Insights Magazine: November 2012 by Insight for Living Canada

November 2012

Angelolo�y 101

ANGELOLOGY

101

in this issue 3 Let’s be Thankful for Angels Charles R. Swindoll pressure points

6 Touched by an Angel? Steve Johnson lifetrac

“surely we

can respond with awe-filled

wonder.”

9 Angel Babies & Other Myths Robyn Roste STRONG FAMILY

12 Christ’s Birth: Catching a Glimpse of its Magnificence Grace Fox laughing matters

14 Danny Brown’s First Christmas Phil Callaway Help Me Understand

17 Spiritual Failure Insight for Living Canada

Copyright © 2012 Insight for Living Canada. All rights reserved. No portion of this monthly publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. Insights is published by IFLC, the Bible-teaching ministry of Charles R. Swindoll. IFLC is an autonomous ministry and certified member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages are taken from the NASB. Printed in Canada. Unless otherwise noted, photography by IFLC staff.

Let’s be Thankful for Angels by Charles R. Swindoll

ave you counted your blessings lately? If not, allow me to prime the pump. • Start with broad categories, such as family members, close friends, and fellow Christians who help take the sting out of life. Tell the Lord how thankful you are for each person, naming them one by one. • Next, think of significant places you often find yourself: home, church,

school, car, service stations, stores, restaurants, fitness centre…you complete the list. Express your gratitude for each. • Don’t forget to give thanks for your health, your eyesight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. How easy it is to take these sensory gifts for granted. • Of course, there’s clothing to keep you warm, sufficient food to nourish your body, a job that pays the bills, good books that stimulate your mind, laughter 3

Sundown was not that far away, and they were not equipped to spend the night on the craggy, windswept slopes.

and tears, many comforts undeserved, dreams that keep you going, and memories that bring delight. • We dare not forget the Bible and those who teach it, music and those who sing it and play it, worship with others of the faith, and a few moments of leisure during each week that enable us to release our anxieties and gain fresh perspective. There is one more blessing that can easily be overlooked—one you may not have considered. I feel especially grateful for those unseen guardians who work overtime, who actually never slumber or sleep. That’s right; I’m talking about the angels, God’s special messengers. What a busy year they have had! Think of all the accidents they have prevented, all the little kids they have protected, all the enemy assaults they have shielded us against. Motorcycle riders keep a host of angels on their toes! So do bungee jumpers, skydivers, stunt people, window washers, single-engine pilots, fast drivers, and rock climbers. Preachers are probably in there somewhere as well. Scripture speaks very clearly of angels. As the thirteenth chapter of Hebrews opens, we encounter a series of commands, among them: “Do not neglect to 4

Let’s be Thankful for Angels continued from p. 3

show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Heb. 13:2). If we took that verse seriously, we could revolutionize a church’s friendliness. Think of it this way: that new face you greet next Sunday could be one of the cherubim or seraphim…one of Michael’s colleagues or one of Gabriel’s teammates. Angels look and sound like one of us, but they are not human. They exist as supernatural creatures in and about heaven, and they are frequently dispatched to earth in human form to bring encouragement, assistance, and protection. If you have ever encountered the sudden appearance and/or departure of an angel after receiving one’s help, you are never the same. Often they leave telltale signs that they are not of this earth. That always puts a chill down my back. Many years ago some of our church’s high school kids and their leader went on a mountain-climbing excursion. What began as a fun trip and relaxing time together led to a frightening experience. Up at that elevation the temperature can drop rapidly, covering everything in a blanket of snow and ice in no time…and that’s exactly what happened. The ranges

