Third Day

May God continue to be especially nigh to those who are being persecuted. May He use our prayers and our concerns and our monies to help the persecuted church. We know that the primary mission of the church is not to protect itself from the world, but to protect others from the world to come
In the economy of God’s time today, what do we do for those who are being hurt by others who have no regard for God and the church?
1. We mourn the loss of the victims. The Lord Jesus wept many times in His life on earth. Yet, God is afflicted with our afflictions even now.
2. Pray for the Terrorist’s Salvation. Ours is to persist in loving, even if men persist in enmity. We are to bless when they curse, pray while they persecute. We are to “do good to them, and pray for them.”
3. Keep Calm and Preach On. We are to continue to preach the gospel. It is the Master’s mandate, and it is the Master’s power.
4. Forgive the Evil. The Christian man is not allowed to hate anyone.
5. Live Each Day in Light of Eternity. If God had willed it we might have entered into heaven at the moment of our conversion, but He has not. Why are God’s ships still at sea? One breath of His wind might waft them to the haven of rest. We are not here in vain. We are here to glorify God, and that we may see others come to know his love.

(I Timothy 6:12).

If you could hear Jesus say that one thing in your life was “great,” what would you want that to be? Would it be that you have a great faith? Would the Lord of the universe ever compliment your faith as “great”?
For faith to work, we must expect God to move, even in a moment when we least expect him to move. We must believe that He can change our life’s game in 15 seconds. That’s how great faith looks at life.
A great faith in God is key to experiencing His miraculous power, being great in his eyes, and moving from superficiality to significance. Familiarity can and does breed contempt. When Jesus visited Nazareth, his hometown, the Bible tells us he couldn’t perform many miracles at all. Jesus marveled at their unbelief. That is not what we want our Creator to marvel at, for we want Him to marvel at our great faith.
Does your faith trust the Sovereign God of the universe no matter what? The Lord Jesus wants us to trust Him no matter what, even when bad things happen. Sometimes when we find ourselves wondering at the strong winds that have been allowed to blow our way, it really becomes the testing ground to see how “great” our faith really is.

1.  There is a devil.
2. Prayer is what God has given to obtain what we need from Him.
3. Prayer was the most important thing to the early apostles.
4. Our Lord prayed.

5. Our Lord is even now interceding for us.
6. Prayer moves God to obtain grace and receive mercy from Him.

7. Prayer gives to us God’s fullness of His joy.

8. Prayer along with thanksgiving frees us from anxiety.

9. Prayer is the means in which we keep watchful.

10. Prayer promotes our spiritual growth, brings power into the work, leads   others to Christ and gives power and blessings to the church.
We cannot afford not to pray. Prayer should be the most vital part of a believer’s life. Prayer is how we talk to God and how the Word speaks to us. Prayer draws us nigh to God.
Prayer is not the last thing we should do — it’s the best thing. It’s the only thing that matters until we pray.

Too many people walk through life with gloves and a raincoat on, refusing to observe and experience the beauty and the wonder of the world around them and above them. So many have forgotten the privilege of not only earthly delights, but also of our unearthly purpose.
Each day has its own distinctness and its own inexhaustibility. And yet how few really realize the miracle. Just because we take it for granted, doesn’t mean it isn’t miraculous. Perhaps nothing is really ordinary.
Do not treat your faith in God as if it were an artificial limb that you strap on each day. Though faith in God is meant to be full, yet to many it only helps you to stumble along, it never really becomes an intrinsic part of you. Whatever happened to that holy wonder, that appetite for the sacred? Have we grown blind to the sacredness of everyday things and of everyday people?
It’s been said that as we get older, we don’t regret the things that we did do, but only those things that we failed or forgot to do. Life is short, and at times it is shorter than its “supposed” to be. But there is the question that troubles me far too many times: Why do we still continue to live bland, insipid lives? Why do we waste the days that God has given us? Each day comes and we forget but once in human history that each day comes!

How many truly believe that if we seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness that He will give us all that we need? This is His promise to a people who know how to maneuver and who naturally lean upon their own strength, who do not call upon their God.
Our God has promised to meet our financial needs, health issues, that which is needed to wear for the body, and our future concerns. But do we believe Him? Why should we when we can ask others (banks, parents, churches, organizations individuals), and we can travel to a place where groceries are available, medical coverage that is given, and other helps from so many places and people? Why do we need God?
In many ways we have not depended upon the Lord and His kingdom. We keep living the  same way as we always have, deciding not to pour our lives out to Him, but to live for what is in sight and available. Yes! There’s pain, and problems, and great needs that abound. But we either think we can help ourselves or someone else can provide the need for us. Let’s choose the Father.
As the Lord Jesus depended upon His Father in Heaven, we are to depend upon our Lord Jesus for all. Someone has well said, “God has something up His sleeves besides His everlasting arms.” When we realize we do not belong on earth and we are headed to glory, then we can and will turn to our Father who provides every good and perfect gift.
It is better to have a Father who owns a bakery than to have a warehouse full of bread!
“The cords that bound my heart to earth were loosed by Jesus’ hand; Before His cross I found myself a stranger in the land.”