about living the Christian life that Jesus would have us live. Even though I am only on page 40, the book has already had a great impact on my life.

After reading several pages of Lucado's book, I decided to go online and read what has been published on some of my favorite blogs. However, I got that usual annoying message that my borrowed laptop was "in need of repair." I wanted to skip over that, so I clicked on the choice "start windows manually." Well, after looking at a blank dark screen (except for the tiny "Microsoft" trademark message at the bottom of the page) for fifteen minutes, I decided it might be a good idea to listen to the recommendation to start up using the repair mode. So, I shut the computer off, restarted it, and this time I clicked on the "start up repair (recommended)" icon.

After watching the repair message at work for what seemed like 15 more minutes, I clicked on the choice to "cancel repair." Well...I must have waited too long because the message I got said something like this:

"The current repair session cannot be cancelled."

Lucky for me, it only took about five more minutes for the repair to be completed. I still had a bit of trouble. My computer was supposed to restart on it's own, but nothing was happening so I shut it off myself and then restarted it.

I thought about the statement, "the current repair session cannot be cancelled" and thought of God's mercy and grace through the cross of Christ. It must have been because I was reading Max Lucado's book that I drew a parallel between the computer message and God's message to mankind.

I have often stated here at this blog that Mercy is God withholding what we do deserve, and Grace is God giving us what we don't deserve. The gospel of salvation through the cross of Christ is the world's "current repair session that cannot be cancelled."

In chapter four, Lucado shares a humorous story about going on an errand, at the request of his wife, to buy bread at the grocery store. When he gets there, he collects his favorite cereal, milk, Oreo cookies, barbecue chips (does this guy love junk food or what??) and some ice cream. He checked out and went home. His wife looks at the purchases and then asked, "where's the bread?"

Max had forgotten the big item.

"The one thing I went to get. The one essential product. I forgot the bread."

Lucado goes on to write:

Might we make the same mistake in a more critical arena? In an effort to do good, we can get distracted. We feed people. We encourage, heal, help, and serve. We address racial issues and poverty. Yet there is one duty we must fulfill. We can't forget the bread.

Peter didn't.

Now, listen to what I have to say about Jesus from Nazareth. God proved that he sent Jesus to you by having him work miracles, wonders, and signs. All of you now this. God had already planned and decided that Jesus would be handed over to you. So you took him and had evil men put him to death on a cross. But God set him free from death and raised him to life. Death could not hold him in its power. (Acts 2:22-24 CEV).

[Peter] would eventually speak about poverty. The church would soon address the issues of widows, disease, and bigotry. But not yet. The first order of the church's first sermon was this: pardon for all our sins. Peter delivered the bread.

[Would] you consider the offer of Jesus? "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again" (John 6:35 NLT).

Max Lucado gives us some insight into what it takes to make bread.

The grain-to-bread process is a demanding one. The seed must be planted before it can grow. When the grain is ripe, it must be cut down and ground into flour. Before it can become bread, it must pass through the oven. Bread is the end result of planting, harvesting, and heating.

Jesus endured an identical process. He was born into this world. He was cut down, bruised, and beaten on the threshing floor of Calvary. He passed through the fire of God's wrath, for our sake. He "suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all--was put to death and then made alive--to bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18 MSG).

Bread of Life? Jesus lived up to the title. But an unopened loaf does a person no good. Have you received the bread? Have you received God's forgiveness?

What an awesome and powerful analogy!

Our God is a God of second chances! If we will simply believe that Jesus is who He said He is - the Son of God, Savior and Lord, and we confess our sins at the foot of the cross of Calvary and accept him as Lord and Savior of our lives, we will be forgiven and saved. People, make sure that you receive the Bread of Life of Christ Jesus. The ONLY Bread of Life that really matters now and will ultimately matter in eternity.

Someone very dear to me and my family passed away in January. I can't know for sure if this family member was saved, but I tried my best to witness to her over the course of 15 or more years.

I usually do not share detailed personal information at this blog, but I will state that in the eulogy that I wrote for the funeral, I was led to share the gospel of Christ for the sake of the people attending. I do not know if what I said encouraged anyone there who is not yet saved to receive the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior. Perhaps a seed or two were planted. However, when someone dies we realize just how brief this life on earth truly is. The Bible tells us that "it is but a vapor" compared to eternity.

Once a Christian receives the Bread of Life, it is our duty to pass it on. Max Lucado writes:

After all, if we don't, who will? Governments don't feed the soul. The secular relief house can give a bed, a meal, and valuable counsel. But we can give much more. Not just help for this life but hope for the next.

[So] along with cups of water, plates of food, and vials of medicine, let there be the message of sins forgiven and death defeated.

Remember the bread.

The secular world climate these days reveals an open hostility towards Christianity in general, and Jesus Christ in particular. Despite the fact that believers are often ridiculed and hatred is constantly being hurled at us, we must turn our distress, sadness, and fears into boldness so that we continue to be faithful ambassadors for Christ.

For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!" For God made Christ, who never sinned to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:19-21 NLT).

Hat Tip:

Max Lucado: Out Live Your Life

The 23rd Psalm

Psa 23:1 [[A Psalm of David.]] The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.


Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.


Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.


Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.


Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.


Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Also read:

A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23

The God Who Shepherds Us

The God Who Invites Us to Rest

The God Who Guides Us

The God Who Is With Us

Why Humankind Needs the Savior

Way back in May of 2005, I created a post over at my Talk Wisdom Forum entitled, De-homosexualization of the Catholic Church. Ever since, GMpilot has been obsessed with the subject matter. Read through the thread and you will know what I mean.

The thread began with the following observation (plus a copy of an essay at WorldNetDaily - go to link above to read WND essay):

I have to admit that prior to reading this article, I did not know the genuine reason why Pope John Paul II was not more condemning of the homosexual pedophile priests and the Cardinals who shuffled them around to other churches where such priests, unfortunately, were enabled to molest more and more young boys. This scandal absolutely sickened most of the public and the suffering of the victims was just horrendous!

I just couldn't understand, for the life of me, why Pope John II acted indifferent towards the scandal. I wasn't aware of the genuine reason he refused to believe that it was actually going on. The following certainly explains a lot and helped clear up the mystery:


Quote:

"Whenever Vatican investigators brought the results of their vetting process regarding an individual's candidacy for bishop, cardinal or other office, and they revealed he was a homosexual, John Paul II would refuse to believe it," he writes.


"He did so because accusing someone of homosexuality was a standard practice of the Communist government in his native Poland regarding anyone it regarded as an enemy of the state. From his ordination as a Catholic priest in 1946 to elevation to Archbishop of Krakow in 1963 and Cardinal in 1967, the then Karol Wojtyla witnessed this personal destruction repeatedly. So traumatized, he summarily dismissed such accusations as pope, and would approve the elevation of anyone so accused."

Christine

*******

Since GM was continually talking to himself within the thread, five years and six pages later, I posted the following:

Satan's grip on souls through sexual perversion



Sexual sin/perversion is one of the most difficult sins to overcome. No doubt about it.
__________________
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8

The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth to show Himself strong to those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

Then, GMpilot had this to say in reply:

So who needs Satan?

Quote:
admin: Sexual sin/perversion is one of the most difficult sins to overcome. No doubt about it.

But it's all part of The Plan™, isn't it?

God will make it all turn out in the end, won't he?

All that social turmoil, all those disgraced clergymen, all those shattered lives...God will use it all for good, yeah? Isn't that what you always say?

Yet after five years and fifty posts where I point out how widely and deeply and how many decades this has been going on, all you can say is how difficult sexual sin is to overcome? (I wasn't aware that any sin was easy to overcome!)
Your original posts were so full of fire and vinegar, and now they've dwindled to two little sentences that say nothing. Both the Catholic God and yours make it clear, and you've repeated it on this site often enough; they should die. After all, civil laws were broken, too.

When sex is not permitted to express itself in its proper way, it will always eventually express itself in an improper way. The more it's suppressed, the nastier it blooms. No Satan necessary.

I must admit, "So, who needs Satan?" is an interesting question. In reality, an entire book could be written in reply to such a question. Readers, feel free to share your thoughts about that.

Rather than addressing that particular question [mostly because Satan is, unfortunately, often used as an excuse by those who repeatedly choose to sin. You know - the ole' "the devil made me do it" syndrome], I chose to reply utilizing the Gospel message:

GM,

If the priests were after normal sexual relations, they wouldn't be performing homosexual acts with male children or young teenage and pre-teen boys. Why weren't they going after the beautiful women - who were of the age of consent - from the pews of the churches? Answer: because they were in homosexual/pederasty/pedophile lust for teens and boys.

Those priests who went after pre-pubescent girls were also pedophiles.

But all of this is pointless to discuss with you. You seem to think that because there are priests who are fakes - all must be fakes as well. During my childhood, I learned about a pedophile priest in our church. I only knew that he went after pre-pubescent girls, but perhaps he attacked some boys too. It was all hushed up and they named a street after him in town after he had died.

I also knew of a wonderful priest who kept his celibate vows and was wonderful (in an appropriate manner and way) to all parishioners - especially the children. He died 10 years ago and had a monument placed in a small existing park that was later named after him. There were benches there that were donated by members of the church. He was deeply loved.

There are people who try to live good lives, and there are people who don't. We all fall short of the glory of God. Recall the "good" test I told you to take? No one passes that test. If anyone ever claims that they did pass it - then you know that they lied.

This is why humankind needs the Savior. Jesus Christ was the only sinless God-Man who died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins of all who repent of their sins and believe in him.

Jesus Christ is the living example of mercy and grace through God.

Mercy is God withholding what you (we all) deserve.

Grace is God giving you (all) what you (we all) don't deserve.

There is evidence of grace being bestowed upon unbelievers and even the wicked in this temporal world. Some repent and turn to Christ, others don't. However, the choice to reject Christ (and his mercy and grace) prior to dying negates the chance for salvation after death.

Despite the fact that some who don't believe in Christ seem to have success in this life, it is an entirely different story [according to the Bible] when such individuals die without Christ. Why? Because they have chosen to reject God's mercy and grace for salvation. Therefore, they choose to leave this world to live in eternity separated from God forever.

