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"The Right Road" by Charlotte Evans
Luke 12:1 Meanwhile, as a crowd in the tens of thousands gathered so closely as to trample each other down, Yeshua began to say to his talmidim first, “Guard yourselves from the hametz of the P’rushim, by which I mean their hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing covered up that will not be uncovered, or hidden that will not become known. 3 What you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops.
4 “My friends, I tell you: don’t fear those who kill the body but then have nothing more they can do. 5 I will show you whom to fear: fear him who after killing you has authority to throw you into Gei-Hinnom! Yes, I tell you, this is the one to fear! 6 Aren’t sparrows sold for next to nothing, five for two assarions? And not one of them has been forgotten by God. 7 Why, every hair on your head has been counted! Don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.
8 “Moreover, I tell you, whoever acknowledges me in the presence of others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. 9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before God’s angels. 10 Also, everyone who says something against the Son of Man will have it forgiven him; but whoever has blasphemed the Ruach HaKodesh will not be forgiven.
11 “When they bring you before the synagogues and the ruling powers and the authorities, don’t worry about how you will defend yourself or what you will say; 12 because when the time comes, the Ruach HaKodesh will teach you what you need to say.”
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In our journey of faith we will encounter many crossroads. It is at those crossroads we will decide to travel the road of faith or the road of fear. Sometimes our fear overrides our faith and down that road we go! We easily become discouraged, wondering why it seems our Lord has not intervened. The longer we travel that road, the more fear we take on, choking out the sense of solidity and confidence the road of faith would have brought.
Oh, how wonderful it is to walk the road of faith! It is on that road we discover who God is! We are able to receive His love and care. We are able to trust the Holy Spirit to guide us through the darkest storm. It is on the journey of faith we discover how our dependence on Jesus opens us to the power of the Holy Spirit, a power that breaks down every barrier, defeats every foe, and delivers us from our fear. We can depend on Christ’s promise, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13a).
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Hymn for Today: "Trust and Obey" by John H. Sammis
1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain: Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Refrain: Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
Refrain: Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Refrain: Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Refrain: Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
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Thought for Today: Psalm 25: Guide me in your truth, and teach me;
for you are the God who saves me,
my hope is in you all day long.
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Please pray: That many people in Zambia will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HaKodesh.
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Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "Watch and Trust" by Charlotte Evans for Wednesday, 17 August 2016 with Scripture: Mark 13:1-19
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"Watch and Trust" by Charlotte Evans
Mark 13:1 As Yeshua came out of the Temple, one of the talmidim said to him, “Look, Rabbi! What huge stones! What magnificent buildings!” 2 “You see all these great buildings?” Yeshua said to him, “They will be totally destroyed — not a single stone will be left standing!”
3 As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the Temple, Kefa, Ya‘akov, Yochanan and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what sign will show when all these things are about to be accomplished?”
5 Yeshua began speaking to them: “Watch out! Don’t let anyone fool you! 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will fool many people. 7 When you hear the noise of wars nearby and the news of wars far off, don’t become frightened. Such things must happen, but the end is yet to come. 8 For peoples will fight each other, and nations will fight each other, there will be earthquakes in various places, there will be famines; this is but the beginning of the ‘birth pains.’
9 “But you, watch yourselves! They will hand you over to the local Sanhedrins, you will be beaten up in synagogues, and on my account you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 Indeed, the Good News has to be proclaimed first to all the Goyim. 11 Now when they arrest you and bring you to trial, don’t worry beforehand about what to say. Rather, say whatever is given you when the time comes; for it will not be just you speaking, but the Ruach HaKodesh. 12 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will turn against their parents and have them put to death; 13 and everyone will hate you because of me. But whoever holds out till the end will be delivered.
14 “Now when you see the abomination that causes devastation[Mark 13:14 Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11] standing where it ought not to be” (let the reader understand the allusion), “that will be the time for those in Y’hudah to escape to the hills. 15 If someone is on the roof, he must not go down and enter his house to take any of his belongings; 16 if someone is in the field, he must not turn back to get his coat. 17 What a terrible time it will be for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19 For there will be worse trouble at that time than there has ever been from the very beginning, when God created the universe, until now; and there will be nothing like it again.[Mark 13:19 Joel 2:2; Daniel 12:1]
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One year we attended a living Easter pageant in a large church across town. On the way home, our then three year old announced; “We should attend this church because that is where the real Jesus goes!” We often define greatness by the way it looks. Jesus warns us to be careful. We must look deeper.
Jesus warns His followers in Mark 13:5, “Watch out that no one deceives you.” Living the Christian life brings challenges. We must stay close to what we know is true so we will not be deceived. People may turn against us. Friends and family who we have loved and trusted may turn away. Christians around the world are being persecuted, even put to death. Our battle cry is to stand strong, knowing the One we believe.
Jesus warns us about the trials and tribulations believers face. He also gives us a promise. We may face very hard things in our Christian walk, but we never have to walk alone! We do not need to be afraid. We are given the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us and lead us even in the fiercest of battles.
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Hymn for Today: "The Solid Rock" by Edward More
1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
Refrain: On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
2. When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
Refrain: On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
3. His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
Refrain: On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
Refrain: On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
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Thought for Today: Exodus 15:13 In your love, you led the people you redeemed;
in your strength, you guided them to your holy abode.
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Please pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Uganda.
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Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "Godly Wisdom is Blessed" by Charlotte Evans for Tuesday, 16 August 2016 with Scripture: Proverbs 29:1-16
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"Godly Wisdom is Blessed" by Charlotte Evans
Proverbs 29:1 He who remains stiffnecked after much rebuke
will be suddenly and incurably broken.
2 When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice;
but when the wicked are in power, the people groan.
3 Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but a patron of prostitutes wastes his wealth.
4 A king gives stability to a country by justice,
but one who overtaxes it brings it to ruin.
5 A person who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his own steps.
6 In an evil person’s crime is a trap,
but the righteous sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous understands the cause of the poor,
but the wicked is unconcerned.
8 Scoffers can inflame a city,
but the wise can calm the fury.
9 When a wise man argues with a foolish one,
he meets anger and ridicule without relief.
10 Men of blood hate those who are pure
and seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool gives vent to all his feelings,
but the wise, thinking of afterwards, stills them.
12 If a ruler listens to lies,
all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
Adonai gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king steadfastly gives justice to the poor,
his throne will be secure forever.
15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom,
but a child left to himself brings shame on his mother.
