Cathy and I walked into a reformation prison in Italy and were captured by the things we saw. Pictured to the left is a small portion of the prison walls that were full of pictures and scripture written by the inmates. They used their own blood to write on the plaster. You see a picture of the cross of Jesus. They were being tortured for heresy that was outside the teaching of the church.

In one of the rooms was a torture rack used to gain confessions from the prisoners. I had seen many pictures of those tools but never saw one in person. I took a picture but it came out blurry.

I was transported back to the jail cell for Peter in Rome. I feel certain he had seen it many times during his time in prison. He used that image to warn us of people who will distort the Bible.

Peter ends his writing to the church with a powerful analogy. He talks of a torture rack that was commonly used in Roman prisons. The Greek word used is the name of the torture rack. The word is translated "twist" to leave a clear picture of what people will do to the Word of God.

2 Peter 3:16 (ESV)
16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. oThere are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, pas they do the other Scriptures.

Has it ever occurred to you that people would distort the Bible to make it say what they desired? Today has been very confusing as people take Bible verses and attempt to prove their view of a difficult issue. They twist the Word out of its natural position to get the result they want.

When we open the Bible together we are always reminded about the torture rack. We need to let the Bible say what it says without twisting the words to fit our personal desires. That means we have many scriptures to wrestle with and clarify. We are glad that the Bible is here and is able to speak clearly when we listen carefully.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
___________________________
o  [Heb. 5:11]
p  [Isa. 28:13]
  The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (2 Pe 3:16). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.
​
Life Nuggets are written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and its goal of missionary retention.   
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

Lightning hits with a flash that is very unsettling. It is followed by a thunder clap that rumbles in our hearts and minds. It helps create fear and apprehension. Then comes the relief that it did not hit your location.

Objects who are in the path of a lightning strike experience an electrostatic discharge that carries blistering heat and destructive properties. It can cause your heart to skip a beat as it strikes with great speed and unpredictability.

God has a special use for lighting. It is essential in the nitrogen cycle for the air. Nitrates are formed in the atmosphere and fall to the earth with the rain. That fertilizes the earth and enhances the growth of plants and other organisms. God is so amazing!
 
But he also visualizes the return of Jesus in comparison with lighting. It will be so unpredictable but highly visual around the world. His coming will be a true celestial event. It will be in a flash.

27 lFor as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be mthe coming of the Son of Man.
 
30 Then rwill appear in heaven sthe sign of the Son of Man, and then tall the tribes of the earth will mourn, and uthey will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven vwith power and great glory.
 
We continue to be in awe of the design of God. There is very little activity in our life and world that is not given a purpose by the Lord. We are thankful for His provision.
 
Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
_________________________
l Luke 17:24
m ver. 3, 37, 39
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 24:27). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
r Dan. 7:13
s [ver. 3]
t Rev. 1:7; [Zech. 12:12]
u See ch. 16:27
v ch. 26:64; Mark 9:1; [ch. 25:31]
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 24:30). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
 Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.
Life Nuggets are written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and its goal of missionary retention.   
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

Pruning your life!

Remove the dead wood. It was very instructive for us to live in a vineyard this past June and July. The farm workers pruned the vines in preparation for next years crop. You notice in the picture that the vines seem almost naked. They have been cleaned of all the dead wood. You can see on the ground branches that have been removed to make room for new growth in the spring.

This pruning process goes on each year. There is also a time when the vines become unproductive and have to be removed and replaced by new vines. The whole procedure was fascinating. It breathes new life into the comments by Jesus Christ about vines, branches and abiding in Him in John chapter 15..

It causes us to ask what items in our life are fruitful and useful? What needs to be cut out of our life so we are valuable for the Kingdom of Christ? Notice that some branches become so productive that they become a part of the vine. I think that would be a goal for all of us who follow Christ!

Maybe the season has come for you to prune and cleanse the many activities that consume your life. The vines almost feel scalped. Maybe we need to seek the simple life that lets us abide in Christ more of the time. Pray for guidance from the Lord!

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
________________________
​Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.
Life Nuggets are written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and its goal of missionary retention.   
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this email in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

Mother's Know!

​We have found ourselves captivated by animals in Africa. Especially those mother's in Kruger National Park in South Africa.

We have learned that you give plenty of distance between a mother and it's baby. More than once we have had a mother elephant square off our vehicle and clearly say back off! Flapping ears and their shaking head gives a clear warning. We have also seen videos of vehicles being attacked by an animal. Sometimes that has been a protective mother!