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Building Courage to Tell Others About Christ (Overcoming the Fear of Rejection) After lack of motivation, a major reason why more people do not engage in personal evangelism is the fear of rejection. The fear of being turned down, laughed at, or looked upon by others as "religious fanatics" has hindered many Christians in their efforts to tell others about Christ. How does one overcome the fear of rejection? In this lesson I would like to share several thoughts that have been helpful to me, the first being... TRY TO PLEASE GOD, NOT MAN We should keep in mind the words of the apostle Paul, who in (Gal 1:10) wrote: "For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ." If we are serious in our desire to be the servants of Christ, then we must make sure it is God we are trying to please, and not man. This
is not to suggest that we give no thought as to how to be more pleasing in our demeanor or presentation of the gospel, but it does mean that we should be more concerned about what God thinks, rather than what people may think. PRAY FOR BOLDNESS Paul was one who wrote about his own fears when it came to sharing the gospel with others (1Cor 2:1-3). But he believed in the power of prayer to provide boldness and solicited the prayers of others as well in this regard (Eph 6:18-19). In this he was not alone, for when Peter and John had been threatened, they returned to their company and together prayed for boldness, and the Lord answered their prayer (Ac ts 4:29-31)! So as we prepare ourselves to engage in personal evangelism, if we find ourselves lacking courage, then let our preparation include diligent prayer for boldness. Even as you walk up to the door, or
approach someone you plan to invite to services or to offer a Bible study, say a short prayer asking God to give you the boldness necessary to say what you have planned to say. STEPS IN BUILDING COURAGE TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT CHRIST STEP ONE - Start out sharing Christ in a way which will not bring you face to face with people. Take a copy of Changing Times and carry it in your purse, or car. • When you go into a public restaurant, leave it on your table with your tip. • When writing letters to friends and relatives, drop a copy in the envelope. Include a page even in the bills you pay! • Leave a copy in a phone booth, at a Laundromat, on the seat of a taxi or bus, in a restroom. What happens to the publication may no longer concern you; you've sown the seed and done what you
are supposed to do. It may be thrown in the waste paper basket and someone else may fish it out and take it home and his neighbor may come over and read it. I know of a custodian who was cleaning a bathroom, saw a copy of Changing Times and read it, later obeying the gospel and is today a gospel preacher! Another case involved a woman who was visiting her daughter, saw a copy on the coffee table that had been sent through the mail, read it and contacted the person who sent it, later obeying the gospel (even though her daughter, the original recipient of the newspaper, had no interest in it!). This is one way that the written word lasts longer than the spoken word! STEP TWO - Let your light shine naturally when around nonChristians (Mt 5:16). See Building Courage on Page 32
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Once saved always saved? When I come across a person living in fornication, in adultery, or walking after the flesh and he says, "Don't worry about me, man! I accepted Christ at a Billy Graham crusade when I was a kid." Yet the person is a drunkard and fornicator. And he says, "Once I've been saved I'm always saved! So don't worry about me."
Believe me; I'm going to rattle that guy's cage as best I can. I'm going to take him to (Galatians 5) where the Bible talks about the works of the flesh. At the end of that listing the Bible declares, "As I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:21). I'll take him to Manufacturers Since 1867
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(Corinthians and to Ephesians). I'll show him where those who are living after the flesh and devoted to living after the fallen nature's desires are not going to inherit the kingdom of God. Yet, on the other hand, if I'm speaking to saints with an oversensitive conscience who, every time they mess up and do something wrong, feel that they've lost their salvation, I'm going to take them to the Scriptures that give us the assurance of God's love. I'll show them how Christ is holding them and that no man can pluck them out of the Father's hand. I'm going to take them to the passages that will give them assurance. So the position I take on the issue all depends on the condition of the person I'm talking to. I can take either side and argue it con-
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vincingly. I can trade Scriptures with people on both sides of the issue. I can let you choose what side you want, and I'll take the other side. I can produce as many Scriptures and make as good an argument as you can. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."(Hebrews 11:6) Save the Nations Ministries
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What Did Christ Purchase for Your Children With His Blood? by John Piper
Thankfully, the blood of Christ divides and unites families. “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. . . . They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother” (Luke 12:51-53). “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37). This is good news. It means that coming from an unbelieving family is no sure curse. A family may be graciously broken by the belief of a child. When Paul said to Gentile converts, “You were bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23), he knew that the blood of Christ had broken a family line of unbelief. If you are the offspring of unbelievers it is good news to hear Paul say, “It is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring” (Romans 9:8). Biology seals no curse and guarantees no blessing. That is a warning against despair for the offspring
of pagans and against presumption for Christian parents. But did the blood of Christ purchase no privileges for the children of believers? Did the blood of Christ not unite families across generations? What about (Acts 2:39)? “For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” What about (Psalm 103:17-18)? “The steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.” Or (Exodus 20:5-6)? “I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Yes. Christ did purchase privileges for the children of believers. But he did not guarantee their salvation. Each of those three texts makes clear that the blessing which comes to the future generations of believers comes only to those who are “called by God” (Acts 2:39), “keep his covenant” (Psalm 103:18), and “love him” (Exodus 20:6). Do all the children of believers love God and keep covenant with him by faith in Christ? No. There are enough examples of believers in the Bible whose children did not believe to show us that a parent’s faith does not
secure a child’s. The point of (Romans 9:7-13) is to show that Isaac not Ishmael, and Jacob not Esau, received the full blessing of being born to believing parents. The blood of Jesus divides not just when parents are unbelieving, but also when children are unbelieving. This is what Jesus had in mind when he said, “A person’s enemies will be those of his own household. . . . Whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” A Christian parent may face this choice: allegiance to Christ or allegiance to child? But I say again, yes, Christ did purchase privileges for the children of believers. It would seem to be pointless to say, “The promise is for you and for your children” (Acts 2:39), and to say, “His righteousness is to children’s children”
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"Lord, have mercy on my son!" (Matthew 17:15) Here is a father in trouble — in trouble about his son. The son was a sinner, a sufferer, and in great danger. The father knew the danger of his son, deeply felt for his condition, was daily grieved on his account, and desired his deliverance at any expense. This is very much the case with us, in reference to our children, when suffering from bodily distempers; but is it so in reference to their souls? Our children are all sick of a mortal disease; it is rooted in their very nature; they suffer from it now, for every pain and disease is the effect of sin. They are in imminent danger of perishing forever; they hang over Hell by a mere thread — the thread of time. We are not sure that they will not be in Hell in five minutes; death may seize them in a moment, and they cannot be in Heaven, unless they are born from above, and are sanctified by the Holy Spirit; for, "without holiness, no one can see the Lord." But do we realize this? Do we feel for their eternal welfare, as we do for their temporal welfare? Or as this man did for his afflicted son? Are we daily grieved to see our children . . . the enemies of God, the friends of Satan, the slaves of sin? Such they must be, if not truly converted by grace. Do we desire their deliverance from sin, Satan, the world, and the wrath of God, above everything beside? Do we say so by our conduct? Do our prayers say so? Does our conversation with our children say so? Alas! Alas! How few parents feel or act consistently on this subject! Here is a father with Jesus. He had heard of the Savior, of His works of mercy, of the power He displayed, and the kindness He showed to all. His trouble, connected with this information, brought him to Jesus. He came for his son; he came without an invitation; he came at a perhaps; a fathers heart impelled him; he fell at the Redeemer's feet, and out of a full heart, with a loud voice, he cried, "Lord, have mercy on my son!" Just so, we have heard of Jesus, we know Him, we are invited by Him. But do we come to Him as this
man for our children? My brother, have you a son that is unruly, perverse, and wicked? Go to Jesus for him, as this poor man did; go on purpose; go and appeal to His tender heart; go frequently; go in faith, and you shall not go in vain. Here is a father at prayer for his son. He kneeled before Jesus; he lifted up a father's eye, and looked into his heart; he lifted up a father's voice, and awakened his most tender sympathies; he poured forth a father's prayer, and obtained relief. See how simple his words: "Lord, have mercy on my son." How earnest his manner; how humble his spirit; how importunate his application — he had applied to others, and even to the disciples in vain; but he would not, he could not rest until he had tried the Lord, and he was successful. He tried His mercy — and the Lord listened to Him; he tried His power — and the Lord healed his son. Parents do not despond; never give over a child as lost; Jesus can heal the most desperate case; He can restore the greatest wanderer, He can melt the most obdurate heart, He can reclaim the foulest transgressor. Only realize the danger of your children, believe the promises made to you in God's blessed book; feel that none but Jesus can effect the change you desire; and apply to Him in faith, determined to take no denial; wrestle, plead, wait, watch, expect, and walk according to your prayers — and you must succeed. "The Lord is full of pity and of great mercy." Bring your children with you to Jesus; if you can, get them to kneel by your side and hear you pray for them; but if they will not, go for them; and remember that, "the fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man avails much." Prayer cannot be lost. God stands engaged to hear and answer the prayer of faith; and Jesus, at the right-hand of the Father, is your Advocate and Intercessor, and will sprinkle your prayers with His blood. GRACE GEMS! A Treasury of Ageless Sovereign Grace Devotional Writings Our Purpose To humble the pride of man, to exalt the grace of God in salvation and to promote real holiness in heart and life. © GraceGems.org 2016 >
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Help for the Busy Woman
If you ask a woman today, “How are you doing?” chances are the response will be a sigh or a groan, followed by words like “We’ve got so much going on in our family!” “I just can’t keep up with everything I’ve got to do!” or “I’m exhausted!” More often than not, I find that women (and Christian women are no exception) feel overwhelmed by how much they have to do and how little time they have to do it. As a result, many women are living breathless, frazzled, and discouraged lives. Years ago, I read that the average woman today has the equivalent of fifty full-time servants, in the form of modern, timesaving devices and equipment. That figure may or may not be accurate, but we certainly have many conveniences available to us that were unknown to women of past generations: dishwashers, microwaves, washing machines, dryers, and much more. So why are our lives more harried and hurried than ever? Why are we so stressed out? There are probably a number of explanations. However, one reason is that we have accepted the lie that we don’t have time to do everything we are supposed to do. The Example Set by Jesus The fact is, we have no more nor
less time than any other human being who has ever lived. No one, regardless of his position or responsibilities, has ever had more than 24 hours in a day, 168 hours in a week, 52 weeks in a year. In fact, the Lord Jesus Himself was given only a few short years on earth to accomplish the entire plan of redemption. Talk about a long “to do” list! Yet at the end of His life, Jesus was able to lift His eyes to His Father and say, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gave me to do” (John 17:4). I find that truly amazing. Rarely can I say at the end of the day that I have completed the work I set out to do that day. To the contrary, I frequently drop into bed at night with a long, mental list of the unfinished tasks I had hoped to take care of that day. How was it possible for Jesus to finish His life’s work, especially in such a short period of time? In Jesus’ words we find a clue—a powerful truth that sets us free from the bondage of hurry and frustration. The Secret to Having Enough Time Notice what work Jesus completed in the thirty-three years He was here on the earth: “I have finished the work which thou gave me to do.” That is the secret. Jesus didn’t finish everything His disciples wanted Him to do. (Some of them were hoping He would overthrow the Roman government!) He didn’t finish everything the multitudes wanted Him to do. (There were still people who were sick and lonely and dying.) But He did finish the work that God gave Him to do. There is virtually never time in a twenty-four hour day for me to do everything that is on everyone else’s “to do” list for me. There is seldom time to accomplish everySee Busy Woman on Page 32
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Pray continually - 1 Thessalonians 5:17
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15 Days of Praying for Your Husband by Nancy Leigh DeMoss spiritual disciplines—Bible reading and study, prayer, meditation, scripture memorization, etc. (2 Peter 3:18; Prov. 4:23) Day 2 Pray that your husband’s relationship with God and His Word will bear fruit in his life. Pray that he will be a man of wisdom and understanding, fearing the Lord. (Prov. 3:7, 9:10) Day 3 Pray that your husband will be humble and quick to agree with God about his sin. Pray that his heart will be tender toward the voice of the Lord. (Ps. 51:2-4; Day 1 Micah 6:8) Pray that your husband will grow Day 4 spiritually and consider his accountPray that your husband will grow ability before the Lord. Pray that he in leadership skills in your relationwill guard his heart by developing ship—protecting and providing for
