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The Fear of God For the unbeliever, the fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God (Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31). For the believer, the fear of God is something much different. The believer's fear is reverence of God. (Hebrews 12:28, 29) is a good description of this: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ’God is a consuming fire.’” This reverence and awe is exactly what the fear of God means for Christians. This is the motivating factor for us to surrender to the Creator of the Universe. (Proverbs 1:7) declares, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” Until we understand
who God is and develop a reverential fear of Him, we cannot have true wisdom. True wisdom comes only from understanding who God is and that He is holy, just, and righteous. (Deuteronomy 10:12,20,21) records, “And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Fear the LORD your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name. He is your praise; He is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.” The fear of God is the basis for our walking in His ways, serving Him, and, yes, loving Him. Some redefine the fear of God
From the Editor for believers to “respecting” Him. While respect is definitely included in the concept of fearing God, there is more to it than that. A biblical fear of God, for the believer, includes understanding how much God hates sin and fearing His judgment on sin—even in the life of a believer. (Hebrews 12:5-11) describes God’s discipline of the believer. While it is done in love (Hebrews 12:6), it is still a fearful thing. As children, the fear of discipline from our parents no doubt prevented some evil actions. The same should be true in our relationship with God. We should fear His discipline, and therefore seek to
live our lives in such a way that pleases Him. Believers are not to be scared of God. We have no reason to be scared of Him. We have His promise that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38, 39). We have His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Fearing God means having such a reverence for Him that it has a great impact on the way we live our lives. The fear of God is respecting Him, obeying Him, submitting to His discipline, and worshipping Him in awe. Save the Nations Ministries >
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FROM THE EDITOR
Changing Times
A Plea of Help to Our Readers
Every ministry needs financial support and Changing Times is no different. In addition to running regular donation ads to encourage support from our loyal readers, we occasionally need to write a letter personally asking each of you to search your heart about making a love offering for our ministry. In our opinion and the opinion of many churches in our area, Changing Times is both needed and appreciated; however 2016 has been a very challenging year financially. We prayerfully ask each of you to consider sending a love offering, so that we can continue to bring timely Biblical advice to our region. If Changing Times has made an impact in your life, now’s the time to show it. Just like in your situation, there are many others who could use spiritual guidance especially at this time of the year. Save the Nations Ministries has been producing Changing Times for the last 13 years and
we have continued to follow the Lord’s leading in all Christian matters. Though we provide the newspaper at no cost to our faithful readers, the expenses to produce and deliver such a quality Christian newspaper is not cheap. We are most grateful to the people who have answered God’s leading in the past and donated to this ministry and we pray that your generosity and loyal support will step up once again. But, now we are inviting the rest of our readers to join in and help us continue to make a difference in people’s lives as they grow in their Christian walk. There are too many Christians still struggling to find victory in their life, perhaps even yourself. Changing Times not only educates our Christian Community on how to find the path of victory but also how to stay there. We believe that every Christian is called to help evangelize the world in some way. I
would like to echo the words of Paul Washer of Heart Cry Ministries, "there are only two jobs in evangelism, you are either called to go down into the well or you are called to hold the rope for those who go down". This ministry is not only going down into the well, we are going to the front lines of the battlefield. Save the Nations Ministries has a very large dream that will carry us far into the future. However, the dream will not materialize without the support of obedient people like you, who are
committed to "holding the rope". We prayerfully hope that you will join our faithful team of supporters in helping Changing Times continue to Change Lives by spreading the Word of God! In His service always, Save the Nations Ministries P.S. If you own a business and would like to inquire about possibly becoming a Corporate Sponsor, please email us for more information. You can reach us at changingtimes@ bellsouth.net Thank You. >
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Faith for Your Family: Part One by Adrian Rogers I believe our greatest joy, our greatest privilege, and our greatest responsibility is to be a parent. The night our first son was born, I got down on my knees and prayed, “Oh, God, if I never have any other kind of achievement, if I never have any material goods, if I never get to pastor a worthy church, never preach a good sermon, oh, God, I want you to make of me a good daddy.” One of my life’s verses is (Psalm 112:1-2): “Blessed is the man who feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in His commandments. His seed [his children] shall be mighty upon the earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed.” It Begins with Parents Beyond any doubt, the most powerful, influential people on earth do not occupy elected office, run industries, or control Wall Street. The most influential people are parents of faith. You may not recognize the names Amram and Jochebed. But you certainly know the name of their son— Moses. He became a leader who changed the destiny of Egypt, Pharaoh, and God’s people. But he had two parents who were champions. Their claim to fame was that they were the parents of a boy named Moses. (Hebrews 11:23-27) tells more of their story. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents,
because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible. Amram and Jochebed raised a child who changed the world. Notice the first “by faith Moses” (v. 23). Whose faith was engaged at that moment? Not Moses, but his parents. Then in the second “by faith Moses” (v. 24), we see that “when he was come to years” Moses refused—of his own initiative—to align himself with Pharaoh. By this time, faith has been transferred from Amram and Jochebed to their son. Now he is acting in his own faith. I cannot overestimate the importance of family. We’ve been told “it takes a village to raise a child.” That’s backward. It takes a family to raise a child, and families change See FAITH-PART 1 on Page 32
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Table of Contents From the Editor
3
Men
5
Women
7
Children
9
Seniors
11
Marriage
15
Education
17
Health
20
Financial
22
Feature Articles
23
Personal Revival
24
The Christian Journey
25
Guiding Light
26
The Transformed Life
28
The Triumphant Christian
30
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.. –– Proverbs 1:7
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Faith for Your Family Part Two
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Previously we saw that if we are parents, God has placed in our hands—not the preacher’s or the Sunday School teacher’s—the responsibility for training our children in the knowledge of God. We saw that Moses’ parents, Amram and Jochebed, had Faith’s Vision and Faith’s Valor for their son, born into perilous times in Egypt for a Hebrew child. Today’s child is likewise born into perilous times. Believing God for Moses’ future, they took the next step: They Embarked on Faith’s Venture They didn’t just sit around saying, “Well, we’re going to trust God for how things turn out with Moses.” No. “Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:17) Faith, Not Fatalism True faith is belief with legs on it. It does something. “Whatever will be, will be. Just let it happen”—is fatalism. If you take a garden and leave it alone, it’s going to turn into weeds. Faith, Not Fanaticism Nor did they say, “We’ll just toss him in the Nile and let God take care of him.” No. They did something. Do your part and God is going to do His part. Faithful Training The Scripture says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” It is your duty to train them. The word way is a Hebrew word referring to the bend in a bow. Every child has a particular bent. It’s our duty and joy to discover that bent. Don’t see your child as a block of granite to take a hammer and chisel to and sculpt away. No. They are unique individuals. Become a student of your child: study your child. Determine the natural gifts God gave them. Children don’t come in standard packages. Read the label. See what God has invested in them. Just Teaching—or Training? There’s a difference between teaching and training. To train means to prepare for a contest, to instruct by exercise, to drill, to form to a proper shape, to discipline for use. If all you do you is teach your child, you can teach him one thing, but someone else can come along and teach him something else. But when a child is trained, he gets Godly
principles through the pores of his skin into his very psyche. Training is more than a lecture. You have to coach your children. You have to pray. You have to plead. You have to lead by example. You embed the principles of the Word of God in the hearts and lives of your children. Your child’s life will be determined by his choices. They’re not going to live for God without proper values in their heart. Moses had to choose. Are you training at home by precept and example? And are you in a Bible-believing church? Are your children in a class under a born-again teacher? I’m amazed that people will send their children across the United States to get a college education but will not drive across town to a Bible-believing church. Some people spend more time training a dog than they do their children. They Had Faith’s Victory Faith honors God, and God honors faith. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Most parents say, “Don’t do this and don’t do that. Come out of Egypt. Don’t play footsy with the king,” but don’t give them reasons for it. You must establish their heart values so they can make the right choices. If you try to take an old bone away from a dog, you might get bitten. But if you put a steak on the ground, the dog will drop the bone to get the steak. What did they put into Moses’ heart? It was the steak of the Word of God, the riches of Jesus Christ. If your children don’t see that, they’ll be unequipped and Egypt will have them. Some years ago, scientists created a “bathysphere,” a big globe lowered into the ocean, deeper than man had ever descended. They got down to 35,000 feet. The pressure of the water was enormous. Had it not been built of steel many inches thick, it would have been crushed like an aluminum can. Looking out through a small window, they saw something they never expected to see: fish with delicate skin swimming along under enormous presSee FAITH-PART 2 on Page 34
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Whatever the Cost by Nancy Leigh DeMoss Now is the time for a movement of reformation and revival in the hearts and homes of Christian women all around this world. Now is the time to go against the flow. I believe God has brought you into His kingdom for such a time as this. Teens: That means the willingness to follow Christ and His Word when it seems that all the other girls your age are consumed with beauty, guys, self, sex, and having a good time. It means setting your affections on Christ, guarding your heart, choosing the pathway of purity, and becoming a Truth-speaker in your generation when all your peers seem to be going the opposite direction. Single women: That means choosing the pathway of contentment. It means being willing to be
married or single—whichever God has for you—for His glory and the sake of His kingdom. It means using your singleness to serve the Lord without distraction. It means being willing to be sexually pure and to be a servant of the family of God. Married women: It’s a call to be faithful in a world of broken promises—to love your husband, to pray for him, to build a marriage that glorifies God. It means being faithful in the good times and the hard times. It means saying yes to your high and holy calling of being a helper to your husband, reverencing him as the Scripture exhorts, submitting to him as a picture of your submission to Christ Himself. It means giving yourself wholeheartedly to your husband and saying no to emotional or physical intimacy with any other man. Mothers: That means embracing the calling and gift of being a giver and a nurturer of life. Don’t let the world tell you how many or how few children to have. Let God give you His vision for the impact that your children and grandchildren
Women could make for His kingdom for generations to come. Do battle in prayer for the souls of your children and your grandchildren. Older women: It means choosing not to retire spiritually. Don’t settle for a life consumed by golf, bridge, meaningless activity, and preoccupation with self. Younger women need you. They need your counsel, encouragement, and prayers. They need you to take them under your wings and help them learn how to live lives that please the Lord. I often say to women, “We’ve got to be willing to be salmon swimming upstream.” What do salmon do? They get bloodied and beat up on the rocks in order to give birth and produce life. Then what do they do? They die. You say, “That doesn’t sound like something I want to be called to.” But what a picture that is of the heart of Christ, who swam upstream—bloodied and beaten—to give spiritual life; laying down His life on Calvary to
give us eternal life. We may die in the process, but if we die fulfilling the kingdom purposes and will of God for our lives, so be it. If we perish, we perish. Let’s go for broke! That’s what Amy Carmichael did See THE COST on Page 33
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CHANGING TIMES DISCLAIMER