God has done all that is necessary for salvation. Our job here on this earth is to either accept or reject His provision.
__________________
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8

The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth to show Himself strong to those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

Koran Burning? A Teachable Moment. [Update 2]

A strange thing happened as I attempted to close my browser this evening. I am using my husband's laptop tonight and I couldn't get the Sprint connection to "disconnect!" I tried it nine times!

Hmmm....I thought. Is the Lord trying to give me a little message here?

I had just read a blog post over at On The Right Side of Life about the pastor who is planning to do a Koran book burning on 9/11/10.

There is a particular nagging question that each Christian believer must ask himself or herself. That is, with which position do you side?

Do you want to answer in the flesh and say in a revengeful tone "burn baby burn" or answer in the spirit? Which will you choose? Just as Phil asks within his blog post - think about this question: Koran burning? What would Jesus do?

Well, I was tired and just wanted to think about that post for a while. But when my browser refused to disconnect, I went back to my blog list and found that my friend Steve had also posted about the Koran burning debacle on his blog.

While reading his post, the answer came to me.

Mercy is God withholding what we all deserve. Grace is God giving us what we all don't deserve. As born-again, Bible believing, Christ honoring sinners in desperate need of the Savior, how should we apply such thoughts in response to the Koran burning?

Could be quite the teachable moment...

Hat Tips:

On The Right Side of Life

Stevex09

*******

More good reads on the controversy:

Michele Malkin: The Koran - Don't burn it - read it.

Sharp Right Turn: The Koran, General Petraeus, Dhimmitude and American Values

Sarah Palin's Facebook Page

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Update:

Apparently, Pastor Jones has listened to the voices of wisdom and reason and announced that he is not going to follow through on the burning of the Koran.

But can this debacle get any crazier? Answer: YES!

The loony-bin Westboro "church" plans to carry out the Koran burning since Pastor Jones will not do it.

Westboro Baptist Church will Burn Korans if Florida Church Does Not
posted by (Maggie Thornton) at Maggie's Notebook - 1 hour ago
The vile Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka says if Florida's Dove World Outreach Center calls off the Koran burnings, they will pick up [the] slack and do it themselves. Dove's Pastor Terry Jones has just an...

But of course, the mosque developers won't change THEIR minds [as has been announced on several news programs today] about the location too close to Ground Zero, despite the fact that Donald Trump has announced that he would pay 25% more than the terrorists er...imams and their supporters...paid for the location.

Koran Burning Halted: Mosque Stays at Park 51
posted by (Maggie Thornton) at Maggie's Notebook - 1 hour ago
Florida Pastor Jones will halt the burning of Korans on Saturday and the Pastor says he will fly to New York City instead, to meet with the mosque developers. Jones seems to believe the mosque will not b...

Good luck Pastor Jones. It doesn't appear that the muslims are likely to show any tolerance towards the 70% of Americans who are pleading that they move the mosque away from the Ground Zero site. Apparently, tolerance is a one-way street for them...and that street is named Islam/Sharia law...or else!

*******
Update 2:

I am making the rounds to several Christian blogs in my blogroll and I am finding some absolutely awesome essays out there! Be sure to visit:


Stevex09: The Threats Begin … Ground Zero Mosque … Burning The Koran

CultureWatch: Christianity, Other Religions, Islam and Terrorism

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

When I was a child and I was being impatient about something, my mom used to say, "good things come to those who wait." When I was seven, a week often felt like an eternity! Today, a week rushes by in a flash!

Today, when I see things going horribly wrong in this nation, I find my comfort comes through renewed strength via prayer. Prayer is so powerful! Oftentimes, we run to God as a last resort when in times of trouble. What we should be doing is praying ever so fervently when it appears that the darkness is attempting to hide the Light of the World.

You can pray at any time. Not just on your knees at bedtime. Pray throughout the day - sending up little prayers asking for mercy and grace upon yourself, your family and this entire nation.

I have been deeply troubled over the proposed mosque being built near where the horrific World Trade Center attack by radical Islamic terrorists happened on 9/11. Last night, I read a blog post that gave me renewed hope that the mosque at Ground Zero will not be built.

JammieWearingFool: 'I Wonder What Else They Are Hiding.'

Excerpt:

'I Wonder What Else They Are Hiding'

Congressman Peter King better watch it. Lil' Mikey Bloomberg might call him a bigot for uttering such a statement.

Not so fast.

The developers of the controversial mosque proposed near Ground Zero own only half the site where they want to construct the $100 million building, The Post has learned.

One of the two buildings on Park Place is owned by Con Edison, even though Soho Properties told officials and the public that it owns the entire parcel. And any potential sale by Con Ed faces a review by the state Public Service Commission.

“We never heard anything about Con Ed whatsoever,” said a stunned Julie Menin, the chairwoman of Community Board 1, which passed a May resolution supporting the mosque.

Daisy Khan, one of the mosque’s organizers, told The Post last week that both buildings on Park Place are needed to house the worship and cultural center. But she claimed ignorance about the Con Ed ownership of 49-51 Park Place and referred questions to Soho Properties, which bought the building at 45-47 Park Place in 2009.

Rep. Peter King, who opposes the mosque, said the developers seemed to be “operating under false pretenses.”

