Okay, sorry for not putting anything up since now. I just don't have anything real original right now :( Well, I take that back, on second thought; here is something that's been on my mind. I'll try to sort it out a little bit better so maybe it will make sense. :)
Ecclesiastes 1:18 "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow;the more knowledge, the more grief."
Has anyone else found this to be true? It seems like the more He gives us the more He expects from us! The more of His Word I understand, the more I grieve for this troubled sinful world. The more He teaches me about health and relationships, the more I have to "tow the line", and " be ye perfect". I was just starting to think: what does it all mean? Why must I be here? Why is He showing and teaching me all these things? I almost want to stop learning! But, that will never do. We are always learning, or at least we are supposed to be learning :) " The more knowledge,the more grief." And yet, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.Because you have rejected knowledge I also will reject you from being priest for Me;Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children" (Hosea4:6). Great! Just great! Think again. Grief is in this sin filled world, I don't have all the answers, but I do know that its always best when we follow Him. It isn't always easy, and Yes grief and sorrow come alongside knowledge. Duet. 29:29: " the secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our childrenforever,that we may do all the words of this law." Hmmm.............
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Where are the Real Men: What Girls can do to Bless the Families of the Future
by Ashley Brinley
We hear it everywhere: “Where are the real men?” This is a topic we discuss as a family often. We know that success depends upon courageous, godly men to lead out in the home, the church, and the nation. We young ladies seeking to live godly lives and prepare for godly families of our own someday are especially concerned about the lack of real men out there. I know very few young men who are Christians, and even fewer who are what I would call real men. There are many things we could blame this on, but it won’t do much good. The only thing we women can do about the problem is to start influencing the men around us in a way that is going to make a more positive impact on them than what we are doing presently. But how can we do this?
We were discussing this problem recently with friends who are also involved in ministry. We were encouraging the young men to speak out and make an effort for the other young men of this generation. Though they agreed that a huge problem exists in this area, and they are dedicated to doing what they can to help solve it, they shared with us how challenging it is to reach young men in today’s society. Young men of today don’t tend to get inspired by sermons, books, and magazines the way girls do. Hearing theory and visualizing it in action is more difficult for the male mind. Also, as a general rule, men tend to be of the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality. If something isn’t ever before them, they tend to forget about it. Combine this with the cultural effort to destroy true godly manhood, which has been at work for generations, and you have a pretty discouraging outlook. But there is something that can be done, and it must be done if we are going to have any hope for the future.
You have no doubt heard the saying, “Behind every great man there is a great woman.” If this is true, we as young women may be more responsible for the lack of real men than we would like to think. But looking on the bright side, it also means that we may be the very means of bringing about the reform needed. While a young man may not be affected by a sermon, book, or magazine, he will most surely be affected in some way by the godly women in his life working and praying for him. He may be able to ignore a book or sermon, but not a sister, a mother, or a wife who is living a godly life before him every day. Girls, this is feminine strength! This is how girls can change the world. This is a call to be truly feminine, truly godly, and to use our influence and position as women to change our society. Think what an affect would be produced on the men of this generation if every girl, every woman out there lived to glorify God and serve her family. The guys would have to change! They wouldn’t feel comfortable in a society of girls who conducted themselves like godly ladies. This is the first thing we can do, and it is huge!
We can also work in direct ways, encouraging the men we know to be faithful, strong, godly leaders. We can do this by our words, and also by praising, instead of criticizing their efforts or taking over because we think we can do better than them. This is not a call to be bossy or naggy. That will only increase the problem. This is a call to work and pray in a gentle, humble, submissive way. If you, like me, do not have any brothers, don’t think that will keep you from making a difference. Those of us without brothers of our own have the responsibility of all the men out there that are our brothers in Christ. We have a lot to do, and we can have a huge impact if we only will make the effort. Men are the leaders, so if we want to end up in the right place, we will do all we can to encourage them to lead us in the right direction.
