SOUL FOOD by Dr Jack Van Impe

drjean · #41 31st March 2012, 12:12 PM

Memory Verse: Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years (Revelation 20:6).

Though you may never hold public office in this life, you have a future in government. When Jesus comes to establish His Kingdom on this earth, those who have received Him as Saviour will rule and reign with him.

That government will be without earthly flaws. There will be no corrupt officials, no crooked politicians and no unjust practices. Political justice and international peace will prevail.

Isaiah wrote: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. " (Isaiah 2:2-4)

Just what will be our responsibilities in that Kingdom? We cannot say precisely but we know that we will have part in carrying out God's will on earth.

Meanwhile, we now have an opportunity to share in doing His will by taking the Gospel message to others. Doing His bidding now is good training for the future!

drjean · #42 1st April 2012, 09:48 AM

Memory Verse: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58)

It has been said that when the word "therefore" appears in the Bible one should always consider what it is there for. here, this word looks back to all the truths just presented and in view of them calls for faithful service for Christ.

Because Christ is risen, be "steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord."

Because Christ is coming to raise the Christian dead and catch away His bride, be "steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord."

To be steadfast is "to be firm in your own convictions." To be unmovable is "to be firm against the influences of others." The Pulpit Commentary says: "There are some works of the Lord in which we cannot engage. We cannot help to control the ocean, guide the stars, or even create a blade of grass, but here we are "labourers together with him."

What a privilege!

Let us stand firm against evil and abound in service for Christ.

He lives.

And He is coming again.

Our work for Jesus will not be in vain. When He comes He will reward all who have been "steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Revelation 22:12).

drjean · #43 2nd April 2012, 03:23 PM

Memory Verse: The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose (Isaiah 35:1).

The coming Kingdom of Christ is known as the Millennium because it will last for one thousand years. And what years they will be!

Man's struggle to conquer the environment will be over. Though a stubborn earth has resisted cultivation and produced only at the continual effort of its inhabitants, people have survived. Think how wonderful it will be when man and nature are again in harmony. Bumper crops will be the rule rather than the exception. All the earth will become productive. Even the deserts will become watered gardens.

The enmity between men and animals will be put away. hear the prophet describe this millennial scene: "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. (Isaiah 11:6-7)

Cults and all false teachers will be non-existent. True worship of the Lord will cover the earth: "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9)

When you are discouraged by world conditions or personal problems, remember the coming Kingdom of Christ. This earth has a great future. And so do you, if you belong to Him!

drjean · #44 3rd April 2012, 09:48 AM

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

Following the death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, persecution fell upon all the Christians at Jerusalem. Those were difficult days for the church, bringing imprisonment and even death for the crime of trusting in Christ and telling others about Him. As a result of this persecution, the believers were scattered..but everywhere they went they carried the message of Christ. Even the enemies of the Gospel cooperated in its propagation for as they scattered God's people they also scattered their message throughout that whole area.

In America today we know little about persecution. Though we live in the century that has probably produced more Christian martyrs than any other in history, we are virtually untouched. Still we are lax in telling the old old story of Jesus and His love. And that raises a frightening question: Will it be necessary for God to allow persecution to come to us to awaken us to the blessings we have had and taken for granted?

We hope not.

Those early Christians have set an example for us that will be well to follow. They were so determined to obey the great commission that inconveniences and even severe problems could not deter them from carrying out that responsibility.

How does that compare to our concern? Where are our weak excuses for not witnessing? How will they stand up at the Judgment Seat of Christ?

We've a message to share.

Tell it wherever you go!

drjean · #45 4th April 2012, 09:13 PM

Memory Verse: Even as the son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).

Millions are ministered to.

Few minister.

And in our lack of ministering, we are unlike Jesus.

Today's pattern of taking in weekly without giving out is unknown in the Bible. Even when persecution of the early church scattered its members, they were faithful ministers wile fleeing: "therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word" (Acts 8:4).

Truth is given to pass on to others. Blessings are given to share. Financial prosperity is given so that one can give to those in need...and not just at the end of life to beneficiaries of a will. Health is given so that vigor and strength can be used to lift the burdens of others. Years are given so that we can have time to influence people through our lives and words and point them to God.

Receivers who do not give are losers. They lose the thrill of giving. Of seeing the sparkle in the eyes of one who has been helped. Of watching one go on to success who had been counted out. Of witnessing faith grow as a result of sharing the love of Christ.

So, we must minister.

But where shall we start?

Let us begin where we are. What have we received this week that can be given to others? What was there about the pastor's sermon that made it special to you? Tell a friend. his need is likely to be the same as yours. And in passing on the blessing you will be ministering.

It's the only way to be like Jesus!

drjean · #46 5th April 2012, 09:56 AM

Memory Verse: Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels (Mark 8:38).

