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Volume 8, Issue 11 April 9, 2015 - April 22, 2015
3 Ways Resurrection Power Can Completely Transform Lives
View The Messenger Online @www.hismessenger.wordpress.com
By John D. BarryWe all have moments of despair, but there
are also the days when the sun peeks through the clouds and we stop and say, “You know, God really is here and working among us. I’m not alone at all.” It’s these moments that we have to capitalize on. These feelings of new life, of resurrection, can transform our lives and the lives of others.
1. Resurrection gets us through the rough times.
The last month has been rough for me. I have often felt like everything is going the opposite way it should. But today, I realize that Jesus is here. It’s not that I didn’t believe that before—of course, I did—but today I feel like he is sitting next to me. When I think about Jesus’ presence among us, about his resurrected life, I imagine how Mary Magdalene must have felt upon seeing the resurrected Jesus. John’s Gospel records:
“Mary stood outside at the tomb, weeping. Then, while she was weeping, she bent over to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white, seated one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been lying. And they said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have put him!’ When she had said these things, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?’ She thought that it was the gardener, and said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will take him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned around and said to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni’ (which means ‘Teacher’). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.” ’ Mary Magdalene came and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord.’” ( John 20:11–18 LEB).
When you encounter the living Jesus, in the midst of despair, everything changes.
Here’s how my viewpoint recently changed: I just had the wonderful opportunity of announcing that the
organization I lead, Jesus’ Economy, will be able to fund two church planters in northern India for another year. For us, reaching this goal was huge and difficult. And honestly, I wasn’t sure if we would make it. But I also couldn’t bear the thought of not living up to our commitment to fund these two church planters for three years.
The prompting of being on mission for Jesus, in proclamation of his resurrection, is what kept me going through this rough patch. And God coming through inspired me.
I believe the resurrected Jesus will keep you going, no matter what you’re going through.
2. Resurrection is self-sacrificial.I often think of what various holidays
are like for those serving Jesus around the world. Our church planters in northern India are living self-sacrificially everyday, spreading the gospel to those who have never heard Jesus’ name. Their lives are living testimonies of who Jesus is. And this puts it all in perspective for me: all of my difficulties do not remotely compare to their hardships. And yet, they get the splendid opportunity of seeing Jesus work everyday—which really makes it all worth it.
Easter resurrection is something real for church planters in northern India: They
regularly see lives fully transformed by Jesus. And so, their lives make me wonder how much better and fuller my life would be if I could make the same kind of sacrifice. This makes me think of Jesus’ words just prior to the cross:
“This is my commandment: that you love one another just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: that someone lay down his life for his friends” ( John 15:12–13 LEB).
Living resurrected life with Jesus means living self-sacrificially. And that changes everything. It makes every difficulty an opportunity to do something good for someone else. It takes the perspective off of us, and puts the perspective on God’s workings in the world.
3. Resurrection is a fresh perspective on the world.
Until this last month, I thought of thankfulness as an attitude, but it’s so much more. Thankfulness is a perspective we look at the world through. As we are grateful for the resurrected life of Christ, and the resurrected life he offers us, our worldview changes.
It’s not about saying, “Oh, I’m so grateful I have all this (whatever this is for you).” Thankfulness is saying, “Oh, I’m so grateful that Jesus came for me (for all of us), and that
he is with me now—right here.” The apostle Paul put it this way:
“One person prefers one day over another day, and another person regards every day alike [for the Sabbath and festivals]. Each one must be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who is intent on the day is intent on it for the Lord, and the one who eats eats for the Lord [in celebration], because he is thankful to God, and the one who does not eat does not eat for the Lord [that is he fasts], and he is thankful to God. For none of us lives for himself and none dies for himself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For Christ died and became alive again for this reason, in order that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living” (Romans 14:5–9 LEB).
Paul is talking about various viewpoints for feasting, celebration, worship services, and fasting among his audience, but this has a direct implication for us. Whatever we do, let us do it for Christ, in thankfulness—in order that he might be Lord over all things in our lives, in every season.
It’s this perspective that perfectly fits with the Easter season, when we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection for each of us, for all of us. This season we celebrate Jesus’ resurrected life and his resurrection of our lives.
