wishministry

MY LAST HURRAH!

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 07:58:21 GMT

Many people want to support missionaries or Gospel outreach, but they don’t know who to trust or how to go about it. WISH Ministry makes giving “safe, simple, and impactful.”

It was founded by my very good missionary friend, Walter Windsor. I have served with Walter on a missions committee for several years in a local church and had the privilege of joining him on one of his short-term missionary trips to Romania. Walter has served on the board of Partners In Evangelism International and has led numerous short-term mission trips from the U.S.

WISH (wishministry.org) can provide you with a missionary to support, help you join a short-term missionary trip, or even allow you to give to your missionaries through the WISH website, if they agree with their statement of faith. One of the unique things about this ministry is that every cent of your donation goes directly to the missionary or ministry you choose. You will never be charged any administrative costs. For further information, please check out the WISH website or email the ministry at: info@wishministry.org.

In Matthew 28:19-20a, Jesus specifies His divine plan for His mission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” In Jesus' plan, we are to be witnesses and share the Good News about Jesus beginning where we are and reaching the remotest parts of the earth (Acts 1:8).

What should the Church be doing? What should our priorities be in terms of evangelization

in our generation? What part do you want to play in God’s global outreach?

Below are a few practical ways that you might want to be involved in God’s Great Commission in 2026:

Pray for our hearts, our churches, and for God to send out laborers into the harvest.
Reach out to a person from another country and invite them into your home.
Ask the Lord to lead you in giving something, or more, to worldwide missions.
Plan to go on a short-term mission trip to another country or send someone.
Repent of our disobedience to the Great Commission and pray for revival.
Get involved in missions at your church and be a catalyst for change.

This will be my final blog for WISH. I have had the privilege of writing blogs for this ministry for two years. God has now burdened me to revisit a project regarding the blood of Jesus Christ that He laid on my heart years ago. So, I hope that God has used my blogs in your life for good, and I pray that you would continue to search God’s Word and be involved in His life-changing ministry for His glory!

Because of His Matchless Grace,

Bob

Is It Really Necessary to Believe in the Virgin Birth?

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 15:24:44 GMT

According to a variety of studies, 20-43% of Protestants do NOT believe in the virgin birth. For clarity’s sake, the term is taken here to mean ‘virgin conception’. Jesus was conceived in the womb of His mother, Mary, by a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit and without a human father.

The Scripture describes what happened – “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18). Shortly after that, an angel spoke to Joseph, who was engaged to Mary, in a dream—"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (Mt. 1:20).

The same story is told in Luke’s gospel, where we read about the appearance of the angel Gabriel to Mary. After the angel told her that she would bear a son (Luke 1:26-33), Mary responded, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (v.34). The angel answers, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (v.35).

WHY IS THE VIRGIN BIRTH ESSENTIAL?

The reliability of the Old Testament, which foretold Christ’s supernatural birth, is at stake. (Isaiah 7:13-14)
Isaiah 7:13-14 announces the birth of a wondrous child through a virgin as a sign of deliverance of the whole house of David. This sign also guaranteed the deliverance of God’s people and the final establishment of David’s throne through the birth of this supernatural child called Immanuel, which means, “God with us.”
The credibility of the Gospel writers is at stake. (Mt. 1:18-20, 23-25; Lk. 1:27, 31, 34-35)
If the Gospel writers cannot be trusted in these matters, how can we believe anything they have reported to us? In fact, if there is no virgin birth, we have no reliable or authoritative Bible.
The credentials of the Lord as both Savior and sin substitute are at stake.
If His birth was anything less than what it is described to be by Matthew and Luke, Jesus would be disqualified as the substitute for sinners. “His full deity and complete humanity are essential to His work on the cross. If He were not man, He could not die; if He were not God, His death would not have had infinite value” (Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer, MAJOR BIBLE THEMES, p. 56).
The virgin birth makes possible Christ’s true humanity without inherited sin.
All human beings have inherited legal guilt and a corrupt moral nature from their first father, Adam. But because Jesus did not have a human father, the legal guilt and moral corruption that belong to all other human beings did not belong to Christ. Salvation comes only by the atoning work of Jesus the Christ, the virgin-born Savior. Anything less than this is just not Christianity!

This material is taken from Systematic Theology by W. Grudem (Leicester: IVP; Michigan: Zondervan, 1994), pp. 529-532, and Christian Theology by M. Erickson (Michigan: Baker House, 2002), pp. 757-775.

Living for God’s Glory: Honoring Him in Body and Spirit

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 15:43:38 GMT

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body” I Corinthians 6:19-20).

1 Corinthians 6:20 means that believers are not their own but belong to God, having been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ. This understanding implies a responsibility to use one's body for the glory of God, rather than for selfish desires or sexual immorality, because the body is considered the temple of the Holy Spirit. What we do in and with our body really matters. So, how do we glorify God in our bodies? Below are only a few examples of how we can glorify God.

We glorify God when we sincerely confess our sin.

“Then Joshua said to Achan, ‘My son, give glory to the LORD God of Israel and give praise to him. And tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me’” ( Joshua 7:19 ).

We glorify God when we bear spiritual fruit.

“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” ( John 15:8 ).

We glorify God when we praise Him and give Him thanks.

“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me” ( Psalms 50:23 ).

We glorify God when we give sacrificially to God and others.

“Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all” (2 Corinthians 9:13).

We glorify God when we are united in mind and spirit.

“Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:5-7).

The more we seek to glorify God, the more we become like Jesus, and the more we become like Jesus, the more we reflect his light and love to a dark and lonely world.

“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Tim. 1:17, ESV).

The Mission for Every Individual and Every Church

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:34:47 GMT

The last words of a person on earth are often very significant. Sometimes, they tell you not only how a man died, but also how he lived. For example the great evangelist, D.L. Moody said at his deathbed, to his sons who were with him, “If God be your partner, make your plans large.” Before our Lord Jesus departed for Heaven, He gave His bewildered disciples a commission to continue and expand the Gospel to the whole world. That same mission that was given to His disciples is meant for us as well, both individually and corporately, through His Church.

The work of missions is not an easy task. No one could do it by his or her own power. It takes the power of God for anyone to survive any missionary venture, including reaching our neighbors, work associates, and family members for Christ. Before Jesus ascended, He promised the disciples and us that we “will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). If we did not have His power and His command and His authority, our efforts to win persons to Christ would be futile. Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). Having assured His disciples of His power and authority for the task ahead, He then gave them His mandate to carry out. We serve a great Lord, who, before He gives us a task, equips us for such responsibility.

In Matthew 28:19-20a, Jesus specifies His divine plan for His mission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” In Jesus' plan, there is one main imperative verb, which is “make disciples” and three subordinate participles, which explain how one makes disciples.

