Today’s Devotional |
Today's Devotional
- Memory Verse
- The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate (Proverbs 8:13).
Is it ever wise to hate?
Cradled in a chapter exalting wisdom, is an injunction to hate.
Surprising?
Not when the righteous character of God is considered.
The fear (reverential trust) of the LORD causes one to hate what He hates. We are not shocked when instructed to love what God loves. Logic leads from love to hate. God hates evil, therefore it is wise for His children to hate evil too.
But hating sin is not popular in our day. Evil is simply renamed to make it more acceptable. Nevertheless, God’s standards have not changed. Judgment will not be an exercise in semantics. Evil is evil. Sin is sin! And the child of God is called upon to declare his loyalty to the God of righteous- ness.
Now let’s get personal.
It is not so difficult to hate evil, pride and arrogancy in another. Despising the froward mouth of a neighbor or fellow church member may come easily. But what if these awful acts and attitudes are our own?
- Have you learned to hate pride when you see it in the mirror?
- Have you caught yourself being disgustingly arrogant?
- Do you face the issue when you have spoken wrongly?
Thankfully, these serious transgressions of God’s will can be confessed, forgiven and forsaken. No one has to live in defeat. Like all sins, these can be put away and overcome — if you hate them enough!
Daily Devotionals
“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God…”
Psalm 42:1, 2
“Soul Food” is a daily devotional written by Dr. Jack Van Impe that brings God’s Word to life.
“The Tender Touch” is a weekly devotional from the heart of Dr. Rexella Van Impe.
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- Memory Verse
- Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27).
God is all-powerful. Theologians call this attribute “omnipotence.” To most of us that just means that God can do anything.
The first verse in the Bible guarantees God’s limitless power: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Still, the mind of man has continually staggered at God’s ability to perform many of the miracles recorded in His Word.
How inconsistent!
The God who formed the seas could easily open one of them for His people to cross dry-shod. The God who feeds the angels could easily drop enough from heaven’s table to feed the Israelites in the wilderness. The God who called forth water from the first spring could easily open a new fountain in a rock so that thirsty people could drink. The God who filled the seas with life could easily prepare a great fish perfectly designed to swallow backslidden and disobedient Jonah. The God who laid the foundations of the earth could easily cause it to tremble beneath the walls of Jericho until the mighty fortress fell. The God who holds the wind in His hands could easily call for a calm on the Sea of Galilee when it was raging in a storm. The God who engineered the human body could easily give ability to the lame to walk and the blind to see. The God who gave life could easily return it to one from whom it had taken flight.
And the God who knows your tomorrows can easily carry you through the darkest day.
- Memory Verse
- Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; thou understandest my thought afar off (Psalm 139:2).
God knows all.
He knows all the past. While historians and archaeologists study and dig to solve the stubborn secrets of antiquity, God knows all about them. Questioning Job, the Lord said: “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?” (Job 38:4,5).
He knows all about the present. Philosophers puzzle over present problems. Politicians probe for answers. Stargazers try to discern the signs of the times in order to advise the public on their horoscopes. But God knows. Nothing takes Him by surprise. Everything is open before His gaze.
He knows all about the future. No crystal ball is needed for God to chart our tomorrows. He sees them more clearly than we remember yesterday. And He holds the future in His hands. All events still to come are written in His history book. The movements of the nations, the rise and fall of political leaders, and the personal triumphs and tragedies of us all are already in His mind.
Knowing Him, then, we can feel safe. We do not need to fear what the future holds for we know the One who holds the future. Even in times of trial, we can experience the confidence and assurance that carried Job through such great loss. In the darkest of hours, he declared: “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).
- Memory Verse
- All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:3).
Napoleon said: “I marvel that whereas the ambitious dreams of myself, Caesar, and Alexander should have vanished into thin air, a Judean peasant — Jesus — should be able to stretch His hands across the centuries and control the destinies of men and nations.” But the dismayed fallen leader had forgotten to take into consideration the fact that Jesus was far more than a Judean peasant.
