Discipleship Network Forum

Let’s return to our discussion of “the “D-word” (discipleship) from last week. If you’ve been around the church for any amount of time, you know that it’s the missing link in the church today, whether you’ve been able to put your finger on it before now or not.

“Every mile is two in winter.” (George Herbert, 1651)

“Winter changes into stone the water of heaven and the heart of man.” (Victor Hugo, 1862)

“Winter Storm Juno” (aka “Blizzard ‘15”) with its hurricane-force winds is dumping heavy snow, creating whiteout conditions, and causing coastal flooding across much of New England. More than 50 million people are hunkered down seeking warmth and shelter. Power outages are widespread. Thousands of flights have been canceled. Travel bans have been issued. Bleak weather service blizzard warnings forecast life-threatening conditions and extremely dangerous travel. Icy roads and bone-chilling temperatures are keeping people inside their homes.     

The New York City  Department of Homeless Services has changed its weather emergency procedure, allowing the homeless to stay at any city shelter regardless of which one they’re assigned to. In an effort to find homeless New Yorkers along the subway system, they have doubled the number of “outreach vans” on the streets. Rescue workers are reaching out to provide shelter for those who might otherwise starve or freeze to death.

Extreme winter weather reminds us of the sad reality that emotionally it can be a cold, cruel world. And when storms of the soul threaten our spiritual well-being, it is good to know the heart-warming God.

While Martin Luther was in the Wartburg Castle, protected by a Saxon king against Emperor and Pope, he read Psalm 46 and  was inspired to compose “A Mighty Fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing; Our helper he amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing.”  Thankfully, God is “a very present” (not absent!) “help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1 KJV). Whatever storms life brings our way, God is our Storm Shelter.

In the storm of human cruelty, our Shepherd prepares a feast for us in the presence of our enemies (Psalm 23:5). In the storm of unprecedented catastrophe, the Almighty is the Help of the helpless (Psalm 46:1).  In the storm of perplexity, our Father cheers our heart (Psalm 94:19). In the storm of trouble, our Lord puts a spring in our step (Psalm 138:7). In the storm of midnight loneliness, our Savior gives us a song (Acts 16:25). In the storm of fear, our Master reassures us of safety (Acts 27:22-25). In the storm of worry, our Friend cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). In the storm of discouragement, our God holds us together (Isaiah 41:10). In the storm of overwhelming danger, our Creator promises we will survive (Isaiah 43:2).

All who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ have a Storm Shelter in time and eternity. “When the storms of life are raging, stand by me” (Charles Albert Tindley). Better than a child clinging to a security blanket, believers have divine reassurance of spiritual safety forever. “Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more, Till the clouds roll forever from the sky; Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand, Keep me safe till the storm passes by.” (Mosie Lister)

In heaven, no storms will ever beat on the glittering sand while the years of eternity roll. Until then, in this cold, cruel world, thank heaven for our heart-warming God.

“Whenever perplexing cares crowd my inmost self, Thy consolations cheer my soul.” (Psalm 49:19 MLB)

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

I recently had an experience that forced me to die to myself. It was a “Who Moved My Cheese?” type of moment, when I made my wishes known on a matter but was overruled.

In the overall scope of things, this incident was clearly no big deal. But I hadn’t gotten my way, and it hurt. I felt disrespected…disregarded…undervalued.

Yet what hurt the most was realizing I had overreacted, blowing up the whole thing much bigger than it actually was.

Thankfully, God graciously showed me what had happened during this unusual emotional meltdown. The incident that triggered my flood of ugly emotions was relatively minor. But like the tip of an iceberg, it was meant to alert me to the fact that a much BIGGER hunk of the iceberg was still lurking beneath the surface.

You see, the small incident in question had a very strange effect, causing me to experience flashbacks of numerous other times in my life when I had felt rejected or unappreciated. I thought I had long since forgiven and been healed of these past experiences…but some of the wounds apparently remained.

Ouch. It was painful to see the ugly sense of pride and entitlement hiding deep within my heart. But I also was grateful to the Lord for exposing it. I saw that the real issue wasn’t the tip of the iceberg that was in view, but rather the hidden iceberg in my heart.