As every Christian goes (living their normal life), they are to witness to those without Christ. When a person trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, they are to be baptized, which is their public confession of faith in Christ. This new believer is then helped to grow by teaching them to know and observe all that God has commanded us. God's plan was always growth by reproducing godly followers of Jesus. So often, today, when someone comes to Christ, there is little or no follow-up. God has not called us to make decisions, but to make disciples who in turn make other disciples, beginning where we are.

Having reassured them (the disciples) and us of the power for missions and the plan of missions, Jesus Christ gave them one further promise for their success. Jesus reassured His disciples of His continued presence with them after His departure: “And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b, NIV). This promise conveys the constant and continued presence of Jesus with His people. This presence was a timeless one—to the very end of the age. God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV).

God is still calling every one of us to join in His mission. The field is ripe for harvest, but the laborers are few. Would you answer God's call to join Him in this challenge? Our mission is global and our mandate is very urgent because many people are dying in their sins daily. Begin where you are, receive His power, follow His plan, and go with the confidence of His eternal presence. May God find us faithful when He comes!

Living in Light of the Lord's Return: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:33:49 GMT

We tend to forget that Jesus is coming back again (just like in the Days of Noah, Matthew 24:37-39). One out of every 30 verses in the Bible mentions the subject of Christ's return. Of the 260 chapters in the New Testament, there are over 300 references to the return of Christ. Only 4 out of the 27 N.T. books fail to mention Christ's return (Adapted from Ryan Rice).

When Peter says, “The end of all things is near” (1 Peter 4:7), he was essentially saying there is nothing keeping Christ back from returning at any moment. This was the early church's blessed hope that enabled them to endure the sufferings they were experiencing in the world, and it is the same hope that can encourage us during times of trial.

According to Peter, here are 4 characteristics that should define those who are living with a view towards the coming of Christ:

Keep a focused prayer life (1 Peter 4:7) . The word, translated “sound judgment,” literally means to be “clear minded.” A mind that is full of Scripture is the only way that we can be clear minded. The second virtue needed to have a focused prayer life is a “sober spirit.” This word can be translated, “self-controlled” which means to be free of intoxicants and distractions, which can be of both a spiritual or physical nature. How is your prayer life? Is it focused?
Love each other deeply (1 Peter 4:8) . When people go through suffering, it is very common for it to cause discord. If a husband has a bad day at work, it often affects his relationship with his family—those he loves the most. Peter used the word “fervently” to describe the depth of the believer's love for one another. “Fervent” is an athletic word used of muscles stretching to give the maximum effort. Where love abounds in a fellowship of Christians, minor offenses, and even some large ones, are readily overlooked, forgiven and forgotten. But where love is lacking, every work is viewed with suspicion, every action is liable to misunderstanding, and conflicts abound—to Satan's perverse delight. God's love is not like that. Paul says love “keeps no account of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:5). We can love others intensely, “because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5). Do you love others?
Share with each other cheerfully (1 Peter 4:9) . Verse 9 gives us a practical way to live out this fervent kind of love: “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.” The word, ”hospitality” literally means to be friendly, welcoming and generous to guests, especially to strangers. It carries with it the idea of giving practical help to anyone in need. This practice was absolutely necessary for the growth of the church because there were no Motel 6's for traveling missionaries and Christians. When we do open our homes, we must do so “without grumbling.” We shouldn't resent the time or the expense involved. When was the last time you invited someone to your home who isn't a friend or family member?
Serve each other faithfully (1 Peter 4:10-11) . The final attribute that helps us prepare for the Lord's return is the use of our spiritual gifts. Each person has been given gifts by the Holy Spirit to serve Christ and the Church. These gifts, according to 1 Peter 4:11, involve speaking and serving. Speaking gifts include such things as the ability to encourage others, exhort others, teaching, singing, evangelism prophecy, etc. Serving gifts include gifts like leadership, helps, mercy, administration, etc. All these gifts are accomplished by God's strength and for his glory. Do you know, and are you exercising your spiritual gifts? Are there any of the above 4 characteristics that you need to work on? Are you ready for the Lord's return?

God Uses Ordinary People to Perform Extraordinary Things

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:32:05 GMT

In Gideon's day, Israel was in desperate straits spiritually. The nation would rebel against the Lord, only to fall into the oppressive hands of its enemies. After years of hardship and pain, the people would repent, and God would raise up a deliverer, a judge, to rally an army and cast off the yoke of heathen bondage. Gideon was one of those judges whom God commissioned (Judges 6) to deliver Israel.

If we are going to accomplish extraordinary things for the Lord, you first need to believe what God says about you. When the angel of the Lord, who I believe is the pre-incarnate Christ, appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior” (Judges 6:12). Gideon was flabbergasted! His response is found in verse 15, “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” (NLT)

The Lord's answer in verse 14 was, “Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?” Can you identify with Gideon? Analyzing our inadequacies can paralyze us. As long as Gideon looked at himself, his confidence was zero. Only when he chose to believe God, instead of his own feelings of inferiority, was he ready to do some wonderful things for the Lord. What does God say about you? Study His Word and the position you have in Christ, and trust God's assessment of your character and abilities. If God has called you to do something exceptional, He will supply the strength and guidance to succeed.

Secondly, we need to trust in God's power rather than our own. Gideon did obey the Lord and called together a great army of 32,000 men (Judges 7). Then, the Lord began to reduce Gideon's army so that his victory would be dependent upon God. God instructed Gideon to send home anyone who trembled with fear, so more than two-thirds of his army left, and only 10,000 were remained (Judges 7:2-3). God further reduced his army by giving his soldiers the water test, separating “everyone who laps water with his tongue as a dog laps, as well as everyone who kneels to drink” (Judges 7:5). When only 300 men lapped water (Judges 7:6), the odds were now 450 to 1, just the kind of odds that God delights in. Sometimes God reduces the size of our army (support system), so that He can show us and the world His power. Our areas of weakness can be God's showcase for accomplishing marvelous things.

The final test we must face to accomplish exceptional things is to trust God's methods, even when those methods seem strange, even stupid to those around you. God's ways are not our ways. Gideon divided the 300 men into 3 companies, and he gave each man a trumpet and an empty jar with a torch inside. When Gideon and his men reached the enemy camp, they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars, shouting, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” (Judges 7:16, 19-20). The Midianite army, confused by the sudden burst of light and sound, began to attack one another and fled. Gideon won a great victory that day, and he won it by faith and obedience to God's word, His power, and His methods.

I believe that a major part of Gideon's victory is found in Judges 6:34, “So the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon. Today, the Spirit of God dwells within us and is always available to lead us and empower us to do God's will (1 Corinthians 6:19).

