<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. – Philippians 1:21(NKJV)</blockquote>In just a few words, Paul describes his inner struggle… the deep longing to be present with the Lord, yet the awareness that his mission on earth, as an ambassador of Christ, was not yet finished.Paul penned this letter during his first Roman imprisonment. Unlike his second imprisonment, in a cold, dark dungeon, this bondange basically fell under the category of house arrest. Regardless of the form or fashion of Paul’s captivity (or, for that matter, his freedom), death was always a looming possibility since he unabashedly proclaimed the gospel of the One True King, Jesus Christ, in the shadow of the Roman Emperor.What an amazing example and inspiration for pastors today who commit to embrace the same devotion to Christ and the message of His Kingdom. Paul yearned for the day he would stand face-to-face with his Savior, but he was willing to suffer for the glory of God and for the advancement of the Gospel until he was called home.Our culture today is in dire need of pastors like the Apostle Paul… preachers and proclaimers of the Good News of Jesus Christ who burn with passion to do the will of God and usher in heaven to earth… ambassadors of the Kingdom who will bring the light and life of Christ into a dark and dying world… no matter the cost.Our world, and this nation, needs to see:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Believers, especially in a day like today, who understand the power of Paul’s words, “to live is Christ,” recognizing that God has given us a window in time to experience a revival in the land and change the course of this nation.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Believers who are completely obedient to our Savior’s words in Matthew 16:24, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Believers, living for Christ, who are embracing God’s call on their lives to radically impact the day, “for a time such as this.” (Esther 4:14).</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Believers who are brightly shining their light so that nonbelievers may also see our good works, hear the message of salvation, and surrender their lives to Christ for the “praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1;6, 1:12, 1;14).</li></ul>Additionally, our nation would greatly benefit from witnessing:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Believers who are living out Paul's phrase, “to die is gain.” Christians who are living in light of the hope of eternal glory in all that they do, not recklessly, but fearlessly proclaiming Jesus as Lord without concern for repercussions or persecution.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Believers who navigate the storms of life with confidence in Christ, demonstrating strong, preserving faith in this fact from Romans 8:39, “... nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”</li></ul>This world is full of those who hold and herald different ideologies, many that are, in fact, antithetical to the Word of God. Consider the lengths they go to express their agendas. In many cases, the people promoting these ideas demonstrate a greater commitment to their way of living than many believers to do ours… and we have the Truth on our side!It is time for the Church… for pastors and congregations to stand up and be strong. We have a life-changing, life-giving message to share. We have the keys to the Kingdom, the authorization of Christ himself, and the power of the Holy Spirit to turn this world upside down.What’s missing? A firm commitment to Philippians 1:21…<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.</blockquote>May Paul’s attitude toward his service to Christ and his burden to reach the lost fall upon every disciple of Jesus Christ.May the same Power that raised Jesus from the dead fill and fuel every believer so we will walk boldly in our calling.May we be people who are eager and willing to proclaim these additional words from Paul in Romans 1:16,<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.not to be ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation.</blockquote>Let today be the day we, as members of the Body of Christ, choose to live as Christ knowing, with absolute confidence, that when the appointed time comes for each of us to see Him face-to-face, it will truly be to our gain… beyond our imagination.