I surely don’t like dying to myself. None of us do. And in my case, I felt like I had already died to myself enough to last a lifetime! Why did I have to do so again?

At that point, I remembered a time in the 1990s when I was a senior pastor facing a horrific wave of rejection due to a massive church split. It was excruciating to be rejected and lied about by people I loved and had endeavored to pour my life into.

Finally, I reached my limit. I’d had enough.

So one day I told my pastor friend Duane Flemming of my decision to resign. “I don’t need this, Duane. It’s just not fair, and I don’t have to take it anymore.”

Duane is a man of great wisdom, and he listened intently as I went on and on about how I had been mistreated. Finally, he asked me a simple question that still haunts me today:

“So Jim, are you saying you’re enough like Jesus already?”

How could I answer a question like that? Of course I wasn’t enough like Jesus yet. Jesus bore the cross all the way to His death on Calvary, yet I was ready to jettison my cross at the first sign of pain or injustice.

Forgive me, Lord. You’ve helped me see that I’m not entitled to bypass the cross today, just because I died to myself on some occasions in the past.

What about you, my friend? Are you able to relate to my story today? Is there some issue in your life where you are being forced to embrace the cross…die to yourself…and extend forgiveness to those who may not deserve it? Do you find yourself squealing like a pig, just because you aren’t getting your own way?

Amid the trials and disappointments of life, let me encourage you to fix your eyes on “Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:2-3).

Yes, I know, you probably have already died to yourself a million times before. But the life a disciple requires dying daily (Luke 9:23, 1 Corinthians 15:31), not just in the distant past. That’s the only way to experience more of Jesus’ resurrection power, after all, and it’s a process that’s not going to change until He returns.

I have a love-hate relationship with transitions. Whenever friends tell me they are going through “transitions” in their life, my heart goes out to them. I’ve been there and done that—and transitions are seldom fun or easy.

However, I also feel sorry for people who aren’t going through any transitions at all. Too often, such folks are dealing with a situation far worse than transitions. They’re stuck in place, locked in an unhealthy coffin of contentment and apathy.

If you’ve ever been through major transitions, you know they’re uncomfortable, and sometimes even terrifying. They typically feel akin to a whitewater rafting trip where you’ve lost your oars and have absolutely no control of where you’re going.

Yet again, the opposite is not so great either. If you aren’t experiencing any transitions at all, it feels like your raft is dead in the water. Just sitting there. No progress in any direction. What a dreadfully boring life…

Sometimes we have a choice to make in whether or not to allow a transition. One day Jesus challenged some fishermen: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). He was giving these men a choice, and certainly not an easy choice at the time. It was a choice to engage in a lifetime of self-denial and constant transitions—but the world would ultimately be transformed as a result of their decision.

Another great story about transition involved four lepers who were sitting on the edge of a city on the brink of starvation because of being surrounded by an enemy army, the Syrians. Things were looking bleak, when finally one of the lepers pointed out an obvious fact: “Why are we sitting here until we die?” (2 Kings 7:3-9)

What a profound observation! Like these lepers, if we just sit in place, refusing to take bold steps of faith, we will surely die. In fact, I’ve met people who are already dead in some ways. Although they are still walking around, their hopes, dreams, and visions have died long before.

No, I don’t really like transitions. I would prefer to just find some comfortable oasis and camp out there until Jesus returns.

And one thing I especially dislike about transitions is the feeling of being “in-between.” It’s like being in limbo—knowing you’re not where you used to be, but not where you’re going to be either.

But I’ve discovered that I’m even more afraid of getting stuck than I’m afraid of transitions. Like every other believer, I know I’m called to be increasingly conformed to the image of Christ, and that process will be thwarted if I’m unwilling to grow and change.

So, whether you are going through a difficult transition or feel stuck in place, my heart goes out to you either way. Yet I’ve concluded that transitions are preferable after all. They are an indispensable part of God’s plan to take you from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18, Proverbs 4:18).

So if the white waters of transition are raging all around you, don’t panic. Hang on to the Lord and try to enjoy the ride. You’ll be better for it in the end.

Don’t get too comfortable. That seems to be what God is saying to many of us these days. He’s reminding us that our comfort zones can easily become our coffins if things aren’t shaken up from time to time.

