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T h e Vo i c e o f t h e C h r i s t i a n C o m m u n i t y "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths (Proverbs:3:6)
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Prepare for Victory! His servants, the prophets, were men of prayer, full of the truth and the Holy Spirit. They were true shepherds - holy and fearless servants. The Bible says these men of God have stood in the counsel of the Lord. Over and over in the Bible, you'll find these traits in every man of God. Elijah stood before wicked Ahab and said, "I've come to you, king, because I have stood before the Lord!" The prophets heard counsel from God - and they comprehended it and preached it! God says these kinds of servants "cause my people to hear my words... (turning) them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doing" (Jeremiah 23:22). They are not afraid to expose sin in the house of God, no matter who gets convicted! Jeremiah himself was everything a hungry congregation could ask for in a shepherd. He was shut in with God; he couldn't be bought at
any price; he wept over the sins of God's people. He was ready to lay down his life for the church - and indeed he was cast into jail and into a deadly mud pit for speaking the truth! Time after time, Scripture says Jeremiah waited in the Lord's presence until "the word of the Lord came to him." (This phrase appears over fifty times in the book of Jeremiah!) In those days, there was no shortage of a true word from God. Indeed, the Lord has always had His true prophets and pastors, even in times of compromise. Time after time, you read: "And the word of the Lord came to Isaiah... to Jeremiah... to Ezekiel..." It came to Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Jonah, Micah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. And God's word was always a clear warning - full of judgment against sin, yet full of hope for the
From the Editor repentant. It was a call to separation from ungodliness - and to a continual life of holiness! Usually there were three kinds of responses to the word of truth. And you see these same three responses among Christians today. Many People Simply Do Not Want to Hear What God is saying! The Israelites had no intention of quitting their sinful ways. Instead, they wanted a soft, soothing word. The prophet Isaiah said of them: "This is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord. The Lord warns those who do not want to hear the true Word of God: "Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein; but have
walked after the imagination of their own heart... therefore... I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink" (Jeremiah 9:13-15). God warns: "You can choose to sit under that kind of preaching smooth, comforting, soft and easy. But it's poison! You're drinking in death!" Others Say Privately They Want To Hear What God Is Saying - But Their Pride Hinders Them From Hearing! King Zedekiah best illustrates this kind of person. He was a man of great power, influence and authority. His father, Josiah, was a godly man - so we know Zedekiah See VICTORY on Page 35
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FROM THE EDITOR 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
Let the real you encounter the real God SERVICE TIMES Sat. 6:00pm | Sun. 10:00am (King’s Café opens 1 hour before each service) 2020 Elsie Ave., Slidell, LA 70458 (Off of I-10 & Fremaux Ave.)
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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
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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. >
YOU MATTER! CHANGING TIMES MATTERS! Can We Count on Your Faithful Support? ❏ Yes, I will pledge my support for Changing Times by donating $ ________________. Make check payable to Save the Nations Ministries, Inc. [A 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization]. ❏ I prefer to pay by credit card. ❏ Visa ❏ MasterCard ❏ American Express Number __________________________ Exp. Date ___________ Name ______________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________ City _________________________ State _______ Zip _______
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Men
The New Man by David Wilkerson As followers of Christ, we are to take God at His Word and accept as true what He says we are. This means our “old man” represents a man who still seeks to please God in the flesh. Such a man hates sin, he doesn’t want to offend God, and yet his conscience continually brings him under guilt. So he pledges to overcome his sin problem: “I’m going to change! I’ll start today to fight my besetting sin, no matter what the cost. I want God to see how hard I am trying.” Such a man brings to the Lord much sweat and many tears. He prays and fasts to prove to God that he has a good heart. He’s able to resist sin for days at a time, and so he tells himself, “If I can go for two days, then why not four, why not a week?” By the end of the month he feels good about himself, convinced he’s working himself free. But then his old sin surfaces, and down he goes, deep into despair. And that starts the cycle all over again. Such a man is on a treadmill that will never end, one he can’t get off. May it never be! His man-inflesh was crucified along with Christ, killed in the eyes of God. Indeed, Paul tells us that the old man was pronounced dead at the cross. Jesus took that old man into
the grave with Him, where he was left for dead and forgotten. Just as the prodigal’s father ignored the “old man” in his son, the Lord says of our old man, “I won’t recognize or deal with such a one. There is only one man I recognize now, One with whom I’ll deal. That is my Son, Jesus, and all who are in Him by faith.” The new man is the one who has given up all hope of pleasing God by any effort of the flesh. He has died to the old ways of the flesh. And by faith he has come to know there is only one way to please God, one way to delight him: Christ must become all. He knows that there is but One whom the Father recognizes: Christ and all who are in Him. This new man lives by faith alone: “The just shall live by faith.” He believes God’s Word so completely he leans on nothing else. He has found his source of everything in Christ, who is all sufficient. And he believes what God says of him: “Your old man is dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” He may not feel it, or comprehend it fully, but he won’t argue with his loving Father’s Word. He accepts it on faith, believing the Lord is faithful to His Word. Copyright © 2016 by World Challenge, Inc., P.O. Box 260, Lindale, Texas 75771. >
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Table of Contents From the Editor
3
Men
5
Women
7
Children
9
Seniors
11
Marriage
15
Education
17
Health
19
Financial
21
Feature Articles
22
Personal Revival
23
The Christian Journey
25
Guiding Light
28
The Transformed Life
30
The Triumphant Christian
32
Community Spotlight
34
For the day of the Lord of hosts shall come upon everything proud and lofty, upon everything lifted up— and it shall be brought low - Isaiah 2:12
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Everyone passes through life leaving something behind. Most of us write a last will and testament to divide our material things. But that's not all we leave. We also distribute our spiritual legacies throughout life. Our legacy is crafted moment-by-moment, dayby-day, as the sum of our life story weaves a biography. With that in mind, is your spiritual will in order? The Final Curtain Some of us will have the opportunity to tell our loved ones good-bye. If we were to know that death is imminent, we could prepare, leaving nothing important unsaid. Such final words from the heart can provide closure, they can teach valuable lessons, and they can help lay a course for the future. In biblical times, this final talk was called the "last charge." But not all of us will have the opportunity to frame our last words. Even if we do, our words won't outshine the story written with our lives if they don't ring true to it. We start writing the story of our lives at birth. We write it on ordinary days and in routine moments, when it's not death that's occupying our minds but the business of living. Good writers carefully study the direction their story is taking. They ask, "Am I illustrating the main points? Am I satisfied with the character development and plot progression?" Then, when every chapter is finished, "Is there a consistent thread that runs throughout?" Now is the time to examine our life-stories and evaluate our spiritual legacies. What is your life telling those around you today? Show, Don't Tell In (I Kings 1:2) as King David was near death, he charged his son Solomon to "be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man." But David didn't just tell Solomon to be courageous. He'd already modeled courage throughout his life. David's bravery as a shepherd boy against wild animals and even the giant Goliath was legendary. When encouraged to be strong, Solomon had David's real-life example to follow. What are we teaching others by our daily example? Though we'll probably never fight giants, others
are quietly taking note of the way we handle life’s challenges. They notice how we respond to adversity and the resources we draw from. Leave a Lasting Imprint In his last charge, David requested special kindness to the sons of a man who had helped him (I Kings 2:7). David left a legacy for Solomon to follow with this effort. How are you demonstrating godly and compassionate treatment of others? One family I know takes their children on missions trips. They want to teach their kids that there is an entire world outside of their own culture, and they can touch that world for Christ. We can all make it our responsibility to display our compassion in a tangible way, to imprint a legacy of goodness on our children. Don't Bury the Story Of course, many of us will leave legacies in the pages of our lives that we'd rather left unread. In his final charge to Solomon, David made a reference that was a telling reminder of a sordid chapter in his life—his affair with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah (I Kings 2:5,6). Undoubtedly, David would have liked to re-write that chapter or delete it altogether. The rest of us have chapters we'd like to bury too, but others can learn more from the honest retelling of our mistakes than if we cover them up. Live Happily Ever After It's interesting that Solomon, in turn, passed on words of encouragement to his own son. The book of Proverbs was written by Solomon specifically to encourage his son to faith. As we are diligent to pass on our own spiritual legacies, our children will also emulate this practice, passing on godly character from generation to generation. As time passes, most of us finally come to a point where we contemplate our legacies. What stories are we writing with our lives right now, today, one moment at a time? As we carefully pick our words and match them with our actions, our lives can have an impact far beyond the here and now. This article was excerpted from Turning Points, Dr. David Jeremiah’s devotional magazine. Call Turning Point at 1-800-9471993 for your copy of Turning Points. >
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The Attractive Christian Woman
Women
by Nancy Leigh DeMoss The New York Times printed an article entitled, “She’s Got to Be a Macho Girl.” It reads, “John Bernard is 16, strapping, handsome, a hormonal hot-pocket of a teenager. Guys like him were once every father’s nightmare. No longer. ‘The girls are way more aggressive than the boys,’ John said . . . . ‘They have more attitude. They have more power. And they overpower guys more. I mean, it’s scary.’” This is the culture in which we live. And yet Christ calls His followers to be counter-cultural. In fact, Paul says in (1 Timothy 2:9– 10) that two attitudes are to characterize a Christian woman’s approach to her appearance and behavior: modesty and self-control.
A Modest Heart You don’t hear the word modesty often today, at least not in a positive sense. It conjures up images of a dour, frumpy schoolmarm. But that’s a misconception. A woman’s greatest loveliness comes through a modest heart that expresses itself in modest behavior, dress, and attitudes. Modest comes from a Greek word, aidos, which means propriety, decency. The word also hints at a proper sense of shame. For example, a modest woman would be ashamed if anything about her attitude or appearance dishonored Christ, distracted other believers, or caused men to sin. A modest woman is disinclined to call attention to herself. There’s nothing wrong with having an outgoing personality, but a modest woman does not try to get people to notice her. In her speech, dress, and behavior, she is free from showiness or ostentation. Here are some questions to help
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
you assess your level of modesty: • Do I have a humble view of myself? • Do I have a high view of God? • Am I grieved at the thought of offending God or causing someone else to sin? • Do I wear clothing that is neat, decent, and doesn’t cause distraction or temptation to others? • Am I guilty of promoting myself? • Do I come across as controlling, bossy, or domineering? • Do I talk too much? Scripture says, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking” (Proverbs 10:19). Controlled Freedom If you’re like me, you can easily get discouraged by reading passages like (1 Timothy 2:9-10) that spell out God’s standard for our lives as women. That’s why we need to call out to the Lord: “Apart from You, there is no way I can be the kind of woman You have called me to be! By the power of Your Holy Spirit, please make me this kind of woman.” If you allow the Spirit of God room to work, He will produce His fruit in your life— including the fruit of self-control. By practicing self-control, you’ll avoid many difficult situations altogether because you’ll make wise, restrained choices upfront—with your tongue, your eyes, your touch, your spirit. As you did with modesty, ask yourself some questions to evaluate your level of self-control:
• Do I manage my time well? • Am I disciplined in my work
habits? • Am I moderate and temperate in my eating, drinking, and spending? • Is my tongue controlled by the Spirit, or do I blurt out whatever comes to mind? • Am I prone to emotional outbursts? • Am I restrained in my relationships and demeanor with men? The greatest freedom comes when you’re under the control of the Holy Spirit. That’s when you can enjoy healthy and wholesome relationships in the Body of Christ. A heart of modesty and selfcontrol will bring joy and peace in your life—and will make the Gospel believable to unbelievers. ©Revive Our Hearts. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com >
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Behold, the day of the Lord comes, Cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; And He will destroy its sinners from it. – Isaiah 13:9
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WOMEN
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What and What Not to Wear by Mary Kassian (In 1 Timothy 2:9), the Lord provides three guidelines that help Christian women figure out what and what not to wear: “She adorns herself with respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control.” Let’s examine these three guidelines to help us ensure that our looks are in good order, properly arranged, and ready to display Christ. Is It Becoming or Unbecoming? Kosmio is the descriptive form of the Greek noun kosmos (to put in order, trim, adorn, or decorate), which is related to our English word cosmos—the universe. The Greeks regarded the universe to be an ordered, integrated, harmonious whole. Kosmos is the opposite of chaos. So when Paul told women that their adornment should be kosmio, he meant that like the universe, all the parts should be harmoniously arranged with the other parts. It should be “becoming”— that is, appropriate or fitting. Given the context, I believe Paul was implying that our adornment ought to be becoming on a number of different levels. First and foremost, your clothing ought to be becoming, fitting to, and consistent with your character as a child of God. But it also ought to be becoming to your body type, becoming to your femininity, becoming to your husband, becoming to the other clothes you are wearing, and becoming to the occasion and place you intend to wear it. There’s a tremendous amount of guidance in that small word, becoming. It challenges you to evaluate your clothes, shoes, purses, makeup, and hair from multiple angles as part of the harmonious, integrated whole of your life—to line up the seen with the unseen and the temporal with the eternal. It challenges you to bring a cosmic perspective to bear on your everyday decisions. I like the word Paul chose. It has enormous implications. Kosmio means that a Christian woman’s “look” ought to be consistently put together, inside and out. This challenges those who put an undue emphasis on external appearance as well as those who neglect their personal appearance. It’s a corrective to women who dress extravagantly. It’s a corrective to those who dress seductively. But it’s also a correc-
tive to those who think that “holy” means frumpy, ugly, unfeminine, and out of style. Becoming indicates that running around in baggy jeans and T-shirts all the time is just as inappropriate as being obsessed with stylish clothing. It means that a woman’s appearance ought to be put together nicely. It ought to be pleasant and attractive—on the inside and the outside. Is It Decent or Indecent? The second word, aidous, is based on the Greek term for shame and disgrace. The word is a blend of modesty and humility. When I think about a word picture that personifies this concept, I think of approaching God with eyes that are downcast. It involves a sense of deficiency, inferiority, or unworthiness. It suggests shame, but also a corresponding sense of reverence and honor toward rightful authority. It’s the opposite of insolence, imprudence, disrespect, or audacity. Downcast eyes are the opposite of defiant eyes. So does dressing with your eyes downcast mean that you are selfconscious? No. It means that your clothing tells the truth about the gospel. Your clothing shows the world that Jesus covers your shame and makes you decent. Your clothes cover your nakedness as the clothing of Christ covers your sin. Dressing “with eyes downcast” means that you choose clothes that are decent in His eyes . . . not clothes that are provocative, seductive, and that honor nakedness. When you dress decently, you recognize that God ordained clothes to cover, and not draw attention to, your naked skin. You cover up out of respect for Him, the gospel, your Christian brothers—and out of respect for who He made you to be. Decency means you agree with the Lord about the true purpose of clothing and set aside your selfinterest to dress in a way that exalts Christ. So in that dressing room trying on that skirt, take time to sit, bend, and stretch in front of that mirror, and ask yourself, Is this skirt decent? Does it do what it should do? Does it properly cover me up? See WHAT NOT TO WEAR on Page 42
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Children
It Is Written! The Story of Jesus' Wilderness Temptation "I'm going to GET you!" laughed Nina, as she chased her little sister around the sofa. Savanna giggled as she ran. Usually the sun shone bright and hot, but the past few summer days had been stormy. The girls had played board games, and colored, and read stories. Their mom had helped them bake cookies. Today, it was STILL raining and Mom had to go to the doctor, so Mrs. Murphy was staying with them. It wasn't as much fun having a babysitter as having Mom with them, so the girls were making their own fun. Round and round the sofa they ran. It was such fun...UNTIL Savanna bumped into the end table, and the candy dish crashed to the floor. "WHAT'S GOING ON IN THERE, GIRLS?" Mrs. Murphy called from the kitchen table. "Nothing!" the girls shouted together. "Let's hide the broken pieces in the trash can," suggested Savanna. "I think Mom will notice that it isn't here," replied her sister. "I think we should just TELL her what happened."
