Word for Life World Ministries – Minute Messages

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One of the most teaching passages of Scripture is found in Matthew 14:22-33.  Jesus had just fed the 5,000, and had sent the disciples ahead of Him to the land of Gennesart on the other side of the sea of Galilee.  Jesus took the opportunity to spend time alone with God.  Verse 23 tells us “After he had sent the crowds away He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray, and when it was evening, He was there alone.” The boat the disciples were in was having a tough time making it across the sea.  The winds were blowing and the waves were contrary to them causing their progress to slow to a near standstill.  It was during the fourth watch (between 3-6 A.M.) that they saw Jesus walking toward them and the Bible said, “They were terrified and said it was a ghost, and they cried out in fear.” Jesus’ response to them was to encourage them and said “Take courage, it is I;  do not be afraid.”

Had everything ended there, then all would have been well.  However it seems Peter had lost track of where he was and that the storm they were battling was still raging.  He turns from the task at hand and addresses the Lord.  Peter said, “Lord if it is you command me to come to you on the water.”  Jesus simply said “Come.”  Peter did well for the first few steps, but the second he took his eyes off the Master he began to sink and cry out to Jesus.  The Lord saved him and the two entered the boat and the wind stopped, and they all worshiped Him.
The lessons from this passage are relevant to us in our journey to heaven.  The first would be that it is a good thing to spend time alone with God.  Jesus saw the value of this and people since have also seen the benefits of time alone with our creator.  For one thing it gives us time to look inwardly and as

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The news that we are losing a major department store in our small city has, rightfully so, created a rather depressed mood in our community.  The store (Macy’s Department Store, a national chain) has always been a mainstay at our mall and now, with our loss of JC Penney’s as well, one wonders when the next shoe will drop.  This situation has exacerbated an already difficult employment situation.  People say the economy is rebounding and we ask “where?”

There are no quick fixes for any crises.  It would be nice if we could simply wave a wand and everything would right itself.  Such is never the solution.  So, what is one to do?  First, each of us need to accept responsibility for ourselves.  We must become pro-active.  One Macy’s employee was asked, “What will you do now?”  Her response was quick “Go find a job.”  She is probably already looking.

Second, rather than focus on the crises, search for opportunities.  This is a serious set back, but it does not have to defeat you.  More often than not, out of defeat comes major victories. Finally and most importantly, keep your focus on God.  He is still sitting on the throne of heaven and is in complete control of our world.  He has promised “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Rest in that promise. — Norm Russell, pastor, Church of Christ – North Bend, Oregon USA www.churchofchristnb.com

Thomas Merton was an American Catholic writer, and in his autobiography  he relates an incident in his life in which he was heading to the hospital to have his appendix removed. He had been quite ill and had an appointment with a surgeon for the operation. As he was on his way he came across a man who had been overcome with his addiction to alcohol. He was lying prostrate in the middle of a turnstile at a subway station. People were stepping over him, pushing on him to get him out of the way, and were telling him to move. But the man could not get himself on his feet in order to get out of the way.

Merton decided to help the man get away from the turnstile. Merton was taking a chance, his appendix could burst from the strain and he would be in serious trouble. He could not however simply leave the man there helpless. He went over and managed to help the man move to another location. As he left, he turned around and watched as the person he just assisted crawl back to the turnstile where he would once again be subjected to abuse by those he encountered. Sometimes, in our effort…
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It has been said that the prophet Isaiah is the most quoted prophet in the New Testament. That is without a doubt, the truth. There are numerous passages used by the writers of the life of Christ as well as the letters to the churches. In reading this great prophet’s words, we are touched by the passages that are a reference to Jesus. One such section of Scripture is Isaiah 42:1-4. In these words God expresses great delight in the One He has chosen to be His servant. He will be anointed by God’s Spirit and will bring justice to all the nations. He would not be one who shouts to be heard and neither will He be someone who demands attention. His ministry would speak for Him. He will not be like those who must broadcast their accomplishments like some conquering king and neither will He be informing others of the works He has done. (continued below)

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(From an image posting on Facebook)

“God found Gideon in a hole. He found Joseph in a prison. He found Daniel in a lion’s den. God seems to have a curious habit of showing up in the midst of trouble, not the absence of it. Where the world sees failure, God sees a future. Next time you feel unqualified to be used by God, remember this: God tends to recruit from the pit, not the pedestal.”

Tomorrow is Christmas Day. We rejoice because people do take the time to reflect on the person of Jesus Christ. I know there are many in our world who are driven by political correctness that want to avoid any mention of Jesus during this time as some find that to be offensive. I have nothing to say to that.

When Mary gave birth to Jesus, it was a difficult time for the nation of Israel. There was political dominance by Rome, there was a huge gap between the have’s and have nots. Spiritually, the people had become ignorant of God because many of the leaders would not open the Bible up to teach it to those on the streets. However, in spite of what was taking place around them, it was time for Jesus to make an appearance. The Bible says in Galatians 4:4 “In the fullness of time.” It was the right time determined by God. He did not allow anything to interfere with it. Jesus’ arrival  would change the course of human events forever. More personally God coming to our world has had a profound effect on each of us. I thank God He came. Because He did so, I have a hope of eternal life in His presence. How about you? Where are you going to spend eternity?

Norm Russell —  http://www.churchofchristnb.com

Proud Parents
A Young father was telling me about his children. He has a girl and a boy and they are a
real treasure to him and his wife. You could hear the pride in his voice as he spoke of them. He
spoke of his son as we were talking about how kids grow up so quickly. He then said, in
speaking of his boy, “It is a real pleasure being his dad.”
Don’t you love that? In an era when kids who do wrong seem to get all the press, there
are kids who do well and are the pride of their parents. They don’t hang out in places where
things are done that are a problem. They are not involved in drugs or are promiscuous. They go
to school, behave themselves and become good citizens. If you wonder …..

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(Written by Norm Russell)

It had been four hundred years since God had made any effort to communicate with humanity. That page that separates the Old Testament and New Testament in your Bible represents that span of time. Then, God sent Gabriel to Zachariah, the husband of Elizabeth to announce that they would have a son. They had been childless all their married life. Zachariah was skeptical which is to be understood. Eventually their son was born and they named him John.

The purpose of John’s coming into the world was to announce that a new day was dawning. That God had ended His silence and that the time He had determined had arrived. John was a fiery preacher. You did not have to ask what he meant, because he was plain spoken. He was to make ready the

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