Daily Truth

Today's truth from God's Word is in 1 Peter 4:12-19.
Faithful Creator (19),
Teach me not to be surprised by suffering that comes my way to test my faith (12). Grow me up in You. Jesus suffered to bring people to God. Let me share in His suffering to bring people to You (13). Let me live for the joy of seeing Christ's greatness (13). Help me to put my trust in God in the middle of suffering (19).

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Daily Truth

Today's reminder of God's way of thinking is in 1 Peter 4:7-11.
God,
Clear my mind so I can be consistent in hearing You (7). Let Your love flow through me at full strength with no complaining, even to those who are strangers (9), and help me bend mercy toward others (8). Don't let me waste the gifts you have given me, and let the use of those gifts point to Your orchestra of grace (10). Let my words be nothing more or less than Your words in my mouth and my actions nothing more or less than Your work through me today (11). Don't let me live for my own greatness, but to show Your greatness in me today since everything great and powerful belongs to You.

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Daily Truth

Today's mind-altering truth is in 1 Peter 4:1-6.
Lord,
Let my suffering kill off sin in my life so that the rest of my life on earth will be directed by what You want, not what I want (1-2). I confess that I have wasted too much time idolizing what the world chases (3). Let me be slandered because I reject the world's idols (4). And let me tell those who slander me the gospel today so that You, God, may become their life (5-6).

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Heading Home

The puritan Thomas Watson said, “Affliction may be lasting, but it is not everlasting.” Peter reminds his readers that their suffering is for “a little while” (1 Peter 1:6; 5:10). The trouble is that when we are going though it, it seems like forever. In saying this we do not wish to minimize the daily slog of unrelenting illness or the peculiar challenges of caring for an invalid loved one. But in light of eternity even seventy years is the blink of an eye. This raises the accompanying issue: If we are devoid of a theology of suffering, we are in danger of marginalizing our expectations of heaven. 

The root problem is the same in both cases: a preoccupation with the here and now and the me and mine combined with the idea of getting things right down here. If we conclude that we are now to experience total healing, unfettered joy, unparalleled success, and freedom from pain, then why be concerned about heaven? How did Paul handle his sufferings and encourage the church to face theirs? Not by trying to produce heaven on earth but by recognizing that for the Christian the best is yet to be. He took the moment and put it in the larger context of God’s unfolding purpose, not only for time but also in eternity. This perspective allowed him to write as follows: 

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen in eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16–18) 

Today there is death and tears, mourning and pain, but one day these will all be a thing of the past. 

When I was about twelve, I went on a camping trip with a youth group in Royal Deeside. A group of us left the base camp to trek into the hills. The backpacks were heavy, the journey long, and the amenities nonexistent. But our leader kept saying, “Wait ‘til you see the view from the top!” There were a number of occasions on the trek when I sincerely doubted whether I would ever make the top to see the view, or that there would be something worth seeing. But he was right, and the great panoramic view of God’s creation took our breath away. To a boy, we concluded that the journey had been worth it. While we hiked, our leader taught us to sing an old hymn, the words of which have stayed with me through the years: 

A few more marchings weary, then we’ll gather home

A few more storm clouds dreary, then we’ll gather home

O’er time’s rapid river soon we’ll rest forever

No more marching’s weary when we gather home! 

The point is clear: No matter how tough the journey, we are heading home. 

—Alistair Begg, Made for His Pleasure: Ten Benchmarks of a Vital Faith

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Daily Truth

Today's perspective-altering truth is in 1 Peter 3:13-22.
Lord,
Help me see suffering as an opportunity to tell others about my hope in You instead of just being scared or bothered as if You were not in control (13-15). Help me speak in such a way that those who accuse me will be ashamed of accusing me (16). I know that it is Your will that I suffer sometimes for bringing people to You just as Christ suffered to bring me to You (17-18). Thank You for baptizing me in Your Son's righteousness, clearing my conscience of the guilt of sin (21). Jesus, You are Lord of heaven, be Lord of me today (22).

