Thursday, March 31, 2016

BLUSHING



French doctors are trying to find a cure for blushing.

According to the Bible, inability to blush, says 'The Gospel Minister,' is an evidence of crime.

This is what is written in Jeremiah 8:12: “Are they ashamed that they do disgusting things? No, they’re not ashamed. They don’t even know how to blush. So they will die with those who die. They will be brought down when I punish them,” says the LORD.

- Gospel Herald. (moreillustrations.com)

“The blush is nature's alarm at the approach of sin, and her testimony to the dignity of virtue.” - Thomas Fuller.

“Many blush to confess their faults, who never blush to commit them.” - William Secker.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

WHERE WAS GOD!



When a father received word that his son, a brilliant lad, had been killed in a railroad accident, he turned to his pastor & cried in desperation, "Tell me, sir, where was God when my son was killed?"

And in that tense & terrible moment guidance was given to the counseling pastor. "My friend," he said. "God was just where He was when His own Son was killed!"

- (moreillustrations.com)

 “Often we become apathetic in our lives until we face a severe storm. Whether loss of a job, health crisis, loss of a loved one, or financial struggle; God often brings storms into our lives to change our perspective, to shift the focus from ourselves and our lives to Him.” - Paul Chappell.

The Bible says:  “The LORD hears those who cry out, and he delivers them from all their distress. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, and he delivers those whose spirit has been crushed. A righteous person will have many troubles, but the LORD will deliver him from them all.” (Ps 34:17-19 ISV)

Monday, March 28, 2016

ALPHA & OMEGA



At 7: 20 am of 15th of April, 1865, the American secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, rose from the bedside where he had been kneeling, pulled down the blind at the window to shut out the bright April sunlight & then, turning to look at the still form on the bed, said, "Now he belongs to the ages."

That is the briefest - and perhaps the best - biography of Abraham Lincoln. Yet it is only relatively true that Lincoln and the other great figures of history belong to the ages.

The only one who belongs to the ages is He who is Alpha & Omega & to whom, by divine appointment & decree, the ages belong.

"Who shall declare his generation?" (Acts 8:33.) Christ has no age. His personality bridges the ages. He is the same yesterday, today & forever.

-(moreillustrations.com)

“God cannot change for the better, for He is already perfect; and being perfect, He cannot change for the worse.” - A.W. Pink.

And then, “The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives.” -  D.L. Moody.

THREATENED WITH DEATH



It was Easter Sunday, 1973. Uganda groaned under the terror of Idi Amin. Still fresh in young Pastor Kefa Sempangi’s memory was a face burned beyond recognition, the sight of soldiers cruelly beating a man & the horrible sound of boots crushing bones - all for the crime of being a Christian.

But on that day Pastor Sempangi bravely & openly preached on the risen Lord in his town’s football stadium to over 7,000 people.

After the service, five of Idi Amin’s Secret Police followed Sempangi back to his church & closed the door behind them.

Five rifles pointed at Sempangi’s face. “We are going to kill you for disobeying Amin’s orders,” said the captain. “If you have something to say, say it before you die.”

Sempangi, thinking of his beautiful wife & lovely little girl, began to shake.

But the risen Lord living in his heart gave him the courage to speak. “Do what you must,” he said. “The Word of God says that in Christ I am already dead & that my real life is hidden with Him in God. It is not my life that is in danger, but yours. I am alive in the risen Lord but you are still dead in your sins. May He spare you from eternal destruction.”

The leader looked at Sempangi for a long time. Then he lowered his gun & said, “Will you pray for us?”
Sempangi did & those five officers were converted through the witness of Sempangi’s bravery. They also became his protectors rather than his aggressors.

From ‘31 Days of miracles’ - Daniel Sathiaraj (ministry127.com)

2 Tim 1:7 (NIRV): “God gave us his Spirit. And the Spirit doesn’t make us weak and fearful. Instead, the Spirit gives us power and love. He helps us control ourselves.”

Friday, March 25, 2016

WHY THE TOMB OF JESUS IS FAMOUS?



The pyramids of Egypt are famous because they contained the mummified bodies of ancient Egyptian kings.

Westminster Abbey in London is renowned, because in it rests the bodies of English nobles & notables.

Arlington cemetery in Washington, D.C., is revered, for it is the honored resting place of many outstanding Americans.

The garden tomb of Jesus is famous not because of what is inside, but because it is empty!

- (ministry127.com)

Isa 14:18 (NOG): “All the kings of the nations, all of them, have been buried with honor, each in his own tomb.”

Luke 24:24 (NIRV): “Then some of our friends went to the tomb. They saw it was empty, just as the women had said. They didn’t see Jesus’ body there.”

“Because of the empty tomb, we have peace. Because of His resurrection, we can have peace during even the most troubling of times because we know He is in control of all that happens in the world. - Paul Chappell.

Thursday, March 24, 2016

IT IS FINISHED



John 19:30 (NLT):  When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Professor Beare of the Presbyterian College, Montreal, points out that the last word of our Lord on the cross, ‘tetelestai’ ("it is finished"), is properly so translated in John 19:30, yet that this word ‘tetelestai’ is found repeatedly in tax receipts in the sense of ‘paid.’

"The word ‘tetelestai,’ on a papyrus tax receipt, is the exact equivalent of an English rubber stamp, `Received Payment.' I wonder if the men of those days would not be apt to take the word on the lips of Jesus also as meaning `It is paid,' the account is settled, the debt is wiped out, the Redeemer of mankind has paid the price of redemption."