Had Jesus been but a man, He could not have atoned for the sins of the world. It was the great Creator who came down in human form to redeem His creation. No wonder He spoke with authority. No wonder the wind and waves were subject to Him. No wonder death could not hold Him.
John explains that Christ is the source of light and life. Doubters used to attack the reliability of the Bible account of creation because light is said to have been created before the sun. Now we know that there are other sources of light in the universe. How foolish to suppose that the Creator would be dependent upon the sun for illumination. That fiery ball is but one of His deputies assigned to provide light and physical life to planet earth.
At the moment of new birth, the same creative power that called the universe into existence becomes active within the believer: “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
- Memory Verse
- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
Cults often attack the Trinity. Yet, teaching about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is found throughout the Bible.
The first verse in the Bible contains the plural form of the word that is translated God, elohim. Plurality is also indicated in such statements as: “And God said, Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness...” (Genesis 1:26). “And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of US” (3:22).
Still, the Bible insists that God is ONE: “Hear, 0 Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD” (Deuteronomy 6:4). In short, then, the Hebrew words used for God and to describe God call for a plurality in unity.
But who are the persons of this plurality?
One Person is the Father. “Doubtless thou art our father” (Isaiah 63:16).
One Person is the Son. “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee” (Psalm 2:7).
One Person is the Holy Spirit. “And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2).
Paul’s benediction at the end of his second letter to the Corinthians makes it clear: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen” (2 Corinthians 13:14).
Who could ask for more?
- Memory Verse
- He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love (1 John 4:8).
Many claim the name “Christian” who are not genuine. Some who profess Christ as Saviour are filled with bitterness, malice, selfishness, hatred, and envy. They are quick to gossip and they delight when others stumble along the way. Often these people are themselves deceived, and are of the opinion that their religious charade commends them to God.
Christians are people who have been born again through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This new birth is possible because of God’s love for us. His love is seen in His many blessings and provisions but especially in the death of His Son on the cross: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
The love of God is placed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit: “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost who is given unto us” (Romans 5:5).
It is totally inconsistent for one who has been saved to be filled with ire, bitterness, and malice. John wrote: “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4:20).
Since God loves us, let us communicate His love to others. John put it all together well: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (1 John 4:11).
- Memory Verse
- And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints (Revelation 15:3).
Dr. Philpot once had the sad duty of going to tell a Christian woman that her husband had died in battle. After greeting her he said, “I am the bearer of sad tidings. Your dear husband has been slain in battle!” The woman fell to the floor and wept uncontrollably. The faithful pastor did all he could to bring comfort to her but the grief-stricken woman, seemingly deaf to his words, would only cry out, “Is it true after all?” Thinking that she doubted the sad news, he said: “Yes, my good woman, it is true. Your husband has given his life in the service of his country.” “Oh, Pastor,” she sobbed, “I know that my husband is gone, but is it really true that there is a God who cares?”
There are many difficult experiences in life and in some of them we may be tempted to doubt the goodness and wisdom of God. Castles tumble. Plans do not work out. Health flees. Everything seems to go wrong. What is the answer?
The answer lies in our inability to know all the details of any given situation as God knows them. Our information is incomplete. God, knowing the future and all the results of every possible set of events, brings about what is best for His own (see Romans 8:28).
When we meet Him, we’ll join the heavenly chorus singing: “Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.”
- Memory Verse
- And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory (Isaiah 6:3).
A lady once prayed: “0 Lord, forgive us. We do so many things now that we used to think were wrong.” Her prayer is a commentary on many lives.
When Isaiah was given a vision of the Lord, he was most impressed with God’s holiness. That is not surprising since, in his vision, the creatures about the throne were occupied day and night with that attribute of God.
The holiness of God is taught throughout the Bible. Sodom and Gomorrah could not be allowed to continue in their wickedness. The angels that left their first estate were not spared. The world in Noah’s day had but one hundred twenty years to turn from wickedness before destruction. Nineveh had to repent in forty days in response to the preaching of Jonah or be overthrown.