I wonder if you are able to identify with Gideon. You may be “crouching in the wine press” with fear, shirking responsibility, or running away from opportunity. My prayer is that you would hear the Lord calling you a mighty man or woman of valor. He is speaking strength over you. He is calling you to a life that matters. Allow His Spirit and His Word to speak to your mind and heart, and follow His voice in faith that you might be used in greater ways than you could ever imagine.

Failure: A Channel for God’s Mercy and Power

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:31:09 GMT

At times, we all face failure in our personal, professional, and ministry lives. Failure can become a powerful ally when we allow God to transform something bad and unpleasant into something good and useful for our growth, and for God's glory. To help us understand failure, I will look at the life of Peter.

Failure is needed to reveal blind spots. When Jesus told his disciples that they would suffer many things from the religious Jewish leaders and be killed, Peter rebuked the Lord by saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You” (Matthew 16:22). In response, Jesus said, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me, for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” Peter's failure revealed his temporal values and what he needed to know about himself and about the Lord. On another occasion, as Jesus faced His crucifixion, Peter boasted about his bravery when he said, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death” (Luke 22:33). We know the rest of the story about the denial of Peter and the crowing rooster. Failure taught Peter, and can teach us, that we are not as courageous as we thought, and we need to see life and circumstances from God's viewpoint, not ours.

Failure is valued by the Lord. He knows that apart from failure, we would have little need for His forgiveness, His communion, and His help. Psalm 103:10 tells us that God does not deal with us according to our sins or reward us according to our failures. In the same way Christ forgave Peter's repeated failures, he will forgive ours. It is encouraging that Jesus prayed for Peter's faith that his faith would not fail (Luke 22:32a), and as our sympathetic High Priest, who ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25), our Lord prays that our faith would not fail in the midst of temptation. Besides, Jesus had a purpose for Peter's failure, which was to strengthen the brothers once he turned again (Luke 22:32b). Likewise, the Lord will even use failure to ultimately accomplish his purposes in and through us. Failure teaches us humility, and confronts us with our limitations and need for God's grace and help.

Failure is used by the Lord. Peter is restored to the Lord in John 21, and in spite of his failures, Peter becomes the first preacher of Christ's new Church and 3000 souls were saved from his first sermon.

He also became the leader of the Church in Jerusalem and the author of 1st and 2nd Peter. John Mark deserted Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. But later, he became a valuable asset to Barnabas, was sought by Paul and called “profitable” to him for the ministry (2 Timothy 4:11), and penned the Gospel of Mark. Failure is a great teacher. Don't let failure define you; let God use it to refine you so that we realize how much we desperately need God and to cause us to overflow with gratitude for all that God is and all that He does.

Failure is the channel to showcase God's mercy, grace, forgiveness, and power. Jonah fled to obey God's call on his life and found himself in the belly of a large fish. But God supernaturally rescued Jonah and recommissioned him. In spite of Jonah's dismal failure the first time around, God still wanted to use him, and the result was 120,000 people turned to the Lord. God used Jonah's failure to proclaim His great mercy in response to sin. Moses failed before he ever started his appointed ministry by killing a man and trying to cover it up. Rahab was a harlot. David was a murderer, an adulterer, and a schemer, yet God chose to bring His own Son through the lineage of Bathsheba and her son Solomon. Our failures have consequences, but our God is an expert at creating purpose out of chaos, beauty out of ashes, and accomplishing His will, even through our failures.

God's ultimate goal is to make us like Christ, and anything that moves us closer to that prize, including lessons we learn through failure, brings Him pleasure and glory!

Use It Or Lose It: Biblical Stewardship and the Parable of the Talents

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:29:32 GMT

It was 2 days before Jesus' crucifixion when He spoke this parable. Consequently, He used this opportunity to drive home the truths He most wanted His disciples to remember. On His list of top-priority issues was stewardship. More than half of Christ's 30 plus parables deal with the subject of stewardship, emphasizing the eternal implications of our present service for the Lord.

What we have is not ours (25:14) . A steward's primary goal is to be found faithful by his master in the usage of those entrusted resources to accomplish the tasks delegated to him (1 Corinthians 4:2). Verse 14 says he “entrusted his possessions to them” (slaves). Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” James 1:17 reminds us that “Every good thing given, and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.”

What authority does God have to say that I am His steward? Well, the Lord made us, He sustains us, He saved us, He sanctifies us, and He will judge us.

We're given what we can handle (25:15) . Each servant received talents (a large sum of money). The word used in verse 18, agryrio, indicated that these talents were silver. Each servant received talents “according to his ability.” Your responsibility is tied to your ability. The master does not give each servant the same amount of talents. Not everyone is gifted in the same way, and that needs to be okay with us.

We must invest what we've been given (25:16-18) . There are 3 things you can do with your life. You can waste it, spend it, or invest it. Jesus teaches us that the greatest use of your life is to invest it in something that will outlast us. “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).

Jesus makes it clear that the size of the gift is not the important variable. What each servant does with what he's been given is the variable that matters. While the first servant is given more than double what the second servant is given, they are both commended with the exact same words: “Well done, good and faithful slave, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master” (25:21, 23). The one talent guy was a slacker who went off and buried his blessing (25:18). God judges the third servant not for doing bad things, but for doing nothing. Realize that we have great freedom to spend our gifts of time, energy, and money any way we want.

A day of accountability is coming (25:19) . Jesus is coming again, and there will be a day of reckoning. While most of us believe that in our heads, we don't always live with eternity in our hearts. If we thought more about His return, we'd be more focused on making investments that outlive us. “For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. So then, each one of us will give an account of himself to God (Romans 14:10b, 12). Wouldn't it be terrible to be ashamed and unprepared when Jesus comes back? “Now little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming” (1 John 2:28).

What we do with what we have reveals our view of God (25:20-25) . The third slave thought of his master as one who expected us to gain a profit where he made no provisions. But God is not a cruel master. He deals with us in grace and with joy, and gives us the means to do that which He expects. The master took away the talent from the wicked slave and gave it to the one who had 10 talents (25:29).

The abundance for the good and faithful slaves included the pleasure of hearing Jesus say, “Well done” (25:21. 23), the honor of ruling with Christ (25:21, 23, 29), and the invitation of entering into Christ's joy (25:21, 23). The worthless slave will be thrown “into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (25:30). This last phrase is used 7 times in the New Testament, always in the context of the final judgment and describing those who are cast into hell. Those who don't know God don't serve Him. A lack of serving may indicate that a person has never been truly converted. The wicked slave lived in the house of the master but didn't know and love the owner.

What talents and abilities do you have? How can you use the unique combination of talents, abilities, and opportunities that God has given you to honor Him and help others? The choices we make now will determine what is waiting for us later.

