SOUL FOOD by Dr Jack Van Impe

drjean · #31 21st February 2012, 09:14 AM

SETTLED IN HEAVEN

Memory Verse: Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89).

The Bible is a completed Book. No more written revelations are to be unearthed or given. All supposed added revelations must be recognized as fraudulent. Consider Revelation 22:18: "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book. If any man shall add unto these things. God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book."

There will never be a discovery or demonstrated scientific fact that will disprove the Bible's reliability. The supposed proofs of the theory of evolution that were taught in my college experience are now outdated. I still have the major textbook that confidently laid out the links in the chain of man's evolution. Today, a number of those links are known to be in error and have been discarded. The theory has had to be revised. Ye the Bible stands! Jesus said: Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away" (Mark 13:31).

There will never be a judicial act from heaven to change any part of the Bible. The constitution of the United States of America is a wonderful work and is called a living document. Nevertheless it has been amended again and again as needed. The Bible is perfect and needs no amending.

God's Word is sure. Peter declared: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy: whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place..: (II Peter 1:19).

The Bible is complete...perfect...settled in heaven.

Depend on it!

drjean · #32 22nd February 2012, 02:22 PM

Memory Verse: Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).

An examining committee, composed of ministers, had met to look into the qualifications of Billy Sunday to be ordained as a gospel minister. Among other questions fired at the world-famous former baseball player was a request that he identify a well0known church father, describing some of his writings.

Billy was stumped.

After fumbling around for a moment, he said,"I never heard of him! He was never on my team!"

For a time, indecision characterized the distinguished preachers. Finally one of them moved that Billy Sunday be recommended for ordination, adding that Billy had already won more souls for Christ than all his examiners.

Billy had been with Jesus.

The boldness and success of the disciples bothered the theologians who opposed them. The Sadducees rejected any teaching about resurrection and were therefore completely at odds with Peter and John, the spokesmen for the disciples.

These servants of Christ were not awed by their learned opponents. They spoke with power and had more understanding than the religious leaders who had spent their lives debating theological questions.

Why?

Because they had been with Jesus.

Many lessons are best learned at the feet of Jesus.

Take time to be with Jesus.

drjean · #33 24th February 2012, 02:02 PM

Memory Verse: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10)

Heaven is a perfect place.

Earth isn't.

Why this difference between heaven and earth since both are from the hand of our perfect Creator?

The reason for earth's woes is sin. Every evil on earth springs from sin: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12).

Sin is the reason for every hospital and cemetery. It is the cause of every prison and chain. Sin enslaves while promising liberty. It offers pleasure and gives pain. Sin has caused the great chasm between heaven and earth.

Earth weeps.

heaven sings.

is there really any profit in praying that the Father's will be done here as it is in heaven?

yes.

This is a prayer for the coming Kingdom of Christ...the Millennium. When the King returns, the Father's will will be carried out all over the earth "..for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9).

Discouraged with world conditions?

A better day is coming. Our Lord will come again.

Perhaps today!

drjean · #34 26th February 2012, 03:49 PM

Treasures in Heaven

Memory Verse: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Matthew 6:20).

Shortly after the death of her aged Christian father, a young lady visited his associates in business. He was not a Christian and had lived only to amass riches.

The business partner said to the grieving daughter, "Your father was a good man, He lived for God and others. His chief joy was to bring happiness to others. I have never known a man more generous with his money. Right up to the end of his beautiful life. His thoughts were of others. In death he went to his riches. In death, I will leave the riches which I could have used for God and others.

The paradox of this conversation is the realization by the surviving partner of the real issues of life and his unwillingness to do anything about them.

There are many like him.

A.J. Gordon wrote: "I warn you that it will go hard with you when the Lord comes to reckon with you if He finds your wealth hoarded up in needless accumulations instead of being carefully devoted to giving the Gospel to the lost."

