Grace and mercy

Deuteronomy 13:4 (NIV)

4 It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.

Previously Moses had warned the Israelites of the perils that might arise from their predecessors, the Canaanites, concerning idolatry. In this chapter Moses warns the people of idolatry rising up inside of them and tempting others with their idolatrous thoughts. In the verse above Moses reminds the people it is the Lord your God you must follow and revere; following his commandments and staying close to God for reassurance. For when we draw close to God, God draws close to us.

The Mosaic laws were given to show man that he was incapable of not sinning. For no matter what man did there was always the temptation of sin with him. In the verse above the penalty for following other gods and idols was death.

When Jesus came a new covenant was given that gave life instead of taking it. People were still expected not to sin for the Apostle James said, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”  When a woman was about to be stoned for adultery Jesus stopped the crowd and challenged them that anyone without sin should throw the first stone. Slowly all the people left for they knew they were sinners.  Jesus then told the woman to go and sin no more. Jesus had given her grace and mercy to live, just as He gives us grace and mercy when we sin.

There is no other Savior

Isaiah 43:11-12 (NLT)
11 I, yes I, am the Lord, and there is no other Savior. 12 First I predicted your rescue, then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world. No foreign god has ever done this. You are witnesses that I am the only God,” says the Lord.

God's people are witnesses for him, and can attest, upon their own knowledge and experience, concerning the power of his grace, the sweetness of his comforts, the tenderness of his providence, and the truth of his promise. They step forward as a witness for him that he is gracious and that no word of his has fallen to the ground. They can testify of the Lord’s promise of Salvation and that no other god offers such a plan of redemption. For all the prophets testified of Christ and His coming and God’s promise was fulfilled as He stated.

 

 

During the early months of 2005, Zondervan publishing company launched its biggest marketing campaign ever, costing about $1 million, and placing ads in everything from Relevant (a Christian magazine aimed at twenty somethings), to VH1 and MTV's websites. This campaign is to promote a new Bible translation aimed at spiritually curious 18-34 year-olds. The momentum hit a major bump in the road, however, when one of the magazines key to this promotion, Rolling Stone, pulled Zondervan's ad in early January just weeks before the scheduled run date.

Zondervan bought space in the February issue to promote Today's New International Version of the Bible. This ad, and others that are running in secular media like The Onion and Modern Bride, does not mention "God;" rather, it mentions "real truth" in a world of "endless media noise and political spin," and a blue Bible appears in the corner of the ad. Each ad carries the slogan: "Timeless truth; Today's language."

And that assertion of "truth" evidently triggered the rebuff from Rolling Stone.

Kent Brownridge, general manager of Wenner Media, parent company of Rolling Stone, commented that the ad "doesn't quite feel right in the magazine." Executives cited an unwritten policy against ads containing religious messages, though they would not comment on why they sold the space to Zondervan, the nation's largest Bible publisher, in the first place. Nor did they accept Zondervan's offer to change the ad text.

Kent Brownridge commented that, "The copy is a little more than an ad for the Bible. It's a religious message that I personally don't disagree with. We are not in the business of publishing advertising for religious messages."

Doug Lockhart, Zondervan's marketing vice president, commented that they are "really surprised and disappointed…. Rolling Stone was a perfect fit for the group we want to reach. This rejection underscores the challenge we face."

Two weeks later, however, Rolling Stone reversed course and decided to accept the ad from Zondervan. "We have addressed the internal miscommunications that led to the previous misstatement of company policy and apologize for any confusion it may have caused," Lisa Dallos, spokeswoman for Wenner Media, Rolling Stone's parent company, said.   [http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2005-01-17-bible-ad_x.html; submitted by Dana Beatty, Schaumburg, IL]

 

 

The troublesome part of this article is where it stated, “Executives cited an unwritten policy against ads containing religious messages, though they would not comment on why they sold the space to Zondervan, the nation's largest Bible publisher, in the first place. Nor did they accept Zondervan's offer to change the ad text.” 

But obviously someone stood up as a witness for God and convinced those at the magazine that the ad for Zondervan should be run. Those who are Christians are witnesses for God and they need to tell others God is the only God and there is no other.  Hear the words of God that say, “I, yes I, am the Lord, and there is no other Savior.”