"We could tell her that Mrs. Murphy bumped into the table and broke it!" Savanna said in a whisper. "No, Savanna," Nina said with a smile, as she hugged her little sister. "We CAN'T lie to Mom about the dish. She won't get mad if we tell the truth." Just then, the front door opened, and their mom came into the living room. "Oh, dear! What HAPPENED here?" she asked. John the Baptist had just baptized his cousin Jesus in the Jordan River. God, the Father, was SO well pleased, He TOLD Him so, straight from heaven, in a voice SO loud, everybody around Him heard it: "THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED." The Bible says that right after Jesus was baptized, while He was still wet and had just come up out of the water, the heavens above him opened straight up and the most beautiful thing happened. As Jesus looked up, He saw God's Holy Spirit coming down right out of the heavens. As a matter
of fact, the Holy Spirit landed smack on top of Him, in the beautiful form of a dove. The sun beat down HOT on the desert wilderness. Jesus had listened when the Spirit of God spoke to Him. Far into the country He had walked, leaving His friends and His family behind. After a few days, He saw no travelers. Jesus was ALL ALONE in the wilderness. He prayed and listened to His Father God. For forty days and forty nights, He didn't eat. At the end of that time, He was very, very hungry. The devil came and tempted Him by saying, "If you are the Son of God, COMMAND that these stones be made bread." Could Father God turn those stones into bread? Of course, He could...if Jesus had asked! But Jesus said, "IT IS WRITTEN, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out from the mouth of God." The devil wasn't going to go away so easily, so he took Jesus into the
holy city and set Him on a top corner of the temple. The temple was VERY, very tall. Would you hurt yourself if you fell off your house? Well, this temple was MUCH taller than your house. As Jesus stood up on that temple, He looked down at the ground far below Him. The devil said, "Now if You really are the Son of God, cast yourself down." This time the devil quoted a Bible verse: "FOR IT IS WRITTEN, He shall give His angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear you up, lest at any time you dash Your foot against a stone." Jesus answered back: "IT IS WRITTEN AGAIN, that you shall not tempt the Lord thy God." Jesus knew God's Word WELL. Finally, the devil took Jesus up a very, very high mountain. He showed Him all the kingdoms of the world with all their beauty and wealth. See IT IS WRITTEN on Page 38
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vices in Mandeville to help meet the increasing need for inclusive opportunities for children with special needs. Since many existing child care centers were not equipped to support children with disabilities into their centers. Noah’s ARC provides a full range of educational and developmental services in an inclusive environmental setting and encourages children to experience the joy of learning in a warm and loving atmosphere. Noah’s ARC recognizes participation of children with disABILITIES in an inclusive early childhood setting. Appropriate supports, accommodations and modifications result in improved outcomes for both typical children as well as children with disABILITIES. Benefits include: • Children develop friendships • Children develop sense of compassion for others • Children learn to cope with challenges • Children learn social skills & communication skills Noah’s ARC maintains the philosophy that we are all more alike than we are different and this is observed daily in the children. >
Closer Than a Brother a story about David and Jonathan by Barbara Wilmerton Haas Jeff finally got up the nerve to knock on the door. He was standing in front of the new neighbor's house, hoping to find one more lawn to mow so he could save enough money to go to camp this summer. "Hi," he said energetically, as a kind looking lady opened the door. He couldn't help but notice the boy his age, getting up from the couch to see who was there. "I'm Jeff... Jeff Hilliard," he continued. "I live over there in that blue house," he said, pointing to the house across the street. The two boys' eyes met and instantly Jeff felt like he already knew this boy. "I'd like to know if I could help by mowing your lawn for you." The kind lady graciously accepted his offer to help. It was not until the lawn was finished that Jeff got to meet Dan for the first time. The two boys hit it off right from the start. It was just as though they had known each other a very long time. Have you ever made friends with someone so quickly that it felt as if you have always known him or her? That's exactly the way it happened with two boys in today's story. However, one was a king's son and the other was a shepherd boy. After David, the shepherd boy, had killed the giant Goliath, Abner, who was King Saul's general, went and got David to bring him before the King. King Saul wanted to talk with David so he could find out what kind of family David came from. He was pretty impressed with this young lad and his amazing courage, to say the least. King Saul looked him up and down for a few minutes, admiring the courageous young fellow. Then he said, "Tell me, son. Who is your father and where do you live?" "My father's name is Jesse, Your Majesty. I come from the town of Bethlehem," David replied with great respect. It was right after this talk with King Saul that David met Jonathan for the very first time. Instantly their hearts were bonded together in friendship. The feeling was so strong that before they parted, Jonathan promised to be David's blood brother. To prove he sincerely meant what he said, Jonathan took off his robe and handed it over to David. Not
only did he hand over his robe, but also his sword, his bow, and his belt. He gave David these things as proof of their promise to continue the friendship that began between them on the day David had slain the giant Goliath. From that time on, King Saul had David stay at Jerusalem with him instead of going back to his home in Bethlehem. He became King Saul's special assistant and was always successful in every assignment the King gave him. After a while, he was put in charge of the King's army. All the soldiers and the people throughout the city loved David. Something happened when the army returned home in great victory after the giant Goliath had been slain. All along the way, as the army marched back to Jerusalem, women came out of the villages, dancing and singing, playing their tambourines, having a great celebration. But what was it they were singing? Did King Saul HEAR right? "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his TEN thousands!" Naturally, this made King Saul very angry. "What's going on?" he muttered to himself. "They're giving David credit for slaying TEN thousand. Yet they're only crediting me for slaying thousands! Before you know it, they'll be making him KING instead of ME!" That is exactly when King Saul's heart became filled with jealousy toward David. In fact, the very next day, Saul became tormented, the Bible says, with an evil spirit. He began to carry on right in the middle of the house where everyone could see him. This same thing had happened to King Saul in the past, so David knew exactly what to do. He went and got his harp and began playing some very soothing music. But this time, Saul, who had been standing with his sword in his hand, suddenly hurled it at David, aiming to pin his body against the wall. This happened twice, but each time David was able to escape without being harmed. The Bible says, Saul was afraid of David because he knew God was with him. Worse yet, King Saul knew God's Presence had departed from him. Because of this, Saul sent See BROTHER on Page 38
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God's Answer to Loneliness by Adrian Rogers
Seniors
and not even know your neighbors. Loneliness Is a Crippling Force Loneliness cripples. It may cripple you emotionally. One survey showed that eighty percent of psychiatric patients sought help because of loneliness, and counselors will tell you that loneliness is a leading cause of suicide. It will hurt you physically. Fifty percent of the heart patients were lonely and depressed before they had a heart attack. Loneliness also shows up as fatigue, loss of appetite, or overeating. It can cripple you spiritually. The irony is when a person experiences loneliness, he drops out of church – the very place he can go to get strength and encouragement. He drops out, sits at home, and drinks from the intoxicating cup of self-pity and has a hangover called loneliness. Loneliness Is a Conquered Foe Let me tell you Who the answer to loneliness is – Jesus! In the first place Jesus understands your loneliness. He knows how you feel. (Isaiah 53:3) says, "He is despised and rejected of men; a Man of sorrows ..." And (John 1:11) says, "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." He lived a life of loneliness. When He died upon the cross, He was suspended between heaven and earth. Because He had taken the sin of the world upon Himself, even God His Father, in holy righteousness, could not look upon Him. Even His disciples forsook Him. Jesus died alone. You are precious to Him. Had there not been one more soul on Earth, He would have died for you alone. Through Jesus Christ you have significance. He knows the very hairs of your head. He wants you and needs you. He knows, He cares, and He understands. He's always there. You may be lonely, but you're never alone. He promskilled nursing • rehabilitation ised never to leave us Serving Slidell and the surrounding (Hebrews 13:5). If no st. tammany Parish community, extending one else understands, our reach over the border to serve residents He does. If everybody of biloxi and Picayune, Mississippi. else fails you, He will 106 Medical Center drive, slidell, la 70461 • 985-643-0307 not. And when you get www.heritagemanorslidell.com to the bottom line, He alone will meet the needs that you have. Jesus alone is the answer to loneliness. © 2016 Love Worth Quality Nursing Care • Hospice Care Finding Ministries, Medicare Skilled Nursing Unit P.O. Box 38300, Memphis, TN 38183, www. Intermediate and Respite Care lwf.org > Short and Long Term Rehabilitation Ventilator Dependent Unit Reliable Community Alternatives, LLC. On-Site Dialysis Let us be the non-medical care and support for you or Positions available for your loved one(s) in the comfort of your home. RN • LPN • CNA
Christmas is, for many people, the most joyful, glorious, happy time of the year. At the same time, it can be the loneliest season for others. Many look around and see others laughing, hugging, kissing, and singing; and it reinforces their emptiness and loneliness. What is ironic and sad is that Christmas is about undoing loneliness. Isaiah shared with us seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus Christ, "Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). Immanuel means "God with us." And if God is with us, how can we ever be lonely again? But, far more people are lonely than we may dream. Loneliness is a Common Fact What is loneliness? Well, let me tell you what loneliness is not. Loneliness is not solitude. Thank God for solitude. Jesus, many times, would withdraw Himself from the crowds to be alone. Loneliness is not lonesomeness. You can be lonesome and not lonely. Loneliness is not isolation. You can be lonely in a crowd. In fact, sometimes a crowd may increase your loneliness. Loneliness is a painful sense of being unwanted, unneeded, uncared for, maybe even unnecessary. Every person has three basic emotional needs. Every one of us has a need for someone to love and someone to love us. We also all need somebody who understands us, who knows how we feel. And then we desire somebody who wants us and needs us. We need to be needed. Causes of Loneliness So, what can cause loneliness? • Past Rejections — You may have been rejected in the past, and you’re afraid to try again. • Insecurity — In your mind, you may not feel worthy to be accepted, so you don't reach out for other people. • Grief — If you've experienced grief, you may feel like nobody understands how badly you hurt. You close up, drop out, hunker down, and live a lonely life of isolation because you think nobody understands. • Self-centeredness — You may be all wrapped up inside of yourself. You live in a bubble of pride and self-centeredness. • Sinful Lifestyle — Sin builds walls. Cain murdered his brother Abel and was driven away from the presence of God, from home, and from loved ones. (Genesis 6:13). • The Depersonalization of Society — When you buy something in a store, you may never even make eye contact. You may live in a house L. L.C.