16 When the wicked flourish, wrongdoing flourishes;
but the righteous will witness their downfall.
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We do crave our heroes. We want to see the good guy or gal win. Proverbs 29 provides a contrast between good and bad. If one makes wrong or sinful choices, the consequences are destructive. The Old Testament Book of Proverbs tells us we will enjoy life through wisdom, stability, joy and experiencing light from God. Now that is a winning combination!
The righteous choices we make come from wisdom. "Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach; and it will be given to him."[James 1:5]. The life of the righteous is a wise life that, by God’s wisdom, brings confidence, joy, justice, a sense of security, peace, harmony, and joy in the Lord!
The key to living from a place of Godly wisdom is to seek the One who is the source of wisdom. When we make our choices based on impulses, our desires, or what is considered the “norm,” without considering the wisdom that comes from Almighty God, we will follow a path that will lead to destruction. Righteous living ultimately wins because God’s wisdom is always right!
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Hymn for Today: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" Words & Music: Martin Luther, 1529 (MIDI, score); translated from German to English by Frederic H. Hedge, 1853.
1. A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
2. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
3. And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
4. That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
Alternate translation:
1. A mighty fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from every need that hath us now overtaken.
The old evil foe now means deadly woe; deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight; on Earth is not his equal.
2. With might of ours can naught be done, soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the Valiant One, whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, who is this? Jesus Christ it is.
Of Sabbath Lord, and there’s none other God;
He holds the field forever.
3. Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us.
We tremble not, we fear no ill, they shall not overpower us.
This world’s prince may still scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none, he’s judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
4. The Word they still shall let remain nor any thanks have for it;
He’s by our side upon the plain with His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life, goods, fame, child and wife,
Let these all be gone, they yet have nothing won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.
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Thought for Today: 1 Corinthians 1:30 It is his doing that you are united with the Messiah Yeshua. He has become wisdom for us from God, and righteousness and holiness and redemption as well!
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Please pray: That many people in Uganda will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "Hold On" by Charlotte Evans for Monday, 15 August 2016 with Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13
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"Hold On" by Charlotte Evans
Revelation 3:7 “To the angel of the Messianic Community in Philadelphia, write: ‘Here is the message of HaKadosh, the True One, the one who has the key of David, who, if he opens something, no one else can shut it, and if he closes something, no one else can open it.[Revelation 3:7 Isaiah 22:22] 8 “I know what you are doing. Look, I have put in front of you an open door, and no one can shut it. I know that you have but little power, yet you have obeyed my message and have not disowned me. 9 Here, I will give you some from the synagogue of the Adversary, those who call themselves Jews but aren’t — on the contrary, they are lying — see, I will cause them to come and prostrate themselves at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you. 10 Because you did obey my message about persevering, I will keep you from the time of trial coming upon the whole world to put the people living on earth to the test. 11 I am coming soon; hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 I will make him who wins the victory a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he will never leave it. Also I will write on him the name of my God and the name of my God’s city, the new Yerushalayim coming down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name. 13 Those who have ears, let them hear what the Spirit is saying to the Messianic communities.”’
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Open doors bring anticipation, excitement and hope. Open doors represent the beginning of something better. When a door is shut, we feel disappointed. The church at Philadelphia, mentioned in the Book of Revelation, was given a promise: “an open door that no one can shut!” (Revelation 3:8).
The Philadelphia church did not have it easy. They experienced struggles and disappointments; their strength was almost gone. Jesus saw the heart of those Philadelphia saints who kept His Word and did not deny Him. Churches around them compromised their faith, but Philadelphia stayed true. the decision to not compromise was difficult; they were tired and probably discouraged. Then Jesus gave the promise of all promises! He has opened the door to life everlasting that no one can shut.
Jesus gives Philadelphia a caution, telling them to “Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown” (Revelation 3:11). Jesus knows what can happen when strength is almost gone. There is discouragement and vulnerability. It is during those times when the church is most at risk to fall for the voice of the enemy. Jesus says, “I am coming soon, hold on!” (Revelation 3:8).
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Hymn for Today: "A Glorious Church" by Ralph E. Hudson
1. Do you hear them coming, brother,
Thronging up the steeps of light,
Clad in glorious shining garments,
Blood washed, garments pure and white?
Refrain: ’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb;
’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb.
2. Do you hear the stirring anthems,
Filling all the earth and sky,
’Tis a grand, victorious army,
Lift its banner up on high!
Refrain: ’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb;
’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb.
3. Never fear the clouds of sorrow,
Never fear the storms of sin.
We shall triumph on the morrow,
Even now our joys begin.
Refrain: ’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb;
’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb.
4. Wave the banner, shout His praises,
For our victory is nigh!
We shall join our conqu’ring Savior,
We shall reign with Him on high!
Refrain: ’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb;
’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb.
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Thought for the Day: Jesus in Matthew 7:7 “Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
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Please pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Togo.
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Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "Hold Fast" by Thea Ardrey for Sunday, 14 August 2016 with Scripture: Titus 1:1-9
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"Hold Fast" by Thea Ardrey
Titus 1:1 From: Sha’ul, God’s slave and an emissary of Yeshua the Messiah, sent to promote among God’s chosen people the trust and knowledge of truth which lead to godliness 2 and which are based on the certain hope of eternal life. God, who does not lie, promised that life before the beginning of time 3 but made public this word of his in its own season through a proclamation with which I have been entrusted by order of God, our Deliverer.
4 To: Titus, a true son in the faith we share:
Grace and shalom from God the Father and from the Messiah Yeshua, our Deliverer.
5 The reason I left you in Crete was so that you might attend to the matters still not in order and appoint congregation leaders in each city — those were my instructions. 6 A leader must be blameless, husband to one wife, with believing children who do not have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. 7 For an overseer, as someone entrusted with God’s affairs, must be blameless — he must not be self-willed or quick-tempered, he must not drink excessively, get into fights or be greedy for dishonest gain. 8 On the contrary, he must be hospitable, devoted to good, sober-mindedness, uprightness, holiness and self-control. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy Message that agrees with the doctrine; so that by his sound teaching he will be able to exhort and encourage, and also to refute those who speak against it.
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I’ve never liked bugs, but this was a new low! While holding on tightly, I rode one of the largest roller coasters in the amusement park, only to be hit in the eye with an insect. After visiting the nurse, I was sent on my way with a patch over my eye and a less than clear view of my surroundings.
