1 Thessalonians 5:1 But you have no need to have anything written to you, brothers, about the times and dates when this will happen; 2 because you yourselves well know that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is so peaceful and secure,” then destruction will suddenly come upon them, the way labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there is no way they will escape.
4 But you, brothers, are not in the dark, so that the Day should take you by surprise like a thief; 5 for you are all people who belong to the light, who belong to the day. We don’t belong to the night or to darkness, 6 so let’s not be asleep, like the rest are; on the contrary, let us stay alert and sober. 7 People who sleep, sleep at night; and people who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us stay sober, putting on trust and love as a breastplate and the hope of being delivered as a helmet.[1 Thessalonians 5:8 Isaiah 59:17] 9 For God has not intended that we should experience his fury, but that we should gain deliverance through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, 10 who died on our behalf so that whether we are alive or dead, we may live along with him. 11 Therefore, encourage each other, and build each other up — just as you are doing.
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There are a wide range of understandings, perspectives, and speculations about what exactly will happen in the end times. While different theories abound, one thing we can cooperatively agree on is the reality that God wins!
The process, how it will unfold, and the ongoing discussion of when the end times will occur ought to take a backseat to what we are living for today. We are eternal beings and the decisions we make today, in how we live our lives and whom we will serve, focus on how we are going to be spending eternity. Perhaps it is most important to focus on the future by making decisions today that best identify us with being on God’s victorious team.
Life blindsides us and darkness impacts our world, but this doesn’t mean that these occurrences need to become our identity and way of life. Jesus is the way of life! He allows us to become children of light, not just for the future, but in how He wants to use us today. Don’t neglect the opportunity to grow as a child of light, to illuminate and and ignite others in your world for the cause of Christ.
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The process, how it will unfold, and the ongoing discussion of when the end times will occur ought to take a backseat to what we are living for today. We are eternal beings and the decisions we make today, in how we live our lives and whom we will serve, focus on how we are going to be spending eternity. Perhaps it is most important to focus on the future by making decisions today that best identify us with being on God’s victorious team.
Life blindsides us and darkness impacts our world, but this doesn’t mean that these occurrences need to become our identity and way of life. Jesus is the way of life! He allows us to become children of light, not just for the future, but in how He wants to use us today. Don’t neglect the opportunity to grow as a child of light, to illuminate and and ignite others in your world for the cause of Christ.
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Today's Hymn "Revive Us Again" by William P. MacKay
1. We praise Thee, O God!
For the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus Who died,
And is now gone above.
Refrain:
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.
2. We praise Thee, O God!
For Thy Spirit of light,
Who hath shown us our Savior,
And scattered our night.
Refrain:
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.
3. All glory and praise
To the Lamb that was slain,
Who hath borne all our sins,
And hath cleansed every stain.
Refrain:
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.
4. All glory and praise
To the God of all grace,
Who hast brought us, and sought us,
And guided our ways.
Refrain:
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.
5. Revive us again;
Fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled
With fire from above.
Refrain:
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.
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Thought for Today: Daniel 12:3 But those who can discern will shine like the brightness of heaven’s dome, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.
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Please pray: For the child development programs that minister to children in Eurasia.
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Reflecting God "Never Enough" by Jay Trainer for Wednesday, 22 February 2017 with Scripture 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
1 Thessalonians 3:6 But now Timothy has come to us from you, bringing good news about your trust and love, and telling us that you remember us well and are always longing to see us, just as we long to see you. 7 Because of this, brothers, in spite of all our trouble and distress, we were comforted over you — because of your trust; 8 so that now we are alive; since you continue to stand fast, united with the Lord.
Reflecting God "Never Enough" by Jay Trainer for Wednesday, 22 February 2017 with Scripture 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
1 Thessalonians 3:6 But now Timothy has come to us from you, bringing good news about your trust and love, and telling us that you remember us well and are always longing to see us, just as we long to see you. 7 Because of this, brothers, in spite of all our trouble and distress, we were comforted over you — because of your trust; 8 so that now we are alive; since you continue to stand fast, united with the Lord.
9 Indeed, how can we thank God enough for you or express to our God all the joy we feel because of you? 10 Night and day we pray as hard as we can that we will be able to see you face to face and supply whatever shortcomings there may be in your trust. 11 May God our Father and our Lord Yeshua direct our way to you.
12 And as for you, may the Lord make you increase and overflow in love toward each other, indeed, toward everyone, just as we do toward you; 13 so that he may give you the inner strength to be blameless, by reason of your holiness, when you stand before God our Father at the coming of our Lord Yeshua with all his angels.
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When it comes to godliness, holiness, and heavenly characteristics, one can never have enough of these qualities. There is no such thing as too much love, too much joy, or too much peace. Counter to this, however, any bit of ungodliness, evil, or selfishness is too much, because the end result leads to spiritual destruction and chaos.
