Words Matter
By Greg Laurie
"Let your 'Yes'
be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No' (Matthew 5:37)
During the days of
the early church, thousands lost their lives because they would not say two
words: Kaiser Kurios, which means "Caesar is Lord." That's
because they understood that words matter.
You may remember the story of Rachel Scott. She was one of the 13 people who were killed at Columbine High School. Rachel, 17, was a strong Christian and very involved in her youth group.
On April 20, 1999, armed students began shooting people on Rachel's high school campus. They came to Rachel and shot her twice in the legs and once in the torso. Then they left, only to return moments later. Lifting her by the head, they asked, "Do you believe in God?" Rachel understood that the words she chose would have serious consequences.
These godless men would take her life if she said yes, and perhaps even if she said no. But without hesitation, Rachel said, "You know I do!"
"Then go be with him," responded one of the boys before shooting her in the head. Rachel received a martyr's crown that day, I am sure. What would you have said under such circumstances?
Rachel understood that words matter.
Jesus said, "Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No' (Matthew 5:37). In other words, the things you say should be free of duplicity or deceit, and no one should have any reason to doubt your words. Your words should be in alignment with your actions.
On our wedding day, before family and friends and before the pastor, we say "I do!" And when temptation calls, we dig in and firmly say "I won't." And when Jesus calls us to follow Him wholeheartedly, we say, "I will."
Words matter. So use them wisely.
You may remember the story of Rachel Scott. She was one of the 13 people who were killed at Columbine High School. Rachel, 17, was a strong Christian and very involved in her youth group.
On April 20, 1999, armed students began shooting people on Rachel's high school campus. They came to Rachel and shot her twice in the legs and once in the torso. Then they left, only to return moments later. Lifting her by the head, they asked, "Do you believe in God?" Rachel understood that the words she chose would have serious consequences.
These godless men would take her life if she said yes, and perhaps even if she said no. But without hesitation, Rachel said, "You know I do!"
"Then go be with him," responded one of the boys before shooting her in the head. Rachel received a martyr's crown that day, I am sure. What would you have said under such circumstances?
Rachel understood that words matter.
Jesus said, "Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No' (Matthew 5:37). In other words, the things you say should be free of duplicity or deceit, and no one should have any reason to doubt your words. Your words should be in alignment with your actions.
On our wedding day, before family and friends and before the pastor, we say "I do!" And when temptation calls, we dig in and firmly say "I won't." And when Jesus calls us to follow Him wholeheartedly, we say, "I will."
Words matter. So use them wisely.
GOD'S LOVE TRANSFORMS YOU!
”The
world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives
forever.” (I John 2:17)
By Paul Dhinakaran
My dearly Beloved
How often do we get caught in the snares of worldly pleasures that we find so difficult to shrug off later? It binds our minds like a vicious grip. No matter how hard you try to break off the worldly ties, it follows you like the Anaconda. However, there is a way out, my beloved. You can be set free from all the worldly desires completely.
The answer is right here for you in the Bible verse of Romans 5:5 which says, ”The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us”. The downpour of God’s love into our hearts, transforms us from the inside out. Your love for God will be so deep and profound that no matter what grief or weakness may come your way, you stay completely rooted in the Lord. No storm or wind can move you, and you become a strong rock like the Lord Jesus.
Citing an instance in my life, let me tell you how the Lord’s love transformed me totally. When I was a young man, and a first year B.Sc. student of Loyola College, my heart was far away from the Lord. But towards the end of the first year, God metamorphosed me into His child. The following year, when the time to go back to same college came, I was afraid my old company of friends would drag me back into the same old vices. I implored to the Lord to help me to remain as His child. In answer to my cry, the Lord filled my heart with His Holy Spirit who strengthened me. Every morning, when I rode to the college on my bicycle, many desires in the form of the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and pride of life (I John 2: 16) would assail me. I would cry out to the Lord again, and He would fill me with the Holy Spirit. The comforting thought that I was no more the worldly child of the devil but belonged completely to the Lord would cross my mind and heart. Thus, the Lord became my shield and kept me holy. He enabled me to shine in the sight of all as His child in the same college. He helped me to excel in my studies and honored me as well.
Dear ones, when we go to college or work, because of the lusts which emerge within us, many kinds of temptations, distresses, tribulations and travails torment us. Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. Remember beloved, nothing shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:37-39). 1 John 4:4 says, "He who is in you is greater than He who is in the world." He is the One who conquered temptations and crushed Satan under His feet (Romans 16:20) for you. His immense love fills you with His grace to cling to Him and say, "I belong to God." The result, victory and honor come seeking you, what’s more "Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake" (Isaiah 54:15), and will bow down before you. You’ll receive double for your trouble.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus, thank You for Your wonderful love. I ask you to cleanse me with Your blood and uproot everything of the world within me completely. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and lead me in Your holy and righteous way. Make me Your child forever. Let Your perfect will be done in my life. Mould me, break me, and transform me that I may follow You all the days of my life. O shepherd of my soul, I give You full control. Take me and use me for Your glory. Bless You Lord!