Why Young People Are Returning to the Church in an Age of Noise

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:27:40 GMT

In a culture oversaturated with information, irony, and performance, something strange is happening. Young people are quietly returning to the Church. At first glance, this seems unlikely or just blatantly untrue. The Church has long been seen as outdated, judgmental, or irrelevant to modern life. But in reality, it's offering something almost no other institution can right now: meaning .

We live in a hypermodern moment where everything is under a microscope. A celebrity’s comment becomes a global firestorm. A company’s logo update sparks long essays and culture debates. Every post is scrutinized, every moment captured, dissected, and polarized. Vengeance (2022), one of my favorite films, perfectly showcases the anxiety of this environment with the line, “If everything means everything, then nothing means anything.” And that’s exactly what it feels like today, that meaning itself is evaporating. When every situation is broadcast as a worldwide phenomenon, when every outrage demands your immediate emotional investment, the weight of caring becomes unbearable. It’s difficult to not feel numb as we scroll past suffering, protest, scandal, and celebration in the span of seconds and are somehow expected to feel everything and nothing all at once. And it’s in that numbness that many young people are reaching out, not for more content or causes, but for something deeper, something you can’t scroll past on your phone, but holds its shape outside of time. Something eternal.

And amid that noise, young people are tired. They're not just tired of social media, but of the weightlessness of it all. They’re tired of the constant pressure to perform, to stay updated, to never stop having opinions. Your identity becomes a brand, and every conversation is a potential landmine. The Church offers something different. Even while believers debate doctrine and practice, the Bible’s core claims stay the same; it’s a truth that doesn’t shift with trends. In a world where language, politics, and cultural sensibilities shift daily, for many, the Church feels like the only thing that doesn’t change. Here, you can plant your feet on solid ground. Ten years from now, God’s word will be the same. Jesus will not have rebranded, and his message won’t expire with the next social movement. The Church doesn’t ask you to invent yourself; it invites you to surrender yourself.

For some, faith is becoming the ultimate form of rebellion. Throughout history, young people have often rejected authority, and for good reason. Institutions disappoint. Parents fail. Governments lie. The Church has often been considered as just another tool of control. Rejecting it was seen as a sign of independence. But that mood is shifting. In an era when nihilism and irony have become the norm, where it’s cool to care about nothing and fashionable to mock everything, sincerity is now revolutionary. The cynical view of the church that once made you a rebel, funnily enough, is now the authority. And when every song, ad, and show quietly mocks religion, stepping into a church now feels like an act of rebellion. When “nothing matters” becomes the cultural baseline, it’s no surprise that young people are turning toward a Father who openly says, “You do matter!”

As many would have you believe, young people aren’t just running to the Church because they’re conservative, nostalgic, or scared. They’re searching for something real. Something older than the internet, stronger than opinion, and deeper than trend. In a world spinning faster every day, the Lord, surprisingly, still stands. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

Responding to the Significance of Pentecost

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:25:57 GMT

On June 8, we celebrated Pentecost, which means, “50th” or “50th day.” It was the Jewish feast held 50 days after Passover. It celebrated the first fruits of the wheat harvest. For Christians, Pentecost marks the birthday of the Christian Church. It was at Pentecost that the Holy Spirit began His work of building the church by baptizing believers into the Body of Christ. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13).

It seems to me that there is a decline in the recognition of Pentecost. Also, there is often a lack of appreciation for the significance of events associated with Pentecost.

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place” (Acts 2:1). The first important result of Pentecost was the birth of the Body of Christ. You cannot navigate the Christian life alone. You need your Christian brothers and sisters. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you” (1 Corinthians 12:21). So many people who claim spirituality are pursuing it on a Lone Ranger basis.

A second important consideration is the necessity of being in the spirit of prayer. “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer” (Acts 1:14). We need times alone in prayer. We need times together in prayer. Some of us are so busy running around doing things that we haven’t taken the time to listen, to be open, and to receive that divine guidance and encouragement that God wants to give us through prayer.

A third surrounding factor is to take seriously what the Scriptures have to say. I’m fascinated by the fact that during these days between the ascension of Jesus and Pentecost, this group of 120 close followers of Jesus heard the Scriptures taught. Peter expounded the Old Testament teachings to them. It’s a posture of receptivity to God’s teachings. How receptive are you to God's Word?

A fourth aspect related to Pentecost is that they were waiting expectantly for God to act. “Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised” (Acts 1:4): the Holy Spirit. Is there that dimension of waiting in your life? We live in a culture of instant gratification. If something goes wrong in my life, I learn quickly that I still have not conquered patience. God uses those waiting times to get our attention and to develop Christ's character.

Furthermore, you cannot pray, sing, serve, or live correctly as a Christian unless and until you have been empowered and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, which first fell on the Lord’s apostles on Pentecost! Since then, the Holy Spirit indwells every genuine believer (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Finally, remember that Jews had, by this time, spread into every region of the world. On Pentecost, many Jews returned to Jerusalem to celebrate. That is why there were people there from Africa, Asia, and Europe. That is why Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and Persians all were present in one place at one time (Acts 2:9-11). God was doing two wonderful things at once: He was converting people who could take the message back to their respective countries and establish the gospel throughout the world. Secondly, He was establishing a church that consisted of and welcomed people from every race and region of the world. Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). If you apply these associated events, you will experience Pentecost continually!

God’s Gift of Freedom: Liberated to Serve

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:24:15 GMT

Happy Birthday, America! On July 4th, America celebrated its 249th birthday. I thank God for our country and for the freedoms we enjoy here. However, I am especially grateful for God’s gift of freedom, which far exceeds those benefits we enjoy in America both in significance and in duration.

There is no real or lasting freedom apart from Christ. Until a person accepts God’s gift of salvation, they remain in the slave market of sin. So true freedom can only come through Christ. “If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

When we accept Christ as our Savior, we are

Freed from the guilt of sin. We have experienced God’s forgiveness. “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins” (Colossians 2:13, NLT).

Because Christ died for us on the cross, we are also
Freed from the penalty of sin. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

If we allow the power of the Holy Spirit to lead and empower us every day, we can be
Freed from the power of sin. “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin” (Romans 6:6-7).
Freed from the Law with its demands. (threats and penalties) “Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace” (Romans 6:14).

God has given us a great gift called freedom. We are free from the guilt, penalty, and power of sin. But we must decide what we will do with that freedom. Will we use it, or will we abuse it? Will we use it to love, serve, and build up others, or will we use it as a license to sin or to destroy other people?

Where freedom exists, it should not be abused . “But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13, NLT). Behind Paul’s statement is an implied question about grace. The question was this: “If we live under grace, not the law, what is to keep us from disobeying God? The answer is that spiritual liberty is not the liberty to sin, but the freedom to do what is right. Paul exhorts us not to give our old sin nature an “occasion” to manifest evil.

