Today’s Devotional |
Today's Devotional
- Memory Verse
- There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Two alcoholics were converted. One testified, “From the moment I trusted Christ to save me, and deliver me from the enslaving habit of strong drink, I have never had the slightest desire to drink anything of alcoholic content. I would have to learn all over again to love the evil which, for more than thirty years, was the greatest love of my life.” The second said, “How I wish my experience corresponded with the experience of the brother who has just testified. Every day I have a terrific struggle not to partake of the evil which for years all but wrecked my life. I am depending solely upon the mighty Saviour to keep me from temptation. Pray for me!”
God may deal differently with His children concerning temptation but He has promised that all temptation is limited. Every Christian can overcome any temptation. Our Lord guarantees our ability to conquer is greater than temptation’s power. He allows no temptation to come to us that is too strong for us to defeat. And He always provides an escape.
So, your excuse for yielding doesn’t stand.
The power of the Holy Spirit within and the Word of God at your disposal equips you to conquer. Prayer taps the resources of God making you invincible.
Others have faced the same temptation. And you are equipped to win.
Daily Devotionals
“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God…”
Psalm 42:1, 2
“Soul Food” is a daily devotional written by Dr. Jack Van Impe that brings God’s Word to life.
“The Tender Touch” is a weekly devotional from the heart of Dr. Rexella Van Impe.
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- Soul Food
- Tender Touch
- Memory Verse
- But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (1 Corinthians 9:27).
Paul was like a man in training...ever prepared to give his best in the race. He understood that this demanded discipline...self-control. But he wanted the prize and counted all sacrifices worthwhile. Eternal rewards meant more to him than momentary gratification. Until we come to this same conviction, we are poor candidates for victory in the race of life.
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul again alludes to his effort in the race: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13,14).
Discipline holds an important place in the successful Christian life. It is essential in maintaining daily Bible reading. There will be times when one does not feel like reading; times when some relaxing pastime appeals right at the time for personal devotions. But no one can have victory over sin without a regular intake of God's Word. Discipline takes the tempted one to his Bible where he can receive the life- giving milk and meat that provides spiritual health.
Consistency in prayer comes through discipline. How glibly we recite our learned prayers and then wonder why answers do not come!
Discipline demands regular attendance at the services of the church where fellowship and Bible teaching combine to develop the abundant life.
We all need discipline to guarantee spiritual growth.
- Memory Verse
- This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come (II Timothy 3:1).
Most students of the Bible do not have to be convinced that we are living in perilous times. The splitting of the atom has given man the power to bring about total destruction. In addition, we have learned to live twenty four hours a day in the rocket sights of our enemies who are bent on world domination.
Nevertheless, Christians need not panic. Not one recent event has taken God by surprise. He is in control and is allowing man to work out His program. The words of the Psalmist are relevant today: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Though times are perilous, we never walk alone: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee” (Isaiah 41:10 & 13).
Though times are perilous, we can never be separated from His love: “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
Though times are perilous, these conditions are but reminders of better days ahead:
“And then these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).
- Memory Verse
- Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58).
When you find the word “therefore” in the Bible, it is a good idea to read the preceding verses and find out what it is there for. In the text above, this linking word reaches back to the message of the Lord’s return and calls for the kind of life described in our memory verse in view of that return.
Because the Lord is coming, we are to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Like soldiers assigned to duty in wartime, we have been charged to serve God faithfully. Distractions must be resisted. Laziness overcome. Compromise with evil is out of the question.
In Chicago, One Sunday morning, a minister pointed to a young woman who had been converted about a year and a half, and said, “What are you doing for God? Why don’t you do something for God?”
To give emphasis to his words, the minister stepped down from the pulpit, went to where the young woman was sitting, took her hand, conducted her out to the middle aisle, made her turn toward the door, and giving her a push, said, “I want you to start doing something for God.”
That push sent the young woman to the other side of the globe. She became a missionary to Africa and led many to Christ, including General Allenby of Britain. Her name was Miss Malla Moe. The pastor who gave her the push was D. L. Moody.
Christ is coming! That should be all the push we need.
- Memory Verse
- And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold (Matthew 24:12).
