Monday, June 30, 2008

Where Do You Find Your Security?

This morning I watched the network news. This is usually a mistake, because the news seems to be less-than-inspiring, negative, and downright frightening on a daily basis. Today, for example, I learned about the rising cost of gasoline, a young man who had been decapitated on a roller coaster, the mobilization of more troops for our country's war efforts, the increased fares on airlines, and the faltering stock market. One prognosticator believes we're entering a "bear market," and a severe recession, which will get worse and worse. Let's hope these prophets of doom are not putting forth self-fulfilling prophecies that will come forth from the seeds of expectation that the newscasters and political pundits are planting in our minds.

We have just released a wonderful new book by M. Denise Baccus. It is entitled Preparing Yourself for God's Promises. This uplifting and helpful book points the reader to the promises of God, which are yes and amen in Christ Jesus. (See 2 Corinthians 1:20.) It is better to prepare to receive God's promises than to prepare to receive the negative words of the world. You can believe and receive the promises of God, such as this one from Jeremiah, which forms the main thesis of Denise's book: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end" (Jeremiah 29:11).

The Christian life gives us so much more than the trite platitude: "Expect the best, but prepare for the worst!" Let's expect the best and prepare for the best. This is the central message of this new book by Denise Baccus. God wants you to have peace, and He has a wonderful plan for your life.

You and I can be promise-reapers by believing and receiving all God has in store for us. Even though the economy is in a downturn, natural disasters are wreaking havoc around the world, dark clouds of war continue to fill the sky, and terrorism is working its evils in so many places, we can find security in our God and His Word.

Where does your security lie? Do you find your sense of security in your bank accounts? In your 401-K plan? In your own talents and abilities? In your friends and loved ones? In your education? In your possessions? Or do you find your true sense of security in God alone?

Insecurity robs us of the peace God gives to us. It makes us ineffectual in the work of the Lord. We need to remember that the Lord is our stronghold, our high tower, our fortress, our sure defense, our hope, our confidence, our Rock, and our everything. He is our only true source of security in this world. Let me encourage you to go to Him for the security you need, to read His Word in the mornings instead of watching the news, to believe and receive all His promises in your life, and to fellowship with Him every day.

The Bible says, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe" (Proverbs 18:10).

Where do you find your security?

Monday, June 23, 2008

The Fear Factor

Just today a new book that we are publishing arrived in our warehouse here in Alachua, Florida. It is entitled The Fear Factor. The author is Akeem Shomade, a pastor in London who was born in Nigeria to a Muslim family. He met Jesus Christ and accepted Him as his personal Savior and Lord. Not surprisingly, he had to work his way through his personal fear of deserting and betraying his Muslim roots.

So many people today grapple with "the fear factor" on a daily basis. Fear comes to people in a variety of forms: fear of death, fear of failure, fear of success, fear of people, fear of illness, fear of terrorism, fear of public speaking, fear of snakes, fear of change, and on and on. Are you full of fear, or are you full of love? Love, as Shomade points out, cancels out the power of fear in a person's life.

He writes, "The Bible says, 'There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love' (1 John 4:18).

"This tells us that godly love is the antidote to fear. When we fight each other, leading to stress, migraines, and loss of joy, it is because we are not walking in forgiveness; and pride has taken root in our hearts. Light and darkness cannot co-habit, so when pride and discord move into the very place where the Spirit of God lives, love disappears.

"The spiritual prescription for living abundantly and flowing fully in the fruit of the Spirit is mentioned in Galatians 5:22--to specialize in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When we do this, fear evaporates and takes a permanent leave of absence. Jesus also encourages us to specialize in love (Mark 12:30). The Bible tells us that God is love. Our heavenly Father demonstrated His unconditional love for mankind by giving His only Son to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sin.

"Love will position us for the indwelling and inflowing of the Holy Spirit because love is the nature of God. As we operate in God's nature, we have access to His supernatural power."

Yes, Akeem Shomade has found the secret of spiritual power--walking in love. This is what gives us power over fear. Actually, there are only two emotions in the human condition--love and fear. All other feelings stem from one or the other of those two.

Guilt, for example, stems from fear. Joy, on the other hand, stems from love. Let's learn to walk in love toward God, others, and ourselves. As we do so, all fear will leave us. This is a wonderful truth to ponder and a vital power to tap into.

