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CURRENT RADIO SERIES Songs of Encouragement   CURRENT TV SERIES Songs of Encouragement

… But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. -–Isaiah 40:31 Have you ever felt like God had you in “wait” training? Well, God puts a premium on patience and perseverance where you and I are concerned. We can’t rush God’s providential choices, but we can trust the One who sees all of history… the days leading up to our lives as well as those that follow after us. John the Beloved understood this principle well. Perhaps you remember that John was the apostle of Jesus who was sentenced to live out his life on a veritable devil’s island, a place called Patmos. But while he was there, God gave him a vision of the future… a powerful message of encouragement and hope for the church. That message became known as the book of Revelation! How could John write such a powerful message on such a wretched island amidst personal suffering and loneliness? It’s because John looked beyond his suffering and embraced the future that God showed him, the promise of heaven. God’s light shines brightest in the darkest of times! When you find yourself alone in pain and suffering, don’t hasten God’s providential timeline, but trust the One who makes all things work together for your good and his glory. He will renew your strength! GOD’S LIGHT SHINES BRIGHTEST IN THE DARKEST OF TIMES!

A Passion for People

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.”
John 4:35–38

After many years of fruitful work with the Salvation Army, the founder, General William Booth, was invited to a personal audience with Queen Victoria. The ruler of England had heard about his work in the slums among the poor, preaching the gospel, and helping those in need. When she asked for the secret of his success, Booth replied, “Your Majesty, some men have a passion for money. Some people have a passion for things. I have a passion for people.”
All around us there are people with an eternal destiny who need someone to give them the good news of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Yet in truth many Christians seldom if ever think about that most pressing need. Like the disciples who wanted Jesus to send the crowd of people away without any food, we too often view others as an annoyance or a burden, rather than seeing them as precious souls for whom Christ died.
The harvest is not waiting to get ripe. The fields are white. Tens of thousands of people will die today, many of them without ever hearing the gospel. There are no second chances to accept Christ. If no one reaches them in this life, they will spend eternity in Hell apart from God. That sobering truth should motivate us and give us a burning passion for people.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

If our hearts are not broken over those who are lost, we do not have the heart of Jesus.