As editor of Changing Times, there are often concerns that both On Eagles Wings and Save the Nations Ministries share. Sometimes, there are articles or advertisements that do not exactly line up with the views of Changing Times. Changing Times continues to be published by advertisement and offerings of the readers. While Changing Times advertises businesses, videos, books, and articles, we attempt to do so without contradiction to scripture. We pray that these are used to build the Church and not lead it astray with doctrines that were not given to the Disciples (Galatians 1:8). It is almost an impossibility to research each advertisement or article to reveal error in enough time before publication. As humans we all make mistakes, but as Christians we must remember that error will always ride in on the back of truth. This is what makes it seem so good. It is with these statements, that we ask the following of our readers. The Bereans were recognized for being good stewards over the word of God (Acts 17:10-11). They studied and checked the things, which were taught to be sure they were true and lined up with the scripture. As such, we are no different. Each of us has the responsibility to do the same. This paper attempts to be conservative in belief and bring the gospel to the readers in a balanced fashion, as scripture demands. The Cross of Christ should always be the center of each and every Christians understanding of the gospel to include salvation, sanctification and glorification. Jesus the Christ is the source and the Cross, is the means. Due to reason of deception, many have begun falling away from the purity of that message. There is little said about sin, repentance, the saving Blood, the completed work of the Cross and the necessity of placing our faith in Jesus, and that completed sacrifice. We not only ask, but also beg our reading audience to also be good Bereans. If we find something we understand to be against scripture, we will remove it as we find it, but there are some things that get by us. The Bible speaks of a last day deception that if it were possible, would deceive the very elect of God (Matthew 24). Help us help you. Please, in these last days — Be good Bereans. We pray that each article and advertisement will serve to bless, encourage and increase knowledge and understanding of a relationship with the King of Kings. These are most assuredly troubling times — hold fast to that which is true. In His Service, Save the Nations Ministries
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A Challenge to Women by John Piper 1. That all of your life—in whatever calling—be devoted to the glory of God. 2. That the promises of Christ be trusted so fully that peace and joy and strength fill your soul to overflowing. 3. That this fullness of God overflows in daily acts of love so that people might see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven. 4. That you be women of the Book, who love and study and obey the Bible in every area of its teaching. That meditation on Biblical truth be the source of hope and faith. And that you continue to grow in understanding through all the chapters of your life, never thinking that study and growth are only for others. 5. That you be women of prayer, so that the Word of God would open to you; and the power of faith and holiness would descend upon you; and your spiritual influence would increase at home and at church and in the world. 6. That you be women who have a deep grasp of the sovereign grace of God undergirding all these spiritual processes, that you be deep thinkers about the doctrines of grace, and even deeper lovers and believers of these things. 7. That you be totally committed to ministry, whatever your specific role, that you not fritter your time away on soaps or ladies magazines or aimless hobbies, any more than men should fritter theirs away on excessive sports or aimless diddling in the garage. That you redeem the time for Christ and his Kingdom. 8. That, if you are single, you exploit your singleness to the full in devotion to Christ and not be paralyzed by the desire to be married. 9. That, if you are married, you creatively and intelligently and sincerely support the leadership of your husband as deeply as obedience to Christ will allow; that you encourage him in his God-appointed role as head; that you influence him spiritually primarily through your fearless tranquility and holiness and prayer. 10. That, if you have children, you accept responsibility with your husband (or alone if necessary) to raise up children who hope in the triumph of God, sharing with him the teaching and discipline of the
children, and giving to the children that special nurturing touch and care that you are uniquely fitted to give. 11. That you not assume that secular employment is a greater challenge or a better use of your life than the countless opportunities of service and witness in the home the neighborhood, the community, the church, and the world. That you not only pose the question: Career vs. full time mom? But that you ask as seriously: Full time career vs. freedom for ministry? That you ask: Which would be greater for the Kingdom— to be in the employ of someone telling you what to do to make his business prosper, or to be God's free agent dreaming your own dream about how your time and your home and your creativity could make God's business prosper? And that in all this you make your choices not on the basis of secular trends or yuppie lifestyle expectations, but on the basis of what will strengthen the family and advance the cause of Christ. 12. That you step back and (with your husband, if you are married) plan the various forms of your life's ministry in chapters. Chapters are divided by various things—age, strength, singleness, marriage, employment choices, children at home, children in college, grandchildren, retirement, etc. No chapter has all the joys. Finite life is a series of tradeoffs. Finding God's will, and living for the glory of Christ to the full in every chapter is what makes it a success, not whether it reads like somebody else's chapter or whether it has in it what chapter five will have. 13. That you develop a wartime mentality and lifestyle; that you never forget that life is short, that billions of people hang in the balance of heaven and hell every day, that the love of money is spiritual suicide, that the goals of upward mobility (nicer clothes, cars, houses, vacations, food, hobbies) are a poor and dangerous substitute for the goals of living for Christ with all your might, and maximizing your joy in ministry to people's needs. 14. That in all your relationships with men you seek the guidSee CHALLENGE on Page 34
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Parenting God's Way By Dr. Charles Stanley Children are treasures in our world. They are treasures in the home. God gave thorough instructions to the children of Israel on how to instruct their little ones. That was important to God. It is no less important today. We need to instill in our children, as well as children around us, that they are important. I smile at the story about a little fellow who went out to eat with his parents. As the waitress took their food orders, she looked at the little boy and asked what he wanted to eat. He stammered out his order. After the waitress walked away, the lad looked at his parents and said, grinning, “Gee, she thinks I’m real.” I like that story because I think it illustrates a subtle message that we give to children. We underestimate their thinking, their desires, and their abilities. We give underlying messages to them that they are inferior. I understand that balance is needed. Children’s rights are getting way out of hand in our country. Solomon wrote, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him” (Prov. 22:15). The verses “a child left to himself brings shame to his mother” (Prov. 29:15) and “Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul” (Prov. 29:17) remind us of the need to bring consistent discipline. But balance includes heaping huge amounts of love, also. That’s what our heavenly Father does. He disciplines. The Bible says if He did not discipline us, we wouldn’t be treated like His children (Heb. 12:8). On the other hand, He heaps love. He constantly affirms us through Scripture. We are precious in His sight. He tells us that over and over. But He is not into His children’s rights, although in a wonderfully unique way, He preserves our self-esteem by assuring us we are chosen by Him and so valuable His Son died for us. One young father wrote about working diligently to make sure his daughter developed proper selfesteem. He related: My goal is to raise secure children with a good imagination. I
realized I might be too successful one Saturday morning when I lost my four year old daughter at a roller skating rink. I was scanning the crowd when an announcement came over the loud speaker: “ATTENTION SKATERS! We have a lost little girl named Sleeping Beauty.” Dozens of skaters were smiling as I skated over to claim my daughter. Can’t you imagine how many times that daddy tucked that little girl in and said, “Good night, Sleeping Beauty,” or woke her up in the morning with the greeting, “Good morning, Sleeping Beauty!” She had gleefully internalized the message. Our culture needs more children with positive messages oozing out of them. What we as believers pour into their hearts about their importance is not the same thing as what the world system pours into them. We don’t want to produce a bunch of cocky kids demanding their rights. That’s not biblical. It’s not biblical for a bunch of cocky adults to demand their rights. We are servants. We’ve given up our rights to the One we serve. God, in His marvelous wisdom, has the divine fine line of seeing us as servants and as children, of
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Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten? By Focus on Your Child Kindergarten can be an exciting Entry into kindergarten usually time for you and your child because requires a checkup. Be sure to tell it sets the stage for his entire school your child's doctor: career. You will look on in wonder • about his physical and learning as he grows into a more capable, accomplishments confident, and enthusiastic learner. • Whether he is healthy yearBut sending your child off to kinround or (like many children dergarten can be rough. As the day his age) gets a lot of colds, sore approaches, you will probably throats, stomachaches, and ear experience a mix of feelings ranginfections. ing from relief to fear. And your At a well-child checkup, the anxiety will be rooted in some spedoctor most likely will: cific questions that nag you. Here are some answers to the • examine your child's eyes, ears, and other sensory organs most commonly asked questions. How Can I Tell if My Kindergart- • check urine, blood, and blood ner's Body Is Ready? pressure Five-year-olds come in all shapes and sizes. Some students are "off • watch your child walk and bend to check for motor or skeletal the chart" for size and physical dexproblems terity. Others face severe challenges. There are, however, certain traits • measure height and weight you may see in a typical five-yearso he can assess your child's old: growth in comparison to his • He manages his own bathroom peers needs. A yearly dental checkup is also • He has increased poise, coordiin order, both to teach good home nation, and stamina. care and to detect early dental problems. You may want to find a chil• He can hop, skip, and jump. dren's dentist, who has had extra • He favors one hand over the training in child behavior and denother. tal health. Remember: If your child has • He begins to lose baby teeth and ever had a medical problem, or has get secondary teeth. one now, it is important that you • He is learning to tie his shoes, contact the school. A child who is button his buttons, and zip his on medication may exhibit unusual zipper. behavior in the classroom that the • He climbs stairs using alternatteacher needs to understand. ing feet. How Much Sleep Does a Kindergartner Need? • He can throw and may be able After a busy day in kindergarten, to catch a ball. your five-year-old may find it easiWhat Kind of Physical Activities er to fall asleep at night than he has or Sports Are Best for Five-Year- in the past. However, getting up in Olds? the morning may be more difficult. Most children love to try differ- Night waking is rare among fiveent sports and activities at this age. year-olds, perhaps because children The secret is to help your child this age do not typically take naps. view them as fun. Any five-year- If you establish a routine and stick old who jumps, plays outdoors, and to it — bath followed by a story, for does other things that help develop example — bedtime usually goes large muscles is getting the exercise well. In fact, it may be his favorite he needs. time of day. All learning starts with play. You Begin to adjust your child's bedcan best prepare your child for kin- time and nap schedule several dergarten by providing play experi- weeks before school starts. That ences that challenge him and that way, he will not have too many he enjoys. Also, set a good example changes in routine to contend with — remember to play yourself! at the same time. Should My Child Have a Physical © 1997–2016 Focus on the Before He Starts School? Family >
www.changingtimes.info
The Pumpkin Pie Bribe
Seniors
by Julie Arduini I grew suspicious as soon as Gram Waneta Lake. I was curious when handed me my favorite autumn des- he flipped the turning signal on, this sert in the middle of spring: a slice time parking at the Waneta Diner. of pumpkin pie. She tenderly placed He saw my quizzical look. one hand on my back. "I love your Gram but a thermos Best kept secret in Metairie "Now Paulie, tomorrow you need isn't enough to sustain a fishin' for quality rehabilitation and skilled nursing care. to set your alarm. Gramps wants to man, right?" I moved into Gramp's take you fishing." I tried to keep my outreached arm and together we sigh to a minimum since her hand was entered the diner. still on my back and could easily The diner appeared instead to be Let the real you encounter the real God travel to my ten year old backside. the place to purchase worms with SERVICE TIMES "Oh Gram, do I have to? Fishing is real worn exterior, tattered curtains, Sat. 6:00pm | Sun. 10:00am so boring. It's my vacation you know." splattered menus, and an honest to (King’s Café opens 1 hour before each service) I heard a slight tsk as I reached for the goodness bug zapper. Six heads 2020 Elsie Ave., Slidell, LA 70458 (Off of I-10 & Fremaux Ave.) pie with stealth precision before jerked up at the screech of the door. Family Atmosphere • Activity Program Listen to Life Songs - 89.1 FM Gram decided to take it away. "Russ! Is this Paulie? Your picBeauty Parlor • Nutritious, Tasty Meals (Monday-Friday 12:30pm) "True enough. He wants to take tures don't do this handsome young Professional Healthcare Staff Celebrate Recovery - Thurs. @ 7:00pm you fishing and I think it's a won- man justice! What can I get you two St. Anthony’s (Biblical solutions for life’s most pressing problems) Healthcare and Rehab Center derful idea" today?" Her nametag said Myrtle. Facebook: Crossfire Church of Slidell 6001 Airline Drive • Metairie, LA 70003 504-733-8448 • Fax 504-733-1917 "Which means I'm going." I www.crossfirechurch.net "Just toast today Myrtle. Say, did www.stanthonynh.com interrupted my mouth full of pie. Stan read that New Testament I left She nodded with a grin. for him at the garage?" Myrtle's Gramps greeted me at six with a eyes lit up like the bug zapper. She “Fun, Friendship, and Peace of Mind” hearty good morning and a quick pulled up a chair and sat down. knee shake. "You're amazing Russ. All these "Time's a wastin' Paulie! Let's years I begged that man to find the get movin' before we lose the fish. I Lord and just a simple meeting with think they'll be biting good today." you after an oil change and he's a new Gram met us at the front door man. He hasn't had a drop in three 354 Robert Blvd. Slidell, LA 70458 • (985) 641-2827 with a thermos of hot chocolate and weeks. I can't thank you enough." www.azaleaestates.com a hug for both of us. She winked at Gramps took time with each