Lord, we thank You for sending Jesus to find us when we had wandered far from You. Help us to stay close to you as we seek out those who are still lost and need to hear of the salvation that you offer them through Christ. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 8:58 AM CST

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What are you running from?

"The Lord is a mighty tower where his people can run for safety." (Proverbs 18:10, CEV)

I'd always heard that the Great Wall of China was an amazing structure. When we visited China to minister to the churches I had an opportunity to see for myself.

It IS amazing! Nothing but walls and gates and towers for as far as the eye can see. Mile after mile after mile of fortification and protection.

Proverbs 18:10 tells us that God is a strong tower! God is our protector! Not mile after mile, but trial after trial. Moment after moment, hour after hour, circumstance after circumstance, surgery after surgery, disappointment after disappointment, God is a strong tower.

He is faithful and trustworthy. If you read through the pages of history recorded in Scripture you see time and time again God's faithful hand in saving his people. Just the very NAME of God emanates strength. It is in his name that we have power, victory, faith, hope and love.

I like that phrase, "The righteous run to it and are safe." (NIV)

Do you run to God to find safety? Often we look instead to things or people to sedate our anxieties.

Today, when you find yourself becoming anxious about the cares of life, run to him.

Don't wait, don't walk, RUN to your Heavenly Father who waits with open arms to give you safety and comfort.

Ready, set, go!

Point to ponder: God is your Protector and your Strong Tower -- trial after trial.

"The Lord is a mighty tower where his people can run for safety." (Proverbs 18:10, CEV)

What will you do about it: The next time you start worrying, don't run to your friends or some other diversion. Instead, run to God and ask him to help.

Thank God that there's nothing you face without him. Thank him for his love and protection.

Where do you see examples in the Bible of people running to God during times of distress?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 8:03 AM CST

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He gives you new powers, new directions, new visions, new dimensions of living, when you come to know Him. He once said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, [the preaching of] deliverance to the captives, [the] recovering of sight to the blind, [and] to set at liberty them that are bruised". Good news for the poor! Good news for the suffering! Good news for the enslaved! Good news for the blind! Christ can indeed cope with the social problems of the world if we have the capacity. And He gives that capacity when we come to Him and accept Him as Savior.

As Mr. Graham says, you become new when you come to Jesus Christ by faith, and accept him as Savior. To make a decision of faith today, call at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, toll-free, at 1-866-JESUS-CARES. Or, click billygraham.org.

Billy Graham

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 9:48 AM CST

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Naman was a man of power, great power, the commander in chief of the largest army in the world at that time. He was a man of integrity; he was honest, moral man. And the Bible says that human goodness and morality is not enough to satisfy God. It’s not enough to be just a good person, and I’m sure today there are many of you in this audience, you consider yourself a good person. Well, Naman considered himself a good man. It’s not enough that you’re religious. It’s not enough that you pray. It’s not enough that you tithe. It’s not enough that you’re a Sunday School teacher. You’ve got to be born again.

You will be born again when you come to Jesus Christ through faith. To make that decision and begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, toll free, at 866-JESUS-CARES. Or click billygraham.org.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 12:04 PM CST

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Please read Jesus' words in Luke 12:2,3 The time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear.

We need to remember that whatever is done in "secret" is not really secret at all. Even if we have been able to fool our family and friends, God is not fooled. God carefully watches the way people live; he sees everything they do. (Job 34:21)

If it is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret? (Ephesians 5:12), what about the things that we as Christians shamefully do in secret? Do we who personally know Jesus our God, keep secret sins hidden in our hearts: even we, who have been redeemed by His blood. Unfortunately, we still do stumble, and we must recognize we are still sinners. If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. But by continually returning to God by readjusting our lives we have hope: If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. (1 John 1:8,9)

Your challenge today: What parts of your secret life would cause you to be ashamed if they were made public? Will you be able to say, like Paul: I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful (2 Timothy 4:7)

Trusted family members, friends and members of your church can be a great support to you, and there are many resources available online that can help you: http://www.mentodayonline.com/resources/ Resources for Men.

