Apostolic Prayers

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Ephesians 1:1-23

TO CHEW ON: “I… do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1:15

Has anyone ever prayed over you things that you were inwardly longing for? Or perhaps someone prayed for you things you hadn’t thought of but when you heard them, something inside you responded ‘Yes!’

Ephesians 1:15-20 contains one of the great Apostolic Prayers of the Bible. These are prayers prayed by the Apostles (mostly Paul) over the early church. In his introduction to the chapter of Apostolic Prayers in his book Praying The Bible: The Book of Prayers, Wes Campbell describes Apostolic Prayers in general as fatherly, foundational, God-focused, positive and for the church. Elaborating on this last, Campbell says:

“This means that Apostolic Prayers are meant to be prayed with someone or someplace specifically in mind. These are not ‘God bless the whole wide world’ prayers! When praying these prayers for yourself, personalize them by changing the pronouns and ask that God would do these things in your own life. Then pray the exact same words over your friends and family, putting their names in the text.” – Wes Campbell, The Book of Prayers, pp. 190-191.

Let’s spend a minute unpacking the prayer in today’s reading.

1. Thanks
Paul begins by thanking God for the Ephesians. What a great thought – you and I can be the cause of gratitude. We can give thanks for others. Who in your life causes you to give thanks?

2. Wisdom, revelation, understanding
Paul prays that the church will understand who Jesus is. His request that the “eyes of your understanding be(ing) enlightened” implies that this understanding may come as an ‘aha’ moment, an epiphany, a sudden seeing of something we hadn’t grasped before. Jack Hayford says of this ‘revelation’:

“Such ‘revelation’ refers to an unveiling of our hearts that we may receive insights into the way God’s word is intended to work in our lives. It may be used of teaching or preaching that is especially anointed in helping people see the glory of Christ and His purpose and power for them.” (Jack Hayford, “The Spirit of Revelation” in the New King James Version - NKJV - New Spirit Filled Life Bible, p. 1646).

3. Hope
This understanding mutates into Hope.Paul talks about the “hope of His calling.” My mind goes to some of the things we are called: children of God; joint heirs with Christ; the Bride of Christ.

This hope also has to do with being aware of “the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” I think of fellow Christians – a family that spans the centuries and the globe. I call to mind my own church family.

4. Power
Paul prays that the Ephesians will grasp the immensity of the power that’s available to them. This is no mere 10 points on the Richter scale earthquake power but the very power that conquered death. And it’s available to us.

Does this prayer resonate with you? Pray it over yourself, your family and friends today.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for the people in my life. I pray that You, the God of my Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory will give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, that the eyes of my understanding being enlightened, I may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward me, who believes, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in heavenly places. Amen.

MORE: More Apostolic Prayers (titled by Wes Campbell):

“Revival Power” – Acts 4:24-31
“Outpouring of Divine Love” – Ephesians 3:14-21
“Just Say No!” – Titus 2:11-13
“A Prayer of Prosperity” – 3 John 2
“Jude’s Doxology” – Jude 24-25

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The parent reality

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Proverbs 23:17-25

TO CHEW ON: “Listen to your father who begot you,

And do not despise your mother when she is old.” Proverbs 23:22

A few days ago I watched the story of Tiger Woods on the Biography channel. The documentary was made before his 2009 accident uncovered his double life and was mostly positive. I could not help but be struck by the close relationship he had with his father. The most meaningful part of each win, each tournament no matter how it ended, was the big bear hug he got from his dad when it was over.

Thus the Nike commercial that played on the eve of his return to golf doesn’t offend me (as it did some, not others). It shows a sober, black-and-white image of Tiger looking into the camera while in the background, the voice of his father (deceased May 2006) says, “I want to find out what your thinking was, what your feelings are. And did you learn something?”

The commercial illustrates the strength of the parental bond talked about in our reading today. Our parents have a whole lot of influence on us. Their voices can follow us past the grave. Our yen to please them can be a positive thing - especially if they gave us wise counsel and steered us onto a good path.

Of course when we become parents it cuts the other way. We find ourselves on the giving end, trying to give our kids good direction, rejoicing with them when things go well, hurting with them when they go through tough times.

Whatever else this parent-child relationship is, it is life-impacting. From the moment of birth, you are someone’s child. From the moment you give birth, you are your child’s parent. There is no wiggling out of or resigning from these things.

This relationship is also a God-thing. The Bible is not silent about it. It tells us that mocking our parents, cursing them and generally treating them with contempt are dangerous things to do. Instead we are to honor them (it’s one of the ten commandments), heed them  and thus do them proud . (In this area Tiger seems to be on the right track, at least if the commercial is true to what’s happening in his mind and heart.)

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for inventing the parent-child relationship. Thank You for my parents and children. Thank You for being my Father, and for Jesus who is our example as an ideal son. Amen.

MORE: Brian Doerksen sings  “Faithful Father”

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Do you want to be well?

TODAY’S SPECIAL: John 5:1-18

TO CHEW ON: “When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’” John 5:6

“Do you want to be made well?” What a question to ask a man who has been ill for 38 years. Of course he wants to be well - doesn’t he?

Jesus’ question causes me to ask a few questions of my own:

• Is Jesus here implying that physical healing and wholeness have more to do with having a will to recover and live than we give them credit for? (I have certainly heard of people who seem to hang onto life until they have seen a certain person or a special event has taken place.)

• Should we continue to seek physical healing despite years of God’s apparent “No” to our request?

• Can we conclude, when someone doesn’t get healed, that there is something wrong - that they haven’t prayed hard enough or don’t have enough faith?

These are hard questions and don’t have easy answers. I remember reading Joni Erickson Tada’s story. After the accident which made her a quadriplegic, friends advised her to pray for divine healing and then, in faith, get out of her chair and walk. She couldn’t - despite prayers and exercising all the faith she could muster. It brought up great conflict in her and precipitated a crisis of faith. Finally, she accepted her situation and moved on.

On the other hand, I’ve heard accounts and read stories of people who were miraculously physically healed, some shortly after the sickness began, others after years of being sick.

