God’s Word: "Night pierces my bones; my gnawing pains never rest." - Job 30:17
Inspiration:Pierre Auguste Renoir was born in 1841 in Limoges, France. In 1854 he began work as a painter in a porcelain factory in Paris, gaining experience with the light, fresh colors that were to distinguish his Impressionist work. In 1862 he entered the studio of Gleyre and there formed a lasting friendship with other budding artists including Monet. Renoir is perhaps the best loved of all the Impressionists, for his subjects---pretty children, flowers, beautiful scenes, above all lovely women---have instant appeal, and he communicated the joy he took in them. "Why shouldn't art be pretty?" he said, "There are enough unpleasant things in the world." In the 1890s Renoir began to suffer from rheumatism. In 1903, he moved to the warmth of the south of France to comfort his rheumatism.
By 1912, the rheumatism eventually crippled him and he was confined to a wheelchair. But despite the stabbing pain, he continued to paint until the rest of his life. One day his old artist friend Henri Matise sadly watched while Renoir, grasping a brush with only his fingertips, continued to paint in great pain. Matise asked Renoir why he persisted in painting at the expense of such torture. Renoir replied, "The pain passes, but the beauty remains."
Meditation: Pain is neither good nor permanent. One day all of our pain will pass and we will stand in the beauty of the Lord, a beauty that will remain forever. Are you suffering in pain? Today in prayer, draw near to the Lord and draw comfort from Him.
Quote: "Pain is not good in itself. What is good in any painful experience is, for the sufferer, his submission to the will of God, and, for the spectators, the compassion aroused and the acts of mercy to which it leads." - C.S. Lewis
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." - Revelation 21:3-4
God’s Word: "'Don't be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'" Mark 16:6-7
Story: Former White House counsel Charles Colson, convicted for his involvement in the Watergate scandal as an assistant to President Nixon, is often asked about the resurrection and if it could be a hoax with a cover-up to make it look like Christ rose from the dead. He answers: "The Watergate cover-up reveals the true nature of humanity. Even political zealots at the pinnacle of power will, in the crunch, save their own necks, even at the expense of the ones they profess to serve so loyally. But the apostles could not deny Jesus, because they had seen him face to face, and they knew he had risen from the dead. No, you can take it from an expert in cover-ups-I've lived through Watergate-that nothing less than a resurrected Christ could have caused those men to maintain to their dying whispers that Jesus is alive and is Lord. Two thousand years later, nothing less than the power of the risen Christ could inspire Christians around the world to remain faithful-despite prison, torture, and death. Jesus is Lord: That's the thrilling message of Easter. It's a historic fact, one convincingly established by the evidence-and one you can bet your life upon."
Meditation: Christ's resurrection is a historical fact. It happened on the first day of the week following Passover in the city of Jerusalem. Our faith is grounded in history, not a philosophy. Today in prayer, thank Christ that He not only predicted His resurrection, but also fulfilled it so we may have hope in Him.
Quote: "Christ himself deliberately staked his who claim to the credit of men upon his resurrection. When asked for a sign he pointed to this sign as his single and sufficient credential." - B.B. Warfield
"The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." - Matthew 28:5-6
God’s Word: “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God” – 2 Timothy 1:8
Story: Chi Faling was born in a small village in the mountains of Tongbai, Henan Province in eastern central China. She was the youngest of nine girls in her family. She became a Christian while in grammar school and by the time she was in her early twenties she went to study theology.
About 10 p.m. on August 13th, 2001, she was with some other Christians in a guest house when the police stormed their residence. They took Chi and two other Christians to the Zhongxiang Police Station where they were questioned.
“A slim man in yellow police uniform came and interrogated me” said Chi. “He asked my home address, name, and why I believed in Jesus. So I told him. However, he still flew in a rage.”
Chi and her friends were transferred to a prison. When they arrived, they saw that five other women from the school had also been arrested and tortured. For the next six weeks, the women were systematically tortured.
On September 30, 2001, Chi and her friend Li Xiong were sentenced to three years in a reeducation labor camp. Living with the drug-addicts and criminals, Chi felt compassion for them.
“The more time I spent with them, the more I felt that I should preach the Good News to them. It was especially so with the drug-addicts” said Chi.
Chi was released from prison on December 25, 2003. Just prior to her release, other inmates asked her what she was going to do once she was freed.
She replied: “Get to work! Get to work for the Lord!”
Just as Paul said, “If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting. Woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission.”
Meditation: Never be ashamed to give your testimony on how Jesus has given you new life in Him. Today in prayer, praise Christ that He is your Savior and seek to share His good news with others.
Quote: "You cannot hide a city set on a hill, nor can you hide a noble, worthy, steadfast Christian life." - W. A. Criswell
“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” – Revelation 12:11
God’s Word: "The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.'" - Matthew 28:5-6
Story: It was Easter Day, 1973. Pastor Kefa Sempangi bravely and openly preached on the risen Lord in his Ugandan town's football stadium to over 7,000 people. After the service, five of Idi Amin's Secret Police followed Sempangi back to his little church and closed the door behind them. Five rifles pointed at Sempangi's face. "We are going to kill you for disobeying Amin's orders" said the captain. "If you have something to say, say it before you die."
Sempangi, thinking of his beautiful wife and lovely little girl, began to shake. But the risen Lord living in his heart gave him the courage to speak. "Do what you must," he said. "The Word of God says that in Christ I am already dead, and that my real life is hidden with Him in God. It is not my life that is in danger, but yours. I am alive in the risen Lord but you are still dead in your sins. May He spare you from eternal destruction." The leader looked at Sempangi for a long time. Then he lowered his gun and said, "Will you pray for us?" Sempangi did, and from that day those five officers, now converted through the witness of Sempangi's bravery, protected the pastor with their very lives.
Meditation: Jesus Christ has risen from the grave and because He lives, we have eternal life. Today in prayer, praise Christ that He conquered death to give you life.
