keep yourselves from the accursed thing

"And the sons of Carmi; Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed" (1 Chron. 2:7).

Achar, also known as Achan, brought great trouble to Israel when he secretly took of the spoils of war (silver, gold and a Babylonish garment) and hid them in his home. These spoils of war were accursed. In other words they were off limits. In Joshua 6:18-19 Joshua said to the people, “And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. 19But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.”

Because Achan took of the accursed thing, God lifted his hand of protection from Israel which led to them being defeated in battle. It wasn't until his sin was exposed and judged that Israel's strength with God was restored.

God will not turn a blind eye to sin. Do you possess anything in your life that you had to violate God's word in order to get it? Achan took of the accursed thing—that which was off limits. He coveted that which was unlawful for him to possess. In addition the silver and the Gold that was found in the land after they had defeated their enemy was to be placed in the treasury of the Lord. But instead Achan took the sliver and gold that he found and hid it among his own stuff. Anything that we desire that God deems off limits is cursed. Anything that we possess in which we had to violate God’s word in order to get will not have God’s blessing but is in fact cursed. Why? It’s cursed because not only did God deem it to be off limits but it’s closing the door to God’s favor and opening the door to sin’s consequences and Satan’s control.

Many Christians today give very little to the Lord's work because they value their material possessions more. The bible calls this robbing God. In Malachi we read, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Mal. 3:8-9).

Do you know that some Christians have in their possession stolen cars, clothes, Jewelry and the like? Why? Because they robbed God in order to get them. And rather then the things that they rob God to possess bringing them blessings they bring a curse. It’s a curse because they bring us out from under God’s authority where we experience his power, protection and presence and expose us to the realm and power of Satan’s control. Are you in possession of any accursed thing? I’m looking at the things in my home a little differently today. May I never bring into it anything that God would deem accursed.

"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me

"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Rev. 22:12).

If Jesus said, "Behold I come quickly" why hasn't he yet returned? The word quickly here doesn't mean immediately but suddenly. Like a flash of lighting one of these days Jesus will take the world by storm. The reason he has not yet returned is because he is patiently waiting for people to be saved. The Apostle Peter, when answering the scoffers who mockingly say, "Where is the promise of His coming" wrote, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9).

Jesus has not yet made His glorious appearance because He is mercifully waiting. "He's waiting on your family member, your neighbor, your co-worker, or maybe you, but one of these days soon, and very soon perhaps, Jesus will come. You see, it is the mercy of God that holds back the Second Coming of Jesus, but the justice of God and the judgment of God require that one day He will come. Even now, the raging waters of God's wrath are furiously pounding against the dam of His mercy. And one of these days, the dam of God's mercy will give way to God's judgment, and the Day of the Lord will come" (Adrian Rogers). Until then let's get busy doing God's work with the sure hope and joy of knowing that He will soon return to reward our faithfulness. As my Heart fills will joy and anticipation of the Lord's return I'm reminded of the following great song. Read it, learn it, sing it and be blessed.

"Until Then"

My heart can sing when I pause to remember
A heartache here is but a stepping stone
Along a trail that's winding always upward,
This troubled world is not my final home.

Chorus
But until then my heart will go on singing,
Until then with joy I'll carry on,
Until the day my eyes behold the city,
Until the day God calls me home.

The things of earth will dim and lose their value
If we recall they're borrowed for awhile;
And things of earth that cause the heart to tremble,
Remembered there will only bring a smile.


Chorus
But until then my heart will go on singing,
Until then with joy I'll carry on,
Until the day my eyes behold the city,
Until the day God calls me home.

This weary world with all its toil and struggle
May take its toll of misery and strife;
The soul of man is like a waiting falcon;
When it's released, it's destined for the skies.


Chorus
But until then my heart will go on singing,
Until then with joy I'll carry on,
Until the day my eyes behold the city,
Until the day God calls me home.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Will we meet the Lord with a shout or with a shame?

"Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame" (Rev. 16:15).

"There was a man who went shopping and left his car and house keys in the ignition. When he returned, his car was gone. The next morning he discovered his car in the driveway with a note that said, "I was in an emergency. I'm very sorry. I needed your car. Here are two tickets for the Dallas Cowboys game." The man went in and told his wife, "You won't believe this! There's our car, and look! We've got tickets to a Dallas Cowboys game!" They went to the game, and when they came home, their house had been cleaned out! Friend, they never expected it, and that's the point. That's how the Lord Jesus Christ is going to come, as a thief in the night" (Adrian Rogers).

