Month: April 2021

News Of The Day – April 30th

Illinois Church Under Fire For “Drag Queen” Sunday 

In a gross example of 2 Timothy 3, an Illinois Methodist church has faced criticism for having a service entitled “Drag Sunday”. The service included drag artists who sang, prayed and performed. A drag speaker during the service said the goal was “celebrating and uplifting the voices of drag artistry within the church.” Drag itself, the speaker said, is “divine.” The church certified a drag queen as a candidate for ministry in the United Methodist Church. the candidate is the first openly gay man to be certified within the Illinois Great Rivers Conference and, as far as anyone can tell, the first drag queen certified in the United Methodist Church. Read more about the disturbing service here

 

Senator Tim Scott quotes Worship Song In GOP Rebuttal

When delivering the Republican’s response to President Biden’s stage of the union speech, Senator Tim Scott ended his speech by quoting a popular worship song, The Blessing, by Elevation Worship, Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes. “May the Lord bless you and keep you. Make His face shine upon you. And be gracious to you. May His presence go before you, and behind you, and beside you. In your weeping and you rejoicing. He is with you. May His favor be upon our nation for a thousand generations. And your family and your children. And their children. Scott credits his faith for getting him through difficult times. Read more about his speech here. 

 

Arizona Governor Signs Ban On Abortions Based On Genetic Abnormalities

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey is being applauded by pro-life supporters. Ducey signed into law a measure banning abortions performed strictly on the basis of genetic disorders detected in the fetus, such as Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis, unless the condition is considered lethal. The bill, approved in Arizona’s Republican-controlled legislature along strict party-line votes last week, makes it a felony for a medical professional to terminate a pregnancy solely on the basis of a hereditary abnormality in the fetus. Doctors performing such an abortion could face prison time. Read more about the bill here.

 

 

Georgia Police Save Woman From Burning Car

Savannah Georgia officers are labeled heroes after smashing a car window to save a woman from being burned after the car caught on fire. Body camera video footage shows the officers shattering the windows of the car because the door was jammed and the 18-year-old woman inside the vehicle was unresponsive. They were able to pull the woman over the front passenger seat and out the back door of the vehicle. “I am so proud of these officers for their actions when responding to the scene last night,” Chief Roy Minter said. “They literally ran toward the flames and worked quickly as a team to not only remove the passenger from the car but get her to a safe location.” Read more about these heroes here.

April 30th – 1 Timothy 2:5

1 Timothy 2:5

Despite what the world tells us, there is only one God. And only one road to the living God, who is holy and righteous. And as such, there is absolutely no way we can stand before Him on our own without a mediator. Because of His amazing love, Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, became that mediator. And as God in the flesh, Christ is the only one who is worthy to stand before the throne of grace. For the Lord Himself paid for our sins with His precious blood. And as our High Priest, Jesus mediates for all who calls Him Lord, declaring us innocent, forgiven, and His.

Safe In God’s Hands – Genesis 46-50

 

Genesis 46-50

The story of Joseph is a hard one to read. It seems he just couldn’t catch a break. Author A.W. Tozer once said, ‘It is doubtful that God ever used anybody greatly without first hurting him deeply”, and Joseph knew this firsthand. But even through his lowest of lows and highest of highs, Joseph knew one thing. That it was the hand of God working in all things to bring about His will.

With all of the trials that he faced, it would have been easy for Joseph to get stuck in self pity and discouragement. He could have turned away from God, blaming Him for his misfortunes. And Joseph could have used his power and authority to take vengeance against his brothers for their brutal betrayal.

But he didn’t. Instead Joseph humbled himself before the Lord and submitted to His will. He held on to the truth that God is always in control. And most of all, Joseph trusted Romans 8:28. “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” 

When tough times have come into my life, too often my first response has been anger or to question God and cry out, “Why me?” I have tried to rely on my own abilities to control or change the situation. When instead I should be like Joseph, riding out the storm and content in trusting God’s perfect plans and timing. Pridefully I’ve tried in vain to follow my own path instead of the path God has laid out for me.

During those times when I feel the pull of a “woe is me attitude”, I remember the strength of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He willingly faced endless adversity and endured unmeasurable suffering to fulfill the plans of God. And because of His sacrifice, we are saved.

Although I might not understand God’s reasons for the tribulations in my life, God knows. And that’s enough for me. What I do know is that He loves me, always has my  best interests at heart, and wants me to cast all of my anxiety onto Him. (1Peter 5:7).

At the time of his troubles, Joseph didn’t yet know the great things God was going to accomplish through him. And when we are knee deep in our troubles we might not see the great things God wants to accomplish through us too. No matter the difficulty, even if as in Joseph’s case it’s the wickedness of others, God is there.

I love how the iworship Bible says, “He’s watching. Working. Writing a masterpiece.” And in writing this masterpiece, God may use our suffering to result in not only a great blessing for ourselves, but for others as well. For just as Joseph declares to the brothers who treated him with treachery, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” (Gen. 50:20)

No matter what you are going through right now, remember that He has a purpose and a plan. God loves you more than you can ever know, so trust Him. He will will keep you safe in His hands, and there are no better hands to be in!

