In these chapters of Ezekiel, God tells of a final attack that will happen against Israel in the last days. After the Jewish people have been regathered to their homeland and are living in peace, they come under attack. Gog, the leader of a great army, comes up against Israel in war and in turn is utterly destroyed by God. …
Profaned No More – Ezekiel 38-42 Read More »
Ephesians 2:10
God doesn’t use an assembly line where He rubber stamps His creations. Instead, each of us are a one of a kind piece of art, fearfully and wonderfully handcrafted by God Himself. (Ps. 139:14) From the number of hairs on our heads, to the things we are made to accomplish, the Lord painstakingly oversaw every detail of who He created us to be. But we can only fulfill the good works of God by abiding in Him. For it is through absolute surrender that we are able to accomplish our individual purpose and lead lives for God’s glory.
May 10th – Ephesians 2:10 Read More »
1 John 2:28
Just as Christ called His disciples to abide in Him, He calls us to do the same. But abiding in Jesus means more than just resting in His love and grace. It means actively doing our part to lead lives that glorify God. Abiding means emulating. Emulating the Lord in both word and deed. By earnestly obeying God’s Word, and letting others see Jesus shine through us, we show that we are indeed abiding in Him. So on that promised glorious day of our Lord’s appearance, we can be as gleeful as little children instead of hiding in shame upon His return. Maranatha!
May 9th – 1 John 2:28 Read More »
Titus 3:2
We’ve all heard the golden rule, do unto others as you would have them do to you. But to God, this more than a suggestion, it’s a commandment. In his letter to Titus, Paul makes it clear that if we truly abide in Jesus, it will be evident in the way we treat others. Throughout His ministry, Jesus put the needs of others before His own. And Paul admonishes us to do the same. “ Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.” (Phil. 2:3) To be good ambassadors of Jesus, we need to resemble His behavior in all we do!
May 8th – Titus 3:2 Read More »
Psalm 139:7
Unlimited power can be found in three little words. God is with me. And in Psalm 139, the psalmist takes great comfort in knowing that when we abide in Jesus, we are never alone. Because our God is omnipresent; meaning He is everywhere at the same time, we are always under His watchful eye. For as God Himself declares, “Can a man hide himself in hiding places so I do not see him? Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” (Jer. 23,24) No matter where can we go, there is no place He cannot follow. And never can we be separated from the Lord’s love, goodness, and grace.
May 7th – Psalm 139:7 Read More »
Lubbock Texas Votes To Become Sanctuary City for The Unborn
In a victory for pro life supporters, citizens in Lubbock, Texas voted this past weekend to declare the city a “Sanctuary City for the Unborn. The city’s measure declares performing or aiding in an abortion unlawful. The passage of the ordinance makes Lubbock one of some two dozen cities that have declared themselves sanctuary cities for the unborn. Supporters of the measure say it reflects the views held by many in conservative Lubbock. They believe the ordinance would stand up in court and say they have an attorney who will defend the city free of charge if it is challenged. Read more about the measure here.
Christian And Missionary Alliance Considers Women “Pastors”
When it comes to women being pastors, Christians are deeply divided. The CMA (Christian and Missionary Alliance) consecrates and licenses women for ministry but does not permit them to use the title “pastor.” The term is restricted to men who can be elders, even though not all pastors are elders in CMA churches and not all elders are ordained pastors. But now that may change. The CMA is considering changing the title restrictions at the denomination’s annual General Council meeting, scheduled for both Nashville and online at the end of May, allowing women to be called pastors in the future. Read more about the pending decision here.
NBA Star Tobias Harris Puts Jesus In All He Does
As a member of the Philadelphia 76ers for the past three seasons, Tobias Harris is gaining a reputation for his gifts on the court as well as his humanitarian work off of the court. His work off the court consists of community outreach for underprivileged youth nationwide and in Philadelphia. Tobias said he uses every interaction with other people to show them “the light” inside him, which he says is God. He is also quoted as previously saying, “Any person I meet, I try to embrace them and show them love so that they know I’m a Christian. Jesus Christ was a loving man. And as Christians, we have to try to model our lives after Jesus Christ.” Read more about this inspirational man here.
Maryland Good Samaritan Rescues Baby
Maryland fire officials are crediting a Good Samaritan with saving a child’s life after the infant was ejected from a vehicle during a car crash and sent flying into a body of water. When authorities arrived, they soon discovered that one pediatric patient was ejected from the car teetering over the guardrail and landed into the Assawoman Bay. But thanks to the hero who jumped into the water, rescuing the baby, tragedy was avoided. The infant was later airlifted to John Hopkins Children’s Hospital in Baltimore, while seven other patients were transported via ambulance to various hospitals in the area, fire officials confirmed. Read more about the accident here.
News Of The Day – May 6th Read More »
1 John 1:3
The apostle John spent over three years walking alongside Jesus. He lived, worked, ate, loved, laughed, and cried by the side of our Savior. John saw firsthand the miracles, mercy, and grace Jesus exhibited daily. And the close, personal relationship with Christ John had, he wants for us as well. So John shared with the world his testimony of the goodness of the Lord, and the salvation that Jesus alone offers. And just as Jesus walked with John, when we abide in Him, He walks with us well. What a wonderful truth it is to know that not a single day will go by without Jesus by our side!