you. Pray that he will lead you wisely and love you sacrificially, so that God will be glorified in your marriage. (Eph. 5:25-29; Col. 3:19) Day 5 Pray that your husband will be faithful to his wedding vows. Pray that he will have a desire to cultivate your relationship as a sign of his loyalty and commitment to you, and as a picture of Christ’s love for the Church. (Prov. 20:6; Gen. 2:24) Day 6 Pray that your husband will love righteousness and hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture. Pray that he will recognize and avoid wickedness in his own life, and if necessary, take a clear, strong stand against evil. (Prov. 27:12; John 17:15) Day 7 Pray that your husband will safe-
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guard his heart against inappropriate relationships with the opposite sex. Pray that his heart will be pure and undivided in his commitment to you. (Prov. 6:23-24, 26; Rom. 13:14) Day 8 Pray that your husband will work hard to provide for your family, to the best of his ability. Pray that the character qualities necessary for a successful career and ministry will be a growing part of his character—persistence, decisiveness, strength, an analytical mind, organizational skills, positive relationships with people, determination, etc. (Rom. 12:11) Day 9 Pray that your husband handle finances wisely, will have discernment concerning budgeting and investments, and will be a good See Husband on Page 13
Changing Times Disclaimer
As editor of Changing Times, there are often concerns that both On Eagles Wings and Save the Nations Ministries share. Sometimes, there are articles or advertisements that do not exactly line up with the views of Changing Times. Changing Times continues to be published by advertisement and offerings of the readers. While Changing Times advertises businesses, videos, books, and articles, we attempt to do so without contradiction to scripture. We pray that these are used to build the Church and not lead it astray with doctrines that were not given to the Disciples (Galatians 1:8). It is almost an impossibility to research each advertisement or article to reveal error in enough time before publication. As humans we all make mistakes, but as Christians we must remember that error will always ride in on the back of truth. This is what makes it seem so good. It is with these statements, that we ask the following of our readers. The Bereans were recognized for being good stewards over the word of God (Acts 17:10-11). They studied and checked the things, which were taught to be sure they were true and lined up with the scripture. As such, we are no different. Each of us has the responsibility to do the same. This paper attempts to be conservative in belief and bring the gospel to the readers in a balanced fashion, as scripture demands. The Cross of Christ should always be the center of each and every Christians understanding of the gospel to include salvation, sanctification and glorification. Jesus the Christ is the source and the Cross, is the means. Due to reason of deception, many have begun falling away from the purity of that message. There is little said about sin, repentance, the saving Blood, the completed work of the Cross and the necessity of placing our faith in Jesus, and that completed sacrifice. We not only ask, but also beg our reading audience to also be good Bereans. If we find something we understand to be against scripture, we will remove it as we find it, but there are some things that get by us. The Bible speaks of a last day deception that if it were possible, would deceive the very elect of God (Matthew 24). Help us help you. Please, in these last days — Be good Bereans. We pray that each article and advertisement will serve to bless, encourage and increase knowledge and understanding of a relationship with the King of Kings. These are most assuredly troubling times — hold fast to that which is true. In His Service, Save the Nations Ministries
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Children A Child's Call for Courage
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Fear is something all people face. From the time we’re babies, there are things that scare us—both real and imagined. For children, fear can be an overwhelming emotion. It’s hard for our little ones to be courageous when threats seem so big, they feel so small, and they cannot stop their knees from trembling. During the elementary years, our children’s anxieties turn from imaginary circumstances—such as scary monsters under their beds— to more internal concerns. Thoughts about rejection from friends can become predominant, as can the fear of failure. As children become involved in team sports or other activities where competition can be intense, their self-esteem can be damaged if others don’t acceptance them or they do not achieve the goals they have for themselves. As a result, they may begin to worry that they are somehow unlovable or unacceptable. What can parents do to help children become courageous in the face of fear? A few things that may help include: Pray about it. Pray aloud with your child about the concerns and fears he’s experiencing. This helps your child know
you take his thoughts and emotions seriously, and that you trust in God to help him. Remember, right now you’re the greatest person of influence in your child’s life. Modeling prayer for him will go a long way. Talk about it. Conversations with your children are never wasted. These precious early years of their lives are foundational for building your lifelong relationships with them. Take advantage of the brief moments you have together to get in touch with your children’s feelings about their daily activities. Share with them about times in your own life when it’s been difficult to be courageous, and how you learned to trust God to help you. Read about it. Take time to read key Bible verses and stories with your child about biblical characters who also faced fearful situations. The Word is full of encouragement to children about how faithful God is to comfort us in our times of need. One Bible verse that is helpful for children to remember is, “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You” (Ps. 56:3). Remind your children that regardless of where they are or the circumstances they encounter, God is always with them. They can trust Him to guide them through scary situations to lives of courageous obedience. ©2016 oChristian.com. All Rights Reserved >
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For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. - 2 Timothy 1:7
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Lara stood in the middle of the circle with her eyes blindfolded. It was her turn to spin around and around. "Fish . . . fish . . . fish . . . WISH!" she yelled excitedly as she stopped spinning and pointed to Jimmy. After he wished for a new bicycle, Lara tied the blindfold on his head and it was his turn to spin around. "Fish . . . fish . . . fish . . . WISH!" Jimmy had pointed to Dawn. Everybody knew what Dawn was going to wish for because she always wished for the same thing. They giggled as they all joined Dawn in shouting, "I WISH I HAD A PUPPY!" Of course, all the children knew that their wishes were not going to come true, but they certainly had a grand time playing the game together! King David loved the Lord dearly and had been a great king over the nation of Israel, but he was getting very old and knew that he would not have long to live. He said to his wife, Bathsheba, "Call Zakok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaniah to come see me." So she did . . . . . . and they came. David started giving orders to the men. "Have my son Solomon ride upon my very own mule." "Zakok! Nathan! You are to anoint Solomon as the next King of Israel." "The musicians are to blow their trumpets and the people are to shout: 'GOD SAVE KING SOLOMON!'" "Then you are to follow Solomon into the palace where he will sit upon the throne." HOW EXCITED the men were! This was going to be a procession like no other! How proud and happy they were that they had been chosen to carry out the plans! They quickly scurried about as they made the arrangements for the big parade. The musicians gathered together to blow their trumpets at just the right time. There was an uproar of noise and laughter as the crowds gathered in the street, hoping to catch a glimpse of the new king as he
passed by. The people shouted at the top of their voices: "GOD SAVE KING SOLOMON! GOD SAVE KING SOLOMON!" Zakok the priest anointed Solomon with oil and proclaimed him King of Israel. The people sang, played instruments, and rejoiced with great joy. The noise was SOOOOOO LOUD, that it seemed as if the ground was vibrating. The party in the streets lasted way into the night. What a jubilant day it had been! During the weeks that followed, King Solomon spent much time learning from his father. David instructed Solomon to listen to his advisors. He taught him important lessons about how to rule the nation. But most importantly of all, David taught Solomon to love the Lord and to worship God. Solomon wanted to be a good king, so he listened very carefully to the words of his father. He learned to love the Lord with all his heart. King Solomon made a journey to a place called Gibeon to worship God and make his sacrifice offerings. While he was there, GOD appeared to him in a dream that night. God told Solomon to ask for ANYTHING HE WANTED and he would give it to him. Solomon talked to the Lord about how his father David had been a righteous man, and how the Lord had blessed him, and been merciful to him. Solomon told the Lord that he also wanted to be righteous and rule the nation of Israel in a godly way just as his father did. Then . . . Solomon told the Lord the one thing he wished for. Solomon asked the Lord to give him WISDOM. He wanted to be a WISE king and make good decisions. He wanted to be fair and just with the people he was ruling. And most of all, he wanted to be righteous. God was VERY PLEASED with Solomon's request. In fact, God gave Solomon much more than he had even asked. God said to Solomon, "You have asked for wisdom instead of other things, and I will See Wish on Page 34
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Seniors The Problem of Christian Old Age J. R. Miller "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day!" (2 Corinthians 4:16). Paul has a cheering thought about the undecaying inner life. The outward man, he says, always decays—but the inner man is renewed day by day. This teaching is full of comfort for those who are advancing in years. The problem of Christian old age—is to keep the heart young and full of all youth's joy, however feeble and broken the body may become. We need to be most watchful lest we allow our life to lose its zest and deteriorate in its quality, when old age begins to creep in. Hopes of achievement appear to be ended for us—our work is almost done, we think. Sometimes people, as they grow old, become less sweet, less beautiful in spirit. Troubles, disasters, and misfortunes have made the days hard and painful for them. Perhaps health is broken, and suffering is added to the other elements which make old age unhappy. Renan, in one of his books, recalls an old legend of buried city on the coast of Brittany. With its homes, public buildings, churches and thronged streets—it sank instantly into the sea. The legend says that the city's life goes on as before, down beneath the waves. The fishermen, when in calm weather they row over the place, think they sometimes can see the gleaming tips of the church spires deep in the water, and fancy they can hear the chiming of the bells in the old belfries and even the murmur of the city's noises. There are men who in their old age seem to have an experience like this. Their life of youthful hopes, dreams, successes, loves and joys, has been sunk out of sight, submerged in misfortunes and adversities, and has vanished altogether. Nothing remains of it all but a
memory. In their discouragement they often think sadly of their past, and seem to hear the echoes of the old songs of hope and joy, and to catch visions of the old beauty and splendor. But that is all. Nothing real is left. Their spirits have grown hopeless and bitter. Guthrie, as he grew feeble, spoke of his bald head, his trembling steps, his dullness of hearing, his dimness of eye. But this is not worthy living, for those who are immortal, who were born to be children of God. The hard things are not meant to mar our life—they are meant to make us only the braver, the worthier, and the nobler. It is not meant that the infirmities of old age shall break through into our inner life; that should grow all the more beautiful—the more the outer life is broken. The shattering of the old mortal tent, should reveal more and more of the glory of the divine life which dwells within. Do you ever think, you who are growing old, that old age ought really to be the very best of life? We are too apt to settle down to the feeling, that with our infirmities, we cannot any longer live beautifully, worthily, usefully, or actively. But this is not the true way to think of old age. We should reach our best then in every way. Old age should be the best—the very best, of all life! It should be the most beautiful, with the flaws mended, the faults cured, the mistakes corrected, the lessons learned. Youth is full of immaturity. Midlife is full of toil and care, strife and ambition. Old age should be as the autumn with its golden fruit. We ought to be better Christians than ever we have been before; more submissive to God's will; more content, more patient and gentle, kindlier and more loving—when we grow old. We are drawing nearer to See Christian Old Age on Page 39
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Canon Hospice provides quality end of life care to those seeking comfort and dignity while dealing with a life limiting illness. Canon Hospice serves Baton Rouge, the Northshore, Greater New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The caring team at Canon is dedicated to a hospice ministry that helps patients and families accept terminal illness positively and resourcefully. With special expertise in pain management and symptom control, Canon Hospice designs individualized plans of care for each patient based on their unique needs. Home based services provide doctors, nurses, social workers, pastoral care and volunteers who tailor their services according to patients’ diagnoses and home situations. Care can also be provided in the group home settings as well as assisted living and nursing homes. For patients with more intense symptom management needs, Canon has Inpatient Hospice Units located in Jefferson, Louisiana and in Gulfport, Mississippi. These units provide 24-hour care in a home-like environment where patients are permitted to receive visits at any hour. All donations and fundraising activities at Canon Hospice go to support the nonprofit Akula Foundation. The Akula Foundation’s many projects include: indigent patient care, the Canon Hospice Health Hour on WGSO 990 AM every Saturday from Noon to 1pm and Camp Swan, a bereavement camp for children ages 7-12. The Akula Foundation also supports the Grief Resource Center which offers free group counseling and services to anyone who has experienced any kind of loss or grief.
