When Things Don’t Go Well

Aug 25, 2015

Read: Romans 8:28-30 | Bible in a Year: Psalm 119:1-88; 1 Corinthians 7:20-40

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We know that all things work together for good to those who love God. Romans 8:28

The first words that many people like to quote when misfortune hits are: “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). But that’s hard to believe in hard times. I once sat with a man who had lost his third son in a row, and I listened as he lamented, “How can this tragedy work for my good?” I had no answer but to sit silently and mourn with him. Several months later, he was thankful as he said, “My sorrow is drawing me closer to God.”

Tough as Romans 8:28 may be to understand, countless testimonies give credence to the truth of it. The story of hymn writer Fanny Crosby is a classic example. The world is the beneficiary of her memorable hymns, yet what worked together for good was born out of her personal tragedy, for she became blind at the age of 5. At only age 8, she began to write poetry and hymns. Writing over 8,000 sacred songs and hymns, she blessed the world with such popular songs as “Blessed Assurance,” “Safe in the Arms of Jesus,” and “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior.” God used her difficulty to bring good for her and us and glory for Him.

God has good purposes and always remains with us. 

When tragedy befalls us, it’s hard to understand how anything good can come from it, and we won’t always see it in this life. But God has good purposes and always remains with us.

What trial in your life have you found to be for your good? What good things have come from it? What are you now suffering that you pray will bring something good?

God always has good purposes for our trials.

INSIGHT: 

Romans 8:28 is often given as a promise to comfort and encourage those who are going through difficult and painful times. This promise is all-encompassing, for “all things” must include the good and the bad circumstances of life. It assures us that God is not absent and is sovereignly working in all things for our good. Although He may seem silent or even out of sight, nothing is ever wasted in the hands of God. The Old Testament equivalent of Romans 8:28 is Genesis 50:20: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good” (nlt). Romans 8:28 is a promise with a redemptive purpose, for God wants us “to become like his Son” (v. 29 nlt). Sim Kay Tee

By Lawrence Darmani | See Other Authors  

Turn It Off

Aug 23, 2015

Read: Mark 6:30-32,45-47 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 113–115; 1 Corinthians 6

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Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while. Mark 6:31

When our kids were young, we took a trip to northern Wisconsin to visit my grandparents. They didn’t get very good reception on their television, but TV wasn’t much of a priority with them. After I had seen our son Scott fiddling with the TV set for a while, he asked with frustration, “What do you do if you can get only one channel and you don’t like what’s on that one?”

“Try turning it off, ” I said with a smile. Not exactly the advice he was hoping for. It’s even more difficult to do now, especially when there are so many devices that entertain, inform, and distract us.

Sometimes we do need to just turn it all off and rest our minds for a little while; we simply need to “unplug.” Jesus often drew aside for a time—especially when He wanted to take time to pray (Matt. 14:13). He encouraged the disciples to step away as well—even for a brief time (Mark 6:31). That kind of solitude and time for reflection is beneficial for each of us. In those moments we are able to draw near to God.

Follow the example and wisdom of Christ. Get away by yourself and “rest a while.” It will be good for your body, mind, and spirit.

Lord, help me to seek those things which are from above. I want to turn off all that distracts me and draw near to You.

Share this prayer from our Facebook page with your friends. facebook.com/ourdailybread

 Turning down the volume of life allows you to listen carefully to God.

INSIGHT: 

 Mark 6 is a pivotal chapter in this gospel account. It begins with the people of Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth rejecting Him (vv. 1-6). This experience is compounded by the death of John the Baptist (vv. 14-29)—a person Jesus loved and honored (Matt. 11:1-11; 14:1-13). These moments of difficulty, however, did not impede Jesus’ continuing work. The chapter concludes with two of His most notable miracles: His feeding of the multitude (vv. 30-44) and His walking on water (vv. 45-56). Great heartache and power combine to make this chapter so strategic in Mark’s gospel. Bill Crowder

Ziangruangah Hakha Leilung a Cim ih Ram a Siat?

