THE CROSS EXAM DEVOTIONAL ARCHIVES

October 2001

October 1, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Love... makes the whole difference between an execution and a martyrdom. - Evelyn Underhill

Faith Succeeds in the 'Impossible'

The righteous will live by faith. - Romans 1:17

These six words hold the key to victory for each of us. Even weak faith, Jesus said, has power to overcome mountainous problems. Think of what much faith can accomplish!

What is the secret of faith's power? Faith claims God's promises. Saint Paul, a man of strong faith, said: "The Lord shall deliver me from evil work." We, too, should say that. By faith we are sure that nothing can touch us before it passes Him. He is "our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." No believer can go down to defeat because God, in whom he trusts, cannot go down to defeat. Even if a believer dies, he will continue to live in the Father's family.

One valiant believer, who was diagnosed as terminally ill, expressed her faith this way: "I cannot lose. God will heal me now, if that is His will, or He will heal me later, or He will heal me in heaven. I cannot lose; I am living on the doorstep of eternal health."

No pillow is so soft as a promise of God. They slumber sweetly and securely whom faith rocks to sleep--faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom we find peace and rest.

Taken from "Words of Promise"
Copyright 1996 Concordia Publishing House.

October 2, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: The Gospels cannot explain the Resurrection; it is the Resurrection which alone explains the Gospels. - John S. Whale

Making Right Choices - The Joy of a Disciplined Life

Aesop, the famous Greek storyteller, once told a story about the bat. Aesop said that a long time ago, when the world was young, the birds and the beasts were engaged in a bitter war. The bat, not wanting to be on the losing side, whichever side that might be, tried to be on both sides. Whenever the birds won a battle, he would fly with them, telling them that he was a bird. And when the beasts won, he would walk around with them, assuring everyone that he was a beast.

But it didn't take long for the bat's hypocrisy--says Aesop at least--to be discovered. The bat was soon rejected by both the birds and the beasts, and from that day on, the bat had to go into hiding. To this day he lives in a dark cave, only daring to come out at night.

Now that's one of Aesop's Fables. But reflect for a moment on its "message" and how it can help us think about making right decisions in our lives. Here's an example from God's Word about a choice made by one unlikely disciple. In Luke 5:27-28 we read, "After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, 'Follow Me.' And he left all, rose up and followed Him" (NKJV).

That's a brief passage, but it's enough for us to get some understanding of the choice that Levi, also called Matthew, had to make. Here was the scene: Jesus came along, saw Levi sitting at the place where taxes were collected, and said to him, "Follow Me." Levi said yes!

What's the message here for you and me? Simply this. A single decision is enough to determine our destiny. Perhaps you've been wrestling with spiritual issues for some time, but now you realize you've not been disciplining your choices. Suddenly, you discover that one of the great joys of life is the discipline of choosing what God has already chosen for you. Disciplined choices are the only kinds of choices true disciples of Jesus can make---decisions that will, in all probability, mean changes. Changes in vocation and lifestyle perhaps, but certainly changes in attitude.

If we are to know the true joy of the Christian life, our primary discipline will be to follow Christ--and then to keep on following Him, regardless of the cost. For being a disciplined follower of the Lord Jesus cannot be a short-term engagement. It must be a choice we make for the rest of our lives. As we commit ourselves to these right choices, we will always be ready with the right answer when Jesus turns to us and says, "Follow Me." That, my friend, is when life really begins.

It is my prayer that you are a disciplined follower of the Master and that you are enjoying the excitement of the journey.

By Woodroll Kroll
From the Back To The Bible Bulletin
www.backtothebible.org
Copyright 2001, Good News Broadcasting Assoc.

October 3, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Salt, when dissolved in water, may disappear, but it does not cease to exist. We can be sure of its presence by tasting the water. Likewise, the indwelling Christ, though unseen, will be made evident to others from the love which he imparts to us - Sadhu Sundar Singh

A Word With You
By Ron Hutchcraft
"Sending Ammo To The Enemy"
1 Peter 5:5-9

Listen with RealAudio!

My first time in Hawaii I was there for just one day, in between travel legs. And since I only had a short time, there was one place I definitely wanted to make it a point to see - that was Pearl Harbor. I've got to tell you, that is an emotional place to visit, especially the Battleship Arizona memorial where hundreds of American sailors are still entombed at the bottom of the harbor. One of the many intriguing facts about that Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was a transaction that took place well before that "day of infamy" - one that no one could have ever imagined would contribute to the awful losses of December 7, 1941. The United States made a deal to ship millions of tons of scrap metal to Japan - metal which was reportedly used to build some of the very airplanes that bombed Pearl Harbor!

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about "Sending Ammo To The Enemy."

It's not a good idea to give your enemy things that he can eventually use to sink you. It's a mistake we make all the time - with the enemy of our soul, the devil. Our word for today from the Word of God reveals three ways we can actually hand our enemy the raw material with which he can later bomb us.

1 Peter 5:8 is that important warning to "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him." Around that warning, Peter talks about three aspects of our life that potentially give our enemy the weapons with which to ruin us.

In verses 5 and 6, Peter says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand that He may lift you up in due time." OK, pride - that's the first kind of ammunition you can send to your enemy. When you are starting to be all about you, when you're allowing your ego to get bigger and bigger, you are handing Satan the gun to shoot you with. Proud people eventually end up making arrogant mistakes, hurting people they care about, and poisoning their relationship with God.

If you are more and more getting life revolving around you, if you're becoming more and more self-seeking, self-promoting, self-centered, the devil has you exactly where he wants you. It's exactly where he was just before he was expelled from heaven. Now, before the fall, "humble yourself under God's mighty hand." It never has been all about you. It's all about Him!

The second way you can help Satan sink you is to disobey I Peter 5:7 - "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." Anxiety, or worry - that allows Satan to come between you and your Lord. He can use your anxiety to get you to panic, to live in fear instead of faith. Your defense? Release what you're worrying about to the One who's taught us that "the battle is the Lord's."

And then I Peter 5:9 tells us to "stand firm in the faith" when you're going through a time of suffering. If you let your pain turn you away from God rather than to God, Satan can exploit your wilderness to bring you down. Notice - all three of these satanic windows - pride, anxiety, and suffering - have one strategy in common - to get you focusing on something other than Jesus ... focus on yourself, focus on your worries, focus on your pain. He can beat you - he cannot beat Jesus.

So which one is the devil's best weapon to sink you with right now - pride ... anxiety ... suffering? Well, just surrender it to Jesus - and refuse to send ammunition to your enemy!

Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.
www.gospelcom.net.rhm/
[email protected]
Copyright (c) 2001, Ron Hutchcraft.

October 4, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: How often we look upon God as our last and feeblest resource! We go to Him because we have nowhere else to go. And then we learn that the storms of life have driven us, not upon the rocks, but into the desired haven. - George MacDonald

Honest Prayers

Have you ever talked back to God? Felt confident enough to demand a response? "I would never do that," you might protest. "It would be irreverent and [insert your favorite righteous-sounding sin here]."

As you read through the Psalms, however, you will notice that the psalmists felt brave about asking God some direct questions. In Psalm 89, a guy named Ethan is pleading for God to restore Israel to its glory days, as it was under David.

How does God respond? Does He turn Ethan into a pile of charred psalmist-burger? Far from it. God even permitted Ethan's prayer to be preserved throughout history as part of His Word. He wants you and me to learn from Ethan's example.

This confidence should teach us two things. First, we can be honest before God. When we hurt deeply, we don't need to clothe our prayers with qualifiers like "though I know this is Your will" for Him to listen. We can say, "How long, O Lord, until You rescue me?" He knows how we feel.

Second, the psalmists' confidence grew out of an awareness of their relationship with God. They knew God had a covenant with Israel: "I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people" (Leviticus 26:12). Because God is the righteous judge who hears all appeals, they could confidently ask, "Why?" They knew that ultimately God's answer would satisfy.

No arrogance. No spoiled whining. No irreverence. Just suffering children pleading their case before their loving God.