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Ace of Aces Prayer

Captain Eddie Rickenbacker was the Ace of Aces during World War I. When he was promoted to Captain and placed in command the famed 94th Fighter Squadron he wrote in his diary, “I shall never ask any pilot to go on a mission that I won’t go on. I must work now harder than I did before.” He backed up those words with selfless and courageous action. For “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy,” he was awarded the nation’s highest military honor, the Medal of Honor on 6 November 1930.

Here is one of Captain Rickenbacker’s prayers:

O Lord, I thank thee for the strength and blessing thou has given me, and even though I have walked through the valley of the shadow of death, I feared no evil, for thy rod and thy staff comforted me even unto the four corners of the world. I have sinned, O Lord, but through thy mercy thou hast shown me the light of thy grace.

In thy care we are entrusting our boys and girls in the Services scattered throughout the entire world, and we know that in thee they are finding their haven of hope. Be with our leaders, O Lord; give them wisdom to lead us to a spiritual victory, as well as a physical one. And until that day, be with those at home—strengthen them for whatever may lie ahead. Be with our enemies, O Lord, and through the light of thy divine grace, may they reconsecrate themselves to thy service as we are reconsecrating ourselves, so all peoples of the world will sing in unison “Glory to God in the Highest,” as only through thee can we realize our hope for peace everlasting. In Jesus’ name I ask it. Amen.

Taken from my personal copy of The Airman's Bible, pg. 1125, that was presented to me upon my retirement from the US Air Force in 2006.

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Labels

Many times, those who reject theological labels do so out of ignorance or indifference. Others stealthily adhere to and teach a definite theological system but refuse publicly to acknowledge it out of fear of repercussion or other more spurious reasons (like trying to get hired). Some use labels as a weapon to accomplish their own version of McCarthyism. Still others hold humbly and deeply to their biblical convictions yet spurn labels as a matter of principle. I fit into the latter category. Maybe it’s a personality flaw.

At one time my family and I lived in Alabama. For those who have not experienced SEC country, college football is King (capitalization is intentional). When we first moved to Montgomery, we visited several churches. On our first Sunday in the church we eventually joined, we were greeted warmly. After the service, one of the men who came to shake my hand was not smiling as he made a terse statement. He looked me square in the eyes and said, “You need to declare.” Having been all over the world, I understand different places have different ways of communicating things. I assumed he was asking us if we were ready to “declare” by transferring our membership, so I began to explain that we were still seeking the Lord’s guidance as to where He would have us serve. His look of confusion betrayed the fact that we were not communicating. He was quick to clear up the confusion. “I wasn’t asking you about joining the church. You said you’re new to the area. You need to declare—Auburn or Alabama.” As I said, I have a deep-rooted personality flaw. When forced to choose between door #1 and door #2, I invariably choose the window, so I told him I was a West Virginia Mountaineer fan. Once again he looked perplexed as he tried to figure out which Alabama county West Virginia was located in.

If I am backed into a corner and forced to “declare” I like the unspoken third option. When confronted by Calvinists who want to know how many “points” I adhere to, I might tell them I’m an Amyraldian. Does that mean I hold to everything the French theologian Moise Amyraut taught? No, it means that most people know little about it so they drop the subject. At the 2007 Building Bridges Conference, I thought I had found a new label I could adopt. Dr. Ken Keathley taught about Molinism. I thought that would be a wonderful label to adopt because even fewer people know anything about Molinism than Amyraldianism. But, after a quick study, I realized that if I called myself a Molinist and someone actually knew anything about it, it would be bad. A “best of all possible worlds” theology is inherently fraught with peril. So I remain, for the most part, a man without a label. Maybe Dr. Danny Akin phrases it best when he calls himself a “radical compatibilist,” wholeheartedly affirming both the sovereignty of God and the real (as opposed to apparent) responsibility of man.