Dawtmi Laimi unau hna,

     Zeiruang dah Hakha ah hitluk ruah asur, vawlei a kak, min a cimh i inn tamtukte a hrawh timi kong he pehtlai in nan hmuh ning nan von ttial cio i kei zong ka ruah ning tlawmpal tein von langhter ka duh ve. Ka cattialmi asau deuh sual ahcun careltu nih rak ka ngaithiam u tiah kan nawl hmasa fawn hna.

   (1) Kan Lairam vawlei hi ano tuk rih:- Keimah hi atu kum 77 chung ah ka um i keimah bantuk kum upa tampi nih nan theih cangmi asi men lai ti ka zumh. Kawlram vuancichoh U Nu arak si lioah 1951 asilole 1952 ah Laitlang vawlei chungah zeibantuk thil manfaak dah a um (gas, diamond, gold, jades tibantuk) tiah culeikam experts a rak zoh ter hna lioah, an hlathlai hnu I an chimmi cu: "Lairam vawlei tang ah manfaakmi thil zeihmanh a um lo; Laitlang vawlei ai semnak hi a kum ano tuk rih" an ti, tiah khuaruahhar ngai in kan rak theih. Hika ah ka chim duhmi cu kan Laitlang vawlei hi ano taktak rih ko rua.

     (2) Town Planning:- Nihin ah Nitlaknak ram chung a ummi nih cun nan hngalh cang bantukin mifim ram ahcun khua an ser/tlaak tikah Tilu-luannak kha tthatein an tuah. Cubantukin tuahmi cu zeitluk ruahsur le tilian zong ah khua kha harnak a pee hna lo. Hakha ah hin hlan deuh cu va um rih seh, atu zong ah Town Planning a um lo. Hihi tutan ruahsur ah harnak achuahtertu pakhat asi tiah ka ruah.

     (3) Abik in Sakta lam le Gangaw lam karlak ah ningcanglo innsaknak :- Hihi cu Hakha khuami upa deuh cheukhat nih cun nan chimlo hmanh ah nan lungchung ah nan rem ti lailo tiah ka ruah. Ningcanglo innsaknak nih a pawngkam thing vialte haunak a chuahpi. Hi nih ruahti dawptu vawlei ningcanglo in a tuah.

     (4) Gangaw lam (Rungtlang) le Sakta lam (Cawbuk tiang) Thingkung tu ciin loin thingkung hau tu in kan tthangcho. Hi kong he pehtlai in Hakha khua biaknak upa cungah ka thinhunnak von chim ta ka duh. Keimah zong 2005-2009 (kum 5 chung) ka khua asimi Thantlang peng,Tikir khua lamcawh ah kum khat voi khat lengmang ka tlung i ram tang ah Tikir khuami hna cu lam ka cawhpi tawn hna. Hakha ah hin tlun lei/kir lei ka caam chungah pastor 4 hang sinah Rungtlang le Sakta lam karlak ah thingkung phun ding hi ka chim/forhfial tawn hna. Kum 5 chungah zeihmanh an cawlcangh lo ka hmuh tikah 2009 kum April thla ah ni khat cu HBA Office (Siangbawi inn, acung dot ah) ah ka thinhun in Morning Devotion an tuah lioah ka luh hnawh hna i an lau. Devotion an dih khawh in "zeicadah thingkung phun kan chimh lengmang hna nain atu tiang nan tuah lo; Biakinn chung I phungchim, thlacam le Haleluijah Praise the Lord ti lawng hi maw PT rianttuan ah nan rel" tiah ka va zaai hnawh hna. Amerika ah ka kal hnu ah cun Hakha Mino Bu nih thingkung an phunnak kong Hakha Post in ka theih tikah ka rak i lawm tuk. Tutan zong ah ram dang ummi Laimi fanau hna sin in bawmhnak ding khua nan khaanmi cung le zeimawzat bawmhnak nan tuah cangmi cungah ka lawmhnak ka chim kho lo. Kan Pa Pathian tu nih thluachuah-  vanluhnak in pee ko hna seh.