perher husband of forty-nine years. son at the diner and they all had a Canon Hospice provides quality end of life care to "Go get 'em Russell!" story to share or a problem Gramps those seeking comfort and dignity while dealing Gramps said the first stop would offered to pray over. By the time we with a life limiting illness. Canon Hospice serves be to Mr. Haney's to get some worms. finished meeting with everyone, placBaton Rouge, the Northshore, Greater New OrGramps whistled as he stopped the ing our order and eating our food, it leans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The caring team at Canon is dedicated to a hospice ministry truck and waved to Mr. Haney. was nearly ten. I got in the truck once that helps patients and families accept terminal illness positively and resourcefully. "Mornin' Ben, how's life treating again when I heard Gramps chuckle. With special expertise in pain management and symptom control, Canon Hospice deyou today?" Gramps took long "Well whaddya know? I'll be" signs individualized plans of care for each patient based on their unique needs. Home strides to reach the man sitting on Gramps scratched his balding head. based services provide doctors, nurses, social workers, pastoral care and volunteers the porch with his beagle at his side. "What is it? Everything okay?" I who tailor their services according to patients’ diagnoses and home situations. Care Mr. Haney appeared to be the same questioned. can also be provided in the group home settings as well as assisted living and nursing homes. age as Gramps, but not smiling any "I left our fishing poles at the more than I was at that hour. house." For patients with more intense symptom management needs, Canon has Inpatient "I'm here Russell, can't say much Hospice Units located in Jefferson, Louisiana and in Gulfport, Mississippi. These "That's okay Gramps. I realized units provide 24-hour care in a home-like environment where patients are permitted more than that." Gramps nodded when you were talking to Mr. to receive visits at any hour. and took a seat in the old wicker Haney you never bought worms." All donations and fundraising activities at Canon Hospice go to support the nonchair next to Mr. Haney. "Good point son. What do you profit Akula Foundation. The Akula Foundation’s many projects include: indigent "How's Florence today? Any think we should do?" I bit my lip patient care, the Canon Hospice Health Hour on WGSO 990 AM every Saturday change? How can Bev and I help?" and gave the grin I usually found on from Noon to 1pm and Camp Swan, a bereavement camp for children ages 7-12. The Gramps bent low and the two his Godly face. Akula Foundation also supports the Grief Resource Center which offers free group counseling and services to anyone who has experienced any kind of loss or grief. exchanged whispers so low I "Gram said yesterday the front couldn't hear. I stooped down to pet door had a squeak. Maybe we New Orleans the dog, sensing Gramps was help- should go to the hardware store and 504-818-2723 ing Mr. Haney with something pret- do our fishing there." Northshore ty serious. I could see tears trickle Julie Arduini, http://thesurren985-626-3051 down Mr. Haney's pale cheeks. deredscribe.blogspot.com/, is Mississippi "Well Ben, Paulie and I are goin' devoted to writing for Christ in Gulf Coast fishing so we'll leave you to go back ways that encourage and inspire. A 228-575-6251 in with Florence. You have our num- graduate of the Christian Writer's Baton Rouge ber; I trust you'll call it day or night Guild, her writing resume is on her 225-926-1404 for anything. " Ben solemnly nodded. blog's sidebar. Happily married to Or call toll free: Gramps motored down the dirt Tom, they have two children. 1-866-907-7378 road. I heard Gramps praying. He © 2016 FaithWriters.com. All www.canonhospice.com drove onto the paved but rural Rights Reserved, http://www.faithwww.akulafoundation.com county road that eventually led to writers.com > Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.–– Fall 2016 11 Proverbs 4:23
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Changing Times
The Thanksgiving Lesson by J. R. Miller, Gladness may not be thanksgiving. It certainly is not all of thanksgiving. One may have a heart bubbling with joy, without a note of thanksgiving. The task of happiness is one to which we should all firmly set ourselves. To be miserable in this glorious world is most unfit. We should cultivate joyousness. But our present lesson is a larger and deeper one. Thanksgiving implies thought of God. One may be glad all the day—and never think of God. Thanksgiving looks up with every breath, and sees God as Father from whom all blessings come. Thanksgiving is praise. The heart is full of gratitude. Every moment has something in it to inspire love. The lilies made Jesus think of his Father, for it was he who clothed them in beauty. The providence of our lives, if we think rightly of it, is simply God caring for us. Our circumstances may sometimes be hard, our experiences painful, and we may see nothing in them to make us glad. But faith teaches us that God is always good and always kind, whatever the present events may be. We may be thankful, therefore, even when we cannot be glad. Our hearts may be grateful, knowing that good will come to us even out of pain and loss. This is the secret of true thanksgiving. It thinks always of God and praises him for everything. The song never dies out in the heart, however little there may be in the circumstances of life to make us glad. Thanksgiving is a quality of all noble and unselfish life. No man is so unworthy, as he who never cherishes the sentiment of gratitude, who receives life's gifts and favors—and never gives back anything in return for all he gets. Until we think seriously of it, we do not begin to realize what we are receiving continually from those about us. None may give us money, or do for us things which the world counts gifts or favors, but these are not the best things. Our teachers are ever enriching us by the lessons they give us. Those who require hard tasks of us and severely demand of us the best we can do are our truest benefactors. Sometimes we complain of the hardness of our lives, that we have had so little of ease and luxury that we have had to work so hard, bear so many burdens, and sometimes we let ourselves grow bitter and unthankful as we think of the sever12 Fall 2016
ity of our experience. But of all times—it has been in these very severities that we have got the richest qualities in our character. If we are living truly, serving God and following Christ, there is no event or experience for which we may not be thankful. Every voice of our lips should be praise. Every day of our years should be a thanksgiving day. He, who has learned the Thanksgiving lesson, well has found the secret of a beautiful life. "Praise is lovely," says the Hebrew Psalmist. Lovely means fit, graceful, pleasing, and attractive. Ingratitude is never lovely. The life that is always thankful is winsome, ever a joy to all who know it. The influence of an ever-praising life on those it touches is almost divine. The way to make others good—is to be good yourself. The way to diffuse a spirit of thanksgiving—is to be thankful yourself. A complaining spirit makes unhappiness everywhere. How may we learn this thanksgiving lesson? It comes not merely through a glad natural disposition. There are some favored people who were born cheerful. They have in them a spirit of happiness which nothing ever quenches. They always see the bright side of things. They are naturally optimistic. But the true thanksgiving spirit is more than this. It is something which can take even an unhappy and an ungrateful spirit—and makes it new in its sweetness and beauty. It is something which can change discontent and complaining into praise; ingratitude into grateful, joyful trust. Christian thanksgiving is the life of Christ in the heart, transforming the disposition and the whole character. Thanksgiving must be wrought into the life as a habit— before it can become a fixed and permanent quality. An occasional burst of praise, in the midst of years of complaining, is not what is required. Songs on rare, sunshiny days; and no songs when skies are cloudy—will not make a life of gratitude. The heart must learn to sing always. This lesson is learned only when it becomes a habit which nothing can weaken. We must persist in being thankful. When we can see no reason for praise—we must believe in the divine love and goodSee THANKSGIVING on Page 29
SENIORS
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Are We Living in the Last Days?
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by David Jeremiah In 1859, Charles Dickens opened A Tale of Two Cities with the famous lines: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," comparing London and Paris at the time of the French Revolution (1789-1799). Dickens said life in late 1700's England and France wasn't much different from that of his readers— filled with people who believed the best and worst could co-exist. The world would never change. Dickens' pessimistic picture of life is much like that of the first century. After Christ's resurrection and ascension, the gospel made great advances. But, when scoffers realized Christ wasn't returning immediately to judge the earth, they murmured: "When will the promise of His coming be fulfilled? "Nothing changes. God doesn't intervene. Life goes on as always." "How wrong they are," Peter says. (See 2 Peter 3:5-13). God created earth, watched it degenerate, then intervened and judged the earth with a flood. Peter tells us God is preserving the earth and reserving it "for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." Peter then speaks about the future: "The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night,...the heavens will pass away...the elements will melt...both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore,...what manner of persons ought you to be." (Read 2 Peter 3:10-13). Today's not unlike Dickens' day from a prophetic point of view— best of times for some, worst for others. Our world's like the world God judged with a flood, evil all around—the worst of times. But, God rescued righteous Noah and his family! And, God's prophetic calendar says we'll be rescued before judgment falls - so, it's the best of times for believers. Many say America's living in the best time. Look at our achievements—men sent to the moon, organs transplanted, information accessed instantly by computer, the highest standard of living...But, America's prosperity can blind us to its weaknesses. What looks like the best of times can be the worst. When Persian King Belshazzar of Babylon hosted his orgy (539
B.C.), he didn't know the "best" of times were about to become the worst. Through Daniel, God told Belshazzar his days were done. That night Belshazzar died. Daniel lived to serve again. The worst of times leads to the best for those who put their saving faith in the promises of God. Tempted to trust in America's greatness instead of God's promises? Rome was sacked by the Vandals who infiltrated her Senate while she debated how to defend against invasion! That's like terrorists sitting in the balcony of our Senate listening to our leaders debate anti-terrorism strategies. America's NOT impregnable - 9/11 showed us that. Don't let the "best of times" hide the "worst of times." What makes these the "worst of times?" Immorality. "If God doesn't judge America, He is going to have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah" (J. Vernon McGee). Because, "To whom much is given...much will be required" (Luke 12:48). America's rejecting the source of her greatness—Light from the Word of God built into her foundation by her founding fathers. We can echo Dickens: "It is the best of times, and...the worst of times." While we seem to live in the worst, from God's prophetic perspective, times couldn't be better. Next on His prophetic calendar is the Rapture of the Church—the dead in Christ will rise to meet the Lord in the air, followed by those alive at His coming. The same words that allowed first-century saints to remain faithful in the worst of times will do the same for us: "Beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless" (2 Peter 3:14). "Comfort one another with these words" (2 Thessalonians 4:18). And, look for the best of times yet to come—with hands hard at work for Christ! This article was excerpted from Turning Points, Dr. David Jeremiah’s devotional magazine. Call Turning Point at 1-800-947-1993 for your copy of Turning Points. >
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Changing Times
Top 10 Dirtiest Places in Your Home Even the cleanest homes have billions of germs, but some places in your home are far worse than others. In a recent germ study, microbiologists from National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) discovered that six of the dirtiest places in the home were in the kitchen. Below are the top 10 dirtiest places, along with tips for cleaning. Dish Sponges and Scrubbers – According to NSF, the sponge or scrubber in your kitchen sink is the dirtiest place in your home and probably contains both E. coli and salmonella. The study found after three weeks of use, 70 percent of sponges contained bacteria. To kill germs place sponges in the microwave for two minutes. You should replace them at least every two weeks. Kitchen Sink - NSF found that because of the frequent contact it has with food, your kitchen sink may be 100,000 times more contaminated than your bathroom sink. Your toilet may be cleaner than your kitchen sink, says Eileen Abruzzo, director of infection control at Long Island College Hospital of Brooklyn, New York. What
should you do? Thoroughly scrub the entire surface once or twice a week with hot water and soap. Toothbrush Holder - This was the 3rd “germiest” area in the study. According to NSF, the average toothbrush holder is crawling with more than 2 million cells of bacteria. Research by Charles P. Gerba, PhD, of the University of Arizona, found that flushing the toilet sends a spray of bacteria into air, which can float around the bathroom for at least two hours before landing on surfaces. Not only should you clean your toothbrush holder thoroughly once or twice a week, it’s best to purchase one made from stainless steel or plastic. Pet Bowl and Toys – These were numbers 4 and 7 on the list. Pet dishes and toys were a source of coliform, staph, yeast and mold in many homes. These items should be washed daily, either in a sanitizing dishwasher or scrubbed by hand with hot soapy water. Soft toys should be washed at least monthly with other laundry on the hot water cycle. Coffee Maker – According to NSF, bacteria and mold thrive in
safe, but you should be able to remove the dials and either put them in the dish water or wash them with warm soapy water. Showers and Bathtubs – Finally, the NSF found the bacteria staphylococci in 26 percent of the bathtubs and showers they studied. This bacteria causes various staph infections including those in the urinary tract. The best practice is to use a natural, non –toxic and nonabrasive tub and shower spray daily. Other common sources of bacteria include TV remotes, salt shakers, keyboards, cell phones, makeup bags, light switches and inside the refrigerator. According to the CDC, bacteria and viruses can live two hours or longer on most home surfaces – much longer in dark and moist areas.