The problem with labels is that, rather than clarify one’s theological position, they often serve to muddy the water and hinder authentic Gospel relationships. Shortly before we moved from Alabama, our church was in the process of calling a new pastor. After a wonderful time of getting to know the candidate and his family during a fellowship meal, a microphone was set up and he was peppered with questions from the church. I will never forget one of the questions he was asked by a dear, sweet older lady. In the most disgusted tone she could muster, she asked him, “You ain’t one of them Calvinists, are you?” Was that a legitimate question? It could have been except for the fact the lady had absolutely no clue as to what Calvinism entails. All she knew was that, in her mind, it was bad. All she knew was the label—and the label was bad.

Sincere, biblically grounded theology is essential. Labels are not. I will continue to develop my theology as the Holy Spirit continues to illumine Scripture to me. I pray that that He continues to be the grid through which my theology develops. Until then, when asked, I will say I am calvinistic in my theology—not a Calvinist. I will say I am dispensationalistic—not a Dispensationalist. I hold to the fundamentals of the faith—but I’m not a Fundamentalist. I will read works from Reformed writers and non-Reformed writers—and agree with and disagree with both at times. I will read Covenant Theologians and Dispensational Theologians and learn from both. I might even read an Emergent guy or two, as well as those who proudly trumpet the fact that they are not Emergent. My prayer is that I will do all with the intent of viewing all systems through the lens of Scripture and not vice versa.

Maybe that makes me a Biblicist. Now, that’s a label I can live with!

1 Corinthians 1:12-13, 31

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Daily Truth

Today's time being changed by the Word is in 1 Peter 3:1-12.
Lord,
Help me live today so that unbelievers around me see me enduring hardship the way Christ did and are "won over" to following Jesus (1). Help me see beauty in things like: purity, reverence for You, a gentle and quiet spirit, holiness, hope in God, doing good for others, and courage in Christ (2-6). Help me be compassionate and look out for those who can't look out for themselves (7). Make Your church unified in how it thinks, feels, loves, and submits to You and each other (8). You called me to suffer like Christ (2:21), You also called me to be a blessing to others (3:9). Help me speak blessings to others today.

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Our Heritage

For several years, I have wanted to learn my lineage.  All I knew was that one side of the family is from McDowell County and the other side is from Roane County.  I had no idea how far back or how deep my West Virginia roots go.  I was also more than a little curious as to what kind of people my ancestors were.  So, a few months ago, I set out to discover my family tree—and what I found was fascinating. 

My son thought the coolest thing was discovering that his mother’s great-great grandfather was a real Texas cowboy who died in a gunfight outside the town’s general store.  How can my side of the family compare to that?  It’s not nearly as cool sounding to a 17 year old boy to find out he comes from a line of preachers and military men—but it is pretty cool sounding to me.  Four out of the last five Drake generations have been preachers. Drakes have served in the War on Terrorism and the Gulf War, during the Vietnam Era, World Wars I and II, the Civil War and the Revolutionary War.  There is certainly a measure of pride in that, but the most fascinating thing I discovered was how my line of Drakes came to the New World in the first place.

Sometime in the early 1800’s, my fourth great grandfather moved from the Tazewell area in Virginia to what is now Roane County, WV.  Two generations before him, the family hailed from Piscataway, NJ.  Piscataway was where my 9^th great grandfather, Captain Francis Drake (nephew of Sir Francis Drake), emigrated from England in 1650.  His father, Robert, was a Quaker and was persecuted in England for his faith.  But when Francis became a Baptist, he was not only persecuted by England, he was shunned by his Quaker family.  He came to the New World seeking the freedom to practice his Baptist faith.  Subsequently, his son, Reverend John Drake (my 8^th great grandfather), planted the first Baptist church in New Jersey in 1689.  The church is still in existence today, having changed its name from First Baptist Church Piscataway to Stelton Baptist Church in 1875.

