What Is the Rapture and When Will it Happen?..... Dr. Roger Barrier

 

What Is the Rapture and When Will it Happen?

• Dr. Roger Barrier

Dear Roger,

I'm a new Christian, and I've always associated the word rapture with something romantic or earthly. Can you help me understand, why is the word rapture associated with the return of Jesus? What does it mean to experience the rapture the Bible talks about?
– Jerry

Dear Jerry,

When I think of the word “rapture” or “enraptured,” I’m a lot like you. I think of being deeply in love with someone, perhaps captivated by their personality or their looks. When we are enraptured, many deep feelings overwhelm us in a good way. The word can also refer to a memorable, dramatic experience.

As followers of Jesus Christ, the word “rapture” has a very special, specific meaning. While the word “rapture” is never specifically found in the Bible, the concept is deeply embedded in God’s Word. “Rapture” is from the Latin word “rapturo,” which means “to catch away.”

The Rapture: Christians Meet Him in the Air!

In biblical terms, the rapture is an event near the end times, when Jesus will secretly come in the air to gather His followers up into heaven. Those Christians who are already in their graves will be resurrected and join with Christians who are alive and be taken straight into heaven. “rapture” is from the Latin word “rapturo,” which means “to catch away.” It is used here to describe this moment, when we will be “caught up together…to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Those people who do not know Christ as their Savior will be left behind. Jesus explained the nature of the rapture in Matthew 24:39-41:

That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

Later, Paul expanded on Jesus’ teaching in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death...For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore, encourage one another with these words.

I imagine that Jesus will shout the same words that he shouted when he called Lazarus up out of the grave in Bethany: “Lazarus, come forth”! (John 11:38-44).

Have you ever thought about the fact that if Jesus had not specifically shouted the name “Lazarus,” the entire graveyard may well have emptied? What a sight the rapture will be!

His shout will penetrate every grave, pierce the deepest seas, and be heard by every one of His followers on earth.

Christian bodies will resurrect from all over the world. Many will be in manmade graves. Others have gone down at sea; some were burned to death; some were cremated; some died in deserts and their bones were left to scorch in the heat; some were torn to bits in explosions.

It doesn't matter to Jesus. He knows everything; He knows where they are.

After all, God created Adam out of the dust of the earth. I suppose that He can create bodies out of dust as often as He likes.

What About Those Left Behind After the Rapture?

Woe to those non-Christians who are left behind. They will enter a world of horrible hell on earth dominated by plagues, trials, tribulations, famine, and death.

I need to give you a little contextual overview of the end times for you to understand just how and where the rapture fits. You need to know that rapture and the second coming of Christ are NOT the same. The rapture happens first, before the tribulation begins (or possibly at the halfway mark).

The second coming of Christ comes at the end of the seven-year tribulation, before God creates a new heaven and a new earth.

I just threw a lot of terms at you—the end times are pretty complicated and filled with mystery. But I can share with you some of the highlights:

When the tribulation begins, a wicked man known in the Bible as the Antichrist will come to power and control ten countries which once occupied the area of the old Roman Empire. This area is essentially present-day Western Europe. He raises an enormous army with which he intends to invade Israel and conquer the earth.

The seven-year clock starts when the Antichrist signs a peace treaty with the nation of Israel. After three-and-a-half years, he breaks the treaty and desecrates the Jewish Temple by putting a small image of himself inside. Scripture calls this moment the “Abomination of Desolation.” The small statute speaks ungodly blasphemies. At that point, the Antichrist breaks the treaty, and the countries with him make war against Israel.

When the Peace Treaty Is Broken, All Hell Breaks Loose

Tormenting pains and destruction devastate the earth as described in the book of Revelation chapters 6 to 19. Seven seals reveal man’s destruction upon himself. Seven trumpets sound out Satan’s dastardly deeds against mankind. Seven bowls depict God’s wrath and subsequent great destruction upon earth.

Many activities occur during the seven years. Like the German Holocaust in which six million Jews were slaughtered, the Antichrist will practice genocide on those Christians who remain. These were non-Christians who missed the rapture. When they realize what’s happened, they turn their lives over to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. In Revelation 5, John gives us a good look at the martyrs from the Great tribulation who are begging God to avenge their sacrifice by the Antichrist.

