To Tell the Truth by James R. Coggins

Posted on February 7, 2024 by jrcoggins

I spent almost two decades as an editor with a denominational church magazine. I spent a few more years working with Christian newspapers. In all of those years, we were committed to telling the truth, the whole truth. We insisted that the truth had to be told. Even when some pastors were quite happy to send us information about their pastoral appointments and pastoral credentials to be publicized but did not want to have their sexual sins and financial misdeeds revealed. Even when some denominational leaders did not want flaws in their programs discussed. Even when some readers objected to the publication of articles presenting some of the hard truths of the Bible—people do not like to confront the reality that they might be sinful.

But the fact is that we did not publish the whole truth. There were certain stories we did not tell. Those stories concerned missionaries in “unfriendly” countries, most often communist and Muslim countries. We did not publish details about the underground church in China or the burgeoning underground church in then communist Ethiopia or the church planting efforts one of our churches had undertaken in a former Soviet republic that was both communist and Muslim. Our publications were printed but also posted online. If we posted stories about those missionaries, those missionaries and their converts would be in danger of being tracked down, arrested, and/or killed. Generally, Communist and Muslim countries do not practice the human freedoms that have developed in Western countries.

Strangely, if we had publicized these issues, we were convinced that we would not gain sympathy in our Western democracies either. The secular elites who dominate our society would say that it serves our missionaries right. We should know better than to try to impose our Christian religion on other cultures. Of course, these same elites would not say that Muslim missionaries who try to import their religion to Western countries should be murdered or silenced. Nor would they refrain from trying to promote their own secular values among Christians and adherents of other religions. It seemed that it was only Christians who should not be allowed to share their beliefs with others.

Christianity is a missionary religion. Jesus died for the whole world. It is our duty to share that good news with other people, whether they accept it or not. Throughout history, because of persecution, the Christian church has often been forced underground. But Christians have continued to quietly share the good news, even at the risk of being tortured and killed.  

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Sometimes a Father. Sometimes a Friend.

Posted on February 6, 2024 by Author Mary Alford

There’s a Christian song that has quickly become one of my favorites of all time. Maybe it’s yours as well. It’s called The Goodness of God.

And there’s a line in the song that really grabbed me the first time I heard it, and it sums up who God is so well.

It goes:

I’ve known You as a father.  

I’ve known You as a friend.

And I have lived in the goodness of God.

I love that about God. He’s our father, but He’s also our friend and He know which of those we need even before we do.  

As a father, God takes care of us. He provides for our needs and calls us back to Him when we wander off. He is a good, good Father.

Ephesians 4:6 says, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Psalms 68:5 says God is A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

And 1 Corinthians 8:6 tell us, Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

He is God and He knows when we need a friend. Someone to pour our heart out to when nothing makes sense in life. When the ground beneath our feet is crumbling. When we feel betrayed or rejected by those closest to us.

He is the best friend we can ever have. Closer than a brother. The one we can count on when everyone else lets us down.

John 15:13 says, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Jesus laid down His life for us.

In John 15:14 Jesus says, Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He is Creator, Savior, and Judge. And He is good. All the time.

Until next time, dear friends, many blessings!

Mary

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A Message in Stone by Nancy J. Farrier

Posted on February 5, 2024 by Nancy J. Farrier

Last fall I was struggling with some issues. Some were health related, others weren’t. The nice thing with struggles is that you find yourself praying more often, at least that was the case for me.

One morning, on our walk, my husband stopped with the dog, so I went off the trail and walked down a slight slope that was rock covered and then headed back to the path. I walked right past the rock above before it registered what I’d seen.

I turned around and there was a rock with a perfect heart burrowed into it. While praying, in the midst of hundreds of rocks, I happened on this one. It was like God embraced me and said, “I love you. You are in My hands.”

I took that rock home, washed it, and left it on my bathroom sink where I would see it every day. Each time, I was reminded of God’s great love and my need to trust Him.