What a joy to discover that not only military service and preaching runs in my blood, but also church planting.  In reality, I should not have been surprised.  Because when we claim the name of Christ, we are adopted into a family of church planters.  In affirming Peter’s testimony in Matthew 16:16 that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God, in Matthew 16:18-19 Jesus told him that He is the Rock on which His church would be built.  The very gates of Hell will not be able to defend against the advance of Christ’s kingdom through the multiplication of His local churches.  Paul understood that as he planted churches throughout the book of Acts.  Reverend John Drake understood that as he planted the first Baptist church in New Jersey.  Our forefathers understood that as they planted the churches in which we currently worship and serve.  And we understand that as we partner together to plant new churches throughout West Virginia.  We have to—it runs in our blood!

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Daily Truth

Today's life-altering truth is from 1 Peter 2:16-25.
My Shepherd,
Thank You for freeing me from having to earn Your favor by being good. Help me be like You just because You love me (16). Teach me how to honor people as Your creations, love Your church as Your children, fear You as my righteous King, and honor those who lead this nation because You put them there (17). Lead me into such holiness that accusations against me will be unjustified (18-20). You have called me to suffer (21). Don't let me deserve the suffering by acting wickedly (20), and help me endure it as Christ did, without sin (21-23). Help me suffer only so others will live for righteousness, find healing from sin and brokenness, and turn to Jesus, "the Shepherd and guardian of their souls" (24-25).

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Daily Truth

Today's life-changing Bible reading is in 1 Peter 2:11-16
Lord,
When people accuse me today, help me resist responding according to my fleshly desires (11) but instead, let them see the good You do through me so they will be silenced (15) and declare Your greatness when You come back (11-12). Help me submit to all earthly authority You have put in my life (13-14). Don't let me abuse my freedom from condemnation as a license to do whatever I want instead of what You want today (16).

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Our Own Storms

Until we see God-sent storms as interventions and not punishments, we’ll never get better; we’ll only get bitter.  Some difficult circumstances you’re facing right now may well be a God-sent storm of mercy intended to be his intervention in your life.  You’re in danger, and either you don’t realize it or you’re living in denial.  How are you responding? 

You may feel frustrated, bitter, angry.  You could be angry with yourself because you want to control thins better than you are.  Or you’re angry with God, intuitively if not consciously.  Or perhaps… you’re facing an affliction that’s someone else’s fault, and you’re angry at that person.  Whatever the case, the question is: Are you crying out to God for help and rescue? 

Psalm 107 is a great help in this way—a great comfort, a great pillow on which to rest our weary heads.  This psalm shows two types of people.  There are those who suffer because they’ve dug themselves into a hole and those who suffer because they fell into a hole dug by others, the result of someone else’s sin.  But the common refrain for both types of people is this: “They cried to the Lord in their trouble.” 

Ultimately it doesn’t matter whether your affliction is your fault or someone else’s.  You need not blame others or live under the guilt of self-blame.  The real question is: Are you responding by crying out to the Lord for deliverance? 

—Tullian Tchividjian, Surprised by Grace

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Daily Truth

Today's day-altering truths are in 1 Peter 2:1-10.
Lord,
Help me be honest and kind in my relationships today (1). Develop in me such an appetite for Your Word that I fuss and cry when I am not being fed with it. I know i will not grow toward maturity (the fulness of Christ) without it (2). Help me value what You value (4). Thank You for giving me: 1) a new identity (i'm now part of the chosen race that is more important than my natural race. I am also now a child of the King); 2) a new task (as a priest-bringing the world to God and making God's will known to the world); 3) a new people; and 4) a new owner (i don't own myself). Although i don't deserve them, You give me these to make Your greatness known through me (9-10). Grow me up today so I will not leave a bad taste in others' mouths about You. Let them see in me that You taste good (3).

