Topic(s): God

Take a look around where you're sitting and find five things that have blue in them. (Go ahead and do it.) With a “blue” mindset, you’ll find that blue jumps out at you: a blue book on the table, a blue pillow on the couch, blue in the painting on the wall, and so on...In like fashion, you’ve probably noticed that after you buy a new car, you promptly see that make of car everywhere. That’s because people find what they are looking for. At times in our lives, God seems strangely absent, but the problem is not that God has disappeared. We simply lack a “God” mindset. When we develop our sensitivity, we soon begin to see His work everywhere. - Roger von Oech

“...lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” - Matthew 28:20

On the Way to Heaven

Topic(s): Pain and Suffering

Think of it this way: You are on a road that leads only to success. If you keep moving forward on this road you will eventually get there. Certainly, there will be obstacles—call them failures. But you climb out of the holes and over the broken tree limbs on your path and keep going. These failures are never as significant as your eventual success...Failure is just another word for quitting. - Cynthia Whitcomb

“let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” - Galatians 6:9

Then and Now

Topic(s): Bible Infallibility, Gospel

• It costs more to buy the average new car in the U.S. today than it cost Christopher Columbus to equip and undertake his maiden voyage to the New World.
• The Wright Brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., covered about 100 feet. Now some planes are twice that long.
• In 1930, a three-minute phone call from New York to San Francisco cost $8.75 and 437 first-class letters went the same distance for the same amount of money. Today we can make the same daytime phone call for $1.40 but we can send only nine first-class letters for that amount.
• But the Gospel is still the same. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8).

This Little Christian Light of Mine

Topic(s): Evangelism

Maybe you heard about the guy who went into a cafe in Texas for lunch. He sat down at the counter and the waiter said, “Here, drink this coffee. I make the strongest coffee in these parts.” “But I don't want any coffee,” replied the customer. The waiter demanded, “You must drink it” as he pulled a gun and pointed it at the man. The man complied with the strange command. Then the waiter continued, “Now, hold the gun on me and make me take a drink!”

That’s sort of the way some feel about sharing the Gospel. Evangelism. Outreach. Sharing your faith. It doesn’t matter which word you use, to some people it conjures up something awkward, unnatural, and unpleasant. How about you? We sing our hearts out as we wave our index fingers in the air, “This little Christian light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.” Yet, in the context of everyday life, the stanzas involving “hiding” and “satanic poofing” seem all too familiar. Would you like to learn the secret of how you can enthusiastically sing it in the church building with sincerity? Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.

Did you make the discovery? Evangelism can be a positive experience when one has a firm grasp on his own identity to the point he is comfortable being around anyone no matter what their station in life may be. You begin to bring to any and every relationship ample sensitivity, patience, and concern. You are more attentive to another’s needs. You begin to listen, really listen. You’ve discovered the power of evangelism is more than a program, study method, or special event. The power is in the Divine message that is transforming us daily...a message that continually looks for opportunities to bear fruit in other hearts.

If we want evangelism to be a positive experience, we must discover the dynamic of relationship. Allow some time to establish and nurture relationships you now have and also apply the principle to future ones. Don’t waste time answering questions that are not being asked yet. Spend some time opening a heart and deepening mutual interest in each other. By doing this you will be amazed at the “common” ground that will be established. This ground must be established before the “harder differences” can be adequately addressed.

Paul says the key is to spend enough time with a person so we can begin to see life through his or her eyes. This allow us to understand the pain or problems they may be facing. Friendship allows an encouraging word to be heard. This helps us see their inherent value of each person and their potential in the Kingdom. Friendship allows us an opportunity to share these insights with a greater chance of being received. We must not compromise our beliefs or be disloyal to our convictions, but we must also be be sensitive and understanding, respectful, hoping that the light of the Gospel will shine out of our loving hearts. - adapted

Angels

Topic(s): Bible Study, Miracles

• Time magazine asked, “Do you believe in the existence of angels?” Results: 69% Yes; 25%, No (12/27/93, p. 56).
• Gabriel explained to Daniel the meaning of the vision (Daniel 9:20-27); he delivered the message to Zacharias announcing John’s birth (Luke 1:19); he announced the birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-35).
• Michael, the archangel, referred to as “one of the chief princes” (Daniel 10:13); opposed Satan concerning the body of Moses (Jude 9); and led the angelic army in heaven against “that old serpent, called the Devil,” and his angels (Revelation 12:7). The voice of “the archangel” in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 will be Michael‘s.
• Angels serve God (Hebrews 1:14), but do not miraculously involve themselves in our affairs (1 Corinthians 13:8-10).