In January, I needed a gift for someone. I had purchased one, but the cats knocked it off the shelf and broke it. I don’t live close to shopping and had no idea what to do. Then I felt God nudging me to give her my heart rock.

At first, I objected. This was a rock given to me by God. It’s His message to me. Every time I see it, I think of Him. But that stubborn thought persisted so I gave the rock away.

Was it easy? No. But I came to realize something. That rock had become a stumbling block—something that was fast becoming an idol. In fact, I was reminded of the Israelites in Numbers 21: 4-9, when they complained and God sent poisonous serpents among them. To save the people, God gave Moses instructions.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.” Numbers 21:8-9 (NKJV)

The Israelites had something to look on that reminded them of God. That serpent on the pole didn’t heal them, but their faith in God as they looked on this reminder is what they needed. They could look at the serpent and God healed from the poison.

But something happened in the following years. Their attitude toward this serpent on the pole made by Moses changed. It became something different than God intended. We find this in 2 Kings 18, when King Hezekiah began his reign.

“He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan.” 2 Kings 18:4 (NKJV)

What had been given as a reminder of God, became an idol that the people worshipped. Over the years, they had forgotten the purpose of the serpent and made it into something that no longer glorified God.

I have to wonder how many things we have that start out as innocent reminders of who God is and become something too precious to let go of. I know that nearly happened with me. Now I am considering things I have that are precious and deciding if they have become a stumbling block to my faith.

While all the biopsies I had done last year were either nothing or benign, I have to remember how much God loves me. He didn’t send the heart rock to heal me but to remind me that He loves me and is there for me no matter what is happening in my life.

But I see now that it was time to let that rock go—to pass it on and let the person I gifted it to know it’s a reminder of God’s love. I am so very happy that I gave the rock away.

This past week I went to the Tucson Gem and Mineral show with my sister. We went to a favorite rock place where I picked up some rocks for my grandsons and she got some rocks for gifting. As I was walking up to check out, I noticed the septarian rocks below. I love these rocks and had wanted one but they are too expensive. My sister insisted I ask how much they were so I took them up with us.

The man running the shop was very nice. He weighed them and ended up giving me such a good deal that I bought both of them. It didn’t escape me that they are both hearts. Maybe someday in the future God will once again nudge me to give a heart rock to someone and remind them of how much He loves them. In fact, I might buy a few more just to have on hand for that purpose.

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The Kingdom Mindset by Julie Arduini

Posted on February 2, 2024 by juliearduini

My bio across social media reads “Kingdom Minded.” To me, that says more than I’m a follower of Christ, a believer, or even a Jesus freak. As my prayer life intensifies, I see how important a Kingdom Mindset is.

A kingdom mindset is focused on Christ more than anything or anyone else. Every thought is shaped with His presence in mind.

—Rob McCorkle, Fire School Ministries

Although I’m not perfect, my goal is to look at life from His perspective. Instead of looking around and reacting, I look up and pray.

What appears at first glance to be bad news, I’m considering what’s the Kingdom purpose here? Could that diagnosis lead a person to share Jesus with a team of doctors and they give their lives to Him? Did that person not get the job because God knows that place will close in a year and He has something better and longer lasting in mind?

That’s the type of thinking I try to engage in. Do I know His mind? Of course not. But I believe living where all my focus points to Jesus takes away knee-jerk reactions, stress, and whatever complicated emotions the world dangles in front of me.

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth (Col. 3:1-2).

My goal as a wife, mom, sister, author, ministry worker, whatever role I’m walking out is to advance God’s Kingdom. My measuring stick isn’t how many books did I sell, or how well I communicated with my husband. It’s did I say and do anything that pointed people in His direction? Did anything about my choices today move the person I interacted with from whatever level they were at with Him to something even better?

Not every day is a home run. Not even close! Each day, though, that lifestyle gets easier. What used to rattle me doesn’t. It’s hard to be shaken when your feet are firmly planted on the Solid Rock and that’s where your gaze lands. Looking around will bring worry and chaos. Looking up, I promise, is a discipline, but a wise one.

