The third mark of a martyr is that he has a remarkable forgiving spirit. Think about that for a minute – a martyr has a forgiving spirit. Listen to Stephen as his skull is cracked and bleeding from the stones thrown at him: “And falling on his knees, he cried out – ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And having said this,
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The Spirit of the Martyr – Part 3
The second mark of a martyr is one who will defend his faith to the death. This is the most obvious meaning of the word “martyr.” It’s a picture that is set forth in the book of Acts. Stephen was not only willing to live for Christ, but when necessary – he was willing to die for Christ and the Gospel message. This Gospel
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The Spirit of the Martyr – Part 2
The first mark of a martyr is a person who has died TO Christ long before he dies FOR Christ. In John 15:13 Jesus said these words to men who would one day be martyred for following Him: “Greater love has no one than this; that one lay down his life for his friends?” Jesus is challenging the quality and depth of the disciple’s
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The Spirit of the Martyr – Part 1
I am thinking today about persecution. Yes, the worldwide persecution of Christians. I just returned from Teopisca, Mexico in the southernmost state of Chiapas. It is a stronghold of Catholicism and actual hatred of evangelical Christians. In that Mayan culture, pastors are being murdered with the knowledge and consent of the Catholic church. What is happening there is being replicated in many violent places
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Indigenous
We are in Chiapas, Mexico training leaders. Because of our commitment to Africa, we have not returned to Latin America in nine years. Well, here we are again, this time we are deep into the Mayan Indian culture. This area is near the Guatemalan border with mountains, high elevation, and very poor people. Today, I was witnessing in the town plaza (we called it
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I am thinking about leaders. Mostly about those who disappoint us repeatedly. If you are alert or even slightly aware- the world of man is in a leadership crisis. An example of this crisis is last Sunday. I was teaching from the book of Nehemiah at my church, and I asked the class to give me a one word description of Washington politicians. Without
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If You Get Where You Are Going, Will You Like Where You Are At?
Jesus said, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and yet loses his own soul?” – Matt.16:26 That’s a very good question to ask any American these days. We are the busiest people on the face of the earth. If we aren’t doing something, we’ll find something to do! But wait a minute. Is all our going, and doing,
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Are you thinking of making some New Year’s resolutions? Well, if so, good luck with that! Most such promises do not last a month, much less a year! We pledge to ourselves to lose weight, only to gain it back; we pledge to stop smoking, stop drinking, stop cursing, stop, stop, stop!!! It seldom ever amounts to any real change in behaviors. These resolutions
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Joy To The World and The Nations
My final thought about Christmas is about the nations. Having traveled much of planet earth preaching the good news that the Savior has come; I have seen many and varied types of Christmas celebrations. The Eastern Church has Christmas in January, The African Church follows the West, and there are many places that actually have a good Christmas without a tree! Imagine that? My
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What’s Right About Christmas?
More thoughts about Christmas…..if you have not read my previous blog in which I play Scrooge for all to mock, please read it first. I obviously think I know what’s wrong with Xmas (a Christmas without Christ), but I also know what is good and right about the Christmas season. First, it is evident to all that the secular side of the Christmas has won the
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