Divine healing was/is part of the atonement (“by His stripes we are healed”). But does God always heal? Obviously not. Even Paul was left with a “thorn in the flesh” after praying to have it removed (though we’re not told what that ‘thorn’ was; some think it was physical illness, others that it was something else).

However, if you are sick, don’t just lie there, resigned to the fact that this is now your lot. Rather, follow the advice of James to call for the elders of the church and pray for healing.  And if you are not healed, James has more advice.

As Oswald Chambers says:

“To choose to suffer means that there is something wrong; to choose God’s will even if it means suffering is a very different thing. No healthy saint ever chooses suffering; he chooses God’s will, as Jesus did, whether it means suffering or not. No saint dare interfere with the discipline of suffering in another saint.”

- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, August 10 reading.

PRAYER: Dear God, the state of my physical body can challenge my faith in Your goodness. Please help me to understand Your mind on these things - for myself and for others. Amen.

MORE: Not everyone gets healed. This fact can cause consternation if the unhealed person is you. Mary Lou Cornish wrestles with the fact of not getting healed in her powerful poem “I Chased My Healing.” It begins:

I chased my healing hard
           

   And harried,


Down lengths of longing,


Through labyrinths of pain. 

I chased my healing


As if I deserved it
           

   (There is no one righteous, no, not one),


As if I were worthy of it
           

   (If we claim to be without sin,
            

     we deceive ourselves).


As if I earned it,
           

   (Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord).

Read the entire poem.

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Blood: a cleanser?

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 John 1:1-10

TO CHEW ON: “…and the blood of Jesus Christ His son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7b

I used to think it strange that blood was called a cleansing agent. We’ve all dealt with the aftermath of a bleed and know that blood dirties. Unless tackled immediately it leaves a stain that is hard to ever get out.

Then I did a little research and discovered that blood is indeed a cleanser – a powerful one which our bodies can’t do without. Besides doing many other things, like carrying nourishment, regulating body temperature and aiding in healing, blood cleanses. It cleans out waste made through body processes by picking up carbon dioxide from our cells and carrying it to our lungs to be exhaled. It also cleans out invaders like bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites that get in through our orifices or broken skin.

Of course I am aware of the cleansing aspect of Jesus’ blood in the way He died as our substitute – taking the punishment for our sin. The shed blood of an animal sacrifice was vital because it proved that animal had given its life. When Jesus’ side was pierced and blood poured out, it was proof that He was indeed dead. The punishment for sin was paid. You and I are now pure before God because the sinless Jesus shed His blood in our stead.

But maybe we could look at His blood giving life another way too. For it is His presence or life force within us (and “the life...is in the blood”) that cleanses our everyday lives, just like our human blood cleanses our bodies. As we give Him control over all the aspects of our living, we become aware of unworthy thoughts, attitudes and actions. As we live in obedience, changing our ways and conforming ourselves to His standards, His life in us (His blood) is cleansing us from sin. What do you think – is this too far-fetched and fanciful a thought?

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for my blood – so vital to health and life. Thank You for Your blood, poured out in death for me and cleansing me as You live in me now. Amen.


MORE: Did you know…

• Blood makes up about 7% of your body's weight.
• An average adult has about 14 to 18 pints of Blood.
• One standard unit or pint of Blood equals about two cups.
• There are about one billion red Blood cells in a few drops of whole Blood.
• Red Blood cells live about 120 days in our bodies.
• Red Blood cells can be stored under normal conditions for up to 42 days.
• Frozen red Blood cells can be stored for ten years, and more.
• Platelets must be used within five days.

Many more blood facts here.

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Love the cat

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Psalm 67:1-7

TO CHEW ON: “God be merciful to use and bless us

And cause His face to shine upon us. Selah.” Psalm 67:1

When I was a little girl I worked for nothing more than to get my mom’s approval. When I was a teen, not so much. But one thing was sure: I knew when she was happy with me and when she wasn’t. I read her face and could tell when she was annoyed, sad, grieved, or pleased because when she was pleased her face “shone upon” me. That’s what I think of when I read “God…cause His face to shine upon us.”

The beginning of this psalm comes from the priestly blessing God gave Moses. It was the blessing with which Aaron and his sons were to bless the children of Israel (Numbers 6:24-26). Here this blessing is imparted not only so that the blessee will be enriched, but so that those around will also get blessed: “…let the nations be glad and sing for joy!” As a footnote in my Bible says:

“It is evident here that God’s intent never was just for one race but for all peoples and nations to know and enjoy Him.” (New Spirit Filled Life Bible p. 735.)

Even the earth, the plants, crops, precipitation flourish under God’s smile of approval: “…then the earth shall yield her increase.”

You know the saying, “kick the cat” – a reference to how we take it out on others when we’re treated badly ourselves? Well, today you can love the cat – and everyone else who comes across your path because of God’s smile and general loving on you:

“The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you:
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you
and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for Your face that shines with delight at the sight of me. Help me to take this grace into my day and to spread it to others. Amen.

MORE: One of the ways I experience God’s shining face most powerfully is through music. One of my favorite musicians is Steve Bell. He has posted a player with his music and the music of other Signpost recording artists. Give it a listen! May God’s smile, through music, fill your day.

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Unifying love

TODAY’S SPECIAL: John 13:21-35

TO CHEW ON: “‘A new commandment I give to you that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.’” John 13:34-35

“The issue of unity is love,” begins a sidebar article in my Bible commenting on this passage. We can learn a lot about this unifying love by unpacking these two verses.

1. “A new commandment…”
“Wait a minute,” I hear you say, “isn’t love a feeling? How can I produce this on command?”
This love goes beyond feeling. In fact, I’d venture to say it’s by obeying the command to love, by acting out our kindness, consideration, self-control etc. before we ever feel like it that the feelings will be manufactured.

2. “that you love…”
The Greek word used for love here is agape – the same love Paul writes about in 1 Corinthians 13.