Quote: "Tomb, thou shalt not hold Him longer; Death is strong, but Life is stronger; Stronger than the dark, the light; Stronger than the wrong, the right; Faith and Hope triumphant say, Christ will rise on Easter Day." - Phillips Brooks
"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." - Mark 16:15-16
God’s Word:"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." - Hebrews 10:23-24
Story: Helen Roseveare was born in 1925 in Hertfordshire, England. She entered CambridgeUniversity and there she came to Christ. She became a medical doctor and in 1953 she left for the Belgian Congo as a missionary. "I wanted people to be passionately in love with Jesus, so that nothing else counts," she said. She met a sixteen year-old boy soon after she first arrived, John Mangadima. He wanted her to teach him how to be a doctor. Helen agreed and in exchange he taught her Swahili. In 1960, the Congo declared its independence and faced a bitter civil war. In the midst of riots and lawlessness, Helen continued to work. In the following years she was beaten, raped, and arrested in held captive by the rebel Simba soldiers. She was freed some five months later and returned to England. Fearful and horrified, she vowed never to return to the Congo. But after two months at home, she received a letter from John Mangadima. He told her that her work was not finished. By faith, Helen returned and in her last years on the mission field, she established the EvangelicalMedicalCenter, which consisted of a hospital, a training college, and four bush clinics.
Quote: "Our motto must continue to be perseverance. And ultimately I trust the Almighty will crown our efforts with success." - William Wilberforce
To Pray: Our Christian walk will not be easy. But if we hold unswervingly to our hope in Jesus Christ, He will reward us for our faithfulness. Are you experiencing rough times? Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He will strengthen you, as you remain steadfast in Him.
"As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." - James 5:11
God’s Word:"Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord." - Psalm 117:1-2
Story: Australian singer and songwriter Darlene Zschech gained international recognition in 1998 for her song "Shout to the Lord," which was nominated for the Dove Award for Song of the Year. In 1999, Darlene received the International Impact of the Year Award from the American Gospel Music Association in Nashville. But Darlene's life wasn't always as together as we see it now.
As newlyweds, Mark and Darlene struggled financially. Darlene earned small change singing commercial jingles for Kentucky Fried Chicken, Diet Coke and McDonald's. Mark struggled to keep their motorcycle parts business afloat to support Darlene and their two young children. It was then that Darlene decided to praise God through the struggle.
"I learned we'll never find hope looking at our circumstances," she says. "It's only found by fixing our eyes on Jesus who doesn't change and who's always faithful." In 1990, the Zschechs left their home and church in Queensland, and moved to Sydney in New South Wales, where they became a part of the music team at HillsChristianLifeCenter. From there, the Lord started using Darlene to bring glory to Him.
Darlene Zschech commented that praise is "Thanking God for things even though they're not there yet," Darlene says. "It's appreciating Jesus not [just] for what He can do, but for being your Savior. And there's power in that."
Quote: "I, then, have reason to praise Him; for His mercy endures forever." - Robert McCheyne
Prey for: The Lord isn't just faithful some of the time; He is faithful in the past, present and the future. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that his faithfulness endures forever.
"The heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones." - Psalm 89:5
God’s Word:"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." - Revelation 2:10
Story: In 1988, Wally Magdangal was pastoring an underground church in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was a Filipino lay pastor of Christian foreign workers wishing to gather for worship. In 1992, soon after the conclusion of the Gulf War, the house church had grown to over three hundred worshipers, the largest church in the country. The Saudi government became alarmed at the positive impact the church was having and Wally was arrested. While he was in prison, Wally was tortured, abused, and eventually falsely charged with blaspheming Muhammad and Islam. He was tried before the Saudi Arabian High Court and was sentenced to death by public hanging scheduled to take place on Christmas Day 1992. Throughout his terrible ordeal, Wally refused to renounce his faith in Jesus Christ. Outcries from several foreign governments and agencies, including President Fidel Ramos of the Philippines, Amnesty International, and members of the U.S. Congress were made on behalf of Wally to the Saudi Government. And then just a few hours before his scheduled execution, Wally Magdangal miraculously was granted a reprieve. The Saudi Government decided to deport him to the Philippines instead. Today, Wally is itinerant preacher, sharing how the Lord delivered him from persecution.
To Pray for: Being a Christian has never been easy. There are many Christians today who are being persecuted for their faith. Are you regularly praying for those who are persecuted? Today in prayer, remember the Christians in many part of the world who are being persecuted and pray that they may be faithful to Christ.
Quote: "The servant of Christ must never be surprised if he has to drink of the same cup with his Lord." - J.C. Ryle
"So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." - 1 Peter 4:19
God’s Word:"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13
Story: On June 2, 1995, Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady was flying an F-16 fighter over NATO's "no-fly zone" over western Bosnia. Suddenly a Serb surface-to-air missile ripped through his aircraft. Reaching for the eject handle he remembers praying: "Dear God, let it work," and it worked.
Floating down some 26,000 feet, the Serbian soldiers were quickly moving to where he was going to land. Scott prayed again: "Lord, let me at least have someone know I'm alive and maybe come rescue me."
Landing on a hill, Scott began his evasion. Bosnian Serb search parties tried to flush him out by firing rifles into the bushes where he was hiding. For the next five days Scott was constantly praying. He moved from place-to-place at night, sending out short messages letting others know he was alive. He subsisted on leaves, grass, and ants, and catching rainwater in Ziploc plastic bags. Though he was hungry and cold, he knew that a superpower would be working to save him.
Then early on June 8, O'Grady's prayers were answered. He reached a safe place and radioed for help. Headquarters immediately dispatched about forty planes for his rescue. When the helicopter landed in the clearing near where O'Grady was hiding, he didn't relax in the brush. He shook off fatigue, fought through bushes and with every ounce of energy he had, ran to the escape that had been provided for him.
Quote: "We have an enemy inside of us who tries to convince us that there is something out there that is better than what God wants for us, but that's not true. Every day I remind myself that what God is providing is always the best thing for me." - Lauryn Hill
We are often thrust into hostile situations in our own lives. But in each instance, the Lord is faithful to provide a way of escape, if we only look to Him and we take it.
Pray: Today in prayer, thank Christ for His faithfulness that in every temptation, He has provided a way out for us.
"If this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment." - 2 Peter 2:9
God’s Word:“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) "After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself." – (1 Samuel 18:1-3)
Beautiful story: In September 1992, Jack Kelley, foreign affairs editor for USA Today, witnessed firsthand the famine in Somalia. One particular starving boy touched Kelley: "Our photographer had a grapefruit, which he gave to the boy. The boy was so weak he didn't have the strength to hold the grapefruit, so we cut it in half and gave it to him. He picked it up, looked at us as if to say thanks, and began to walk back towards his village.
We walked behind him in a way that he couldn't see us. When he entered the village, there on the ground was a little boy who I thought was dead. His eyes were completely glazed over. It turned out that this was his younger brother. The older brother kneeled down next to his younger brother, bit off a piece of the grapefruit, and chewed it. Then he opened up his younger brother's mouth, put the grapefruit in, and worked his brother's jaw up and down. We learned that the older brother had been doing that for the younger brother for two weeks.