“I wonder what else they are hiding,” said King (R-LI). “If we can’t have the full truth on this, what can we believe?”

Continue reading HERE.

Nice Deb reports on the story, too.

Not So Fast…Ground Zero Mosque Developers Only Own Half Of The Site
posted by nicedeb at Nice Deb » Monday Menagerie - 11 hours ago
Pic of Sharif El Gamal, head of Soho Properties via Islamization Watch The New York Post has the exclusive: The developers of the controversial mosque proposed near Ground Zero own only half the site wher...

While driving home from a visit with my daughter this morning I was thinking about how all of the ineligibility lawsuits against Obama have been dismissed due to "lack of standing" and how fortunate such developments have been for Obama. If we got just one hearing on this in a court of law - I'm sure that Obama would be found out. He is either a lying usurper (if his father is, in fact, Barack Obama Sr.) because Obama Jr. would never qualify as a natural born citizen according to the clause for POTUS in our U.S. Constitution. Or, if his biological father was someone else, then he misrepresented his entire life to the American people! It would mean that he lied in his two books and during many (if not all) of his speeches. Would either revelation horribly disappoint the entire black community? I would think so.

That is when it hit me.

I recall hearing that 88% of African-Americans still support Obama. That is a HUGE amount. Are some of them lying to cover up their real thoughts about him? Did they vote that way in the poll because of political correctness? Do they all agree with his awful policies? Do they think that eventually he will create jobs with his out- of-control spending? Are they just not paying attention? What is the reason why such a disproportionate amount of blacks still support him? Many Hispanics and Independents have left the approval-rating bandwagon in droves.

Well, whatever the reason(s) may be that blacks still approve of Obama in the polls, I realized that God, for whatever reason, has granted Obama mercy (withholding what he deserves), and grace (giving him what he doesn't deserve).

But it may be more than that.

God's thoughts and plans are higher than my thoughts and desires. With all that our country is suffering from, our sin is so great in this nation that we can't ignore that God has demonstrated enormous mercy towards us. He has been withholding what we, sinners all, truly deserve. God has afforded us grace at this chaotic, uncertain, and scary time. He continues to hold us together - giving us a kind of grace that we don't deserve.

I thought long and hard about all of this. I know, in my heart and soul that trusting God is really all that we have in this world. Jesus Christ is the one and only constant that I can be assured to trust and to absolutely lean on - in good times, in bad times, and even in the horrible and ugly times.

The racial tensions and small incidences of outbreak around our country that are unfortunately happening today would pale in comparison to what would happen if (or when) Obama was indicted, tried, possibly convicted of corruption (or on the ineligibility issue) and removed from office. The outcry from the black communities around our entire country would cause another civil war!

Perhaps this is why God is holding back from allowing any of the current cases from succeeding. I don't know for sure - I can only guess, of course. But the concepts of mercy and grace are played out time and time again here on this earth. Sometimes justice is served, and other times it is not. Life is not always fair and we should not expect it to be. Jesus told us that "in this life you will have trouble. But take heart! For I have overcome the world."

That is what we, as Christian believers can always trust! The very words and promises of Jesus Christ!

Although we walk by faith and not by sight, the fact that God's permissive will allows us to be held by His patient Mercy, and affords us his long suffering Grace, gives us the confidence to go forth in our lives no matter what happens here on this earth.

We all suffer pain and suffering in this life, but one day we will be in a place where such terrible things will not exist! It will be a whole new way of life and existence that is hard for us to fathom right now. But God's Word spells it out quite clearly. Let all who have ears to hear - let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

The book of Revelation quotes, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" seven times!"

Rev 2:7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."'

Rev 2:11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."'

Rev 2:17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."'

Rev 2:29 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'

Rev 3:6 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'

Rev 3:13 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'

Rev 3:22 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'"

In the Bible, the number seven is representative of perfection.

Who are you heeding?

Who has your ear?

Are you listening to what the Spirit says to you and the churches?

God's Word encourages us to wait for the return of Jesus Christ. We are to "call upon the Lord."

2Sa 22:4 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

2Sa 22:7 In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry entered His ears.

Psa 18:3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

Psa 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.

Psa 99:6 Moses and Aaron were among His priests, And Samuel was among those who called upon His name; They called upon the LORD, and He answered them.

Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Scriptures:

Luk 4:18 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;


Luk 4:19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD."

The fruit of the Spirit teaches us:

Eph 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.


Eph 5:7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.


Eph 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light


Eph 5:9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),


Eph 5:10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.



Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,


Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.


Gal 5:24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.


Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Hat tips:

JammieWearingFool Blog

Nice Deb

Blue Letter Bible

Amazing Grace: That Saved a Wretch Like Me

In a repeat broadcast on Turning Point television this week, Dr. David Jeremiah presents one of the best sermons that I have ever heard! At the beginning of the program, some actors did a skit about how they thought that calling oneself a "wretch like me" in the song "Amazing Grace" was "too harsh" and "offensive." The illustration that was done via the skit was excellent! It really puts the truth to the test that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

This week's television broadcast:

The Compassionate Plan of Grace. [Note: go to the website and click on "Watch Now This Week's Broadcast."]