The Apostle Paul instructs elders to hold tightly to what the trustworthy message they received (Titus 1:9). That way, in essence, they will avoid getting any bugs in their eyes which would distort their doctrine. If they were unable to see clearly, how could they lead anyone else?
Although Titus chapter one focuses on elders in the church, that doesn’t disqualify the rest of us from paying attention. The elders were not expected to live a life of holiness and consistency for their own sakes, but for the sake of building others up in the faith.
Regardless of our vocation, we each have a sphere of influence—whether in front of a congregation, inside a classroom, or behind a cash register. We are each called to hold fast to the message we have received.
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Hymn for Today: "I Have Settled the Question" by Haldor Lillenas copyright 1919, Renewed 1947 by Nazarene Publishing House.
1. I remember when the Lord spoke to my soul,
I could feel the heavy burden from me roll
When He spoke the gracious words, Wilt thou be whole?
Then I settled the question forever.
Refrain: I have settled the question, hallelujah!
I will never turn back from the narrow way.
I am going through with Jesus, hallelujah!
Till I reach the gates of glory some sweet day.
2. I no longer walk the ways of sinfulness,
But I daily tread the paths of righteousness
Since the day the Lord has come my life to bless
I have settled the question forever.
Refrain: I have settled the question, hallelujah!
I will never turn back from the narrow way.
I am going through with Jesus, hallelujah!
Till I reach the gates of glory some sweet day.
3. I will choose the holy joys that always last,
And reject sin’s pleasures that will soon be past,
To the treasures of true worth I’m holding fast,
I have settled the question forever.
Refrain: I have settled the question, hallelujah!
I will never turn back from the narrow way.
I am going through with Jesus, hallelujah!
Till I reach the gates of glory some sweet day.
4. Others may deny the Lord and live in sin,
But the race that I have entered I must win,
Through the pearly gates I mean to enter in,
I have settled the question forever.
Refrain: I have settled the question, hallelujah!
I will never turn back from the narrow way.
I am going through with Jesus, hallelujah!
Till I reach the gates of glory some sweet day.
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Thought for Today: Deuteronomy 13:5 (4) You are to follow Adonai your God, fear him, obey his mitzvot, listen to what he says, serve him and cling to him;
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Please pray: That many people in Togo will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "Freedom in Faithfulness" by Thea Ardrey for Saturday, 13 August 2016 with Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
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"Freedom in Faithfulness" by Thea Ardrey
2 Thessalonians 1:1 From: Sha’ul, Sila and Timothy
To: The Messianic Community of the Thessalonians, united with God our Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah:
2 Grace to you and shalom from God the Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.
3 We have to keep thanking God for you always, brothers, as is appropriate; because your trust continues to grow greater, and the love you each have for one another continues to increase. 4 Therefore, we boast about you in the congregations of God because of your perseverance and trust in all the persecutions and troubles you are going through. 5 This is clear evidence that God’s judgment is just; and as a result, you will be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which you are suffering. 6 For it is justice for God to pay back trouble to those who are troubling you, 7 and to give rest along with us to you who are being troubled, when the Lord Yeshua is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in a fiery flame. Then he will punish those who don’t know God,[2 Thessalonians 1:8 Isaiah 66:15; Jeremiah 10:25; Psalm 79:6] that is, those who don’t listen to the Good News of our Lord Yeshua and obey it. 9 They will suffer the just penalty of eternal destruction, far away from the face of the Lord and the glory of his might.[2 Thessalonians 1:9 Isaiah 2:10, 19, 21] 10 On that Day, when he comes to be glorified by his holy people and admired by all who have trusted, you will be among them, because you trusted our witness to you.
11 With this in view, we always pray for you that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill by his power every good purpose of yours and every action stemming from your trust. 12 In this way, the name of our Lord Yeshua will be glorified in you, and you in him, in accordance with the grace of our God and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.
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I’ve never seen Jesus set a captive free until our friend Josh* went to prison. He had previously been uninterested in talking about Christ. Since Josh was incarcerated, I prayed Jesus would free him. God answered. Josh went from being indifferent to passionate, from trying to earn salvation to accepting it through faith as a gift of grace, from selfishness to sanctification, and from silence to sharing his faith.
Despite the prisons in which we find ourselves, literal or figurative, if we are surrendered to Christ, we will grow in our faith. Even so, discouragement sometimes overwhelms us. Wouldn’t it be great to receive a letter in the mail with words like the one Paul wrote to the Thessalonians?
Whether we see clear evidence of God’s faithfulness in our lives or we’re struggling through a period where He seems to be silent, we can take comfort in knowing He is present. More than that, He has the power to help us fulfill the calling He has placed on our lives.
Perhaps sharing 2 Thessalonians 1 with someone who is discouraged-a church group, a friend, perhaps you-will be just the words God uses to set them free.
* Name changed to protect our friend’s identity.
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Hymn for Today: "Living for Jesus" by Thomas O. Chisholm
1. Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain: O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement,
Didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other master,
My heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.
2. Living for Jesus who died in my place,
Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Refrain: O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement,
Didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other master,
My heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.
3. Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
Refrain: O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement,
Didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other master,
My heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.
4. Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
Refrain: O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement,
Didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other master,
My heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.
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Thought for the Day: John 8:36 So if the Son frees you, you will really be free!
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Please pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Tanzania.
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Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "He Makes It Grow" by Thea Ardrey for Friday, 12 August 2016 with Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-15
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"He Makes It Grow" by Thea Ardrey
1 Corinthians 3:1 As for me, brothers, I couldn’t talk to you as spiritual people but as worldly people, as babies, so far as experience with the Messiah is concerned. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, because you were not yet ready for it. But you aren’t ready for it now either! 3 For you are still worldly! Isn’t it obvious from all the jealousy and quarrelling among you that you are worldly and living by merely human standards? 4 For when one says, “I follow Sha’ul” and another, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you being merely human? 5 After all, what is Apollos? What is Sha’ul? Only servants through whom you came to trust. Indeed, it was the Lord who brought you to trust through one of us or through another. 6 I planted the seed, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 So neither the planter nor the waterer is anything, only God who makes things grow — 8 planter and waterer are the same.
However, each will be rewarded according to his work. 9 For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10 Using the grace God gave me, I laid a foundation, like a skilled master-builder; and another man is building on it. But let each one be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Yeshua the Messiah. 12 Some will use gold, silver or precious stones in building on this foundation; while others will use wood, grass or straw. 13 But each one’s work will be shown for what it is; the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire — the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If the work someone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward; 15 if it is burned up, he will have to bear the loss: he will still escape with his life, but it will be like escaping through a fire.
