Content to stay at the back of the line
"God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.
Matthew 5:3 NLT"
The poor in spirit "There is probably no living man through whom God has worked more mightily than Billy Graham. Dr. Graham has reached more people with the gospel of Jesus than perhaps any person in history. Yet those who know him best don't usually talk about his accomplishments or the number of people he's led to Christ. They talk of his unbelievable humility. Several years ago Dr. Graham was interviewed on PrimeTime Live. He was sitting somberly in a chair when the last question came his way: "What do you want people to say about you when you're gone?" His response took many by surprise. "I don't want people to say anything about me. I want them to talk about my Savior. The only thing I want to hear is Jesus saying, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.'" Then he bowed his head and said softly, "But I'm not sure I'm going to hear that." It was a rare but honest look into the true nature of Billy Graham's heart. In spite of all he's done for the work of the Kingdom, he still sees himself unworthy of God's commendation. The highest honor in heaven is reserved for those who least expect it. The first in line to receive his blessing will likely be the ones who were content to stay at the back of the line on earth. If you want to know the true strength and power of Billy Graham's life, look at his heart, not his crusade attendances. God doesn't save us because of who we are or what we've done, but because of our faith in accepting his gift of salvation.from Embracing Eternity by Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins and Frank M. Martin (Tyndale) p 51
Friday, October 19, 2007
God Will Bless the Humble People
Thursday, October 18, 2007
THE BIRTH OF THE SONG "PRECIOUS LORD"
Back in 1932, I was 32 years old and a fairly new husband. My wife, Nettie
and I were living in a little apartment on Chicago 's south side. One hot
August afternoon I had to go to St. Louis , where I was to be the featured
soloist at a large revival meeting. I didn't want to go.
Nettie was in the last month of pregnancy with our first child. But a lot
of people were expecting me in St. Louis. I kissed Nettie good-bye,
clattered downstairs to our Model A and, in a fresh Lake Michigan breeze,
chugged out of Chicago on Route 66.
However, outside the city, I discovered that in my anxiety at leaving, I
had forgotten my music case. I wheeled around and headed back. I found
Nettie sleeping peace-fully. I hesitated by her bed; something was strongly
telling me to stay. But eager to get on my way, and not wanting to disturb
Nettie, I shrugged off the feeling and quietly slipped out of the room with
my music.
The next night, in the steaming St. Louis heat, the crowd called on me to
sing again and again. When I finally sat down, a messenger boy ran up with
a Western Union telegram. I ripped open the envelope. Pasted on the yellow
sheet were the words: YOUR WIFE JUST DIED.
People were happily singing and clapping around me, but I could hardly keep
from crying out. I rushed to a phone and called home. All I could hear on
the other end was "Nettie is dead. Nettie is dead."
When I got back, I learned that Nettie had given birth to a boy. I swung
between grief and joy. Yet that same night, the baby died. I buried Nettie
and our little boy together, in the same casket. Then I fell apart.
For days I closeted myself. I felt that God had done me an injustice. I
didn't want to serve Him anymore or write gospel songs. I just wanted to go
back to that jazz world I once knew so well. But then, as I hunched alone
in that dark apartment those first sad days, I thought back to the afternoon
I went to St. Louis. Something kept telling me to stay with Nettie. Was
that something God? Oh, if I had paid more attention to Him that day, I
would have stayed and been with Nettie when she died.
From that moment on I vowed to listen more closely to Him. But still I was
lost in grief. Everyone was kind to me, especially a friend, Professor
Fry, who seemed to know what I needed. On the following Saturday evening
he took me up to Malone's Poro College, a neighborhood music school. It was
quiet; the late evening sun crept through the curtained windows. I sat down
at the piano, and my hands began to browse over the keys. Something
happened to me then. I felt at peace. I felt as though I could reach out
and touch God. I found myself playing a melody, once into my head they
just seemed to fall into place:
"Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand! I am tired, I am
weak, I am worn, through the storm, through the night lead me on to the
light, take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home."
The Lord gave me these words and melody, He also healed my spirit. I
learned that when we are in our deepest grief, when we feel farthest from
God, this is when He is closest, and when we are most open to His restoring
power.
And so I go on living for God willingly and joyfully, until that day comes
when He will take me and gently lead me home.
-Thomas Andrew Dorsey-(not the big bandleader)
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
A Reformer's Refuge
"A mighty fortress is our God. A bulwark never failing. The great reformer
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe—
His craft and pow'r are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not His equal.
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
"After posting his ninety-five theses on the door of Wittenberg's Castle Church in October 1517, Martin Luther faced many years of trials and persecution. And during the years of the ensuing Protestant Reformation, Luther came to know better than most the gracious power of God's sheltering hand. He confidently stepped forward to defend the truth he found in God's Word, despite excommunication from the Roman church, continual threats to his life and freedom, and times of intense spiritual battle.