I’m not saying that this sorts everything out; like all of us, I still get depressed along the way. But today on the other side of this, I feel different—today, I realize that God is much greater than I could ever imagine. Today, I realize that he indeed always comes through—he resurrects our efforts and turns them into something beautiful.
John D. Barry is the CEO and Founder of Jesus’ Economy, dedicated to creating jobs and churches in the developing world. Because of John’s belief that business can also transform lives, Jesus’ Economy also provides an online fair trade shop. He is currently leading Jesus’ Economy efforts to Renew Bihar, India—one of the most impoverished places in the world where few have heard the name of Jesus.
First published on Crosswalk.com. Used by permission of Crosswalk.com.
I trust you all had a Blessed Easter, celebrating the Resurrection of our Savior. Easter can be hard to “celebrate” because on one hand is so very hard to remember and think of Jesus being beaten, ridiculed and hung on the cross, suffering to death. BUT, we have the joy to know that the cross could not hold Him! He defeated death, and rose to sit at His Father’s right hand. He endured all He did, knowing what was coming, and did it for each one of us. He took on the sins of the world, and died to be the ultimate sacrifice for us all.
Thank you to all those who prayed for my daughters family and traveling mercies for their trip to El Paso and back home to the Houston area. They were just here for about three days, but it was SO wonderful to be with them, after their moving away nine months ago. We had a wonderful time together, and they had safe travels both directions – so thank you to all who prayed. My son and his family was able to come over and share some time with us as well a few times, and we all got
some great photos. I will share one here of me with four of my five grandkids. They are from left to right: Jacob, Madison, Aiden and Kelsey.
****Precious Heavenly
Father,Thank You for sending Your
Son, Jesus to be the ultimate sacrifice for all our sins. I am so grateful for His Resurrection, and His providing Salvation for all who will come to Him.
I thank You Father for the safe travels for my daughter’s family, and that it worked out so wonderfully for their visit. I have missed them so much. Continue to bless them, provide for them and keep them safe.
I lift up Sarah to You Father and I pray that at this very moment You will touch her body. You know of her illness, her pain and suffering, and that of her family. I pray Lord that You wrap Your arms around them all – comfort them, give them peace, and allow them to feel Your presence with them.
I love You. In Jesus’ Name,AMEN.
April 9, 2015- April 22, 2015
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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month New Report Sheds Light on Child Abuse
Child Protective Services (CPS) investigated more than 168,164 allegations of child abuse or neglect in Texas last year. 151 children died at the hands of a parent or other caregiver. 66,572 children were victims of abuse or neglect, and more than 17,378 had to be removed from their homes for their own protection.
A new report from the DFPS Office of Child Safety found that 8 out of 10 children who died from abuse or neglect in Texas over a four-year period were 3 years old or younger and most died at the hands of parents.
“If you suspect abuse, please report it so we can investigate,” said Judge John Specia, commissioner of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. “But we also need to reach parents before they reach a breaking point. So many Texas parents are young, poor and under stress. They need the help of their families and communities to succeed and keep kids safe.”
Governor Greg Abbott proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and all across Texas CPS is joining local governments, community groups, service organizations, activists, and others to put the spotlight on preventing, recognizing, and reporting child abuse.
Key events in the El Paso area include:
April 6 County Resolution at Commissioner’s Court Resolution of April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.9:30am, 3rd floor of El Paso County Courthouse, 500 E. San AntonioContact: Luis Zamarripa (915) 521-3704
April 10 Go Blue DayWear blue to raise awareness of child abuse prevention & balloon release.9am, 501 Hawkins Blvd., El Paso, TX, 79915Contact: Luis Zamarripa (915) 521-3704
April 11 8th Annual Family Fun FairStrengthening families with interactive, fun activities and community resources.
9am - 1pmAlbum Park, 3001 Parkwood, El Paso, TX, 79925Contact: Luis Zamarripa (915) 521-3704
April 14 City Proclamation at City HallProclamation of April is Child Abuse Prevention Month8am, 300 N. CampbellContact: Luis Zamarripa (915) 521-3704 April 16Casas for CASA 2015 fundraiserAuction/silent auction of amazing playhouses and dinner featuring Ashley Rhodes-Courter, author of “Three Little Words” to benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates of El Paso6pm - 10pm150 Sunset Events Center, 150 E. Sunset Road, El Paso, TX, 79922Contact: Lisa Saucedo (915) 546-8146
See more about prevention events in your area on the Events Page of HelpandHope.org.