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of white peaks and slopes became beautiful scenes to behold. While taking in the breathtaking sights, the leader realized he had lost the trail. The heavy snowfall had completely covered the path, and he didn’t have a clue where they were or how they could get back to the main camp. His fears weren’t helped by the realization that sundown was not that far away, and they were not equipped to spend the night on the craggy, windswept slopes where the temperature would soon drop. The boys in the group became aware of their plight, which only intensified the leader’s worries. In situations like that out in the wilderness, prayer flows freely. A dependence on God to rescue is not merely a convenient option; it’s a foundational survival technique. As with men in foxholes, you rarely find atheists among lost mountain climbers. While trudging through the snow, entertaining thoughts just this side of panic, they suddenly heard someone on the slopes above them yell down: “Hey— the trail is up here!” They glanced up and to their relief they saw another climber far in the distance. He urged them to climb up to where he was if they wanted to get back on the trail. They realized if they had continued in the direction they were going, they would have become hopelessly lost. Without hesitation, they made their way up to the large boulder where the stranger was sitting. The climb was exhausting, but their relief in finding someone who knew the way gave them an adrenaline rush. Finally, they arrived…but to their surprise, the one who had yelled at them was nowhere to be found. Furthermore, there were no traces left in the snow that anyone

had been sitting on the boulder, nor were there footprints nearby. The trail, however, stretched out before them and led them to safety. The boys not only learned a valuable lesson about the wilderness but also confirmed their belief in encountering “angels without knowing it.” Think of several occasions in your own life over this year when you had what you would consider “a close call.” Or, how about one of your kids or friends—can you remember a time or two that, in some incredible manner, they were shielded from harm or delivered from danger? God’s special messengers, dispatched from His heaven, are often invisible but never impotent. As the psalmist wrote: He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, That you do not strike your foot against a stone. (Ps. 91:11–12) And then, writing of an individual who loves the Lord, he added: “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high. . . . I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him.” (91:14–15) A fascinating topic of conversation would be stories of how and when some surprising deliverance, some heaven-sent rescue mission, occurred. It is amazing how many of us have stories to tell but seldom take time to do so. Let’s be thankful for angels. Doing so will strengthen our faith…and we could all benefit from a boost in that area, couldn’t we? Photograph of Chuck Swindoll © 2012 by Luke Edmonson

Pressure Points

Touched by an

by Steve Johnson

Many Christians have stories of angelic encounters or at least, of possible encounters.

man

ithout a direct revelation from God it’s impossible to know for sure, but circumstances might suggest the possibility that we have indeed experienced a special visitation. I have two such experiences. Again, I don’t know for sure. But maybe. Just maybe. The first was an experience as a young pastor struggling in a small home mission work. The members were few, the finances even fewer. Many times the church treasurer would tell me he couldn’t pay me a full salary, or that I would have to wait a few more weeks until the offerings could cover it. It was at one of those particularly lean times that the treasurer again came to me and said there wasn’t enough to pay me. I remember thinking, “But, I have bills to pay, my mortgage is due, my family needs food! What do I do?” Then, on Friday I received a phone call. It was from a man I didn’t know who had come from out of town, looking for work in the city nearby. Somehow he got my name and wondered if he and his young family could stay with us for the weekend while he looked for work. I agreed and soon he arrived on my doorstep with his wife and kids. He looked for work on Saturday, then Sunday our families went to church together. Immediately after the service

they left and I never heard from him again. Then the church treasurer came to me and excitedly told me that the offering was enough to cover the church bills and my salary for the next two weeks. How? The visitor had given a large offering. Was that man an angel? Had I entertained angels unawares? (Heb. 13:2) Maybe. I don’t know, but it seemed to fit the way angels operate (Gen. 21:17-20; 1 Ki.19: 5-7). My other experience was more recent. I was on a motorcycle trip with some friends last year. It had been raining and as I rounded a curve, I allowed my front tire to drive onto the slick paint of the centre line. In an instant the tire lost its grip and slipped while the back tire slid sideways. As my bike went over onto its side I could feel my foot peg grind on the pavement, sending sparks flying out behind. Instinctively I turned my handlebars as the back tire slid but the bike continued to go down. It was over so far that the highway bar on the left side hit the pavement sending out more sparks. Unbelievably, at that moment, the bike and I popped back upright and unhurt, and continued down the road. When we eventually stopped the rider who had been behind me exclaimed, “Wow, you should have seen the sparks!” Then he said, “It was just like an angel 7

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picked you back up!” I’ve wondered, was it a guardian angel? Maybe. I don’t know. In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel had the archangel (Michael) assigned to it (Dan. 10:21; 12:1), but Scripture nowhere states that an angel is “assigned” to an individual. Angels were sometimes sent to individuals, but there is no mention of permanent assignment.

