(August 06, 2024) Brian Bell shares more on this theme quoting from Judges NLT(1996)…
In Part 2 of this short series I share with you some thoughts about a woman God chose to place in an Old Testament leadership position. Judges 4:4 introduces us to Deborah — a prophetess who had become a judge in Israel.
It is important to set the context. Following their entrance into the land God had promised to Abraham, under God’s direction and Joshua’s leadership, the children of Israel began to take possession of the land and subdue the occupants.
(July 31, 2024) Robert McQuillan shares ‘post Calvary’ thoughts…
Ever recall Luke 24:28-29, those two interesting but often overlooked verses? Let me remind you of the scenario…
Two disciples were so disheartened and discouraged when they began their Emmaus road journey but had been greatly encouraged by a mysterious stranger who seemed to know everything. And they hadn’t recognised Him as the risen Christ!
Now on approaching the village this mysterious stranger had ‘… continued on as if He were going farther’ (porrhotero… a greater distance).
And they strongly urged Him not to travel on but to ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ Over versions tell they constrained Him… (parabiazomia… to force contrary to one’s wishes, to compel).
Where was Jesus going to go on to share good news about His messianic reality, His resurrection and His power over death? Perhaps Jappa, where He hadn’t been before?
(July 29, 2024) Richard Winter shares food for serious consideration…
A long time ago — that is before Amazon Prime — people actually went to brick and mortar stores and bought the necessities and joys of life.
Amazon and Covid changed much of how we live —
Amazon will deliver just about anything in a day.
Covid stopped you from being with people.
We all learned to change our lives.
Covid no longer has its tentacles on our lives, but Amazon does! Amazon has increased our expectations about delivery— ordered yesterday; delivered today. And if it takes four days, most people are having a fit.
Four Days! That can seem like a lifetime! And in fact it was for two sassy sisters… they had a brother whom they loved, as did Jesus, but he became quite sick and although Jesus had been informed He hadn’t come to see him. And now he’s dead — dead and buried!
(July 27, 2024) Brian Bell shares some important points for our serious consideration…
Some years ago now, as I reached home one evening and began reversing my car into the driveway I heard these words on the Christian radio broadcasting channel to which I had been listening— ‘You can’t tell anything about God’s choices by the people He chooses.’
I didn’t get the name of the speaker, or hear any more of the broadcast as I locked the car and entered my home, but I wrote that phrase into a notebook. As the phrase has recently come back to my memory I am sharing with you the first in a short series of articles about some of the people God has chosen.
In Genesis 6:9 (NLT1996 version) the record tells us about Noah— that he was ‘… a righteous man, the only blameless man living on earth at the time. He consistently followed God’s will and enjoyed a close relationship with Him.’
A Question to Ponder As Noah lived long before there was any written scripture record and that leads me to ask the question, how did Noah get to know God in this faithful and intimate way?
(July 23, 2024) David McGuire from England has been called The Missionary Builder With The Camera. He often conveys reports to readers with his camera, not a lot of words! Below he updates us…
Just a few photos this month… we’ve been busy locally in Romania — and my heart still cares for troubled Ukrainians, especially Christian brothers and sisters up there who need natural food supplies as well as spiritual.
Praise God for Romanian Christians who are still willing to assist troubled Ukrainians. We delight in honouring our Saviour’s expectations to ‘love your neighbour’ (Matthew 22:37–39) and ‘make disciples’ (Matthew 28:18-20).
(July 29, 2024) Mama Lava admits an issue, sharing a challenging thought…
I am a stuffer, how about you? Do you have stuffed stuff?
Let’s talk about craft supplies. Feel free to substitute whatever it is you tend to stuff out of sight and out of mind.
Stuffing Stuff! My issue is that I threw away some craft supplies when I moved a few years ago. And since then, I’ve needed them. That’s the way it works, right?
(July 21, 2024) Michael Ashcraft shares a great testimony…
The year was 1979, and Eric Strutz was earning U.S. $400 an hour. But he left lucre to serve Jesus full-time in visitation ministry.
‘I survived,’ he quipped on a Door Church Tucson conference video on YouTube. ‘Actually I thrived. I went from making $400 an hour to 250 bucks a week!’