3. “…as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
Just before giving this teaching, Jesus demonstrated this very love to His betrayer, Judas. Note Jesus' interaction with him (13:18-28). He pointed out Judas' coming betrayal so without guile even the disciples who were present and witnessed the conversation didn’t pick up on the significance (13:28-30). Of course Jesus’ death for the very people who killed Him is love beyond comprehension. This is the kind of love – a love that goes beyond pretty sentiment to actual sacrifice – that we are to demonstrate for each other.

4. “By this all will know…”
It is this kind of love that should distinguish Christians to the world – as it did in Acts.

5. “…that you are My disciples.”
Disciple (mathetes [translated disciples, pupils]. Jesus is our model or teacher in this. We are to learn and take instruction from, copy Him. This quality of love in our lives will prove that we are His followers.

The article I began quoting above, ends, “If we are to love in this way, we will have to take seriously that in 14:14 we are told we must ask for it and in verse 16 we learn that the Holy Spirit must give us the power. In a world of quid pro quo bartered manipulation and facsimiles of love based on symbiosis, unity is not possible without Christ’s commandment and our willingness to receive His love for others." Lloyd John Ogilvie, New Spirit Filled Life Bible p. 1468.


PRAYER: If anyone needs Your empowering to love this way, Lord, I do. Please work in me the will to release grudges, forget wrongs, forgo revenge, overlook offenses and on and on… I want to be a disciple image of You. Amen.

MORE:
One of the times our unifying love gets displayed – and tested – is when we meet in church on Sundays. Carolyn Arends’ song “Any Given Sunday” does a good job of expressing our unity and diversity. (Listen to a snippet of it here on iTunes)

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One way

TODAY’S READING: John 14:1-14

“Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6

If you have ever tried to find more than one way to the home of a friend who lives on a dead-end street, you will know the frustration. You circle around realizing by the numbers that your destination is very close. Yet streets don’t go through. Soon house numbers pass the one you are looking for and you know you've gone too far. The only solution is to find the one way that leads to your destination.

Jesus’ answer to Thomas’s question, “How can we know the way?” shows us we’re in a similar situation when attempting to find our way to God and heaven. Jesus’ reply, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,” is a text we tend to quote as proof that Jesus is the only way to God. But in our current culture, we often feel not a little squirmy when we do. For common wisdom – in Canada at least – is that there are many ways to God, it’s sincerity that really matters, and doing your best.

If you were asking directions to your friend’s house, whose directions would you follow – the person who told you, “I strongly believe this is how you get there. But it doesn’t really matter. You’ll get there in any case, no matter which route you take”? Or your friend, who knows the exact way because he has been there and has an intimate knowledge of the road in and out?

In the end it’s a matter of faith. Whose directions about how to come to God and get to heaven do we trust? The voice of common wisdom (which also happens to be the majority)? Or Jesus, who gave instructions on how to get there from the vantage point of someone who had already traveled the road and was familiar with the way (“And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to Myself that where I am, there you may be also”)? What a shame if, after we die, we find that we missed our destination because we didn’t follow the right directions.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for providing the way to God. Help me to be uncompromising in declaring You the way to my fellow travelers. Amen.

MORE: Today the church celebrates the Feast of Saint Philip and Saint James. Philip’s conversation with Jesus in today’s reading is part of the liturgy. It begins with this moving and powerful Collect prayer:

Almighty God, who gave to your apostles Philip and James grace and strength to bear witness to the truth: Grant that we, being mindful of their victory of faith, may glorify in life and death the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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"Doubting nothing"

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 11:1-18

TO CHEW ON: “‘Then the Spirit told me to go with them doubting nothing.’” Acts 11:12

“In my lifetime I have had certain, if few, remarkable instances of the presence of God,” writes David Adams Richards in his book God Is.: My Search for Faith in a Secular World. “From my very earliest days, I recognized this presence now and again…These instances most often came in ways I least expected from the time I was a child.” (God Is. David Adams Richards, Location 732 – Kindle Version)

He goes on to relate incident after incident where happenings from his life spoke to him of divine providence with events dovetailing in amazing ways. As a youth he was in a high speed car crash but escaped without a scratch while a school buddy was killed in a freakish traffic mishap going a mere 30 miles per hour. He came across a gift he had meant to give his dying mother 20 years to the day after her death. A stray paper poking from between books on his shelf turned out to be a photograph. It was a picture of a little girl and her mother – the girl he and his wife helped look after when her immigrant mother discovered she had brain cancer. In the picture, the mother, whose cancer had just been discovered, was still beautiful. He found it years after the mother’s death, but only an hour before the girl, her father and grandmother were to arrive to visit (they had moved back to Europe).

In our reading today Peter, when called to task by the Jerusalem apostles over eating with an uncircumcised Gentile (Cornelius) had exactly such a miraculous “coincidence” to relate. His vivid vision, followed by Cornelius’s servants at the door, and the readiness of Cornelius and his family to hear what Peter had to say convinced the apostles that this new development was actually a God-thing: “When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God saying ‘then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life’” vs. 18.

Have you had such evidences of God in your life? I have. For example, I often find that things I read or hear relate directly to something I am writing. I will find a quote that catches my eye in a book or internet article and the next day that very idea presents itself in the Bible reading for this devotional or some other piece I’m writing. Let’s watch for the many ways God tells us, “I am here – right beside you, going with you through this day.” Let’s gratefully accept the signs of His presence “doubting nothing.”

PRAYER: Dear God, Thank you for these little assurances of Your presence. Help me to be alert to them, and acknowledge You in them today. Amen.

MORE: David Adams Richards is an award-winning but new-to-me Canadian writer. He is most known for his fiction. His writing, which has been compared to that of William Faulkner, has won many awards (Governor General’s, Giller Prize). He makes his home in Toronto and the Miramachi area of New Brunswick.

Links to articles about God Is.

"Canada's literary community gets religion all wrong" by David Adams Richards - excerpts from God Is.