The bank of heaven awaits deposits by those who have been born again. Entrusted with time, talents, and material possessions, we have the opportunity to invest them for Christ and in so doing we lay up treasures in heaven. Treasures there are untouchable.

How much will you deposit today?

Heaven's deposit may require an earthly withdrawal of funds.

Are you willing to reinvest?

drjean · #35 2nd March 2012, 11:31 AM

Memory Verse: And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God (Acts 7:56).

Stephen was a first. He was one of the first deacons. He was the first person other than an apostle to be given power to perform miracles. And he was the first Christian martyr.

Having been faithful in serving tables, Stephen was given a wider ministry: "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people" (Acts 6:8) But his increased
outreach brought increased opposition. When the religious leaders heard this dynamic deacon they gathered a mob to stone him.

Before the stones started flying, Stephen was given a glimpse into heaven where he saw the Lord Jesus standing on the right hand of God.

Standing?

Yes, standing.

Doesn't the Bible say that Jesus sat down at the right hand of God following His sacrifice on the cross?

Yes, but this was a special occasion. One of His servants was in serious trouble. So the Saviour was standing. He would personally welcome him into His presence in a few minutes. So He stood. he cares.

Note also that His title, "The Son of Man," is used here. As the Son of Man, He can identify with the needs of all men--all people...their burdens, their sorrows, their fatigue, their persecutions.

Stephen was prepared for martyrdom before it took place. He was given a special blessing for a special occasion. When the stones came crushing in upon Stephen, he was able to pray for those who were attacking him unjustly. He had been given dying grace by his living Saviour.

Christians do not face trouble alone.

Their loving Saviour understands.

Jesus always rises to the occasion.

drjean · #36 4th March 2012, 09:36 AM

SURRENDER

Memory verse: And he trembling and astonished said, Lord what will thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do (Acts 9:6).

When Stephen died the Church suffered a great loss, but God cares for His work and He raises up others to replace those who are promoted to heaven. The work of Christ is never dependent on the survival of one person.

Often the Lord calls the most unlikely into His service. Saul had stood guard over the coats of those who stoned Stephen. Who would have suspected the he would soon be converted to Stephen's Saviour?

Saul's conversion teaches us the the most difficult cases are not hopeless. It is unlikely that any of those early Christians expected Saul to be saved...certainly not to become the greatest missionary ever. If the believers in Damascus knew that Saul was headed their way they may have prayed for deliverance from his persecution but probably few would have dared believe he would be born again enroute to their city.

The secret of Saul's usefulness as a Christian may be found in his initial reaction to his encounter with Christ. his response: "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" indicates immediate and total surrender. he gave his life to the Saviour with no strings attached. From that point on, his desire would be to know the will of God and do it.

Every useful servant of Christ has come to the point of unconditional surrender. D. L. Moody determined to be a man who was completely yielded to the will of God and the world still reaps the benefits.

Will you surrender to the Saviour?

Unconditionally?

drjean · #37 11th March 2012, 05:42 PM

Memory Verse: Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word (Acts 8:4).

Some of the greatest advances for Christ have been made during times of persecution. In the first century as persecution increased, believers were forced to leave their homes and flee to other areas. As they went they preached God's Word and their number increased. The pressure brought on these early Christians simply enlarged their ever widening circle of witness.

Others have also given their best when persecuted.

One day John Wesley preached to a great throng in an outdoor meeting. He pleaded with his hearers to flee from the wrath to come. Later Wesley said, "Many of the people acted like beasts and did their best to disturb the meeting. They tried to drive a heard of cows into the crowd, but without success. Then they began to throw stones ---showers of them. One of them struck me between the eyes. I wiped away the blood, and went right on, declaring that God has given to them that believe, "not the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7). I saw what a blessing it is when it is given us, even in the lowest degree, to suffer from His name's sake.

We know little of suffering for Christ in this good land. The heritage given America by those who laid the foundation of our government has kept our nation a place of religious freedom. still some persecution comes to dedicated Christians by people who do not like to see a strong witness for Christ.

