Evelyn’s Story

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A New Way of Thinking
Evelyn Fernandez has an amazing story. This young woman in the Philippines followed God’s leading for her life. There were many men who wanted to marry her. But Evelyn would have none of it. She said, “With all the abandoned children here in our city, why would I get married and have more kids?”

Instead, she wanted to adopt children and bring them up as her own. And that’s exactly what Evelyn did. She became a primary school teacher, and over many years she adopted forty-two children. Wow! 42! And can you believe it? Thirty-eight of those children ended up working for various Christian ministries. Now that’s influence!

Many people you meet measure their worth by comparing themselves to others, never embracing God’s purposes for them. If you know someone like that, remind them that God has a plan for their life. It may not look like anyone else’s plan. Evelyn’s sure didn’t. But it’s His special, tailor-made plan–just for them.

Read them this verse from Psalm 139: it says, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139 is a fantastic reminder of God’s presence in, and purpose for, our lives. Is there someone you know who needs to hear this truth today? And by the way, have you embraced God’s purpose for your life?

Fire Insurance

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A New Way of Thinking
Do you know anyone like this: They went forward at a Christian concert, or a church service, years ago. But their life today doesn’t show much signs of the Savior’s presence. They may go to church, but there’s just no fruit. New life in Christ as a onetime solution to a crisis, not a lifelong process. They think that once they’ve made peace with God their spiritual journey has come to an end.

They sit back and relax with their spiritual “fire insurance policy.” What a pity! Because, life in Christ is so much more than that! Yes, we have eternal life when we die, and we also have abundant life here on earth. Now! Jesus said that he came to give us a life of joy! In John chapter 15 he says, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you [listen to this] and that your joy may be complete.”

If you know someone like I just described, don’t wait another minute! Encourage your friends to give the whole of their life to the inner control of Christ and the amazing benefits that Jesus Christ graciously brings about.

You could help them by meeting to read the Bible together once a week and pray together. Let them know when you see the fruit of the Spirit in their life. They’ll be encouraged to make life with Christ more than just the glorious fire insurance that it is.

The Greatest Epidemic

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Here’s a question to you… I was at a conference on how to share the Good News in our post-modern generation. One of the speakers said, “The greatest humanitarian crisis in our time for us Christians is the AIDS epidemic in Africa.”

I was shocked! I thought, “Yes, the AIDS epidemic is a tremendous crisis. We’re all working on it. However, the greatest humanitarian crisis of all time is that millions are dying each day without Jesus Christ. AIDS or no AIDS. It’s our responsibility to give them the spiritual medicine, which is John 3:16 in the Bible.”

The AIDS crisis in Africa, and elsewhere, is horrific. How much worse then is spiritual death – being separated from God forever? Jesus Christ is the remedy to heal the epidemic of spiritual death. He himself said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Those are strong words of truth! It’s our job and our privilege to share God’s Good News with those who don’t know the Lord Jesus. He calls you and me to share the Good News Gospel in word and deed, in obedience. And what tremendous joy we’ll have when we see God’s power at work within us saving souls for eternity! And when we get to heave, and meet them there – man, that’s exciting!

The Rabbi Story

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Years ago I was invited to a breakfast at the White House in the United States. I was there with a few other religious leaders. This was back when President Clinton was in office. At one point, Mr. Clinton leaned over to me and quite out of the blue, asked me, “Luis, if someone were to ask you – how late can you repent and God still forgive you? What would you say?” I told him one of my favorite stories.

I said, “A rabbi was teaching a group of Hebrew students and said to his class, ‘Everybody should repent the day before they die.’ The students said, ‘Rabbi, we don’t know when we’re going to die, so how do we know when to repent?’ The Rabbi said, ‘Therefore, repent today.'” After I told this to Mr. Clinton, he was quiet for a moment and then said, “Compelling story… compelling story.”

The book of Acts in the Bible says, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” I’ve found this Rabbi story to be a great tool to gently nudge people toward God. When you and I are faithful to share the Good News, the Holy Spirit will always do what He has promised to do. Read it all up in John chapter 16.

Be A Kid Again

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  • Do a cartwheel.
  • Sing into your hairbrush.
  • Walk barefoot in wet grass.
  • Play a song you like really loud, over and over.
  • Dot all your is with smiley faces.
  • Read the funnies. Throw the rest of the paper away.
  • Dunk your cookies.
  • Play a game where you make up the rules as you go along.
  • Step carefully over sidewalk cracks.
  • Change into some play clothes.
  • Try to get someone to trade you a better sandwich.
  • Eat ice cream for breakfast.
  • Kiss a frog, just in case.
  • Blow the wrapper off a straw.
  • Have someone read you a story.
  • Find some pretty stones and save them.
  • Wear your favorite shirt with you favorite pants even if they dont match.
  • Take a running jump over a big puddle.
  • Get someone to buy you something you really dont need.
  • Hide your vegetables under your napkin.
  • Stay up past your bedtime.
  • Eat dessert first.
  • Fuss a little, then take a nap.
  • Wear red gym shoes.
  • Put way too much sugar on your cereal.
  • Make cool screeching noises every time you turn a corner.
  • Giggle a lot for no reason.
  • Give yourself a gold star for everything you do today.

Ancient wisdom I just made up. . .