John 3

John 3 (New Living Translation)

1 There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. 2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”

3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again,[a] you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.[b] 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.[c] 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You[d] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

9 “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked. 10 Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? 11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. 12 But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man[e] has come down from heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.[f]

16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.[g]”

John the Baptist Exalts Jesus

22 Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people.

23 At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. 24 (This was before John was thrown into prison.) 25 A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew[h] over ceremonial cleansing. 26 So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.”

27 John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. 28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ 29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

31 “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else.[i] 32 He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! 33 Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. 34 For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. 36 And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

Footnotes:

a. John 3:3 Or born from above; also in 3:7.
b. John 3:5 Or and spirit. The Greek word for Spirit can also be translated wind; see 3:8.
c. John 3:6 Greek what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
d. John 3:7 The Greek word for you is plural; also in 3:12.
e. John 3:13 Some manuscripts add who lives in heaven. “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
f. John 3:15 Or everyone who believes will have eternal life in him.
g. John 3:21 Or can see God at work in what he is doing.
h. John 3:25 Some manuscripts read some Jews.
i. John 3:31 Some manuscripts omit and is greater than anyone else.

Commentaries

Christ's discourse with Nicodemus.

Nicodemus was afraid, or ashamed to be seen with Christ, therefore came in the night. When religion is out of fashion, there are many Nicodemites. But though he came by night, Jesus bid him welcome, and hereby taught us to encourage good beginnings, although weak. And though now he came by night, yet afterward he owned Christ publicly. He did not talk with Christ about state affairs, though he was a ruler, but about the concerns of his own soul and its salvation, and went at once to them.

Our Saviour spoke of the necessity and nature of regeneration or the new birth, and at once directed Nicodemus to the source of holiness of the heart. Birth is the beginning of life; to be born again, is to begin to live anew, as those who have lived much amiss, or to little purpose. We must have a new nature, new principles, new affections, new aims. By our first birth we were corrupt, shapen in sin; therefore we must be made new creatures. No stronger expression could have been chosen to signify a great and most remarkable change of state and character.

We must be entirely different from what we were before, as that which begins to be at any time, is not, and cannot be the same with that which was before. This new birth is from heaven, ch. 1:13, and its tendency is to heaven. It is a great change made in the heart of a sinner, by the power of the Holy Spirit. It means that something is done in us, and for us, which we cannot do for ourselves.

Something is wrong, whereby such a life begins as shall last for ever. We cannot otherwise expect any benefit by Christ; it is necessary to our happiness here and hereafter. What Christ speak, Nicodemus misunderstood, as if there had been no other way of regenerating and new-moulding an immortal soul, than by new-framing the body. But he acknowledged his ignorance, which shows a desire to be better informed. It is then further explained by the Lord Jesus. He shows the Author of this blessed change.

It is not wrought by any wisdom or power of our own, but by the power of the blessed Spirit. We are shapen in iniquity, which makes it necessary that our nature be changed. We are not to marvel at this; for, when we consider the holiness of God, the depravity of our nature, and the happiness set before us, we shall not think it strange that so much stress is laid upon this. The regenerating work of the Holy Spirit is compared to water. It is also probable that Christ had
reference to the ordinance of baptism.

Not that all those, and those only, that are baptized, are saved; but without that new birth which is wrought by the Spirit, and signified by baptism, none shall be subjects of the kingdom of heaven. The same word signifies both the wind and the Spirit. The wind bloweth where it listeth for us; God directs it. The Spirit sends his influences where, and when, on whom, and in what measure and degree, he pleases. Though the causes are hidden, the effects are plain, when the soul is brought to mourn for sin, and to breathe after Christ.

Christ's stating of the doctrine and the necessity of regeneration, it should seem, made it not clearer to Nicodemus. Thus the things of the Spirit of God are foolishness to the natural man. Many think that cannot be proved, which they cannot believe. Christ's discourse of gospel truths, ver. #(11 to 13), shows the folly of those who make these things strange unto them; and it
recommends us to search them out. Jesus Christ is every way able to reveal the will of God to us; for he came down from heaven, and yet is in heaven.

We have here a notice of Christ's two distinct natures in one person, so that while he is the Son of man, yet he is in heaven. God is the to �HE THAT IS, to � and heaven is the dwelling-place of his holiness. The knowledge of this must be from above, and can be received by faith alone. Jesus Christ came to save us by healing us, as the children of Israel, stung with fiery serpents, were cured and lived by looking up to the brazen serpent, Nu 21:6 to 9.

In this observe the deadly and destructive nature of sin. Ask awakened consciences, ask damned sinners, they will tell you, that how charming soever the allurements of sin may be, at the last it bites like a serpent. See the powerful remedy against this fatal malady. Christ is plainly set forth to us in the gospel. He whom we offended is our Peace, and the way of applying for a cure is by believing. If any so far slight either their disease by sin, or the method of cure by Christ, as not to receive Christ upon his own terms, their ruin is upon their own heads.

He has said, Look and be saved, look and live; lift up the eyes of your faith to Christ crucified. And until we have grace to do this, we shall not be cured, but still are wounded with the stings of Satan, and in a dying state. Jesus Christ came to save us by pardoning us, that we might not die by the sentence of the law. Here is gospel, good news indeed. Here is God's love in giving his Son for the world.