-Sunday School Times (moreillustrations.com)

“For God to forgive sinners without the full penalty being paid would contradict His justice & make Him our partner in evil. Christ fully paid that penalty for our sins - but the pardon must be willingly & gladly received. God will not force anyone into heaven.” - Dave Hunt.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

CHRIST’S EXAMPLE




A young minister was preaching a sermon on Christ washing the disciples' feet & in the midst of it he said, "Do you know, friends, we are all fighting for the top in the church, but there are so few fighting for the towel."

This was a crude way of saying that there are very few willing to be the last, the lowest & the least in the body of Christ.

- Gospel Herald. (moreillustrations.com)

Jesus said: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.”  (John 13:14 ESV)

“Does God ask us to do what is beneath us? This question will never trouble us again if we consider the Lord of heaven taking a towel & washing feet.” - Elisabeth Elliot.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

CHRIST’S BLOOD LIBERATES




Above the entrance to the concentration camp in Auschwitz, Germany were the words ‘Arbeit Macht Frei.’ The words mean “Work makes free.”

It was a boldfaced lie suggesting that if the prisoners worked hard, they would be given liberty. The promised freedom was a horrifying death.

Many people believe that if they do their best good works they will earn Heaven. This, however, is false. They will learn too late that good works do not earn freedom.

It is Christ’s blood that liberates. He died to give us freedom from the penalty of our sin.

-‘Blood to Remember’ by Charles Adés Fishma. (ministry127.com)
 

1 John 1:7 (KJV): “… the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
 
“A great many people want to bring their faith, their works, and their good deeds to Him for salvation. Bring your sins, and He will bear them away into the wilderness of forgetfulness, and you will never see them again.” -  D.L. Moody.

“If not washed in Christ's blood and clothed in his righteousness, no heaven for you, no heaven for me.” - William Tiptaft.

Monday, March 21, 2016

THE RED CROSS THAT CANNOT BE HID



A Finnish Red Cross hospital which, in accordance with International Law, must be left untouched by enemy bombers, was attacked & several were killed. The Finns made strong protests to the Soviet Government.

Upon inquiry it was learned that a snowfall during the night had covered the red cross painted on the hospital roof. Apparently the flyers were justified & the matter was dropped.

In reading the account one could not but think of another cross - the crimson cross of Calvary. The security of those in the hospital was short-lived. The believer, however, is assured that Christ “with his own blood he went into the Most Holy Place (Heaven) once for all and secured our eternal redemption.”  (Heb 9:12 ISV)

Nothing can hide that precious blood. Ever visible to God, it spells peace & safety for time & eternity to all redeemed ones.

- Good News. (moreillustrations.com)

“However tiring our work may be, how could it ever be tiresome? How could it be anything less than a joy to serve the One who has given us all things for life, and enrichment, and enjoyment? Jesus, who suffered so much to secure our salvation.” - Joni Eareckson Tada.

"THAT RED SPOT"



Napoleon once took a map & pointing to the British Isles, remarked: "Were it not for that red spot, I would have conquered the world."

The Devil pointed at the cross of Christ & said: "Were it not for that red spot, I would have conquered the world."

- Sunday School Times. (moreillustrations.com)

“Through the death of Christ on the cross making atonement for sin, we get a perfect standing before God. That is justification, and it puts us, in God's sight, back in Eden before sin entered. God looks upon us and treats us as if we had never sinned.” -  A.C. Dixon.

Heb 10:17 (VOICE): “I will erase their sins and wicked acts out of my memory as though they had never existed.”

“It's Satan's delight to tell me that once he's got me, he will keep me. But at that moment I can go back to God. And I know that if I confess my sins, God is faithful and just to forgive me.” - Alan Redpath.

Friday, March 18, 2016

CHEERING OTHERS ON



40,000 fans were on hand in the Oakland stadium when Rickey Henderson tied Lou Brock’s career stolen base record.

According to USA Today, Lou, who had left baseball in 1979, had followed Henderson’s career & was excited about his success. Realizing that Rickey would set a new record, Brock said, “I’ll be there. Do you think I’m going to miss it now? Rickey did in 12 years what took me 19. He’s amazing.”

The real success stories in life are with people who can rejoice in the successes of others. 

What Lou Brock did in cheering on Rickey Henderson should be a way of life in the family of God. Few circumstances give us a better opportunity to exhibit God’s grace than when someone succeeds and surpasses us in an area of our own strength & reputation.

- Our Daily Bread (ministry127.com)

Phi 2:3 (CEV): “Don’t be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves.”

“If someone is leaving you behind, and you are becoming jealous and embittered, keep praying that he may have success in the very matter where he is awakening your envy; and whether he is helped or not, one thing is sure, that your own soul will be cleansed and enriched.” - William Law.

Thursday, March 17, 2016

SIBLINGS AND OTHERS



A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six-year-olds. After explaining the commandment to honor thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, “Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?”

Without missing a beat one little boy answered, “Thou shalt not kill.”

- (ministry127.com)

1 John 3:15 (CEB): “Everyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.”

“Charity begins at home, but should not end there.” - Thomas Fuller.      

“Our love to God is measured by our everyday fellowship with others and the love it displays.” - Andrew Murray.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Sanctification Demonstrated by an Iceberg



The process of sanctification can be compared to an iceberg, which is almost 90% under water. As the sun shines on the iceberg, the exposed part melts, moving the lower part upward.

In the same way, we are usually aware of only a small part of our sinfulness and need, which is all we can deal with at any one time.

However, as the light of God’s work in our lives changes us in the areas we know about, we become aware of new areas needing the work of God.

-‘Discover the Book God Wrote’ by Bill Bright (ministry127.com)

1 John 1:9 (KJV):  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”


Pro 28:13 (TLB): “A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.”
 


“Sanctification makes us holy and destroys the breed of sin, the love of sin and carnality. It makes us pure and whiter than snow. Bless His holy name!” - William J. Seymour.