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Beautiful Diversity

What a joy it is to travel throughout the nine counties of Southeastern West Virginia on a weekly basis. I never fail to be amazed at the beauty and diversity of God’s creation—and it seems He was at His best in West Virginia!  The beauty of our creeks and streams, hills and mountains, and the blooming dogwoods and rhododendrons are breathtaking.  But each week I come across something even more breathtaking.  Each week I get to spend time worshipping the Creator of all that beauty with different churches throughout our region.  Nothing is more beautiful than the sight of redeemed sinners gathering together worshipping their Redeemer. 

Each church I am blessed to attend looks different, has different traditions and styles and different personalities.  Some have old wooden pews, some have fancy padded chairs, some have folding metal chairs.  Some have magnificent pulpits, some have small tables or Plexiglas stands, some have nothing at all (which leaves me scrambling for a music stand to hold my notes!).  Some have worship bands, some have choirs—some have both, and some have neither.  Some gather in world-class facilities, some gather in storefronts, some gather in homes. 

Each Southern Baptist church in our region is as different as the people who gather together there for worship.  But they all have one thing in common.  Every time each one of our churches gathers together, they are all proclaiming the same Gospel.  They are all worshipping the same Christ.  They are all preaching, believing, proclaiming and trusting the same inerrant and infallible Word of God. 

Our unity as Southern Baptists does not come in our style, our look or our format.  Our methodology is not what brings us together.  What brings us as Southern Baptists together is our undying commitment to the Bible as God’s inerrant and infallible Word, our belief that Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8 is a command given to us that we must fulfill, and the realization that the only way we can do that is by cooperating together.  West Virginia Southern Baptists are as diverse as creation, but even more beautiful—all for the purpose of glorifying the One who created us, sustains us, and saved us.

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Grumbling

Now if the devil caused grumbling during the apostles’ time, what about today, when we have so many troubles and quarrels and offences among us?  We are still far from achieving the kind of perfection they had, for they had such order and such regulations among them that they are like angels.  And yet when we hear that there arose grumbling among the apostles, let us not be surprised if we encounter many stumbling blocks within God’s church today. 

There is a lot of wickedness and there are many who are inclined to rebellion and who want everything to be governed according to their insights.  The very ones who have less understanding, less judgment and experience, and who are the most presumptuous are the ones who want to rule and direct everybody as they see fit.  And yet they go around creating conflicts!  They will certainly say, ‘Why is such and such not done this way?  Why can we not do it thus and so?’  To make a long story short, God would have to make them a world of their own!  If you put a dozen such clever people together, they will claw one another’s eyes out and still presume to govern everybody. 

Now I would really like for such ‘governors’ to know what true Christianity is, namely that we interact with our neighbours in such a way that we show we honour other people, as Paul instructs us (Phil. 2:3).  That means we think more highly of others than of ourselves.  But some of them, indeed the majority, think they have the skill to manage something, such that, to hear them tell it, they seem to be angels whom God has sent to restore everything that is badly built.  And when it turns out for the worst, they stand there all confused.

John Calvin, “True Discipleship” - Quoted by Alistair Begg at Basics 2012

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Lessons from the Dungeon

What do you do when you are forgotten by people? What do you do when you have taken a few too many blows to the shins, too many elbows in the ribs as you’ve run the race of life? Where do you turn when you are so weary you feel you cannot run another step?

What you do is look away from people and look up. When I am weary and disappointed, I go back to my Bible, where I read: 

  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:28–31) 

What tremendous promises to the weak and weary. That’s all of us at one time or another. If you can learn to rest in God’s faithfulness, you can sleep secure in any storm. 

—Alistair Begg, The Hand of God: Finding His Care in All Circumstances

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Daily Truth

Today's time being transformed by the Truth is in James 4.
Lord,
Conform my cravings to what You crave (1-3). Don't let me think like the world, want like the world, or work like the world (4-5). All that is good in me is from You (6). I draw near and submit to You today with ALL my mind (7-8). Break me over my sin (9). Show me the good I need to do today (13-17).