A beautiful Scripture passage describes this very uncomfortable process. After providing an assurance of God’s great love for us as “the apple of His eye,” it goes on to depict Him as a mother eagle teaching her babies to fly: “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft” (Deuteronomy 32:10-11).

Picture the scene, which you may be able to relate to: Some baby eagles were enjoying life in their comfortable, well-protected nest, on a mountaintop high above the mundane life of lesser birds. Kept warm and well fed by the mother eagle, they remarked to each other, “It doesn’t get any better than this!”

Just about that time, something drastically changed. The mother eagle, once so nurturing and protective, suddenly went on a rampage. She horrified her chicks by stirring up—and even destroying—their comfy nest.

When it seemed like things couldn’t get any worse, the mother took an even more drastic step, casting each of the baby eagles high into the thin air above the canyon below. One by one, the terrified chicks plunged downward to what seemed like a certain death.

However, at the very last moment, their mother intervened. As the verse depicts, it “spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft.” This process happened over and over, until the young eagles finally understood their mother’s objective: “teaching them to fly” (Deuteronomy 32:11 MSG).

Take a moment to assess where you are in this process. Have you been resting comfortably in your nest? That’s not necessarily a bad thing, because the Bible says our Good Shepherd knows we need to “lie down” at times (Psalm 23:2).

But maybe you sense that God is stirring your nest, making you uncomfortable with the surroundings that once seemed so carefree and secure. If so, you must remember this: He loves you! You are the apple of His eye, and He wants what is best for you. That’s what this process is all about.

Yes, sometimes you might feel like you are plunging to your destruction, but the Lord has other things in mind. He’s teaching you to fly! It’s time to grow up and learn to soar like all eagles are meant to do.

If you don’t understand everything that’s happening to you right now, that’s okay. You’re not alone. Some things don’t seem to make sense at the time, but God will explain them later, whether in this life or in the next.

So wait upon the Lord, and He will renew your strength (Isaiah 40:31). Then get ready to SOAR!

And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”—Matthew 28:18-20

I recently found myself humming an old tune, which is an apt prophetic picture of where many of us presently find ourselves:

He flies through the air with the greatest of ease,

The daring young man on the flying trapeze.

Just as a circus trapeze artist must let go of one trapeze and fly through the air until grabbing the next one, I often have found myself in a similar position—flying through the air in transition between the trapeze left behind and the one still to come.

It must be an exhilarating experience for a trapeze artist to fly through the air like that. But I’m sure it’s also a bit terrifying to know that the force of gravity will take its effect if the next trapeze doesn’t come within reach soon.

Much of the church is in a similar place, it seems. We have been propelled by many wonderful trapezes, past revivals and moves of God. But now many of us are flying swiftly through the air, on our way to a coming trapeze that is not yet altogether visible.

If we recognize that God’s plan is to take us “from one degree of glory to another” in this process (2 Corinthians 3:18), this can be an exhilarating experience. However, it’s easy to feel apprehensive as well, with nothing to hang onto except the Lord Himself.

Experienced trapeze artists realize they dare not look down or they will surely miss the next trapeze. Big mistake! Instead, the Lord’s intention is not only to keep us from falling (Jude 1:24), but to enable us to soar on eagles’ wings (Isaiah 40:31).

Despite the dangers, this is no time to play it safe. If we insist on clinging for dear life to our original trapeze, we are certain to make no progress at all. We’ll never go any higher unless we exhibit the courage of “the daring young man” who was willing to defy gravity and fly.

Be bold and courageous, my friend. As you let go of the past and press forward, I pray you will be strengthened for exciting new transitions on God’s flying trapeze. 

Are You READY for the Ministry God Has Called You To?

The Bible makes it absolutely clear that every believer is called to “ministry” of one kind or another (1 Peter 4:10-11). This doesn’t mean everyone is called to be a pastor, of course, but we’ve all been given spiritual gifts of one kind or another—gifts that God expects us to use to advance His kingdom.

However, in addition to recognizing our CALLING as God’s ministers, we must also understand God’s processes to TRAIN and EQUIP us for the work we’ve been called to do.

So here are two vital questions today:

• Do you know what God has called you to do?
• If so, what are you doing to be equipped for that ministry?