The most powerful illustration of God’s holiness is found in the death of Christ on the cross. Sin could not be excused. It had to be judged. There was but one way for God to be just and the justifier: The Innocent One had to atone for the guilty. Christ died for us, taking our place: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Live carefully. The price of sin is high. And one day soon we must stand before our Holy God (see Romans 14:12).
That day is coming, dear one... The day
we shall see Christ as He is. At that final
moment of earthís history for us, will He find us
blazing bright with His message of love and
hope?
I think of the maple trees across the street
from our house. One autumn season, what a
glorious display of red, yellow, brown and
purple we were treated to when those leaves
began to turn! When the evening sun came
shining through the leaf-covered boughs, each
tree seemed to be on fire.
When I was home, I enjoyed looking over
at those glorious maples. I was a little sad
when the last leaves fell and only skeleton-like
arms were left silhouetted against the winter
sky.
I waited for spring and new leaves on those
trees, but the new buds never sprouted. I was
shocked to see my neighbor cutting down the
lifeless limbs and dead trunks.
How could trees that had been so beautiful
just last fall be dead in spring? Someone
explained to me what had happened: the trees
sense when they are in their last season, and
they pour all their remaining strength into one
last spectacular display --
They go out in a blaze of glory!
Like nature, the Bible is full of examples of
this final "blaze of glory." Think of Samson,
whose entire existence was reduced to turning
a grind stone for the Philistines, in his
eternally dark, blind state.
Yet when he was brought into the Philistine
coliseum to entertain them, the Bible says:
"And Samson took hold of the two middle
pillars upon which the house stood, and on which
it was borne up, of the one with his right hand,
and of the other with his left. And Samson said,
ëLet me die with the Philistines.í And he bowed
himself with all his might; and the house fell
upon the lords, and upon all the people that were
therein. So the dead which he slew at his death
were more than they which he slew in his life"
(Judges 16:29-30).
At the wedding in Cana of Galilee, Jesus
turned water into wine when the bridegroom
ran out of wine. And his guests declared: "Every
man at the beginning doth set forth good wine;
and when men have well drunk, then that which
is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until
now" (John 2:10).
Job had a full, rich life until tragedy struck
him. Then he went through some of the most
trying times ever endured by a human being,
but he stayed true to God, and it was said of
him, "So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job
more than his beginning" (Job 42:12).
There is a tremendous lesson for all of us in
this. Without a doubt, we are living in the last
season of this old world. All the prophetic
signs tell us time will soon wind down. In the
short time left to us, we as Christians should
be like the maple tree and prepare to end this
final season in a blaze of glory!
Think of it! We're in the last harvest of souls
this world will ever see before Jesus comes. Say
not ye, There are yet four months, and then
cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up
your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are
white already to harvest (John 4:35).
Knowing the season, we must expend every
resource and every bit of strength at our
disposal to light up the world with the
reflected glory of our Savior. Let us shine our
brightest today... Show our truest colors
now. There will not be another season.
Wife and mother, this may be the last
month or week... or day you will spend with
your family. Pour out your love on your
husband and children. Husband and father,
this may be your last opportunity to make
your home a glorious place to live, full of joy
and love and excitement. Do it now!
Dear friend, how can you go out with a
blaze of glory? There are simple acts of
kindness you can do: a heart-felt compliment,
a word of encouragement, a friendly phone
call to a lonely acquaintance. They may be
little things, but like each individual maple
leaf, they can fill your life-tree full!
Dr. Van Impe and I need your continued
prayer support as we try to make this season of
our ministry the most glorious of all and
proclaim to the world: Jesus is coming soon --
perhaps today! The Scripture says...
For the Lord himself shall descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trump of God: and the
dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are
alive and remain shall be caught up together
with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the
air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord ... For
yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord
so cometh as a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians. 4:16-5:2).