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My parents used to buy me potted plants, believing they would outlive fresh cut flowers. After realizing how far I was from being a green thumb, they decided to change their strategy. If the world’s food supply or forests depended on my ability to make things grow, we would all be doomed.
Regardless of our knack–or lack–when it comes to gardening, we have all been called to plant and water seeds of the Gospel. Even though each of us is tasked with working in God’s field, our pride is put in check and peace restored when we remember God is the source of growth.
The Apostle Paul also uses another analogy in 1 Corinthians 3: God employs not only gardeners, but builders. Whether we plant gardens or construct buildings, if we do so apart from the solid foundation of Christ our efforts will not last.
Gardener or builder, we can rest knowing the results remain with our Master. He pays attention to the care with which we undertake our role. As we build upon Christ’s foundation we are attentive to the quality of our efforts. Whether growing or building, we are privileged to share in God's work.
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Today's Hymn: "Father, Speak Your Word Again" by Ken Bible copyright 1993 by Pilot Point Music, Box 419527, Kansas City, Missouri 64141, United States. All rights reserved.
1. Father, speak Your Word again.
Come and share Your will and way.
Show Yourself as now we seek,
Read in faith, and wait and pray;
Read in faith, and wait and pray.
2. Father, how we need your truth,
Truth to fix our minds above;
Words of promise, peace, rebuke?
All are words of life and love;
All are words of life and love.
3. Come now, Father, shape our ways.
We will use the light you give,
In Your Spirit serve and grow,
Learn how love would have us live;
Learn how love would have us live.
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Thought for Today: Jesus in Luke 10:2 He said to them, “To be sure, there is a large harvest. But there are few workers. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the Harvest that he speed workers out to gather in his harvest.
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Please pray: That many people in Tanzania will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "The Inside of the Cup" by Thea Ardrey for Thursday, 11 August 2016 with Scripture: Luke 11:37-46
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"The Inside of the Cup" by Thea Ardrey
Luke 11:37 As Yeshua spoke, a Parush asked him to eat dinner with him; so he went in and took his place at the table; 38 and the Parush was surprised that he didn’t begin by doing n’tilat yadayim before the meal. 39 However, the Lord said to him, “Now then, you P’rushim, you clean the outside of the cup and plate; but inside, you are full of robbery and wickedness. 40 Fools! Didn’t the One who made the outside make the inside too? 41 Rather, give as alms what is inside, and then everything will be clean for you!
42 “But woe to you P’rushim! You pay your tithes of mint and rue and every garden herb, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You have an obligation to do these things — but without disregarding the others!
43 “Woe to you P’rushim, because you love the best seat in the synagogues and being greeted deferentially in the marketplaces!
44 “Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it.”
45 One of the experts in Torah answered him, “Rabbi, by saying these things you are insulting us also.” 46 Yeshua said, “Woe to you Torah experts too! You load people down with burdens they can hardly bear, and you won’t lift a finger to help them!
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Washing the dishes is my least favorite chore. Perhaps this is because I did it so infrequently as a child or maybe because it is a daily task with no end in sight. Even so, I do have a knack for cleaning the inside of cups. In Luke 11 Jesus points out the Pharisees focus on the outside while neglecting the inside.
It is all too easy to point a finger at the Pharisees without realizing it may need to be pointing in our own direction. We are tempted to call out the messes in other people’s lives without seeing our own. It’s much easier to see the boxes in which others are trapped than to recall the patience God exhibited in taking us out of ours.
So the next time a cleaning project awaits us, it would serve us well to remember there’s a much more important cleaning project God has in mind—to cleanse us on the inside. The way we can cultivate this type of cleanliness is to live a life of generosity-not just towards God, but toward the poor. This kind of “inside the cup” cleaning isn’t a chore or a burden!
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Hymn for today: "Cleanse Me" by J. Edwin Orr
1. Search me, O God,
And know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior,
Know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be
Some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin
And set me free.
2. I praise Thee, Lord,
For cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy Word,
And make me pure within.
Fill me with fire
Where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire
To magnify Thy name.
3. Lord, take my life,
And make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart
With Thy great love divine.
Take all my will,
My passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord
In me abide.
4. O Holy Ghost,
Revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival,
Start the work in me.
Thy Word declares
Thou wilt supply our need;
For blessings now,
O Lord, I humbly plead.
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Thought for Today: Psalm 51:2 when Natan the prophet came to him after his affair with Bat-Sheva:
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Please pray: For faculty and students as they prepare for Christian ministry in Swaziland.
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Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "Stay Watchful" by Thea Ardrey for Wednesday, 10 August 2016 with Scripture: Matthew 24:36-51
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"Stay Watchful" by Thea Ardrey
Matthew 24:36 “But when that day and hour will come, no one knows — not the angels in heaven, not the Son, only the Father. 37 For the Son of Man’s coming will be just as it was in the days of Noach. 38 Back then, before the Flood, people went on eating and drinking, taking wives and becoming wives, right up till the day Noach entered the ark; 39 and they didn’t know what was happening until the Flood came and swept them all away. It will be just like that when the Son of Man comes. 40 Then there will be two men in a field — one will be taken and the other left behind. 41 There will be two women grinding flour at the mill — one will be taken and the other left behind. 42 So stay alert, because you don’t know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But you do know this: had the owner of the house known when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you too must always be ready, for the Son of Man will come when you are not expecting him.
45 “Who is the faithful and sensible servant whose master puts him in charge of the household staff, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will go well with that servant if he is found doing his job when his master comes. 47 Yes, I tell you that he will put him in charge of all he owns. 48 But if that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is taking his time’; 49 and he starts beating up his fellow servants and spends his time eating and drinking with drunkards; 50 then his master will come on a day the servant does not expect, at a time he doesn’t know; 51 and he will cut him in two and put him with the hypocrites, where people will wail and grind their teeth!
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I’m sitting in the darkness of our house experiencing a power outage. There was nothing to forewarn of a potential outage, just an unexpected turn of events. It seems to me this is similar to the way in which the Lord will return. He will come without anyone knowing when to expect Him.
The kind of watchful anticipation we ought to have isn’t passive waiting, such as sitting in a lawn chair looking toward the sky, but rather an active waiting in which we carry out our Master’s will. Doing His will while we’re awaiting His return, means we can rest in knowing the outcome will be positive whenever He arrives.
