Posted on 10/28/2001 6:53:28 AM PST by Prodigal Daughter
FAITH IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
David Dimas: I think one of the most important things you need to know about your personal faith, is that there is an end to it. There is coming a day when you won't need to exercise any faith. In eternity you will have Christ. The answers will be there, the promises fulfilled. The only place that you will ever have the opportunity to use your faith is here in this life. I received an e-mail this past week from a friend that caused me to reflect upon my own faith in uncertain times. We all struggle in those periods of God's silence towards us. I'd like to share this letter with you because it shows God's working hand in our lives even in times when it appears that God is silent.
"Dear David,
I have been so neglectful of my email, in light of the current state of affairs, I just read this last Handfuls on "Praying for a Hedge of Thorns" today! As usual, apropos! I have shared this story with some friends. In particular, this brought a personal experience of mine to light. I'll share it. I've been very uncomfortable, even persecuted in my job for some time now.
Prior to this, I had never interviewed for a position that I didn't get. About 1 1/2 yrs ago, I had interviewed with Blue Cross in NYC. The process was going fantastic and there was an offer, a very attractive offer, on the table. Suddenly, something happened and my calls stopped being returned. Personnel didn't return my calls; neither of the persons who interviewed me would return my call. I left message after message, and eventually had to give it up. On the morning of Sept-11-01, I knew why the calls were never returned and I suddenly understood the "weirdness" of the whole experience, and I felt and saw God's protective Hedge around me.
Blue Cross is located on the 27th floor of Tower 2 of the World Trade Center well, it used to be. I am truly blessed and I no longer question why God has me where I am, or with whom... I'm just trusting more and more that His will be done! Paula, from N.Y.
Paula's story reminds us again that we live in a time of increasing uncertainty. Our country is at war. Everyday we are bombarded with threats of biological terror, economic slowdowns, and unprecedented job layoffs. We are all looking for answers to today's uncertainties. Faith in uncertain times is your opportunity to see God come though for you in your time of crisis. If you find Yourself in a place where you do not know which way to turn, keep the faith. Know that He is God and that He is working out your life like the Master Painter that He is (Eph 2:10).
If you're not sure what God is doing in your life and you're struggling with your faith, you are in an excellent position to exercise your personal faith. Who knows how many more opportunities that you may have left to use your Faith. This may be a good time to re-read Hebrews Chapter 11, sometimes called the "Hall of Faith." Ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary things through faith that God would deliver them. Who knows what effects your faith will have in eternity! "Not a great faith we need, but faith in great God." - J. Hudson Taylor - Missionary to China.
David Dimas is a Christian writer and teacher in California.
Study Finds Prayer Doubles Chances for Having a Baby... Andy Butcher
Another report urges doctors to be more in tune to patients' spiritual beliefs Doctors have been shocked by a study that found prayer seeming to double the chances of women having a baby through in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. The startling research is published as another report says that doctors need to pay more attention to their patients' spiritual beliefs.
The baby boom is revealed in the latest issue of the Journal of Reproductive Medicine, which says that a group of women who were prayed for during their IVF treatment had a 50 percent pregnancy rate - compared with a 26 percent success rate among those not prayed for.
Although doctors say there may be unknown biological factors behind the results, they believe the findings were significant enough to be published for further discussion. According to "The New York Times," the lead author of the report said that the differing rates were "highly significant." Dr. Rogerio A. Lobo, chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University, said that while he did not know that prayer was "the definitive answer," there was "definitely an association."
"Science Daily" said the study involved 199 women undergoing IVF treatment at a hospital in Seoul, Korea, between December 1998 and March 1999. None of the women or their doctors knew about the prayer research. Photos of some of those receiving treatment were given to a group of Christians. Researchers looked at their results several ways to see if there might be variables that could account for the differences, but none of their adjustments altered the results.
Meanwhile, a Christian doctor who looked at two decades of research has concluded that religion can be good medicine and doctors should consider their patients' spiritual beliefs when offering treatment.
