Freedom’s Fragility Displayed, Marshall Blalock Reflects on SATF & From Head to Heart

Calling it a historic moment for Finland, Sweden and NATO, the 30 NATO member countries signed off to the addition of the European nations to NATO. The addition of Finland and Sweden is another signal of the isolation of Russia, according to policy experts.

The move comes as Russian continues to bombard Ukraine moving forward in its bid to overtake the neighboring nation.

The vote by the NATO ambassadors means Sweden and France can attend NATO meetings, but they do not have voting rights until their membership has been fully ratified.

Marshall Blalock, pastor of First Baptist Church, Charleston, S.C., said one of the spiritual lessons he learned through serving on the Sexual Abuse Task Force was how to “think and act with more compassion.”

Blalock was one of the eight members selected by immediate-past president Ed Litton to serve on the Task Force, and was also named vice chairman.

The pastor said his time on the task force taught him about the depths of harm caused by sexual abuse. “I didn’t realize the depth of the trauma that’s involved with someone who is abused,” Blalock said. “It’s much more traumatic and life-altering than I ever understood or new.”

Good News for Today is sponsored by The Voice of the Martyrs

Good News for Today is made possible through our friends at The Voice of the Martyrs, a nonprofit organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission — no matter the cost. Find out more and sign up for their free monthly magazine at vom.org/goodnews.

In a First-Person piece on Baptist Press, David Jeremiah writes about how difficult it is for the head and heart to connect when it comes to growing in one’s faith. He says Christians should not take the work of the Holy Spirit for granted in the process, but also offers some key elements.

That takes full-fledged Bible study. Whenever you read a passage in the Bible for your own nourishment or to teach others, your study must include observation, interpretation and application. Approach every passage in Scripture with three questions: (1) What does it say? (2) What does it mean? (3) What does it mean to me?

It also takes prayer. Suppose you’re reading through Proverbs and come to chapter 15: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” One of the most effective ways of getting that verse circulating through your system is by turning it into a prayer:

“Lord, teach me the secret of the soft answer. Remind me in advance that harsh words increase the anger in the one with whom I’m speaking.”

It also takes commitment. We have to use our mind to put the Bible into practice and to commit ourselves to trust its promises and obey its commands.