Next, famine, pestilence, disease, earthquakes, war, incredible heat, darkness and worldwide oceanic pollution devastate the seas. The pictures of the sky rolling back upon itself likely describes a nuclear holocaust. Demonic forces are released from the pit to bring all sorts of suffering and misery to mankind.

Then the Antichrist receives a mortal wound and comes back to life, which deceives the entire world into identifying him as God. He sets up an economic system by which the followers of Jesus cannot buy or sell anything unless they bow down to worship Him.

A clue to the Antichrist’s identity is found by adding up the Greek numbers corresponding to his name, which will add up to the sum of 666.

Why Does God Let These Things Occur? 

God will use these tragedies in the hope that they will encourage men and women to come to him for help and salvation. He utilizes all sorts of evangelistic tools to bring people to salvation. In fact, the end will not come until every person on earth has had the chance to hear the gospel!

When that finally happens, near the end of the seven years, Antichrist and his forces face an army of 200 million soldiers from the East for the battle of Armageddon.

At that moment the second coming of Christ occurs. The leaders of the two armies quickly recognizes that the real battle is not against each other; the real battle is against Jesus. Christ destroys both armies and conquers the earth. Man is no longer in charge. Jesus is the eternal Victor!

Shortly thereafter, Christ begins a reign of a thousand years of peace and harmony on earth. Scripture doesn’t reveal much more about that time, but it is clear that those alive at the end of the tribulation will be subject to Jesus.

At the end of His thousand-year reign, a series of judgments occur in which Satan and his forces—and all of those who are not Christians, are cast into the lake of fire. Afterward, Jesus creates a new heaven and a new earth...then we will spend eternity in heaven with Him!

Jerry, I know this sounds very complex, and it is. But you’ll discover in your studies of the end times great insights into the character, life, and power of Jesus Christ! 

The Big Question: When Will the Rapture Happen? 

The timing of the rapture in relation to the tribulation is one of the most controversial issues in the church today...and it has always been so.

While no one knows the exact time of Jesus’ return for His followers, the Bible does give us some insights as to when it might occur. There are three basic options.

The first interpretation is called “pre-tribulation.” This position declares that the rapture of the church will occur before the seven years of tribulation begin. I suppose that most Christians hold this view, which guarantees that Christians will avoid all of the suffering and trauma that will occur during the seven-year tribulation.

Historians tell us that the early Christians topped every hill looking for Jesus. They were constantly looking for His return. They expected Him to be right around the corner.

It’s important to note that no prophetic events remain that must be fulfilled before the rapture can occur. None! His return is imminent. Jesus could come for you and me at any moment.

According to this viewpoint, we are not looking for the second coming of Christ or for the signing of a peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel. We are looking for the rapture.

It will happen in the twinkling of an eye.

The second possibility is called “mid-tribulation,” where scholars posit that the rapture will occur three and a half years after the peace treaty which guarantees Israel’s safety. The book of Revelation teaches that the first three and half years will be peaceful. Again, Christians will not have to suffer through the punishments of the great tribulation.

So, in that order of events, the rapture happens, the peace treaty is broken, and all hell breaks loose as the seals, trumpets, and bowls of God’s wrath are unreleased.

I believe that both the pre-tribulation and mid-tribulation viewpoints are possible according to Scripture.

Finally, the third position is called “post-tribulation,” which postulates that the rapture will occur at the actual second coming of Christ. This viewpoint equates the two events. I do not believe that the “post-tribulation” scenario is viable, because there are important differences between the rapture and second coming:

1. At the rapture, believers meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). At the second coming, believers return with the Lord to the earth (Revelation 19:14).

2. The second coming occurs after the great and terrible tribulation concludes (Revelation 6-19). The rapture occurs before the tribulation begins (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).

3. The rapture is the removal of believers from the earth as an act of deliverance (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:9). The second coming includes the removal of unbelievers as an act of judgment (Matthew 24:40-41).

4. The rapture will be secret and instant (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). The second coming will be visible to all (Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:29-30).

5. The second coming of Christ will not occur until after certain other End-Times events take place (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:15-30; Revelation 6–18). The rapture is imminent; it could take place at any moment (Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54).

