CROSS EXAM'S DEVOTIONAL ARCHIVES

January 2001

January 1, 2001

A Goal for the Year Ahead

Saul set his heart to demonize and persecute Christians. Christ took hold of Him on a lonely desert road outside Damascus, Syria. Without sight for three days, he contemplated this Jesus he so vehemently opposed.

A man named Ananias went to Saul and spoke to him about Jesus. "Why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name" (Acts 22:16). Saul became the well-known apostle Paul.

Paul was now a committed follower of Christ. There were new goals and priorities. He was willing to go to jail and even to die for the cause of the Savior. After decades of service to Christ, Paul had the same great goal.

"Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12-14).

We can embrace the words and the goal of the apostle Paul. They can set the tone in our lives in the year ahead.

Dr. Dennis J. Prutow

January 2, 2001

Living Triumphantly Through Our Trials

Acts 4:1-22

Nobody enjoys pain and suffering. Whether we experience physical or mental anguish, clinging to the Lord during those times in our lives can be difficult.

However, the quiet assurance that God is using our circumstances to shape and mold us into His image enables us not only to survive but to thrive during these moments.

Shortly after Pentecost, Peter and John proclaimed the Gospel to anyone who would listen - and for their obedience, they earned a trip to prison. They quickly learned that following Christ was a difficult task, yet full of unspeakable joy and rewards. Nothing compared to serving the Lord.

At the first sign of trouble, Peter and John did not run. Peter did not renounce Christ as he did previously. They peacefully went to jail, trusting that the Lord was going to save them - or that their lives were going to be a testimony to Christ.

Just as the Holy Spirit empowered Peter to speak the truth, He grants us the wisdom and knowledge not only to get through our difficult trials in life, but to exalt the Lord's name through it all.

"Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13).

January 3, 2001

The Foundation Of Our Security

1 Peter 1:1-5

Can we fathom the depth of God's love for us? Many times, we have a skewed view of who God is and how He treats His children, particularly when it comes to our salvation. Some people mistakenly believe that salvation is something that God "loans" us, and it can be revoked at any time.

But that's not what God's Word says. When the Lord saves us, it's forever - not for a season or two.

Consider Peter's words: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable" (1 Peter 1:3-4).

The inheritance set aside for us in heaven is not going anywhere. Once we accept Christ into our hearts, the outcome of our lives is no longer in doubt. Peter goes on to say that we are "protected by the power of God" (v. 5). What can compare to that?

When we realize that our eternal destiny is secure then it is so much easier to enjoy life. Christ has paid the price of our sin. Our names are written in the Book of Life - and God does not have an eraser!

As we understand this fact, no longer do we feel pressure to do what is right; rather, we desire to do what is right and honor God because of the security that He has granted us.

January 4, 2001

Proper Perspective in Trouble

1 Peter 1:6-9

As discouraging as trials can be, no amount of complaining or self-pity will bring about a solution. In fact, many times our negative words and attitude can numb those around us to the nature of our problems.

While chronic complaining and griping may make you feel better about your situation, it cheats you out of the opportunity to experience God's blessing on a regular basis.

Maintaining a proper perspective is difficult, especially when we feel the weight of our problems falling upon our shoulders. Yet, Peter reminds us that this is when our faith is proven.

"You have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:6-7).

Instead of approaching an unfavorable or difficult situation with a "woe is me" attitude, we can take to heart Peter's words. Trials and challenges are not a time to buckle in fear, but a time to shine for Christ.

Trials are the Master's tools. He uses trials to check our level of faith and prepare us to face the difficulties.

God is continually at work in our lives, shaping us into His image. And trials are a way that He helps mold and shape us more into His likeness.

January 5, 2001

Feeling Down At The Top

Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind. - Ecclesiates 2:17

Several years ago, there was this movie called "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure". Someday my kids are going to make a movie about some of the great ideas I've had on our summer vacations. They'll call it "Dad's Excruciating Adventures." Like the day I woke everyone up at 3:00 A. M. to get the view from the top of the mountain. We were vacationing in Maine. And I had read that if you were at the top of Cadillac Mountain at daybreak, you would be one of the first Americans to see the sunrise that day. And how could we miss that thrill, right?

So I got everyone up, stuffed a doughnut in their mouth so they wouldn't wake up the campground, bundled them into the car, assuring them all the time, "You're going to love this." Well, at dawn there we were with a handful of other adventurers - waiting for the sun to appear. And waiting. And waiting. The kids were turning increasingly hostile. We never saw the sun come up that morning - it was covered with clouds. We had made the valiant effort to get to the top of the mountain - only to find the view there a big disappointment.

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about FEELING DOWN AT THE TOP.

Maybe you know that feeling? You got somewhere you really wanted to go - and the view has turned out to be pretty disappointing. The ancient Jewish king, Solomon, knew that feeling. He was the wealthiest man of this generation. He records in the Biblical book Ecclesiastes how he tried every pleasure, every relationship, every conquest he wanted.

Here's who he describes the view from the top of his mountain - our word for today from the Word of God, Ecclesiates 2:17. "So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind."

There are plenty of modern Solomons. Like a successful attorney I know of - he owns what he wants, respected in community. He was planning a long trip with a private pilot in a small plane. Someone asked him if he was concerned about the plane crashing. He said, "I don't care if it does. What's the reason for living anyway?"

So many people got what they dreamed of - the relationship, the position, the possessions, the pleasures - only to find the view a disappointment. Why? Because of what Solomon discovered- he said in Ecclesiates 3:11, "God has set eternity in the hearts of men." Earth has nothing big enough to fill an eternal hole in your heart. That's why Jesus summed it up by asking, "What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?"

There are basically 2 categories of people - those who aren't at the top and think that's why they don't have peace . . . and those who have gotten what they want and there's no peace there. Enter the One the Bible calls the PRINCE of Peace - Jesus Christ - the One who said just before His death - "My peace I leave with you."

The reason for your life is summed up in 6 Biblical words, recorded in Colossians 1:16 - "All things were - created by Him and for Him." That's talking about Jesus. But we've not lived for Him - we've pursued our own kingdom. And God has declared a death penalty for that sin of ours.

From adolescence through adulthood, we keep thinking what we're looking for is just over that next hill. But no matter how many hills you've climbed, the peace and meaning wasn't there, was it? You need to climb one more hill - the one with that cross on the top, where Jesus is dying for your sin so you can finally experience the God-relationship you were made for.

If you're tired of climbing mountains to nowhere, come to that cross. Tell Jesus you want to belong to Him. Life is a series of disappointing views until we give our lives to the only One who can give it eternal meaning. Every other destination will leave you feeling hollow inside - until you're home - in the waiting arms of Jesus Christ.

January 6, 2001

Renewing Fire

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 1:6-7

This past summer - like so many summers before it - the lead story on America�s news was often about those fires raging in the West. Millions of acres were destroyed by fires that raged for weeks on end. Those fires brought a lot of bad news. But fires like these aren�t all bad news. Now, there�s no doubt they cause tremendous damage - but they also, over the long haul, produce a lot of new life. Somehow, nature renews itself with fire - a lot of old and dead stuff is burned away, new vegetation begins to grow, and new life begins to spring up.

