I saw Ali standing on the far side of the crowd: he looked as though he was just stopping for a moment but, before long, I noticed that he was studying the drama intently. I walked over to him and asked him how he was doing and offered to answer any questions that he might have about the dramas. Right away, he started telling me how Allah was the only true god and that Jesus did not die, and how he believed that Christians are all liars trying to bring people away from the truth. He was so aggressive as he was talking to me about his faith that I was unsure how to continue talking to him. I listened carefully, allowing him to share his opinions and beliefs with me. Before long, he calmed down enough that I could tell him that I am not a member of the religion he described and labelled “Christianity.” As I said this, he immediately turned to me and I was able to continue.

I told him that I do not believe in a distant God that judges and condemns. I believe in a God of love, mercy, relationship and compassion. I believe in a God that loves people even when they turn their backs on Him. I believe in a God who I can know personally- one that I can talk to at any point during the day using my own words. I believe in a God that cares about my daily struggles and will speak to me whenever I take the time to listen.

As I told this man about the God that I know, he began to soften his stance physically and intellectually. When I finished describing God, he told me, “That’s the God I want to know. I had no idea that there was a God like that.” We continued talking in a more relaxed way, comparing and contrasting Islam to Christianity in an open way. He was still unsure about the importance of Jesus and how He fits into God and Christianity, so I told him a story about a judge whose former best friend ended up in his court room and was found guilty for several crimes. The judge handed down the stiffest sentence possible then got up, took off his robe so that he was wearing civilian clothing, and paid the bail for his friend. I explained that Jesus did the same thing for us. He came to us in “civilian clothing” to pay for our wrongdoings and make us blameless before God.

The man’s eyes lit up and he told me that he understood. He said, “I’m not ready to become a Christian today, but I think that I will soon. I understand that you have told me the truth and that Islam cannot also be the truth so, from this moment on, I am not a follower of Allah or Mohammad.” I was amazed! God is clearly working in this man’s heart. I’m waiting to see if he will email me so that we can continue this conversation, but in the meantime, I’m praying that a friend will come into Ali’s life and show him just how incredible a relationship with Jesus can be. This night on the streets reminded me that God can bring incredible change in someone’s life through just one conversation.

This is Cameo’s first year in DRIME. Please keep her and the other DRIME Vancouver members in your prayers as they continue to speak to people of many different religions on the streets.

Timothy describes our day as “perilous times” in which people will be lovers of themselves, boasters, disobedient to parents, lacking self-control etc., having a form of godliness but denying its power (2Timothy 3:1-5). It is in the face of our permissive “you can believe anything and still go to heaven,” politically correct society, that we the people of God are called to take a stand for truth and righteousness. That is a challenge for us all, but particularly those who are called to stand on the front lines in very public ways.

As our schools continue down the slippery secular slope, leading our children to greater confusion in relation to spiritual truth, sexual orientation, and the very nature of life itself, it is significant and important that there are those who are continually standing in the gap through prayer.  Equally important are those who answer the call to be on the front line and to offer the truth, and speak up for that truth in the face of what can often be great opposition.

Recently I had the opportunity to talk with David Spencer who works with the Professional Learning community of Faith. This is a group of educators, administrators and admin staff who share a common faith in Jesus Christ. Their call is to encourage their colleagues in their Christian faith journey, learn effective ways to nurture the students, and
deliver curriculum from a perspective that aligns with the Word of God as presented in the Bible. They are located in the Peel Region of Ontario and are committed to making a difference for Christ in the schools of their province.

It is important that we stand together with those who are on the frontlines through prayer.  When we invest in another’s work in this way, we will reap the same blessing in our own areas.

For the Lord God will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know I will not be ashamed. Isaiah 50:7

Prayer Points:

• That God would raise up courageous Spirit led people who will stand on the front lines and speak truth
• For those who have taken their place in this way, that they would be refreshed, encouraged, and see fruit
• For David Spencer and his team as they stand for hope and change in the schools of Ontario

“The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9

Have you noticed how your stomach turns into knots when you tell a lie?

We are dishonest for a lot of reasons: we fear how we might appear, what others might think, and how it might impact us. But, when it comes right down to it, we usually lie because we think it will make things “better.” We see an advantage in the lie.

But this proverb shows two practical advantages that always come with the truth.