Because Jesus will come suddenly we must live our lives in a constant state of preparedness, "Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat" (2 Peter 3:12). Where will you be found when Jesus returns? John wrote, "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming."

When the bridegroom (Jesus) comes for his bride (church) will he find you in bed with the world or faithfully serving Jesus? May we meet the Lord with a shout and not with a shame.

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying...Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them" (Rev. 14:13).

John wrote, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." Do most people in our world including Christians think of death as being blessed? I would venture to say that most people not only do not think of death as being blessed, they do not like to think about it at all. But that is not a good thing especially if you're a true believer. John Piper wrote, "Not to think about what it will be like to leave this life and meet God is folly...Psalm 90:12 says, "Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." Numbering your days means thinking about how few there are and that they will end. How will you get a heart of wisdom if you refuse to think about this?"

Because Jesus defeated death on our behalf we can look it in the eye without fear and say like Paul, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philip.1:21). Death for the believer is the doorway into our eternal home where "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Rev. 21:4).

When a person fails to think about the fact that death will one day come knocking on their door they will spend the precious time that they have on this earth on temporary pursuits, and they will waste their lives. As the following poem expresses, "Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last."

"Only One Life"

Two little lines I heard one day,Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, "twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,"Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say "twas worth it all";
Only one life,'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Author Unknown

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb

"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb…"(Rev. 12:10).

God has given believers the power to overcome sin and Satan through the blood of the lamb. Because of the blood that Jesus shed on the cross the sins of all who trust him as Savior and Lord have been washed away giving them access to God. By this access to God we can know Him through His word and Spirit in way that enables us to overcome the power of the enemy. Although being a Christian doesn't mean that we will be sinless, it does mean that we will not sin and get away with it. When a Christian sins God's Spirit will convict us and if need be God will discipline us in love as a Father a son in order that we might confess that sin, be cleansed and yield the fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12).

But watch out for the accuser of the brethren (Satan) who will come against you to defeat you. And one of His strategies is to overwhelm you with guilt and feelings of condemnation. You can't fight sin and Satan adequately if you’re feeling condemn by Satan for past sins that have already been covered by the blood. Adrian Rogers use to say that we must discern the difference between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the accusations of Satan. The Spirit will convict you of sin so that you would seek God's forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9). But Satan will accuse you in order that you might feel forsaken by God and condemned. If you’re feeling condemned by your sin when you already confessed that sin to God, remember that there's power in the blood. I'm reminded of that old hymn of the Church:

Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;
Would you o’er evil a victory win?
There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.

Refrain:

There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’r
In the blood of the Lamb;
There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’r
In the precious blood of the Lamb.

Would you be free from your passion and pride?
There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;
Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide;
There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.

Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?
There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;
Sin-stains are lost in its life-giving flow;
There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.

Would you do service for Jesus your King?
There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;
Would you live daily His praises to sing?
There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.

Overcome the enemy by trusting in the power of the blood of Jesus.

We need to know that a prophet has been among us.

"Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness... Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears. And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD" (Eze. 3:1-3,10).

When Ezekiel spoke God's word the people,(whether they took heed to it or not), knew that a prophet had been among them. Ezekiel spoke powerfully for God because he spent time alone listening to the voice of God. "Whoever will listen will hear the speaking Heaven. This is definitely not the hour when men take kindly to an exhortation to listen, for listening is not today a part of popular religion. We are at the opposite end of the pole from there. Religion has accepted the montrous heresy that noise, size, activity and bluster make a man dear to God. But we may take heart. To a people caught in the tempest of the last great conflict God says, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10), and still He says it, as if He means to tell us that our strength and safety lie not in noise but in silence" (A.W. Tozer). The great prophets of God where not just men who spoke for God, but first and foremost they where men who listened to His voice. May we have hearts that are forever like the heart of Samuel who said, "Speak, for thy servant heareth." (1 Sam. 3:12).

Pray regularly for your Pastor to have ears to hear God's voice and to deliver God's message with power from on high.

It's going to be sheer terror for all who dwell on the earth

"And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!"(Rev. 8:13).

