Dear friends,
You may have heard that interest rates went up yesterday for the first time in seven years in Canada. This will result in higher costs for those with variable-rate mortgages and other debts, while people with savings will receive greater earnings. As believers, we have been rescued from a life of slavery to sin and set free by the truth of the Word of God. We had a debt to God that we could not pay, but praise God, He gave us the gift of salvation and raised us up with Christ in the heavenly places.
This week, Karen and I watched a film entitled “Unbroken,” which is based on a true story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympian who experienced unthinkable torture as a prisoner of war. In our comfortable society, we rarely think of the extreme hardships that soldiers endured to ensure our freedom. How often do we think of the ultimate sacrifice that the Lord Jesus Christ paid to redeem us?
Last night, we read the fourth and fifth chapters of the Book of Acts and were amazed to see the reaction of the Jewish leaders to the healing of a lame man at the Temple in Jerusalem and the escape of the apostles (with the help of an angel) from jail. The chief priest and the members of the ruling council (Sanhedrin) commanded Peter and John to not speak or teach in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:18) and repeated this directive after God displayed His power in delivering the apostles from prison (Acts 5:40). However, they beat the apostles before letting them go. This reminds me of a child who doesn’t get his way and resorts to violence in a “temper tantrum.”
Thank you for your prayers for the people of Quebec and the radio ministry that God called us to more than 35 years ago. Please pray that people here and around the world will come to realize that life without a personal relationship with Christ is empty, as Louis Zamperini did after his ordeal during the Second World War.
Scripture for the weekend: “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13 (NASB)
Thought for the weekend: “Why did Jesus speak with such authority? Because, as the Servant of God, He knew the secrets of God. He reached into the treasury of God and drew out the secrets of God; then He made those rich secrets known to human beings.” – Ray C. Stedman (from his book “Adventuring through the Life of Christ”)
By His grace,
Steve