God so loved the world; so really, so richly. Behold and wonder, that the great God should love such a worthless world! Here, also, is the great gospel duty, to believe in Jesus Christ. God having given him to be our Prophet, Priest, and King, we must give up ourselves to be ruled, and taught, and saved by him. And here is the great gospel benefit, that whoever believes in Christ, shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, and so saving it.

It could not be saved, but through him; there is no salvation in any other. From all this is shown the happiness of true believers; he that believeth in Christ is not condemned. Though he has been a great sinner, yet he is not dealt with according to what his sins deserve. How great is the sin of unbelievers! God sent One to save us, that was dearest to himself; and shall he not be dearest to us? How great is the misery of unbelievers! they are condemned already; which speaks a certain condemnation; a present condemnation. The wrath of God now fastens upon them; and their own hearts condemn them.

There is also a condemnation grounded on their former guilt; they are open to the law for all their sins; because they are not by faith interested in the gospel pardon. Unbelief is a sin against the remedy. It springs from the enmity of the heart of man to God, from love of sin in some form. Read also the doom of those that would not know Christ. Sinful works are works of darkness. The wicked world keep as far from this light as they can, lest their deeds should be reproved. Christ is hated, because sin is loved.

If they had not hated saving knowledge, they would not sit down contentedly in condemning ignorance. On the other hand, renewed hearts bid this light welcome. A good man acts truly and sincerely in all he does. He desires to know
what the will of God is, and to do it, though against his own worldly interest. A change in his whole character and conduct has taken place.

The love of God is shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost, and is become the commanding principle of his actions. So long as he continues under a load of unforgiven guilt, there can be little else than slavish fear of God; but when his doubts are done away, when he sees the righteous ground whereon this forgiveness is built, he rests on it as his own,and is united to God by unfeigned love. Our works are good when the will of God is the rule of them, and the glory of God the end of them; when they are done in his strength, and for his sake; to him, and not to men.

Regeneration, or the new birth, is a subject to which the world is very averse; it is, however, the grand concern, in comparison with which every thing else is but trifling. What does it signify though we have food to eat in plenty, and variety of raiment to put on, if we are not born again? if after a few mornings and evenings spent in unthinking mirth, carnal pleasure, and riot, we die in our sins, and lie down in sorrow?

What does it signify though we are well able to act our parts in life, in every other respect, if at last we hear from the Supreme Judge, Depart from me, I know you not, ye workers of iniquity? (Jn 3:22-36)

Next commentary: The baptism of John of Christ John's testimony.

About this commentary: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

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God and the Post Office

Hard to believe in the world we live in now that things like this still happen!! Enjoy.
Our gratitude goes to Mariwin in California for this story idea

This is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her. You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith', in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God

John 2

John 2 (New Living Translation)

The Wedding at Cana

1 The next day[a] there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” 5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons.[b] 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.

9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”

11 This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. 12 After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.

Jesus Clears the Temple

13 It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14 In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. 15 Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. 16 Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

17 Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”[c] 18 But the Jewish leaders demanded, “What are you doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it.” 19 “All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

20 “What!” they exclaimed. “It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?” 21 But when Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.

Jesus and Nicodemus

23 Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. 24 But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew human nature. 25 No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like.

Footnotes:

a. John 2:1 Greek On the third day; see 1:35, 43.
b. John 2:6 Greek 2 or 3 measures [75 to 113 liters].
c. John 2:17 Or “Concern for God’s house will be my undoing.” Ps 69:9.

Commentaries

It is very desirable when there is a marriage, to have Christ own and bless it. Those that would have Christ with them at their marriage, must invite him by prayer, and he will come. While in this world we sometimes find ourselves in straits, even when we think ourselves in fulness. There was want at a marriage feast. Those who are come to care for the things of the world, must look for trouble, and count upon disappointment. In our addresses to Christ, we must humbly spread our case before him, and then refer ourselves to him to do as he pleases. In Christ's reply to his mother there was no disrespect.

He used the same word when speaking to her with affection from the cross; yet it is a standing testimony against the idolatry of after-ages, in giving undue honours to his mother. His hour is come when we know not what to do. Delays of mercy are not denials of prayer. Those that expect Christ's favours, must observe his orders with ready obedience. The way of duty is the way to mercy; and Christ's methods must not be objected against. The beginning of Moses' miracles was turning water into blood, Ex 7:20; the beginning of Christ's miracles was turning water into wine; which may remind us of the difference between the law of Moses and the gospel of Christ.

He showed that he improves creature-comforts to all true believers, and make them comforts indeed. And Christ's works are all for use. Has he turned thy water into wine,
given thee knowledge and grace? it is to profit withal; therefore draw out now, and use it. It was the best wine. Christ's works commend themselves even to those who know not their Author. What was produced by miracles, always was the best in its kind. Though Christ hereby allows a right use of wine, he does not in the least do away his own caution, which is, that our hearts be not at any time overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, Lu 21:34.

Though we need not scruple to feast with our friends on proper occasions, yet every social interview should be so conducted, that we might invite the Redeemer to join with us, if he were now on earth; and all levity, luxury, and excess offend him. (Jn 2:12-22)

Next commentary: Christ casts the buyers and sellers out of the temple.