Love is an environment-changing characteristic. Its effects can be witnessed in 1 Thessalonians 3. Timothy brought a positive report of the Thessalonians’ faith and love. He told how it transformed and impacted both individually and as a community. A loving environment sets the course of a group and will attract others who are seeking to find more meaning and purpose in their lives.
The challenge for us today is to be part of the domino effect of love, and impact our world. We needn’t do it on our own, because we can’t! It’s through the power of Christ who leads us in this transformation by the Holy Spirit. Then, and only then, can we be people on a mission-to see our communities overflow with the Love of God.
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When it comes to godliness, holiness, and heavenly characteristics, one can never have enough of these qualities. There is no such thing as too much love, too much joy, or too much peace. Counter to this, however, any bit of ungodliness, evil, or selfishness is too much, because the end result leads to spiritual destruction and chaos.
Love is an environment-changing characteristic. Its effects can be witnessed in 1 Thessalonians 3. Timothy brought a positive report of the Thessalonians’ faith and love. He told how it transformed and impacted both individually and as a community. A loving environment sets the course of a group and will attract others who are seeking to find more meaning and purpose in their lives.
The challenge for us today is to be part of the domino effect of love, and impact our world. We needn’t do it on our own, because we can’t! It’s through the power of Christ who leads us in this transformation by the Holy Spirit. Then, and only then, can we be people on a mission-to see our communities overflow with the Love of God.
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Hymn for Today: "Since Jesus Came into My Heart" by Rufus H. McDaniel
1. What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I have light in my soul for which long I had sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain:
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Floods of joy o’er my soul
Like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.
2. I have ceased from my wandering and going astray,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And my sins, which were many, are all washed away,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain:
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Floods of joy o’er my soul
Like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.
3. I’m possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain:
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Floods of joy o’er my soul
Like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.
4. There’s a light in the valley of death now for me,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And the gates of the city beyond I can see,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain:
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Floods of joy o’er my soul
Like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.
5. I shall go there to dwell in that city, I know,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And I’m happy, so happy, as onward I go,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain:
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Floods of joy o’er my soul
Like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.
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Thought for Today: John 12:32 As for me, when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”
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Please pray: For the compassionate ministries among the poor and in disaster areas of Eurasia.
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Reflecting God for Tuesday, 21 February 2017 "Grace Maturing" by Jay Trainer with Scripture Acts 13:32-43
Acts 13:32 “As for us, we are bringing you the Good News that what God promised to the fathers, 33 he has fulfilled for us the children in raising up Yeshua, as indeed it is written in the second Psalm,
Reflecting God for Tuesday, 21 February 2017 "Grace Maturing" by Jay Trainer with Scripture Acts 13:32-43
Acts 13:32 “As for us, we are bringing you the Good News that what God promised to the fathers, 33 he has fulfilled for us the children in raising up Yeshua, as indeed it is written in the second Psalm,
‘You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.’[a]
34 And as for his raising him up from the dead, to return to decay no more, he said,
‘I will give the holy and trustworthy things of David to you.’[b]
35 This is explained elsewhere:
‘You will not let your Holy One see decay.’[c]
36 For David did indeed serve God’s purposes in his own generation; but after that, he died, was buried with his fathers and did see decay. 37 However, the one God raised up did not see decay.
38 “Therefore, brothers, let it be known to you that through this man is proclaimed forgiveness of sins! 39 That is, God clears everyone who puts his trust in this man, even in regard to all the things concerning which you could not be cleared by the Torah of Moshe.
40 “Watch out, then, so that this word found in the Prophets may not happen to you:
41 ‘You mockers! Look, and marvel, and die!
For in your own time, I am doing a work
that you simply will not believe,
even if someone explains it to you!’ ”[d]
42 As they left, the people invited Sha’ul and Bar-Nabba to tell them more about these matters the following Shabbat. 43 When the synagogue meeting broke up, many of the born Jews and devout proselytes followed Sha’ul and Bar-Nabba, who spoke with them and urged them to keep holding fast to the love and kindness of God.
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Life is full of incredible benchmark moments that shape us. Forever in our minds, etched in our memories, are the incredible things that happen to us that we never thought possible. We remember the sights, the smells, the events, the people that we were with, and the awesome healing or personal touch we experienced. May we never forget, but may we also remember that life is more than a moment.
There is a movement taking place around us and we are invited to be part of it. The grace of God that transformed us in those moments is perpetual and ongoing each and every day. It’s more than an emotional moment that we can remember. It is happening now in the normal rhythms and routines of life. His mercies are new every day and there’s a freshness to His grace to be experienced by us.
As God’s grace grows within us, people are drawn because they see something different happening inside us. John the Baptist declared, “He [Jesus] must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30). By His Grace, people will follow, as the passage suggests, because Jesus is alive in you. Growth is yours–make it your reality.