"'Who's 'conformist?' David Adams Richards on atheists" by Douglas Todd - Vancouver Sun

"AUTHOR DAVID ADAMS RICHARDS TO DISCUSS GOD IS: MY SEARCH FOR FAITH IN A SECULAR WORLD IN AN ON-STAGE INTERVIEW WITH MARK TUNNEY" from News @ UNB

"Author finds God is in the details" by Stuart Laidlaw

************************

I purchased God Is. Kindle version, through Amazon.com. Clicking on the title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate pages.

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Ointment for the soul

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Psalm 23:1-6

TO CHEW ON: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6

I am a fan of lotion and skin cream. I rub St. Ives Vanilla onto arms, legs and trunk all through the dry-air months of winter. I love to catch the fragrance of orange or almond cream on my hands. I treat itchy insect bites with Calomine and guard against infection by putting Polysporin on nicks and cuts. Psalm 23 is like a lotion psalm to me, with its ability to comfort, soothe, and protect against the irritation of anxiety and the poison of fear.

We can view this psalm in at least two ways. We can read it as praise – a boasting about God and all the ways we have found Him to adequate for all our needs. Or we can read it as a declaration of faith – a psalm of promise. It is in this sense that I have found it most effective as a balm.

When I am in need I claim the promise that He will care for me, to the extent of supplying my physical needs: “I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.” His presence can refresh my mind and emotions: “He restores my soul.” When I am confused about direction, I have His promise to “lead me in the paths of righteousness.”

When I anticipate tragedy and death “I will fear no evil; for you are with me.” Though at such times I can expect the instruments of his shepherding (his rod and staff) to inflict pain and limitation, I can be sure that they contribute to my security and comfort.

When I am confronted by enemies “You prepare a table before me.” In other words, instead of dreading embarrassment, I can claim God’s honor.

When I feel insignificant, “You anoint my head with oil” showing me favor and hospitality.

When I’m tempted to look with concern on the future, I remind myself “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

If you’re a seasoned Christian who has had the Lord as your shepherd for a long time, no doubt you’ll be reciting this psalm as praise to God. But if your experience with the Shepherd is limited, and you haven’t yet found these things true in your experience, recite the psalm as a prayer of faith. Let it soothe your soul and butter your spirit.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I love being one of Your sheep. Help me to claim and experience Your shepherding through each incident and season of my life. Amen.

MORE: “Reflections on Psalm 23 – For People With Cancer” is a movie by Ken Curtis.

“Ken Curtis was diagnosed with advanced cancer with little prospect for survival. He pursued a combination of traditional and alternative medicine, undergirded by a strong spiritual dimension and prayer support team.

Psalm 23 was a vital part of his spiritual component, and for this video Curtis went to Israel, home of David and the Psalm, to be with the shepherds, travel "through the valley of the shadow of death," and explore and enjoy the healing powers of the green pastures and still waters. The resulting meditations provide a combination of candid personal experience of what it means to battle cancer and some of the spiritual resources available through this time-honored Psalm…”

This movie is posted full-length (60+ minutes) here (bottom of the page). Whether you have cancer or not - WATCH IT! It will so bless you and give you a new appreciation for this beautiful psalm!!


Keith Green sings “The Lord is My Shepherd”

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Of shepherds and sheep

TODAY’S SPECIAL: John 10:1-21

TO CHEW ON: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep…. I am the good shepherd; and I know my sheep and am known by my own.” John 10:11,14

I find few passages in the Bible more comforting than the shepherd and sheep ones. Of those, John 10 where Jesus describes Himself as the good shepherd ranks right up there with Psalm 23. Let’s look at this first half of John 10 to see what we can discover about our divine shepherd.

1. Jesus, our shepherd, has a legitimate claim to us. The flock’s real shepherd doesn’t need to sneak into the sheepfold to get access to the sheep or convince them to follow him. They are his possession. He can come through the door and relate openly to then. As our spiritual shepherd, Jesus bought the rights to us when He died and paid our ransom. He is our rightful owner. Of course it’s up to us to decide if we want Him to shepherd us, or not.

2. A good shepherd knows his sheep intimately, inside and out, and by name. The sheep recognize his voice and trust him enough to follow. This is how well Jesus knows us. He is trustworthy and we can follow Him with confidence.

3. Jesus calls himself the door of the sheep. I remember years ago a Sunday School teacher telling how a shepherd would station himself at the door of the sheepfold, place his staff across the entry, and watch/count as each sheep bounded over his staff, into the fold. Describing himself as the door is Jesus’ picturesque way of telling us, we come to God through Him; there is no other way.

4. Jesus has good intentions toward His sheep. He said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” (abundantly: perissos = superabundance, excessive, overflowing, surplus over and above, more than enough profuse, over the ordinary, more than sufficient).

5. Jesus is a good shepherd. He says that several times, and we get the message: there are bad shepherds. Just before Jesus launched into this teaching, he was talking to the Pharisees. He called them blind leaders (John 9). Here He describes bad shepherds as hirelings. They lead because it’s their paid job. But when things get tough, they scatter and leave the sheep defenseless. The intention of some false shepherds is to actually steal, kill and destroy the sheep. Jesus is not like that. He has gone to the extent of giving His life for His sheep.

6. The shepherd and sheep share a deep and lasting relationship.

“As the Father knew the Son and loved him, so Christ knows his sheep, and has a watchful tender eye upon them. As the Son knew the Father, loved and obeyed Him, so believers know Christ.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary – Zondervan, 1961, p. 1564.

Is Jesus your shepherd? Do you recognize His voice? Do you obey – knowing that His intentions toward you are only good. Spend some time today thinking of Jesus as your shepherd and what kind of a sheep you are.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to follow you as a sheep follows the shepherd he loves and trusts. Help me to be a good shepherd to the people who look to me for leadership. Amen.

MORE:

“The Lord’s My Shepherd” (Stuart Townend version)

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Christian Carnival 324

Welcome to Christian Carnival 324 -- hosted for the first time here at Other Food! There's much excellent reading in this week's edition. Without further ado - have at it, and enjoy!

Barry Wallace presents What to Say When You Only Have 30 Seconds to Present the Gospel posted at who am i?. This guest post by Demian Farnworth generated some discussion with an atheist who stopped by to comment. (Thought-provoking for sure!)

