In the beginning was the Word; and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.
- John 1:1-5
Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Fellowship Church in Riverside and founder of the Harvest Crusades, recently released Lost Boy: My Story. Anyone interested in not only how Laurie came to be one of the most prolific evangelicals of our time, but a peak at how Calvary Chapel founder Chuck Smith's preaching affected many during the "Jesus movement," will want to read this book.
"JMC LIVE" is the husband and wife team of Jeremy and Miranda Caverley. They bring to you the hot topics that affect all of us from a biblical perspective.
JMC LIVE show for Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009, at 8 pm EST
"The End of Christian America?"
Writer Jon Meacham and Newsweek play a little premature smash-mouth with Christians, fueled by an erroneously interpreted survey. Be sure to catch The Scrooge Report story: Newsweek Misuses Poll, Flies ‘The End of Christian America’ Banner.
BREAKING NEWS: Unidentified pollsters staking ground outside early ballot voting locations across the U.S. have discovered a common thread in Florida, Ohio, Michigan, and other key battleground states.
With the 2008 Presidential Election results still not in, the anonymous group, with the help of key indicators, was able to make 10 substantial predictions:
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.
and...God approves this message!
Note: Reporters were able to publish this story with the help of an intercepted email from an unidentified campaign brother or sister...ah, er, check that...staffer.
DIGG!
Today, I really need to live in the power of the cross. My lower back hurts, I need to accomplish about 20 things before tomorrow, and I feel a bit overwhelmed. But, what does that mean to "live in the power of the cross"?
Around the world today, many people are celebrating Good Friday. After reading an excerpt from Max Lucado's Six Hours One Friday: Living in the Power of the Cross this morning, I realize that there is so much more than marking this day with a celebration. I feel that I need to pause and reflect on the day in which Jesus spent His last hours on the cross. You may feel the same way, too.
What an amazing thing to think about...we are forgiven and loved by a Savior who died for us...and as Lucado continues in his book...and an empty tomb proclaims that death does not have the final word.
Wow! Can I hear an amen?
Happy Easter everyone!
--Alexander
__________
This from Max Lucado's Six Hours One Friday:
THE RIGHT DIRECTION
Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead…This is the Good News I preach. - 2 Timothy 2:8
In a letter written within earshot of the sharpening blade that would sever his head, Paul urged Timothy to remember. You can almost picture the old warrior smiling as he wrote the words. "Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead…This is the Good News I preach." ...
When times get hard, remember Jesus. When people don’t listen, remember Jesus. When tears come, remember Jesus.
When disappointment is your bed partner, remember Jesus. Remember holiness in tandem with humanity. Remember the sick who were healed with callused hands. Remember the dead called from the grace with a Galilean accent. Remember the eyes of God that wept human tears.
__________
Max Lucado has touched millions with his signature storytelling writing style. Awards and accolades follow Max with each book he writes. Max is the first author to win the Gold Medallion Christian Book of the Year three times—1999 for "Just Like Jesus," 1997 for "In the Grip of Grace" and 1995 for "When God Whispers Your Name."
Max Lucado is a fixture on the national bestseller lists – a Max Lucado title has appeared on the CBA hardcover bestseller list every month for the past dozen years. He has appeared on the Publishers Weekly, USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists. He has won eight ECPA Gold Medallion awards. - MaxLucado.com
Go to Max Lucado's Book Selection at Amazon
It is this Good News that saves you... that Christ died for our sins just as the scriptures said He would, and that He was buried, and three days afterwards He arose from the grave. - 1 Corinthians 15:2-4 (LB)
After church shopping for a few months, trying to find a place I could hang out at for awhile, I landed at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. I liked the contemporary Christian music and the overall buzz of the place.
After a few weeks of attending, I was standing in the church's plaza area in between the worship center and the information tables, and saw a banner I could not ignore: "Celebrate Recovery". I figured, "Hey, I've been in Alcoholics Anonymous for a couple years, maybe I should hang out by that sign draped over the table."
There was no one else by that Celebrate Recovery information table except for a man named John, who was behind it. After what must have been less than a half a minute, John asked me this question, "Do you know Jesus?" I had been asked the same question a few times before, but for the first time in my life I answered honestly. "I don't know," I said. Then he asked me if I would like to say a prayer with him and I accepted the invitation. We went behind the table, he asked me a few questions and we prayed. I have never been the same since and I know in my heart that if I continue to follow Jesus, I am headed in the right direction.
What were the questions?
Do you believe Jesus died on the cross for you and showed He was God by coming back to life? 1 Corinthians 15:2-4 (LB) (above)
Do you accept God's free forgiveness for your sins? Romans 3:22 (LB) Now God says He will accept and acquit us -- declare us "not guilty" -- if we trust Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like.
Do you want to switch to God's plan for your life? Mark 1:15 (LB) Turn from you sins and act on this glorious news! Romans 12:2 (Ph) Don't let the world squeeze you into its own mold, but let God remake you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed.
Do you want to express your desire for Christ to be the director of your life? Romans 10:19 (NIV) If you confess with your lips, "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
What was the prayer?
Dear God, I believe you sent your son, Jesus, to die for my sins so that I can be forgiven. I'm sorry for my sins and I want to live the rest of my life the way you want me to. Please put your Spirit in my life to direct me. Amen.
____________________
If you said the above prayer right now, I recommend finding a good Bible-teaching church to help you in your walk. Also, get a Bible! It's God's love letter to you! You can order the New Believer's Bible right now by clicking on the image or link. If not, be sure to get your hands on one any way you can!
Love in Christ,
Alexander