About this commentary: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

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Megachurch Growth and Changes

PNW
The Christian Post
By Lillian Kwon
Christian Post Reporter

Attendance numbers at America's megachurches continue to grow, and at very fast rates, according to the latest research on the country's largest churches. Protestant congregations that already have at least 2,000 people in a typical weekend had an average rate of growth for five years of around 50 percent. And over 20 percent of megachurches experienced an increase of 100 percent. Slightly more than 10 percent of the churches showed stagnation or decline. The findings come from a study entitled "Changes in American Megachurches: Tracing Eight Years of Growth and Innovation in the Nation's largest-Attendance Congregations," which was released Friday. The continuous growth in the size of megachurches comes as no surprise as they have shown increasing numbers over the last eight years.

But despite the bigger congregations, megachurches have not expanded their sanctuaries to accommodate the larger flocks. Megachurches are "getting bigger without getting bigger," commented Warren Bird, co-author of the study. The average weekend megachurch attendance in 2008 was 4,142. The average main sanctuary seating, meanwhile, was 1,794.More churches are opting for different strategies when accommodating larger crowds. Some have turned to "overflow rooms" where attendants would typically watch the service on a video screen in a different area of the church. Many are holding multiple services with the average megachurch today conducting five weekend services, up from 2005. But perhaps the newest growth method adopted by megachurches is satellite campuses. Over the last five years, over 30 percent of megachurches adopted the multi-site model compared to only 8 percent 6-10 years ago and 3 percent 11-15 years ago. "There is no doubt that this phenomenon is an increasing reality judging by the percentage of megachurches that said they began a satellite in each of the past 5 year time periods," according to the report.

In 2008, 37 percent of megachurches reported holding satellite services and 22 percent were thinking about it. In 2000, only 22 percent were multi-site and no other churches were thinking about pursuing it then. On average, churches had two satellite locations and offered 4 services at these each weekend. Five percent of megachurches, including New Life Community Church in Chicago, Ill., Seacoast Church in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., and LifeChurch.tv in Edmond, Okla., had 6 or more campuses and offered between 12 and 24 services. While some critics of multi-site churches believe such a growth strategy detracts from the church planting effort, the new study found that megachurches with satellite campuses were the most likely group to plant other churches. Only 16 percent of churches with multiple campuses never planted a church compared to 26 percent of churches without satellite locations. Over the last five years, nearly 60 percent of multi-site churches have planted churches while 50 percent of churches without satellites did the same. Overall, church planting has grown among megachurches from 68 percent in 2000, to 70 percent in 2005, to 77 percent in 2008.

Rise of the mini-denomination Megachurches may be becoming de facto replacements for the more traditional denominations, researchers suggested. Scott Thumma and Bird call it the rise of the "mini-denominations," although they are not necessarily fond of the term. "Megachurches are creating around them structures and especially functions that once were done by the denominations," said Thumma, author of Beyond Megachurch Myths and a professor at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut, on Thursday. Some of these structures include operating large networks of pastors and churches, providing clergy resources and music material, mobilizing for community service and social justice efforts, and planting churches. "They are creating alternative ways for churches and for religious people to get resources to do ministry, to do missions, to connect with other churches," noted Thumma. "All the things that were typically done by a denominational form are being done at a local church level – if you can call a megachurch a local church," he added, noting the scale has shifted from the national hierarchical organization to an informal, local church network.

Megachurches, however, are not the biggest threat to the life of denominations, Thumma indicated. "In think it's probably less actual competition that's going to kill the denomination. There's a lot of other things that will kill the denominations," he said. Other developing patterns among megachurches In other findings, more megachurches are identifying themselves as "evangelical." In 2000, less than half (48 percent) chose the label "evangelical" but the number rose in 2008, with 65 percent now taking on the label. Fewer megachurches are choosing to identify themselves as "charismatic" or "pentecostal." Only 7 percent chose the charismatic label in 2008 compared to 14 percent in 2000, and only 4 percent labeled themselves pentecostal compared to 11 percent in 2000. "The vast majority of megachurches have always held a conservative theological position, and this hasn’t changed. But what has changed is a turn away from distinctive theological segments within conservative Protestantism toward a 'generic evangelicalism,'" the study's authors stated. A shift was also seen in political views.

The study stated that the majority of megachurch attendees are Republicans but "they are not the arch-conservatives many people portray them as." Only 33 percent described the majority of their church's attendees as predominantly conservative. Three years ago, 51 percent had that label. Also, 44 percent said their congregants are "somewhat on the conservative side" in 2008 compared to 33 percent in 2005. And 17 percent labeled their congregants as "right in the middle" while 11 percent said the same three years ago. Interestingly, the study also found that megachurches are not overtly political even during this year's election. "The majority really want to stay out of politics as much as possible," said Thumma. While keeping out of politics, megachurches are putting more emphasis on social justice and community service. In 2000, only 34 percent affirmed their congregation was "working for social justice." In 2008, 51 percent of churches affirmed this. Also in 2008, 73 percent of the megachurches stated that community service activities were given a lot of programmatic emphasis in the past year or were a specialty of the church.

The megachurch study is based on a national study of America's roughly 1,200 megachurches with approximately one third returning a usable response to a survey conducted between February and August of 2008. Comparisons were given to similar national studies in 2000 and 2005.

'What does 'love' mean?'

Our gratitude goes to Diane Reilly of Montgomery, AL for this story.

Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it. Touching words from the mouths of babes.
What does 'Love' mean?