FMF presents A Very Simple Budget posted at Free Money Finance. A very simple, Christian-based budget. (Who knew budgeting could be so uncomplicated?)

NCSue presents God and green beans posted at IN HIM WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING. (Here's a new one: green beans as an instrument to lead someone to God!)

Joe Plemon presents How to Get What You Really Want: Give it Away posted at Personal Finance By The Book. A look at the law of the harvest. (Excellent points all)

Caiti and Steve presents The Parable of the Good Samaritan posted at The Bible Blog. (Lots of good background info about who's who in this story.)

angela ambroise presents Devotions and More » Blog Archive » How to become a self-feeder posted at Devotions and More. (Superb practical advice here.)

Andrea @ Unfailingly Loved presents Tattooed Truth posted at Unfailingly Loved. If you were to permanently display words of truth that you learned from the Lord in life, what would you choose? (Andrea never fails to hit a nerve.)

Diane R presents The Wrong and Right Way to Plant a Church posted at Crossroads: Where Faith and Inquiry Meet. People who start churches are often in too much of a hurry to get "their" programs going. But this often really hurts their members. (Wisdom in her cautions.)

Joseph Fallon presents In Defense Of Pope Benedict posted at Non-MainStream Opinions. (Reasonable and dispassionate.)

Darlene Moore Berg presents For a Sunday morning « Darlene's Poetical Pursuits posted at Darlene's Poetical Pursuits. This was an old "poem" that came to mind by the Holy Spirit to be shared this Sunday. (Simple yet profound.)

The Ridge Burns blog presents "The Mexico Outreach" at Ridge's Burns. (Amazing what can flow out of one little "yes.")

Steven and Debra Wallace presents FEDs Boo Hoo Collateral Damage posted at The END TIMES Hoax. Putting the shoe on the other foot...ouch! (What happens when 'collateral damage' is no longer just a theory.)

Weekend Fisher presents The missing superego: removing religion from the public square posted at Heart, Mind, Soul, and Strength. If you believe that society helps for the "superego" or conscience, then what does it do to psychological development when morality is removed from the public square? (Another example of reaping what we sow.)

Tom Gilson presents Unconstitutional? Let’s Make That Opinion Irrelevant! posted at Thinking Christian. (Putting the ball back in our court)

Jeremy Pierce presents Maximizing Literalness or Evenness of Interpretation posted at Parableman. (Exposing a problem I hadn't even thought of.)

Space Age Lutheran wrote Lutheran Sermon in 15 seconds about how people expect an advertisement when you share the Gospel with them. The Lutheran way of sharing the Gospel leaves people expecting you to say more. (Short-winded for sure.)

Henry Neufeld writes How Bible Translation Should be Done  at Participatory Bible Study. In the 30 years since I graduated from grad school I have become much slower to give a positive answer to this question.  There are many factors in translation and different methods bring out different aspects of the text. (Mellow wisdom here - a good read!)

michelle presents Choose Love posted at And She Went Out.... (Pointed words, as usual, from Micey.)

Rodney Olsen presents Porn in Public posted at RodneyOlsen.Net. (Good initiative - Rodney & Co. Let us know how it goes.)
 
Finally, the submission here at Other Food -- a devotional: Finished and Unfinished Business. God's best may mean leaving our safe and predictable yesterdays behind.

...and a late entry: Bob MacDonald presents Preview of the next handout for the study of the Song posted at Dust.

***********

Submit your blog article to the next edition of christian carnival ii using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

All nations, tribes, peoples and tongues

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Revelation 7:1-17

TO CHEW ON: “After these things I looked, and behold a great multitude, of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands and crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!’” Revelation 7:9-10

We have an annual missions emphasis month in our church, which is always opened with a flag parade. As I watch, from my place in the choir, the national flags from around the world come down the aisles, it’s hard to keep singing because of the tears in my eyes and the choke in my throat. The verse above always comes to mind.

Despite what critics say about Christianity being a religion for only certain races or nations of people (and the rest should hold to their traditional beliefs and customs as a birthright for them and an anthropological curiosity for us), faith in Christ is available for and has been found and claimed by citizens of hundreds of countries on all earth’s continents. Here John sees this multinational crowd in heaven, praising God and Jesus.

When he asks from where they come, an elder answers, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation.” An end note in my Bible explains about “come out”:

“Literally ‘ones coming out’ a present participle, expressing a continuous and repeated action, not a once-for-all action. This is not a post-consummation picture. Therefore, tribulation is to some degree taking place throughout the entire church age. The great tribulation describes the acceleration and intensification of troublesome times as this age comes to an end, climaxing in the Rapture and Second coming” New Spirit Filled Life Bible, p. 1827.

The word tribulation used here (thlipsis) is the same one Jesus used to describe our lot on earth in John 16:33. It means pressure, oppression, stress, anguish, tribulation, adversity, affliction, crushing, squashing, squeezing, distress. Though those of us living in free societies may label our treatment by those opposed to Christ as tribulation, books like Tortured for Christ and Kabul 24 give us instances of real tribulation in graphic color. It’s happening right now, and all around the world.

The amazing thing about the tribulation victims pictured in Revelation 7 is that they not only come through such an experience with their faith intact, but full of praise to God. When I hear or read about people living through tribulation, I often ask myself, how would I do? The persevering power of the gospel illustrated here fills me with hope!

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for Canada where I have freedom to believe and worship according to my conscience. Please be with those who are suffering tribulation now. Help them to have the courage to persevere and hold onto their faith.

MORE: Various organizations keep us aware of what is going on with the persecuted church all over the world. Voice of the Martyrs Canada is one such. Their news items not only keep us informed, but are also a great reminder to keep praying for those in present tribulation.

Voice of he Martyrs Canada website.

Their blog.

VOMC on twitter.

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Body life

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 9:19b-43

TO CHEW ON: “Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.” Acts 9:31

The church in today’s reading is a beautiful example of the diversity that should be found in the Body of Christ as a result of the spiritual gifts God gives each member (1 Corinthians 12: 27-31; Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:11).