Some expect the world to get better and better until the Kingdom of God is proclaimed on earth. Since this theory is without Biblical foundation, it will never see fulfillment. Instead, the world will continue to witness falling moral codes, increased violence and rising cultic activity. As Paul wrote: “...the mystery of iniquity doth already work.”
Though the immediate future is cloudy, the Christian who understands His Bible is filled with optimism. He is the only person who knows that hope will not be disappointed. While the dreams of world planners crumble in the persistent pressure of the last days, he sees beyond the travail of this hour to the triumph of the Lord’s return.
The question may rise, however, about what we are to do in the face of evil. Shall we close our eyes to world needs and allow iniquity to run rampant because we intend to eventually exit planet earth? Not at all. Our responsibility is to restrain evil and to let the light of the Gospel shine through us. We are to hold forth the word of life as lights that shine in a dark place. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Have you been discouraged about accomplishing any good in such dark days? Remember, the darker the day, the more visible the light.
It’s a good day for shining!
- Memory Verse
- But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak (1 Corinthians 8:9).
This chapter raises an interesting question of conduct. The Christians in Corinth were facing the issue of whether or not to eat meat that had been offered to heathen idols. There was nothing wrong with the meat and it was often priced very reasonably. What was the proper attitude for the church?
In his book, Studies in First Corinthians, Dr. M. R. DeHaan sums up Paul’s answer as follows: “The question then is never, Have I a right to do this or that, or is this or that in itself a sin? But the question is, Does my conduct glorify God, and does it help or hinder my testimony, and is it a help or a stumbling block to my weaker brethren? This, then, would at once settle the question of amusements, dress, business practices, and games, and all our Christian privileges. The Lord lays down the rule specifically: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17).
“That is the test by which we are to evaluate everything which is of a questionable nature. It is not a matter of legality, but a matter of honestly facing the question, Is this thing which we are doing to the glory of God, and is it a help or hindrance to those round about us?”
Not one of us will have to deal with the question of eating meat that has been offered to idols in heathen temples. That was a question pertaining especially to Paul’s day and to a particular area. But every decision concerning Christian conduct requires the same basic question. Is this thing to the glory of God, and is it a help or hindrance to others?
Facing a decision about conduct? Give it the “stumbling block” test.
- Memory Verse
- But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased (Daniel 12:4).
For centuries it seemed as if the world slumbered. Thousands of years passed without major changes in most areas of life. Paul and Columbus sailed in similar ships though their voyages were nearly fifteen hundred years apart. Medical know-how moved at a snail’s pace. Men watched the birds fly but all efforts to copy them were in vain.
Then, in the lifetime of many alive today, there came an explosion in knowledge and travel. People who went about in buggies and other horse-drawn vehicles lived to see the skies filled with jet planes and watched men walk on the moon. The atom was split, ushering in the nuclear age with all its perils and possibilities. Miracle drugs were discovered that conquered old killers and vaccines were developed that eliminated former plague producers.
Now we are in the age of the computer. This mind boggling invention is entering every area of life. Old methods of office procedures have been made obsolete. Records on millions of people are available at the push of the proper buttons, a scary fact if wicked men come into power.
Each day, some new invention seems to outdo another. What does it all mean? It means that we are living in what the Bible calls “the time of the end.” One who is in possession of the Biblical facts would have to close his eyes to the truth not to recognize the signs of the times.
What are you doing about it?
- Memory Verse
- And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure (I John 3:3).
“What difference does it make if Jesus is going to return?” a minister asked. Sadly, he had missed one of the greatest incentives for holy living given in the Bible. The constant expectation of the Lord’s return is a purifying hope.
Did you expect the Lord to come last week? How did it change your life? What did you leave out of your conversation, not wanting to stand in His presence with wicked words? What thoughts did you dismiss from your mind? What temptations did you conquer?
Or were there no changes due to His expected return? Perhaps the second coming of Christ is but a doctrine to which you say you subscribe, a part of your church statement of faith. To some, the rapture is only a point to argue, a good bumper- sticker topic or slogan producer. Like the Pharisees, they have all their prophetic events properly placed in their minds but their lives are not affected by these tremendous truths. How about you’?
If you are not living differently because Christ may return at any moment, you have missed the point of the Lord’s command: “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:42).
Try this tough question. If the prospect of Christ’s imminent return has not changed your way of living, do you really believe He’s coming again?