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There is a movement taking place around us and we are invited to be part of it. The grace of God that transformed us in those moments is perpetual and ongoing each and every day. It’s more than an emotional moment that we can remember. It is happening now in the normal rhythms and routines of life. His mercies are new every day and there’s a freshness to His grace to be experienced by us.
As God’s grace grows within us, people are drawn because they see something different happening inside us. John the Baptist declared, “He [Jesus] must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30). By His Grace, people will follow, as the passage suggests, because Jesus is alive in you. Growth is yours–make it your reality.
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Hymn for Today: "Let the Beauty of Jesus be Seen in Me" by Albert Orsborn
1. Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All His wonderful passion and purity;
O my Savior divine, All my being refine,
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
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Thought for Today: 1 John 1:3 What we have seen and heard,
we are proclaiming to you;
so that you too
may have fellowship with us.
Our fellowship is with the Father
and with his Son, Yeshua the Messiah.
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Please pray: That many young people in Eurasia will be called into Christian ministry.
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Reflecting God for Monday, 20 February 2017 "Focused and Free" Jay Trainer with Scripture 2 Timothy 2:1-13
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2 Timothy 2:1 So then, you, my son, be empowered by the grace that comes from the Messiah Yeshua. 2 And the things you heard from me, which were supported by many witnesses, these things commit to faithful people, such as will be competent to teach others also. 3 Accept your share in suffering disgrace as a good soldier of the Messiah Yeshua. 4 No soldier on duty gets involved with civilian affairs, since he has to please his commanding officer. 5 Also an athlete can’t win a contest unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The farmer who has done the hard work should be the first to receive a share of the harvest. 7 Think about what I am saying, for the Lord will enable you to understand everything.
2 Timothy 2:1 So then, you, my son, be empowered by the grace that comes from the Messiah Yeshua. 2 And the things you heard from me, which were supported by many witnesses, these things commit to faithful people, such as will be competent to teach others also. 3 Accept your share in suffering disgrace as a good soldier of the Messiah Yeshua. 4 No soldier on duty gets involved with civilian affairs, since he has to please his commanding officer. 5 Also an athlete can’t win a contest unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The farmer who has done the hard work should be the first to receive a share of the harvest. 7 Think about what I am saying, for the Lord will enable you to understand everything.
8 Remember Yeshua the Messiah, who was raised from the dead, who was a descendant of David. This is the Good News I proclaim, 9 and for which I am suffering to the point of being bound in chains — but the Word of God is not bound in chains! 10 Why do I persevere through it all? For the sake of those who have been chosen, so that they too may obtain the deliverance that comes through the Messiah Yeshua, with eternal glory. 11 Here is a statement you can trust:
If we have died with him,
we will also live with him.
12 If we persevere,
we will also rule with him
If we disown him,
he will also disown us.
13 If we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
-------Much of our world today is trapped, entangled in the ongoing pursuit of serving self and one’s own agenda. Even those who claim to live a life of faith can often serve the consumeristic mentality that declares, “What’s in it for me?” While stuck in our sins, our endless selfish adventures, the Lord reveals His grace and mercy through His Son Jesus. While dead, He makes us alive by the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ!
This incredible news doesn’t end with us. It is meant to be passed on to those we come across at our workplaces, in our communities, and in our schools. After experiencing this transformational grace, it is our call to seek those who need this same encounter. We become missionaries in everyday life circumstances to reveal this grace to others.
May we share in the sufferings, as Paul suggests in 2 Timothy 2:1-13, and likewise offer the freedom found in the undeserved, unmerited grace of our incredible God. May this be our focus as we walk and continue to experience His freedom because of His incredible grace. We are, after all, called into partnership in His kingdom work so that others may know what we have experienced.
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This incredible news doesn’t end with us. It is meant to be passed on to those we come across at our workplaces, in our communities, and in our schools. After experiencing this transformational grace, it is our call to seek those who need this same encounter. We become missionaries in everyday life circumstances to reveal this grace to others.
May we share in the sufferings, as Paul suggests in 2 Timothy 2:1-13, and likewise offer the freedom found in the undeserved, unmerited grace of our incredible God. May this be our focus as we walk and continue to experience His freedom because of His incredible grace. We are, after all, called into partnership in His kingdom work so that others may know what we have experienced.
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Hymn for Today: "Grace Great Than Our Sin" by Julia H. Johnston
1. Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
yonder on Calvary's mount out-poured,
there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Refrain:
Grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin.
2. Dark is the stain that we cannot hide,
what can avail to wash it away!
Look! there is flowing a crimson tide;
whiter than snow you may be today.
Refrain:
Grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin.
3. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
freely bestowed on all who believe;
you that are longing to see his face,
will you this moment his grace receive?
Refrain:
Grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin.
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Thought for Today: Acts 5:42 And not for a single day, either in the Temple court or in private homes, did they stop teaching and proclaiming the Good News that Yeshua is the Messiah.
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Please pray: For the training of Christian leaders through extension education in Eurasia.
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