FaithTalk Fall 2016

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FAITHTALK 570 & 910 WTBN

Barb Yoder

General Manager

Barb@SalemTampa.com

ph - 813-349-8232 f - 813 639-1272 5211 W Laurel St. Tampa, FL 33607

Greetings FaithTalk Friends!

This year FaithTalk 570 & 910 WTBN celebrates 15 years of providing you the best in Christian media for communities throughout Tampa Bay from New Port Richey south to Port Charlotte and east to Kissimmee as well as anywhere around the world you go with your smartphone and our downloaded app or internet at www.LetsTalkFaith.com. Thank you for the letters you send with stories of how what you hear has impacted you in an eternal way.

You, dear reader, are our daily focus as we want to connect you with the grace of Jesus Christ either for the first time in your life or in a more meaningful and deeper way than ever before! You can use FaithTalk to be connected – to churches and ministries where you can grow your faith and serve… turning your faith ‘talk’ into your faith ‘walk’. You can also use FaithTalk 570 & 910 WTBN and FaithTalk magazine to connect to exciting opportunities for you and your family.

Inside this issue of FaithTalk magazine you’ll find stories on how to know that God really loves you and other stories to give you courage in that love to share your faith. I Peter 3:15 says “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

When you share your faith courageously by connecting with others through your relationships, you’ll show Christ’s love in an amazing way.

We at FaithTalk also believe in solid Christian education for young people.

If you know a family that wants their student to be educated in a loving Christian school but financial resources are limited, we may have their solution through www.ChristianTuitions.com. Go to the website for the opportunities with area Christian schools we’ve partnered with today.

Thanks for listening to FaithTalk 570 & 910 WTBN and for reading FaithTalk magazine…

Many Blessings,

BARBARA J. YODER GENERAL MANAGER FaithTalk 570 & 910 WTBN

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6 Christ’s Call To Make Disciples

by R.C. Sproul

8 Our Divine Assignment

by Charles F. Stanley

13 Finish The Course

by Charles Swindoll

by David Jeremiah

by Dr. Rick Scarborough & John Graves

16 Time For Change - It Starts With You! 20 Redeeming Our Nation For Christ

22 God Can Make Who A Hero? You!

by Dr. Stephen Rummage

26 The Blessing Of Courageous Generosity

by Chris Brown

28 Learning Courageous Love

by Bill Bunkley

31 How Do I Know God Really Loves Me

by Dr. Ralph “Yankee” Arnold

34 Finding Courage To Resist Temptation

by Dennis Rainey

by Jim Daly

38 The Courage To Risk Inspiration behind the theme for this edition of FaithTalk Magazine Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV) 4

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FAITHTALK 570 & 910 WTBN

General Manager BARBARA YODER barb@salemtampa.com

SALEM MEDIA GROUP TAMPA-SARASOTA

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General Sales Manager STEVE BALTIMORE steveb@salemtampa.com Marketing/Promotions Director KENNETH BONNETT kenneth@salemtampa.com Operations Manager JOE WEAVER jweaver@salemtampa.com Chief Engineer ROBERT HAILEY robert.hailey@salemtampa.com

Production Director/Morning Host BILL CARL bcarl@salemtampa.com Afternoon Host CASEY MYRICK cmyrick@salemtampa.com The Bill Bunkley Show Host BILL BUNKLEY afternoons@letstalkfaith.com The Bill Bunkley Show Producer On-Air Studio Engineer HORACE ANDREWS afternoons@letstalkfaith.com The Home Team Host Account Executive PAUL PORTER paul@salemtampa.com

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Email letters to Barb Yoder barb@salemtampa.com Any comments sent to us shall be subject to and governed by Salem Media Group for any use at its discretion. Comments may be edited for length and clarity.

Please contact Zuli Rodriguez via email Zuli@salemtampa. com to be added to the mailing list, report a change of address or to request a bundle of magazines.

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Christ’s Call to Make

Disciples

By R.C. Sproul

One of the most exciting times of my life was when I was converted to Christ. I was filled with a zeal for evangelism. However, much to my consternation, when I told my friends about my conversion to Christ, they thought I was crazy.

They were tragically amused, remaining unconvinced despite my sharing the gospel with them.

Finally, they asked me, “Why don’t you start a class and teach us what you have learned about Jesus?”

They were serious. I was elated. We scheduled a time to meet—but they never showed up.

Despite my profound desire for evangelism, I was a failure at it.

This realization came to me early in my ministry. Yet, I also discovered that there are many people whom Christ has called and whom He has gifted by His Spirit to be particularly effective in evangelism. To this day, I’m surprised if anyone attributes their conversion in some part to my influence. In one respect, I’m glad that the Great Commission is not a commission principally to evangelism.

The words preceding Jesus’ commission were these: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18). He then went on to say, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (v. 19).

When Jesus gave this commission to the church, He was speaking authoritatively. He gave a mandate to the church of all ages not simply to evangelize but to make disciples.

That raises a significant question: What is a disciple?

The simplest definition of disciple is one who directs his mind toward specific knowledge and conduct.

So, we might say that a disciple is a learner or pupil. The Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle had disciples. Socrates described himself as a disciple of Homer, whom Socrates regarded as the greatest thinker in Greek history.

We tend to think of Homer as a poet rather than as a philosopher.

But Socrates saw him as the supreme teacher of ancient Greece. Socrates had his own student—his chief disciple—whose name was Plato.

Plato had his disciples, the chief one being Aristotle. Aristotle also had his disciples, the most famous being Alexander the Great. It is astonishing to think about how dramatically the ancient world was shaped by four men: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Alexander the Great. In fact, it is nearly impossible to understand the history of Western civilization without understanding the influence of those four individuals, who in their own way were each disciples of another.

Aristotle was known as a “peripatetic” philosopher. That is, he was a nomadic teacher who walked from place to place, not teaching in a fixed location. The students of Aristotle would follow him as he walked the streets of Athens. In one respect, Aristotle’s disciples lived life

Dr. R.C. Sproul is chairman and founder of Ligonier Ministries and lead teacher on the Renewing Your Mind radio and online program, airing on FaithTalk 570 & 910 WTBN weekdays at 9:30 am and 11:00 pm.

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with him, learning from him in the disciples where they were and gave this simple command: “Follow me.” course of a normal daily routine.

The command was literal—He called These concepts help illuminate them to drop their present duties. the nature of discipleship. However, They had to leave their work, their they fail to capture the full essence families, and their friends to follow of biblical discipleship. Biblical Jesus. discipleship involves walking with the Yet, Jesus was more than just a Teacher and learning from His words, peripatetic teacher. His disciples but it is more than that. called Him “Master.” Their entire way Jesus was a rabbi and, of course, of life changed because they followed the most important peripatetic Jesus not merely as a great teacher teacher and disciple-maker in but as the Lord of all. That’s the history. Wherever He walked, essence of discipleship—submitting His students would follow. At the fully to the authority of Christ, the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, One whose lordship goes beyond He chose particular individuals to just the classroom. Jesus’ lordship be His disciples. They were required encompasses all of life. The Greek to memorize the teachings that He philosophers learned from their spoke as He walked. What’s more, teachers but then tried to improve on people didn’t file an application to get that teaching. Christ’s disciples have into the School of Jesus. Jesus selected no such warrant. We are called to His disciples. He went to prospective understand and teach only what God

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has revealed through Christ, including the Old Testament Scriptures, for they point to Christ; and the New Testament Scriptures, for they are the words of those whom Christ appointed to speak in His name.

The Great Commission is the call of Christ for His disciples to extend His authority over the whole world. We are to share the gospel with everyone so that more and more people might call Him “Master.” This calling is not simply a call to evangelism. It isn’t merely a call to get members for our churches. Rather, Christ calls us to make disciples. Disciples are people who have wholeheartedly committed to follow the thinking and conduct of the Master. Such discipleship is a lifelong experience of learning the mind of Christ and following the will of Christ, submitting ourselves in full obedience to His lordship.

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Our Divine Assignment 8

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by Charles F. Stanley

The mandate to “go into all the world … ” was Jesus’ last command to His followers.