 

 

Thirsting for God

Psalm 63:1 (NIV)

1 You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

David wrote this psalm while in the dessert of Judah. This psalm shows that while David may thirst physically, he thirsts more for God.  There are times when we all find ourselves lost in a wilderness of life, but we must stay connected to God by faith.

Imagine that you just found out you have a rare and terminal illness. You sit down with your doctor.

"Is there no hope?" you ask.

"Well," he says, "there is one thing. Without this one thing, it's over. But with this one thing, you will be completely healed. But let me be utterly clear: It's impossible for you to live without this one thing."

What would you say?

1.       "Listen, Doc, you're boring me. My favorite sitcom is starting in five minutes, and I wouldn't miss it for anything. I don't have time for these silly cat-and-mouse games. See ya."

2.       Or, "Well that's interesting. But, Doctor, that's your opinion. You are completely entitled to it, and I'm sure it makes you feel better for having expressed it. But I resent your attempt to impose it upon me. I really don't need this kind of psychological blackmail, this medical fascism. Good-bye and good riddance."

3.       Or, "What? What is it? Tell me now! I have to know, and I won't leave until I do!"

Of course, the only sane response is the last one.

If we are saved by faith, and if we live by faith, and if it is impossible to please God without faith, the only sane response is: What is it? What is this faith? You have to tell me! I have to know, and I'm not leaving until I do! [Mark Buchanan, Things Unseen (Multnomah, 2002), pp.140-141]

This is how David was connected to God. Even in the midst of physical needs he placed his need in God first. David had faith in what God was doing in his life and David depended upon God to meet his needs. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

We don't know what tomorrow will bring

Proverbs 27:1 (NIV)
1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Here King Solomon provides a word of caution against presuming we have time to act, to complete tasks, to finish what we started.  We should always be willing to prepare for the future, but we cannot assume that the future is guaranteed to us. There is one thing we should never put off. When we hear God’s calling to follow Christ and place our trust in Him we must do so that we do not miss out on the glories and riches of heaven; for tomorrow may not come and then it will be too late to act.

 

 

J. Richard Love of Ruston Louisiana write about articles he read in Time Magazine. On a vacation in October 2001, I was thumbing through a pile of dated magazines, and in Time magazine I stopped to read the column called Winners & Losers.

In the "Loser" category in an August 2001 issue was Rudy Giuliani, lame duck New York City mayor, suffering from crumbling health, a crumbling marriage, and a crumbling political career. What a loser, Time suggested. Who would want to be this guy?

In the "Winner" category a month earlier was Ted Olson, rising star as Solicitor General of the United States. What a winner, Time proclaimed. Who wouldn't envy this guy?

How things change. Within a matter of weeks of these two issues, Time would refer to Giuliani as the "Mayor of the World" and a "tower of strength" for his leadership in the aftermath of September 11, and a few months later the magazine would name him "2001 Person of the Year."

By contrast, we ached with Ted Olson as we watched him bury his wife, Barbara, a passenger on American Airlines Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon. No one envied him at that moment.

 

 

Life can change in the blink of an eye. The first priority is to ensure you have placed you faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Next you want to think of those close to you. Do they know Christ? Would they know how to answer if God asked them “Why should I let you into my heaven?”  If they don’t - help them understand and let God call them close to Him.

Forever with God and Christ

1 Peter 1:3 (NLT)
3 Let us thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was through His loving-kindness that we were born again to a new life and have a hope that never dies. This hope is ours because Jesus was raised from the dead.

Here the apostle encourages us to give thanks to God the Father and our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. For it was through the loving kindness of Christ that we were born again to a new life and given a hope of eternity in heaven with Him. We have the hope of eternal life for Christ was raised from the dead just as those will be who have placed their faith in Him.

 

 

You've probably never heard of Wilbert Williams. He's not famous or rich. Still, Williams received an honor normally reserved for the connected, powerful, and wealthy. On December 2, 2004, the city of Chicago designated a street as Wilbert Williams Way. The honor is in celebration of his upcoming retirement.

What did someone as unknown as Williams do to deserve such a tribute? The question becomes even more compelling when you realize that for nearly 40 years, Wilbert Williams has worked at the Woman's Athletic Club as a doorman. Normally, an honorary street sign goes to people who get the door held open for them not to the one holding the door.