Have you heard of Kingdom living? Is that something you live to do?

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And God sent a Great Fish

Posted on February 1, 2024 by dtopliff

Jonah 1:17 “1Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

I took this photo of the “Great Fish” statue in Joppa, Israel, just steps from the sea, in January 2023. There are frequent reports of whales just offshore in the Mediterranean there.

Consider the fact that the “Great Fish” was God’s loving discipline to stop Jonah from going the wrong direction to carry him to where he would full his calling.

Sometimes God allows Great Fish to swallow us. As unpleasant as that is, recognize that it is His merciful deliverance to bring us to where we need to be.

Also remember in Jonah 2:9-10 that his freedom came when he heard God’s voice the second time and answered, “But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord. And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

I won’t pretend that being swallowed whole isn’t horrible, but that experience gave Jonah the wisdom and heart change that became part of the message he ministered to others.

Scripture says Nineveh’s people from king to commoner paid rapt attention and dressed in sackcloth to accept Jonah’s message. Why? They recognized the messenger had been through a life-transforming experience.

In history, several people have survived being swallowed by whales. In 1891, American seaman James Bartley spent 15 hours in a whale’s stomach before his crew mates caught the beast, saw movement in its stomach, and cut Bartley free. His skin had been burned by digestive acid and the hair dissolved from his body, but he lived. I’ve heard that after rescue, Bartley moved as far inland as possible so nothing reminded him of the sea because he never wanted to repeat that experience. Do you blame him?

Lord, help us hear and obey You the first time. If we don’t, thank you for working with us until we do learn what You intend!

This link tells the 1891 true tale of James Bartley, a modern Jonah. https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/history-culture/2017/03/did-a-19th-century-sailor-get-swallowed-by-a-sperm-whale-and-survive/

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As the Oracles of God by James R. Coggins

Posted on January 31, 2024 by jrcoggins

We are perhaps disturbed by 1 Peter 4:11: “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.” We have had too much experience of men (and women) claiming divine authority for their own opinions. In reaction, we find it safer to say, “This is how I understand God’s Word” or even “This is what I think.” Our pronouncements lack authority. Yet this, too, has a danger—of erring in the opposite direction. One unintended side effect is that when our words have proven a blessing, when our words have given good guidance and direction to someone else, when God has spoken His Word through our words, our attempted humility has the effect of giving us the credit for giving good advice or at least for figuring out God’s message.

The King James Version translates 1 Peter 4:11 as: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.” An “oracle” in the Greco-Roman world was a mouthpiece for a god, as well as the message spoken by the mouthpiece of a god. An oracle was a channel through whom the god spoke. The Greek word translated “words” or “oracle” is logia, which means literally “words.” It is related to logos, which in John 1:1 is a name for Jesus, the Son of God and in essence God Himself. The word logia appears only three other times in the New Testament. In Acts 7:38, it refers to the “living words” that Moses received from God to pass on to God’s people, that is, the Mosaic Law. Romans 3:2 says that “the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God,” referring to the entire Old Testament revelation. Hebrews 5:12 challenges immature Christians with the warning, “You need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again” (NIV) or “Ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God” (KJV)—referring to all of God’s revelation, both Old Testament and New Testament.

What 1 Peter 4:11 is challenging Christian preachers (and perhaps also other Christians) to do is to speak with all of the authority of His prophets: “Hear the word of the Lord” or “This is what the Lord says.” This is a high challenge. Those who speak in the church are to speak as channels of God’s revelation.

How on earth are we to rise to such a challenge? This means that we are to try as much as possible to speak God’s Word and as little as possible our own opinions. This requires prayer, sober reflection, deep commitment, a pure heart, diligent Bible study, and great care. If we are only voicing our opinion, we may feel free to say whatever seems good to us. If, however, we are speaking on behalf of God, we must do our best to examine every word we speak, to ensure it aligns with God’s Word.