DFPS’ Help for Parents, Hope for Kids campaign educates parents about child abuse and points them to help in their communities to strengthen their parenting skills and learn to better care for their kids. The campaign’s Facebook page (4MyKid) shares fun and helpful ideas and resources for families, and anyone can download the 2015 Child Abuse Prevention Calendar from HelpandHope.org.
The campaign website also contains
inspiring testimonials of parents who overcame abuse to become better parents and break the cycle of abuse.
Learn the signs of child abuse and report your concerns to the Texas Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or online at TxAbuseHotline.org.
Statistics are for state fiscal year 2014 (Sept. 1, 2013 - Aug. 31, 2014)
Key Statistics• 7,266,760 # of children in
Texas (254,213 - El Paso)• 168,164 # of completed CPS
investigations (4,979 - El Paso)• 66,572 # confirmed victims of
child abuse or neglect (2,313 - El Paso)• 17,378 # of children removed from
their homes due to abuse or neglect (174 - El Paso)
•151 # of abuse/neglect child deaths (4 - El Paso)
• 3,262 # families served by DFPS prevention programs
• 46,066 # of youth served by DFPS prevention programs
See the CPS Data and Statistics and the DFPS 2014 Annual Report and Data Book on the DFPS website for more statistics.
Other DFPS Hotlines and Websites• Infant Sleeping Death Prevention:
BabyRoomToBreathe.org • Water Safety:
WatchKidsAroundWater.org• Texas Youth and Runaway
Hotline (1-888-580-HELP) & website: TexasYouth.org
• DFPS website : www.dfps.state.tx.us
• Adoption: AdoptChildren.org
Come to the cross,Man’s instrument of pain
and death;To maim the body and
torture the soul.
Come to your senses,See your Father standing at
the gate;Waiting for His children
to come home.
Come to the Cross,God’s instrument of
reconciliation;To catch the fallen before
they crash.
Come to your sensesSee your Savior bleeding,
dying,Laying down his life to bring
you back.
THE CROSSBy Jeffrey Pollock
Questions are sent to 42 Christian Leaders and all that respond by deadline are published. Those that come in late will be included with the others on The Messenger’s blog site at http://hismessenger.wordpress.com. If you are a Christian Leader and would like to be considered to join this panel – OR - if you have a question you would like answered by Christian Leaders, please email your contact information to [email protected].
Question:A friend is asking why God
allows elderly people who are suffering ailments such as herself to continue living -- and allows such horrible diseases to happen to young people, some die, others who suffer the rest of their lives? I would like your insight on what to share with her to help in this difficult time. What Scriptures should I share with her to help her remain strong in her faith, and encourage her? She’s asking, “What is the purpose of making old people remain in their suffering instead of letting them go home? And, why wouldn’t he take home the elderly who are sick, and let the young remain healthy to enjoy a long life?”
Answers:
Our creator placed mankind in a perfect world, which man corrupted through sin and continues to do so. The freedom of choice given to humanity means God does not determine everything that happens in this world. The apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 1:20-30 regarding his struggle between wanting to go and be with the Lord Jesus and staying to be a blessing and example of faith. Faith of old people is not a small thing. Would a disciple of Christ want to speak to yet unborn generations about
the love, mercy and salvation from Jesus? Then let your faith speak to those who surround you and write your story for those who will follow later.
God does not punish or reward either the young or the old with death and disease. It is a lie of Satan that God makes life hard for mankind. We do it for ourselves. Our challenge is to be an example of faith, regardless of our circumstances. Charles Clodfelter, evangelist
Eastwood Church of Christ(El Paso, TX)
Sickness and suffering are addressed in Wisdom literature of the Bible (i.e., Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job, etc.). We must avoid putting ourselves in the place of God by answering the question of ‘why’ certain people suffer certain things. This was the error of Job’s friends who wrongly insisted Job suffered as a direct result of sin he committed. Jesus cautions the disciples against this form of “retribution” theology by stating that a blind man’s condition was so God’s works would be revealed through him ( John 9). Suffering reveals the condemnation we are under which the Lord uses to stimulate the faith of those who trust Him and His promises. Biblical Wisdom shifts us from the ‘why’ questions of suffering to the comfort and assurance of knowing ‘Who’ is in control. God uses suffering for His good purposes. While there is mystery here, God’s use of suffering for good is most clearly revealed in the Cross of Christ Who suffered for our salvation.
