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“And He (Jesus) said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers
of men.” — Matthew 4:19
(NAS)
Click here to enlarge
These young men are slaves to the fishing industry on Lake Volta in
Ghana, West Africa. Some children are as young as 3 years old. They work 14-hour
days paddling fishing canoes and casting nets. Many of the children have
ringworm and parasites. They do not know their last name or age. Rescuing and
providing for abandoned, enslaved children in that country is the goal of
Johnbull and Stacy Omorefe of Sioux Falls, S.D., through their City of Refuge
Ministries.
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Christ changes woman who was on drugs and married to a drug dealer.
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Growing Ministry: Living Stones News – Good News for the Midwest
Volunteer delivery positions: LSN needs delivery persons for West Duluth
and South Superior, If you have an hour or two a month and would like to help
get the LSN newspaper out, we invite you join the LSN family.
Advertising salespersons wanted: Want to earn extra cash each month? Come
sell advertising for growing Christian newspaper ministry — South Dakota,
Minnesota or Wisconsin. Paid commissions.
Volunteer managers for Resources Directory: LSN needs volunteers in the
Duluth, Minn., Grand Rapids, Minn., Chequamegon Bay, Wis., and Sioux Falls,
S.D., areas to manage online Christian resources that help people, such as
books, support groups and links to major ministries.
Contact Corinne Scott at (218) 728-4945, (605) 336-6870 or e-mail
Corinne for more
information.
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BY Leslie Wilson
Honking from the Heart
You hear it everywhere. From a snatch of conversation at a coffee shop to
religious extremists railing against Christians. "What’s so great about
Christianity? Christians are no different than anyone else." Unfortunately
statistics confirm that belief in many ways. How many "Christians" wear
suggestive clothing? How many "Christians" have been divorced, had pre-marital
sex or extramarital affairs? How many "Christians" commit crimes like assault,
robbery, drugs, even murder? How often do you hear a "Christian" tell
off-colored jokes or misuse the name of God?
Non-Christians look at our actions, not our ability to quote chapter and verse.
How can we expect them to believe the Bible is God’s living word when our daily
living is so godless? I once knew a college student who made a show of carrying
a Bible around everywhere, proclaiming herself a Christian. Unfortunately, her
actions were often anything but Christian at that secular college. Much damage
is done to the good name of God by such obviously empty displays. When we make
our allegiance to Christ apparent to everyone, are we also careful to "work out
our salvation with fear and trembling?" Are we aware that we are representing
Christ Himself to those we meet, not by our "Jesus Saves" bumper sticker, but by
our actions?
"Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and
humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen
to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:21-22) James
goes on to say in verse 27 to keep ourselves "from being polluted by the world."
Unfortunately, Americans love to wallow in the pollution of the world. Here’s
the rub: American Christians are at the top of the world’s food chain, enjoying
the fruits of the worldly good life. But the apostle Peter tells us we are
"aliens and strangers in the world . . ." who must "abstain from sinful desires,
which war against your soul." (1 Peter 2:11) Sin comes easy in a life of
relative ease.
God’s wonderful free gift of grace teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and
worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this
present age ... Jesus Christ ... gave himself for us to redeem us from all
wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do
what is good." (from Titus 2:12-14) Eager to do what is good!
How do we rise above our own weaknesses to do as He commands? God does not leave
us with impossible orders and no way to carry them out. In the first chapter of
I Timothy, Paul illustrates the process beautifully. We’re not called to be an
example of human perfection but of Christ’s mercy and patience. Humility must be
at the heart of our position in Christ. In no other way can we become the
example to the world that He wants us to be. It’s not possible in our own power.
It’s only possible in His. "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me
strength . . ." (1 Timothy 1:12) Trusting in God lets us dare hope to be better.
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful;
he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are
tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1
Corinthians 10:13) Paul wasn’t perfect. But he was a perfect instrument for
God’s use, always striving to be more like Christ." ... forgetting what is
behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the
prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus … Join with others
in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to
the pattern we gave you." (Philippians 3:13-14,17)
Let’s learn to take care about the example we show the world. As a nation
founded on Christian principles we have, all too often, slandered the good name
of Christ – the name above all other names. God doesn’t want our honks. He wants
our hearts.
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