Keep Aware June 4

Keep Aware

“God, let me be aware.

Stab my soul fiercely with others’ pain.

Let me walk seeing horror and stain.

Let my hands, groping, find other hands.

Give me the heart that divines, understands.

Give me courage wounded, to fight.

Flood me with knowledge, drench me in light.

Please, keep me eager just to do my share.

God---let me be aware.”

        Miriam Teichner

Giving Self June 3

Giving Self

Jesus had just healed a man of an unclean spirit (Lk.9:42).

Then He said, “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.”  [Luke 9:44, NKJV].

And yet, Christ was trying to teach the disciples that his real majesty was not in healing, but was going to be self-giving on a cross.

Suicide? June 2

Suicide?

Someone asked: Did Jesus commit suicide on the Cross?

The answer is NO.

When someone commits what we call suicide, they TAKE their own life, in a sense trying to relieve pain and glorify their last moments.

Jesus GAVE his life to conquer death not glorify it.

There is a difference in taking and giving.

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”  [John 15:13, NKJV].

Strategy Book of Acts June 1

Strategy of Book of Acts

The running strategy of the book of Acts in the Bible is:

Verses 1-8    Witnessing and testimony.

Verses 2-7    Jerusalem.

Verses 8-12   Judea and Samaria [opposing nations].

Verses 13-28  Involve the whole world.

Who Speaks Now? May 31

Who Speaks Now?

The Apostle Paul spoke to three distinct nations in 1 Co. 13: 1-2.

1.   Greeks who were viewed as great orators, spoke like angels.

2.   Hebrews spoke prophetic powers, interpreting God.

3.   Romans kept faith to action, willing to die for honor.

Who speaks for us Now?

True Christian Definitions May 30

True Christian Definitions

Philosophy uses language to define truth.

        Jesus is the Word of Truth.

Ethics use words for moral living.

        Jesus is the Way.

Religion tells how to live.

        Jesus is life.

“Jesus said to them, I am the way, the truth, and the life . . .” [Jo. 14:6, NKJV].

Death Conquered May 29

Death Conquered

“But we are able to see Jesus, Who was ranked lower than the

 angels for a little while, crowned with glory and honor because

of His suffered death, in order that by the grace (unmerited

favor) of God [to us sinners] He might experience death for

 every individual person.”  [Heb.2:9, AMPBT].