To Live is Christ

<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mb-4" dir="ltr">We love to talk about the promises of God.</h1>We sing about them. We declare them. We quote Jeremiah 29:11 and shout “Amen” when someone says, “God has a plan for your life.” But what do we do in the in-between? What happens when we’ve received a promise, but we’re stuck in the long, confusing space between “God said” and “it came to pass”? If you’ve ever felt like your life is full of prophetic words but void of fulfillment, you’re not alone. You’re not faithless. And you’re not forgotten. You’re in God’s process.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Because the truth is, God is not just a promise giver—He’s a process God.</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">God Creates—But He Also Forms</h2>Romans 1:20 tells us that the invisible attributes of God can be clearly seen through what has been created. That means if you want to understand how God works, you have to study His creation. That’s how Paul starts unpacking the mystery: the invisible is revealed through the visible.Take Genesis, for instance. In chapter 1, God creates the heavens and the earth. But in chapter 2, something shifts: God begins to form. He forms man from the dust. He plants a garden. He shapes, establishes, and prepares things for fruitfulness.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">In Isaiah 45:18, God says: 'I did not create the earth in vain—I formed it to be inhabited.'</blockquote>He didn’t create it to be empty. He formed it to carry purpose. And that’s the same with you. God didn’t just create you—He’s forming you. He’s shaping your character, stretching your faith, maturing your gifts, and establishing your steps. The new creation happened in a moment—but formation? That takes time.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The Process Is Not Punishment—It’s Preparation</h2>One of the most dangerous lies you can believe is that God is punishing you when He’s really preparing you.God creates you in grace—but He forms you through fire. The potter doesn’t stop at creating the clay; he keeps pressing, spinning, reshaping. That process isn’t evidence of rejection—it’s proof of investment. God takes time with what He values.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Isaiah 43:1 makes this clear: 'Thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel…' Same person. Two names. Two identities. One is raw potential (Jacob), the other is royal destiny (Israel). God created Jacob—but He formed Israel.</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Why the Process Hurts</h2>Sometimes we don’t resist God’s promises—we resist His timing. We want the fruit of the Spirit, but not the pruning. We want destiny, but we dread delay.The reason we struggle is because we often judge our lives by events rather than by process. We look at single moments—crisis, loss, failure—and we panic: This must not be God!<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">But Romans 8:28 says: 'All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.'</blockquote>That word “work together” in the Greek literally means to cooperate. It’s as if all the pieces of your life have a staff meeting in heaven and say, “Alright, how are we going to help fulfill God’s purpose in this person’s life?” Even the pain. Even the delays. Even the betrayal.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Don’t Let an Event Define Your Purpose</h2>Abraham is a perfect example. God promised him a son. But years passed—nothing happened. So Abraham did something. He and Sarah took matters into their own hands, and Ishmael was born. But that wasn’t God’s promise—it was man’s shortcut.And for 13 years after that, God went silent.It wasn’t until Abraham was 99 that God showed up and said: “I am El Shaddai—the God who is more than enough.”In other words: You tried to fix what only I can fulfill. You’re not disqualified, but you’ve delayed what I wanted to do.So here’s the principle: when you’re tempted to rush the process, remember that God hasn’t forgotten the promise.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">God Doesn’t Create in Vain</h2>In Isaiah 45, God makes it plain: He didn’t create the world in confusion. He didn’t form it empty. And He didn’t call you without purpose.He established the earth. That Hebrew word means “to assign destiny.” God gives shape, order, identity, and composition to everything He makes. You were born with design. You were saved with intent. You’ve been formed for fruitfulness.Don’t waste your life trying to walk in someone else’s calling. Embrace the composition God gave you. That includes your temperament, your talents, your testimony, and yes—even your trials.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">When God Hides… Keep Walking</h2><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Isaiah 45:15 says, 'Truly You are a God who hides Yourself, O God of Israel, the Savior.'</blockquote>There will be seasons where you can’t see God’s hand. But you still have His word.God speaks righteousness. He doesn’t mumble. He doesn’t manipulate. He declares truth—even when it’s hidden behind process. He hasn’t forgotten what He told you. He’s shaping you to carry it.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Watch What You Do in the Waiting</h2>The biggest temptation in process is to do something—anything. We hate the silence. We hate the fog. So we start grabbing for control. We start murmuring. We start compromising.But murmuring is the language of unbelief.Praise is the language of faith.And patience is the proof of faith.Let me say that again: patience is not weakness. It’s faith under pressure. It’s worship in the wilderness. It’s trusting that God hasn’t changed His mind just because the timeline isn’t what you expected.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">From Cyrus to Christ</h2>Isaiah 45 prophesied about a Persian king named Cyrus—120 years before he was even born. And when Cyrus finally rose to power, he fulfilled every single word God had spoken. He broke open the gates of Babylon. He freed the captives. He ordered the rebuilding of the temple. And he did it not knowing that his story was already written in the scroll of the prophets.That’s how precise God is.And that same Cyrus-built temple? That’s the one Jesus walked into centuries later.What started as captivity ended in Kingdom.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Final Thought</h2>If you’re in the middle of your process, don’t despise it.You may not see the fruit yet. You may not understand the timeline. But the Potter never wastes the clay. If He created you, He will form you. If He formed you, He will make you fruitful. If He made you fruitful, He will establish you.God doesn’t create in vain. He creates to be inhabited. By purpose. By fruit. By glory. By Himself.And if you hold on—if you trust the process—what He promised WILL come to pass.