There is one more very important thing we young ladies can do to help build the families of the future. There is nothing like the power of prayer. We need to be serious about praying for the men of this generation. This is going to make more of an impact than anything else. In talking this over with a friend recently, we made the decision to set aside regular time for fasting and prayer for the men of this time and for the men God has for our futures. We invite all the young ladies who share this burden to unite with us in a day of prayer. Check here to connect with times and dates and unite with girls across the nation as we pray for God to do a work in us that will make the men of this generation into real men.
We hear it everywhere: “Where are the real men?” This is a topic we discuss as a family often. We know that success depends upon courageous, godly men to lead out in the home, the church, and the nation. We young ladies seeking to live godly lives and prepare for godly families of our own someday are especially concerned about the lack of real men out there. I know very few young men who are Christians, and even fewer who are what I would call real men. There are many things we could blame this on, but it won’t do much good. The only thing we women can do about the problem is to start influencing the men around us in a way that is going to make a more positive impact on them than what we are doing presently. But how can we do this?
We were discussing this problem recently with friends who are also involved in ministry. We were encouraging the young men to speak out and make an effort for the other young men of this generation. Though they agreed that a huge problem exists in this area, and they are dedicated to doing what they can to help solve it, they shared with us how challenging it is to reach young men in today’s society. Young men of today don’t tend to get inspired by sermons, books, and magazines the way girls do. Hearing theory and visualizing it in action is more difficult for the male mind. Also, as a general rule, men tend to be of the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality. If something isn’t ever before them, they tend to forget about it. Combine this with the cultural effort to destroy true godly manhood, which has been at work for generations, and you have a pretty discouraging outlook. But there is something that can be done, and it must be done if we are going to have any hope for the future.
You have no doubt heard the saying, “Behind every great man there is a great woman.” If this is true, we as young women may be more responsible for the lack of real men than we would like to think. But looking on the bright side, it also means that we may be the very means of bringing about the reform needed. While a young man may not be affected by a sermon, book, or magazine, he will most surely be affected in some way by the godly women in his life working and praying for him. He may be able to ignore a book or sermon, but not a sister, a mother, or a wife who is living a godly life before him every day. Girls, this is feminine strength! This is how girls can change the world. This is a call to be truly feminine, truly godly, and to use our influence and position as women to change our society. Think what an affect would be produced on the men of this generation if every girl, every woman out there lived to glorify God and serve her family. The guys would have to change! They wouldn’t feel comfortable in a society of girls who conducted themselves like godly ladies. This is the first thing we can do, and it is huge!
We can also work in direct ways, encouraging the men we know to be faithful, strong, godly leaders. We can do this by our words, and also by praising, instead of criticizing their efforts or taking over because we think we can do better than them. This is not a call to be bossy or naggy. That will only increase the problem. This is a call to work and pray in a gentle, humble, submissive way. If you, like me, do not have any brothers, don’t think that will keep you from making a difference. Those of us without brothers of our own have the responsibility of all the men out there that are our brothers in Christ. We have a lot to do, and we can have a huge impact if we only will make the effort. Men are the leaders, so if we want to end up in the right place, we will do all we can to encourage them to lead us in the right direction.
There is one more very important thing we young ladies can do to help build the families of the future. There is nothing like the power of prayer. We need to be serious about praying for the men of this generation. This is going to make more of an impact than anything else. In talking this over with a friend recently, we made the decision to set aside regular time for fasting and prayer for the men of this time and for the men God has for our futures. We invite all the young ladies who share this burden to unite with us in a day of prayer. Check here to connect with times and dates and unite with girls across the nation as we pray for God to do a work in us that will make the men of this generation into real men.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Pray for Haiti: from Pastor Doug
Horror in Haiti: What does it mean?
“And there shall be … earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” —Matthew 24:7, 8
The world has been truly stunned by the apocalyptic images that are flooding in from this massive earthquake, which violently shook the earth’s crust just beneath Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital.
It has been heartbreaking to see desperate quake survivors working feverishly, using sledgehammers and their bare hands, to free victims trapped beneath the concrete rubble and pleading for help.