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does 'love' mean?' The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined.

See what you think:

'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.' Rebecca- age 8

'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.' Billy - age 4

'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on> shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.' Karl - age 5

'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.' Chrissie - age 6

'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.' Terri - age 4







'Love is when my mummy makes coffee for my daddy and she> takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.' Danny - age 7

'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mummy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss' Emily - age 8

'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.' Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,' Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)

'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.' Noelle - age 7

'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.' Tommy - age 6

'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.' Cindy - age 8

'My mummy loves me more than anybody You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.' Clare - age 6

'Love is when Mummy gives Daddy the best piece of> chicken.' Elaine-age 5

'Love is when Mummy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.' Chris - age 7

'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day'
Mary Ann - age 4

'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.' Lauren - age 4

'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and> little stars come out of you.' (what an image)> Karen - age 7

'Love is when Mummy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.' Mark - age 6

'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.' Jessica - age 8

And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbour, the little boy said,
'Nothing, I just helped him cry'

When there is nothing left, that is when you find out that love is all you need.

The Most Quoted Psalm

K-House

The Book of Psalms is quoted in the New Testament more than any other book in Old Testament. Jesus said that the psalms spoke about Him (Luke 24:44) and they constitute irrefutable testimony to the Divine inspiration of the Scriptures.

The Messianic psalms include Psalm 2, 8, 16, 22, 23, 24, 40, 41, 45, 68, 69, 87, 89, 102, 110, 118, et al. Next to Psalm 22, Psalm 69 is the most quoted psalm in the New Testament: Psalm 22 deals with the death of Christ, Psalm 69 deals with the life of Christ. Psalm 69 is quoted in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and also in Acts and Romans. (There are also many references to it beyond those actual quotations.) This psalm tells us about the silent years of Christ's childhood and young manhood, of which the Gospels tell us practically nothing. (Luke tells us about an incident in the life of our Lord when He was twelve years old, but we learn nothing else about Him until He is about thirty years old.) This psalm fills in some of the details of those early years. We see some of Christ's dark days in Nazareth and His dark hours on the Cross.

We begin way up north at Nazareth: We hear the heart sob of a small boy, a teenager, a young man. This is a psalm of His early humiliation and rejection:

"I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children (Psalm 69:8)."

Mary had other children, which confirms the record in the Gospels (Mt 13:55; Mk 6:3). He became an alien unto His mother's children - not His father's children because Joseph was not His father. They were half-brothers and half-sisters. It may have been a very unhappy home. (This verse also teaches the virgin birth of Christ.)

"I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them (Psalm 69:11)."

"They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards (Psalm 69:12)."

Those who are "sitting in the gate" are the high officials of the town, the judges. The drunkards and the best people in Nazareth both spoke against Him. His life in Nazareth was not nice. Recall the vicious exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees in John 8: "...We be not born of fornication (Jn 8:41)."

Why did He endure all of this? He was raised in a town where He was called illegitimate in order that we might be legitimate in the eyes of God. The Son of God bore that for us on the Cross; He paid the penalty for our sins. How few of us have considered the 30 years of shame and ignominy that He endured so that we might have clear title to be called "sons of God" (Jn 1:11,12). Yet, He had the most distinguished Family Tree in history: it was encrypted in the Torah (Gen 38) and prophesied in the times of the Judges (Ruth 4). It evaded the blood curse on Jeconiah (Jer 22:30) and included a Virgin Birth (Gen 3:15; Isa 7:14; Ps 69, 110).

The Book of Psalms is a treasure trove of prophetic discoveries and insights. To learn more, click on the links below.

Related Links:

• Psalms Commentary - 8 DVD Set • Psalms Commentary - MP3 Download • Psalms Commentary - Audio CD (24 Discs) • A Puzzle and Its Solution: Psalms Mislabled? - Article by Chuck Missler • What Does Selah Mean? - K-House Mailbag

Prayer Is a Powerful Weapon, Despite The U.N.

K-House

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James 5:16

The International Day of Prayer for Peace will be held on September 21, in conjunction with the United Nations’ International Day of Peace. It’s a two-sided olive leaf. On one hand, the U.N. has a poor track record in providing any real peace to the world, and the peace it does provide tends to be shallow and temporary. No real or lasting world harmony can be found without the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Yet, in spite of the U.N., prayer in the name of Christ can bring the power of God into any situation, and there is plenty of need for prayer for those caught in the horror of violence and war. Churches across America and around the world will hold prayer meetings for the International Day of Prayer for Peace on September 21. The idea for the day came in 2004 when World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia met with then UN secretary general Kofi Annan. The WCC, a body made up largely of Orthodox Catholic, Anglican, and various Protestant denominations, and is dedicated to overcoming violence.

True Christian unity is an excellent thing. In Psalm 133, David says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head…” When Christians gather together in the name of Jesus and pray, God does amazing things. While Americans concern themselves with the economy and rising oil prices, Christians in other parts of the world are concerned with people burning their homes and torturing their families. These brothers and sisters do need our prayers - not just on a UN designated day of "peace" - but every day and week of the year. The Gospel can shine brightest in the darkest, cruelest areas of the world, especially as the Spirit of God strengthens the hearts of His people.