Embracing God's Process: When the Promise Is in Progress

<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 (NKJV)</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">And now abide faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV)</blockquote>If we take the time to read 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13, we will realize that the apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of love within the body of Christ and highlights the diversity of roles among believers, reminding us that love is essential above all spiritual gifts.In this series of Bible verses, Paul discusses the diverse roles within the Church, emphasizing that all believers are integral parts of the body of Christ. He stresses that while spiritual gifts are important, love is paramount, stating that, without love, even the greatest gifts and sacrifices are meaningless. Paul outlines the nature of love as patient, kind, and enduring, concluding that faith, hope, and love remain, but the greatest of these is love.Each one of us has a particular place in the Church. Even knowing this, many Christians confront the problem of lack of identity. This causes them to live a life of frustration and to be unsatisfied. We should know and understand that each one has been redeemed and has a special place in the body of Christ. It is our duty to discover which is our place and learn how to situate ourselves in it. We should also identify and respect other members. We are all part of the same body, and we all have the same importance.I have discovered through the years that the conflict does not lie as much in those who cannot identify and respect other members of the body. Rather, I have found many conflicted Christians who are in crisis because they do not accept with dignity who they are. I realize many times we are dazed by other ministries, and we think that if we do not feel equal, we are not complete in the body. Through this way, we spend all our time trying to imitate others, and we never come to complete the function in what we are really called to.In these first few verses that were mentioned in the beginning (vs. 12:27-31), the apostle mentions that God has "PLACED" some in the church the way He wanted. It is God who places us. It is important to know how to wait for the time and place the Lord has for each one.Yet this does not mean that we should have a conformist attitude, since I am speaking of location and acceptance, and not satisfaction. Rather, in verse 31, the apostle Paul clearly insists for us to procure spiritual gifts. I believe that today one of the most impetuous currents in Christianity has to do with ministers that promote gifts, emphasizing the importance of a ministry, and they are not wrong. We should earnestly desire the greater gifts (vs. 12:31).Personally, I like people who always seek something more, even the apostle showed the relevancy of seeking a still more excellent way. This is the way of love.Spiritual gifts and ministries with no love are like a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal (vs. 13:1). Many times I have found when I get to a place, that our ministry is already known, and it seems that what we have been doing makes such noise that the wavelengths travel before we even get to those places. But lately I wonder if those people know us for the noise we do or the love we express. I ask myself if the ministry the Lord has given us (this has to do with the functioning of the gifts inside the ministry) or the strength of the love with which we move is brighter (this has to do with the reflection of the character of God in a person).The Word of the Lord is radical. We can have all the prophecy, knowledge, and faith, but if we do not have love, we are nothing (vs. 13:2). So many times I have admired ministries that move in a tremendous anointing and a "high" level of revelation; today, I sadly see them die, making me realize that which they called "the highest" lacked "the perfect and still more excellent."This saying holds a great truth: Not everything that shines is gold. There is a way that is still more excellent… the way of love.If what motivates us isn't love, then nothing that we do has a purpose, even when we sell all our possessions to buy food for the poor, and we deliver our bodies to be burned (vs. 13:3).We cannot say we love God if this is not reflected in our lives and conduct. The incongruence of what we preach and what we live is what has been a stumbling block for many.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, endures all things. (vs. 13:4-7).</blockquote>Brethren, when we go to heaven, we will not take anything from our ministries; the only thing we will carry with us is the love we have moved in. This is the thing that never fails (vs. 13:8).In such a time as this, when everyone comes for faith, hope, and love, let us never forget that the greatest of these is love.