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Daily Truth

Today, be reminded of the mind of Christ in James 3.
Lord,
Don't let me forget the great responsibility of teaching and of those who teach me(1). Reveal my maturity in Christ-likeness by the control I have over my mouth (2). Don't let my mouth boast except about You(5) or be destructive (6). Cause all that comes out of my mouth to reveal that You live in me (8-12). Let my conduct and gentleness reveal Your wisdom in me (13). Destroy in me all envy and selfish ambition that produce chaos (16). Teach me to distinguish worldly wisdom from Your wisdom (14-17). Help me to establish what is right peacefully (18).

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That Others May Live

During my time in the Air Force, I was blessed to work with some of the finest men and women this country has to offer.  Out of all those people, one group of men stood head and shoulders above the rest.  That’s an odd thing to say, because they referred to themselves as Quiet Professionals.  If anyone shunned the spotlight, it was those men.  They are known as Air Force Pararescuemen—or simply PJs. 

What makes PJs unique is their mission.  They are some of the most highly trained combat warriors the world has to offer.  They train with Navy SEALS, Marine RECON and Army Green Berets.  But, unlike their other Special Forces brethren, a PJ’s mission is primarily to save lives rather than take them.  Their motto concludes with these words: “These things I do, that others may live.”

It reminds me of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:27: “I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”

Why did Paul endure the extreme trials (physical, emotional and spiritual) that he did?  That others might live.  As pastors, Christians, church planters, missionaries, we are called to no less of a commitment.  The Air Force PJ endures extreme physical and mental training—he buffets his body—so that he can be prepared to rescue downed aircrew members in “austere and non-permissive environments.”  Likewise, we are called to buffet our bodies to rescue those who are headed for a fate far worse than physical death.  Our theater of operations is not the comfortable, secure environment of our churches.  Our churches are our training grounds.  Our theater of operations is the often austere and non-permissive environment of our community, our town, our county, our region, our state, our nation, our world.  In other words, our theater of operations is our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.

None of us as individuals can accomplish the mission alone.  And none of our churches can accomplish the mission alone.  It’s a huge mission—more than 190,000 unchurched in the nine counties of Southeastern West Virginia alone.  We desperately need each other to accomplish it.  PJs never operate alone.  They always operate as part of a team, with other PJs and as part of larger Joint Operation units.  They understand the mission is bigger than them, or even bigger than their team.  We need to remember the same thing as we work together to bring the Gospel to 190,000+ unchurched people in Southeastern West Virginia.  As West Virginia Southern Baptists, we do what we do—train, learn, cooperate, strengthen our existing churches and plant new churches—for one reason.  These things we do that others may live.

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Daily Truth

Today's life-altering text is in James 2.
Lord, let me never judge someone by what they have or don't have (1-7). I am a lawbreaker without excuse because I don't love You or others like I should (8-11). Let me judge mercifully and be judged mercifully (12-13). Cause my faith to have a ton of evidence in works today (18). Faith is more than believing You exist, it is believing I exist for You (19). Don't let my faith be useless to You or others (20). Although You have made me Your friend, Remind me today that I am not Your equal and help me obey (23). Stop every work of mine that does not flow from faith. If my faith produces no works, breathe life into it (24-26).

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Daily Truth

Today's time being transformed by the Word is James 1:19-26
Lord,
Make me quick to hear, slow to open my mouth, and ready to bend Your grace toward others rather than be angry (19). Fulfill Your purpose in me as I follow You (20). Shape my life by planting Your Word deep in my heart (21). Don't allow me to hear Your Word without submitting to it (22-24). Control my tongue so my work for You will not be useless today (26). Use me to show Your care for others and keep me unstained by the world today (27)

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Assurance from Endurance—1 John 5:18-21

John reminds his readers that the one who is truly born of God will endure in holiness, gradually being purified from sin and untouchable by the evil one. Children kept by the King ought to look drastically different than those who are under “the sway of the evil one.” God has enabled us to serve the one true God. So God’s children must not allow anything to rule them but the Lord. Are our spiritual children being purified from sin? Do they wrongly excuse themselves with a “devil made me do it” view? Satan does tempt, but God’s children can resist because Christ keeps them. Finally, what idols do we allow our teens to serve? There is one God who offers real life. All other things that rule us destroy us. Endure in holiness, serve the Lord alone, and know you are truly God’s child.