What kind of relationship do you have with God? Do you tell Him what is on your heart? Do you feel confident putting your requests before Him, leaving the answers in His hands?

Our lack of confidence can cause us to close doors before God gives us His input. And even that-taking decisions out of His hands-can be a form of irreverence.

Talk to God openly. Sure, He can read your mind. But tell Him how much you trust Him by telling Him what is on your heart. That is an even deeper expression of faith. - JC

www.gospelcom.net/rbc

October 5, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: If Christians are ever to be united, they must be united in Christ, their living head and the source of their spiritual life. - Philip Schaff

A Word With You
By Ron Hutchcraft
"The Bid For You"
1 John 4:9-10

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I'd never been to a quilt auction before. And I probably never would have except for the fact that I had been invited to speak at an outreach at a Mennonite Relief Sale, where thousands come to bid on items made by Mennonite and Amish craftspeople. All the funds go toward worldwide relief efforts. It was amazing to hear the spiraling bids shouted out for some exquisitely designed quilts. While I was there, one went for $2,000. Last year, one quilt went for $4,000. They even sold two handmade dolls for almost $1,000! I was there long enough to see what gave great value to an auction item. Those dolls, for example, were made by a Ugandan refugee. The quilt that went for $4,000 was made laboriously by a severely handicapped woman - and it was the last one she made before she died. When we were told who made it ... when we were told the effort they went to make it - well, it was suddenly worth a whole lot more.

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about "The Bid For You."

Something takes on great value when it's a handmade original. That's why you're worth so much. Something takes on great value when the creator sacrificed a lot for it. That's why you're worth so much.

It may be that you don't feel like you're worth much - not after the things you've been called, the way you've been treated, the abuse, the abandonment, the rejection you've experienced. But none of that has anything to do with how much you're worth. Your value is based on Who made you - and how much your Creator sacrificed for you. No one on earth gave you your worth - and no one on earth can take it away!

The Bible clearly says that you are "God's workmanship" (Ephesians 2:10) - His handmade, masterpiece creation. You are a divine original! Let's settle once and for all how much you're worth to the One who made you. 1 John 4:9-10, our word for today from the Word of God says, "This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

God thought you were worth the life of His one and only Son! At the auction I attended, people expressed how much they valued what was available by how much they were willing to spend on it. There is no question Who has made the highest bid for you - by far. At the cross, Jesus offered His life as the price to bring you back to God.

Which may be why you've questioned your value, why you've felt like you're not worth much - you're away from the One who made you, away from the God who gave you your worth! You've run the life He was supposed to run, and your sin has put a wall between you and Him. But it doesn't have to stay that way - not after the bid Jesus made for you at the cross. Your sin-penalty has been paid - that wall can come down ... today!

If you've never begun your personal relationship with the One who loves you most, this could be the day you finally experience the love you've been looking for your whole life. Would you tell Jesus you're ready to turn from running your own life ... that you're committing yourself completely to Him?

You are handmade by God Himself. You're paid for with the life of God's one and only Son. You are so precious to Him. Now, isn't it time that you belong to Him?

Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.
www.hutchcraft.com
www.gospelcom.net.rhm/
Copyright (c) 2001, Ron Hutchcraft.

October 6, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you yourself shall be the miracle. - Phillips Brooks

Encouraging Word For The Week from Brother Steve

A few days ago, Michael Jordan announced that he would be leaving retirement to return to the basketball court with the Washington Wizards. After being away from the game for three years, the urge was too great to refuse.

Why return after such a great career? Listen to Michael's own words. "When I retired last time, I didn't say I was ready to quit the game. It's an itch that still needs to be scratched here , and I don't want that itch to bother me for the rest of my life. What I'm trying to do is get that last scratch in."

You might think it is about money, but he has already agreed to give his first year of salary to the relief effort for the September 11th tragedy. It could be about fame, but this is unlikely considering his notoriety in and out of the game. His statistics, championships, and awards will likely stand the test of time. Thus, there is nothing to prove regarding his ability.

At a base level, I believe that M.J. knows that the clock is ticking and that this is his last chance to play the game he loves. It is about something that is a part of him, rather than being about all the perks that the game affords.

Once a month, I have the privilege of preaching at an assisted living facility. It is basically a step up from a nursing home. Most of the people that come to the services have sound minds, although their bodies are in decline. This is evidenced by the volume of wheel chairs and walkers.

As they sing with me and then listen to the message, I see in their eyes a desire for God. I can feel their desire to be more, do more, and serve more, although their health will not allow them to do much.

There is even a retired pastor in the bunch that comes to all the services. He is a stroke victim and his speech is so impaired that I can't understand him. In spite of this, his face glows. When we sing, his heart belts out hymns that he memorized years before. When I preach, his nods and smiles affirm God's truth.

In the year and a half that I have been visiting with this group, I have basically shared the same message over and over again -- GIVE GOD WHAT YOU HAVE AND LET HIM USE YOU WHERE YOU ARE. I have even told the retired pastor that although he can no longer preach with his lips, it is evident that he proclaims Christ with his spirit and glowing countenance.

Michael Jordan and senior citizens in declining health--how do they fit together? They are both pursuing that which is deep within their hearts. They are motivated by a passion to relive that which is precious to them.

I share this to encourage you to take whatever steps are necessary to stoke the fire of your relationship with God. Give him what you have and offer him who you are. He doesn't need your greatness, just you willingness. He doesn't need your splendor, but your surrender.

No one expects Michael to be what he use to be, including himself. His satisfaction will come not from duplicating his past performances, but through reliving his passion.

The dozen or so residents that I preach to on the last Sunday of every month will likely never teach another Sunday School lesson, perform a solo, or serve in an outward leadership position again. This has nothing to do with their passion for God. Actions are contingent upon health. Passion is dependent upon heart.

This leads me to a question. HOW IS YOUR PASSION FOR GOD?

If you don't know how to answer that question, then set yourself up next to the example of Paul. Listen to his passion in Philippians 3:7-11: "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."

Michael Jordan is satisfying his "itch" by playing again. What steps are you willing to take to satisfy yours? Just like Michael you may be second guessed, criticized, and your motives questioned, but a holy passion for God will overcome the reviews of the spectators. Why? God is the only audience you need to concern yourself with.

As we go, listen to the end of Paul's statement -- "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

Pressing on with a passion for God,

Bro. Steve
First Baptist Church, Doyline, LA

October 7, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: You are a man, not God; you are human, not an angel. How can you expect to remain always in a constant state of virtue, when this was not possible even for an angel of heaven, nor for the first man in the Garden? -Thomas � Kempis

A Word With You
By Ron Hutchcraft
"Checking Your Cargo"
Matthew 12:34-35

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It was the end of World War II. The city of Berlin was being divided, with West Berlin, of course, given to the Allies, and East Berlin given to the Russians. The East Berliners decided they wanted to send a message of some kind by driving this big truck full of garbage on to the west side of the line and dumping it all over the place. Well, the West Berliners weren't going to let that insult go. They were planning to truck that garbage right back and dump it where it had come from. Until someone offered a better idea. The West Berliners instead filled the dump truck, but not with garbage. They filled it with canned goods and non-perishable food items. And they delivered it to the east side, all stacked neatly, and with a sign beside it. The sign simply said, "EACH GIVES WHAT HE HAS TO GIVE."

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about "Checking Your Cargo."

Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Matthew 12:34-35. Here's what Jesus says. "Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him." Jesus suggests sort of a spiritual EKG here, to show what's going on in your heart. Just listen to how you talk, what you talk about. Your words continually betray what your heart is really full of. We unload verbally whatever cargo we have to give.

It might be revealing to hear taped excerpts of your conversations the last few days. Would we hear a lot of complaining? Or picking people apart? Is that what's in there? Some of us put out a lot of dark talk - negative things, depressing things, discouraging things. And then there's dirty talk - the little innuendoes, the quickness to pick up a double meaning, bedroom humor, bathroom humor. Delivering garbage to the people around us.

Or maybe the tape would reveal a lot talk about money or stress or anger or bitterness or just a lot of talk about yourself. We're all dumping one of two things on people - either garbage or goodies.