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Time Well Spent by Benjamin Stephens Reality TV. It’s everywhere. From the comfort of your own home you can watch people you don’t know doing things you wouldn’t approve of as they waste time you don’t have. But we all tune in, don‘t we? We just have to know who’s getting the recording contract, who gets the girl or who gets the boot. We might even tune in for more noble reasons. For instance, to see who loses the most weight or stops smoking. One recent program had contestants rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. The winner was to be honored by being able to redo a condo to live in or produce a one time television program. The previous prize was a one year employment opportunity with the founder the program. That’s like going from a sports car to a mid priced minivan. Given enough time, I’m thinking eventually that the winner will get the privilege of bringing a bagel to the boss before he fires them, sort of the Yugo of reality TV. This phenomenon has grown so large that there’s even a new network that is 24 hours a day reality television. You can watch people as they mull a decision over vinyl wall coverings or faux stone. Then there is the cooking show featuring truck drivers and how they cook on the road using nothing but their engine and exhaust pipe. My personal favorite may be “Cake Collapse” where a contestant is hired to barge into an actual cooking show at just the right moment to see if they can cause the demise of a culinary masterpiece. Then there’s “Fossil Fuel Express” in which contestants are urged to go through the 25 point engine check at an express lube place and learn to identify oils by sight, smell and taste. The one that is beyond genius is “Reality Check” the show where contestants are forced to watch the channel for 120 days straight, no phone calls to the outside world and only TV dinners are served. Those who use the remote are forced to participate in at least two other reality TV shows. Perhaps they’ll be showing a rerun of a show I saw the other night. The premise is that the audience gets to see vocal artists from the 1980’s and early 90’s. They get to sing one of their signature songs and then they perform their own treatment of a current song. Oh, but when your favorite artist take the stage you are left to wonder who these people really are
- they don’t have the hair we remember (not a bad thing really) and their bodies are proving that gravity is a law. Their voices may not have the same polish we remember and their wardrobe really should consist of sweats (the oversized ones). I know I’m not in charge but there is one reality TV show I’d love to see made. That would be “America’s Greatest Storytellers”. You may think I’m kidding here, but I’d love to see a show where masses of senior citizens across America had the opportunity to share some of their best memories. I know my grandpa always had some great ones. I spent some time in a nursing home recently and I heard some doozies. I suppose it didn’t hurt that I brought candy for Bingo night, but I was treated to some great yarns. Free souls encased in struggling bodies let their age fade away at precious moments recalled. Eyes took on a far away gaze and clouded up at the most delightful places. They broke from their stories for only a moment to see if I was really listening. If so, I was rewarded with tales that may have been little heard in decades. Locations and faces recalled and brought to life in one precious moment after another. Wars long forgotten were brought back to life and loves long buried were resuscitated in all their precious tenderness and bittersweet pain. The smiles were genuine and tears recalled from the past found an encore in the present and I came to understand I was in the presence of greatness. Maybe my idea of a storytellers television show will never fly. Most media producers and advertisers struggle to keep those thirty and younger happy, so if you fall outside that narrowly defined age group it is probable that programs that you may have liked will leave the line-up simply because it didn’t really connect with people in their target audience. It’s a shame really; I thought the idea was a good one. Here’s an idea! Head on over to a local nursing home and spend an hour watching and listening. It’ll be one of the best reality programs you’ll see. You might even want to come back to see how it turns out. The best part is two people will leave feeling as though their time was well spent. ©2016 FaithWriters.com. All Rights Reserved >
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With Arms of Love by Laura Edwards My grandparents are the two most wonderful people I know. Their love is far better than any storybook or fairytale. I have spent the last 5 months watching them say their farewells as he faced death from a very rare cancer. They faced this, as they did everything, with great faith and perseverance. It was such a privilege for me to be able just to watch them together, especially during their last days together in the Hospice facility. Those moments are so precious to me, treasures that will never be forgotten. This poem is a poor attempt to portray and honor the love they shared and the blessing they are to me. With Arms of Love She rubs his head and combs his hair, He barely speaks, but knows she’s there. He knows her voice and knows the touch Of his dear wife he loves so much. Upon his brow she lays her cheek— Whispered words of love she speaks. He reaches out, her hand to take, She lifts it gently to her face. He longs for peace, and so she prays For peace and mercy His last few days. Though she hates to see him
pass, She knows that death is not the last. So, her last gift to him is given, Permission to travel on to heaven. As I think of them, their love must be What God intended love to be— Selfless, serving, faithful, true; Putting the other ahead of you. They may never fully know How deeply this heart loves them so, And what a blessing it’s been for me Just to sit and watch them be. I’ve watched one saint prepare for Home, And another prepare to carry on. I never thought that death could be, As sweet as now it seems to me. They tightly cling unto their faith, And face these days firm in God’s grace. Though death has made both bodies weak, Their faith stands strong, lives boldly speak Of the faithfulness of their God above, Who sustains them both with arms of love. ~for Papaw and Mamaw © 2016 by Laura Edwards >
Husband Continued from Page 8
sexual intimacy together will be fresh, positive, and a reflection of selfless love. (Prov. 5:15, 18;1 Cor. 7:3; Song of Solomon 7:10) Day 13 Pray that your husband use practical skills to build your family and make wise decisions for your welfare. Pray that he will serve unselfishly. (Gal. 5:13; Phil. 2:3-4) Day 14 Pray that your husband will speak words that build you and your family, and reflect a heart of love. Pray that he will not use filthy language. (Prov. 18:21; Eph. 4:29) Day 15 Pray that your husband will choose his friends wisely. Pray that God will bring him men who will encourage his accountability before God, and will not lead him into sin. (Prov. 13:20) © Revive Our Hearts. Written by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts. com.> Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. - Colossians 3:2
steward of his money in regard to giving to the Lord’s work. Pray that money will not become a source of discord in your family. (Prov. 23:45; Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:5) Day 10 Pray that your husband will cultivate strong integrity, and not compromise his convictions. Pray that his testimony will be genuine, that he will be honest in his business dealings, and will never do anything that he needs to hide from others. (Prov. 20:7; 1 Tim. 1:5) Day 11 Pray that your husband will have a humble, teachable spirit and a servant’s heart before the Lord. Pray that he will listen to God and desire to do His will. (Prov. 15:33; Eph. 6:6) Day 12 Pray that your husband will yield his sexual drive to the Lord and practice self control. Pray that your
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THE CLAM SAID, OUCH by Richard L. Provencher "LOOKIT!" Adam shouted. Frosty edges rode the top of huge waves, like a parade of small hills heading for the ocean beach. "Too high," three-year old Colin giggled. "No, they're not!" Adam said. He was seven, so he should know. "Follow me," he ordered. Colin did. "Aren't you glad we brought our surf boards?" asked Adam. Colin's head bobbed up and down. The older boy carried his brother into deeper water. Soon they were surfing the waves. Huge crests carried the boys out to sea then back again. "Watch me do some good tricks," Adam said. "Ok," Colin said. He was having great fun. Grand-papa nervously chewed his nails as he sat on the red sand watching. When he said, "Go play," he didn't mean they should go riding such huge waves. What will grand-mama say when she finds out? He wondered.
Adam showed Colin how to do back flips. "Go really fast, so you won't sink," Adam said. "Ok," Colin answered. He wasn't afraid if his brother wasn't. Besides, he had his lucky blue rubber boots on. Soon, he was doing his own fancy flips and somersaults. For a little guy, Adam was almost as good as his brother. Even the cormorants and seagulls were impressed. Needing a rest, both boys sloshed there way to shore, and went to sit by grand-papa. His open mouth needed a rest. So Adam pressed his nose and chin together. Colin placed a floppy hat across grand-papa's face to prevent any sunburn. "Let's find treasures now," he said. Adam said, "Okay." Both searched the red shoreline for treasure. They were close to Oak Island where Captain Kidd hid his own treasure. At first, it was hard walking on top of hot sand. But feet soon cooled off as they kept sinking in
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softer wet spots. "Feet hurt? Adam asked. He also stepped on too many broken bits of Soft Shell Clams. They had been hiding under "Kelp" that looked like lettuce. "No, this is lotsa fun," Coling answered. He tried to forget the pain in his right foot. Why did the sand keep spitting up waterspouts? They wondered. Curiosity had them running from one splashy spout to another. Sand flew in all directions, as they dug down with both hands. "Ouch!" "What happened, Colin?" Adam asked. "I didn't say anything," the younger boy answered. Adam dug faster. By now they were about a foot deep. "Ouch!" said a strange voice. Now it was Adam's turn to be surprised. "Your digging hurt me." A curved creature with a thin shell lay panting on its side. "No more," it said. "I'm tired of trying to escape."
Adam and Colin took turns copying grand-papa's bulging, bright-asmoon eyes. But their wide-open mouths were a little smaller. Not so many teeth. "I'm a Razor Clam," said the voice. "I dig straight down when I'm frightened." "We be friends now?" asked Colin. "Okay," the Razor Clam answered. Then he did a side flip out of his sandy hideout. "What's happening?" he asked. He offered to be their guide, when he discovered the boys were visiting from London, Ontario. Also, this was their first time swimming in the Atlantic Ocean. Just then, Grand-papa came along. He decided not to be surprised anymore by anything. So what if his grandchildren were speaking to a Razor Clam? The boys listened to their new guide. See The Clam Said on Page 34
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7 More Reasons to Stay Married To Your First Love by Angie Lewis, Heaven Ministries There are many good reasons why we should out of the rib he had taken out of the man, and us to break apart what He has instituted. In fact, stay married to our first love. Here are just a few. he brought her to the man, the man said, God being the creator of marriage is also the Can you think of any more? “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of controller of marriage. This is precisely why my flesh, she shall be called woman, for she scripture says, “Anyone who divorces his wife 1. Divorce Hurts and marries another woman commits adultery, Divorce can take the whole family for a loop. was taken out of man. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be untied Divorce brings about tension and animosity See 7 More Reasons among family members, frustration and confu- to his wife, and they will become one flesh. on Page 37 sion, anger and rebelliousness to the truth, and (Genesis 20-24 NIV) Can you see how choosing to rely on downright selfishness. Younger children, espedivorce is actually a selfish act? Not only is it cially, can be devastated by the effects of selfish but also divorce is often a spontanedivorce. ous act proceeded out of the unwillingness to 2. Divorce Will Not Make You Happier accept responsibility for yourself in the marIn a major new study, statistics show that riage. divorce does not make a person happier. In fact, 5. You Can Choose To Work on Your a study conducted by a team of leading family scholars headed by University of Chicago soci- Marriage When we choose to do what’s right, and ologist Linda Waite, the study found that twothirds of unhappily married spouses who stayed truly ask for God’s guidance by removing married reported that their marriages were happy selfishness from our hearts and minds, and five years later. In addition, the most, unhappy apply “principled acts” of love into the marmarriages reported the most dramatic turn- riage, we realize more of what we have and arounds: among those who rated their marriages what marriage really means to us – it becomes as very unhappy, almost eight out of 10 who more important in our spiritual bank because avoided divorce were happily married five years we actually understand our purpose for marriage. Marriage is not about what you want later! Wow, now what does that tell you? it is about the both of you and how you both 3. Most Marriages Are Restorable can serve God in your marriage. In essence, In my opinion, divorce can often do great your marriage belongs to God. damage to the person who is divorced. In most p l a n t a t i o n 6. Marriage Should Be a Lifetime Comcases, divorce gives people an easy way out of a mitment 504.245.8221 SouthernOaksPlantation.com restorable situation. Divorce keeps people from For believers, I have to say, there really are being able to handle stresses and trials of a relationship later on down the road and the chances no loopholes in marthey will divorce again are high. Most marriages riage for divorce, not are restorable just by putting in the added spiri- even infidelity. If a tual effort into them, and that goes for your mar- man or woman is mar2.13 tw $13,900 2.28 tw ried to an abuser in any $13,900 riage too! form, they can separate 4. Divorce Is an Unacceptable Decision I think that divorce is a selfish and one-sided from each other for a decision from one spouse who is unwilling to time, but even that 3.44 tw put in the added effort that marriage needs. But does not justify divorce $24,500 in God’s eyes. He have you stopped to think about how by divorc2.11 tw $14,900 ing your first love you are breaking apart a cre- expects believing couation that God established? God is the Creator ples to work problems Under a Boudreaux Bow. and Master Designer of Marriage. There is not out instead of divorce. Here is a reliable an establishment in society that can actually break a contract between you and God. That is saying, “Don’t get why you are considered still married in God’s married until you know that you can handle the eyes. But for Adam no suitable HELPER was trials of marriage with found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall a committed heart.” 7. God Wants You into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he To Stay Married? took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the Rd. • 504-831-2602 Mandeville • 4550 Hwy. 22 • 985-626-1666 God does not want Metairie • 701 Metairie Baton rouge • 7280 Corporate Blvd. • 225-928-6868 place with flesh. Then the Lord made woman
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Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. - Ephesians 4:32
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3 Ways to Keep Your Marriage Growing A few simple tips to keep you spiral of a relationship, whether it from getting stuck in a rut in your was a friend’s, a family member’s marriage. or our own. We’ve all watched the downward There are probably several fac-
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tors involved when a relationship starts to go sour. But sometimes the path toward the end begins when we choose to look at the negative things. This step affects our mindset, and we then start to make excuses for our actions when the bad outweighs the good. Soon, we cut off effective communication. This path is detrimental to any relationship, but when it happens in a marriage, it can lead to divorce becoming a viable option. With a divorce rate around 50 percent, we need to have a renewed focus on our marriages. Marriage is beautiful when things are going well. Each person can bring something to the relationship, and it is rewarding and fun at the same time. But if your marriage is not where it should be, it is draining and frustrating. Marriage is beautiful when things are going well. But if your marriage is not where it should be, it is draining and frustrating. Marriage is the most important relationship you can have with another person, and it is so worth the effort. Here are three actions to take to keep your marriage headed in the right direction: 1. Communicate The no. 1 thing missing from a lot of relationships is communication. Trust is the basis for this. When trust is built in a relationship, then and only then are we able to communicate freely. I can remember a time when my wife, Jasmine, and I weren't communicating well at all. I would wake up, get ready for work, spend all day at work, come home and eat dinner, say a few words and do it all over again. Without making time for each other and communicating, bitterness was slowly growing inside each of us. It felt like we hit a dead end, and in the midst of it all, we forgot to have fun! Maybe this sounds familiar. If it does, let me be the first to motivate you to head in the opposite direction. Ruts like this usually happen when you slowly stop communicating, and you end up coming out on the other side of the rut wishing that you would never have dwelt there at all. For Jasmine and I, communication is the only thing that brought about change in our lives. When I held everything in and let it eat away at me, my wife couldn't be held account-
able for it. That wasn't fair. And then after doing that enough, my reaction was to "fly off the handle.� It wasn't until we effectively communicated that anything was fixed. Tip #1: Begin communicating with your spouse today and see how that one step can change things for the better. 2. Prioritize your spouse Your spouse is the most important earthly relationship you will have, and they need to know that from your actions. Showing your spouse they are the most important person in your life changes things in a positive way. Putting your spouse first also shows your children what having the right priorities and order is all about. In the day-to-day family life, your daily tasks can easily become the most important things happening, If this is done repeatedly, relationships fall to the wayside without you ever taking notice. For this not to happen, you have to become intentional with planning out your time, scheduling your day to be the most productive for you and setting aside time to spend with your spouse. Along with making time for your spouse, you can show them you care by bragging on them. It can be easy to nag, nitpick or complain about the things you don’t like about your spouse, but this isn’t helpful in any relationship. Begin speaking positive things about your spouse more often. You can do this in front of others or when you are alone. It not only lifts their spirits, but also ensures that you see their great qualities more often. Build this habit of regularly encouraging each other into your lives. It is time for all of us who want to make a bigger impact to become more disciplined with the most important asset that we own: our time, and spend more of it investing in our marriage. Tip #2: Make your spouse a top priority and everything else will fall into place. 3. Find unity Getting your spouse on your side with your career and your dreams is necessary to make sure you are running alongside each other and not in opposite directions. As you may have already found, achieving your See Marriage on Page 37