Freedom in Christ should give us a new desire to serve one another, motivated by a new passion to love others with the love of God. “For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement , “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:14, NASB). It is the love of Christ poured out in our hearts and flowing through our lives that demonstrates living in and by the Spirit. (Romans 5:5)

When freedom in Christ fails, conflict is sure to arise. “If you bite and devour each other, watch out, or you will be destroyed by each other” (Galatians 5:15). Division and strife do not mean that Christians will lose their status as Christians, but that their fellowship with one another will be greatly diminished or destroyed.

God’s gift of freedom is priceless—don’t take it lightly. With freedom comes great responsibility toward God and toward the good of others. It’s not about us! The key to living correctly with the freedom that God has given us is the love of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are liberated slaves who have been rescued by Jesus on a mission to liberate others.

What Happens to Those Who Have Never Heard About Jesus?

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:19:42 GMT

There is a growing belief in Christendom that ultimately everyone will be saved here on earth or given a second chance after they die (Heb. 9:27; Lk. 16:26). What would you say to someone who holds the teaching that God will save everyone who never heard of Jesus? How about the 2 billion Muslims and 1.2 billion Hindus? What will happen to them?

HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT GOD AND HIS WORD

God is always compassionate, just, and holy in His dealing with people. God is never unfair.
God takes no pleasure when lost people die (Ezek. 18:23, 32; Jonah 4:10-11).
God is good to everyone, including the unsaved (Ps. 145:8-9; Mt. 5:45).
God wants everyone to be saved (1Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9).
God wants everyone to hear the Gospel (Mark 16:15; Mt. 28:19-20).
Those who have never heard are still without excuse because God reveals Himself:
In creation (Rom. 1:19-20; Ps. 19:1-4).
In our conscience (Rom. 2:12-15)
In providence (Acts 14:17)
God judges the heathen not for rejecting the Gospel he never heard, but because they rejected the revelation God gave them.
All people will be fairly judged according to the light they received (Rom. 2-3) . Everyone possesses some form of light, and he will be judged according to how he responded to that light (see #2 above). The greater the light, the heavier the responsibility. The degree of punishment will depend on their response to the light received (Mt. 11:22-24; Lk. 12:47-48, 20:46-47).
When a person responds to the light they receive, apart from the Scriptures, God brings more light to bring that person to the truth of salvation (Lk. 8:18) . Examples: Rahab (Josh. 2), Simeon (Lk. 2), and Magi from the East (Mt. 2). Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40) and Cornelius (Acts 10).
God is fair and just, even in His judgment by how a person lives their life (Rev. 20:12-13).
The Bible is absolutely clear about getting saved (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; John 10:9; John 3:18, 36).

God loves everyone and wants to spend eternity with them in Heaven. He desires that none perish and all come to repentance (1Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9). He made provision through Jesus Christ for anyone to be saved (John 3:16). We are Christ’s ambassadors who need to share the Good News to all (2 Cor. 5:20)!

Embracing Our True Identity in Christ: Who God Says You Are

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:15:47 GMT

Personal identity is one of the most important things to understand about ourselves. Who we befriend, how we handle conflict, and how we see life are all affected by identity. If someone were to ask you who you are, how would you respond?

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior , you have a special identity that you may not be fully aware of. Your identity in Christ doesn't depend on your hair color, body type, where you live, or where you work. As believers, we don’t belong here. We’re just “passing through,” because everything changed the moment we came to Christ. Philippians 3:20 explains, “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior” NLT).

Why do we, who have been called out by our Heavenly Father, try so hard to fit in and get approval from a world we are no longer a part of? The world's approval doesn't matter. You have a Heavenly Father who loves you more than anyone on this earth ever could. And His love for you doesn't change. It never fails, and it will last forever.

Once you become a new creation in Him, everything changes for the better. You're given a new name. Your whole identity changes because you've been rescued and redeemed from sin and darkness and welcomed into God's Kingdom family. 1 Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light."

Here's some of what the Bible says about YOU once you have a new identity in Christ:

You are His own special possession. ( 1 Peter 2:9 , Deuteronomy 14:2 )
You are chosen, handpicked by the God who created the universe. ( 1 Peter 2:9 , Jeremiah 1:5 , Ephesians 1:3-4 )
You are treasured. ( Deuteronomy 7:6 , 14:2 , 26:18 )
You are loved beyond compare. ( 1 John 4:19 , 4:10 , 3:16 , Romans 5:8 , 8:35-39 )
You are worth dying for. ( 1 John 3:16 , Romans 5:7-9 )
You are forgiven. ( Ephesians 1:7 , 1 John 1:9 , Romans 8:1 , 33-39 )
You are His child. ( 1 John 3:1 , Galatians 3:26 )
You are secured for all eternity. ( 2 Corinthians 1:22 , John 10:28-29 )
You are set free. ( Romans 6:18 , Galatians 5:1 )

YOU are God’s masterpiece ( Ephesians 2:10 ), chosen and made by His hands. Hear the Lord singing over you, rejoicing in your new identity in Christ, embracing you as His child, and expressing how He loves you more than you can imagine ( Zephaniah 3:17 ). That's worth celebrating! You're worth celebrating!

Start believing you are enough and can do what God calls you to do. Start growing in courage to step outside your comfort zone. Begin pushing through obstacles that will help you progress in your purpose. Fully knowing your identity in Christ lays the foundation for fully living out who God made you to be and what God made you to do.

True Repentance: Turning from Sin toward Christ

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:08:56 GMT

What is true repentance? Figures vary a lot, but something over 40% of Americans profess to be "Born Again" yet there is little or no evidence to give confirmation of that profession. So many people claim that they love Jesus, yet they live in direct disobedience to both His direct commandments and the principles of His Word. Why are so many excuses given for sin? And why are we, as Christians, so willing to make excuses for those in sin?

When Jesus began his ministry, He did so by preaching "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). When Jesus sent out the Apostles, He told them to preach that " repentance and forgiveness for sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations” (Luke 24). Salvation is by faith alone, but real faith is always accompanied by repentance. This change of mind from disbelief to belief is called “metanoia” or “repentance.” When a person comes to understand the sufficiency of the finished work of Christ on his behalf and believes it, he has repented and has passed from death into life. Therefore, repentance is not an act separate from believing the gospel, but is inherent in the act of believing.

Paul also preached repentance. Paul told the Athenians, "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent ” ( Acts 17:30 ). In Acts 20:21, Paul summed up his ministry by saying he "declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus."

Repentance is also not an option for living the Christian life. When a Christian sins, repentance is necessary to restore one's relationship both with God and with those sinned against.

Repentance is an ongoing process. It is not something done once and forever accomplished. It is not enough to once change your mind about sin. True repentance affects the whole person and should result in a renewed lifestyle. This turning from sin and self toward Christ is and must be a continuing process. It is a day-by-day progression of refusing to follow sin and self and of deliberately following Christ.