One good question to check ourselves with is this: How do people feel after they're been around me? Do they feel lighter or heavier? Do they feel bigger or smaller? Do they feel uplifted or dragged down? Now, according to Jesus, your talk is all about whatever you've been storing up in your heart - what you read, what to watch, what you listen to, what you laugh at, what you talk about on the phone, who you hang out with. And our conversation really matters to Jesus. He says, in fact, in Matthew 12:37, "By your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned." Man, your words will be the basis for your judgment!

Maybe it's time to evaluate your mental and emotional diet. If your talk is too much trash, commit yourself to positive music, books, friends, media. And above all, be sure you have a non-negotiable time in the presence of Jesus Christ before you drive your truck out of your garage. Leave the garbage with Him each new day. And let Jesus Christ fill you up with cargo that will be a blessing for people today.

The people around you get enough garbage dumped on them. Why don't you leave them with a stack of goodies instead after they've been around you? After all, each one gives what he has to give.

Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.
www.hutchcraft.com
www.gospelcom.net.rhm/
Copyright (c) 2001, Ron Hutchcraft.

October 8, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Theologians have felt no hesitation in founding a system of speculative thought on the teachings of Jesus; and yet Jesus was never an inhabitant of the realm of speculative thought. - Walter Rauschenbusch

Today's devotion is a little different than what we usually send out. I received this from a new friend in Christ, and I want to share this with you.

Love,
Jonathan

By your grace, Jesus, I STILL PROMISE! :) xxoxoxoxo

My Dear friend Jesus, the love of my life -- and my King! ......... I PROMISE! I promise never to... Let You down. And if I do, I WILL make it right. I promise never to become defensive, no matter what means You use to help me See you and be more like you. I promise never to give up on our love and my devotion to you, no matter what I'm feeling or experiencing in this present age. I promise never to make plans without checking with you. I promise never to leave a ring in the bathtub, or other's sidewalks un-shoveled in the winter. I promise never to be consumed with trivial work or news or sports related things, and be distant from You. I promise never to give away affections or admiration to those that don't have You living inside of them in a clear and powerful way. I promise never to think longingly of past sin, or even consider future sin and separation from you, even for a second. I promise to never lose my sense of humor, and un-religious relationship with You, and those hidden in You. I promise never to take all of the things You do for me for granted. I promise never to resent what I think You SHOULD do for me now, or in the future, but only to be grateful for what You've already done for me. I never deserved even that, but You loved me, and gave. I promise never to be disagreeable with those that You bought with Your blood. You've said that this would be the same as being disagreeable with You... and that would be ridiculous. :) I promise that our relationship will never be in jeopardy. I promise I'll never try to keep secrets from You, as if that were actually possible anyway! I promise never to doubt Your word. I promise to talk to you before anything else happens, every day. You're first. Always. I promise to never spend money without consulting You first. I promise never to hold back a single penny, or a home, or a car, or a hobby. It's all Yours. I promise! I promise never to take advantage of Your love or forgiveness, or good nature. I promise to always stand up for You and those You love... in a crowd, or in private, when You are drug down by others. I promise never to approach You with ulterior motives. All is for You. I won't use You to get what I want from myself. I won't trade You. I'm Yours. I won't keep you waiting. 'On earth as it is in Heaven.' Michael and Gabriel and the others DON'T keep You waiting! I promise to never second-guess You. I promise to never be jealous of Your gifts or relationship with others. I promise to never give You reasons to wonder about me. I PROMISE, JESUS!! I love You!!

Mike Peters
[email protected]

October 9, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: What are our lame praises in comparison with His love? Nothing, and less than nothing; but love will stammer rather than be dumb. - Robert Leighton

"One Day at a Time"

Each day has enough trouble of its own. - Matthew 6:34

"Do not worry about tomorrow," says Jesus, "for tomorrow will worry about itself." Before we can live tomorrow, we must finish today. We need today because it prepares us for tomorrow. Limited as we are, we can handle only one day at a time because each day has its own assignment. If we borrow tomorrow's assignment, we will not have enough time to complete today's business.

"One day at a time" is all we can handle. When Jesus says, "Do not worry about tomorrow," He does not mean that we should not think about the future or that we should be careless in our approach to it. He simply tells us to concentrate on today and to leave tomorrow in His hands until He is ready to turn it over to us.

In following this procedure, God assures us that before He hands tomorrow over to us, He will wipe clean the slate of today's sins. We do not have to carry today's sins over into tomorrow. God loves us. His Son died for us. He would never handicap us with unforgiven sins.

"Each day has enough trouble of its own." We take care of today; God takes care of tomorrow.

Taken from "Words of Promise"
Copyright 1996; Concordia Publishing House

October 10, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Faith is an act of rational choice which determines us to act as if certain things were true and in the confident expectation that they will prove to be true. - William R. Inge

A Word With You
By Ron Hutchcraft
"When You're Tired Of Climbing"
Philippians 1:6

Listen with RealAudio!

I was speaking at a Christian conference center in the Midwest - actually, speaking at least three times a day there! Don't feel bad for me - feel bad for the people who had to listen to me all those times! Well, after about three days, I decided to grab some break time to do something I had wanted to do since I arrived - I wanted to climb this monster sand dune that's not far from the conference center. It was just sitting there all week saying, "Climb me, Ron!" So I grabbed a couple of friends and we started trudging up this huge mountain of sand. At first, we were charging up, all full of energy. But if you've ever climbed a sand dune, you know it gets pretty exhausting pretty fast. After a while, you could hear the huffing and the puffing and you could feel the steps slowing down. My climbing partners were starting to lose their enthusiasm for the rest of the climb - especially when they looked up and saw how far we still had to go. So I encouraged them to stop for a minute and rest - and to look down. We needed to look at how far we had come - not just how far we still had to go.

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about "When You're Tired Of Climbing."

It could be that you're climbing a pretty steep slope right now. It's been a long climb - and as you look ahead, you've still got a long way to go ... maybe spiritually, maybe emotionally, maybe in getting through a time of great pain or need ... maybe in working through some family problems. And right now you're battling some discouragement ... some feelings of giving up ... some deep weariness. You're discouraged by how much is left to do ... the amount of ground you still have to cover. And maybe it's bringing you to standstill.

I want to encourage you to hang onto our word for today from the Word of God like a drowning person would hang onto a life preserver. It's Philippians 1:6 -"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." You see, what Jesus starts, Jesus finishes. He's started something in your life, and He's not about to stop before He finishes it.

You can draw from that promise the courage to take that next step, and to keep going when you feel like quitting. We finished our climb that day of the great dune conquest, and the view from the top was inspiring - not to mention the exhilaration and the satisfaction of knowing we had reached our goal, no matter how hard it was.

What helped us finish may help you finish, too. If you focus on how far you've got to go, you'll be discouraged. But you need to look back at where you were before you started climbing - way down at the bottom of that mountain, looking at climbing the whole thing. Look at how far you've come! Look at how far Jesus has brought you! The same Lord who brought you from the bottom to this point will take you the rest of the way!

Something else helped us that day we climbed the big dune. We didn't keep looking at how far we had to go - we concentrated on taking that next step. God has promised strength for our days, mercies that are new every morning, a cross you pick up one day at a time. So all you need to do is that next step - don't get all weighed down thinking about all the steps ahead, just the next one. The Bible says, "The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in his way." (Psalm 37:23)

Yes, it has been a long climb, and yes, you have a ways to go yet. But look at the work Jesus has already done - look at how far He's brought you. Just keep taking that next step. Your Lord has promised to take you all the way to the top!

Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.
www.gospelcom.net.rhm/
Copyright (c) 2001, Ron Hutchcraft.

October 11, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God." - Jim Elliot

Surprise Attacks

The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him. - Psalm 37:32

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the FBI maintained an underground war against spy rings in this country and abroad. Most experts believe that these operations were what kept our nation from other disasters.

It's the same with spiritual conflicts. We must know and understand our adversary, or we will be subject to surprise attacks and unannounced aggression. In Scripture Satan is given many names which describe his character and purpose. He's called the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10), a liar (John 8:44), and the deceiver (Revelation 12:9). We might think he would look ugly, but he comes to us as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). From generation to generation he continues his attack. He is the arch traitor against God.