© 2016 Dr. Don Colbert, MD PA www.drcolbert.com >
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the dark and damp areas of your coffee maker. Cleaning the inside every couple of month (assuming you use it every day) will not only keep it clean, but also improve the taste. Fill the water reservoir with about four cups of vinegar and let sit for 30 minutes. Then, turn it on and allow the vinegar to cycle through. Finally, run two or three additional cycles with water until the vinegar odor fades. Faucet Handles - Faucet handles in both the kitchen and bath contained coliform bacteria as well as yeast mold. You should clean them daily with non-toxic disinfecting cleaner or non-toxic disinfecting wipes. Kitchen Countertops - This high-traffic area collects germs all day long from purses, grocery bags, various raw food containers, dishes, etc. Kitchen surfaces should be washed at least daily and after every meal with hot, soapy water. Stove Dials - The controls that adjust your stove’s heat are some of the filthiest places in your home. This is because you constantly touch them while handling food. Check you stove’s manual to be
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How to Treat Your Husband like A Man
Marriage
by Angie Lewis Are you treating your husband themselves then essentially you are like a man or like a little boy? The disrespecting him and his position best way to treat your man like a as the man of the marriage. Spirituman is by respecting who he is and ally speaking, husbands have been his God-given position in the mar- given the authority by God to lead riage. If you treat him as if he were the home with loving influence and one of the kids he will feel disre- guidance. spected. No man wants to be married Wives submit to your husbands to his mother, but that's what it feels as to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:22) like when a wife constantly nags, If you are having a difficult time complains, or demands things of her submitting to your husband, it is husband for one reason or another. because you have not submitted You see I used to do this with my your life to God. Before a woman husband. I was a needy, demanding, can actually understand the logistics bossy, and controlling wife. I of submission she must submit her expected things from my husband own life to the Lord. Understand P L A N T A T I O N because I was not happy with that God did not make the man bet504.245.8221 SouthernOaksPlantation.com myself. Unhappy wives and hus- ter than the woman in any way, only bands become needy and spongy different. Let's take a look. with each other when they feel they For example, if you were being are in lack of something or when robbed, who would grab the gun and 2.13 tw $13,900 they fear something. Only Our Cre- protect the family, you or your hus2.28 tw $13,900 ator can fill the lack within us. We band? Would it seem odd to you if must ask Him into our lives and your husband said for you to get the allow Him to lead us. gun while he hides in the closet? It A big part of the problem is that would. In fact your husband would 3.44 tw some men give their wives good probably tell you to go in the room $24,500 2.11 tw reason to treat them like little boys. with the children and protect (nur$14,900 If you don't assert your position as ture) them, while he confronts the that of 'being the man of the home" robber. It is totally instinctive for the Under a Boudreaux Bow. your wife will automatically take man to grab the gun, while the up your position in the marriage as woman waits in the shadows with if it is her position. A man likes to her kids. No man in his right mind is be the king in his home, but if the going to make his wife protect him. wife is already acting as if she is the This is just one way in which king where does that leave the hus- God created the sexes different. So, band? The queen? I hope not. my point is, why in an emergency is For the husband is the head of it okay for the man to be a man, but the wife as Christ is the head of the when it is during regular home life, Metairie • 701 Metairie Rd. • 504-831-2602 Mandeville • 4550 Hwy. 22 • 985-626-1666 church, his body, of which he is the with no emergency, the wife bosses Baton rouge • 7280 Corporate Blvd. • 225-928-6868 savior. (Ephesians 5:22-23) and controls her husband around Why do some husbands have like he is a child? Where is the affairs? Is the grass really greener on respect in that? the other side of the fence? A real Let's take a look at another sceman doesn't want to be scolded like nario. A wife leaves her children, a child. He doesn't want to be reject- husband, and duties of the home ed and he doesn't want to be bossed everyday to work under another around and told what to do. He man, her employer. Pretty soon cowants to be treated like a man. If a workers begin making flirtatious husband is not being respected at advances at her. Every day men at home the chances of him having an her work are making her feel good affair, emotional or physical are about herself. Her husband is not more prevalent. I'm not condoning making her feel good about herself; affairs because they are wrong? How in fact the marriage is strained from a wife treats her husband doesn't her being tired and overworked. If justify a husband having an affair. this woman is vulnerable or not Did you know that God created really committed to her marriage the man with the spiritual and phys- what do you think is going to hapical ability to protect his family? It's pen? That's right; she's going to instinctive for the man to be a pro- have an affair. tector, overseer, and captain". But if I have to ask this. Why is she not wives aren't allowing their husSee HUSBAND bands to take care of them, because on Page 34 they think that they can take care of Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old Fall 2016 15 they will not turn from it. –– Proverbs 22:6
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Adultery is Forgivable by Angie Lewis First of all let me say this, I don’t condone adultery. And just because it is forgivable by God, if a spouse repents and turns from their sin, doesn’t make it justifiable in any way shape or form. Infidelity always hurts someone and causes much unneeded animosity between couples. It’s best to be healthy minded spiritually and mentally so you won’t be tempted by lustful desires in the first place. But unfortunately many Christians today are not keeping as spiritually fit as they should. I got an email yesterday by a grieving man who couldn’t understand how I could write articles on forgiving a spouse of adultery. He is still going through such a hard time of it, trying to forgive his wife, which at this stage of his grieving, would be worse than death itself. He is in the denial stage of forgiveness. Anger keeps us living in our horrid feelings and we deny forgiveness even exists. But the fact is, if Jesus would forgive adultery then we as believers need to do the same. I explain to couples all the time about the basic principles on how to forgive their spouse of adultery. Why do I do this? Why do I waste my time on trying to explain to people how to forgive when they are in so much pain and suffering? I do it because it is scriptural! It’s not about what I write in my articles and books. I don’t tell people to forgive, God does! What I write comes from the word of God. If you
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see my opinion in an article I will usually say, “I believe”, or “I think.” Just last week I got an email from someone who wants me to tell them its okay for them to divorce their husband or wife because of unfaithfulness. But I don’t give them what they want. I don’t tell them what their ears want to hear because that is not what scripture says. Many times I have to tell people things that they don’t want to hear. Infidelity is not a loophole for divorce! (Matthew 5:31-32) (Matthew 19:3-12) (Mark 10:2-10) (Luke 16:15-18) (Romans 7:2-3) (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) I would never advise anyone to divorce his or her spouse because of infidelity. That is not what the bible says! I don’t have this Christian marriage ministry to make friends. I have been given this marriage ministry to help people! In my articles on forgiveness I show couples how to forgive and work on healing themselves and restoring their marriage. Adultery is common in Christian homes today and it is because they are not interacting with God about these moral issues but are relying upon their own understanding of things, which is most likely, based upon their feelings and what feels good. Most of these individuals are not bad people; they have only gotten lax with their beliefs and spiritual efforts in Christ Jesus. As Christian’s, don’t forget, we are the example to everyone else; isn’t that important to you? The Christian life is not about going after what WE desire; at least it isn’t for the believer. Christ Ones have a responsibility to Him that overshadows everything else. The believer has a responsibility to God before anything else in his life. If a Christian is not FIRST living up to his or her responsibilities in Christ, then how can you expect him to be responsible in his or her marriage? It isn’t going to happen! For the Christian, there is only one way and that is God’s way. “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” (John 14:21 NIV) © 2002-2016 Heaven Ministries. All Rights Reserved. www.heavenministries.org >
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Writing Down Our Thoughts
Education
by Jim Elliff It is a well-known fact that the spiritually facile New England pastor and revival leader, Jonathan Edwards, was taught by his father to write down almost every new thought he had, a method he practiced throughout his life. His "Miscellanies" are now an invaluable source of wisdom. In his written out thoughts are found the embryonic form for many of his sermons and books. I keep a "Commonplace Book" as well, as so many did in the past. And though I don’t write out everything I think, I often wish I had. Here are some reasons for writing out our thoughts:
After years of attempting a variety of forms, I have settled on this simple plan. I prefer to use a normal composition book, 9 ¾ x 7 1/2 inch size. These are the books that are often a mottled black and white color, with stiff boards, and are produced by Mead and others. Because these pages are folded in the middle and sown rather than stapled, the book will last much longer than a normal student notebook. The pages will not come out. You may be able to afford a more expensive notebook for your commonplace book, one with a nice binding and acid free paper. My index is written from the back • We more easily discipline our page to the front, starting at the top. minds to sustain our thoughts That is, I write the titles for each of without interruption. the sections as they come up, and • If interrupted, because we have then the number following. The titles written our thoughts, we are are simple, such as, "The Blood of able to return to them again the Covenant, 1" ; "Mental Clutter, for further contemplation and 9"; Observations on the Law in Galadevelopment. tians, 56"; "The Church: The Unique• We can also return to our reflec- ness of the Bride, 67"; "Sinning Full tions in the distant future, when Measure, 34"; etc. If you wish to otherwise they might have been make several entries on the same subject, you may simply add the totally forgotten. additional number following the title, • Writing demands that we orgai.e. "Sinning Full Measure, 34, 48." nize our thinking connectedly Then each set of thoughts is or cohesively on a subject. entered, beginning at the front, with • We train our minds to express a number and its title written in ourselves meaningfully and ac- capital letters out in the left margin curately. so that it stands out. I like to include Bible references that I quote in • We build a reserve of good small letters in the margin, but this thoughts for a time when our would not be necessary or helpful to thinking is more vacuous, or everybody. Some of the entries take our spirituality is in decline. pages, but others only a few lines. • We teach ourselves the signifiWhen the book is finished, the cance of learning by demontitles could be entered into a comstrating to ourselves that coputer with the numbers following gent, biblical thinking is worth and automatically alphabetized. writing down. This may be copied and cut to size, • We find that our developed then pasted into the front of the thoughts sometimes emerge in book. The main index could be kept our public speaking or private in the computer to help you find conversations, even though we items you wish to use later and to did not prepare to use them. make a more complete index as other books are added. The outside • We have a cache of mature of the book should be numbered thoughts to peruse as seed for with the number of items included, public writing or speaking. i.e. 1-65. The next book would be • We leave our thoughts to future numbered 66-124, etc., depending generations when normally the on the number of items found inside. preponderance of them, if not A Commonplace Book should be every last one of them, would a tool for your thoughts, not other’s have vaporized upon our death thoughts. If you quote others or or mental decline. record another person’s ideas in My Commonplace Book is a col- general, it is your thoughts about lection of all kinds of thoughts those ideas that make up the conrelated to the Christian worldview. tents of a good commonplace book,
in my opinion. Don’t begin to use this book for a note-taking book for sermons or teachings you hear. You might keep another notebook for that, if interested. In the future, there would be good reason to make copies and bind these books together in a suitable way for posterity. I know that you will think your thoughts are too paltry to keep, but they are the work of a lifetime and
need to be passed to others for their spiritual benefit. Sometimes, as you know, it is the simplest of observations that has the most profound effect on us, and others. Don’t delay. The thought you had just this morning will soon blow off the table of your mind! Copyright © 2016 Jim Elliff Christian Communicators Worldwide, Inc. >
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EDUCATION St. Mary’s Dominican High School – Believing Thinkers and Thinking Believers From her first time on campus, a St. Mary’s Dominican High School student becomes part of a 156-year legacy that traces its roots to a small group of Dominican sisters. In 1860 the sisters journeyed from Cabra, Ireland to Louisiana. Their vision laid the foundation for St. Mary’s Dominican High School, a leader of Catholic education in the region. Eighth grade through senior year, Dominican students become vital members of a diverse community of critical thinkers, spiritual leaders and independent explorers. Rooted in “Veritas” – Truth – Dominican’s college-preparatory curriculum fosters a love of learning within the four pillars of prayer, study, community, and service. Through curriculum and instruction, faculty and student formation, Dominican forms its students into believing thinkers and thinking believers who engage in the school’s preaching mission.
anywhere on campus when using their personal computing devices. In the Erminia Wadsworth|Azby Fund Technology Center, students synthesize academic content, produce original works, and practice ethical use of technology. The Disputatio Room is a dedicated area where students, faculty, alumnae, visiting educators, and professionals come together for in-depth discussions, integrating faith and reason. At annual retreats students experience spiritual growth, individually and as a class. Student-led daily prayers, joyful school liturgies and community service opportunities foster the spiritual growth and development. Student organizations offer opportunities to expand our students’ experience beyond the classroom. Dominican competes in basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball at the varsity, junior varsity and eighthgrade levels. They were state tennis champions last school year.
Dominican’s STREAM™ initiative fosters creativity St. Mary’s Dominican High School Chaplain and Pastor of St. Dominic Catholic Church Rev. John Restrepo, O.P., with members of the and innovation, weaving together the study of Scischool band following a school Mass. (Photo by St. Mary’s Dominican High School) ence, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and Dominican encourages lifelong learners, Math. The new Gayle and Tom Benson Science and Technology Complex scholars who continue to seek knowledge post-graduation. The Class of incorporates form and function, its details reflecting Dominican’s legacy. 2016 earned $14.8 million in scholarships and awards. The graduates also The Science Wing has Chemistry Laboratories, Life Sciences classrooms, earned 557 semester hours of college credit and received admission offers and a Science Research Laboratory. Dominican is the only high school in from 79 colleges and universities. the nation with the SynDaver™, a sophisticated full-body surgical simulator The Dominican legacy carries our students from their first steps on camused in Human Anatomy classes. pus throughout their life. Dominican – A Legacy through Generations. . . An Eternity of Truth. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure provides students access to curriculum
Experience Dominican St. Mary’s
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A Legacy Through Generations ... An Eternity of Truth St. Mary’s Dominican High School is a Catholic, college-preparatory school for girls and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin.