Since “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.” (Matthew 24:40) it appears it is less about the specific task as it is about one’s heart being set on knowing and doing the will of the Father.
I hope the power is restored soon, but I wish we’d been better prepared. It’s a (pardon the pun!) “powerful” reminder of what it means to stay watchful for Christ’s return.
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Hymn for Today: "At the Name of Jesus" by Caroline M. Noel
1. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow,
every tongue confess him King of glory now;
'tis the Father's pleasure we should call him Lord,
who from the beginning was the mighty Word.
2. At his voice creation sprang at once to sight:
all the angel faces, all the hosts of light,
thrones and dominations, stars upon their way,
all the heavenly orders in their great array.
3. Humbled for a season, to receive a name
from the lips of sinners, unto whom he came;
faithfully he bore it spotless to the last,
brought it back victorious when from death he passed;
4. bore it up triumphant, with its human light,
through all ranks of creatures, to the central height,
to the throne of Godhead, to the Father's breast,
filled it with the glory of that perfect rest.
5. In your hearts enthrone him; there let him subdue
all that is not holy, all that is not true.
Look to him, your Savior, in temptations' hour;
let his will enfold you in its light and power.
6. Christians, this Lord Jesus shall return again,
with his Father's glory o'er the earth to reign;
for all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow,
and our hearts confess him King of glory now.
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Thought for the Day: 1 Peter 5:4 Then, when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive glory as your unfading crown.
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Please Pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Swaziland.
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Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "God is True to His Word" by Thea Ardrey for Tuesday, 9 August 2016 with Scripture: Matthew 10:32-42
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"God is True to His Word" by Thea Ardrey
Matthew 10:32 “Whoever acknowledges me in the presence of others I will also acknowledge in the presence of my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others I will disown before my Father in heaven.
34 “Don’t suppose that I have come to bring peace to the Land. It is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword! 35 For I have come to set
36 a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law,
so that a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.[Matthew 10:36 Micah 7:6]
37 Whoever loves his father or mother more than he loves me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than he loves me is not worthy of me. 38 And anyone who does not take up his execution-stake and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his own life will lose it, but the person who loses his life for my sake will find it.
40 “Whoever receives you is receiving me, and whoever receives me is receiving the One who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive the reward a prophet gets, and anyone who receives a tzaddik because he is a tzaddik will receive the reward a tzaddik gets. 42 Indeed, if someone gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my talmid — yes! — I tell you, he will certainly not lose his reward!”
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I had prayed for an opportunity to share my faith in Christ, but surely God didn’t mean I should talk to him. The man in the window seat had effectively annoyed everyone around him—not the least of which the man sitting between us on our flight. After wrestling with God about the so-called opportunity, I realized, it wasn’t mine to decide the people to whom I would acknowledge my Heavenly Father. It is my task to be faithful.
How often have we been guilty of thinking we can pick and choose who we tell about Jesus?
Or how frequently do we find ourselves keeping particular relationships at surface level someone might not be interested in God?
The path of loving Jesus more than our family, more than an existence without a cross to carry, or more than our very lives is a difficult road—a road less traveled. Still, at the end of the day, if acknowledging Christ before that troublesome person on the plane—or among our friends or family—means Jesus will do the same for us in front of our Heavenly Father, it’s more than worth the possibility of a little earthly rejection.
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Hymn for Today: "Tell the Blessed Story" by Haldor Lillenas copyright 1920, Renewed 1948 by Nazarene Publishing House. All rights reserved.
1. Church of God, awaken; heed the Lord’s command,
Tell the blessèd story of the cross.
Fields are white for harvesting on every hand,
Tell the blessèd story of the cross.
Refrain:
Tell the blessèd story of the cross of Jesus,
Tell the blessèd story of the hallowed cross.
Until every nation learns of full salvation,
Tell the blessèd story of the cross.
2. Has not He commissioned you the news to bear?
Tell the blessèd story of the cross.
“Go ye into all the world,” and everywhere
Tell the blessèd story of the cross.
Refrain:
Tell the blessèd story of the cross of Jesus,
Tell the blessèd story of the hallowed cross.
Until every nation learns of full salvation,
Tell the blessèd story of the cross.
3. Stand no longer idle while the moments fly.
Tell the blessèd story of the cross.
Multitudes in heathen darkness live and die.
Tell the blessèd story of the cross.
Refrain:
Tell the blessèd story of the cross of Jesus,
Tell the blessèd story of the hallowed cross.
Until every nation learns of full salvation,
Tell the blessèd story of the cross.
4. Publish unto all the world redeeming grace.
Tell the blessèd story of the cross.
Until in the home of rest you find your place.
Tell the blessèd story of the cross.
Refrain:
Tell the blessèd story of the cross of Jesus,
Tell the blessèd story of the hallowed cross.
Until every nation learns of full salvation,
Tell the blessèd story of the cross.
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Thought for Today: Psalm 66:16 For Adonai will judge all humanity
with fire and with the sword,
and those slain by Adonai will be many.
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Please pray: That many people in Swaziland will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "Wake Up!" by Thea Ardrey for Monday, 8 August 2016 with Scripture: Revelations 3:1-16
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"Wake Up!" by Thea Ardrey
Revelations 3:1 “To the angel of the Messianic Community in Sardis, write: ‘Here is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: “I know what you are doing — you have a reputation for being alive, but in fact you are dead! 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains, before it dies too! For I have found what you are doing incomplete in the sight of my God. 3 So remember what you received and heard, and obey it, and turn from your sin! For if you don’t wake up, I will come like a thief; and you don’t know at what moment I will come upon you. 4 Nevertheless, you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes; and they will walk with me, clothed in white, because they are worthy. 5 He who wins the victory will, like them, be dressed in white clothing; and I will not blot his name out of the Book of Life; in fact, I will acknowledge him individually before my Father and before his angels. 6 Those who have ears, let them hear what the Spirit is saying to the Messianic communities.”’