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Education Musical Instruments of the Bible Music fills the courts of heaven as heavenly beings praise our Lord and Creator. When God created the world, the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy (Job 38:7). God created man in His own image, to be an instrument of praise. He gave humans the ability to sing and to make music with musical instruments to complement the voice. Music was an important part of the worship service at the temple. Certain groups of the Levitical tribes were designated as temple musicians and singers, offering their praises to God. David had a real gift of music, providing soothing harp music to King Saul when the king was distraught. David also commissioned most of the instruments and songs for the temple services. He also wrote most of the songs in Psalms, the longest book in the Bible. Songs and poetry were also means to improve the memory, to help remember significant events or warnings. The Song of Moses is a good example of this. From the introduction of the harp and flute early in Genesis to the song of the redeemed in God's heavenly city, music fills the Holy Scriptures. A number of songs are
included in their entirety in this compilation. Our prayer is that your heart will be filled with music as together we study what the Bible has to say about music, songs and musical instruments. The Shofar is the Ramshorn Trumpet and the Silver Trumpet The shofar was (is) blown in different ways for different purposes. The Shofar is usually made from a ram’s horn, but longer spiral instruments are made from ibex horns. The shofar is the world's oldest wind instrument and an instrument of spiritual warfare. It is often translated in the Bible as trumpet. The word yovel is translated as "Jubilee" in (Leviticus 25), but as "Shofar", or trumpet, in (Joshua 6). The shofar is the sound of freedom or release from bondage! The shofar was to be blown in God's presence (2 Samuel 6:15), to crown kings (1 Kings 1:15), to call people to consecrate themselves (Joel 2:1), to announce the coming of God's judgment (Joel 2:1), and to herald the coming of the Lord (Revelation 11:15). It is also a call to the resurrection of the dead (1 Thesalonians 4:16-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:52). The Tekieh is a single blast, ris-
ing at the end. It is a call to worship and praise. (Psalm 150:3) The Shavarim are three rising blasts. The Shavarim calls for repentance and humility. (Isaiah 58:1) The Teruah is a series of nine short blasts. It is a call to warfare, a celebration of victory or other celebration. (Psalm 47:5) The Tekieh Gadol (Gadol means great, big or high) is a very long held and loud Tekieh. This is the sound like that which the Lord sounded on Sinai. Jewish tradition says that God took the two horns of the ram that was sacrificed instead of Isaac on Mount Moriah and that he blew one on Sinai, but He will blow the other to announce the coming of Messiah) That means this is the sound of the "Last Trumpet". The Harp It is well known that David played the harp and used it while he composed many of the psalms. He was called to play to Saul to comfort him when his spirit was troubled. The harp (nevel in Hebrew) had a part in worship, prophecy and healing. The lyre (Kinnor in Hebrew) is
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Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. - Hebrews 10:32
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Education
Changing Times
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The Word that Shook the World by Adrian Rogers
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, ‘It is finished’…” (John 19:30) The ancient Greeks boasted in being able to say so much with so few words. That’s what happened when Jesus said just one word, but it was a word that shook the world – Tetelesti. In (John 19, verse 30), Jesus cried from the cross, “It is finished.” In English it may be three words, but in Greek, it’s one word
- Tetelesti. When Jesus died on the cross, there were some things that were completed, for the word means paid in full, completed, summed up in essence. THE PROPHESIES When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He meant all of the prophecies had been fulfilled. You can see the prophecy in (Psalm 69 verse 2), “They gave me also gall for my meat and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” It is absolutely indescribably amazing as you study the prophecies that deal with the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. Just one such example is in (Psalm 22). It reads as though the writer was standing at the very foot of the cross and yet it was written centuries before the Lord Jesus Christ was born. I would encourage you to read (Psalm 22) again. What’s the lesson for us? Just as surely and accurately as the prophecies concerning His first coming were fulfilled, just as surely and
accurately those concerning His second coming are going to be fulfilled! There are two threads ─ the red thread of blood redemption and the golden thread of His second coming. And if Jesus Christ fulfilled those first prophesies minutely, accurately, He’s going to fulfill all the others. THE SUFFERING In uttering Tetelesti, He’s also saying the anguish and the heartbreak of the cross is finished. I don’t believe that you and I in our wildest imagination can begin to understand what Jesus Christ suffered upon that cross. We can’t comprehend that upon the cross of Calvary, Jesus Christ paid for all of the sin for all of the world, for all of the time, for all of the eternity that any man, any woman, any boy, and any girl would ever have to pay. Jesus Christ in six hours upon the cross suffered all the hell that you and I would suffer for eternity. For
Jesus, being infinite, suffered in a finite period of time what you and I, being finite, would suffer in an infinite period of time. The eternities as well as the sin of the world were compressed upon the Lord Jesus Christ in that time. But the cruelty of the cross was the final suffering. So many other ways He suffered even before He got to the cross ─ the Garden of Gethsemane, the mock trials, the spitting in His face, the beatings and mockings. But it was not the physical suffering that redeemed us. At midday the glowing face of the sun hid and the shade of night and darkness was pulled. The veil was pulled across the sun symbolizing the greater spiritual darkness that Jesus was in. And Jesus gave those words from (Psalm 22), “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” Jesus Christ hung on that cross See Shook the World on Page 38
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Health
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Changing Times
Health A Key Indicator of Your Overall Health
Posture has always been viewed as a key indicator of overall health. We usually associate good posture with beauty, confidence, youth and vitality – and for good reason. According to the American Journal of Pain Management, “Posture affects and moderates every physiological function, from breathing to nervous system function…Spinal pain, headache, mood, blood pressure, pulse, and lung capacity are among the functions most easily influenced by posture…To live a long, active, energetic life, few things matter more than good posture.” In the long run, good posture may be as important to your health as nutrition, sleep and exercise. Your body simply functions better with good posture. You will experience less pain, less fatigue and fewer long term health problems. If you spend hours working behind a desk, imagine the gain in productivity, as well as the potential decrease in back and neck problems. How’s Your Posture? Here’s an easy way to examine your current posture. First, look in the mirror and notice if your ears, eyes, shoulders and hands are level. Second, stand with your head, back, buttocks and heels against a flat wall. There should only be about an inch of space between the wall and your neck or lower back. Finally,
let another person view you from the side. If you were to hang a string from the middle of your ear down to the floor, it should form a straight line down through your shoulders, hips, knees and ankles. If you notice problems with your posture, consult your physician or chiropractor. Bad posture is too serious to ignore. Causes and Prevention Bad posture has many causes: bad mattresses, unhealthy shoes, poor sleeping habits, poorly designed work environments, improper lifting, sitting too long , obesity, negative self image – just to list a few. And it only worsens with age. Here are some tips for maintaining good posture. - While sitting at work, keep your buttocks and back against the back of your chair. Keep your feet flat but elevated so you your lower thighs are raised slightly above your seat. Your desk should be at elbow level and your computer screen high enough so you are not bending your neck very far forward. - Use a similar position while driving. Don’t sit on your wallet for long periods and consider placing a small pillow behind your lower back for support. - Stand up and do a minute or so of stretching at least every 30 minutes while sitting. - While sleeping on your back or side, your head should be level with your spine. A small pillow will accomplish this. Avoid thick pillows and saggy mattresses. To help maintain the appropriate curves, consider using a small pillow under your knees or lower back. Avoid sleeping on your stomach. - Practice yoga type exercises that strengthen your core abdomen and pelvic muscles. - Finally, discuss with your doctor any possible needs for calcium or vitamin D supplements. This entry was posted in Health © 2015 Dr. Don Colbert, MD PA www.drcolbert.com>
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For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11
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Health
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Are you Staying Awake at Night? Follow these 5 tips by Don Colbert A common complaint I receive from patients is “I don’t sleep as well as I used to.” While there are numerous causes –some of which may be associated with a more serious disorder – most occasional sleeplessness can be managed at home. Here are some tips. Prayer/Contemplation - A primary cause of insomnia is stress. Most of us are being asked to process too much information, juggle too many tasks and keep too many commitments. We’re so wound up during the day, we can’t unwind at night. The Psalmist wrote “Be still and know that I am God.” When’s the last time you were physically and mentally still for at least 15 minutes? Not thinking - just listening, observing, waiting and being aware of your breathing. Practicing this for just 15 minutes a couple of times during the day and at bedtime will lessen your stress and help you sleep more deeply Moderate Exercise – Walking, stretching or lifting light weights several times per week is another natural way to lessen stress and encourage sleep. Don’t be watching your TV or smart phone – focus on your body and immediate surroundings. Exercise not only burns calories, improves blood circulation, stimulates your digestive system and strengthens your muscles; it also helps balance numerous stress inducing chemicals which
interfere with sleep. One caveat – exercising an hour or two before bedtime may over stimulate your body and keep you from falling asleep, so exercise during the day or early evening. Herbal teas – Several herbs can promote sleep without being addictive. You can find a variety of non-caffeinated herbal teas in your grocery store containing these herbs. Here are a few of the most common ones. Valerian may improve the quality of sleep and reduce the time to fall asleep according to some studies. Passion Flower has a long history of use for symptoms of restlessness, anxiety, and agitation. Early evidence suggests that passion flower may have a benzodiazepine-like calming action. Catnip is believed to have a sedative effect and has been used to treat insomnia. Chamomile is widely used in Europe as a popular treatment for numerous ailments, including anxiety and sleep disorders. Other Natural Sleep Aids – One common sleep aid is melatonin. Scientific evidence suggests that melatonin decreases the time it takes to fall asleep and may increase the duration of sleep. Parents should not give melatonin to children, especially boys, since it can affect testosterone levels and may raise the risk of depression. Remember, natural does not necessarily mean safe. Be sure to consult your physician before taking any dietary supplement. Finally, avoid caffeine. The caffeine from one cup of coffee can stay in your system for up to 14 hours. 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. © 2015 Dr. Don Colbert, MD PA www.drcolbert.com>
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Financial
Dave Says
Dave Says
Setting up the kid’s car insurance
were on them, not me. In this kind of situation, especially because there’s more of a Dear Dave, potential for disagreements, I think I’m divorced and have a teenager I’d do it that way. Just put it in your who will be driving soon. What name for now, especially if you’re would be the best way to set up putting money toward the purchase insurance for the child? of a vehicle. —Mike —Dave Dear Mike, I suppose a break-up does change the dynamic somewhat, but with my kids I simply left the car in my name and paid the extra insurance cost for a little while. For me, still being in control of the car as a dad outweighed the additional money I was paying in premiums. Having a minor child running around in the world with his or her name on a car title is not a good plan. Then, when they turned 18, I put each of their cars into their names. This, of course, was dependent on them behaving and acting responsibly. They were legally liable at that age too. I’m sure the insurance costs went up, but at that point the financial risk and liability factors
He needs love right now Dear Dave, My husband and I are adopting my nephew. His mom is involved with drugs and alcohol, and his father isn’t in the picture. We’ve got $1,000 in the bank, and we’re in the process of paying off all our debt, except the house. Should we slow down or stop the Baby Steps temporarily, and spend more on family things since my nephew is a teenager? —Jocelyn Dear Jocelyn, Hugs are free. Making cookies costs next to nothing, and spending quality time with a young man or woman doesn’t cost a thing. I call
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that a teenager-friendly environment. I know your heart is in the right place, but I don’t want you to fall into the American trap of thinking he’ll be happy if he has a Wii or you take expensive vacations every year. It sounds to me like he’s coming straight out of a big mess. He wants and needs someone to put their arms around him, tell him he’s a good guy, and teach him how to grow into a strong man. Doing some affordable family things once in a while is okay, if you can make it work with your budget. But I wouldn’t spend a bunch of money to try and prove that you love him. You’ve already proven that by bringing him into your home and making him part of your family. Continue cleaning up
your finances. Then, when you’ve actually got some money to spend, you all can do some really cool stuff together. You guys are awesome! —Dave * For more financial help, please visit daveramsey.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 6 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey. com.>
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In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. - John 1:4
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Financial
Changing Times
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Act now to dodge ramen-noodle retirement Admit it. Most of what you knew about saving money when you were a kid and young adult you learned from your parents. "Investing 101" is not offered at many high schools (though it should
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Nonexistent advice? In my case, that advice was almost nonexistent. My parents did not make a practice of saving money, so I didn't, either. I wasn't worried about it; I was young and on my way to a successful career as a financial planner. As long as I was earning good money, saving some of it for later did not seem that important. But that is where I was wrong, and I'm glad to say that I figured it out early. You see, when it comes to making your money grow, the sooner you get started investing, the more you will likely have later on at retirement -- when you really need it. I saw how my parents struggled later in life because they hadn't saved when they were younger, and it made me want to take my financial future more seriously. If you have not had that wakeup call yet, consider this your alarm. There is no guarantee that Social Security is going to be around by the time most of us hit retirement age. Advances in health care are enabling people to live longer. If you do not want to be working when you are 90, you need to start growing a retirement account now. 'There is a better IRA for your needs' You have plenty of choices to kick off your journey of investing and saving. It is probably best to steer clear of a traditional IRA.
There is a better IRA for your needs -- the Roth IRA -- which makes it easy for even brand-new earners to put money away for the future. You see, the great thing about a Roth IRA is that the money you put in every year grows completely taxfree. You can be as conservative or aggressive with your investment as you want, which gives you a lot of control over how your fund grows. Sure, you can't take a deduction on your tax return like you can with a traditional IRA, but chances are that you do not need that deduction now as much as you will need a big, fat retirement fund later on. Converting your IRA When the time comes to retire, every penny of the money in your Roth IRA is yours -- you do not have to pay even a dollar in taxes on it. You'd have to share a traditional IRA with Uncle Sam. Another reason it is smart to start funding a Roth IRA now is that you may eventually make too much money to continue to be eligible for one. When you surpass Roth IRA income limits, you can add money to a traditional IRA and take the deduction every year. But the money in your Roth account will stay there, still tax-free, waiting for you to take it when you need it. If you have a traditional IRA and think it's not for you because of the tax treatment, don't worry. You're in luck. You still have the option to do a Roth IRA conversion and get all your IRA pretax dollars switched over to be tax-free in your golden years. Be sure to double-check the Roth IRA conversion rules as they can be tricky. But executed correctly, a conversion can keep your tax-free retirement party going strong.>
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be), and even most college business classes focus on economic theory, not the practice of saving your money and making it grow. So if your childhood was anything like mine, it was up to your parents, grandparents and maybe some random aunt or uncle to impart their financial knowledge and advice onto you.
