Why is rain so wonderful to fall asleep to? I vividly recall the rains of Africa settling upon our home’s tin roof. I recall how easily I would drift into the most tranquil sleep. All sounds were masked so that my peace was not disturbed. But when needed, the same pitter-patter ambient sound could help me maintain focus.

In Noah’s day “the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5, ESV). It was then that God introduced rain to the world. It was designed to completely remove our focus from evil thereby allowing us to return to worshiping God.

As a focal point of His promise and presence, God placed the ever-beautiful rainbow in the sky (Gen.9:13). And as a continued reminder, He gave us His will to focus and meditate on. “May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon the tender grass, and like showers upon the herb” (Deuteronomy 32:2, ESV).

Father God, as I listen to the R.A.I.N. falling from the sky I draw near to your Throne.

• I Recognize your awesome presence;
• I Acknowledge and accept your control over my life;
• I Investigate my dependence on you as a child holding onto a parent in a rainstorm;
• I become Nothing – ceasing to exist outside your awesome presence.

Abba, Father … none of me, all of Thee – in Jesus name, Amen.

 

Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion. It is a daily process where you grow to be more and more like Christ. When you start out, you start out as a baby. You must be fed on the simple things of the Bible, and you gradually learn to walk in your Christian faith. At first you may fall down and make mistakes, but you are to continue growing.

Unfortunately, there are many people who stopped growing and give up on their faith. Do you ever feel as though you are not making progress in your spiritual growth?  When you are discouraged, remember the day when you gave your heart and life to Christ and know that God won’t give up on you. The God who began a good work in us continues it throughout our lifetime and will finish it when we meet Him face-to-face!

Philippians 1:6 (NLT) “⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

 

You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. – Deuteronomy 11:19

The topic for this week’s article is among the most important and challenging problems facing the church today.  Fact – 50%-80% of the young people in the church leave the faith before they have families of their own.  This should shake us to our core!  More than half of the energetic youngsters who fill our classrooms and create chaos in the foyer will choose to give up on the church in favor of the world.

In a message at Polishing the Pulpit entitled Lost Generation, David Shannon shared three things that affect the retention of young people in the church.

1 – Investment in Youth

This includes having an active youth program, great classes, spending money and other things that demonstrate commitment to the young people of the church.  Moving the needle on retention goes beyond these obvious things, however.  It requires investment of heart, time and attention in the young.  We must know our youth, love them, spend time with them, mentor them and encourage them.  In short, pour ourselves into them.

2 – Bible Class

It would stand to reason that to retain our youth, we should be teaching the Word in dynamic and memorable ways.  Not to minimize the importance of teaching our youth in Bible classes, but that isn’t the key.  The thing that affects them most is what the adults are learning in Bible class.  How well prepared are the parents to model and teach the Word to the children.  The data supports what scripture has taught for millennia, the parents must teach the children the truth of the Word during daily life.

3 – Parental Faithfulness & Ministry

Perhaps the best predictor of the long-term faithfulness of a child is the parent.  The research shows this:

• 80% faithful when both parents faithfully attend services/Bible classes and can list one or more ministries they actively work in.
• 50% faithful when one parent faithfully attends services/Bible classes and can list one or more ministries they actively work in.
• 20% faithful when neither parent regularly attends services/Bible classes and can’t list a ministry they actively work in.

 

She came home to a scene out of a Hollywood movie – and the crime scene was her house. This was how Lorraine Whoberry introduced her trauma to 200 plus Trauma Informed mental health workers yesterday.

Her oldest daughter, Stacie (17) had died from a stab wound to the heart. Her youngest, Kristie (14) had been abused, throat and wrists slashed and left for dead.

It was shocking to hear how everyone had failed her. And the most striking was this statement: “The counselors could not help me. They were not faith-based. I could not control my anger – I needed to forgive Paul Powell.”

We live in a world of suffering and pain. How would you help someone like Lorraine Whoberry?

First, recognize that, in the wake of extreme trauma, our brains simply shut down. Ecclesiastes 7:7 (ESV) Surely oppression drives the wise into madness ….

You might not even know your family’s names. You need someone just to be with you who can rationally help you with simple things, like going to the hospital. You don’t need someone to repeatedly tell you “it is going to be okay”. Imagine the person you are helping is in a deep dark foggy tunnel. Symbolically, grab their arm, and very gently, lead them.

Secondly, listen. James 1:19 (ESV) Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear ….

In a safe and nonjudgmental environment listen and observe non-verbal cues. It is essential that the traumatized be allowed to speak and be understood.

Third, be there! Genesis 2:18 (ESV) Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone ….”

Loneliness causes dysconnectivity that makes healing from trauma impossible. Try to break the silence.

Fourth, bear the burden. Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens ….

Getting through trauma is a journey through denial, anger, bargaining, isolation, and depression. You cannot say “just get over it”. The traumatized usually must travel through a dark yucky valley before realizing something has to change.

Fifth, strive to achieve compassion. Romans 12:15 (ESV) … weep with those who weep.

By reflecting back emotions and the words you show value and maintain a loving, safe, and trusting environment in which healing can take place.

In an atmosphere of “selfless love” & patience – boundaries, self-control, resilience, and safety can be rebuilt.

Abba Father, help us to be compassionate to those who are suffering today.