April 29th – Luke 23:43

Luke 23:43

There is a beautiful lesson we can learn from the two thieves hanging on either side of Jesus. While we are alive, it’s never too late for salvation. Because of His great love, the Lord will never turn anyone away who comes to Him in genuine faith and repentance. Whether declared early in life, or with a last breath, all who confess Jesus as their Savior will enter paradise. For His mercy is so great and His grace so plentiful, Christ accepts everyone who loves Him, regardless of the timing. And no matter who we are, all who put their faith and trust in Him, will receive everlasting life!

April 28th – Psalm 31:3

Psalm 31:3

No matter who we are, we all face storms in life. But unlike those who put their faith in the world, Christians have a safe haven in Jesus. Through His precious blood, we are adopted heirs into the family of Christ. And as such, we are welcomed into God’s great fortress. So regardless of the strength of the attacks from the Enemy, we are safe behind His impenetrable walls. For the sake of the name of His precious Son, our Father will allow no barrage to defeat us. So let the wind rage. Because we are under the protection of the One who controls the storm.

News Of The Day – April 27th

Small Ministry Travels Across The Country Delivering Bibles to Prisons

Prisoner turned preacher, David Stevenson and his wife Tiffany of Texas, have been traveling through multiple states in an old school bus they’ve refurbished (decorated with the slogan, “There’s always hope for tomorrow,” painted on the side) delivering Bibles and discipleship books to prisons as part of their ministry, Online Christian Services (OCS Ministries). Knowing first hand what its like to be locked up, Stevenson also plans to publish an inspirational book, titled “From Lemons to Lemonade.” Read more about this impassioned pastor here.

 

Christians Blast Canadian Extended Assisted Suicide Bill

Physician-assisted suicide, known as “Medical Assistance in Dying” or MAID, has been legal in Canada since 2016. But now the law is expanding. The new law expands access to assisted suicide to those whose death is not “reasonably foreseeable,” including the mentally ill, although that provision will not become law for two years to allow a review to establish protocols and safeguards. The new law also allows people to make advance requests for euthanasia if they fear losing the ability to make that decision later in life. Read more about this devastating law here.

 

Dallas Megachurch Loses Pastor

Todd Wagner, senior pastor and co-founder of Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Texas, who temporarily stepped down from his pulpit late last summer due to the sin of pride, revealed Sunday that he has resigned from his position. The pastor said he had gotten to a point in ministry where he was just not listening enough to his leadership team and failed to lead “with the usual grace in my relationships with my closest friends. I’ve been short and irritable. I’m invalidating at times. I’m impatient enough that people were noticing a difference.” Read more about his resignation here.

 

Common Heart disease Drug May Fight Obesity

Those looking for a magic pill to fight the fat may be in luck. A group of researchers led by Nabil Djouder, Head of the Growth Factors, Nutrients and Cancer Group at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), shows that digoxin, a drug already in use against heart diseases, reduces inflammation and leads to a 40% weight loss in obese mice, without any side effects. Linking obesity to inflammation, the drug could be a key in providing beneficial weight loss. Read more about the findings here. 

 

April 27th – John 15:9

John 15:9

It is often said the three most beautiful words one can hear are, “I love you.” And these words are what Jesus says to each of us as His beloved. But the love Christ has for us surpasses any other kind of worldly love we could ever know. For His is an all encompassing, unmerited, unconditional, and unmeasurable love. A love with no beginning, and no ending. One that is selfless, sacrificial, and beyond any love this world could offer. And better yet, Jesus wants to remain in His perfect love. Letting it guide, protect, and fill us with His precious grace and peace.

The Beasts Of Satan Revealed – Revelation 13

Revelation 13

Throughout the Bible we are taught that what Satan desires most of all is power and glory. He wants to be worshiped as God. And during the tribulation, for awhile, he gets just that. But no matter how hard he tries, his reign is short, his ability to destroy limited, and his desire to be God never fulfilled. Regardless of all he does, including calling forth his beast from the sea and his beast from the earth, the Lord remains sovereign and destroys him in the end. …

April 26th – John 13:14

John 13:14

One of the last acts Jesus performed on the earth was to wash the feet of His disciples. In a display of great love, grace, and humility, the Lord took a basin of water and wiped away their filth. And just like the unmerited favor He showed His followers, Jesus wants us to show each other. We too need to grab our basins and wash the feet of others in that same humility, grace, and love. How? By sharing with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For the Word of the Lord washes away every sin, leaving us clean and declared righteous.

April 25th – Colossians 3:12

Colossians 3:12

Did you know that one of the many hats Jesus wears is that of a personal stylist? As our Redeemer, He provides us with the perfect Christian outfit. Once we were clothed in darkness, eternally separated by sin from our Creator. But out of His great love, Jesus pulled us from that darkness and purchased us at great cost to Himself. And because of our relationship with Him, we are now citizens of heaven and should dress like it. No longer are we to wear the filthy rags of immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed. Instead we proudly wear the designer clothes of righteous glory that reflect “those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved.” (vs. 12)