What adjustments need to be made in your life today, in view of His promised return? In making them you will demonstrate the power of the purifying hope.
Talk about busy! For many months Dr. Van
Impe and I have been going from early to late,
working harder than we ever have in our lives.
In addition to our normal activities and
responsibilities, every hour is filled with reading,
praying, studying, writing, planning... and
traveling! As you know, we're often on the road in
speaking engagements, ministering day and
night. And from time to time we also meet with
many of our dear partners in various cities.
Back at home, we're in the office, working on
our weekly telecasts, recording music, meeting
with technicians!
Don't think I'm complaining -- I've never been
so excited and thrilled. There are so many
tremendous opportunities before us that I can hardly
wait for morning to come... and sometimes I'm
reluctant to turn off the lights at bedtime.
The other day someone said to me, "Rexella,
don't overdo it. You've got so many responsibilities
-- it's really a tremendous burden!"
I appreciated the concern of this friend, who had
only my best interests at heart. But although I'm
working harder than I have in all my life before, I
am not overloaded and burdened down!
I have discovered the secret of the easy burden.
The lesson of the ant
A biologist once was doing a study of ants. One
day he watched a worker ant carrying a piece of
straw. Compared to the ant's size and weight, that
straw must have been a heavy and unwieldy load.
But the ant kept working -- kept carrying his load.
After a while the ant came to a large crack in the
earth. He explored to the left and the right, but
there was no way to go around -- and the crack
was too wide and too deep to get across.
The ant stood there on the brink of the precipice
as though pondering the situation. Then, he took
the burdensome straw off his back. Stumbling,
tumbling, and straining, somehow he managed to
put one end of the straw on one side of the crack
and let it fall across the span! Then the ant walked
across the straw safely to the other side.
With a few tugs and strains, he pulled the straw
across the crack, put it back on his back... and
went on his way again! He triumphed by using his
burden as a bridge to the other side.
What a lesson for us!
In this life we will have burdens. The Apostle
Paul noted, For we that are in this tabernacle do
groan, being burdened (2 Corinthians 5:4). But
we need not be unduly crushed to the ground by
our load if we allow the Lord and His strength to
sustain us. The psalmist cried, Cast thy burden
upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee (Psalm 55:22).
Jesus said, Come unto me, all ye that labour
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am
meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest
unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light (Matthew 1 1:28-30).
Did you notice that Jesus did not say, "Come
throw down your load and walk away with no
burden at all." He only promised to give us rest.
Then we are to take on His yoke and pick up His
burden. And what kind of load is it?
It is a light yoke, an easy burden!
The Lord has not promised that we will not have
to work in this life. There is no guarantee that we
will not face difficulties and trials. Nowhere does
He tell us that the road will not be long or the night
not so dark.
go... and never will we be left alone. For he hath
said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee
(Hebrews 13:5). And He also promised, Lo, I am
with you alway, even unto the end of the world
(Matthew 28:20).
If Jesus is with us, and His burden is always
light, why do we get so loaded down at times? I
think it is because we pick up the burdens of the
past along with tomorrow's burden and add it to
the load allotted for today.
John Newton once wrote, "I compare the
troubles which we have to undergo in the course of a
year to a great bundle of fagots, far too large for us
to lift. But God does not require us to carry the
whole at once. He mercifully unties the bundle
and gives us first one stick, which we are to carry
today, and then another, which we are to carry
tomorrow, and so on. This we might easily
manage if we would only take the burden
appointed for us each day. But we choose to
increase our troubles by carrying yesterday's
stick over again today and adding tomorrow's
burden to our load before we are required to
carry it."
Jesus says, "Come rest. Lay down yesterday's
burden, and don't lift tomorrow's load yet. Just
pick up today's burden... and it will be easy!"
And like the resourceful ant, we may discover
that at times we can use our burden to bridge the
chasms in the path before us. It can literally
become a stepping-stone to higher ground.
A burden of joy
What an exhilarating realization! And here is
another load-lifting thought. When we realize
what our burden is -- or to be more exact, who our
burden is -- our attitude changes.
I heard about an American soldier during the
Vietnam war who saw a little 7-year-old girl
carrying a 2-year-old baby on her back. As he passed
her trudging along a dusty road, the G.I. said to
her, "Honey, it looks like you're carrying an
awfully heavy load."
