Recommended Reading: Christian Books in Review

by Barb Darbey

Book: Revolution in World Missions
Author: K. P. Yohannan

It took me only two days to read this book, which is almost a miracle in itself, as most books don't hold my interest long enough to finish them quickly. My mind tends to wander to the cares of the day and plans of the future. The typical American way, where our day-to-day lives overshadow the more important things in life.

In India, as well as other Asian countries, there is a true and clear sense of urgency among the native missionaries. Responding to the call of God, they willingly face stonings and death, fully understanding the verse in Hebrews that it "is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement" (Hebrews 9:27).

Following the life of Dr K. P. Yohannan from childhood to his present-day status as founder and international director of Gospel for Asia, this book is indeed filled with fascinating stories and eye-opening statistics. Prepare to be moved into action as you are filled with compassion for the world of lost souls desparately needing the Gospel!

The Separation of Church and State

Politics and Religion
by Barb Darbey

Let's start this article off with some basics: There is no real separation between church and state as the statement is being used!

It was stated in a letter by Thomas Jefferson as "I contemplate with solemn reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between Church and State."

The "wall of separation" was not intended to keep religion out of politics, but to preserve the freedom of religion as stated in the First Amendment (“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof….”).

Let's keep in mind that this was during a time of recent separation from England, and was designed to prevent the governing body from forcing the religion that they have chosen on the peoples of this country.

Today, it is unfortunate that the "non-religious few" have taken so much from the "religious many". Perhaps more Christians need to stand up and lobby for thier religious freedoms instead of standing silently by and allowing others to make thier decisions for them.

After all, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord….” (Psalm 33:12), right?

Links for more info:
Jefferson’s Wall of Separation Letter
Separation of Church and State: what does it really mean? *PDF file

Intercessory Prayer

by Barb Darbey

"And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor." (Isaiah 59:16)

What happens when we don't like someone's actions or words? Usually we speak poorly of them, argue with them, dislike them. We may even ask God to act in vengence to right the wrong that has been done to us. From a human stand point, that would only be fair.

But in steps grace, the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God. The love that knows no bounds, is longsuffering, and wills that all be saved. Slanderers, murderers, and thieves. Adulterers, liars, and everyone else who does not fit the ideal of perfection.

So how do you get the sinner to Jesus? Through prayer! And I don't mean just one half-hearted prayer. Pray for them as often as they cross your mind. If you're angry with them, this probably means often. Pray that thier spiritual eyes be opened, that thier hearts be softened, that thier souls be saved. Pray the blood. Pray that the Holy Spirit pours himself out like a flood upon them. When every where they look they just see Jesus.

Smile.

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grace [greys]
-noun, verb, graced, grac‧ing.
8. Theology.
a. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
b. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.
c. a virtue or excellence of divine origin: the Christian graces.
d. Also called state of grace. the condition of being in God's favor or one of the elect.
See the full definition of grace on dictionary.com

a synonym for grace is mercy:
mer · cy [mur-see]
–noun, plural -cies for 4, 5.
1. compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner.
2. the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing: an adversary wholly without mercy.
3. the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, esp. to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty.
4. an act of kindness, compassion, or favor: She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors.
5. something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing: It was just a mercy we had our seat belts on when it happened.
See the full definition of mercy on dictionary.com

that all be saved
2 Peter 3:9, KJV "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
Click Here to visit BibleGateway.com and read this verse in other translations!

"perfection"
Romans 3:23 KJV "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
Click Here to visit BibleGateway.com and read this verse in other translations!

God's Amazing Love

God's Amazing Love: Scripture to Back Up the Promise
by Barb Darbey

Ever wonder how to be sure God loves you? Take a look at these scriptures!

"In his goodness he chose to make us his own children by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his choice possession." James 1:18 NLT

1.) "In his goodness he chose to make us his own children by giving us his true word...."
He chose to make us his own children. Consider this an adoption by parents who are capable of conceiving thier own children, who have thier own children, yet choose to adopt more children out of the love in thier hearts. And also consider these parents to be able to bless thier children "exceedingly and abundantly".

2.) "And we, out of all creation, became his choice possession."
Choice. Favorite. Most prized possession. The King James Version translates this verse: "...that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures." Your first fruits are your very best. In olive oil, the first pressing, the extra virgin olive oil, is the top-of-the-line, highest quality, very best. God created us to be His top-of-the-line, highest quality, very best. We are indeed His prized possession!

"Look at the lillies and how they grow......Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you?" (Luke 12:27,28)

This was spoken by Jesus himself. The Son of God. The perfect reflection of God (John 14:9). Who could know God's heart better than Jesus? In earthly terms, we would say "the mirror doesn't lie". Knowing full well God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2; Psalm 89:35), neither, then, can Jesus.

Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition has two distinct entries for the word "care", as used in this verse. Both are verbs; the first, defined as "tend to" (synonyms: attend, baby-sit, consider, foster, look after, mind, minister, mother, nurse, nurture, protect, provide for, sit, take pains, tend, treasure, wait on, watch, watch over), and the second, defined as "regard highly" (synonyms: cherish, desire, enjoy, find congenial, go for, hold dear, like, love, prize, take to, want). Both of these definitions declare how strongly and to what extent God truely cares for each and every one of us!