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The Picture of George and Ruby by Sharlyn Guthrie Willard and George were admitted to the nursing home as roommates on the same day. I was there, finding just the right spot for Willard’s lift chair, labeling his clothing, and seeing to it that he was as comfortable as possible, because Willard is my father. While moving to a nursing home is never easy, spending the past month in the hospital was worse, so with resignation my father began to familiarize himself with his new surroundings and with his roommate, George. Almost immediately we discovered that the two roommates shared a liking for talk-radio programs. Relieved that this pastime would be equally enjoyed by both men, we began seeking other commonalities. George lifted a large tattered Bible from his nightstand. Grinning, my father pulled his own well-worn Bible from the bag I was unpacking. I smiled, breathing a prayer of thanksgiving for the Lord’s provision in these smallest of details. The conversation turned to family, and we learned that both men raised only daughters, no sons. My father’s eyes welled up with tears as he told George about Bernice, his wife of sixty years who had passed away just nine months earlier. George expressed his condolences, but then his eyes brightened. His wife, Ruby lived here in the same nursing home! George explained that she needed more care than he, so she was in a special room down the hall. He used to come and visit her every day, but for several months now he had been unable to drive, so his visits had been less frequent. He seemed elated that he would again be seeing her daily. At dinner time I watched amused, as George and Willard shuffled off to the dining room, walkers extended in front of them. I observed their matching height and slight build, and noted that each of them wore a plaid flannel shirt. George fastened his belt high above the small paunch of his stomach, while Willard avoided the belt problem altogether
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by wearing overalls. They made quite a pair! Again I thanked God for so quickly providing my father with a companion. George and Willard continued to enjoy each others’ company, but the indelible vision I have of George was witnessed by my husband and I one evening as we passed through the large sitting area on our way to visit Willard. My husband tapped my arm and pointed across the way. On this particular evening George was seated in an armchair wearing a white shirt, with his black slacks characteristically pulled up under his armpits. His thin, unruly hair had been slicked back along the sides of his head. His normally gray, sunken eyes sparkled and a gentle smile warmed his opaque face. For next to him sat Ruby. Ruby, wrinkled and disheveled, dressed in pajamas and a floral duster, had been positioned and tied into a tall straight-back chair with wheels and a tray. Her head drooped onto her chest, and her eyes were closed, drool coursing down her chin. It’s doubtful that she knew George was beside her. But George beamed, reaching up to hold her fragile hand in his, exulting in the presence of his beloved Ruby. My husband and I reverently paused to take in the sight, and then continued down the hallway. It’s a sight we will never forget. Though we have attended countless weddings and anniversary parties, listened to hundreds of love songs, and watched dozens of romantic movies, the picture that best captures the essence of enduring love is a picture now seared in our memory …the picture of George and Ruby. I love the Lord Jesus with all of my heart. Besides being a teacher, I have been a newspaper guest columnist and have had several short stories and poems published. I love extracting beauty from the ordinary: vegetables, notes, fabric, flowers, paper, weeds, words. © 2016 FaithWriters.com. All Rights Reserved >
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Gift with Purchase
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by Kim Wier and Pam McCune Kim and Pam are two moms who were searching to bring more meaning to their own family celebrations. As a result, they wrote the book Redeeming the Season: Simple Ideas for a Memorable and Meaningful Christmas. Here’s a great idea Kim came up, after searching for a popular toy for her son one Christmas. Finally, I understood all the fearful and anxious faces I’d been seeing behind the counters. Day after day, clerks had been confronted by joyless, frustrated shoppers angered by inconveniences. On that day, I was thankful I had not been one of them. But what about the day before? I could vividly recall my frustration at having to wait in long lines, my curtness because I was running late and my less-thanpleasant demeanor after a long day of shopping. I had missed many opportunities to be a light in someone else’s dark day. That episode prompted our family’s Gift-with-Purchase program. At the beginning of the holiday we fill a basket with ornaments that we have made on a family night. Everything in the basket is representative of some part of the Christmas story. We make angels, stars of Bethlehem, and crowns. On each one we attach a Bible verse that conveys the true meaning of Christmas. From Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve, we keep this basket of ornaments in the car. Whenever we go into a store, a restaurant, or even the dry cleaners, we take one of these ornaments to give to the person who assists us. We have found that giving a gift with our purchase does two things. First, it helps keep us accountable
for our attitudes around others. We can’t very well gripe someone out for giving us the wrong change and then offer him or her a spiritually significant gift. Even greater, though, is what happens in the attitude of the people who receive it. In a small way it says that they are valuable, what they do is important, and they are appreciated. We will never know what effect the Word of God has in the life of each stranger as he or she reads the verse attached to the ornament, but we are happy to leave that responsibility with God. For our part, the blessing comes back when a smile crosses the face of someone who received our Gift with Purchase. Tips for preparing your Gift with Purchase • Filling the basket full of giveaway ornaments that you will keep in your car makes a great family night activity. • Choose an ornament design that is simple to make and durable enough to keep in the car. • As your children work, talk to them about the command Jesus gave us to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14) • Don’t forget to attach an appropriate Bible verse to each ornament. Remind your children that Scripture has an eternal power of its own, and God says it will not go out without accomplishing His purposes. • When all the ornaments are completed, lead a family prayer time. Ask God to help the people who receive the ornaments understand more about Jesus’ purpose on this earth and what makes Christmas such a holy holiday. © Revive Our Hearts. www.ReviveOurHearts.com >
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A Foundation for the Future by Adrian Rogers As we embark on a New Year, it's important that we know how to have a firm foundation to face the world in which we live. We need to start with a Christian worldview, and to do that we need to start at the very beginning. (Genesis 1:1) opens, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This is foundational truth.
God is Simply Presented Recognize Him "In the beginning God..." God is not argued, explained, nor defended. He is simply presented. There is neither an explanation in the Bible for the existence of God nor did the writers try to prove His existence. The Bible is full and complete and has all we need for faith. God must ultimately be accepted by faith. Whether you believe in God is not a matter of the mind but a matter of the heart. The Bible says in Manufacturers Since 1867
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(Psalm 53:1), "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." When the Bible uses the word fool, it does not mean the man who is mentally deficient; it means the man who is morally deficient. What God is saying is that a man with a wicked heart is the kind of man who denies God. In fact, it does not state the fool has said in his heart there is no God. It literally says, the fool has said in his heart, "No God." Just like you might go through the cafeteria line and say, "No dessert"; the fool says, "No God. I do not want God." God is Sovereignly Powerful Respect Him "In the beginning God created..." Only God has creative power and only God has originating power. The Hebrew word for create is Bara, and it means "to make something out of absolutely nothing." (Hebrews 11:3) says, "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." God is the One who can make something out of nothing. Man cannot create anything, and man cannot destroy anything. All man can do is to change the form. If you see a watch, you assume there is a watchmaker. If you see a building, you assume there is an architect. If you see the complex structure of the human body, I hope you don't believe that happened by chance. The evolutionists believe that billions of years plus time plus
chance can turn frogs into princes. In school they call that fairytales; in the laboratory they call it science. Man cannot create. Only God has originating power. One question that stumps the evolutionists: Where did primordial ooze come from? If they say life came from Mars, where did Mars come from? There are two alternatives: a self-existing universe or a selfexisting God. God is Surely Purposeful Reverence Him "In the beginning God created..." When you look at creation, there are two things you can see very easily, one is design and the other is purpose. Look at three reasons why God created everything: - For His pleasure. The Bible says in (Revelation 4:11), speaking to the Lord Jesus Christ, who was God's agent in creation, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created." - For His praise. (Psalm 150: 6) says, "Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord." God created it all for His pleasure and for His praise - For His people. Because God was going to create a people, He made a home for them. And when God made it, He stepped back and said that it was good. God is Savingly Personal Receive Him See FUTURE on Page 39
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Choosing To Work On a Bad Marriage By Angie Lewis Choosing to work on your marriage takes willingness by both spouses. You either want to work on the marriage, or you don't, it is really that simple. Sometimes you might talk yourself out of staying married and look for reasons "why" you should not work on the marriage. You know when you're talking yourself out of working on the marriage when you go to friends and family who you know may be biased toward you, and against your spouse. You tell them how you have been wronged by your spouse and how all the problems shadowing the marriage is their fault. Your friends might tell you that maybe your spouse is no good and to leave them. The more you listen to them the more your mind gives you justification for not working on the marriage. This is how many couples deceive themselves into divorce. Going to family and friends are the worse people to go to when having marital difficulties. It may very well end your marriage for good! I'm here to tell you, a marriage gone wrong is never just the fault of one spouse. Now, it is true, some people are a lot harder to get along with than others, and therefore, one spouse may be hurting the marriage more just by stubbornness and selfishness. But it always takes two to get married and two to end the marriage. By going around seeking reasons for not working on the marriage you will find it because you have already set it in your mind to not save the marriage. But in a marriage gone bad there almost is never a good guy. It is realizing that we can be good a good guy, and that we have value in life for others, and ourselves that
will make us want to choose to restore the marriage. Restoring marriage is about being willing to say, "Hey, I was wrong, lets try and work this problem out and save the marriage". All it really takes is someone to make the first move, and say, "Let's do it"! "Proud in our ways" keeps us from being humbling ourselves to one another. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (Romans 15:7 NIV) All marriage issues can be dealt with in a positive light when both spouses put in the willingness to do so. It's called "giving in", "listening", and then being understanding of each other on particular issues and, or feelings each spouse cares about. It doesn't matter what the problems are in marriage, whether they are about infidelity, lack of communication, addiction, or just plain selfishness, couples can come out from these troubles and learn to be givers rather than takers. The biggest determent I see in many marriages is not what you think it would be. It is the unwillingness to change ourselves. You see, couples focus so much of their time and energy on what the other is doing or not doing that they don't notice what they themselves might be doing to make things better. Let's get real here. We all need some kind of inner healing first so we can be a better marriage partner. You cannot heal your spouse; you can only be a part of their healing. In the same way, your spouse cannot heal you; they can only be a part of your healing process. Therefore, it is our responsibility to work on what we can about ourselves rather than focus on changing our
Marriage spouse or placing blame on them. Wouldn't you agree? This is how you choose to work on your marriage by choosing to work on yourself and doing what you can to make the marriage better.
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Love Is Forgiveness, Compassion, Submission and Respect by Angie Lewis A healthy marriage is made up of compassion, submission, respect and forgiveness. Did you notice that I didn't even use the word "love"? That's because all of the above constitutes love. When you demonstrate these character traits with others you are essentially turning these words into loving action. Love is being submissive, compassionate, respectful and forgiving. Forgiveness is Love When you forgive your spouse for something they have done against you or the marriage you are feeling love for them. That's why you forgive because you love them! Do you see how that works? Forgiveness is saying, "I want to work this out with you. Therefore I will not hold in grudges or resentment because I have forgiven you". Now because you have chosen to love through forgiveness you can get passed the pain and move on in your marriage. Submission is Love Contrary to ignorant, popular culture, submission isn't being a doormat, its surrendering yourself to your spouse. The only way that submitting to your own husband would make you a doormat is if you allow it to be so in your attitude. It's true there are some husband's that treat their wives with disrespect but that is something else altogether. No woman should take any kind of abuse that would harm her own faith in God, period! Did you know that even husband's should submit to their wives, but not in the same way? In fact, a God-fearing husband ought to be making sacrifices and surrendering himself to his wife on a daily basis through his headship position. Jesus submitted and surrendered His life for our life this is the same way husbands are to submit to their wives. A husband ought to be putting aside his own interests in order to properly care for his wife according to his God-given position. Submit to one another out of reverence to Christ. (NIV Ephesians 5:21) Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. (KJV Ephesians 5:21) Love is Being Respectful I think disrespect is a major problem couples face in marriage. Public schools or parents don't teach the
importance of respect for others anymore. Many of these youths grow up with selfish attitudes where they believe relationships including marriage should be catered to their every whim. But this is not reality. If you go into marriage with this kind of attitude you will surely be unhappy. I've seen this predicament between couples over and over again. Happiness comes from understanding how to treat others with respect because you have already treated yourself well. What do I mean by that? I mean you have to grow out from your past hurts, addictions, resentments, and bad attitudes first, before you will understand how to love (respect) others appropriately. I talk about this extensively in my book Journey on the Roads Less Traveled. Couples want and need to feel good about their position in marriage. For instance, if a wife understands from society that being submissive to her husband makes her a doormat then she is going to do whatever it takes to be the boss of her house. If a husband understands that being the spiritual head means he must become some religious fanatic who has to go to Church every Sunday and Wednesday, then he may decide to bow out of his headship/ leadership responsibilities. Church can get downright boring at times. God should never be made boring because it is Him that gives us life! In reality neither of the above is truth. It doesn't come from the Word of God. But try and teach people something that has been drilled into their heads since they were kids. In reality a wife is exactly the opposite of a doormat when she submits to her husband's love for her. She becomes the queen of her home. And a husband does not need to ever walk into a church building to be a man of God! In fact it may deter him in his willingness to have a growing relationship with His Savior The Christ. Why that is would take another article, but maybe you can figure it out. In reality, by studying and reading the Word of God in the privacy of your own home, and talking to See LOVE on Page 39
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Questions for the New Year
Education
Nancy Leigh DeMoss Once, when the people of God had become careless in their relationship with Him, the Lord rebuked them through the prophet Haggai. “Consider your ways!” (Haggai 1:5) he declared, urging them to reflect on some of the things happening to them, and to evaluate their slipshod spirituality in light of what God had told them. Even those most faithful to God occasionally need to pause and think about the direction of their lives. It’s so easy to bump along from one busy week to another without ever stopping to ponder where we're going and where we should be going. The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to stop, look up, and get our bearings. To that end, here are some questions to ask prayerfully in the presence of God. 1. What’s one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God? 2. What’s the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year? 3. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year? 4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do
about it? 5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year? 6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church? 7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year? 8. What’s the most important way you will, by God’s grace, try to make this year different from last year? 9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year? 10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? …In eternity? In addition to these ten questions, here are twenty-one more to help you “Consider your ways.” Think on the entire list at one sitting, or answer one question each day for a month. 11. What’s the most important decision you need to make this year? 12. What area of your life most needs simplifying, and what’s one way you could simplify in that area? 13. What’s the most important need you feel burdened to meet this year? 14. What habit would you most like to establish this year? 15. Who do you most want to encourage this year? 16. What is your most important financial goal this year, and what is the most important step you can take toward achieving it?
17. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your work life this year? 18. What’s one new way you could be a blessing to your pastor (or to another who ministers to you) this year? 19. What’s one thing you could do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children and grandchildren? 20. What book, in addition to the Bible, do you most want to read this year? 21. What one thing do you most regret about last year, and what will you do about it this year? 22. What single blessing from God do you want to seek most earnestly this year? 23. In what area of your life do you most need growth, and what
will you do about it this year? 24. What’s the most important trip you want to take this year? 25. What skill do you most want to learn or improve this year? 26. To what need or ministry will you try to give an unprecedented amount this year? 27. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your commute this year? 28. What one biblical doctrine do you most want to understand better this year, and what will you do about it? 29. If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? Would they be right? What will you do about it? See NEW YEAR on Page 39
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“I will utterly consume everything from the face of the land,” Says the Lord; - Zephaniah 1:2
Christmas 2016
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EDUCATION
Changing Times
Healing Waters Montessori School Louisiana State Certified School
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Mission: “Allowing God’s healing waters to flow into our lives”
Suzanne Rizan Burns - Owner/Administrator 985-871-1441 71642 Keller Street, Abita Springs, LA 70420 www.healingwatersmontessori.com Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy As To Students: Healing Waters Montessori School admits students regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin.
