School Backs Down From Student Wearing Jesus T-Shirt
By Michael Gryboski
A student who has been frequently disciplined by a Canadian school for wearing a Christian t-shirt is now allowed to attend classes wearing the shirt.
LAST GENERATION: "Good News" FEATURED DEVOTIONAL #5 Tuesday May 8, 2012 Iyyar 16, 5772
A Precious Treasure
by Joyce Meyer - posted May 08, 2012All these [gifts, achievements, abilities] are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually [exactly] as He chooses. —1 Corinthians 12:11
In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul says, “We possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.” God uses frail people (cracked pots!) to proclaim the power of His gospel.
He could send angels to preach the gospel, but He uses plain, ordinary, everyday people to demonstrate His power. He fills us with divine gifts, inspired and brought to pass by the Holy Spirit, and distributes them throughout His body of believers.
Let us network with God’s people today for the greater good, as we work together to accomplish His purpose.
From the book Starting Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2003 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.
LAST GENERATION: "Good News" FEATURED DEVOTIONAL #4 Tuesday May 8, 2012 Iyyar 16, 5772
10 hours ago
"I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours." (John 17:9 NIV) Jesus reflected the father heart of God when he prayed for the disciples. As a father or mother, you can pray that your children will focus on the five purposes of God. God's five purposes for your children are the same as God's five purposes for your life. Jesus prayed for all five purposes in the lives of those he was leading: "I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours" (John 17:9 NIV). We can pray that our children will live for Christ joyfully: "I pray these things while I'm still in the world so that they will have the same joy that I have" (John 17:13b GW). We can pray that our children will grow strong spiritually: "I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one" (John 17:15 NLT). We can pray that our children will serve Christ effectively: "Make them ready for your service through your truth; your teaching is truth" (John 17:17 NCV). We can pray that our children will experience fellowship personally: "My prayer is that they will be of one heart and mind, just as You and I are one, Father … and the world will believe You sent Me" (John 17:21 LB). We can pray that our children will bring others to Christ regularly: "I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in Me because of their message" (John 17:20 TEV). Talk About It What are ways you can pray your children live for Christ? Grow strong? Serve Christ? Experience fellowship? Bring others to Christ?
Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and most influential churches. Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller "The Purpose Driven Life." His book, "The Purpose Driven Church," was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. He is also the founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for pastors. This devotional © 2012 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. |
Add a Comment
| Name: |
| Email: |
| Comments: |
LAST GENERATION: "Good News" FEATURED DEVOTIONAL #3 Tuesday May 8, 2012 Iyyar 16, 5772
 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LAST GENERATION: "Good News" FEATURED DEVOTIONAL #2 Tuesday May 8, 2012 Iyyar 16, 5772
Previous
The Joy of Disciplemaking
But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too."
What is a Christian? A Christian is someone who has put his or her faith in Jesus Christ, and Christ alone, as Savior and Lord and God. And according to the apostle Paul, a Christian is someone who has turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God (see Acts 26:18).
I think that because we have a lot of anemic, shallow preaching today, we also have a generation of people who think they are Christians but really are not. These are people who have been told to believe, but they never have been told to repent. They have been promised heaven, but they never have been warned of hell. They have been told that God wants them to be happy, but they never have heard that God wants them to be holy. I wonder whether a lot of these people even know what the genuine gospel message is. I read recently that 7 in 10 American adults have no clue what John 3:16 means. And barely one-third of all adults know the meaning of the term, "the gospel."
It is not for me to decide who is a Christian and who is not. That is ultimately up to God. But what we don't need more of today are sort-of Christians. What we need are no-doubt Christians—people about whom you could say, "There is no doubt in my mind that person is a follower of Jesus Christ." The fact is, what is considered as Christianity by many today would not even qualify as such in the first century.
That is where you come in. God wants you to share the gospel and make disciples in your own sphere of influence. This is what the early church did, and the world was a different place because of it.
I think that because we have a lot of anemic, shallow preaching today, we also have a generation of people who think they are Christians but really are not. These are people who have been told to believe, but they never have been told to repent. They have been promised heaven, but they never have been warned of hell. They have been told that God wants them to be happy, but they never have heard that God wants them to be holy. I wonder whether a lot of these people even know what the genuine gospel message is. I read recently that 7 in 10 American adults have no clue what John 3:16 means. And barely one-third of all adults know the meaning of the term, "the gospel."
