It has been said that the Chinese symbol for crisis is the same as the symbol for opportunity. It all depends on how one looks at the situation.
In the Bible, temptation and testing might be considered in the same way. It depends on how one looks at the situation. James assures us that God does not tempt men (James 1:13). But we also know that Abraham was tested by God (Genesis 22:1; Hebrews 11 :17). Satan uses situations to tempt men into sin. God allows situations to test men and their character.
Nowhere in the Bible is this more evident than in the book of Job. Behind the scenes, we are told of Satan’s accusation concerning Job. God defended Job’s character but allowed Job to be tested. Satan was seeking Job’s spiritual downfall through the physical losses that he suffered. God’s testing of Job made Job into a better believer (Job 42:5-6).
In the New Testament, God’s people suffered violently at the hands of their Roman overlords. The crisis of their goods and possessions being confiscated, their children and spouses being sold into slavery, and their martyr’s death was a challenge to faith. These martyrs are depicted as crying, “How long, 0 Lord, until we are avenged?” (Revelation 6:9-11). To give assurance to saints in the midst of crisis, God showed them a picture of victory. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands (Revelation 6:9). This was a known symbol of victory to Jew and Gentile alike.
In this world, we face many a crisis: Sickness, death, natural disasters, manmade disasters, etc. The physical crisis can trigger a spiritual crisis: doubt, fear, worry, anxiety. We too might cry out, “How long 0 Lord?”
Like those faithful martyrs from long ago, we need to see the victory in Jesus. Each and every Lord’s day as we surround the Lord’s table we need to understand the sacrifice of the Cross, but also see the triumph of the Resurrection. There will be many a crisis in our lives, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:56).
-Bruce Daugherty-

What’s the greatest miracle found in the Bible?
Is it the awe inspiring wonder of creation? When the world was spoken into existence by the power and wisdom of God? Is it the miraculous supply of food and water for the three to four million Jews in the desert following the Exodus? Is it the restoration of strength to cripple limbs? Is it the spectacular giving of sight the blind and hearing to the deaf? Is it the victorious overcoming of death at the resurrecthristion of C? While all of these miracles are important, I believe one miracle is greater.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16.
To me, God’s love is the greatest miracle of the Bible. It is staggering to know God’s capacity to love the un-loveable. We can understand those who would die for their friends; those who will die for family; those who will die for those who return our love.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us” – Romans 5:8. Would you die for the rebellious? Would you die for strangers? . Would you die for the mockers? Would you die for degenerates? Only God can love like that!
Do we take the love of God for granted? Do we see it as something mundane, ordinary? Do we see it as something to which we are entitled?
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” – 1 John 4:7
-Bruce Oaugherty-

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself, His own special people, zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:11-14).
Many people fall into error, because they go to extremes, emphasizing one element of salvation while minimizing the rest. As a result, doctrines like “grace only” or “faith only” are taught by men. What is needed is to take all that the Bible teaches regarding salvation, not just a part.
In Paul’s instructions to Titus, we find the balance in the doctrine that God has given. It is God’s grace that brings salvation. We could never save ourselves. But for grace to be of benefit, men must allow that grace to produce holiness, godliness, and righteousness in their lives and demonstrate their faith in works of obedience.
Salvation might be illustrated like this: God has graciously given mankind the orange tree. Men could never make a tree, make it grow, make it produce fruit. It all happens by God’s design of the seed, the soil, the sun and rain, and the bountiful harvest. But for me to have the benefit of ~hat God has graciously given, I must take the fruit and peel it in order to ‘enjoy it.
God freely gives salvation through the sacrifice of His Son. But for men to be saved, they must by faith trust in Christ. That trust is expressed in repentance, and obedience in baptism ( Acts 2:38; Romans 6:15-18 ).
God help us to believe and teach all that God says about salvation, not just a part.

We are four weeks into 2012. How are you doing with your resolutions? How are you doing with your spiritual resolutions: To read God’s Word? To be present at each worship assembly and Bible study? To be engaged in daily prayer? To be closer to God this year?
We can make a good beginning in all these areas, but old habits can creep back in and overcome our good intentions. The challenge is the challenge to continue, or in preacher speak to “keep on keeping on.”
The Hebrew writer knew his fellow brethren had made a good beginning in faith. But they had to persevere.
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
I like how Jesus is described as the “author and finisher” of our faith. As the “author” of faith, Jesus is the originator, the pioneer, the One who has “gone boldly where no man went before.” It takes a great deal to get good projects started. When we need to begin something, begin with Jesus. As tough as it is sometimes to begin something good, it sometimes proves tougher to bring them to completion. Many projects get started, but not all are finished. I once read that only 15% of the people who start a Ph.D program ever complete it.
When we struggle to complete what we have begun, we need to get our focus back on’Jesus, He is the “finisher” or “perfecter” of faith. He finished the work God gave Him to do (John 17:4), and He is the source for our encouragement to continue in what is right.
As a congregation, I believe we have made a good start in 2012. But the challenge is to continue. Let’s be faithful to God and “run with endurance the race set before us.”

In our day of senseless violence, menacing wars of terror, a fragile job market, and anxious health concerns, everyone needs to have a fort – a place of protection and security. But not all forts are the same. Forts of men have their weaknesses which can be exploited or their defenses can crumble with corrosion over time.
Long ago, in the book of Isaiah, God’s people were caught between two super powers – up and coming Assyria, and the waning strength of Egypt. The temptation was to choose one of these two powers, make a treaty, and believe they were safe and secure. But the message from the prophet was to make God their fortress and live in the blessings of God’s protection.
“In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: ‘We have a strong city, God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks. Open the gates that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in. You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yaweh,the Lord, is everlasting strength’.” – Isaiah 26: 1-4.
In contrast to the fortresses of men, the Christian has a place of refuge in God Himself. Faith in God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit is like having three towers guarding your life. Knowledge of the work of Christ,accomplished on the Cross, of His resurrection and His intercession from on high; knowledge through His Word, and the experience of blessings in the Church – these all combine to keep the individual of faith in perfect peace.
Can you imagine any enemy overcoming such a fortress?
Where is your fort? Who is your fort?