The newly converted Saul now channeled his passionate nature into spreading the good news about Jesus. He was a powerful preacher and apologist (evangelist, preacher, teacher). When the Jewish leaders targeted him in a murder plot his Christian brothers planned and carried out his escape from Damascus (administration).

In Jerusalem the church leaders didn’t trust Saul and were fearful of him. But Barnabas encouraged and stood up for him until he was accepted as one of them (pastor, leader, exhortation, mercy).

Spreading the gospel got a boost at Lydda and Sharon when Peter healed a local eight-year bedridden man (healing).

At Joppa, Tabitha, was known and appreciated for her “good works and charitable deeds” towards the poor, especially widows (helps / mercy). Her illness and death, followed by her coming back to life (miracles) after Peter’s prayers (mercy) brought more attention and converts to the Joppa church. There Peter continued to work, all the while enjoying the hospitality of Simon a Tanner (helps).

This is how the healthy church operates. People with various gifts fill their spot and work gets done on all fronts. It’s easy to envy the high profile workers – the evangelists, teachers and preachers. But there is a spot and a need for everyone (1 Corinthians 12).

Whatever your place is in the body – do your thing. Whether it’s hidden or public, whether you get recognition or are ignored, keep doing your thing (as in using your gift[s] for the benefit of all). No one else may know but God does and He will reward you.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for the diversity of gifts and ministries in the body of Christ. Please help me to find and fill my spot. Amen.

MORE: Daphne Rademaker sings “Serving You” against scenes from the movie “Call to Harvest" produced by Gospel for Asia Mission.

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Christian Carnival - here Wednesday (21st)!

I'm excited to announce that Other Food is hosting the 324th Christian Blog Carnival this Wednesday.

Maybe you'd like to join in by submitting an article from your blog. Posts should be:

Christian:

• The Christian Carnival is open to Christians of Protestant, Orthodox, and Roman Catholic convictions. One of the goals of this Carnival is to offer our readers to a broad range of Christian thought.

• Posts need not be of a theological topic. Posts about home life, politics, or current events, for example, written from a Christian worldview are welcome.

Recent:

• Posted between midnight Tuesday April 13th and Tuesday April 20th.

To enter, simply click on the "Submit an article" link in the right sidebar widget (which doesn't seem to be working at this very moment but will be again soon, we hope) and fill out the generated form.

Or email me with:

• name and url of your post

• name and url of your blog

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Want this badge?

I will publish the Carnival post with links to all this week's articles on Wednesday morning.

Go!

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 9:1-19a

TO CHEW ON: “Then Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem…’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go…’” Acts 9:13, 15a

While Peter’s restoration occurred during a quiet conversation with Jesus, Saul’s (later Paul) was a dramatic encounter. God knew that Saul’s zeal was rooted in the belief he was doing the right thing and what it would take to change his mind. When the light, the power and the voice of Jesus stopped him on the Damascus road, he converted in an instant.

In this story I sympathize with Ananias. Imagine being told to visit Christianity’s most vocal and influential opponent (to us Richard Dawkins,  say, or Sam Harris) . Even compliant Ananias raised objections…Lord, do You know who this man is and what he has authority to do? (verses 13-14). To Ananias’ credit, he went anyway, found the now blind, helpless, and hungry Saul and helped onto his feet the man who became the church’s most articulate champion.

Are you and I as quick to obey – even when obedience seems like non-sense? Oswald Chambers says about obedience:

“There is no moral virtue in obedience unless there is a recognition of a higher authority in the one who dictates…. a man is a slave for obeying unless behind his obedience there is a recognition of a holy God.


But woe be to me if when I see Him, I say I will not. He will never insist I do it but I have begun to sign the death warrant of the Son of God in my soul. When I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and say – I will not, He will never insist; but I am backing away from the recreating power of His redemption.” – Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, July 18th reading.

To whom or about what is God saying “Go” to us today? Will I? Will you?


PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for examples like Paul and Ananias who illustrate how the lives of people in Your kingdom interlock. Help me to cooperate with You in this by going whenever you say the word. Amen

MORE: Some modern Ananiases

Gladys Aylward, missionary to China said:

"I wasn't God's first choice for what I've done for China…I don't know who it was…It must have been a man…a well-educated man. I don't know what happened. Perhaps he died. Perhaps he wasn't willing…and God looked down…and saw Gladys Aylward…And God said - "Well, she's willing."


Jackie Pullinger, missionary to Hong Kong:

At the age of 22 Jackie Pullinger, British subject and graduate of Royal College of Music specializing in the oboe, felt she was to be a missionary. But when all the missionary societies turned her down, she followed the advice of a pastor who told her, “go out and buy a ticket for a boat going on the longest journey you can find and pray to know where to get off.” She bought a ticket from France to Japan. When she got to Hong Kong she knew this was the place.

She tells her fascinating story in Chasing the Dragon (which I read some time ago and reviewed here.)

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Church report card - 3

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Revelation 3:7-22

TO CHEW ON: “‘Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with Me. To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.’” Revelation 3:20-21

What a contrast in the two churches addressed in our reading today! The church at Philadelphia has the best report so far. It is hard-working, persevering and obedient. It is promised a place in God’s presence, destined to live with Him forever.

The Laodicea church, on the other hand is described as nauseating. It thinks well of itself while it is actually “wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked." It is the only church to which Jesus gives no commendation at all.

Some Bible students have interpreted these seven messages to the churches as seven dispensations.* They see them as an outline of stages in church history. In their reading:

1. The Ephesus church represents the church at the close of the first century.

2. The Smyrna church represents the church from the beginning of the 2nd century until Constantine (beginning of the 4th century).

3. The Pergamos church is the church of the 4th through 7th centuries.

4. The Thyratira church is the church of the Middle Ages.

5. The Sardis church  represents the church just prior to the Protestant Reformation.

6. the Philadelphia church represents the “true church” throughout all of church history, especially the segment that experiences revival prior to the last days.

