The Empty Bed odb.org || Wednesday||May 29, 2019 By Dave Branon
Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 7–9; John 11:1–29
Go and make disciples of all nations. Matthew 28:19
Today's Scripture & Insight: Matthew 28:16-20
I was eager to return to St. James Infirmary in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and reconnect with Rendell, who two years earlier had learned about Jesus’s love for him. Evie, a teenager in the high school choir I travel with each spring, had read Scripture with Rendell and explained the gospel, and he personally received Jesus as his Savior.
When I entered the men’s section of the home and looked toward Rendell’s bed, however, I found it was empty. I went to the nurse’s station, and was told what I didn’t want to hear. He had passed away—just five days before we arrived.
Through tears, I texted Evie the sad news. Her response was simple: “Rendell is celebrating with Jesus.” Later she said, “It’s a good thing we told him about Jesus when we did.”
Her words reminded me of the importance of being ready to lovingly share with others the hope we have in Christ. No, it’s not always easy to proclaim the gospel message about the One who will be with us always (Matthew 28:20), but when we think about the difference it made for us and for people like Rendell, perhaps we’ll be encouraged to be even more ready to “make disciples” wherever we go (v. 19).
I’ll never forget the sadness of seeing that empty bed—and also the joy of knowing what a difference one faithful teen made in Rendell’s forever life.
Bible Questions Worth Answering (5)
Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? (Amos 3:3) Nkwa.life || Monday||April 15, 2019 By Nkwa.life Outreach Ministry
Today’s question was asked by Jehovah speaking through the Prophet Amos to the nation of Israel. The book of Amos contains God’s message of judgment upon various nations: both Gentile nations and the nation Israel. At the time Amos was prophesying, Samaria had become a trade stop-off for caravans. Ivory palaces were built, and businessmen became impatient with Sabbath restrictions. The rich were oppressive and corrupt; the courts were unjust; the religious services were either a sham or consisted of idolatry. Superstition and immorality abounded. Amos saw that such dreadful conditions could not last and that clouds of judgment were looming. After speaking about the judgment of the other nations, he turned to the nation of Israel, the nation chosen by the Lord. He asked a series of questions calling for a reflection of the nature of the relationship between Israel and Jehovah? Amos asked seven cause-and-effect questions in chapter 3, culminating with an urban calamity caused by the LORD. The first question is the focus of our reflection today.
Amo 3:1 Hear this word, people of Israel, the word the LORD has spoken against you—against the whole family I brought up out of Egypt: Amo 3:2 "You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins." Amo 3:3 Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?
_Agreement is the foundation of committed relationships. Can someone walk with the Lord without agreeing with His will, purposes and plans? Can we claim to walk with the Lord and live anyhow we want in complete disregard of His revealed will? _
_Israel was living in delusion in the days of Amos: elected by God but sin, oppression, greed and corruption characterized the nation. God will deal with Israel’s sins “because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son." (Hebrews 12:6). Yes He will discipline His children when they neglect His will and disregard the content of the gracious Covenant of redemption. _
”For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,” (Titus 2:11-12).
Is my life in agreement with the revealed will of God? Have I forsaken iniquity and pursued righteousness? Am I walking with the Lord in faith and Obedience? To agree with the Lord is to trust Him! To agree with the Lord is to Obey Him! To agree with the Lord is to walk closely with Him in Spirit and in Truth.
The LORD is asking: [Your Name] are you walking with me in Agreement with my word?
#O for repentance in my heart and a commitment to walk in faith and obedience with your revealed will. I will trust you. I will obey you for thus I agree with you. I will turn from evil and seek righteousness, justice, peace and the pursuit of your gracious will. Hold my hand Lord, help me to walk with you in Jesus Name!#
Homeless by Choice Our Daily Bread (odb.org) || Wednesday||March 13, 2019 By Estera Pirosca Escobar
Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 20–22; Mark 13:21–37
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. [Hebrews 2:18]
Today's Scripture & Insight: Hebrews 2:9-18
Keith Wasserman has chosen to be homeless for a few days every year since 1989 in order to grow in love and compassion. “I go to live on the streets to expand my perspective and understanding” of people who have no homes to live in, says Keith, executive director of Good Works, Inc.
I’m wondering whether Keith’s approach to become one with those he’s serving might be a small picture of what Jesus did for us. God Himself, the Creator of the universe, chose to confine Himself to the vulnerable state of a baby, to live as a human, to experience what we all experience, and to ultimately die at the hand of humans so that we can experience a relationship with God.
The writer of the book of Hebrews stated that Jesus “shared in [our] humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil” (2:14). Jesus was made lower than the angels, even though He’s their Creator (v. 9). He became human and died, even though He’s immortal. And He suffered for us, even though He’s the all-powerful God. Why would He do this? So that He could help us when we go through temptations and bring reconciliation between us and God (vv. 17–18).
May we experience His love today, knowing He understands our humanity and has already provided the way for us to be cleansed from our sins.
Rev. Benjamin Begotten Annan (Resident Minister) Rev. Edmund Yirenkyi-Fianko (Minister) MYF Wins Bible Context (August 2019) (Sandra) A Member of Trinity Multimedia Team Wins Miss Winconsin 2019 Beauty Pangeant Certificate of Appreciation From the 56th Annual SYNOD Sunday of the Accra Diocese (7th May 2017) January Borns Day-2017 The MYF wins Challenge Championship - 2016