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EDUCATION
Three Things We Should Know About God by Jonathan Parnell A.W. Tozer famously said that whatever comes to our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. When you hear the mention of “God,” what would you say? What image fills your heart and head when you think about who God is? The question is important because we all have some kind of answer. Everybody has a go-to thought when they think of God. And we want that picture to be true that is, formed by what God says about himself, not the dictates of our experience. Here’s an effort to get that picture right, as the Bible bears it out. Here are at least three things we should know about God. 1. God Is Father. “The most foundational thing in God,” says Michael Reeves, “is not some abstract quality, but the fact that he is Father.” In his book Delighting in the Trinity, Reeves begins with this important, but alltoo-frequently forgotten, fact that God really is Father, as Scripture attests and Christian theology
demands. Many of us, when put on the spot, probably think of God as Creator. We see Him as strong and mighty and the cause of everything that exists. And this is true. But it doesn’t get at the heart of who God is. Reeves makes this point masterfully in his first chapter titled, “What Was God Doing Before Creation?” If God were essentially Creator, it would mean He needs his creation to be who He is. The same goes for God as a Ruler, or a Judge. Each of these titles are accurate descriptions of God, but they fail to show us God in his essence. Each of them depends upon something else to be the case. We must ask who God is in Himself. Who is God apart from anything else? The answer is Father. The Bible tells us this (Isaiah 63:16; 64:8; Deuteronomy 32:6). And the biblical revelation of the Trinity begins to unfold its wonder. God doesn’t need anything but Himself for this to be true. Before there was anything, there was God — the everlasting Father who eternally has
loved His Son in the unceasing fellowship of the Spirit. This is who God is. 2. God Is Happy. John Piper begins the first chapter of The Pleasures of God by citing an important phrase in (1 Timothy 1:11) — “the gospel of the glory of the blessed God.” Piper draws attention to the Greek word behind the English “blessed,” which is the same word for “happy.” The apostle Paul calls God the “happy God.” So it’s not enough for us to think of God as Father. He is a happy Father. When you think of God, do you think happy? Or do you think stern? Sadly, it is common for us to think of God as a negative caricature would depict Him. Do you think of Him frowning? Is He seething with anger like a capricious despot? Or do you see Him who is glad at heart — glad in the glory of His Son and the communion that they share? Do we see Him as the Father who said of Jesus, with no hesitation, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am
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well pleased” (Matthew 3:17)? Do we see Him as the Father who delights to give us the kingdom (Luke 12:32)? Do we see Him as the God who overflows with joy when a sinner repents (Luke 15:7)? So long as sin exists, He feels indignation every day (Psalm 7:11). But at heart — who He is in Himself — God is happy. To grasp this truth will work wonders in our souls. 3. God Loves. God is a happy Father who eternally has loved His Son in the unceasing fellowship of the Spirit. This means that in His very nature, God loves. This doesn’t mean that God is never angry. He is angry, because of our sin and unrighteousness that rebelliously scoff at His love. God’s wrath is a response to something external to Himself. In His nature, at His heart, God loves. Indeed, God is love (1 John 4:8). “Before anything else,” Reeves explains, “for all eternity, this God was loving, giving life to and See THREE THINGS on Page 32
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1. Build Muscle The increased calorie burn from muscle helps you lose more fat than you would otherwise. The more muscle you have, the higher your metabolism, even while you are sleeping! All forms of exercise help build and sustain muscle, but calisthenics, weight-lifting and resistance band-exercises target muscle building more fully. Every year after the age of thirty people began losing muscle mass. This loss of muscle results in your body burning fewer calories year after year. Through strength training and exercise you can keep your metabolism working at youthful levels and keep your body looking and feeling great too. I recommend fifteen to thirty minutes of focused muscle-building exercises every other day. 2. Add High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Don’t be scared away by the words “high intensity.” There are levels of HIIT for everyone. HIIT consists of exercising vigorously for 20 to 30 seconds to raise your heart rate, then resting for 90 seconds. You can do HIIT in the form of walking, running, biking or any exercise where you can perform intensely for up to 30 seconds, and then slow down to a restful pace for 90 seconds. You should start your HIIT with a 3 minute warm up, repeat the training segment 8 times, then end with a two-minute cool down. The total workout lasts about 20 minutes. This trend in exercising has proven to be effective for weight loss. HIIT can be practiced twice a week. I want to caution you on making HIIT part of your daily exercise routine. You might be tempted to use this form of training regularly in an effort to “sprint to the weight-loss finish line.” In my experience, those who practice moderate-intensity activity regularly tend to stay with it longer. So establish a moderate-intensity exercise routine, and then add HIIT on occasion. 3. Eat More Fiber. As I have been saying for years, soluble fiber covers a multitude of dietary sins. As soluble fiber moves through the digestive track it binds with fats, sugars and toxins and escorts them out the other end, preventing them from becoming
absorbed by the body. Soluble fiber also helps decrease your appetite and lower your cholesterol and blood sugar. If you want to outsmart fat, concentrate on getting at least 38 grams of fiber per day for a man and at least 25-30 grams per day for a woman. Good food sources of fiber include beans, peas, lentils, apples, citrus, oats and flaxseeds. You can also supplement with fiber. Natural fiber supplements should be taken before you eat with 16 oz. of water. 4. Mindful Eating and Stress Reduction Stressful circumstances can cause cravings for carbohydraterich foods, especially those of the simple carb type like sweets and processed flour. Stress hormones, triggered during stressful circumstances, also increase fat storage.
A study performed at the University of California proved mindful eating and stress reduction alone can result in weight loss. The women in the study were divided into two groups. The first group was taught mindful eating practices and relaxation techniques, while the second group was not. Those women who mastered the techniques reduced their levels of stress hormones and, consequently, their amount of abdominal fat. Mindful eating means being aware of what and how much you are eating. Mindful eating means sitting down to relax while eating, rather than rushing through a meal while multi-tasking. Mindful eating means savoring each bite of food so you can determine when you are satisfied. Eating out of a bag or box while watching TV is a good example of mindless eating.
© 2016 Dr. Don Colbert, MD PA www.drcolbert.com >
HEALTH
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Pint-sized Blueberries Offer Super food Punch Let's face it, as we grow older, who among us doesn't want to live a longer, healthier life? In reality, we all should, and now we all can. Or at least we can opt for the indulgence of certain super foods, shown to contribute to overall better health and an extended lifespan. Super foods are not just some passing trend. They are vitamin - and nutrient - packed gifts from nature and they are more available than ever as they begin to saturate markets around the world. That being said, did you know that blueberries are one of the most powerful super foods available? Super foods like blueberries are helping to turn us into a world of supercharged individuals who are living longer, healthier lives. Let's take a look at how these pint-sized berries are offering a super food punch to those who indulge! Antioxidants. Now more than ever, antioxidants are being promoted as one of the best devices against aging and promotion of stellar health. Blueberries are loaded with antioxidant power. They contain anthocyanins and flavonoids, which give this tasty little fruit their distinctive blue hue. These are proven to aid in the prevention of heart disease and cancer and may even combat signs of aging. Brain Boost. Studies have shown that these small but mighty berries are also extremely beneficial to brain health. Not to mention they help to protect the brain from the seemingly normal decline experienced due to aging. Scientists speculate that the antioxidant power of blueberries protects brain cells from free-radical harm, thus stabilizing brain function and protecting the neural tissue from oxidative stress. Studies have shown that blueberries not only improve memory and learning, but also help to reduce the symptoms of depression. A healthy brain is definitely a happy brain. Cancer Barrier. While we continue to work towards a cure for cancer, prevention is always remains under our control.
Blueberries contain major phytonutrients like pterostilbene, resveratrol, flavonols and tannins, all of which shown to inhibit the development of cancer cell growth. Regular ingestion of blueberries has been proven to decrease the development of these dangerous cells. Good Things Come in Small Packages. Believe it or not, blueberries, as small as they are, are jam-packed with micronutrients, offering hearty doses of vitamin C, vitamin K and even fiber. As mentioned before, they offer a high level of antioxidants and have been proven to help reduce stress, making your body more-equipped to handle overwhelming, stressful situations. Best Berry for Your Buck. According to a study released by the Environmental Working Group, blueberries grown in the United States were the 10th most pesticideladen out of the 53 fruits and vegetables tested. It is for this reason that you should always check labeling and certifications before you purchase your this delicious super food, and to assure the best berry for your buck, opt for organic when possible. Committing to small changes in your daily diet and routine, like adding in a few servings of super foods like blueberries can only be beneficial to your health. So embrace one of nature's most
power super foods and wreak the benefits of healthier, happier you! This entry was posted in Health Tips by Dr. Don Colbert.
Dr. Don Colbert is a graduate of Oral Roberts School of Medicine and shares his years of experience and research in nutritional medicine in all of his work. He is a national speaker, bestselling author and host of a national talk show titled Your Health Matters. © 2016 Dr. Don Colbert, MD PA www.drcolbert.com >
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Brother needs help, but how? Dear Dave, My brother and I recently received an inheritance after our mom died. He’s never been very good with money, so I was proud of him when he used his portion to pay off his debts. But then he went out and financed a $23,000 van he can’t afford. I’m afraid he’s falling right back into the same old money problems, but I don’t know how to talk to him about it. —Diana Dear Diana, Over the years I’ve learned that you can’t make people listen to you. Even with what I do for a living I don’t throw my opinion around unless someone asks. I’m glad you realize there are some boundaries here. Still, there’s no reason you can’t create a situa-
tion where he can ask your opinion. You might begin with talking about some of the mistakes you’ve made in the past. This could help him connect with you and feel more comfortable opening up about his own situation. Once he realizes you’ve learned from your mistakes and haven’t repeated them, he might feel comfortable enough to ask how you accomplished it all. Then, once he does that, the door is open! But you can’t become preachy or act like a know-it-all every time someone does something dumb. Acting that way makes you seem arrogant, and you’ll probably only succeed in hurting the other person’s feelings and making them tune you out completely. — Dave
Why you shouldn’t cash out Dear Dave, Is it a good idea for a married couple in their early thirties, who have a lot of student loan debt, to cash out one of their 401(k)s to pay it off? —Marcy
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Dear Marcy, No way! You never cash out a 401(k) or IRA to pay off debt, unless it’s to avoid a foreclosure or bankruptcy. Let’s say you take $50,000 out of your 401(k). Do you know what happens next? They’re going to charge you a 10 percent penalty, plus your tax rate. If you make $75,000 a year, that puts you in a 25 percent tax rate, plus the
penalty. That’s a 35 percent hit, and that’s how much of your money is going straight down the toilet. Look at it this way. You wouldn’t ask me if it’s okay to borrow money at a 35 percent interest rate to pay off your school loans, right? That would be ridiculous, and this is just as dumb. There are no shortcuts when it comes to getting out of debt, Marcy. Roll up your sleeves and get on a beans and rice budget where every dollar has a name. This will enable you to save money and pay off that debt! —Dave
*Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He’s authored four New York Times best-selling books: Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover and EntreLeadership. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 5 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com. Experience You Can Trust!
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FEATURE ARTICLES
Growing in Sanctification Christian growth and sanctification are both instantaneous and gradual. It is a physical law recognized by everyone that growth is produced by partaking of food. It is also understood that there is good, wholesome, nutritious food that produces a healthy growth, and there is much so-called food that is unwholesome and even injurious. Most people can easily apply the theory of this to spiritual things. To restore the normal appetite and feed the spiritual life so as to produce vigorous growth, is one of the most vital problems of Christian experience. The Savior said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4). Of course, man can live physically by bread or material food, but there is a higher life than this. There is a spiritual realm into which a man may enter and have fellowship and communion with God. With the spiritual faculties of the soul he may feel and hear and see God, and enjoy eternal life with Him day by day. This life cannot be sustained by bread alone. It must feed upon the word of God.
