Ignatius Loyola

Quote: "Let me look at the foulness and ugliness of my body. Let me see myself as an ulcerous sore running with every horrible and disgusting poison." (Ignatius Loyola) A small boy when Columbus first set sail, Ignatius Loyola (1491 - 1556) grew up in a world filled with possibility and exploding with geographical and mechanical discoveries. As the founder of the Society of Jesus—known simply as the Jesuits—he formed a militaristic missionary organization demanding strict discipline and loyalty. He set the pace for Catholic outreach worldwide, and before he died there were Jesuits scattered across Europe and serving in outposts as remote as India, Japan, and Brazil. Born into nobility in the Basque country of Spain, Loyola is schooled in the Spanish court and steeped in military training and the art of chivalry. But the excitement of training soon turns into the horrors of a war in which his shin is shattered by a cannonball. He endures excruciating primitive surgery with no anesthetic, leaving him with constant pain and a lifelong limp.

Money Matters

by Darren Hewer

“41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.’” Mark 12:41-44

Do you ever feel anxious when the collection plate comes around? Paul somewhat surprisingly tells us that “You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give.” Not only that, but giving should be joyful, not forced: “Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully”

Jesus, Poverty and a Bad Mistake

Greg Stier

We address poverty by both giving
them bread for their bodies and
the Bread of Life for their souls.

As I write this I’m traveling home from a Youth Specialties convention that was just held in Dallas, Texas. “YS” (as it’s commonly called) is a youth pastors’ conference that has tons of seminars for youth leaders to help them become more effective at ministering to teenagers. I’ve been teaching at these fabulous events for more than a decade and look forward to it every year.
One of the reasons I love YS is because it’s always a great opportunity to connect with youth pastors of all shapes and stripes. These leaders range from mainline to conservative, small church to large church and rural to urban.
My YS experiences have been defined by laughter, learning and, at times, controversial conversations. It has been a joy to wrestle through tough issues with others who are in the midst of ministering to the next generation.

Receiving A Miracle

Dear friends and partners,

   This week I finish part 2 of the study, "Receiving a miracle from God."  The prophet Isaiah asked the question in chapter 53, "Who will believe the report of the Lord?"  The report of the Lord is the final word on your life no matter what the world has to say.  Through the years I have learned to trust God in the most difficult situations imagined.  I know many of you have done the same.  The same God that miraculously brought you out of the matter is the same God who will do it again!

   The doctors report may be against you, but the word of the Lord is for you.  Sickness and disease cannot win against a victorious Believer in Jesus Christ!  Debt, lack and poverty cannot take your life because Jesus paid the price for your sins and He has redeemed you from the curse of the law that was against you.  I encourage you today to walk in the promise of the word of God and receive your miracle now!

Still In God’s Hands

Our Daily Bread is hosted by Les Lamborn

READ: Job 1:13-22

In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. —Job 1:22

During my first year of seminary, I listened as a new friend described her life. Abandoned by her husband, she was raising two small children alone. Earning just over minimum wage, she had little chance of escaping the poverty and dangers she described in her neighborhood.

As a father, I was moved by her concern for her children, and asked, “How do you handle all of this?” She seemed surprised by my question and replied, “We are doing all we can do, and I must leave them in God’s hands.” Her trust in God in the midst of trials reminded me of Job’s trust (1:6-22).

A year later, she phoned and asked if I would come be with her at the funeral home. Her son had been killed in a drive-by shooting. I asked God for words to comfort her and for the wisdom not to try to explain the unexplainable.

Standing with her that day, however, I marveled as again and again she comforted others—her confidence in God unshaken by this terrible blow. Turning to me as we parted, her final words were a poignant reminder of the depth of her faith: “My boy is still in God’s hands.” Like Job, she “did not sin nor charge God with wrong”(v.22).

Strike It Rich

"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:29)

One of the problems that hung around me for years was poverty. But I remember the day I decided I wasn't going to be poor anymore. I was reading in the Word where it says that the blessing of Abraham has come upon the Gentiles by Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:14). Then I got down to the twenty-ninth verse where it says, "If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE." 

Suddenly the truth hit me. I got so excited I could hardly stand myself.