But that little child had learned part of the
secret of the easy burden. She replied, "Oh, no,
this is no load -- this is my brother!"
And it is true -- the load of egotism and self-pity
is tremendously heavy. No one can stand up under
it for long! But if our burden is for others... for the
lost and unreached, it can become a burden of joy.
We are reminded of Jesus, who for the joy that
was set before him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and is set down at the right hand of
the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).
For the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the
cross! What joy? The joy of seeing you and me in
heaven! He carried the cross for us. He died that
we might live. And now, His work completed, He is
at the right hand of God.
Oh, I want to see Him! I am so homesick for
heaven. And I believe it will not be long until our
Saviour comes for us -- perhaps today!
Until then, I know I can carry the easy burden
He has for me. And so I can truthfully say that
every suitcase I pack, every song I sing, every
television program I help to host, every article I write,
and every letter I answer -- the workload is not a
depressing or oppressing burden. I can do it -- I'm
glad to -- because of the joy that is set before me
...the joy of knowing that I am doing it for the
Lord to reach souls for eternity.
Stepping-stones to higher ground
I have no way of knowing what kind of burden
you have been asked to bear. But I urge you to
catch sight of the joy set before you. If it is to be a
good mother to your children -- do it with joy and
blessing. If you are a father who gets up at 5:30
a.m. to go to work and earn a living for your family
and to help support the work of God -- do it with
joy and a blessing.
My father got up at this hour almost every day of
his adult life and yet always found delight in
driving to every meeting that my husband and I or
my brother Bob (who also is an evangelist) might
have within a 100 mile radius of my parents'
home. Dad found strength in the Lord and got
hold of the easy burden and made it a stepping-stone
to higher ground. May you also, as mothers
and fathers, find stepping-stones to higher ground.
The day will come -- and soon, so soon -- when
you will stand before God and lay down your
burden for the last time. What a thrill, what
unspeakable joy, to hear the voice of your Father
say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!"
And now abideth faith, hope, charity [love],
these three; but the greatest of these is charity
[love] (1 Corinthians 13:13).
There are unseen forces in the world that are
vitally important in the course of human events.
These forces shape individual lives and even influence
world affairs.
Recognizing that these forces exist can be
intimidating. For some people, the idea that they
might not be in control of what happens in their
lives can actually be emotionally crippling.
As Christians, we need never feel intimidated by
anything. As the old gospel song suggests, we may
not know what tomorrow holds, but we know who
holds our tomorrows. Ultimately, God is in control
of all things to come.
We do have the power to make many
life-controlling decisions. Every individual has the
opportunity to perpetuate good or evil... to uplift
Christ or approve the works of Satan... to show
love or hate, joy or sorrow.
When faced with the fateful forces of life, we
have an arsenal of divine forces at our disposal
that can help us withstand any storm and overcome
any adversity. Faith. Hope. Love.
Too often these forces are just words to us and
we fail to fully understand the explosive power
that is ours. God, in His unchanging Word, gives
unprecedented value to these truths. They are the
key to unlimited power and spiritual wealth in
your life and mine.
The baby who fell in the well
Some time ago our attention was focused on a
tiny little child in Midland, Texas, who had fallen
into an abandoned oil well. Only 18 months old,
plucky little Jessica McClure captured the heart of
the whole nation. Students, business people,
workers, housewives, even the first lady -- we all
showed our interest and concern for her plight.
People across the country prayed, sent cards and
letters, offered assistance, telephoned -- whatever
they could do. And the people in the Texas
communities nearby dropped what they were doing
and went to help. They labored without being
asked... not asking for pay... around the clock
until the ordeal was over.
I was so impressed with the actions of Jessica's
family and close friends. I'll never forget seeing
the TV news pictures of them standing in a circle,
holding hands, praying for God's help. The
strength of their faith was transmitted nationwide
It never wavered!
We all can have this kind of faith, which
Hebrews 11 defines as the substance of things
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. I
believe faith is an inner stability produced by the
Holy Spirit that enables us to trust. And it is trust
that dispels doubt, fear, and uncertainty.
How wonderful to know we have a counter-force
that can work in our behalf when we're faced with
those unseen, uncontrollable forces and circumstances
of life. The force of faith will help us trust
God for peace and victory -- even in the face of
seemingly insurmountable obstacles like Jessica
McClure and her family faced.