For years now, most American churches have largely relinquished their training responsibilities to seminaries, Bible colleges, and parachurch organizations. Many of these have done an excellent job, and we should be grateful for the service they’ve performed in helping to equip people for ministry. However, it’s time for local churches, or groups of churches in a region, to again fulfill their biblical mandate “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:11-12).

No matter how a person seeks to be equipped for ministry, there are three crucial steps that will always be necessary. These are shown in the development of Ezra’s teaching ministry: “Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10).

Ezra’s pattern is valuable for any of us who desire to be prepared for service: Study, do, and then teach.

Let’s take a closer look:

Study. Ezra’s teaching ministry came after he first set his heart to study the Word of God for himself. No matter how good the training is that we receive from others, there is no substitute for personally studying and meditating on the Scriptures. Proverbs 5:15 exhorts us: “Drink water from your own cistern, and fresh water from your own well.”

Do (practice what we’ve learned). Ezra saw that the goal of his studying was not merely to gain knowledge—it was to bring about obedience. Jesus made a similar point when He said that the man who built his house on a rock was the one who not only heard the Word, but also acted upon it (Matthew 7:24-27). We will have no authority to teach on scriptural principles that we’re not actually living.

Teach. We have a responsibility to share with others the things we have learned. Our training is deficient if it does not result in both doing the Word and also helping to equip others.

We must never forget that God Himself is the One who ultimately trains His people for ministry. Our hope must never be primarily in the human vessels or organizations He chooses to use. Rather, we must trust in the wisdom of His customized training plan—designed just for us. Our Heavenly Father knows best which means of training will best prepare us to fulfill His plans for our lives. And often the much critical key is our passionate hunger to fulfill His purposes—whatever that might take.

Although the Lord Himself is the master equipper, He has chosen to do much of the equipping through people. If we are wise, we will humble ourselves and receive from those He chooses to mentor us. And the biblical model of Ephesians 4:11-12 demonstrates that, whatever ministry we have, we should be equipping others to fulfill that same kind of ministry.

So I ask you two questions: Have you been adequately trained to fulfill the Lord’s purpose for your life? If so, are you actively training others, imparting to them the same lessons God has taught you?

Your answer to these questions will play a key role in determining your future fruitfulness and impact. God wants to get you ready!

“As delegates get ready to assemble high up in the Swiss Alps, the world appears on the verge of a nervous breakdown.” (USA TODAY, January 19, 2015)

This week’s annual meeting of the World Economic Forum is drawing captains of industry and government from around the globe, to the alpine ski town of Davos, Switzerland—Europe’s highest town. Over 40 heads of state, 2,500 business leaders, cultural emissaries, and experts in many areas of human endeavor will participate in five days of workshops, listen to speeches, and network in an attempt to make the world a better place in which to live.

Their task of creating conditions to restore confidence and trust in the world’s future will not be easily achieved in light of intractable global problems. Economic uncertainty worries many. The Ebola crisis has claimed over 8,000 lives. Islamic extremists persistently threaten. Cybersecurity is a worrisome challenge. Greece’s upcoming elections are causing nervousness about the future of the Eurozone. China’s economic growth has slowed dramatically. Last year’s being the hottest on record has made climate change evident. Russia’s proxies in Ukraine continue to make the region volatile. The world is on edge.

Surveying the international situation, it feels like “everything nailed down is coming loose” (the angel Gabriel in the musical “Green Pastures”). What else could possibly go wrong? Where will the next act of terrorism occur? Is there an antidote to the poison of despair? How can we keep from going crazy when the world is falling apart?

As Jesus predicted future events, he said “You will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. Here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth. When all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” (Matthew 24:6-7;  Luke 21:25-26 NLT) When the outlook is bad, we should try the up-look.   

The motto of the World Economic Forum—“Committed to improving the state of the world”—is certainly a noble endeavor. We wish them success in achieving their high goal. However, Christians are citizens of two worlds, and the one we currently live in is temporary. Our challenge as dual citizens is finding a reasonable balance between our heavenly and earthly citizenship—not becoming so heavenly-minded we’re of no earthly good, while simultaneously following the counsel of Scripture—“Let heaven fill your thoughts; don’t spend your time worrying about things down here” (Colossians 3:2 TLB).

