Today's Devotions

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Showcase: Assorted Treats

  • Everyday Tasks: The Two Marys at the Gravesite +

    Everyday Tasks Read More
  • Washing Feet Devotional +

    Scripture John 13 13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Read More
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kell(the following is from Collin Hansen's blog at the Gospel Coalition: http://intelmin.org/2012/08/collin-hansen-when-we-suffer-when-to-disobey/)

Peter and the other apostles set the example: when told by authorities they could not testify to the risen and ascended Christ, they responded, "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). So we know that Christians must not obey authorities when their command directly contradicts God and his revealed Word. This is the basis for Christian civil disobedience.

From there, however, things get complicated and personal. As Albert Mohler describes in this substantive new video (audio link below), we Christians living in the West can now envision a time when we ask for God's protection from our authorities. Earlier this year The Falls Church in Virginia, led by long-time rector John Yates, lost their meeting facility, assets, and parsonage in a decisive court judgment after years of fighting to leave a denomination where many have stopped preaching the gospel. Tim Keller sketches the scene in New York City, where many elected officials shook church leaders with hostile opposition to the "invasion" of evangelical worship in public schools.

No doubt, our culture is changing. Christians are no longer respected or understood as we once were, Yates observes. But watch to the end of this video (audio), when Yates calls on Christians to focus on what's important, reject superficial faith, and identify with our truly persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. Indeed, when we suffer loss and opposition for our faith, we can rejoice as believers counted worthy of suffering for the name of Jesus (Acts 5:41). Hear the words of James, who told us, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness" (James 1:2-3). If you suffer, Yates says, maybe you really are a Christian after all.

http://tgc-audio.s3.amazonaws.com/podcast/When%20We%20Suffer,%20When%20to%20Disobey.mp3

Reflections to Consider

  • Balance

    In writing about Spirit Filled Spirituality Boa discusses Walking in the Power of the Spirit, Gifts of the Spirit, and Read More
  • Soul Farmers

    Worshipping God in spirit and truth begins with a willingness to participate with God’s spirit in changing who we are. Read More
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Publications

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Music

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Audio & Video

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Favorites

  • Best of EM Bounds on Prayer +

    This is a compilation of some of the writings by E.M. Bounds. I've read a fair amount of books on Read More
  • Prayer - Does it Make Any Difference, Philip Yancey +

    Contemporary classic that probes the meaning of prayer for 21st century believers, and provides extended, personal anecdotes from a wide Read More
  • Prayer, Ole Hallesby and Clarence J. Carlsen +

    This is a little known work which has a significant impact on those who read it. Read More
  • From Unceasing Thinking to Unceasing Prayer +

    Our minds are always active. We analyze, reflect, daydream, or dream. There is not a moment during the day or Read More
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Hidden Blessings

  • Introduction to The Death of Death..by JI Packer +

    INTRODUCTORY ESSAY ___ to John Owen's The Death Of Death in the Death of Christ ___ By J.I. Packer _________ Read More
  • An Interview with Os Guiness on the 25th Anniversary of Francis Schaeffer's Death-Justin Taylor, 2009 +

    Next week (May 15) will be the 25th anniversary of the death of Francis Schaeffer, who died in his home Read More
  • Fate Worse than Death? Julie Moore +

    Jephthah's unfortunatedaughterMy journey through the Bible, which, I'll admit, sometimes feels like a slog, uncovers some pretty crazy things. Read More
  • DEATH HAS BEEN SWALLOWED UP BY DEATH by Gavin Ortlund +

    Editors' note: This series explores key doctrines of the Christian faith and their practical ramifications for everyday life. Earlier in Read More
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