Category: Devotional

The mountains and hills may crumble,

but my love for you will never end,

so says the Lord who loves you.

~Isaiah 54:10 (TEV)~

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
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Friday, July 30, 2010

“Since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh . . . let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:19-23, ESV).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, celebrating with you in prayer over new beginnings.

Missionaries serving in the Huasco River Valley, Chile, request prayer as they begin a community Bible study in the rural village of La Compania. A recent volunteer team made up of university students prayerwalked and held a community-wide Vacation Bible School as well as a women’s evangelistic tea. The Lord opened many doors, and the community is very receptive.

The Fulakunda Team rejoices that there are 10 new believers in villages of Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and the Gambia. When a volunteer team came in February, they were faithful to share stories from the Word, and in doing so, they found one man who accepted the Truth. The team prayed for this man over the next few months, and recently more volunteers came and reconnected with him. They found that he had been sharing what he knew with his family and friends. Pray for these 10 new believers, asking that they will be convicted to meet together consistently to study. Also pray that Fulakunda team members and other local believers will have opportunities to mentor and disciple these new brothers and sisters in the next few months.

Approximately one year ago, a Mandinka pastor, SD, relocated to a town in southern Senegal. It has been challenging for him and his family to leave their friends and family, but they are building new relationships and witnessing every day.

* Please pray that SD and his family will persevere through the subtle and sometimes blatant persecution they encounter.

* Intercede for new Fulakunda believers and seekers in Chile, asking God to reveal His truth daily.

* Hold fast to your confession of hope, knowing that He who promised is faithful!

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

ONE OF THE biggest news stories of the summer broke on July 28th with the temporary injunction set down by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton, stopping several measures in an immigration bill signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer and set to go into effect today…

Effectively, this injunction prohibits law enforcement from more easily detecting those who are in this country illegally.

For many, this is an issue they cannot divorce from politics or race.  But, how should a Christian view the matter of illegal immigration?  That is a different question than whether or not we should embrace those who seek to lawfully enter our nation from other nations around the world.  Bible truth is truth, recognizing no political party of skin color.  To ask how a Christian views any matter is also to ask what the Bible may have to say about it or issues involved with it.  While there is no verse that explicitly deals with illegal immigration, there are biblical principles to consider.

Lying is sinful.  There are no situations that make lying OK.  Paul urged the Ephesians to lay aside falsehood and speak truth (Eph. 4:25). The end for liars is most undesirable (Rev. 21:8).  If one claims something to an employer, landlord, or law enforcement officer that is not true, that one is lying.  How often do those hiring and harboring illegal immigrants knowingly lie or deceive?

Disobeying a nation’s laws is disobeying God.  Romans 13:1-4 says, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.”  Many people go through the proper channels for applying for citizenship.  Even if a nation is lax in enforcing its laws, a Christian will not knowingly subvert the governing authorities in either harboring illegal immigrants or attempting to be in a nation illegally.  A Christian should be averse to being a party to anything rightly labeled “illegal.”

One is to submit to every human, governmental institution (1 Pet. 2:13ff).  Obviously, the only exception is if that entity seeks to get us to disobey the Lord’s commands (cf. Acts 5:27-29).  Otherwise, we must submit to them and in so doing we are “doing right” (1 Pet. 2:14-15).

I would never want to defend or advocate something that, objectively viewed, is termed “illegal.”  Perhaps the desire of some to rationalize on this issue is a product of a greater problem our culture has with law and authority.  The child of God, however, will be reminded “to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men” (Titus 3:1-2).  Neal Pollard, “How Should A Christian View Illegal Immigration?,” Preacherpollard’s Blog, July 29, 2010

“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘

We ought to obey God rather than men.”

~Acts 5:29~

Have a fantastic day!

Anna Lee

Robert Frohn of Amite had a heart attack yesterday and stints put in last night. He is in ICU at North Oaks. Please remember him in prayer this morning.

CaringBridge

• http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kathyjothompson/journal?jid=5860120
• http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecole/journal?jid=5859159

CONTRAST

IF I OFFERED you a method for making a million dollars, and it was s certain process, would you listen…?

What if I offered you the ability to live your life in a wise, godly manner? Would you listen? Sorry, but I do not have the million dollar deal figured out, but I do know where to find the process for living.