However, true Christian unity must always be based in the truth of God’s Word. Harmony is never more important than Truth, and any time the Gospel is watered down for the purpose of “unity,” the end result is failure. Over-watering is, unfortunately, a frequent result of the ecumenical movement. There are dangers involved whenever the focus of a gathering is on unity and peace rather than on Christ. Of course we want the world to be at peace, but it is not the most important goal. In fact, in Matt 10:34 Jesus warned that the Gospel would be very divisive:

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."

The Bible speaks of a final one-world religion led by an AntiChrist who parades as the Messiah, deceiving many. Rather than destroying the existing world religions, this leader would be tactically wiser to simply make use of existing religions and attempt to unify them in a single super-religion. That spirit is heard in the words of a South Bend Tribune staff writer who, speaking of the Day of Prayer on September 21, wrote:

“People begin to see not only their differences, but what they have in common. They begin to see the reflection of God in each other's face and each other’s life regardless of differences based on race, gender, sexual orientation or religious faith.”

That sounds nice, but it is not exactly biblical.

Many churches are opening their doors for prayer on September 21, and thousands of Christians will gather in the name of Christ to petition God for war-torn regions of the world. May they pray according to the Spirit of God for those people who truly and desperately need His help. However, may we all continue to pray for the persecuted Church every day and every week, seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness.

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." - Mat 18:20

Related Links:

• Sept. 21 Set Aside Worldwide For Prayer - South Bend Tribune • In Growing Numbers, Churches Pray for Peace on 21 September - Standard Newswire

Bringing Scripture To Life

Every day new discoveries are made that help to bring the pages of Scripture to life. Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered several new sections of an ancient wall that once surrounded Jerusalem, located just south of the Old City. Archaeologists have found part of a wall from the Second Temple period as well as a section built during the Byzantine era. This discovery could help scholars more accurately determine the size and layout of the ancient city of Jerusalem. Israeli archaeologists have also unearthed evidence corroborating the Book of Jeremiah. A completely intact seal impression or "bula" bearing the name Gedaliahu ben Pashur was uncovered in Jerusalem's ancient City of David. It was found just a few meters from the site where a second seal, belonging to Yuchal ben Shlemiyahu, was found three years ago.

In the Book of Jeremiah, both men are mentioned as ministers to King Tzidkiyahu. The Bible says these men demanded that the prophet Jeremiah be put to death, because Jeremiah predicted that Jerusalem would fall to the Babylonians and that anyone who did not surrender would either die by the sword or from famine and pestilence. Meanwhile the Israeli Antiquities Authority has announced that it is planning to make photographs of the Dead Sea Scrolls available on the internet. The Dead Sea Scrolls are one of the most significant archaeological finds in history and have been described as "the most sought-after and examined documents on earth." The 2,000-year-old scrolls, found in the late 1940s in caves near the Dead Sea east of Jerusalem, contain the earliest known copies of the Old Testament. There are several large scrolls still intact as well as about 15,000 fragments that make up about 900 documents.

The announcement has stirred excitement among archaeologists and Biblical scholars. Using special equipment, experts plan to photograph every single fragment of the scrolls from multiple angles. It will take museum workers two years to complete the project. Then the vast collection of highly detailed photographs will be made available to everyone via the world wide web.

Digging Up the Truth

Any archaeological discoveries that appear to substantiate the Biblical account of history undermine the Palestinian cause. Such discoveries underscore Israel's long and rich history in the Promised Land. It is a legacy that Israel's enemies would like to erase. They claim that the idea of a historical Jewish homeland is a hoax – invented to justify Israel's occupation of Palestine. Yet with each passing year, more new discoveries are made which corroborate Jewish claims to the Holy Land. This explains why Wakf (Islamic Trust) officials, bulldoze sensitive archaeological sites on the Temple Mount with blatant disregard for the treasures buried there. Israeli archaeologists and volunteers have sifted through the piles of ruins discarded by Wakf officials - rubble taken from the Temple Mount to a city garbage dump. Amidst the rubble they have uncovered numerous history-rich artifacts dating back to the First and Second Temple periods.

To learn more about this subject click on the links below. Also, if you have an interest in Biblical archaeology, we encourage you to listen to Chuck Missler and Bob Cornuke's presentation on the Ark of the Covenant titled Seat of Mercy.

Related Links:

• Seat of Mercy - Audio CD - Special Offer! • Seat of Mercy - MP3 Download • Israel to Display the Dead Sea Scrolls on the Internet - NYT • Proof of Jeremiah Unearthed in Jerusalem - INN • Dig Reveals Jerusalem's First City Wall - Haaretz • Digging Up The Truth: Biblical Archaeology - Listen Free!

Clarity of New Chronological Bible at Question

PNW

The Christian Post

By Katherine T. Phan
Christian Post Reporter

A new Bible that arranges Scripture according to when the events occurred – as opposed to when it was written – has stirred debate in the Christian blogosphere on whether the chronological ordering leads to clarity or confusion. Bible publishing giant Thomas Nelson is set to debut the Chronological Study Bible next month, marketing the book as the "only study Bible that presents the text of the New King James Version in chronological order."

