Appreciating and Affirming Moms
Have you ever thought how much easier your mother’s life would be if you had never been born? I’ve often thought about it.
Maybe it was different for you, but I’m sure my mother wouldn’t have gotten gray hair nearly so soon if she hadn’t had me!
In fact, I remember the day it started. I was six, and I was playing with a boy named Bruce who lived across the street. We had our bows and arrows out and one of us came up with an idea (I’m sure it must have been his idea).
He was going to lay down and hold an arrow to make it look like he’d been shot. And I was to run in and tell my mother that I shot him.
It worked according to plan. He laid down, I ran in and said, “Mom, mom! I shot Bruce and killed him!” She ran out, saw him lying there on the grass with the arrow. She threw her hands up and screamed…and almost passed out.
It was fun at the moment, but not too long afterward, I was really sorry we’d done it…if you know what I mean.
Yes, I’m pretty sure that was the beginning.
But you know, my mom still loved me…and she does to this day. She believes in me.
I appreciate my mother and I affirm her. Especially on Mother’s Day.
You might not agree with everything your mother says or does, but the Bible tells you to honor her.
The greatest gift you can give your mother on Mother’s Day - and every other day - is an affirmation of her importance and significance. May your mother – and mine - know she’s loved and accepted - and may they be blessed by our affirmation!
The Legacy You Leave
I wonder what comes to your mind when you think about the legacy you will some day leave. Maybe your thoughts go to an expensive heirloom you hope to pass on or some item that has sentimental value because it has been in the family for a long time. Either way, the choice of what you will leave for others is yours.
While many people plan ahead to leave a material legacy, not so many consider the spiritual legacy they will pass on to their future generations. How about you? What will you leave?
The Bible tells us that God said, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). You see, what you and I do doesn’t just affect us. It also affects our children and our children’s children. It’s up to us. Do we want to leave a legacy of death and curses or life and blessings? Seems like an easy choice!
Through faith in the blood of Jesus, you can live free from generational curses that may be affecting your life and begin a family blessing that can be passed on from generation to generation.
If you’d like to learn more about this, check out the article, Breaking Generational Curses. It could change your life and the spiritual legacy you pass on to others.
Our Commission
I have been thinking about these words from David Livingstone, a doctor and missionary who devoted much of his life to exploring Africa and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He once asked this thought-provoking rhetorical question: “If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a heavenly King, be considered a sacrifice?”
If we think of evangelism and missions work that way, then we realize what an honor and a privilege it is to do whatever we can in response to the Great Commission.
Here is something else to think about: the first book of the New Testament (Matthew) ends rather abruptly with Jesus’ final words. He said: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Jesus could have talked about heaven or His return, but instead, He commissioned His disciples – including each of us – to continue doing the work of the ministry.
Today, as we think about the billions of non-Christians around the world – whether in some foreign land or living in the house next door – let’s remember that until the Great Commission is fulfilled, it is still our commission.
Let’s let our lights shine and our words bring life!
Sharing Easter’s Message
Holidays give us great opportunities to share with friends and family members. This is especially true of Easter.
Suppose someone asks you, “Why did Jesus have to die?”
How would you respond?
Your response could be as simple as, “Because He alone was able to pay for our sins. We deserved punishment, but He paid the penalty for us.”
Without Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, we would all still be separated from God. As 1 Peter 3:18 (Message Bible) says: “Christ suffered because of others’ sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.”
Here are some other things to celebrate and share with others this Easter season:
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life! (John 3:16)
Jesus faced the devil on his turf and came back victorious! (Ephesians 4:7-9)
He was raised from the dead, having conquered death and giving us a living hope! (1 Peter 1:3)
Jesus is the first fruits of those to be raised from the dead. This insures that we, too, will be raised! (1 Corinthians 15:20)
The power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in us now! (Ephesians 1:17-20)
All of this great news is too wonderful to keep to ourselves, so let’s share the importance of Easter with others. And as we do, remember that our testimony - the story of what Jesus did for us and the difference He has made in our lives - is powerful!
Closing the Door to Temptation
It has been said that opportunity only knocks once, but temptation knocks continuously. This statement is only partially true because God gives us opportunities all the time. Temptation, on the other hand, is always trying to find a way into our lives. It is a snare set by the devil, and the bait he uses often appears like something you need or desire, even something that seems sweet and pure. But once you yield to his trap, you will ultimately find the bitter fruit of sin.
