MODERN DAY PROPHET

Are you what we might call a modern-day prophet, a tomorrow-thinker in a world of yesterday-dwellers? Or do you know somebody like that? Though often unpopular and unthanked, these people perform a vital role in society. They look at the future and issue precious warnings.
A legend dated around AD 89 states that the apostle John lost the first transcription of his apocalyptic vision. The account was preserved only by word of mouth, since the document was lost during the persecution of Domitian. In it a fifth horseman emerged. This rider actually led the other four, says the legend. You remember the other four: War, Pestilence, Famine, and Death. As the lead rider became nauseated by the deeds of his fellows, he pressed far ahead of them. He entered every village, every city, with a great cry and terrifying predictions. To the rulers of each place he warned of those who came hard behind him, and as proof, he showed them the blood on his own horse's hooves. Then, as always, he went on, for his urgency was great.
Behind him citizens fell into profound arguments. Some called him a liar. They said the blood was that of goats, not humans. Others considered him insane . . . and a few claimed he had not passed that way at all; they merely imagined him there. Theological, philosophical, and political debate abounded. In the end, no one said, "A prophet has been among us," so his warnings did not prevail. The four horsemen ultimately arrived, and as predicted, slew their three times tens of thousands.
Meanwhile, the legendary fifth horseman came to the outermost reaches of the earth and turned about, satisfied with his work. However, as he revisited one city after another---all now destroyed and desolate---he realized nothing he had said had made one bit of difference. Unrepentant, arrogant, indifferent, and disobedient, they had refused to act upon the truth they had been told. The legend concludes with the fifth horseman rejoining his companions. Together they slew all mankind and destroyed their cities.
And the identity of him who led? The name of him who warned, according to the legend?
Reality.

Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share My Hope, Copyright © 1985, 1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

RELEASING YOUR WORRIES

RELEASING YOUR WORRIES

After preaching on Sunday morning, Cynthia and I always take time to greet folks as they are leaving. Some time ago, a smiling young mother approached me while the last few people trickled out of the sanctuary.
As we talked, I observed that she was intelligent, well-dressed, and looked successful. Watching the well-behaved youngsters waiting patiently behind her, I assumed that she was what our society would call a “Supermom.”
But when I asked if I could meet her husband, she began to weep. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she told me about her impending divorce. After enduring many years of verbal abuse, she was facing a bitter custody battle with a man who had vowed to do everything he could to destroy her life and her family.
She looked at me and said, “Chuck, I don’t know who I am anymore. He’s been telling me that I’m worthless for so long that I believe him. And I’m terrified that I’m going to lose my children. Does God even care? Does He remember me at all?”
Listening to the raw pain in her voice, my heart broke. How many other women pretend that everything is all right today when they’re terrified about tomorrow? How many others try to cover up pain and feelings of inferiority with a brittle smile and a false “I’m fine. How are you?”
We live in a culture that expects women to have perfect looks, perfect marriages, perfect children, and perfect careers, treating anything less with disdain. In more than four decades of ministry, I have seen the heartache caused by these false expectations. Every single one of us—male or female—is drowning in an unrelenting flood of fear, self-doubt, tasks, demands, and pressures. Believe me; even those who exude an air of confidence and poise secretly struggle with feelings of anxiety and inferiority.
But God never intended for us to remain caught in this emotional riptide. The apostle John offers a lifeline: “We know and rely on the love God has for us. . . . Perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:16–18 NIV, emphasis added).
God’s love alone can calm the raging storms of worry and the thunder of inferiority in our lives. His love alone can be our strong rudder when fierce winds blow. His love alone can serve as our reliable compass when we lose our bearings. His love alone can be our safe harbor when we just can’t continue sailing on.
At Insight for Living, we have watched far too many Christian women struggle with anxiety and self-doubt. Each day, we read letters from people all over the world who share stories of pain, stories of lost hope, stories of anguish and fear. And we consistently recognize and respond to folks who have been worn down by circumstances, men and women who need to be reminded of God’s love.