Second, we should speak humbly, acknowledging that we are fallible and could be wrong but that God is never wrong.

Third, even though we confess that our understanding is not perfect, we should be quick to add that if our words are a blessing, God deserves the praise. We need to make clear that all good things, all abilities and spiritual blessings, come from God (James 1:17) and He deserves the credit.

Fourth, there are times when we can be sure of speaking God’s words. One example is when we are quoting God’s Word, even if, in our weakness, we choose an inappropriate passage for the occasion. No sermon which contains Scripture can be entirely valueless to the hearers. Another example is when we say, “May God bless you” (a prayer to an all-powerful God) instead of “I hope things work out for you.”

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I Wish I Was an English Lord by James R. Coggins

Posted on January 24, 2024 by jrcoggins

Three years ago, we moved. It was time. We had been in our previous house for almost thirty years, and we needed a new challenge. It was a time to re-evaluate—our habits, our activities, and our possessions.

We gave away some of the possessions we no longer needed. Some things that were worn out and no longer useful were thrown out or recycled.

This also applied to my library, the library that I had been eagerly accumulating for several decades. There were history books, reference books, literary classics, theological books, political science books, devotional books, murder mysteries, novels, books of poetry, and biographies. Altogether, they represented a wealth of knowledge. But many of them had to go. I knew I would never open many of them ever again. I donated some to a local Christian university, some to a church library, a few to friends and family members, some to thrift stores.

It hurt.

About the same time, my sister was trying to disperse the library my parents and grandparents had left behind. There were more works of fiction, old school readers, theology and devotional books, history books, biographies, and much more. Some were a couple of centuries old. My sister donated some to archives and museums and libraries. She asked if I and some other relatives would like some. They were valuable books, but I had room for only a few.

Our move was three years ago. Since then, I have accumulated more books, some of which I have published and a couple of which I have written.

As I grow older, the question arises as to what will happen to my carefully accumulated library. My children do not have room for them in their houses. They have their own books and their own needs. I will direct and hope that most of my books are donated to archives, universities, libraries, and thrift stores. I hope they will be preserved, valued, and read. But, no matter what directions I leave behind, I will have no control over that.

At such times, I wish I was an English lord, living in an old manor house, a manor house passed down in the family generation after generation, with the manor library carefully preserved and each generation adding to the library. It would be an ever expanding and continually preserved library, a reservoir of knowledge, a family treasure.

But I am not an English lord. I am of English descent, but descended from a long line of peasants and artisans (with perhaps a bastard noble child inserted here and there).

My dilemma is not new. The writer of Ecclesiastes outlined the issue almost three millennia ago, declaring that everything in human life is “meaningless” or “vanity”—that is, temporary, bound by time and thus impermanent:

• “No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them” (Ecclesiastes 1:11 NIV).

• “I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:18-19).

• “The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd…Of making many books there is no end…” (Ecclesiastes 12:11-12).

Like everything else in human life, books are temporary and impermanent. Human knowledge builds and accumulates over time, but then inevitably leaks away.

God’s books, however, are different. God’s library of knowledge and history and creativity remains intact and complete, forever, into eternity (Revelation 20:12). “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8). “No word from God will ever fail” (Luke 1:37).

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A New Release by Mary Alford!

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Author Mary Alford

Today is the release day for Deadly Mountain Escape and I’m happy to be able to share it with you.

The story is about redemption and second changes. The two main characters, Charlotte Walker and Jonas Knowles have both survived tragic pasts. Though strangers at the beginning of the book, they must work together to stop a human trafficking ring.

Soon, a search to find a missing woman becomes a nightmare for K-9 deputy Charlotte Walker after she stumbles on the lair of the trafficker and is captured. Death seems certain until she’s rescued by rancher Jonas Knowles. Together, they take shelter in the Amish community he left behind. But they can’t hide forever—not when the criminals are still after them, and countless girls are at risk…  

Caught between his painful Amish Past and an unknown future, Jonas Knowles risks everything to stop a murder.  