A Still More Excellent Way

<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?</blockquote>— Galatians 4:16 (NKJV)Truth, when spoken, is so powerful that it will make those who are in deception become your enemies.Paul knew he was confronting the Galatians with truth. He was not going to allow them to fall back into the very same law of captivity they had lived under before Christ. He was telling them that the same truth that had set them free was now being rejected by them, as they were not standing to defend it but instead going back to bondage.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.</blockquote>— Galatians 5:1 (NKJV)Many who were friends of Paul were willing before to give their own eyes for him as they will look at him as an angel, but when he confronted them with truth, then they saw him as an enemy. He was an enemy to their ways of living, an enemy to their lifestyle and ways of thinking. They were offended by the truthful words they heard from the lips of the apostle.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?</blockquote>— Galatians 3:1 (NKJV)Disobedience to truth causes a wise man to act as a foolish man, to fall under the control of others who have no discernment and knowledge of what is right and what is wrong. The fruits of the flesh were evident in the Galatians who had turned back from living in obedience to Christ to total disobedience and rebellion under the law. In the words of the apostle Paul, anyone who rejects truth is an enemy of the cross of Jesus Christ.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.</blockquote>— Philippians 3:18 (NKJV)If you are to preach truth, teach truth, and live in truth then you must understand that the calling must be higher than any cost. Many enemies will rise up against you but remember that it is better to please God than to please men. To be a servant of Christ, you cannot look to what pleases man but instead look to what pleases God.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.</blockquote>— Galatians 1:10 (NKJV)It is imperative for every person of faith to understand that persecution will come to those that hold truth sacred in their hearts. The world has become a place where relationships are built upon the deception of tolerance for anything regardless if it is false or true, real or unreal, original or duplicated. Those who speak or teach against all that is false, unreal, and misleading are considered to be vessels of hate and anger.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Josh McDowell writes, 'True compassionate love that seeks to provide and protect another person’s health, happiness, and spiritual growth could not comply with the cultural call: ‘If you love me, you’ll endorse my behavior.’ Because real love, true love, grieves over the inevitable results of wrong behavior.'</blockquote>Defend what is truthful and you will be attacked with defamation of your character. As Janet Folger warns us, “Character assassination unfolds when they don’t like what you say–you can just expect it.”Follow the truth and you will be confronted with retaliation from those that reject the same truth you are following. John told the truth about Herod’s sin and he was imprisoned, then beheaded.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">But when Herod heard, he said, ‘This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!’ For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. Because John had said to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’</blockquote>— Mark 6:16-18 (NKJV)Truth uncovers the secrets kept hidden by those caught in the web of their own deception. Herod was living with his brother’s wife and John exposed his unlawful action. Darkness is the blanket that covers all that is not truth, but light from the lamp of truth will remove that blanket of bad works.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.</blockquote>— John 3:21(NKJV)Who, then, will become your enemies:The following will become your enemies not because you hate them or reject them as human beings but because they will hate you and reject you.<ol class="list-decimal list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Live with truth as the foundation of your moral values and your enemies will be those that practice immoral acts of perversion and abomination (See Romans 1:29).</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Build your faith upon truth and your enemies will be those whose faith is nothing more than a belief in the exaltation of man and his human nature of sin (See Galatians 6:3).</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Speak truth as is and your enemies will be those that want to redefine the reality of truth into the imaginations of the human mind (See Jeremiah 16:12).</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Walk in truth and your enemies will be those that walk in blindness with no guidance or direction to where they are going (See Isaiah 59:10</li><li value="5" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Support all that is truth and your enemies will be those that support the opposition to all truth.</li></ol>This is why if you support:<ol class="list-decimal list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1 list-none" dir="ltr"><ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The truth of the right to be born, then abortion supporters will be your enemies.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The truth of marriage between a man and a wife, then supporters of the abomination before God of same sex marriage will be your enemies.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The truth of creation by design of God himself, then supporters of evolution will be your enemies.</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The truth of Israel and the right to exist and occupy its land, then supporters of dividing or taking the land away from them will be your enemies.</li></ul></li></ol>Jesus repeatedly warned of a time when anyone who followed truth will be persecuted by the enemies of truth.We, as the Church, are in that time once again… and it is time to draw a line in the sand and stand for Truth, no matter the cost. Of course, we will pray for our enemies, as Jesus instructs, but we will not back down or run away from courageously speaking Jesus who not only spoke the truth but is the Truth.

