The Christian should always be ready to defend the faith with gentleness and respect. In part 8 of 1 Peter: Culture Conflict Counsel, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 1 Peter 3:14-16.
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They praise God for new volunteer teachers helping in the Israel school. But prayers are needed for the staff to effectively lead many to the Lord. Please keep the Good News clubs in prayer as they begin this month. Continue to pray for the school in Bethlehem as they hope to hear a positive answer for their international aid agency application from the Israeli Ministry soon. Carol appreciates all of our prayers as she recuperates from surgery this month.
When Jesus tells us to love our enemies, He Himself will give us the love with which to do it. We are neither factories nor reservoirs of His love, only channels. When we understand that, all excuse for pride is eliminated. – Corrie ten Boom
A man went to visit his doctor. “Doctor, my arm hurts bad. Could you check it out please?” the man pleaded.
The doctor rolled up the man’s sleeve and suddenly heard the arm talk. “Hello, doctor. Could you lend me twenty bucks please? I’m desperate!” the arm said.
The doctor said, “Aha! I see the problem. Your arm is broke!”
Stan Kegel via GCFL
Prayers Aren’t Graded
Jesus downplayed the importance of words in prayers. We tend to do the opposite. The more words the better! We emphasize the appropriate prayer language, the latest prayer trend, the holiest prayer terminology. Against all this emphasis on syllables and rituals, Jesus says in Matthew 6:7: “Don’t ramble like heathens who talk a lot.” There’s no panel of angelic judges with numbered cards.
“Wow, Lucado, that prayer was a ten. God will certainly hear you!”
“Oh, Lucado, you scored a two this morning. Go home and practice.”
Prayers aren’t graded according to style. If prayer depends on how I pray, I’m sunk. But if the power of prayer depends on the One who hears the prayer, then I have hope.
I can understand the greatness of God but I cannot understand his humility. It becomes so clear in him being in love with each one of us separately and completely. It is as if there is no one but me in the world. He loves me so much. Each one of us can say this with great conviction. – Mother Teresa