7. The Laodicea church represents the church in its final days, prior to its pretribulation rapture. It is characterized by apostasy.

Many Bible teachers feel we’re living in those last days. If we look at current events and line them up with Bible predictions, it’s easy to agree. On many fronts the modern church has fallen into apostasy. Does that mean we’re doomed to capitulate to the same thing ourselves?

I would say ‘no.’ In the end, it is not as a group that we respond to Jesus but individually. That’s why Revelation 3:20 is one of my favorite verses. Jesus comes to me. He knocks on the door of my heart. He wants to spend time with me, eat with me – and you. As groups of us who have welcomed Him into our lives join together, we will continue as a church that delights Him.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, come in! Make Yourself at home. Let’s visit, eat together, and live together. Please make Your home in my heart. Amen.

MORE: “O Church Arise” by Keith and Kristyn Getty




*Dispensationalism  ("dispensations" explained) is a way of interpreting the Bible and history. It was developed by C. I. Scofield and became popular through study notes in the  Scofield Reference Bible.  Personally, although I think that interpreting the Bible in a dispensational way  is interesting and has some value, I don't entirely agree with it.

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Church report card - 2

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Revelation 2:18-3:6

TO CHEW ON: “‘He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life but I will confess his name before my Father and His angels.’” Revelation 2:5

Continuing on with these church report cards, today’s reading contains two more with poor grades. The Thyratira church was given an A for its works, love, service, faith, and patience. But they tolerated a Jezebel figure who “led people into literal and spiritual fornication” (endnotes – New Spirit Filled Life Bible, p. 1820). Jesus warned them that their tolerance and unwillingness to rid themselves of this influence would lead to deadly consequences.

The church at Sardis had a reputation of being alive, but it was actually dead (D-?). Jesus only commends the faithful few “who have not defiled their garments.”

What can we learn about the church and God’s standards for her in the areas in which the churches at Thyratira and Sardis fell short?

1. The church has enemies.  Possibly some of the worst are those who infiltrate its membership, causing dissension and disunity (as in Thyratira’s case).

2. Jesus prayed for the unity of His followers (present and future). Unity in the church was one of the Apostle Paul’s great aspirations for it.

3. God sometimes uses harsh and unpleasant circumstances to discipline us (individual members and congregations) toward maturity and repentance. This discipline sometimes comes as punishment for a refusal to repent.

4. Christ’s ideal for the church is purity. Again and again this purity is pictured as special clothes. Often these are clothes or robes of white.

As individual members of the body of Christ – the church – the things in the above list apply to and impact not only congregations but us – individuals out of which those congregations are built. Are we experiencing opposition? It shouldn’t surprise us. Are we working for unity. We should be. Are we learning from God’s discipline? Are we doing life in our rich, pure robes of salvation?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, what a privilege it is to be part of Your church. Help me to be a healthy member in this, Your body on earth. Amen.

MORE: "The Church's One Foundation" and two more hymns, sung against a visual background of details from Hubert and Jan Van Eyck's painting "The Lamb of God." 

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Boast, rave, celebrate!

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Psalm 150:1-6

TO CHEW ON: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150:6

The Hebrew word halal in this psalm that is translated praise means to shine, boast, rave, celebrate clamorously. Do we do that? Boast about God? Rave about His works? Allow our emotions to overflow in actual shouts as we consider His greatness of both person and deed?

Some weeks ago I encountered a lovely fellow-Christian on the skytrain (she had in hand a list of Scripture references so it was easy to start a conversation). As we exchanged information about our backgrounds, I mentioned the word ‘charismatic.’ Her face stiffened. “I’m scared of charismatics,” she said. “They are too emotional.”

Though I defended showing emotion in worship, I’m not sure she was convinced. I should have referred her to this psalm which echoes with the admonition to express our exuberance, joy, enthusiasm and excitement about God in extreme vocal praise.

Jack Hayford in a sidebar article about this psalm says it so well:

“Begin with honestly asking if our habits of praise (spanning the spectrum from the silence of awe to songs of joy) are willing to incorporate the shout of triumph – see Psalm 47:1. Here is biblical counsel to include occasions of extreme praise. If a worthy reason is needed, embrace the ultimate “triumph” – Christ’s cross and resurrection (2 Corinthians 2:14; Colossians 2:13-15).


The triumph of Christ’s cross and resurrection summons. Give Him more praise than any other god gets. He is the “God among the goes,” so our praise of Him should be more outstanding than that given to any other “god.” – Jack Hayford, New Spirit Filled Life Bible, p. 800

PRAYER: Wonderful God, thank You for being worthy of our most extravagant expression of worship, praise and adoration. Help us to be as uninhibited in worship as we are when we cheer on our favorite sports team or celebrity. Amen.

MORE: "Let Everything that Has Breath" by Matt Redman



(Thanks to Jan C., who gave me the heads-up on the above song - perfect for today's reading!)

“Shout to the Lord” – Hillsong

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Blind to the obvious

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 24:13-35

TO CHEW ON: “But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him….then their eyes were opened and they knew Him…” Luke 24:16, 31

My nine-year-old daughter’s thick brown hair was combed into silky pig tails that Sunday morning. She’d finally recovered from chicken pox and I’d given her hair a good scrub before church, hoping that that would take away the extreme itchiness she’d had for the last few weeks. As she sat beside me in the pew, I gave her a motherly once-over and noticed flecks of dandruff in her bangs. I tried to brush one away but it was stuck tight to a shaft of hair. I worked at removing another, with the same result. As I glanced over the rest of her hair, I saw more and more dandruff. What on earth?!

In that instant my eyes were opened. This was no flaky scalp condition. The chicken pox I’d blamed for her itchy head was only a partial culprit. I was looking at a case of full-blown head lice. Somehow, preoccupied with the concerns of everyday living and getting her through a bout of illness, I’d never noticed as the hungry critters took up residence.

I spent the rest of that day shampooing heads, scrubbing furniture, washing clothes and bedding, and vacuuming everything in sight. All the while I berated myself for not seeing. How could I have missed something so obvious?

