Others like the three most powerful words Features >>
About the Book
"The Three Most Powerful Words" by Derek Prince explores the importance and impact of three key words: faith, hope, and love. The book delves into the deep significance of these words in the context of Christian belief and offers insights into how embracing them can lead to a transformative spiritual life. Prince argues that faith, hope, and love are not just abstract concepts but powerful forces that can shape our thoughts, actions, and relationships in profound ways. Through biblical teachings and personal anecdotes, he shows readers how to cultivate these virtues in their own lives and unlock their full potential.
Martin and Gracia Burnham
Martin Burnham and Gracia were missionaries who served for 17 years in the Philippines. After their marriage, they underwent hard training in the jungle to prepare themselves to serve in jungle parts. Martin, being a pilot missionary, supported other missionaries who were working among the tribals in jungles. He delivered groceries and medicines to missionaries and tribals and transported sick people to medical facilities. He always had a big heart for tribals and missionaries. Gracia supported him well in the work.
On May 29, 2001, while relaxing at a resort after Martin’s one overseas mission, a Muslim militant group called the Abu Sayyaf Group attacked the resort and abducted the missionary couple and few others for ransom. The missionaries were kept captive for more than a year.
During that one year, the couple went through terrible experiences. They suffered starvation, sleeplessness and sickness, witnessed atrocities of militants and experienced gun battles between militants and the military. Amidst suffering, God was their only hope and strength.
At some point, Gracia was so depressed that although she believed that Christ died for her, she felt God doesn’t love her anymore. Martin said to her “either you believe it all or don’t believe it at all.” They encouraged one another to stand firm in the faith.
Martin Burnham and Gracia ministry in Philippines
Finally, on June 7, 2002, in a rescue operation by the Philippine military, wounded Gracia was rescued. But 42 years old Martin died in the gunfight during the rescue. Later, Gracia went back to America and joined her children.
Gracia did not let her painful experiences depress her and move her away from God. But she used those experiences to encourage others who are going through hardships. She founded the Martin and Gracia Burnham Foundation, which supports missionary aviation and tribal mission work around the world. It also focuses on ministries among Muslims. She forgave who abducted them, visited them in jail and shared Christ’s love. Some of them accepted Christ. Gracia believes that this may be God’s great purpose behind their suffering.
How I Approach God When Feeling Rotten
A vague bad feeling that you are a crummy person is not the same as conviction for sin. Feeling rotten is not the same as repentance. This morning I began to pray, and felt unworthy to be talking to the Creator of the universe. It was a vague sense of unworthiness. So I told him so. Now what? Nothing changed until I began to get specific about my sins. Crummy feelings can be useful if they lead to conviction for sins. Vague feelings of being a bad person are not very helpful. The fog of unworthiness needs to take shape into clear dark pillars of disobedience. Then you can point to them and repent and ask for forgiveness and take aim to blow them up. So I began to call to mind the commands I frequently break. These are the ones that came to mind. Love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Not 95%, 100%. (Matthew 22:37) Love your neighbor as you love yourself. Be as eager for things to go well for him as you are for things to go well for you. (Matthew 22:39) Do all things without grumbling. No grumbling—inside or outside. (Philippians 2:14) Cast all your anxieties on him—so you are not being weighed down by it anymore. (1 Peter 5:7) Only say things that give grace to others—especially those closest to you. (Ephesians 4:29) Redeem the time. Don’t fritter or dawdle. (Ephesians 5:16) Set your mind on things that are above. Connect all your thoughts to Christ. (Colossians 3:2) Do not return evil for evil—like when your wife or daughter says something you don’t like. (1 Thessalonians 5:15) Rejoice always, and again I say rejoice. Always. If sorrowful, keep rejoicing. (Philippians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 6:10) Give thanks in all circumstances. All. All. All. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) So much for any pretensions to great holiness! I’m undone. But now it is specific. I look it in the eye. I’m not whining about feeling crummy. I’m apologizing to Christ for not keeping all that he commanded. I’m broken and I’m angry at my sin. I want to kill it, not me. I’m not suicidal. I’m a sin hater and a sin murderer (“Put to death what is earthly in you” Colossians 3:5. “Put to death the deeds of the body” Romans 8:13.) In this conflict, I hear the promise, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9). Peace rises. Prayer feels possible and right and powerful again. Article by John Piper Founder & Teacher, desiringGod.org