On more than one occasion I've heard people say that they refuse to go to the doctor because they don't want to hear any bad news. But if there is a problem not knowing it will not make it any better. In fact early detection of certain illnesses can save your life. In this sense knowing the bad news can be good news. My two older brothers and I had the difficult task of delivering some bad news to my father. We had to inform him that he had prostate cancer. He took it very hard and in the subsequent months that followed he went through some hard times. But almost twenty years later my father is cancer free. If he would not have known about the potentially fatal disease he had in time the outcome would not have been good. The same goes for our spiritual lives. The bad news is that we our sinners deserving of eternal judgment. Although this news is not pleasant it’s the bad news that makes the good news good. And that good news is that Jesus died on our behalf to pay the price for our sin and rose again to give us life. We did the sinning but Jesus did the dying. And all who turn from their sin and trust him as Savior and Lord will receive the gift of eternal life.

Jesus will one day descend from heaven and all who know him as Savior will be taken up and meet the Him in the air to be forever with him in glory (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Those who do not trust Jesus and are alive before he returns will enter into a period of great tribulation. During that period John describes an angel flying in the midst of heaven shouting, "Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth" because of the great tribulation that he knows they will be experiencing at that time. It will be sheer terror for those who do not know Jesus. May knowing this bad news move us like the angel to fly around this world proclaiming the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The clock is ticking. Don't wait until it's too late.

One day you will shout worthy is the Lamb or you will fear the fierce wrath of the Lamb

"And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Rev. 6:16-17)

John the baptist said of Jesus, "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." When He came the first time "He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth"(Isaiah 53:7). When Jesus came the first time, on the cross, He satisfied the wrath of God on behalf of all who believe. But when He comes the second time all who did not trust in the wounded Lamb will experience the wrath of the Lamb.

Those of us who know Jesus as our Lord and savior will one day in the future fall down before Jesus in heaven and worship Him, "Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing" (Rev. 5:12). But there will be those who did not trust the Lamb that was slain for their sin, who rather than falling before Jesus in worship, will cry to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb." When Jesus came the first time to the earth He came to seek and save the lost. When the great day of his wrath is come Jesus will return not to save the world but to judge the world with great fierceness. One day you will shout worthy is the Lamb or you will fear the fierce wrath of the Lamb. Do you know Jesus as the Lamb of God slained for your sin and risen for your justification? If not, I plead with you to turn from your sin and trust him today as your savior and Lord before it's eternally too late.

Jesus is a lion and a lamb

"And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever" (Rev. 5:3-15).

In this passage Jesus is described as the lion of the tribe of Judah and as a lamb that was slain. J. Edwards wrote that what makes Jesus so glorious is "an admirable conjunction of diverse excellencies." Two of those diverse excellencies about Jesus that John describes is that he is a lion and a lamb. John Piper writes, "we marvel at him because his uncompromising justice is tempered with mercy. His majesty is sweetened by meekness...Though he is worthy of all good, he was patient to suffer evil...He could still the storm with a word, but would not strike the Samaritans with lightning or take himself down from the cross."

Jesus is the Rock of Ages who invites us to "come unto me all ye that labor and our heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly of heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Jesus is our mighty fortress who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He who created the universe was the "lamb slain before the foundation of the world." Praise Him who is a lion and a lamb.

You could be making God sick...

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness; the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see" (Rev. 3:14-18).

In the city of Laodicea where this church was located all the water came from an above ground system of aqua ducts. One of the sources of the water was a snow covered mountain and the other a hot spring. But because the system that brought the water into the city was above ground, by the time the water got to the city of Laodicea it was lukewarm. Drinking this lukewarm water was nauseating. In the same way the spiritual apathy that exists among Christians is sickening to God. I look at the church today and I'm afraid that apathy is at an all time high. There’s little longing for God, little zeal for prayer, very little appetite for the word of God. And what about a genuine burdened and anguish for the unsaved? Charles Finney wrote, "When sinners are careless and stupid, and sinking into hell unconcerned, it is time the church should bestir themselves. It is as much the duty of the church to awake, as it is for the firemen to awake when a fire breaks out in the night in a great city." Oh how the church today needs to wake up! Paul wrote, "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed" (Romans 13:11).


