August 25
Joseph Tremblay of Quebec, ordained a priest in Rome, was serving in Chile, where, he writes, “One Sunday I chose as my theme: ‘Religious Hypocrisy,’ and used the text: ‘Not every one that says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven…I will profess to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who work iniquity’ (Mt 7:21-23). As I delivered my message, I sensed Someone was preaching to me: ‘I never knew you: depart from Me.’ So I argued: ‘How is it possible? Am I not Your priest? Look at all the sacrifices I have made for You.’ But in spite of my arguments, the...
Read MoreAugust 24
Here are three prayers that, if prayed believingly, would revolutionize the work of the gospel in our areas. First, “Lord…send forth laborers!” (Lk 10:2). Of course, this means we must be prepared to be sent ourselves, and to support those whom the Lord sends in answer to our prayer. Then we need to ask, “Lord, teach us to pray!” (Lk 11:1) so that our efforts in the harvest fields are rewarded when God gives “the increase” (1 Cor 3:6). Finally, our prayer should be: “Lord, increase our faith!” (Lk 17:5). These three requests seem to be nested into each other. What would our acknowledgement...
Read MoreAugust 23
Journalist Malcolm Muggeridge was one of the West’s leading atheists. But in a stunning reversal, in 1969 he published Jesus Rediscovered, declaring his faith in Christ. “I may, I suppose, regard myself as a relatively successful man. People occasionally stare at me in the streets; that’s fame. I can fairly easily earn enough to qualify for admission to the higher slopes of the Internal Revenue Service. That’s success. Furnished with money and a little fame, even the elderly…may partake of trendy diversions. That’s pleasure. It might happen once in awhile that something I said or wrote was...
Read MoreAugust 22
“You became followers of us and of the Lord…so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe” (1 Thess 1:5-7). Disciple making is the Lord’s design. We will convince no one that we are NT believers if we are not engaged in this vital work. Why? 1. Because it is the express will of God. “Go ye therefore, and [make disciples of] all nations” (Mt. 28:19). 2. Because people—justified, sanctified, glorified people—are the only commodity to be transferred to the next world; everything else will be burned. 3. Because it is the only way to accomplish the Great Commission; the...
Read MoreAugust 21
Alfred Wiener, a Jew born in Frankfurt, Germany, became familiar with “St. Matthew’s Passion” by Bach and Handel’s “Messiah” through his love of good music. When Hitler came to power, Weiner ended up in Buchenwald. He grew deathly sick. As he lay in the darkness, not knowing whether he was delirious or dreaming, an abyss opened beneath. “I saw hands reaching out, ready to pull me down into an eternity of perdition. Then came a hand from above, and in that one hand was the print of a nail. At this moment, I cried: “Lord Jesus Christ, my Savior, my Redeemer, I die. But You, You alone are able...
Read MoreAugust 20
Want to help advance the gospel? Evaluate needs: see your area as a mission field; map population centers; identify people groups. Assess opportunities: pray for “open doors” (Acts 14:27; 1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3); observe where people gather; look for vulnerabilities (Lk. 4:18) as entry-ways to the good news; observe and develop channels of communication. Inventory resources: mobilize prayer warriors; contact local evangelists, assess current outreaches; consider a gospel fund; encourage tent makers; explore ways to free up time for gospel work. Provide the tools: must be...
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