K-9 Deputy Charlotte Walker thought she’d lost her world until she found her future while fighting to survive. 

Can Jonas and Charlotte survive the danger nipping at their heels with the help of Annie, one determined blue tick coonhound, and find the future they both so richly deserve?

Psalm 147: 3 says, He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

And that’s exactly what He did for Charlotte and Jonas. And he can do the same for you!

Until next time, dear friends, many blessings!

Mary

http://www.maryalford.net  

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Staying Focused by Tara Randel

Posted on January 22, 2024 by tararandel

As we begin this new year, I find that taking stock of what I’m looking forward to keeps me focused, not only in my career, but in my spiritual life. Yes, I’m writing, but I’m also waiting to hear from my publisher about what lies ahead. Instead of coming up with what if scenarios, I plan on focusing on what I can do now, at this moment.

The same goes for my spiritual life. In this moment, what can I do to keep my feet grounded and my heart filled with joy and happiness? This is different for everyone. We all seek God in different ways, but the bottom line is, we seek him.

So, to start out this year, I’m focused on ways to grow closer to the Lord. Maybe you’re already taking these the steps I’ll mention, or you need a little encouragement about what to do next. These are a few ideas.

Bible study.

To be honest, I could be a career student. On any subject. I love learning. I still go to craft workshops to keep my writing sharp. While that benefits my career, I find that I need to also work on my relationship with God. What better way than by learning more about him?

I start every year with a Bible study.  This year it is Abide by Jen Wilkin, focusing on 1, 2 and 3 John. I order the workbook, then watch the lectures online and enjoy every minute. It keeps me challenged and in the Word.

There are other ways to study as well, like joining a group at your church or gathering with friends to discuss a topic of the Bible. No matter how we learn, the important thing is, we are learning. We are seeking. And hopefully, we find what we need.

Prayer time.

With our busy schedules, does prayer time become an afterthought? I know I’m constantly talking to God during my day, but what about the devoted slot of time to focus on my relationship with God? We can change what we’re doing if it’s not working by realigning our focus. Sometimes switching the way we go about our prayer time opens us up to new discoveries in how we pray. Taking the time to study our practices, then tweaking how we spend time in prayer, could be a game changer. All it takes is some focus to pinpoint what we can do to better to keep in communication with God.

Quiet time.

In our rush, rush, rush society, taking a moment of quiet time is essential. Downtime away from it all keeps us centered. This doesn’t mean getting away to a secluded location so nothing and no one disturbs us, although, that would be nice. We can find those special moments in small ways, like walking the dog and enjoying the path you take. Going into the backyard and breathing in the fresh air. Standing in the sun and enjoying the warmth it provides. There are so many ways to take a moment and reboot if we focus on making it happen.

This year will reveal how we can focus more. On our relationship with God. On life. On family and friends. My prayer is that we all seek that important time and that God is standing beside us as we grow closer to him.

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. For more information about her books, visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter.

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“Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah…”

Posted on January 18, 2024 by dtopliff

Revelation 5:5 – “…And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.”

In Bible times, lions inhabited the swampy, overgrown Pride of Jordan where the Sea of Galilee flows south and meets the Jordan River. Across a narrow road today is Yardenit, the popular representative (not actual) baptismal tourist site visited by one-half million tourists per year.

David killed  a lion there at close range by grabbing its beard and piercing its heart. He prevailed because his shepherd’s heart to save  his flock was greater than his desire to protect himself.

How do we react when lions growl? The summer when I turned nine, while the Clyde Beatty Circus set up camp a half-mile from our house, a lion escaped. That fascinated and terrified me. The radio said to stay inside. Instead, I hid inside the sheltering branches of our weeping willow tree watching for the beast until it grew too dark to see. The truth is, I had no weapon and those branches gave no protection. Instead of grabbing the lion’s beard, I would have run like a chicken or been his lunch.