Pastor Marc Wilson St. Patrick’s Church
(Las Cruces, NM)
Questions like these seem to haunt the minds of western civilization societies. Behind the questions of why lies the belief
that God has got it all mixed up and He is to be faulted for the world’s ills. I believe that this line of reasoning is humanistic and not Biblical. God cannot and will not be put in a box of our own making. He does what He knows is best, without flaw or miscalculation, including all the days of our lives. Psalm 139.
Pastor Fred GrenierFirst Church of the Nazarene
(El Paso, TX)
Let me answer your question based on the age groups you asked about. You witness many older persons suffering terribly primarily because of changes in federal and state laws since Medicare was created (1965). Prior to this older persons who got sick or worn out were allowed to die at home in peace. Due to legal changes (and many, many unjust law suits peddled by “trial lawyers” it is practically against the law to allow an older person to die at home -- even if they are well attended (and not all can afford hospice care, by the way). So, whereas a man of 65 with a heart attack might have died within minutes quite peacefully at home, now everyone has been “programmed” to call an ambulance, prolong his life artificially, and rush him to an emergency room; otherwise they might be sued or at least investigated by local law enforcement. I have seen this occur! The result of this mess is that life is often artificially prolonged, while quality of life is not. This is nothing but man-made suffering!
As for younger persons suffering and dying, this is nothing new in the history of the world -- people of all ages die all the time due to natural and “unnatural” causes (if there really are any). But you are young, so the presence of suffering in the
world is new to you. I am glad to remind you that through all such suffering God loves us. He will see us through life to the very end -- whenever that end might be, and no matter how it came about. This is His promise from passages like Romans 8:35-39. I do hope this helps.
Pastoral Assistant Paul DuerksenSt. Paul’s United Methodist Church
(Las Cruces, NM)
One of the hardest things we have to live with is physical suffering. But we have to understand that we live in a fallen world where man gave dominion to Satan. John 10:10 says “the thief (who is Satan) cometh not but to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus said, I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” Man lives in a physical body subject to heredity of parents and pathogens of the world we live in. There has always been sickness and disease and people will always have to suffer them. God allows this because man chose to live under this curse. But we can break this curse through Jesus. Man will never be free of sickness but Jesus came to walk with us through life’s turmoil. As to life and death, Jesus holds both in His hand. We as men want to control both, but God has a reason to leave the elderly and take those who are young. Understand, when He takes a young person home, he may save them from something terrible in their future. If Jesus receives a child, that child will know the blessings of heaven, where an adult may turn their back on Jesus and never find heaven. We have to trust the Lord and know His ways are higher than our ways.
Pastor Brooke DavisFirst Southern Baptist Church
(Greenup, IL)
Send info about your upcoming events to [email protected]. Be sure to send them several weeks in advance of the event as The Messenger prints every other week. Check for other listings online at https://hismessenger.wordpress.com.
First and Third Thursday of each Month
FCCI Meeting – Great American Steakburger, 701 S. Mesa Hills, El Paso, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. For Christian business owners who desire to run their business to glorify the Lord. If you wish to attend it would help if you RSVP. For more info and to RSVP call Cris Green (915) 252-3655.
Second Thursday of each Month
El Paso’s Northeast Quilters Guild – Grace Presbyterian Church, 8001 Magnetic, El Paso, 6:30 pm – 7:00 pm Social and Set up time; 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Meeting and Program. Program to be announced. Guests welcome.
For more info call (915) 494-7977 or [email protected].