So, walk in love and share it with all you meet.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Pure Gold Classics

Have you read any of our books in the Pure Gold Classics series? We now have more than thirty different titles in this, our signature line. These books contain a biography of the author, interesting illustrations, an audio-excerpts CD, study guides, a timeline, and updated versions of the authors' writings.

This remarkable collection includes the works of Andrew Murray, R.A. Torrey, Madame Jeane Guyon, Brother Lawrence, Saint Augusinte, Saint John of the Cross, Hannah Whitall Smith, C.H. Spurgeon, D.L. Moody, Saint Teresa of Avila, Thomas a Kempis, A.W. Pink, William Law, William Wilberforce, A.W. Tozer, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney, Charles M. Sheldon, Fenelon, E.M. Bounds, A.B. Simpson, Henry Drummond, John Calvin, and John Wesley. Isn't it great to know that these great men and women of God are still speaking to believers through these outstanding classics?

I'm happy to report that we will be releasing two new classics this summer: The Holy Spirit: Who He Is and What He Does by R.A. Torrey and Walking With God--the Andrew Murray Trilogy on Sanctification, which is actually three books in one: Waiting on God, Working for God, and Be Perfect. These two books are shining containers of the riches of Jesus Christ, and I know you will be blessed by reading them.

Let me conclude this entry by quoting from The Sovereignty of God by A.W. Pink: "How different is the God of the Bible from the God of modern Christianity! The image of God that is embraced most widely today, even among those who say they believe the Bible, is a miserable misrepresentation and an offensive mockery of the truth. The God of our times is a helpless, weak, and delicate being who commands the respect of no really intelligent person. The God of the modern Christian is the creation of sappy sentimentality and an object of pity rather than of awe-inspiring reverence."

Though Pink wrote these words early in the twentieth century, I fear they still hold true in many circles today. May we return to a view of God that will enable us to see Him as He really is--the sovereign Ruler of the universe, our heavenly Father, and the very essence of our being. May we return to the sense of reverence and adoration that our Creator deserves. He is so worthy of all our honor, devotion, respect, and worship, and He seeks those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. (See John 4:23.)

Let us endeavor to glorify God in all that we say, think, and do.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Dr. Phil

I have a personal friend who is affectionately known as "Dr. Phil." This friend is not the counselor we see on TV, however. My friend is Dr. Phil Goldfedder, a neurosurgeon whose books and ministry are known around the world. I had the privilege of serving as his editor in the preparation of two of his books--Healing Is Yours and Lean God's Way.

Dr. Phil has established a Christian alternative healing ministry that is based in South Carolina. The website for this outreach is http://www.healingisyours.com/ Let me encourage you to visit his website and learn about his ministry, his books, and his CDs. I can assure you that you will be blessed as you do so.

Several years ago Phil was miraculously healed of intractable foot pain in a church service in Florida. At that time he was a Jewish neurosurgeon, and he did not know Jesus as his personal Savior. Now he knows Jesus as both his Savior and Lord, and he realizes that Jesus Christ is the Great Physician of our souls and bodies.

He has a great passion to reach the lost and to help people know that they are healed by the stripes of Jesus. His radical teachings on healing have brought health and victory to thousands of people. You will be blessed by his testimony and the testimonies of all those who have received healing through his ministry.

I want to encourage you to let God speak to you through Dr. Phil's books and teachings. There is a very good possibility that your life will be completely changed as you do so.

Friday, June 6, 2008

The Only Thing That Counts

The New International Version of the Bible says, "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love" (Galatians 5:8). This verse reminds me of what Jesus said to Martha: "You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-41, NIV). What was Jesus referring to? He was saying that Mary was spending time with Him, learning from Him, and enjoying a personal relationship with Him. This is the essence of love--the only thing that counts, the "most excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31).

Knowing that God loves you is the most important fact in the universe. He loves you with an everlasting love. Paul writes, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us" (Romans 5:8, NIV). Yes, there's a clear connection between love and hope as well as love and faith; we see this in 1 Corinthians 13: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV). Let the Holy Spirit pour out His love into your heart.

Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it; Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:37-40, NIV). I thank Jesus for helping us to see that the Christian life is always centered on love. It's true that love is the only thing that counts, that love is the most excellent way, that love is the greatest quality of all, and that love is the fulfillment of God's law. When we are coming from love, it is certain that we will obey the Lord. Jesus said, "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love" (John 15:9, NIV).

Therefore, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love" (1 John 4:7-8, NIV). Remember this as you endeavor to walk in love: those who are the hardest to love probably need it the most.

God loves you!

God loves you. May you experience His love more and more each day.