7 “To the angel of the Messianic Community in Philadelphia, write: ‘Here is the message of HaKadosh, the True One, the one who has the key of David, who, if he opens something, no one else can shut it, and if he closes something, no one else can open it.[Revelation 3:7 Isaiah 22:22] 8 “I know what you are doing. Look, I have put in front of you an open door, and no one can shut it. I know that you have but little power, yet you have obeyed my message and have not disowned me. 9 Here, I will give you some from the synagogue of the Adversary, those who call themselves Jews but aren’t — on the contrary, they are lying — see, I will cause them to come and prostrate themselves at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you. 10 Because you did obey my message about persevering, I will keep you from the time of trial coming upon the whole world to put the people living on earth to the test. 11 I am coming soon; hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 I will make him who wins the victory a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he will never leave it. Also I will write on him the name of my God and the name of my God’s city, the new Yerushalayim coming down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name. 13 Those who have ears, let them hear what the Spirit is saying to the Messianic communities.”’
14 “To the angel of the Messianic Community in Laodicea, write: ‘Here is the message from the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the Ruler of God’s creation: 15 “I know what you are doing: you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth!
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During college, I was adamant about being on time to class. Once I stayed up late finalizing a project I’d be presenting the next morning. I was rudely awakened when my project partner came to my room to walk to class with me, fifteen minutes before it began, only to find me still sleeping. I frantically threw myself together and ran across campus making it on time, but feeling more than a little overwhelmed.
The church at Sardis might have felt the same alarm at being told they had been asleep on the job of upholding their reputation (Revelation 3:1-6). What stands out in these letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3 is the intimate way in which the Lord deals with each of the congregations. He doesn’t have a one size fits all plan, but takes an interest in the deeds and development of each. Despite the varied instructions, the desire for His people to remain faithful and steadfast in their devotion to Him is a common theme.
As we wake up (hopefully not too late!) let us open our ears to the instructions of our loving Lord.
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The Hymn for Today: "Rise Up, O Church of God" by William P. Merrill
1. Rise up, O Church of God!
Have done with lesser things;
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings.
2. Rise up, O Church of God!
His kingdom tarries long;
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong.
3. Rise up, O sons of God!
The Church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task,
Rise up, and make her great!
4. Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod;
As foll'wers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O Church of God!
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Thought for Today: Isaiah 60: “Arise, shine [Yerushalayim],
for your light has come,
the glory of Adonai
has risen over you.
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Pray for: For faculty and students as they prepare for full-time Christian ministry in South Africa.
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Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "We Are Sealed!" by Thea Ardrey for Sunday, 7 August 2016 with Scripture: Ephesians 1:11-23
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"We Are Sealed!" by Thea Ardrey
Ephesians 1:11 Also in union with him we were given an inheritance, we who were picked in advance according to the purpose of the One who effects everything in keeping with the decision of his will, 12 so that we who earlier had put our hope in the Messiah would bring him praise commensurate with his glory.
13 Furthermore, you who heard the message of the truth, the Good News offering you deliverance, and put your trust in the Messiah were sealed by him with the promised Ruach HaKodesh, 14 who guarantees our inheritance until we come into possession of it and thus bring him praise commensurate with his glory.
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your trust in the Lord Yeshua and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you. In my prayers I keep asking 17 the God of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, the glorious Father, to give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you will have full knowledge of him. 18 I pray that he will give light to the eyes of your hearts, so that you will understand the hope to which he has called you, what rich glories there are in the inheritance he has promised his people, 19 and how surpassingly great is his power working in us who trust him. It works with the same mighty strength he used 20 when he worked in the Messiah to raise him from the dead and seat him at his right hand in heaven, 21 far above every ruler, authority, power, dominion or any other name that can be named either in the ‘olam hazeh or in the ‘olam haba. 22 Also, he has put all things under his feet[Ephesians 1:22 Psalm 8:7(6)] and made him head over everything for the Messianic Community, 23 which is his body, the full expression of him who fills all creation.
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Being the granddaughter of a farmer, and daughter of a dad who works in the agricultural industry, I've long been acquainted with the immense work it takes to care for cattle. I've also heard stories of dishonest people who make it their business to steal cattle. It seems like the ones marked with a branding iron might be a more challenging target for theft, because you know to whom they belong.
What a glorious thought to know we have been marked by the Holy Spirit as people belonging to Christ! We’ve got his seal on our hearts.
Acceptance is something many of us search for tirelessly, but it is not always found in the places where we seek it. When we focus on deepening our love for God and His people, our dependence on earthly acceptance fades. Regardless of how insignificant we might feel in the eyes of the world, we can be sure of the love of our Father. In spite of how powerless we might feel we know the very power demonstrated in Jesus’ resurrection rests on us as believers.
Thanks be to God! Our identity in Christ is sealed with His Spirit, which is far greater than any branding iron!
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Hymn for Today: "I Will Sing of My Redeemer" by Philip B. Bliss
1. I will sing of my Redeemer
and his wondrous love to me;
on the cruel cross he suffered,
from the curse to set me free.
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer!
With his blood he purchased me;
on the cross he sealed my pardon,
paid the debt, and made me free.
2. I will tell the wondrous story,
how my lost estate to save,
in his boundless love and mercy,
he the ransom freely gave.
I will praise my dear Redeemer,
his triumphant power I'll tell:
how the victory he gives me
over sin and death and hell.
3. I will sing of my Redeemer
and his heavenly love for me;
he from death to life has brought me,
Son of God, with him to be.
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer!
With his blood he purchased me;
on the cross he sealed my pardon,
paid the debt, and made me free.
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Thought for Today: 2 Corinthians 1:21 Moreover, it is God who sets both us and you in firm union with the Messiah; he has anointed us, 22 put his seal on us, and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee for the future.
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Please pray: For the development of Christian leaders in South Africa.
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Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "Be On Guard!" by Thea Ardrey for Saturday, 6 August 2016 with Scripture: Acts 20:22-38
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"Be On Guard!" by Thea Ardrey
Acts 20:22-38
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Acts 20:22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Yerushalayim. I don’t know what will happen to me there, 23 other than that in every city the Ruach HaKodesh keeps warning me that imprisonment and persecution await me. 24 But I consider my own life of no importance to me whatsoever, as long as I can finish the course ahead of me, the task I received from the Lord Yeshua — to declare in depth the Good News of God’s love and kindness.
25 “Now, listen! I know that none of you people among whom I have gone about proclaiming the Kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I testify on this day that I am innocent of the blood of all. 27 For I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the whole plan of God.
28 “Watch out for yourselves, and for all the flock in which the Ruach HaKodesh has placed you as leaders, to shepherd God’s Messianic community, which he won for himself at the cost of his own Son’s blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you; and they won’t spare the flock. 30 Even from among your own number, men will arise and teach perversions of the truth, in order to drag away the talmidim after themselves. 31 So stay alert! Remember that for three years, night and day, with tears in my eyes, I never stopped warning you!