A Final Word of Encouragement

Jerry, let me encourage you to seek out these and other related verses across the Bible and compare/contrast the timing of the rapture. You’ll be able to make your own determination about which side makes the most sense—and it’s important to remember that this is a true mystery in Scripture. We will only know the complete answer when the rapture occurs!

I’m so glad you asked this question. As a new Christian, you are beginning a great adventure! There is much that you will learn. Best of all, the rapture is one of the greatest hopes for all Christians.

I hope you find this answer helpful. If you have more questions, please feel free to ask.

Love, Roger

Choosing to Believe..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 Choosing to Believe

Dr. Charles Stanley

John 3:1-21

Faith isn't something we can lay claim to because we were born to believing parents or have citizenship in a Christian country. Nor can we attain it by attending or even teaching Sunday school, though I've often heard such incorrect assertions. Instead, the following should be true of genuine believers.

A clear understanding of the gospel is essential for a person to believe and receive the good news of Jesus Christ. His death on the cross was the only sacrifice required to remove our sins. God offers His grace as a gift to anyone who will receive it.

A definite decision at a particular point in time serves as a sort of landmark of the heart and mind. People do not just slip into Christianity; faith in Jesus must be chosen. Believers are those who have made a deliberate decision to trust the Lord and follow in His ways.

A blessed assurance follows the clear-cut decision so that believers can be certain of their salvation. God wants confident, assured children (1 John 5:13).

A visible symbol of what happens when someone receives the Savior--namely, baptism--illustrates dying to one's old ways and rising to new life in Christ Jesus. Believers are to take this step as a public way of identifying with Him (Matt. 28:19).

A man or woman of faith chooses to surrender to Christ, embraces the Word of God, and lives fully for the Lord. True believers no longer muddle through the practices of religion out of habit, but instead worship and rejoice in a vibrant personal relationship with the Lord.

In Grace God Teaches Us..... Craig Denison

 In Grace God Teaches Us

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

Grace is a gift most of us don’t know how to receive. We’ve been so inundated with the earthly systems of give-and-get and work-and-earn that grace is a concept few ever fully grasp. Yet it’s grace alone that has the power to transform lives. Grace alone has the power to bring freedom to the captives. By grace alone we are saved. There could be no better use of our time than consistently and passionately pursuing a greater revelation of God’s grace.

Scripture:“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Devotional:    

By God’s grace we have been given an entire book of his teaching. The Bible offers you practical wisdom, insight, and revelation that has the power to transform your life. Its very pages are miraculous, the voice of God breaking supernaturally into the physical world—paper and ink in your own language.

Matthew 24:35 says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” The Bible holds the perfect and eternal words of the Creator of heaven and earth. Even more, as believers we’ve been filled with the very Author of the Bible, the Holy Spirit. We have available to us by God’s grace both the word and its Author, capable together of leading us to the abundant life God desires for us. Today as we look at all that God desires to accomplish in us through his word, may your heart be filled with the longing to engage in the process of transformation that comes through the teaching of Scripture.  Psalm 19:7-11 says:

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

David understood the incredible value of the word he’d been given. God’s word revives the soul, brings wisdom, rejoices the heart, and enlightens those who read it. How greatly do you need what God’s word gives you? Where do you need to be revived? Where do you need wisdom, rejoicing, and enlightenment?

Psalm 1:1-3 says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Those who make God’s word their foundation and delight are immovable, fruitful, and prosperous. It has the power to lead you away from a life of sin and worldly counsel to a life of abundance and prosperity in the counsel of the Spirit.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” The Bible is capable of taking a broken, weak, and useless man and teaching, correcting, and training him in righteousness that he might be equipped for incredible works. God desires to take any area of your life that isn’t yielding the fruit of righteousness or accomplishing good works and revive them through his word into areas of strength and life.

Because your heavenly Father loves you, he will always lead you through the Spirit and his word into better and more fruitful living. God has incredible plans in store for you as you grow in your relationship with him, and he desires to use his word to both equip you for and guide you to the abundant life he has for you. Meditate on his word day and night. Read it with the guidance of the Spirit. Receive the revelation, wisdom, and insight he longs to share with you. And choose to live your life in response to Scripture, living in obedience to all that you read.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on all that God wants to do in you through his word.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3

“The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.” Psalm 37:30-31

2. Reflect on your own life. Where do you need transformation? Where do you need restoration? Where do you need wisdom?

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:7-11

3. Commit to engaging with God’s word. Ask the Spirit to guide you to all that he longs to show you. Receive a greater hunger for God’s teaching. Allow your desires to be stirred toward transformation by hearing and doing the word of God.