Close-up encounters involve loud snarls, bad breath, and sharp claws. Only the Lord can provide the courage to stand fast or race toward our enemies and not cower in retreat. Prayer, His living Word, and Praise are all weapons to stop the lion’s heart and secure victory!

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

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The People of God by James R. Coggins

Posted on January 17, 2024 by jrcoggins

In his first letter, the apostle Peter was writing to Christians, probably both Jews and gentiles, in what is now Turkey (1 Peter 1:1). He reminded them that they were “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (1 Peter 2:9 NIV). That is, he said that they were the new people of God, the new Israel. Peter also said that they had been rescued from darkness and brought into God’s kingdom of light. Then he added, “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:10). This makes sense since he was partly writing to gentiles, who once were not part of God’s people but who had now become part of God’s people through faith in Jesus.

But there is more to this image. Peter was quoting from the Old Testament prophecy of Hosea. Hosea was told by God to marry Gomer, a prostitute/unfaithful woman. This relationship symbolized Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. God had made Israel His special people through a covenant (similar to a wedding covenant), saying, “I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people” (Leviticus 26:12). But Israel was unfaithful to that covenant. As a result, Israel was separated from God. In Hosea’s time, most of the Israelites had already been exiled for their unfaithfulness, and those who remained, the Jews, would also soon be exiled. God told Hosea to symbolize the Jews’ separation from God through the naming of his children: Hosea’s first daughter was to be called Lo-Ruhamah (“not loved”), and his second son was to be called Lo-Ammi (“not my people”). But then later, after Gomer had returned to prostitution, God told Hosea to buy her back from sex slavery. This symbolized God’s promise to restore the Jews from exile and to restore His relationship with them. God said, “In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the living God’ (Hosea 1:10). Further, God said they would as numerous as “the sand on the seashore” (Hosea 1:10), fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 22:17). And they would “appoint one leader” (Hosea 1:11) and “seek the LORD their God and David their king…in the last days” (Hosea 3:5). Peter understood all of these phrases, not as referring to the Jews’ return from exile, but as referring to both Jews and gentiles coming to faith in Jesus. After the Jews returned from exile, they were not too numerous to be counted, but the members of the worldwide community of Christians are that numerous. It was Jesus who taught His followers to call God their Father and gave them an opportunity to become “children of God.” And it was not the returning exiles but the Jews and gentiles of a later period who sought “David”—that is, Jesus, the Son of David. 

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Taking the Time by Nancy J. Farrier

Posted on January 15, 2024 by Nancy J. Farrier
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

During a recent visit to a church, I was chatting with a young woman I’ll call Joy, who shared her story with me, telling me about when she became a Christian. Joy said at the time she was a teenager and her mother was not a Christian and wasn’t supportive of her beliefs.

She went on to tell me that one of the women Joy met at her church visited Joy’s mother to share the gospel with her and to talk with her about the Bible. This woman spent six hours with Joy’s mother. They didn’t just talk about the Bible. It wasn’t a lecture about what the mother should believe. Instead, they got to know one another, they fixed a meal and ate together, and discussed Christian beliefs.

The woman from Joy’s church took the time to reach out because she cared about this family member and she cared about Joy. And her efforts were well spent. The mother did become a Christian according to Joy.

There are lessons to be learned here about the importance of reaching people for Christ and the way we do it. No lectures. No barbed Bible verses. Just genuine love and an obedience to God.

So what can we do? I have to admit the only time I spend six hours with a person is when I’m on vacation with them and have the time. However, there are takeaways for me too. I enjoy meeting someone for coffee or lunch. It’s a shorter time, but small pieces of time can also be productive if I’m focused on part of that time being used to talk about Jesus—and I love the idea of sharing food or drink.

Jesus often shared with people over food or a meal. In fact, the last time He met with His disciples before the ascension, He shared food with his disciples and taught them. In the 24th chapter of Luke, the disciples are together and Jesus shows Himself to them.