Some people don’t believe they’ve sinned, and others think they’ve sinned too much to ever be saved. Once we acknowledge we’ve sinned, the next step is to realize that God’s redemption is free. We can’t earn it or work for it. If we could, it wouldn’t be free—and wouldn’t be by grace.

Captured by Grace
ABOUT THE CURRENT TELEVISION SERIES
Some people who have been Christians for many years aren’t clear on the difference between mercy and grace. Grace is receiving what we don’t deserve, while mercy is not receiving what we do deserve. We don’t deserve salvation, but grace saves us. We do deserve judgment, but mercy spares us.

Captured by Grace is all about the multifaceted jewel of grace. It will open up vistas of grace you may be unfamiliar with. Most Christians know they were saved by grace, but are not aware that they live by grace. Nor do they know that grace is the pathway leading them to their heavenly home for eternity. Grace is the past, present, and future of the Christian experience.

Have you been Captured by Grace? Even if you’re thankful for the grace that saved you, there may be more grace yet to be experienced. In this study guide, Dr. David Jeremiah reveals the less-familiar aspects of grace, such as its plan, power, promise, and prospect—as well as the paradox of grace. If your Christian life is not what you know it could and should be, it may be lacking grace.

Discover why grace is more than a blessing at mealtime. It’s the source of every blessing you enjoy.

Hat tip:

Dr. David Jeremiah.org

The Grace To Trust God in Adversity

Just before signing off from FaceBook last night, I noticed a post that read, "Actually, life DID come with an instruction manual. It's called the Bible."

How true! The limited knowledge of any secular, worldly-minded humanist, psychiatrist, psychologist, politician, teacher, college professor, business person, physician, nurse, scientist etc. could not possibly compare to the wisdom and knowledge of God contained within the Bible.

I have been thinking about how chaotic our world continues to be. It is only growing worse. The confidence that we once had in our government here in the United States has been shattered. We see so much corruption going unpunished that it could be easy for us to lose heart.

I know that the majority of Americans are deeply alarmed over ObaMarxist, the progressives in Congress and the unelected lunatic-leftist czars who are writing all the damaging legislation that will further hurt our economy, freedoms, and liberty. They look forward to the 2010 election - with millions of conservatives hoping and praying for the removal of the corruptocrats in Congress through the victory of Tea Party candidates and conservative Republicans. Such a victory would make Obama a lame duck pResident until the new presidential election in 2012. Hopefully, the new Congress will be taken over by Republicans and the checks and balances against the far left Marxist policies of Obama that are damaging our country so badly will be stopped. Some (like government-run healthcare) may even be overturned.

No matter what happens, as believers in Jesus Christ and his eternal promises, we are given the grace (through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit) to trust God in adversity.

In his book "Trusting God," Jerry Bridges had this to say about troubled times: "The moral will of God given to us in the Bible is rational and reasonable. The circumstances in which we must trust God often appear irrational and inexplicable...It is only from the Scriptures, applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit, that we receive grace to trust God in adversity...The faith to trust God in adversity comes through the Word of God alone."

This is what it means to set our minds on God through His Word. As Bridges affirms, the Scriptures often turn worldly logic on its head. People may think we are unreasonable. The truth is that only those with their minds set on God know what reason really is; only God's course is the course that will ultimately prevail.

Thinking about how chaotic our world is today brought back to mind one of the best book that I have ever read on this topic - "Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World" by Dr. David Jeremiah. [Note: The above quote is taken from this book.]

One bookmarked page in Chapter Five, entitled "Stay Connected", has suggestions for three ways to stay centered in Christ.

After Dr. Jeremiah discussed the importance of staying centered in Christ he goes on to describe just how do we go from being earth-centered to being heaven-centered?

Here are three suggestions to help you in your quest for Christ-centeredness.

Seek God's Will. "but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).

I had to chuckle when I read what Dr. Jeremiah states next. It seems to meld with the thoughts of those whose eyes are only on this world - and not God's heavenly kingdom.

What is it about this verse? People insist on reading it backwards, as though from some spiritual strain of dyslexia: "Add all these things unto you, then seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness in whatever time is left."

Doesn't that describe today's worldly-minded people? I like that phrase, "from some spiritual strain of dyslexia." It proves how true the Bible is when we read:

1Cr 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Dr. Jeremiah:

Blessed are those who read it as written, as intended, as the truth happens to be. One missionary rephrased it well: "Take care of the things that are important to God, and He will take care of the things that are important to you."

That is good advice for every single individual on earth. No one else can take on YOUR PARTICULAR responsibility (whatever that may be) in order to "take care of the things that are important to God" in your own life. Thus, God taking care of the things that are important to you cannot follow without first trusting in God and having faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.

I have seen this scenario played out over and over again in my own life as well as in other's lives. I can discuss this kind of advice freely with my Christian friends because they believe in Christ and agree that the Bible is God's Word and contains absolute truth. However, non-believers often take offense at such a notion.

The second way to stay centered in Christ:

Search God's Word.