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Daily Truth

Today's time letting the Word change our minds is 1 John 5:18-21.
True God,
Kill off sin in my life as evidence that I have been born of You. Thank You that my holiness endures because You keep me (18). Make Your rule in my life so obvious that my life is in sharp contrast with the world's submission to the evil one (19). Open my mind to know and trust You in all that happens today (20). There is only One true God. Jesus, because You are the true God, You can and do offer eternal life. Thank you for letting us be in You (20). Let me serve nothing else today as if it were my god (21). May You alone rule me today.

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Freedom Is Imminent!

Imagine American prisoners of war held behind barbed wire in a camp with little food and filthy conditions near the end of the Second World War. On the outside of the fence the captors are free and go about their business as though they don’t have a care. Inside the fence the captured soldiers are thin, hollow-eyed, unshaven, and dirty. Some die each day.

Then somehow a shortwave radio is smuggled into one of the barracks. There is connection with the outside world and the progress of the war. Then one day the captors on the outside of the fence see something very strange. Inside the fence the weak, dirty, unshaved American soldiers are smiling and laughing, and a few who have the strength give a whoop and throw tin pans into the air.

What makes this so strange to everyone outside the fence is that nothing has changed. These American soldiers are still in captivity. They still have little food and water. And many are still sick and dying. But what the captors don’t know is that what these soldiers do have is news. The enemy lines have been broken through. The decisive battle of liberation has been fought. And the liberating troops are only miles away from the camp. Freedom is imminent.

This is the difference that news makes. Christians have heard the news that Christ has come into the world and has fought the decisive battle to defeat Satan and death and sin and hell. The war will be over soon, and there is no longer any doubt as to who will win. Christ will win, and he will liberate all those who have put their hope in him.

The good news is not that there is no pain or death or sin or hell. There is. The good news is that the King himself has come, and these enemies have been defeated, and if we trust in what he has done and what he promises, we will escape the death sentence and see the glory of our Liberator and live with him forever. This news fills us with hope and joy (Romans 15:13) and frees us from self-pity and empowers us to love those who are suffering. In this hope-sustained love he will help us persevere until the final trumpet of liberation sounds and the prison camp is made into a "new earth" (2 Peter 3:13).

--John Piper, God Is the Gospel

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Daily Truth

Today's time letting God's truth change us is in James 1:1-18.
Lord,
I am Your slave (1). Thank You for growing me through every struggle (2-4). Give me wisdom so Your will may be done in me (5). Don't let me be drawn away by my own selfish wants (14). Thank You for being an amazing Giver who will never change (17). Make me a giver like You today, giving Your truth to people around me (18).

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Daily Truth

Today's time re-forming our minds and lives to Christ's is Hebrews 13.
Great Shepherd (20),
Equip Your sheep to do Your will (21). Work through us to bring glory to Jesus (21). Make my love continue (1). Grant me empathy (3). Satisfy me (5). Help me imitate those who lead me (7). Thank You for never changing (8). Make me a joy to those who lead me (17). Lead me out of my comfort zone today to bring people to holiness (12-13).

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Daily Truth

Today's time letting our minds be shaped by God's truth is in Hebrews 12:14-29.
God,
You are a consuming fire (29) and judge of all (23). Thank You that the kingdom You are bringing us into by grace and growing through us is unshakable (28). Help me be a worthy citizen in that kingdom by pursuing peace and holiness, no matter how difficult (14). Let me not be bitter, but help me bend kindness toward those who attack me (15).

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