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Feature Articles
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Changing Times
The Awakened Sinner The awakened sinner always has a question, the marrow of which is, "What must I do to be saved?" The Word of God gives an answer to that question, and man cannot give better: "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved." But what does "believe" mean? It does not mean to live a good life or to begin a life of good works; it does not mean to become religious, to read the Word, or to pray. All these are good and well in their own place, but none of these things are meant by the simple word "believe." "To believe" means just "to trust in" - to trust in Christ. This is faith, and once faith is put in exercise in trusting in Christ upon the warrant of His Word, then follow the works of a renewed life and the exercises of a new creature as the spontaneous fruits of faith. Faith without these fruits is dead, is useless, and is a snare. Now this faith is the gift of God, and therefore it must be earnestly sought. Many excuse their inaction on the ground that the exercise of saving faith is beyond their power. But this excuse can never stand, for their inability makes it imperative that they should seek this power.
To believe in a person is simply to trust in him. To believe in Christ is the very same thing - to trust in Him. You believe in a person because you have reason to believe that he is trustworthy. You trust the care of your house to a person just because you are persuaded that, that person will discharge faithfully every obligation entailed in that duty. In the same way the renewed sinner comes to entrust Christ with the care of his soul for time and for eternity, and for the same reason he is persuaded that he can safely do so. The act of faith then is consequent upon a persuasion of the fact that Christ is both able and willing to save. Apart from this, the act of faith, the closing of the sinner with Christ's offer of salvation, is impossible. Now what precisely does this persuasion involve? It involves several important things which we shall specify below: 1. It involves an implicit belief in the Divine Record concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. Any questioning of the authenticity of the Word is fatal. Many claim to believe in Christ but refuse to accept the inerrancy of His Word, so their faith is in a Christ of their
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own imaginations. Saving faith will have nothing less than the sure Word of God. 2. It involves the belief that He suffered and died for sinners. He came as a Substitute. Taking the nature of man, while yet God; in that nature He satisfied the claims of the law by a life of spotless obedience and its penalty by dying the cursed death of the Cross. This He did in the scope and love of those whom He came to save. And these by nature were all sinners, and it was as sinners that He died for them. This is the point which we wish to emphasize, and it is a point which must be grasped by the inquirer, that he suffered and died for sinners. 3. It involves the belief that the effectiveness of His work is offered to sinners. It is not offered to the elect alone. Rejecters among Gospel hearers will be held responsible for what they have done. Christ's ministers are commissioned to preach the Gospel to every creature. This must be fully realized - that Christ is genuine in offering salvation to all who hear the Gospel, no matter how sinful they may be. 4. It involves the belief that
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this offer is to be received by faith. You cannot buy it by your good works, by your repentance and your reformed life, or by your prayers; nor can you merit it by getting your heart into suitable frames or possessed of warm, spiritual feelings. You must realize this if there is to be any relationship between you and Christ. 5. It involves the conviction that His word is a real personal message to you. Thus God speaks. You need wait for no dream or vision as a messenger from God. When you hear His Word - or read it - God speaks to you - to you personally as apart from all others and He means what He says. You will never be saved until you accept the Word as bearing directly upon your own case. 6. It involves the persuasion that He will save you from the wrath to come if you look to Him to do so. There is a day appointed in which God will judge the world in righteousness, and all will receive according to the measure of their sins. Only those shall escape See Sinner on Page 40
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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16
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Personal Revival
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Self-Denial Richard Baxter "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me." (Luke 9:23) You hear ministers tell you of the odiousness and danger and sad effects of sin; but of all the sins that you ever heard of, there is scarce any more horrible and dangerous than selfishness; and yet most are never troubled at it, nor sensible of its malignity. My principal request therefore to you is, that as ever you would prove Christians indeed, and be saved from sin and the damnation which follows it—take heed of this deadly sin of selfishness, and be sure you are possessed with true self-denial; and if you have, see that you use and live upon it. And for your help herein, I shall tell you how your self-denial must be tried. I shall only tell you in a few words, how the least measure of true self-denial may be known: wherever the interest of carnal self is stronger and more predominant habitually than the interest of God,
of Christ, of everlasting life, there is no true self-denial or saving grace; but where God's interest is strongest, there self-denial is sincere. If you further ask me how this may be known, briefly thus: 1. What is it that you live for? What is that good which your mind is principally set to obtain? And what is that end which you principally design and endeavor to obtain, and which you set your heart on, and lay out your hopes upon? Is it the pleasing and glorifying of God, and the everlasting fruition of Him? Or is it the pleasing of your fleshly mind in the fruition of any inferior thing? Know this, and you may know whether self or God has the greatest interest in you. For that is your God which you love most, and please best, and would do most for. 2. Which do you most prize— the means of your salvation and of the glory of God, or the means of providing for self and flesh? Do you more prize Christ and holiness, which are the way to God—or
riches, honor, and pleasures, which best with you—when self is lowest, gratify the flesh? Know this, and and most effectually subdued. you may know whether you have 5. If you have true self-denial, true self-denial. there is nothing in this world so dear 3. If you are truly self-deny- to you, but on deliberation you would ing, you are ordinarily ruled by God leave it for God. He, who has anyand His Word and Spirit and not by thing which he loves so well that he the carnal self. Which is the rule cannot spare it for God, is a selfish and master of your lives? Whose and unsanctified wretch. And thereword and will is it ordinarily that fore God has still put men to it, in the prevails? When God draws, and trial of their sincerity, to part with self draws—which do you follow in that which was dearest to the flesh. the tenor of your life? Know this, Abraham must be tried by parting and you may know whether you with his only son. And Christ makes it His standing rule, "Any of you have true self-denial. 4. If you have true self-denial, who does not give up everything he the drift of your lives is carried on in has, cannot be my disciple" (Luke a successful opposition to your carnal 14:33). Yet it is true that flesh and blood self, so that you not only refuse to be may make much resistance in a graruled by it, and love it as your god— but you fight against it, and tread it cious heart; and many a striving down as your enemy. So that you go thought there may be, before with armed against self in the course of Abraham we part with a son, or your lives, and are striving against before we can part with wealth or life; self in every duty. And as others but yet on deliberation, self-denial think—it then goes best with them, See Self Denial when self is highest and pleased best; on Page 38 so you will know that then it goes
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Personal Revival
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Changing Times
The Blessing of Brokenness By Adrian Rogers And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a Man with him until the breaking of the day. And when He saw that He prevailed not against him, He touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as He wrestled with him. And He said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me. And He said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And He said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. ... And He blessed him there." (Genesis 32:24-29) We're going to look at an episode in the life of the patriarch, Jacob. At the time of our story, Jacob was a fugitive and had been running. He'd been in the school of hard knocks for twenty years. He believed in God, but he was out of fellowship with Him. However, we see that God did not love Jacob for what he was, but for what He could make out of him. Alone With God Now, God finally had Jacob where He wanted him, alone. It took a while because Jacob didn't want to be alone. You know when people are running from God, they don't want to be alone. They don't want to face themselves, and they don't want to face God. But verse twenty-four tells us that finally Jacob was alone, and he had a confrontation with God. I believe with all my heart that the Man Jacob wrestled with was the preincarnate Jesus Christ. He was face to face with Jesus, and they were in a wrestling match. Now, it wasn't Jacob wrestling with the Lord, it was the Lord wrestling with Jacob. The Lord started it, and it could have been over very quickly, but the Lord wanted Jacob to prevail. He didn't want to overcome him. The Lord was trying to do something with this man that He loved so much. Broken By God Finally, when they had wrestled all night, the angel touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh and crippled him. Now, when a wrestler's legs are gone, he can't do anything. This is the strongest muscle for a wrestler. Jacob was crippled; his final weapon was gone. If all his plans and strength had failed, at least he could have run; but now, he couldn't even run. God brought him to the place of utter, absolute, complete brokenness and dependence.
Blessed By God The Angel said to this crippled man, "Let me go." Ironically, the word "Jacob" means "that which grabs, that which holds." Jacob was still grasping, but this time, for the first time in his life, he got a hold of the Lord. He said, "Oh God, I need You. God, I will not let you go except You bless me." God had been waiting to hear those words for so long, and at that moment, something wonderful took place. The angel asked Jacob for his name. God knew it, but He wanted Jacob to confess his name which further meant "liar, cheater, crook, fraud, schemer, and deceiver." Then, God gave him a new name, Israel, which means, "a prince of God." He became a prince with God because he finally came to the end of himself. You see, God wanted to bless Jacob, not hurt him. God crippled him that he might crown him. God broke him that he might bless him. Do you know why many of us are not yet truly blessed? We have not yet been truly broken. Men throw broken things away, but God never uses anything until he first breaks it. You'll never sohw me anybody who has been or will be mightily used of God who has not been broken. There is no blessedness without brokenness. Leaning on God The rest of his life, Jacob had to use a crutch. This wasn't just something that could be fixed and put back. He had to have a staff to lean on. The Bible says in (Hebrews
11:21): "By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped leaning upon the top of his staff." Here he was 147 years old and still leaning. Jacob had finally learned to lean. He realized that he was stronger leaning than he was standing on his own two feet. He worshipped leaning, and that's the only way you'll ever worship. © 2016 Love Worth Finding Ministries, P.O. Box 38300, Memphis, TN 38183, www.lwf.org >
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Do to others as you would have them do to you - Luke 6:31
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Changing Times
The Christian Journey
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Responding to His Call
BOLDNESS TO ENTER GOD’S PRESENCE by David Wilkerson “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil…. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:19-20, 22). There are two sides to Christ’s work at Calvary. One side is to the benefit of man, and the other side is to the benefit of God. One benefits the sinner, while the other benefits the Father. We are well acquainted with the benefit on the human side. The cross of Christ has provided us with forgiveness of our sins. We are given the power of victory over all bondages and dominion over sin. We are supplied with
mercy and grace. And, of course, we are given the promise of eternal life. The cross has given us the means of escape from the terrors of sin and hell. I thank God for this benefit of the cross to mankind, and for the wonderful relief it brings. I rejoice that it is preached week after week in churches all over the world. Yet there is another benefit of the cross, one that we know very little about. And this one is to the benefit of the Father. You see, we understand very little about the delight of the Father that was made possible by the cross. It’s a delight that comes to Him whenever He receives a prodigal child into His house. If all we focus on about the cross is forgiveness—if that is the end-all of our preaching— then we miss an important truth that God has meant for us about the cross. There is a fuller understanding to be had here, and it has to do with His delight. This truth provides God’s people with much more than just
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relief. It brings liberty, rest, peace and joy. In my opinion, most Christians have learned to come boldly before God for forgiveness, for supply of needs, for answers to prayer. But they lack boldness in this aspect of faith—an aspect that is just as crucial in their walk with the Lord. The Lord has great joy that the cross has provided us with open access to Himself. Indeed, the most glorious moment in history was when the temple veil was rent in two, on the day that Christ died. It was at this very moment that the benefit to God burst forth. In the instant that the temple veil—separating man from God’s holy presence—was torn asunder, something incredible happened. From that point on, not only was man able to enter into the Lord’s presence, but God could come out to man. Copyright © 2016 by World Challenge, Inc., P.O. Box 260, Lindale, Texas 75771 >
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The Christian Journey
Stuff You Wish Jesus Had Never Said
Changing Times
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(Love Your Neighbor as Yourself) By Tom Beale What often happens to me, God uses things I’m working on or books that I’m reading or spoken word pieces that I’m writing, or music that I hear to speak to me. Every time I turned around from that week, I was bombarded with reminders of this one thing. And it’s something that I had actually heard a whole bunch about before I was a Christian. The verse is from (Mark 12) where Jesus is teaching in the temple courts. Any time I talk about Jesus, it seems like stuff that He said, He’s always in the temple courts. He was a teacher. He spent a lot of time there. It was an open area. People could hang out and listen. This time though, when He was in the temple courts a bunch of people were listening and a good number of them were Pharisees, Sadducees and teachers of the law. So in other words there were a whole bunch of religious people, who basically thought they knew everything, sitting around frowning at Jesus, hoping that they would find something wrong with what Jesus was saying. They were trying to trap him so they could go tell on him and get the authorities to arrest Him. They asked Him about paying taxes, they asked Him questions about resurrection because some of them didn’t believe in resurrection. And then Jesus told a parable and ended up making a bunch of them really mad. (You know, he was good at that) In (verse 28), ‘One of the teachers of the law came and heard Him debating. Noticing that Jesus had given him a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’ (vs.29) ‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. (vs.30) ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (v.31) ‘The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’ And here is the infamous ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’. Here’s where most of us shrug and say, ‘yeah, I got that.’ Be nice to people, it’s easy, and yet it is not. There is a quote by C.S. Lewis which I love. He says ‘There is
someone that I love, even though I don’t approve of what he does.’ ‘There is someone I accept, though some of his thoughts and actions revolt me.’ ‘There is someone I forgive, though he hurts the people that I love the most.’ That person is me. That’s pretty powerful stuff! What does that all mean? Well, if I can love myself without approving of every single thing I do, I can love others without approving of every single thing they do. Now this isn’t a nice suggestion. This is a command that Jesus gives us. ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ You see, the problem comes in, because what we want to say is, ‘hey Jesus, you haven’t met my neighbors’. Well, this week, I am using an example of myself. This was before I was a Christian, before I knew anything about Jesus. This was in my early twenties, it’s a real quick a story about neighbors. I used to live across the lake in East Jefferson in a not very nice area and in an apartment on the second floor above some very noisy people. There were three people who lived in the apartment. They were all in their late teens. Now that’s an interesting combination of people living in an apartment, directly under me. But the weird thing was I was only 22 and worked two jobs at the time and sleep was really important because at the time, I was working security in clubs and sometimes I would come home early in the morning and I had to sleep during the day. And basically they blasted music all day and night. They were constantly keeping me awake. And one night after them keeping me awake, I walked down stairs and tried to reason with them in a cool and calming manner. Two times, I tried to reason with them and twice I was ignored. I’m not necessarily proud at all, but I walked down the stairs, stood there for a second, then lost my cool. And I walked out. Life is not always like a movie. I am very thankful that they were too stunned to do anything. They didn’t call the police, they didn’t do anything. They just mourned the loss of their stereo. Bad neighbors! We’ve all experienced them. Jesus tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves. We may not like what we do but we