The temptations Satan brings your way fall into one of three areas: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life. A problem with any of these areas will lead to a life of sin and bondage. Thank God that He has provided the way of escape!
This week and next, our programs (Lessons from the Life of Joseph, parts 4 & 5) deal with overcoming temptation. I hope you’ll take the time to watch them both.
Oh…and let me leave you with this little story:
A woman who was admired for her purity was once asked, “Sister, what do you do when you are tempted?” She replied, “When the devil knocks at the door, I let Jesus answer.”
Sounds like good theology to me!
Ouch and Amen
We’re in a new series based on lessons we can learn from Joseph’s life.
The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 10 that the things that the things we read about in the Old Testament are meant to serve as examples for us. It says they “were written for our admonition.” My favorite definition of admonition is “to slap your face.” In other words, as we read the Old Testament, it’s supposed to slap your face, to wake you up and point out if you’re going in a wrong direction.
Like many people today, Joseph came from a dysfunctional family. He was his father’s favorite which made him the target of his brothers’ jealousy and anger. Over and over again, He was mistreated and wrongly accused in big ways, but God took all of the catastrophes in his life and turned them around for the good.
Through Joseph’s life story, we can learn much about surviving through injustices and tough times, overcoming temptation, pursuing God and so much more. Every time I read and study about him, I am amazed at what I learn…even if I have to say “ouch” along with “amen” sometimes.
I hope that as you engage with Joseph’s story through this series and your own Bible reading, you’ll be open to a gentle slap on the face. It may be painful for a moment, but as we let God change our hearts, our lives can take a turn for the better!
Mountain Moving Faith
If you ask most people what faith is, they will probably say, “Faith is trust, faith is confidence, or faith is believing.”
All of these things are true, but when Jesus talked about faith in Mark 11:22-23, He said “Whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says.”
Many Christians think believing is enough, but Jesus didn’t say, “Whoever believes.” What He said was, “Whoever says.”
The Bible tells, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). If you want to see the mountains in your life move, you’re going to have to believe and say something! If you had a revelation of what is on the other side of your mountain, you probably wouldn’t be able to stop talking about it. You’d be telling everyone about the breakthrough that is coming!
If you want to see the mountains in your life move out of the way, you’ll need both faith and action.
On our television broadcasts, we are currently doing a series entitled “Get Back.” This week’s program is going to help you deal with those mountainous situations that creep up, those days of adversity that everyone faces from time to time. You won’t want to miss it!
God is Up to Something
Wow! Our current TV series,”Get Back,” is really resonating with viewers!
Just last week, we received calls from over 100 viewers who saw the program and decided to receive God’s gift of salvation. Lots more viewers were encouraged and inspired to whole-heartedly pursue God. I’d say that God is up to something!
Each message of this five-week series is based on a lesson from the life of Elisha, a prophet who had a double portion of God’s anointing.
Elisha wasn’t a man who just sat back and waited for good things to happen to him. No. He went for it! And, as a result, his life was filled with miracles.
One of the lessons his life exemplifies is that victory doesn’t come in one moment…instead, it comes after many small victories that prepare you for success and help you build momentum.
Like Elisha, you and I can press into God and start preparing for a miracle! What will it take? Watch this week’s program and find out!
Get Back - Regaining Your Spiritual Momentum
Hello and welcome to Walking By Faith!
We have just begun a new TV series on regaining your spiritual momentum. I believe God will use these messages to help you get back to where you belong spiritually!
In the first message, we look at a somewhat obscure miracle found in 2 Kings 6:1-7 where a young man loses an iron axe head in the Jordan river. The prophet Elisha tells the man to “go back to the place where you lost it.”
Then God does the supernatural and, through Elisha, literally makes the axe head swim to shore!
I don’t want to tell the whole account here, but as you watch the program, realize that the axe head can be likened to the power of God in our lives, the sharpness we need to live in the victory Christ purchased for us. It represents His grace and His supernatural ability operating in your life.
If you seem to have lost the axe head, don’t keep on swinging away, hoping that no one will notice. You’ll only tire yourself out.
God wants you to recover everything that has been lost so you can regain spiritual momentum, and this series is going to help you do just that!