Genuine repentance involves three things:

First, it involves the renunciation of sin. “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy” ( Proverbs 28:13, NIV ). The prodigal son upon coming home, told his Father, “I have sinned against heaven and against you.”

Secondly, true repentance seeks a reconciliation with others. Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering” ( Matthew 5:23-24, NASB ).

Finally, authentic repentance includes a restitution for sin whenever possible. Zacchaeus, the tax collector, said to Jesus when he visited, “‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.’ “Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house’” ( Luke 19:8-9, NIV ).

Are there any specific sins in your life that you have never truly repented of? Are you willing to repent of those sins here and now and enjoy the forgiveness and fellowship that only comes through Jesus Christ?

The Blessing of Obedience: Doing God's Will with the Right Heart

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:05:28 GMT

Today’s culture promotes freedom from all external controls to be truly free. However, just a look at any daily news will demonstrate that this is a false idea. True freedom, freedom from sin, is only found in obedience to God and to those He primarily delegated His authority to: parents ( Ephesians 6:1-3 ), governments ( Romans 13:1-2 ), and the Church ( Hebrews 13:17 ). Exceptions happen when those in authority over us require of us actions and services that betray our conscience, grieve our Lord, or invade our biblical convictions. In these cases ( Acts 5:40-42 ; Daniel 6:6-11 ), we are to stand against such demands.

Why should we obey the Lord?

Because He created us ( Colossians 1:16 ) All things created by Him and for Him .
Because He redeemed us ( 1 Peter 1:18-19 )
Because He will judge us ( 2 Timothy 4:1 ; 2 Corinthians 5:10 )

Obedience is defined by many as “dutiful or submissive compliance to the commands of one in authority” (Barry Kerner). However, my favorite definition recognizes that obedience is a choice made possible by the grace of God to do “what I’m told to do, when I’m told to do it, with the right heart attitude” (Bill Elliff).

The following are some types of obedience which, in reality, are disobedience:

Cosmetic obedience - playing church on Sunday, living for self the rest of the week.
Controlled obedience - I’ll go this far, but no farther; I’ll deal with this, but not that.
Delayed obedience – Not now.
Incomplete obedience – Saul, destroy the Amalekites; spared King Agag, best of livestock.
Provisional obedience – I’ll give God what He wants if He meets my needs.

Because we haven’t been completely sanctified yet, we tend to move back and forth from one area of disobedience to another depending on the issue or the day. Our goal, by the grace of God and the power of His Spirit, is unconditional obedience to God and His Word.

Because God is love, His will is always best ( Romans12:2 , “good, acceptable and perfect”).

Because God is all powerful, He can enable us to do His will ( Philippians 2:13 ). Obedience is the outward expression of our love of God ( John 14:15 ). If you have an obedience problem, you have a love problem. If you do not obey God, you do not know Him “And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments” ( 1 John 2:3, NLT )

Obedience brings God’s blessings and the following benefits:

Prosperity in the Lord (Joshua 1:8) .
Experiencing God’s love and the special revelation of Himself to us (John 14:21) .
Having a solid foundation when the storms of life come against us (Luke 6:46-49) .
Knowing spiritual truth (John 7:16-17) .
Blessed in what we do (James 1:25; Luke 11:28) .
Being God’s people and enjoying His favor (Jeremiah 7:23) .

What is the clear, perhaps difficult, step of obedience that God is confronting you with today? What will you do?

The Unfinished Task: Reaching the World for Christ in 2025

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:00:50 GMT

It seems like the emphasis on completing the task of reaching the world for Christ has lost its appeal. How often have you heard messages about this subject? When have you had missionaries address this topic? Does anyone have mission conferences anymore?

According to the Word of God, which hasn’t changed, this is still His Commission.

Matthew 28:18-19 defines the depth of the Great Commission, “… go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
Mark 16:15 emphasizes the breadth and quantity of the sowing. “… Go into the entire world and preach the good news to all creation.”
Luke 24:46-47 says that as surely as Christ rose from the dead, so will repentance be preached to all the Nations.
In John 20:21, we see Jesus as the model of the Great Commission: “… As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. So should we.
Acts 1:8 speaks of the extent of the Great Commission that begins in Jerusalem and stretches to the ends of the earth. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Significant progress has been made! According to Wycliffe Global Alliance , approximately 80% of the world's population has access to the full Bible in their primary language, and 91% have access to at least the New Testament. However, this means roughly 1.5 billion people still lack a complete Bible translation in their language.

Only a small portion of overall Christian giving goes towards foreign missions. For instance, The Gospel Coalition analysis found that only 6% of all money given to Christian causes funds overseas missions, with an even smaller percentage (1.7% of that 6%) directed towards missions among unreached people groups (UPGs). For every $100,000 church members give to American churches, only $102 funds missions among UPGs.

What should the Church be doing? What should the priorities be in terms of evangelization in our generation? God is doing some wonderful things among people groups, especially the Muslims. Hundreds are coming to Christ regularly through visions and dreams. Have you heard about this? So, what should we do?

Pray for our hearts, our churches, and for God to send out laborers into the harvest.
Reach out to a person from another country and invite them into your home.
Ask the Lord to lead you in giving something, or more, to worldwide missions.
Plan to go on a short-term mission trip to another country or send someone.
Repent of our disobedience to the Great Commission and pray for revival.
 Get involved in missions at your church and be a catalyst for change.

When the Vision Stalls: Lessons from Zechariah 4

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 04:57:25 GMT

In 586 B.C. Jerusalem fell to the armies of Nebuchadnezzar, which marked the end of the kingdom of Judah. Most of Jerusalem’s inhabitants were deported to Babylon for a period of about 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11; 29:10).

When the Babylonian Empire fell to the Persian Empire (539 B.C.), Cyrus the Great decreed that the Jews could return to Jerusalem to rebuild their temple. Subsequently, under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the governor, about 50,000 Jews, including Haggai and Zechariah, returned to Jerusalem. An altar for sacrifices was built, and the foundation for the temple was laid. But then external and internal challenges caused the building program to be on hold for 16 years.

Many of us could probably identify with an unfulfilled dream, an uncompleted goal, or frustrated desires and hopes that were dashed.

Three principles for our lives:

1. Do not despise small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10a).

David was a young man facing a giant with 5 smooth stones, the least in his family.

The cloud Elijah saw was small, but from it came a great rainstorm.

Gideon’s army was small, 300 against 120,000.

The small boy with the small lunch fed 5,000 with Jesus’ help.

Mother Theresa cared for the small, the poor, the unimpressive, and the insignificant.

2. God loves to work through the weak and insignificant (I Corinthians 1:26-29). “Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” Zechariah 4:6 , “NOT BY MIGHT, NOR BY POWER, BUT BY MY SPIRIT, SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY.”