The devastation is compounded with confused despair, as dazed victims wander the streets realizing their meager hospitals, government buildings, and emergency services are also paralyzed. Clean water, electric power, and telephone service are virtually nonexistent.
Kindness in the Midst of Catastrophe
It will still be some time before the full scope of this disaster and loss of life is fully assessed. Thousands have died.
Nevertheless, it has also been heartwarming to see the international outpouring of charity, sacrifice, and humanitarian aid. And now it is especially important for Christians to offer their service, give sacrificially, and to pray.
Why?
Some have already asked the question, Did God send this cataclysm as a divine punishment upon the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere?
Just a day following the disaster, Pat Robertson said on CBN that the nation of Haiti was devastated because its people “made a pact with the devil.”
We need to be very careful not to rush to judgment at times like this. Commenting on a local disaster back in His own day, Jesus explained, “Those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:4, 5).
The devil would like to snuff out every human life and, according to the law, that’s what we deserve. It’s only by the intervening grace of God that any of us are alive.
So what can we learn from this tragedy?
For one thing, as we near the end, powerful quakes like this one will strike with increasing frequency and intensity. The death of Jesus was itself marked by a significant earthquake, as was His resurrection (Matthew 27:54; 28:2). The Scriptures also tell us that the second coming of Christ will be accompanied by the largest earthquake in history (Revelation 16:17, 18). Only the redeemed will survive this seismic event!
There is something else we have seen from the earthquake in Haiti. The whole economy and political freedom of an entire country can be instantly altered when a massive earthquake reduces a major city to rubble. How quickly global prophetic events might activate if an earthquake of this magnitude — or bigger — should strike New York City, San Francisco, or Los Angeles.
It is only the patient mercy of God that has preserved the United States from “the big one” so far.
Amazing Facts Can Broadcast Hope
We can be sure that the Lord can bring positive blessings even from a devastating disaster like this one. “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
It’s a fact that people are more open to the gospel following a disaster.
Amazing Facts is in the business of saving souls eternally. As people everywhere behold these increasing natural disasters, their hearts become sober; they long for peace and security.
Remember, it was following a powerful earthquake that the jailer asked Paul and Silas, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).
Friend, in just a few terrifying moments the probation of thousands was forever closed for the victims in Haiti. Their eternal destinies are sealed. But for the living, there is still hope (Ecclesiastes 9:4).
That’s why it is so important for us to use these twilight moments of grace to broadcast the gospel.
As heartbreaking as this earthquake is, it offers us a tremendous opportunity. The people in Haiti will be hungering for hope, a hope that can only come from the Word of God. Together, we can help them find Jesus.
Amazing Facts is not set up to send bandages or bread to countries in crisis. There are many other fine charities that specialize in these areas, and I hope you will support them.
But there is something that this ministry can do that will make an eternal difference in the lives of these poor people. We can send them Christ.
How can you help right now?
Obviously, the people of Haiti are still reeling from the effects of this tragedy, and will be for months. But as they begin to piece their lives back together, we want to be sure to place the truth within their reach when they are ready.
The primary language in Haiti is French. Amazing Facts has already recorded two evangelistic series in French, and we also have a complete set of evangelistic lessons, the Storacles of Prophecy, translated into French and prepared to advance the Word of God in that nation.
The average annual income in Haiti before the earthquake was only $300. These dear people have no money. That’s why we would like to send these materials to Haiti for free and also grant the pastors and church members there permission to freely copy the DVDs and reprint the French lessons.
In addition, with your help, we can broadcast the gospel via satellite to Haiti and to the millions of others that live in the surrounding Caribbean nations. I have seen in these countries where one person in a poor community will have a satellite dish and a small TV. In the cool evening, all the neighbors will gather in the streets to watch the programs together.
When you give today, you will help us broadcast many more messages of hope and understanding to countless souls in need of it more than ever before.
Please Help Us Offer Hope
And at times like this, I know that the work of Amazing Facts is more important than ever before. This sudden natural disaster is a sober reminder of just how quickly the end can begin.
