Love

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

A young man attempted to rescue his parents from their burning home but was unsuccessful. The injuries he sustained from the fire left his face marred and forced him into isolation from others and the one who loved him most. His wife. In a desperate attempt, his wife sought the help of a well-known plastic surgeon, hoping to restore their relationship. The doctor after hearing her story and understanding her husband rejecting help refused her case. In desperation, the wife asks to have her face scarred like her husband. The doctor informed her it would be unethical, and the wife returned home broken-hearted.

The next day, while on her knees at prayer, there was a knock at the door. To her surprise, the doctor was standing on the other side. She invited him in and he ask to speak to her husband. She led him to a closed door and he knocked. The voice on the other side told him to leave he wanted to see no one. The doctor told him he was a plastic surgeon and could help him. There was no reply. After a moment of silence, the doctor informed him his wife had visited him and she wanted her face to be like his. A moment later the door opened and a tear-stained face appeared. With a trembling voice he said, “She will do that for me?”

Humanity’s scar of sin has separated us from God. Because of his longing for love and companionship with man, He became flesh and took the scars of sin. His battered body hung on a cross to pay for the scar of sin. His death and resurrection set us free from it.

*From Dr. David Jeramiah. Rewritten to shorten story line.

Louis Edwards

How Much Are You Worth?

 

Text:

1 Timothy 5:18

For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 

 

A pastor went to see a doctor friend of his for a check-up. During the exam, the pastor shared with him how some of his congregation complained about his salary. The doctor knew the man of God worked a full-time job, spent many hours in the word, cared for his flock, and helped countless people in the community.

The doctor finished the exam and ask his friend. “If a man could fix your heart and give you another twenty-five years, how much would that be worth?” The preacher replied, “I don’t know.” The doctor responded, “three-hundred-thousand dollars.” The doctor continued. “If a man could remove a brain tumor and give you twenty more years with your family, how much would that be worth?” The pastor shook his head and said, “I don’t know.” His friend followed, “It would be worth two-hundred-fifty thousand dollars.” After a brief pause the doctor asks, “Pastor, what is a man worth that can keep a person out of hell?”

The answer to that last question is one that you can not put a price on. Any man, woman, pastor, or child, who can share the gospel and bring a person to Jesus Christ is worth more than the wealth of the world. Whenever Satan tries to make you believe you are worthless, just remember, you can’t put a price on those who rescue others from hell.

Proverbs 11:30

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

Louis Edwards

The Battleground “State” of Mind

2 Co 10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 

2 Co 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 

2 Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 

During an election year politicians inundate us with political adds that hammer us from every side. Television, radio, newspapers and other media are constantly vying for our attention. While all candidates are promising to make our world a better place, they also condemn one another for their shortcomings. But the area where each candidate pushes the hardest are the battleground states. The winner of these locations usually become the victor of the election.

Just as politicians take aim with their campaign adds to win us over to their way of thinking, we face a battle, our state of mind. On one side you have a foe who wants to defeat you and fill you with lies, while Jesus is trying to encourage you and show you there is hope. In order for us to discern the difference, we need to separate truth from fiction. As individuals, we have a source that can help us isolate the two. The word of God.

When wading through the clutter, we need to stay focused on the subject at hand. If we lend our thoughts to the enemy and learn his ways, we will be like him. If we open our mind to the things of God, we will transform our ways to His. Isaiah said, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isa. 26:3. Paul went on further to say in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Remember, our state of mind will determine who wins the battle.

Quote

“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”

William James

By Louis Edwards

Unfolding the Rose

Text:

Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

A young, new preacher was walking with an older, more seasoned preacher in the garden one day. Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking the older preacher for some advice.

The older preacher walked up to a rosebush, handed the young preacher a rosebud, and told to open it without tearing off any petals. The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher as he was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry.

But because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try to unfold the rose while keeping every petal intact. It wasn’t long before he realized how impossible this task was.

Noticing the younger preacher’s inability to unfold the rosebud without tearing it, the older preacher began to recite the following poem:

It is only a tiny rosebud, a flower of God’s design; But I cannot unfold the petals with these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers is not known to such as I.

God opens this flower so sweetly, Then, in my hands, they die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud, this flower of God’s design, then how can I have the wisdom to unfold this life of mine?

So I’ll trust in Him for leading each moment of my day.

I will look to Him for his guidance each step of the pilgrim way.

The pathway that lies before me, only my Heavenly Father knows.

I’ll trust Him to unfold the moments, just as He unfolds the rose.