     Kan hnu thla khat lioah atulio RCM Pope Francis nih a phungchimmi (Sermon) a relmi nan tampi lai tiah ka zumh. Tuchan minung nih Pathian nakin phaisa kan biak deuh ruang le cu phaisa kan kawlnak ruangah kan fale chan ah ro ttha peek awk a um tilo tiangin kan vawlei, tiva, rili le thlii kan hrawh dih cang nak kong a chimmi kha thuk deuh le kau deuh in kan ruah a hau hrimhrim cang tiah ka ruah. 

       Kha, ka cattialmi asau pah cang i careltu nan baa sual lai; hi vial in ka bia ka dongh ter rih lai. Thlacamnak le tuahsernak he hi tluk kan miphun harnak an tem lio can ah i zuam ko hna usih.

Rev. E. Za Bik (Hlawn Par pa)

Chess Master

August 5, 2015

Read: Romans 8:18-25 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 68–69; Romans 8:1-21

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We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. —2 Peter 3:13

In high school I took pride in my ability to play chess. I joined the chess club, and during lunch hour I could be found sitting at a table with other nerds, poring over books with titles like Classic King Pawn Openings. I studied techniques, won most of my matches, and put the game aside for 20 years. Then I met a truly fine chess player who had been perfecting his skills long since high school, and I learned what it is like to play against a master. Although I had complete freedom to make any move I wished, none of my strategies mattered very much. His superior skill guaranteed that my purposes inevitably ended up serving his own.

Perhaps there is a spiritual picture for us here. God grants us freedom to rebel against His original design, but even as we do so we end up serving His eventual goal of restoration (Rom. 8:21; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 21:1). This transformed the way I view both good and bad things. Good things—such as health, talent, and money—I can present to God as offerings to serve His purposes. And bad things—disability, poverty, family dysfunction, failure—can be “redeemed” as the very instruments that drive me to God.

With the Grand Master, victory is assured, no matter how the board of life may look at any given moment.

Father, I’m grateful that in all of life Your purposes are being accomplished. May I learn to have open hands—to accept whatever You give to me and whatever You take from me. Help me to trust Your heart.

When we can’t see God’s hand, we can trust His heart.

INSIGHT: 

As followers of Jesus we look forward in hope to the new heaven and the new earth where we will spend eternity in loving adoration and communion with the triune God and with each other. Today’s passage from Paul’s letter to the Romans suggests that reconciliation and restoration—the undoing of all the damage of sin—is not limited to humanity. God’s good creation (see Gen. 1) is also groaning under the weight of sin and is waiting for the ultimate realization of salvation provided by God through Christ. J.R. Hudberg

By Philip Yancey | See Other Authors 

How a dating app hookup landed a teen on the sex offender registry

By Kyra Phillips and David Fitzpatrick, CNN Investigations

Updated 11:24 AM ET, Tue August 4, 2015

| Video Source: CNN

Story highlights

• Indiana teen Zach Anderson met a girl on the Internet and had sex with her
• She told him she was 17, but she was really just 14
• Zach was placed on a sex offender registry for the next 25 years and can't live at home with his 15-year-old brother

Elkhart, Indiana (CNN)Zach Anderson is 19 and a typical teenager. He's into computers and wants to build a career around his love for electronics.

But those plans and any semblance of a normal life are for now out the window. Under court order, he can't access the Internet, go to a mall or linger near a school or playground. His parents say because he has a 15-year-old brother, he can't even live at home any longer.

Why? He's been placed on the sex offender registry after a dating app hookup.

It began, Zach and his family say, when he went on a racy dating app called "Hot Or Not."

He was at his home in Elkhart, Indiana, when he met the girl, who lived across the state line in nearby southern Michigan.

The girl told Zach she was 17, but she lied. She was only 14, and by having sex with her, Zach was committing a crime. He was arrested and convicted. 

He was given a 90-day jail sentence, five years probation and placed on both Indiana and Michigan's sex offender registry for the next 25 years. A colossal mistake, say his parents.

CNN Investigations

Email your story ideas and tips to CNNtips@cnn.com.

"It's a blatant lie," his father, Lester Anderson says. Amanda Anderson, his mother, says "it doesn't even fit our lifestyle; it doesn't fit how we raised our kids." Zach says his parents had always told him not to have sex before marriage. 