“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

“My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:20-23

We’ll spend the next week being taught by the parables of Jesus, so make it your goal to receive a hunger for his word in prayer. Meditate on all that God wants to do in you through his word. Allow desire for his teaching to be stirred as you think about the abundant life he wants to lead you to through Scripture. Think of areas in which you need restoration and wisdom. And commit to engaging in the process of incredible transformation God has in store for you.

Extended Reading: Psalm 1

The Power of Compassion..... LYSA TERKEURST

 The Power of Compassion

LYSA TERKEURST

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

Tears from loss have such potential to draw us together.

I saw this a few years ago when I participated in some peace talks in Israel with women between whom others said peace wasn’t possible.

They were divided in their religious beliefs, their national narratives and their politics.

But these women all knew loss and deep sorrow. They had been wounded in the most painful ways. Their loved ones had been killed — some fighting for their beliefs and others caught in the crossfire.

I stared into the dark eyes lined with sorrow seated beside me. Our worlds were seemingly nothing alike. She wore a burka. I wore jeans. We didn’t speak with the same accent. We didn’t attend the same kind of place of worship. We didn’t eat the same kinds of food or discuss the same kinds of issues among our friends.

She held a folded photograph in her hand. So much sadness looked back at me. “She was my only daughter. She was beautiful. She was shot twice.” I reached out and took her hand. She unfolded the picture, and I was shocked to see how young her daughter had been.

The lady on the other side of me held a totally different narrative about the same country’s issues. She wore a wig and a skirt that went almost to her ankles. We didn’t speak with the same accent. We didn’t attend the same kind of place of worship. We didn’t eat the same kinds of food or discuss the same kinds of issues among our friends.

She held a small frame in her hand. So much sadness looked back at me. She’d lost her husband. I reached out to take her hand.

Differences made for dividing lines all around the room. Dividing lines that spanned back generation upon generation.

But there we were, hand in hand. A circle of divided women so very united by our tears. We’d all experienced deep, devastating loss.

And in the commonality of our loss, we found a peace that others said would be impossible. We weren’t there to solve the problems of politics. We weren’t there to debate who was right. We were there just to talk as humans. As fellow carriers of sorrow.

We took time to listen. We were slow to speak. And after everyone had time to share, we spent the rest of the afternoon making fruit jams together.

I guess political analysts might say we didn’t accomplish much by the world’s standards that day. But they would be wrong. What I saw in that peace talk was so beautiful.

But there’s another side to pain that is brutal.

It’s when we don’t allow the pain to make us more compassionate toward others but rather more convinced than ever that others are out to get us. We don’t reach out with understanding. Instead, we lash out, multiplying into other people’s lives the hurt that’s been done to us.

Show me a snarky or hurtful comment on social media, and I promise the person who wrote it is suffering from loss. And the last thing that will ever fix them is for us to attack them back. Compassion for their loss and grace for their pain doesn’t validate what they say. It just honors the reality they are more than their hurtful comment. It’s choosing to live out our key verse: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

At the end of that day, we unanimously voted to give the women in burkas the money from the sale of the jam we’d made. All could have made a case for being the ones who received it. But as we got to know one another through the commonality of our tears, we voted simply for who needed the money the most. No one said the word forgiveness. They didn’t have to. It was there. And everyone knew it.

It was more than a win for just that situation; it was a vote for what compassion and forgiveness can accomplish within the human race. This wasn’t declaring anyone right. It was simply extending compassion where compassion was needed. It was the most beautiful sermon about what is possible with God that I’ve ever experienced.

If it was possible for them, I’m believing it’s possible for me and you.

But it starts with us living the message of Jesus’ life — forgiveness. It was the declaration of His death as He uttered, “… Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34a, NIV). And even more, it is the proclamation of every saved soul: “I am forgiven. Therefore, I must forgive.”