You can also speak privately and confidentially to a mentor online: http://www.mentodayonline.com/chat/askus.html.

By continually working on removing our secret sin, our lives will become self - evangelistic. They will become lights shining to point others towards the grace of God, since You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14)

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 12:57 PM CST

Updated: Friday, 29 February 2008 9:24 AM CST

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What is overwhelming you today?

But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Do you sometimes feel like you've got more than you can handle? Like you're stuck in a tunnel with no end in sight? The demands and the stresses of life can easily overwhelm any of us, but they are no match for the risen Son of God. When we go to him we have enough to get us through.

Corrie ten Boem incarcerated in a prison camp suffered all kinds of atrocities. She watched her sister die. Her father also died. By a fluke she was released from prison and became a tramp for the Lord. She, who had experienced God's love in the pit of human depravity, asked, "How do you know God is enough unless you get into a situation where you have nothing left but God?"

As a private duty nurse, I saw, firsthand, how God's strength is enough even at a death bed.

Florence was coaxing her beloved husband who was in the last stages of cancer, to take a drink of the fruit egg nog she had prepared for him. But being unconscious, he couldn't drink. Seeing her so distraught, I wondered what can I do to bring some comfort? Suddenly I remembered what she had told me on the previous day, "When Paul was well," she had said, "he would spend hours at the piano playing hymns."

Now I suggested we sing Paul's favourite hymn. "Amazing grace," she began, then her voice cracked. "How sweet the sound." It was more of a sob than a song. But she managed to get through the stanzas. Next we sang, "What a Friend we have in Jesus," followed by "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine." With every song her voice became stronger. As we continued to sing, something wonderful happened. There was a Presence in the room. Florence's anguished face became relaxed and gentle. Then, with a voice full of confidence she said, "Paul, this is not defeat. This is victory!"

An amazing strength had seeped into Florence's heart and mind by singing those songs. That strength carried her through the funeral and the coming months of grieving.

What are you facing right now? Take heart! God intends to walk you through the valley. You're not destined to stay there. (Psalm 23) And at the end of it all, you'll see that God was there all the time. Your understanding of God's faithfulness will be greater and deeper for having gone through the experience.

Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me back to your dwelling. I want to be led, not by my moods, but by the truth of God.

Do you have more than you can handle right now? Stop where you are, focus on all God is and put your needs into His capable hands. Do you believe He is enough for what you face today?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 10:28 AM CST

Updated: Friday, 29 February 2008 9:28 AM CST

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Are you uptight today?

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:26-27

It seems like the older I get, the more up tight I get over even the smallest of things and it really got to bothering me. So I said to my self, "self you need to get a hold on this temper of yours." Actually I need to be more like my wife, who never gets up tight over anything except when she gets up tight at me when I get up tight over things I should not get up tight over. She sluffs everything off, saying "What's it going to matter a hundred years from now?"

A few months ago I asked God to help me to not sweat the small things, and the big things too, for that matter. I have been working on it real hard and making progress. When something upsets my plans, I just sit back and ask God what he is trying to show me or to protect me from. What lessons do I learn from this rock in the middle of my otherwise smooth and well planned road?

Take for instance the other night. I was flying from the northern part of the state five hundred miles to the south. When I got to the airport, my flight was delayed an hour. Oh well, it was non stop so I would only be an hour late to my destination. I sat and read. Then the hour delay turned into two and then three and then maybe not if "we can't find a back up plane."

As I stood in front of the counter I took note of the passengers fuming, cursing and being mean to the nice lady behind the counter who was doing the best she could. While everyone was protesting, I noted a plane about to depart to Atlanta and walked over to that counter. I took note of the lady's name, put on my best charm and said "Leigh Ann, you look like you've had a hard and long day and I bet you would want to top it off by helping a nice man like me get to Miami." Surprised, she looked up at me and said, "Well let me see what I can do."