Whatever happens in this uncertain world, those who are trusting the Lord Jesus Christ to return and solve problems the world’s experts have never been able to fix, can begin each day with a beautiful melody in their hearts—“Be still, my soul, your God does undertake to guide the future as he has the past. Your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake; All not mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.” (Katherine von Schlegel)

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will be singing at the forum’s opening ceremony—a beautiful beginning, whatever the outcome of the week’s meetings. It would be wonderful if he would sing a song he wrote –“I pray you'll be our eyes, And watch us where we go;  And help us to be wise, In times when we don't know. Let this be our prayer, When we lose our way, Lead us to a place, Guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe.”

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you. Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.” (Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

During my teaching years I often wondered why those who were saved as college students or older, were often more aggressive with their evangelistic witness than those who were “born in church” and became believers as a child. Then later I suffered sciatic pain stemming from bulging disks in my lower back.  For nine months I tried multiple cures – MRI, X-rays, meetings with specialists, epidural injections in the lower back, discussion with back surgeon, de-compression table, physical therapy, chiropractor visits, dry needling, cryotherapy, and various prescription pain meds. Nothing relieved my pain. One day I was introduced to deep tissue laser therapy, and the pain was gone. I wanted to tell my story, and especially my healing, to everyone who would listen.  Then I understood.  Those of us who were raised in Christian homes, grew up in church, and became believers at an early age, never suffered the pain of sin as did those who were saved later in life, after sin had taken a toll on them.  They had a more dramatic story to tell and told it with more intensity. Their pain was gone.  They had found healing. Both groups were equally saved, but those who had suffered from the pain of sin, seemed more ready to talk of the cure and their relief.  Both have a responsibility to share their story – “You shall be witnesses” (Acts 1:8); one group has a more deeply felt reason.

“He has honor if he holds himself to an ideal of conduct though it is inconvenient, unprofitable, or dangerous to do so.” (Walter Lippmann, A Preface to Morals, 1929)

Character originates in our mind. Thoughts translate into words, words into actions, actions into habits, habits into character.

Garbage pollutes; truth ennobles. What we think, we become. Television, movies, magazines, and websites full of violence and sexual perversion corrupt the mind and cause nagging problems with rage and lust.

To be deterred from sin, we must internalize the Word of God as a personal treasure.

Traveling the highway of excellence is a far better use of life than wasting time in the sewer! If we keep heavenly thoughts foremost, we will become holy in the way we think. If we weave God’s thoughts into our mind, we will become pure in heart.  If we program our mind with honorable thoughts, we will learn to live honorably.

To those whose lifestyle is a pattern of turning away from sin and obeying the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, God promises life’s highest distinction—Christlikeness. Child of God, stand tall, hold your head  high, and march forward with dignity and grace until your Heavenly Father writes the name of Jesus on your forehead—the ultimate medal of honor.

“Make a medallion of pure gold. Using the techniques of an engraver, inscribe it with these words: Set Apart as Holy to the Lord.” (Exodus 28:36 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

[This devotion based on Day 53 of Gentle Whispers]

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

                                     Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

Transformation is about waking up. Jesus came to help people awaken, but awakening is not that easy, and even Jesus had mixed success. As the four Gospels all record, some people glimpsed what he was saying while others missed it altogether. Some people got it part of the time and missed it the rest. Some people woke up and others remained asleep. But nonetheless there is an awakening taking place outside the walls of the church house that is about to change the way we live life. 

We all believe in a foundational awakening which can move us from sin to salvation. But the initial awakening is also an indication of how God intends to work in our lives from now on. God intends that there will be many more “awakenings”—little Epiphanies (light-giving moments of insight), and that just as we responded in the confession of our sins, we will continue to respond in the consecration of our lives as we walk and work in confidence that what we do will make an eternal difference. That is what we need to awaken to.

It is our hope and prayer that you will realize that you are a discipler of nations, and a model for people. And that you are equipped by God with unique gifts and talents designed to shine light where there has been darkness. You are called to do things in a way that will bring the will of God in heaven to your earth every day as you seek to dislodge systems within your sphere of influence that keep you and others poor, spiritually, relationally, materially and motivationally.