end up accepting it, loving ourselves, meaning, taking care of ourselves, despite all that. That is what we’re called to do with other people. Not just the other people who go to bed at a reasonable hour. As a Christian, it is not my job to change people. It is not my job to judge people, regardless of their sin or their See Stuff You Wish on Page 40
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“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. - Matthew 5:14
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Guiding Light
Changing Times
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A Deeper Study Into The Word of God Cut Out the Middle Man
Don't Let the Old Man Stand Between God and You by David Jeremiah In Scripture we read of two kinds of men—the spiritual man controlled by the Holy Spirit, and the "carnal" man who is ruled by his passions. Paul chided the readers of (I Corinthians 3), saying, "I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal." They had received Christ, but were pedaling in their own strength—and losing altitude at a frightening rate. In (Ephesians 4),
Paul used the terms old man and new man: "Put off...the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and…put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22,24). How easy it is to let the old man sneak back into our lives. Before we know it, we have let him stand directly in the way of our growing relationship with God. Have you let the old man stand between God and you? Keep reading! You're about to learn how to cut out the middle man—once and for all. Our Help According to (Romans 8), the
two years, DeShazer suffered hunger, cold, and dysentery. He hated his captors and dreamed of turning the tables. But while reading a prison Bible, DeShazer became a Christian. Soon the Holy Spirit used the Scriptures to change his attitude toward his tormentors. DeShazer’s hostility evaporated, and every morning he greeted his guards warmly. He prayed for them and sought to witness to them. He noticed their attitude toward him also changed, and they would often slip him food or supplies. See Middle Man on Page 41
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Holy Spirit provides three lifechanging graces. First, He is our help. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free . . . that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit . . . The Spirit likewise helps in our weaknesses . . . (verses 2, 4, 26). How, for example, do we overcome deep-seated hatred? During World War II, American bomber, Jacob DeShazer, got lost in heavy fog over Japan and bailed out as his plane ran out of fuel. He was taken prisoner, tortured, and threatened with imminent death. For almost
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Guiding Light
Changing Times
THY WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET, AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH." When Israel knew not where to go, God made the fiery pillar glow; By night, by day, above the camp It led the way - their guiding lamp; Such is Thy Holy Word to me In day of dark perplexity. When devious paths before me spread, And all invite my foot to tread I hear Thy voice behind me say - "Believing soul, this is the way, Walk thou in it." O gentle Dove, How much Thy holy law I love! My lamp and light In the dark night. When Paul amid the seas seemed lost By Adrian billows wildly tossed, When neither sun nor star appeared, And every wave its white head reared Above the ship, beside his bed An angel stood, and "Fear not" said. When tossed upon afflictions’ sea; When floods come in unto my soul, And the deep waters o'er me roll, With angel voice Thy Word draws near And says, "Tis I, why should thou fear? Through trouble great My saints must go Into their rest, where neither woe Nor sin can come; where every tear From off the cheek shall disappear, Wiped by God's hand." O gentle Dove, How much Thy holy law I love! My lamp and light In the dark night. When holy Stephen dauntless stood Before the Jews, who sought his blood, With angel face he looked on high, And wondering, through the parted sky, Saw Jesus risen from His throne To claim the martyr as His own. Angelic peace that sight bestowed, With holy joy his bosom glowed.
And while the murderous stones they hurled My trembling soul and Thou, my God, His heaven wrapped soul sought yonder world Alone are there; Thy staff and rod Of rest. "My spirit, Savior, keep," Shall comfort me. O gentle Dove, He cried, he kneeled he fell asleep. How much Thy holy law I love! Such be Thy holy Word to me My lamp and light In hour of life's extremity! In the dark night. > Although no more the murdering hand Is raised within our peaceful land The Church has rest, and I may ne'er Be called the martyr's crown to wear: Yet still, in whatsoever form Death comes to me, in midnight storm Northshore Whelming my bark, or in my nest, Gently dismissing me to rest, Southshore O grant me in Thy Word to see A risen Savior beckoning me. No evil then my heart shall fear In the dark valley. www.chrispaving.com Thou art near!
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Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4
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Changing Times
The Transformed Life
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How To Grow Into Christ-Like Maturity Are you Dead to Sin? Jesus Christ died not only for sins, but "He also died unto sin." When He was "made sin" God exacted of Him sin's penalty to the full. That penalty was death. In death, sin's penalty and power is exhausted. Sin's power as well as sin's claims, are no more. Hence we read "death has no more dominion over him." Christ died unto sin. He now lives forever unto God beyond the touch and reach of sin. Paul asks: "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein? Or are you ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?" (Romans 6:1-3) Paul does not say we have actually died; neither is he saying we are literally "dead to sin." But Paul
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is saying that which is true of every believer, namely, that he is dead to sin through his union with Christ. Each and every believer has been baptized by the Spirit into Christ. He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit, one with the Crucified. When Christ took upon Himself my humanity, apart from which He could never have borne the penalty for my sins, He made me one with Himself. I am identified with Him. He not only died for me, but I died with Him. He took me with Himself into death, and His death was my death to sin. He took me through the Cross, down into the tomb, and out of the tomb on and beyond the reach of sin's dominion. We must realize our union with Christ in death and resurrection. "Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus". (Romans 6:11)
God's way of victory is through crucifixion—deliverance is only through death. There is a vast difference between reckoning myself dead to sin and reckoning sin dead to me. Every attempt to make sin dead to me, through self-effort, or struggle, or blessing, or makebelieve, is not following the scriptural pattern. God says I am to reckon myself dead to sin. If I am willing to be rid of sin, let faith fasten on the fact of my death to sin through my actual life-union with Christ. Each time I come up against some particular sin, let me there say: I died to that in Christ. If it be a worldly attraction: I am crucified to the world and the world unto me. If it be proud, haughty self, again let me reckon: One died for all, all died. Then I should not, and need not, live unto myself—I am dead to
my selfish pride and conceit and haughtiness. I was "born crucified,"—born all over again through death, the death of Jesus Christ. When I was saved, I accepted death as my only deliverance. My sins deserved eternal death but Jesus died for me. When I accepted Christ's death for my sin, I could not avoid accepting my own death to sin. Christ died, not only for sin, but unto sin. I am committed to the cross. To attempt any other position is to involve myself in an infamous moral contradiction. Reckoning, in order to be real, includes self-renunciation. Our reckoning is doomed to failure unless we renounce self. In the power of Christ's death I must refuse my old life. On the basis of See Dead to Sin on Page 41
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The Transformed Life
Changing Times
Consecration Today, I want to talk to you about a word that we don’t hear that often in most churches, in fact, I personally don’t recall ever hearing about this important word. It’s called: Consecration. (Leviticus 20:7) states, "You shall consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am the Lord your God" A technical definition of consecration means that you are to set yourself apart from evil, turn to the Lord, and be prepared to be used by God. You see, Consecration plays an important role in your growth toward God. But consecration has 2 parts; our part and God’s. Our part is the practical side of separating ourselves from sinful living. God’s part of our being consecrated is to prepare us for His use by actually making us holy. Take note here that in being prepared for holy use, God has to also prepare our body for being used in ministry. Both our part and God's part in consecration work together. So, you must be wondering,
how does Consecration begin? We start this process by separating ourselves from evil by the means of continually working with our heart to draw away from earthy resources. In the void of these earthly ways, we need to draw closer to God. This is practical in the transformation towards a holy life. And, by drawing closer to God, purity works its way into our experience because enjoying God's presence becomes our preferred way of quenching our thirst, not sin or unwanted behaviors. This results in the earthly ways of unrighteous living becoming less and less attractive to us. By our turning to God, He is able to do His part in consecrating us. So my question for you today is this, do you want to be prepared for God's purposes? If your answer is yes, than you have to draw near to God and let Him draw near to you. You can count on God to do His part... We just have to do ours. Here is an important note. Practical
holiness and the cleansing of God for holy use cannot be separated. One without the other is not possible. The Bible says “Now that you have consecrated yourself to the Lord, come near” (2 Chronicles 29:31). Did you know that the cross of Christ is the doorway to experiencing the presence of God? That’s right! We have to consecrate ourselves before we can enter the throne room to draw near to the Lord. Please note that consecration is not something that you can do and then think you are done with it. In fact, The Bible says that "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." We find this in (Luke 14:27). But "carrying our cross" is something that we will always have to do. You see, none of us will ever grow enough to put our cross down. Since we won't ever grow out of it, consecration has to become a way of life. Don’t wait for the day when you look at
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. - Proverbs 3:5
your practical righteousness and say, "Now I think I am doing good enough to draw near." If you do that, you will only be depending on the righteousness you think you have achieved and not the righteousness provided from God. Here is some practical advice. Be in consecration for several days or just a few weeks and then take steps to draw near to God. If consecrating yourself doesn't also turn you to God, you will find yourself just as bad off as when you started. May your blessings abound! Save the Nations Ministries >
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Building Courage Continued from Page 3 Not to make a spectacle of yourself, but to quietly confess through your actions and normal speech that you are a Christian. There is a difference between doing things to be seen of men (condemned by Jesus), and doing things that are seen by men (commanded by Jesus). Some examples: • When you eat in public places, offer thanks for your food. This can be done silently, with a bowed head. • Keep a Bible with you at all times and don't be ashamed to be seen reading it. At work on your desk, keep a Bible; in your purse, pocket or coat, keep a New Testament and read it as you have opportunity. • In our conversation we can identify ourselves with Christ. Casually make mention of things which indicate your faith in God. A friend at work has confided in you with a problem; tell him in all sincerity, "I will keep you in my prayers." In everyday conversation you might mention some pertinent point made by the preacher, Bible class teacher, or what you gleaned from your own private study. In making plans with others, use the expression "Lord willing..." Give credit to the Lord when the occasion calls for it ("I thank the Lord for my good health"). Casual conduct and expressions
like these (when done sincerely) not only help to build courage; they often serve as "door-openers" for people to inquire about your faith. STEP THREE - Identify who you are and personally hand your friend (prospect) a copy of Changing Times. You are not directly teaching yet (only using "indirect" teaching methods), but you are beginning to face people. Some examples of how this can be done: • Give a copy to a friend and say, "This is a short example of the gospel of Christ. We've been friends for sometime now and I would like for you to read this and tell me what you think." • Ask them if they are interested in studying the Bible on their own time, at their own pace, in their home, or through a correspondence course. • Offer to give them a copy of the paper and ask them if they would be interested in hearing what the Bible says about (any subject)... Conclusion At this point you are actively involved in sharing the gospel with others, even though you may only use "indirect" methods. From here, you may decide to try to set up home studies to be taught by yourself, or to set up studies for others to teach. In either case, you are doing much for the Lord! Save the Nations Ministries >
Busy Woman Continued from Page 7 thing that is on my own “to do” list. What a relief to realize I don’t have to do all those things! The truth is that all I have to do is the work God assigns to me. What freedom it has been for me to accept that there is time for me to do everything that is on God’s “to do” list for my day, for my life! Freedom from the Tyranny of Busyness Frustration is the by-product of attempting to fulfill responsibilities God does not intend for us to carry. Freedom, joy, and fruitfulness come from seeking to determine God’s priorities for each season of life and
then setting out to fulfill those priorities, in the power of His Spirit, realizing that He has provided the necessary time and ability to do everything that He has called us to do. Making it personal Do you feel that you don’t have time to do everything? Seek God for what He wants you to do. Then prioritize that and let the rest go. © Revive Our Hearts. Adapted from Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Used with permission. Available at www.store.ReviveOurHearts.com | Info@ReviveOurHearts.com >
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Faith Christian Bookstore 1337 Gause Blvd., Slidell, Louisiana 70458 985-641-7776 Gospel Book store 91Westbank Expy Ste 410 Gretna, LA 504-362-7770 Books, Bibles, Music, Gifts... Open: Monday - Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm ConvenienCe stores todd’s Country Corner 79056 Hwy. 40 Covington, LA 70435 985-893-2424 Credit CArd proCessinG MLS Direct Network Dan Arroyo 504-957-6956 866-850-8913 nhullen@aol.com www.mlsdirectnetwork.com deCorAtive ConCrete And FLoorinG miraCrete Concrete Coatings 985-206-9100 www.miracrete.com FinAnCiAL serviCes First Bank and trust 909 Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70112 887-426-2498 www.FBTonline.com Furniture American Factory direct 68490 Hwy. 59 Mandeville, LA 70471 985-871-1120 www.afd-furniture.com HArdWAre stores mid point Feed & seed True Value Hardware Open Mon – Sat 7:30-5:00 19744 Hwy. 40, Covington, LA 985-892-2002 HiGH sCHooLs International High School of New Orleans
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Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. - Proverbs 15:22
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Wish Continued from Page 10 give that to you. And . . . since you didn't ask selfishly for great wealth, or a long life, or fame, or for your enemies to be destroyed, I will give you all these things AND the wisdom which you DID ask of me, if you will honor me and keep my commandments." Solomon awoke from his sleep. "WOW! What a wonderful dream!" he thought. Then he arose and went to offer his sacrifice offerings to the Lord. What he didn't realize was that it was more than just a dream. God had truly been with him and spoken to him during the night. God had REALLY given Solomon his wish for wisdom, and all those other things he had been promised. God blessed King Solomon with great wealth. He lived a long life. During the time that Solomon was king over Israel, he had no enemies. King Solomon became known as the wisest man who ever lived! THINK! • Who was King Solomon's father? • Why was King Solomon going
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The Clam Said Continued from Page 14 to Gibeon? • What did King Solomon dream? • What did King Solomon ask of God? • Was it just a dream or was it real? REMEMBER: The most important thing in all of life is to love God. A VERSE TO LEARN "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God..." (James 1:5). LET'S PRAY Dear God, help us to remember that loving You and keeping Your Word is more important than anything else, and if we do that, You will bless us abundantly with everything we truly need. In Jesus' Name. Amen. CAN YOU FIND THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE? 1 Kings 1-3 Copyright © 2016 - The Lorain County Free-Net Chapel North Central Ohio, U.S.A. >
"There are other shellfish in the area," the Razor Clam said. "Come on, I'll show you where to find Bar Clams and Quahogs on the beach." "Want to come, grand-papa?" asked Adam. "Sure." Grand-papa whispered low. "Now we're talking to sea shells." Rock Crabs did a sideways shuffle across the sand. They enjoyed having new friends. Lobsters began their dance, snapping claws in the air. Mussels, with rbluish-black shells, joined the beach party. And Adam, Colin even grandpapa clapped happily. As each performance ended, their group grew in size, from other shells across the beach. Grand-mama finally found her family. She decided to join in the fun. Soon the shoreline was filled with twisting, leaping, flipping and jumping shapes. Forgotten were daydreams of a pirate's treasure. With an old chest filled with doubloons, rings, and gold.