This is how Christians can keep their sanity in the midst of all the chaos going on in the world today. Sometimes, I wonder how non-believers can keep it together. If they are paying attention and are seeing all of the evil, corruption and sin being unleashed - without the perpetrators receiving their due punishment for it - how do they hold out any hope? If their hope relies only on the "things of this world," they will continue to be sorely disappointed throughout their entire lives. The things of this world only end up falling to dust and blowing away because reliance on such things do not last. Only God's eternal Word and His Kingdom through Jesus Christ will last for all eternity. Remember, the Bible tells us that one day "every knee will bow" before Christ, and "every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" - which means even the non-believers and followers of other pagan religions - will one day realize who Christ is when He returns to this earth.

Phl 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,


Phl 2:6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,


Phl 2:7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.


Phl 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.


Phl 2:9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,


Phl 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,


Phl 2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Also take note of what is written in Romans:

Rom 14:11 For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God."


Rom 14:12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

The book of Isaiah in the Old Testament is filled with prophesy, as well as prophetic verses. Take note of this wisdom:

Isa 45:20 "Assemble yourselves and come; Draw near together, You who have escaped from the nations. They have no knowledge, Who carry the wood of their carved image, And pray to a god that cannot save.


Isa 45:21 Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me.


Isa 45:22 "Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.


Isa 45:23 I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.


Isa 45:24 He shall say, 'Surely in the LORD I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come, And all shall be ashamed Who are incensed against Him.


Isa 45:25 In the LORD all the descendants of Israel Shall be justified, and shall glory.'

Dr. Jeremiah:

Jesus was a guest in the home of Mary and Martha one day, as Luke's gospel tells us. He found Himself caught in the crossfire of warring priorities. Martha was playing hostess and housekeeper, while Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened intently to His teaching. It didn't seem fair to Martha, and she told Jesus so -- Mary, she said, should do her part. As always, Jesus gave the least expected response: "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:38-42).

As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we ALL need to be focused on what Jesus has instructed and "chose that good part" daily.

It's fine to be involved in family [I believe in God first, family second, job (or other interests) third], work, politics, and any other activity as long as it doesn't compromise what the Bible teaches as truth. However, when we seek and study God's Word on a daily basis, it helps us stay focused on Jesus - the Author and Finisher of our faith.

Hbr 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,


Hbr 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.


Hbr 12:3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Dr. Jeremiah:

We face this choice every single day. Staying centered on Christ requires us to stay focused on God's Word. Geoffrey Thomas has written, "The love of Christ is the strongest constraint to knowing the Scriptures, and if we have little desire for the Bible, we should ask if we indeed know the Savior." In other words, our relationship with the Bible mirrors our relationship with Christ."

The third secret to staying centered in Christ is so simple, so powerful, and so often forgotten.

Support God's Work.

Simply go where His action is--and if you can't go there, find other ways to get involved.

The Sermon on the Mount instructs us:

Mat 6:19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;


Mat 6:20 "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.


Mat 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Dr. Jeremiah:

Pour yourself into eternal things, things that affect the invisible world; things that change the population of heaven.

Jesus says that our hearts naturally follow our treasures. What we value most is a magnet for our thoughts and emotions. Therefore we must learn to value God's things the most. The more we give ourselves to His purposes, the more centered on Christ we will become.

Amen!

Dr. Jeremiah:

There are many other means of staying centered on Christ in chaotic times. But if we start with seeking Him first and searching for Him in the Scriptures, if we remember that our heart follows our treasure and we invest that treasure in things above, we will be well on our way toward starting centered in Christ.

Hat Tips:

Reference: "Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World" by Dr. David Jeremiah, published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson, 2009 pp. 128-132.

Blue Letter Bible

Mercy and Grace

Mercy is God withholding what you deserve.

Grace is God giving you what you don't deserve.

- Dr. David Jeremiah
Turning Point Ministries

Guest Blogger: Susan Smith

Talk Wisdom's guest blogger for today is Susan Smith. She is the author of a weekly newsletter called, "Life in Israel - One Body." I met Susan via Stephen Bennett's blog way back in 2004. At the time, she was working for a Christian organization in Israel called "Bridges for Peace." We have been corresponding ever since.

When Susan was living and working in Israel, the newsletter was named, "Life in Israel." Upon returning, Susan explains the new name of her newsletter:

This writer lived in the city of Jerusalem on earth for five years (2002-2007).
You read about my personal life during those years and God provided many divine encounters with taxi drivers, Israelis and one man studying to be a rabbi in particular. You heard about encounters with other Christian volunteers from all over the world. The Lord did very important and crucial spiritual work in my personal life during those years.”

Because I am convinced the one Church body and Israel are one and the same, spiritually speaking, I changed the name to “Life in Israel-One Body.”

Susan's writing has blessed me (as well as all of her subscribers around the world) immensely over the past four years. I have shared several of her past newsletters here at this blog.

Today, I am presenting two of her most recent newsletters together in one post. It is a marvelous way to start the new year of 2009 - with the heartfelt, Jesus-loving, Bible-based wisdom that is contained and shared in Susan Smith's wonderful writings!

It is my prayer that you are blessed by these two marvelous essays as much as I have been!

