​

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Lifeworks   CURRENT TV SERIES All Things New

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them. --Psalm 139:16 The birth of a baby is a special and wonderful moment when a new life enters the world. Every baby is truly a tiny miracle, because the Bible says God creates each baby and knits it together in its mother’s womb. The human body is so complex and intricate that it’s mind-boggling to realize how every part works together. We could spend the rest of this day discussing how teeth develop, how bones grow, and how the human body just knows what to do and when to do it. The wonder of Psalm 139 is that God’s creative work in our lives begins at the very moment of conception. Even in our embryonic stage, God is at work shaping us to be the person He wants us to be. And it’s just as incredible to realize that after we are born, God continues to form our bodies. When we stop to think about what an astounding work of creation the human body is, it’s no wonder that God said it was good when He created us. Our bodies are far more complex than any computer or other manmade invention. And by the way, our bodies are constantly growing and maturing, which tells us that God is still at work in us every day. That should give you a reason to praise Him today. Take a moment right now to thank God for loving you before you ever entered this world, and for loving you every day thereafter! God had his hand on you before you were born—­and He still has his hand on you today!

Be Careful How You Walk

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.”
Matthew 10:16–18

We were on a tour of Israel and were going to visit the Jordan River. Before we left the tour bus, our guide issued a strong warning for us to stay on the marked path as we made our way to the river’s edge. He explained that because of the past military activity in the area, there was a clear, safe path to walk—but if we strayed from that path, we risked stepping on an old land mine. I can tell you that we walked right in the middle of the path and never even got close to the edge, let alone going off the path!
There are dangers that surround us in the world. As Christians living in America, we have become accustomed to enjoying religious liberty and not facing persecution, but this is not guaranteed to us. Most believers in the world today face at least some level of threat, and many are being killed for their faith every year. The Bible warns us to expect difficulties if we are living as we should. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
There should be no doubt in the minds of those around us that we are Christians. As it was for Daniel, even those who hate us should be forced to acknowledge that our faith is genuine and that nothing will shake it. This requires that we be on guard as we walk through the world, carefully guarding our hearts and minds so that we do not disgrace the name of God.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Maintaining our faith and testimony in the world requires that we carefully guard how we live.