“As my bike went over onto its side I could feel my foot peg grind on the pavement, sending sparks flying out behind.” Belief in guardian angels has been around for a long time. During the intertestamental period the Jews developed the belief in guardian angels. Some early church fathers also believed that each person had an angel assigned to him or her, and some even said a demon was assigned as well.1 Matthew 18:10, the key passage most often cited as proof that every believer has

a guardian angel protecting them says, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven” (NIV). But the proof is inconclusive. In the context, “these little ones” could either apply to those who believe in Him (vs. 6) or it could refer to the little children (vs. 3-5). It cannot be emphatically answered from Scripture whether each believer has a guardian angel assigned to him or her. Certainly God does use angels to minister to, and protect us. In the end, does it really matter whether or not there is a specific finite guardian angel assigned to me? Regardless if that is true, we have an even greater confidence: we have an allknowing, all-powerful, all-loving God who will always provide for and protect us. And whether He used angels in my case or not I’m grateful. Steve Johnson is the executive director at IFLC. 1 Origen, De Principiis, Chapter VIII.—On the Angels, pp 265-266; The Pastor of Hermas, in the Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol II., 266.

on the air in december

from Heaven to Earth: The Story of Christ’s Coming

In these four inspiring messages, Chuck Swindoll presents fresh insights into the Christmas story to help you approach this season with a prayerful and God-honouring spirit rooted in the truth of God’s Word. 8

Upcoming Messages Include: Learning the Background Hearing the Message Birthing the Baby Unwrapping the Gift

by Robyn Roste

On lifetrac.ca/blog this month: Five Reasons You Should Journal by Robyn Roste

’ve always been a reader. In fact, when I was told I needed glasses at age 10 I assumed it was because I’d spent too many evenings reading by hall light. Glasses were my punishment for reading after bedtime. It strikes me as odd I would immediately believe the reason I needed glasses was more to do with reading after dark than genetics, but thinking back that’s what kids used to say to each other. My beliefs were subconsciously shaped by what we shouted to each other across the playground. It makes me wonder what else I have mixed up along the way.

“A 2008 survey of over

1,000 Canadians found 67 per cent believe in angels.”

At age 10 my favourite types of books were those written in journal form. I loved reading (what I thought was) the deep and maybe even secret thoughts of other people my age. They were so honest! And real! And dealing with the same things I was! Topping my list of favourites was a devotional called Angel in my Attic. Featured throughout the journal of junior high student K.C. is her little angel-friend Herbie. The image on the cover suggests Herbie is a small flying cherub who lives in the attic and gives K.C. advice on the tough stuff she faces at school. I loved this book. I must have read it 20 times or more. No matter what K.C. faced, Herbie always had an encouraging word, solid advice, and a Scripture passage for her to reflect on. Angel Babies & Other Myths continued from p. 9

It made me wish I had a little angel-friend of my own. Looking at this devotional now I see how it perhaps gave me a strange definition of what angels actually are—although the concept of angels showing up at key times wasn’t so far off. Scripture is filled with instances where angels appeared to humans to offer guidance, encouragement, or a message. But the image of the flying mini-man whose sole purpose is to hang out in your room and act as the sage advice-giver when you need it... what is that about? The more I think about angels the more I notice how casually we refer to them. As if angels are sweet little pets or something. In fact, we call one another angels. And to be one you really only have to do something nice for someone else! “Oh, you’re such an angel!” According to the Bible, when people actually encountered angels they fell to their faces in fear (Gen. 19:1, Num. 22:31, Judg. 6:22, 13:20, 1 Chron. 21:16, Luke 1:11-12, Luke 2:8-10)—there were no touchy-feely “bless your heart” reactions there, only a strict reverence for what was surely a message from the Lord. Looking a little further into angelology (really, that’s the name) I have learned three things: • The original Jewish and Christian understanding of angels was likely influenced by the ancient Egyptians • The idea that humans become angels (and/or angels become humans) is actually a Mormon belief • The idea that every time you hear a bell an angel receives wings was popularized by the movie It’s a Wonderful Life but is rooted in superstition—to ward off evil spirits

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From this preliminary research I’m left with the feeling that most of us are probably more than a bit muddled in our understanding of angels. For me, it began with cartoon artwork on a favourite book. For others maybe it’s how they’ve dealt with the loss of a child, imagining him or her as an “angel baby” to make the death feel less tragic. Or perhaps for others angels seem too difficult to believe in—more like fictional characters to explain coincidences or beings we give characteristics to but are really only our inner conscience. With all the different beliefs and depictions of angels, how can we be sure we have the Christian perspective? The obvious answer should be your first response— look at what the Bible says (and doesn’t say) about angels. Next, listen carefully to how people talk about angels and ask questions. Is this opinion backed up in Scripture? Does it mesh with your current understanding of angels? Why or why not? When you think critically about a subject you begin to train your mind to discern between what is biblical and what is not. Wikipedia reports a 2008 survey of over 1,000 Canadians found 67 per cent believe in angels. But to what extent? And is this belief based on the Bible or on a television show? I also wonder if we did see angels among us today if we would recognize them or not. Would our eyes adjust to see them for what they are or are we so preoccupied with the things of this world we wouldn’t even notice if one passed our way? My hope is even if I never know I’ve met an angel I’ll be given the opportunity to entertain one as Hebrews 13:2 says I might— wouldn’t that be amazing!

Glass Half Empty People You don’t have to look very hard to find negative people filled with self-pity. That’s why it’s so refreshing to find positive people... no matter the circumstances. Listen online anytime at lifetrac.ca

“Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” (Heb. 13:1-2) Free mp3 We all know people who always find something to complain about, no matter how good things are. The ancient Hebrews were like that. Despite all the good things God promised them and did for them the glass was always half empty— why? In this month’s free mp3, It’s Time to Celebrate— Not Complain, Chuck Swindoll talks about the roots of complaining and how we can learn what not to do from the Israelite’s example in Numbers 10-12. Download this convicting message today.

Robyn Roste is the LifeTrac co-ordinator at IFLC.

Strong Family

Christ’s Birth Catching a Glimpse of its Magnificence by Grace Fox

ehearsals complete and props constructed, the night of the annual Christmas Sunday school program had finally arrived. “And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night,” read the narrator. A cluster of wee shepherds appeared on cue. They meandered to centre stage as the voice continued. “And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.” A pint-sized angel robed in white and crowned with a lopsided garland halo emerged from side stage. He stepped timidly toward the shepherds now feigning fright. “Do not be afraid,” he said. “For behold, I bring you Good News of…uh…uh….Good News of…I forget!” The angel glanced at the audience, and panic crossed his face. He yanked his robe up past his knees and wrung it with both hands.

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“Of a great joy,” prompted the narrator. “Oh yeah. Of a great joy,” repeated the angel. His face relaxed. So did his grip on the robe. “Which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of…uh…David? Yeah…David. There has been born for you a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.” A multitude of mini-angels joined the boy. “Glory to God in the highest,” they recited. One divine being waved at his mother. Another elbowed a haloed peer and giggled. A third poked his nose. And a fourth stared silently at the crowd that clearly enjoyed the show. Many of us remember Sunday school Christmas programs from the past. Perhaps, as youngsters we depicted Mary or Joseph, a shepherd, king, or angel. We dressed in homemade costumes and recited our memorized lines. Or maybe we, like the pint-sized angel with the lopsided halo, forgot them. Time has passed. Now we’re the camera-toting parents or grandparents of the actors and actresses. We watch our youngsters re-enact the events surrounding Christ’s birth and see it through their eyes. We share their excitement and smile at their onstage antics. But hopefully our response doesn’t end there. Hopefully we leave the event with a renewed sense of wonder, overwhelmed by the magnificence of what unfolded in Bethlehem long ago. Imagine… Night shrouded the landscape in black. Shepherds lingered in the fields, protecting their flocks from hungry predators. The men’s eyelids drooped, but they dared not sleep. Suddenly the sky exploded and bathed them in blinding light. An angelic being, the likes of which the shepherds had never seen, appeared. He was no quivering, softspoken, baby-faced cherub. He was a heav-

enly warrior. A combatant clothed in brilliance. A spiritual force on assignment, delivering breaking news guaranteed to change life on earth forever. Terror paralyzed the shepherds, but the angel spoke reassurance—“Do not be afraid.” And then he delivered a longawaited message wrapped with a promise of great joy. “Today in the city of David there has been born for you a Saviour who is Christ the Lord!”

"One divine being waved at his mother. Another elbowed a haloed peer and giggled. A third poked his nose." He’d barely finished speaking when an entire army of angels appeared from nowhere. They burst into song, their voices blending in heavenly harmony: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Angelic voices rose in worship; shepherds knelt in wonder. Fear mingled with awe. Finally—the Saviour of the world had come! (Luke 2) Christmas commemorates Christ’s birth. True to tradition, many of us will watch precious little people depict the events of that Bethlehem night. We’ll smile at the shepherds. We’ll delight in the angels. And we’ll applaud their acting abilities when the program ends. But let’s commit to taking our celebration a step further. Let’s take time to ponder the magnitude and magnificence surrounding Christ’s birth. The event prompted an army of angels to abandon heaven’s glory, descend to earth, and sing praises to God. Surely we can respond with awe-filled wonder.

Grace Fox is an international speaker, author, and national co-director of International Messengers Canada. She lives in Abbotsford, BC, where she enjoys seeing Christmas through her grandkids’ eyes. gracefox.com

Laughing Matters

by Phil Callaway 14

hristmases of my childhood were marked by monumental events, few more exciting than the Sunday school program, which slammed the door on three months of school and opened another on two weeks of holidays. In fourth grade Danny Brown took up residence in the desk behind mine and the rumour travelled fast that his father had forbidden his son from taking part in the program. Some said Mr. Brown was a reallive atheist who was protesting a season gone mad with shopping and carols and mention of the Almighty. So, each Friday, Danny sat in the balcony of our church as we dutifully practiced. I pitied him for he would miss Sunday night’s performance. And, worst of all, the sacred candy bags. “Fairy tales,” said Danny, when talking of Christmas. “A buncha clowns looking for an excuse to make more money.” The only Christmas song he knew was one his father made up: “O Come Let Us Ignore Him.” Miss Farley, our choir director, was a large woman. Her arms weighed more than two of me and she got quite a workout bringing them up to speed. Somehow she stapled holly boughs to the wall behind us, framing the edges of a huge backdrop (“What Child Is This?”). When we stood to sing, I eased a thorny clipping onto Beth Freeman’s chair and when we sat down, she lived to rise again. “OW OW OW!” She howled. “Go to the balcony…NOW!” Miss Thomas ordered me, her chins trembling. Danny was waiting for me. He had just removed his shoes and socks to massage his toes. We listened as the children sang about angels and shepherds and I told Danny another version which my mother forbade: “While shepherds washed their socks by night all seated on the ground / the angel of the Lord came down and

“Fairy tales,” said Danny, when talking of Christmas. “A buncha clowns looking for an excuse to make more money.” passed the soap around.” He found this funnier than I expected, so I treated him to another: “We three kings of Orient are / Smoking on a rubber cigar / It was loaded, it exploded / Now we’re on yonder star.” A volcanic laugh built within him and stuffing a sock in it did not help. Miss Thomas glared at us and brought her arms to a wobbly halt. “I’ve had about enough!” she yelled. Danny whispered, “Then quit eating fudge.” It was too much for me. I hooted and howled. I buried my head in my lap, knowing there would be no Christmas program for so foolish a child as me. But by Sunday night, no one had informed me otherwise, so I slicked my hair with Vaseline and dashed through the crunchy snow to our Ford. The big car lurched forward with me in it, thinking of candy bags. I wondered if Danny would be there this night. Or if he would ignore my invitation too. The church was electric with squealing children and frantic parents bearing combs and brushes and barrettes. Roy Butler arrived with two Chiquita Banana boxes bursting with candy bags and we stood on tiptoe to measure the bags for thickness. There were nuts, hard candy and a few sugary ones—the mint green being my favourite. With the children assembled in jagged rows, the youngsters waved and the parents searched. I searched too. But no Danny Brown. 15

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“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Beth Freeman stood centre stage, the words memorized, her enunciation flawless. “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.” And there he was: Danny Brown. Making faces at me from the balcony. “And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy…For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’” With the final prayer came the dispensing of the sacred bags. Roy Butler memorized our faces to discourage repeat customers. Never in all my years do I recall seeing an extra candy bag, for Mr. Butler was a meticulous accountant. But this year there was. He stared at it, bewildered by his mathematics. I cleared my throat and pointed at Danny Brown. “Hey, what about him?” Mr. Butler smiled and placed the leftover bag in the big brown box. I walked over and, pulling a small handful of treasure from my sack, thunked it into the box.

One by one the others followed. A few sneaked out, but most of us gave quickly, before changing our minds. That night Danny Brown left the church with his very own candy bag, 10 pounds of peanuts, two oranges (one of them mine) and a handful of soft candies rattling around a Chiquita Banana box. And when I finally opened my own little treasure chest, I found another Mandarin orange and five soft candies; all of them were mint green. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Nor could I believe that Danny and his father came to our house for Christmas dinner. And they bowed their heads as my father prayed, thanking God for Mom’s golden turkey and the special dressing. For buttered yams and mashed potatoes. For the world's best gravy and its heaviest fruitcake. “The laying on of Christmas,” he called it. Mr. Brown didn’t close his eyes or anything—he had a ways to go—but his son did. And when he opened them, he grabbed a fork and smiled at me. “Now we’re on yonder star,” he said, shaking his head. It was Danny Brown’s very first Christmas. Phil Callaway won’t get a candy bag this year, but he will make up for it at Christmas dinner. Visit him at laughagain.org

This Month’s FEATURED RESOURCE

All is Well

our magnificent savior is born

Celebrate the majesty of Christ's birth with the Stonebriar Community Church choir and orchestra. This beautiful Christmas concert is one you will treasure for years to come! 16

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Spiritual Failure

Spiritual failure

“Can God forgive me?”

I’ll just come right out and say it: I haven’t gone to church even once in the past two years. It’s not like I started out thinking I would quit—I just skipped a Sunday here, a Sunday there. Well one thing turned into another and you can see where that got me. While I know I don’t need to go to church to be saved the guilt from not going is nearly overpowering. Now I find myself avoiding my Christian friends and instead going out with other, less positive influences. My social life isn’t exactly something I want to talk about on Sunday mornings anyway. When I let myself think about my faith I’m filled with fear. Have I lost my salvation? Does God still love me even though I’m doing everything wrong? And where do I go from here? I don’t know what to do.

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Our Problem

Although we are declared not guilty before a holy God by faith in Jesus’ substitutionary death for us, and even though we have God’s Spirit indwelling us, believers may yield to temptation and sin (Gal. 5:17). Not only might we sin, we may continue in that failure and sinful behaviour for some time. Continually yielding to temptation does not revoke our salvation or our heavenly inheritance. But, as long as we stay in that situation we will break our fellowship with the Father, become spiritually unhealthy, and forfeit our rewards for a life that pleases God (1 Cor. 3: 12-15).

Having been forever united to Christ, nothing can separate us from God’s love.

God’s Answers

• God loves us with an everlasting love and desires that we have an abundant life of fellowship with Him (Jn. 3:16). • Christ came to give us this abundant life in fellowship with the Father (Jn. 10:10). He died for us while we were still sinners (Ro. 5:6). • God placed us in Christ who was punished for all our sin thereby paying our penalty. As far as God is concerned, we died with Christ. • We are now dead to sin (Ro. 6:2). Sin’s power over us is broken and we do not need to sin. • Having been forever united to Christ, nothing can separate us from God’s love (Ro. 8:31-39). We are His children forever. • The Holy Spirit indwells us to empower us to resist temptation rooted in indwelling sin (Gal. 5:16).

• Holy transformation of our lives takes place as we renew our minds with the Word of God and the Holy Spirit makes it real in our actions (Ro. 12: 1- 3). • If we do sin, God tells us that when we confess and repent, He will forgive us our sin and cleanse us (I Jn. 1:9). There is no sin too bad for God to forgive. Failure is not final.

The Solution

The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 provides a pattern for returning, restoration and reconciliation after spiritual failure:

1. Become aware of and sensitive to your sinful thoughts, inclinations, actions, patterns and situation (v. 17). The Holy Spirit does this by convicting us of our sin. 2. Remember, a “bad” day with the Father is better than a “good” day in sin (v.17). 3. Acknowledge your personal responsibility and sin against God and others (v. 18). 4. Realize God’s heart toward His sinning children is one of compassion and grace (vs. 19, 20). 5. Confess your sin to your heavenly Father (v.21). 6. Receive the Father’s forgiveness, acceptance, and restoration back into fellowship (vs. 22-24). 7. Rejoice and walk in restored fellowship (v. 24). Final note: Rather than judging those who have experienced spiritual failure and returned, those who have continued to walk with the Lord need to be thankful that apart from God’s grace they too could fall. They also need to understand the Father’s compassionate heart and rejoice with Him over those who return to Him (vs. 28-32).

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$ 00 additional $ copies:

reg. $12.00

All is Well: Our Magnificent Savior is Born Christmas concert CD (15 tracks, approximate running time 62 minutes)

Celebrate the majesty of Christ’s birth with the Stonebriar Community Church choir and orchestra. This beautiful Christmas concert is one you will treasure for years to come!

ON THE AIR Sale!

2660

reg. $38.00

Sale!

$ 50 reg. $6.00

Daniel, Volume 1: God’s Man for the Moment 9 CD messages + Bible companion

Unanswered Prayer: Where’s My Miracle pamphlet by Joni Eareckson Tada, (14 panels, 8.5 x 5.5 inches, unfolds to 38 inches long)

The unimaginable had happened. God’s people had been carried off into captivity. But Daniel knew that God was still in control. His life is proof that in the midst of a godless culture, one person can make a difference.

Sometimes our prayers go unanswered. Does that mean we lack faith? Does it mean we prayed wrong? Joni Eareckson Tada answers these questions and more while she reflects on praying, “if it be thy will.”

Sale!

2660

reg. $38.00

Daniel, Volume 2: God’s Plan for the Future 9 CD messages + Bible companion

Sale!

1425

reg. $19.00

Family Squeeze: Tales of Hope and Hilarity for a Sandwiched Generation paperback by Phil Callaway, 192 pages

It is possible to navigate the Middle Ages with grace and style! Whatever your season of life, Phil’s guide to “middleaging” provides fresh insights for bringing joy to your life.

Were Daniel’s visions and prophecies for his time only? What is God’s plan for the future? And where do we fit in? Chuck helps to unravel some of the mysteries found in this fascinating book of prophecy. Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude 2 CD messages

In this series Chuck teaches about giving thanks for God’s forgiveness and for His grace. Few gifts in life are more precious than these— especially when we realize what it truly means to be released from the debt of sin.

Sale!

reg. $14.00

9.80