In Christ,
Christine

*******

Life in Israel-One Body 26Dec08



Have you ever received a Christmas present that causes pain? This year has brought the most shameful and painful gift into my life. In order to grow spiritually, we often have to face pain. Emotional pain hurts as well as physical pain. Jesus is our healer. The Holy Spirit is gentle. He never forces us to face an issue in our lives. We always have a choice. Are there things in your life that you need to work through with God?



The grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus the Messiah, the Father’s Son, will be with you in truth and love (2John 3) as you work through issues in your life. We can trust God. Even when others have hurt us, and we feel we can trust no one. We can trust God. Even when we believe or think no one can possibly understand, we can trust Jesus. The Lord knows our hearts.



All the days designed and intended for you were written in the Lord’s book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16). Is that hard for you to believe? Every Word of God is pure and flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him (Proverbs 30:5). Do you trust God? I do. He is a safeguard to those who put their trust in him.



So exactly what is this painful Christmas gift acknowledged by my heart? I have received one of the most excruciating and embarrassing revelations ever before in my life. I believe this revelation is from God. This is necessary. I must deal with it. The healing of my broken heart continues from sin that has touched my life. Praise God for his gentleness, his kindness and his grace. Too much light can blind a person. So often in our lives, we are unable to receive more light from God. In a sense there are obstacles to our sight just as there are obstacles to our spiritual growth. Only the love of God can remove the veil that covers our heart (2 Corinthians 3:14-15). Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8).



Two weeks ago we talked about hearts of stone. My heart is more pliable today than it was two weeks ago. Shameful memories from childhood can become demonic strongholds in our thoughts. I was in my forties before the sexual abuse by a brother during my early childhood was ever revealed to another human being. The memories of what happened were repressed and denied. These memories affected my behavior as an adult. I will be 60 next year.



Over the past two weeks there has been some unexpected feedback to this newsletter. One was from a doctoral candidate. This reader is working on her PhD dissertation. I have known her personally for more than 10 years, and her words of encouragement seemed like manna from heaven. Another message was from a reader in the State of Georgia whom I do not know personally. God’s timing is always perfect! The Lord used these two readers in a mighty way to encourage and lead me forward regarding the direction of these newsletters.



Following Jesus is often like stepping stones in our lives. We move from one to another as the Lord directs. The steps are always according to his good will and purpose. They are also according to his perfect timing. There is no running! By God’s grace we learn to wait on the Lord, and we learn to be strong (Psalm 27:14).



My waiting was difficult. It seemed very hard at times, but the Lord is my God. By his grace we have been saved, through faith . . . it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). Our faith is a gift from God every day. Praise the Lord. My salvation happens over and over again. I was saved yesterday, I am being saved today, and I will be saved tomorrow! Following Jesus is a daily walk for every believer. This specific “waiting” period for me began in the newsletter dated 14Nov08. More than a month ago you read:



For the past week I have had a bit of a struggle in my soul (mind, will and emotions) regarding the direction of this newsletter. To open my heart a bit, it concerns my biological family. One of my professors at Columbia International University (CIU) has been lecturing about different family structures and how family systems work. The Lord has used some of Dr. Wagner’s words to touch my heart deeply.



Dr. Wagner was a guest speaker this fall during chapel at my school. You can see a photo of Dr. Larry Wagner at this web page http://www.ciu.edu/graduate/faculty/bio.php?id=32. During the chapel message he quoted someone and said, “We can never be free from what we are unwilling to name.” That quote touched my heart for some unknown reason so during our next class meeting I asked Dr. Wagner for the source of his quote.



God has used the answer to my question to lead me in amazing ways over the past two months. Dr. Wagner recommended a book called Leading with a Limp. The writer is Dan Allender. Dr. Dan Allender received a Master of Divinity degree from Westminster Theological Seminary and his PhD in Counseling Psychology from Michigan State University. Currently, he serves as Professor of Counseling and President of Mars Hill Graduate School in Seattle, Washington.



When I ordered Leading with a Limp from Amazon online, there were several books written by Dan Allender. I also ordered The Wounded Heart: Hope for adult victims of childhood sexual abuse. This second book has unleashed a flood of emotions in my soul, and the Lord is using it tremendously to heal me more from the inside out. Let me share two things from this book:



A father who uses his daughter as a surrogate wife or confidante has bound his daughter’s heart to him in a subtly sexual way . . . the damage may not be overt, and in fact the daughter may feel so special that she would defend to her death the appropriateness of her father’s interactions. It is nevertheless abusive . . . The fact that sexual abuse can be subtle ought not cloud our perspective that it is equally abusive and damaging.



“Damaged” is how I have often felt as a woman. What exploded like a bomb shell inside my heart later in Allender’s book was this: “The child that is set apart for abuse is usually hated for his or her privileges by the other siblings. The child who feels different because of the abuse is then even further alienated due to the sibling jealousy.” He then wrote, “The silence is rarely broken . . . It remains a dark secret for years, if not forever.”



Jesus came to heal the broken hearted (Luke 4:18 and Isaiah 61:1). God prepared my heart and I was able to receive the truth. Jesus heals (Psalm 103:3). I am ready to break the silence. What a wonderful, yet painful Christmas gift this is to my heart and soul. We will continue next week as the Lord leads. Have a wonderful New Year’s holiday. ~ Susan Smith

*******

Life in Israel-One Body 02Jan09


This newsletter will end for a while after today. My spirit, soul and body need a break. When we meet again, my plan is to share much more with you as the Lord leads. Since completing the course called Psychopathology, I am convinced the spiritual realm and the mental realm of our lives are closely related if not one and the same.