Why is the church asleep? What was the cause of the Laodicean lethargy? Their lukewarmness was the result of that fact that their riches had blinded them to their deeper spiritual needs. The church today especially in America suffers from the same malady. We've allowed our riches, technology, big buildings, and slick programs to take the place of real devotion and dependence upon God. John the revelator followed his rebuke of the lukewarm church with, "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." It's time for the church to stop seeking the riches and ways of the world and instead seek hard after the spiritual riches and power that only God can supply. It's time to fast and pray until God rains down fire from heaven that will awaken the church from its slumber to serve the living God. John Piper wrote, "Do you have a hunger for God? If we don't feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because we have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because we have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Our soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great. If we are full of what the world offers, then perhaps a fast might express, or even increase, our soul's appetite for God. Between the dangers of self-denial and self-indulgence is the path of pleasant pain called fasting."

If you are lukewarm today I challenge you to turn from the allurements of this world, fast and pray for God to place a burning in your heart for him. And live for the riches that will never fade away.

Kings and Priest unto God

"John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (Rev. 1:4-6).

Through the blood of Jesus that has washed us from our sins we have been made kings and priest unto God. The term king speaks of authority and the term priest speaks of access. Through the blood of Jesus we have authority and access unto God. But this authority and access that we have is not so that we can advance our kingdom but in order to advance the kingdom of God. As kings unto God we have authority and power to carry out God's kingdom agenda on this earth. As Priest every child of God has direct access to God in prayer in order to obtain mercy, grace and all that we need to accomplish our Lord's business. (Hebrews 4:16).

It's important to note that John the revelator writes that through the blood we've been made kings by the king of kings. I'm a Chicago Police Officer and as such I've been given the authority to exercise power in the performance of my duties. I did not make myself a law enforcement Officer and neither did I give myself the authority that I have as a police officer. I was made an officer by a power greater than myself. And as long as I'm under the authority above me, I'll have authority and power to enforce the laws over the jurisdiction under me. Adrian Rogers use to say, "You'll never be over that which God has put under you until you are under that which God has put over you." We have Christians today going around pleading the blood of Jesus like it's some magic formula to get want they want from God but they are not under the authority of God and those he has placed over them. James wrote, "Submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:8; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:5).

As a police Officer I also have access to call for back and resources to serve and protect those that I've been called to serve. As Christians that our living to serve the jurisdiction that God has assigned to us we have access to call on God through prayer for all that we need to carry out our divine assignment. If you are a Christian you are a king and a priest unto God. Therefore "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness all these things (all your needs) shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

Keep yourselves in the love of God

"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God..." (Jude 20-21).

Paul wrote, that nothing shall separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:35). Jude exhorts believers to "Keep yourselves in the love of God." If nothing can separate a believer from God's love why does Jude exhort believers to keep themselves in the love of God? My 4 sons live in my home and I love them very much. But there have been times when they have interpreted my loving parenting as restricting them from having fun, when in fact my love for them, which compels me to set rules for them, is looking out for their best interest. Jesus said, "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love" (John 15:10).

God's love is constant and unchanging. If you're saved there's noting that you can do to make God love you more and there's nothing that you can do to make God love you less. But even as believers we can foolishly be deceived into thinking that we know better than God. We can choose to rebel against God's loving will for our lives and go after our sinful desires. When we do we are choosing to come out from the protection of God's loving will for our lives. God will warn us and woo us to follow his ways but he will not force us. It's been said, "We have the freedom to choose. But we don't have the freedom to choose the consequence of our choices. Once we choose the choice chooses for us." God forbid that one of my teenage sons would think that that the rules that I set in our home are restricting them to such a degree that they can't wait till they turn 18 so that they can move out and be free. But the fact is that many teenagers have felt that way and when they turned 18 they moved out only to find out later that mom and dad's rules were not restriction but expressions of their love for them. Someone said that freedom without boundaries leads to bondage and many have found that out the hard way.

Jude exhorted believer to build themselves up in the faith--to pray in the Spirit. When we do so we will know more of God's love. We will know that he's looking out for our best interest and we will not want to do anything that falls outside of his loving will for our lives. Keep yourselves in the love of God. How? The hymn writer said it better than I can: "Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.

Counter Cultural Christianity

"I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence (put himself first) among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating (talking idly) against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church" (3 John 9-10).

True Christianity is absolutely counter cultural. We live in a world where people believe that you have to do whatever you have to do to get to the top even if that means stepping on people to get there. In the Apostle John's day Diotrephes was such a man. He so desire to be first, to be the man that calls the shots that he resorted to speaking evil of others to promote himself. Jesus said, "If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all" (Mark 9:35).