'I want to be in trouble and not you'

Both the girl's mother and the girl herself appeared in court, to say they didn't believe Zach belonged on the sex offender registry. The girl admitted lying and outside of court, she handed the Anderson family a letter. She wrote in part, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you my age. It kills me every day, knowing you are going through hell and I'm not. I want to be in trouble and not you."

But even if the sex was consensual and even if the girl did lie about her age, it is not a defense under current sex offender laws. 

In fact, Judge Dennis Wiley, who sentenced Zach, said he was angry that Zach had used the Internet to meet a girl.

"That seems to be part of our culture now," he said, according to a transcript. "Meet, have sex, hook up, sayonara. Totally inappropriate behavior. There is no excuse for this whatsoever,"

A former judge in a nearby town says the sex offender registry has to be changed. Especially for cases like Zach's.

"If we caught every teenager that violated our current law," says former Judge William Buhl, "we'd lock up 30 or 40 percent of the high school. We're kidding ourselves."

Everyone on the same list 

Buhl says the problem is that the registry is a one-size-fits-all list that treats everyone as if they pose the same threat, whether they are a predatory child molester or a teen who had sex with his girlfriend.

In a highly critical study of the sex offender registry in 2013, Human Rights Watch says there is "no evidence" that placing teens on the sex offender registries make communities safer. 

Even convicted sex offenders, the very people the registry was set up to monitor, say their type of criminal behavior and mindset is vastly different from some of these teens.

Ted Rodarm, who served prison time for molestation, says teens such as Zach don't belong on the same registry as sex offenders like him. Rodarm, who is now a part of a ministry for sex offenders, adds "the registry has become so diluted that you can't identify the truly dangerous, and that in itself is dangerous."

Buhl, who says he has presided over dozens of sex offender cases, agrees that the states are wasting resources on people who are unlikely to re-offend. He says one solution would be to have a risk assessment registry, in which offenders are assessed in terms of their threat to society. But he believes change is unlikely, because few lawmakers would be willing to back a provision that lessens the severity of sex crime laws. 

As for Zach, he's awaiting another court hearing in which his attorney will try to mitigate his sentence. 

There's no telling, of course, whether that will be successful.

On the Edge

August 3, 2015

Read: Romans 6:16-23 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 63–65; Romans 6

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Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. John 8:34

There’s an underground lava tube south of Kuna, Idaho, that has gained a certain amount of local notoriety. The only entrance, as far as I know, is a yawning shaft that plunges straight down into darkness.

            Some years ago I stood at the edge of that shaft and looked down. I was drawn to venture closer and almost lost my balance. I felt a moment of heart-pounding terror and stepped away from the opening. 

            Sin is like that: Curiosity can draw us toward the darkness. How often have men and women gotten too close to the edge, lost their balance, and fallen into the darkness? They’ve destroyed their families, reputations, and careers through adulterous affairs that began with a “mere” flirtation but then progressed to thoughts and actions. Looking back they almost always say, “I never thought it would come to this.”

            We think we can flirt with temptation, get very close to the edge, and walk away, but that’s a fool’s dream. We know an action is wrong and yet we toy with it. Then, inescapably, we are drawn into deeper and darker perversions. Jesus put it simply: “Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34).

            And so, seeing our own need for God’s help, we pray as David did in Psalm 19:13, “Keep back Your servant also from [deliberate] sins; let them not have dominion over me.”

Heavenly Father, whether we are being tempted now, or have fallen, we thank You that You are always there, and You love us with relentless love. We have nowhere to turn but to You.

A big fall begins with a little stumble.

INSIGHT: 

Having proven that all people are sinners and having shown how sinners are justified through faith in Jesus (Rom. 1–4), Paul now describes the new life we can have because of what Jesus did (chs. 5–8). We can live differently, we can choose not to sin, and we can live holy lives (6:1-14). In today’s passage, Paul warns that we become the slave of whatever we choose to obey (vv. 16-20). Rather than give ourselves to sin, we are to give ourselves to God (vv. 22-23). When we do sin, we bear the consequences of our sins and experience a lack of fellowship with God (Gal. 6:7-8). Sim Kay Tee