There is evidence of this supposition in my personal life and in the lives of others in my family. Les Parrot is a professor of clinical psychology and Leslie Parrot is a marriage and family therapist. In their book entitled Relationships, they talk about intimacy:



If you try to find intimacy with another person before achieving a sense of identity of your own, all your relationships become an attempt to complete yourself . . . when you come to a relationship lacking personal self-worth, all you can offer is neediness.



Wow! Drs. Les and Leslie tell about the “emotional baggage” we bring from our first homes on earth to our adult relationships. “No other relationship shapes who we are more than our family. Most of what we think, feel, say, and do is in response to the home we grew up in.”



No wonder Jesus said, “You must accept the kingdom of God as if you were a little child, or you will never enter it” (Mark 10:15). Every believer must be changed from within by a new way of thinking. You must “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Every mind and heart has been stained with sin during childhood. Only a supernatural power can change the way we think. We live in a fallen world, but we have a choice every day. The evil one can change the way we think as adults, or the Holy Spirit can renew our minds and transform our lives. We are slaves to the one we obey (Romans 6:16). Do you understand?



The feedback to last week’s newsletter has been overwhelming. Thank you for responding. “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God” (Isaiah 40:1). The outpouring of love and encouragement expressed by my brothers and sisters in Christ who read last week’s newsletter has been incredible. “God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5). I stand amazed at the awesomeness of God’s love expressed by his people all over the world. Thank you. Your inspired words have brought great comfort to my soul.



Have you ever felt as though you are in over your head? You know what I mean. It is like biting off more than you can chew. We all have our limitations, and there are times we all need a break. It is painful to receive light that exposes our sin and the sin of those we love deeply. There are times we must be still and wait.



There are times we must be still and know that God is God (Psalm 46:10). We must stop our activity and be silent. Dan Allender expresses this so well in a book called Bold Love:



The key is that the silence that dawns in light of seeing your own sin does not discount the damage of others’ sin. It simply puts it, for a time, in the background, where it waits to be addressed when our own heart is less disposed to judge and rage at another’s failure.



That time of being still to know and the place for being silent in God’s light has arrived for Susan Smith. Allender says, “Silence is required for deep change . . . the silence that deeply changes our heart is the hush that comes when we are caught in our hatred and found to be without excuse.”



God has loaded my plate with delicious food as I continue to learn at Columbia International University (CIU). This week I have had another taste of something that is very important. What I have learned is true for you too. Wherever God has you is where he wants you for his good will and purpose. The mighty God of Israel never makes a mistake. He loves us with an everlasting love. The Lord has led me to CIU in order for me to receive more healing for my heart and soul as well as to prepare me for the future. God took me to Jerusalem for five years to heal my heart as well as to work with Bridges for Peace in the accounting department. My healing continues.



Dan Allender tells a bit about how God loves us: “He dares, in fact, to tear us away from all presumptions of logic, fairness, safety, and normalcy . . . He will have His way and invites us to join Him in the mystery of relationship.” Scripture tells us to ask, seek and knock; we are then assured that we will receive, find and the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7). There is only one door to life. Jesus said, “I am the door” (John 10:9).



The evangelist, James Robison, said in 1989 that no matter how active we are or how diligently we “serve the Lord,” if we do not know him, and live in intimate fellowship with him, then we are not in the center of his will, and we will not experience the mainstream of his blessings and power. I agree. What James Robison said is true for you and for me.



I believe with all of my heart that God has placed me in school during this season for his good will and purpose. I am to learn. I am also to receive more healing in my heart and soul. The Lord can choose to use us to touch hearts and lives no matter where we are or what we are doing.



The land of my life needs to be healed. God’s healing is continuous if we choose to receive. The land and life of my country, the United States of America, needs to be healed. “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Does your life need to be healed? Does your country need healing?



We must always remember the correct order according to God’s Word. We must humble ourselves first. The second step is to pray and seek God’s face. The third step is to turn from our wicked ways. Then the Lord will hear from heaven; he will forgive our sin, and he will heal our land. No other order will work. Humility comes first.



Only in humility can we pray and seek God’s face. Only in humility by the grace of God are we able to turn from our wicked ways. Let us pray together, as Jesus the Messiah taught his disciples, for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). We will meet again after today. For now, the Lord is leading me to be still and silent for a season as I seek and ask for his mercy. Shabbat Shalom, until we meet again...

God's Grace Is Permanent

On this Lord's Day, Sunday, September 7th, 2008, I would like to invite you to watch a wonderful sermon broadcast by Dr. David Jeremiah. The topic of discussion is:

The Continual Praise of Grace

Nothing is Permanent but God's Grace

That is a strong and true statement! After listening and viewing the broadcast, I think that you will most likely agree!

During the sermon, Dr. Jeremiah quoted this:

Gratitude - The forgotten factor in happiness.

Hbr 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.

HT: Lightsource.com