Have I Become Your Enemy?

Every day, we speak thousands of words and likely hear even more, depending on how much time we spend watching television, scrolling through social media, or listening to podcasts.Language is a gift from God, one often taken for granted by many. In fact, language is divine. The ability to communicate through spoken and written words is one of the many attributes God has placed within us as beings created in the Imago Dei. Through the Logos (The Word) God spoke the universe into existence ex nihilo (out of nothing).<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">In the beginning… God said, 'Let there be light' and from that moment on, God has continued to speak words of light and life into our lives.</blockquote>When employed rightly, then, our words both affirm our existence as beings created in God’s image and, at the same time, can birth ideas, build communities, and impact lives in ways that honor God and edify others. Communication matters because what and how we communicate has the potential to glorify God and generate outcomes that would inspire us, or others, to follow the trail and trajectory of our words and say of their results, “it is good.”That’s why some people work diligently to refine their communication skills—mastering rhetoric, building vocabulary, employing logic, and cultivating the discipline of listening—arts that, unfortunately, are increasingly rare in our society (Thinking is especially a lost art today, as it’s been said, “thinking takes hard work that’s why so few people do it.” But we’ll circle back to this subject at another time).Reality affirms, though, that Communicatio est necessarium vitae (Communication is an essential in life). Our effectiveness in society hinges on the words we choose and the grace in which we speak them. Yet too often, freedom of speech has become more mendacious and destructive than veracious and constructive. Public and private communication alike desperately need humility to balance the hubris that surrounds us—in academia, the political arena, the marketplace, social media, our homes, and even the Church.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Plato once said, 'Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools speak because they have to say something.'</blockquote>That line feels almost prophetic in our day. So many people speak, or post, before they think. My elementary school librarian would often tell us ad nauseum, “Children, put your brain in gear before engaging your mouth.”In hindsight, those are good words for our world today. Here’s an even better way of communicating this truth.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19).</blockquote>Our culture is the antithesis… slow to hear, quick to speak and to do so apoplectically.So how do we get better? How do we communicate with grace, and truth? How do we talk, and more importantly listen to each other.We begin with God… the Author of everything, including language.If we want to improve our conversations with others (and even the dialogue within ourselves), we must first invest in our communion with God through prayer—speaking to Him… listening to Him… and learning from His Word.Communication is key, but prayer is life. And our lives depend on it. In the words of E. Stanley Jones:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">I am better or worse as I pray more or less. If my prayer life sags, my whole life sags with it. If my prayer life goes up, my life as a whole goes up. To fail here means I fail all down the line; to succeed here means I succeed everywhere.</blockquote>So today… this week… for the rest of your life:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Choose your words wisely.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Speak your words truthfully.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Listen to the words of others intently.</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">And “Have a little talk with Jesus.”</li></ul>Chat with Jesus often and throughout your day. Listen even more. In the words of Ecclesiastes 5:2, “Let your words be few.”Do this, and your communication with others will improve, your relationships will deepen, and your understanding of the world will broaden. Tap into the Vine, Who is also the Word, and you will begin to more fully understand, and experience, Jesus’ promise of abundant life (John 10:10).