A couple days later the older brother died of malnutrition, and the younger brother lived. I remember driving home that night thinking, I wonder if this is what Jesus meant when he said, 'There is no greater love than to lay down our life for somebody else.'"
Quote:"I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no more hurt, but only more love." - Mother Teresa
Pray: Today in prayer, thank Christ for the love that He has for you and seek to love others as yourself.
"And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself." - Matthew 22:39
God’s Word: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:” (Ephesians 1:7-9)
A Beautiful Story: A story told by Paul Lee Tan illustrates the meaning of redemption. He said that when A.J. Gordon was pastor of a church in Boston, he met a young boy in front of the sanctuary carrying a rusty cage in which several birds fluttered nervously. Gordon inquired, "Son, where did you get those birds?" The boy replied, "I trapped them out in the field." "What are you going to do with them?" "I'm going to play with them, and then I guess I'll just feed them to an old cat we have at home." When Gordon offered to buy them, the lad exclaimed, "Mister, you don't want them, they're just little old wild birds and can't sing very well." Gordon replied, "I'll give you $2 for the cage and the birds." "Okay, it's a deal, but you're making a bad bargain." The exchange was made and the boy went away whistling, happy with his shiny coins. Gordon walked around to the back of the church property, opened the door of the small wire coop, and let the struggling creatures soar into the blue. The next Sunday he took the empty cage into the pulpit and used it to illustrate his sermon about Christ's coming to seek and to save the lost -- paying for them with His own precious blood. "That boy told me the birds were not songsters," said Gordon, "but when I released them and they winged their way heavenward, it seemed to me they were singing, 'Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed!"
Meditation: You and I have been held captive to sin, but Christ has purchased our pardon and set us at liberty. When a person has this life-changing experience, he will want to sing, "Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed!"
Quote: “God ... does not lavish his children with a jolly discipleship so that they may swim in spiritual ecstasy between conversion and death. God is a giver, but he does not give happiness. He gives redemption, meaning, security, love, victory, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And happiness is our response to his gifts.” - Calvin Miller
Prayer:Today in your prayer, give heart-felt thanks to God for His redeeming grace and commit to follow footsteps of Jesus.
God’s Word: “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8)
Inspiration: There was a pastor from a small rural congregation who visited an old farmer from time to time in an attempt to share the gospel with him. Each time the farmer would tell the pastor, "I believe in God. It is impossible not to when you look around at the beauty of this earth and the way in which life is created. It’s just Jesus I don’t understand. Why would a perfect and all powerful God have to come down as a man, and then die, just to make things right.” The pastor was never able to come up with an answer that the pastor found satisfactory. Then one night, as the farmer was sitting in his living room, he heard a thump on his window. He went to see what it was and outside he saw a group of birds floundering in the snow. They were trying to get into the warmth but they couldn’t figure out how, and so they were dying in the snow. So the farmer went outside and opened his barn doors, and turned on the lights, and tried to herd the birds into the warmth of the barn, because he realized it was their only hope for salvation. But the more he tried to direct them the more they scattered. At that point the farmer thought, if only I could become one of them then I could lead them into the warmth. At that moment, he had an epiphany, and he fell to his knees and accepted Christ as his savior.
Quote: “There is something wrong with our Christianity when we have to beg most of our crowd to come to church to hear about it.” Have you forgotten the joy of your salvation? - Vance Havener
Prayer:If you have heard the gospel and God is speaking to your heart today, then please do not delay. "For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold,now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (II Corinthians 6:2).
God’s Word:“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:15-16)
Inspiration: An old woman dearly loved her Lord. Often her cup of joy overflowed. A favorite expression of hers was, "Praise the Lord!" Often, in God’s house, when the minister preached, she would say, "Praise the Lord!" Sometimes, however, the minister was disturbed by this, and he would lose his line of thought - and so he considered how he might kindly discourage the old woman’s outbursts. The woman was very poor, and therefore the minister had an idea. He offered her a parcel of groceries every month on behalf of the Benevolent Fund if she would only refrain from saying, "Praise the Lord!" during his sermons. She greatly needed the groceries, so she did her best to earn them on the minister’s terms. For many Sundays, she kept perfectly quiet during the sermon. One day, however, the minister preached on forgiveness of sin, with its attendant blessings and joys. And as he preached, the old woman thought less and less of the groceries, and more and more of the joys of salvation. Finally, she could stand it no longer. To everyone’s surprise, she cried out: "Groceries or NO groceries - PRAISE THE LORD!"
Quote: "Be thankful for the smallest blessing, and you will deserve to receive greater. Value the least gifts no less than the greatest, and simple graces as especial favours. If you remember the dignity of the Giver, no gift will seem small or mean, for nothing can be valueless that is given by the Most High God."
Praise: Today in your prayer, pray with full of PRAISE amidst crises and storms of lives.
God’s Word: "When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, 'Take off the grave clothes and let him go." - John 11:43-44
Story: Roy Larson thought the most difficult part of his day would be maneuvering the unfamiliar stick shift on a "loaner" electric wheelchair as he ventured into downtown Glen Ellyn, Illinois, for a haircut. But his day was about to become much more trying.
As he was crossing the railroad tracks on Main Street, one of the chair's wheels became lodged in the track. As Larson struggled to free the wheel, something went wrong with the chair's electrical system, and the chair refused to move. Suddenly the lights began to flash, and the signal bells started to ring. The gates in front of Larson and behind him began to lower.
The first person Larson saw as he frantically looked for help was Mark Bade. Bade had been running an errand when he saw that Larson was in trouble. He sprinted to Larson's side and began to struggle with the chair.
At almost the same moment, Don Burgeson had stopped his car at the gates and saw what was happening. He leaped out of the car and helped Bade wrench the chair free from the track and drag it out of harm's way. The three men looked up, just in time to see the train was less than 20 yards away.
"After the train went by, I just said thanks," Larson said. "The only reason I am here today is because these two guys saved my life."
Jesus Christ came to save our lives. We too need to say thanks because without Him we are dead in our tracks. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord for through His power we are raised from the dead.
Quote: "He is the firstfruits. The harvest is yet to come. All who put their trust in Him will be a part of that great harvest of souls that will rise from the dead." - George Sweeting
Pray: Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord for salvation and commit to have attitude of gratitude.
God’s Word: “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
Inspiration: In the olden days there were two brothers, the elder good and devout, the younger a libertine who reveled with unsavory companions. The elder brother prayed for the younger and often begged him to change his life, but all seemed in vain.