Before His ascension into heaven, He commissioned His disciples to spread the Good News—baptizing new believers and teaching them His commands (Matt. 28:20).

In the book of Acts, we find accounts detailing missionary excursions of several apostles.

The tradition of carrying the gospel to other countries began during this time and has not stopped.

Evangelistic work has changed the Christian map repeatedly, often in response to war, politics, and struggles within the church. But for believers, the commitment to share their faith never ceases. Indeed, salvation is such a treasure that many have willingly faced great suffering to carry it beyond

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their borders, or just around proliferated throughout the world. In countries like ours, the corner. nearly everyone has access The conversion of Emperor to the Scriptures. Along with Constantine in 313 halted three that privilege comes a great centuries of overt persecution responsibility—one given against Christians. Due to the to us by Jesus: “Go therefore recognition of the Roman and make disciples of all the government, Christianity nations, baptizing them in made great strides toward the name of the Father and becoming an empire-wide the Son and the Holy Spirit, religion, and within a few teaching them to observe all hundred years, portions of that I commanded you” (Matt. the Scriptures were translated 28:19-20). into English. Although John To fulfill this mandate, we Wycliffe completed a New Testament translation in must first take ownership 1380, making copies was of the challenge. Then, we labor-intensive because each must surrender ourselves volume had to be copied by completely to be used by God. hand. Consequently, few Finally, we must put ourselves people could afford a Bible. in His service, as messengers in the task of worldwide A man named Johannes disciple-making.

Gutenberg changed that, The mandate is ours. though, with the first printing press. To demonstrate the Many people would say effectiveness of his invention, he printed the entire Bible their purpose on this earth is and increased its availability. to enjoy living or perhaps to be Since then, the gospel has a good person. Others might

endure such difficult circumstances that they see survival as their main goal. Some might feel they have a mission to fulfill. Tragically, far too many people live without any real purpose, and what they accomplish has no lasting value. But any believer who understands what the Christian life is all about desires to fulfill God’s plan for his or her life.

And one task all followers of Christ have been assigned is to share the gospel.

Think about how much God has invested in you. He has bestowed each of His children with specific gifts and talents so He can work in and through us, to both affect others and deepen our relationship with Him. He has a plan for every believer, and when we discover what ours is, we begin to live life with a clear and specific purpose. The Lord wants to make a powerful impact on those around us.

The mandate requires surrender.

True disciples allow Christ to live His life through them. Jesus warned that this is a costly proposition. In fact, the Lord clearly described a major “price tag”: “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26). The Greek word translated here as “hate” actually means “to love less.”

In other words, we are fit to be Jesus’ disciples only when our love

for Him surpasses our attachment to the most precious things in our life and we obey Him even at the cost of being misunderstood.

Nowhere does Scripture imply that the Christian life is easy or that our unbelieving friends and family will agree with us. In fact, our faith journey may well be painful.

Notice what Jesus required of His followers—he called men to give up their vocation to follow Him. What do you suppose the parents of Matthew, Philip, or Peter thought about that? They were not necessarily thrilled. Many Christian parents tell me, “I want my children to follow the Lord, as long as they don’t have to go overseas,” or “I want God to use my children, but I certainly don’t want Him to call them into the ministry.” From Jesus’ point of view, there is not one single acceptable condition—no “if,” “but,” or “unless”—that can be placed on our unwavering loyalty to Him.

instrument of execution; you would grasp the meaning quite easily if the verse read, “Whoever does not carry his own casket …” Jesus was saying that His disciples had to choose death to the self-life and attach themselves to Him. Picking up our cross also speaks of a willingness to suffer pain, persecution, and shame on Christ’s behalf. It does not refer to bearing criticism and reproach for our own sin but, rather, means enduring rejection that glorifies the living God.

Ask yourself, To what am I attached? There is nothing wrong with enjoying relationships or belongings as long as they do not supersede the Lord in importance.

A genuine follower of Jesus Christ sinks very shallow roots into the world. You and I must be available to do whatever God says and go wherever He directs, regardless of what His choice may be. There must come a time when we say, “God it’s all Yours. Do with it as You choose.”

The mandate requires service.

The real question is not, How much do you have? but, How much of you When Jesus Christ used the does God have? word disciple, He was talking about following Him, which Disciples cannot make concessions encompassed a willingness to take to the world; compromise and whatever step He required, even if crucifixion are on opposite ends the repercussions proved severe. In of the spectrum. Do you desire to Luke 14:27, Jesus said, “Whoever be the Lord’s disciple? The Bible does not carry his own cross and reveals a very clear path: Be willing come after Me cannot be My disciple.” to follow your divine assignment, People often refer to some physical detach yourself from your worldly sickness or heartache as their “cross,” preoccupations, and join your but that is not what this verse means. brothers and sisters in the Great In the first century, the cross was an Commission.

This article is reprinted with permission from In Touch Magazine, the bimonthly publication of In Touch Ministries. To receive a free subscription, please visit intouch.org/magazine. Tune in weekdays at 3:30 and 11:00 am to hear the teachings of Charles Stanley on FaithTalk 570 & 910 WTBN. LETSTALKFAITH.COM

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WEEKDAYS MORNINGS WITH BILL CARL 12:00 am

2:00 am 2:30 am

3:00 am 3:30 am 4:00 am 4:30 am 5:00 am 5:30 am 5:45 am 6:00 am 6:30 am 7:00 am

7:30 am 8:00 am 8:30 am 9:00 am 9:30 am 10:00 am 10:30 am 11:00 am 11:30 am 12:00 pm 12:30 pm

Hope In The Night with June Hunt (Tuesday - Friday) Jay Sekulow Live Focus On The Family with Jim Daly, Juli Slattery, & John Fuller Verse By Verse with Pastor Steve Kreloff In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah Family Life Today with Dennis Rainey Joni And Friends with Joni Eareckson Tada Just Thinking with Ravi Zacharias Verse By Verse with Pastor Steve Kreloff Grace To You with John MacArthur Focus On The Family with Jim Daly, Juli Slattery, & John Fuller Pathway To Victory with Dr. Robert Jeffress Moving Forward with Dr. Stephen Rummage Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah Living Truth with Pastor Ken Whitten Renewing Your Mind with Dr. R.C. Sproul Bibleline with Pastor Ralph “Yankee” Arnold Chris Brown’s True Stewardship In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef Jay Sekulow Live Faith In Practice with Dr. A.R. Bernard

MID-DAYS WITH CASEY BELL 1:00 pm 1:30 pm 2:00 pm 2:30 pm 3:00 pm

Grace To You with John MacArthur Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah Chris Brown’s True Stewardship Verse By Verse with Pastor Steve Kreloff iWork4Him with Jim & Martha Brangenberg

WEEKDAY EVENINGS

4:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:30 pm 7:00 pm

7:30 pm 8:00 pm 8:30 pm 9:00 pm 10:00 pm 10:30 pm 11:00 pm 11:30 pm 10

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The Bill Bunkley Show Living Truth with Pastor Ken Whitten Pathway To Victory with Dr. Robert Jeffress Focus On The Family with Jim Daly, Juli Slattery, & John Fuller Adventures In Odyssey with Whit & the Gang Bibleline with Pastor Ralph “Yankee” Arnold Faith In Practice with Dr. A.R. Bernard The Eric Metaxas Show Moving Forward with Dr. Stephen Rummage Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef Renewing Your Mind with Dr. R.C. Sproul Grace To You with John MacArthur

WEEKENDS SATURDAYS

SUNDAYS

12:00 am 2:00 am 2:30 am

3:00 am 3:30 am 4:00 am 4:30 am 5:00 am 5:30 am 7:00 am 7:30 am 8:00 am 9:00 am

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2:00 am 2:30 am 3:00 am

9:30 am 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 1:30 pm

3:30 pm 4:00 pm 4:30 pm 5:00 pm 5:30 am 6:00 pm 9:00 pm 11:00 pm

Hope In The Night with June Hunt Jay Sekulow Live Focus On The Family with Jim Daly, Juli Slattery, & John Fuller Verse By Verse with Pastor Steve Kreloff In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah Paws & Tales Grace To You with John MacArthur Jay Sekulow Live Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah Ask An Attorney with Joe Pippen Planning In Advance, Necessary Conversations with Glenn Jones Jene’s Tropicals Bibleline with Pastor Ralph “Yankee” Arnold Unstoppable Christian with Dr. Ron Eccles Faith Answers with Pastor Gary Roy Grace To You with John MacArthur Love First Christian Center with Dr. Jomo Cousins Chris Brown’s True Stewardship Gaining Ground with Pastor Evan Burrows This Day In The Word with Pastor Jon Couch The Universe Next Door with Dr. Tom Woodward Jene’s Tropicals Higher Praise with Pastor Stephen Nunn Baldwin McCullough Live with Kevin McCullough & Steven Baldwin Steve Brown Etc.