Healing Waters Montessori School Healing Waters Montessori School is a quiet peace-filled preschool that is tucked away in downtown Abita Springs. The school was started by it’s owner and directress, Suzanne Rizan Burns as a home Montessori program in 1996. In 2010 it became fully accredited by Louisiana Montessori Association and the Louisiana State Board of Education to teach Pre-K 3, Pre-K4 and Kindergarten. The school is spacious with a home-like atmosphere. The small number of children allows Mrs. Burns to give each child a great amount of individual attention. This year the School has focused on creating a concise half-day program for those wishing to spend more family time with their young children. The program includes three hours of classroom work
time and a half hour of play time. The shorter hours make it more affordable also. The curriculum centers around lessons in language, math, geography, history, science, Bible stories, and French, as well as, art and music relating to our studies. Circle time includes the daily calendar, Pledge of Allegiance, singing patriotic songs, the Lord’s Prayer, as well as individual prayer requests. Mrs. Burns went to a Montessori-type school in the French Quarter, has two sons that went to Montessori Schools and now her third grandchild is in the school. She does what God has called her to do which is teaching Montessori for the last 30 years. You can reach Mrs. Burns at 985871-1441.
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The Five Fold Ministry These five ministries are the hand of God, who function together to accomplish the work of God. Yet they are not the whole body, but only a part. It is possible to have a living body without hands, but it will not be a correctly functioning body or effective in its labor. There are a great many genuine evangelical churches that reject one, two or three of these ministries. These believers are genuinely born-again but by restricting these ministries, denying their existence, function and fruit, they lack as a result. Of course there are those who are caught up in a realm of apostles and prophets with a belief in these five ministries but it is a delusion. They are carried along with every false wind of doctrine by every false apostle, prophet and teacher. These are in a worst state than the first. Apostle - The thumb is the only one that can move with agility and comfort across all the fingers and always works in unison with each finger. It is unique on the hand and distinct from all other fingers. The loss of the thumb will hinder the action of the hand more than any other. In the same manner the apostolic ministry is set apart from the rest. Although unique with greater ability and moveability yet it works in beautiful union with the rest. Prophet - The index finger is the one we normally point with. When reading or pointing something out to someone this is the one which comes into play. He comes with a "Thus saith the Lord" pointing out that which needs dealt with or
pointing to the very thing in the Word of God that will edify. Evangelist - The middle finger stretches out further than all the rest. It is a perfect picture of the evangelist who stretches out further than the rest and goes where the others have not yet gone in order to reach souls. It is a constant witness to the rest to press out. Pastor - The ring finger is of course the one that carries the token of marriage. It carries the testimony of a beautiful love bond between Christ and His Bride. This best pictures the pastor or shepherd in his ministry of loving and caring for the flock. Teacher - The little finger is unique in its smallness yet this gives it the ability to get in where others don’t and to do what others can’t (e.g. clean out the ear). The teacher will dig into the scriptures and draw out things, insights and thoughts from scripture which others don’t. Save the Nations Ministries >
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Health
How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions
Health
by Dr. Don Colbert Most of us where your want to be a year from made New now, you must also have a list of Year’s res- daily and weekly strategies you o l u t i o n s . will follow to get you there. Daily For many, habits build character; daily steps P Lowest Investment in the Industry the resolu- reach long-term destinations. P As low as $1,000 Down t i o n s • Keep a journal of your progP Guaranteed Sales Accounts i n v o l v e d ress. You must track and monitor P Training and Support health - los- your ongoing successes and failP No Experience Necessary ing weight, ures. Make notes as to how you feel P Full or Part Time e a t i n g and what you’re learning about h e a l t h i e r, yourself and others. Occasionally exercising read your story so you can see the A Janitorial Service Franchise Opportunity that provides the more, reducing stress, spending big picture. Both the overall forest rewards and freedom you desire! more time with loved ones, etc. In and the individual trees are imporspite of how noble and well-inten- tant. Keeping a diary will help you Your Success is Our Only Business tioned these resolutions were, sta- pay attention to both. tistics prove most will not be kept. • Allow a friend or group to hold Why? Most people do not underyou accountable. Small groups, stand how to set and reach goals. families and other relationships are Most people make good decisions so important. Meet and communiStratusClean.com about where they want to be a year cate regularly. Insist on honest and from now, but they don’t have a constructive feedback. A healthy workable plan. Millions have wonsupport group will also provide derful dreams, but they have very positive encouragement. D D S little experience making dreams LLC • When you mess up, confess it come true. Steven E. Pfingsten D.D.S. As our nation celebrates Martin and quickly get back on track. Luther King, Jr. and his dream of a Learn from your mistakes and Family Dentistry for All Ages more just and generous nation, adjust your plan as needed. Name what is your dream? Where and your demons. Identify the specific RestoRative, CRown & BRidge, dentuRes, PaRtials & whitening how do you see yourself in January, triggers that cause you to fail. Avoid Caring Christian Atmosphere • New Patients Welcome 2017? More importantly, what steps those people, places and activities. Saturday Appointments Available • Reward yourself along the way. will you start taking today to get We Accept Medicaid & Most Insurances there? What changes will you make Occasional celebration of small victories should be part of your right now? 985-892-3250 Here‘s some crucial advice to journey. 71623 Hickory Street, Abita Springs, LA 70420 help you plot your course and real• Pray. Don’t forget you are a (on the St. Tammany Trace in Historic Abita Springs) ize your dream. Walt Disney once physical and spiritual being. Use said, “If you don’t have a dream, your spiritual resources. how are you going to have a dream • Many who achieve significant come true?” Dream big and follow weight loss gain the weight back the advice below. You will be over time. Ultimately, you must amazed by what happens. also plan to maintain what you • Make your goal clear and spe- have achieved. Reaching a major cific. Write it down in a place you goal is obviously a process of can see it every day. “Out of sight, growth and change. It requires hard out of mind” applies to your dreams. work, but your dream can come • Do the research. Every journey true. You can climb your mountain has its own unique requirements and reach your destination. Believe and obstacles. Losing 25 pounds in yourself and go for it! requires a different strategy than Dr. Don Colbert is a graduate of running a marathon or learning to Oral Roberts School of Medicine play the piano. Learn as much as and shares his years of experience possible about your particular and research in nutritional mediquest, especially from people who cine in all of his work. He is a have already made the journey. national speaker, bestselling author • Identify the specific steps and and host of a national talk show checkpoints that will allow you to titled Your Health Matters. reach your long term goal. Not only © 2016 Dr. Don Colbert, MD PA must you have a clear vision of www.drcolbert.com > Be silent in the presence of the Lord God; For the day of the Lord is at hand, For Christmas 2016 19 the Lord has prepared a sacrifice; He has invited His guests. – Zephaniah 1:7
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Top 4 Ways to Reprogram Your Metabolism by Dr. Don Colbert Gone are the days of blaming your metabolism! Contrary to popular belief, your metabolism is not something beyond your control, or hard to change. "Your metabolism is not fixed," explains diet coach and author, Kimberly Willis, PhD. "It can change with what you eat and with exercise.” As it turns out, your everyday decisions on what to eat or what to do are constantly redirecting your metabolism and telling it what to do. Here are the top four things you can do today to reprogram, and revitalize, your metabolism. (1) Spice it up The next time you’re at lunch and the server asks if that will be mild, medium or spicy, go for the spicy - or at least the medium! Whether it’s hot sauce, hot mustard or other spices that bring on the heat, the result is that spicier foods will rev up your metabolism by 20 to 25 percent. "It boosts production of fat-burning hormones," says Lori Shemek, author of "Fire-Up Your Fat Burn!" Not a big fan of traditionally spicy foods? Try adding one teaspoon of hot sauce or hot mustard to your favorite vinaigrette. (2) Wash it down When you’re well-hydrated, your metabolism keeps humming along - even when you're bumming around. In a University of Utah study, participants who drank eight to 12 glasses of water a day burned
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more calories at rest than those who drank only four. (3) Make it strong Not only will weight-lifting make your muscles stronger while burning calories, but research has shown that your body continues to burn those calories long after the sweat is gone. In a study at Southern Illinois University, exercisers who did a 15-minute resistance routine burned 100 extra calories a day for three days after exercising. "Strength training causes micro trauma to the muscles," says Wayne Westcott, director of fitness research at Quincy College in Massachusetts. "Your body has to rebuild the muscle." And to rebuild that muscle, your metabolism speeds things up for your body. (4) De-stress it often Probably the biggest surprise is that... relaxing makes your metabolism work harder. In a recent research study, yoga participants in a 50-minute yoga session experienced a significant drop in their levels of the stress hormone cortisol. No surprise there; however, cortisol is the hormone that inhibits fat burning and decreases your metabolism. Therefore, as your cortisol levels drop, your metabolism increases. 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 > order now
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Dave Says
Financial
Financial Straight-Talk by Dave Ramsey www.davesays.com
* 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.
That’s why you have health insurance Dear Dave, Do you think having cancer insurance is a good idea? —Brittany Dear Brittany, No, I don’t believe buying cancer insurance is a good idea. However, I do believe everyone needs health insurance. If you have a good health policy in place, it’s going to cover you in the event you’re diagnosed with cancer. Lots of insurance companies offer these policies because cancer is such a scary thing. It’s a hot-button topic, and many people have lost friends and relatives to cancer. I don’t believe in cancer policies
though. You need a good emergency fund of three to six months of expenses, long-term disability coverage and a solid health insurance plan. My favorite health plan, and what I use personally, is the Health Savings Account (HSA). With an HSA you have money sitting there to cover some of the ancillary things. Most cancer policies won’t cover alternative treatments and things like that, and lots of them are income policies, meaning they replace a portion of your income, but that’s what disability insurance is for. —Dave
Make Him Earn It! Dear Dave, I recently received a beneficiary IRA when my mother passed away. I also received a small part of her estate. I’d like to share some of this with my 24-year-old son. He’s a good boy, but he’s pretty impulsive and not good with money. Do you have any suggestions? —Kimberly Dear Kimberly, I’m sorry to hear about your loss. It’s tough enough losing your mom without having to worry about a grown son with money issues. I’m sure he’s a good kid, but I don’t like the idea of just giving him money when you already know he’s impulsive. Over the years, I’ve learned that handing money to someone who’s financially irresponsible is not a good plan. Lots of people think they’d be fine if they just had more money, and that’s generally not the case. You have to ask yourself if you’d really be help-
ing this young man by giving him a bunch of money. More than likely, the answer is no. You’ve got several options. But, at his age, it might be a good idea to attach a few strings to him getting any of the money. Set up some guidelines designed to improve his behaviors in a few areas, and you could give him the money if he meets the requirements. Don’t make him jump through a bunch of hoops for no reason. I’m talking about things that will train and educate him to live a more productive and responsible life in the future— both financially and as a mature, responsible adult in general. I think this is fair to you both, and it’s also a way you can help him help himself. And hey, if he refuses to cooperate or cops an attitude, you can always just keep the money until he finally grows up a little! —Dave
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For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. – Matthew 24:27
Christmas 2016
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FEATURE ARTICLES
Changing Times
Are You Sleeping? "Awake thou that sleep. (Eph. 5:14) I put before you now a simple question. Read through this article and you will soon see why I ask it. "Are you sleeping?" There are many who have the name of Christians, but not the character which should go with the name. God is not King of their hearts. They mind earthly things. Such people are often quick and clever about the affairs of this life. They are, many of them, good men of business, good at their daily work, good neighbors. But it is the eternal part of them that I speak of; it is their never dying souls. And about that, if a man may judge by the little they do for it, they are careless, thoughtless, reckless, and unconcerned. They are sleeping. I do not say that God and salvation are subjects that never come across their minds: but this I say,— they have not the uppermost place there. Neither do I say that they are all alike in their lives; some of them doubtless go further in sin than others: but this I say,—they have all turned every one to their own way, and that way is not God's. I know no rule by which to judge of a man's
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life but the Bible. Now when I look at the Bible I can come to only one conclusion about these people: they are asleep about their souls. These people do not see the sinfulness of sin, and their own lost condition by nature. They appear to make light of breaking God's commandments, and to care little whether they live according to His law or not. Yet God says that sin is the transgression of the law, that His commandment is exceeding broad,—that every imagination of the natural heart is evil,—that sin is the thing He cannot bear, He hates it,—that the wages of sin is death, and the soul that sins shall die. Is this the state of your soul? Remember my question. ARE You Sleeping? These people do not see their need of a Savior. They appear to think it an easy matter to get to heaven, and that God will of course be merciful to them at last, some way or other, though they do not exactly know how. Yet God says that He is just and holy, and never changes, that Christ is the only way, and none can come unto the Father
but by Him that without His blood there can be no forgiveness of sin,—that a man without Christ is a man without hope,—that those who would be saved must believe on Jesus and come to Him, and that he who believes not shall be damned. Surely they are sleeping! These people do not see the necessity of holiness. They appear to think it quite enough to go on as others do, and live like their neighbors. And as for praying and Bible-reading, making conscience of words and actions, studying truthfulness and gentleness, humility and charity, and keeping separate from the world, they are things they do not seem to value at all. Yet God says that without holiness no man shall see the Lord,—that there shall enter into heaven nothing that defiles,—that His people must be a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Worst of all, these people do not appear to feel their danger. They walk on with their eyes shut, and seem not to know that the end of their path is hell. Some dreamers fancy that they are rich when they are poor, or full when they are hun-
