DAILY, WEEKEND, AND HOLIDAY INTERNET EVANGELIZE TO THE WORLD MINISTRY

May 17 A Faith Worth Passing Down 2 Timothy 1:3-5 The most precious thing we can pass down to children is our faith--the confident conviction that God is who He says and will do all He has promised. Timothy's strong relationship with Christ didn't materialize out of thin air; it grew as a result of his mother and grandmother's example. Here are ways we, too, can hand down a rich legacy to the next generation: Teach practical biblical principles. Kids need to know God's views on material wealth (Ps. 24:1), meeting needs (Phil.  4:19 ), and direction in life (Prov. 3:5-6). Model character through lifestyle.  How we live--whether with transparency, peace, and perseverance, or with fear, anxiety, and self-reliance--loudly communicates what we believe about God. Serve God by serving others.  Actions show that our faith is real (James  2:26 ). If we want kids not to develop a self-centered perspective, servanthood is key. Intercede for them.  Children ...

May 17: Connecting Historical Dots 1 Chronicles 4:24–5:26 ; 1 Timothy 4:1–5 ; Psalm 78:1–12 Biblical lists can be annoying, but they’re also a testament to God’s faithfulness. It’s a true gift when someone in a faith community records the history of the group and their work—particularly when God has answered prayers. By looking through a recorded history, like a prayer journal, faith communities can see how God used them both collectively and as individuals. They can see where He interceded and begin to see how He intends to use them in the future. God’s past faithfulness points to His future faithfulness. His specific dealings in the past point to likely dealings in the future: they show us what He has gifted us to do and thus the type of thing He is likely to call us to down the road. First Chronicles 4:24–5:26 records God’s acts among His people and points to His future faithfulness. Similarly, Psalm 78:1–12 calls God’s people to hear their story told, but it’s real...

My Prayer for Today Let All Things Praise the LORD     1      Praise a the  LORD !            Praise  God  in  His  sanctuary;            Praise  Him  in  His  mighty firmament!      2      Praise  Him  for  His  mighty acts;            Praise  Him  according to  His  excellent greatness!      3      Praise  Him  with the sound of the trumpet;            Praise  Him  with the lute and harp!      4      Praise  Him  with the timbrel and dance;            Praise  Him  with stringed instruments and flutes!      5      Praise  Him  wit...

May 16: Dysfunctional Problem-Solving Psalm 77:1–20 When I locate a problem, I often fixate on it. I think that if I analyze it enough, I can solve it. This is a problem when I come to difficult issues that require someone else’s expertise. Stubbornly, I want to figure out the problem myself. I want to be self-sufficient. When God is the only one who can solve my problem, I've just created an impossible scenario. When the psalmist hit troubling times and questioned the things that were accepted truths in his life, he didn’t seek his answer from anyone but God . When he felt far from God and questioned all he had taken for granted, the questions he asks are close to those in our own hearts: “Why God ? Have you removed your favor?” (Psa 77:7). “Has your steadfast love ceased forever?” ( Psa 77:8 ). “Do your promises end?” ( Psa 77:8 ). It would have been tempting to dwell on his personal experiences to answer these questions. But instead, the psalmist turns to study God...

My Prayer for Today  4      "... the word of the  LORD  is right,            And all  His  work is done in truth.      5       He  loves righteousness and justice;            The earth is full of the goodness of the  LORD .      11      The counsel of the  LORD  stands forever,            The plans of  His  heart to all generations.      12      Blessed is the nation whose  God  is the  LORD ,            The people  He  has chosen as  His  own inheritance.     13      The  LORD  looks from heaven;             He  sees all the sons of men.      14   ...

May 15: Small Starts 1 Timothy 3:1–7 In Paul’s qualifications for overseers, he mentions a necessary trait for anyone who wants to lead in a community: “He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?” ( 1 Tim 3:4–5 ). Though Paul speaks to overseers, his words tell us something about our own witness. Living like Christ , showing grace, and acting with wisdom toward the people who are closest to us are often more difficult than serving on a larger scale. It’s more challenging to serve those who know our failings than it is to serve anyone else. By learning to be faithful in these relationships—by serving unselfishly and with dignity—we prove ourselves capable of serving others. Paul understands that humility and love must be practiced at home before they can be adequately practiced in community. By extension, allowing ourselves to live an imba...

My Prayer for Today PSALM 40 Faith Persevering in Trial To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.       1      I awaited patiently for the  LORD ; And  He  inclined to me,            And heard my cry.      2       He  also brought me up out of a horrible pit,            Out of the miry clay,            And set my feet upon a rock,            And established my steps.      3       He  has put a new song in my mouth—            Praise to our  God ;            Many will see it and fear,            And will trust in the  LORD .      4      Blessed is that man who makes the  LORD...