Father God, sometimes I forget we all have tear stains on our pillows. Keep reminding me that every person I come across needs compassion. And I might be the only one in their life right now who has the chance to help and the courage to care. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
James 1:19, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (NIV)

More Than A Sliver of Hope (John 11:40)..... By Rachael Adams

 More Than A Sliver of Hope (John 11:40)

By Rachael Adams

Today’s Bible Verse: Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” - John 11:40 ESV

Though the night was silent, my mind was anything but. Frustrated, I was awake when I should have been asleep, I gazed at the night sky. It was black. There were very few stars and only a sliver of moonlight.

The image before me seemed to accurately depict the past year. The sorrow, fear, and disappointment of the year before felt dark, and I wondered yet again when this difficult season would end.

But I also knew that, though we often don’t understand God’s timing, He always has a plan to work for our good and His glory. Consider the story of Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha.

We enter their story in John 11 when the sisters sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was ill. Even though Jesus loved the siblings, He didn’t come for two days. Because Jesus didn’t respond immediately, Lazarus died. When Jesus did finally arrive, Mary and Martha were grieving. Their grief deeply moved Jesus and He wept, too.

Approaching the tomb, Jesus commanded the stone to be rolled away. When Martha questioned what He was doing, Jesus responded, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40) Then Jesus called for Lazarus to come out, and at His command, Lazarus walked out of the grave.

What a miracle! When all hope seemed lost, Jesus came and resurrected what everyone assumed was dead. And friend, in our hopelessly dark situations we can eagerly expect the same.

From our perspective, we may think Jesus is not answering our prayers or is not answering in the way we want. But as revealed in this story, He will answer according to His perfect schedule and perfect purpose.

This story also shows that, just like Mary and Martha, we should not hesitate to ask God for assistance when we feel hopeless. In the face of trouble and suffering, they reached out to the only One Who could help. God cares for us just as He cared for them, and we can trust He will come at just the right time. His delay had a specific purpose then and it has a specific purpose now.

Have questions and concerns about the future been keeping you awake at night? Do you wonder when your troubles will come to an end?

On that nearly moonless night when I couldn’t sleep, I could see only a sliver of light, but I knew a full moon and all of its brilliance was coming in the future. In the same way, even though we can’t see it yet, we can rest assured that God will be faithful to fulfill His promises and He will provide the relief we long for, all in His perfect time.

Bearing With One Another..... by Sarah Phillips

 Bearing With One Another

by Sarah Phillips

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3: 13-14

Sometimes I think the biggest stumbling block to living the Christian life exists in our interactions with other Christians. Those who profess faith in Christ are very capable of hurting each other – perhaps even unusually “gifted” at it.

Yes, fellowship within the Church can be wonderfully fulfilling, offering true glimpses of the unity we will experience in heaven. But (as life frequently reminds us) we’re not in heaven yet, so our relationships with one another often fall short of the “Beatific Vision.”

So what do we do when we’re faced with failure in our relationships, especially when our fellow Christians fail to meet our expectations? Much has been said about the necessity of forgiving trespassers. Scripture makes it clear we are to imitate Christ and show mercy to those who have wronged us, and counselors have written extensively on the personal freedom one finds in forgiving even the most terrible sins. But I think sometimes it’s not the huge transgressions that challenge us most. Sometimes it’s the smaller infractions that wear on our souls.

Perhaps you’ve observed imperfections in another that open personal wounds, rub you the wrong way or just plain annoy you. Perhaps there is someone in your life that consistently brings out your ugly side or whose presence simply symbolizes something you desire but have not achieved. This kind of pain is often absorbed interiorly. There’s no public stand to take, no 12-step program designed to walk you through.

Over time, we may find that we begin to keep count of this person’s failings. We may catch ourselves gossiping about them or avoiding them in our daily lives. Each infraction is like a small stone that eventually builds a wall around the heart, a wall that stands not only between you and that person but also between you and Christ.

One of my favorite Christian heroes, St. Therese of Lisieux, faced such a situation in her community of cloistered Carmelite nuns. Behind the walls of her tranquil convent, relational strife simmered. Some nuns had maddeningly annoying habits that interfered with prayerful contemplation whereas others displayed a variety of mundane vices like laziness or sloppiness. St. Therese had a personal dislike for a particular nun who often acted unhappy and critical. She sought ways to avoid this person in her daily tasks – until she realized she was failing to love one of God’s children. Therese had personally experienced Christ's love, with full knowledge of her invisible imperfections, so how could she justify failing to love this nun just because her faults were visible?