Great things come from small beginnings. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet, when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants. (Mark 4:30-32)

3. Do not be satisfied with small things! God is bigger than any and every obstacle. Jeremiah 32:17, “O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too difficult for you.” Psalm 2:8 , “Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession.”

Do you realize that God can do “far more abundantly” than you could ever dream in your life? (Ephesians 3:20) God unquestionably has good works prepared before you that He wants to accomplish so that you can impact eternity and make a difference for Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:10) Ask God expectantly, in faith, for His fresh vision for you today!

Remembering and Renewing the New Covenant During Communion

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 04:55:16 GMT

Jesus made a significant and timely announcement to His disciples as He approached His death. At what is called the Lord’s Supper, just before Gethsemane, while at the table, Jesus says, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you." This declaration signifies that the New Covenant is sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ, offering redemption and reconciliation to all who believe.

Promises of the New Covenant of grace:

1. The Law is written on our hearts.

“I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” ( Hebrews 8:10 ; Jeremiah 31:33 ).

The New Covenant promise spoke of the interior quality of true religion. True love of God, springing from the gift of faith, would be demonstrated by a people who are not characterized as always apostatizing from the Lord. Instead, out of sincere and true love for God, faith and repentance will be the defining characteristic of their lives.

2. We know the Lord.

“And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest” ( Hebrews 8:11 ; Jeremiah 31:34a ).

The second promise of the New Covenant is that God’s people will truly know Him. This knowledge is our delight and the reason that Jesus’ high priestly prayer said that we would “know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3).

3. Our sins are remembered no more.

“For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more” ( Hebrews 8:12 ; Jeremiah 31:34b ).

A significant promise that we enjoy in the New Covenant is that we live in full trust that God has been merciful to us in our sins; He remembers them no more.

4. We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

The greatest promise that we enjoy in the New Covenant is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live according to God's will. Ezekiel 36:26-27 predicted this transformation: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances."

This covenant is recalled and renewed when a believer observes the Lord’s Supper. The communion service includes the opportunity to examine our relationship to Christ and confess any sins to Him. It also helps us remember, with thanksgiving, the great sacrifice that Jesus made for us, and to look forward to His glorious return (1 Corinthians 11:23-32).

When Fishing Isn’t a Sport: The Call to be Fishers of Men

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 03:12:40 GMT

Picture the Lord Jesus walking along the Sea of Galilee. He’s hearing the sea lapping up against the shore. He’s hearing the seagulls and watching them fly overhead. He’s feeling the sand as it gently flows over his sandals and experiencing the sea breeze blowing in his face. Then suddenly, He looks out into the bay, and there he sees two men. One was named Simon, who was called Peter, and the other was Andrew, his brother, who were fishermen casting a net into the sea. As He looks at these men, with a gaze that could arrest the heart of any man, the Lord Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).

Notice first that it was a very simple invitation. It only consisted of two words. Jesus said, “Follow Me.” Though it was a very simply stated invitation, the understanding and response became more challenging because of the guidelines that need to be established in a leader-follower relationship.

If a leader-follower relationship is going to succeed, it must be determined who will lead and who will follow. That was a problem for a natural-born leader like Simon Peter, and it might be a problem for many of us who like to do our own thing in our own way.

The second challenge in following Jesus involves concentration. We must focus our attention on the Lord’s character, where He is leading in our lives, His plan and call, and what He wants us to do. There are so many distractions in this world that tend to hinder us from hearing His voice.

The final challenge involves our commitment. We are fairly successful at being hearers of the Word, but more often fail at doing what it tells us. We know that Jesus calls us ambassadors, ministers of reconciliation, and His witnesses, but are we “fishing” yet?

Part of our problem is that we forget the transformation that Jesus promises. He said, “I will make you.” We know we don’t have the gift of evangelism, don’t have answers to questions, don’t feel comfortable talking, etc. But we forget that it is Jesus who enables us to overcome every excuse we can come up with. Jesus is the master fisherman, and He will enable us to successfully “catch” people. But, Jesus only promises to change those who will follow!

It is not unusual to end up as experts who talk about fishing for men. We know how to bait the hook and what kind of lure to use. We learn all about how to fish for the loud-mouth, speckle-bellied atheist and which bait works best with the salt-water Pharisee. On a shelf somewhere, we have a tackle box full of memorized Scripture, clever questions, and some very old tracts. Yes, we’re good at talking about fishing. But we’re not so good at actually fishing for men. If we’re not fishing, are we really following?

Lord, help me to effectively engage with people. Forgive me for squandering opportunities to share Christ, for not having a broken heart for those without Christ, and for failing to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, who gives believers the power to witness. Beginning today, I commit to pray more, to share more, to expect more, and to be transformed more, so that angels would rejoice more, so that God’s Kingdom may be increased, and so that His glory might be multiplied! GO FISH!

Magnifying God with My Life: Moving from Fear to Faithful Giving

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 03:10:23 GMT

Have you ever noticed how many times the Bible talks about fear? The reason we don’t need to fear is because we have a God in heaven who is in complete control and all-powerful and who loves us with a love that is unconditional.

A. Trust God for your life rather than fear (Luke 12:32).

Luke 12:32 is a verse about the nature of God. It’s about what kind of heart God has. In verse 32, Jesus gives us three reasons why we should “not be afraid.” The first reason is that as a “little flock,” God is our Shepherd, and we shall not want (Psalm 23). Secondly, God is our Father who knows and provides what we need. Finally, as King, God gladly gives us the kingdom. Not being afraid shows God that we treasure him as our Shepherd, our Father, and our King.

If the King is our Father, then we are heirs of His kingdom. Matthew 25:34 says that in the last day King Jesus will say, “Come, you who are blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” God does not begrudge his children coming into their inheritance. It is his good pleasure to give them the kingdom.

B. Live simply for others and lay up for yourself treasure in Heaven rather than on earth (Luke 12:33).

Everything sounds great until verse 33. Here, Jesus tells me to sell what I have and give the proceeds to the poor. Was he being serious? Yes, he was. First, this message is a call to faith. He said, Don’t be afraid; sell and give. Trust in me to provide for you. Remember the first disciples didn’t have money tied up in stock portfolios and real estate. If they did, Jesus would have said, “Take some of your savings and provide alms.” So, he said, “Sell your possessions and give."

There are an estimated 52,301 self-storage facilities in the United States as of 2024, which contain over 2.1 billion square feet of rentable storage space—far more storage spaces than any other country. What does that tell you about how much “stuff” we have? Hold a garage sale and give your proceeds to missions. Giving is the only effective antidote to materialism!