One night as the elder brother sat in his study reading, the younger brother rushed into his room, begging, "Save me! The police are after me! I have killed a man." There were bloodstains on his clothes.
The older brother grasped the situation immediately and said, "I will save you. Let us change clothes." He took the bloodstained suit of the criminal and gave him his white robe. The two had barely dressed when the police arrived. They had pursued the criminal from the place where the deed had been committed and seized the brother in the bloodstained garment.
Brought before the judge, he pleaded guilty, saying, "I bear the whole responsibility for the crime." Faced with the evidence before him-the pursuit, the blood, the confession-the judge had no doubt. He sentenced the man to death, then asked him his final wish. "Only one," said the supposed criminal. "I want my brother to receive this letter, which I have prepared for him, at the very moment I am hanged." The wish was granted.
The next day, his brother received the letter. Opening it, he read: "My beloved, at this very moment, I die in your place, in your bloodstained clothes, for your crime-and I am happy to offer this sacrifice on your behalf.
"But I would like you, in the white clothes I gave you, to lead a life of righteousness and purity. I have no other desire!"
The younger brother, on reading these words, was taken by remorse. He ran to stop the execution-but it was too late. Then he ran to the judge to confess his crime, but the judge would not listen to him. "A murder was committed; it has been expiated. What was between you two brothers is of no interest to us."
After that, as often as his former comrades in revelry called the young lad to drinking parties and loose living, he would say, "In the white clothes left to me by the brother who gave his life for me, I can no longer do the evil deeds I did before." - Richard Wurmbrand.
Pray:Pray today to give thank for His saving grace and commit to live according to His will.
God’s Word: “If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success. (Ecclesiastes 10:10)
Story: There's an old story told about two woodcutters who were in a forest. They were being paid commission for every log that they chopped. Both of them were ambitious and wanted to out do the other. One of the woodcutters spent all day chopping logs, without taking a break. He supposed that if he continued working, he would be able get more logs done than his rival.
The second woodcutter took a break every hour for five minutes. At the end of the day, he had taken ten breaks. The first woodcutter believed that he had outpaced his rival, but when it came to tallying the amount of logs that were actually chopped, the second woodcutter had the largest pile and earned more commission.
"How did you do that?" asked the first woodcutter. "How did you manage to chop more logs than me, with all those breaks?"
"Each time, I took a break, "answered the second woodcutter, " I sharpened my axe. It meant I could chop more logs than you in the latter part of the day."
Meditation: The same applies to what we do with our spirituality. If we're not taking time to sharpen our souls with prayer, Bible reading, and worship, then our connection to God becomes blunt, and our faith is almost useless in times of trial. In midst of all our busy-ness, we need to take time out to be with God, to focus on Christ, and to be re-sharpened by the Holy Spirit.
Quote: “The purpose of worship is to come before the Lord in obedience to praise Him, to hear from Him, to confess to Him, and to commit our lives to Him. Every worship service is to be an encounter with the Lord, transcending our feelings, desires, and even our abilities to perform.” – Gene Mims
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are precious to us and we know that we need to strengthen our relationship with You. Help us today to make the right moves and take the right steps, which will enhance our faith and sharpen our souls, so that we may better serve You, and attract others to Your Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we pray.
God’s Word:Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9) Put on
then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and
patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as
the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:12-13)
Story: Photographer Nick Ut received a Pulitzer Prize for a dramatic war-time picture taken in Viet Nam. You may remember seeing it. The picture shows a little girl in agony walking naked down a country road amongst other weeping children. Dark smoke hangs heavily in the sky behind the fleeing group. The child's arms are painfully outstretched and her face is contorted in an expression of terror and misery. A Napalm bomb, dropped on her village, seared off the little girl's clothing and severely burned her skin.
The date is June 8, 1972. The child, Kim Phuc, was carried by Nick to a truck and transported to an area hospital. She cried over and over, "Non'g Qu'a. Non'g Qu'a," which means "Too hot! Too hot!"
Kim hovered between life and death. She required 17 different surgical operations and months of rehabilitation. Today, she lives in Canada and has become an important spokesperson on issues of peace. "Pain never disappears," Kim says. "You just learn how to deal with it."
In 1996 she was asked to say a few words at the Viet Nam War Memorial in Washington D.C. Kim talked about forgiving those people who were responsible for all the misery and suffering inflicted that tragic day. She said, "Even if I could talk face to face with the pilot who dropped the bombs, I would tell him we cannot change history but we should try to do good things for the present and for the future to promote peace." It was a message of forgiveness. She knew that her acts of reconciliation were the bricks that could pave the only true road to peace.
Kim could easily spend the rest of her life blaming others for her suffering. She could have grown up a bitter and resentful woman. Instead, she made a courageous choice - a choice for peace. - Steve Goodier
Quote: If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior. -- Max Lucado
Pray:Pray today to have compassion and forgiveness to others as Jesus forgive you.
God’s Word:“On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads. 2 Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the wickedness of their fathers. 3 They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God.”(Nehemiah 9:1-3)
Inspiration: President Abraham Lincoln called for a day of fasting and prayer. His declaration for a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer begins with this thought. And in so much as we know that, by his divine law, nations, like individuals, are subject to the punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land, may be, but a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole People? He went on to say.
We have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God made us It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for the clemency and forgiveness.
He then set aside April 30, 1863, as a day of national humiliation, fasting, and prayer, and asked people in our nation to abstain on that day from their ordinary secular pursuits, and to unite at there several places of public worship and their respective homes in keeping the day holy to the Lord, and devoted to the humble discharge of their religious duties, proper to that solemn occasion. You can see the prayer can give you the power to change things than ordinarily can’t be changed. I’m sure, Abraham Lincoln would turn over in his grave today if he could see how far our United States has gotten from God.
Quotes: James Duncan, preaching with great unction and power, was asked what was the secret of such powerful preaching. "The secret," he said, was "thirteen hours of consecutive prayer." When asked the secret of his spiritual power, Charles Spurgeon said: "Knee work! Knee work!" Livingston of Shotts, on two different occasions, preached with such power that in each service 500 were converted. Both sermons were preceded by a night of prayer. Charles Finney, after spending a day in the woods in prayer and fasting, preached that night in a phenomenally irreligious congregation. The sermon was accompanied by such divine power that the whole congregation, except one man, fell prostrate upon the floor, and voiced their agony under conviction of sin, in such loud outcries that the preacher was forced to stop. - Christ Life Newsletter.
Pray:Jesus says,“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:21) NKJV
God’s Word:“Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.”
