Catalyst
! What kind of times are these that turmoil, tornadoes and terrorists capture the news day in and day out?" Is there peace in the midst of all this?" King David summed it up well in Psalm 31." When surrounded by enemies, his trust in God rings out through the ages as he appeals for deliverance, “…You are my refuge." Into your hands I commit my spirit…” Sound familiar?" Jesus also spoke these words on the cross (Luke 23: 45)." With the coming of the Holy Spirit, I am to be as He was in the world - like Stephen at his martyrdom when he used the same words from Psalm 31 (See Acts 7:59)." Stephen mirrored Jesus at his death when he cried out, “Do not hold this sin against them (his persecutors)." How does this apply to me today in the 21st century amidst the circumstances of antiChristian forces?" Psalm 31: 13 – 14:" But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.”" My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.”" Complete trust in a God who loves me is to be my attitude."
August 2011
! Having said that, I must also consider something else." God does not delight in the death of the wicked, but His judgments must be reckoned with." Romans 6: 23," “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”" There are two prongs to this statement:" (1) God cannot deny his holiness so evil has to be judged" (2) God is love and His Son’s death on the cross appeased his wrath." ! I John 4: 10:" “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”" Propitiate is a verb meaning to regain the favor of" (a god, spirit, person) by doing something that pleases them." Propitiation is a noun, which is the action of propitiating or appeasing a god, spirit, or person. Now, it is clear." Jesus willingly appeased God’s anger against evil while Jesus was dying on the cross." Sin and judgment reckoned with and God’s love demonstrated in the same act!" How brilliant!" Finally, God has done everything necessary to save the human race from experiencing His judgment against evil." " According to John 1: 9, Jesus is the Light that lights every man, even Usama bin Laden, who comes into the world." Here are the options:" Either I accept God’s provision or I have to pay! In other words, I could end up, although it is not God’s desire, just like Usama bin Laden!" ! So, whether turmoil, tornadoes, or terrorists, there is a God who loves me and will not abandonment me through it all." Can I say with David, Jesus, and Stephen," “My times are in your hands.” Gladys Grimaud President CityLight
Michael R. Brenan State/Group President BB&T 1
CityLight Prayer Breakfast