This is an invitation to accumulate real wealth that will never be lost. Investing temporary worldly wealth in the kingdom’s work is investing in heavenly treasure. God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving. Paul exhorts us in I Timothy 6:17-19: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

C. Cherish God above all treasures, and your heart will follow (Luke 12:34).

The ultimate point is that where one's treasure is, there one's heart will be. Shifting our focus from earthly possessions to heavenly riches strengthens our relationship with God!

How to Give Thanks in Everything: Appropriating God’s Resources

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 15:04:40 GMT

Is it really possible to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” as 1 Thessalonians 5:18 encourages? Paul isn’t saying we should be thankful for every situation, but rather to give thanks in every situation. At first glance, this command can feel overwhelming, especially when we face pain, loss, or disappointment. How can we give thanks when our hearts are heavy with grief or when life isn’t going the way we had hoped? Yet, this command isn't about pretending everything is fine or ignoring the reality of our struggles. Instead, it’s a call to trust that God is sovereign and good and loving in every situation, even the difficult ones and even when we don’t sense his presence.

It appears God is asking us to do something that goes beyond human capability. Is he a Cosmic Killjoy who enjoys seeing us discouraged and defeated? The Christian life is not difficult; it is humanly impossible!

So how can I honestly give thanks in everything? Well, it begins when I acknowledge that habitual thanksgiving is achievable only when we appropriate God’s supernatural resources. That means that I must first recognize that thanksgiving in everything is not an option; it is a command. When I fail to give thanks in everything, I must confess it as sin and ask God to forgive me and empower me by his Spirit to change.

Secondly, I must admit that habitual thanksgiving is attainable only when the Word of God richly dwells within me. “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).

Thirdly, it is reachable only when you’re filled with the Holy Spirit. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will always give thanks for all things in the name of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:18-20).

Finally, thanksgiving is energized through a dependent prayer life (Colossians 4:2).

We can only understand habitual gratitude when we let the Lord live in and through us. Only God can forgive and restore the joy of our salvation. Only God can renew our mind through his Word and help us believe all things are possible with Christ. Only the Spirit of God can fill and empower us to both desire and obey God’s commands. And only through prayer can God maintain the spiritual lifelines that cause us to overflow with gratitude for the One who made us, preserved us, saved us, sanctified us, and will present us faultless before his throne. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! God is always GOOD!

Envision with me the difference a movement of Christian gratitude would make in our lives and in our broken, negative, chaotic culture. Imagine the impact if God’s people lived with the optimism gratitude empowers.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Pondering the Glory of God: Reflecting His Character to the World

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 15:04:40 GMT

The glory of God is the visible manifestation of His attributes and His character. “Glory describes all the things God is full of—His wisdom, love, creativity, beauty, strength, compassion—all the things that make Him weighty and wonderful, made manifest for us to see and experience and respond to” (Dr. Donnie Berry).

God's glory is the ultimate purpose behind creation, the story of Jesus Christ, and the transformation of believers who are called to live for His glory.

God, the eternally glorious one, created the world in order to share and display His glory. The psalmist, David, tells us that “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). We are meant to look upon the heavens, at the sun, the moon, and the stars, and see in them reflections that point back to their source, the God who is glorious.

Jesus is the fullest expression of God’s glory--God’s very person, presence, character and nature in flesh and blood. John tells us: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). “He [Jesus] is the radiance of the glory of God, the exact representation of His nature” (Heb. 1:3a).

Genesis tells us that God created humans “in [his] image, after [his] own likeness” (Genesis 1:26). We are meant to be like God—reflecting who He is and what He is like as we exercise dominion and stewardship in the world (Genesis 1:26-28). David refers to this exalted status given to human beings in creation by proclaiming that God “crowned him with glory and majesty!” (Psalm 8:5). Humans were meant to be the reflections of God’s glory on the earth.

Although humans were the pinnacle of God’s creation, because of sin, we have fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). However, in Christ we are being conformed to the image of His Son once more (Romans 8:29). Through redemption in Christ, God is restoring us to the glory for which we were intended: “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

When I have failed to love the way I know I should, I have not merely been impatient or unkind or proud or selfish; I have fallen short of God’s glory. I have failed to be like Him. I have expressed something less than the truth about what God is like, since my actions toward others are intended to be reflections of Him. Such behavior leads me to repentance and restoration by the Spirit of God, to reflect more of what God is like in my own life.

The glory of God often looks for a dwelling place. The original house for the glory of God was the tabernacle. But under the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit builds a temple in every believer. First Corinthians 3:16 says, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” We are God’s house—His temple. Only, this temple is no longer confined to a fixed location. This house can walk and talk and share the gospel! “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

God, please open my eyes to see your glory, and as I do, may my life, through the power of the Holy Spirit, reflect or shine your glory to others to further your Kingdom purposes!

The Key to Spiritual Attentiveness: A Biblical Guide to Fasting

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 15:04:40 GMT

If your spiritual life feels stagnant and your relationship with the Lord is stale, God has good news for you! He has given us the KEY to increasing our spiritual attentiveness to God’s presence and His Word through fasting. In today's busy world, it's easy for distractions and stress to cloud our minds and hearts, but Scripture urges us to be still and recognize God (Psalm 46:10).

Fasting— voluntarily abstaining from food or other physical appetites—redirects our focus from physical needs to spiritual growth. When you eat, a greater amount of your blood is used for functions of your digestive system. When you exercise, a greater amount of your blood is used for your muscular system. However, when you fast and focus on prayer and God’s Word, a greater amount of your blood is available for your mental system to become more sensitive to the Lord’s presence, more alert to spiritual dangers, and more able to be led by God’s Spirit.

The Bible frequently links uncontrolled appetite with pitfalls. Adam and Eve were tempted by their physical appetite. Esau allowed his stomach to cause him to lose his birthright. The Israelites, after being delivered from bondage in Egypt, allowed their uncontrolled fleshly appetite to cause them to sin. Jesus’ first temptation from the devil, while fasting for 40 days, was directed at his bodily hunger. If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread (Matthew 4:3).

Jesus taught that fasting should be done in secret, promising reward for those who do it faithfully. Fasting was an assumed practice. When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you (Matthew 6:16-18, NIV).

We should fast when we need God’s direction or guidance for decisions (Ezra 8:21-23; Acts 13:2-3), when we face impossible situations (Esther 4:16), when we need healing in our land (Jeremiah 36:9), when we need protection and deliverance (2 Chronicles 20), when we need God’s mercy (Jonah 3:4-10), and when we are selecting leaders (Acts 14:23).

Fasting helps express, deepen, and confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice for the kingdom of God. If you are not familiar with fasting, start slow. Try fasting for one meal and use that time in prayer to God and reading His Word. Fasting is a powerful, God-blessed strategy for the Church and for individual believers today! Through sincere and private fasting, as taught by Jesus, believers can deepen their prayer lives, commit more fully to God’s kingdom, and experience renewed spiritual attentiveness.