 

 

To get noticed, marketing experts say, you must rise above the noise. You do this by building a public image platform that stands out. The vehicles for this are social media and web presence. And so, the Leviathan of our age has become self-promotion.

 

How much different is that from a life focused on the Savior. Revelation 4:8 (ESV) — 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

 

From the Father, the Son’s voice rang out over the formless void, and the light was created. From a crib cried the Christ and salvation was within the grasp of mankind. And with a cry of command it will ring forth and disciples, of all ages, will meet Him in the clouds.

 

Friend, do you really want to rise above the din? Then live a life destined for the clouds. Jesus said that it would be easier for a camel to enter an eye of a needle than for a rich self-promoter to rise to heaven. Instead, He said, if we would reign with Him we must let go of this world.

 

Matthew 19:29–30 (ESV) — 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

 

Most Holy God from the dust we cry towards your thrown: “Come, fairer Lord Jesus. Amen.”

 

What brings you happiness?   Money, Fame, Companionship, Religion?

Bernhard Langer is one of the best golfers.  He has won the Masters two times, and was voted the best golfer in the world.  Bernhard said, “I have won 7 different events in 5 different continents, I was ranked number 1 in the world, but something is missing in my life.” Bernhard had all the money, fame and fortune that most people want, but he knew there was more to life than winning tournaments.  Bernhard said, “I believe Jesus Christ is missing in my life.” Bernhard found the missing piece in his life!

In Psalm 63 David says “God, you are my God. My soul thirsts for you, my whole body longs for you. In this dry and parched land where there is no water.”  David was in the desert and he knew what physical thirst and hunger was like.  His spiritual hunger and thirst are satisfied as he worships God.  As David pours out his heart in worship to God he finds where his strength and support comes from.  “Your unfailing love is better than life itself. God you satisfy me more than the richest foods, I will praise your name.”

Many of us say that if I only had money I would be happy.  But we see in the lives of many famous people, money does not buy them happiness.  Many famous actors fall into drugs, alcohol, and some even commit suicide.  Although they have wealth, their lives are incomplete.  They have not found what was missing in their lives.

Brothers and Sisters, Jesus came into the world to give us life and to have a life of “abundant” living.  That is what is missing from your life.  Our Father, Our Savior, Our Comforter, Our Good Shepherd, Jesus will give us eternal Life and we will never perish.

Come unto me all who are weary and heavy laden, and you shall find rest in my soul! Take my yoke upon you and lean on me, for I am meek and lowly in heart and you shall find rest in your soul.  Matt 11 :28,29

 

There are many Christians who, having been steadfast under trial & stood the test, are in line to receive the crown of life (Js.1:12). However, some, because of their own
CURIOSITY (Js.1:14), have COMPROMISED their salvation & CONFORMED to the world (Js.1:15). These souls are dead or dying and in need of resuscitation. They need your help! They can no longer save themselves.

I remember, as a lifeguard, searching the waters for these drowning souls. Hardly ever did anyone get into trouble while obeying the rules or using the water constructively. No, it was when they were there to have fun – which usually meant breaking the rules:

• They would get distracted & not notice the water gradually getting deeper.
• They would run around the very slippery pool edges.
• They would push each other into the pool.
• They would “show-off” & dive into shallow water.

Similarly, the last thing on many Disciples’ minds is to share in Christ’s suffering – becoming like him in his death (Phil.3:10).

So, how do you bring a dying Christian back to life? Well, the same way a lifesaver would resuscitate a drowning soul. James 5 gives this crucial information as the 3 C’S OF LIFE:

1. CHECK for a response. Is the Disciple still able to pray and sing (Js.5:13)?
2. CALL 911. Call the Elders to pray over this soul in the name of Jesus (Js.5:14-15).
3. COMPRESS. If possible, bring the wandering sinner back from death (Js.5:19-20).

Friend focus on your mission! Whose life can you save today?

 

Galatians 1:10 (NIV) “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Do you spend your life trying to please everybody?

Paul had to speak harshly to the Christians in Galatia because they were in danger of deserting their faith in Christ by following “Jewish Christians” and turning to another gospel, which really wasn’t a gospel at all.

Paul teaches us that he could not serve Christ faithfully if he allowed the Galatian Christians to believe in the perversion of the gospel of Christ and that the truth of the gospel never changes.

Whose approval are you seeking – others’ or God’s?

Pray for the courage to seek God’s approval above anyone else.

 

2 Corinthians 6:14 – Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

“You’re the average of the five people you associate with the most.”  Author, Entrepreneur and Public Speaker Tim Ferris says this is the best advice he ever got and it came from his high school wrestling coach.  He uses this guideline when he is investing in a business, starting a company or inviting people to dinner.  You can say it different ways:  “You become who you hang out with”, “If you hang out with people long enough you will start doing what they are doing,” etc.  The Apostle Paul said, “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits”” in I Corinthians 15:33.  Later he warned the Christians in Corinth, “do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers” in 2 Corinthians 6:14.  It was clear then, as it is now, it is really important who you choose to spend your time with.

So, who do you spend most of your time with?  If you want to learn a trade or a skill, you spend time with people who are already good at it.  If you are a student, you can spend time with people who are better students.  If you want to get to heaven, you should spend time with people who can help you get there.  Make time to be with your brothers and sisters in Christ.  Be an encouragement to them and let them encourage you.    Do not be deceived: set your sights on heaven and make time