The force of faith
The silent force of faith is indescribably
powerful. With faith, a shepherd boy takes five stones
and a slingshot and defeats Goliath, the military
champion. With faith, Moses stretches out a
wooden stick over the Red Sea and the waters roll
back to provide a path of safety for God's people.
You may well be facing conflicts, disasters,
heartaches, and darkness as deep as a well. But as
you rely on the unseen force of faith, trust will rise
up inside you and sustain you until deliverance
comes -- for the Lord will bring you through.
Most important of all, the force of faith even overcomes
the fatal curse of sin and helps us receive
Christ's salvation and everlasting life. For by
grace are ye saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8).
The force of hope
The second silent force you can use is hope.
What a devastating thing to feel utterly hopeless
-- to believe there is no remedy for your desperate situation!
Without hope, life cannot long endure. With
hope -- even the tiniest spark -- we can keep
holding on, keep waiting and watching until
victory comes.
Just as faith produces trust, hope produces joy
and peace. Surely it was the hope and peace of
that precious little girl in the Texas well that
helped save her life.
Can you imagine her cries of fear and distress?
"Mommy, I'm hurt, I can't move. It's so dark and
I'm afraid. I'm cold. I'm hungry. Please help me!"
And she listened for a voice at the top of the well --
her mother's. That voice so filled her with hope
and encouragement, I'm told little Jessica cried
very little. She had peace -- even joy. Down in her
dark, cold trap, she could even sing!
Oh, my friend, here's a truth that is absolutely
overwhelming. You and I can have hope in the
wells of life. Down in our prisons of darkness and
pain, we can hear a Voice from above -- the voice of
our Father saying, "Fear not! Lo, I am with you
alway, even unto the end of the world
(Matthew 28:20).
There is hope! And there is joy and peace for you
today. Are you trapped by emotional needs? Hear
the voice of the Lord saying, Come unto me, all ye
that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest (Matthew 11:28).
Are you so buried by financial and material
needs that it seems you'll never again see the light
of day? Listen! God's promise is sufficient for you.
My God shall supply all your need according to
his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
Are you worried, troubled, depressed? Oh, hear
the voice of hope -- Casting all your care upon
him; for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7).
I tell you, there is no hole so deep that hope
cannot reach. And no place so low that God
cannot lift you out. Use the silent force of hope
God has given you... and let joy and peace change
your world.
Remember, Jesus has experienced every
emotional temptation or physical pain that we could
ever experience. He was in all points tempted like
as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus
was not tempted to see if He would sin, but to
show that He could not sin, for He is God.
He understands your need. He is greater than
your need... and He cares about your need. So
you can have hope.
The force of love
The third and greatest unseen force you have at
your disposal is love. Love is so powerful -- and so
misunderstood.
Faith produces trust. Hope produces joy and
peace. But love produces manifold blessings.
The newspaper headlines reporting the drama
in Midland, Texas, said: "USA Opens Its Heart to
Jessica." Why? I believe one reason people loved
this child so much was that they saw faith in her
family and hope in her -- qualities America needs
so desperately today.
And remember how their love was expressed --
in action. That's because love, being the essence of
God's divine nature, is not just a noun -- it's a
verb, it is action. So in loving Jessica, people
helped, worked, gave... they poured themselves
out. And they didn't stop loving until she was
rescued and brought out of that well, alive and safe.
In a thrilling, exciting way, they started living the
Bible and producing the manifold fruits of love
described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
I know you've read these familiar scriptures
many times, but let's think about them in terms
we can understand without question. The silent
force of love that God pours through us is
absolutely beautiful.
This love produces an uncomplaining spirit that
cares for others. It is not jealous, pushy, conceited,
or ill-mannered. This love does not try to advance
itself, does not pout or become hurt easily. It does
not think the worst of others, and is not happy
when someone falls into sin but is happy to hear
good things about him. Love bears all things and
helps others with their burdens. Love endures...
and refuses discouragement.
Do you have that kind of love? Oh, it's important
to have faith. It's important to have hope. But
God's Word declares that the greatest force of all is love.
I urge you to examine yourself to be sure you
have the silent force of faith, hope, and love --
especially love -- within. The only way to have it is
to go to the One who gives this perfect gift -- Jesus Christ.