In the edition, well-known books in the Bible like the Gospels, Psalms and the Epistles of Apostle Paul are chopped up and re-woven with other texts to fit the historical timeline. The accounts of Jesus' life as detailed in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are combined into one narrative based on the order of events found in Mark. Psalm 51 is lifted out from the longest book in the Bible and placed after the story of King David and Bathsheba. Letters written by Apostle Paul to members of the Early Church are worked into the chronology of Acts. "We understand more deeply what scholars and historians know of the earliest peoples," says a presenter in a video commercial for the new study Bible. He compared the experience of reading the chronological NKJV Bible to a "Master's history class" or a "trip to the Holy Land guided by scholars." But some Christians see a dead end to this journey.

"It bothers me when bad historical criticism trumps narrative structure," writes one blogger by the name of Drew. "It’s primarily a set of theological texts that have historical significance, not a set of historical texts that have theological significance.” Re-working the text "removes the significance of the authorship through that process of transmission," he added. Some Christian bloggers are skeptical over the accuracy of the new format. Others criticize Thomas Nelson for re-hashing the Gospel message with financial motives. Many biblical scholars find the project interesting but hold reservations. "I do think you do lose something when you start demolishing any book of the Bible," said Richard Hess, professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary in Colorado, according to The Tennessean. "You lose the literary and theological context." The slew of objections has kept Wayne Hastings, senior vice president and group publisher of the Bible Division for Thomas Nelson Publishers, busy with damage control.

He has been visiting blogs and news sites and posting a link to his blog response on the issue.

"Looking through the eyes of someone who has had trouble understanding the Bible, this could be a refreshing alternative," wrote Hastings on his blog posting. He also pointed to a disclaimer scholars placed in the introduction of the Chronological Study Bible which reads: "The goal of the Chronological Study Bible is not to replace the time-honored canonical arrangement, but instead to honor time as the setting in which the biblical record appeared. Readers who study this Bible will return to their traditional (in canonical order) Bibles better equipped to read them." The Chronological Study Bible releases as early as Sept. 18 and retails for around $30.

There Is a Price to Pay

A Message Of Hope From
Dr. Jack Van Impe

Beginning this week we want to do a four-week study on the cost of discipleship and revival.

Salvation does not cost any person anything, because salvation is freely bestowed upon those who believe. Don't let anyone rob you of this blessed truth. Ephesians 2:8, 9 states, For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Romans 6:23 says, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Our Saviour shed His precious blood upon the cross over 2,000 years ago to redeem sinners. To be saved, one must receive this precious gift, the Lord Jesus Christ, for the remission of sin. When the transaction occurs God immediately gives eternal life to the receiver of His gift. Friend, it is free. Because of it one can exuberantly say with Paul, Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15).

The Price Paid by Christ
A. His home
God's gift cost the Saviour everything. This included the relinquishing of His heavenly home for a period of 33 years. Philippians 2:5-8 beautifully pictures the sacrifice: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Yes, He loved you and left the beauty of the "Holy City" to die an agonizing death upon Calvary. He said, I came down from heaven (John 6:38). Again, I am the living bread which came down from heaven (John 6:51). He loved you and gave himself for you (see Galatians 2:20).

B. His reputation
God's gift also cost the Lord Jesus Christ His reputation. Philippians 2:7: [He] made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. His enemies tried to drag His holy name into the depths of degradation. Listen to them: He casteth out devils through the prince of devils (Matthew 9:34). He hath an unclean spirit (Mark 3:30). He hath a devil and is mad (John 10:20). "He is an illegitimate child." They said even that? Absolutely. His sermon so convicted the sinners of His day that they, in retaliation, shouted, We be not born of fornication (John 8:41). Christ bore all of this abusive language because of His great love for the lost including you.

C. His happiness
God's gift also cost Christ great sorrow. He could say in Matthew 26:28, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. He beheld the city, and wept over it (Luke 19:41). Again in Luke 22:44: And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Medical men state that blood is held in one's body by capillaries. When they burst, blood seeps through the skin. Jesus prayed so agonizingly over the souls of men that His capillaries shattered, His blood seeped through His skin, and beads of blood and water ran from His brow to the ground. Oh, how Jesus loved the lost. Hebrews 12:2 looks ahead to the joy anticipated because of the sorrow endured: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him [seeing the redeemed in His presence] endured the cross.

D. His life
God's gift also cost Christ His life. Psalm 22 prophetically depicts the event. Listen to the Saviour as He hangs, fastened by spikes, to the cross: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? Verse 6: But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. Verses 13-16: They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. Do you hear the agonizing groans of the Lord as he pays the price of salvation for you?

Isaiah, the prophet, also portrays the ignominious scene in chapter 53:1-5: Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Paul says, Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3). John adds, He loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood (Revelation).

Multitudes more of the "saved by grace without cost" crowd never win lost souls to Christ. Million slip into hell forever and forever and forever while believers fill their daily schedules with temporal earthly pursuits. They fail to witness because their exalted image could become tarnished by the taunts of those Christ-haters who belittle them. They might be called fanatics, fools, idiots, imbeciles, or Jesus freaks. Are we better than Christ who was called demented and mad in John 10:20? Are we better than Paul who said in 1 Corinthians 4:10, We are fools for Christ? God forgive us for not paying the cost of discipleship.

Let's investigate the price some of God's people paid as they followed Jesus.

Stephen, the first deacon, paid all he had by giving his life. In Acts 7:51 we find him preaching a strong, bombastic message naming sin. This kind of preaching is never popular. And [they] ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him (Acts 7:57,58).