If persecution comes your way today..use the opportunity to tell others of Jesus. His rewards will be greater than any suffering we may endure (see Romans 8:18).

drjean · #38 27th March 2012, 10:55 AM

I, too, have had things keep me from this site... and I hope to continue to post, in spite of drawbacks in my life. God is good all the time

Today's devotional:

Enoch Saw it All:
Memory verse: And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with tens thousands of his saints (Jude 14).

Fulfilled prophecy and the ability of men of God to see events thousands of years in advance is one of the most convincing proofs of the inspiration and accuracy of the Bible. here is one of the most remarkable prophecies in the Bible. Enoch, whose life is recorded in Genesis 5:21-24, saw beyond the Rapture of the church to the second coming of Christ in power and great glory. God gave him a glimpse of the return of Christ with His saints.

This is especially significant when one considers that Enoch is one of only two men in history who did not die. The Bible says of him: "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God" (Hebrews 11:5).

Enoch was then a type or picture of the church. he was taken to heaven without physical death. God then revealed to him that there would be a coming miracle greater than the one he had experienced, when all living Christians would be translated--taken up without physical death--and that this great company would then return with Christ when He comes to set up His Kingdom. What a thrill it must have been to this man of God who lived so long ago when God gave him that wonderful preview of things to come.

It will be an even greater thrill to be a part of that great company returning with Christ someday in the future. Aren't you glad you belong to Him?

drjean · #39 28th March 2012, 01:34 PM

Satan Chained
Memory Verse: And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years (Revelation 20:2).

You may not believe in the reality of Satan. If you do not, try resisting him! The Bible is clear in its descriptions of this evil personality and it is a delusion to deny his existence.

Walter Brown Knight wrote: "God's children are engaged in an incessant warfare. Our adversary, the devil, is an implacable foe, and graciousness of false religionists who deny the existence of our adversary. it is hazardous for God's children to cease to be watchful and wakeful.

Satan's trail is traceable from the Garden of Eden to this present day. Sin and death are his trademarks, temptation his tool. many become weary in the battle of resisting temptation. Perhaps you are one of those tired soldiers. if so, I have good news for you. There is a day coming when the devil will be unable to tempt anyone.

During the Kingdom of Christ on this earth, Satanic influence will be forbidden. This act reminds us that Satan's power is limited. We are not to be defeated and downcast. John put it well: "Ye are of God, little children , and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

Whatever temptation is troubling you can be overcome: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Satan will be chained later. But even now, in Christ, we're free!

drjean · #40 30th March 2012, 08:52 AM

Groaning Till Glory

Memory Verse: For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19).

We live in a world where suffering is a part of life. Every hospital reminds us of human suffering. A thousand screaming sirens in the night shriek their message of the reality of suffering. Until the Lord returns,suffering will continue. It is the result of sin.

Even nature suffers. The fall of man affected all of creation. Earthquakes, violent storms, intemperate weather and other convulsions of nature remind us of the effect of sin on creation.

But suffering will end someday. Interestingly, the Bible says that all of creation awaits that day. When Jesus listed the signs of His return, He spoke of increased natural upheavals. Paul compares that to the travail of giving birth: "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now" (Romans 8:22). Nature is eager for the Lord's return.

Glory later is as sure as suffering now: "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). Knowing that we would understand degrees of suffering, the Holy Spirit moved Paul to compare sufferings and glory. His comparison simply demonstrates there is no comparison. And that is quite a commentary on the coming glory. We have all seen intense suffering even if we have not experienced it. Still, the Bible says the most heart moving examples of suffering cannot compare in degree with the glory that awaits us.

WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH THIS WORLD, EVEN CHRISTIANS MAY EXPECT SOME SUFFERING AND TROUBLE.

DON'T FRET.

THE GLORY AHEAD WILL MAKE IT ALL WORTHWHILE.