Studying God's Word gives us an awareness of the unseen warfare that takes place every day in the environment of the believer. When we know our enemy and the tactics he uses to destroy us, we will no longer be taken by surprise when he launches his attacks.

Onward Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus,
Going on before.

By David Jeremiah
Turning Point Ministries
www.turningpointonline.org
Copyright 2001; Turning Point for God

October 12, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: If we would only give, just once, the same amount of reflection to what we want to get out of life, that we give to the question of what to do with two weeks' vacation, we would be startled at our false standards and the aimless procession of our busy days. - Dorothy Canfield Fisher

Armed and Ready

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. - Ephesians 6:18

No matter how strong you think you are, if you try to fight your spiritual battles in your own strength you will be defeated. As you study the Old Testament you will see that when Israel fought in her own strength, she was defeated. But when she cast herself upon the Lord and trusted in His might, victory always followed.

How do we keep from fighting our spiritual battles on our own? Every warrior must keep in constant contact with his Commander through prayer.

Satan will use every strategy imaginable to keep you from praying. He will cause fatigue, doubt, discouragement, and depression to seep into your life in order to keep you from your true source of power. That is why you need to be praying regularly, not just when the crisis hits. The enemy wants to keep you out of touch with God and occupied with other matters. But you must be constantly in prayer because, as a soldier, you are constantly in danger.

Prayer is the energy that makes it possible for the Christian warrior to wear the armor and wield the sword.

Recommended reading - Matthew 4:1-10

By David Jeremiah
Turning Point Ministries
www.turningpointonline.org
Copyright 2001; Turning Point for God

October 15, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: The trouble with nearly everybody who prays is that he says "Amen" and runs away before God has a chance to reply. Listening to God is far more important than giving Him your ideas.
- Frank Laubach (1884-1970)

We Win!

It shall come to pass in that day that the Lord will punish on high the host of exalted ones, and on the earth the kings of the earth. - Isaiah 24:21

The Lord once asked Satan, "From where do you come?" Satan replied, "From going to and fro on the earth" (Job 2:2). Roaming the earth, looking for ways to turn people from God--this is the true picture of Satan. From our last few days of study we have determined that he is real and he is the enemy.

But, we have One who is greater. The ultimate and final power over Satan is the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Now, we might ask, "If it's true that Satan was judged at the cross (John 16:11; Hebrews 2:14), why does he seem to be winning?" Here's the truth: though he has the power to accuse us, Satan cannot stand against our Advocate, Jesus Christ. When Jesus died on the cross, Satan's fate was sealed. We must wait for a little time to pass, but Satan's ultimate doom is a done deal (Luke 10:18).

Dear Christian, take heart. Live your life as the victor you are! No matter how much Satan has destroyed on this earth, his destruction is imminent. So hold your head up. The battle belongs to the Lord!

You don't have to fear when you fight against someone you know is going to lose in the end!

Recommended reading: Revelation 11:15-18

By David Jeremiah
Turning Point Ministries
www.turningpointonline.org
Copyright 2001; Turning Point for God

October 16, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: The noble love of Jesus impels a man to do great things, and stirs him up to be always longing for what is more perfect. - Thomas � Kempis

It is only when I share life's experiences with others that I can enjoy them or endure them to the greatest advantage. This is what the early Christians did. They learned quickly that survival would go hand-in-hand with "fellowship".

You see, having a relationship calls for being in fellowship with others, and that cannot be done very easily at arm's length. It implies getting in touch, feeling the hurts, being an instrument of encouragement and healing. Fences must come down. Masks need to come off. Welcome signs need to be hung outside the door. Keys to the locks in our lives must be duplicated and distributed. Bridges need to be lowered that allow others to cross the moat and then share our joys and our sorrows.

Charles R. Swindoll - Wisdom for the Way
www.insight.org

October 17, 2001
QUOTE OF THE DAY: Over the millenia, the great divide in Christianity has never really been between Denominations, Catholics and Protestants, or Charismatics or Non-Charismatics, but always between Spirit and flesh. - Wolfgang Simson
The Cure for Worry

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You." - Isaiah 26:3

Our age is an age of anxiety. Many are engulfed in worry, depression, and despair. This brings on a lot of problems, both physical and spiritual. According to Dr. Charles Mayo, "Worry affects the circulation, the heart, the glands, the whole nervous system, and profoundly affects health." We can actually worry ourselves sick.

From a spiritual viewpoint, worry results from insufficient trust in our heavenly Father, who promises to care for us and provide for all our needs.

Now, we must distinguish between useless worry and loving concern. Sometimes what we call worry is really a healthy concern for someone. That type of concern can lead to prayer and deeds of kindness toward others.

May each of us resolve, "I will not spend a single minute in the fruitless fretting of worry. I will accept God's cure for anxious care." God's cure is this: "Rejoice in the Lord always...Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4, 6-7).

Taken from "Words of Promise"
Copyright 1996; Concordia Publishing House.

October 18, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Learning, understanding, or practicing spiritual disciplines will not immunize you against any of the lessons you must "grow through" in your life. - Iyanla Vanzant

A Word With You
By Ron Hutchcraft
Fruit With Seeds
Genesis 1:29

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OK, let's put away all the junk food snacks for a minute - and let's reach for a healthy snack today. Yes, it's time for some fresh fruit. Oh, I don't care, it could be an apple, an orange, a pear - but the next time you eat one, would you look for the example on the inside? I wouldn't recommend you eat the entire apple - you'll probably want to stop when you get to the core. But notice what's there in the middle of that apple - yes, the seeds that can make another apple!

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about "Fruit With Seeds."

That little encounter with the inside of a piece of fruit can actually take us all the way back to the first fruit that God ever made - and to a powerful example of some of what gives our lives real meaning.

It's in Genesis 1:29, our word for today from the Word of God, and the Lord told Adam and Eve this, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it." Now, as I was reading that the other day, it really struck me that God has created things with the seeds of reproducing themselves built in. When God created man and woman, He told them to "be fruitful and increase in number." (Genesis 1:28)

But that principle of fruit carrying the seeds of the next generation goes beyond just physical reproducing. Jesus said to His followers, "I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last." And certainly that fruit includes people who will come to Jesus because of you. They are fruit that your life is supposed to be producing. How you doin'?

The great creative plan of God is that when He creates a life, He creates it with the potential of reproducing life like itself. "Fruit with seed in it." The moment you gave your heart to Jesus Christ, God made you fruit with seeds - with the capability and the purpose of making some more like you! Apples generate apples ... oranges generate oranges ... and followers of Jesus generate other followers of Jesus - or at least they're supposed to.

But research shows that only an estimated 10% of believers ever tell someone about their relationship with Jesus Christ. Which means 9 out of 10 believers is missing their destiny - they have the seeds of life to plant in another heart, but they're doing nothing with those seeds. And people around us go on dying without Christ, and without any hope of heaven.

Isn't it time you starting bearing some fruit - like people who will be in heaven because you helped them know how? And God's plan is that we reproduce our own kind. That Moms introduce other Moms to Jesus ... that students introduce other students to Jesus ... that golfers point golfers to Christ ... businesspeople reach other businesspeople ... wounded people lead other wounded people to the Savior. God has made you who you are, He's placed you where you are so you can take people like you to heaven with you! How are you doing with your divine assignment?

We're not talking here about you adding some new activities to your already over-stuffed life. We're talking about using things you already do to bring other people who do them to Jesus. You already live where you live ... you go to school where you go to school ... you work where you work ... you play where you play. Just go there with the conscious mission of taking some of those people to heaven with you!

There are seeds of spiritual life that God planted in you the day you met Jesus. And He's counting on you planting those seeds in the people like you. Their eternity depends on it.

Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.
www.gospelcom.net/rhm
Copyright (c) 2001, Ron Hutchcraft.