In his book Nehemiah People, Paul Cuny shares how men and women are beginning to recognize their sacred responsibilities to serve God’s purposes without reservation, in business government, medicine or military, education or the media, and all the spheres of society. Paul, says, "This is a clarion call going out to those who desire a deeper life of relevance, greater effectiveness, and a more active engagement in our respective national cultures." And Paul is not alone in his thinking, Christian writers, thinkers, and practitioners are all weighing in on the false dichotomy between the “Sacred” and the “Secular.” We believe labor is the premier expression of worship on Earth, and every believer is a minister. Check out the below link and tell us what you think.

http://blog.tifwe.org/the-sacred-secular-distinction/

"It is by making myself Catholic that I brought peace to Brittany and Vendée.

It is by making myself Italian that I won minds in Italy.

It is by making myself a Moslem that I established myself in Egypt.

If I governed a nation of Jews, I should reestablish the Temple of Solomon."  (Napoleon)

The Arc of Triomphe in Paris, the most monumental of all triumphal arches, was built between 1806 and 1836 to commemorate the victories of Napoleon. Last week it witnessed bloody days that left 17 people dead, including three French terrorists. Security forces are searching for alleged accomplices who may have helped the gunmen stage their acts of terrorism.

France has mobilized 10,000 security forces to protect its population from further attacks. The forces are deployed at Jewish schools, places of worship, and other vulnerable locations. The nation has effectively declared war on jihadism and radical Islam.

Yesterday, in a demonstration of solidarity, an estimated 1.5 million people gathered in central Paris. French President Francois Hollande was joined by 40 world leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Today, in Berlin, an anti-Islam rally threatens to increase religious tension. Secretary of State John Kerry has stated he plans to travel to Paris Thursday for talks on countering extremist violence. Next month, President Obama will host a summit to highlight domestic and international efforts to prevent violent extremism.

Sadly, despite the best efforts of world leaders, extremists continue to recruit, radicalize, and inspire others to commit terrorist acts. The nightmare of violence continues around the world.

"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity"--the national motto of France--hints at the spiritual solution to violence. 

True liberty is found only in Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:1). "Peace is liberty in tranquility" (Cicero, 43 B.C.), but authentic tranquility only comes when the heart is at rest, and that happens only when the heart is surrendered to the Emperor of the Soul. 

True equality is experienced only through the unity of common allegiance to Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26). "Only a peace between equals can last" (Woodrow Wilson, 1916). The ground at the foot of the cross is level.

True fraternity is known only through faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:28). "You may call for peace as loudly as you wish, but where there is no brotherhood there can in the end be no peace" (Max Lerner, "The Gifts of the Magi", 1949).

Napoleon changed the face of the world by war. The King of kings changes lives in time and eternity by His grace. 

Earth's nightmare of war will only be over when heaven's dream of peace comes true.

"In the last days, the mountain of the Lord's house will be the highest of all--the most important place on earth.It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship. People from many nations will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob's God.There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.' For the Lord's teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem.The Lord will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore." (Isaiah 2:2-4 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church, Montross, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

Much of our lives is flying. It is wonderful to fly in the air free as a bird, but when God isn't there, all our flying comes to nothing. We must figure out how to return to honoring God. This video might help.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWIwIXJd7W0&app=desktop

No Christian musician ever influenced me as much as Andrae Crouch did. In fact, I modeled my own “music ministry” after his.

Of course, I stunk as a singer and musician, and my attempt to become a contemporary Christian artist ended the day a friend told me, “Jim, your singing is hoarse and out of key, but at least you sing with feeling.” 

Oh well. It was painful, but I got the message.

Although I quit singing much in public after that, in my private devotions I always aspired to be more like Andrae Crouch. He sang with feeling too, and I could relate.

I was privileged to see Andrae in concert on numerous occasions. The first time was at an outdoor concert, where I chatted briefly with him as he walked through the crowd and listened to the other groups on the stage before him. Although his group, Andrae Crouch and the Disciples, was the headliner of the day, he was just an approachable, humble brother in the Lord behind the scenes.

But I was the most impacted by a concert in Dayton, Ohio. Andrae’s group was the final act, and I remember sitting through some incredibly boring Southern Gospel groups who came on first.