“And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

   Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures…” Luke 24: 38-45

Maybe we should be more intentional when we reach out to others. Pray about the person God wants you to encourage. Set a time to meet with them over a meal or a coffee. Consider what verses God would have you share, but also be pray during your conversation and be prepared for God to give you something you hadn’t expected.

Then be sure to follow up with the person. Send them a card, message them to let you know you’re thinking of them, greet them when you see them, and maybe have a follow-up get together. Encompass everything with prayer and be willing to reach out to that person who needs Christ.

Think of how Joy was blessed when her mother became a Christian and the lasting impact the friend’s visit had on that family and on the family of God. Strive to make that same impact in someone else’s life. I know I will.

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A Very Important Date by James R. Coggins

Posted on January 10, 2024 by jrcoggins

Dr. Coggins, you are a trained historian and an amateur theologian. What wisdom do you have for us today?

I’m always glad to help. Here is my thought for this week. January 6 is a very important date for me, and it has a lot to do with wisdom.

The calendar says January 6 is Epiphany. What’s that all about?

In the ancient Christian calendar, Epiphany is the day when the wise men brought gifts to the infant Jesus. Epiphany comes from a Greek word meaning “a sudden and important manifestation or realization.” The idea might be that this was when Jesus was revealed to the wise men.

Why is Epiphany on January 6?

The coming of the wise men is the last act of the Christmas story, and so it comes at the end of “the twelve days of Christmas.”

Why are there twelve days of Christmas?

No good reason. It was just because the Council of Tours in 567 declared that the twelve days after Christmas would be a festive season.

But Jesus was not actually born on December 25?

Almost certainly not.

So, there is no justification for thinking the wise men arrived in Bethlehem on January 6.

None whatsoever. The odds are 364 to 1.  

So why do you think Epiphany makes January 6 an important date?

I never said it did.

Well, then, were you thinking that January 6 is the date that Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas?

Certainly not. And you’re confused. Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7, but they start their celebrations on Christmas Eve, January 6. Further, Eastern Orthodox Christians don’t deliberately celebrate Christmas on January 6 or January 7. They celebrate Christmas on December 25 like everyone else. It’s just that because of a confusion in their calendar, they think that January 7 is December 25. I don’t think confusion is a good reason to make any date special.

Did some other Christian event happen on January 6?

Yes, the Mennonite Brethren Church was founded on January 6, 1860.

You were a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church, weren’t you?

Yes, but that was a long time ago.

So, is the founding of the Mennonite Brethren Church the reason January 6 is an important date?

No. It does not matter when a church was founded. What matters is what it is doing today.

Are you thinking about the Capitol riot in the United States in support of Donald Trump?

That happened on January 6? Certainly not. Neither the United States nor Donald Trump are as important as they think they are. I don’t pay much attention to them.

So, why is January 6 an important date, and what does it have to do with wisdom?

That is the date I married my wife Jackie, and that was the wisest thing I ever did.

So, Epiphany has nothing to do with it?

It has everything to do with it. Every year, when I get a new calendar, I look at the first page, and on January 6, it says “Epiphany.” That is a great reminder. It means I can never forget my anniversary.

That is very wise.

That’s what I said.

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Come Gently 2024 by Mary Alford

Posted on January 9, 2024 by Author Mary Alford

I’ve never been one to make New Year’s resolutions. Mostly because I can’t keep them. In the past, I’ve resolved to lose a few pounds, be more organized, work harder on getting rid of clutter. Sad to say most of those resolutions lasted about a week.

For the past few years, I’ve prayed about it and chosen a word that I believe God laid on my heart for the new year.  

This year my word is Gentle. Kind of unusual I know, but I want to be gentler in the way I treat others. Listen more without given advice unless asked. Be gentle with those precious things God has entrusted into my care. . .like my family, friends, my writing for Him.

