He who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death. James 5:20
The Dalton brothers were infamous outlaws during the late 1800s in the US. They started out on the right side of the law as officers. But then they followed a gradual descent into crime and became known for bank and train robberies. Their day of reckoning came when they tried to hold up two banks at once. Hearing of the robberies, the townspeople armed themselves and began to fire on the Dalton Gang. When the smoke cleared, Emmett Dalton was the sole survivor. After serving 15 years in the penitentiary, Emmett was pardoned and set free. While in prison, he had come to see the error of his ways. So when he was released, he wanted to deter young people from a life of crime. Drawing from his own experience, Emmett wrote and starred in a film about the Dalton Gang in which he showed the folly of being an outlaw. In many ways, Emmett’s film was telling others: “Do not enter the path of the wicked” (Prov. 4:14). In a similar way, when we have sinned but have genuinely repented and experienced God’s forgiveness, we can tell our own story. We can encourage others not to make the same mistakes we have made. James wrote, “He who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death” (5:20). Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD. Jer. 1:8
Many people suffer from emotional disturbances known as phobias. Fear causes people to make wrong decisions. It fills people’s lives with horrors that haunt them at every step. Even people with a great deal of self-confidence feel a little nervous when they have to speak in front of a big crowd. Jeremiah was hesitant in delivering God’s message and he had good reason to fear. His message made him unpopular among the people and he was even accused of being unpatriotic. It demands courage to be an obedient child of God. The people one has to approach are usually angry (and guilty) about being confronted with God and they often attack the messenger. Godly truth often brings the convictions of its hearers into question. It frequently reveals the shallowness of their culture. It might even threaten the vested interests of some of the people at whom it is directed. God’s Word can sometimes be a Word of judgment, and no one enjoys being judged. Today God is saying to you, “Don’t be afraid of them.” See, when you stand up for the truth and righteousness of God, you have a very high calling. It is a good thing to admit that you feel afraid. But just continue to hope in God and ask for His guidance and the courage to speak the right words. Always remember: when you are on God’s side He is on yours. John Weatherspoon said: It is only our faith in God that is able to deliver us from the fear of other people. Psalm 139:9-10 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast.
- NOTHING can separate you from God's love. - No circumstance or situation can remove God's hand from your life. - The power of His hand can hold you through the storms of life. - May you, experience the comfort and support of His hand today. Words of Song STILL: 'When the oceans rise and thunders roar, I will soar with You above the storm. Father, You are king over the flood. I will be still and know that You are God.' Those who try to keep their lives will lose them. But those who give up their lives will save them. Luk 17:33 There is a rawness and a wonder to life. Pursue it. Hunt for it. Sell out to get it. Don't listen to the whines of those who have settled for a second-rate life and want you to do the same so they won't feel guilty. Your goal is not to live long; it's to live. Jesus says the options are clear. On one side there is the voice of safety. You can build a fire in the hearth, stay inside, and stay warm and dry and safe… Or you can hear the voice of adventure—God's adventure. Instead of building a fire in your hearth, build a fire in your heart. Follow God's impulses. Adopt the child. Move overseas. Teach the class. Change careers. Run for office. Make a difference. Sure it isn't safe, but what is? He Still Moves Stones (Max Lucado) And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. Acts 6:15
Stephen was in great danger. The church was growing, but it was encountering severe opposition. However, the opponents of the early church could not find fault with Stephen’s teachings or with his character, so they hired false witnesses to testify against him. In this treacherous way Stephen was condemned. When a person has to face these kinds of circumstances, his true character is revealed. The natural reaction for someone in Stephen’s position would have been to become bitter and discouraged. How is it possible to prove your innocence if lies are being portrayed as the truth? The scripture declare, “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among people” (Acts 6:8). He had a strong inner conviction that he belonged to God and he knew that whatever happened to him would be part of God’s master plan for his life. He was completely fearless because he lived according to God’s will. He possessed the peace, joy, wisdom and power that is born from unity with the heavenly Father. Stephen’s experience can become part of the lives of all those who love and seek to serve Christ through faith. In whatever situation you might find yourself, always seek to determine the will of God first. This will stabilize your thoughts and give you inner peace so that, no matter how big your problems, you will know that God’s presence is always with you. The bible says in Psalm 37:1-2 Fred not yourself because of evildoers,neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness (that which is not upright or in right standing with God). For they shall soon be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb. We should not want anyone to be cut down or wither even those who harmed us. Instead we need to allow Gods love to be poured out in our heart through the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5
"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Luke 12:7
Unfortunately, many of us think we are not significant enough to be used by God for great things. We might say, "Oh, I'm only a repairman, or only a housewife." We think that if only we had a more prestigious title - such as doctor or professional athlete...God could use us to do mighty things. Perhaps the prophet Amos thought that way when God called him to serve. "After all," he could have said, "I am only a shepherd. Who will listen to me?" But instead of questioning his status, he obeyed and became a powerful voice for God. Remember, with God there are no "onlys." No matter what you perceive of yourself, God sees you as having potential for great service. 1 PETER 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
The devil cannot just walk right up to you and rob you of your health, peace or family. He cannot just come into your life to enforce disease and destruction. If the devil can do that, then he does not have to walk about “seeking whom he may devour”. He only has to walk straight up to anyone he wants to devour and devour him! But since the Bible says that he goes about seeking whom he may devour, the truth then is that there are people whom he cannot devour. You see, the devil goes about like a roaring lion trying to stir up fear in people with his roars. But the people who are not devourable are those who refuse to be intimidated by his roars because they know that the true Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ (Revelation 5:5), has already come and rendered powerless him who had the power of death. (Hebrews 2:14, NASB) They know that the devil cannot just do anything to them because the Lion of Judah resides in them, and that He is greater than the devil who is in the world. (1 John 4:4) My friend, the Lion of Judah is in you. He has given you rights, privileges, authority and power. He redeemed you with His blood. Therefore, everything about you and your life is redeemed by His blood. So if you are fearful about losing your job, cover your job with the blood of Jesus. If you are worried about your children’s safety in these days of terrorist attacks, plead the blood of Jesus over them. If you have received a bad report from the doctor, speak the blood over yourself. Whatever you have covered with the blood of Jesus, God declares, “Protected! Redeemed!” And the devil flees when he sees the blood. And when he flees, he takes with him sicknesses, diseases, pains, sufferings, destruction and loss. Once the devil knows that you know who you are in Christ and what you have in Him, his days of intimidating you are over, and you are numbered among the undevourable! My child’s feelings are hurt, I tell her she’s special. My child’s injured, I do whatever it takes to make her feel better. My child’s afraid, I won’t go to sleep until she’s secure. I’m not a hero. I’m not unusual. I’m a parent. When a child hurts, a parent does what comes naturally. He helps.
Moments of comfort from a parent. I can tell you they’re the sweetest moments in the day. They come naturally, willingly, joyfully. If all that’s so true, then why am I so reluctant to let my heavenly Father comfort me? Being a father has taught me that when I’m criticized, injured, or afraid, there’s a Father who’s ready to comfort me. A Father who’ll hold me until I’m better. And who won’t go to sleep when I’m afraid. Ever! And that’s enough. From The Applause of Heaven |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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