When the moment finally came for Andrae to take the stage, he was introduced by a rather obnoxious local DJ. For what seemed like an eternity, the DJ went on and on about how great Andrae was, citing all the awards he had already won and all the #1 songs he had written.

The DJ’s introduction was over-the-top, nauseating HYPE, pure and simple. He seemed to be preparing the crowd for Andrae Crouch to suddenly descend from heaven in a cloud of smoke or walk on water as he took the stage. I couldn’t help wondering how Andrae was going to begin his concert after such an uproarious introduction.

The DJ eventually ran out of accolades and declared loudly, “HERE HE IS, GRAMMY AND DOVE AWARD-WINNER, ANDRAE CROUCH!!!”

Despite the hype that preceded him, Andrae took the stage without saying a word. He didn’t greet the audience or even look our way. Nor did he start his concert with a rousing song to match the hype of the DJ’s introduction.

Instead, Andrae quietly sat down on his piano bench, looked toward heaven, and began singing one of my favorite songs: “Thank You, Lord. I just want to thank You, I just want to thank You…for all you’ve done for me.”

The scene still brings tears to my eyes today. Many of us would have fallen into the trap of believing the hype and accepting the accolades for ourselves. But not Andrae Crouch.

Even at the height of his popularity and acclaim, Andrae was careful to lay down his crowns and trophies at the feet of Jesus. You see, that’s what we’ll all do in eternity, but Andrae was wise and humble enough to get a head start on glorifying God while he was still alive.

Today Andrae Crouch is no doubt singing in a much more anointed group than he ever experienced on earth. Casting down their crowns before the Lord’s throne, I’m sure they are singing passionately:

You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created (Revelation 4:11)

 Thank You, Lord, for Andrae Crouch. To You be the glory for a life so well spent.

All of us who profess to be followers of Christ are missionaries, whether we realize it or not. We may be good missionaries or bad ones, but the Lord has left each of us on this earth as part of His mission to spread the gospel and fill the whole world with His glory (Habakkuk 2:14).

In the mid-1970s I was just completing law school, and was given my first client in the school’s legal clinic program. It was a traffic violation, and my client, Geneva Clark, had been charged with rear-ending another vehicle. Not only that, but her driver’s license had been suspended and was invalid at the time of the accident. And, to make matters worse, Geneva was drunk at the time of the accident.

When the police officers arrived at the accident scene, they reported that Geneva was “strutting boisterously and unclad” in the center of Broad Street, one of the main roads in town. When they charged her with disorderly conduct, she resisted arrest—so they charged her with that too.

Here I was, an intern with the legal clinic, wanting to do well in my first case. Approaching Geneva before we went before the judge, I told her my pessimistic assessment of her case. “Well, Mrs. Clark, I have reviewed your file, and as far as I can see, you have no defense at all.”

Geneva listened politely, and then with a twinkle in her eye started rummaging around in her oversized purse. “Don’t worry, young man,” she assured me calmly. “I have something to show the judge that will help.” She finally found what she was looking for, a rather crumpled-looking card of some kind.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“Oh, this is my missionary card,” she replied seriously. “We’ll show this to the judge and he will understand that I’m a missionary...doing God’s work!”

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. There may be some areas of the world where a missionary can be effective by “strutting boisterously and unclad,” but Broad Street in Columbus, Ohio, was definitely not such a place. All I could reply to Geneva was, “Somehow I don’t think that will help your case.”

This admittedly is a rather extreme example, but it shows how the world often looks at those who name the name of Christ. Instead of allowing Him to transform our character and manifest His sweet aroma, we end up living like the devil and then trying to use the name of Jesus to cover up for ourselves.

There will never be an impactful revival of Biblical outreach unless it is accompanied by a revival of Biblical character. Before Isaiah was ready to say, “Here am I! Send me,” his sins were purged by burning coals from the altar of God (see Isaiah 6:1-8). Before we can spread the holy fire, it first must be allowed to do its work in our own lives.

So, what kind of missionary are you? When people look at your life, do they truly see Jesus or just a repulsive religious caricature?

In order to influence people for Christ, they must want what we have. I pray you are living that kind of life today, full of the Holy Spirit and radiating His fruit in every situation (Galatians 5:22-23).