Remember to pray for us, even as we pray
for you. Ask God to give us so much strength,
energy, vision and anointing that, like Job, the
end of our lives will be greater than the
beginning. As the Scriptures tell and as the
signs of the times clearly show, the coming of
our Lord is at hand. Let's rise to meet Him in
joy and triumph, going up in a blaze of glory!
Did you ever realize that you are God's gift
to your world? He has planted you on this
earth like a precious flower to share the
beautiful scent of salvation with people in the
parched desert around you. He gave you as a
gift to these souls in need, and He expects you
not only to brighten their world, but to bear
fruit of new souls won to His kingdom. It's not
difficult to do when you allow the Holy Spirit
to work through you.
People all around you need hope. You can
tell, just reading the newspaper. I read several
periodicals every week, just to keep current on
world events... And I can't help but notice
that so many articles in the papers point to
despair.
Violent crime is on the rise. Unemployment
and poverty are rampant. Even suicide --
which used to be so rare -- is becoming
commonplace. It breaks my heart to read that
suicide is one of the leading causes of death
among teenagers. Now even children are
following this deadly trend, like the little girl
we read about in Florida. She threw herself in
front of a train because her mother was dying
with the AIDS virus.
Yet every time I read a newspaper item like
this, it just rings an alarm bell in my heart that
says: People need HOPE. They need the truth
of God's love. "We have this hope as an anchor
for the soul, firm and secure." We read about
the love of God in Hebrews 6:19. That hope is
our anchor, and God is calling each one of us
to share that hope with souls in danger around
us. Jesus has chosen you and me as His gift to
a lost and dying world, to share his eternal
love.
I know that you prize soul-winning above
every other calling in your life; you have
demonstrated that by your strong support of
this ministry, which is sharing God's love
continually with those in need. Yet I also
believe that God has called each one of His
children to share His precious salvation
message in our personal lives. How can we do
it? How can we find the words?
The Lord knows you inside and out; He
knows you better than you know yourself.
Through His intimate knowledge of your
special talents and your limitations, I believe
He will call you to win souls in the best, most
effective way possible for you ... What I mean
is, God does not expect you to become an
evangelist or a Gospel singer or a street-corner
preacher. He simply calls you to do what you
are able to do in presenting a Gospel witness.
For instance, there's a little shopping mall
near my home where I like to browse when I
can spare a few minutes. I don't go there with
my Bible under my arm, looking for someone
I could talk to ... I simply go shopping like any
other lady. But the Lord has given me
opportunities to witness to several of the
workers at that mall -- waitresses and sales
ladies.
Sometimes one of them will say, "Why are
you always so happy? There's something
different about you." They don't care whether
or not I've been to Bible school or what church
I attend. They just notice God's love at work
in me. Or sometimes if I ask one of them how
they're doing, they will say, "I'm having a
problem..." and they pour out their hearts to
me.
They sense my love and interest in their
lives, and they want to know what makes me
happy. Through these simple things, the Lord
has allowed me to lead several of these ladies to
the cross and pray with them to accept Jesus.
It's not difficult, and it doesn't require that you
know a lot of Scripture or have a powerful
testimony.
I would encourage you to use our video
teachings in your personal witnessing. Invite
your neighbors to a Bible study in your home,
and use Jack's video teaching as a guide -- or
give our videos as a gift. It's a loving and
effective way to warn your friends about the
coming end times and lead them to Jesus.
I know from my own personal experience
that there is something YOU can do for the
Lord. You can personally witness to others and
help lead them to Christ, in a specific way
which God has enabled you to share and
which no one else on earth could do like you.
You are God's gift to a lost world -- let Him
use you to reach your world with His good
news!