October 19, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: It is not the multitude of hard duties, it is not constraint and contention that advance us in our Christian course. On the contrary, it is the yielding of our wills without restriction and without choice to tread cheerfully every day in the path in which Providence leads us. It is to seek nothing, to be discouraged by nothing, to see our duty in the present moment, and to trust all else without reserve to the will and power of God. - Fenelon

Standing in the Gap

I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before Me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. - Ezekiel 22:30

The people of Israel fell into sin when they worshiped the golden calf. It would not be the last time God's people would fall into idol worship. They had forgotten the great things God had done for them. This angered God so much that He was going to destroy the whole nation. Only one thing changed God's mind in the matter-Moses. Psalm 106:23 says, "...had not Moses, His chosen one, stood in the breach before Him to keep His wrath from destroying them." Moses was a man willing to stand in the gap, sacrificially, for those who were not deserving of such sacrifice. This sacrificial love by Moses is called for among His people today.

The prophet Ezekiel described another situation in which God's people fell into sin. God was ready to destroy the nation when He spoke to Ezekiel, asking him if there is a man willing to stand in the gap so that God would not have to destroy His people.

Judah was a man who stood in the gap on behalf of his younger brother Benjamin. Joseph held his brother Simeon hostage as insurance that the other brothers would bring Benjamin to Egypt. Judah had a long history of a me-focused life, but in this instance he came forward to stand in the gap for his younger brother. He responded to the anguish of his father, Jacob, by personally guaranteeing the safe return of both Simeon and Benjamin. Judah's sacrifice was rewarded (see Genesis 42-43).

Just as Christ did, we are to be those who will stand in the gap on behalf of others who are not aware of their own vulnerable condition. It is a proactive sacrificial position. Who is God calling you to stand in the gap for? Perhaps it is a mate; perhaps it is a business associate who has not come to know the Savior; perhaps it is a wayward child. Are you willing to become the sacrificial offering to God to change His plans of judgment because of your willingness to stand in their place? This is a hard teaching. This is what Jesus did for each of us. When we stand in the place of another, God moves because of our willingness to stand on their behalf. If we don't, His plans will go forward because He is a righteous and holy God who will honor His own word, even if it means destruction. Are you willing to stand in the breach of the wall for someone today? Perhaps you are the only person who will stand on someone's behalf.

Marketplace Meditations - by Os Hillman
htt://bible.christianunite.com/mmindex.shtml

October 20, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Of course, it's axiomatic that most other people, when you really get to know them, are weird, neurotic, troublesome. But God calls us to love people as they are, not our unrealistic idealizations of them. Fortunately for us, God loves us and calls those other people to love us as we really are. - Christian Smith (from "Going to the Root")

Encouraging Word For The Week from Brother Steve

Last night, I stayed up and watched the end of the playoff game between the New York Yankees and the Oakland Athletics. I was interested in the game's outcome because the Yankees had been behind two games to none in a best of five series and they had fought back to even the series at 2-2. To win this fifth game would be quite an accomplishment.

Beyond baseball, the game was symbolic. In a way, I was pulling for the Yankees because they were representative of a city that was fighting back. No team had ever lost the first two games of a best-of-five playoff series at home and come back to win the last three. In American history, no city has ever experienced the calamity that New York City faced on September 11th. The exploits of the Yankees' comeback would give hope to the city's resurgence. In pulling for the guys in pinstripe uniforms, I felt I was pulling for the millions who inhabit the city they play for.

This imagery was further heightened after the Yankees had won and the team's coach, Joe Torre, walked on the field with New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. The two were embracing. I interpreted this event as a statement to the city of New York. It said, "For what it's worth, if we can emerge from the shadow of defeat then so can you." This is a picture of the power of encouragement.

The church of the Lord Jesus Christ is far more important than any Major League Baseball team. Its ministry is personal. Its scope is eternal. Its influence is life changing. Therefore, if any group can encourage the world to have hope, it should be the body of Jesus Christ, His church.

When the world is down, we should be up. When people are full of questions, we should provide answers. We love is needed, we should supply it. When hurts are abundant, we must offer healing.

All of this sounds good on paper. No one would disagree with these concepts. The issue before us is not what we believe, but what we do. It is one thing to agree that Christians have the ministry of encouragement, evangelism, and ministry, but acting upon it is another story. Cheering from the stands is a lot different than running the bases.

In II Corinthians 5:11,19b-20 we hear Paul's take on ministry and encouragement. He says, "Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."

A baseball team can encourage a city to find hope for tomorrow. A church can embrace a ministry and a community and give hope for eternity.

In the scheme of things, our work has a much more significant impact than winning a game will ever have.

Therefore, let me encourage you to take your work for God seriously. If you will, you can make the difference that the spectators of your life need to find the Lord.

Have a fruitful week,

Bro. Steve
First Baptist Church, Doyline, LA

October 21, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: I have but one passion -- it is He, it is He alone. The world is the field and the field is the world; and henceforth that country shall be my home where I can be most used in winning souls for Christ. - Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf (1700-1760)

Wide-Eyed Wonder

Have you ever seen the expression on a child's face the first time they visit Walt Disney World, Six Flags or any other theme park? I'm talking small children here - toddler to maybe 5 or 6 years old.

The first sighting of Mickey Mouse results in eyes big as saucers and mouth dropped open; usually followed by rapid and insistent tugging on Mom or Dad's pants and an earnest desire to meet the mouse face-to-face.

If I could define "awe" with a word picture it would be something like the above encounter.

I'll never forget the year I was a Webelos leader and was asked to play Santa Claus for the December pack meeting. The Cub Scouts, for the most part, were brats; trying to pull off my beard and making snide comments. They were too old for Santa and they knew I was just some guy in a borrowed red suit.

A week later I was in Milwaukee celebrating Christmas with my family. With the suit still in the back of my car I decided to do something special for my nephews. I excused myself from the family room, went downstairs and came back as St. Nick. What a difference in their response from the older Cub Scouts and Webelos: Wide-eyed wonder-gasps-cries of "he's here! Santa's here!!" (And Uncle Gary missed it all: "Where were you Uncle Gary? Santa was here!")

I would also define "awe" with the story above.

There are times I have been reading God's Word, or in the midst of worship, and I find myself in wide-eyed wonder and my mouth drops open. There's are times I have wept uncontrollably, having caught a glimpse of God's awesome presence; experiencing anew His grace, His mercy and His love. Our God is an awesome God, and He inspires in me an awe that will never fade away.

I find the more I read the Bible and the more time I spend in His presence the more awesome He becomes. I can't outgrow that sense of awe. God is real. He's not some guy in a costume. He's not merely a representation of a childhood fantasy. He's the real deal: almighty, all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, all-loving, completely righteous and holy, just and merciful, ruling the vastness of the universe but still concerned with the intimate details of your life and my life. We say "God is good all of the time" and He IS good - ALL of the time.

When I hear verses like: "as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him" and "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us" my mouth drops open in awe and wonder and I experience that rush of excitement that comes with brushing against God's truth.

When was the last time you felt a sense of awe in the presence of God? If it's been awhile I want to assure you that God has not changed. He is still almighty, all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, all-loving, completely righteous, truly holy, thoroughly just, unceasingly merciful, eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, fully worthy of our awe, our wonder and our worship. Spend some time in His Word this weekend. If you can get a few moments of silence, take that time to meditate on some aspect of His holiness, His power or His love. When you worship Him this weekend try to lose yourself in the words you sing; as if it's only you and God and you're in His very presence and are worshiping privately before His throne. Or lose yourself in the throng of voices around you...as the people of God lift up their hearts and their voices to the Holy One in their presence.

Our God is an awesome God, and only He can inspire wide-eyed wonder and mouths dropped open again and again and again.

"Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend Your works to another; they will tell of Your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and I will meditate on Your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of Your awesome works, and I will proclaim Your great deeds. They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness." Psalm 145:3-7

Gary Zanow
The Grace Cyber Cafe
www.geocities.com/DaddooZ/
[email protected]

October 22, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Using the analogy of the human mind as a computer, gossip can be compared to a computer virus. - Don Miguel Ruiz

A Word With You
By Ron Hutchcraft
Everything But A Captain
Ecclesiastes 1:14

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It had been one of those nightmare days, trying to get a flight out of Chicago's O'Hare Airport. Some thunderstorms sent flight schedules into chaos for about 24 hours. Two hundred flights were cancelled that day - many more were significantly delayed - and thousands of people were scrambling to find a way to get to where they needed to go ... including me! Finally, I gave up on trying to get out that day and I reserved one of the last seats available the next morning for the city where I was supposed to be speaking. So, 7 AM the next morning, my partner and I were in our seats on a full flight. The engine was running - it seemed like we were ready to go. Until the cockpit came on and made this announcement - "Uh, folks, we've encountered one problem this morning - we can't find a captain for this flight." Oh, great! No captain - we're not going anywhere. Well, thankfully, a captain came. We got there!

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about "Everything But the Captain."

So the engine's running, the plane is full, the passengers are ready - but there was no one to take us there. There are a lot of flights like that - or, more accurately, a lot of lives like that. Maybe yours.

Now, you've got basically a good life - things are running well, you've got plenty to do, you've got plenty of people in your life. But for all that, it doesn't seem like you're really going anywhere. Apparently, a lot of people feel like that. A recent USA Today survey asked Americans what one question they would ask a Supreme Being if they were guaranteed an answer. The second largest group - 17% - said they would ask about life after death. But by far the largest group - 34% - wanted to ask, "What is the purpose of my life?" In other words, "What's it all for? What's the point? Where does all this go?"

That's not a new question. King Solomon was struggling with it in our word for today from the Word of God in the book of Ecclesiastes. After accumulating the greatest fortune of his time, building the most impressive structures of his time, trying every pleasure he wanted, and having the best of everything, he concludes in Ecclesiastes 1:14. "I have seen all the things that are under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind."

A little later he starts to uncover what's been missing in all his good times - he says, "God has set eternity in the hearts of men." (Ecclesiastes 3:11) We've all got this hole inside us that can only be filled with something that lasts forever ... which nothing on earth does. In the conclusion of his book, Solomon says, "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth before the days of trouble come." (Ecclesiastes 12:1) In other words, get a relationship with your Creator as soon as you can. He's what you've been missing all these years.

All these years our life has been a flight that doesn't go anywhere because we're missing our Captain - the God we were made by and made for. We've been trying to be our own captain, running a life that our Creator was supposed to run. So we're alienated from the only One who knows why we're here, the only One who can make it all make sense!

Which is why Jesus Christ came - to die to remove the sin-wall that is keeping us from the God we were made for. And until you open up your life to the Man who died for you, your life will be a flight without a Captain. But once you give yourself to Jesus, you belong to the One who can give each new day eternal meaning.

If you've never begun a personal relationship with Jesus, if you'd like to, tell Him that right now.

You've taken your life as far as it's going to go with you in the cockpit. The Captain is ready to come aboard as soon as you open the door. And He can take your life where you could never go without Him.

Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.
www.gospelcom.net.rhm/
Copyright (c) 2001, Ron Hutchcraft.

October 23, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: I have learnt to love the darkness of sorrow; there you see the brightness of His face.
- Madame Guyon

God's Ministry Of Darkness

For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. - 2 Corinthians 4:11

What is the point of troubled times in our lives? What is God trying to do? What is He trying to teach us? Peter wrote, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation" (1 Peter 4:12, 13).

In God's ministry of testing, we learn a lot about ourselves. Whatever is left of simplistic advice such as "Read your Bible" or "Just work harder" or "Pray more" gets stripped away. Most people going through testing times would love to resolve the crisis, but they seemingly can't and don't know why.

In God's ministry of darkness we learn compassion. We learn to wait patiently with people. We learn to respond to the emotional needs of people who have lost hope. We weep with those who weep. We don't try to teach or instruct or advise. If God took away every external blessing and reduced our assets to nothing more than meaningful relationships, would that be enough to sustain us? Yes, I believe it would.

Perhaps God brings us to the end of our resources so we can discover the vastness of His. We don't hear many sermons about brokenness in our churches these days, yet in all four Gospels Jesus taught us to deny ourselves, pick up our cross daily, and follow Him. I don't know any painless way to die to ourselves, but I do know that it's necessary and that it's the best possible thing that could ever happen to us.

"No pain, no gain," says the body builder. Isn't that true in the spiritual realm as well (Hebrews 12:11)? Proven character comes from persevering through the tribulations of life (Romans 5:3-5). Every great period of personal growth in my life and ministry has been preceded by a major time of testing.

Lord, I submit to Your testing so I may come to the end of my resources and joyfully discover Yours.

Neil Anderson
Freedom in Christ Ministries
www.ficm.org

October 24, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: I was born to fight devils and factions. It is my business to remove obstructions, to cut down thorns, to fill up quagmires and to open and make straight paths. But if I must have some failing let me rather speak the truth with too great severity than once to act the hypocrite and conceal the truth. - Martin Luther

The Skillful Worker

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.
- Proverbs 22:29

The Lord has called each of us to be excellent in what we do. Those whom God used in the Kingdom as marketplace ministers were skilled and exemplified excellence in their field. Not only were these men skilled, they were filled with God's Spirit.

Then the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship" (Exodus 31:1-5).

Consider Huram, the master craftsman of bronze in whom Solomon entrusted much of the temple designs. He was a true master craftsman (see 1 Kings 7:14).

Consider Joseph, whose skill as an administrator was known throughout Egypt and the world. Consider Daniel, who served his king with great skill and integrity. The list could go on-David, Nehemiah, Acquilla and Priscilla.

I recall the first issue of an international publication we began. It was common to hear the comment, "It doesn't even look like a Christian magazine." They were saying the quality and excellence exceeded what they equated to Christian work. What a shame. Has inferior quality become synonymous with Christian work?

May we strive for excellence in all that we do for the Master of the universe.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24).

October 25, 2001

Faith

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. - Hebrews 11:1-3

How many times have you been showing your child how to do some task the right way when he stops you in the middle and says, "Dad, do we really have to do it this way?" What he's asking is, "Isn't there some quick lazy-man's way to get the same result?" That's when you say the same thing your parents said to you: "You have to do it this way if you want to get the job done right." What you're saying is, "If you want my approval, and my approval is what counts, you've got to do it this way."

That's what verse 2 of the above text is saying. If you want God's approval, you live by faith. this is how "the men of old" were approved. The people who were recognized by God were people who understood the necessity of faith.

Well, what did these people know and believ? One answer is in verse 3. They knew where they came from and where the world around them came from. God spoke, and the visible was created out of the invisible. As poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote:

Earth is crammed with heaven
And every common bush aflame with God.
But only those who see will take off their shoes.
The rest sit around and pluck blackberries.

A person has to be a fool to be an atheist when he sees the creative genius of God. But a Christian has to be a fool to be a practical atheist, to live as though God is not there.

Because the believers of old, the men and women of Hebrews 11, were people of faith who knew who made them and whom they belonged to, they had a tremendous sense of God's presence even in tough times. They couldn't always see the answer, but they believed God.

So if you cannot see the solution to your problem or need or burden, but still you keep on believing God---if you live by faith---you are a great candidate for God's presence. Faith is confidence in the trustworthiness of God---the foundation of the house. Everything else stands on it. Stand on God's trustworthy Word. Build your hope on things eternal.

Time to Get Serious
by Tony Evans
1995 Crossway Books

October 26, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Our body has this defect that, the more it is provided care and comforts, the more needs and desires it finds. - Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

A Word With You
By Ron Hutchcraft
Strong Storms And Shallow Roots
Luke 6:46-49

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John and Becky were gone when this huge windstorm hit their neighborhood recently. Although no one could be sure a tornado was involved, the winds were clocked at 70 miles an hour. John and Becky told me that when they returned later that day, their street was closed. A huge pine tree had been blown down, and it fell right across the road. Now other kinds of trees had lost some branches, but the wind had actually totally uprooted this evergreen. Well, a neighbor explained to John that it really isn't that hard to uproot a pine tree - no matter how big it is. Because even though it's a big tree, it has shallow roots ... so it's relatively easy to bring it down.