Jesus foretold that the horrific scenes the world has witnessed following the massive earthquake in Haiti will only increase as we near the end of time. Our whole planet is convulsing and crumbling under its burden of sin.
“We know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now” (Romans 8:22).
Your friend in Christ,
Pastor Doug Batchelor
“And there shall be … earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” —Matthew 24:7, 8
The world has been truly stunned by the apocalyptic images that are flooding in from this massive earthquake, which violently shook the earth’s crust just beneath Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital.
It has been heartbreaking to see desperate quake survivors working feverishly, using sledgehammers and their bare hands, to free victims trapped beneath the concrete rubble and pleading for help.
The devastation is compounded with confused despair, as dazed victims wander the streets realizing their meager hospitals, government buildings, and emergency services are also paralyzed. Clean water, electric power, and telephone service are virtually nonexistent.
Kindness in the Midst of Catastrophe
It will still be some time before the full scope of this disaster and loss of life is fully assessed. Thousands have died.
Nevertheless, it has also been heartwarming to see the international outpouring of charity, sacrifice, and humanitarian aid. And now it is especially important for Christians to offer their service, give sacrificially, and to pray.
Why?
Some have already asked the question, Did God send this cataclysm as a divine punishment upon the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere?
Just a day following the disaster, Pat Robertson said on CBN that the nation of Haiti was devastated because its people “made a pact with the devil.”
We need to be very careful not to rush to judgment at times like this. Commenting on a local disaster back in His own day, Jesus explained, “Those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:4, 5).
The devil would like to snuff out every human life and, according to the law, that’s what we deserve. It’s only by the intervening grace of God that any of us are alive.
So what can we learn from this tragedy?
For one thing, as we near the end, powerful quakes like this one will strike with increasing frequency and intensity. The death of Jesus was itself marked by a significant earthquake, as was His resurrection (Matthew 27:54; 28:2). The Scriptures also tell us that the second coming of Christ will be accompanied by the largest earthquake in history (Revelation 16:17, 18). Only the redeemed will survive this seismic event!
There is something else we have seen from the earthquake in Haiti. The whole economy and political freedom of an entire country can be instantly altered when a massive earthquake reduces a major city to rubble. How quickly global prophetic events might activate if an earthquake of this magnitude — or bigger — should strike New York City, San Francisco, or Los Angeles.
It is only the patient mercy of God that has preserved the United States from “the big one” so far.
Amazing Facts Can Broadcast Hope
We can be sure that the Lord can bring positive blessings even from a devastating disaster like this one. “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
It’s a fact that people are more open to the gospel following a disaster.
Amazing Facts is in the business of saving souls eternally. As people everywhere behold these increasing natural disasters, their hearts become sober; they long for peace and security.
Remember, it was following a powerful earthquake that the jailer asked Paul and Silas, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).
Friend, in just a few terrifying moments the probation of thousands was forever closed for the victims in Haiti. Their eternal destinies are sealed. But for the living, there is still hope (Ecclesiastes 9:4).
That’s why it is so important for us to use these twilight moments of grace to broadcast the gospel.
As heartbreaking as this earthquake is, it offers us a tremendous opportunity. The people in Haiti will be hungering for hope, a hope that can only come from the Word of God. Together, we can help them find Jesus.
Amazing Facts is not set up to send bandages or bread to countries in crisis. There are many other fine charities that specialize in these areas, and I hope you will support them.
But there is something that this ministry can do that will make an eternal difference in the lives of these poor people. We can send them Christ.
How can you help right now?
Obviously, the people of Haiti are still reeling from the effects of this tragedy, and will be for months. But as they begin to piece their lives back together, we want to be sure to place the truth within their reach when they are ready.
The primary language in Haiti is French. Amazing Facts has already recorded two evangelistic series in French, and we also have a complete set of evangelistic lessons, the Storacles of Prophecy, translated into French and prepared to advance the Word of God in that nation.