(Ezra 8:21)
Inspiration: In the summer of 1876, grasshoppers nearly destroyed the crops in Minnesota. SO in the spring of 1877, farmers were worried. They believed that the dreadful plague would once again visit them and again destroy the rich wheat crop, bringing ruin to thousands of people. The situation was so serious that Governor John S. Pillsbury proclaimed April 26 as a day of prayer and fasting He urged every man, woman and child to ask God to prevent the terrible scourge. On that April day all schools, shops, stores and offices were closed. There was a reverent, quite hush over all the state. The next day dawned bright and clear. Temperature soared to what they ordinary were in midsummer, which was very unusual for April. Minnesotans were devastated as they discovered billions of grasshopper larvae wiggling to life. For 3 days the unusual heat persisted, and the larvae hatched. It appeared that it wouldn’t be long before they started feeding and destroying the wheat crop. On the fourth day, however the temperature suddenly dropped, and that night frost, covered the entire state. Result - it killed every one of those creeping, crawling pests as surely as if poison or fire had been used, It went down in the history of Minnesota as the day God answered the prayers of the people." That is an awesome story! But understand, it was NOT the first and certainly was NOT the last time that Almighty God answered the prayers of his people. - John Maxwell.
Quote:“It was not merely by the light of reason that the people of God have been, in all ages, directed to use fasting as a means, but they have been taught it of God Himself, by clear and open revelations of His will. . .Now, whatever reasons there were to quicken those of old, in the zealous and constant discharge of this duty, they are of equal force still to quicken us.” - John Wesley
Decision:When you need special help or revelation from God, set a special time of prayer and fasting to get power from Him.
God’s Word: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)
Inspiration:HudsonTaylor was a man of great faith in God, as well as a great missionary. When he first went to China, it was in a sailing vessel. Very close to the shore of a cannibal island the ship was becalmed, and it was slowly drifting shoreward, unable to go about, and the inhabitants of the island were eagerly anticipating a feast. The captain came to Mr. Taylor and besought him to pray for the help of God.
"I will," said Taylor, "provided you set your sail to catch the breeze."
The captain declined to make himself a laughing stock by unfurling sails in a dead calm.
Taylor said, "I will not undertake to pray for the vessel unless you will prepare the sails."
And it was done. The missionary retired to his stateroom to pray. While engaged in prayer, there was a knock at his door.
"Who is there?"
The captain's voice responded, "Are you still praying for wind?"
"Yes."
"Well," said the captain, "you'd better stop praying, for we have more wind than we can well manage."
And, sure enough, when but a hundred yards from shore, a strong wind struck the sails of the boat, so that the inhabitants of the island were cheated out of their human prey.
Quote: "To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” -Martin Luther.
Pray: Today in prayer, remember Jesus’ promise, “Father will give you whatever you ask in my name” (John 15:16), and pray with confident.
God’s word:“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Inspiration: George Muller, the great Victorian Christian and social reformer, tells a story of persistent prayer in his diary:
In November 1844, I began to pray for the conversion of five individuals. I prayed every day without a single intermission, whether sick or in health, on the land, on the sea, and whatever the pressure of my engagements might be. Eighteen months elapsed before the first of the five was converted. I thanked God and prayed on for the others. Five years elapsed, and then the second was converted. I thanked God for the second, and prayed on for the other three. Day by day, I continued to pray for them, and six years passed before the third was converted. I thanked God for the three, and went on praying for the other two. These two remained unconverted.'
Thirty-six years later he wrote that the other two, sons of one of Muller's friends, were still not converted. He wrote, "But I hope in God, I pray on, and look for the answer. They are not converted yet, but they will be." In 1897, fifty-two years after he began to pray daily, without interruption, for these two men, they were finally converted but after he died! Muller understood what Luke meant when he introduced a parable Jesus told about prayer, saying, "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up" (Luke 18:1).
Quote: The value of persistent prayer is not that He will hear us but that we will finally hear Him. -William McGill
Meditation: “Heaven is full of answers to prayers for which no one ever bothered to ask.” Have faith in the God of the dream; let’s ask God to bring the dream to completion. God’s answer is ready; it’s just waiting for our personal and persistent request. - Billy Graham.
Pray: Today in prayer, pray for a lost soul of a person you care, and commit to pray consistently.
God’s word:“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. I have suffered much; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word. Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.” (Psalm 119:105-109)
Inspiration: Jacob de Shazer was sent as one of Jimmy Dootlittle’s raiders on Japan on April 18, 1942. He was an atheist, believing in no God. During the air attack his plane was hit by enemy anti-aircraft bullets and he was forced to bail out. He was captured and imprisoned by the Japanese and thought certainly his life was approaching the end. He saw two of his companions shot by a firing squad and saw another die of slow starvation.
During the long months of imprisonment he pondered the question of why the Japanese hated him and why he hated them. He began to recall some of the things he had heard about Christianity.
Boldly, he asked his jailers if they could get him a Bible. At first they laughed boisterously as at a good joke, grew ugly, and warned him to stop making a nuisance of himself. But he kept asking. A year-and-a-half later, May 1944, a guard finally brought him a Bible, flung it at him, and said, “Three weeks you have. Three weeks, and then I take away.” True to his word, in three weeks the guard took the Bible away and de Shazer never saw it again.
However, in those three weeks of intensive searching, meditating, and delving into the meaning of life and humanity’s ultimate destiny, a change came about. Later he was released from Japanese captivity and returned home. In 1948, de Shazer, his wife, and infant son were on their way back to Japan as missionaries, all because he asked for a Bible and a Japanese guard gave him one for three weeks. He had searched the Scriptures and found life.—Earl C. Willer
Prayer: Pray today for the worldwide distribution of the Bible and change the lives of many people. Pray also to be able to involve in the ministry of spreading of the word of God.
God’s Word:"And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." (Matthew 10:42)
Inspiration:A true story of a young girl who lived in California in a tent. Her home life was horrible and many would just turn their nose up at her. She was ten, her father an alcoholic, sisters were prostitutes and it was during the great depression. One day this man and woman came and invited her to church. They took her to church than after they would take her home with them and feed her and visit with her. They showed her love and because of this, she eventually came to know Christ. You say one person don’t make a difference? This little girl was my grandmother and because of the love shown her 55 years ago, everyone of her descendants are Christians and working for God. Because of her, I am here. All three children Pastor churches, Three grandchildren pastor churches, music leaders and Sunday School teachers. A whole army from one person. – John Smithson
Quote:“When you have nothing left but God, then for the first time you become aware that God is enough.” -- Maude Royden.