An old song asks:
"Jesus, and shall it ever be,
'A mortal man ashamed of Thee?
Ashamed of Thee Whom angels praise
Whose glories shine through endless days"

Unbelievable as it may seem, some Christians appear to be ashamed of their Saviour. They are ill at ease when given an opportunity to speak for Him. Other subjects flow from their lips freely: sports, fashions, the economy, the weather. But let the name of Jesus enter the conversation and they clam up--or change the subject.

How the angels must wonder at our values!

And why should we be ashamed? Even the enemies of Jesus could find no fault in Him. At the trial of Jesus, Pilate returned Him to His accusers announcing that he could find no fault in Him. Since that time, skeptics have attacked the Bible and doubted the Gospel--but not one honest person has ever found a fault in Jesus.

We have many faults. But He is not ashamed to be identified with us: "For it became him for whom all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For b oth he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren. (Hebrews 2:10, 11).

baxter10 · #47 5th April 2012, 09:59 AM

Interesting

drjean · #48 6th April 2012, 08:54 AM

Memory Verse: And he said onto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).

The Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago has been the scene of salvation for many through the years. Billy Sunday, the evangelist, was one of their famous converts. The mission once published the following in the The Pacific Garden Mission News:"

"Remember, the man on Skid Row is not different in kind from the rest of us. He is merely worse in degree. On Skid Row we see fallen man at his dismal worst. In the better neighborhoods we see him at his polished best, but he is the same man for his disguise. In the gutter we find him chained by dope and drink and dirt. On the avenue we find him bound by pride and greed and lust. To God there is no difference. He sees beyond appearances and He knows what is in every man. His remedy for every man is the same, a new birth and the impartation of a new kind of life.

"The Gospel is the power of God operating toward the moral and spiritual transformation of man. And it works! Thousands will testify that it does. No man who wants to climb up out of his past and find a new and better life should overlook the Gospel. It is God's way out and there is no other."

God is no respecter of persons. That is, all have the same need and must come the same way: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).

But we often evaluate pe0ple by their position, their wealth or the color of their skin. And that is sinful. The Gospel is for everyone. It's time to see every person as one in need of salvation. Christ died for all. Go tell someone today!

Praise the Lord! 2,500,000 have come to Christ through Jack Van Impe Ministries! (And that's the count only from those who have told the Ministries of their decisions.)

drjean · #49 7th April 2012, 08:29 AM

MEMORY VERSE: Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession (Hebrews 4:14).

We have one in heaven who understands.

His name is Jesus.

Here is the miracle of His love. He who is the Bread of Life began His ministry hungering. He who is the Water of Life ended His ministry thirsting. Christ hungered as a man, and fed the hungry as God. He was weary, and yet He is our rest. He paid tribute, and yet He is the King of Kings. He was called a devil, yet He cast out devils. He prayed, and yet He hears prayer. He wept, and He is the One who dries our tears. he was sold for thirty pieces of silver, and yet He redeemed the world with His precious blood. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and yet He is the Good Shepherd.

Does heaven seem distant and unreachable?

Jesus is there and awaits your cry.

Do you think you are passing through trials and tests unknown by any other "but was in all points tempted like as we are.." Hebrews 4:15).

Does heaven seem distant and unreachable?

Jesus is there and awaits your cry.

Do you think you are passing through trials and tests unknown by any other "but was in all points tempted like as we are..." (Hebrews 4:15).

Have you been hurt by another?

He endured the cross with all its shame.

Do you have less than others?

He had no place to lay His head.

Do some leave you out of their gatherings?

He was despised and rejected.

Our great High priest in heaven knows every burden. Take all your needs to Him and leave them there!

drjean · #50 11th April 2012, 10:45 AM

Memory verse: What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness and go after that which is lost, until he find it? (Luke 15:4).

In his book, "Addresses On Luke," Dr. H. A. Ironside shared an experience from a visit to a sheep ranch. he wrote:

"Years ago I was staying with friends who had a great sheep ranch, and one evening we were awaiting supper until the husband came home. We expected him to arrive about six o'clock, but he was late. When he came into the house he said to his wife, 'My dear, I shall have to drink a cup of coffee and eat only a snack tonight, for as I came from the station I heard the beating of a lost lamb, and I must hurry and find it before the coyotes or rattlesnakes get it'. I was amazed to see that man's interest in one lost lamb. he and a friend had more than five thousand sheep, and literally thousands of lambs; and yet that one lost lamb had such a place in his heart that he could not resist going out in the night to find it. I said, as we went along a narrow trail, 'You have so many sheep and lambs, I wonder why you are so concerned about one.' He said, 'I would not be able to sleep tonight for thinking about that little lamb out in the wilderness, and perhaps torn into pieces by the coyotes or bitten by a rattler.'"

The concern of Jesus for lost sheep is far greater than that of any earthly shepherd. Those who doubt that may simply follow the trail of sorrows to the cross where He died to save the lost.

He cares.

Do YOU?

WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT REACHING THE LOST???