6:00 am 7:00 am 7:30 am 8:00 am 8:30 am 9:00 am 9:30 am 10:00 am 10:30 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm

1:00 pm 1:30 pm 2:00 pm 5:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:30 pm 7:00 pm 8:00 pm 9:00 pm 10:00 pm 11:00 pm

In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah Focus On The Family with Jim Daly, Juli Slattery, & John Fuller Jay Sekulow Live Moving Forward with Dr. Stephen Rummage Keep The Faith with Keith Stevens & Donna Cruz Townhall Weekend Journal Family Life This Week with Dennis Rainey Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef Road To Reality with K.P. Yohannan Heart Of Messiah with Rabbi Steven Weiler Moving Forward with Dr. Stephen Rummage Bibleline with Pastor Ralph “Yankee” Arnold Grace To You with John MacArthur Ministry Impact Worship Service Focus On The Family with Jim Daly, Juli Slattery, & John Fuller Ministry Spotlight with Bill Carl Gaining Ground with Pastor Evan Burrows The Eric Metaxas Show Best Of Ask An Attorney with Joe Pippen Planning In Advance, Necessary Conversations with Glenn Jones Grace To You with John MacArthur The Bill Bunkley Show Weekend Edition Unstoppable Christian with Dr. Ron Eccles The Christian Outlook with Don Crowe Townhall Weekend Journal Late Night with Pastor Al Davis

The FaithTalk 570 & 910 WTBN Program Schedule is subject to change at any time.

Please visit www.LetsTalkFaith.com for our most up-to-date programming information.

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Basketball Court Mini Golf Course Open Field Tether Ball Court Horseshoe Pit Ball Diamond Tennis Court Human Foosball Four Square Court Sand Volleyball Shuffleboard Court Disc Golf Course Soccer Field Glide Ride Swimming Pool Nature Trail Petting Farm Canoes Tree House Playground Fishing Bird Watching Volleyball Frisbee Ping Pong Carpet Ball Gaga Ball Board Games Billiards Bumper Pool Foosball Air Hockey Hay Rides Open-Fire Popcorn Ice Cream Socials Low-Ropes Course

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FINISH THE COURSE

By Charles Swindoll

Not enough is said or written Dieting is a discipline, so we stay today about finishing well. fat. Finishing school is a hassle, so we bail out. Cultivating a close A tremendous amount of relationship is painful, so we material is available on motivation back off. Getting a book written to get started and creative ways to is demanding, so we stop short. spark initiative. Plenty of advice Working through conflicts in a is floating around on setting goals marriage is a tiring struggle, so and establishing priorities and we walk away. Sticking with an developing a game plan. All of it is occupation is tough, so we start insightful and needed. Getting off looking elsewhere. This reminds the dime is often a Herculean task, me of something my sister passed for sure. Starting well is Plan A, no along to me, titled “Six Phases of a doubt about it.

Project”: But let’s hear it for the opposite end, for a change. Let’s extol the virtues of sticking with something until it is done. Of hanging tough when the excitement and fun fade into discipline and guts. You know, being just as determined eight minutes into the fourth quarter as at the kickoff. Not losing heart even though the project has lost its appeal.

• • • • • •

Six Phases of a Project

Enthusiasm Disillusionment Panic Search for the guilty Punishment of the innocent Praise and honors for the nonparticipants

By the time a project has run its crazy course, confusion has replaced I fear our generation has come accomplishment. Participants have dangerously near the “I’m getting changed to spectators. The “let’s just tired so let’s just quit” mentality. quit” mentality is upon us.

And not just in the spiritual realm.

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Ignace Jan Paderewski, the famous composer-pianist, was scheduled to perform at a great concert hall in America. It was an evening to remember—black tuxes and long evening dresses, a high-society extravaganza full bore. Present in the audience that evening was a mother with her fidgety 9-year-old son. Weary of waiting, he squirmed constantly in his seat. His mother was in hopes that her boy would be encouraged to practice the piano if he could just hear the immortal Paderewski at the keyboard. So— against his wishes—he had come.

As she turned to talk with friends, her son could stay seated no longer. He slipped away from her side, strangely drawn to the ebony concert grand Steinway and its leather tufted stool on the huge stage flooded with blinding lights. Without much notice from the sophisticated audience, the boy sat down at the stool, staring wideeyed at the black and white keys.

He placed his small, trembling fingers in the right location and began to play Chop Sticks. The FALL 2016

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roar of the crowd was hushed as hundreds of frowning faces turned in his direction. Irritated and embarrassed, they began to shout:

we are ready to give it up, along comes the Master, who leans over and whispers: “Now keep going; don’t quit. Keep on . . . don’t stop; don’t give up,” as He improvises on “Hey, get that boy away from our behalf, providing just the right there!” “Who’d bring a kid that young touch at just the right moment. in here?” “Where’s his mother?”

“Somebody stop him!”

Do I write today to a few weary pilgrims? Is the road getting long Backstage, the master overheard and hope wearing a little thin? the sounds out front and quickly Or to a few parents who are put together in his mind what was beginning to wonder if it’s worth happening. Hurriedly, he grabbed it all, this exacting business of his coat and rushed toward the rearing children—which includes stage. Without one word of cleaning up daily messes and living announcement he stooped over with all that responsibility? Or to behind the boy, reached around you who have a dream but seeing both sides, and began to improvise it accomplished seems too long a a countermelody to harmonize wait? with and enhance Chop Sticks. As the two of them played together, Listen to the Master’s whispering: Paderewski kept whispering in the boy’s ear: “Keep going. Don’t quit, Let us not become weary in doing son. Keep on playing . . . don’t stop . good, for at the proper time we will . . don’t quit.” reap a harvest if we do not give up.

(Galatians 6:9 NIV) And so it is with us. We hammer Therefore . . . stand firm. Let away on our project, which seems about as significant as Chop Sticks in nothing move you . . . your labor in a concert hall. And about the time

the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV) Be self-controlled and alert. . . .

Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

(1 Peter 5:8, 10 NIV) So many start the Christian life like a lightning flash—hot, fast and dazzling. But how many people (aged 65 and over) can you name who are finishing the course with sustained enthusiasm and vigor?

Oh, there are some, I realize, but why so few? What happens along the way that swells the ranks of quitters? I really wish I knew that answer. If I did, I’d shout warnings from the pulpit Sunday after Sunday. No, better than that, I’d stoop over and whisper them to every discouraged person I meet.

Before it is too late.

I urge you, my friend, to stay strong to the end. Never give in.

Never quit the Christian life.

Finish well.

Chuck Swindoll is an senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, author of many books, educator and chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary, and radio preacher with his ministry Insight for Living.

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Time for Change —It Starts With You!

By David Jeremiah

By definition, every follower of Christ is a soldier of the Cross. We’re defenders of the faith and change agents in the world. Amid the evils of the age, we gather under the roofs of our churches, armed with our Bibles, intent on turning the world upside down for Christ.

We are seeking a spiritual revolution.

That statement may seem surprising, but at its core, revolution is simply change, which is what Christianity is about. A revolution occurs within those who enthrone a new King, the Lord Jesus Christ. Life comes under new governance. As that happens in one person after another, the effect on society is inevitable.

