MINISTRY NEWSLETTER  

Plumbline Newsletter

Are You Reading the Signs of the Times?

In the context of trusting Him, not worrying, and being ready for His coming, Jesus said, “You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time?” (Luke 12:56).

The Word of God gives sobering examples of those who did not—such as the false prophets of Jeremiah’s day who counseled the final kings of Judah. They prophesied, “ ‘Peace, peace,’ ” as judgment was descending (Jer. 6:14). Instead, our example must be those such as the sons of Issachar, “who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do” (1 Chron. 12:32). Following in their footsteps, we must:

1. Realize the spiritual significance of the times we live in.
2. Order our lives in light of that significance.

With that in mind, let me give you three thoughts.

 

Don’t Fall for False Optimism

I call Jeremiah “the book for right now.” Our religious world is filled with best-selling false prophets rivaling those of Jeremiah’s day. Jesus pointed it out as a sign of the times in Matthew 24. You hear little from them about sin. Little about “greed, which amounts to idolatry” (Col. 3:5; Luke 12:15). Little about temporal and eternal judgment. This recession—triggered by idolatry— should be a sign telling us to steer clear of such false teachers and instead to properly study God’s Word and search our own hearts.

Likewise, a nation filled with mockery of God and sexual immorality should be a sign that we are courting increased judgment. We’ve murdered more than 40 million babies. God’s righteousness commands His judgment. The increase in the signs of Matthew 24 all point to what must happen before Jesus comes. Be encouraged. Be alert. Be ready.

Don’t Worry

So in light of the signs of trouble, Beloved, should we be overcome with anxiety? Our Master says the opposite!  Jesus told people in a nation consumed with greed and worried about losing their earthly possessions, “Do not worry about your life, as to  what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.”God is your sovereign Father! “Life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. . . . But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you” (Luke 12:22–23, 31). “He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?’ ” (Heb. 13:5–6)

Don’t Grow Weary!

In Luke 12:35–40, Jesus tells us we are to be like men waiting for our master to come. In Hebrews we are assured that we will “receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken” (Heb. 12:28). As we read the signs of our times, we can handle whatever hits us—recession, persecution, stress—with the gift He called “My peace” (John 14:27). But to do so, you must continue to do the work of seriously studying His Word and find supernatural power to live for His Kingdom. “My righteous one shall live by faith.” I plead with you, in the light of the signs of the times, to keep going. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23).

Additional resources...
Anger Adversity Anxiety	Encouragement Faith Hope

Kay Arthur
Host, Precepts For Life
Co-CEO, Precept Ministries International

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Chain Reaction! Inductive Bible student ignites church-planting explosion in the Philippines

Your gifts to Precept have helped light the match to a spiritual explosion of Truth in the Philippines!

The incredible story began when Bob and Diane Vereen conducted training in 2006 that included a man named Nemie Josiah. After God touched him through inductive Bible study, he could not contain his zeal.

Soon Nemie was teaching Precept classes– both Precept Upon Precept and 40-Minute studies. But that wasn’t all. Out of these classes came yet more Bible study leaders . . . and not only leaders, but also pastors who are now using Precept material to shepherd vibrant churches!

As a result of Nemie’s work, 187 pastors and church workers in the Philippines are studying Precept Upon Precept . . . and hundreds more are going through 40-Minute studies. Testimonies of changed lives are pouring in.

One of the pastors says, “Praise God, I learned how to interpret the Scripture, apply it to my life, and how to prepare a sermon outline.”

“I have grown to love God’s Word more than ever before,” says Nemie today. “All of those who have gone through your training workshops are now becoming Precept leaders. Glory to God forever!” Amen. And thank you for your support!

Partner with Precept to equip believers in the U.S. and around the world...

 

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Q: How Can I Be Ready For Jesus’ Coming?

A: When Peter knew he was going to die, he wrote his final letter that his readers might be reminded of the importance of knowing God and His Son, the veracity of Scripture, and that false prophets and mockers will come asking, “Where is the promise of His coming?” Then Peter told them they can “hasten” (speed up) the coming of the day of God (2 Pet. 3:12). In that we find out how to be ready. First, we need to be sharing Jesus—God doesn’t want any to perish (2 Pet. 3:9–13). Second, we need to be found by Him in peace (He’s our peace, as I said in the lead article)— peace with God and peace with others (John 14:27). Third, we need to be spotless and blameless—to passionately pursue righteousness, living as God says to live. Fourth, we need to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior (2 Pet. 3:14–18). This is what will also help us spot false teachers. The person who lives like this will surely hear His“Well done” when He comes.

Q: What advice do you have for those who want to get more out of Bible Study?

A: As Peter says, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” “Learn the basics,” but don’t stop there. Hebrews 5:11-14 tells us we must go on from milk to solid food, and that takes discipline. Study the Bible book by book. The New Inductive Study Series (NISS) is ideal for that. The key to handling God’s Word accurately is to observe, observe, observe. Find out: What does the passage say? Precept gives you a host of skills that literally make the Word jump off the page with life and understanding. Believe me, it never gets old! My heart is still thrilled with discovering truth for myself. Then comes interpretation: What does the passage mean? You can’t leap to this. It has to flow from your observations, or you might be substituting your own bias. Third, application: What am I to believe and how am I to live in light of this truth? And of course, I would add that Precept would be honored to help them or keep them moving ahead.