God’s word is full of life and power, and is keener than the sharpest two-edged sword. It pierces even to the severance of soul from spirit and penetrates between the joints and the marrow, and it can discern the secret thoughts and purposes of the heart. And no created thing is able to escape its scrutiny.” (Hebrews 4:12,13) God’s word never dies and is never forgotten. “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63) The truth concerning Jesus Christ is the seed of everlasting life. When this seed is planted in the mind and heart, it springs up and produces a new life. The germination and growth of this divine seed are described in the Bible, and indicate the steps by which a sinner becomes a true child of God. The first indication of the germination of the living word, we speak of as “CONVICTION.” Paul says the word of God is “a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12). Many times men are convicted by the word of God, but refuse to acknowledge their sins and accept repentance. But where they respond
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to conviction by genuine repentance and confession, the word produces in their hearts a LIVING FAITH in the One who can deliver the transgressor from the guilt and power of sin. “So then faith cometh by HEARING, and HEARING by the WORD of God.” (Romans 10:17). Many complain of a lack of faith, and resolve to remedy the defect by spending more time in devotion or in missionary work; but the real need is more from the Word of God. Faith that enables us to receive God’s gifts is itself a gift, of which some measure is imparted to every human being. It grows as exercised in appropriating the word of God. In order to strengthen faith, we must often bring it in contact with the Word. It is this word which cleanses the heart and keeps it pure in an atmosphere charged with every form of vice and evil. When this holy word is cherished in the heart, when it is the subject of conversation and meditation, it preoccupies the ground, and leaves no room for sin. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
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For receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair. –– Proverbs 1:3
(Psalm 119:11) Is it not strange to you that so many professed Christians neglect the diligent study of the Bible, even though it is the living medium through which every essential element of the Christian life is produced? Men travel the world, and spend time and money and life seeking what is right at hand in the Scriptures. The joy produced by the mighty transformations of character and the precious promises for the eternal future, are not like the shortlived joys of this world. Many seem to suppose that the power to win souls is a mysterious gift imparted only to ministers or a favored few of the elect. But the real power to save men is in the Word of God. Sanctification is the work of a lifetime. This does not mean that a certain number of years are required for sanctification. It may be just as complete in a very short lifetime as in a very long lifetime. It simply means that there is a continuous life and vigor in the Christian experiSee SANCTIFICATION on Page 26
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Personal Revival John 11: 45-48 MSG That was a turnaround for many of the Jews who were with Mary. They saw what Jesus did, and believed in him. But some went back to the Pharisees and told on Jesus. The high priests and Pharisees called a meeting of the Jewish ruling body. "What do we do now?" they asked. "This man keeps on doing things, creating God-signs. If we let him go on, pretty soon everyone will be believing in him and the Romans will come and remove what little power and privilege we still have. As I read this passage, I realize that fear and jealousy were at the core of every action the Jewish leaders took that led to the crucifixion of Jesus. They had much influence over the people, and were greatly admired by them. They were looked to for guidance, they sat at the head of the table at a banquet, they were looked at with admiration as they walked down the street, and they were listened to
24 Fall 2016
with respect as they taught in the Temple. So the Jewish leaders felt they had much to lose - in fact their whole way of life was greatly threatened. Now I know that the death and resurrection of Jesus was prophesied hundreds of years before it happened. I also know that it had to happen this exact way because it was in God's perfect plan. But this passage also got me to thinking about what would have happened if the leaders had been open to what Jesus taught, and used their influence for good instead of division and chaos. Jesus wanted to show Israel a new and better way of life, not compete with the life and values they were already living. If the Jewish leaders had accepted the truths He taught, almost the whole Jewish nation could have been radically changed. The leaders could have chosen to be a part of something great, but instead they chose to allow fear of the unknown
Changing Times
Change - Do You Embrace It Or Do You Fight It? and jealousy over their position to cause much chaos and division. They did not want the people to grow and change because they wanted to continue to reap the benefits of their current situation. Instead of seeking truth and embracing the change it would bring, they chose to keep a closed mind so they could continue in their selfish ways. It is very important for a leader to always be learning and growing, and have an open mind for change. AND, to ask for Godly discernment and wisdom to know what needs to be changed and how that change needs to happen. What Jesus taught was different than anything these leaders had ever heard. But if they had listened with an open mind, prayed about it, and asked for discernment to see truth, things would have turned out much differently. Instead, they tried everything possible to make people believe that Jesus was a fake. It's easy to find a comfortable place, get established, and then decide you are where you want to
be forever. But change usually comes whether you like it or not. God has a great plan for your life, but I can almost promise you that His Plan will be different from what you have imagined. You then have a choice: obey God and carry out His Plan, or stay in your comfort zone and attempt to carry out your own plan. You may not be the leader of hundreds or thousands of people, but you are a leader in the sense that someone is watching you. How you live your life DOES affect the people around you. I read a great story about Oswald Sanders. In World War I, he was sent as a YMCA Chaplain to Egypt. There he was to minister to AustraSee CHANGE on Page 33
www.changingtimes.info
Seven Ways to Pray for Your Heart by Jon Bloom Over the years, as I’ve prayed for my own heart, I’ve accumulated seven “D’s” that I have found helpful. Maybe you’ll find them helpful as well. With seven you can use them a number of ways. You might choose one “D” per day. Or you could choose one “D” as a theme for a week and pray through these every seven weeks. You’ll also note that I have a verse for each prayer. But over time as you pray more verses will come to mind and you might find it helpful to collect them so they are right at hand as the Spirit leads. I begin each prayer with the phrase “whatever it takes, Lord” because the Bible teaches us to be bold and wholehearted in our praying, not reticent. I also use the phrase because it tests my heart. How much do I want God and all he promises to be for me in Jesus? Do I really want true joy enough to
ask for my Father’s loving discipline to wean me from joy-stealing sin? And how much do I trust him? Do I really believe that he will only give me what is good when I ask in faith (Luke 11:11–13)? “Whatever it takes” prayers help me press toward and express childlike trust in the Father. Delight: Whatever it takes, Lord, give me delight in you as the greatest treasure of my heart. “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) Desires: Whatever it takes, Lord, align the desires of my heart with yours. “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9–10) Dependence: Whatever it takes, Lord, increase my awareness of my dependence on you in everything so that I will live continually by faith. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me
The Christian Journey and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Discernment: Whatever it takes, Lord, teach me to discern good from evil through the rigorous exercise of constant practice. “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:14) Desperation: Whatever it takes, Lord, keep me desperate for you because I tend to wander when I stop feeling my need for you. “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.” (Psalm 119:67) Discipline: Whatever it takes, Lord, discipline me for my good that I may share your holiness and bear the peaceful fruit of righteousness. “He disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. –– Proverbs 16:3
trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:10–11) Diligence: Whatever it takes, Lord, increase my resolve to do your will with all diligence. “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15–16) These are just suggestions. The Lord may lead you to pray in other ways. But however he teaches us, whatever means we find helpful, may God cause us all to grow in faith until we pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and never lose heart (Luke 18:1). Jon Bloom (@Bloom_Jon) is the author of Not by Sight: A Fresh Look at Old Stories of Walking by Faith and serves as the President of Desiring God, which he and John Piper launched together in 1994. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife, Pam, their five children, and one naughty dog. ©2016 Desiring God Foundation. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org. Toll Free: 888-346-4700. >
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Changing Times
Guiding Light H M
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I believe if a Christian has intensity for a holy life—if he desires to give his all to the Lord—there can be only one reason why he fails to enjoy the blessing and freedom promised by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. That reason is unbelief. As surely as Jesus could not perform his works when there was unbelief, so his Spirit cannot do anything in our lives when we harbor unbelief. It is vital for every follower of Jesus not to judge God’s promises according to past experiences. If we cast ourselves fully on his promises—believing them with all our being, trusting him for a supply of faith, holding the Spirit to his own word—then we can know the results are all God’s responsibility. And we’ll be able to stand on judgment day, having been faithful. We simply cannot give up our desire to enter into his promised blessings. There was a point in my life when I had to cast my eternal future on God’s promises. I determined to trust his Word at the risk of my very soul. I put out this challenge to almighty God: “Lord, I’m going to believe you’ve given me your Holy Ghost. I believe he alone can deliver me from every chain that binds me. I believe he will convict me, lead me and empower me to over-
come. I believe he causes me to obey your Word. And I believe he will never depart from me, nor will he let me depart from you. I won’t limit your Spirit in me. I’ll wait on him, call on him and trust in him—live or die.” “Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord” (Ezekiel 37:4). We’re to do what the Lord told Ezekiel to do—pray the Word of God. We are to remind the Holy Spirit of God’s promises to us. We’re to tell him, “Holy Ghost, the heavenly Father promised me he would put you in my heart—and I’ve committed myself to that promise. I will yield and I will cooperate, for I want to be holy. You said you will cause me to walk in his ways and obey his every word. I don’t know how you plan to do that—but you made an oath, and you cannot lie. This is all written in the Word, Holy Spirit. So, come—do your work in me. I’ve entrusted my very soul to this promise.” Copyright © 2016 by World Challenge, Inc., P.O. Box 260, Lindale, Texas 75771. >
SANCTIFICATION Continued from Page 23
sanctification is separation UNTO GOD. Sanctification is the work, not of a day, or of a year, but of a lifetime. The struggle for conquest over self, for holiness and heaven, is a lifelong struggle. Without CONTINUAL EFFORT and CONSTANT ACTIVITY, there can be no advancement in the divine life, no attainment of the victor’s crown. In continual turning of our back upon our own works and looking to the indwelling Christ to live His own life, both willing and doing His own pleasure in us, we experience the PROCESS of sanctification. Recognizing that there is no good thing in ourselves, and so losing our lives and appropriating Christ that we can truly say with Paul, “It is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me.” © 2016 Save the Nations Ministries >
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ence. Let a living faith run like threads of gold through the performance of even the smallest duties. Then all the daily work will promote Christian growth. There will be a continual looking unto Jesus. Love for Him will give vital force to everything that is undertaken. Thus through the right use of our talents, we may link ourselves by a golden chain to the higher world. This is true sanctification; for sanctification consists in the cheerful performance of daily duties in perfect obedience to the will of God. Sanctification is often spoken of as if it meant cleansing, but here the meaning is made very clear. Sanctification means set apart or dedicated unto God. Cleansing is separation FROM SIN, but
GUIDING LIGHT
www.changingtimes.info
Are You Full of the Holy Ghost? (Acts 6) In the days when the number of disciples began to be multiplied there developed a situation which caused the twelve to make a definite decision not to occupy themselves with serving tables, but to give themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. How important it is for all God's ministers to be continually in prayer, and constantly feeding on the Scriptures of Truth. None of you can be strong in God unless you are diligently and constantly hearkening to what God has to say to you through His Word. You cannot know the power and the nature of God unless you partake of His inbreathed Word. Read it in the morning and at night, and at every opportunity you get. After every meal, instead of indulging in unprofitable conversation around the table, read a chapter from the Word and then have a season of prayer. The Psalmist said that he had hid God's Word in his heart, that he might not sin against Him; and you will find that the more of God's Word you hide in your heart, the easier it is to live a holy life. He also testified that God's Word lead and quickened him; and, as you receive God's Word into your being, your whole physical being will be quickened and you will be made strong. As you receive with meekness the Word, you will find faith up-springing within. And you will have life through the Word. The twelve told the rest to look out for seven men to look after the business end of things. They were to be men of honest report and filled with the Holy Ghost. These were just ordinary men who were chosen, but they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and this infilling always lifts a man from a plain to above the ordinary. It does not take a cultured or a learned man to fill a position in God's church; what God requires is a yielded, consecrated, holy life, and He can make of such a flame of fire, baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire! The multitude chose out seven men. They were no doubt faithful in their appointed tasks, but we see that God soon had a better choice for two of them. Philip was so full of the Holy Ghost that he could have a revival wherever God put
