Smile!

As I was looking at pictures of Queen Elizabeth, I noticed that, when she smiled, her smile went all the way to her eyes. Her eyes smiled too! Her smile was so sincere, you knew it was genuine. It didn't matter who she was looking at or talking to, you could see the smile in her eyes.

Do you know how important your smile is? Do you know how a single smile can lift someone's spirits? A smile can make all the difference in the world.

Have you noticed how people respond to smiles? It's hard keeping a grim look on your face when someone is smiling at you. Even the most grumpy person might be tempted to at least return a little grin.

And have you ever noticed how much better you feel when you smile? The world just seems so much brighter. And the great thing is, you can never give them all away!

"Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day"

Sleep: What a Wonderful Thing!

Do we get enough sleep? Sleep is so important for health and well-being. God gives His beloved sleep (Psalm 127:2). He says our sleep will be sweet if we apply wisdom in our lives (Proverbs 3:24).

As a child, when I had a problem, I remember my mother saying, "Things will be better in the morning." Sometimes problems just seem insurmountable when you're tired. But after a good night's sleep, you can cope and better see solutions. Things really do look better after a good rest.

Sleep is needed for good health, a sound mind and to repair body cells. Adequate sleep boosts your memory, helps keep your heart healthy and reduces stress. Lack of sleep can lead to many different kinds of physical and mental health problems. Sleep deprivation has been used as a means of breaking people down. And a total lack of sleep can eventually lead to death.

Sleep is very important and is God's gift to daily rejuvenate our minds and bodies.

Earthquakes: A Sign of the Return of Jesus Christ?

The nation of Japan is still reeling and trying to recover from the worst natural disaster in its history. The massive earthquake, which struck just northeast of Japan's main island on March 11, has been registered as the fifth most powerful on record. The entire main island of Japan is reported to have moved an incredible eight feet. Even the rotation of the earth was affected. The loss in human life and property from this 9.0-magnitude quake and the resulting tsunami waves that followed is almost beyond calculation.

A disaster of historic proportions

Many people around the world watched vivid scenes of massive destruction as walls of water carried away buildings, vehicles, boats and entire villages and towns. The knowledge that thousands of people were dying made it heart-rending to watch. This massive quake followed a similar one off the coast of Indonesia in 2004, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Haiti in 2010 and a smaller one just three weeks ago that caused great damage in New Zealand.

Hundreds of smaller earthquakes occur around the earth every day, but most are deep below the surface and affect unpopulated areas. When large quakes occur near cities or send huge waves across the oceans, the results can be catastrophic. This latest one in Japan certainly classifies as a catastrophe.

Earthquakes to signal Christ's return?

When a disaster affects much of the world as this one has, people ask, "Is this a sign of the return of Jesus Christ and the end of our age?"

When asked about what to look for as a sign of his return, Jesus Christ spoke of "the sea and the waves roaring"(Luke 21:7, 25). He was prophesying that there would be great storms and tumult on the world's oceans and seas. He was likely referring to hurricanes, typhoons and tsunamis that unleash unusually destructive power on the earth. While there have always been storms and earthquakes, Jesus foretold that they would increase in magnitude and occurrence before the last days.

In response to the same question, Jesus warned that other causes of death and destruction—such as wars, famines and disease—would also increase during the end time.

"For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places" (Matthew 24:7, emphasis added throughout).

Disasters to come at the time of the end

Are these the sign that the return of Christ is imminent? The answer is no. Jesus followed by saying, "All these are the beginning of sorrows" (verse 8). Far worse suffering and destruction will take place as the end of this age draws near, but most of the world will not be prepared for it and will be taken by surprise.

Speaking of this same time, the prophet Jeremiah warned, "Behold, a whirlwind [tempest in some translations] of the Lord has gone forth in fury—a violent whirlwind! It will fall violently on the head of the wicked. The anger of the Lord will not turn back until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectly" (Jer. 23:19-20).

He then adds, "Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Behold, disaster shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the farthest parts of the earth. And in that day the slain of the Lord shall be from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth...'" (Jeremiah 25:32-33). Jeremiah explains throughout his book that the reason for these disasters is that mankind has rejected God and has filled the world with evil and violence. Men will continue to defy their Creator (Revelation 9:21), so God will send additional plagues on the earth in order to convince humanity to listen to Him.

The heavenly sign of Christ's return

But are these the sign that Jesus is about to return? While they are indications of the times in which we live, the actual "sign" of the return of Jesus Christ to this earth takes place in the sky above the earth. Notice what Jesus told his disciples:

"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:29-30)

I am the way and the truth and the life

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6

Each year, there are certain key holidays that most Christians celebrate. One of these is Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ over 2,000 years ago.

Another is Good Friday, when we honor the day when Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. And three days later, on the day we celebrate as Easter, Jesus rose from the dead! When Jesus Christ rose from the dead, He rose victorious over sin and death and hell. He conquered death for us!

Before He died, Jesus had ministered for three years in the country of Israel. He was born in Bethlehem and lived about 30 years before He began His public ministry. Then for three years He ministered; He taught; He performed miracles; He selected and ministered to His disciples and taught them how to minister to others. He healed the sick; He fed the hungry; He gave sight to the blind. It was a wonderful three years when He ministered on earth.

What is most amazing is that He came to earth to die for our sins. Even though Jesus is perfect and sinless, He took on Himself the penalty for the sins of the world. How great is the love of Jesus Christ!