The average annual income in Haiti before the earthquake was only $300. These dear people have no money. That’s why we would like to send these materials to Haiti for free and also grant the pastors and church members there permission to freely copy the DVDs and reprint the French lessons.
In addition, with your help, we can broadcast the gospel via satellite to Haiti and to the millions of others that live in the surrounding Caribbean nations. I have seen in these countries where one person in a poor community will have a satellite dish and a small TV. In the cool evening, all the neighbors will gather in the streets to watch the programs together.
When you give today, you will help us broadcast many more messages of hope and understanding to countless souls in need of it more than ever before.
Please Help Us Offer Hope
And at times like this, I know that the work of Amazing Facts is more important than ever before. This sudden natural disaster is a sober reminder of just how quickly the end can begin.
Jesus foretold that the horrific scenes the world has witnessed following the massive earthquake in Haiti will only increase as we near the end of time. Our whole planet is convulsing and crumbling under its burden of sin.
“We know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now” (Romans 8:22).
Your friend in Christ,
Pastor Doug Batchelor
Monday, January 11, 2010
Just Keep Singing!
The other day on the radio a pastor ( I don’t remember his name) came on and asked the questions: When was the last time you stopped and sang at the top of your lungs to praise Him? Even if you didn’t feel like it. When was the last time you sang the Doxology in your car? Not even caring who heard you. Well, these questions reminded me of an experience I had not too long ago.
One night I was driving home from work. I was tired and there was a wall of white fog which was making driving more difficult. I was nervous and anxious about having to drive through that all the way home by myself; until I remembered that I wasn’t alone. Jesus and His angels where there to protect me, all I needed to do was pray.
As I started praying the idea came to me that I should sing! But, then I started to think it through. Who wants to sing at 3:30 in the morning? It’s dark and I need to concentrate on driving through this fog and stay on the right side of the road plus make all the correct turns so I don’t get lost! Then came the silliest thought of all. What if someone hears me?
Well, with those thoughts, I would say that I was struggling with pride. “It is a terrible thing to let pride take you by the hand, his suggestions are so frightfully strong. If you give him reign he can press suggestions home with almost irresistible force.” With this in mind I decided that if I was going to continue home I needed to sing.
So, I began to sing every hymn or parts of them that I could remember, including the Doxology. Every time I thought the fog had lifted and I stopped singing; another white wall would come up. However, every time I started singing again the wall would start to lift. Though the fog never completely lifted; I was learning a lesson.
I finally made it home safely, even though it took longer than usual. I was reminded that Jesus and His angels are always near. All I had to do was call upon His name. “For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12b). When was the last time you broke out in song?
Quote in paragraph four taken from: Hinds Feet on High Places, by, Hannah Hurnard.
One night I was driving home from work. I was tired and there was a wall of white fog which was making driving more difficult. I was nervous and anxious about having to drive through that all the way home by myself; until I remembered that I wasn’t alone. Jesus and His angels where there to protect me, all I needed to do was pray.
As I started praying the idea came to me that I should sing! But, then I started to think it through. Who wants to sing at 3:30 in the morning? It’s dark and I need to concentrate on driving through this fog and stay on the right side of the road plus make all the correct turns so I don’t get lost! Then came the silliest thought of all. What if someone hears me?
Well, with those thoughts, I would say that I was struggling with pride. “It is a terrible thing to let pride take you by the hand, his suggestions are so frightfully strong. If you give him reign he can press suggestions home with almost irresistible force.” With this in mind I decided that if I was going to continue home I needed to sing.
So, I began to sing every hymn or parts of them that I could remember, including the Doxology. Every time I thought the fog had lifted and I stopped singing; another white wall would come up. However, every time I started singing again the wall would start to lift. Though the fog never completely lifted; I was learning a lesson.
I finally made it home safely, even though it took longer than usual. I was reminded that Jesus and His angels are always near. All I had to do was call upon His name. “For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12b). When was the last time you broke out in song?
Quote in paragraph four taken from: Hinds Feet on High Places, by, Hannah Hurnard.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)