In Jesus name
Amen!
How often do we get caught in the snares of worldly pleasures that we find so difficult to shrug off later? It binds our minds like a vicious grip. No matter how hard you try to break off the worldly ties, it follows you like the Anaconda. However, there is a way out, my beloved. You can be set free from all the worldly desires completely.
The answer is right here for you in the Bible verse of Romans 5:5 which says, ”The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us”. The downpour of God’s love into our hearts, transforms us from the inside out. Your love for God will be so deep and profound that no matter what grief or weakness may come your way, you stay completely rooted in the Lord. No storm or wind can move you, and you become a strong rock like the Lord Jesus.
Citing an instance in my life, let me tell you how the Lord’s love transformed me totally. When I was a young man, and a first year B.Sc. student of Loyola College, my heart was far away from the Lord. But towards the end of the first year, God metamorphosed me into His child. The following year, when the time to go back to same college came, I was afraid my old company of friends would drag me back into the same old vices. I implored to the Lord to help me to remain as His child. In answer to my cry, the Lord filled my heart with His Holy Spirit who strengthened me. Every morning, when I rode to the college on my bicycle, many desires in the form of the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and pride of life (I John 2: 16) would assail me. I would cry out to the Lord again, and He would fill me with the Holy Spirit. The comforting thought that I was no more the worldly child of the devil but belonged completely to the Lord would cross my mind and heart. Thus, the Lord became my shield and kept me holy. He enabled me to shine in the sight of all as His child in the same college. He helped me to excel in my studies and honored me as well.
Dear ones, when we go to college or work, because of the lusts which emerge within us, many kinds of temptations, distresses, tribulations and travails torment us. Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. Remember beloved, nothing shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:37-39). 1 John 4:4 says, "He who is in you is greater than He who is in the world." He is the One who conquered temptations and crushed Satan under His feet (Romans 16:20) for you. His immense love fills you with His grace to cling to Him and say, "I belong to God." The result, victory and honor come seeking you, what’s more "Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake" (Isaiah 54:15), and will bow down before you. You’ll receive double for your trouble.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus, thank You for Your wonderful love. I ask you to cleanse me with Your blood and uproot everything of the world within me completely. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and lead me in Your holy and righteous way. Make me Your child forever. Let Your perfect will be done in my life. Mould me, break me, and transform me that I may follow You all the days of my life. O shepherd of my soul, I give You full control. Take me and use me for Your glory. Bless You Lord!
In Jesus name
Amen!
BECOMING GOD'S CHILDREN!
 |
Paul Dhinakaran |
By Paul Dhinakaran
Yet to all who
received Him (The Lord Jesus), to those who believed in His name, He gave the
right to become children of God (John 1:12)
My dearly beloved,
Generally, during the time of seasonal rain (former rain) the farmers plough the field. After they plant the saplings, the latter rain comes. Then the saplings soak in the rain water and grow with life and the rice which goes through this process gives the people good strength and life.
In the same way, the Almighty God tells us, that He comes as the former rain and latter rain, pours on you a shower of blessing at the right time and in the right way. 'God turns the curse into a blessing' (Deuteronomy. 23:5).
God promises saying, ‘I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing' (Ezekiel 34:26).
How does the Almighty God descend as the former rain? Two thousand years ago, the Almighty ‘God was manifested in the flesh’ (1 Timothy 3:16) in the form of man. He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows' (Isaiah. 53:4,5). He put on Himself the sins of all mankind. He spilt the whole blood of His body as the latter rain to redeem the sins of all. The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin (I John 1:7); 'to all who did receive him, ...he gave the right to become children of God (John 1: 12).
Because of God’s great love for us made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions, it is by His grace you have been saved. To those who all receive the Lord, to those who believe in His Name, He gave us the right to become His children. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God (1 John 3:1). Children of God are expected to glorify the Father in heaven by following Christ and His Word. This day, make up your mind to no longer crave the gratification of sins rather choose to follow the Christ and His Word and live a holy life before His sight to enter His kingdom and to be with Him forever!
Generally, during the time of seasonal rain (former rain) the farmers plough the field. After they plant the saplings, the latter rain comes. Then the saplings soak in the rain water and grow with life and the rice which goes through this process gives the people good strength and life.
In the same way, the Almighty God tells us, that He comes as the former rain and latter rain, pours on you a shower of blessing at the right time and in the right way. 'God turns the curse into a blessing' (Deuteronomy. 23:5).