The New Testament writers, with the exception of John, laid down their lives for the Saviour. Matthew died from the wounds of a halberd. Mark was dragged through the streets by a team of wild horses until death ensued. Luke was hanged. John was thrown into boiling oil. Though he lived, he was disfigured for life. Peter and Jude were crucified, and James was smashed to death by a club. Paul, last but not least, suffered more than the others combined.

He could say in 1 Corinthians 4:10-13, We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted [beaten], and have no certain dwelling place; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off- of all things unto this day. In 1 Corinthians 15:31, he says, I die daily. In 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 he continues, We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed: Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus.

Again, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28: In labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, and fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Think of it. Five times they scourged Paul with the forerunner of the Roman cat-o-nine-tails. Three times they used clubs on his body and once they crushed his head with rocks. Thinking he was dead, they discarded his body at the garbage dump of Lystra (see Acts 14:19).

Salvation is free, but it is not cheap. Discipleship that brings crowns and rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ is costly. Those who do not sacrifice here will have nothing in that day. They shall stand in Christ's presence ashamed (see 1 John 2:28). They shall suffer loss of all rewards (see 1 Corinthians 3:15).

One who is a disciple, a follower of Christ throughout this earthly, pilgrimage, has no regrets as eternity approaches. Listen to Paul again in 2 Timothy 4:6-8. He is about to have his life ended by decapitation beheading. His head will soon roll from his body as the sword severs it. Is he remorseful, regretful, and sorry? Would he like to relive life without all of the sorrow experienced as Christ's follower? You be the judge. He says, For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course. I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. There are no regrets-he is going home to be with Jesus forever.

Christian, get a copy of Fox's Book of Martyrs. It will revolutionize your life as you see the price Christians have paid throughout history. They were grateful for free salvation and gave their all out of gratitude.

Let me share two illustrations from this volume:
In the year 258 AD, three hundred Christians jumped into fires at Utica rather than renounce the Lord Jesus Christ.
In 304 AD, Timothy and Mara heard a knock at the door. A voice said, "Give us your Scripture portions that we may burn them."
They replied, "Never. We would rather have you burn us."
They took Timothy, removed his eyes, threw him in front of his wife, and said, "Now let him read his Bible."
Six weeks later, the agents returned saying, "Will you renounce Jesus today?"
"Never!"
They then took this godly couple, and hanged them in trees in view of their little children. All this because they loved Jesus.

Salvation is free, but it is not cheap. Some of you have been treating it cheaply. Why not dedicate your life anew today. Get rid of habits, coldness, lukewarmness, and the spirit of unconcern that has hindered your growth in the Lord.

Al Qaeda Targets Leading Arab Evangelist

PNW
Joel Rosenberg’s Weblog
Operating In The U.S. For Preaching The Gospel To Muslims

You have probably never heard of Father Zakaria Botros.

But you need to know his story. He is far and away the most-watched and most-effective Arab-American evangelist focused on reaching the Muslim world, and by far the most controversial. The Rush Limbaugh of the Revivalists, he is funny, feisty, brilliant, opinionated, and provocative. But rather than preaching the gospel of conservatism, he is preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. And his enemies do not simply want to silence him. They want to assassinate him.

Last week, I had the honor of interviewing Botros by phone from a secure, undisclosed location in the United States, where he now resides. He told me that he had just learned that an al Qaeda website had posted his photograph and named him one of the "most wanted" infidels in the world. The Radicals have even put a bounty on his head. The Christian Broadcasting Network reported the figure was as high as $60 million. Botros does not know for certain. But just to put that in context, the U.S. bounty on Osama bin Laden's head is "only" $25 million.

Why are the Radicals so enraged by an elderly Coptic priest from Egypt who is in his 70s? Because Botros is waging an air war against them, and he is winning.

Using state-of-the art satellite technology to bypass the efforts of Islamic governments to keep the gospel out of their countries, Botros is directly challenging the claims of Muhammad to be a prophet, and the claims of the Qu'ran to be God's word. He systematically deconstructs Muhammad's life, story by story, pointing out character flaws and sinful behavior. He carefully deconstructs the Qu'ran, verse by verse, citing contradictions and inconsistencies. And not only does he explain without apology what he believes is wrong with Islam, he goes on to teach Muslims from the Bible why Jesus loves them and why is so ready to forgive them and adopt them into His family, no matter who they are or what they have done.

If Botros was doing this in a corner, or on some cable access channel where no one saw him or cared, that would be one thing. But his ninety-minute program - a combination of preaching, teaching and answering questions from (often irate) callers all over the world - has become "must see TV" throughout the Muslim world. It is replayed four times a week in Arabic, his native language, on a satellite television network called Al Hayat ("Life TV.") It can be seen in every country in North Africa, Middle East, Central Asia, as well as all throughout North America,Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. And not only can it be seen in so many places, it is seen - by an estimated fifty million Muslims a day.

At the same time, Botros is getting millions of hits on his multiple web sites in multiple languages. There, Muslims can read his sermons and study through an archive of answers to frequently asked questions. They can also enter a live chat room called "Pal Chat" where they are not only permitted but encouraged to ask their toughest questions to trained on-line counselors, many of whom are Muslim converts to Christianity who understand exactly where the questioners are coming from and the struggles they are having.