During the course of a year, Jack and I
receive various invitations to speak at a variety
of functions. One such invitation that he
never refuses is the privilege of being the
keynote speaker for an international prophecy
conference in Florida. The invitation came
again this year; he accepted, and we were on
our way! Flying to Tampa would surely be the
quickest means of getting there, but since we
desperately needed a break from our workload,
we decided to incorporate a few days of
relaxation by driving to our destination. I was
elated to see the bright and beautiful February
morning as we left our home in Michigan. We
thoroughly enjoyed the quiet, pleasant, and
fun-filled days on the road. It was a perfect
time to talk with each other without
interruptions and absorb some of God's
magnificent, majestic creation.
As we approached Atlanta, Georgia, I was
especially taken with a sign on the back of a
Yellow Checker taxi. It was an interesting
slogan that said, "Go home a winner; play the
Lottery!" The first four words began to echo in
my mind and heart, "Go home a winner!" I
prayed silently, "Lord, this is what you expect
from all of your followers. You want us to be
winners in the race of life."
Remembering that heaven is a prepared
place for a prepared people, we must truly be
ready to go home by knowing the Lord Jesus
as Savior (Philippians 3:10). When this is a
reality, we will have the blessing of God's Spirit
within our hearts (Romans 8:9). Surely it is
impossible to be successful in attaining the
approval of our Lord unless we have the power
of His Spirit in our lives. He alone enables us
to win the battle against Satan.
I do not need to convince any thinking
person that we are fighting against some fierce
odds. All we need to do is watch the television
news or read daily newspapers and current
magazines to see how Satan is winning in some
arenas of the world. Thank the Lord that it is
possible for us to say, as did the Apostle Paul:
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my
course, I have kept the faith" (I Timothy 4:7).
Here are some of the thoughts that I had
pertaining to being a winner as we continued
our journey South.
1. Follow the Lord in His example of holiness.
There are several ways that we can go home
a winner. One would certainly be by following
the Lord Jesus in His example of holy living.
Positionally, we have been declared holy
because of what Jesus did for us when He died
at Calvary, but experientially, God wants us to
follow peace and holiness in our daily lives.
How good that our loving God gave us the
Ten Commandments (not suggestions) so that
we could have guidelines to help us know right
and wrong, black and white, and not the
modern concept of living in some gray area of
life with no absolutes. Often we hear a theory
called "situation ethics" expounded. This
contemporary humanistic reasoning manifests
itself when one accepts this theory which
declares: "I have the right to ignore God's
commandments because of the situation in
which I find myself." This philosophy offers
no restraints for moral actions or personal
pleasures.
There are times, however, when we are
unable to live completely like the Lord would
desire, and we fall short of His holy example.
How good to know that we do serve a loving,
forgiving God. The Apostle John tells us the
story of a woman who was caught in the act of
adultery and thrown at Jesus' feet. She was
guilty of a great, and immoral sin -- according
to Jewish law she deserved death, but Jesus'
response to her was one of overwhelming love.
The power of His love is greater than any sin.
He not only forgave her, but he would not
allow her accusers to condemn her. He knew
they too were guilty and hypocritical about
their condemnation. Thus he looked at her
with compassion and said, "Neither do I
condemn thee: go, and sin no more" (John 8:11).
Quickly notice however, that even though
Jesus loved and forgave her of her immorality,
He also exhorted her not to allow the sin to
continue.
In the same way, you and I stand forgiven
...but He expects us to live a holy lifestyle.
2. Follow the Lord in His example of humility.
This is a staggering and astounding
admonition when we consider a very
important aspect about our Lord as He walked
among us.
He was not an ordinary man or prophet.
He was the Son of God! A member of the
Holy Trinity! Scripture reveals to us that He
helped to create the heavens and the earth --
and that "nothing was made without Him"
(Colossians 1:16). He, as God, is omnipotent,
omnipresent, and omniscient. With this in
mind, I am in awe to think that when He
walked upon earth He gave us an amazing
example of humility.
I find it hard to comprehend that He was so
humble He knelt down and washed the feet of
His disciples (John 13:14). What a beautiful
and awesome thought: We serve a humble
God!