1) Security — Without integrity we feel like we’re walking on Jell-O, never quite sure if it will hold us up or when it will let us down.

But the truth is always rock solid, and that brings us security and peace of mind. When you tell the truth you never have to worry about remembering to whom you told what lie. Just think of how much less complicated life would be!

2) Peace of Mind — You’re going to be found out in the end anyway! So, you may as well tell the truth as soon as possible. Then you’re not always looking over your shoulder.

To paraphrase Rick Warren, “He who lacks integrity in the beginning will eventually be exposed in the end.”

There is a tough question in all of this. Is there a lie you’ve been torturing yourself to keep covered? I encourage you to do what may be the bravest thing you’ve ever done: ask God for the courage and strength to tell the truth.

Point to ponder: Telling the truth brings security and peace of mind.

Verse: “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” (Proverbs 10:9)

What will you do about it: Come clean. If you’ve been living a lie, ask God for the courage to start living the truth. Trust him for the outcome and begin living honestly.

Prayer: Ask God to stop you from lying. Ask him to convict you whenever you begin to tell half-truths or outright lies.

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon, published in “Mornings & Evenings,” entry for July 27th, AM.

Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2008.

“Exceeding great and precious promises.” 2 Peter 1:4, KJV

If you would like to put into practice the preciousness of God’s promises, and enjoy them personally, meditate on them. God’s promises are like grapes in a wine-press: If you tread on them the juice will flow. Thinking over God’s holy words will often lead to their fulfillment in your own life. While you ponder them, the blessing you seek will often come to you in ways you don’t even expect. Many Christians who have thirsted for God’s promises have found the divine favor which they ensure gently comforting into their soul and causing great rejoicing in their hearts.

Besides meditating on God’s promises, seek to receive them as being the very words of God. Say to yourself, “If I were dealing with a mere human being’s promise, I would need to carefully weigh the ability and the character of the person who promised me. But with the promises of God, even though the greatness of the promise itself may stagger me, my eye must instead be fixated on the greatness of the Promiser.” That will comfort you and give you confidence in His words.

My friend, it is God Almighty who has made these promises. God, who cannot lie, who speaks His promises to you: That “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) His Word is as true as His own existence. God is unchangeable and He has not changed anything which has come out of His mouth, and never called back one single word. He lacks no power, for this is the God that made the heavens and the earth. And He can never lack wisdom, because He in his infinite understanding He knows when it is best to give and when better to take away.

Therefore, seeing that it is the word of a God true, unchangeable, powerful, and so incomparably wise, I will and must believe His promises. If we meditate on His promises, and consider the Promiser, we will experience their sweetness and fulfillment.

Question: Which of God’s promises will you take hold of today and claim for yourself, believing it in wholeheartedly?

“Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.” (Jude 1, 2)

Jude begins his brief letter by reminding us of the truth. We are:

• called
• loved by God the Father
• kept by Jesus Christ

Remembering the truth helps us to stand firm against discouragement, doubt and despair. Allow these words of truth to wash over you.

Called:

“God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” (1 Corinthians 1:9)

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Loved:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)

Kept:

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom.” (2 Timothy 4:18)

“To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy” (Jude 24)

After reminding us of the truth, Jude blesses us with an abundance of mercy, peace, and love. An abundance of gracious forgiveness; an abundance of harmony, at rest and reconciled to God; an abundance of kindness and patience, an outpouring of unconditional love – all these blessings flow to us from God our Heavenly Father.

Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me of the truth and abundantly blessing me. Amen

Questions: Why do we need to be reminded of the truth? What specific truths from God’s word encourage you most?

Watch the next video: Is our existence more than a lucky coincidence?

Take the next step:
What or who makes those tiny adjustments possible? Are science and faith always in conflict?

Next: Does our reality point to a creator God?

Take the next step:
Science and faith each have explanations for how the universe came to be. But what are 5 things science can’t explain?

Go to the first video in the series: A Very Unlikely Place

Take the next step:
If we’re not here by chance, why does science need faith?

Watch the next video: Is the universe right for us?

Take the next step:
If we’re just lucky, can we find truth in the stars?

Next: Was our finely-tuned universe specifically designed for us?

Take the next step:
Why is the universe right for us? How can a search for truth lead to faith?