Sure enough, she had one seat left and a very tight connection, but I took the challenge and walked right on board. When we landed in Atlanta, we had a little over thirty minutes before the Miami flight and then had to wait for a gate. People were fuming and yelling at the crew. Finally the door was open and everyone scrambled, except that is for those of us who had to claim planeside checked baggage. Unloading took for ever and the people fumed. I refused to get up tight.

And then I saw it. In the western sky was the most gorgeous sunset one could ever lay eyes on. It had red, turquoise and rose, with a light green border. Rays of sunlight shot out in three directions. It was absolutely stunning. I just stood there, thanked God for His beauty and thought it was worth all the hassle of being redirected just to see that sight. People almost mauled the poor ramp agent who brought the baggage cart and tripped over one another to get to their bags. I am sure no one else saw the sky. Actually, I got so enthralled in the aura in the sky that I was the last to pick up my bag, and then slowly.

As I walked to the terminal I kept looking over my shoulder and then out the windows just to get a last glimpse of God's daily farewell sign. I didn't run, but walked briskly over three concourses and was the last to board the Miami flight. I still think God held it a minute or two and also reserved a space for my luggage in the overhead.

As I settled into my seat and we taxied out, I couldn't get the sunset out of my mind. It was like a glimpse of heaven. And I think it was God's sign to me that he is pleased with my progress in controlling my emotions. I have a long ways to go, but with God's help, I am making progress.

So remember, don't get so tangled up in the hustle and hassle of the world that you loose sight of the everyday sunsets God's sends into your life.

What  can you do today to loosen the grip of stress on your life?

John Grant

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 7:02 AM CST

Updated: Friday, 29 February 2008 9:31 AM CST

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What is making your heart dry today?

The marketplace is empty, No more traffic in the streets, All the builders' tools are silent, No more time to harvest wheat; Busy housewives cease their labors, In the courtroom no debate, Work on earth is all suspended As the King comes thro' the gate.

Elaina's factory in Ancuncion, Paraguay was different than most and I could tell something was different as I walked through the door. It was clean, calm and orderly. The workers were polite and their faces projected a glowing smile. We were there to go to church.

Go to church? In a factory? It seems that Elaina, a committed Christian who believes in sharing her faith and treating her workers well. She also is interested in maximizing her profits. She has found a way to do all three.

Her factory makes clothing, beautiful clothing from bolts of cloth, but for fifteen minutes each work day and for a full hour one day of each week, the sewing machines are silenced and the cutting tables idle, as all the workers gather for a time of worship, praise and receiving instruction and inspiration from the Word of God. It is a beautiful sight to see.

We enjoyed fellowshipping and worshiping with them. I was invited to bring a short devotion and as I stood behind the microphone and looked out over the audience, out of one eye I saw attentive faces ready to grasp each and every word and out of the other eye, I saw rows of silent machinery.

Suddenly the lyrics of that popular Christian song, The King is Coming came to mind, especially the line about all the builders tools being silent. I thought of Psalm 46, "Be still and know that I am God." You could have heard a pin drop. People were reverent, machines were silent and they were ready to have church, and Elaina was sitting right there on the front row with her workers.

God calls us to be still, to be silent and to worship Him. At the end of the day Eliana's workers produce more though they take time out of the day to worship and pray. It reminded me of the wood cutting riddle about two wood cutters who chopped wood for a whole day. One never stopped. The other stopped for five minutes each hour and he was the one to chop the most wood, because each time he stopped, he sharpened his axe.

When we stop to worship, God honors our reverence to Him and at the end of the day, we are better off because we have stopped to be with Him.

Do you take time to worship and pray each day? If you don't give it a try and see what great things happen in your life. God honors you as you honor Him.

What do you do  to connect with the Lord? Is your heart thirsty for Him today?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 2:40 PM CST

Updated: Friday, 29 February 2008 9:34 AM CST

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