gry, or well when they are sick, and awake to find it all a mistake. And this is the way that many dream about their souls. They flatter themselves they will have peace, and there will be no peace; they fancy that they are all right, and in truth they will find that they are all wrong. Surely they are sleeping! You have none of the marks which John has told me, in his first epistle, distinguish such a person. I do not see you confessing that Jesus is the Christ, overcoming the world, not committing sin, loving your brother, doing righteousness, keeping yourself from the wicked one. How then can I believe that you are born of God? If God were your Father, you would love Christ: if you were God's son, you would be led by His Spirit. I want stronger evidences. Show me some repentance and faith; show me a life hid with Christ in God; show me a spiritual and sanctified conversation: these are the fruits I want to See SLEEPING on Page 34
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What About Revival? Personal Revival by A. W. Tozer Revival may be experienced on three levels, in the individual, the church or the community. It is impossible to have a community revival where there has not been a church revival, and unless at least a few individuals seek and obtain a spiritual transformation in their own hearts, there can be no hope for their church, for a church is composed of individual Christians. It is a mere commonplace to sing or pray, "Lord, send a revival, and let it begin in me." Where else can a spiritual quickening take place but in the individual life? There is no abstract "church" which can be revivified apart from the men and women who compose it. The vague notion that there is somewhere a mysterious Body of Christ whose members are unknown, an invisible company upon whom the Holy Spirit can fall in answer to prayer, is a grand fallacy. It serves as a hiding place from reality to believe that such an unidentified super church actually exists apart from the plain
ordinary people we see in our Christian gatherings and in our churches from week to week. But we may as well face the truth: Christians are people and people can be identified. They have names and faces and homes and friends and jobs. They keep house, go to school, drive trucks, buy, sell, travel, eat and bathe and sleep exactly as other people do. The seed of God is in them and their names are written in heaven, but they are not invisible. The world knows who the Christians are. That "glorious band, the chosen few, on whom the Spirit came" at Pentecost, were not wraiths nor were they composed of an extract of pure humanity dwelling on another plane. They were people. The names of some of them are listed by the Holy Spirit. Though it did not suit God's purpose to furnish us with a complete roster of every one present, those mentioned were certainly human enough. When the Spirit came on that memorable day He could only fall upon
Personal Revival persons who were present, who could be identified, who were known to each other and to the community. There was no invisible body for Him to enter. He entered the bodies and souls of the men and women who were in that prayer meeting. No church is any better or worse than the individual Christians who compose it. To look beyond the known members to some mysterious group which is imagined to be there, secretly prepared for a revival, is to err seriously in a province where error can be costly. One consequence of our failure to see clearly the true nature of revival is that we wait for years for some supernatural manifestation that never comes, overlooking completely our own individual place in the desired awakening. Whatever God may do for a church must be done in the single unit, the one certain man or woman. Some things can happen only to the isolated, single person; they cannot be expe-
Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. - Matthew 24:29
rienced en masse. Statistics show, for instance, that 100 babies are born in a certain city on a given day. Yet the birth of each baby is for that baby a unique experience, an isolated, personal thing. Fifty people die in a plane crash; while they die together they die separately, one at a time, each one undergoing the act of death in a loneliness of soul as utter as if he alone had died. Both birth and death are experienced by the individual in a loneness as complete as if only that one person had ever known them. Three thousand persons were converted at Pentecost, but each one met his sin and his Savior alone. The spiritual birth, like the natural one, is for each one a unique, separate experience shared in by no one. And so with that uprush of resurgent life we call revival. It can come to the individual only. Though a visitation of divine life reaches See REVIVAL on Page 41
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PERSONAL REVIVAL
Changing Times
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A Mind to Work by David Wilkerson
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Prayer and humility, along with a hatred for sin, produces a "mind to work." "So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work" (Nehemiah 4:6). True revivals of holiness always produce workers. Books and seminars and lectures don't-but revival does! When God is doing something genuine among His people, Satan conspires against it. "But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, and conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it" (Nehemiah 4:7-8). The enemy became very angry and conspired to come up against them to fight and to hinder! His tactic was to secretly infiltrate the body by sneaking up on them unexpectedly. "Our adversaries said,
They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease" (verse 11). They planned to bring into their midst a secret army of pretenders in disguise. The enemy had no sudden, open, frontal attack, but rather said, "We will come in the midst among them!" The tactic was inside sabotage! The enemy said, "They will never know it is happening." And Satan's strategy has never changed. Even now he is sending his "angels of light" into gatherings worldwide with doctrinal sabotage and seductions. How can we detect them? What is our safeguard? "Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them" (Nehemiah 4:9). The key here is an intense hatred for sin, true brokenness, fervent prayer and constant vigilancealong with staying saturated with the Word of God. Beloved, allow the Holy Spirit to probe your heart very deeply and very thoroughly, that you may walk wholly blameless before the Lord in this late hour. © 2016 World Challenge, Inc · https://www.worldchallenge.org >
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The Holiness of God, Our Sin, and the Love of Jesus By John Piper Everything begins with God. We don't understand the full significance of anything until we understand its relation to God. He was the one and only fact a trillion centuries before the universe or man existed. He is absolutely unique because He alone is infinite, unchanging, and eternal. He is infinitely more important than any man or woman. His value is supreme. He is in a class by himself. And He is more worthy, ten thousand times more worthy, than any other class of beings. “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth with a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord or as His counselor has instructed Him? Whom did He con-
sult for His enlightenment, and who taught Him the path of justice, and taught Him knowledge, and showed Him understanding? Behold the nations are like a drop from a bucket and are accounted as the dust on the scales . . . All the nations are as nothing before Him, they are accounted by Him as less than nothing!” (Isaiah 40:12–17) When we say that God is holy we mean that, along with the immeasurableness of His greatness, His character is unimpeachable. He cannot be charged with any wrong. He has an infinite love for what is infinitely valuable and an infinite hate for what opposes the infinitely valuable. His delight in praiseworthy things is unbounded, and His abhorrence of what is blameworthy is perfect. As (Habakkuk 1:13) says: "Your eyes are too pure to look on evil, and you cannot tolerate wrong." All the evil in the world is an offense against the holiness of God and is preparing this world for a cataclysm of divine vindication.
The Christian Journey The zeal of God burns for the holiness of His great name. (Ezekiel 36:22, 23): Say to the house of Israel, thus says the Lord God: "It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations . . . and the nations will know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when through you, I vindicate My holiness before their eyes." God loves His holiness with infinite love and cherishes His purity. This is the starting point for understanding God and man and the world. If we don't start here everything goes askew. If we don't feel a sense of awe and fear and admiration for the infinite holiness of God which opposes evil with wrath and fury, then all of our other feelings and thoughts will be defective at
best. In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up; and His train filled the temple. Above Him stood the Seraphim; each had six wings; with two He covered His face; and with two He covered His feet, and with two He flew. And one called to another and said: "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts the whole earth is full of His glory." (Isaiah 6:1-3) ©2016 Desiring God Foundation. Website: www.desiringGod. org. Email: mail@desiringGod. org. Toll Free: 888-346-4700 >
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Changing Times
When the Cock Crows by Bernard Capello (Luke 22:31-34) And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. What would a true believer give to have listened and learned directly and physically under the Master? To sit at His feet and listen audibly had to be an indescribable experience. “Never has a man spoken like this”. To see and hear the stern rebukes and yet the loving concern. What would one give to see and hear, in perfect blend, judgment and mercy balanced in perfect opposition and yet with a tension of harmony that astounds the wise. Ever teaching and guiding his disciples, he caused them to search themselves, as well as understand what they were to do. One day my friend – hold on – one day. In a snapshot of those piercing moments, we see in scripture where Jesus caused Peter to be exposed to himself. Only God can expose the real you to you. Sometimes He will show you more of you than you wish to know. We may think we know ourselves but never can you see the real you unless God opens the window. Peter meant what He told God about following Him to prison and death. But again, we do not know ourselves. We first see where Jesus informs Peter that Satan had desired to sift him and then informs Peter that He had prayed for him. He then warns Peter about his denial. Jesus told Peter that He prayed for him that his faith would not fail and then told him “when you are converted, strengthen the brethren”. There is much to be spoken of that we find in this scripture. If we do not see ourselves in these warnings and encouragements we are not looking deep enough. First and foremost we must know that Jesus is praying for us just as he told Peter he was praying for 26 Christmas 2016
him. In (John 17:9) our Lord prayed to the Father for those that belong to Him. He prays that our faith (belief and trust) does not fail. As we move from Him, He prays. When we fail Him, He prays. Be encouraged in the fact that we have an intercessor in the Lord Jesus. Even if you have failed Him, your faith will not fail. I must believe that this is directly pointed to our faith being placed in what Jesus did for us at the cross. Jesus had a part of our failure and sin when he took on that nature at the cross. Do you want to know how to tell if Jesus is praying for you? Simple – are you His? Do you run to the cross when you fail or do you run away from the cross when you fail? Do you want to sin or do you want to serve Him? Satan at one time or other desires to sift every child of God. Jesus prays for His own. If you are His – you will come back. After Jesus had informed Peter of this “sifting” and His prayer for him He then informed him of his denial of the Lord. I am sure Peter would think that this could not be true. Yet everything the Lord has said came true. In our minds we are no different. We say that we love Him and would never deny Him and yet each time we fail, each time we disobey, each time we buckle under the pressure of even minor persecution, we deny Him. I am sure just as Peter thought this could never happen, we think the same. Then one day – it happens. The cock crows and we realize we denied Him. What do we mean by the cock crowing? This could be anything that reminds us of the promise God made of praying for us so our faith does not fail. You see my friend the cock crowing was only a reminder of the truth that Jesus told Peter. Peter at that point could have given up and ran forever or he could have been strengthened by this test which brings us to where Jesus took Peter next. Jesus used a strange statement next by telling Peter that when he was converted he should strengthen the brethren. This is not the typical understanding that we have about being converted. It was not that Peter did not believe or trust. It was that Peter would go through a test See COCK CROWS on Page 42
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A Day each week for Spiritual Renewal It is important that we understand the meaning of the Sabbath in relation to our individual spiritual life. We are apt to look at the day and its observance chiefly from the side of duty. We should remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. We learn from the Bible that the day was set apart by peculiar sanctions. But the devotional value of the Sabbath is not so often considered. To the individual Christian, however, this is a most important phase of the subject. What is the purpose of the day as a "means of grace"? What help is it intended to be to us in our spiritual life? No doubt it is meant to be a day of rest from the ordinary labors and tasks which occupy us during the week. For six days we are to work diligently, and then on the seventh day we are to rest. The more completely we can get away from our weekday occupations the better. There is a blessing in Sabbath rest. We cannot go on forever without rest. We must pause now and then to take our breath and renew our strength. But rest is not the only purpose of the Sabbath. It is to be a day also for spiritual renewing. The tendency of our life in the world, with its entertainment, its cares, its grinding and pinching, is to make us forget God and the things of the spiritual life. The Sabbath not only calls us away to rest for a day from this wearying toil, but invites us also for a season to thoughts and occupations which will lift heart and mind out of the entanglement of earthly and material things into a range of thought and feeling altogether different. For one day, we can go up out of the valley, with its little space and dreary outlook, and stand on a mountain top to get a vision of glory and beauty which will give us new thoughts of life. This purpose of the Sabbath suggests also how the day should be spent. If we make it a day of merely worldly pleasure we only substitute one class of secularities for another, and this will give us no spiritual uplift. To get from the Holy Day what it is meant to give to us, we should occupy heart and thought with things that are spiritual. It should be a day for thinking of God and of the things that are eternal, of our own relation to God and to our fellow-men, of our duties, obliga-
tions, and responsibilities. A tourist among the Alps tells of climbing one of the mountains in a dense and dripping mist until he had passed through the clouds and stood on a lofty peak in the clear sunlight. Beneath him lay the fog, like a wave- less sea of white vapor. He could hear the faint sounds coming up from the vales below. But there he stood on the tall platform, far above all the vexed, troubled, broken life of the vales, with only Heaven's deep blue above his head and the glorious mountain peaks round him. Something like can be felt when you give God center-stage in your mind on this Holy Day of rest. Through the weekdays, we dwell in the low valleys, among the mists. Life in this world is full of struggles, of failures, of disappointments, of burden-bearing. Then the Sabbath comes and we climb up out of the low places of care, toil and tears, and spend the day in the sweet, pure air of God's love and peace. We get near to the heart of Christ. We come into the good fellowship of Christian people and get fresh inspiration from our contact with them. We have wider views. We see life from the Heaven side. We see God's face and hear His voice. Such an hour on the Sabbath changes all life for us for the whole week before us. We see everything in a new light. We have a new perspective after that, in which all things appear in their true relations. The world is far more beautiful, for we see it now as our Father's world. The Sabbath songs sing in our heart all the week and make the way easier and the burdens lighter. It is when we thus make the Sabbath, a day to get into God's presence and to hold converse with the things of the spiritual world that we find the blessing it has for us. Then it sends us into the week braver and stronger, with new inspiration for gentle living, for kindly ministry, for heroic struggle. Our heart gets out of tune, its strings become rattled and jarring, in the difficult life of the weekdays — but the Sabbath sets us right again and prepares us for living sweetly, so as to please God and to be a blessing in the world. Resting in His peace, Save the Nations Ministries >