So, this week, let us pray and

• Thank God for His great love for us in sending His Son Jesus Christ to die for us
• Ask God to help Global Media Outreach reach even more people for Jesus Christ
• Ask God to protect your loved ones and our staff and volunteers

THANK YOU so much for your prayers as we stand together in Jesus Christ. God loves to hear the prayers of His children.

May God bless you!

Loving Communication

Paul describes an amazing power that can spiritually transform us:

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection" (Colossians 3:12-14).

Putting on God’s love can change everything.

Can Prophecies Fail?

The Bible is filled with prophecy, and much of it is for the end time. Many Christians look into the prophecies of the Bible, and especially the books of Daniel and Revelation, trying to figure out exactly what will occur next on the world scene and when.

To better understand prophecy, and especially to understand whether prophecies can fail, we first must understand why God gives prophecies.

Why prophecies of punishment?

What is God's purpose in prophecy? Is He eager to exact punishment?

"'Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,' says the Lord God. 'Therefore turn and live!'" (Ezekiel 18:30-32).

Prophecies that seem to fail

Fulfilled prophecy is a proof of God and the Bible, and the Bible warns about false prophets. Strangely, though, God is not upset when one of His prophecies doesn't come about exactly as He first stated it. In fact, God gives us an example of a prophet who was upset when his prophecy seemed to fail. God tried to help him see the bigger picture.

When Jonah finally went to Nineveh—a brutal enemy of Jonah's people—he reluctantly warned them, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" (Jonah 3:4).

Then an all-too-rare event occurred. The pagan people of Nineveh believed the God of Israel. The king proclaimed, "But let every man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?" (Jonah 3:8-9).

"God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it" (Jonah 3:10). This displeased Jonah, but not God. God wanted Jonah—and us—to see things as He sees them. Many prophecies are conditional—God wants us to repent so He can relent of the prophesied punishment.

What did Paul mean, "Whether there are prophecies, they will fail"?

In the famous "Love chapter" the apostle Paul wrote: "Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away" (1 Corinthians 13:8-10).

The main point here is that love is eternal and that prophecies and other gifts are only temporary. Even those prophecies that do come to pass are temporary, because once they come to pass, they become history. However, showing love and exercising vigilance ("watching" ourselves) can result in eternal benefits and protection from the tragic events at the end of the age (Luke 21:36).

The word fail can be misunderstood in this passage. The word fail has a narrower meaning now than it did when the King James Version was written, and unfortunately the New King James Version retained that reading. A better modern translation is, "Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end" (1 Corinthians 13:8, New Revised Standard Version).

Also, when considering whether prophecies fail, it's important to note that there is a big difference between the actual prophecies given in the Bible and the human interpretations and predictions that are based on applying those prophecies to world events. God's Word is sure, but we must not think that our specific interpretation is the only way a prophecy can be fulfilled. Far too many students of prophecy have fallen into that trap.

Good news: prophecies that will come to pass

When we point out sins and the prophesied punishment they will bring, we pray and hope these prophecies won't have to come to pass. But we know the overall framework of prophecy will come to pass. And that is good news! The end of all the prophecies tells of Jesus Christ's return and the establishment of the peaceful and prosperous Kingdom of God.

Who Will Bring Lasting Peace to the Middle East?

The situation that now grips the Middle East is an all-too-familiar one. State-imposed human rights suppression in the region has led many people to call for freedom from their current regimes.

In just this past week:

In Yemen tens of thousands of people rally to bring down President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

In Jordan the Muslim Brotherhood vowed to renew protests, stating that the government has not made changes quickly enough.

In Bahrain tens of thousands of people staged a demonstration three miles long calling for the end of the current regime.

In Egypt, for decades under Hosni Mubarak, Egypt's Islamists of all shades were disenfranchised, thrown in jail or targeted in crackdown after crackdown. Now their tormentor of some 30 years is gone, and they are rushing to claim a spot in the country's new political landscape.

In Libya, Muammar Gadhafi vowed to continue fighting until he dies a martyr, as residents of the country and world leaders accuse him of killing his own people.

In Tunisia, the embattled prime minister, Mohamed Ghannouchi, announced his resignation, bowing to a key demand of protesters after at least five people died in a groundswell of new unrest in that North African country.

All of this and we haven't even mentioned the decades-long struggle between Israel and her Arab neighbors! Peace is desperately wanted in this region of the world, but as desperately as it is wanted and needed, it is elusive. Is there ever going to be peace in the Middle East? If so, how will it come?

A forecast of peace

There is one news source that boldly declares that peace is coming to the Middle East. This news source has a track record unlike any other—there has never been an account or story that has proven to be factually incorrect. There has never been a forecast made that has not come to pass. This source not only declares that peace will come to the Middle East, but that this peace will engulf the entire world!

What is this news source? It is the most published volume in the history of mankind. It is a work that has been translated into virtually every tongue on planet earth and is a perennial best seller.

The source we are referring to is the Bible!

Lasting peace in the Middle East

Christians, Jews and Muslims all look for—in different ways—a Messiah. The book of Revelation describes the Messiah coming as the Power Broker who is poised to bring lasting peace to the Middle East. We know Him as Jesus Christ!

"Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war…

"And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS" (Revelation 19:11, 14-16).

Finally, after millennia of animosity and bloodshed, there will be peace in the Middle East, and that peace will extend to the rest of the world as well. Jesus Christ will establish His government on earth with Jerusalem as its capital.

"Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.' For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem" (Micah 4:1-2).