Mark Su from Tufts University in Boston looked at 212 studies from the last 20 years and found 75 percent of them reported a positive health benefit from religious commitment, reported "HealthScout News." Cancer, heart disease and hypertension were among the conditions impacted by religious faith, he found.
But while 94 percent of Americans believe in God or some form of higher power, only 64 percent of doctors believe in God. Reuters said that Su observed: "Patients are more likely to desire spiritual issues to be discussed in their health care than are physicians to actually address them."
Su, who was due to present today his findings to the annual gathering of the American Academy of Family Physicians, said he asked his patients about their religious backgrounds, reported the "News." "It leads to meaningful discussions, and it creates a bond."
He told Reuters that he did not know whether better health was the result of religion itself or the behaviors it encouraged. "Some researchers think that people who are more religious are taught not to drink or smoke, but others believe the health benefits are due to feelings of peace and a sense of purpose, confidence and identity that religion can promote," he said.
Su said that the findings did not justify "proselytizing." "If a patient isn't interested in discussing it, then I don't push them about it. But I think it's reasonable for patients to mention that they have certain religious or spiritual beliefs."
DO YOU WANT A HAPPY HOME?
Many people today are searching for solutions to the heartaches plaguing home today. We all want a happy home. I've never heard anyone say he or she got married to be unhappy. Still, many families experience Unhappiness.
The Secret of a happy home- if it can be called a secret-is in the Bible, the most marvelous book of all time. The Bible teaches us that the Christian marriage is a Triangle-made up of three people, not just two. The Third person is Jesus Christ. When Christ is in the Heart of the man and the woman, the foundation for a Happy home has been laid. And when we follow the Principles He had laid out in his Word, we can have a Happy home.
HUSBAND, RECOGNIZE YOUR PART
The Bible says something amazing to husbands: "For the Husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head Of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior" (Ephesians 5:23).
This means the husband symbolizes Christ to the Family. He is the head of the home. What does it mean? To be "the head" and a symbol of Christ? First, it means that the husband must love in a sacrificial way. The Bible says, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25).
In a happy home, the husband sacrificially loves his Wife weekafter week, month after month, year after Year. As time passes, he loves her deeper and deeper And shows his love through his actions.
Second, the loving husband supports and cares for His wife. "After all, no one ever hated his own body, But he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the Church" (Ephesians 5:29-30).
A Husband must take care of his wife just as he does His own body. Part of taking of your wife includes Supporting her materially and financially. You have The responsibility to provide for the needs of the Home and to take care of your wife with all the Passion and strength of your being.
Another aspect of caring for your wife is working to Understand her, then acting according to what you have Learned. If your wife likes flowers, surprise her with a dozen roses. Treat her with courtesy. Hold her hand as you walk down the street.
Finally, the husband who loves with her in a holy and honorable way. The Bible says husbands are to be completely free from sexual immorality. "For God did Not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life" (1 Thessalonians 4:7). A husband must have mastery over Himself and not be controlled by lustful desires.
THE WOMEN'S ROLE
God also has given principles for women to follow. First, the Bible tells the wife that she must respect her husband (Ephesians 5:33). Respect has to Do with the attitude of the heart. Not only is this an outward demonstration, but also an internal appreciation. With a respect filled with affection, the wife should encourage the husband and show him love.
Second, the Bible says, "Wives must submit to your Husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head Of the wife as Christ is the head of the Church, his Body, of which he is the Savior" (Ephesians 5:22-23) Because the husband has been designated by God to Be the head of the home, the wife is subject to him.
Your husband is responsible for making decisions of The family. That's not to say you can't share your thoughts with your husband and offer advice. However, You should submit to your husband's decision as though submitting to the Lord.
And finally, the Bible teaches that the wife must Be pure. "Let them, see the purity and reverence of Your lives" (1 Peter3: 2).