The desire of every Christian should not be to have the preeminence over the lives of others but that Jesus might have the preeminence in their lives. Peter wrote, "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble" (1 Pet.5:5). If your desire is to be first, to be served, and to be praise you will not know the grace of God at work in and through your life. Instead you will be opposed by God rather than being blessed by God. James wrote, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up" (James 4:10). Focus on being humble and let God be the one to promote you.

He/she went about doing good

"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:16-17).

Jesus demonstrated his love for us not with just mere words but in that while we were yet sinner he died for us (Rom. 5:8). I believe it's important to express to others with our words that we love them. The Apostle Paul expressed his love to fellow believers when he wrote, "Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for..."(Philip 4:1). He also exhorted others believers to, "Love one another with brotherly affection" (Rom. 12:10). Sometimes people need to hear that we care for them--that we love them. Affectionate words or a warm embrace can encourage and reinforce to others that their lives have value and worth. Nevertheless words and hugs are cheap if an addition to showing affection for others we can also help to meet their needs and are unwilling to do so.

When we truly know and perceive the love of God for us we ought to be willing to sacrifice--to go out of our way to meet the needs of others. During the earthly ministry of Jesus he had this testimony, “who went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). Do you look for opportunities to do good things for others—the help meet the needs of others? May it also be said of our lives, “he/she went about doing good.”

Christ returneth! Hallelujah!

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat..." (2 Pet. 3:9-10).

When I first got saved over 20 years ago there were a number of bible teachers that made predictions about the return of Christ. When these predictions did not come to pass some mocked and others lost their sense of anticipation. But our hope was never to be found in predicting when Jesus is coming but in the promise that he will come. As sure as he came the first times he’s coming again. But sadly and with great implications the church today has lost sight of the imminent return of Christ. As a result Christian's are not living with a sense of urgency concerning the Lord's work. Souls are perishing, but many Christians are preparing more for their retirement than the Lord's return. Oh how believers need to once again get their eyes back of the blessed hope and glorious appearing of the great God and our savior Jesus Christ. I’m reminded of the great hymn by James McGranahan entitled, “Christ Returneth”:


It may be at morn, when the day is awaking
When sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking
That Jesus will come in the fullness of glory
To receive from the world "His own."


O Lord Jesus, how long, how long
Ere we shout the glad song
Christ returneth! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Amen. Hallelujah! Amen


It may be at midday, it may be at twilight
It may be, perchance, that the blackness of midnight
Will burst into light in the blaze of His glory
When Jesus receives "His own."


While its hosts cry Hosanna, from heaven descending
With glorified saints and the angels attending
With grace on His brow, like a halo of glory
Will Jesus receive "His own."


Oh, joy! oh, delight! should we go without dying
No sickness, no sadness, no dread and no crying
Caught up through the clouds with our Lord into glory
When Jesus receives "His own."

Peter wrote, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.” This world and everything in it is going to burn up. Only what's done for Jesus is going to last.“For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Hebrews 10:37). Are you ready?

Unwrapping your spiritual gift

"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10).

Every believer has received at least one spiritual gift to faithfully serve other believers. A spiritual gift is a particular divine enabling that God gives each believer to build up the body of Christ. Notice that the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 12:5-7: "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." Here Paul teaches that the various gifts of the Spirit are given to "profit withal" or in other words for the common good of all. Someone said that the gifts of the Spirit have been given to us not for our enjoyment but for our employment. God saves us not just so that we will know we're going to heaven. We've been saved to serve.

Some of the gifts that are mentioned in the scriptures are the gifts of serving, teaching, encouraging, leading and giving just to name a few (See Romans 12 and 1 Cor. 12). The question that many have is, "How do I know what my gift is?" In order to know what your gift is you must be a part of a community of believers (Church). As you seek to serve others within that community, as all Christians are called to do, you will discover areas where you will experience a special touch of grace for a specific task and goal. Do the general things that God wants all Christians to do for each other and in the process you will unwrap your spiritual gift.

Do you have full access in your prayer life?

"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered" (1 Pet. 3:7).