 

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Millions are at a spiritual crossroad—in America and globally. Please keep praying and giving to propel this movement forward.

“I have attended different Bible schools, but this Precept Upon Precept is so different and touches my whole being. Step by step I’ve learned so much that makes me more thirsty and hungry to know more of Him. I have [studied] Genesis, Sermon on the Mount, and now we are doing John and Ephesians! With gladness in my heart, I shared Hosea in a Precept approach to my co-pastors in Batangas City. . . . Now, these co-pastors of mine in Batangas City have their own Precept Upon Precept classes. More or less 100 pastors and leaders are now attending. . . . Bless God! Glory to God!” —Pastor Pol S. Falcatan

“Through Precept, I’ve learned how to study the Bible and interpret it without putting my own ideas in.”
—Sister Giau

Millions are at a spiritual crossroad—in America and globally.
Please keep praying and giving to propel this movement forward.

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Books Recommended by Kay...

Sweeter Than Chocolate!

Sweet Words and Real Solutions from God’s Book: An Inductive Study of Psalm 119 Softcover—134 pages $24.99

Order Today

“Why not be transformed by an inductive study of the Bible’s greatest psalm devoted to the Word of God? In six brief lessons, this blessing can be yours! Precept leader and sponsor Pam Gillaspie helps you see observations, interpretations, and applications you may never have noticed—but that could change you forever. Beloved, I commend this book to you. Let the sweet words of Psalm 119 open your eyes to solutions to whatever you face today.”

 

You’re a Brave Man, Daniel! (Daniel 1–6)

Discover 4 Yourself Inductive Bible Studies for Kids (6 week study) Softcover—160 pages $9.99

Order Your Copy Now

“Your child, grandchild, or student needs to know for themselves that God blesses those who bless Him. And they need to get it straight from God Himself—as they learn to inductively study His Word.”

This study:

• Absorbs children with games and adventures that teach content
• Rivets children as they learn about the past— and the future
• Spiritually builds them as they learn to put their whole trust in Him

Don’t fall for the horrible lie that kids can’t handle God’s Word, Dear One. He wants them to come to Him.” For ages 8–12.

To order these resources by phone 1.800.763.8280.

 

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Join Kay Arthur on Precepts For Life

Dare to Be God’s Messenger - Daniel

Learn to live like Daniel in these critical days. See how Daniel was a man who knew the Word of God and the God of the Word. Discover the significant impact he made on the ungodly people and the culture around him. How can you get to know intimately the Most High God the way Daniel did? Simply by walking through his inspired and inspiring book verse by verse. You’ll get an unmatched understanding of your God and your future from Daniel’s prophecies that will not only anchor your soul for the storms ahead but also empower you to do great works in spite of them.

We have two inductive Bible study resources for you to engage with the Bible and study along with the broadcast.

Study Companion Complete daily Bible texts plus cross-references, marking notes, thought-provoking questions, maps and charts help you get even more from the passages. Perfect for leading small group studies. Order your copy Study Guide FREE Daily Bible references, marking notes and questions help you study inductively. Download your free Study Guide, Daniel – Dare to be God's Messenger

Find stations in your area and sites online that carry Precepts For Life...

 

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Resolved! No Recession of Faith

The question before every Christian is this: Will the recession in the economy produce a “recession” in our faith in God? To answer, let’s remind ourselves of some unchanging facts:

• The recession cannot reverse the fact that God is God.
• The recession cannot reverse the fact that you are “crucified with Christ” (Gal. 2:20).
• The recession cannot reverse the fact that “Christ lives in” you—and that you can live “by faith in the Son of God,” who loves you and gave Himself up for you.
• The recession cannot stop God from supplying “all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19) as you help expand His Kingdom.

Precept Ministries, like most others, has seen a steep drop in income these past months. We have reorganized to ensure stewardship and efficiency. We have passed up some “good” projects to focus on the “best.” We continue to fervently petition God to keep providing funds to teach people how to study His Word . . . because demand for our ministry is higher than ever.

But we have not panicked—and never will.

Why? For all the reasons listed above and more. We have resolved never to succumb to a "recession" of faith.

What about you? Are you standing firm on the truths of what the recession can’t do to you? Believe me, I realize it’s not easy. At Precept, we experience the same emotions you do as we see the bank account running low.

But if Christian faith were easy, why should it make the unbelieving world turn its head and take notice of our God? In their eyes, Christian faith is crazy—impossible. Especially in a recession. For example, the churches of Macedonia were in an economic recession. They were in “a great ordeal of affliction” and “deep poverty” (2 Cor. 8:2). Yet they did something that was not normal by the world’s fear-based standards: “According to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave” (2 Cor. 8:3). What! Gave? In a recession? Yes, they did.

In fact, they gave generously, “begging . . . with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints” (v. 4). They “begged” Paul to let them give more than he asked (v. 3)!

The key to their generosity was that “they first gave themselves to the Lord” (v. 5). They knew that the Pure Giver—the One who “gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16)—actually lived in them through Christ. Their sacrificial giving was not a grudging “to do list” but rather a joyful echo of their indwelling Master’s passion.

By their giving, they spit in the eye of their recession. No recession of faith for them! Their God—His promises, His Kingdom—was bigger. May it be so with us.

David Arthur
Vice President of Teaching and Training
Precept Ministries

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