Author Unknown

Article from: Christian Womanhood

VOL. 44 NO. 10 PG 33

In the Bathroom

Mat 14:23

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 

In 1933, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a company was formed known for its water softener. Later, the business became popular for its dishwasher detergent. But the campaign that made it a household name was an advertisement introducing a woman wearing a fluffy pink robe, in a chaotic home with rising tension. She soon cries, “Calgon take me away!” The scene switches to her soaking in a tub escaping the turmoil.

Jesus, after feeding the five-thousand, healing people, raising the dead, and being thronged by the multitudes needed time alone. His escape, a mountain. A place of solitude where he could get alone with the father. His Sonship did not exempt him from the pressures of life. Through this life experience, He understood man’s difficulties. His time alone allowed Him to refresh Himself and face new challenges.

As a child of God, we are forced to face life and its encounters. Our body, soul, and spirit become weary in “Well doing.” And when it does, our cry should not be, “Calgon take me away,” but instead, we should call out to the one who understands, Jesus.

Quote

“There is only one way left to escape the alienation of present-day society: to retreat ahead of it.”

Roland Barthes

By Louis Edwards

The Easy Button

James 1:4
But Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

You may have seen the commercial by Staples, where the shopper enters the store confused and helpless about the choices they have to make. Then coming to their rescue, a salesperson offers the bewildered customer an “Easy Button.” One of them push it, and the problem is resolved. If only life’s troubles could be that easy.

Life is filled with difficult choices, and the enemy lurks in the shadows waiting to pounce. He is a master, setting snares and waiting to entangle us in his diabolical net. When we fall into one of his traps, do we give up or learn from the experience? 
James 1:2, tells us to “count it all Joy (honor) when ye fall (tripped up) into divers temptations;” We will face difficulties, and trials that bring us to our knees, threatening to crush us; but think of Job and all he went through, he made it.

How should we handle a fatal blow dealt by the enemy? James gives us the answer. In James 1:3b, he tells us “… the trying of our faith worketh patience.” The word patience means (endurance). The trials we face will develop the strength we need for future battles.  He continues in verse 4. “But let patience (steadfastness) have her perfect (complete) work, that ye may be perfect (mature) and entire, (finished) wanting (lacking) nothing.” 

So remember, when tested for your faith, count it a privilege and allow the trial to strengthen you. The only “Easy Button” we have, is Jesus.

Quote:
"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."

Unknown

By Louis Edwards

Taking for granted…In Touch with God

Luke   Luke 2:44

But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 

Life can be hectic. It pulls us from every side. It can be so demanding; we often forget about the important things. Our family, our friends, and even our time with God. You may have heard the story of a parent who left their child on a car; only to discover their misfortune after they see the car seat sliding down the road in their rearview mirror. That is a sobering and frightening experience.

Joseph and Mary along with Jesus had gone to Jerusalem for the Passover. The journey from home to the temple was challenging. The family had to be there. The sacrifice needed to be perfect. The offering must be accepted. When it was all said and done, they started their voyage home only to discover after a day Jesus wasn’t with them. They were wrapped up in the moment. Duty required it.

How many times have we been so busy with life that we forget God? We take him for granted just as Joseph and Mary did. They lost a whole day of fellowship with Jesus because they, supposed Him to be in the company. When we allow life to take control, we are like the parent who left their child on the car. We forget what is import and often leave Jesus sliding down the road. Slow down. Live your life, but live it with Jesus. The walk will be so much sweeter.

Quote:

We must not just take it for granted that we are in touch with God.  Joseph and Mary lost a whole day of fellowship with Jesus because they, “supposed Him to be in the company” (Luke 2:44).  They took for granted something of which they should have made sure.

J. Oswald Sanders

Louis Edwards

The Pen

Text: Rom. 6:13

Neither yield ye you members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God…

In 1888, John Loud, a leather tanner patented a device used around the globe. It has been used to record history, convey our deepest thoughts, bring freedom, and open the minds of others. This instrument has influenced lives in ways that have impacted them for an eternity. Many have held it in their hand, others with their feet, and some with their mouth, we know it as a pen.

The pen is a remarkable device that allows us to record our thoughts, ideas, stories, and much more. But, the pen is nothing more than an instrument. By itself, it can do nothing. The one who controls the device has power over it. They can use it to create ideas that will help others. Some have used it to comfort those in need. Many have signed documents with it to attest to its truthfulness, or bind a contract. How we use the pen can have a lasting effect on our life and the lives of others.

Our life is not an invention, but a creation made by God. As we live our life, we are writing a story that others read. What they see has an impact in the decisions they make. The writer of Romans says, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God…” Our life is a pen. The one who holds the instrument controls the outcome and what others see. Let Jesus write your lifes story.

Quote:

The pen is the tongue of the soul; as are the thoughts engendered there, so will be the things written.

Miguel De Cervantes

 
By Louis Edwards