Everyone was too busy playing leapfrog with friends among bits of driftwood. And playing tag around dory boats resting on the beach. They splashed each other racing from one sandbar to the next. Then with laughter, rolled in the kelp along the shore. After, they pitched wet, sandy balls at each other. Before the end of this fun day, both grand-pa-parents and children climbed up and up. Whew, they made it to the top of wavy crests. Once there, they surfed all the way home. *** Richard & Esther Provencher 2016 My wife, Esther and I are "born-again" and enjoy sharing our writing. It is a Christian Outreach for us. Our E-mail is: richardprov2@gmail.com. You are invited to visit our website at: www.wsprog.com/rp/. Free downloads available. We live in Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada. Please pray for one another. ©2016 FaithWriters.com. All Rights Reserved >
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The Triumphant Christian
Changing Times
The Christian's Guide To Living a Victorious Life If the Cross Should Speak
By George H. Alquist Jr. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ upon a cross was foretold by God in the Old Testament hundreds of years before it happened. The cross was, to the Romans and the Jews of the day, a symbol of death. However, it was this very instrument of torture and death upon which God would sacrifice His only begotten Son for the sins of the world. The Bible says, "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:5-6). The New Testament, speaking of Jesus Christ states, "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree... “(1
Peter 2:24). ”For he (The Father) hath made him (Jesus Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:21). You see, the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross in our place to die for our sins! We, who deserve to die (Ezekiel 18:4) and spend eternity in hell (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Revelations 20:14) can receive forgiveness of sin and salvation afforded by the payment of Jesus Christ on the cross and receiving Him alone as Savior by faith. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not that of yourselves: it is the GIFT of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."(Ephesians 2:8, 9). "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13).
The Bible assures us that Jesus Christ arose from the grave in victory over sin! "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:3,4). He took the symbol of torture and death and turned it into a symbol of hope and eternal life! The Lord no longer hangs on a cruel cross, He no longer sleeps in a borrowed tomb, but occupies a Heavenly throne (Colossians 3:1) from which He offers eternal life to all who will come to Him! If the cross should speak it would shout forth the gospel message of salvation, full and free, by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! Dear reader, do you not long for
The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. - Proverbs 18:10
the joy and peace of sins forgiven and a home in Heaven? Would you right now, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, stop and ask Christ to be your Lord and Savior? Pray sincerely from your heart a prayer like this, "Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and undeserving of Heaven. I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins and rose again from the grave. I now trust Him alone to forgive my sins and ask you, Lord Jesus, to be my Lord and Savior. Thank you for loving me and thank you for saving me and help me to live for you." Amen. If you have prayed and asked Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior, we would like to congratulate you! ©2016 oChristian.com. All Rights Reserved >
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The Triumphant Christian
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Holy Ghost Power! Today, I hope to have your full attention. I know of many Christians who are not living the victorious life that they anticipated when they first became a Christian. In many if not most cases, there is one crucial element missing in their lives. It is called: If this introduction got your attention, I pray that this short message will open your eyes and heart to what could change your life forever. The Christians who have power from on high are men and women who are influenced by and have constant communion with the Holy Spirit. They recognize the need for both wisdom and power. When moved by love and directed by wisdom, and working for holiness, this power is the mightiest thing that exists. It is God's omnipotence and our opportunity, that this Holy Ghost power is used for His glory so that it achieves His purpose through us. The first key of this power is knowledge of Jesus Christ. I mean that profoundest, truest knowledge that ever comes to man. I take it that we agree that there is but one true gospel conception of our Lord as to His person and mission. Into this knowledge we cannot read ourselves, nor will we attain it by any process of logic or learning. It is revealed and communicated only by the Holy Ghost and in its beautiful simplicity is as readily accessible to us. It is high thinking we need. It was not Luther's learning, nor his withering logic, nor his rushing eloquence that made him more than a master of the formidable host that assailed him; it was his deep-rooted conviction and knowledge of Christ. When he was one with his adversaries, he was as weak as they were; but now, with a new life in him, he was as David with the giant at his feet. You see, Luther knew Jesus in all the splendid power of the incarnation, of the cross, and of the resurrection. He knew Him as the one through whose blood we have redemption, even the forgiveness of sins. When I see Him as He is, seated on the throne of His glory, shall I recognize in Him one whom I have worshiped, and trusted, and served, and followed, and loved, and wished for? Terrible as is the resistance, slow as seems His conquest, this love of Christ is the mightiest and most 36
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effective force in the world today. Nothing conquers like love; and there is no love under the sun so patient, so wonderful, so tender, and as beautiful as the love of the dying Jesus. Do you long to hear His voice, to feel His touch, and to see the face of the King of kings? This is a good question to test your heart’s closeness to Jesus the Christ. Right now, The Lord is searching for men and women of power in the church, who have kindled their enthusiasm at the cross and at the altar of God and are spending their time in unwearied self-sacrificing efforts to bring this lost world to the feet of our conquering Lord. As they pray for the lost, God searches their heart and bestows His power to them for a successful mission. You can not receive God’s power without fervent prayer time. When we speak of prayer as a source of power, we do not mean uttering a form of words, however beautiful it may sound; prayer is not so much a form of speech as a spirit within us. I mean a burning heart speaking to God, making its earnest, persistent supplication, and filled with gratitude and praise. Luther and the long line of apostles, prophets, martyrs, and missionaries, how the mention of their names inspires us; they had varied and many gifts, but the power of prayer was preeminent within each of them. When our Lord set about the evangelizing of this world after the new order, His first and greatest gift was the gift of power. In (Acts1:8) it states "Ye shall receive power when the Holy Ghost is come upon you." All our power centers right here. We must maintain a conscious dependence on the Holy Ghost, and open our hearts to His indwelling. This is power. Without this we shall have none. This is the secret of every failure; we do not believe in the Holy Ghost." Let me urge upon you intense, believing prayer for the presence and power of the Holy Ghost, then will you know the meaning of the apostle's word, and then only will you be able to exclaim, with a jubilant faith, now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, unto Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, and unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen." Save the Nations Ministries>
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Marriage Continued from Page 16 dreams is much more difficult without the support of your spouse. Do all that you can to be in unity with each other. This ties into the first two points. Communicate with your spouse, and guard your priorities and your time to make sure you are working together and not against each other. Because men and women are wired so differently, we have to work to find out what makes the other person in the relationship "tick." We should be more concerned about the other person than about ourselves. When a relationship becomes about the other person, then and only then does a
relationship grow. Be more disciplined to create habits in your life that show your spouse you care. Tip #3: Take time to make sure there is unity in your marriage There will be times when you feel stuck in a rut in your marriage. It will be hard. It will take work. So whether you are new to married life, have been in it a while or plan on getting married someday, remember that marriage can be difficult, but it is the best thing that will ever happen to you. Marriage can draw both you and your spouse closer to each other and to God and draw out the best in each of you. © Promise Keepers >
Instruments Continued from Page 17 smaller and a more portable, per• stringed instruments sonal instrument. • music of the strings The biblical harp was not heard in • the strings Israel for 2000 years, but has recent• lutes ly returned. Micah and Shoshanna • lyre(s) Harrari made aliyah to Israel taking • music(al, ian, ians) their harp making trade with them. • pipes When they researched harps, they • players discovered that the ten stringed harp • psalm(s) of King David was considered a • sang symbol of Israel. (Psalm 144:9). • sing(er, ers, ing, s) Words in the Bible that refer to • sistrums music or musical instruments. • song(s) • choir(s) • sung • cymbal(s) • tambourine(s) • flute(s) • trumpet(s) • gong • trumpeters • harp(ist, ists, s) • zither • horn, ram's horns ©2016 The Old Time Gospel • hymn(s) Ministry > • instruments
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7 More Reasons Continued from Page 15 and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery”. (Luke 16: 18 NIV) In God’s eyes and in the contract between you, your spouse, and God, you’re still married! As believers we have options for helping us to stay happily married rather than break up the home front. Those
options may include not chasing after the easy outs of society and asking God to give you the perseverance and faith to stick it out with your first love. © 2016 Heaven Ministries. All Rights Reserved. www.heavenministries.org >
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Shook the World Continued from Page 18 forsaken of God, deserted by man. Alone Jesus Christ died. He took my suffering, my shame, and my separation. He was separated from God the Father and while men jeered and taunted and God the Father turned His back. I thank God He’ll never go to the cross again. But I want to tell you ─ once for all, forever and ever, He hath bought redemption for me and for you. It is finished. THE WAY OF SALVATION God’s mighty work of redemption was finished. When Jesus died, all that was necessary for you to be forgiven and to be saved was done. There’s nothing for you to do but to receive what Jesus Christ as already done, for it is finished. You see, that’s why He came. Jesus said in (Luke 19, verse 10). “For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which is lost.” You and I are the sinners, the criminals. You and I are the ones that had the sentence executed against us. But Jesus Christ took it out of the way and nailed it to His cross. And it is written, “It is fin-
ished.” Every stain, every blot, every blur, every blemish that ever came across your soul, Jesus has done it all. And all you need to do now is to receive what He has done. Oh, it’s not what you do, my friend, it’s what He has done. Jesus Christ has purchased your salvation. Tetelesti, it’s finished. © 2016 Love Worth Finding Ministries, P.O. Box 38300, Memphis, TN 38183, www.lwf.org >
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Purchase Continued from Page 5
Self Denial Continued from Page 24
(Psalm 103:18), if there was no more significance to a Christian ancestry than a pagan one. There is a good that comes to the children of believers. God says in (Jeremiah 32:39), “I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.” This “good” is not the guarantee of faith, but the gift of God’s word (Deuteronomy 6:6-7), the restraint of God’s discipline (Ephesians 6:4), the demonstration of God’s love (Colossians 3:21), and the power of prayer (Job 1:5). God has ordained, regularly and normally, to work through these means for the salvation of the children of believers. For this Christ died. Christian parents honor the blood of Jesus when they follow his ways for the sake of their children. Pastor John © Desiring God ©2016 Desiring God Foundation. Website: www.desiringGod. org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org. Toll Free: 888-346-4700. >
will prevail. There is nothing so dear to a gracious soul, which he cannot spare at the will of God, and the hope of everlasting life. If with Peter we would flinch in a temptation—we should return with Peter in weeping bitterly, and give Christ those lives that in a temptation we denied Him. 6. In a word, true self-denial is procured by the knowledge and love of God, advancing Him in the soul—to debasing of self. The illuminated soul is so much taken with the glory and goodness of the Lord, that it carries him out of himself to God, and as it were estranges him from himself, that he may have communion with God. This makes him vile in his own eyes, and to abhor himself in dust and ashes. It is not a long-suffering resolution, but the love of God and the hopes of glory—which make him throw away the world, and look contemptuously on all below, so far as they are mere provision for flesh. Search now, and try your hearts by these evidences, whether you are possessed of this necessary grace of self-denial. O, make not light of the matter! For I must tell you that self is the most treacherous enemy, and the most insinuating deceiver in the world! It will be within you when you are not aware of it and will conquer you when you perceive not yourselves much troubled with it. Of all other vices, selfishness is both the hardest to find out and the hardest to cure. Be sure therefore in the first place, that you have selfdenial; and then be sure you use it and live in the practice of it. GRACE GEMS! A Treasury of Ageless Sovereign Grace Devotional Writings Our Purpose >
Seniors
www.changingtimes.info Christian Old Age Continued from Page 11 heaven every day—and our visions of the Father's house should be clearer and brighter. Old age is the time of harvest; it should not be marked by emptiness and decay— but by richer fruitfulness and more gracious beauty. It may be lonely, with so many gone of those who used to cluster about the life—but the loneliness will not be for long, for it is drawing nearer continually to all the great company of godly friends, waiting in heaven. Old age may be feeble—but the marks of feebleness are really foretokens of glory. Old people have no reason for sadness—they are really in their best days! Let them be sure to live now at their best. Paul was growing old when he wrote of his enthusiastic vision of beauty yet to be attained—but we hear no note of depression or weariness in him. He did not think of his life as done. He showed no consciousness that he had passed the highest reach of living. He was still forgetting the past
and reaching forth, because he knew that the best was yet before him. His outward man was feeble, his health shattered, his physical vigor decaying—but the inner man was undecayed and undecaying. He was never before so Christ-like as he was now, never so full of hope, never so enthusiastic in his service of his Master. Those who are growing old should show the ripest spiritual fruitfulness. They should do their best work for Christ in the days which remain. They should live their sweetest, gentlest, kindliest, most helpful life in the short time which they have yet to remain in this world. They should make their years of old age—years of quietness and peace, and joy—a holy eventide. But this can be the story of their experiences only if their life be hid with Christ in God. Apart from Christ, no life can keep its zest or its radiance! Reprinted by permission from Eternal Life Ministries, www.eternallifeministries.org.>
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the penalty of their transgressions, who have entrusted their souls to Christ. He can save them because He has already borne their penalty. You must be persuaded of this, that He will do as much for you if you only trust Him to do so. "But what guarantee have I?" you ask. A better guarantee you could not have. The Gospel itself is your guarantee, for so to trust Christ is exactly what the Gospel asks you to do. This is what Christ Himself pleads with you to do – (Matt. 11:28-30; Rev. 22:17) - and surely Christ's own invitation to your soul is far better than any dreams or visions or emotions or feelings. 7. It involves the belief that consequent upon trusting Him your sins are blotted out. This must follow, for immediately you trust your soul to Christ the efficiency of His work is imputed to you, and your sins are blotted out from God's Book of remembrance. And your trusting in Him is an evidence of the fact that Christ died for you, and if He died for you, justice will never ask that you again should pay the price. 8. It involves the belief that since you now trust in the Lord Jesus you are accepted in Him. You are still sinful in yourself, but Christ, now above, is your Substitute still, and God viewing you in Him sees no flaw in you. Consequently you may have confidence before Him and be assured that your prayers are heard. 9. It involves the belief that now you have every reason for joy and peace. You have now come to rest upon Christ on the guarantee of His Word, and therefore you may well rejoice for you know that your sins will meet you no more. You may safely banish every fear and be at peace since you have such a Heavenly Advocate upon your side. Who has better reason to rejoice than you? Now this is what the Gospel requires of you. Go over these nine suggestions again slowly, carefully and with prayer. How far can you go with them as to your own experience? If you can reach suggestion (6) and declare it to be true of you, then you can be assured that He will never cast you off; for none perish that trusts in Him. And this is just what the Gospel asks you to do. This is just what believing in the Lord Jesus Christ means.