32 “And now I entrust you to the care of the Lord and to the message of his love and kindness, for it can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who have been set apart for God.
33 “I have not wanted for myself anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have provided not only for my own needs, but for the needs of my co-workers as well. 35 In everything I have given you an example of how, by working hard like this, you must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Yeshua himself, ‘There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.’”
36 When he had finished speaking, Sha’ul kneeled down with them all and prayed. 37 They were all in tears as they threw their arms around his neck and kissed him farewell. 38 What saddened them the most was his remark that they would never see him again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
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My husband and I make regular trips to a park that is a natural fit for him, since he played basketball in college; Thea prefers to strike up conversations on the bench. However, one evening I got recruited to play with some young men taller and more skilled than I am. Much to my surprise, I scored a few points, but felt my greatest contribution was guarding other players.
There are inevitably situations which put us at ease and people with whom we let our guard down. Paul likely lowered his guard with the Ephesian elders he addressed in Acts 20. His words carried a tremendous weight, not merely because he told them it would be the last time they would see them, but because of their mutual love and respect.
Although the Holy Spirit had revealed to Paul some of the trials which awaited him, he couldn’t be sure of what his friends would face. He was convinced, however, that it was imperative for them to be on guard against those who would try to alter the truth of the gospel. We, too, must be diligent in guarding the truth of Christ which has been planted in us.
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Hymn for Today: "I Know Whom I Have Believed" by Daniel W. Whittle
1. I know not why God's wondrous grace
to me he hath made known,
nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
redeemed me for his own.
Refrain:
But I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I've committed
unto him against that day.
2. I know not how this saving faith
to me he did impart,
nor how believing in his word
wrought peace within my heart.
Refrain:
But I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I've committed
unto him against that day.
3. I know not how the Spirit moves,
convincing us of sin,
revealing Jesus through the word,
creating faith in him.
Refrain:
But I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I've committed
unto him against that day.
4. I know not when my Lord may come,
at night or noonday fair,
nor if I walk the vale with him,
or meet him in the air.
Refrain:
But I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I've committed
unto him against that day.
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Thought for Today: Proverbs 4:23 Above everything else, guard your heart;
for it is the source of life’s consequences.
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Please Pray: That many people in South Africa will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "Divine Persuasion" by Thea Ardrey for Friday, 5 August 2016 with Scripture: Acts 16:1-15
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"Divine Persuasion" by Thea Ardrey
Acts 16:1 Sha’ul came down to Derbe and went on to Lystra, where there lived a talmid named Timothy. He was the son of a Jewish woman who had come to trust, and a Greek father. 2 All the brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of Timothy. 3 Sha’ul wanted Timothy to accompany him; so he took him and did a b’rit-milah, because of the Jews living in those areas; for they all knew that his father had been a Greek.
4 As they went on through the towns, they delivered to the people the decisions reached by the emissaries and the elders in Yerushalayim for them to observe. 5 Accordingly, the congregations were strengthened in the faith and increased in number day by day.
6 They traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, because they had been prevented by the Ruach HaKodesh from speaking the message in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the frontier of Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia; but the Spirit of Yeshua would not let them. 8 So, after passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
9 There a vision appeared to Sha’ul at night. A man from Macedonia was standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” 10 As soon as he had seen the vision, we lost no time getting ready to leave for Macedonia; for we concluded that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to them.
11 Sailing from Troas, we made a straight run to Samothrace; the next day we went to Neapolis; 12 and from there, we went on to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that part of Macedonia. We spent a few days in this city; 13 then on Shabbat, we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we understood a minyan met. We sat down and began speaking to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in fine purple cloth. She was already a “God-fearer,” and the Lord opened up her heart to respond to what Sha’ul was saying. 15 After she and the members of her household had been immersed, she gave us this invitation: “If you consider me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay in my house.” And she insisted till we went.
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My missionary ventures have taken me to several countries. However, if the Apostle Paul had a passport, he would have received far more stamps in his, hands down. What stands out even more is the way the Holy Spirit served as a border patrol agent of sorts—not allowing entry into some places, while flinging open doors to others.
The Holy Spirit not only guides our steps, but helps us to discern things about other people we might not be naturally inclined to see. When it comes to judging another person’s character, we sometimes think we’re experts. Often, however, we don’t do a great job at looking beyond the exterior. This might be especially true of someone we’ve just met.
Paul and his companions knew no one when they followed God’s call to preach in Macedonia. One of the first people they met was Lydia (Acts 16). Paul demonstrates how cultivating communion with the Holy Spirit can lead us toward or away from certain places or people. He also gives us peace about establishing new relationships, allowing us to receive hospitality from someone we scarcely know. As we face unknown places and people, we can rely on God’s Spirit to guide and persuade.
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Hymn for Today: "Holy Spirit, Be My Guide" by Mildred Cope copyright 1963, Renewed 1992 by Lillenas Publishing Company All rights reserved.
1. By the promise of the Father,
Comes the Spirit from on high,
Into hearts redeemed from evil,
By His pow’r to sanctify.
Refrain:
Holy Spirit, faithful Teacher,
In my trusting heart abide;
By Thy sacred, holy presence
Be my Comforter and Guide.
2. Reigning there without a rival,
Paradise is now restored;
Perfect peace, abiding pleasure,
Bliss the world cannot afford.
Refrain:
Holy Spirit, faithful Teacher,
In my trusting heart abide;
By Thy sacred, holy presence
Be my Comforter and Guide.
3. Pow’r to overcome He gives us,
Pow’r to reign through Jesus’ grace;
Holy boldness in each conflict,
Entrance to that heav’nly place.
Refrain:
Holy Spirit, faithful Teacher,
In my trusting heart abide;
By Thy sacred, holy presence
Be my Comforter and Guide.
4. Since the Comforter abideth,
Naught my spirit can molest;
I am sanctified and happy,
Sweet and peaceful is my rest.
Refrain:
Holy Spirit, faithful Teacher,
In my trusting heart abide;
By Thy sacred, holy presence
Be my Comforter and Guide.
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Thought for Today: Psalm 73:24 You will guide me with your advice;
and afterwards, you will receive me with honor.
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Please pray: For development of Christian leaders in Sierra Leone.