Pursuing Ministry, not Money Now in the sunset of his pastoring career, Eric exemplifies counting the cost for ministry. Time after time, he pursued ministry, not money. And time after time, God came through for him.
The prayer concludes with the words ‘For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen’ (Matthew 6:13KJV and NKJV).
We describe such declarations which acknowledge God’s greatness and declare His praises as doxologies. Such as Ephesians 3:20-21, ‘Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.’
I believe we all can say that we are living in fascinating times — some may say interesting times, others deceptive times.
Recognition The apostle Paul was concerned about times… dangerous, perilous timesin the church before the return of Christ.He observed examples in his day — non-Christian characteristics — andwrote a warning to young Timothyabout such.
‘There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — having a form of godliness but denying its power’ (2Timothy 3:3-5a).
Paul saw such unChristian-like, self-seeking characteristics back then as a sign of living in the last days and advised ‘Have nothing to do with such people’ (v5b).
We may be looking at the same biblical scenario today!It appears such times and the same kind of church people are even more obvious in our day!
(July 12, 2024) Carol Round shares encouragement regarding trusting God…
Writing in my journal this morning, I poured out my heart to God. I was feeling like a failure. Hoping to accomplish some major tasks in 2024, I’d made four goals at the beginning of this year. I had set deadlines for three of the four goals. So far, I’d accomplished zilch!
Well… that isn’t completely true…
As my pen flowed across the lined pages of my journal, I asked my Abba Father, ‘Does that mean I’m a failure? Why didn’t I follow through?’ I could make all kinds of excuses but in my mind, there were none. Then, I heard that still, small voice reminding me of something I’d forgotten: ‘You were trying to accomplish those goals in your strength.’
Doing Things in Our Strength Hearing that still, small voice, I was startled. I quickly wrote in my journal, ‘I’m sorry, Father, for not asking for your help. I tried to do it in my own power. Thank you for the reminder.’
I’d fallen back into my old ways, pushing forward and trying to do things in my strength. For me, it was a wake-up call. A reminder.
Philippians 4:13 – ‘I can do all this through Him who gives me strength’ – was one of the first scriptures I memorised after rededicating my life to Him in my 40s. It’s a scripture I found myself clinging to at a critical time in my life. I was lost, needing direction as my life took a different path – a path I chose but never planned to be on.
Where Our Paths Lead I was led this morning to reread Philippians 4, as well as the commentary. Growing in Christ these past 20-plus years, I know this verse is often taken out of context. Paul, the author of Philippians, was specifically referring to the ability of a Christian to endure hardship and persecution. . Christians often take this scripture to mean they can do anything with God’s help. However, this verse does not teach us that we can accomplish any task simply because we’re saved!
Instead, in chapter 4, Paul emphasises he is just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. He is content whatever the circumstances. Paul knows that whatever he has, wherever he is, he can make it through anything with God.
Making it Through Anything While lamenting the failure concerning my goals, I realised I’d set those goals without asking for God’s direction. Maybe that’s why I feel like a failure.Focused on what I wanted to do this year, I didn’t seek God’s guidance.
Or maybe, my four goals were too lofty. Maybe God is trying to get me to slow down. I admit my propensity to tackle too much – a holdover from my younger years when I pushed and pushed to get things done. Focused on my agenda, I often overlooked the needs of others.
Looking over my goals again, I realise my excitement and confidence when I wrote them did not factor in interruptions, health issues, and worldly distractions!
So – instead of feeling like a failure, I cling to this: God loves us whether we meet our goals or not!
__________________________________________________ Carol Round is an author and inspirational speaker. Her encouraging articles have appeared in national and international publications, and she especially loves hearing from readers, saying ‘Feel free to share this post.’ For more inspiration, visit my blog at https://carolaround.com. Link: A Matter of Faith weekly column: carol@carolaround.com
We recommend these two books by Carol: Journaling with Jesus andcompanion The40 Day Challenge, knowing that they will help readers draw close to God – (See: http://bit.ly/2LGOvKN and Amazon author page: https://amzn.to/2pP5Yr6). _________________________________________________
Connecting with You! 