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about "Strong Storms And Shallow Roots."

Now, there are a lot of "pine-tree-Christians" - some even big and beautiful Christians - who have shallow roots. And that's why they keep falling.

Jesus talked about vulnerable believers in our word for today from the Word of God, Luke 6:46-49. He says, "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock (or developed deep roots). When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears My words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation (or had shallow roots). The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

Now, that's two kinds of Christians - just like two kinds of trees: one with deep roots that can withstand a storm and one with shallow roots that gets felled by the storm. With the times we're living in becoming more stressful and more uncertain - and even dangerous - it's pretty important to be sure that your commitment to Jesus is deeply rooted.

Shallow spiritual roots come in several varieties. There's environmental faith - the kind that is strong when you're in your Christian world but caves in when you're not. And then there's second-hand faith. That's a faith that isn't really yours firsthand - it's rooted in your parent's Christianity, or your church's faith, or your pastor's faith, or your Christian friends. There isn't much really going on directly between you and Jesus. That will never survive a storm.

Stagnant faith - that's another form of shallow roots. Not much new has happened between you and Jesus for a long time, and consequently, He seems farther - He seems less real than He used to. And when a test or temptation hits, it won't be enough to keep you standing. And one other kind of "shallow-roots-Christianity" - event faith - the kind that depends on the next spiritual event, the next high, the next big Christian experience to keep you going. In between, you go into a deep valley. That kind of relationship with Christ is going down eventually.

Jesus' parable about the two houses is a call to a strong foundation ... to deep roots. And He tells us the difference between storm-proof and storm-wrecked faith. It's not whether or not you know what He says. Both the man whose house stood and the man whose house fell, "heard" what Jesus said. The difference was putting what Jesus said into practice.

The question is, are you regularly getting into God's word on you own - and then immediately going out and acting on what you read? It's immediate assimilation of God's words into real life situations that makes you a little stronger each day. So you read or listen to God's Word asking these two questions: "What did God just say to me?" and "What am I going to do differently today because of what He said?"

And every time you do that, your roots go a little deeper into Jesus. Meetings won't do it, theology won't do it, a great Christian environment won't do it. It comes from letting Jesus change you through His Word a little bit each day. That is spiritual reality. That is deep roots. The kind that will leave you standing strong no matter how fierce the storm.

Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.
www.gospelcom.net/rhm/
Copyright (c) 2001, Ron Hutchcraft.

October 27, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: It is a sad plight today that many, many times God's people are 'gathered together' as a lot of material and 'spiritual stones' but never assembled or 'built together' as a house for the Lord., a habitation for His glory. - Kevin Conner (The Church in The New Testament)

Encouraging Word For The Week from Brother Steve

Last Christmas, my wife and I gave our boys a portable basketball goal. Maybe you've seen them. The pole that supports the backboard is mounted to a large, hollow, plastic base that you fill with sand or water to give it stability. This base also contains wheels that allow you to move it wherever you wish.

One of the best features is the adjustable backboard. There are six different positions that I can set the backboard to that allow me to elevate the rim between seven and a half feet off the ground and ten feet. This works really well for my boys who are of vastly different heights and skill levels.

Here lately, they have wanted to play a lot of basketball with their dad. The only problem with the three of us playing is deciding on what height we will set the backboard. My youngest boy likes playing at the lowest setting. At this level he has a good chance of making a lot of shots. My older boy prefers the nine foot setting. He's not quite confident with the standard ten foot height and is working his way up.

For me, I've learned that playing at the lower elevations makes me look like a superstar. Although I would never dream of dunking the standard goal, I can do a 360-degree backward slam dunk on a rim sitting seven feet, six inches off the ground. I can even sink three-point shots with ease when the goal is low.

I was considering this the other day when the boys were gone and I had the chance to shoot by myself. I set the goal at the ten foot level and went to work. It didn't take long to realize that I had gotten use to playing with the kids on the smaller goal. Many of my shots were falling short and I was going to need a ladder to even think of dunking.

After about 10-15 shots, I began to get back into the groove of shooting at a standard goal. The reason the adjustment wasn't hard was because most of my playing in past years was at this level.

The Lord used this to teach me a lesson about the spiritual life. He showed me that spiritual maturity requires that I constantly raise the standard that I'm aiming at. It is not enough to just attend church every Sunday. Although this is good, His calling and plan for my life can only be found as I progress into a deeper relationship with Him. Studying His word, prayer, witnessing, giving, ministering, and other extensions of my faith are required settings on my goal post if I am to progress to where God wants me in the future.

The reason a lot of Christians live unfulfilled lives is because they are unwilling to raise their goal. They spend years thriving with a low rim and become self-satisfied with mastering childish achievements.

A sure sign that you are in spiritual trouble is when you become complacent with where you are. Such a state of mind reflects an unwillingness to risk in the realm of the uncertain because you are confident in your abilities at your current level. This kind of mentality leads to a life that doesn't require faith.

Throughout the scriptures, the Lord stretched His people in order to raise them to a higher plane of existence. He asked an old man named Abram to leave home to start a new life. He commissioned the godliest man on Earth to build an ark. Noah obeyed based strictly upon God's word and not his own understanding. David faced a lion, a bear, and then a giant. Gideon's faith went higher as his army shrunk from 32,000 to 300. Peter, James and John dropped their nets and left their boats. Saul became Paul because the Lord changed the essence of who he was.

You will never do anything significant for God without this willingness to grow. In Hebrews 5:11-14, we hear a wonderful challenge about this subject: "We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."

Be it moving from eight feet to ten feet on a basketball goal, or from milk to meat in my appetite, growth and maturity are expected results in life.

Simply said, What are you doing to grow? If you are doing nothing, you will get the same. If you are seeking God, you will find Him. If you are walking by faith, you will experience that the Lord is faithful.

Every car I have ever driven had park, reverse, neutral, and drive on the stick shift. In the Christian life, park and neutral are not options. You are either going forward or backward, up or down.

Let me encourage you today to be very honest with yourself. ARE YOU GROWING IN YOUR FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST? If not, would you commit today to do whatever is necessary to reverse your course and lift your goal?

Aiming for Jesus,

Bro. Steve
First Baptist Church, Doyline, LA

October 28, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: A GREAT point is gained when we have learned not to struggle against the circumstances God has appointed for us. - H. L. Sidney Lear

The Faith That Saves

"For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He gave up His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life." John 3:16, AMPLIFIED Version

The above translation of the well-known Bible verse explains faith in a clear and undeniable manner: Faith is not "knowing who Jesus is" or "understanding why He was born, died and rose again" but saving faith is "trusting in Jesus, clinging to Jesus and relying on Him for my salvation."

So what does this mean? What's the difference between "knowing who Jesus is and what He did" and "trusting in, clinging to and relying on Him for salvation?"

Picture a passenger on a Princess Cruise Ship leaning over the railing to get a better view of the ocean. Suddenly she falls overboard and is flails in the water trying to keep afloat. Some other passengers hear her cries and throw her a lifesaver (the round floatation device, not the candy!)

I have used this illustration before, but I believe it's crucial to understand the difference between being a Christian and following the Christian "religion" --- between being "saved" and being "religious".

What will the drowing passenger do? Instinctively she will reach for the lifesaver, "trusting" that it will keep her afloat. She will wrap her arms around it, "clinging" to it for dear life. And she will continue to hold on to it, "relying" on the lifesaver to get her back to the safety of the ship.

I can't imagine a drowing person looking at the lifesaver and saying "I believe that lifesaver can save my life" without actually grabbing onto the lifesaver and holding on for dear life. But there are loads of people who call themselves Christian that have never actually taken ahold of Jesus and clung to Him for their salvation! Whether we use words like "accept", "invite", "respond" or "receive" there comes a time and place to take hold of that which God offers us in Jesus --- namely forgiveness of sins and eternal life --- and apply it to our own personal situation. The 16th century reformers said it's not enough to believe that Jesus died for sins to be forgiven; but I must believe that He died for MY sins to be forgiven! This is trusting in, clinging to and relying on Jesus for forgiveness and for salvation. If your faith is merely a "head-faith" I encourage you to reach out and receive the salvation God offers you in Jesus Christ.