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about Renewing Fire.

God seems to have established this principle in His world - the fire that destroys also renews. If you�re going through the fire right now, that might be something very important for you to remember. If you don�t, all you�ll see is the damage and you�ll lose any sense of hope.

It may be that a fire has burned through your family recently . . . maybe your church . . . your business . . . maybe your relationships . . . maybe your health. And there is no doubt that the fire took away a lot. There�s no denying the damage and pain from the fire, but that is never the whole story.

In 1 Peter 1:6-7, our word for today from the Word of God, we get a little of our Heavenly Father�s perspective on the fires of our lives. He says, "For a little while, you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

God describes our trials as "fire". And the fire is only applied here to something really valuable - gold. Also, the fire isn�t forever - it�s "for a little while". And notice what the purpose of the fire is - not to destroy the gold but to "refine" the gold...to get out the impurities...and to increase its� value.

That�s a God�s-eye view of the fire you�re in right now. He thinks you�re worth purifying, improving, and getting ready for greater things. But first, the fire. The fire that has taken away so much can also bring new life, if you�ll stay close to God in the fire and not wander away from Him.

What kind of new life does God bring out the flames? For one thing, He helps us focus the rest of our life on the things that really matter. Everything in our lives goes in one of two columns - the stuff that matters and the stuff that doesn�t. And a lot of times we get those confused. The times of struggle and loss help us get everything in the right columns. So many people emerge from the fire more committed to the eternal than ever before.

The fire often forces you to sort out where your identity is really anchored - not in your job, nor in your title, nor your performance, nor your appearance, but in your "unloseable" relationship with Jesus Christ. The flames often drive you to a new closeness with the people you love . . . sometimes they cleanse your schedule from years of accumulation . . . and they can draw you deeper into your Lord than you ever thought you could go.

Yes, the fire destroys. But, thank God, that�s not the end of the story. The fire also renews!

January 7, 2001

Follow That Voice!

Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them. - Luke 4:42

When you fly a lot as I do, the thought of a fire on an airplane is really pretty unsettling. That�s exactly what happened on an Air Canada flight a few years ago. The fire started in the lavatory and smoke quickly spread throughout the plane. The pilot couldn�t see and he didn�t know how he was going to land. But suddenly this calm, measured voice came into the cockpit - "Just do what I say. I�ll bring you in." It was the flight controller. And that calm voice literally talked the pilot in - for a miraculously safe landing!

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about FOLLOW THAT VOICE!

If your life is like mine, there are lots of choices you have to make - it�s a turbulent flight. There are lots of voices pulling at you . . . even smoke that makes it difficult to know how to proceed sometimes. What will bring you through safely is what brought that pilot in safely - that one calm voice from the Tower.

Our word for today from the Word of God takes us to one of those moments in Jesus� life when the pressure was really on. The day before He has been in Capernaum healing sick people who were brought to Him, even casting demons out of people. Then in Luke 4:42-44 it says, "At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for Him and when they came to where He was, they tried to keep Him from leaving them. But He said, �I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.� And He kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea."

Here is Jesus, surrounded by voices vying for His time and for His attention - and everyone had a legitimate need. Sound familiar? But Jesus has a clear "I must" - and it helps Him stay on course as He makes His daily choices. Now, your life is the sum of hundreds of little choices you make each day. Tomorrow you will reap today's choices. And if you�re like me, you have a lot of needs and possibilities tugging at you every day. And most of them are good. But God has you on earth for some special missions - and you must be true to those, no matter how noble the detours pulling on you.

Often we end up running around all stressed out, trying to satisfy everybody - and often satisfying nobody. We lead these fragmented, frustrated lives because we forget our "musts" - and those non-negotiables have to come from God. And if you ask Him, God will lay on your heart your personal mission or missions. And some will be needs that only you can meet - like being there for your family or like reaching your lost friends and family for Christ. You need the kind of clear "I must" priorities that Jesus had.

But how do you keep your course when the flight seems to be out of control? Look at how your Lord did it - "At daybreak He went out to a solitary place". You know what He was doing. It�s what He always did - going to hear from His Father. Jesus stayed on course by staying in touch with the Tower - with the Flight Controller in heaven. That�s how you�re going to stay on course. And, like Jesus, you have to get in touch with the Tower daily . . . and early . . . and by yourself.

Listen to your Father�s calm voice before you let any other voices get to you. Let Him affirm the musts in your day. You will always land where you�re supposed to if you begin with the voice from the Control Tower. Let God set your course. Forget the confusion, forget the smoke, forget the danger - and focus on your Father�s instructions. Then follow that VOICE!

January 8, 2001

The First Step

And Terah took his son Abram and his grandson Lot, the son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, his son Abram's wife, and they went out with them from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan; and they came to Haran and dwelt there. - Genesis 11:31

The Chinese philosopher Lao-Tse once said, "A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." While we all tend to focus on the destination, the time it will take to complete our journey or the items we need to accomplish it, the trip itself cannot begin until we're willing to take the first step.

Abraham was willing to take that first step. True, Haran was not his ultimate destination. Some have faulted him for stopping short of Canaan. We don't know for sure why he didn't go on. Perhaps his father, Terah, was not physically able to continue. We do know that Terah died in Haran. It is also possible that Abraham got temporarily sidetracked. Circumstances may have caused him momentarily to forget that God's call was to Canaan, not Haran. But we should never forget that at least Abraham took the first step toward his ultimate destination.

You, too, may have a goal in mind. Perhaps God has burdened your heart to teach a Sunday school class, to receive more training in the Bible or to witness to your neighbor. But as you look at that objective, you don't see how you can reach it. The way seems too long or the process too difficult. The answer is to take the first step. Even though the way may not seem clear at the moment, you can be sure that if you don't begin, you'll never finish.

Trust God to provide whatever is needed along the way. As you step out in faith, expect God to step in with power. As you take the first step, He will make sure all the other steps fall in place.

The hardest step is always the first step

Lessons on Living From Abraham
by Woodrow Kroll.
www.backtothebible.org
Copyright(c) 1997-2000, all rights reserved.

January 9, 2001

The Greatest Calling

Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your kindred and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." -Genesis 12:1-3

An oil company needed a suave public relations man for its office in Asia. After interviewing several candidates, the officials decided to ask a local missionary to take the position. Company executives met with this man of unusual gifts. Whatever they proposed, however, his answer was always "no." "What's wrong?" asked one interviewer. "Isn't the salary big enough?" The missionary replied, "The salary is big enough, but the job isn't."

Abraham was faced with a similar option. He could have stayed in Haran and become a leading citizen. As a natural-born leader, he may have become ruler of the city. Most certainly, as a clever businessman, he would have become wealthy and lived in luxury and ease. But all that was insignificant compared to what God had in mind for him. By obeying God's call, he became a blessing to the whole world.

God still calls people today. Maybe He is calling you to be a pastor or missionary or church leader. On the other hand, He may be calling you to be an active witness for Him in your place of secular employment. But you also may be facing alternatives. Another position may offer a bigger salary, a bigger office or less hassle. Don't be fooled. Seek God's direction. Wherever He is calling you will bring the greatest blessing-to you and to those around you.

When God calls, accepting anything else is no bargain.

Lessons on Living From Abraham
by Woodrow Kroll.
www.backtothebible.org
Copyright(c) 1997-2000, all rights reserved.

January 10, 2001

Obey All the Way

Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan. - Genesis 12:5

Louis Cassels once wrote, "Obey . . . take up your cross . . . deny yourself . . . it all sounds very hard. It is hard. Anyone who tells you differently is peddling spiritual soothing syrup, not real Christianity." Perhaps that's why so many Christians stop short of complete obedience.

Even Abraham struggled with this problem. As a great man of faith, Abraham had obeyed when God told him to "get out of your country" (Genesis 12:1). Immediately he packed up his possessions and left. But God also had said, "from your kindred and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you". It was here that Abraham stumbled. Genesis 12:5 notes that he took "Lot his brother's son" with him. Perhaps Abraham felt responsible for his nephew since Haran, Lot's father, had died. But this act of incomplete obedience became a cause of grief for himself (Genesis 13:5-7) and eventually for his nephew as well. Lot lost everything but his two daughters in the destruction of Sodom (Genesis 19:12-26).

Obedience is often hard, but partial obedience will not make things easier. The lack of total obedience may seem justified-especially if it involves a family member. It may even seem as if we are shirking our duty to loved ones if we do as God has instructed us. But God has a reason for every command, and not to obey Him completely always means forfeiting a blessing.

What is God asking of you today? What obedience is He prompting from you right now? Are you willing to obey all the way? Remember, incomplete obedience is the half-brother of disobedience.

Trust and obey--there's no other way.

Lessons on Living From Abraham
by Woodrow Kroll.
www.backtothebible.org
Copyright(c) 1997-2000, all rights reserved.

January 11, 2001

Pledge Your Allegiance

And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. - Genesis 12:8

Many professional athletes proudly wear the corporate logo or company colors of those who sponsor them. They have no qualms at all in identifying themselves with the products and purposes of those who finance their careers.

When Abraham pitched his tents near Bethel, he boldly identified himself with the Lord. God not only called him to leave family and all that was familiar, but also provided for his needs along the way. In response, Abraham built an altar to God. This was not only an act of worship but also a public declaration to everyone who saw it that he was a worshiper of Yahweh. Furthermore, he "called on the name of the Lord" -that is, he publicly acknowledged his commitment to and need for the God of Israel.

As Christians, we are to boldly identify ourselves with the Lord as well. Be prepared. This may cost you the friendship of those who prefer the praises of the world. It may mean that you will experience ridicule and rejection. But Jesus reminds us, "Whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God" (Luke 12:8-9).

Make your allegiance known. Wherever you may be, with whomever you may be, refuse to hide your commitment to the One who loves you and provides for your salvation. Jesus suffered the shame of the cross for you; be willing to suffer the ridicule of the world for Him.

There's no place in God's service for secret agents

Lessons on Living From Abraham
by Woodrow Kroll.
www.backtothebible.org
Copyright(c) 1997-2000, all rights reserved.

January 12, 2001

The Wrong Kind of Help

"Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, 'This is his wife'; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you." - Genesis 12:12-13

A little boy asked his mother, "What is a lie?" "A lie," she replied, "is an abomination to the Lord-but a very present help in time of trouble."

Abraham apparently agreed. Faced with a famine in the land of Canaan, he moved his household down to Egypt. Out of fear for his life, he told the Egyptians that Sarah was his sister and persuaded her to go along with his lie. When Pharaoh heard of her beauty, and thinking her unmarried, he took her into his harem. Abraham was on the brink of saving his life but losing his wife. Fortunately God intervened and Pharaoh learned the truth in time. Abraham, however, was rebuked and forced to leave the land. In the end, his lie earned him nothing but contempt and disgrace.

Often we are tempted to lie our way out of a tight spot. Perhaps at work a "small lie" will help us avoid admitting we made a mistake. Or at home "bending the truth" may seemingly help us avoid a scene. But resorting to subterfuge always ends up causing us more heartache than help.

When tempted to lie, remember that what seems like a "very present help" will ultimately be "an abomination to the Lord." Lies always result in more hurt and hassle in the long run. That kind of help you can do without. Instead, tell the truth and trust God. He'll take care of you.

A lie appears to offer help, but in reality only delivers harm.

Lessons on Living From Abraham
by Woodrow Kroll.
www.backtothebible.org
Copyright(c) 1997-2000, all rights reserved.

January 13, 2001

10 REASONS TO BELIEVE...in the Existence of God
PART 1

You don't have to believe in God. But here are 10 compelling reasons - offered by Radio Bible Class - for the existence of a Creator. The choice to believe is up to you.

1. The Inevitability of Faith.

Everyone believes in something. No one can endure the stress and cares of life without faith in something that cannot ultimately be proven. Atheists cannot prove there is no God. Pantheists cannot prove that everything is God. Pragmatists cannot prove that what will count for them in the future is what works for them now. Nor can agnostics prove that it is impossible to know one way or the other. Faith is unavoidable, even if we choose to believe only in ourselves. What is to be decided is what evidence we think is pertinent, how we are going to interpret that evidence, and who or what we are willing to believe in (Luke 16:16).

2. The Limitations of Science.

Scientific method is limited to a process defined by that which is measurable and repeatable. By definition, it cannot speak to issues of ultimate origin, meaning or morality. For such answers, science is dependent on the values and personal beliefs of those who use it. Science, therefore, has great potential for both good and evil. It can be used to make vaccines or poisons, nuclear power plants or nuclear weapons. It can be used to clean up the environment or to pollute it. It can be used to argue for God or against Him. Science by itself offers no moral guidance or values to govern our lives. All science can do is show us how natural law works, while telling us nothing about its origins.

3. The Problems of Evolution.

Some have assumed that an evolutionary explanation of life would make God unnecessary. This overlooks some problems. Even if we assume that scientists will someday find enough "missing links" to confirm that life appeared and developed gradually over great periods of time, laws of probability would still show the need for a Creator. As a result, many scientists who believe in evolution believe also that the universe in all of its immensity and complexity did not "just happen." Many feel compelled to acknowledge the possibility or even likelihood of an intelligent designer who provided the ingredients for life and set in motion the laws by which it developed.

4. The Habits of the Heart.

Mankind has been described as incurably religious. In unguarded moments of trouble or surprise, in prayer or in profanity, references to deity persist. Those who would dismiss such thoughts as bad habits or social vices are left with unanswerable questions. Denying the existence of God does not dispel the mysteries of life. Attempts to exclude God from the language of civil life does not eliminate the persistent longing for more than this life has to offer (Ecclesiastes 3:11). There is something about truth, beauty and love that makes our hearts ache. Even in our anger with a God who would permit injustice and pain, we draw upon a moral conscience to argue that life is not as it ought to be (Romans 2:14-15). Even unwillingly, we are drawn to something that is more rather than less than ourselves.

5. The Background of Genesis.

On first reading, the opening words of the Bible seem to assume the existence of God. Genesis, however, was written at a point of time in history. Moses wrote, "In the beginning God" after Israel's exodus from Egypt. He wrote after miraculous events that were said to have been witnessed by millions of Jews and Egyptians. From the Exodus to the coming of Messiah, the God of the Bible rests His case on events witnessed in real time and locations. Anyone who doubted the claims could visit real places and people to check out the evidence for themselves. TOMORROW: Reasons 6-10

Reprinted from 10 Reasons to Believe in the Bible
Used with permission of RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI.
www.rbc.net

January 14, 2001

10 REASONS TO BELIEVE...in the Existence of God
PART 2

You don't have to believe in God. But here are 10 compelling reasons - offered by Radio Bible Class - for the existence of a Creator. The choice to believe is up to you.

1. The Inevitability of Faith.
2. The Limitations of Science.
3. The Problems of Evolution.
4. The Habits of the Heart.
5. The Background of Genesis.

6. The Nation of Israel.

Israel is often used as an argument against God. Many find it difficult to believe in a God who would be partial to a "chosen people." Others find it even harder to believe in a God who would not protect His "chosen nation" from the boxcars, gas chambers, and ovens of Auschwitz and Dachau. Yet from the beginning of Old Testament history, Israel's future was prewritten. Together with other prophets, Moses predicted not only Israel's possession of the land but also her unparalleled suffering and dispersion throughout the whole earth, her eventual repentance and then finally her last-days restoration (Deuteronomy 28-34; Isaiah 2:1-5; Ezekiel 37-38).

7. The Claims of Christ.

Many who doubt the existence of God have reassured themselves with the thought, "If God wanted us to believe in Him, He would appear to us." According to the Bible, that is what God has done. Writing in the 7th century B.C., the prophet Isaiah said that God would give His people a sign. A virgin would bear a son who would be called "God with us" (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). Isaiah said this Son would be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6, NIV). The prophet also said that this child would die for His people's sins before seeing His life prolonged and honored by God (Isaiah 53). According to the New Testament, Jesus claimed to be that Messiah. Under the oversight of a Roman governor named Pontius Pilate, He was crucified on charges that He claimed to be the king of Israel and that He had represented Himself as being equal with God (John 5:18).

8. The Evidence of Miracles.

The reports of the first followers of Jesus agree that He did more than just claim to be the long-awaited Messiah. These witnesses said He won their trust by healing paralytics, walking on water and voluntarily dying a painful, undeserved death before rising from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). Most compelling was their claim that many witnesses had seen and talked to Christ after finding His tomb empty and before watching Him ascend visibly into the clouds. These witnesses didn't have anything on earth to gain by their claims. They had no hopes of material wealth or power. Many became martyrs, claiming to the end that the long-awaited Messiah of Israel had lived among them, that He had become a sacrifice for sin and that he had risen from the dead to assure them of His ability to bring them to God.

9. The Details of Nature.

Some who believe in God do not take His existence seriously. They reason that a God great enough to create the universe would be too big to be concerned about us. Jesus, however, confirmed what the design and detail of the natural world suggest. He showed that God is great enough to care about the smallest details of our lives. He spoke of One who not only knows every move we make but also the motives and thoughts of our heart. Jesus taught that God knows the number of hairs on our head, the concerns of our heart and even the condition of a fallen sparrow (Psalm 139; Matthew 6).

10. The Voice of Experience.

The Bible says that God designs the circumstances of our lives in a way that will prompt us to look for Him (Acts 17:26). For those who do reach out for Him, the Scriptures also say that He is close enough to be found (Acts 17:27). According to the apostle Paul, God is a Spirit in whom "we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). The Bible makes it just as clear, however, that we must reach out for God on His terms rather than our own. He promises to be found, not by just anyone but by those who admit their own need and are willing to trust Him rather than themselves.

You're not alone if you are open to the existence of God but aren't sure you can accept Jesus' claim to be "God in the flesh." The teacher from Nazareth promised help to those who are concerned about doing the will of God. He said, "If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own" (John 7:17).

If you do see the evidence for the God who revealed Himself to us through His Son, keep in mind that the Bible says Christ died to pay the price for our sins, and that all who believe in Him will receive the gifts of forgiveness and everlasting life. The salvation Christ offers is not a reward for effort but a gift to all who in light of the evidence put their trust in Him (John 5:24; Romans 4:5; Ephesians 2:8-10).

Reprinted from 10 Reasons to Believe in the Bible
Used with permission of RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI.
www.rbc.net

January 15, 2001

Blessed Promises

Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. - Genesis 13:1-2

William Penn, the founder of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was well liked by the Indians. Once they told him he could have as much of their land as he could encompass on foot in a single day. So early the next morning, he started out and walked until late that night. When he finally went to claim his land, the Indians were greatly surprised, for they didn't think he would take them seriously. But they kept their promise and gave him a large tract of land. Today that area is Philadelphia.

God also made a promise to Abraham: "I will bless you" (Genesis 12:2-3). Even though Abraham made mistakes and sometimes failed to trust the Lord fully, God never went back on His promise. He blessed Abraham materially until he was "very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold." More important, He blessed Abraham spiritually. God declared in Genesis 22:17-18, "In blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." Through Abraham's descendants came the Messiah, who brought the blessing of salvation to all nations.

God continues to bless today just as He has promised. Though we quickly forget them, God's blessings are all around us. He allows some of us to be the stewards of His material blessings, but He gives all of us the opportunity to enjoy His spiritual blessings. His salvation, forgiveness and lovingkindness are promised blessings that God will never forget.

Rejoice today in your blessings. Rest confidently in the truth that what God has promised, He will never take away.

Enjoy the riches that are yours because you are His.

Lessons on Living From Abraham
by Woodrow Kroll.
www.backtothebible.org
Copyright(c) 1997-2000, all rights reserved.

January 16, 2001

Someone Is Watching

Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents. Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great. . . . And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land.
- Genesis 13:5-7

Whether we know it or not, people are watching us. One day as a woman was crossing the street at London Station, an old man stopped her. He said, "Excuse me, Ma'am, but I want to thank you." She looked surprised and asked, "Thank me?" He replied, "Yes'm. I used to be a ticket collector, and whenever you went by you always gave me a cheerful smile and a good morning. I knew that smile must come from inside somewhere. Then one morning I saw a little Bible in your hand. So I bought one, too, and I found Jesus."

Abraham was also very conscious that he was being watched. Problems had developed between his nephew, Lot, and himself. They came to possess so many sheep and cattle between them that the land was not able to support them all. It reached the point where the herdsmen of Abraham and the herdsmen of Lot began to quarrel over the best grazing lands. All the while, the Canaanites and the Perizzites, who lived in the land as well, were watching. Abraham knew that he represented Yahweh, the Lord God of heaven, before these pagan families. As a result, he immediately sought a way to bring peace to the situation.

Neither your church family nor your personal family are immune from problems. But how you choose to deal with those problems can encourage or hinder others who are watching. Your actions can even influence their eternal destiny. Always choose the way of peace. Let the God of peace rule not only in your heart but in all your relationships.

A family at peace is the best witness to the Lord of Peace.

Lessons on Living From Abraham
by Woodrow Kroll.
www.backtothebible.org
Copyright(c) 1997-2000, all rights reserved.

January 17, 2001

I've Got Rights

So Abram said to Lot, "Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left." - Genesis 13:8-9

Everyone seems concerned about their rights. Whatever the issue, someone is sure to claim that he or she has the right to engage in it. Someone else will maintain that if this person asserts his rights, it will violate their rights. It's no wonder that one social commentator observed, "The search for the good has yielded to the search for rights."

When it came time to separate from his nephew, Abraham certainly could have demanded his rights. As the patriarch in the family, Abraham had the right of first choice about where he wanted to go, but he graciously allowed his younger relative to choose instead. When Lot selfishly chose the lush, fertile valleys, Abraham could have legitimately protested that this flagrant unfairness was a violation of his rights. Instead, he simply packed up his belongings and moved to the more barren hill country. Obviously, Abraham was more interested in preserving his relationship with Lot than he was in exercising his rights.

God does not assure His children that we will always have our rights recognized. The apostle Paul urges us, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself" (Philippians 2:3). In other words, let the rights of others be first in your mind, and God will take care of the rest.

If your "rights" have been trampled upon, turn them over to the Lord. A loving relationship with the important people in your life will ultimately be more satisfying than protecting your rights.

Be more concerned about doing right than having rights.

Lessons on Living From Abraham
by Woodrow Kroll.
www.backtothebible.org
Copyright(c) 1997-2000, all rights reserved.

January 18, 2001

A Place Called Home

And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: "Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are-northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever." - Genesis 13:14-15

In late summer the migration of the monarch butterfly occurs. If you're in the right place at the right time, you can see hundreds of them clinging to tree limbs and shrubbery as the flock journeys to a remote mountain site in central Mexico. Scientists have found 16 of these sites, ranging from one to ten acres each, within a 100-mile radius, where millions of butterflies from North America spend the winter. No one knows how butterflies find their way there. Each generation that migrates is new and has never been there before. Yet something programmed into their tiny bodies directs them to a place they have never seen, but is a home they instinctively know they must find.

The Jews have the same attitude toward their homeland of Israel, and it all began with Abraham. God gave him a plot of land-not just to this Jewish patriarch, but to his "descendants forever." Even though they are now spread throughout the world, Jews still long to return to this small oasis. For some, it's just for a visit; for others, it's to start life over again. But for Jews, wherever they may live, Israel is home.

That same instinct for home should burn in the hearts of Christians. For us, home is not a country on earth; it's a destination called heaven. While Abraham and his descendants were promised a land, all who receive Jesus Christ as Savior are promised an eternal dwelling place (John 14:2).

Take comfort in the thought that you have a home in heaven. Each day brings you closer to home-not to visit but to live. God has reserved a dwelling place that will fulfill the deepest longing of your heart. Rejoice!

Heaven is more than a city; it's a home.

Lessons on Living From Abraham
by Woodrow Kroll.
www.backtothebible.org
Copyright(c) 1997-2000, all rights reserved.

January 19, 2001

The Lord's Army

Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. -Genesis 14:14

We live in violent times. The American Bar Association claims that crimes involving guns, drugs and juveniles are putting an unprecedented crunch on the nation's courts. Every 22 seconds someone in the United States is beaten, stabbed, shot, robbed, raped or killed. Nearly two million people every year become violent-crime victims.

Lot lived in violent times as well. Fortunately, he had an uncle with his own private army. When Abraham learned that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah had been conquered and all their people taken captive, including his nephew, Lot, he armed his private militia. In a brilliant piece of military strategy, he overtook the enemy forces and surprised them at night. When morning arrived, the adversary was on the run and all were rescued, including Lot.

Most of us do not have relatives who can muster a private army. But Christians have something even better-we have the Lord. The psalmist says, "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them" (Psalm 34:7). And again God's Word reminds us, "For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways" (Psalm 91:11). Every believer dwells in the midst of God's protective care as represented by His angels.

When you find yourself beginning to be afraid, remind yourself that God's army is with you. God's angels stand guard over you. No enemy can ever truly harm you. The mighty army of the Lord has your safety as its responsibility. Don't be afraid. Remember Psalm 56:3: "Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You."

Our safety rests not in the ability of man but in the army of God.

Lessons on Living From Abraham
by Woodrow Kroll.
www.backtothebible.org
Copyright(c) 1997-2000, all rights reserved.

January 20, 2001

10 REASONS TO BELIEVE...in Christ Rather Than Religion
PART 1

God never asks us to be religious; He asks us to believe in His Son. So why have human beings turned God's simple offer into something convoluted - and despairingly difficult? Here, Radio Bible Class offers the Top 10 reasons why belief in Christ always prevails over religion.

1. Christ Is Someone to Know and Trust.

Christ is more than a system, tradition or belief. He is a Person who knows our needs, feels our pain and sympathizes with our weakness. In exchange for our trust, He offers to forgive our sins, intercede for us and bring us to His Father. He cried for us, died for us and rose from the dead to show that He was all He claimed to be. Conquering death, He showed us that He can save us from our sins, live His life through us on earth and bring us safely to heaven. He offers Himself as a gift to anyone who will trust Him (John 20:24-31).

2. Religion Is Something to Believe and Do.

Religion is believing in God, attending religious services, taking catechism, being baptized and receiving communion. Religion is tradition, ritual, ceremony, and learning the difference between right and wrong. Religion is reading and memorizing Scripture, offering prayers, giving to the poor and celebrating religious holy days. Religion is singing in the choir, helping the poor and making amends for past wrongs. Religion is something that was practiced by the Pharisees, those Scripture-loving, conservative, separatist, spiritual leaders who hated Christ enough to call for His death. They hated Him not only because He broke their traditions in order to help people (Matthew 15:1-9), but also because He saw through their religion to their hearts.

3. Religion Doesn't Change Hearts.

Jesus likened the religious Pharisees to a group of dishwashers who clean the outside of a cup while leaving the inside dirty. He said, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?" (Luke 11:39,40, NIV). Jesus knew that a person can change his image without changing his act (Matthew 23:1-3). He knew that religious credentials and ceremony cannot change the heart. He told one of the most religious men of His day that unless a person is "born again" by the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). Yet from that day until now, many of the most religious people in the world continue to forget that while religion can give attention to outward appearance, only Christ can change the heart.

4. Religion Makes Much of Little.

Jesus spoke to religionists who had a passion for detail when He said, "Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone" (Luke 11:42). Jesus saw our tendency to make rules and to focus on "morally correct" behavior instead of keeping our eyes on the bigger issue of why we are trying to be so right. While the Pharisees were big on knowledge carried out to its logical conclusions, they forgot that God doesn't care how much we know until He knows how much we care. It was this greater "why" that the apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal...If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:1,3, NIV).

5. Religion Offers the Approval of Men Rather Than God.

Jesus reserved His strongest criticism for religious people who used their spiritual reputation to get social attention and honors. To such religionists Jesus said, "Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces" (Luke 11:43). Then, speaking to His disciples, He said of the Pharisees, "Everything they do is done for men to see" (Matthew 23:5). Jesus saw clearly into the practice of religion, which holds the opinions and attention of man to be more important and desirable than the approval of God. TOMORROW: Reasons 6-10

Reprinted from 10 Reasons to Believe in the Bible
Used with permission of RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI.
www.rbc.net

January 21, 2001

10 REASONS TO BELIEVE...in Christ Rather Than Religion
PART 2

1. Christ Is Someone to Know and Trust.
2. Religion Is Something to Believe and Do.
3. Religion Doesn't Change Hearts.
4. Religion Makes Much of Little.
5. Religion Offers the Approval of Men Rather Than God.

6. Religion Makes Hypocrites of Us.

Jesus said, "Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it" (Luke 11:44). What looks better than being dressed right, attending religious services and doing things that mark us as decent, God-fearing people? Yet how many religious scholars, ministers and faithful followers withhold honor and encouragement from their wives, attention from their children and love from their doctrinal enemies? Jesus knew what we often forget: What looks good may have a heart of evil.

7. Religion Makes a Hard Life Harder.

Because religion cannot change a heart, it tries to control people with laws and expectations that are not even kept by the religionists who interpret and apply the rules. With this "burden factor" in mind, Jesus said, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them" (Luke 11:46). Religion is good at describing high standards of right behavior and relationships, but poor at giving real and merciful help to those who realize they have not lived up to those expectations.

8. Religion Makes It Easy to Deceive Ourselves.

It's been jokingly said, "I love humanity. It's people I can't stand." The Pharisees acted out a similar idea, but it wasn't funny. According to Jesus, the Pharisees prided themselves in honoring and building memorials to the prophets. The irony is that when they met a real prophet they wanted to kill Him. Barclay says, "The only prophets they admired were dead prophets; when they met a living one, they tried to kill Him. They honored the dead prophets with tombs and memorials, but they dishonored the living ones with persecution and death." This is the point Jesus made in Luke 11:47-51 and in a parallel passage in Matthew 23:29-32. The Pharisees had fooled themselves. They didn't think of themselves as prophet-killers. Religionists don't see themselves as the God-rejecting people they are.

9. Religion Hides the Key of Knowledge.

One of the greatest dangers of religion is that it causes us to be a danger not only to ourselves but also to others. To the religious biblical experts of His day Jesus said, "Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering" (Luke 11:52). Religionists take away "the key of knowledge" by distracting people from the Word of God and from a "right attention of heart" by the unnecessary additions of denominationally correct traditions and expectations. Rather than leading people to God, religionists shift the focus to themselves and their own rules. Religionists are those who trust the beliefs and actions of their religion to do what only Christ can do.

10. Religion Leads Its Converts Astray.

In Matthew 23:15 Jesus said, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are." Converts of religion are in double jeopardy. They bring a double enthusiasm to their new way of life, and with zeal they blindly defend their blind teachers. They put themselves in the trust of people who have exchanged a system of rules and traditions for the life, forgiveness and relationship of an infinite Savior. Religion is important in its place (James 1:26-27), but only when it points us to the Christ who died for our sins and who now offers to live His life through those who trust Him (Galatians 2:20; Titus 3:5).

You're not alone if you are unconvinced that Christ is all He claimed to be. But keep in mind that He promised God's help to those who have good reasons for their questions. He said, "If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own" (John 7:17). Here Jesus reminds us that we see things not only as they are, but as we are.

If you do see the reasonableness of faith in Christ, keep in mind that the Bible says to the family of God, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works [religious efforts and accomplishments], so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). The salvation Christ offers is not a reward for religious effort but a gift to all who put their trust in Him.

Reprinted from 10 Reasons to Believe in the Bible
Used with permission of RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI.
www.rbc.net

January 22, 2001

Making It God's Way

But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, "I have made Abram rich." - Genesis 14:22-23

People often want to get rich quickly. In 1989 John Bennett established the Foundation for New Era Philanthropy. Under the guise of a non-profit foundation, he offered donors the opportunity to double their money within six to nine months. In 1994 he allowed nonprofit organizations to participate. This too-good-to-be-true offer brought waves of money from various institutions as well as philanthropists to support what turned out to be a pyramid scheme. In September 1997, Bennett was sentenced to prison for defrauding charities and others of $354 million.

Abraham also had the opportunity to gain more wealth quickly. Bera, king of Sodom, offered Abraham all the "loot" of the city in exchange for the people. But Abraham considered the source and declined. The opportunity to become even more wealthy was not worth the price of being indebted to the king of Sodom. His city was so wicked that it would shortly be destroyed by brimstone and fire. Abraham preferred to let God provide for his needs; he didn't need Sodom's money.

The desire to get rich can bring many pains and heartaches. The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:10). The appetite for more and more can lead you into associations with people who can cause you irreparable spiritual harm.

If you find yourself in any relationship, business or personal, that is damaging your spiritual life, drop it immediately. It may mean taking a financial loss, but when you make your relationship with the Lord your most important priority, He will take care of all your other needs (Matthew 6:33).

God's wealth can't be found in Satan's treasury.

January 23, 2001

Fear Not

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." - Genesis 15:1

Fear is everywhere. Even people who appear brave, if they're honest, will admit to moments of immense fear.

During World War II, a military governor met with Gen. George Patton in Sicily. When he highly praised Patton for his courage and bravery, the general replied, "Sir, I am not a brave man-the truth is, I am a craven coward. I have never been within the sound of gunshot or in sight of battle in my whole life that I wasn't so scared that I had sweat in the palms of my hands." Patton's honesty is refreshing, but God offers the best solution for our fears.

Abraham was just as human as you and I. Even though he had 318 trained soldiers in his personal army and had just won a major victory over four mighty kings (Genesis 14:13-17), he still experienced times of apprehension and dread. That's why God said, "Do not be afraid." God then told Abraham why he need not be afraid: "I am your shield [to protect you from evil], your exceedingly great reward [to meet all your needs]."

Our fears fall into two broad categories. We fear that something will harm us or that we will suffer need in some way. God promises that He is sufficient for both of these concerns. The psalmist speaks of God's protection from evil when he says, "A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you" (Psalm 91:7). And in another psalm we are assured of God's provision: "The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing" (Psalm 34:10).

What troubles you today? Put aside your fears and trust God. The God of Abraham is sufficient both to protect you and to provide for all your needs.

Where God stands, fear falls.

January 24, 2001

I Wonder

But Abram said, "Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" Then Abram said, "Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!" And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, "This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir." Genesis - 15:2-4

Henry Drummond, a 19th-century Scottish evangelist, observed, "Christ never failed to distinguish between doubt and unbelief. Doubt is can't believe; unbelief is won't believe. Doubt is honesty; unbelief is obstinacy. Doubt is looking for light; unbelief is being content with darkness."