That process is found in Psalm 1. It contrasts the difference between the man who wants to live in a godly manner and the one who does not. The contrast is between day and night. One many follows the way of God and is blessed. What is his process? First, he makes his own decisions about what he is going to do. He avoids evil company and refuses to associate with people who are cynical about everything. We often have to work with such people, of course, but we do not need to spend our “off” time with them.

The godly man looks to the true source of wisdom and strength — God Himself. He drinks in godliness as a tree drinks in the water running along its roots. Because of that action and attitude, the man yields fruit. He prospers.

On the other hand, the man who lives as if God were irrelevant is like chaff. He is blown away and has no lasting impact on life. Evil is its own worst enemy and is self-destructive. As the psalmist puts it, “The way of the wicked will perish” (v. 6). Oh, that might not happen right away. In fact, some of the world’s biggest scoundrels seem to have it all. But appearances are deceptive. What they build will not last.

God keeps the way of His people: “For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous” (v. 6). These two ways of living could not be more diverse. One way is day; the other way is night.

Where do you live? Don M. Aycock & Mark Sutton, “The Difference Between Day and Night,” Still God’s Man, 147-148

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Psalm 1

Posted by Mike Benson

I think the weatherman who promised cooler weather yesterday was wrong.  Today, the report is for hot weather.  Take care of yourself and others today.

Anna Lee

“Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth.

For I am God, and there is no other.”

~Isaiah 45:22, HCSB~

The youth from Osyka have returned from M-Fuge.  They had a wonderful experience.

The mission team from FBC, Amite made it to Mexico City yesterday.  Pray for their time of ministry there.  Also, pray for the health of the team.

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

I HAVE A confession–I didn’t pay any real attention to the World Cup…

Yes, I dabbled in “football” (e.g., soccer) when I was a youngster, but the sport just didn’t hold my attention. Sure, there was a lot of movement on the playing field, but a score of 2-1 or 2-0 just wasn’t sufficient for my personal taste. There simply wasn’t enough “scoring return” for all of that cumulative exertion. “He shoots–No!” “He shoots–No, he missed!” “He shoots–and the ball goes wide!” That mantra continued for all but a few, brief moments during every game. But enough about my sporting affections.

Several days ago, I stumbled across an article in USA Today pertaining to the World Cup. The piece said:

“The Dutch will literally be praying for victory in the World Cup Final.

On Sunday morning in the village of Obdam, north of Amsterdam, the
Rev. Paul Vlaar and the members of his choir plan to wear orange
robes for Mass before the Netherlands’ match against Spain kicks off
in South Africa.

The candles, piano and even the snacks served with coffee afterward
will also bear the national hue.

‘I will say a special prayer and talk about the football game in my
sermon,’ Vlaar said Thursday.

He is expecting only a few hundred people in his small parish church,
but the Catholic priest has caught the mood of the nation as it heads
to its first World Cup final in 32 years…”  Friday . July 9, 2010 . 8C

I had to stifle a laugh when I first read those brief paragraphs. The big news of the day was about how a nation bowed in reverential prayer for a win over their European opponents.

May I ask a few questions…? Forgive my sarcasm, but a few points seem in order:

1. Have we really come so far as human beings that we think God is concerned with the outcome of a soccer match? With all of the issues that plague our planet and the souls of mankind, is the Almighty bending His ear to hear prayers about an activity with no eternal dimensions?

2. Have we become so selfish that we can petition the Lord for a victory in this realm?James said, “You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:3). Toask amiss is to ask for the wrong reason. “Lord, help us to crush the Spaniards today as we battle them for supremacy in this epic struggle…”

3. The apostle Paul’s mandate to preachers says, “Preach the Word…” (2 Timothy 4:2a). Read that again slowly, “Preach…the…Word.” And why are we to preach the Word? Because it’s the only message for a lost and dying world (cf., 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21). A worship service and a sermon that majors on the outcome of a football game obviously can’t accomplish the Lord’s purpose. People are hell-bound and separated from the Father (Romans 3:23). They need the Word, not ESPN.

4. Paul spoke of those “whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame–who set their mind on earthly things” (Philippians 3:19). Earthly things, perhaps like a football match?

If this whole situation weren’t so sad, it would be humorous. Dear friends, God is not Santa Claus–One who grants our whims like a child’s Christmas list. Worship is not about my wants; it’s about what the Lord desires and commands.  Mike Benson at: http://www.forthright.net/fidelity/worship_and_the_world_cup.html

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

~Colossians 3:2~

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee