Food For The Soul by Our Daily Bread Ministries

Our Daily Bread S PE C I AL E D I T I O N

Food for the Soul

Do you sometime feel a deep soul hunger, like there’s something or someone missing in your life? Check out these 10 brief articles that address some of the questions and concerns that you may have about the Bible and the Christian faith.

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Our Daily Bread SPECIAL EDITION EDITORS

Judith Markham, Anne Cetas, Becky Knapp, Tim Gustafson, J. R. Hudberg

WRITERS

Dave Branon, Dennis J. DeHaan, M. R. DeHaan, Richard W. DeHaan, Vernon C. Grounds, Haddon Robinson, Joanie E. Yoder

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Insights by Sim Kay Tee. © 2020 Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand Rapids, Michigan. All rights reserved. Printed in Indonesia.

Food Hunger

laise Pascal, a 17th-century French mathematician and philosopher, said there’s a God-shaped vacuum in every human heart. Centuries before Pascal, a man named Augustine searched to fill the aching void in his own life. After he found what he had been missing, he wrote a prayer in which he said to God, “You have made us for Yourself, and our heart is restless until we find our rest in You” (Confessions). Those two thinkers have expressed what each one of us realises in our quiet, reflective moments. Deep within us is a restless desire to know the one who made us. We want to discover the purpose he has for our existence in His vast universe. We long to find peace in a world that is being torn apart by feuding families, warring nations, militant groups, economic uncertainty, and selfdestructive addictions. At times we may try to suppress that longing. We may try to fill the emptiness with a busy life, community service, career pursuits, romantic relationships, or by trying to cover up the ache with drugs or alcohol. Even though we may try to suppress or deny that longing within us, it will surface again and again. That’s why we have produced this booklet. Within its pages are 10 brief articles that are designed to help you discover the joy of a personal relationship with God, and a special article that may address some of the questions and concerns you have about the Bible and the Christian faith. Those answers come from a book that God has given to us—the Bible. We pray that this booklet will encourage you to find out for yourself what the Bible has to say about God and the practical issues of your life. We encourage you to take your time to read this booklet. It will provide you with food for the soul. It is our prayer that the following pages will speak directly to the deepest concerns of your life, helping to point you to the only eternally satisfying answer to the longing of your heart. So turn the page, and begin to feed your soul. 3

He Knows Your Name

He heals the brokenhearted . . . He counts the stars and calls them all by name. Psalm 147:3-4

How many stars are there? Astronomers don’t know. They simply assure us that the cosmos contains more stars than can be numbered. Billions for sure—probably trillions! Figures like that are hard for us to grasp. Even a million is mind-boggling. If you were counting a million $1 bills at the rate of 60 a minute for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, it would take you nearly 7 weeks to complete the task. At the same rate it would take over 133 years to count a billion dollars. Scripture declares that God, the maker of the sun and moon, “also made the stars” (Genesis 1:16). It likewise declares: “Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing” (Isaiah 40:26). So if we ever wonder whether God is able to carry us with all our burdens, let us remember that he is the sovereign of the stars. Surely he who is the guide of the galaxies can deal The One who upholds with our situations. the universe will If the skies are clear never let you down. tonight, look heavenward and be thankful that the God who calls each star by name knows, loves, and cares for you. VERNON GROUNDS

Lord, it is so comforting to know that you know me by name, and that you care for me deeply. /4

How do I know God made the stars? The Bible says . . . Psalm 147:1-9 Praise the Lord! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting! 2 The Lord is rebuilding Jerusalem and bringing the exiles back to Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. 4 He counts the stars and calls them all by name. 5 How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension! 6 The Lord supports the humble, but he brings the wicked down into the dust. 7 Sing out your thanks to the Lord; sing praises to our God with a harp. 8 He covers the heavens with clouds, provides rain for the earth, and makes the grass grow in mountain pastures. 9 He gives food to the wild animals and feeds the young ravens when they cry. 1

INSIGHT > Psalm 147:1-9 contains several contrasts. It describes not only the vastness of God’s ability, but also the intimacy of his care. The Lord is concerned not only about nations (v.2), but also for broken-hearted individuals and their very personal wounds (v.3). He covers the heavens with clouds (v.8), yet he is concerned for the smallest elements of his creation (v.9). How encouraging it is to know that the creator of the universe and the ruler of all nations cares so much about us! 5

How to Know There's a God

Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6

An atheist says to a Christian, “Have you ever seen God? Have you ever felt God? Have you ever smelled God? And you say you have a God!” After a long pause, the Christian replies, “Have you ever seen your brains? Have you ever felt your brains? Have you ever smelled your brains? And you say you have brains!” People have different ideas about God. Atheists who have seriously thought about life conclude that there is no God. Agnostics are people who say, “I don’t know if God exists.” But there are also many people who do think that a God exists, though they are not sure who he might be. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that recognising God’s existence is the first step to knowing him personally. Then we must seek him and believe that he will reward our quest to know him. Our search will ultimately lead us to consider Jesus, who declared, “the Father and I are one” (John 10:30). Jesus also said that the person who desires to obey God If you’re looking for will recognise that he, Jesus, God, you’ll find him spoke the truth (7:17). in Christ. You or someone you know may be at step one: recognising that God exists. Remember, the Lord rewards those who earnestly seek to know him. And a personal relationship with him comes only through DENNIS DEHAAN faith in Christ.

How might you recognise God’s presence through his works and relationships with people you know? /6

How can I believe in a God I can’t see? The Bible says . . . Hebrews 11:1-7 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. 3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. 4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith. 5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. 7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith. 1

INSIGHT > This portion of the Bible talks about real faith, and that is a vital issue. We often hear people speak about faith, but we aren’t able to clearly understand what their faith is in. We cannot merely have “faith in faith”—a positive outlook that just believes everything will somehow work out. There must be an object that we place our faith in. Hebrews 11 urges us to understand that faith becomes meaningful only when our faith is in the true and living God. 7

The Needed Antenna

This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. 1 John 1:2

How would you answer the question, “What is the meaning of life?” English author Jonathan Gabay wrote a book containing the answers of well-known people to that query. One of them, a church leader, gave a thought-provoking testimony. As a child, he says, he watched his family’s old TV, wishing that he could get a clearer picture. Then his family discovered that the TV needed an antenna, which they installed. “Suddenly,” he said, “we found that we could get clear and distinct pictures. Our enjoyment was transformed.” Then he drew this comparison: “Life without a relationship with God through Jesus Christ is like the television without the antenna.” Without a knowledge To get a clear of God and his purposes picture of God, revealed in the Bible and in look at Jesus Christ. Christ, we humans have, at best, a blurred picture of the invisible, holy Creator. But when we pick up the Bible and encounter Jesus Christ, the man who was God in the flesh, the fuzziness vanishes. As Jesus himself declared, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!” (John 14:9). Have you been trying to tune in to the meaning of life? You’ll need God’s antenna to get the picture. VERNON GROUNDS

What is your purpose in life now? How might knowing Jesus change it? /8

Who is Jesus Christ? The Bible says . . . 1 John 1:1-4 We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. 2 This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy. 1

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INSIGHT > As John begins this important letter, he explains to his readers his purpose for writing: he wants them to know a fullness of joy that is known only through a relationship with God. Notice that he uses the word “joy”. Joy is different from happiness. Happiness is more emotionally based and depends on our life circumstances. Joy, however, is a deep satisfaction that comes from being right with God. Only then can our joy be full. 9

A Mystery Solved

Can the dead live again? Job 14:14

What happens to us when we die? That mystery has always intrigued people. Some researchers believe that they may be close to an answer. They are checking into reports from individuals who claim to have undergone near-death experiences that took them beyond time and space. Some analysts think that further research will eventually solve the mystery of death. Do we need to wait for the results of such research? By no means! God has already revealed in the Bible what happens after death. If we have trusted God’s son Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we know we will be “at home with the Lord” when we die (2 Corinthians 5:8). Paul said that because Christ died for our sins and rose from the grave, Because Christ lives, “Death is swallowed up in death is not tragedy victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54). but triumph. But those who reject Christ will have to face God’s fierce judgment and an eternity in hell (Revelation 20:11-15). Anyone looking for clues about what happens to us when we die would be wise to research the Bible. It gives us God’s answer to the most pressing question of the ages. Christ’s empty tomb assures us that it is a mystery already VERNON GROUNDS solved.

Jesus, thank you for your reassurance that I can conquer death because of what you have done.

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Is death the end? The Bible says . . . 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 51

INSIGHT > The subject of death can fill hearts with great fear and anxiety, because of the uncertainty people have about death. But Paul makes it clear in this passage that such feelings of fear are unnecessary. We can have absolute confidence because Jesus Christ has won the victory over death by his resurrection. And he offers the results of that victory to us, if we will trust him by faith. 11

Empty Proof

He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 1 Corinthians 15:4

Many years ago, a man tried to start a new religion that he believed was superior to Christianity. But he was disappointed at his lack of success. He revealed his frustration to a pastor and asked what he could do. The pastor replied that it was no easy task to begin a new religion—so difficult that he had nothing to suggest. But after a moment’s reflection, he said, “There’s one plan that you might want to consider. Why don’t you get yourself crucified and rise again the third day?” The firm foundation of the Christian faith is an empty tomb. The New Testament declares that Jesus paid the penalty for our sin by dying on the cross. But how can anyone know for sure that Christ’s crucifixion was acceptable to God? It doesn’t matter much what we think of the death of Jesus; what matters is what God thinks about it. God’s approval of Christ’s Because of Christ’s sacrifice is proven by the empty tomb, we can resurrection. It stands as be full of hope. God’s signed receipt that he is completely satisfied. Without the resurrection, Christianity has nothing much to offer the world. But the fact that Christ died and then rose from the grave “is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). HADDON ROBINSON

Jesus, thank you for dying for me, and that through your resurrection, I can be saved. / 12

Did Christ really rise from the dead? The Bible says . . . 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. 3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. 1

INSIGHT > In this passage, Paul is emphasising that the resurrection is not a philosophical idea or theological theory, but a real, historical event that was seen by a variety of witnesses. These witnesses numbered in the hundreds, and included a disgraced disciple (Peter), a doubting half-brother of Jesus (James), and a Christ-hater and persecutor of Christians (Paul himself). As a result of Jesus’ resurrection, their lives were changed forever. 13

How do I know the Bible is true?

eck Meng had heard the gospel from his daughter, a Christian. Initially, he was sceptical, and told her that her faith didn’t make any sense. As far as he was concerned, there was no proof that God existed, or that Jesus was God. “How do you know all this is true?” he would ask her. When she replied that the Bible provided the answers, he would shake his head dismissively. “And why should I believe the Bible? Isn’t it written by men? Why should I believe them?” Then, Peck Meng discovered he had cancer. In the midst of the crisis, his daughter prayed for him, and it seemed to bring him some peace and comfort. He began to wonder if he had been “Why should wrong about God, and became I believe the Bible? more open to hearing more about Isn’t it written by Christianity. After his daughter’s men? Why should pastor visited him and explained I believe them?” the Christian faith to him, Peck Meng started to think, “Maybe my daughter was right, after all.” Deep inside, he even considered believing in Jesus. But he had some lingering doubts. He still wasn’t completely convinced that the Bible was entirely reliable. Also, he wondered, why couldn’t he believe in Jesus as well as in other deities? Why was the Christian faith so exclusive? Have you asked questions like these? Or do you have other doubts that you want addressed before you can make the decision to become a Christian? We understand how you feel; in fact, we’re glad that you’re asking these questions! It shows that you have thought about Christianity most seriously, and want to be sure

that you’ve considered all the possible issues before saying yes to God. We would like to encourage you to keep asking questions and seeking the truth. God will respond because he loves you; he wants you to know him so that you can receive his gift of salvation, which he offers to us through Jesus. In the meantime, consider these answers to some common questions that many people ask.

1. Why do Christians keep talking about the Bible? Whether you’ve heard about Christianity from a family member or friend, or found out about God and Jesus on your own, you would have noticed that all the sources of information inevitably point back to the Bible. You might We call it the “Word even have heard them say, again of God” because it and again: “Because the Bible is God’s channel of says so.” Why do Christians talk so much about the Bible? Why is communication it so important to them? with us. It is important because the Bible is central to the Christian faith. We call it the “Word of God” because it is God’s channel of communication with us. It is through the Bible that we know God created the universe, that he sent his son Jesus to die for us, and that we are saved when we believe in him. It is also through the Bible that God teaches us how to live according to his standards, which is why Christians spend much time reading and studying it. Paul, a follower who personally met Jesus, noted that the Bible “is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives” (2 Timothy 3:16).

2. Can I trust everything the Bible says? Is it reliable? The short answer to these questions is “Yes!”. And this is because

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the Bible ultimately comes from God. While the words in the Bible were written by people, all the content was inspired by God. It was God who taught and prompted the writers to pen down exactly what he wanted to tell us. If the idea seems strange, While the words perhaps you can consider this: in the Bible were the Bible is actually made up of written by people, 66 books, written by around 40 all the content was people from different cultures inspired by God. and nations over a span of about 1,500 years. They recorded the events of their day, their interactions with God, and what they saw of God and his works. Yet, despite the number of people and the great timespan involved, all the books are consistent in their portrayal of God, his love for man, and his plan for the universe. This would have been very difficult to achieve if the Bible’s contents were made up by people. And although the Bible is not a history textbook, many things mentioned in it have since been proven accurate by modern archaeology. You may, of course, find some parts of the Bible challenging to understand. This is normal. There will be many unfamiliar ideas and words. Over time, however, as you read and study it, you will begin to understand it better. Some parts have also been interpreted differently by various Bible teachers and scholars, and continue to be debated today. These, however, are usually peripheral issues: there is no uncertainty when it comes to the fundamental truths about God and how we are saved by Jesus’ death and resurrection.

3. Is Jesus the only way to be reconciled to God? Can’t I believe in other gods too? Some people wonder why we must give up the worship of other gods when we choose to follow the Creator God. They may say things like: “All roads lead to heaven. It doesn’t matter which god you worship, as long as you follow your religion faithfully.”

The Bible stresses, however, that there is only one God—the Creator God—and we are to worship him alone: “The Lord is God and there is no other” (Deuteronomy 4:35). The Bible also makes it clear that the only way to reconciliation with God is through his son Jesus. There is no other way; we cannot be saved by believing in anyone else, by doing good deeds, or by following any rule or practice. Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to [God] the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

4. What’s so special about Christianity? Don’t all religions teach men to be good? You might have heard people saying this: “Jesus is a wise man who taught his followers how to be good, moral men. So how is Christianity different?”

Christianity is not

The truth is, Christianity is not just a religion that just a religion that teaches people teaches people to be good. Indeed, following Jesus to be good. is not just about following a set of moral rules. Rather, it’s about being pardoned for our sin so that each of us can be reconciled to God and experience an everlasting personal relationship with him. Try as we might, we cannot be good consistently and perfectly because all of us are born with sin, and our hearts are inherently imperfect. So we can never satisfy the perfect standards of the perfect God. We cannot return into his presence by our own efforts, and we will all have to face the consequences of our sin—death. That’s why God had to send his son Jesus to earth. Jesus led a perfect life, completely free of sin, and then died on the cross, taking the punishment on our behalf. It is only through Jesus that we can receive forgiveness from God.

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5. Why do you call me a sinner? Understandably, it can be difficult to accept that we are sinful. “Why do you call me a sinner when I have not done anything wrong?” you may ask. “I haven’t killed anyone, I don’t lie, I don’t cheat, and I don’t break the law. How am I a sinner?” The Bible, however, notes that sin is not merely committing a crime or doing something morally wrong; it is disobedience to God and rejection of his authority over our lives. All of us, without exception, are guilty of this. We do not obey God or live according to his perfect ways; instead, we live by our own rules. That’s why the Bible observes: “Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23). However, if we confess to God that we are sinners and believe that his son Jesus can save us, God will pardon us. If we accept Jesus’ gift of his death and resurrection on our behalf, we will be forgiven and declared free from the consequences and power of sin. This means we will no longer be regarded as sinners, and will therefore be able to enter into God’s presence and enjoy a relationship with him forever.

LOOKING FOR MORE ANSWERS? Some of these issues are difficult to resolve completely, or you may have other questions and doubts about the Christian faith. We would like to encourage you to keep asking and exploring. We understand that this is an important decision in your life, and you will want to take time to consider what it means to you. You can also talk to God and ask him to reveal the truth to you. He’s always listening! Or talk to a Christian friend, and share your thoughts with him or her.

What You Don't Know

I know the one in whom I trust. 2 Timothy 1:12

Do you know an aglet from a tang? Would you recognise duff if you walked on it? It’s not essential to know these uncommon words to make it through life successfully. If you didn’t know that an aglet is “the covering on the end of a shoelace,” that a tang is “the projecting prong on a tool,” or that duff is “the decaying matter found on a forest floor,” it’s not all that important. You could always look it up. We can be glad we don’t have to know everything to get by in this world. We often can depend on someone else’s knowledge. For instance, I don’t know how to fix the brakes of my car—but as long as someone else knows and can fix them, I’m okay. There is a knowledge, To know Christ is however, for which we are the greatest of all individually responsible if we knowledge. expect to enter heaven. I’m talking about knowing Christ personally. Learning about him and entering into a personal relationship with him is the only way to live wisely and be prepared to meet God. The apostle Paul had this in mind when he said, “I know the one in whom I trust” (2 Timothy 1:12) Do you know the One who died for you and can forgive your sins? Unless you know him, all other knowledge is DAVE BRANON insignificant.

How well do you know Jesus? How can you get to know him better? / 20

What can I trust Jesus for? The Bible says . . . 2 Timothy 1:8-14 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. 11 And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News. 12 That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return. 13 Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. 14 Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you. 8

INSIGHT > Paul wrote these powerful words while he was in prison facing execution for the crime of preaching Christ. Notice, however, that this did not produce bitterness in him. Instead, it produced concern. He is concerned for his young protégé, Timothy, that he remain faithful, true to the message, and committed to the Lord. Paul is so settled in his trust in God that even as he is facing death, his concern is for others and not himself. 21

Unopened Tomorrow

For we live by believing and not by seeing. 2 Corinthians 5:7

Don’t you often wish that you could see what lies around the corner in life? Then you could prepare for it, control it, or avoid it. A wise person has said, “Though we can’t see around corners, God can!” How much better and more reassuring that is! Recently my 10-year-old granddaughter Emily and I were boiling eggs for breakfast. As we stared into the boiling water and wondered how long it would take to get the eggs just right, Emily said, “Pity we can’t open them up to see how they’re doing.” I agreed! But that would have spoiled them, so we had to rely on guesswork. We began talking about Cast your anxiety other things we would like to on Jesus because see but can’t—like tomorrow. he cares for you. Too bad we can’t crack tomorrow open to see if it’s the way we would like it. But meddling with tomorrow before its time, like opening a partly cooked egg, would spoil both today and tomorrow. Because Jesus has promised to care for us every day—and that includes tomorrow—we can live by faith one day at a time (Matthew 6:33-34). Emily and I decided to leave tomorrow safely in God’s JOANIE YODER hands. Have you?

What worries you most about tomorrow? How can you leave it to the Lord? / 22

How do I know Jesus cares for me? The Bible says . . . Matthew 6:25-34 That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 So don’t worry about these things, saying, “What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?” 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. 25

INSIGHT > This wonderful text is part of the most famous sermon in history, the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus began this sermon with a description of the blessed life and ended with the call to build life on a true spiritual foundation—one that could withstand the storms of life. The practical result of both is seen—the blessed life built on a sure foundation need not be filled with worry. God is sufficient for our every need. 23

Taking the Medicine

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13

Suppose you are rushed to the hospital, where a doctor examines you and informs you that you are critically ill. He says you’ll die unless you have proper treatment. He then prescribes medicine and says, “If you will take this, I can assure you with absolute certainty that you will get well.” Now, what should you do? Should you just lie there on the hospital bed and believe that the doctor has diagnosed your illness correctly, and that the prescription will surely make you well? No, that’s not enough. To live, you must take the medicine. Faith is not just It’s the same with salvation. believing that Jesus You may believe everything the can save; it’s asking Bible says about Christ—that him to do it. he died for your sins and rose from the dead. But if you refuse to “take him”—that is, to trust Jesus and his work on the cross on your behalf—you will be just as lost as if you had openly and blatantly denied Jesus. Saving faith, you see, is not simply acknowledging that certain facts about Christ are true. It is reaching out to personally accept God’s remedy for sin. It is entrusting the destiny of your soul to him for eternity. It is saying, “Save me, Lord Jesus. I believe that you can and will.” That’s “taking the medicine”—that’s receiving Jesus Christ. Have you done RICHARD DEHAAN that? If not, why not do it right now?

Jesus, I want to receive you and what you offer— forgiveness and salvation. I believe in you, and I believe that you can and will save me. / 24

What must I do to be saved? The Bible says . . . Isaiah 55:1-6 “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free! 2 Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. 3 “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David. 4 See how I used him to display my power among the peoples. I made him a leader among the nations. 5 You also will command nations you do not know, and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey, because I, the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.” 6 Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. 1

INSIGHT > This Bible passage echoes the words of French physicist and philosopher Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), who said that there is a God-shaped void in every person that only God can fill. The hunger and thirst of the human heart can be satisfied only by knowing the Creator who made us and loves us. That is why Jesus said, “God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6). 25

Life's Final Deadline

Prepare to meet your God in judgment. Amos 4:12

We’re all confronted with deadlines! Projects must be completed, bills must be paid, licences must be renewed—the list goes on and on.

One deadline we all face is of supreme importance, however. The Bible says: “Each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Except for believers who are living when Jesus returns (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), everyone will die. And all people from the beginning of history will stand before God in judgment. How prepared are we for this inevitable accounting? Life’s timing is In Luke 12, Jesus told a uncertain, but parable of a rich man who in Jesus we have planned to build bigger barns certainty. to store all his earthly goods so that he could live out his days in pleasure and ease. But God unexpectedly announced, “You fool! You will die this very night” (Luke 12:20). The rich man’s ultimate deadline had arrived. Are you ready to meet God? If you haven’t received Christ as your personal Saviour, we encourage you to do it now. Believe that Jesus shed his blood on the cross to forgive your sins, and that he conquered death by rising from the grave. Ask him to save you. Then you can face life’s final deadline RICHARD DEHAAN with confidence.

How prepared are you for life’s final deadline? Where or what do you put your confidence in? / 26

Why should I believe in Christ now? The Bible says . . . Luke 12:16-21 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ 21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” 16

INSIGHT > Jesus often used parables to teach (as here in Luke 12). It has been said that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. In telling these stories, Jesus drew from situations that His listeners would easily identify with as part of life in their ancient agricultural world. These parables have a continuing significance today, even in our modern technological world, because the principles that they convey are timeless. 27

To Be Continued

For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Hebrews 13:14

Do you like continued stories? Let’s say you’re reading a magazine article or watching a television program for half an hour, and you come to the place where the hero plunges into the water to rescue his drowning sweetheart. Then you’re left hanging in the air with the words: “To be continued.” How disappointing! I have quite a different response to the inscription on the tombstone of a follower of Christ. It reads: “To Be Continued Above.” Death is the last Yes, this life is only the first chapter of time, but chapter of the book of life. the first chapter of Whether that chapter is long eternity. or short, it is not the end, but it is to be continued. For those who believe in Jesus, it will be continued in heaven with our Lord. There is no break between the chapters; you don’t have to wait till next week to hear the concluding episode. Chapter two follows chapter one without interruption. It is continued immediately, for Paul as says: “We would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). What will the next chapter be for you? Will it be written in heaven? Remember, when your time comes to die, that is not the end. Your story is “to be continued”—but where? M. R. DEHAAN

Jesus, I want my life to be continued with you when I leave this life. I turn to you, for only you can save me. / 28

What does it mean to trust in Jesus? The Bible says . . . Hebrews 11:8-16 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. 11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. 12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them. 13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 8

INSIGHT > No-one listed in Hebrews 11 was perfect. In fact, some of them were very flawed and had made many mistakes in life. But all these men and women were included in what is sometimes referred to as “The Hall of Faith” because they trusted in God. They knew that whatever happened in this life on earth, their life would continue with God after they died. 29

Making It Personal

t is possible to know about Jesus Christ, yet not know him personally. We can be familiar with who he is and his teaching, yet remain far from the life he offers.

This was true even among Jesus’ original 12 disciples. In that inner circle, there was one man who never really had the kind of personal connection with Christ that we are talking about. His name was Judas Iscariot, and he didn’t know Jesus as his Saviour and Lord. In the end, he betrayed Jesus to the authorities. But the other disciples who knew Jesus had a close, personal relationship with their Lord. They not only believed in him, but they also trusted him completely. They knew that only Jesus could save them, and they were ready to follow him. That Christ-centred relationship with God is available to us today.

Knowing Christ died—that’s history. Believing he died for me—that’s salvation. To begin this personal relationship with Jesus, take these steps:

• Admit your need. We come into this world physically alive

but spiritually dead—missing out on the quality of life for which God made us. The Bible says: “For everyone has sinned;

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we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23), “No one is righteous—not even one” (v. 10), and “the wages of sin is death” (6:23). Therefore, we need a Saviour.

• Realise what God has done for you. God loved us

enough to send his own son into this world to rescue us from the devastating effects of our sin (John 1:1-14; 3:16). Jesus died in our place, offering himself as the perfect sacrifice. With one sacrifice, he paid for the least—and the worst—of our sins.

• Personally believe and receive God’s gift. No one is saved by trying to be good. We are saved by trusting in Christ. The Bible says: “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (Ephesians 2:8-9). The actual words we say to God to receive this gift may vary. What is important is that we believe him enough to be able to say something like this: “God, I know I have sinned against you. I believe that Jesus is your son, that he died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins, and that he rose from the dead to prove it. Now I accept your offer of full forgiveness and eternal life. I accept Jesus as your gift for my salvation.” If this is the honest expression of your heart, we encourage you to start living your new life with God, growing in your relationship with him. If possible, try joining a church. Ask your Christian friend to take you to one. Adapted from the booklet What Is A Personal Relationship With God? © 1988, 1997 Our Daily Bread Ministries.

Do you want to know more about Jesus?

You can read A Story of Hope, a booklet that can tell you a bit more about Jesus. Simply contact the Our Daily Bread Ministries ofﬁce nearest you to get a print copy or scan the QR code to read it online. For more printed and digital resources, visit us at odb.org To read more writings by young people for young people, visit us at ymi.today