God promises saying, ‘I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing' (Ezekiel 34:26).
How does the Almighty God descend as the former rain? Two thousand years ago, the Almighty ‘God was manifested in the flesh’ (1 Timothy 3:16) in the form of man. He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows' (Isaiah. 53:4,5). He put on Himself the sins of all mankind. He spilt the whole blood of His body as the latter rain to redeem the sins of all. The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin (I John 1:7); 'to all who did receive him, ...he gave the right to become children of God (John 1: 12).
Because of God’s great love for us made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions, it is by His grace you have been saved. To those who all receive the Lord, to those who believe in His Name, He gave us the right to become His children. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God (1 John 3:1). Children of God are expected to glorify the Father in heaven by following Christ and His Word. This day, make up your mind to no longer crave the gratification of sins rather choose to follow the Christ and His Word and live a holy life before His sight to enter His kingdom and to be with Him forever!
The Tragic Consequences of the Sexual Revolution
By Franklin Graham
The sexual revolution that began in earnest five decades ago with promises of new and liberating sexual freedoms has instead left behind a shattered moral landscape that has undermined the fabric and foundation of our nation. Casting off what was perceived as the puritanical restraints of previous generations, the ’60s and ’70s launched a new era of sexual experimentation. The revolution, publicly inaugurated by 1967’s “Summer of Love” in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district, promised an enlightened age of sexual morality.
The new thinking said cohabitation wasn’t really a problem. Divorce wasn’t nearly as harmful as once thought. Promiscuity presented no clear and present danger to the family unit. Same-sex attraction was perfectly normal. Pornography was little cause for concern. Indeed, an entire industry developed around its spurious allure.
Fifty years later, we can see that the results have been catastrophic.
In many respects the American family is completely unrecognizable, courtesy of a failed sexual revolution that has left a devastating wake of destruction.
In certain segments of American culture, more than 70 percent of children are born to single parents and remain in single-parent households. Nationally, more than one in four children today live in households with only one parent. Demographers predict that by age 18, nearly 50 percent of all children will have lived with just a mom or dad.
Nearly half of all marriages end in divorce, and couples who cohabitate before marriage are even more likely to split. Some studies show that the proliferation of pornography available on the Internet has likely contributed to the declining marriage rate.
The freedoms promised by the sexual revolution have instead given way to ever increasing slavery and captivity to sin. The attempt to cast off moral restraint has only opened wide the devil’s destructive, deadly toolbox. “For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved” (2 Peter 2:19).
The plague of immorality has so swept across the American landscape that there is virtually no place where its corrosive influence is not felt. The pervasive, immoral reach of popular media, which actively promotes every type of sexual misconduct imaginable, constantly agitates against the biblical norms of upright, godly behavior.
The Scripture is clear: “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you. … For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous … has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Ephesians 5:3, 5).
Today, what our society seems to value most is the freedom to do whatever we want, whatever makes us feel good. Anyone who would try to stop us from doing what we want—even when what we want is destructive to ourselves and to others—is mocked and vilified.
But God’s laws and commands are given for our good. Sexuality is a gift from God to be used within His wise restraints. Like the levees that hold back mighty rivers from destructive floods, God’s Word and ways are designed to keep our thoughts, passions and desires in godly bounds. They are for our good, not our harm.
“The body is not meant for sexual immorality,” wrote the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church, “but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body’” (1 Corinthians 6:13). Our bodies, which one day will be redeemed, glorified bodies, are made by God for God. To flaunt His design is, in essence, to commit idolatry by prizing and delighting in what God hates.
Our culture, like ancient cultures that ultimately were destroyed in large part due to their own moral depravity, has been severely weakened. A stable family unit committed to the truth and precepts of the Bible was once the foundation and backbone of our nation. That model is now the exception, not the rule.
We know that as the end draws near, this world will be characterized by escalating violence and rampant sexual immorality. In Revelation 17 and 18, Babylon represents the “great prostitute” of the earth. It stands for the unbridled pursuit of sensual pleasures. The earth, about to be judged by the King of kings and Lord of lords, has become completely intoxicated by wanton pleasures. “For all the nations have drunk … of her [Babylon’s] sexual immorality” (Revelation 18:3).
As Christ is about to return, shouts of triumph break out as multitudes in the heavenlies declare: “Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality” (Revelation 19:1-2).
The only answer I know for any society in any era is the strong word of the Lord to the church in Thyatira who, though faithful in some ways, apparently tolerated sexual permissiveness that spread through the church: “I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality” (Revelation 2:21).
There is still time to repent. That is why Jesus is delaying His return, “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
My prayer is that we do not refuse that offer while there is still time. ©2015 BGEA
Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version.
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