1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/24/2017)...

"A man really believes not what he recites in his creed, but what he is willing to die for."

Richard Wurmbrand ("Tortured For Christ," Living Sacrifice Book Company)

The Voice of The Martyrs, Inc.

1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT) So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

 

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Romans 1:18-22 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/23/2017)...

"Every religious idea, every idea of God -- even flirting with the idea of God -- is unutterable vileness of the most dangerous kind, contagion of the most abominable kind. Millions of sins, filthy deeds, acts of violence, and physical contagion, are far less dangerous than the subtle, spiritual idea of God."

Vladimir Lenin (Russian communist revolutionary, 1870-1924)

Romans 1:18-22 (NLT) But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.

Ephesians 4:18 (NLT) Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.

 

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Matthew 5:43-47 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/22/2017)...

"My last deed before leaving [Romania in December of 1965] was to go to the grave of the colonel who had given the order for my arrest and who had ordered my years of torture. I placed a flower on his grave. By doing this I dedicated my years to bringing the joys of Christ that I have to the communists who are so empty spiritually."

Richard Wurmbrand ("Tortured For Christ," Living Sacrifice Book Company)

The Voice of The Martyrs, Inc.

Matthew 5:43-47 (NLT) You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.

Luke 23:32-34 (NLT) Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

 

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Acts 7:55-60 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/21/2017)...

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

Helen Keller

Acts of the Apostles 7:55-60 (NLT) But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” 

Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul. 

As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

 

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Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/20/2017)...

"The most beautiful people I've known are those who have known trials, have known struggles, have known loss, and have found their way out of the depths."

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Romans 12:11-13 (NLT) Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Romans 8:18 (NLT) Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT) So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

 

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Proverbs 3:5-7 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/16/2017)...

"Those people who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do."

Isaac Asimov

Proverbs 3:5-7 (NLT) Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 13:13, 16 (NLT) People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed...Wise people think before they act; fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.

 

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Proverbs 23:29-35 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/14/2017)...

"First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you."

Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald

Ephesians 5:15-20 (NLT) So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 23:29-35 (NLT) Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? 

It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks. 

Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down. For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper. 

You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things. 

You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast.

And you will say, “They hit me, but I didn’t feel it. I didn’t even know it when they beat me up. When will I wake up so I can look for another drink?"

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