Using God’s Word and the power of its message, we can change this world—but it begins in us. The revolution always starts in the same place—within each of our own hearts. It’s easy to want to see change in others, but true change begins with the person in the mirror.

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While we lament the condition 2. Ask God to Show You of the world and often notice the What to Do failures of others, it’s vital for us to search our own hearts, spot our For believers, this kind of selfown faults, and constantly ask the evaluation leads to prayer. Psalm Lord to continue the construction 139 marvels at how thoroughly process He’s begun in us.

God knows our strengths and weaknesses, our thoughts How do we do that? and motives. As the psalmist contemplated the omniscience of 1. Evaluate Areas the Lord, he composed a petition at That Are Failing the end of the Psalm: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and First, evaluate areas in your life know my anxieties; and see if there that seem to be failing. These aren’t is any wicked way in me, and lead usually hard to spot; they’re often me in the way everlasting.” That’s a painfully obvious. Perhaps your prayer we can adopt whenever we mind is strained by anxiety or need to change something about stained by lust. Maybe covetousness ourselves. Our lives don’t improve is contributing to credit card debt. simply by turning over a new Maybe your anger toward someone leaf. The true revolution of Christ has damaged a relationship. Or requires overthrowing strongholds. you’re overbooked, resulting in It’s a spiritual work accomplished spasmodic church attendance. within us by the Holy Spirit.

What if your lazy streak is acting up and you’re not diligent at work 3. Sit Down and Develop a Revolutionary Strategy anymore? Maybe you’ve become depressed. We must constantly be Next, sit down and develop a honest with ourselves about areas needing attention. Don’t let things strategy. For example, you fester. Decide to deal with them might schedule an hour today. or so for an appointment

with yourself. Jot down changes you could make to some neglected area of life. Let’s say you’ve discovered a habit you want to break. Habits are ingrained patterns and they’re stubborn. But with God’s grace and guidance you can replace bad habits with healthy ones. We know it’s possible. Our Lord specializes in sanctification, but in the process we have to “work out” our salvation as God “works in” us (Philippians 2:12-13). Think about a strategy.

How can you bring yourself to commitment? Are there people who can help you? Are there books you can read? Are there steps you can take? Are there places you should avoid? It’s amazing how helpful it is to commit to a simple written plan—your own prayerful, powerful revolutionary strategy. A revolution often starts with a resolution—a consecrated resolve to let the Lord change something about us.

4. Adopt the Changes Onto Your Calendar Fourth, you have to adopt the changes onto your calendar, for true change almost always means some modification of our daily routines.

If you want to start getting up earlier for your morning devotions, when should you go to bed the night before? If you want to make time for dates with your spouse or children, how do those translate to your calendar? If you want to resolve a difficult issue with a friend, make that appointment. If you want to start leading a Bible study, rearrange

your weekly agenda to make room for it.

The Bible tells us to make the best use of our time (Ephesians 5:16). To change a pattern in life, it takes both time and time management.

5. Develop a Treasury of Bible Verses Fifth, develop a war chest of Bible verses.

Only the words of Scripture are powerful enough to bring change to our lives! Only by hiding God’s Word in our hearts can we avoid sinning against the Lord.

If you need a personal revolution in your attitudes, search out Bible verses on love, joy, and peace. If you need to overcome worry, find verses about trusting God and post them where you can see them through the day. Become as familiar with God’s Word as you are with your own address and phone number.

The Sword of the Spirit is the best weapon for staging a revolt against the world, the flesh, and the devil.

6. Recruit Reinforcements Sixth, recruit reinforcements. The apostle Paul constantly surrounded himself with friends and coworkers who could encourage him. Find someone with whom you can be honest. Find a small group to encourage you. Ask certain friends

to pray with you. Surround yourself with fellow believers who will strengthen your faith.

7. Persevere Finally, don’t give up. Change is hard to sustain. Modifying your lifestyle and changing your habits is like rewiring a house, but don’t be shocked—you can do it if you make up your mind. Proverbs 24:16 says, “A righteous man may fall seven times and rise again.”

Revolution starts with you and your determination. Perhaps it’s time for a change in an area of your life. Ask God for guidance, direction, and strength to follow through; and press on to victory. Remember Romans 8:37: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

Dr. Jeremiah is the founder of Turning Point for God, and senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California. For more information about Turning Point, go to www.DavidJeremiah.org. Turning Point Radio Show, airs on FaithTalk 570 & 910 WTBN weekdays at 4:30, 8:30 am and 1:30 pm.

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“Choose life so that you and your descendants may live.”

- Deuteronomy 30: 19

y Vidalia, kidne

recipient

May our faith fill us with the compassion to Donate Life.

By saying yes to donation, you can save and enhance the lives of people in need of organ and tissue transplants. Your “yes” has the power to save lives. You have the power to save lives. Donate Life.

Visit www.DonateLifeFlorida.org today to register or contact LifeLink® at (800) 262-5775 for more information. ®

Want to share the Donate Life message with your place of worship? Find out how to participate in the National Donor Sabbath this November, when congregations across America will celebrate the miracle of renewed life through transplantation. Contact LifeLink at (800) 262-5775 and ask for Public Affairs.

NEWS. INSIGHT. PASSION.

Matt Bruce

Hugh Hewitt

Mike Gallagher

Dennis Prager

Michael Medved

Larry Elder

FROM SOME OF TODAY’S BEST CONSERVATIVE RADIO VOICES

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Redeeming Our Nation By: Dr. Rick Scarborough for Christ & John Graves Dr. Rick Scarborough

to create a solution that would help pastors better shepherd their flock towards being extraordinary Christian citizens.

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Dr. Scarborough, modeled church involvement as a Pastor.

He mobilized enough of his congregation until church members occupied a majority of the local school board and the city council. Pastor Rick joined several other pastors who mobilized their congregations resulting in new godly office holders across their city.

Perhaps more impactful, Pastor Rick has continued to serve as a Pastor and several in his congregation have served in the State and U.S. Congress.

He continues to speak in churches across America on Christian involvement.

eorge Barna’s research shows 39 million Christians did not vote in the 2012 elections.

Currently, between 15-30% of Christians are not registered to vote. Only 55% of Christians vote in Presidential elections. About 20-30% of Christians vote in non-Presidential elections which decide our Senate, Congress and State Governments.

Only 5-10% of Christians vote to decide which person is chosen in each Primary election. According to Barna, godly leaders would govern our nation if only 10% more John Graves joined the passion Christians voted! of Pastor Rick and Vision America to start 20:28 Pastors. After it’s So what can be done to increase conception, numerous national Christian voter participation? ministries collaborated to strengthen this foundation. Under the leadership This is the very question that two of Dr. Kenyn Cureton, Watchmen men set out to answer. Dr. Rick on the Wall (FRC) has grown to Scarborough, founder of Vision reach tens of thousands of Pastors America, and John Graves, founder and provides training for Culture of 20:28 Pastors, worked in harmony Impact Ministries where staff and lay

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John Graves

leaders are trained to assist Pastors.

Together these ministries are serving thousands of Pastors.

John believes that only spiritual revival will bring God’s desired change to our country. The heart beat of this ministry flows from Acts 20:28 which exhorts Pastors to “Keep watch over yourselves and all the congregation of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers… Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with His own blood.”

In a Constitutional Republic, there can be no doubt that mobilizing congregations to vote is one of the most effective ways to spiritually and morally impact the culture. Evidence shows that pastoral influence serves as the greatest motivation to help the church be salt and light by voting and getting involved in representing our nation.

Graves explains the challenge of 39 million non-voting Christians this way - “too many people attempt to fix the moral decline in our nation with one election, one candidate or one party. Our hope is in Christ alone – not civil government. But we are called to influence our government and bring God’s wisdom to all government.

Our strategy is long term. Over the next 12 years, we want to register

of all 100 Senators and 6 cycles of all 435 Representatives.

With God’s provision and grace, this could be a part of a spiritual awakening in our nation.”

1 million Christians per year and mobilize 2 million previously nonvoting Christians per year. That would impact 3 presidential elections, 2 cycles

20:28 Pa s t or s has t aken t he cumbersome, costly and complicated nature out of finding the relevant public information that helps pastors.

