Priscilla Shirer illustrates God's life-changing power.

In 1987, our family moved to California to take up the pastorate of a church in the Long Beach area. The day we flew into town, my secretary picked us up at the airport to take us to our house. As we pulled into traffic, the very first thing I saw was a bumper sticker that read: “Welcome To California . . . Now Go Home!” It was not exactly a warm and cheery welcome to sunny southern California!

Several years ago, Ravi appeared on a live call in show with Canadian host Michael Coren. Today we’ll hear part one of that program.

May 16, 2013 - May 20, 2013

Numbers 12-14

Dropping Your Guard: The Value of Open Relationships

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Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. The word wait there has within it the thought of weaving where your will, your child’s will, is being woven and bound into God’s will. It takes time; it takes intimacy. And when the two come together it is time to soar on eagle’s wings that don’t flap but rest on the wind. He gives strength to the weary. Apart from Him you and your child can do nothing.

Star Wars Money Lessons – Howard Dayton and Steve Moore reveal what the Star Wars movies can teach you about Biblical money management. Then they answer questions at (800) 525-7000 and MoneyWise@Compass1.org:

• Would it be wrong to use debt to invest in rental properties?
• What is the best way to invest $10,000 over a 3-year period before we head into mission field?
• I am $15,000 in debt, and I am wondering if there is a way to consolidate the debt?

Be sure to check out the Compass website for a complete listing of helpful resources and radio archives.

Thanks for your prayers and generous financial support which allow us to keep MoneyWise on-the-air!

3252 Denise Donovan: (Parental Kidnapping, Fear, Shame) Denise and her sister are kidnapped by their father, a sailor who disappears from their lives when Denise is ten. They are raised by their unstable stepmother, Betty, an alcoholic. Life is miserable for both girls. After her sister leaves, Denise endures her stepmother's bizarre behavior. At sixteen Denise goes to church, hears the Gospel and prays to receive Jesus. Then, Denise lives with her sister, graduates and works. She marries, has two daughters and finds her real mother. But there is no bonding. Her husband divorces her and she is now serving with a hospital-ship ministry.

"I never dreamed, I would not have dreamed this life, because it would not have occurred to me that it could happen. But God has opened up doors of ministry and influence and opportunity that are beyond my comprehension, and He’ll do the same for you."

"What are you doing,Grandma?" asked Janae when she stopped to see her grandparents on the way home from school.

"Oh, I'm getting things together for the object lesson I'm giving in Bible club tomorrow," replied Grandma. "Want to try it?"

"Sure," agreed Janae.

"Good! Then fill a cup with water," instructed Grandma. Janae got a cup and filled it. "Next, sprinkle this pepper all over the water, and then stick your finger in the cup," continued Grandma.

"Oh-h-h!" exclaimed Janae after following Grandma's instructions. "The pepper is all over my finger!"

Grandma nodded. "Clean the pepper off your finger and rub this dish washing soap on it." Grandma chuckled. "On your finger, that is," she added. "Not on the pepper." Janae laughed and then carefully did what Grandma told her. "All right," said Grandma. "Now stick your finger in the water again."

This time the pepper rushed away from Janae's finger and clung to the sides of the cup. "Cool!" she exclaimed. "But . . . you said this was an object lesson, so what does it teach us?"

"Let's pretend the water is the world, and the pepper is sin," said Grandma. "The finger represents us. We go into the world, and we're peppered with sin. For example, we sometimes do and say wrong things, don't we?"

"Yeah." Janae nodded. "Like . . . even though I try to be good, I sometimes mess up."

Grandma nodded. "So the water stands for the world, the pepper for sin, and the finger for us. But Bible verses we learn are like . . ." began Grandma.

"Like the soap!" Janae interrupted. "What we learn from the verses helps us stay away from sin. I remember that when Jesus was tempted, He quoted Scripture verses."

"Good." Grandma smiled."Always remember that just putting Bible verses in our heads by memorizing them isn't enough. When they're truly in our hearts--when we think about what they say and follow their teaching--we can use them, like Jesus did, to keep sin away."

How About You?
Do you have Bible verses hidden in your heart? Do you think about the verses you memorize? Do you consider what they mean and apply them to your life? You live in the world, so sin is all around you. When you're tempted to look at something you shouldn't, to disobey your parents, to use a bad word, or to sin in some other way, let the verses in your heart help you choose to obey God and send sin away.

Today's Key Verse:
Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. (Psalm 119:11)

Today's Key Thought:
Overcome sin with Scripture

May 17, 2013

Psalm 121:7-8

Paws & Tales

Episode Summary:

Liz is fishing for the truth about a monster in the lake. See what you can catch with Liz on this week’s Kids Corner.

Listen to this week's episode

Devotion:

Verse: 1 Timothy 2:4

. . . who wants all to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  John 14:6 - I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Have you ever been lied to?  Have you ever had to search for the truth?  Then you should meet the New Testament Christians who lived in a town called Berea.

Paul traveled the world as a missionary telling people about Christ.  When he preached in Berea, his friend Luke wrote this about the Berean Christians:  “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17: 11)  What does that mean? 

It sounds like a compliment to be called noble.  What does “noble” mean?  It means to be distinguished by being excellent at something.  Why did Paul think the Berean Christians were so noble?

Three reasons:  first, they listened to Paul’s message about salvation through Jesus.  They didn’t mock it or ignore it.  They were excited and eager to hear more about Jesus.  Second, they didn’t just accept everything Paul said.  They went back to the Scriptures (in their case, that meant the Old Testament writings) and made sure that what Paul taught fit with what God’s word said.  Third, they read their scriptures daily.  This means they didn’t just go to the synagogue once a week.  They they read it—they studied it every single day.

If Paul were thinking about you, would he choose the word noble to describe you?  If you’re not sure, follow the Berean’s example:  listen to Jesus, be eager to learn more about him, and read the Bible daily.  You just might be surprised how amazing life is when you are a Berean!

Full Devotion

Discussion Guide:

When Jesus was on trial before Pontus Pilate, he said this, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” Some key questions for every human being are: Who am I? How did I get here? What am I here for? Who am I? The answers the Bible gives are: you are a sinner—either condemned by a life without repentance and forgiveness, or forgiven because of the grace that God extends to us through Jesus. How did I get here? You were created by God. What am I here for? You are here to glorify God and to bring God’s grace and mercy to our world. Once we have knowledge of these truths, we can discern what is true and what is false in the messages our world presents to us. In Jesus my life has meaning and purpose and is built on the firm foundation of the truth.

These truths are basic to understanding our identity and place in our world. These truths are essential for children, so they grow up confident, loving, and loved.  Will you make teaching your children these things a priority in your family time?  Will you give them the knowledge of the truth?

Full Discussion Guide