When God promised to bless him (Genesis 15:1), Abraham responded, "How are you going to do it?" This was not a lack of faith, because Abraham believed God was going to keep His promise; he simply didn't understand how God would do it. Since "blessings" were always believed to come through children (Psalm 127:3-5), and Abraham had none (nor from a human perspective did it look like he would have any), he inquired as to how God was going to do it. God honored that question and told him, "One who will come from your own body shall be your heir." Abraham was satisfied. The case was closed.

It's not wrong to ask questions about God's plan; it's only wrong to question the rightness of God's plan. There's a subtle but important difference here. It's only natural for people to want to know, "God, how do You plan to pull this off?" In essence Abraham said, "I'm to be the father of a great nation, and yet I have no children. I know You can do it, Lord. But I'd sure like to know how."

If you're wondering how God will work His will and His way in your life, it's perfectly legitimate to ask. But always ask in faith. Feel free to question how God is going to work out His plan, but never question His ability to work out that plan. The first is inquiring faith; the second is irreverent unbelief.

Doubt asks how; unbelief asks why.

January 25, 2001

We Win

Then He said to Abram: "Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions." - Genesis 15:13-14

Life can be tough; it can also be scary. Maybe you wonder where you'll ever find the courage to face a fearful future. That's the question someone asked Billy Graham; he responded, "I've read the last chapter of Revelation, and we win."

As God revealed to Abraham the fate of his descendants, it sounded less than exciting. For 400 years they would be the slaves of another nation. Have you ever wondered what kept them going when they were oppressed and mistreated by the Egyptians? Maybe it was God's promise, "I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions." In other words, in the end, "you win."

Yes, along the way there would be hardships and affliction, but when Israel got to the bottom line, those who afflicted them would be judged and they would be rewarded. This was not a "maybe," but something God promised that Abraham could "know certainly."

Your life, too, is bound to have its share of heartache and sadness. No one can pass through their years on earth without some mistreatment and unfairness. You may even echo the cry of the prophet Habakkuk: "O Lord, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? Even cry out to You, 'Violence!' And You will not save" (Habakkuk 1:2). In the midst of the pain, however, you must always cling to the unchangeable truth that in the end we win.

When you experience bone-crunching difficulties, meditate on verses such as 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 and Revelation 7:14-17 and 21:4. Take comfort in the truth that, despite what you may be going through right now, in the end, you win.

The present is bearable when we're confident that the future is glorious.

January 26, 2001

The Patience of God

Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. But in the fourth generation [your descendants] shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.
- Genesis 15:15-16

For the most part, people are very impatient. The moment the stoplight turns green, the driver behind us invariably honks his horn. You can just see the frustration and impatience in the faces of those caught in a long line at the grocery store checkout stand. Fortunately, God demonstrates a great deal more restraint than we do.

When God revealed to Abraham some things yet to come, He advised him that his descendants would not return to the land for four generations because "the iniquity of the Amorites" was not yet complete. Even though these people were pagans, God continued to demonstrate patience toward them. With Abraham dwelling in their midst (Genesis 13:7), there was always the possibility that individuals, if not the nation as a whole, might turn to the God of Abraham. While man might have brought swift judgment, God graciously gave these people over 400 more years to turn from their idolatry and embrace the living God.

The apostle Peter spoke of this same graciousness. He reminded his readers, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

Satan loves to convince us that God's patience with us has come to an end. He tries to persuade us that we have sinned just one time too often and God has washed His hands of us. But we must reject this lie. While we must not abuse God's patience, He still stands ready to forgive and receive us back when we repent. Be confident that you can never deplete the patience of God, if your heart is pure and your repentance sincere.

The perverseness of man cannot exhaust the patience of God.

January 27, 2001

10 REASONS TO BELIEVE...in Life After Death
PART 1

What happens when we die? Down through the millennia, the pious and the pagan have believed that death is but a doorway to a new journey. Here, Radio Bible Class offers the 10 most compelling reasons to believe in the hereafter.

1. The Injustices of Life.

It would be difficult to believe that life is good if we knew there was nothing beyond the grave to compensate for problems of inequality and unfairness. While some people seem destined for happiness, others are born into terrible relationships and circumstances. If we could be sure there was nothing to offset unequal distribution of suffering, many would have reason to curse the day of their birth for the way life has treated them (Job 3:1-3). We could agree with King Solomon who at a low point in his life said, "I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed-and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors-and they have no comforter. And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 4:1-3, NIV).

2. Beauty and Balance.

There is much about life that doesn't seem to correspond with personal problems of unfairness and hardship. But for all that is hurtful and unequal, there is beauty and balance. For moments of horror and violence, there are times of harmony and peace. As age-worn bodies succumb to pain and weakness, children and young animals play with carefree joy. Human art, in all of its glory, corresponds to birds in playful flight and morning song. Each sunset and dawn provides an answer to nature's need for rest and renewal. Dark nights and cold winters come with the awareness that "this too shall pass." If there is nothing beyond the grave, the pattern of nature is stunningly incomplete.

3. Near-Death Experiences.

The clinical evidence for life after death is subjective and arguable. It's often hard to assess the significance of "out of body experiences," encounters with bright lights, long tunnels or angelic guides. It's difficult to know how to respond to those who speak of temporary near-death visions into heaven or hell. What we do know is that there are enough of these kinds of experiences to create a sizable library on the subject. Taken as a whole, this body of evidence shows that as people approach death, many sense they are coming not to the end of existence but to the beginning of another journey.

4. A Place in the Heart.

The human heart hungers for more than this life offers. Each of us experiences what King Solomon called "eternity in [our] hearts" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). While it is difficult to know what Solomon meant, it is apparent that he was referring to an inescapable longing for something this world cannot satisfy. It was an emptiness of soul that Solomon could not escape. For a while, he tried to fill this inner void with work, alcohol and laughter. He tried to satisfy his longings with philosophy, music and sexual relationships. But his disillusionment grew. Only when he returned to his confidence in a final judgment and afterlife could he find something large enough to satisfy his longing for significance (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

5. Universal Beliefs.

While some believe it's impossible to know whether there is life after death, belief in immortality is a timeless phenomenon. From the pyramids of the Egyptians to the reincarnation of New Age thinking, people of all times and places in history have believed that the human soul survives death. If there is no consciousness or laughter or regret beyond the grave, then life has fooled almost everyone from the Pharaohs of Egypt to Jesus of Nazareth.

TOMORROW: Reasons 6-10

Reprinted from 10 Reasons to Believe in the Bible
Used with permission of RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI.
www.rbc.net

January 28, 2001

10 REASONS TO BELIEVE...in Life After Death
PART 2

1. The Injustices of Life.
2. Beauty and Balance.
3. Near-Death Experiences.
4. A Place in the Heart.
5. Universal Beliefs.

6. An Eternal God.

The Bible names God as the source of immortality. It describes His nature as eternal. The same Scriptures tell us that God created us in His likeness, and that His plan is to welcome His children eventually into His eternal home. The Scriptures also teach that God introduced death into human experience when our first ancestors trespassed into the darkness of forbidden territory (Genesis 3:1-19). The implication is that if God allowed the human race to live forever in a rebellious condition, we would have unending opportunity to develop into proud, self-centered creatures. Instead, God began to unfold a plan that would ultimately result in the eternal homecoming of all who chose to be at peace with Him (Psalm 90:1; John 14:1-3).

7. Old Testament Predictions.

Some have argued that immortality is a New Testament idea. But the Old Testament prophet Daniel spoke of a day when those who sleep in the dust of the earth will be resurrected, some to life and some to everlasting shame (Daniel 12:1-3). An author of the Psalms also spoke of the afterlife. In Psalm 73 a man named Asaph described how he almost lost his faith in God when he considered how evil people prospered and the godly suffered. But then he said he went into the sanctuary of God. From the perspective of worship, he suddenly saw evil men standing on the slippery ground of their mortality. With new insight he confessed, "You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:24-26).

8. Quotes of Christ.

Few would accuse Jesus of being an evil man or a false teacher. Even atheists and people belonging to non-Christian religions usually refer to Jesus with deference and respect. But Jesus wasn't vague or indefinite about the reality of a continuing personal existence after death. He said, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28). Jesus promised Paradise to the repentant thief who was dying at His side, but He also used the Valley of Hinnom -- a foul garbage dump outside of Jerusalem - as a symbol of what awaits those who insist on risking the judgment of God. According to Jesus, facing the reality of life after death is the most significant issue of life. He said, for example, that if an eye keeps you from God, you have reason to get rid of that eye. "It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell" (Mark 9:47).

9. The Resurrection of Christ.

There is no greater evidence for the existence of life after death than the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament predicted a Messiah who would overcome sin and death for His people (Isaiah 53; Daniel 9:26). The testimony of Jesus' followers is that He did just that. He voluntarily died at the hands of executioners, was buried in a borrowed tomb and then three days later left that tomb empty. Witnesses said that they had seen not only an empty tomb but a resurrected Christ who appeared to hundreds of people over a period of 40 days before ascending to heaven (Acts 1:1-11; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8).

10. Practical Effects.

Belief in life after death is a source of personal security, optimism and spiritual betterment (1 John 3:2). Nothing offers more courage than the confidence that there is a better life for those who use the present to prepare for eternity. Belief in the unlimited opportunities of eternity has enabled many to make the ultimate sacrifice of their own life in behalf of those they love. It was His belief in life after death that enabled Jesus to say, "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" (Matthew 16:26). It is the same truth that prompted Christian martyr Jim Elliot, who was killed in 1956 by the Auca Indians, to say, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose."

You're not alone if you find yourself honestly unconvinced about life after death. But keep in mind that Jesus promised to give divine help to those who want to know the truth so as to surrender to it. He said, "If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own" (John 7:17).

If you see the evidence for life after death, remember that the Bible says Christ died to pay the price for our sins, and that all who believe in Him will receive the gifts of forgiveness and everlasting life. The salvation Christ offers is not a reward for effort but a gift to all who in light of the evidence put their trust in Him.

Reprinted from 10 Reasons to Believe in the Bible
Used with permission of RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI.
www.rbc.net

January 29, 2001

Running Ahead of God

Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, "See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her." And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai. - Genesis 16:1-2

A friend went to visit the great preacher Phillips Brooks and found him pacing the floor like a caged lion. His friend asked, "What's the trouble, Dr. Brooks?" He replied, "The trouble is that I'm in a hurry but God isn't."

Abraham could have identified with those feelings. God had promised him a son, but, from a human perspective, time was running out. In fact, with Abraham nearly 86 and Sarah 76 years old, most people would have said that time had already run out. Obviously God needed help. In the Ancient Near East, it was acceptable for a barren woman to give her maid as a substitute to bear children for her, so Sarah suggested Abraham take Hagar and let her bear his child. In his hurry, Abraham ran ahead of God and the consequences are still felt in the Middle East today. The Arab nations (descended from Ishmael, the son of the maid servant) and Israel (descended from Abraham's legitimate heir, Isaac) continue to be bitter enemies.

God not only has a divine will, He also has an eternal timetable. Just as the apostle Paul reminded Christians that in "the fullness of time" God sent His Son (Galatians 4:4) and "in due time Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6), so God has a schedule for everything in our lives as well. We certainly don't want to lag behind God's agenda, but it's equally disastrous to run ahead of it.

As you seek God's will for your life, seek His timetable as well. Don't let your impatience carry you ahead of God. To do the right thing at the wrong time makes the right thing the wrong thing.

We need to keep in step with God's time as well as His will.

January 30, 2001

Who's in Charge?

Then Sarai said to Abram, "My wrong be upon you! I gave my maid into your embrace; and when she saw that she had conceived, I became despised in her eyes. The Lord judge between you and me." So Abram said to Sarai, "Indeed your maid is in your hand; do to her as you please." And when Sarai dealt harshly with her, she fled from her presence. - Genesis 16:5-6

A writer for the Chicago Tribune observed, "Americans crave leadership, but what is it?" According to an expert he quoted, a leader has "a moral compass, a set of core beliefs, a firmness that is not authoritarian, strong powers of persuasion in articulating a vision, and a self-effacing manner." Those qualities are not only scarce in the workplace, they're often lacking in the home as well.

In many respects, Abraham was a great leader, but apparently he wasn't strong enough to do what was right in his own household. At a time when Sarah needed a strong hand to guide her through a fit of jealousy, Abraham failed. He abdicated his role as the leader of his home and a grave injustice was committed as a result.

Our society needs strong leaders everywhere, but nowhere more than in the home. God established an order for the family that made it normative for the man to be the leader when present. The apostle Paul says, "For the husband is head of the wife . . . . Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything" (Ephesians 5:23-24; cf. 1 Corinthians 11:3).

God's design for the family is not popular in today's culture, but it's still God's design. Men, take seriously your role as the head of the home. Know the core values God wants for your family and see that they are established. Wives, let your husband be the leader. Support him in his leadership and respect his authority. When we do what is right in the home, the nation will follow.

Leadership in the home is an issue of obedience, not equality.

January 31, 2001

Complete in His Power

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless." - Genesis 17:1

A farmer and his son were working together in the field. The father told the boy to throw all the large stones he could find into a nearby ditch so they would not interfere with plowing. After working a long time, the son called out, "Dad, there's one rock here I can't move even though I've tried my hardest." "No, Son," replied the father, "you haven't tried your hardest until you've called for me to help you. I can give you the strength you need." The father came alongside the boy and added his strength. Together, they moved the stubborn rock with ease.

God also called upon Abraham to do something that was impossible for him, if tried under his own power. God commanded him to "walk before Me and be blameless." The word blameless (Hebrew 'tamym') carries the sense of being complete, whole or mature. It implies a level of integrity that is rarely found among men. Such blamelessness would have been impossible for Abraham, except for one condition: the One who called him to such a level of maturity was the Almighty God.

Many people have tried to live the Christian life in their own power, and they all have failed. Some have come to believe that it's impossible to achieve such maturity in a sinful world. And, apart from the Almighty God, it is. But God said, "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?" (Jeremiah 32:27). The apostle Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

Cast yourself upon the mighty power of God. Only He is able to present you faultless before the throne. In His power your life can be complete and your walk can be blameless.

With God's power behind us, nothing can stand before us.

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