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But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. – John 15:26
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Changing Times
Guiding Light A Divine Light The spiritual knowledge and illumination needed to understand the gospel and to internalize the Excellencies of divine truth is imparted directly by God alone. This knowledge is given immediately by God and not obtained through natural means that operate by their own power. (Matthew 16:17) - And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. When they had thus given an account who others said he was, Christ asks them, who they said he was? Simon Peter, whom we find always zealous and forward, was the first to answer: he readily replied to the question, Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. God is the Author of All Knowledge God is the author of all knowl-
edge and understanding whatsoever. He is the author of the knowledge that is obtained by human learning: He is the author of all moral discretion, and of the knowledge and skill that men have in their secular business. Thus it is said of all in Israel that were wise-hearted, and skilled in embroidering, that God had filled them with the spirit of wisdom, (Exodus 28:3). Doctrine Conscience is a principle natural to men; and the work that it does naturally, or of itself, is to give an apprehension of right and wrong, and to suggest to the mind the relation that there is a difference between right and wrong, and justice. The Spirit of God, in those convictions which unregenerate men sometimes have, assists conscience to do this work in a further degree than it would do if they were left to themselves. The Spirit of God acts in a very
different manner in the one case, from what He does in the other. He may indeed act upon the mind of a natural man, but He acts in the mind of a saint as an indwelling vital principle! He acts upon the mind of an unregenerate person differently. He does not unite Himself to them; for notwithstanding all His influences that they may be the subjects of, they are still sensual, having not the Spirit, (Jude 19). But He unites himself with the mind of a saint, takes him for His temple, activates and influences him as a new supernatural principle of life and action. There is this difference that the Spirit of God, in acting in the soul of a godly man, exerts and communicates Himself there in His own proper nature. Holiness is the proper nature of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit operates in the minds of the godly, by uniting Himself to them, and living in them, and exerting His own nature in the exercise of their faculties. This spiritual light is not the suggesting of any new truths or propositions, not contained in the word of God. This spiritual light that I am speaking of, is quite a different thing from inspiration: it reveals no
new doctrine, it suggests no new proposition to the mind, it teaches no new thing of God, or Christ, or another world, not taught in the Bible, but only gives a due apprehension of those things that are taught in the word of God. Divine Light Defined It is a true sense of the Divine and superlative Excellency of the things of religion; a real sense of the Excellency of God and Jesus Christ and of the work of redemption, and the ways and works of God revealed in the gospel. There is a divine glory in these things; an Excellency that is of a vastly higher kind, and more sublime nature than in other things; a glory greatly distinguishing them from all that is earthly and temporal. He that is spiritually enlightened truly apprehends and sees it, or has a sense of it. He does not merely rationally believe that God is glorious, but he has a sense of the gloriousness of God in his heart. There is not only a rational belief that God is holy, and that holiness is a good thing, but there is a sense of the loveliness of God's holiness. There is not only a theoretically judging See DIVINE LIGHT on Page 41
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GUIDING LIGHT
The Holy Spirit Our Guide By Charles F. Stanley In my daily life, how does the Holy Spirit really guide me? "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come" (John 16:13, emphasis added). Let’s consider four key truths about the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides us. 1. The emphasis is on the word guide. Jesus doesn't promise that the Holy Spirit will control us. He says He will guide us. 2. Granted, there are times when I wish the Holy Spirit would control me. For instance, when I am tempted. Or when I become so task oriented that I become insensitive. Or when it's a beautiful Saturday afternoon and I need to study, but everything in me wants to grab my camera and head for the mountains. Life would be much easier if the Holy
Spirit would take control of me. 3. But He is our guide, not our controller. We never lose our ability to choose to follow Him. Consequently, we are always responsible for our words and actions. The Holy Spirit is a trustworthy guide. 1. The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of truth. He guides believers into truth and according to what is true. That makes Him a trustworthy guide. 2. The Holy Spirit helps believers discern between what is true and what is not; what is wise and what is foolish; what is best and what is simply OK. Each day is full of decisions. Most of our decisions concern issues not clearly spelled out in the Bible, for example: where to attend school, whether to hire a particular applicant, how much to budget for vacation – on and on it goes. 3. As you are bombarded with the details of everyday life, the Holy Spirit guides you. He gives you that extra on-the-spot sense of discernment you need to make both big and small decisions. As you
develop a greater sensitivity to His guidance, you will worry much less about the decisions you make. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is a trustworthy guide. The Holy Spirit is God's mouthpiece to believers. 1. The Holy Spirit does not speak on His own accord. Like Christ, this member of the Trinity willingly submits to the authority of the Father. Everything He communicates to us is directly from the Father: "He will not speak on His own initiative." (John 16:13). 2. God has chosen to communicate to His children through the Holy Spirit (see Acts 11:12). He is God's mouthpiece to believers. When God chooses to speak directly to you, it is through the Holy Spirit. 3. When you think about it, this really makes perfect sense. After all, where does the Holy Spirit reside? In you and in me! Therefore, He is the perfect candidate for communicating God's will to Christians. The Holy Spirit speaks. 1. The question of whether God still speaks today is one that has
spawned numerous books, articles and lectures. It is not my purpose to present a tightly-woven argument about why I believe God still speaks today. Suffice it to say, I do believe God, through the Holy Spirit, communicates directly with believers. 2. My experience (as well as the experience of many godly men and women) is that the Holy Spirit, at the prompting of the heavenly Father, still communicates with believers today. How does He do that? The Holy Spirit indwells me. He doesn't need my ears. He requires that I have a listening heart and renewed mind. How does God communicate with us today? The Lord speaks through the voice of His Spirit, who resides within us. Occasionally, we have to seek His face for a season before we know His will; other times, we can sense His direction immediately. No matter what, the Holy Spirit is always a trustworthy guide. -Adapted from The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life by Dr. Charles Stanley, p. 166-168 © 2016 oChristian.com. All Rights Reserved >
J
esus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” — Mathew-22:37-40 NIV
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The Transformed Life Changing Times
The
Transformed Life Christian Transformation Paul said to The Colossians what too many must have seemed surprising: "If then you were raised together with Christ." How could these Colossian Christians have been raised with Christ? Of course, it was a spiritual rising. The people really had been spiritually dead, and they were now living a new spiritual life. You see everyone who truly believes on Christ, receives the Holy Spirit, comes out of his grave, and walks with Christ among the living. Those who have risen with Christ should "seek the things that are above, where Christ is." What
things? We are taught to pray that the Father's will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. That is bringing heaven down to earth. The things which are above are: holiness, goodness, truth, peace and love. The lessons the Bible teaches us are all of things above, the truths and principles of God's kingdom. These are the things which are unseen and yet are eternal. We are to seek to live here in this world, as we would live if we were really in heaven. And, they must set their mind on the things that are above. Where the mind is, there the life is inclining.
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Where the thoughts go, the soul is climbing. If we think continually of earthly, unworthy things, our whole being will gravitate downward. But if we train our thoughts to fly away like eagles into the deep blue sky, our life will be lifted upward. This means, at least, to attach oneself to something heavenly, that one’s life may be borne irresistibly upward. We should form the habit of setting our thoughts on things above. It is said that many years ago, when a great suspension bridge was to be built over a wide river, a kite was sent over, carrying a fine wire across the gulf. It was not hard then to get a second and a third wire over also, and by and by the tiny thread of steel, had become a great bridge of twisted strands, on which human feet crossed over. So we may train our thoughts to fly across the abyss to heaven, first one thought, then another and another, until we have built a bridge for ourselves from earth to heaven. But we must begin and train our thoughts thus to fly, for nothing but such a habit will bring to us the blessing. The Christian life is secret, and no one can see its workings: it is hid with Christ in God. You pray and grace comes into your heart. But no one sees it coming. You lean on God in your trust, and your strength is renewed, but the process, no one can perceive. Christ is the Friend whom having not seen we love, in whom, though now we see Him not, yet believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable. The Christian's life is hidden also, because its real beauty is not visible to the world's eyes. The artist keeps his picture veiled while he works upon it. At last he removes the veil, and men see the loveliness which his hands have been fashioning in secret. So God works in our life, in joy and sorrow, in His providence, and by His Word and Spirit. The beauty He is producing, human eyes see not. "What I am doing, you do not now understand," He says, "but you shall understand hereafter." By and by, when the work is finished, men and angels shall see the marvelous beauty of Christ glowing in even the lowliest, plainest life. "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived." (Colossians 3:5-7)
A new life in Christ calls for the utter destruction of these evils. It is a shameful list which Paul names. It makes us ashamed to think that such qualities may belong to us, or may nest in our heart! Who would have thought that any these vile things could exist in anyone who wears the human form! Yet many of these ugly things are found in each of us! Our hearts are like cages of unclean birds. What does Paul tell us we should do with these unholy things? He says we are to put them to death. When we find in ourselves any evil thing, we must kill it, for it is not right for it to live. An uncompromising war should be waged against all evil. He, who cherishes any impurity in himself, is nursing a viper which will sting him to death by and by! "But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." This article is not for the good people who are now studying it, is it? Look at the words honestly. "Anger." Do you ever get angry? Does your temper ever get the mastery of you? Do you ever fume with rage, even if you do not let people know of it? "Malice." Do you ever cherish a grudge; ever keep bitterness against another in your heart? "Slander." Do you ever spit out spiteful things about another who is absent? Do you ever rail at anyone? "Filthy language." That means speaking of which we ought not to be ashamed of, which we would be ashamed of before our mother or some pure-minded friend. Do you ever utter a word you would be ashamed to have Christ hear? "Lying." One may lie by a look, or a wink, or by keeping silence. These are a few of the things which we are to put away, if we have risen with Christ. It is not enough to put away the evil things of the old life. The house cannot be left empty. If it is, the former bad tenants will soon be back again, bringing with them still more wicked companions, and the last state will be worse than the first. "To replace is to conquer." The only sure saving of our life comes through expelling sin from it and then getting Christ into it. "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe See TRANSFORMATION on Page 31
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THE TRANSFORMED LIFE
A Place of No Reputation by David Wilkerson
At one time, Moses had been held in high esteem, respected in high government places, great in reputation and prestige. He moved among the wealthy and was one of the best-known men of his time. But when God spoke to him out of the burning bush (see Exodus 3:5), Moses had decreased to zero point. God couldn't use him until he tore him away from his worldly attachments. Who knew Moses now? Hidden away, out of sight— silenced and without influence. He had no outlet for his great energy. But the very moment Moses reached zero point—when his reputation was totally lost and there was nothing left of the old, self-assured Moses—he was on holy ground! How long did God wait by that bush, ready to break forth in a glori-
ous new revelation? Only until that final, breaking moment when Moses truly no longer cared about his work or his reputation. When he gave up the last scraps of self-reliance, he found revelation. The Lord Jesus stood on this same holy ground. The Scriptures say, "He made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant..." (Philippians 2:7). Shunning reputation and becoming a servant was a willful choice. Thank God for those who once again are being called to such holy ground, seeking to decrease that he may increase, and prepared for servanthood. One great man of God wrote, "The man of God who truly preaches the Word will finally give up the idea of being known. If he preaches Christ, his reputation will constantly decrease and Christ will increase. True prophets die unknown. God gives them their dues only after they die."
TRANSFORMATION Continued from Page 30
"Bearing with one another" is the power of getting along with people who are not easy to live with, getting along without being irritated, fretted and made ugly in spirit by their unreasonableness. "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Then comes "love" which is over all, above all, in all. It is this which makes the character complete. If we truly get love into our life—all the rest will follow! As the true result of this transformation, the "peace" of Christ will rule in the heart. Peace is quietness in the midst of turmoil. It is gentleness in the midst of hate. It is patience in the midst of suffering and trial. It is not self-mastery; rather it is Christ-mastery. We have but to think what Christ's peace was, and then to remember that it is this, His own peace, which He promises to give to us. If this blessed peace rules in our hearts, feelings, affections and desires, we shall lack nothing more! Save the Nations Ministries >
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:1214) These are beautiful virtues which we are exhorted to put on. They all are fragments of the image of God. They each belong in the life and character of Jesus Christ. We must notice how large a place love holds among them. Indeed, all of these qualities are phases of love. The compassionate heart comes first, for the heart makes the life. A kindly heart fills the life with gentle things. Kindness has been called the small coin of love. It is always scattering blessings. "Humility" is often mocked, for there are many who try to be humble. But it cannot be put on consciously or by any effort. It must be in the heart and must work out in the life. "Gentleness" is patience under insult. "Patience" is enduring without complaining, keeping sweet whatever the circumstances may be.