They provide free data showing the

percentages (not individual names) of people within a church that are registered and voting. This tool compares names and addresses to public information records. Pastors agree to a strict privacy policy acknowledging that 20:28 Pastors will never sell or rent the member data.

Only the pastor or approved church leader will receive the comprehensive statistical report showing the voting statistics of their church from the last four elections.

This is an example of a 20:28 Report breaking down the relevant information for a pastor.

We empower pastors with good information because we know pastors will lead. Pastors are called by God to lead, and when they get good information of the state of their congregation, we’ve seen them go into action. We’ve seen churches increase their involvement in civic ministry to be salt and light by up to 30% once a pastor engages. We ask Pastors to do more than mobilize Christians to vote. We ask them to pastor their city and community and raise up and support the next leaders in government at every level.” John Graves “We underestimate the impact we can have if we take our Christianity beyond the walls of our church. I’ve heard too many say, ‘Well, I’m just not going to vote’…. I don’t believe that’s an option for us. We do not endorse or oppose candidates…We do endorse the enterprise of citizenship. We encourage pastors to lead their churches to vote their values.” Dr. Rick Scarborough

Every 20:28 Pastor receives a free copy of the books U-Turn by George Barna and David Barton and Well Versed by Pastor Jim Garlow. They also receive training, media materials, voter registration cards and voter guides to achieve these results which impact the culture.

The churches utilizing this free tool range in size from less than 100 members to over 30,000 adult members representing all denominational backgrounds. Vision America’s mission is to always be mindful of the inherent demands placed upon the shoulders of church leadership. Vision America desires to make a pastor’s job of equipping their congregation to be civically involved as practically and successfully as possible.

Vision America and 20:28 Pastors joined forces with many other organizations like FRC’s Watchmen on the Wall, Focus on the Family’s Family Policy Alliance, United In Purpose, Wallbuilder’s Black Robe Regiment and churches all across the country. This coalition prayerfully advances each year to extend practical help to pastors and church leaders as they mobilize their members to vote.

You can learn more about this free tool and additional training by visiting www.2028Pastors.com.

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By Dr. Stephen Rummage Our culture is full of heroes, some real, and many imaginary.

Usually we only see our heroes fully formed, confident, at the height of their powers, and at the top of their game. We rarely see our heroes in their developmental stages when they are unnoticed and untried.

We’ve seen footage of our sports heroes effortlessly sinking three-pointers one after another or throwing touchdown after touchdown. But most have never seen them as little boys or little girls taking a ball in their hands for the very first time and missing their target more often than not. We hear our favorite musicians play with grace and virtuosity, but are not privy to the times years ago

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when all they could produce were fight the enemy, but Gideon had a squeaks, scrapes, and sour notes. big problem: FEAR. Most would look at these young Fear leads to inaction. It manifests novices and think, “Hero? I don’t itself as worry and anxiety, and often think so!” drives us to try to please people at God’s Word tells us of heroes the expense of not pleasing God. It in His kingdom, and provides makes us feel isolated, and causes us a vantage point from which us to bow beneath our feelings of we have the benefit of seeing insignificance and inadequacy. their weaknesses, and even their Until God gives us the power to failures. For example, before Moses overcome our fear, we will not be heroically lifted his staff over the the heroes that He has called us to Red Sea and miraculously parted be. How can we become victorious the waters, God’s Word shows him over fear? making excuses before a burning bush in a vain attempt to excuse The Bible shows us that God himself from serving God. At that overcomes our fear of isolation point in his life, Moses was not what through His presence. Fear made most would consider hero material. Gideon feel all alone. He cowered under the misconception that he Judges chapter six tells us the was facing the battle to which God story of Gideon, who rose from called Him all by himself. If fact, the small beginnings to become a entire nation of Israel felt alone and mighty warrior for the Lord. He vulnerable, isolated and afraid, and did not start life in the school for with good reason. The Bible says: heroes. His family and his nation had been harassed by terrorists The people of Israel did what was from the land of Midian for seven evil in the sight of the Lord, and the years. His “bravery account” had a Lord gave them into the hand of zero balance. God chose Gideon to Midian seven years. And the hand

of Midian overpowered Israel, and because of Midian the people of Israel made for themselves the dens that are in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds. (Judges 6:1-2) For seven years the Midianites had terrorized and attacked Israel.

They continually decimated their crops and their flocks, wiping out everything the Israelites worked for. The entire nation of Israel was demoralized and defeated, hiding in caves and behind rocks.

This is the point at which God chooses Gideon. He comes to Gideon, who is alone in a winepress, trying to thresh enough wheat to keep his family alive. Constantly on the lookout for enemy marauders, Gideon spies an intruder sitting under a nearby tree. The unknown visitor is the angel of the Lord – probably the pre-incarnate Christ.

And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.”

(Judges 6:12) What an encouraging message to receive from heaven! When you feel isolated and all alone, when you feel abandoned, forsaken, and afraid, God is with you. Even when we forsake God, as the nation of Israel had foolishly done, God never forsakes His people. He gives us His grace for repentance, and offers complete forgiveness when we return to Him. If you are His, He will never leave you or forsake you. He is with you.

Gideon felt unimportant, negligible, and small. He felt that he was living on the fringes of anything God was doing. But now God had given Gideon the task of defeating Israel’s enemy.

And the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” And he said to Him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” (Judges 6:14-15)

man, but to defeat the entire Midianite army all at once. God overcame Gideon’s insignificance with His power.

I was walking through a parking lot with someone recently, when I spied a penny on the pavement a few feet ahead of us. I asked my friend, “Do you want to pick up that penny?” He said, “No, it’s not worth walking that far and bending over to get it.” I thought the same. We just left it there.

To most of us, pennies seem insignificant. But pennies are more powerful than you think. Several years ago, the Atlanta Journal and Constitution published a story about the power of the penny.

They reported at that time that if Krispy Kreme Donuts increased the cost of each donut sold by just one penny, the company would have increased its profits by more than $27 million per year? Pennies may But God had His response ready seem almost worthless, but they are for Gideon. God showed Gideon very significant. that He had a purpose for him that was bigger than the limitations Perhaps you feel insignificant.

Gideon had placed on himself. God After all, you’re only one of over 7.4 chose Gideon, sent Gideon, and billion people on earth right now; promised to empower Gideon one of over 324 million people in to not only defeat the United States. You are just one o n e person, but you count! God sees you. God knows you. God loves you. He loves you so Gideon’s response to God’s command was something like this, “Listen, God, I’m not a big fish in a small pond. I’m a little bitty guppy, surrounded by bigger guppies, in a tiny, little pool, and there are other, bigger ponds all around us with much bigger fish. Lord, don’t You want to try fishing somewhere else if You really want a hero?”

God also overcomes our fear of insignificance and our own inadequacies through His power.

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much that He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross in your place and to pay the price for your sin. He would have sent Jesus for you if you were the only one that needed Him! You count. He wants to touch your life and use you for His glory.

God’s power also overcomes our inadequacies, the fear that speaks to your heart and says, “You can’t do it. You’ll fail. You don’t have what it takes.” That’s certainly how Gideon felt.

Then Gideon said to God, “If You will save Israel by my hand, as You have said, behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” And it was so.

When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water. Then Gideon said to God, “Let not Your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece.

Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew.” And God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew.

Laying out the fleece before God was probably the most famous thing that Gideon did. It’s important to note that Gideon used the fleece to obtain confirmation of what God had already told him. Placing the fleece

on the ground was an indication not The truth is that when it comes of Gideon’s faith, but of his fear. to doing God’s work, you are inadequate. On your own, you will Gideon’s question to God was not always be in over your head when whether He would save Israel, but it comes to the things of God. But whether He would really use Gideon God will work through you by His to do it. Gideon had received a clear power to do what you could never word from God. Gideon knew that do on your own.