him down. Man chose him to be ordinary, but God chose him to win souls. O, if I could only stir you up to see that as you are faithful in performing the humblest office, God can fill you with His Spirit and make you a chosen vessel for Himself, and promote you to a place of mighty ministry in the salvation of souls and in the healing of the sick. There is nothing impossible to a man filled with the Holy Ghost. It is beyond all human comprehension. When you are filled with the power of the Holy Ghost, God will wonderfully work wherever you go. When you are filled with the Spirit you will know the voice of God. You have no conception what God can do through you when you are filled with His Spirit. Every day and every hour you can have the divine leading of God. To be filled with the Holy Ghost means much in every way. I have seen some who have been suffering for years, and when they have been filled with the Holy Ghost everything of their sickness has passed away. The Spirit of God has made real to them the life of Jesus and they have been completely liberated of every sickness and infirmity. Look at Stephen. He was just an ordinary man chosen to serve tables. But the Holy Ghost was in him and he was full of faith and power, and did great wonders and miracles among the people. There was no resisting the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke. How important it is that every man shall be filled with the Holy Spirit. Tongues and Interpretation: "The divine will is that you should be filled with God; for the power of the Spirit to fill you with the mightiness of God. There is nothing God will withhold from a man filled with the Holy Ghost." I want to impress the importance of this upon you. It is not healing that I am presenting to you-it is the living Christ. It is a glorious fact that the Son of God came down to bring liberty to the captives. How is it that the moment you are filled with the Holy Ghost, persecution starts? It was so with the Lord Jesus Himself. We do not read of any persecutions before the Holy Spirit came down like a dove upon
See HOLY GHOST on Page 30 Those who conceal their sins do not prosper, but those who confess and renounce them find mercy. –– Proverbs 28:13
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By A.T. Robertson Knowing the enormity of the requirements of God's holiness should be the starting point for believing in any type of Christian Perfectionism. Like a wrongly placed survey marker, wrong concepts of God's perfection and holiness cause error to beget error. Holiness is an attribute of God's deity- it is something we can never be apart from Him. This is the purpose of the Holy Spirit. If we are FULL of the Holy Spirit then we can walk in victory over sin and feel a sense of liberty from it-- at least until we are exposed to it and then must by the power of the Holy Spiritresist it. FLEE fornication, as Paul told Timothy, is a nonsensical statement if Christian Perfectionism is as was preached by the Entire Sanctification movement (especially Adam Clark). To say that a man could be so wholly sanctified as to not need to "flee" certain sins is to discount the very warnings of scripture. In 1800, the scenario was much different than today. Sin is on every hand and the flesh is being sown to INVOLUNTARILY in many cases. Who could claim such perfection in this day and age? If it worked then it MUST work now to be consistent; just as a prosperity message must be good in Africa if it is good in America. These men would find that they DO have a sin nature (NIV flesh KLV) that MUST NOT be sown to if they were to have victory over sin. If the second blessing were such a blessing as they state; we could well live sinless in Sodom and Gomorrah with no need to flee or resist. This is nonsense, both practically and biblically. Would it be biblical to preach something that you- yourself never could testify to have received? Could
I preach Pentecostalism and not have been filled with the Holy Spirit? What about the thoughts and the intents of the heart? Are the intentions perfect? The Pharisees had a sort of perfectionism also; but the Lord could readily point out their sin. Paul gloried in his infirmities and not his perfection. Had he attained or apprehended-- nay-- he pressed toward the mark. Did he need to bring his body into subjection? Why? Because it was free from sin? No, because he knew he was wretched and could fall to become Adokimos (a reprobate or castaway, not approved, disqualified). (1 Corinthians 9:27). "Go sell what you have and give it all to the poor"-- then the rich young man realized rebellion was present- though he was blameless in other areas. Sin is not relative. God does not change. We do not make up a few rules keep them and then call it ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION. That is absurd. God is searching the hearts and looking to see if all manner of His requirements and motives fit the test. How a person could judge himself, free from sin and entirely sanctified, when Paul himself said to judge nothing before the time; because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness. What matters is if we THINK we are sinning or act with intent to sin. To us, that is sin- though it may not have been biblically. A conscience can also be seared as to leave a person who is hardened in an area thinking they are sanctified. Write down all your sins that you can as Finney asks in Lecture III of his revival series and then ask if you are Entirely Sanctified? We need revival church!
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THE TRANSFORMED LIFE
Seeking God's Face I wonder if we do this. Very often we seek a lot of other things, such as better jobs, better houses, good husbands or good wives and so on. But we do not seek God's face. David says in (Psalm 27:4), "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple." David was a great king. He was rich, he had won many battles and he had a great reputation. Yet he said, "I am not satisfied. One thing I have desired of the Lord. It is not that I should become the king of the whole world, or that I should become a great preacher, or that I should become very famous. But one thing I have desired of the Lord that I may behold the beauty of my Lord and that all my life I may keep on beholding more and more of His beauty." In the Book of (John, chapter 20), we read of another person who also had only this one desire. That was Mary Magdalene. She went to the tomb very early that Sunday morning. Why was she not sleeping at that time? Why did she wake up so early, when it was still dark, and go to the tomb? Because she had one desire in her life, and that was to behold her Lord. We read that when she came to the tomb she found it empty. So she ran and told some of the other disciples. They also came and looked into the tomb, and then returned to their homes, perhaps to go back to sleep. But Mary Magdalene stood outside the grave weeping. You see, the disciples did not love the Lord as much as Mary did. The disciples, when they saw the empty tomb, went back to sleep. But Mary could
not do so, because Jesus was everything to her. God needs people like that today, in the church. When the Lord Jesus came to Mary Magdalene, she thought that He was the gardener, and so she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away elsewhere, tell me where you have kept Him, and I will take Him away". She was prepared even to carry away the body. Now you know, it would be almost impossible for a woman to carry a dead body. But so great was her love for the Lord, that she was willing to undergo any hardship for His sake. This is the meaning of "seeking God's face". It means having only one desire - to behold the beauty of the Lord - and nothing else. It is not for me to be a rich man or a great man in this world, but just to behold the beauty of my Lord more and more, day by day. I have a question to ask you today, my friends. Will you let the Lord Jesus Christ became everything to you? On the other hand, why is it that so often we murmur and complain? We call ourselves the children of God, and yet when we have to suffer a little inconvenience, we start complaining. Why is that? It is because the Lord Jesus has not become everything to us. Oh, that from this day onwards, I pray that the Lord Jesus might become everything to us, and that we might be able to say with the psalmist, “Lord Jesus, there is nothing and no-one upon this earth that I desire beside Thee”. I’ll end our message today with this parting thought… Seeking God’s face will help us in all that we face! Save the Nations Ministries >
THANKSGIVING Continued from Page 12
brightest day. We cannot leave today without thanks, and then thank God tomorrow for today and tomorrow both. Today's sunshine will not light tomorrow's skies. Every day must be a thanksgiving day for itself. GRACE GEMS! A Treasury of Ageless Sovereign Grace Devotional Writings Our Purpose To humble the pride of man, to exalt the grace of God in salvation and to promote real holiness in heart and life. © GraceGems.org 2016 >
ness, and sing in the darkness. Thanksgiving has attained its rightful place in us, only when it is part of all our days and dominates all our experiences. We may call one day in the year Thanksgiving Day, and fill it with song and gladness, remembering all the happy things we have enjoyed, all the pleasant events, all the blessings of our friendships, all our prosperities. But we cannot gather all our year's thanksgivings into any
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30 Fall 2016
In the midst of their trial God told Israel to do three things: “Fear not. Stand still. See the salvation of the Lord.” His call to Israel was, “I am going to fight for you. You’re simply to hold your peace. Just be quiet, and put everything in my hands. Right now, I’m doing a work in the supernatural realm. Everything is under my control. So, don’t panic. Trust that I’m fighting the devil. This battle is not yours” (see Exodus 14:13 and 14). Soon dusk fell over the camp. This was the beginning of Israel’s dark and stormy night. But it was also the beginning of God’s supernatural work. He sent an awesome, protective angel to stand between his people and their enemy. I believe God still sends protective angels to camp around all who love and fear him (see Psalm 34:7). The Lord also moved the supernatural cloud he’d given to Israel for guidance. The cloud suddenly shifted from the front of Israel’s camp to the rear. And it loomed as a pitch-black wall before the Egyptians. On the other side, the cloud provided a supernatural light, giving the Israelites clear visibility all night long (see Exodus 14:20). Even though Pharaoh’s army was in total darkness, they could still raise their voices. And all night long they spewed forth threats and lies. Israel’s tents shook from this barrage of lies throughout that dark night. But it didn’t matter how loudly the enemy threatened them. An angel was on guard to protect them, and God had promised his people he would bring them through. Dear saint, if you’re a bloodbought child of God, he has put a warrior angel between you and the devil. And he commands you, just as He told Israel, “Do not fear. Stand still. Believe in my salvation.” Satan may come against you breathing every evil threat. But at
no time during your dark, stormy night is the enemy ever able to destroy you. “Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night” (Exodus 14:21). The windstorm that God brought down was so powerful, it began to part the waves of the sea: “The strong east wind…made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided” (14:21). The Hebrew word for wind here means “violent exhaling.” In other words, God exhaled and the water congealed in walls. Israel’s tentdwellings must have shaken fiercely as those mighty torrents blew through the camp. Why did God allow Israel to go through an entire stormy night, when he could have spoken a mere word and calmed the elements? What a storm it must have been. And what a fearful time it had to be for Israel. I ask you, what was God up to here? Why would he allow such a terrible windstorm to go on all night? Why didn’t he just tell Moses to touch the water with his mantle, and part the waves supernaturally? What possible reason did God have for permitting this awful night to take place? There was but one reason: The Lord was making worshippers. God was at work the whole time, using the terrible storm to make a path for his people out of the crisis. Yet the Israelites couldn’t see it at the time. Many were hiding in their tents. But those who came outside witnessed a glorious light show. They also beheld the glorious sight of waves mounting up, mighty walls of water rising to form a dry path through the sea. When the people saw this, they must have shouted, “Look, God has used the wind to make a way for us. Praise the Lord!” Save the Nations Ministries >
HOLY GHOST Continued from Page 27
Spirit. And persecution is the greatest blessing to a church. When we have persecution, we will have purity. If you desire to be filled with the Spirit, you can count on one thing, and that is persecution. If you remain stationary, the devil and his demons will not disturb you much. But when you press on and go the whole length with God, the enemy has you as a target. But be patient, for God will vindicate you in the midst of the whole thing. Save the Nations Ministries >
Him. Shortly after this we find that, after preaching in His home town, they wanted to throw Him over the top of a hill. It was the same with the twelve disciples. They had no persecution before the day of Pentecost; but after they were filled with the Spirit, they were soon in prison. The devil and the priests of religion will always get stirred when a man is filled with the Spirit and does things in the power of the
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THE TRIUMPHANT CHRISTIAN
Choosing to Pursue Godliness By Charles F. Stanley Do you ever find yourself stunned by the circumstances of your life? Perh a p s you’ve been genuinely surprised by the negative consequences you experience as the result of unwise decisions. When things go wrong, it’s common to wonder, What happened and what did I do to deserve this? Many times, people don’t ask the Lord to reveal wisdom on a matter before they act. Or they fail to take positive, precautionary measures. Still others choose to associate with individuals who are an influence for evil rather than good. Foolish choices often lead to a snowballing effect of worsening circumstances. One bad decision leads to another, and the end result is costly. The sad news is that we suffer the consequences of our unwise actions whether we recognize our foolishness or not. The apostle Paul wrote this challenge to the Ephesians: Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Eph. 5:15-17). In these two verses, God makes three things clear: We must choose to pursue godliness. It’s up to each of us to determine how we will walk through this
life. Godliness is not something a person stumbles into or acquires automatically. It must be sought out and pursued. We must seek God’s plan. The person who walks in godliness is aware of how he affects the world and how the world affects him. He recognizes that every person faces three enemies in life: the world system, the Devil, and the flesh. He seeks to know God’s plans and purpose––not only for his personal life, but also for every situation involving the people around him. Those who love and search for wisdom have God’s promise that they will find it. Personified as a woman in the book of Proverbs, Wisdom says, “I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me” (8:17). Jesus affirmed Solomon’s counsel when He said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matt. 7:7-8). We must take responsibility for applying godliness to our lives. The person who walks in wisdom feels a responsibility for his actions and use of time. He knows that he has been given a limited quantity of minutes, hours, days, months, and years. He is aware that that those hours must be spent in a way that produces the largest amount of good. God has entrusted him with certain resources that must be used to further His kingdom. The Christian who walks wisely is acutely aware of the Enemy of his soul, who seeks to ensnare him through temptations and enslave