I believe that if we seek a larger, more widespread reputation, something is missing in our message. Self is too prominent. Christ should be gaining and we should be losing recognition. We should be less known as the years go by until, like
Paul, we end up shut in with God. May we all decrease! May he alone increase! God help us to get back to this holy ground. Copyright © 2016 by World Challenge, Inc., P.O. Box 260, Lindale, Texas 75771. >
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For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. – 1 Thessalonians 4:15
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Changing Times
How to Overcome Sin The Bible expressly teaches us that sin is overcome by faith in Christ. “He is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.” “He is the way, the truth, and the life.” Christians are said to “purify their hearts by faith” (Acts 15:9). And in (Acts 26:18) it is affirmed that the saints are sanctified by faith in Christ. The doctrine of the Bible is that Christ saves His people from sin through faith; that Christ’s Spirit is received by faith to dwell in the heart. It is faith that works by love. Love is shaped and sustained by faith. By faith Christians “overcome the world, the flesh, and the Devil.” It is by faith that they “quench the fiery darts of the wicked.” It is by faith that they “put on the Lord Jesus Christ and put off the old man, with his deeds.” It is by faith that we fight “the good
fight,” and not by resolution. And, it is by faith that we “stand,” by resolution we fall. This is the victory that overcomes the world. It is by faith that the flesh is kept under and carnal desires are subdued. The fact is that it is simply by faith that we receive the Spirit of Christ to work in us to will and to do, according to His good pleasure. He sheds abroad His own love in our hearts, and thereby enkindles ours. Every victory over sin is by faith in Christ; and whenever the mind is diverted from Christ, by resolving and fighting against sin, whether we are aware of it or not, we are acting in our own strength, rejecting the help of Christ, and are under a false delusion. Nothing but the life and energy of the Spirit of Christ within us can save us from sin. One of the hardest lessons for the
faith His in-working, will and do according to His good pleasure. Faith itself is an active and not a passive state. A passive holiness is impossible and absurd. Let no one say that when we encourage people to trust wholly in Christ, we teach that anyone should be or can be passive in receiving and cooperating with the divine influence within. This influence is moral, and not physical. It is persuasion, and not force. It influences the free will, and consequently does this by truth. Oh that it could be understood that the whole of spiritual life that is in any man is received direct from the Spirit of Christ by faith, as the branch receives its life from the vine. We need to put away any thought that makes this life holy while the heart is not in love with God. Oh, how men would learn to look directly at Christ through the Gospel and so close in with Him by an act of loving trust as to involve a universal sympathy with His state of mind. This and this alone, is sanctification. Save the Nations Ministries >
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human heart to learn is to renounce self-dependence and trust wholly in Christ. When we open the door by implicit trust, He enters in and takes up His quarters with us and in us. By shedding abroad His love He quickens our whole souls into sympathy with Himself, and in this way, and in this way alone, He purifies our hearts through faith. He sustains our will in the attitude of devotion. He quickens and regulates our affections, desires, appetites and passions, and becomes our sanctification. The Bible teaches that by trusting in Christ we receive an inward influence that stimulates and directs our activity; that by faith we receive His purifying influence into the very center of our being; that through and by His truth revealed directly to the soul He quickens our whole inward being into the attitude of a loving obedience; and this is the way, and the only practicable way, to overcome sin. Scripture happily recognizes both the divine and human agency in the work of sanctification. God works in us to will and to do; and we, accepting by
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THE TRIUMPHANT CHRISTIAN
An Ever-Present Help! by James Smith "God is our refuge and strength — an ever-present help in trouble!" (Psalm 46:1) There never was yet a friendless Christian. Whoever believes in Jesus is in covenant with God; and Jehovah is engaged to be His friend in every trouble, to comfort him in all his tribulations, and to be a God at hand, and not afar off. Believers in every age have proved Jehovah to be a refuge; as such, He shelters us . . . from the curses of a broken law, from the threatening of divine justice, and from the wrath of God. He shelters the spirit — if the body appears to be exposed. He prevents harm — if He does not preserve from pain. "Nothing shall by any means hurt you!" (Luke 10:19). It is one thing to be pained — this falls to the lot of the most favored saints; it is another thing to be injured — from this we are all preserved. Nothing shall by any means really hurt you — no affliction, however painful; no burden, however heavy; no trial, however severe. Nothing can really hurt us — but sin. And afflictions are sent to preserve us from sin — or correct us for it. In every trouble — the Lord is our refuge; in every conflict — the Lord is our strength. Who need fear — that has Omnipotence on His side? "When I cry unto you, then shall my enemies turn back; this I know, for God is for me!" The Lord is an ever-present help. We need not go out to find a friend — He is always near. He is in the chamber of affliction — about the bed of sickness. He is present to help. He says, "I am your God. Look to me. Expect from me. I will be a God to you. My wisdom shall guide you, my power shall protect you, my love shall assure you, my mercy shall save you, my holiness shall sanctify you, and my Spirit shall comfort you! I will be a God to you; therefore I will be always with you, and always for you!" Call in His aid then. He is present to strengthen — apply to Him to do so. He helped . . . Joseph in the prison; David in the cave; Hezekiah on his sick bed;
the three Israelites in the furnace; Paul and Silas in the jail at Philippi; and He will help you! "In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord, He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of great waters. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The Lord is near unto all that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry, and will save them. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God; and he heard my voice, and my cry entered into His ears." "The afflicted people you will save; but your eyes are upon the haughty, that you may bring them down." Afflicted believer, God is your refuge! His arms are open to receive you; His heart glows with love unto you; His fatherly affections yearn over you; He loves to see you approach Him. He is your strength; He will strengthen that which He has wrought in you; and make you more than a match for your troubles and foes. He is your help — a present help — an ever-present help — in every time of trouble. "The Lord will help you and deliver you; He will set you on high, because you have known His name. Trust in Him at all times, pour out your heart before Him, He is a refuge for you." He who on earth as man was known, And bore our sins and pains; Now seated on the eternal throne, The God of glory reigns. This land, through which His pilgrims go, Is desolate and dry; But streams of grace from Him overflow, Their thirst to satisfy. When troubles, like a burning sun, Beat heavy on their head; To this Almighty Rock they run, And find refreshing shade! 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 2015 >
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So that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. – 1 Thessalonians 3:13
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Community Spotlight Changing Times
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
The Solomon Center – Hospitality, Renewal, and Education Have you ever been? The Solo- for decades, has provided a beauti- place in which to retreat for a wide mon Episcopal Conference Center ful, tranquil, and truly spiritual diversity of groups who seek to get away without having to go very far. Just about 60 miles between Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Slidell the SECC is nestled away in the 54296 Hwy. 445 • Loranger, LA 70446 • 985-748-6634 piney woods and rolling hills surrounded by a stocked horse shoe Plan Your EvEnts with us! lake in peaceful southeast LouisiThe ideal setting for finding renewal, rejuvenation, and peace. ana’s Tangipahoa Parish. It’s an easy drive to just north of I-12 near Robert, La. The Solomon Center has welcomed groups from 12 to 120+ regionally, as well as nationally including folks from colleges and schools, churches, and nonprofits to hospitals, governments, and corporations with a benevolent purpose in mind. With its 44 guest 985-748-6634 rooms, various sized meeting spacwww.solomoncenter.org es with the latest technology , and rustic lodge, groups gather inside around the stone fireplace or outside around fire pits near the lake. Guests enjoy several hiking trails, and some go fishing. Take a walk
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not sinned against you. Yet see how the first step towards peace is on heaven's side. It is the Lord's message: "Come unto Me." "Come" is a word of merciful invitation. Does not the Lord Jesus seem to say, "Sinner, I am waiting for you: I am not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. As I live, I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies. I would have all men saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Judgment is my strange work, I delight in mercy. I offer the water of life to every one who will take it. I stand at the door of your heart and knock. For a long time I have spread out my hands to you. I wait to be gracious. There is still room in my Father's house. My long-suffering waits for more of the
Come, with all your sins, however many and however great,—however far you may have gone from God, and however provoking your conduct may have been. Come as you are: unfit and unprepared you will gain no fitness by delay. Come at once: come to the Lord Jesus Christ! Arise, and call upon the Lord. Be not like Esau: sell not eternal blessings for the things of today. Pray, I beseech you, that you may be enabled to put off the old ways and the old habits, and that you may become a new person. My best wish is that you may be made a new creature in Christ Jesus. This is a better thing than riches, or health, or honor, or learning. A man may get to heaven without these, but he cannot get there without conversion. Awake, thou that sleep, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light. Arise, O sleeper and call upon God. There is yet hope. Forsake not thy mercies. Do not lose your own soul. Save the Nations Ministries >
SLEEPING Continued from Page 22 see, if I am to believe you have the root of the matter in you, and are a living branch of the true vine. But without these your baptism will only add to your condemnation. Reader, awake: awake! I speak strongly, because I feel deeply. This day, as an ambassador of Christ, I pray you to be reconciled to God. The Lord Jesus, who came into the world to save sinners, Jesus the appointed Mediator between God and man, Jesus who loved us and gave Himself for us, Jesus sends you a message of peace: He says, "Come unto Me." "Come is a precious word indeed, and ought to draw you. You have sinned against heaven: heaven has
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children of men to come to the mercy-seat before the last trumpet is blown, for more wanderers to return before the door is closed for ever. Oh, sinner, come to Me!" Come" is a word of promise and encouragement. I have a free pardon for the most ungodly, a full fountain for the most unclean, a white garment for the most defiled,—a new heart for the most hardened, healing for the brokenhearted,—rest for the heavy-laden, joy for those that mourn. Oh, sinner, it is not for nothing that I invite you! All things are ready. Come: come unto Me." Hear the voice of the Son of God. See that you refuse not Him that speaks. Come away from sin, which can never give you real pleasure, and will be bitter at the end; come out from a world, which will never satisfy you: come unto Christ!
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VICTORY Continued from Page 3 had a background in holiness and the things of God. Yet when this man inherited the throne, he had no time for the Lord - that is, until a crisis struck! Friends, there are many who say, "I want to hear the Word of God! I want it straight, uncompromising and pure." But you can rest assured: These will never receive what God says, because pride hinders them from hearing when the truth comes! Jeremiah told the king to surrender to the Chaldeans - and that he, his family and the people would live. Even the city would be spared. But if he didn't surrender, it would all be destroyed - and he would die! Zedekiah answered, "I can't do that - I'm afraid of the Jews that have already surrendered. They'll mock me, shame me - they'll tear me apart!" Sure enough, he rejected God's word to him. Even though everyone was dying and the city was collapsing, his pride was still intact! Zedekiah ended up trying to escape in the middle of the night, but he was captured. His sons were killed before his eyes, his wives were ravaged, and his eyes were
burned out in their sockets - all because of pride! Many Cry And Clamor For A Pure Word But It Is A Cover-Up For Long-Standing, Hidden Idolatry In Their Heart! There is a holy remnant that sighs and cries over the wickedness in the land. They yearn for the truth and will obey Me. Yet multitudes will not listen when the truth is brought forth! They will reject any message that touches their pet sins or idols!" How clearly this is illustrated in (Jeremiah 42)! Only a remnant was left, and Johanan was now the leader. They decided to run to Egypt - so they camped out at Bethlehem and called on Jeremiah to try to get a word from the Lord: So Jeremiah shut himself in with God for ten days. He must have prayed, "God, You heard how they cried out for a pure word. Give me a word from Your heart!" But the Lord answered him, "They're lying! They don't want My word. They're full of idolatry! They just say they want the truth - but they've already made up their minds to do their own thing!" Jeremiah came to them with God's word: "If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you
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down... Be not afraid of the king of Babylon... for I am with you to save you from his hand.... "But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land... but we will go into the land of Egypt... then it shall come to pass, that the sword, which ye have feared, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt... and there ye shall die" (Jeremiah 42:10-16). The leaders accused Jeremiah of speaking falsely - and, just as God had told Jeremiah, they decided to go their own way. The leaders of the remnant said, "It's too big of a struggle here. We're tired of hearing all the trumpets and the thunder!" So they went their own stubborn way - and they died by the sword, as God had said, except for a tiny number. This is a picture of many last-day Christians: tired of hearing prophetic trumpets announcing judgments to come, weary of spiritual warfare and life's struggles. They say, "Please, leave me alone! No more convicting meetings or sermons to upset me. I just want a nice, quiet, soothing place to worship." Are you tired of hearing it all? Have you become so weary that you think, "I just want some peace
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For you know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. – 1 Thessalonians 5:2
- I can't exist in this kind of tension!" Or do you really want to hear the straight truth? Do you want a prophet of God to point a finger at your heart and say, "You are not diligent in seeking God - your heart is growing cold! And you won't be able to receive any word from Him until you deal with your idolatry!" Friends, the Lord warns us to prepare us! You see, He is coming for a prepared Bride - and knowing that fire is about to fall from heaven, He forewarns us in love: "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye be in all holy conversation and godliness" (2 Peter 3:11). We're not to panic when judgment hits - we're to be built up and ready! Save the Nations Ministries >
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Changing Times
Go to Church, where Blessings Abound! We are told that it is our duty to unite with the Church. Christ requires of his followers that they confess Him before men. We can scarcely do this in a satisfactory way, without identifying ourselves with the company of Christ's friends. There is no word in our Lord's teaching which commends secret discipleship. It seems very clear that all who receive Christ as their Savior owe it to their Master to take their place at once in the
Church. But apart from the duty of thus confessing Christ, there is immeasurable help for the Christian in the Church, if he puts himself in right relations to it. It is this devotional side of church life that we are now considering — what is the Church meant to do for our spiritual life. And how may we get from it the help it has for us? The most beautiful Church services have nothing in themselves to
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bless us, except as they bring Christ into our life. There is no grace in the mere act of praying, however fitting the words of the petition may be; it is only as we actually draw near to God, coming into living fellowship with Him, that we get help in praying. There is nothing uplifting or inspiring in a hymn, however noble its sentiments and however musically it may be rendered, except as it kindles love, homage, and faith in our heart, and its words bear our soul, as on wings, nearer to Christ. Even in the Lord's Supper, the most sacred of all the ordinances of the Church, there is no effectiveness except as we are brought by it into closer relation with Christ himself. It is important, therefore, that we keep ever in mind the precise intention of the services of the Church, that they are only channels through which we may receive the good things which Christ wishes to give to us. We must guard against dependence upon the church as the holy means, and use them only as means of communication between our spirit and the divine Spirit. What are some phases of the help we may get from the Church? One is instruction. The Church is a school. We are not full-grown Christians when we receive Christ. We are only beginners, with everything yet to learn. Jesus says, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me."(Matthew 11:29) The course of instruction is long, and the lessons are many. The learning is not merely intellectual, but essentially practical. It is not enough to know what a Christian life should be, what qualities and virtues go to make up Christlikeness. We are to learn to live the things which are Christly! We are not merely to know what self-denial, patience, unselfishness, thoughtfulness, and kindness are, but we are to get these qualities formed into our own disposition and character. "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them!" (John 13:17) In the Church we have the lessons set for us; then we are to go out and learn them, practicing them until they have become part of our new life. Another phase of the help which the Church has for us is renewal of strength. Life in the world exhausts us with its struggles, its tasks, its cares, its frets and its disappoint-
ments. It drains our spiritual resources. We need to come often to God for a new supply of grace. We should do this in our daily spiritual devotions for we need a new supply for every day. Why, because, yesterday's grace will not carry us through today's experiences. But one purpose of meeting together, is to give us a larger opportunity for waiting upon the Lord in the services of the Church, to get afresh in our heart the thought of God and of our duty, and to receive new supplies of power from Christ. This we do as we hear God speak to us in His word, as we bow before Him in prayer and as we sing hymns of praise. As gathering Christians, we touch other lives and get encouragement and inspiration from Christian fellowship. The church services should fit us for the week of toil and duty. There is great help also in the Christian activities to which the Church introduces us. Work is the best means of grace. There is no other way in which we can grow so wholesomely, as in work. The way to develop our talents is by trading with them. The Church sets tasks and duties for us. It calls us to a ministry of helpfulness. It sends us out to be good Samaritans to relieve distress. It sets us down before a class as a teacher. It asks us for our tithe and offerings to be used in carrying on the work of Christ. It inspires us to all manner of service in behalf of others. Thus it provides for us opportunities for the development of our spiritual gifts. These are just a few suggestions of the meaning of the Church as a helper in our spiritual life and of the way we may get from it the blessings it has for us. Go to church where blessings abound! Save the Nations Ministries >
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You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. – James 5:8
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IT IS WRITTEN Continued from Page 9 What a sight that must have been! The devil told Jesus, "All these things will I give you, if you will fall down and worship me." The devil had the power to do this for he rules over the earth. This time, Jesus said to Satan, "Begone, devil! FOR IT IS WRITTEN, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shall you serve." With this, the devil left Jesus, and the next thing He could see, was the comforting sight of angels coming to minister to Him and care for Him. THINK! 1. Something wonderful happened the day Jesus was baptized. What was it? 2. Where did Jesus go as He walked? 3. How long did Jesus fast or go without food? 4. How many times did Satan tempt Jesus? 5. Jesus answered the devil the same way all three times. What did Jesus say to the
devil? 6. Can you think of a time when you were tempted? 7. What did you do? 8. What should you have done? 9. Who can help you when you are tempted? REMEMBER When you find yourself tempted, call on Jesus to help you through it. A VERSE TO LEARN "...Pray that ye enter not into temptation" (Luke 22:40). LET'S PRAY Loving God, we praise You for this day and every day. Many times we are tempted to do things that we KNOW we should not do. Help us to resist doing those things that we know would not please You. In Jesus' Name. Amen. CAN YOU FIND THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE? (Matthew 3:13-17; 4:1-11) (Mark 1:9-13) (Luke 3:21,22; 4:1-13) (John 1:31-34) Copyright © 2016 - The Lorain County Free-Net Chapel North Central Ohio, U.S.A. >
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David out of his house and removed him from being over the men of war. Instead he made him captain over a thousand. All eyes were on David as he came and went. David acted very wisely in everything he did and the Lord was with him. When King Saul saw how well David behaved himself, it made him that much more afraid of him. All the people loved David everywhere he went. Jonathan was shocked the day his father called him and the servants together and told them he wanted David killed. He immediately went to warn David. "Go find a place to hide until morning. My father is right now searching for you, to kill you," Jonathan warned his best friend David. "I'll go out and stand beside my father in the field where you're hiding and feel him out to see if he's changed his mind by then. Afterwards I'll tell you everything I can find out." Sorrowfully, David and Jonathan quickly parted before someone discovered the two of them together. THINK! • Do you think David was afraid to talk with King Saul?