Prayer:Today in prayer, pray for the lost souls who need salvation of Jesus. Pray also for God’s guidance to be able to do soul winning ministry.
God’s Word:"We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers."
(1 Thessalonians 1:2)
Inspiration: In the late afternoon of February 26, 1968, James Stegalls found himself in the middle of a firefight in Vietnam. Suddenly he heard the unmistakable sound of a rocket coming straight toward him. A friend shoved him into a foxhole and he braced for the explosion, but there was only a surreal silence. The fuse had malfunctioned. For five hours Stegalls knelt in the pit as the battle raged. He fingered an unread Gideon's New Testament in his shirt pocket. Shaking uncontrollably, he began reading Matthew. It wasn't until he got to Matthew 18:19-20 that he felt a peace and he knew things would be all right. Years after returning from home, he visited his grandmother Harris. She recounted how one night she feared for him and she prayed all night for his life. She read Matthew 18:19-20: "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." She then had called her Sunday school teacher and together they prayed for James. Mrs. Harris then opened her Bible and showed James the date: February 26, 1968.
Pray: Prayer is a powerful gift the Lord has given to us. Is there someone on your heart right now? Today in prayer, lift that person to the Lord and pray that they may draw closer to Him.
Quote: "Pray as if everything depended upon your prayer." - William Booth
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16
God’s Word: “"Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives" - 2 Peter 3:11
Illustration: In August 1961, Paul Toaspern was a theologian living in West Berlin. Suddenly, the Soviets decided to erect the concrete Berlin wall dividing East Berlin from West Berlin. Quickly recognizing the situation, Toaspern took his young family and moved to East Berlin, the opposite direction from the thousands of refugees who were pouring into the West.
Toaspern realized that the church in East Berlin would be persecuted and would need his theological expertise and his passion for missions. He quickly became one of East Germany's Christian leaders.
In 1986, American preacher Robert Roxbergh visited Toaspern. Roxbergh asked: "How are your kids doing? Are they at university?"
Toaspern replied: "Oh, they don't go to university. My children are very bright and academically would go far in university, but they will not join the Young Communist League, so they cannot go to university. But praise God, they're all training for the ministry."
Roxbergh then asked: "How about your parents, Paul?"
Toaspern answered: "Oh, my parents are dead. The sad thing is that when they were dying, the government wouldn't let me back to see them, so I had to shout to friends over the wall and ask how they were doing."
Toaspern willingly gave up his freedoms to follow Christ.
Meditation: Holiness and godliness have a price, but the price is small in comparison to knowing Christ more deeply. Today in prayer, pursue Jesus Christ in every area of your life and seek to live a holy and godly life.
Quote: "When God and his glory are made our end, we shall find a silent likeliness pass in upon us; the beauty of God will, by degrees, enter upon our soul." - Stephen Charnock
"Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined." - Titus 1:8
God’s Word: “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” – Hebrews 4:14-16
Inspiration: On May 24, 1962, Commander Scott Carpenter roared into space in a Mercury space capsule. He piloted his Aurora 7 spacecraft through three revolutions of the earth, reaching a maximum altitude of 164 miles. The spacecraft landed in the Atlantic Ocean about 1000 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral after 4 hours and 54 minutes of flight time.
Following his return, NASA Administrator Webb presented him with astronaut wings in a ceremony at the Cape. Then on June 5, New York City celebrated his flight with a ticker tape parade and President Kennedy honored him at the White House.
In the middle of the White House ceremonies, his five-year-old daughter, Candace, tugged at his sleeve. She wanted to show her daddy the scratch on her right elbow that happened while he was gone. What did he do? Yes, he turned away from the honors, away from the acclaim of a proud nation to give his attention to the concerns of his little daughter. A scratch on the elbow was important to her, and so it was important to him.
Pray: In our hurt, Jesus Christ can sympathize with us. Today in prayer, turn to Jesus and confess any sin and receive His loving comfort.
Quote: “Don’t let your weaknesses, your temptations, your suffering cause you to run from God. Run to Him. He is not the God who is far off. He is near. He’s the one who can truly meet your needs because He’s ‘Been there. Dealt with that.’” – Joel Smith
Meditation:“I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven. As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy.” – Psalm 123:1-2
God’s Word:“When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14)
Inspiration: “In 1958, 35 year old Englishwoman Anita Goulden went on holiday to Peru to visit her brother. Anita was a widowed, single mother who owned two haberdasheries in Manchester, England. She was about to go home by way of the United States when she saw an unbelievable sight--children with tuberculosis and meningitis lying neglected and abandoned in the street in pools of their own blood. "In my wildest dream, I had never thought of human beings in such shocking conditions," her diary recorded. "The appalling poverty; the indifference of those around. I can only liken it to visiting a store and finding all the goods priced wrongly. Precious goods worthless. Worthless goods precious." So Anita stayed to help--for the next 44 years she stayed, only returning home one time before her death in 2002, and that trip was to buy medicine. Anita started traveling by donkey to the nearby villages surrounding Piura, Peru to find more unwanted children. Her first stop in these towns was always the pigsty, the common place for leaving physically and mentally handicapped babies with the excuse that they were of no use to their families and sent as a curse from God. "Anita's unwavering faith in God's capacity to answer her desperate prayers for food, clothing or housing when there was none left for the children, has succeeded in providing permanent care for the most sorely afflicted and has established a good education for 250 of the poorest children from the shanties," states the Anita Goulden Trust newsletter. Anita's Peruvian assistant said of her, "She has a direct line to God," and "Thank God for the British." Anita herself merely said, "Thank God there is a God."
Meditation: It costs something to care. There is often suffering involved. "It is the kind physician who lances the boil, drains off the poison, cleanses the wound, and so restores the patient."W. Phillip Keller
Prayer:“Give me a stout heart to bear my own burdens. Give me a willing heart to bear the burdens of others. Give me a believing heart to cast all burdens upon Thee, O Lord.” — John Baillie
A young Colombian Girl who received a new testament in her school. She read the new testament until one day her father caught her reading it…and told her not to read it any more because it was full of lies and fantasy.. But the girl kept on reading until one day her father came home unexpectedly found her with the NT grabbed it from her hands and put it in his pocket. The father went off to work where he was a mining engineer. Several hours later sirens went off in the community there had been a cave in at the mine. The father was trapped in the mine. The rescue workers took 5 days to finally reach the men, but it was too late. All 31 men died including the father of this little girl Curiously, workers found the man clutching the NT between his praying hands. When they opened the front cover they read a note “To my daughter” Keep reading this NT, it is true and right, and I will see you one day in heaven. Then they turned to the back page where the father had signed the commitment card after having said the sinner’s prayer. But that was not the end of the story, Turning the page there were signed the names of the other 30 workers.