Surely this example should cause us to
conclude that the more responsibility you and
I are given in this life... the more humility is
required. Perhaps the reason some hesitate to
exemplify humility is found in the fact that
they confuse meekness with weakness.
Meekness never manifests itself in weakness.
I am so grateful that I have had the privilege
of working alongside so many great men. In
my opinion, the greatest of these personalities
were those who chose to humble themselves in
the sight of God, following the Lord Jesus in
His meek and lowly life (Matthew 11:28 and
29). In so doing, God exalted and blessed
these leaders abundantly (James 4:10).
An astounding illustration of this can be
found in Westminster Abbey in London,
England. There, among the tombs of many,
are the tributes to David Livingstone and his
brother.
David Livingstone's brother was a man of
great fame since he was a very successful
business man. When David Livingstone
wanted to go to the mission field to share the
Gospel, it was his brother who tried to reason
with him by saying, "Don't go David, you are
burying yourself in Africa and wasting your
life. You have so much to look forward to in
England. In a short time you are destined to
become wealthy." David Livingstone listened
to the voice of God instead of his brother. He
left for the mission field to pioneer a
tremendous work for His Lord in Central
Africa.
Today, on the monument of David
Livingstone, there is a beautiful, royal tribute
etched in stone as a commemoration of his
tremendous and enduring accomplishments.
Right next to this tribute, lies the monument
of his brother that merely reads: "The brother
of David Livingstone."
We may never receive the promised
exaltation of James 4:10 here on earth, but
someday we will go home winners if we
exemplify humility in our lives.
3. Follow the Lord in His example of Evangelization.
A dramatic and dynamic event occurred
when Jesus ascended into heaven. The last
words that He spoke to his disciples were: "But
ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost
is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto
me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in
Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the
earth" (Acts 1:8). Let's consider two thoughts
concerning His last request.
Why do we receive power? So we can
witness. Where did Jesus want us to witness?
Right where we are. Perhaps another way we
could paraphrase this is: "But ye shall receive
power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Detroit, and in all of Michigan, and in the
United States, and unto the uttermost part of
the earth." Place your city, state and nation in
the above.
I appreciate how Jesus prepared lives around
Him for His message of love and salvation.
First of all, He cared for the specific needs of
each and every one. Remember how he healed
their bodies (John 5:1-9), how He brought
comfort to their minds during times of sorrow
(John 11:20-45), and how He gave them food
to satisfy their hunger (Matthew 15:32-38). It
may prove a blessing for us to follow His
example by caring for those around us before
we attempt to reach out to them spiritually.
There are so many with multiplied problems.
Let's always be aware of their needs first and
then love them enough to reach out in a
tangible way.
Secondly, He met the needs of those near
Him as well as far away. He blessed and
redeemed His disciples and ultimately the
souls of the world via Calvary. Our mission
field is all around us. Let's be vigilant and
ready to help those at home as well as those
abroad. Sometimes those closest to us are
neglected. Perhaps we could say we are often
too far-sighted.
Once there was a young lady in San
Francisco who wanted to go to China as a
missionary. But when she went before the
Missions Board, they asked her two very
important questions... The first was: "How
far do you live from Chinatown?" "Just a few
miles..." she replied. Then they asked her
the second question: "Have you been there to
share the Gospel with them?" Her answer was
"no." How sad! The board in good conscience
could not approve her application to become a
missionary.
Take note! The last thing Jesus asked us to
do before He ascended into heaven was, "Go
and be witnesses." The first thing we will be
asked by the Lord when we arrive home is:
"Did you keep my commandment?" Scripture
tells us there will be a special reward for such
an effort (I Thessalonians 2:19).
John the Baptist spoke these inspiring
words that may help us in our efforts to be
winners. He said of Jesus, "He must increase, but
I must decrease" (John 3:30). May this powerful
exhortation reside and reign in our hearts as
we resolve to "GO HOME A WINNER!"
No story in the Bible more movingly
pictures human gratitude than the healing of
ten lepers in Luke 17:12-18...