I wonder if that isn’t how the disciples on the road to Emmaus felt after they realized it had been Jesus who had joined them on their walk.. Focused on their circumstances, wearing the dark glasses of human explanation and expectation, they’d spent hours walking and talking with the risen Christ but never realized who He was.

The disciples and the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus - artist unknown

Like them, we too are often blind to spiritual reality. We listen to local, national and international news with a sense of panic, and miss seeing how world events are fulfilling Bible predictions. We get trapped under clouds of discouragement, distraction and defeat, and only after they’ve lifted do we see the fingerprints of Satan all over our situations. We talk to unsaved friends, family members or neighbors but it isn’t till hours later that we realize we didn’t take all kinds of opportunities to talk about Jesus. There is a realm of reality that we can see only through eyes opened by God.

PRAYER: Dear God, please open my eyes to the awareness of Your presence in every part of my life.

MORE:

“Open My Eyes” by Hillsong

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Paid in full!

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Ephesians 4:1-16

TO CHEW ON: “Therefore He says:

‘When He ascended on high

He led captivity captive

And gave gifts to men.’

(Now this, ‘He ascended’ – what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?) Ephesians 4:8-9

On this day between when we celebrate Jesus’ death and His resurrection it is appropriate to spend some time thinking about the price Jesus paid to procure our salvation. What was He doing between when He died and rose again? Paul alludes to Jesus’ activity in this interval. He quotes part of a prophetic psalm (68:18) then takes a word from that psalm, “ascends” to deduce that if Jesus ascended, He necessarily first descended.

"Jesus in Hades"  
Woodcut by an unknown Master 
connected to the Protestant Reformation era 
writings. Published in 1550.

An endnote article in my Bible explains the possible meaning of that descent, coming up with three possible explanations of what Paul meant by “descended into the lower parts of the earth”:
1. A descent into hell (1 Peter 3:18-19).
2. A descent into Sheol/Hades the realm of the dead (Acts 2:25-35).*
3. A symbolic reference to His incarnation, where His coming to earth from heaven was the descent.

Whatever He did, it was sufficient. It purchased our salvation. Praise the Lord! And it made possible the “gifts’ that are the main subject of this passage – those talents and abilities the Holy Spirit gives us and empowers with supernatural effectiveness to ensure the health of His earthly body, the church.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for paying the price for my salvation. Help me to live full-out, expending my talents, using my gifts for Your glory. Amen.

MORE: Whatever the cost and procedure (a descent into hell included, if that was indeed the case) Jesus paid it all. An old hymn of the church by that name had its origins in this poem:

I hear my Savior say
Thy strength indeed is small,
Thou has naught My debt to pay,
Find in Me thy all in all.

Yea, nothing good have I,
Whereby Thy grace to claim;
I wash my garments white
In the blood of Calvary’s Lamb.

And now complete in Him,
My robe His righteousness,
Close sheltered ‘neath His side,
I am divinely blest.

When from my dying bed
My ransomed soul shall rise,
Jesus paid it all
Shall rend the vaulted skies.

Elvina M. Hall (1865)


Kristian Stanfill sings a modern version of “Jesus Paid It All”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brVIlXlJRkQ



*Referring to the descent into hell or Sheol, the writer of the article makes this statement: “There is no biblical support for the notion that Jesus suffered in hell, only that He descended to Sheol to release the righteous dead into eternal glory, proclaiming the adequacy of the Atonement and validating the testimony of the prophets.” New Spirit Filled Life Bible, p. 1650.

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The will of the mob

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 23:1-25

TO CHEW ON: “They were more fierce, saying, ‘He stirs up the people…’”

And they all cried at once saying, ‘Away with this man.’

But they shouted, ‘Crucify Him, crucify Him.’

But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed.” Luke 23:5, 18, 21, 23

"Give us Barabbas"  by Charles Louis Lucien Muller (1815-1892)

The picture of this angry mob demanding Jesus’ death brings to mind mobs I have seen (mostly via TV and the safety of my living room).
- Muslim demonstrations after the publication of the Danish cartoons.
- Mobs on the streets of Kiev during the Orange Revolution movement in Ukraine.
- Partisan fans at soccer games in Britain and Europe.
- Bloodthirsty crowds during wars of genocide in Rwanda and Kenya.
- Most lately the multitudes on the streets of Vancouver during the 2010 Olympics, cheering on Canadian athletes.

While being a part of these mobs can be fun and non-threatening (as in the last one), I can imagine feeling only terror should one be on the opposite side of the will of most mobs. Mob psychology is unpredictable but often results in actions of apparent insanity that would never happen during moments of cooler emotion. Before we are too hard on the disciples for never raising a hand to defend Jesus but running away, we should put ourselves in their places. Would we have done any different? I see this angry mob during the events of Jesus’ passion as another ploy of Satan. He would use every trick in the book. Frenzied voices raised in unison against Jesus suited him just fine.

But not even a mob is bigger than God. In this case, the will of the mob prevailed because it was part of God’s plan of how He would accomplish our salvation. When we are tempted to fear mobs in whatever guise they take – public opinion, the results of polls, anti-Christian articles on the internet along with supportive and often abusive comments, voices rallied by satirical shows like SNL that mock Christians and Christianity – here are some Bible words to help encourage you and bolster your faith:

Psalm 3:6, Psalm 27:3; Psalm 112:8; Psalm 118:6; Isaiah 6:12; Isaiah 12:2; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:18

PRAYER: Dear God, it is easy for me to become intimidated by a multitude of voices. In such times, please remind me that You are Lord, even of the mob. Amen.

MORE:  

"It is no fun to be in a room where everyone assumes a particular view and you do not hold it. Only the very brave, the very wise, or fools rush to expose their minority opinions. Few of us are brave or wise and fools simply confirm the stereotypes. The rest of the very religious keep quiet and so nobody learns. " - John Mark Reynolds, Professor of Philosophy & Director of the Torrey Honors Institute, Biola University.

The article from which the quote was taken: “Ignorance of Christianity No Virtue.”

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