What set Williams apart? He has carried out his duties in an exemplary fashion. Police Officer Paul O'Donnell said, "In all these years, I've never heard him speak a harsh word about anyone. He's a gentleman." Through his kindness and service to others, Williams made an impact on those who he met at the corner of Michigan and Ontario. Commenting on why he has always helped tourists, pointing them in the right direction, Williams says, "If I was in a different city, I'd like someone to help me."

Having a street named after you is impressive. How much greater the honor God promises to give to those who serve him well, an eternal inheritance that will never spoil or fade away.

[John Beukema, Western Springs, Illinois; source: Shamus Toomey, "Doorman Gets His Way," Chicago Sun-Times (12-2-04)]

 

God has the riches of heaven waiting for us. We need to realize our existence here on earth is short lived and we have a glorious eternity waiting for us because of Jesus Christ. Let us give thanks to God the Father and Jesus Christ who in their love, mercy and grace thought of us and gave us hope to live with them forever.

Trust in what God can do for you

Proverbs 29:25 (NLT)

25 Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.

Abraham feared death because his wife was a beautiful woman, so he referred to her as his sister. Although Peter had been with Jesus, seen his miracles and even aided others - when Peter felt alone he suddenly feared the wrath of man and denied that he ever knew Jesus. We are encouraged to depend on the power of God which keeps us away from the thoughts of fear. If God is truly our salvation then with must believe with our hearts and trust God and not be afraid.

Our need to be in charge of ourselves, others, and situations often makes our relationship with Christ life's biggest power struggle. We are reluctant to relinquish our control and allow Him to run our lives. We may believe in Him and be active in the church and Christian causes, but trusting Him as Lord of everything in life can be scary.

Even though we pray about our challenges and problems, all too often what we really want is strength to accomplish what we've already decided is best for ourselves and others. Meanwhile we press on with our own priorities and plans. We remain the script writer, casting director, choreographer, and producer of the drama of our own lives, in which we are the star performer.

[Lloyd Ogilvie in 12 Steps to Living Without Fear. Christianity Today, Vol. 32, no. 3.]

Do you find yourself planning your life without God’s help? Do you allow fear to overrun you because you haven’t talked to God about the problem? Maybe it’s time to stop depending upon you and depend on God. Stop fearing what man can do to you and start trusting in what God can do for you.

Our earthly and eternal bodies

2 Corinthians 5:1-5 (NKJV)
1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

The apostle writes about the assurance of resurrection for those who have placed their faith in the promise of God that Jesus Christ died for our sin, rose again to life that we may too have victory over death and live an eternal life in heaven with the Father and the Son.

 

 

Hawa Ahmed was a Muslim student in North Africa. One day, she read a Christian tract in her dormitory and decided to become a Christian. Her father was an Emir (Islamic ruler), so she expected to lose her inheritance because of her conversion. She was completely unprepared for what happened. When she told her family she had become a Christian and changed her name to Faith, her father exploded in rage. Her father and brothers stripped her naked and bound her to a chair fixed to a metal plate with which they wanted to electrocute her. Faith asked them to at least lay a Bible in her lap. Her father responded, "If you want to die together with your false religion, so be it." One of her brothers added, "That will show that your religion is powerless." Although they had bound her, she was able to touch a corner of the Bible. She felt a strange peace, as though someone were standing beside her. Her father and brothers pushed the plug into the socket—and nothing happened. They tried four times with various cables, but it was as though the electricity refused to flow. Finally her father, angry and frustrated, hit her and screamed, "You are no longer my daughter."

Then he threw her into the street, naked. She ran through the streets, humiliated and in pain. People looked at her, curious rather than shocked. Shaking and tearful, she ran to a friend. Her friend let her in, clothed her, and gave her shelter. The next day, her friend asked neighbors what they had thought when they had seen Faith running naked through the streets. "What are you talking about?" they asked. "The girl had a wonderful white dress on. We asked ourselves why someone so beautifully clothed had to run through the streets." God had hidden her nakedness from their eyes, clothing her in a beautiful white dress. Today, Faith is a full-time evangelist with Every Home for Christ.

[Guido Kuwas , Global Revival News (12-17-01); submitted by Owen Bourgaize, Guernsey, United Kingdom]

 

It wasn’t time for Hawa Ahmed to go home to be with God, although she was prepared to do so. God had plans to use her here on earth for a while longer. Today, Faith is a full-time evangelist with Every Home for Christ.  Let us give praise to God while we exist here in these earthly bodies and give Him praise for the future bodies of immortal life waiting for us.