I turned back over to Deuteronomy 28 and--line by line--I read those promised blessings. "Blessed in the city, blessed in the country. Blessed going out, blessed coming in. Blessed in your barns, blessed in your fields, blessed in all the works of your hands." Man, I had struck it rich!

When your loss is gain

It is pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness; poverty and wealth have both failed." —Kin Hubbard

I have a friend who has a great story about depending on money. He shared it with our church once, and this is about how it went:

In 1982, this issue of money started when I finished my degree at Dallas Seminary. I took a ministry position in California. Being young and confident, my wife and I bought another house when we moved. Ten months into that particular stint, I was fired. Now, we had two house payments... along with our third child just being born... along with all the expenses of a young family.

Dale Carnegie on Making Lemonade

By Rod Anderson , CP Cartoonist

At a time of rising unemployment, anxious and volatile financial markets and shrinking personal retirement accounts, the story of Dale Carnegie's life -- and his wisdom -- serves as an inspirational and encouraging lesson.

How to Stop Worrying

Compassion For The Impoverished

Jennifer’s life was touched when she happened to see a television program which documented the plight of the millions of children in the world who live in poverty. She felt guilty about the privilege that many people have while others are in such desperate need. It made her wonder: How can we make a lasting impact in the lives of others, that goes beyond even material, physical needs, but also addresses the deepest questions of life?

Video provided by: TruthMedia films

http://powertochange.com/discover/stories/compassion-for-the-impoverished/

Related:

Why Is There Evil And Suffering?

http://powertochange.com/discover/stories/compassion-for-the-impoverished/

Climate Change Could Be Tough on Seniors' Health: Study

Wide temperature swings in summer could lead to 10,000 excess deaths in U.S. per year

By Mary Elizabeth Dallas

MONDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) -- Even small swings in temperatures could put elderly people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart failure and lung disease at greater risk of death throughout the coming summer, a new study indicates.

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston found temperature fluctuations related to climate change could claim thousands of lives every year.

Experts predict climate change could increase variations in summer temperatures, particularly in the mid-Atlantic states and in parts of France, Spain and Italy. In these more volatile regions, this could pose a serious public health risk, the study authors claimed.

Throw Open the Door

"Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money in.... And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites.... And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them...this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living." (Mark 12:41-44)

Have you ever wanted to get God's attention? You can, you know. There's a certain kind of boldness, a certain kind of faith in giving that will get His attention every time. You can see that in Mark 12.

Read that chapter and just imagine the situation it describes. Jesus was sitting by the treasury watching as people put in their offerings. Don't you know there were some sanctimonious displays going on with Him there watching? There was bound to be plenty of pharisaical robe swishing as those wealthy leaders walked up to put in their gifts that day.

Wisdom From King Lemuel’s Mother

Scripture Passage:  Proverbs 31:1-31

INTRODUCTION: King Lemuel wrote the last chapter of Proverbs but he credits his mother with the wisdom contained in his words. Whereas most of Proverbs deals with a father speaking to his son, this chapter contains a mother’s wisdom that she gives to her son. Mostly, she deals with the danger of alcohol and the need for a virtuous woman.