In the comforting words of Psalm 46, Luther found the inspiration for this hymn that would become the battle cry of the Protestant Reformation. Many who suffered for their faith during that time found solid comfort in Luther's words of faith and praise. "A mighty fortress is our God!"
from The One Year® Book of Hymns by Mark Norton and Robert Brown (Tyndale) entry for October 31 "
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
The Old Paths
I wish the old paths were before us instead of behind us... Amen!
THE OLD PATHS
I liked the old paths, when
Moms were at home.
Dads were at work.
Brothers went into the army.
And sisters got married BEFORE having children!
Crime did not pay;
Hard work did;
And people knew the difference.
Moms could cook;
Dads would work;
Children would behave.
Husbands were loving;
Wives were supportive;
And children were polite.
Women wore the jewelry;
And Men wore the pants.
Women looked like ladies;
Men looked like gentlemen;
And children looked decent.
People loved the truth,
And hated a lie;
They came to church to get IN,
Not to get OUT!
Hymns sounded Godly;
Sermons sounded helpful;
Rejoicing sounded normal;
And crying sounded sincere.
Cursing was wicked;
Drugs were for illness;
And divorce was unthinkable.
The flag was honored;
America was beautiful;
And God was welcome!
We read the Bible in public;
Prayed in school;
And preached from house to house
To be called an American was worth dying for;
To be called a Christian was worth living for;
To be called a traitor was a shame!
Preachers preached because they had a message;
And Christians rejoiced because they had the VICTORY!
Preachers preached from the Bible;
Singers sang from the heart;
And sinners turned to the Lord to be SAVED!
A new birth meant a new life;
Salvation meant a changed life;
Following Christ led to eternal life.
Being a preacher meant you proclaimed the word of God;
Being a deacon meant you would serve the Lord;
Being a Christian meant you would live for Jesus;
And being a sinner meant someone was praying for you!
Laws were based on the Bible;
Homes read the Bible;
And churches taught the Bible.
God was worshiped;
Christ was exalted;
And the Holy Spirit was respected..
Church was where you found Christians
on the Lord's day, rather than in the garden,
on the creek bank, on the golf course,
Or being entertained somewhere else.
I still like the old paths the best!
"The Old Paths" was written by a retired minister who lives
In Tennessee.
Monday, October 15, 2007
God is a refuge for the oppressed
God blesses in the midst of suffering Suffering—the soil of spiritual growth
For he has not ignored the suffering of the needy. He has not turned and walked away. He has listened to their cries for help.
Those who suffer the same things from the same people for the same Person can scarcely not love each other.
"The Bible does not promise that Christians won't suffer. In fact, the Scriptures give much evidence that we can expect to suffer, given the evil that is in the world around us and the sin that is in us.
What God does promise is that our suffering can become the catalyst for new growth. God promises to redeem our suffering into his glory.
What griefs are you currently suffering? Can you entrust them to God, confident that he will use them to bring new growth into your life?
The worst kind of suffering is that which we experience alone. When we suffer with another person who is sympathetic to our problem, the suffering is easier to bear. Throughout history, God has sympathized with suffering people. He hears our cries. How would your life and outlook be different if you become convinced that God never failed to respond to your pain?
from the TouchPoint Bible with commentaries by Ron Beers and Gilbert Beers (Tyndale) p 538, 479"
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Extinguishing Protestantism in France
"I am the one who creates the light and makes the darkness. I am the one who sends good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things.
"The Wars of Religion began in France in 1562 between the Roman Catholics and the French Protestants called Huguenots. Though he had to convert to Catholism to ascend to the throne, Henry IV did not forget his Huguenot roots, and in 1598 issued the Edict of Nantes, which gave the Huguenots freedom of religion, civil equality, and fair administration of justice…the first time freedom was granted to two religions to coexist in a nation.
Louis XIV shared none of his grandfather's empathy for the Huguenots, and on October 18, 1685, he revoked the Edit of Nantes. All Huguenot worship and education were forbidden, and all Huguenot churches were either destroyed or turned into Catholic churches.
Mounted soldiers were housed in the homes of Huguenots. The troops were given license to do anything they pleased, short of murder, leading to horrendous acts of torture and humiliation.
Of the 1.5 million Huguenots living in France in 1660, over the next decades 400,000 risked their lives by escaping across the guarded borders into countries across Europe. Many also fled to the American colonies.
At the height of the Reformation nearly half of the population of France was Huguenot. But as a result of the revocation of the Edict of Nantes and the intense persecution that followed, today less than one percent of the French share the faith of the Huguenots, making France a mission field for the gospel.
| adapted from The One Year® Book of Christian History by E. Michael and Sharon Rusten (Tyndale) pp 584-5" Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House |
Monday, October 8, 2007
Time