(This illustration came from the Gideons International)
God word is the only hope...
John Jay was a delegate at that first continental congress. At a very young age JAY was one of the smartest and most respected lawyers in the colonies. You may have never heard of John Jay before, but in the early history of U.S. government, Jay was responsible for single handedly averting a war with England through his diplomacy. It seemed that everything Jay touched turned to success. Then in May 1802 after 28 years of marriage his wife Sarah became very ill. As her condition became more serious, John and their children gathered at her bedside. When death came the famous and powerful father felt weak and defeated. With his children by his side he turned to the Bible for strength. and began reading I Corinthians 15, which concludes with this verse. "when the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true. "death has been swallowed up in victory, where O death is your victory? where O death is your sting? When he closed the Bible, with tears in his eyes he spokes to his children and assured them from God’s word, of the promised reunion they would all someday have with his Sarah. In times of crisis God’s word is the only hope that can bring true peace to our souls.
Music is truly wonderful!
Gordon MacDonald shared about a time when he and his daughter, Kristy attended the New Year’s Eve celebration at the InterVarsity Urban Missionary Convention in 1976. The night closed with a Communion Service. After the benediction, 17,000 students began to head for the arena portals and their buses for the trips back home. Someone in the crowd-not a song leader, but a worshiper—began the song “Sing Hallelujah to the Lord.” It is the one where the men sing a line and then the ladies echo back. Some 17,000 people stopped in their tracks and sang! They sang it over and over again without no song leader or musicians.
No one wanted to leave from the place that became holy ground. No one wanted to leave the sacred hour to memories. They just kept singing for a while. It was after some time of singing into the night when Kristy, who was only nine years old at that time, grabbed her daddy’s hand and spoke softly, “Daddy, this is what heaven is going to be like.” Mr. MacDonald felt that his daughter may very well be right. - By Terry Laughlin
"Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well." (Ecclesiastes 12:6)
"They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever." (Revelation 22:4-5)
The Welsh Revival
The world still feels the influence of the great Welsh Revival which flamed across the tiny country of Wales at the beginning of this century. But few remember just how this mighty spiritual movement began:
A Christian Endeavor meeting was in progress in a small town in Wales when a timid young Welsh girl arose. She was so nervous that she could utter only one short sentence: “O, I do love Jesus!” Then she sat down. The Lord used that earnest testimony to fulfill His own divine purpose. Spiritual fire came down on that young people’s meeting, even akin to Pentecost. Quickly it spread through that church, then through the little town, and on through the whole of Wales. Its influence was soon felt all around the world.
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. 3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. 4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. 5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. 6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. 7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. 8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.
9 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, 10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. 11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. 12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. 13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. 16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
The Day of Pentecost
The Holy Spirit Comes
1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.
7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! 9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” 12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.
Acts 2:1-12
What is BCANA?
BCANA stands for “Burmese Christian Association of North America” which comprises of twelve member churches across United States of America and Canada. It is an interdenominational and nonprofit religious organization with the purpose of building the Kingdom of God in North America and beyond. Here are current member churches of the association:
1.FirstBurmeseBaptistChurch of San Francisco
2.BurmeseChristianCommunityChurch of Silicon Valley
3.OaklandBurmeseMissionBaptistChurch
4.AdoniramJudsonMemorialBaptistChurch of LA
5.BurmeseChristianFellowshipChurch of LA
6.KachinBaptistChurch of Los Angeles
7.MyanmarBaptistChurch of New York
8.Calvary Baptist Church , WashingtonDC
9.Oversea Burmese Christian Fellowship of Massachusetts
10.OregonMyanmar Christian Church
11.VancouverMyanmar Baptist Fellowship
12.Myanmar Christian Church of Metro Chicago
BCANA Council Members - 2007-2009
President: Rev. Dr. Latt Yishey, Vise President: Rev. Saw Ler Htoo; Secretary: William Min-Sein; Joint Secretary: Rev. Livingstone Zan; Treasurer: Emerald Wong; Executive Director: Rev. Samuel Saw; Member at large (1) Rev. Myo Maw (2) Rev. Dr. Biak Hlei Mang and (3) Lawrence Chow
The association was born on July 30th 1998 at beautiful Honolulu of Hawaii during “Asian American Baptist Pastors, seminarians, and lay leaders’ conference, sponsored by Asian Ministry of American Baptist Churches of USA.One of a Conference break times, Rev. Latt Yishey organized an informal meeting with Burmese pastors, and some lay leaders to envision together to form a Burmese Christian organization. Lawrence Chow was not there but he kindly prepared a draft by-Laws of organization. After prayerfully and carefully discussion, everyone unanimously agreed to form an organization named “Burmese Christian Fellowship of North America”. We met at Perry’s Smorgy Restaurant, Honolulu and it became the birth place of BCANA. Rev. Maran Yaw made a dedication prayer for our new born organization.
The participants at the first meeting were Rev. Latt Yishey, Allan Hla-Oung, and Su Hock Wu from First Burmese Baptist Church of San Francisco, (Rev. Wai Lin Naing) and Stacy Chou from Myanmar Baptist Church of New York, Rev. Dr. Yawba Lasaw from Kachin Baptist Church of Los Angeles, Rev. Maran Yaw from Calvary Baptist Church, and Rev. Zaw Wynn Tan from Oversea Burmese Christian Fellowship of Boston. Allan Hla-Oung was elected as Convener of the organization.
The name has changed to “Burmese Christian Association of North America” (BCANA) when national leaders of Burmese churches (two delegates from each church) met at First Burmese Baptist Church of San Francisco on February 2000. Since then, God has blessed the organization with many blessings including “Youth & Young Adult Conference,” “Ministers’ retreat,” “new member churches,” and many opportunities to expend His ministry across North America. Detail story of BCANA’s activities will be presented at Biennial gathering this June.
New Member Churches are welcomed
Since Burmese churches have been rapidly growing across North America, we would like to welcome your church to join together with us to do the great commission of Jesus Christ locally and globally. Contact our secretary William for new membership information.
