By Waylon Bailey I have good news and bad news. We smile at that statement, but we know that the statement is true. There is always bad news. As long as “Satan is alive and well” and as long as we struggle with our old sinful nature, there will be plenty of bad news. But, I also have good news, and it is really good. Last week I read a post by Joel Rosenberg, best selling novelist and committed follower of Christ. Joel Rosenberg is Jewish and believes in Jesus as the Jewish Messiah. Last week, he reported what is going on among the Jewish people. First, you need a little background. In 1967 (the time of the Six-Day War), there was a reported 2,000 Jewish followers of Jesus worldwide. Last year, Lifeway Research reported 871,000 followers of Christ among Jewish people in America. Joel Rosenberg says that 30,000 Israelis are Christians as well plus all those in Europe and around the world. In total, Rosenberg now estimates 1 million Jewish followers of Christ. This is wonderful news. Rosenberg often answers the question (he says he loves to be asked this) how he can be Jewish and believe in Jesus. He says the first time he was asked the question he was being interviewed in upstate New York on a rock radio … [Read more...]

By Lane Corley It is an understatement to say that prayer was an important part of the life of Jesus. It is also an understatement to say, if it was important to him, how much more should it be to us. During our churches 40 Days of Prayer journey this year, I’ve spent some time exploring the prayers of Jesus. A simple rhythm emerged that’s worth emulating. 1. Jesus prayed ALONE. “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” Luke 5:16 For the believer, private prayer is essential to power and essential to demonstrating to God our faith in him. If you don’t really believe in God’s promises to hear and answer prayer, you’ll never go to your private room or prayer closet, shut the door and with no one looking, seek God for power or for people (Matthew 6:6). Jesus spent considerable time alone with God. So should we. What is your plan to pray ALONE? Where is your PLACE of private prayer?  2. Jesus prayed WITH OTHERS. “he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.” Luke 9:28 Jesus had a small group of disciples that he did life with 24/7. He also had an inner circle of his closest friends that he gathered for special seasons of prayer and connection with God. Jesus promised special … [Read more...]

By Jeff Ginn Tiger Woods is arguably the greatest golfer of all time. He had a meteoric rise to fame, success, and wealth. For 683 weeks he was the number one golfer in the world. Then life crashed in around him. He was caught in scandal. His wife left him. He suffered a string of injuries that necessitated multiple surgeries including four on his back. Some wondered if he would ever walk again, much less compete in golf. He fell out of the top 1,000 golfers in the world. For eleven years he failed to win a single major tournament. His career was as good as dead. Until last Sunday. He teed it up against the world’s best at the Masters. In a fairytale-like ending he came from behind to win his fifth green jacket—22 years after he won his first. Most sports commentators say that this is the greatest comeback in all of sports history. But, let me be clear, as great as is Tiger’s redemption story, there is a greater comeback story than that. And it happened on a Sunday morning too! It is the story of Jesus — once dead now raised to life! Now that’s a comeback story for the ages! British sports writer Jim White said, “Tiger Woods’ Masters’ triumph showed yet again why there is no greater storyline than … [Read more...]

By Waylon Bailey Everyone who has been a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ for any length of time is well acquainted with the trial and crucifixion of our Lord. Jesus gave Himself freely and voluntarily to atone for our sins. While we know this wonderful fact, there are other areas that are striking in their truthfulness and ironic in the way it was carried out. What are these ironic situations? First, notice the irony of Simon of Cyrene carrying the cross of Jesus when the other Simon (Peter) had proclaimed so loudly that he would never forsake Jesus. Second, notice the irony of God using the words of skeptics and mockers for good. Pilate put a plack on the cross of Jesus saying, “This is the king of the Jews.” The leaders of the people mocked Jesus saying, “He saved others, let him come down from the cross and save himself.” Could God have used these statements as a way to convict the criminal that Jesus was indeed the Messiah and that He could save him as He had saved others? Third, notice how all creation mourned as the light of the world gave Himself for the sins of lost humanity. The three hours of darkness pointed to the darkness of the people of Jerusalem and the Roman soldiers who had God with them In … [Read more...]