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If you are not there yet, you will not have to wait long for your rejoicing! You will soon discover that sin still dwells in your heart. But do not let this discovery bewilder you. This is but the stirrings of the old nature against which you must strive as long as you are in the body (Rom. 7:23-24; Gal. 5:17), but this cannot annul your relationship with Christ. Look to Him, and in the measure in which you do so, you will put down the old man of sin. But if you cannot reach suggestion (6) in your experience, then obey now - believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and look to Him for grace and power to do so. Here is your duty. Abide by it: and continue in pleading for grace to perform it until you are able to say that not only suggestion (6) is your experience, but suggestions (7, 8, and 9) also. Beware of losing these solemn convictions which so prey upon the mind. Anything that tends to turn the edge of them is highly dangerous. They are meant to lead you to Christ. Beware then of quenching the Spirit. Seek to improve these convictions. Use the means of grace diligently - both public and private - earnestly resolved by God's grace that you will not rest till you find peace in Christ; for this is a tide that may recede and never return again. This season of exercise unimproved may seal your doom eternally. Let none therefore tempt you back to the world! See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? (Heb. 12:25) "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved." © Save the Nations Ministries >
lifestyles. That’s God’s job. That’s Jesus’ role. It is my job to love my neighbor and point them to the love that doesn’t make sense; the love that surpasses our understanding, the love that isn’t based on performance, the love that was only offered by a guy willing to be put on a cross to die for me. That’s the only job I have. Jesus is the one who brings change. And we know sometimes that change takes time. Look at ourselves. I dare say very few of us would not say, hey, I’m a work in progress. It doesn’t mean we’re not believers, or not saved or righteous. Sometimes we have a hard time believing the truth about ourselves. Our job is to point people to Jesus and sometimes to help them get acquainted. Love is caring more for people than issues. Love is realizing when you are struggling and life is hard and if you screwed up don’t run away from the church because you know you need to get here by any means necessary, because this is where you get help. Love is the gospel message that the bloodstained cross means that no one is better than anyone else. Love is accepting the fact that we as Christians accept that free gift of grace and this doesn’t make us any better than the guy that works in the office next to ours. Loving our neighbor as ourselves means; realizing all of this and pointing other people to this love. You see, love and grace is Christianity’s core. They are the thing which makes our faith different. Love and grace makes our faith alive.>
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www.changingtimes.info Dead To Sin Continued from Page 30 Calvary and of my oneness with Christ in His death, I must refuse to let self lord it over me. I must choose whether I'll be dominated by the hideous monster self, or Christ. The life that "Christ lives in me" must have a happy "yet not I" at its very heart. How can I have the benefits of Christ's death while I still want my own way? Self must be dethroned. I am indeed promised newness of life, but only on the basis that I put off the old. Often we can believe for victory only around some such practical obedience. There self is renounced. Reckoning without the practical renunciation of self proves mere make-believe. Confession of sin implies rejection of sin. Its power is broken only as we come into harmony with the Cross. But the Cross is no place of concealment, of hiding, of covering sin. It is the place where we break with sin, the place of exposure, of guilt, of open shame. If Christ died to rid me of sin, should I not rather die than retain it? But if we are not yet sick enough of sin to be rid of sin, we can only bow, and bleed, and hug our chains, until we are "sick unto death" of sinful self.
But God is good. Christ is a jealous lover. He wants every believer delivered. He will not shrink from reducing you to shame and despair if only you may be exposed to the power generated on your behalf at Calvary. You must learn by kindness or by terror. God's sword of providence may be laid successively to every tic that binds you to self and sin. Oh, the glorious power of the Cross! How can we longer hold out against it? All the power of Calvary is at your disposal! The Cross kills. The man who exposes himself to Calvary soon discovers that a hidden fire burns within his bones." Oh, let me, then, put no limit to its concentrated force. May its death dealing, yea, life-giving and healing rays penetrate my most secret life, until its hidden fire burns in all the bones of my inmost being. Let the radium of the Crucified be applied again and again. It is a process. But let me not fear to expose myself to the divine treatment. In all the gladness of Christ's glorious triumph let me say again and yet again: I have been and am crucified with Christ, it is no more I that live but Christ that lives in me,—lives in me, even me. Save the Nations Ministries>
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Louisiana Osteoporosis Study (LOS) The Dept. of Biostatistics is conducting a new research study, LOS, on bone health. This study will recruit subjects to participate. Participants will receive: •Free bone density scan •Compensation for travel and time Eligibility criteria: •18 years or older •No severe uncontrolled chronic diseases
For more information,
Middle Man Continued from Page 28 After the war, DeShazer returned to Japan as a missionary. Copies of his testimony flooded the country, and thousands wanted to see the man who could love his enemies. DeShazer planted a church in Nagoya, a city he had bombed. Among those who came to Christ through his testimony was Mitsuo Fuchida, the pilot who led the attack on Pearl Harbor. Only the Holy Spirit, using the truths of God's Word, can so overcome the negative behaviors of the "flesh." Our Holiness The Spirit is also our holiness. He isn't typically known as the Loving Spirit, though love is a divine quality. He isn't known as the Omnipotent Spirit, though God is all-powerful. It is God's quality of holiness that is reflected in the Spirit's best-known title. The Holy Spirit aims to make us holy—pure and righteous. (Romans 8:10) says, "And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." Every day a war rages within us—the Spirit versus the flesh, the old man versus the new. As we yield every part of ourselves to Christ and daily study His Word, the Holy Spirit gradually and progressively makes us holy. His primary job is to reproduce within us the life of Christ. "The Lord's Spirit makes us more and more like our glorious Lord" (II Corinthians 3:18)
Our Hope call (504)988-1016 The Holy Spirit is also our hope. The immortal, life-giving Spirit indwells every believer. There are Or make an appointment online: no hopeless days, no hopeless cases, no hopeless http://los.sph.tulane.edu challenges for the Christian. There is no sin that Or email: cannot be overcome through His power. We are bonestudyneworleans@tulane.edu "more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:37). Are you living in the flesh or in the Spirit today? Why not close the door to your room, kneel by your chair, and ask Jesus Christ to take over your life, every corner and crevice, every problem and potential? Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit—your help, your holiness, and your hope. He will help you cut out the middle man—once and for all! This article was excerpted from Turning Points, Dr. David Jeremiah’s devotional magazine. Call TurnRetail / Wholesale / Commercial Sales ing Point at 1-800- Top Prices Paid for old Batteries 947-1993 for your copy of Turning Batteries For almost everything Points.>
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The French Market The French Market’s 30th Annual Creole Tomato Festival is June 11 and 12, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the French Market, New Orleans This June, The French Market New Orleans celebrates thirty years of producing a festival dedicated to the beloved Creole tomato. The festival serves as a “kick-off” to the Creole tomato season, which lasts all summer. The festival is always held the second weekend in June, when the Creole tomato crop is set to be first-picked. Typically, a tomato grown in Plaquemines or St. Bernard Parishes qualifies as a Creole tomato, and the two longtime growers and multigenerational farm families of Ben & Ben Becnel, Jr., and George’s Produce, operated by George Lafargue, are the primary sellers at the festival. They also sell other produce in season, canned goods and sauces, and dishes made from the Creole tomato. The French Market Creole Tomato Festival began in 1986, when so many festivals in New Orleans were founded to draw locals back to the French Quarter, especially around and after the time of the 1984 World’s Fair. Because the French Market is considered one of America’s longest continually operated open air markets, and is fondly remembered for the many produce, meat, and spice vendors that sold daily there, it is a perfect location for a festival celebrating and honoring local farmers and their goods.
Today, the open air French Market is home to many eateries that prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner; flea market vendors selling souvenirs, books, music, clothing, and jewelry; local arts and crafts vendors, and cart vendors selling everything from crepes to vegan baked goods. Each Wednesday, the Crescent City Farmers Market produces a fresh food market, with local farmers and fishermen selling seasonal items, as well as fresh baked goods and canned preserves. The French Market Creole Tomato Festival continues to expand in its footprint and scope. Cooking demonstrations have always been a signature piece of the festival, with local chefs creating their favorite Creole tomato dishes to share with samples for the public. For the past five years, a Creole tomato eating contest for kids and adults has also been held at the cooking demonstration tent. For the past two years, a “Best of the Fest” contest has been conducted to select the Tastiest, Healthiest, Most Traditional, and Most Creative food booth offerings at the festival, which continues to attract some of the cities’ best known restaurants and caterers. The “Ripe and Ready Rally” kicks off the festival on Saturday June 11th with the “first bite of the season” followed by a secondline through festival grounds. In recent years, a significant children’s area has been created, with interactive craft booth for kids, miniature golf, an outdoor foam play-
ground provided by Playbuild, and live local kid-friendly music and workshops, plus facepainting, balloon art, and magic shows. The live music stages have grown as well, with a new stage added to the grounds of the neighboring Old U.S. Mint. This year, the 30th annual festival will add an outdoor music stage to its newly adopted Crescent Park, a 1.4 mile, 20 acre urban linear park that connects the community and visitors to the Mississippi riverfront and “begins” just one block from the French Market. Dutch Alley, where the festival had its start, remains a key location for the festival, as it connects the French Market District retail shops to the rest of the French Market District. Here, patrons will find a new feature to the 30th annual fest: a Bloody Mary Market, with 6-10 Bloody Mary offerings, an arts market hosted by Dutch Alley Artist’s Co-Op, and live music at the Dutch Alley Performance Pavilion. Just behind Dutch Alley is the French Market operated Riverside Parking Lot, which spans 4+ blocks and provides hundreds of parking spots for festival goers. Patrons can also access the riverside RTA streetcar there, or walk along the River to access various points throughout the French Quarter. For a full schedule and more information on this festival of food, fun, and family experiences, visit www.frenchmarket.org.>
2016 French Market
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