It is not for me to decide who is a Christian and who is not. That is ultimately up to God. But what we don't need more of today are sort-of Christians. What we need are no-doubt Christians—people about whom you could say, "There is no doubt in my mind that person is a follower of Jesus Christ." The fact is, what is considered as Christianity by many today would not even qualify as such in the first century.
That is where you come in. God wants you to share the gospel and make disciples in your own sphere of influence. This is what the early church did, and the world was a different place because of it.
TODAY'S RADIO PROGRAM:"Christ's Call to Courage — II"
TODAY'S BIBLE READING: 2 Samuel 17, Psalm 71,Matthew 26
LAST GENERATION: "Good News" FEATURED DEVOTIONAL #1 Tuesday May 8, 2012 Iyyar 16, 5772
A Mother's Influence
MAY 8, 2012
Her children arise up, and call her blessed . . .
–Proverbs 31:28
Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children. Someone has said, “Like mother, like children.” Most of the noble characters and fine leaders of history have had good, God-fearing mothers. We are told that George Washington’s mother was pious, and that Sir Walter Scott’s mother was a lover of poetry and music. On the other hand, we are told that Nero’s mother was a murderess and that the dissolute Lord Byron’s mother was a proud and violent woman. The influence of a mother upon the lives of her children cannot be measured. They know and absorb her example and attitudes when it comes to questions of honesty, temperance, kindness, and industry.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Thank You, Lord, for mothers who love You. Their influence is felt around the world.
THE CHRISTIAN POST: "Front Page" Tuesday May 8, 2012 Iyyar 16, 5772
Switch to International Edition|Updated 8:46 AM EDT, Tue, May 8, 2012
Trending
- Lecrae's 'Church Clothes' Video Exposes Christian Hypocrisy?
- Will the World End in Your Lifetime?
- Modern Youth Ministry a '50-Year Failed Experiment,' Say Pastors
- Evangelicals: We Must Stand Firm on Biblical Authority, Exclusivity of Christ
- NC Marriage Battle Heats Up Ahead of Tuesday's Vote
- 5 Possible Romney Running Mates
- Bigotry on the Ballot? No, Dishonesty in the Editorial
- School Backs Down From Student Wearing Jesus T-Shirt
- Gay Activists Stage Protest at UMC Conference After Failed Amendment
- Relinquishing Grace or Truth Actually Sacrifices Both
- Telling the Whole Story: The Flight of Chen Guangcheng
- Focus on the Family Withdraws Religious Freedom Measure in Colorado
- Attention All People-Pleasers, Fixers, and Rescue Artists . . .
- Rick and Kay Warren, Francis Chan Urge Christians to End Orphan Crisis
- Joe Biden Appears to Endorse Gay Marriage, Then Clarifies Position Is 'Evolving'
- Joyce Meyer Testifies for Ex-Bodyguard's Murder Trial
- Canadian Student Suspended for Wearing Jesus T-Shirt
- Lawsuit Dropped against Joyce Meyer's Security Chief
- Five Myths About Living Together Before Marriage
- Anglican Preacher Pulled From Pulpit After Advocating Traditional Marriage
- Bobby Schuller, Choir Director and Former Congregants Return to Crystal Cathedral
- Narnia 4 Will Be 'Magician's Nephew,' Not 'Silver Chair'
- Sears Breaks Promise, Resumes Selling X-Rated Material
- How Does Your Narrower View on Divorce, Remarriage Affect Your Ministry to Congregants?
- Survivor Expert Bear Grylls Shares Meal of Worms, Maggots With Rick Warren
- Former Crystal Cathedral Pastor Robert A. Schuller Renting Out Home as Spiritual Retreat
- What Do Mormons Believe? Ex-Mormon Speaks Out – Part Two
- 'It's OK to Be Gay' Article in Tenn. High School Yearbook Stirs Ruckus
- Lecrae's 'Church Clothes' Video Exposes Christian Hypocrisy?
(Photo: REUTERS / Joshua Roberts)
Georgetown University's Sebelius Invite Seen as Slap in Face to Bishops
By Napp Nazworth
Georgetown University is under fire for inviting Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of Health and Human Services, to deliver an awards ceremony address. Sebelius issued the controversial birth control mandate that will require employers to provide health insurance that covers contraception, sterilization and some abortifacient drugs without co-pay.
Most Popular
More Blogs
Latest News
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)