Third Tuesday of each Month
CCDA Monthly Gathering – El Paso CCDA (Christian Community Development Association) has monthly informal gatherings to stay connected, build relationships, and keep creative ideas flowing. Gatherings are on 3rd Tuesdays at 6:30pm. For more information and next location, please contact Sami DiPasquale, Ciudad Nueva, (915) 269-5528, [email protected] Wednesday of each Month The Compassionate Friends – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1000 Montana, El Paso, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. This is a Non-denominational self-help support group for parents, grandparents & siblings who have lost children. Facilitator is Susan Crews. Bilingual. For more info call (915) 542-0908. Call ahead to be sure of meeting date.
Tuesday, April 7th
One Way Ministries – UTEP Student
Union Cinema, 7:00 pm. This non-denominational ministry exists to challenge college students and young professionals to engage the person of Jesus Christ, and equip young adults to make disciples. Although, One Way is not affiliated with any individual church (we are an independent non-profit organization), we make it a point to connect our guests to a Jesus-following congregation. As a ministry, we meet the first Tuesday of every college semester month (February, March, April, May, September, October, November, and December), and we aim to start several smaller community groups, discipleship groups, and Bible studies that meet on a weekly basis. Follow this group: Follow us on: Instagram @one_way_ministries; Facebook: facebook.com/onewayep and www.onewayep.org#onewayep
Saturday, April 11th
UNITE On-Site – El Paso County Coliseum, 4100 E. Paisano Street, El Paso, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Unite calls together the body of Christ for prayer and worship. This special UNITE
gathering will take place at the Coliseum and will focus on prayer specifically for the PULSE event on April 24. For more info visit www.pulseelpaso.org.
Monday, April 20th – Friday, April 24th
School Assemblies – Various School Locations, El Paso. These school assemblies will have a musical performance along with a speaker talking on different topics requested by the schools. This will also be a time to promote the upcoming PULSE event. For more info visit www.pulseelpaso.org.
Friday, April 24th
PULSE Event – El Paso County Coliseum, 4100 E. Paisano Street, El Paso, 7:00 pm. This event will be a multi-media production with headline bands and a clear presentation of the Gospel by Nick Hall – Founder and Chief Communicator for PULSE. Everyone will be given an opportunity to respond to the Gospel at this event. For more info visit www.pulseelpaso.org.
April 9, 2015- April 22, 2015
At The Father’s
FeetHumility
Humble ServiceGood Day Brothers and Sis-
ters in Christ, A couple of days ago we lost
a wonderful friend in the Lord, a gentleman who could eas-ily define what it means to be humble. Although he knew as much or more about the Bible and serving the Lord as any-one else, including his Sunday School teacher, he never ex-alted himself or acted proud or arrogant. He realized that he was a sinner saved only by the grace of God, and he was al-ways ready to share God’s love with others. Genuine Chris-tians will accept and use the spiritual gifts and opportunities that have been given them by God, doing all to humbly bring honor and glory to Him while accepting no credit. It is com-forting to know that our friend is now being exalted before the Lord, and it should encourage us to humble ourselves as we faithfully serve Him.
Examine your own service for the Lord: is it done to per-sonally gain glory or is it to glo-rify the One your serve?
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 16:11 - ESV)
HumilityDetested Pride
Yesterday’s devotional brought an email from a re-cipient with this story: “This made me think about the guy who was given a plaque in Sun-day School for being the most humble guy in the class. He got a big gold chain, attached it to the plaque and wore it around his neck every Sun-day. Needless to say, the class re-voted soon afterward.”[1] Though this is, hopefully, a totally fictional story, it does bring forth a situation that is all too common. As soon as someone is recognized for be-ing humble the honor goes to their head and becomes a point of pride for them. Scripture is clear that God despises pride, frequently contrasting it with humility, and placing it first on the things He hates.
Do not allow wrongful pride ruin your walk with the Lord!
“There are seven things that the LORD hates and can-not tolerate: a proud look…” (Proverbs 6:16-17a - GNB)
May God Richly Bless You Today
If you would like to know more about having a rela-tionship with Christ, please contact me at [email protected] or [email protected].
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, unless otherwise noted. (Bracket and capi-talization of pronouns for God added.) Archives of At the Father’s Feet can be found at atthefathersfeet.wordpress.com. Spanish translation of archives can be found at alospiesdelpa-dre.wordpress.com. To add someone to our contact list contact me at the email ad-dresses listed above.
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