God had promised victory. But he was looking for assurance, so he Two young men were taking a cross asked God to something only God country trip, visiting many notable could do. places along their way. They stopped to fill their tank in an unimpressive, There is no question that when God nondescript little town. When they gives you a clear word, He doesn’t walked toward the clerk to pay, they want you to put out a fleece. He noticed an old gentleman seated in wants you to obey Him. However, a rickety chair outside the station.

God was gracious to Gideon and He was leaned over to read, elbows honored Gideon’s request. propped on his knees. “Sir,” they asked, “Do you know this town pretty God met Gideon right in the midst well?” “I should,” said the old man of his inadequacy. He demonstrated as he squinted up at the young men. to Gideon that He could do anything: “ “I’ve lived here all my life.” “Well,” He could make the fleece dry and asked one of the travelers, “we were the ground wet. He could make wondering, is there anything special the ground dry and the fleece wet. about this little town?” The old man He could meet Gideon’s need for thought for a moment. Then he assurance in exactly the way Gideon smiled and answered, “Yes sir, there desired. And God would win a sure is. You can start out from here great battle through this unsure, and go anywhere in the whole wide inadequate man. world.”

God can take you right now, at your age, with your abilities, with your background, and even your fears, and do anything He wants to do with your life. He can use you in ways and in places you could never imagine. That is the power of the Gospel. God gives us His strength in the midst of our weakness. God can make you a hero.

Stephen Rummage is the Senior Pastor of Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon, Florida. His daily radio teaching ministry, Moving Forward, airs weekdays on FaithTalk 570 & 910 WTBN at 8:00 am and 10:00 pm.

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The Blessing of Courageous Generosity

By Chris Brown

Every day on my radio show, Chris Brown’s True Stewardship, I talk to people around the country. And a lot of the time, I hear a struggle on the other end of the line. People want to obey God when it comes to their finances. They know they should. But they’re just struggling with how to actually do it.

They want the wisdom to hear God’s call—and they want the bravery to answer that call. They want to put their faith into action.

But it can be difficult when you’ve never done it before.

Folks, I get it.

There have been times when I’ve definitely not handled my finances the way God wanted. Many years ago, I bought up investment properties and then watched the real estate market tank. That actually resulted in a bankruptcy that was finalized in January 2011. It was a pretty dark time for my family and me.

Fortunately, I’ve learned a lot since then.

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I can share two times in my life when I answered God’s call to be generous. Both times, He pushed me beyond my comfort zone.

call for our lives in that moment. But sometimes God makes it so clear that He wants you to do something that it’s impossible to ignore Him. He was trying to get our attention by calling First, I tithed all the way through us to trust Him instead of the money college, even as I was working hard that we may have been trusting a to pay my own way. Money was tight, little too much. but I knew tithing was what God wanted. And He provided. At one He affirmed our obedience in an point, someone “randomly” stopped amazing way. Three months later, we by the college to give $49,000 in seven received an unexpected refund check scholarships. Admissions chose me of around $9,900 from our trustee— to receive one of the $7,000 checks! the first time our bankruptcy attorney had ever seen that happen in 10 years Guys, that wasn’t random. That was of cases. To this day, I have no idea God. what the refund was for, since we hadn’t paid anything besides legal And in late 2010, just before that fees to our attorney, and the check bankruptcy was finalized, my wife, wasn’t from her. But it was almost the Holly, and I felt God calling us to exact amount we’d tithed, and it went give $10,000 above the tithe to our straight into our emergency fund. church. We had $11,000 in our We were back on track financially. emergency fund, so we gave all but $1,000 of it.

Crazy, right? Again, it wasn’t random. That was God too.

Now, understand that God doesn’t call everyone to do what we did, My own experiences with and I’m not suggesting you should courageous generosity have really drain your emergency fund. It was convicted me in this area. So when definitely unusual and a very specific I hear a radio show listener’s own

“I received a text from my wife. Her amazing giving story (not every story I hear is one of struggle!), I want to dental appointment that was scheduled share it as far and wide as I can. for Monday had been canceled by the dental office and was rescheduled for That’s how I felt when I heard August. We soon realized that the from Casey in Jacksonville, Florida. budgeted amount for the dental visit He and his wife, Melissa, felt God was $150—the exact amount God calling them to give $150 toward a had instructed us to give less than two child’s surgery in Jinja, Uganda, even though money was tight and they hadn’t budgeted for that extra giving.

But Casey knew they could shuffle some money around in their budget and avoid using their emergency fund (since this wasn’t technically an emergency). Then, just a few hours later, God showed up. Here’s how Casey described it:

hours earlier! God had a plan, and we were once again reminded that we are just managers. It truly is a blessing to give.”

See how God uses courageous generosity to make Himself known?

He just wants us to give Him the opportunity to do it! He challenges us to test Him, to “see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it” (Malachi 3:10 NIV).

I pray you would seek Him in this area of your life and that He would bless you as you put your trust in Him!

Chris Brown is a nationally syndicated radio talk show host, pastor and dynamic speaker carrying the message of stewardship and intentional living nationwide as a Ramsey Personality. Chris Brown’s, True Stewardship, airs weekdays on FaithTalk 570 & 910 WTBN at 2:00 pm.

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Learning Courageous

Lo�e

By Bill Bunkley

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

In this issue of Faith Talk, we are exploring what it means to live out a life for Christ with a “Courageous Love” for others. Courage is something Christian believers have had to seek and embrace throughout the history of the church.

In America, our spiritual muscles are far less developed for courage than those of our Christian brothers and sisters who have been living in tents after fleeing for their lives from ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Christians who follow Jesus in the underground churches of North Korea and China We are blessed to look back at also come to mind when we think so many brave men and women about truly courageous Christians. throughout Biblical history who stood courageously in the face of In America, Christians have overwhelming circumstances. We experienced a generation of little marvel at the testimonies they left to no persecution, nor a fear of for us that serve as our foundations reprisal for following Christ. That for living. has left us ill-equipped for what lies ahead. Almost overnight some in As one contemplates courage, our country have become extremely one must also come to grips with hostile to any public expressions of persecution and fear. All three go Christian faith or the sharing of the hand and hand. The ebb and flow Gospel. behind this emotional triumvirate is something that is all too common Take for example the following to man ever since Adam and Eve’s fall statement. Martin Castro, from Grace in the Garden of Eden. Chairman of the U. S. Civil Rights Commission when commenting For most, courage does not come in support of their new report on naturally. For those who follow Christ “Peaceful Coexistence,” called the they must come to understand that concepts of “Religious Liberty” and it is the Holy Spirit who empowers “Religious Freedom” code words for their courage. Courage is God’s discrimination, intolerance, racism, antidote for overcoming fear and sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia persecution. and Christian supremacy.

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Considering the source, this is a very troubling quote. It’s also a sign of a much more hostile America toward Christians in the future.

So how about it, do you have the courage to live for Christ in an increasingly hostile America?

If you do, I believe it will require a deeper level of preparation, commitment and perseverance to faithfully stand firm to God’s principals.

If you are going to speak the truth in love, you must have the courage to accept that it will usually cost you something. That’s the reality of a life a dedicated to the Great Commission.

But if you are up for the challenge, God will repay you for those costs in ways you cannot imagine.

So where do you turn to prepare, to absorb the wisdom necessary to develop the spiritual muscles that will, in turn, grant you the boldness and courage (in love) to stand for Him? The Bible directs us to look to those pillars of courage in scripture

that have gone before us. Their courage Barnabas in a host of difficult situations provides excellent examples from which to In the book of Acts, we find learn.

Barnabas who is remembered as a man of undying encouragement. We are Here’s some courageous heroes of taught to have a Barnabas in our inner the faith to look to when it comes to circle. He took a chance, stepped out deepening your courage to share the in faith, and stood with and supported Gospel and stand publically with Jesus. a man feared for his brutality of the early church. That man he befriended Gideon was Saul who God renamed Paul, the infamous persecutor of 1st Century In the Book of Judges Chapter 6-8, Christians. God can equip you to we find Gideon who was a man after have the courage to befriend and stand God’s heart. He so wanted to be sure with a prisoner, a former drunkard, that he was acting within God’s will he adulterer, gang member or maybe just kept asking for signs of confirmation. a hardcore juvenile delinquent.