Join us Easter Sunrise gathering and worship service at beautiful Golden Gate Park of San Francisco
April 12, 2009 -6:30 am. Burmese traditional breakfast will be served after service
Cricifixion of Jesus on the Cross
Celebrate Resurrection of Lord Jesus
Come to Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Easter Celebration 2009
Sunrise Service in the Beautiful Garden
The place where Jesus wept with sorrow and sympathy
Rev. Latt at Holy Land - July 2000
Upcoming events at FBBC San Francisco
1. March 29, 2009 Junior Fellowship Fundraising 2. April 4, 2009 Uncle Charlie Yang's memorial 3. April 10, 2009 Good Friday night worship 4. April 10, 2009 Spiritual Meditation Night. 5. April 12, 2009 Sunrise Service - Golden Gate 6. April 12, 2009 Easter Celebration 7. May 2, 2009 Talent Show Night - Church 8. May 10, 2009 mother's Day Special - Men's 9. Memorial Weekends - Junior and Youth Camp
FBBC Relief works through Myanmar Baptist Convention
MBC is heavily involved in saving Cyclone Nargis victims and families by "Reilef and Resettlement" project. Members and churches of Karen Baptist Convention, Poo Karen Baptist Convention, and Myanmar Baptist Churches Union are mostly affected by Cyclone.
Relief aids ready to distribute
1000 packs of rice, salt, beans, mosquito nets, clothing for men, women, and children plus tents materials (plastic sheets to make tents).
Commissioning Relief Team
Thank you for your contributions
We have a very successful fundraising and musical concert for Myanmar Cyclone Relief Fund on May 17th. Volunteer foodsellers gave their time and talents for many delicious dishes to satisfy people who came that evening. Musical concert was filled with compassionate feelings and concerns for the victims of Cyclone Nargis which severely hit Delta area and Yangon on May 2nd and 3rd. We have raised above $35,000.00 up to now and sent it to Burma already. We also commissioned four of our church members to go to Yangon and Delta area to help the victims and their families. They are at the fields now. Thank you all for your generous contributions for the relief fund. May God richly bless you.
Tint Tint and Daniel Ng
Pray for our brothers and sisters in Burma
You are invited to join with us to pray for our brothers and sisters in Burma. We will hold a special prayer service on May 10th 2008, Saturday evening 6:00 pm at First Burmese Baptist Church, 380 21st Ave. San Francisco, CA 94121.
We are continue accepting donation for relief fund to help the needy brothers and sisters in our beloved Burma. They are desperatly in deed of our prayer and support. Check can be sent to our church or bring on Saturday and Sunday services.
God will answer our compassionate prayer and will send His peace and comfort to our fellow Burmese people.
Resurrection Sunday
"The Lord is risen indeed." (Luke 24:34)
Holy Week: Saturday
Saturday. Jesus' body lies in the tomb. After 6:00 PM the Sabbath is over and His body is treated with spices ( Mk. 16:1).
Holy Week: Friday
Friday. Trials, Crucifixion, Death, and Burial.
Jesus' third trial is held early in the morning before the Sanhedrin. The first three trials were before the religious authorities where He is found guilty.
Jesus is then taken before Pilate (the fourth trial) where He is found innocent. He is subsequently taken to Herod who also finds Him innocent (the fifth), and then back to Pilate who again finds Him innocent (thesixth) but relents under pressure, perhaps fearing an uprising.. He notes on the sign on the cross that His crime was being the King of the Jews. He probably did this to avoid trouble with Rome (No king but Caesar).
About 9:00 AM. Jesus is crucified on a hill called The Skull outside the city. While we cannot know for certain it is likely that this is the site where God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Issac. At noon, the sky becomes dark. In either case, the darkness is highly symbolic of the Father turning His back on the one He had earlier called My beloved son. During that time the Savior experienced hell for us. Hell is to be utterly forsaken by God.
At 3:00 PM Jesus utters the most important words to believers when he cries with a loud voice: It is finished. The phrase literally means Paid in full The spotless Son of God became sin for us! Isa. 53:5,6. Jesus gives up His life and fulfills the typology of the Passover Lamb at exactly the time the lambs were being slaughtered in the Temple. The veil is rent in the Temple (Mk. 15:38). Jesus was on the cross 6 hours.
Jesus is laid in Joseph's tomb before the Sabbath began atsunset, or around 6:00 PM.
Thursday. Day of Preparation and Passover in the Evening.
On this day (and perhaps on the previous day) preparation is made for the Passover. Judas may have also utilized this time for his betrayal (Matt. 26:1-5; 14-16; 17-19).
The Passover is celebrated on Thursday evening in an upper room. Tradition has it that it was owned by Mark's parents. At the end of the Jewish feast, Jesus institutes the Last Supper (Matt. 14:12-26; Lk. 22:17-23).
The Last Supper is followed by the Upper Room Discourse (Jn. 13-17).
Sometime in the evening, after the Passover, Jesus and His disciples leave the Upper Room and go to Gethsemane, a place near the Mt. of Olives where it was a custom for Jesus to Pray (Matt. 26:36-460).
While in the Garden, Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested by the temple guards (Jn. 18:2-12).
The Trials begin. Before dawn Jesus is tried twice before Annas and then Caiaphas. Everything about these trials is illegal.
Holy Week: Wednesday
The Silent Day After an exhausting day of controversy, Jesus more than likely spends this day resting and visiting with His intimate friends.
Holy Week: Tuesday
The Day of Controversy and Teaching in Parables.
On this day Jesus personally confronts the authorities and defends His claims to be the Messiah. The occasion for their questions was His violent action the previous day. Mark's gospel gives the most detailed account (Mk. 11:27-13:37).
The day ends with Jesus pronouncing a curse on the city and announcing that the Kingdom will be taken away from the nation (explains the significance of the cursed fig-tree). See Matt. 23. On the return to Bethany the Disciples are loaded with questions.
Jesus stops at the Mount of Olives overlooking the temple, and gives the Olivet Discourse. See Matt. 24,25; Lk.21:5ff. The Olivet Discourse is a detailed prophecy largely about the coming destruction Jerusalem and the temple due to the rejection of Jesus as Messiah by the Jewish authorities.
Holy Week: MONDAY
Cleansing of the Temple (Mt.21; Mk.11; Lk.19).
On this day Jesus returns to Jerusalem. On the way He curses the fig-tree, a highly symbolic act. He then enters the Temple and chases out the corrupt money-changers. This shows His Messianic authority and fulfills another prophecy that implies the Messiah will appear there suddenly and take possession of it. (See Mal. 3:1). They then return to Bethany. On the way home they see the withered fig-tree.
Jesus rides triumphantly into Jerusalem on a donkey fulfilling an ancient prophecy (Zech. 9:9). The people welcome Him with "Hosanna" and the words of Psalm 118:25-26.