And gentle in the way I respond to those people who would normally upset me. This is my weak spot for sure. It’s so easy to give back to people what they give to you, but this year, I want to treat them gently even when they don’t return the gesture.

I can tell you now that I’m going to fail many times, but I’m hoping to pray about it more. Confess when I fail. Remember all that the Lord has done for me. Treat others as He would like me to not the way I feel they deserve.  And pray for those who upset me more.

Tall goals, right? Maybe I’ll update you this year on how my gentle goal is going? We’ll see.

So, what about you? How do you plan to go forth into this bran-new New Year?    

Philippians 4:5 5 says, Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Until next time, dear friends, many blessings!

Mary

http://www.maryalford.net  

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Illuminate in 2024 by Julie Arduini

Posted on January 5, 2024 by juliearduini

Happy New Year!

Each year I pray for a word or theme that I can focus on. The Lord has been faithful, offering words that direct my prayer time, and in return, confirm things I had been praying about.

Last year was shift, and that was dead on. I watched loved ones shift, some by zip code with literal moves that came out of no where. Some changed jobs.

I prayerfully thought we’d see a shift globally, and throughout the year I noted headlines where leaders were voted out, passed away, abdicated, or resigned. This wasn’t just political, but in business as well.

The word for 2024 came to me in prayer in October, I believe. I think it fits perfectly with shift. In fact, with shift came shake, and shaking is still happening. If anything, it’s accelerating. How do I know?

Illuminate.

The definition as I prayed is two-fold. One, the Lord will expose people and choices that are sinful, completed in “back door” settings where they think they are getting away with it. They. are. not. This will be again global in the political and business arenas. I believe it will be nationally, regionally, and locally. There will be people we have put on a pedestal whom God will expose.

Is the illumination a humiliation tactic? Bright lights hurt my eyes. I certainly don’t want a spotlight on me. It’s hot and uncomfortable. For that, I want my life to reflect integrity and choices that measure up when you’re with me and when you’re not. For those with scandal, fraud, and literal crimes covered up, that spotlight is needed.

God longs for us all to repent.

We are in a season where we have two choices: repent or rebel. There’s no in-between, no sitting on the fence. When it comes to illuminate and the first aspect of it, Chuck Colson comes to mind. He was part of Watergate and faced prison time. He gave his life to Christ, repented, and his legacy wasn’t Watergate, it was the prison ministry he spent the rest of his life putting a spotlight on. He took his scandal and repented. He was glad for the exposure and illumination.

Illuminate also means light, and common sense tells you light overcomes darkness. Whether you crack the door a little in a dark room or swing it wide open, light takes over. Light dominates. God wants us to remember that.

Times ARE dark. They are bleak. But Christ overcame the world and His light overcomes. If we are His followers, His power and authority gave us the same promise. We have light. We illuminate because of Jesus. Whatever darkness we’re looking at, we are, in Christ, that crack of light. Instead of slamming the door in fear, swing those circumstances wide open in faith. You’ve got this. How do I know?

Jesus has you.

Already I’m seeing illuminate play out. Google the word “Diddy” and you’ll see alleged crimes and famous names. A partial Epstein list was released this week. Same deal. Trust me, these illuminations are just getting started.

I believe the church will see illumination. At first, the definition will be about exposure. The Body of Christ is too entwined with the world and horrifically tainted. That needs changing. I believe we’ll see leaders and scandals uncovered. I pray everyone repents.

Then, my sense is there will be a shift. I’m starting to see it. The Body of Christ will become Kingdom minded and return to a Biblical foundation where Jesus is Lord and His Word stands. We can’t serve the broken people that are starving for truth, and they are coming. The more God illuminates the sin, the more devastated people will be. We need to be healthy and right with Him ourselves.

Deep, I know. But 2024 isn’t a time to play around and hope for the best. It’s time to prayerfully get our hands and knees dirty. Stand up for Biblical truth. Believe and pray for restoration. And let the light of Jesus shine brilliantly in and around us in 2024.

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