Secret and improper desires must be cut off. Purity Is not fabricated, but is produced by Christ in one's heart. It reveals itself in words, looks dress, and actions. The woman who desires a happy home does not flirt with other men because she has dedicated herself To her husband.
FORGIVING EACH OTHER DAILY
What a wonderful fragrance there is in the words, "Please forgive me for what I've done wrong." If you want happiness to last in your family, you will have to forgive your spouse many times.
Scripture says, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.(Ephesians 4:32) Be kind and compassionate and forgiving for God has forgiven our many sins through Christ. As we remember how much God has forgiven us, it's much easier to forgive others.
AN UNBELIEVING SPOUSE
May spouses have asked me, "Brother Ishaq F. Khokhar? My husband (or wife) does not want to believe in Christ. What should I do?" The best answer is found in The Bible: wives in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the Word, they may be won over without talk by the behaviors of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 1 Peter 3:1-2.
The Apostle Paul Give this Counsel:
To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): if any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. 1 Corinthians 7:12-14. How valuable is the example of a spouse whose life is Controlled by Christ!
THE SECRET: CHRIST IN YOUR HEART
Jesus Christ is the secret of happiness. He must be in the heart of each member of the family. He must be the Lord of daily life. With Christ in our hearts, the home is a taste of heaven on earth. Still. All families-even Christian ones-have struggles and times of difficulty. No one is free from problems-economic difficulties, unemployment, the death Of a loved one, unpleasant decisions. We must remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who warned his disciples:
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33. A happy, harmonious family will not happen instantly. We must work for the happiness of our marriage and family. We must spend time with our family. A happy family is the result of a couple's dedication to pursue Christ. Work determinedly, take responsibilities, put Christ in the center of your life, and soon you will see results. May God open his heavenly windows for your life, home, and family today and forever; and bless you according To his riches, Amen. A servant of The True Light, Yours Brother in Christ.
Pastor. Ishaq F. Khokhar
President
Abundant Life Church of Pakistan
P. O. Box # 12466
Karachi - South
46 - 75500
Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
My personal prayer time for the world is 2-3 A.M daily, I want you to become my prayer partner to catch the world for The heavenly kingdom of Jesus Christ. Kindly send some information's about your ministry and vision from God. Yours prayer partner for miracles.
Pastor. Ishaq F. Khokhar, President
Abundant Life Church of Pakistan
alcopak@email.com
ALL THE POWER
Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord! I thank the Lord today for his faithfulness -- for His ever presence! If God wasn't faithful to his kids, why would we want to serve Him anyway? We could bow down before some other god, or some statue, or meditate on some rock. But, thank God, Jesus is the Rock. He is our foundation.
(1 Cor. 3:11) And, He is ever present to help us. I remember a hospital visit in November, 1986, strapped down securely on an emergency room table, just weeks after undergoing major surgery, on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I didn't know the Lord then -- but, He had been waiting for me. The hospital staff talked about me as if I couldn't hear them. They spoke about me taking an OVERDOSE -- but, I hadn't overdosed. I was stressed out, an emotional wreck, and my nerves were nearly shot. As I faded in and out of consciousness, I was certain that: I had NOT overdosed.
Something was being injected into both my arms. I looked up into the doctor's face and said "You are killing me." Fear came over his face; he disappeared and I blacked out. As I came to, I heard my voice crying out: "JESUS!" Someone said "Send her home!" I was unstrapped, and sent on my blessed way. My thinking suddenly became perfectly clear. I don't understand everything that happened that day, but I know I experienced the supernatural power of God.
Not long after that, I asked the Lord to come into my heart and save me. I was fed up with my way. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired! I needed change. The bible says: If any man be in Christ he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold all things are become new. That was 13 years ago. With the Name of Jesus on our lips, we can't be defeated. It's the name above all names. The name above stress, depression, anxiety, loneliness or any other thing that steals our peace. God desires our lives to be blessed. You may know someone who is desperate today. God is on standby with all of the power of heaven. Praise His Name! † Michelle Richee
Amen.
Bump
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