There are others of us who have trusted in Jesus and have grabbed hold of Him, but as we are slowly pulled to salvation the waters look choppy or we see sharks congregating around us and get scared. (That's where I'm at a lot of the time!) We need to keep holding on...relying on Him...as He draws us to Himself. Now is NOT the time to let go...salvation is at the end of the rope and with the One who is holding the end - JESUS CHRIST! Times will be tough in this life, sometimes so tough we don't know how we'll ever get to safety (salvation)...but God will see us through: in this life and in the life eternal. In all of this, it isn't the strength of our faith that matters as much as the strength of Him in Whom we place our faith. God is faithful, and He will see us through.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

"Christ alone...has been ordained by God to make proclamation that my sins are freely forgiven me, without any works or merit, out of pure grace, through faith in this Savior, Jesus Christ. If I accept this proclamation I have the consolation that my sins are forgiven before God and the world. If I cling to this proclamation with my whole heart, I am a Christian. I give thanks to God through Christ who keeps on giving me the Holy Spirit and His grace so that sin does me no harm either in this life or before God's judgement-seat on the last day." Martin Luther (SL.XI.1838,9)

Gary Zanow
The Grace Cyber Cafe
www.geocities.com/DaddooZ/
[email protected]

October 29, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: The evil that men do lives after them. The good is oft interred with their bones. - Shakespeare

A Word With You
By Ron Hutchcraft
My Name In It
John 3:16

Listen with RealAudio!

When I was in Junior High School, we usually bought one copy of the local newspaper each day. Until the day after I won the County Spelling Bee! Aren't you impressed? Autographs will come later. Well, that day we got about twenty copies of the local newspaper. What was the difference? My name was in it this time!

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about "My Name In It."

Actually, that wasn't really a unique phenomenon, getting all those newspapers. You know, we're all like that. When our name is in something we're suddenly a whole lot more interested. It's that way with what may be the most important statement in all the Bible ... certainly one of the most quoted. Maybe you've seen the man at the National Football League games in the end zone with that big sign that says "John 3:16," maybe the most important statement in the Bible. Here's what it says: "For God loved the world so much that He gave His one only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have Eternal Life." Those words are probably the most dramatic answer in all the world to any questions we have about how God feels about us. God loved the world so much that He gave ... He proved it ... He acted on it ... His one and only Son, the most valuable thing He could give. Why? So we who deserve to die can live forever instead.

You say, "Deserve to die?" Yeah, because Romans 6:23 in God's Book says, "The wages of sin is death." That's what we get paid for running our own lives. We've all built a wall between us and our Creator by taking our lives into our own hands - it's called sin. We wonder why there is never enough love. It's because of the sin wall. We can't get to the one who's got it. There's never any real peace. Why? Because of the sin wall. The one who's got it is on the other side. There never seems to be any real assurance of what happens after we die. Why? Because the God we meet when we die is on the other side of the wall. There never seems to be any meaningful reason to live. Why? Because the One who knows why we're here is on the other side of the wall, and if we die with that well there, we're there forever ... and that's Hell ... eternal death, conscious separation and loneliness, away from God forever with no earth sedatives to still the pain. But God, the one we have wronged, acted to get our death penalty paid with the life of His Son.

Now, about putting your name in it - John 3:16. When I leave a blank, put your name in it. "God loved ______ so much that He gave His one and only Son so that if ______ would believe in Him then ______ will never die but will have eternal life." It says you have to believe in Him to have that happen. That's total trust ... the kind that someone in a fire has in a fireman who comes to rescue him ... the kind that a drowning person places in a lifeguard. This is awesome love, this gift of God's Son, was all for you but you have to reach out and take the gift.

Something happens dramatically when you walk up to the cross of Jesus and say two words, "For me. This is for me, isn't it Jesus? Some of those sins you're dying for are mine." God's waiting right now to erase every sin you've ever done from His book - to add your name to His Book of Life, the one He will check when your heart finally stops and you stand before Him. But it all begins when you put your name in what Jesus did on the cross for you and you make The Savior your Savior.

If you've never done that, and today you sense Jesus knocking on the door of your heart, would you please let me know that? When your name is in something it makes all the difference. Well, today may be your day to realize that what Jesus did was not generic. It was specifically for you.

Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.
www.gospelcom.net/rhm/
Copyright (c) 2001, Ron Hutchcraft.

October 30, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: The doctrine of the blessed Trinity is a reminder of the supernaturalness of biblical Christianity. The doctrine defies rationalization, yet it provides for the believer the answer to the unity and diversity of the world. - Robert P. Lightner

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. - Matthew 24:36

What's Going to Happen to Your Soul?

There was a rich merchant who had FOUR wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best. He also loved his 3rd wife very much. He's very proud of her. But the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men.

He, too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient and in fact, the merchant's confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times. Now, the merchant's 1st wife is a very loyal partner and has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the merchant did not love the 1st wife. He hardly took notice of her although she loved him deeply.

One day, the merchant fell seriously ill. Before long, he knew his time was up. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, "Now I have FOUR wives with me. But when I die, I'll be all alone. How lonely I'll be!?" Thus he asked his 4th wife. "I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "NO way!" replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word.

The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant's heart. The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "NO!" replied the 3rd wife. "Life is so good over here! I'm going to remarry when you die!" The merchant's heart sank and turned cold. He then turned to his 2nd wife. "I always turned to you for help and you've always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!" replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." The answer came like a bolt of thunder and the merchant was devastated. Then a voice called out: "I'll leave with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The merchant looked up and there she was, his 1st wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the merchant said, "I should have taken much better care of you while I could have!"

Actually, we all have FOUR wives in our lives. The 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will never leave with us when we die. What's the 3rd wife?? Our possessions, status, and wealth. When we die, they all go to others. The 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when we were alive, the furthest they can stay by my side, is up to the grave.

Now, the 1st wife? Is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material wealth and sensual pleasure. Guess what? It is actually the ONLY thing that follows us wherever we go! Perhaps, it's a good idea to cultivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until we are on our deathbed to lament.

Our soul, our spirit is the only thing that we have a true choice on when it comes to eternity. Even if we leave all our money to a certain charity or relative, or if we leave our bodies to be donated to science, the ultimate decisions still lie in the hands of the people who receive those things after we die. However, if we choose to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we have made the decision to live with Him eternally in Paradise. And if we choose to ignore the fact that we have to make a decision about that, or if we say no to Him, we have chosen to live completely separated from Christ and everything that He is for eternity. We don't have a clue when our lives will end. So at this moment, if you were to die, what would happen to your spirit and soul?

Praise our Lord for being the Lord God Almighty. Confess to Him your sins and repent! Be specific. Thank Him for allowing you to be His sons and daughters and for sending Jesus Christ to die for us. Ask Him to help you to make the most of every moment you have and to make a decision, if you haven't already about what will happen to your spirit.

Mandy - Knox - Josh
[email protected]

October 31, 2001

QUOTE OF THE DAY: THEY who tread the path of labor follow where My feet have trod; They who work without complaining do the holy will of God. - Henry Van Dyke

OBVIOUS!

in the local newspaper.......

An African Christian family, once refugees in the Rwanda area, in Bukavu, Congo, came to the U S as guests of a denomination in Castleton, Indiana. The family from Africa had a difficult time adjusting to the United States christian culture. Says one of their hosts:

"There is a constant culture clash. Halloween was a good one. Just trying to explain the concept of Halloween to someone from Africa was just about impossible. All the things that we brush off, they could not brush off. The evil, the witches, the skulls - all that darkness he associates with actual evil."

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. "

"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life-and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. "

Isn't it amazing that so many, even in the religious world, are blind at times? Some things are even totally obvious to those who have not been brainwashed by worldly western culture. But, for all of us, as the scales fall away, amazing Freedom and Strength and Life can fill us!

"But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. "

Mike Peters
[email protected]

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