On more then one occasion I've picked up my cell phone to make a call and was redirected to the AT&T billing department. We had failed to pay our bill. Now it didn't matter how urgent the call was, unless I paid my bill I wasn't going to be able to make a call. When there's an unpaid balance on my account I only have one kind of call to make and that call requires taking responsibility for my overdue balance.

God is full of grace and mercy. But if we call on Him in prayer with an unpaid balance called sin on our account the call is going to get redirected. You see God is more concern with our holiness then he is our happiness. When there's unconfessed and unforsaken sin in our lives we have only one seven digit number to call and that number is, 1 JOHN 1:9. When you call that number you will get immediately directed to the throne of grace where the balance due on your account will be remitted free of charge. In fact both the balance on your account and the call are both paid for in full by the blood of Jesus Christ. Once that balance is taken care of then you can continue to call on the power of God for all your needs with unlimited access and with the promise that he can do exceeding abundantly above all that you ask or think.

The world is not worthy of these precious souls

"By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.32And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. 34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection. And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect"(Heb.11:30-40).

There are many today that believe that if you have enough faith you will experience wealth and prosperity. But great faith is not only demonstrated in experiencing the miraculous but in the enduring of great suffering. When facing the fiery furnace faith says, "My God is able to deliver me." But great faith also says, "If God doesn't deliver me I'm still not going to bow down." Do you know that there are believers today that are being tortured for their faith? "What does faith believe in the moment of torture? That if God loved me, he would get me out of this? No. Faith believes that there is a resurrection for believers which is better than the miracle of escape" (John Piper).

Adrian Rogers use to say, "If you want to know how rich you are add up everything you have that money can't buy and death can't take away." Christians that have endured great suffering for their faith have by faith calculated that they have riches in Christ that our far better that anything this world can offer.

Concerning those who willingly suffered for their faith in Jesus, knowing that they have eternal treasures in the heavenlies the author of Hebrews writes, "They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;(Of whom the world was not worthy:" (Hebrews 11:38). Why does the author of Hebrews write that the world is not worthy of those who have been so mistreated and abused? John Piper makes this profound observation: "It means they were a gift to the world and the world does not deserve it. Many things in this life are utterly opposite from the way they seem. And here is one of them. When the precious children of God are permitted to suffer and be rejected and mistreated and go destitute, afflicted and ill-treated, God is giving a gift to the world. He is gracing the world. He is shedding his love abroad in the world. Because in those who suffer and die in the unshakable assurance of hope in God, the world is given a message and a picture: "The Lord himself is better than life. Turn, O turn and believe. Who would have thought it - that the suffering are a gift to the world?"

"O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory for ever. Amen." (Romans 11:33-36)

The greatest testimony that a Christian can give to the world is to live their lives in such a way that the world calculates that the riches that they possess in Christ are more valuable than anything this temporary world has to offer. "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).

Saved from the guttermost to the uttermost

"For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: 21(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) 22By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 23And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore." (Heb. 7:19-28).

In the Old Testament the high priest would enter into the holy place to intercede on behalf of the people with offerings and sacrifices. But that system which was only temporary was a picture of what Jesus would do in the future on our behalf. Jesus is our high priest who did not just bring a sacrifice to atone for our sin before God. He himself became our substitutionary sacrifice when he paid for our sin with his own blood (2 Cor. 5:21). As sinners we are deserving of God's wrath and judgement (Romans 6:23). But by the grace of God Jesus bore that wrath on the cross on our behalf. He not only died in our place but he rose again and forever lives and pleads our case before God. The Apostle John wrote, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:1-2). All who come to God by way of Jesus and his death, burial and resurrection are saved from the guttermost to the uttermost. Can I get a witness?

Tear down the high places in your life

"And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done; Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places" (2 Kings 15:3-4).

Before the Israelites conquered the promise land the people that occupied it before them built shrines to their gods on high hills. These pseudo worship centers are called “high places” in the Old Testament. When the Israelites came into the land they were commanded to destroy all idols and places of false worship but they failed to do so. The high places were to be removed so that they would not become sources of temptation. But because they were not removed some of the people were foolishly drawn to them and drifted away from God. It’s been said, he who would not fall ought not to walk in slippery places. Too often Christians today run after the high places (fame, money, prestige) of this world that promise peace, happiness and security. But rather than finding what they thought they would they forfeit the peace and security that only God could give if they would seek him with their whole heart.