I challenge you to join Dr. Van Impe and me in
trusting, rejoicing, hoping, and loving in Christ.
Using this silent force together, we can change
ourselves... and make such an impact on our
world for Christ that it will never again be the
same.
On the closing night of our citywide crusade in
Rochester, New York, I went down front after the
service to greet people, sign Bibles, and just enjoy
a time of fellowship with our friends there.
As always, several children gathered around me
-- we seem to have a special affection for each
other. The photographer who was covering the
crusade for us asked if I'd pose for a photo with his
two children. When he finished taking the shot,
one of the youngsters, a little boy, crawled up in my lap.
"I'm tired," he said, "I need a nap." Then he
nestled inside my arms, laid his head trustingly on
my shoulder, and started to go to sleep.
In a few minutes his dad came and took him
from me, but as I sat looking down at that
beautiful child resting in my arms, I remembered how
Jesus taught that we must receive the kingdom of
God in simple, childlike faith and trust... and rest
in Him.
The Lord invites us to come to Him when we are
tired and worn out and "take a nap," secure in His
care. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).
Why, then, are so many plodding along, worn
out and exhausted, loaded down with burdens
and care? For these people, life almost seems to be
an endurance contest, each day providing another
grim challenge.
Could it be because we haven't really learned to
trust... or have gotten our eyes on the frailties of
men instead of the everlasting arms of the Lord?
A lesson in trust
When my brothers and I were quite young, Dad
sometimes would take us swimming in a
beautiful fresh water stream. There was a little
waterfall that dropped into a natural pool, and my
older brother would plunge over that waterfall and
splash into the water below.
It looked like such fun... but I was afraid to try it
myself. I was four years younger than my brother,
and when I climbed up above the falls, the jump
down took my breath -- and my courage -- away!
No amount of coaxing or wheedling by my brother
could convince me to try it.
Finally, my father went into the pool below and
looked up at me. "Jump down here, Rexella," he
said. "I'll catch you!" And he held out his arms.
Immediately I jumped into the waterfall, down
in and under the torrent, deep into the water
below. As I came up out of the deep, half laughing,
half crying, Dad's strong arms caught me and
lifted me up.
After a few more jumps, I was ready to try it on
my own... and I was never afraid to go over the
waterfall again.
What made the difference? Trust! I knew my
father would take care of me and never allow me to
be injured. So if he had said to follow him through
fire, I would have put my hand in his and started walking!
How much more should we trust our Heavenly
Father? When the burdens and troubles of this life
are wearing us down, we should come into the
presence of God and say, "Lord, I need a nap."
Then, casting all our care upon the One who
knows and understands all things, we can put our
heads upon the bosom of Christ and rest in Him.
Dare to trust God
But we can relax and rest only when we trust
God and turn loose of our load of care. It is possible
to come to Jesus and present our problems, then
go away just as burdened and weighted down as
when we came.
We sometimes think we're the only ones who
understand just what's at stake. We can't turn
loose and fully trust the Lord or anybody else. So
we go away sorrowful, trying to worry our way through.
Perhaps you are carrying a heavy load today
that has you exhausted, mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Dare to trust God.
He sees your concern for those loved ones.
He knows the financial needs you are facing.
He understands the anxiety and indecision that
has stolen your peace of mind and kept you awake
so many midnight hours.
What would happen if you really trusted the
Lord with all of your life? What if you threw
yourself into His arms and said, "I need a nap," and let
Him take care of you? Would He let you fall, or
turn His back on you?
Of course not! He will not -- cannot -- fail. So
cast all your care upon Him for He careth for you
(see 1 Peter 5:7).
But we must trust Him, yield to Him, wait for
Him. How often do we get too impatient, even in
prayer? Do we kneel to pray, and instead of
allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us, blurt out our
frustration and tell God how we think He should
meet our need?
In the beautiful words of the poet --
He knows, He loves, He cares,
nothing this truth can dim.
God gives the very best to those
who leave the choice with Him.
The beautiful old gospel song, "What a Friend
We Have in Jesus," reminds us of the help that is
ours when we come, trusting, into His presence.
"Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God... in prayer."
Trust God, my friend. Hear His invitation to
come to Him and find rest. Join me in looking up
into the wonderful face of Jesus and saying, "I've
come to You, Lord, because I need a nap!"