By David Jeremiah EL CAJON, Calif. (BP) - I have endless respect for emergency responders, those trained to deploy when time is of the essence. In most search-and-rescue missions, conditions are unpredictable and every second can make the difference between survival and disaster. Whether it's a mountain rescue team in a barren wilderness, a combat search-and-rescue operation or an air/sea rescue team, these are true heroes -- men and women who use all available means to locate those in distress, provide for their initial medical needs and deliver them to a place of safety. What a calling! And what a reflection of the Lord Himself! History's ultimate search-and-rescue mission was the one launched by Jesus Christ in the fullness of time. In Luke 19:10, Jesus said, "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." In John 17:3, He said, "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." One dark Bethlehem night, our Savior rappelled into human history, descending from the heights of heaven into the cold of this world. He was determined to search for and rescue the lost, even at the cost of His own life. He once likened Himself to a one-man … [Read more...]

By Joe McKeever “Lord, to whom shall  we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).   Your life verse is not just a cute, catchy line that looks good on a bumper sticker. Your life verse understands you.  It sums up a lot about your life.  It has your number. Your life verse knows your deep, dark secrets. When you were young, you were still finding out who you were and had yet to encounter life’s bruises and hurts. You could not have found a verse that “fit” since you didn’t know “what size you were,” to stay with the metaphor.  But by this time, you have lived enough to carry scars from disappointments and battles.  You have failed and sometimes failed bigtime.  You have hurt and cried and cried out to God.  And now you are ready to find your life verse. Your life verse won’t necessarily make you happy.  It may be a reminder of the scars you wear and a few you have inflicted. Here’s mine. Job 4:4.  The odd thing is that I remember it in a way that I cannot find in any version of the Scripture.  The way I recall it is: Your words have stood men on their feet.  The NKJV reads: “Your words have upheld him who is stumbling; You have strengthened the feeble knees.” Most translations have a … [Read more...]

By Jeff Ginn You’re probably familiar with the tragedy of “friendly fire,” but have you thought about the potential of “friendly faith”? Let me unpack the difference. Friendly fire refers to incidents when, in the fog of war, a soldier will accidentally fire upon his own forces. The history of warfare is replete with examples. Perhaps the best known is the case of Pat Tillman. He was a gifted athlete who played in the NFL. After 9-11 he voluntarily gave up that lucrative career and became an Army Ranger. He died in the mountains of Afghanistan as a result of “friendly fire.” Friends can hurt friends (and not just on the battlefield!). But, it is equally true that friends can help friends. Your faith in the Lord can encourage and transform the lives of your friends. That’s what I mean by “friendly faith.” A great illustration of this is the biblical account of four friends who brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus. There he found healing and, more importantly, forgiveness for sins. God wants to use our lives and, particularly, our faith to influence others for Christ. Whom can you pray for or encourage today? Whom can you “bring” to Jesus? A kind deed, a quick email or note, a word of witness, an invitation - all … [Read more...]

By Waylon Bailey When we pray, we please God. God’s Word tells us to pray in all times and in all things. Paul said that prayer is the antidote for anxiety. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). What matters in prayer? First, it’s not your eloquence in prayer and certainly not the length of your prayers. Prayers are often awkward or feeble. At least that is the way I view many of my prayers. Jesus taught us to pray in profound ways, but the amazing part of the prayer is the sincerity and heart’s desire. He taught us to pray “thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” The words of devotion and the attitude of submission matter in prayer. Second, what matters most is the One to whom we pray. It is not prayer that changes things (although I understand the meaning and sentiment behind those words); it is the God to whom we pray that makes all the difference. Remember, God tells us to pray fervently, believing, and in faith, but those are not transactional words. It is not … [Read more...]