An idol doesn't have to be a physical image or statue that we bow down to. An idol can be anything that you seek after to please yourself at the expense of displeasing God. For example, David sought after Bathsheba, who was another man wife, to gratify his sinful desires. After he found out that she was pregnant he did everything he could to cover his sin including murder. He was more concern with his own reputation before man rather than his condition before God. At this point in his life he was a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God. After Bathsheba's husband died David went ahead and married her. When it was all said and done the bible says, "And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD" (2 Sam. 11:27). Concerning the children of Israel the Psalmist wrote, "And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them" (Psalm 106:36).

Let me say it again, "an idol can be anything that you seek after to please yourself at the expense of displeasing God. The idols that we seek in the high places of this world promise much but pay very little. In fact they lead to moral decay and enslavement. We must remove and tear down the high places in our lives and seek God with are whole heart. When we do we will find that his "lovingkindness is better than life" (Psalm 63:3). When we put God first in our lives we will find that only he can meet the deepest longing of our heart and satisfy our hungry souls. "For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness (Psalm 107:9). Tear down the high place. "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded" (James 4:8).

The high places also became alternative places of worshiping God to the Israelites. Rather than offering sacrifices and burning incense in the temple where God manifested his glory, they turned to the high places. But it didn’t take long before they were back to worshipping heathen gods in these alternative places of worship. Although the Israelites and some of their leaders failed to remove the high places that led to great compromises, there were other leaders that did faithfully remove them. Hezekiah was one such King. Notice the testimony of Hezekiah: “And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did. 4He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. 5He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. 6For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses. 7And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not” (2 Kings 18:3-7).

Because of the corrupt worship that went on in these high places great kings like Hezekiah enacted religious reforms that attempted to make Jerusalem the center of worship where the worship of God could be better kept under the authority of God's word. (2 Kings. 18: 4, 22; 2 Chron. 31: 1; 2 Kings. 23; 2 Chron. 34: 3; Deut. 12: 11-14). Today we have churches (high places) that are being planted by disgruntled church members that leave their home churches for unbiblical reasons. These churches have no biblical authority to be planted and as a result the blessings of God is forfeited (Acts 13:1-5).

We’ve also heard it said too many times, “I don’t have to go to church to worship God. I can worship God at home just the same.” Your home should be a place where God is worshipped but it should never become a high place or substitute for being actively involved in a local church. God ordained the church to be his agency of authority on this earth to carry out his kingdom business of making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20; Eph. 4:11-16).

Tear down the high places in your life and worship God in Spirit and in truth.

God is blessed when our work is a labor of love

"For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds" (Philemon 7-10).

In this letter Paul was writing to Philemon, a brother in Christ, to appeal to him for Onesimus. Onesimus was probably what we would call today an indentured servant. He was under obligation to serve Philemon for a designated amount of time but for some unknown reason Onesimus took off. While on the run Paul led Onesimus to Christ. As a Christian, Onesimus wanted to get things right with his boss and it was for this reason that Paul wrote to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus. Notice that rather than pulling rank on Philemon Paul chose to appeal to him knowing that he knew the love of Jesus. Paul knew that Philemon would do the right thing not because he had to but because he wanted to. When we really know Jesus, our highest motive for serving him will not be because of a sense of obligation but because of a desire to please the lover of our souls.

The church of Ephesus in Revelation chapter two had this testimony: "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love" (Rev. 2:1-4). This church labored in the work of God, had their doctrine right and even hated evil. Yet this service was not acceptable to God because it lacked the motivation of love for the savior. Notice Paul's testimony concerning the Thesselonian Church: "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God" (1 Thess. 1:2-3). Like the church in Ephesus they worked for God but their labor was a labor of love. I do things for my wife, my children and my church not because I have to but because I'm please to, because it brings me joy to serve those that I love. Paul wrote, "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again" (2 Cor. 5:13-15). When God's will for our lives and our service to him feels like a chore and an obligation we are in desperate need of spiritual renewal--we have left our first love. Seek to know Jesus with all your heart until your service to him becomes a labor of love.

What hope do our youth have if the church is not showing them something better than the world?

"Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you" (Titus 2:6-8).