As a result, Botros - on the air only since 2003 - has practically become a household word in the Muslim world. An Arabic newspaper has named him Islam's "Public Enemy #1." Millions hate him, to be sure, but they are watching. They are listening. They are processing what he is saying and they are talking about him with their friends and family. When Botros challenges Radical clerics to answer his many refutations of Islam and defend the Qu'ran, millions wait to see what how the fundamentalists will respond. But they rarely do. They prefer to attack Botros than answer him. Yet, the more the Radicals attack him, the more well-known he becomes. The more well-known he becomes, the more Muslims feel compelled to tune in. And as more Muslims tune in, more are coming to the conclusion that Botros is right and in turn are choosing to become followers of Jesus Christ. Botros estimates at least 1,000 Muslims a month pray to receive Christ with his telephone counselors. Some of them pray to receive Christ live on their air with Botros. And this surely is only the tip of the iceberg, as it represents only those who are able to get through on the jammed phone lines. There simply are not currently enough trained counselors to handle each call.

Many leading Arab evangelists I have interviewed for Inside The Revolution say God is using Botros to help bring in the greatest harvest of Muslim converts to Christianity in the history of Christendom. Botros refuses to take any credit, saying is just one voice in a movement of millions. But he is certainly excited by the trend lines. He does see more Muslims turning to Christ than ever before, and he told me he has cited my book Epicenter at least three times as evidence of the enormous numbers of conversions taking place. What's more, he vows to keep preaching the gospel so long as the Lord Jesus gives him breath. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son [Jesus], that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." That verse - John 3:16 - is the verse that drives Botros. He believes passionately God loves the whole world, including each and every Muslim. He believes that "whosoever" believes in the Lordship of Jesus Christ - Jew or Muslim - will, in fact, receive eternal life. He does not believe all Muslims are Radicals, but he does believe all Muslims are spiritually lost, and he wants desperately to help them find their way to forgiveness and reconciliation with the God who made them and loves them.

"I believe this is the hand of God," Botros told me. "He is directing me. He shows me what to say. He shows me what to write on…the web sites. He is showing me more and more how to use the technology to reach people with his message of redemption."

27 million Bibles distributed during 2007

PNW

Jesus Racing Gospel a hit with Aussie kids

27 million Bibles distributed during 2007 by Bible Societies worldwide

Bible Society announced this week that there had been a world-wide growth of five percent in Bible and scripture portion distribution in 2007. Maintaining a consistent trend from the previous year, the number of Bibles distributed by Bible Societies rose by around five per cent to almost 27 million (26,996,323). Bible Societies also distributed vast numbers of Testaments, Portions and Selections (the latter designed to convey the essence of the Gospel succinctly or tailored for people in a particular situation). Altogether, the number of Scripture items distributed totalled 391 million.

According to the statistical tables of the 2007 Scripture Distribution Report, issued by the United Bible Societies (UBS) Scripture distribution rose most sharply in the southern hemisphere, responding to the rapid growth of the Church there. What the Scripture Distribution Report does not reveal, however, is the very varied contexts in which Scripture distribution takes place. While some Bible Societies have an extensive network of warehouses, shops and other outlets and can make regular visits to places such as hospitals and children’s homes, others venture into the unknown every time they load their vehicle with a precious cargo of Scriptures. Poor infrastructure and hazards of all kinds can turn a distribution trip into a test of commitment and determination for Bible Society staff. Furthermore, in some countries, civil conflict makes some areas completely inaccessible for years.

Bible Society NSW has develop an innovative way of distributing scripture with the production of a special edition of Luke’s Gospel with a picture of a V8 Racing Ute on the cover. This ‘V8 edition’ was developed to support the Jesus Racing ministry of Andrew Fisher, driver of the ‘Jesus. All about life’ Ute in the Yokahama V8 Ute series around Australia. When he’s not racing, Andrew works with Bible Society’s schools team conducting seminars and speaking about his racing and why he’s got Jesus on the side of his Ute. To date, over 6,000 copies of the Gospel have been distributed. The Gospel includes Andrew’s testimony, some background on the racing series and steps to coming to faith.

“After I speak, we simply let the students know that they can come and get a free copy of the V8 Ute Gospel,” said Andrew. “We don’t just hand them out – but in most of the schools we have visited throughout Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and New South Wales, more than half the students come and request a copy,” he said. “We don't force the students to take one, so the number of Gospels we hand out is reflective of the number of students who have actually lined up to request one,” Andrew said.

One teacher told Bible Society, “I teach seven, Year 7 classes and regularly give the students the opportunity to indicate if they want a Bible. They are stoked that they are free! I emphasise that I am willing to give them one if they are willing to read it – ten asked for a copy. A few weeks later we gave all classes the opportunity to indicate on a feedback sheet if they wanted to know more about Jesus or they wanted a Bible. We handed out a further 19 Bibles.”

Bible Society recently gave another school 300 Bibles to give to interested students who attend Scripture. Their SRE teacher said, “It was wonderful to see how well so many of the students responded to this gift. The students love the clear, easy to read format, and the interactive CD really grabs their attention, whilst reinforcing the messages communicated in Scripture.” “We’ve heard stories of students who have swapped their bedtime stories for Bible stories, other children are using their CD rather than playing computer games, other children have had to be given extra Bibles because other family members have taken and are using their Bible! We love how giving one child a Bible has the potential to affect and influence entire families – and communities,” the teacher said.