Tuesday

Dear friends, never avenge yourselves.

Leave that to God.

For it is written,

“I will take vengeance;

I will repay those who deserve it,” says the Lord.

~Romans 12:19 (NLT)~

CHINA. Rescuers are racing against time to save tens of thousands of people still trapped under collapsed buildings following the massive May 13 earthquake in Sichuan province. Several cities surrounding Chengdu suffered tremendous loss of life and property when the quake struck. Fatalities are now expected to reach 50,000 and 4 million homes have been demolished. As aftershocks continue and rescuers face monumental challenges in extracting people from beneath tons of collapsed concrete, hopes are dimming for many trapped inside the buildings. Pray that even in the midst of tragedy, the God of miracles will work in ways that will bring great glory to Himself. Pray that all who seek to provide assistance will be aware of a much greater power at work, and will depend on Him. Pray that survivors, rescuers and observers will long for a relationship with the one and only true God who can comfort them in times of need, provide for them throughout life, and give them eternal life.

LAST FRONTIER. Those serving among a Last Frontier people group write: “We ask you to pray for our team of national believers and missionaries as we begin discipleship training for team members so that we will be ready to disciple new believers. Pray that any language barriers will not create confusion and that the Father will be honored during these times of training.”

MISSIONARY PERSONAL NEEDS. As a result of a governmental treaty between the United States and France, missionaries Ron and Lisa Jones have recently learned that they must leave Reunion Island in September 2008 for a year. Please join Ron and Lisa in prayer as they seek the Lord’s will in where He would have them to go and serve during this time. In addition, pray that the Lord will give them peace as they leave the people they have come to love, and an extra measure of grace as they deal with the many adjustments they will encounter as they learn to serve in a different country and among a different people group. Most importantly, pray for the new work they have just started in the southern part of the island, asking that the Lord will call out someone to work in that area that has such a great need for an evangelical witness.

Baptist Press Articles

I urge you to read both of these articles. Your heart will be blessed.

FLORIDA–Thousands celebrate lives of Forrest, Preston Pollock. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28085

LOUISIANA–Extreme Makeover blesses Katrina-ravaged church. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28086

From Lifeway:

Salvation Through Christ: A Matter of FAITH

Jesus loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you.

In your personal opinion, what do you understand it takes for a person to get to heaven and have eternal life?

Here is how the Bible answers this question. It is answered in one word and the word is FAITH.

F Is for Forgiveness

*
Everyone has sinned and needs God’s forgiveness. Romans 3:23: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
*
God’s forgiveness is in Jesus only. Ephesians 1:7: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”

A Is for Available

*
God’s forgiveness is available for all. John 3:16: “God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
*
God’s forgiveness is available but not automatic. Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.”

I Is for Impossible

*
According to the Bible, it is impossible to get to heaven on our own. Ephesians 2:8-9: “By grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift – not from works, so that no one can boast.”
*
So how can a sinful person have eternal life and enter heaven?

T Is for Turn

*
If you were going down the road and someone asked you to turn, what would he or she be asking you to do? (Change direction) Turn means repent. Turn away from sin and self. Luke 13:3: “Unless you repent, you will all perish as well!”
*
Turn to Jesus alone as your Savior and Lord. John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
*
Here is the greatest news of all. Romans 10:9-10: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.”

What happens if a person is willing to repent of their sins and confess Christ?

H Is for Heaven

* Heaven is a place where we will live with God forever. John 14:3: “If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.”
* Eternal life begins now with Jesus. John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance.”

H can also stand for how.

How can a person have God’s forgiveness, eternal life, and heaven? By trusting Jesus as your Savior and Lord. You can do this right now by praying and asking Jesus to forgive you of your sins and inviting Jesus into your heart.

Accepting Christ is just the beginning of a wonderful adventure with God! Get to know Him better in a number of ways:

* Follow Christ’s example in baptism.
* Join a church where you can worship God and grow in your faith.
* In your church, get involved in Sunday School and Bible study.
* Begin a daily personal worship experience with God where you study the Bible and pray.

F – Forgiveness

A – Available

I – Impossible

T – Turn

H – Heaven/How

Anna Lee