Ultimately he stood before a great enemy and was faithful to trust God Apostle Paul to see him through. Gideon’s faith and courage were pleasing to God. You too But one of the greatest legacies can develop this same intimate level of Christian courage comes from of courage. the Apostle Paul. Paul teaches us by example the courage necessary to share Esther the Gospel, a courage lacking by so many self-described Christians today.

In the book of Esther, we find a You too can find the courage to share woman of Jewish descent who was Christ with a lost world if you study selected to be a queen of a non-Jewish the life, and the legacy of apologetics king. She learned that one of the king’s left to us from Paul’s life in the pages top lieutenants had arranged with the of the New Testament. king’s approval to carry out an evil plan to exterminate all the Jews in the This list could go on much further. kingdom. She boldly approached the These are but four brief snapshots on king without permission (an act that how to equip you with the courage to could have resulted in her execution), confront many different situations. revealed her secret heritage and successfully convinced the king to Consider this. Before you find reverse his decree to kill all of the yourself in a difficult situation whereby Jews. Her Godly-inspired courage you might be tempted to deny your saved what would have been an Old faith in Christ, learn the lessons of Testament holocaust. God can build in courage from pillars of the faith that you the courage to do the right thing have gone before us. at the right time, no matter the cost.

Tune in to The Bill Bunkley Show weekdays from 4:00 - 6:00 pm on FaithTalk 570 & 910 WTBN. His commentary “Something to Think About” can also be heard daily on AM 860 and 930 The Answer as well as on FaithTalk 570 & 910 WTBN. LETSTALKFAITH.COM

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By Dr. Ralph “Yankee” Arnold

R

emember the little chorus that goes, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so?” As children, we can easily believe this without question. The answer is simple, the Bible tells me so. But then we grow up and begin questioning everything about God.

Man is totally incapable of changing his sinful nature, solving this world’s problems, or escaping the enemy of death. Without sin in this world, mankind would never have known about God’s justice, compassion, forgiveness, mercy, righteousness, grace, and yes, his LOVE. The Plan of Salvation is God’s way of showing his great love by doing something for them that they could not do for themselves. What can’t they do? They cannot save themselves.

God is love and he not only needed an object to love but God desires to be loved. Since love must be by choice, the Lord created man with the ability to make decisions that may be in opposition to his own will. We are God’s way of proving that he really created with an intense desire to love loved us was to send his son, Jesus and to be loved.

Christ into the world to pay for all sins for all people. God chose to save Although Eve was deceived when strictly by grace alone. No one has ever she ate the fruit in rebellion to God, we lived good enough to earn eternal life. know that Adam did make a deliberate For all have sinned, all come short, all decision to die rather than live without the world is guilty, and since God is Eve. Yes, man was driven from the not a respecter of persons, God must garden. Yes, he died physically, but he either love all the same or hate all the also was to be eternally separated from same for there is no difference.

God in a literal fire burning Hell. The punishment reveals how bad this one If God loves some, but not all, how sin was. God took sin seriously. do we know we are the ones that he loves? If Christ only died for the sins God had already planned, before of some but not all, how would you the foundations of the world, to send know you were included? If God his Son Jesus Christ, to provide a way chooses to save certain individuals for man to have Eternal Life with him and not others, how do you prove you forever. Yes, God loves man, but he were the one chosen? does not nor cannot force a man to love him. Only after the fall was God I lack the wisdom to put into words free to demonstrate to all of mankind my feeble attempt at expressing God’s just how much he really loves them. great love for me. The first glimmer of God’s love toward me was when I LETSTALKFAITH.COM

heard the gospel. As I began to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, I had never considered myself to be someone of great value. Was I simply part of a group that God loved or was there a real true personal love for me as an individual? Why did God pay so much for so little?

The marvel of it all was that God loved me at all. The second marvel was that God loved no one more than me.

The third marvel was that God loved no one less than me. I am loved. Only the true love of God can reach to a man so low and lift him to the height of heaven. Only the love of God can reach so wide to include everybody.

You might not believe this, but I have actually heard preachers say that God really doesn’t love the whole world and that Christ really didn’t pay the sin debt for all people. Would it not be the epitome of dishonesty to tell a person that God loves them and made a payment for their sins, but if God didn’t choose to save them, this offer of eternal life is null and void?

Woe to the man that shrinks the sacrifice of Christ’s death for all people to be limited to only a few. That is the height of blasphemy. God forbid that a man would turn the love of God into a religion of hate. Christ was and is the manifestation of God’s love. To limit the number of people God loves to only a few is hateful and no man has FALL 2016

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the right to limit the love of God. To state that God chose to save only those whom he loved would also mean there are many that he does not love.

If there was no greater love than the death of God’s son, then there is no greater evidence of God’s love. If he did not love everyone how would I know that he loves me? If Christ did not pay for all sin for everyone how do I know he has included mine?

able to look straight into the eyes of a man, woman, boy or girl and say without hesitation, that the true and living God, the Lord Jesus Christ, loves you and wants you to spend eternity with him. When you say it, do you say it like you really believe it without any doubts or reservations?

One cannot honestly demonstrate this type of love, unless they believe that all can be saved.

you to pay for them. When he came back from the dead, the only thing Christ wanted you to do was believe he did it for you. You can handle that, can’t you?

Yes, Christ loved you so much that he would rather die than live without you. If you trust Jesus Christ right now as your savior, you can know that you have eternal life. You are greatly loved. (I John 5:13)

How do I know that the Friend, rest assured, Lord really loves me? you were included. Why It’s because I know that One of my greatest joys did he pay for your sins? in serving the Lord is being It’s because he didn’t want he really loves you.

Ralph “Yankee” Arnold is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Community Church of Tampa and President of Florida Bible College of Tampa. He is also the host of Bibleline Radio Ministry airing everyday at 10:00 am and weekdays at 8:00 pm on FaithTalk 570 & 910 WTBN.

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By Dennis Rainey One foolish choice made in a moment of weakness can wipe out years of integrity.

Dan is a man’s man. A family man. with this woman. Notice that Dan Venerable. Virtuous. If you met included Kathie; he wasn’t a total him, you’d like him. But despite an fool … at least not yet. impeccable track record, he almost When Dan’s old flame walked threw it all away. through the doors of the He was going through a season restaurant, he thought to himself, in his life when everything was She is better looking now than she difficult—he felt pressure at the was at 17! Almost involuntarily church where he was the pastor, he said to Kathie, “Wow, would and he felt the unrelenting pressure you look at that?” which got him of being a good husband and father. a sharp elbow in the rib cage.

It all seemed so innocent. He missed his twentieth high school reunion, and soon afterward received a note from an old girlfriend who had dumped him just before the prom. She said she missed seeing him at the reunion; he was the one person she was hoping to reconnect with after all these years. Dan wrote back and said he would love to reconnect as well, and perhaps they could get together the next time he returned for a visit.

So he set up a lunch meeting for him and his wife, Kathie, to meet 34

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and said he would be speaking at a conference a few hours away that fall After a cordial lunch, Kathie left (one of our Weekend to Remember® the table for a few minutes, and marriage getaways, if you can believe instantly the conversation turned it!). more intimate until she returned.

In her reply she said that, by When lunch was over they said their goodbyes and Dan thought, Well, “coincidence,” she’d be in the same city that very weekend on business, that was that. so maybe they could get together.

After Dan returned home, he They set a dinner date. received another note from the But this time Dan didn’t tell Kathie woman saying she had hoped they could have spent more time together, about it. just the two of them. She had some Now, Dan is a geologist by training, things she really wanted to talk about, and she wanted some “closure” a very smart man. And he did what in their relationship. He wrote back men have been doing for centuries:

He rationalized his actions. He even or communication with her. He thought he could use the rendezvous apologized for his improper attitude to tell his old girlfriend about his toward her and asked for forgiveness. faith in Christ!

When Dan hung up, a truckload “You are an idiot!” of pressure fell off of his shoulders.