Soulwinning is everybody's business. When our
Lord Jesus issued the Great Commission, He did
not direct it just to preachers, or the highly
educated, or the good talkers.
He sent us all... and made us all equally
responsible. Yet, sadly, I'm told that the vast majority of
church members today have not won another
person to Christ in the last 12 months. In fact,
most Christians surveyed said they have never
personally led anybody to the Lord.
Why? I'm convinced it is not because they don't
care. Most Christians I meet are very concerned
about the lost. They are praying for unsaved loved
ones and many are giving to support missionary
and evangelistic ministries. They rejoice to hear
good reports of precious souls won to Christ.
Why, then, have they not become soulwinners personally?
I believe it is because they feel unworthy and
unprepared to talk with another person about
something as important as his or her personal salvation.
"I don't know what to say... or where to find the
right scriptures," people often tell me. "And if
someone asked me a question, I'm not sure I'd
have the right answer. What if I said or did the
wrong thing and kept someone from being saved?"
Have you ever felt this way? Well, let me tell you
from my own personal experience that there is
something YOU can do for the Lord. You can
personally witness to others and help lead them to
make a decision for Christ.
Do what you can do!
soulwinning efforts of my church and this evangelistic
ministry. I have sung before thousands in crusade
and convention services... and to millions on
national television. I have been part of all the
outreaches of the Jack Van Impe Ministries over the
years, when more than 600,000 decisions for
Christ were recorded.
This is one of the great joys of my life. But even
more fulfilling personally -- and for my husband
-- is the opportunity to reach people on a one-to-one
basis. Let me give you an example of how
committed Jack is to this calling.
Just before one of our national TV specials was
aired, my husband felt impressed to personally
invite all the people in our neighborhood to watch
the program. He printed up a little flyer that said,
"Hi, neighbor," and included an informal
invitation to tune in, listing the day, time, and channel.
We didn't get home that night until about 9
o'clock, and Dr. Van Impe had a flight to catch at
6 o'clock the next morning. Besides, it was
storming, with rain and lightning. But he insisted
on getting the invitation flyers delivered. He got
on his bicycle and rode through the rain to each
house in the neighborhood. Who knows how
many did watch the special and hear the gospel proclaimed!
Be God's representative in your everyday living
I'd also like to share with you about the little
mission field the Lord has given me just a few
blocks from home.
I tell you this, not to call attention to myself, but
to show you that God has a ministry for each of us
-- a job we can do that no one else can accomplish.
When I'm not on the road with my husband, I
often stop by a small shopping mall near our
home. It has many convenient stores and shops,
and when I can spare a few minutes, I enjoy just browsing.
During my visits there, the Lord has given me
opportunities to witness to several of the workers
there -- waitresses and sales ladies -- and to lead
some of them to Christ.
Now, I didn't go there with my Bible under my
arm, looking for someone I could talk with. In
almost every case, the individual would approach
me and start the conversation.
Sometimes they'd say, "Why are you always so
happy? There's something different about you!"
Or when I asked how they were doing, they might
say, "I'm having a problem..." and begin to pour
out their heart to me.
They didn't care whether or not I was a Bible
school graduate or even what church I went to.
But they sensed my love and interest in them...
and they wanted to hear my personal testimony.
Helping them pray and accept Jesus was just so
natural and easy, then.
These girls might never have watched our TV
program, or attended a crusade or church service.
But right there, in their world, they were
searching and hungry... and so receptive.
You can be a soulwinner
There are people in your world that only you
can reach. They don't need you to preach to them,
or persuade them. They just need you to share
with them the same joy and power that helps you
through life.
Every person you work with or go to school with
...every waitress, or sales person, every visitor to
your front door may be looking for someone like
you -- a real, everyday, down-to-earth, flesh and
blood person -- to tell them about Jesus and how
to be saved.
When the opportunity comes, be ready. Show
love... tell what the Lord has done for you. The
Holy Spirit will do the rest.
If you're willing to do these simple things, you
can be a soulwinner. And what a thrill and joy to
help someone else accept the Lord.
Set a goal to win at least one person to Christ
this year. You can do it! And you'll discover why
the writer of Proverbs declared, He that winneth
souls is wise (11:30).