• What was David's father's
name? • From what town did David come? • What was the name of David's new friend? • Who was this new friend? • What four things did this new friend give David? • When did King Saul become angry with David? • What did he do to show his anger? • Why was King Saul afraid of David? REMEMBER: When God is on your side, you have nothing to fear. A VERSE TO LEARN "...there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24b). LET'S PRAY Dear God, thank You for being with me. Help me to love others as You love me, regardless of how they treat me. In Jesus' name, Amen. CAN YOU FIND THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE? (1 Samuel 17:57; 18:1-14; 19:3) Copyright © 2016 - The Lorain County Free-Net Chapel North Central Ohio, U.S.A. >
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FUTURE Continued from Page 14 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." The name for God here is the name Elohim, and it speaks of a personal God. The word El means a God who has unlimited power and speaks of strength. Then the last part of Elohim means to swear or to make a covenant. The two words together, strength and covenant, results in a God Who is Almighty and Who always keeps His word. In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth. Two Truths to Live By - We have a solemn obligation to God because He created us and the Bible says in (Ecclesiastes 12:1), "Remember now thy Creator." We have an obligation to God. We are His because of creation and because
of redemption. - Not only do we have an obligation to God, but God has an obligation to us. The Bible calls Him in (1 Peter 4:19), a faithful Creator. When God brought us into this universe, He did not make us to abandon us. When you give your heart to God and trust Him as your Lord and Savior, you are fulfilling your obligation to Him. You are saying, "You made me, You redeemed me, and I surrender to You." When He comes into you, to guard you, guide you, protect you, and take care of you, He is fulfilling His obligation to you. Are you ready to face the issues of this world? I pray these fundamental truths will help you to have a firm foundation. © 2016 Love Worth Finding Ministries, P.O. Box 38300, Memphis, TN 38183, www.lwf.org >
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Funerals • Cremations • Pre-Need Planning LOVE Continued from Page 16 God through your personal relationship with Jesus, your teacher, you are the church! Wherever men and women of God go they bring the church with them in spirit and in truth. You don't have to "go to church" to be saved! Worshipping God is in Spirit not in a church building. This is not to say that you cannot "go to church" if you want, but it is not a part of being saved. Church does not make somebody a Christian, it is what's in the heart. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is
spirit and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24) Couples ought to be respecting each other for trying to do what is right. They ought to be supporting and encouraging one another in the Word of God and helping each other to be all they can be in the respective positions given to them by God. This is love! This is marriage! 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) © 2002-2016 Heaven Ministries. All Rights Reserved. www.heavenministries.org >
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Changing Times
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 BRIDAL SPECIALTY Second Line Handkerchiefs (Backyard Printing, LLC) 1960 Surgi Drive • Mandeville, LA 985-231-7789 secondlinehandkerchiefs.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
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Trinity Neurologic Rehabilitation Center 1400 Lindberg Dr., Slidell, LA 70458 985-641-4985 www.trinityneurorehab.com PHARMACY Lee Road Family Pharmacy Your Trusted Family Owned Pharmacy 19705 Hwy. 40, Covington 985-400-2595 leeroadfamilypharmacy.com POWERSPORTS Honda of Covington Powersports 1026 N. Collins Blvd. Covington, LA 70433 • 985-892-9730 www.hondaofcovingtonpowersports.com RETREATS - VACATIONS Berry Creek Cabins 985-730-4395 www.berrycreekcabins.com Like us on Facebook TOWING SERVICE Jenkins Towing, Inc. Ray Jenkins & Sons 24-Hour Towing Covington, LA 985-892-4038 VETERINARY VCA Causeway Animal Hospital 1315 N. Causeway Blvd. Metairie, LA 70001 504-828-2700 www.vcacausewayanimalhospital.com WELDING Lloyd’s Welding & Son, LLC 19722 Hwy. 40 Covington 70435 Office 985-892-0889 Fax 985-871-7785 WINDOW INSERT REPLACEMENTS Window Solutions by Richlyn LLC Distribution Center 70454 Ste. C Hwy. 59 Richard Weixel 985-871-8181 www.nofoggywindows.com
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DIVINE LIGHT Continued from Page 28 that God is gracious, but a sense how good-natured God is upon that account or a sense of the beauty of this divine attribute. Thus there is a difference between having an opinion, that God is holy and gracious, and having a sense of the loveliness and beauty of that holiness and grace. How Divine Light Is Given By God It is given by the "light of the glorious gospel of Christ", (2 Cor. 4:4). The gospel is as a glass by which this light is conveyed to us, (1 Cor. 13:12). "Now we see through a glass." A person cannot have Divine light without the word! This Knowledge Should Be Given By God Alone Spiritual wisdom and grace is the highest and most excellent gift that ever God bestows on any man. It is also immensely the most important of all divine gifts: it is that wherein man's happiness consists, and on which his everlasting welfare depends. It is a kind of release of God's beauty, and is related to God as the light is to the sun. It is therefore in accord and fit, that when it is given of God, it should be directly from Himself, and by Himself, according to His own sovereign will. This knowledge is that which is above all others sweet and joyful. Men have a great deal of pleasure in REVIVAL Continued from Page 23 seventy five persons at once (as among the Moravian Brethren at Dusseldorf), yet it comes to each one singly. There can exist no collective body of believers that can be revived apart from the units that compose the body. Understood aright these are truths full of great encouragement and good hope. Nothing can hinder you or me from experiencing the revival we need. It is a matter for God and the solitary heart. Nothing can prevent the spiritual rejuvenation of the soul that insists upon having it. Though that solitary man must live and walk among persons religiously dead, he may experience the great transformation as certainly and as quickly as if he were in the most spiritual church in the world. The man that will have God's best becomes at once the object of
human knowledge, in studies of natural things; but this is nothing to that joy which arises from this divine light shining into the soul. This light gives a view of those things that are immensely the most exquisitely beautiful, and capable of delighting the eye of the understanding. This divine light is the dawning of the light of glory in the heart. There is nothing so powerful as this to support persons in affliction, and to give the mind peace and brightness in this stormy and dark world. This light is such as effectually influences the fondness and changes the nature of the soul. This knowledge will wean us from the world, and raise the inclination to heavenly things. It will turn the heart to God as the fountain of good, and to choose him for its only portion. This divine light and this only, will bring the soul to a saving closeness with Christ. It conforms the heart to the gospel, mortifies its hostility and opposition against the scheme of salvation therein revealed: it causes the heart to embrace the joyful tidings, and entirely to adhere to, and comply in the revelation of Christ as our Savior. It causes the whole soul to agreement and symphonize with it, admitting it with entire credit and respect cleaving to it with full inclination and affection; and it effectually disposes the soul to give up itself entirely to Christ. Save the Nations Ministries >
the personal attention of the Holy Spirit. Such a man will not be required to wait for the rest of the church to come alive. He will not be penalized for the failures of his fellow Christians, nor be asked to forego the blessing till his sleepy brethren catch up. God deals with the individual heart as exclusively as if only one existed. If this should seem to be an unduly individualistic approach to revival, let it be remembered that religion is personal before it can be social. Every prophet, every reformer, every revivalist had to meet God alone before he could help the multitudes. The great leaders who went on to turn thousands to Christ had to begin with God and their own soul. The plain Christian of today must experience personal revival before he can hope to bring renewed spiritual life to his church. © 2016 oChristian.com. All Rights Reserved >
As a Chaplain in America’s Navy, you’ll find limitless ways to employ your faith as you help guide the thousands of dedicated men and women who serve our nation. Think of it as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be true to your God, your nation and your beliefs. TO LEARN MOREABOUT FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME OPPORTUNITIES,
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COCK CROWS Continued from Page 26 that would increase his trust and faith. So this brings us to this question. When you hear the cock crow, what do you do? Everything God brings you through or allows the enemy to try
you with is meant to strengthen you and allow you to be “converted” – to strengthen your faith so you can strengthen the brethren. Herein lays the problem. When the cock crows, will you run to the cross and be strengthened or will you run away and loose? When the cock crows, it is a reminder that He knows you and wants you to see who you are while strengthening you toward Who He Is. If you run away from the cross, you will give the brethren whatever they wish to hear. If you run toward the cross, it is then that you will strengthen the brethren with truth. >
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Dr. Kevin M. Plaisance, OBGYN has compassionately provided excellence in women’s health care services as both a physician and surgeon for nearly 20 years. His easygoing personality and exceptional bedside manner give him the ability to connect with all age groups. Chrissi Talley, Nurse Practitioner, is defined by her gentle nature and holistic approach of thorough evaluation and treatment. Patients find her personable and are comfortable with discussing the more intimate concerns of health. Patients appreciate seeing the same familiar faces of our experienced and knowledgeable staff. Along with the comfortable and professional
environment, patients also enjoy the convenience of onsite ultrasound and laboratory services. Our providers are accepting new patients! We provide high quality comprehensive obstetric and gynecologic services throughout the span of adolescence to menopause. Visit our website at http://mynorthshoreobgyn.com to learn more about our staff and the services we provide. If you would like to make an appointment, please call our office today! 985-893-3777 •200 Greenbriar Blvd., Covington 70433. Like and share our page on Facebook >
WHAT NOT TO WEAR Continued from Page 8
self-control. If the outfit is crazy extreme, crazy expensive, or if it’s crazy for you to be buying another one, then you ought to pass it up. Understanding the purpose of clothing and asking yourself the three questions, Is it becoming? Is it decent? and Is it moderate? will help you figure out how to dress. And don’t forget to include your “Helper” in the process. The Holy Spirit is an invaluable source of assistance when it comes to figuring out whether or not your appearance glorifies God. If your heart is right and you seek His guidance, He will be your personal wardrobe consultant and teach you what and what not to wear. © Moody Publishers. Adapted from Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild, pp. 103-108. Used with permission. http://www.ReviveOurHearts.com >
Does it showcase my underlying nakedness—or exalt the gospel of Christ? Is It Moderate or Excessive? The final thing to ask yourself about clothing is whether it is moderate or excessive. Paul uses the Greek word sophrosunes. It means “of a sound mind; curbing one’s desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate.” The word indicates that our adornment should be reasonable and not crazy. We ought to rein in our impulses and avoid extremes in fashion, hairstyles, and makeup. We also ought to avoid spending crazy amounts of money or stuffing our closets full of crazy quantities of clothing. We ought to govern our wardrobe choices with a sense of moderation, simplicity, and
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