And as He entered into a certain village,
there met Him ten men that were lepers,
which stood afar off'. and they lifted up their
voices and said, ëJesus, Master, have mercy on
us.í
And when He saw them, He said unto
them, ëGo shew yourselves unto the priests.í
And it came to pass, that, as they went, they
were cleansed.
And one of them, when he saw that he was
healed, turned back, and with a loud voice
glorified God. And he fell down on his face at
His feet, giving Him thanks: and he was a
Samaritan.
And Jesus answering said, ëWere there not
ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There
are not found that returned to give glory to
God, save this stranger.í"
Have you too found that sometimes when a
person gets what he wants, he forgets to say
thank you? Throughout Jesus' ministry, He
was giving examples of how we should live. He
knew -- as He knew all things -- that only
one man would return to express appreciation.
Thus, Christ wanted this story of the ten
lepers recorded for future generations, so that
we would know the importance of giving
thanks.
Give Without Expecting Thanks?
I've heard it said that we should not
"expect" thanks in return for the kindnesses we
show. If we don't expect it, we will never be
disappointed in our fellow man. However, I
believe that the attitude of being grateful and
showing it is a biblical principle. Notice verse
17; it seems as if Jesus expected a "thank-you"
from all ten lepers. He said, "But where are the
nine?"
Jesus was showing us a practical example of
Colossians 3:15, "Be ye thankful." Obviously,
thanksgiving is expected of us. This is one
reason mothers and fathers, while teaching
their children to speak, emphasize the
importance of saying "please" and "thank
you.
We expect such "common" courtesies even
from toddlers. Naturally, it is disconcerting
when adults are ungrateful in response to
God's kindnesses to them. How many of us
follow the dictum of Colossians 3:15, "Be ye
thankful"?
Bless the LORD, O My Soul!
In Psalm 103, we read a beautiful song of thanksgiving:
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is
within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all
His benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who
healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who
crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender
mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;
so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The Lord executeth righteousness...
(Psalm 103:1-6)
Notice in this text that the psalmist recalls
the "benefits" of serving God, and even lists
them in his song of praise. Have you ever
created such a list? The little Sunday School
song that I learned as a child implores us to
"count your blessings; name them one by one,
and it will surprise you what the Lord has
done." When we pray and give thanks to God,
let us remember all the wonderful blessings He
has bestowed on us!
A Chocolate Remembrance
It was my special joy to meet and fellowship
with the many friends who came to our open
house at our JVI Headquarters. What a
pleasure it was to hear so many of them say,
"Thank you" to Dr. Van Impe and me during
that great day of celebration.
Some of our friends even surprised us with
special presents. I'll never forget, one beautiful
little girl, maybe seven years of age, with her
big eyes glowing, handed me a box of candy
and said, "We remembered that your husband
likes chocolates." I reached down, embraced
her, and said, "Thank you, sweetheart."
Since we are unable to write thank-you
notes to everyone who came to our open
house or brought gifts, I would like, in this
open forum, to thank everyone for their
thoughtfulness, love and generosity.
But let me go one step beyond thanking our
wonderful guests who came to visit us. Let me
also extend my gratitude to every supporter
and friend of our ministry. Thank you all, dear
ones, for your financial help, prayers, letters
and encouragement.
We especially thank you whose lives have
been changed for your notes and letters of
testimony. Jack and I have had many praise
sessions because of God's word in your hearts.
The Impact of Encouragement
It would be virtually impossible to carry on
this ministry to which God has called us
without help and encouragement from
precious friends like you. We need your
encouragement; we thrive upon hearing about
your triumphs and victories because God used
our ministry to reach you. It is difficult to
express the impact we feel as we receive
hundreds of thousands of letters each year
sharing such blessings. It is like a warm ray of
sunshine on a cold winter's day.
At His last supper, Jesus showed us exactly
how important encouragement is at the
darkest hours of our life. When Jesus had thus
said, He was troubled in spirit, and testified,
and said, ëVerily, verily, I say unto you, that
one of you shall betray me.í Then the disciples
looked one on another, doubting of whom He
spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom
one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved (John
13:21-23).