“Jesus, a man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.” (Mohandas K. Gandhi)

Tomorrow, January 6^th, is designated Epiphany (literally “shining upon”), a Christian festival commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles in the persons of the Magi. The word epiphany also refers to perception or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something. The wise men made a long journey, requiring a great deal of time and effort, to see Jesus. And when they saw Him, they presented Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh—acknowledging Christ as King, God, and Sacrifice. That long ago and far away history comes alive personally when we see the Light they saw on the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Bowing the knee to Christ as King, we obey Him and experience an epiphany of joy as He makes Himself real to us. (John 10:36-37;  14:21)

Yielding our life to Christ as God, we worship Him and experience an epiphany of praise as we realize He is the Great I Am. (John 8:51-58).

Surrendering our heart to Christ as Sacrifice, we love Him and experience an epiphany of gratitude as we contemplate His death on Calvary on our behalf (Mark 10:45;  John 10:11;  1 John 4:10, 19).   

Living by faith in the Christ we have not yet seen, we occasionally detect a little bit of light shining from above down into this dark world and experience an epiphany of hope.

Journeying through time with Immanuel, we look forward to tomorrow, a future as bright as the promises of God.

Trusting our Savior, we believe deep in our heart that the dawn of His reign in heaven on earth will be the ultimate Epiphany.  

”All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.” (Jude 1:25 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

I almost wanted to retaliate against this article, but began seeing the deeper issue the article points out. The church is one of the only places that people go where we arrive and separate; yet say we're building families!

But it's not that grouping ages in stages is inherently ineffective in the church; it's our neglecting of the opportunities to connect, pursue and go together while we are separated.  What do you think?

http://www.charismanews.com/us/41465-youth-groups-driving-christian-teens-to-abandon-faith

A few years ago, I shared with a friend how I used to enjoy playing guitar and leading worship in my early days as a Christian.

“Do you still play?” she asked.

“Oh no, I gave that up long ago,” I replied.

Showing her the finger tips on my left hand, I continued, “See, I don’t even have calluses anymore.”

It was a pretty straightforward conversation—or so I thought. But as I was praying later that day, I distinctly heard the Lord tell me, “Jim, if you had more calluses on your fingers, you would have fewer calluses on your heart.”

How convicting! I saw that when I laid down my guitar several decades ago, I also began to drift away from intimacy with the Lord in my private worship times.

Then a few weeks ago, I was sharing this story with a friend named Justin, and he perceptively asked me, “So, Jim, did you get your calluses back after that?”

I was horrified to admit that I’d taken no action at all after God so clearly rebuked me. But I assured my friend that I wouldn’t procrastinate any longer.

“The next time you see me, make sure to ask me about my calluses,” I urged him. “If I still haven’t picked up my guitar and started worshiping the Lord in my personal devotions, tell me I’m a hypocrite!”

Thankfully, I’ve taken action this time. I’m getting my calluses back, ready for my friend to ask me that question.

Both my guitar playing and my worship are very rusty, however. I’ve found that it takes a while to develop calluses on your fingers again—or to remove them from your heart.

Don’t expect to see me leading worship in public anytime soon. I’ve long since recognized that other people are far more gifted.

But I want to make private worship a more intentional part of my life, regularly listening for God’s voice and asking Him to soften my heart.

Quoting Isaiah 6:10, Jesus warned about the danger of allowing calluses to form on our hearts:   (Matthew 13:15). What a tragic condition. Yet all too common, I’m afraid.

Like calluses on our fingers, callused hearts develop gradually, over time. If the condition progresses, we ultimately find ourselves in a situation just as the Bible predicts: spiritually unable to hear or see.

If you notice calluses on your heart today, the key isn’t necessarily to develop calluses on your fingers instead. But the process is working for me.

One thing is for sure: Without regularly experiencing God’s presence, our hearts will inevitably grow hard. Like a desert that seldom experiences rain, we become spiritually dry and emotionally barren.

If you truly want to reverse hardness of heart, here’s a homework assignment: Read Psalm 95 in its entirely and ask the Lord to restore you to a heart of worship…listening…and responding. Write down what He tells you to do, and find a friend like Justin to hold you accountable to do it.