YOU CAN DO IT!

"All that the Lord has said will we do" (Exodus 24:7 NKJV).






Would you like to know how you can make the Word of God personal to you? Would you like to know how the Word of God can be more effective in your everyday life? The answer is simple: you must receive the Word of God as a real, relevant, relatable and practical Word. You cannot look at the Word of God as being merely theoretical.

Although the Bible contains excellent advice and illuminating insights, the purpose of the Bible is not simply to provide interesting insights and advice for us to muse over. The Word of God is an authoritative, indisputable statement of eternal truth. It is to be given real-world application.

Jesus said, "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house upon the rock" (Mt 7:24 NKJV). The man who utilized a rock-solid foundation in building his house withstood the fiercely tempestuous storm. In stark contrast, Jesus warns, "Everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them," is a fool, and the turbulent storms will destroy his foundation and, in turn, his house (v. 26-27).

Notice that the man was not chastised because he built an inadequate structure. The man was not at fault for failing to hear. He was not faulted for failing to understand or even believe the Word of the Lord. No, the man was faulted for failing to act on them. "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says...the man who looks intently into the perfect law...not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it he will be blessed in what he does" (Jas 1:22-25 NIV).

We can easily get caught up in self-deception if we think reading, knowing, and even believing God’s Word fulfills our obligation to it. God desires to bring to pass -- to fulfill -- His purpose in giving us His Word. That requires not just believing, but doing the Word. James didn’t say, "he will be blessed in what he believes," but "he will be blessed in what he does!" When Moses read God’s Word to the Israelites, they responded by saying, "All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient." That must likewise be our response.

Father, I pray that this message compels those reading it to act on Your Word. Let it motivate those who have received revelation and instruction from You to do that which You have instructed. I pray for a special impartation of grace necessary to do Your Word. I pray that the one reading this will say, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me” (I Cor. 15:10). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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The Heroes Among Us

On June 10, 2009 we stood transfixed, frozen with disbelief, unable to wrap our minds around the depth of depravity, the viciousness, and the perversion, that apparently so consumed an octogenarian that he engaged in a diabolical mission, bent on destroying lives and shattering families. Why would anyone select the Holocaust Memorial Museum -- a place with such piercingly painful memories of man’s inhumanity toward man -- only to inflict more pain, death, and wickedness? How could anyone openly and brazenly brandish such a large firearm in broad daylight on a busy Washington street without being noticed, much less stopped?


Our attempt to try to process and make sense of it all ends in frustration: the demonic neither yields to nor respects the rational.


We thank God for the heroism of Stephen T. Johns, the security officer who selflessly placed himself in harm’s way. Johns’ heroic act in the line of duty foiled what apparently was the gunman’s deranged plot to kill many innocent individuals visiting the Holocaust Museum that day. In one day, worldwide, Johns’ name became synonymous with heroism. We thank God for Harry Weeks and Jason McCuiston, the two other museum security officers who returned fire and injured the assailant, putting a stop to his demonic rampage.


We also thank God for Jacqueline Carter, Johns’ mother. Her response to it all has been extraordinary -- an exemplar of Christ-likeness. In the midst of such heartrending depredation, and with the eyes of the world upon her, this elegant, beautiful, poised Christian has extended unimaginable grace, love, compassion, and forgiveness. She has told all who will listen that her God and her faith will get her through this. She has openly forgiven her son’s assailant, and has openly prayed that the assailant’s son would find it in his heart to forgive his father for his heinous act. This is not some resigned acceptance of the hands of fate. Neither has her response been some artificial gesture meant for public display. One thing we can all attest to is when pressed hard enough, what’s really in you will come out. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Carter, when pressed beyond measure, has exuded what is in her: the love of God.


You see, Carter has drawn upon the wells of salvation within her (Isaiah 12:3). She has drawn upon a reservoir of the Word of God that has been built up over decades of intimacy with the Lord. She has tapped into and received grace to help in time of need. She radiates with what Zechariah 12:10 calls the spirit of grace. It is a picture of triumph over tragedy. It is wondrous to behold.


I have known Jacqueline Carter for more than fifteen years. I have watched her sing praises to the Lord. I have watched her dance before the Lord. I have watched her delve into the Word of God. Her love of God is genuine. Her worship is authentic.


I tell you, it is one thing to preach Matthew 5:44 (“But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully use you, and persecute you;”) but it is another thing entirely to live it, especially where the rubber meets the road.


The Bible tells us in Philippians 3:17 “Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.” Carter is a model of courageous faith in action. She, too, is our hero.


I encourage you to show your love toward this family by giving to one of the three funds that have been established:

• The U.S. Holocaust Museum Memorial -- Checks payable to USHMM Officer Johns Family Fund may be mailed to USHMM, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl. SW, Washington D.C. 20024. Contributions can also be made by calling 877-91USHMM (877-918-7466) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or going to the museum's Web site: http://www.ushmm.org/.
  






• Wackenhut, Stephen T. Johns' employer, asks that contributions be made by check or money order payable to Zakia Christina Johns in care of WSI Wachovia, 4440 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. 33410.
  






• Checks payable to the American Jewish Committee, with "Holocaust Museum Memorial Fund" on the memo line, should be mailed to: American Jewish Committee Washington Chapter in care of Melanie Maron Pell, 1156 15th St. NW, Suite 1201, Washington D.C. 20005. Donations will also be accepted at the AJC Web site: http://www.ajc.org/c.org/.
  

Rev. Janice Davis Steele

http://www.jdsministries.org/

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