John could feel the Master's burdened spirit
and leaned his head on Jesus to express his love
and concern. John wanted to give his Lord a
measure of additional strength and
encouragement. This example of human love
from this disciple is so beautiful that it cannot
be overlooked.
I am sure Jesus absorbed a great deal of love
and respect from His apostles. I do believe,
however, God laid it on their hearts to be
extremely compassionate and supportive of
the Lord Jesus especially because of the agony
which lay ahead.
The Most Important Person on Earth
Jack and I thank you for the encouragement
you have been to us. May our example help
you to express appreciation to special people in
your life for the blessings they have been to
you.
For instance, when was the last time you
said "thank you" to the person you hold
dearest on earth? Remember your mate is a gift
from God, and the Bible teaches us to love and
respect each other. Read Ephesians 5:20,25,28.
Ladies, when the man in your life opens the
door for you, do you say, "Thank you,
sweetheart"? Gentlemen, when the lady of
your dreams fixes your favorite meal, do you
remember to say, "Thank you honey, that was
delicious!" (You might even say "thank you"
when the roast is tough, especially when you
have only been married for 10 weeks!) When
your son or daughter plans a surprise birthday
party for you, do you give him or her a loving
hug and express gratitude? Oh how important
it is to be mindful to say "thank you,"
especially to those closest to us.
Thanks for the Memories
Parents, also, deserve our thanks. In fact,
the edict to honor our father and mother is
one of the Ten Commandments -- and it is
the first commandment with a promise.
Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days
may be long upon the land which the Lord thy
God giveth thee (Exodus 20:12).
I am sure that there are many people who
made an infinitely important impact upon
your life, but who probably are not aware of it.
Perhaps there was a teacher somewhere along
the line who captured your imagination and
helped you to learn. Would it not be a
wonderful idea to write a thank-you note
telling him or her of the great contribution
that they made toward the success of your
career and personal life?
I heard the story of a grown man who
remembered his best school teacher from years
past, and sent her a letter thanking her for all
she had given him and his classmates. The
teacher was in her 80's now, and gratefully
replied, saying: "I taught school for 50 years,
and this is the first note of gratitude I have
ever received!"
Likewise, your thank-you note would mean
so much to someone today.
Everyday Gratitude
Most of us don't take the time to thank our
pastors or Sunday School teachers or ministers
of music and youth for the hours they spent
studying and preparing to help us in our
spiritual walk. I feel confident they would
appreciate knowing you are grateful and have
been blessed by their ministry.
Saying "thank-you" will also enhance your
opportunities to witness for Christ. When the
clerk at the supermarket is helpful, look that
person right in the eye and say, "Thank you."
I know this is appreciated, because one
young lady who has helped me many times at
the store said to me, "You know, Rexella, you
are the only customer who really looks at me,
and this tells me I'm important to you." I pray
she sees more than just a look, but that
through my eyes she sees Someone whocares
for her deeply.
Of course, we could go on and on with a list
of people who deserve our thanks, but as you
open your horizon of opportunities to show
appreciation, let me assure you that you will
experience a great sense of satisfaction in
expressing it.
H.W. Beecher said, "Pride slays
thanksgiving. A proud man never thinks he
gets as much as he deserves."
The Bible tells us that all have sinned and
fallen short of the glory of God. In light of
eternity, none of us "deserves" the many
wonderful blessings which have been bestowed
on us. Our sinful humanity deserves only
eternal punishment.
Yet Christ in His infinite mercy provided a
way of escape for us through His shed blood,
and rewards us with eternal life. How can we
not be thankful every moment of our lives? We
did nothing to deserve all of His blessing;
Christ did it all.
So there is no room for pride in our lives,
and oh -- so much room for thanksgiving!
Let us rejoice this day and obey the command
of Colossians 3:15: "Be ye thankful."