Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jan. 27, 1942: Soviets take key rail center of Lozovaya, Ukraine, but Ukrainian offensive stalls. British withdraw from Batu Pahat, Malaya and begin withdrawal to Singapore.

Which Lion to Follow?

We think of temptation as a blinding neon light, a shout through a bullhorn, a shocking aroma—blatant and easily avoided. More often temptation comes as a fleeting glimpse, a gentle whisper, a pleasing whiff. As we become more spiritually mature, temptation becomes more subtle and less easy to distinguish. Our tempter is crafty and knows when neon no longer appeals to us.

When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he didn’t offer glitzy sleaze—he offered good things. Feed Yourself. Prove God’s power before the people. Take the kingdom the Father promised You. Subtle, and he even used Scripture. But Jesus saw the truth. What Satan offered wasn’t God’s will for Jesus at that time, in that way, or by those means.

To discern if that gentle whisper is from the Lord, self, or Satan, we must be so familiar with God’s Word and God’s ways that we can tell truth from lies.

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith” 1 Peter 5:8-9.

How can you avoid the prowling lion and turn to the Lion of Judah?

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jan. 26, 1942: First US Army troops arrive in UK—in Belfast to relieve British troops. US and Filipino forces withdraw to final defense line on Bataan Peninsula, behind Pilar-Bagac road.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jan. 25, 1942: Japanese puppet state in Thailand declares war on US and UK. Australia orders full mobilization.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jan. 24, 1942: Battle of Makassar Strait—US destroyers damage Japanese convoy bound for Balikpapan, Borneo. US Marines land on Samoa to protect it from Japanese. US Flying Tigers P-40s shoot down 12 Japanese planes over Rangoon, Burma. New song in Top Ten: “I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good.”

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jan. 23, 1942: Japanese land at crucial naval and air base of Rabaul, New Britain and take it. Japanese land at Kavieng, New Ireland and Bougainville, and secure both. Lt. Gen. Joseph Stilwell placed in command of US Army forces in China-Burma-India Theater.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jan. 22, 1942: Soviets begin evacuation of 440,000 citizens of besieged Leningrad over ice road across Lake Ladoga.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jan. 21, 1942: German forces under Rommel attack British at El Agheila, Libya; will drive 350 miles in 17 days. Japanese begin air offensive against New Guinea.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jan. 20, 1942: At the Wannsee Conference, Nazis under SS security chief Reinhard Heydrich plan “Final Solution” to “Jewish Problem.” Japanese launch main attack into southern Burma from Thailand.

What's Holding You Back?

“I’m not ready for that yet. Maybe in a few years.”

What is That Thing in your life? The one thing you long to do that you don’t feel ready for yet? You need to be older, wiser, better prepared, have more time, pass some milestone first—and then you’ll do it.

At the age of twelve, Jesus went to His Father’s house. According to Jewish tradition, He wouldn’t be part of the religious community for another year. He wouldn’t start His ministry for another eighteen years. But He wanted to be about His Father’s business, and He wouldn’t let His age stop Him.

1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.” Look carefully at whatever is keeping you from doing That Thing now. Pray about it. Is it truly God’s will for you to wait, or is it your fear, insecurity, laziness, or perception that holds you back?

If it truly is God’s will to wait, then follow Jesus’ example and prepare to do That Thing in the future by asking questions and listening and learning.

Do you have a "That Thing" in your life you don't feel ready for yet? What's holding you back?

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jan. 19, 1942: British North Borneo surrenders to Japanese at Sandakan. Actor Jimmy Stewart receives his wings and commission in the US Army Air Forces.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jan. 18, 1942: RAF bombers withdraw from Singapore to Sumatra. U-boat sinks tanker Allen Jackson off Cape Hatteras NC, first US ship sunk in US waters on east coast, 22 killed.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jan. 17, 1942: Field Marshal Walther von Reichenau of German Army Group South dies of stroke, replaced by Field Marshal Fedor von Bock. British take Halfaya Pass on Egyptian border and 5500 Axis POWs.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jan. 16, 1942: The Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber first flies in combat—from Java. War Production Board (WPB) formed under Donald M. Nelson. Actress Carole Lombard killed in plane crash near Las Vegas while on war bond tour, age 33.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jan. 15, 1942: ABDA Command (American, British, Dutch, Australian) opens under Gen. Sir Archibald Wavell at Batavia, Java. Jawaharlal Nehru succeeds Gandhi as head of India’s Congress Party. Roosevelt asks the baseball commissioner to continue the sport during the war. Canada orders Japanese-Canadians out of British Columbia.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jan. 14, 1942: Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) formed of British Chiefs of Staff & US Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington DC. In US “enemy aliens” are required to register with Department of Justice.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jan. 13, 1942: First use of an ejection seat—by German test pilot Helmut Schenk in He 280 jet. The Arnold-Portal agreement specifies the number of aircraft the US will provide to Britain, while building the US Army Air Forces to a goal of 115 groups.

In the Pits?

In today’s world, many people live in a pit. Unemployment, foreclosures, divorce, illness, and instability disrupt lives and plunge many into despair.

Joseph lived in a pit too. Literally. Although he followed God’s will and lived a life of integrity, he was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned.

Then at age twenty-eight, dreams interrupted the life of this dreamer. He correctly interpreted the cupbearer’s and baker’s dreams, and hope filled his heart as the cupbearer promised to remember him to Pharaoh. The promise was broken.

Two more years passed in prison. Joseph had endured thirteen years of misery, a cruel reward for a godly life. He had every reason to despair.

Yet, he didn’t.

When Pharaoh’s two dreams jiggled the cupbearer’s memory, Joseph was brought to the king and asked if he could interpret. “‘I cannot do it,’ Joseph replied to Pharaoh, ‘but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires’” (Genesis 41:16). His faith in God shone in every word he spoke, so that Pharaoh said, “‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?’” (Gen. 41:38).

Faith kept Joseph strong in the pit. Instead of giving in to bitterness and despair, Joseph leaned on the Lord. He trusted God to be with him, whether or not he was pulled out of that pit. Because of that faith, when he was pulled out, he saw God’s hand in everything that had happened to him. Faith allowed him to tell his brothers, “‘It was not you who sent me here, but God’” (Gen. 45:8).

In those dark pits, remember the Lord has a purpose and a plan, and lean hard on Him.