Update on Crisis in Central African Republic

According to this latest news report from Retuers, it does appear that a genuine attempt at arriving at a political solution is in the works. Please continue to pray for peace for that impoverished land. Also, please continue to pray for my dear friend and his family, Dr. Augustine Hibaile (please click here for his latest email update).

Thanks for praying!
pj

A Prayer for your New Year

Scotty Smith knows how to pray (I am guessing because he knows his God!). This morning as I read through this prayer and made it my own, I realized I needed to share it with you. Please take some time and carefully read through this prayer and, as I did today, make it YOUR prayer for the upcoming new year.

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 24– 25 NIV)

Heavenly Father, while many clamor about and try to “claim” more blessings from you, may this be a year in which we come alive to the multiplied blessings you’ve already lavished upon us in the gospel. Already you have rescued us from the dominion of darkness and have placed us in the kingdom of your beloved Son, Jesus (Col. 1: 13). Already you have blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1: 3). Already we are completely loved by you because of Jesus’ completed work on our behalf. As the year progresses, open the eyes of our hearts to see all these glorious riches more clearly and enjoy them more fully (Eph. 1: 18– 19). All year long you’ll prove your covenant and capacity to keep us from falling. Though we may falter in the journey, the grasp of your grace is steady and secure. When we waver in our adoration of you, you will remain constant in your affection for us. When we are faithless and disobedient, you will remain committed and fully engaged with us. Even when you must discipline us this year, it will be in love, never in disgust or regret that you have adopted us (Heb. 12: 7– 12). We praise you for being the perfect Father to your daughters and sons. All year long you’ll be at work preparing us for the day when we come into your glorious presence. We’re confident and grateful as we face that day, because you have promised to complete the good work of the gospel you’ve begun in us (Phil. 1: 6). Indeed, Father, if this should be the year in which you call me “home,” herein lies my humble confidence: I will stand before you without fault because you’ve placed me in the faultless Righteous One, Jesus. Our hope is built on nothing less, nothing more, and nothing other than Jesus’ blood and his righteousness. Jesus is the only reason we can be sure we’ll stand before you with great joy. Your joy is our strength (Neh. 8: 10). Because of your great delight in us, we find great delight in you. Because you rejoice over us with singing, we will sing the new song of the gospel forever (Zeph. 3: 14– 17). Gracious Father, you are the only God, the only Savior— to you “be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!” (Jude 25 NIV). In Jesus’ merciful and matchless name we pray. Amen.

(Smith, Scotty. Everyday Prayers: 365 Days to a Gospel-Centered Faith.)

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

A New Year's Coming!

The new year of 2013 is fast approaching! Wow! I can still remember writing 1986 on my checks! Another year down ... and humanity is no closer to utopia. In fact, one could easily argue we are moving in the opposite direction. Of course, for anyone who knows the Bible, this is not surprising. For evil will continue until that time when God says, "Enough is enough!" Just read the book of Revelation (especially the last four chapters and you will see how everything ends).

The ending of one year and the beginning of a new one is always a good time to spend some time reflecting on where you are and where you are headed in your life. To help you do so, allow me to suggest you check out Don Whitney's excellent resource, Ten Questions to ask at the start of a new year or your birthday (look under "Bulletin Inserts: Ten Questions Series). His list will help guide you through this process. I would encourage you to set aside some time to do this. You will be better for it!

Thanks for stopping by . . . and may God shower HIS grace upon you in 2013 as you strive to live for HIS glory!

pj

Saying "Good-bye" to a Friend

Today I will join with a number of others in saying "good-bye" to a friend. This particular friend passed away just before Christmas. Her memorial service takes place this afternoon. It will be time of remembrance and celebration of a life well-lived. And this friend would be the first to admit (if she were still among us) that she lived her life well due to the grace God gave her in Christ!

And so ... as we gather to say "good-bye," (for those of us who have also chosen to follow Jesus) we would say it better with the words, "see you later!" For all who follow Jesus and embrace him as savior and Lord will one day be united to live forever together in the Father's House (see John 14:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Thanks, Mary, for living such a life to the glory of God. May we who follow do as well!

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Crisis in the Central African Republic

It was September of 2007. That's the month when I first met Dr. Augustin Hibaile. Born in the Central African Republic, he is a leader among his people. In fact, his leadership expands well beyond the borders of his desperately impoverished country.

I write these words with a heavy heart. My brother and his family (as well as the rest of his people) are facing a growing crisis. Rebel groups are advancing on the capital. The government appears unable to stop them. At this point, it is hard to say who will win this battle. Regardless of the outcome, the lives and properties of Augustin and his family are very much at risk. They have no place to run .... no where to flee for safety. Please take a moment and read the following email I just received (early morning hours of today, Friday, December 28th). And then, get on your knees and pray for him, his family, the church in the midst of this violence that is unfolding.

Greetings in a difficult situation,

The USA Embassy in Bangui was closed and the Ambassador and staff were evacuated according to RFI broadcasting this morning. France said that their military is here in Bangui only for the French people and the interests of France in CAR. That means there is no concern about us. In such circumstance we are wondering what to do, where to go? With a big family, I don't really know what to do. We are staying at home in the main entrance to Bangui lifting our eyes to God and waiting the salvation that comes from him.

We are encouraged by your motivation in prayer on our behalf. We need such support and God's intervention in a way above our understanding. We will keep in touch with you when it is possible.

With love in Christ

Augustin and Marie Helene Hibaile

Thanks for praying for my dear friend! 

And thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

The Word Became Flesh!

J.I. Packer writes the following insightful and compelling words about the incarnation of God the Son . . .

"The true Christian claim here is that incarnation made direct entry into human frustration and pain possible for the Son of God, who then out of love actually entered in person into the agony of crucifixion and the greater agony of God-forsakenness (Mark 15:34) in order to bear our sins and so redeem us. Never let this claim be played down" 
(From the J.I. Packer Classic Collection). 

Wow! And to think Jesus did this "while we were yet sinners" (Romans 5:8). Thanks be to God for this ... HIS indescribable gift!

A MERRY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Thursday A La Carte

Here are this week's offerings ... MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

1. Christmas is the season to be jolly ... right? Yet this is not always the case. Here's an interesting read for this holiday season.

2. Take a few minutes and enjoy this Christmas flash mob video!

3. Here is an NBC video about the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings. If you go to 6:40 mark, you will hear the remarks of two evangelical pastors. Praise God the gospel is going forth!

4. Al Mohler weighs in on the need to embrace the doctrine of the virgin birth of Christ.

5. What should be behind our gift-giving?  Here's a good read! 

Thanks for stopping by ... and again, MERRY CHRISTMAS!
pj