Aches and Praise Three Hundred & Fifty Eight

July 19, 2018
 
 
Dear friends,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
 
Last evening, I listened to a message on the radio by Dr. David Jeremiah. He told a story from a book by Michael Jordan, one of the best basketball players ever. When Jordan was visiting a friend and found athletic gear from a rival company of the one that he endorsed, he shredded the gear and told his friend to stop “riding the fence” by using products from the two competitors. Dr. Jeremiah then spoke about how Elijah and Joshua clearly showed the people of their day the importance of choosing to follow the Lord.

 

When I arrived at the visitation of a young man named Francis, who died suddenly last week, I met a couple whom I have known for many years, but didn’t know that they knew Francis, whom I met while volunteering with the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation. I recently wrote that you never know what influence you might have on others. Last night, I was reminded that you never know where you are going to have encounters and learn things.

On Tuesday night, Karen and I watched part of an excellent video series entitled “Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus” in which Nabeel Qureshi examines the evidence for the resurrection of Christ, including the fact that ancient historians who were not believers in Christ had declared that Jesus rose from the dead. To read more about the case for the resurrection, please visit: https://www.equip.org/article/making-a-case-for-the-resurrection-at-36000-feet/. To find out about some excellent resources, please visit: http://www.nabeelqureshi.com/.

Would men like the apostle Paul have bravely endured stonings and lashings if they were not convinced that Jesus rose from the dead? There is a book entitled “Reaching Toward the Heights” in the lending library of our office, which contains devotionals by Richard Wurmbrand, who, like Paul, had a Jewish heritage. After trusting Christ, Richard became a pastor and led an underground church when Communists took over his native land of Romania. In 1948, Richard and his wife, Sabina, were arrested and they both spent years in prison. In 1967, Wurmbrand founded “Jesus to the Communist World,” (later renamed “The Voice of the Martyrs”) an organization that helps persecuted Christians around the world.

Scripture for the weekend: “I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Acts 26:17-18 (NIV) 

Thought for the weekend: “Liars make poor martyrs.” – Gary Habermas and Michael Licona
 
 
By His grace,
 
Steve         

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