him through the world’s system. He lives with soberness and caution, saying “no” to anything that underBest Wishes from mines God’s will. Wisdom is something we choose to live out, not a vague entity. It is related to the concrete, material InterIors, Ltd. world and is applicable to every life circumstance. Specializing in God calls us to be wise in every Commercial & Church Flooring decision of our lives. We need His Sales • Installation • Maintenance References Available wisdom and godliness in our business dealings, health choices, relaCarl Franzella tionships, parenting, finances, and 504-833-8104 www.suninteriors.com our walk with Him. No area of life is beyond need, ignored by God’s Word, or off-limits to His wisdom. Not everyone can become famous, wealthy, or educated. But the good news is anyone can pursue godliness. No matter who you are or where you live, you can reverence God, receive Jesus Christ as Savior, December 2ND, 3RD, & 4th and submit your life to the Lord on a daily basis. Will you accept God’s challenge to pursue godliness and walk in His wisdom daily? Adapted from www.steinhauerproductions.com “Walking Wisely: Real Guidance for Life’s Journey,” by Charles F. Stanley, 2002, pp. 8-12. ©2016 oChristian. com. All Rights Reserved > Buy, Sell,
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EDUCATION John 1:5). God, by His nature, shines. He essentially overflows. And so He created the world, in His delighting in his Son” (26). And pleasure, out of his abundant love, therefore, God is essentially outgo- because that is who He is. ing. Like a fountain, as Jonathan How could we not worship this Edwards would say, or like light (1 God? How could we not heartily run to a God like this? Because sin corrupts the fellowship we were destined for. The fatherly love of God is a truth we are depraved enough to hate because it makes our hostility toward Him irrational. If we were honest, in our darkness, we are much more comfortable with an angry, THREE THINGS Continued from Page 19
FAITH - PART 1 Continued from Page 5 the village. Family is the primary classroom. This is why the devil has unleashed all the artillery of hell against the family. Amram and Jochebed stood against the tide. They Had Faith’s Vision They were people of great faith; they saw Moses was an unusual child. But God has a plan not merely for the “Moses” of this world but for every child. I can tell you that God has a plan for your child. Every child is special. Each has unique gifts from God. There are things no pastor, no teacher, no coach can see that moms and dads can see if they
32 Fall 2016
impersonal deity. But a God who is a happy Father who eternally loves with life-giving joy — it is hard to be mad at a God like that. It makes our rebellion feel senseless. And senseless rebellion was our story — is our story — until the truth of the gospel breaks through. The Father sent the Son to live and die in our place, to suffer the wrath we deserve, that we might be welcomed into the loving fellowship of God. And this gospel came under no compulsion. The gospel isn’t God’s attempt to balance the scales alongside His anger. Rather, the gospel reveals God’s very heart. God shows His love for us, Paul says, not after
Jesus came and died, but in Jesus’s coming and dying (Romans 5:8), that we might be His sons and daughters who enjoy the eternal fellowship he has experienced with the Son by the Spirit for all eternity (John 17:24–26). God — He is a happy Father who loves. Jonathan Parnell (@jonathanparnell) is a content strategist at Desiring God. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife, Melissa, and their four children: Elizabeth, Hannah, Micah, and John Owen. ©2016 Desiring God Foundation. Website: www.desiringGod. org. Email: mail@desiringGod. org. Toll Free: 888-346-4700. >
say, “My child is a gift from God,” and pray, “Oh, God, give me the faith that Amram and Jochebed had, to see a destiny for my child.” Can we believe God on behalf of our children? Not only can we, but must we! You cannot control the destiny of your children, but you can certainly influence their destiny. A father once came to Jesus, pleading “Master, if you can, do something for my son.” Jesus replied, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” He answered, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” I think we’ve all prayed a prayer like that: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” The Lord saw that germ of faith, and God did for this boy what his father believed for. We can—we must— believe God on our children’s behalf. They Had Faith’s Valor Amram and Jochebed showed great courage by hiding Moses. It was a dangerous time for them, but they realized their battle was not1 with Pharaoh. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this world; against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12) When we understand our battle is not with flesh and blood, it ought to encourage us. A spiritual battle can be fought and won by faith. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” (2 Timothy 3:1) The days in which we live are equally dangerous. Enemies even more vicious than Pharaoh are attacking the home today: a society completely given over to sensuality, the breakdown of moral values, pornography, drugs, alcoholism, secular humanism taught in schools—the list is endless. Moses’ parents were “not afraid of the king’s commandment.” Why? Because they knew the King of Kings! Put fear out of your life and say, “By faith in these dangerous days, we’re going to raise this child for Jesus.” In Part Two, we will follow Amram and Jochbed as they embark on Faith’s Venture. ©2016 Love Worth Finding Ministries, P.O. Box 38300, Memphis, TN 38183, www.lwf.org >
WOMEN
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THE COST Continued from Page 7 for over 55 years. She risked her life to rescue little girls who had been sold into prostitution in the Hindu temples—one young woman at a time. She worked tirelessly to salvage those lives and to expose the works of darkness that had claimed so many children’s lives in India. Each step of the way she was fighting and pushing against the powers of darkness—not in her own strength, but in the strength and power of God who had sent her there. She endured and persevered through all those years with a handful of victories, but also with numerous heartbreaking losses and apparent defeats. The issues around us are no less serious than those of those little girls sold into temple prostitution. Women and girls all around us are in bondage to guilt, fear, bitterness, anxiety, eating disorders, sinful behaviors, addictions, and depression. They need to be rescued from the enemy who has taken them captive. We are called to fight the powers of darkness in the name, power, and Spirit of the Lord Jesus and to join God in His great rescue operation. We’re called to shine the light in the darkness, to see captives set free, and to see God glorified. If you’re like me, you feel inspired and grateful to help with such a mission, but on the other hand, there is a real sense of weakness and overwhelming inadequacy. In these times of fear, the Lord reminds me of that passage in Luke 1 when the angel came to Mary and said, “You’re going to have a baby—God’s Son. I know you’re not married and you’ve never been intimate with a man, but this is what God is going to do.” Mary asked the obvious question, “How can this be? It’s not physically pos-
sible.” The angel said to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” Who’s going to win the battle? God is. Who’s going to fill you with power? God is. “Nothing will be impossible with God,” the angel said. What was Mary’s response? Mary said simply, in faith, humility, and surrender, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Mary said, “Yes, Lord.” If you were to ask her today, “Was it worth it, Mary? Would you do it again?” Do you have any doubt about what she would say? “Yes, it was worth it. The Savior was born!” His calling on our lives will involve hardship, suffering, and obstacles. It’s not a calling to comfort, convenience, and self-fulfillment. It’s a calling to glorify God with the laying down of our lives, just as our Savior was willing to lay down His life so that we could live. When you and I see the face of Christ—if we’ve been faithful in fulfilling His calling in our lives— we will say, “Jesus, it was worth it all for You.” In fact, I think most— if not all of us—will say, “I wish I’d given You more.” I’m asking God to raise up a great host of women—women of courage, faith, compassion, humility, and wisdom. Women filled with Jesus for such a time as this. Will you join me in that mission? Will you be a part of that counter-cultural revolution? Will you say, “Yes, Lord. I am Your servant. Take me, use me, spend me. Fulfill all Your holy, eternal purposes in and through my life, whatever the cost”! © Revive Our Hearts. Used with permission. Excerpted from Nancy Leigh DeMoss’ closing challenge at True Woman 2016. www.ReviveOurHearts.com Info@ReviveOurHearts.com >
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CHANGE Continued from Page 24 lian and New Zealand troops. The YMCA center was intended to be a wholesome alternative to the many brothels in Cairo. Sinful acts were taking place all around him, but he saw an awesome opportunity for God to work in a mighty way among the soldiers. He taught Bible classes and helped them grow in their relationship with God. Their lives were changed, and they took this new relationship home with them after the war was over. God used him to
change hundreds of lives - all because he purposely chose to look at what God could do instead of looking at the darkness and sin around him and thinking he could never make a difference. Will you look at the world around you and think God can't use YOU to bring about change? Or will you be light in a dark world because you are following the plan that God has specifically chosen for YOUR life. © 2016 by Cathy Deaton, All Rights Reserved >
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FAMILY MATTERS 5000 Years of Civilization. Live on Stage!
CHALLENGE Continued from Page 8 ance of the Holy Spirit in applying the Biblical vision of manhood and womanhood; that you develop a style and demeanor that does justice to the unique role God has given to man to feel responsible for gracious leadership in relation to women—a leadership which involves elements of protection and care and initiative. That you think creatively and with cultural sensitivity (just as he must do) in shaping the style and setting the tone of your interaction with men. 15. That you see Biblical guide-
lines for what is appropriate and inappropriate for men and women in relation to each other not as arbitrary constraints on freedom but as wise and gracious prescriptions for how to discover the true freedom of God's ideal of complementarities. That you not measure your potential by the few roles withheld but by the countless roles offered. That you turn off the TV and Radio and think about God.
©2016 Desiring God Foundation. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org. Toll Free: 888-346-4700. >
PARENTING Continued from Page 9
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looked up at me again and down the slope again. I wondered what he was thinking, although I had a pretty good idea. Finally, Jonathan placed a little mittened hand in mine and said, “Let’s go, Gramps!” That is one of the greatest compliments I have ever had. He trusted me. He knew I’d been on the circular sled with him, holding him tight as we went round and round, up and down, this way and that. He had faith in me. That was not only one of the greatest compliments I’ve ever had; that was one of the greatest lessons in faith I’ve ever had.
© 2016 oChristian.com. All Rights Reserved >
HUSBAND Continued from Page 15 home under her husband's guidance and protection? How can a man protect his wife when she is leading her own life outside the bounds of the marriage? Wives working out of the home, whether they work for women or men is a major reason for marital breakups, especially when husband and wife have no moral standards or codes established for the marriage. Neither one of them is taking their God given positions in the marriage seriously. The feminist movement and the ways of society has created some confused women to treat their hus-
bands with disrespect-its an attitude that is fostered through encouraging women to be all that they can be, without the aid of a man. And that's fine, but if she is married is it still fine? How can you treat your husband like the man of the home/ marriage when you are already behaving as if you are the man? Be completely humble and gentle; be patient bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3) www.heavenministries.com >
FAITH - PART 2 Continued from Page 6
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lege of singing that. Somebody needs to be around to make sure children know it. We can learn a lot from children. I had gone to visit my daughter and her family during the winter. My oldest grandson and I got bundled up against the strong cold winds and walked through the snow carrying the circular sled. Many people had the same idea, and Jonathan enjoyed watching them going down the huge mountain on their sleds. I could only imagine how far down the bottom of the slope looked to him because it looked pretty far to this grandfather. Jonathan and I surveyed the situation awhile. He looked up at me and looked down the slope. He
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sure—pressure that would have crushed an unreinforced bathysphere. When someone asked how this was possible, the answer came: Those fish had pressure inside of them that equaled the pressure on the outside and allowed them to live.
The pressures on our children today are enormous. As parents, you must be certain they have the Power on the inside equal to it. © 2016 Love Worth Finding Ministries, P.O. Box 38300, Memphis, TN 38183, www.lwf.org >
CHRISTIAN Community Referrals ATTORNEY Bono Law Firm 3801 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 206 Metairie, LA 70002 504-835-9909 www.bonolawfirm.com AUTOMOTIVE DEALERS Bergeron Automotive 3525 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, LA 70002 504-888-2131 Honda of Covington 100 Holiday Square Blvd. Covington, LA 70433 985-892-0001 www.hondaofcovington.com Premier Automotive Group Toyota of New Orleans • 504-940-0000 Premier Nissan of Metairie • 504-455-5800 Premier Kia of Kenner • 1-866-744-5083 AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR Griffco Automotive Diesel Repairs , Oil Changes, A/C Service 79056 Hwy. 40 Covington, LA 985-373-8710 www.griffcoautomotive.com Zoom Tech 815 Asbury Dr., Mandeville, LA 70471 985-624-5080 www.zoomtechautomotive.com BUS CHARTERS Gaten's Adventures Unlimited "For All Your Traveling Needs" 465 Morris Road, Hammond, LA 985-345-7629 · 877-855-8572 www.gatenbuscharters.com CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS Larry Holmes Bourgeois Bennett 111 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, La 70005 504-831-4949 larryh@bb-cpa.com • www.bb-cpa.com
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