Chuck Swindoll
Insights for Living

PSALM 23

Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd = That's Relationship!


I shall not want = That's Supply!



He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = That's Rest!



He leadeth me beside the still waters = That's Refreshment!


He restoreth my soul = That's Healing!



He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = That's Guidance!


For His name sake = That's Purpose!



Yea, though I walk through the valley of t he shadow of death = That's
Testing!



I will fear no evil = That's Protection!

For Thou art with me = That's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me = That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies =
That's Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil = That's Consecration!



My cup runneth over = That's Abundance!



Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life =
That's Blessing !

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = That's Security!



Forever = That's Eternity!

Face it, the Lord is crazy about you.



Send this to people you are crazy about.

I thought this was pretty special, just like YOU!!!

What is most valuable,

is not what we have in our lives, but



WHO we have in our lives!


' Do not ask the Lord to Guide your Footsteps if you are not willing to move your Feet'
Peace.






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Even though you can't see Him, GOD is there for you

TODAY'S INSPIRATION

Questions
by Charles R. Swindoll

1 Peter 3:15

Tom Skinner, the gifted black evangelist, penned a book with a title that won't let me go: If Christ Is the Answer, What Are the Questions?

I like that . . . not only because it's creative, but because it strikes a chord in my soul that harmonizes well with the voices of many searchers in society.

Far too many sheep in the fold have turned a deaf ear to the questions of goats outside the gate. We are busily engaged in a mutual-admiration campaign, complimenting one another's wool . . . or gloating over our position in the pen. The fence that separates us from the goats is all too often more like a sound-resistant one-way glass. This "glass fence" produces two serious and sad results:

1. It absorbs and muffles the outside sounds so that what we hear are not the actual questions goats are asking.

2. It reflects back to the goats not only their own hopeless appearance but a distinct silence that says, in effect, "Sorry, we have no answer," or "We'll just ignore that, since you're not teachable and only want to argue."

Oh sure, there are exceptions . . . but you've got to agree with me that most sheep have stopped considering the questions and have started analyzing the answers.

Now, I'm not saying we never make a stab at it. I am saying, however, that our stabs are usually quick thrusts of doctrinal daggers in technical verbiage familiar mainly to sheep, not careful throws of javelins in the jargon of the goats that hit the target with a telling effect. Sheep are satisfied, it seems, to bleat out answers to questions nobody's asking . . . or beat goats about the head and shoulders with dull biblical clubs backed up by a defensive, threatened attitude. My fellow sheep---that simply will not lead to a harvest of grateful goats. Bleeding, assaulted goats don't submit; they fight or flee.

Christianity is completely credible. Objective, honest, historically documented evidence in favor of the basics of our faith is massive in fact and impressive in volume. But there is many a goat who is hung up on some question(s) that tethers him outside the fold. His search is often genuine, his thinking is usually logical . . . and he is looking for evidence that makes sense, facts that hold up under intelligent investigation.

These questions are like ropes tossed over the fence. They are not necessarily designed to create an argument or slam our faith to the mat. They are often intellectual inquiries---occasionally theoretical---that force us to think (which many sheep stopped doing when they walked through the gate). If we view these ropes as lifelines, we'll grab hold and not let go. If we consider them as foolish arguments or an unimportant waste of time, we may miss choice, irreplaceable opportunities.

The apostle Peter put it this way:

always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. (1 Peter 3:15)

He precedes this command with a reminder that we should feel neither troubled nor intimidated. The slightest noise gives woolies the willies. No need! Especially if we are "ready to make a defense."

Sheep on the front lines today are those who have come to know and love the Answer . . . but are able to handle the questions with wisdom and gentleness. This means that we must stay inquisitive and alert.

Maybe the reason we've stopped answering questions is because we've stopped asking them.

Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share My Hope, Copyright © 1985, 1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.