As her heart changed, so did her actions. Therese chose to smile at this young woman every time she passed her. She displayed unusual grace in their interactions, always ready to help with a task or share a kind word.

The change in Therese’s demeanor did not go unnoticed. This nun made note to others that it seemed Therese had an unusual affection for her, and she began to return Therese’s smiles.

I realize I would do well to imitate Therese more often. I struggle with the small acts of charity, the little things that only God notices. Yet, the decision to love in even the most seemingly insignificant ways transforms hearts. And while Therese’s actions may not have brought on world peace, they brought Christ’s peace to her world.

Intersecting Faith & Life: While it’s good to speak out against wrong, some situations call for a silent gesture of love and grace. This week, perform a small act of kindness towards a person you find challenging to love. Remember that Christ knows all of our faults, yet His love never wavers.

Further Reading

Matthew 18: 15

A Prayer for Our Nation on this National Day of Prayer..... By Debbie McDaniel

 A Prayer for Our Nation on this National Day of Prayer

By Debbie McDaniel

“Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name." Daniel 9:19

In 1952 President Harry Truman signed a bill into law, making the National Day of Prayer for America an annual event on the first Thursday of May, encouraging millions across our nation to unite together to pray.

We've come a long way since that day.  And now, maybe more than ever, our nation needs our continued prayers for God’s healing, help, and peace.

Yet, sometimes it's hard to know where to begin or how to pray. We just know we have a deep ache in our hearts that cries out for God's mercy, and a longing to see him heal our land. And maybe other times we wonder how effective our prayers even are.

But no matter how we feel, we can be confident that God is faithful. He is aware and His Spirit is at work, over all that swirls around us in our nation today. That same power that broke prison chains, raised Lazarus from the dead, and parted the Red Sea, the same power that healed the blind man, and delivered the delirious from demons, that same power is at work still today.

He is the same. Yesterday, today, and forever.

May we stand together as believers, and pray for God to heal our land, and strengthen His people. May we pray for all those in authority. May we pray for God’s miraculous intervening, for blind eyes to be opened, for many to see the power of our Lord as never before.

We are never left to fend for ourselves, wrestling in worry, consumed with fear, or driven towards hate. He reminds us that He is with us, He will help us, and hasn't lost control, but has a plan. And His purposes will prevail.

We can be assured, that He hears our prayers, He knows our needs. There's great power in uniting together, turning our hearts towards God, and praying on behalf of America, our nation.

At this important time in our nation’s history, we can do nothing more important than pray.

Remembering today this powerful truth upon which this nation was founded. We are "One Nation Under God." He is where our real hope is found, not in our leaders, not in our economy, not in the condition of our nation today, or any other day.  "...my hope comes from Him." Ps. 62:5

Prayer for National Day of Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank you for your great power. We praise you for your Truth. We’re grateful that you have set us free from the clutching grasp of sin and death.

Would you be with your people, extending your grace, granting your freedom, providing your protection, and empowering with your strength. We ask that you'd bring about an awakening of your presence to America as never seen before. We ask that your Name be proclaimed, that all plans to silence the Name of Jesus would be thwarted and crushed.

We pray that many would come to know you as Lord and Savior, we pray that many would see your Light, that you would open blind eyes and release those still imprisoned.

We pray that you would unify your people for the glory of your Name, that all who call themselves Christians would rise up, believing your great Truth.

Wake us up, Lord! Remind us to live aware, to redeem the time, to listen to your words, to be willing to make a difference in this land.

We pray for all those in authority, that you would give them your wisdom and discernment as they lead. We ask that you would appoint strong, faithful men and women to serve this nation and our people.

We pray for your great healing in America. Shine your face on us dear God. We need you now, more than ever before. Our times are in your hands.

Thank you that you are rich in mercy and full of grace. Thank you that you are forgiving and merciful. Thank you that you are strong and mighty. Thank you that you are for us and that you fight for us still today. Bring honor to your Name, Oh Lord, for You alone are worthy.

In the Name of Jesus, we pray,

Amen.