Paul exhorted Titus to urge young men to be sober minded. He exhorted Titus, who himself was a young preacher, to be a model--an example of integrity. He was to be a man of character not only in his works but in his words as well. Titus was to live his life in such a way that rather than bringing shame to the matchless name of Jesus, his life should put his opponents to shame. I heard a young preacher once say, "Your character is not your occasional and exceptional behavior. Your character is your typical behavior.

Notice the expectations that Paul had of young believers. But in this day and age some in the church have lowered their expectations and given in to the worldly notion that young people need to be allowed to sow their wild oats. The church is failing to challenge and call young people to live like they ought to before God and the world. I believe also that parents and older Christians have failed to model what it means to live the Christian life. We are failing to demonstrate to younger Christians how much better it is to serve Jesus than to live for the world. It’s been said that young people learn more by what we do than by what we say. Our works speak louder than our words. What can be more important than modeling before our children what a Christian marriage is suppose to look like? And yet statistics show that that the divorce rate among Christians is virtually no different than non Christians. Over 50% of Christian marriages end in divorce. What an indictment on the church. What hope do our children have if the church is not showing are youth something better than the world? God help us! The "do as I say not as I do" philosophy doesn't work. Remember that values are better caught than taught. For Jesus sake and the love of the Spirit let’s call our young people to live for the glory of God. And may that call come from parents, Pastor and others who are demonstrating with their lives that there is nothing better than living for Jesus!

Soul Care

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Tim. 1:1-7).

Paul referred to Timothy as his dearly beloved son. Timothy was not his biological son. He was his son in the faith. Paul brought Timothy to faith in Christ and felt a special love and responsibility to care for his soul. He took the time to write letters to him and when he had the opportunity he took time to visit him and encourage him in the Lord. In addition he prayed continually on his behalf. Timothy had great potential in the Lord but he also battled with feelings of fear and inadequacy. But Paul reminded him, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Tim. 1:7).

Like Paul do you have a son or daughter in the faith? Are you caring for the souls of others? There are many young Christians today that are falling through the cracks because there's no one to care for their souls. They need someone who will take a special interest in their spiritual development. They need someone who will pray regularly for them, shoot them an encouraging e-mail and spend some face to face time with them. Pray that God will give you a Timothy in your life. October is Pastor's appreciation month. Take time to show your appreciation to those who take time to care for your soul.

Preaching that transforms not just informs

"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” (2 Thess. 3:1-2).

In this passage we find yet again another example of Paul's dependence on intercessory prayer in order that he might accomplish the work of advancing God's kingdom. In this passage Paul specifically asked the Thessalonian believers to pray for the word of God, which he preached to have "free course" and be glorified (honored).

As I'm writing this devotional thought I'm sitting in a police vehicle at Ohare Airport guarding a gate in an area that is surrounded by run ways. Its amazing to me how many planes are landing and taking off without any problems. In order for these planes to successfully take off and land the run ways must be clear. In order for a preacher to bring his message home he must not just circle the run way, he must land the plane. He must not just preach to impart information he must preach for transformation. Too many preacher are circling the run way with information but never landing the plane and bringing the message home. Someone said that all preaching is teaching but not all teaching is preaching. A good teacher seeks to help others to comprehend a subject matter. A good preacher is preaching for a verdict.

Once again a good preacher is not just teaching to impart information but to bring about transformation. In order for this transformational preaching to take place the word preached must have "free course" or in others words the word of God must have a open runway. This open run way that makes it possible for the word of God to hit home and transform lives, is wrought by the Spirit that not only empowers the preacher but opens the heart of the hearers to receive God's word.

Paul asked others to pray for the word to have free course because he was persuaded that transformational preaching was not found in his eloquence or wisdom but in the power of God. Paul wrote, "Him (Jesus) we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me" (Col. 1:28-29).

"Considered by his peers then and now as "The Prince of Preachers," Charles Spurgeon built London's Metropolitan Tabernacle into the world's largest independent congregation during the nineteenth century. While many factors have been highlighted that help explain the effectiveness of Spurgeon's preaching, the foremost secret that empowered Charles Spurgeon was his devotion to prayer. When people would walk through the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Spurgeon would take them to the basement prayer room where people were always on their knees interceding for the church. Then Spurgeon would declare, "Here is the powerhouse of this church."

The absence of prayer from the pews can lead to a lack of power behind pulpit. This Sunday is "Friendship Sunday" at our church. Pray that God's word will be preached in the power of the Spirit and find open runways to bring many to faith in Jesus.