All I Have is Yours

“Bring out the best robe and put it on him.”
LUKE 15:22

To put on the Lord Jesus is to be clothed with the very best robe. This robe makes us look better than we really are. But when we are dressed with the best we begin to act differently. Having put on the Lord Jesus, we are clothed with Him and His character replaces our character. His Life is received in exchange for our life. If we cooperate with the Life we will naturally find our behavior is changed.

But what of the elder son? “Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours” (Luke 15:31). Hallelujah! There is no partiality with God, however much we may think God is being more fair or more generous to some brother or sister. Not so: the robe, the ring, and the shoes only represent the “all,” the fullness of the Father, and “of His fullness we have all received” (John 1:16). The Father says, “All that I have is yours!” Who can dare ask God for a single thing apart from the Son?

Source: Lord of All by Chip Brogden

Being Christ's Ambassador

Being Christ’s Ambassador Through the Storm “I am honored to be God’s herald of love and the channel of other Christians’ generosity around the world.” (Abdul Hossain) When Cyclone Sidr unleashed its wrath on Southern Bangladesh on November 15, 2007, Abdul lovingly extended help to his fellow countrymen. What makes Abdul’s gestures remarkable, is that Abdul served time in prison because of these same countrymen’s false accusations toward him. Yet, Abdul didn’t hesitate to extend a helping hand, but his assistance was a surprise and shock to others. No one expected that it would be Hossain who would come to their aid. “I was astonished,” Abdul said, as he described his emotions when he first saw the ruins left by the cyclone in the village where he grew up. It was the worst disaster that anyone had ever experienced. Tall trees had their roots ripped from the ground and were thrown all around. Houses made of hay and tin were scattered everywhere. Roads were blocked by debris. It was nearly impossible to reach those who needed help the most. Pity and love filled his heart as he cried out to God. “Not only did they lose everything, but their spirits also seemed to have vanished.” When relief goods were insufficient to meet the vast needs, he felt helpless, and could only console the villagers by telling them of God’s mercy and generosity. Nonetheless, the rescue team abundantly met the needs of hundreds of survivors. One of them was a 90-year-old man who exclaimed upon receiving his relief bag, “How can I carry this? It is so big! God bless you,” hugging Abdul afterwards. A response to the gospel from his countrymen is what Abdul hopes for after the cyclone. Forgiving the people who accused him, Abdul says that he holds no grudges. He hopes to love his countrymen into the Kingdom of God. One With Them Be One With Abdul by forgiving others in your life. Pray for Abdul and all persecuted believers as they forgive their enemies. One With Them CHALLENGE For $9.00 you can provide a believer with a relief pack filled with medicine, food and other basic necessities. Consider giving this gift today. 04/02/2013 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:44-45)

God Intervened

God Intervened  Sadek was living his dream. Joining the army in 2011, he found that it was everything he had hoped for…and more. Then, a co-worker discovered a Bible in Sadek’s locker. The superiors were informed, and Sadek was summoned to appear in court. “I did not understand what happened to me”, Sadek recalls. “I never told anyone about my Christian faith within the barracks, and the books were for my personal use. To my surprise, the court sentenced me to ten years in prison, and a huge fine equivalent to all the money the military had spent on me.” Although Sadek committed no crime, at the young age of 22, he was facing the next ten years in prison.  However, God had another plan. A Colonel, who was at the military tribunal when Sadek was tried and convicted, pleaded on his behalf. Unbeknownst to Sadek, this officer came from the same region of Algeria as himself. Through his influence, the ten-year sentence was dropped. One With Them As you and I face discrimination in the work place and elsewhere, let us lock arms with Sadek and others who have suffered injustices for their faith in Jesus. Let us be One With Them in prayer, and intervene for our brothers and sisters in the Persecuted Church!       4/1/2013   You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20)