Then that true and faithful friend said But in his gut he knew it was the one thing that Dan didn’t want to wrong, and for several months he hear. “Next, you need to tell Kathie all felt increasingly guilty. Every time about this. And if you don’t tell her by he opened the Bible, no matter what Friday, I’m going to tell her.” passage he tried to study, all he could hear was God telling him, “You idiot!”

Dan did tell Kathie the whole story.

Here he was, a pastor at a growing Kathie’s response was what every church, the leader of a beautiful man needs from his wife when he family with a wife and three children, admits a weakness or temptation. a man who spoke around the country She said she was disappointed that he on how to have a good marriage, didn’t trust her earlier with the story. and he was about to put himself in a She admitted that she knew that this situation where he could throw it all woman had deeper intentions than away in a single compromise. just talking about old times.

The only thing that saved Dan from certain shipwreck was an accountability partner, a man he met for breakfast every week to talk about their lives and to challenge each other to walk in obedience to Christ. Dan called him his “sparring partner.”

when we swallow the bait and act on the temptation that it becomes sin.

And it can destroy our lives.

You may not think it takes much courage to face your temptations, but it does. Accountability is a proactive step toward never underestimating the power of temptation. Manhood requires us to resolutely “flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). We have to put the lure of adolescent behavior behind us, face upward, and step up to our responsibilities as men.

Temptation never ceases as we grow older. One friend approached me after listening to me speak on this topic and admitted, “I can’t believe Kathie knew that Dan was I’m 60 and still struggling with these struggling, but just knowing that issues.” his sparring partner was committed to help surface and conquer those I can. struggles gave her security in their marriage relationship. She was proud One foolish choice made in a to be married to someone who was moment of weakness can wipe out man enough to be accountable to years of integrity. others.

You and I can become idiots very The power of temptation quickly!

To Dan’s credit, at one of their breakfasts he finally told his friend about what was going on. After listening, his sparring partner courageously stepped into Dan’s life Dan almost took and said, “You are an idiot!” the bait. That’s what temptation is, you know.

Then he took out his cell phone and It is a “lure” toward sin. said, “You’re going to call this woman Satan is a master angler right now and cancel that date.” who knows exactly where your weaknesses are. He is Dan did exactly that. He told the an expert at presenting you woman he was happily married and with bait that is designed that it was not appropriate for him perfectly for you. to continue any sort of relationship Temptation isn’t sin; it’s

Dennis Rainey is President, CEO and Co-founder of FamilyLife, lead teacher on the Family Life Today Radio program, airing on FaithTalk 570 & 910 WTBN weekdays at 5:00 am.

Adapted by permission from Dennis Rainey’s book, Stepping Up: A Call to Courageous Manhood, FamilyLife Publishing, © 2011.

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Pastors Masters Golf Tournament April 12 - Tampa We celebrated our second Annual Golf Tournament at Westchase Golf Club.

National Day Of Prayer Luncheon and Rallies May 5 - Tampa & Clearwater We united with thousand of believers as we prayed for our city, our nation and pastors: at events throughout our city.

All Pro Pastors Luncheon May 19 - Lakeland A special luncheon with David Gibbs III, this was to talk about the risks & liabilities that churches and pastors are currently facing.

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Pastors Day at the Trop August 4 - St. Petersburg We enjoyed a day of fellowship and refreshment as the Tampa Bay Rays played the Kansas City Royals.

Bell Shoals 2016 Candidate Forum August 5 - Bell Shoals Baptist Church, Brandon This forum provided voters the opportunity to personally meet, talk and hear the candidates of the upcoming election.

Great Christian Movie Premieres Throughout the Year - Tampa We had the privilege of hosting some amazing Christian Movie Premieres like Greater & Hillsong: Let Hope Rise.

For more event information check out

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By Jim Daly

“What am I willing to risk?”

Wow! I flew all the way back home with that remark weighing on my mind. What weakness did they see in the American church that they felt persecution was the only answer?

That’s a question I’ve been asking myself a lot lately. I’m convinced that we’re not fully expressing the love of Jesus Christ if we’re not willing to risk. Offering ourselves to Haven’t we stood for truth in God as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1) doesn’t afford us much room the culture? Haven’t we preached from most every pulpit that no sin to play it safe. is bigger than even one drop of That became clear to me at the Christ’s blood? Haven’t we clearly end of a business trip to China some proclaimed that salvation in Christ time ago when a Christian couple, is available to everyone? What Chinese nationals, dropped me off could be more powerful than that? at the airport. Before we parted, Answer: the risk of living it. they said, “We’ll be praying for the Christians in America.”

Christians mean well. We really Their comment was straight- do want hurting people to find hope forward enough, but for some in Christ, and we really believe the reason, I felt compelled to ask, problem is the sin, not the sinner.

“How, exactly, do you pray for us?” But sometimes we struggle with how to live those principles out.

They looked at each other like I Could it be that we’re unwilling to had caught them in a secret. They said, “We pray for greater persecution risk what our faith truly requires of because, from where we sit, it looks us? We’ll quote Scripture or debate others’ beliefs, but we’re often like America’s church is weak.” reluctant to build relationships. We 38

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can’t be Christ to someone if we’re not willing to invest our lives into theirs.

This all brings 1 Peter 3:15 to mind, which begins like this: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

Peter presupposes that our lives will so reflect the life of Christ that people will ask us about our faith.

But doesn’t their seeking answers from us imply a relationship where they’re witnessing how we live out our faith? I believe investing our lives into others is what it means to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)? Isn’t God’s heart for us to make disciples, not just converts?

That takes relationship.

And that takes risk.

It was in college that Rosaria Butterfield first noticed her interest in women, and at the age of 28, she

came out as a lesbian. Like many – perhaps most – who identify as homosexual, her pronouncement didn’t come with an agenda. In her mind, she was simply defining her life as she saw it.

against her rather than to deepen I met with someone involved in the their conversations with her. pro-abortion movement.

One couple was different. Ken and Floy Smith, a local pastor and his wife, contacted Rosaria and offered to help her with her book research by helping her understand Christianity’s place in the culture.

Rosaria agreed, primarily because she believed the couple could handle her scholarly inquiries and engage her ideas with thoughtful conversation.

But years later, she took leave from her university professorship to research a book she intended to write as a rebuke of religion from a lesbian feminist point of view. Up to that point, she felt the Christians she’d interacted with acted morally and intellectually superior to the What she didn’t expect was the very people they hoped to reach.

Most of the Christians she knew unconditional love and respect she used the Bible to win arguments received from Ken and Floy. They treated Rosaria not as a project, but as their friend. They were willing to talk with her instead of at her.

They met with her. They invested in her. They “neighbored” with her, and brought the means of grace to her by demonstrating that they valued her as a person, not simply as a potential convert to the Christian faith out of lesbianism.

Since then, Rosaria has become a powerful Christian voice for how to reach the LGBT community.

Rosaria’s story brings to mind occasions where I’ve personally witnessed how God moves when we have the courage to invest in people’s lives. One of the more memorable moments was when

I am unwavering in my commitment to see abortion become a distant memory in our nation’s history. To that end, I sought dialogue with leaders in the abortion industry.

With that in mind, I invited someone to our offices who worked for a prominent abortion provider.

Our conversation began awkwardly, but the meeting was cordial. When the lady went home, she found a note from her husband waiting for her, telling her he wanted a divorce.

She was distraught and didn’t know where to turn for help.

Because of the love and respect she experienced while visiting our campus, she contacted us at Focus on the Family. One of our staff took her under her wing. No political agenda. No ulterior motive. She simply showed this woman the love of Christ by mentoring her and becoming her friend.

A few months later, I received a note from the woman. She wanted me to know she was walking away from the pro-abortion organization she worked for. Even more importantly, I think, were the heartfelt words she expressed for my colleague who had acted as the hands and feet of Christ in her life. She said: “I’ve never seen anyone love another human being the way this person has loved me.”

That is what I’m talking about!

Jim Daly is the president and host of the National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast, Focus on the Family. Focus on the Family airs weekdays starting at 2:30, 7:00 am and 7:00 pm on FaithTalk 570 & 910 WTBN. LETSTALKFAITH.COM

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