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Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "Turn Around!" by Thea Ardrey for Thursday, 4 August 2016 with Scripture: Acts 3:11-26
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"Turn Around!" by Thea Ardrey
Scripture: Acts 3:11 While he clung to Kefa and Yochanan, all the people came running in astonishment toward them in Shlomo’s Colonnade.
12 Seeing this, Kefa addressed the people: “Men of Isra’el! Why are you amazed at this? Or why do you stare at us as if we had made this man walk through some power or godliness of our own? 13 The God of Avraham, Yitz’chak and Ya‘akov, the God of our fathers,[Acts 3:13 Exodus 3:6, 15] has glorified his servant Yeshua — the same Yeshua you handed over and disowned before Pilate, even after he had decided to release him. 14 You denied the holy and innocent one, and instead asked for the reprieve of a murderer! 15 You killed the author of life!
“But God has raised him from the dead! Of this we are witnesses. 16 And it is through putting trust in his name that his name has given strength to this man whom you see and know. Yes, it is the trust that comes through Yeshua which has given him this perfect healing in the presence of you all.
17 “Now, brothers, I know that you did not understand the significance of what you were doing; neither did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had announced in advance, when he spoke through all the prophets, namely, that his Messiah was to die.
19 “Therefore, repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be erased; 20 so that times of refreshing may come from the Lord’s presence; and he may send the Messiah appointed in advance for you, that is, Yeshua. 21 He has to remain in heaven until the time comes for restoring everything, as God said long ago, when he spoke through the holy prophets. 22 For Moshe himself said, ‘Adonai will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You are to listen to everything he tells you. 23 Everyone who fails to listen to that prophet will be removed from the people and destroyed.’[Acts 3:23 Deuteronomy 18:15–16] 24 Indeed, all the prophets announced these days, starting with Sh’mu’el and continuing through all who followed.
25 “You are the sons of the prophets; and you are included in the covenant which God made with our fathers when he said to Avraham, ‘By your seed will all the families of the earth be blessed.’[Acts 3:25 Genesis 22:18; 26:4] 26 So it is to you first that God has sent his servant whom he has raised up, so that he might bless you by turning each one of you from your evil ways.”
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Soon after arriving in Poland, I set out to find the bed and breakfast where a future short-term mission team would stay. It was while on this seemingly simple venture that I got miserably lost. Desperately looking for someone who spoke English, I kept walking. I passed an elderly woman and assumed she only spoke Polish. It was only after I humbled myself and went back that I discovered she was fluent in English. She even walked with me to my destination. But, to get where I wanted to go, I had to turn around.
Greater still are the times we turn away from our sin and toward a loving God. No vacation can bring the kind of refreshment that comes from knowing that our sins are erased. Peter knew that. In Acts 3 he addressed people’s curiosity about the lame man’s physical healing, not only to glorify God, but to point out each person’s need for spiritual healing.
Without Christ, each of us are lost and in need of salvation. For some of us, circumstances have left us feeling lost and needing direction. Sometimes all it takes is to turn toward the God who can restore us!
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Hymn for Today: "This is Thy Will, I Know" by Charles Wesley
1. This is Thy will, I know,
That I should holy be,
Should let my sins this moment go,
This moment turn to Thee.
2. O might I now embrace
Thy all sufficient power,
And nevermore to sin give place,
And never grieve Thee more!
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Thought for Today: Psalm 116:7 My soul, return to your rest!
For Adonai has been generous toward you.
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Please pray:
That many people in Sierra Leone will come to know know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "Foundation Building Not Firefighting" by Thea Ardrey for Wednesday, 3 August 2016 with Scripture: Matthew 7:15-29
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"Foundation Building Not Firefighting" by Thea Ardrey
Scripture: Matthew 7:15 “Beware of the false prophets! They come to you wearing sheep’s clothing, but underneath they are hungry wolves! 16 You will recognize them by their fruit. Can people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every healthy tree produces good fruit, but a poor tree produces bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, or a poor tree good fruit. 19 Any tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire! 20 So you will recognize them by their fruit.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, only those who do what my Father in heaven wants. 22 On that Day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! Didn’t we prophesy in your name? Didn’t we expel demons in your name? Didn’t we perform many miracles in your name?’ 23 Then I will tell them to their faces, ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’[Matthew 7:23 Psalm 6:9(8)]
24 “So, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on bedrock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers flooded, the winds blew and beat against that house, but it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers flooded, the wind blew and beat against that house, and it collapsed — and its collapse was horrendous!”
28 When Yeshua had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at the way he taught, 29 for he was not instructing them like their Torah-teachers but as one who had authority himself.
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As I stood among the bridesmaids at my brother and sister-in-law’s wedding, I watched the best-man nervously swaying. I scanned the room for what was going wrong. It didn’t take long to realize God truly does have a sense of humor. Just as one of the groomsmen read “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 7:19) a twig on one of the candle arrangements went up in flames.
Things turned out alright when the pastor turned firefighter. Yet, in Matthew 7 Jesus reminds us we have far more important things to be concerned with than a little fire hazard at a wedding. It is imperative for us to dispel what is false by knowing the truth. Jesus reminds us it’s not enough to simply know who He is; we are tasked with putting His words into obedient action. By doing what He says, we remain steady regardless of the storms that arise.
May we be among those who don’t fixate on fires, but rather focus on building a firm foundation on Christ.
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Hymn for Today: "Christ is Made the Sure Foundation" from Latin hymn, 7th century; translated by John M. Neale.
1. Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone;
Chosen of the Lord, and precious,
Binding all the Church in one,
Holy Zion’s help forever,
And her confidence alone.
2. All that dedicated city,
Dearly loved of God on high,
In exultant jubilation,
Pours perpetual melody,
God the One in Three adoring
In glad hymns eternally.
3. To this temple, where we call Thee,
Come, O Lord of Hosts, today;
With Thy wonted lovingkindness
Hear Thy servants as they pray.
And Thy fullest benediction
Shed within its walls alway.
4. Here vouchsafe to all Thy servants
What they ask of Thee to gain;
What they gain from Thee forever
With the blessèd to retain,
And hereafter in Thy glory
Evermore with Thee to reign.
5. Laud and honor to the Father,
Laud and honor to the Son,
Laud and honor to the Spirit,
Ever Three and ever One;
Consubstantial, co-eternal,
While unending ages run.
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Thought of the Day:1 Corinthians 3:11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Yeshua the Messiah.
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Please Pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Senegal.
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Please Pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Senegal.
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