May 6th – 1 John 1:3 Read More »
While the church in Antioch was worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit called for Barnabas and Saul to be set apart for the task of spreading the Gospel. “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work for which I have called them.” (vs. 13:2). In that moment, the two men found their lives purpose; to spread the Good News throughout the lands. So what about us? What is the calling and purpose God has for our lives?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if one day we checked our phone to find a message from God listing step by step exactly what it is He wants us to do? But that’s not how God works. Although some of us may have a Barnabas and Saul experience knowing immediately what their purpose is, others of us spend years seeking God’s calling.
Whenever I would hear people talk about how they found God’s purpose for their lives, I couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous. I didn’t understand why God made their paths straight and clear while mine remained crooked and murky. Did they have some special phone line to Heaven that I didn’t? Why were they part of the “it” crowd while I remained on the outside looking in?
I was so caught up in finding out what God had planned for me, that I forgot what His calling is truly about. It isn’t what I can do for God, but rather what God can do both for me and through me for others. For as He Himself says He, “saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.” (2 Timothy 1:9)
In his book entitled, “Do You Feel Called By God?”, Michael Bennett says that God gives all of us the same fundamental calling. First, “we are called to be genuine disciples of Christ as our Lord”. “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Cor. 5:20) Second, “we are called to be holy and to grow in Christ-likeness. Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:24)
In searching for God’s calling what I found is what He wants most of all, is a close personal relationship with me, and with you. He desires hearts that earnestly seek His will above all else. Those who eagerly spend time daily with Him and in His Word. When our focus is on Him, our hearts and ears open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit who guides us in God’s direction. I’ve learned that instead of concerning myself with the plan God has for me, I need instead be ready and willing to go wherever He leads. To be like David whom God called, “A man after my heart, who will do all My will.” (vs. 13:22)
Answering God’s call means submitting every area of your life to God and being obedient to the direction of His leading. And when we follow Him the Lord promises, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go.” (Ps. 32:8) So let go and let God lead you. Answer His call, serve where you are, and know that there is no greater calling then bringing glory to His name!
Answering God’s Call – Acts 13-15 Read More »
Psalm 46
We all need a refuge. But sadly, in times of trouble, some seek comfort through alcohol, drugs, food, relationships, or money. But these worldly sanctuaries, are nothing more than paper houses that crumble at the first sign of an approaching storm. Yet those who find comfort in Jesus, have an unshakable refuge which can withstand even the greatest typhoon. The world may crumble around us, but the foundation of the Lord never will. And when we abide in Him, we are completely protected by His strength, love, and grace. And there’s no safer place to be than in God’s bunker!
May 5th – Psalm 46 Read More »
32nd Annual D.C. Bible Reading Marathon Starts Saturday
This years annual 90-hour Bible Reading Marathon will kick off in Washington, D.C., Saturday as several congregations and members of Congress are expected to take turns reading from Genesis to Revelation in about four days. The 32nd annual marathon will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday and continue through 10 a.m. Wednesday. The event is hosted by the Indiana-based Bible distribution ministry, Seedline International, and will also be streamed online. The event traditionally has taken place every spring on the West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol. Read more about the marathon here.
MercyMe is Back With New Album
Best Selling Christian Band, MercyMe, has just released their new album. it is the band’s 10th studio album, and it’s called, “inhale (exhale).” Currently, the track “Say I Won’t” from the album is hitting the top ten in multiple Christian music charts. It is currently 6th on iTunes and 10th on the Christian Top 40 list. Additionally, it is also in 6th place on Billboard’s Top 100 Christian Songs. MercyMe is best know for their song, ‘I can only imagine”, which is the best selling Christian song of all time. There was also a movie based on the popular song. Watch videos from the new album here.
Christian Lawmaker Arrested After Allegedly Assaulting Student
A Kansas state lawmaker was arrested and charged after allegedly kneeing a student in the groin while substitute teaching. Republican state Rep. Mark Samsel was charged with misdemeanor battery and later released on $1,000 bond after the incident, which was captured on video by students in a classroom at Wellsville’s high school. Samsel, who is a member of Wellsville Family Church in Kansas, says he didn’t do anything wrong, and according to the Associated Press, will appear in district court on May 19. Read more about the ongoing case here.
Dog Gives Comfort To Grieving Child
Raelynn Nast, a 6-year-old from Fort Smith, Arkansas, was devastated after her father, Davey, died recently of colon cancer at 41 years old. The day of Davey’s visitation, Emily Beineman, happened to be jogging by with her dog, Blue. Raelynn approached her and asked if she could give Blue a hug. An immediate bond was formed. Raelynn then asked Emily to come inside and see her father, which Emily did. “Everyone was kind of looking around like, ‘Where did she come from?’ And she came in right next to Rae like they’d known each other for so long. There was that connection there,” Raelynn’s mom, Lacey, said. Raelynn and Emily got together again this week and plan to stay friends forever. Read more about Raelynn and Blue here.
News Of The Day – May 4th Read More »