1. THE DANGER OF STRONG DRINK (Proverbs 31:1-9)
1. The Wisdom of This Chapter (Proverbs 31:1-2)
1. The words of King Lemuel (Proverbs 31:1
   )
2. The prophecy that his mother taught him (Proverbs 31:1
   ): NOTE: a mother has great power to influence her children; consider the influence that Timothy’s mother and grandmother had on him (2 Timothy 1:5
   ; 2 Timothy 3:15
   ).
3. Given to her son (Proverbs 31:2
   )
1. Her own son – “my son”
2. Her physical child – “the son of my womb”
3. Her chosen child – “the son of my vows”; she had made vows to Lemuel’s father in marriage, but she had also likely made vows to God concerning her son and his upbringing. Compare Hannah (1 Samuel 1:11
   ).
2. Common Dangers for Kings (Proverbs 31:3-4)
1. That they would give their strength to women (Proverbs 31:3
   ; Deuteronomy 17:17
   ; 1 Kings 11:1-8; Nehemiah 13:26
   )
2. That they would give their ways to destruction (Proverbs 31:3
   )
3. That they would give themselves to drink (Proverbs 31:4
   )
3. The Warnings Against Strong Drink (Proverbs 31:5-7)
1. Destroys the rule of kings and princes (Proverbs 31:5
   )
1. Causes them to forget the law
2. Causes them to pervert judgment
2. Fit only for those who are losers (Proverbs 31:6-7)
1. The recipients (Proverbs 31:6
   )
1. Those ready to perish
2. Those with heavy heart
2. The benefits (Proverbs 31:7
   )
1. He will forget his poverty
2. He will forget his misery
3. NOTE: Christians are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:37
   ) and will never have reason to fit in the above categories.
4. The Righteous Use of the Tongue (Proverbs 31:8-9)
1. To speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8
   ); consider Esther in Esther 4:13-16.
2. To plead the cause of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:9
   ; Psalm 82:3
   )
2. THE VALUE OF A VIRTUOUS WOMAN (Proverbs 31:10-31)
1. Her Purity (Proverbs 31:10-11)
1. She is virtuous (Proverbs 31:10
   )
1. Ruth (Ruth 3:11
   )
2. A crown to her husband (Proverbs 12:4
   )
2. She is valuable (Proverbs 31:10
   )
1. Like the faithful man, she is hard to find (Proverbs 20:6
   )
2. Like wisdom, she is more valuable than rubies (Proverbs 8:11
   )
3. She is vigilant (Proverbs 31:11
   )
1. Her husband trusts in her (1 Peter 3:1-4)
2. Her husband depends on her; having no need for spoil
2. Her Loyalty (Proverbs 31:12
   , 23)
1. She does good for her husband (Proverbs 31:12
   )
2. She increases the influence of her husband (Proverbs 31:23
   )
3. Her Industry (Proverbs 31:13-19, 27)
1. She is a master buyer
1. Buying wool and flax (Proverbs 31:13
   )
2. Buying food for her family (Proverbs 31:14
   )
3. Buying a field (Proverbs 31:16
   )
2. She is an accomplished craftsman
1. Working the wool and flax (Proverbs 31:13
   , 19)
1. Spindle: used to twist fibers into thread
2. Distaff: the staff on which the wool or flax is wound
2. Planting and reaping a vineyard (Proverbs 31:16
   )
3. Making good merchandise like candles (Proverbs 31:18
   )
3. She cares for those in her household
1. Giving meat to her household (Proverbs 31:15
   )
2. Looking well to the ways of her household (Proverbs 31:27
   )
4. She diligently accomplishes her work
1. Rising while it is yet night (Proverbs 31:15
   )
2. Girding her loins with strength (Proverbs 31:17
   )
3. Eating not the bread of idleness (Proverbs 31:27
   ; see1 Timothy 5:10
   , 13)
4. Her Economy (Proverbs 31:14
   , 16, 18, 21-22, 24)
1. In purchasing and working flax and wool (Proverbs 31:14
   )
2. In purchasing and providing food (Proverbs 31:16
   )
3. In making merchandise, probably to be sold (Proverbs 31:18
   )
4. In clothing her house well (Proverbs 31:21-22)
5. In running a home business (Proverbs 31:24
   )
5. Her Charity (Proverbs 31:20
   ; Romans 16:1-2)
1. Stretching out her hands to the poor
2. Reaching forth her hands to the needy
6. Her Dignity (Proverbs 31:25
   )
1. Clothed with strength
2. Clothed with honor
3. Preparing for the time to come
7. Her Courtesy (Proverbs 31:26
   )
1. Speaking with wisdom (James 3:13-18)
2. Speaking with kindness
8. Her Testimony (Proverbs 31:28-29, 31)
1. Her children rise up and bless her (Proverbs 31:28
   )
2. Her husband rises up and praises her (Proverbs 31:28
   )
3. She excels the daughters of virtue (Proverbs 31:29
   )
4. Her own works praise her in the gates (Proverbs 31:31
   )
9. Her Sanctity (Proverbs 31:30
   )
1. She ignores the deceitfulness of favor
2. She ignores the vanity of beauty (Proverbs 11:22
   )
3. She exalts the fear of the Lord
4. She receives praise for her wise choice

David Reagan

http://www.learnthebible.org