Let Your Words Be Few

Why isn’t our spiritual warfare effective? Why don’t the children of God walk in the power and authority provided to them? Why do we see so many ministries stagnating or on the brink of failure? Why doesn’t the Church move today with the same power it had in its beginnings? What causes believers to live in such defeat in the present day?These and many similar questions are being discussed by numerous leaders in the 21st-century Church, yet convincing answers seem to remain out of reach. However, there is a response and the common thread weaving through the answer to this enigma is this:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">The absence of prayer in the spiritual lives of the children of the Kingdom.</blockquote>Jesus prayed constantly. He prayed in the morning (Mark 1:35), at night (Luke 6:12), and in the afternoon (Matthew 14:23). He prayed alone and with His disciples (Luke 9:28–29), in deserts and on mountains (Luke 5:16), for an hour and sometimes all night (Luke 6:12). Likewise, the apostles dedicated themselves fully to prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4), and the early Church remained steadfast in prayer (Acts 2:42).In the ministry of our Lord Jesus, prayer was not just a non-negotiable spiritual discipline; He also insisted that His disciples remain committed to this practice. He told them in Matthew 26:41:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.</blockquote>Moreover, Jesus took the time to teach his disciples how to pray and what to pray for (Matthew 6:5–15). He even expressed His expectation regarding how long they should pray (Matthew 26:40). If Jesus, the apostles, and the believers of the early Church prayed, what makes us think we can bypass the ministry and practice of prayer in our spiritual walk? Why would we consider it unimportant?Despite such a model, warning, and teaching established throughout the Bible, the truth is that we often dislike praying, and if we do, many would agree that it feels tedious.Recently, I heard statistics revealing that 95% of the Church today lacks a prayer life. Given the current effectiveness of Christians, I find it difficult to doubt these figures. This apathy toward prayer has resulted in a fruitless and powerless Church. It has caused many men and women who were once called by God to falter in their pursuit of their calling. Weariness has overtaken many laborers in the harvest, and the jaws of frustration have swallowed many of them.For nearly my entire life, I have been involved in the work of the Lord, and I am astonished to see new generations rising up with zeal to serve God while trying to find shortcuts to avoid a life of prayer. The Church today is filled with activism, programs, and human strategies.A cursory look at its machinery would suffice to realize that it resembles more of a worldly enterprise driven by the gears of carnal efforts than by the inertia produced by the manifestation of God’s presence within it. If we are to know God in a tangible way and be used in the expansion of His Kingdom, it is necessary for the Spirit of Prayer (Zechariah 12:10) to be poured out upon us, the children of God, stirring in us the desire to pray, making it both a discipline and a delight—an indispensable need as essential as water.No significant move of God has ever occurred without being preceded by prayer. Perhaps the “movements” of men impress us, but their effects will never be eternal nor comparable to those born of God Himself (John 3:6).It’s long past due for the Church to pray. The Church must refrain from being too busy to pray and, once again, take care of Kingdom business, beginning with daily times of individual prayer in the secret places of our homes and holding weekly meetings that call the Body to gather together for times of calling down heaven to earth.

An Unnegotiable Need

A simple glance at today’s headlines shows a world in turmoil.

Economies are shaking, ecosystems are groaning, and tragedies—both natural and manmade—flash across our screens. 

Truly, everything that can be shaken is being shaken. In disaster zones I’ve witnessed the collapse of structures, not only because of the storms but because they were built on faulty foundations.

Yet even in the Church, corners are being cut and compromises made, leaving many shipwrecked in their faith. As David Ravenhill warns in 

Many desire the power of Pentecost without first going by way of the Cross. The result? A form of godliness that denies its true source. Institutions are propped up without the Presence that gives them power, leaving us powerless to see authentic revival. May the Holy Spirit grant us a fresh revelation of Calvary’s cost and the redemption it purchased.

On one visit to Israel, my wife and I stood at the site in Shiloh where the tabernacle once stood (1 Samuel 1–4). There Hannah cried out to God for a son, and there the ark of God’s presence was once kept. As I prayed, I was struck by two parallel stories—one a warning, the other a hope.

In those days, the spiritual light in Israel was fading. The priests Hophni and Phineas lived in open sin, exploiting worshippers and neglecting their duties, including keeping oil in the temple lamp. Their father Eli knew of their wickedness but failed to correct them. Eventually, the glory of God departed, and the ark was captured.

Yet even in that darkness, God was at work. Hannah’s desperate prayer brought forth Samuel, a righteous prophet and judge. When God first called to him, “the lamp of God had not yet gone out” (1 Samuel 3:3). Judgment would come to Eli’s house, but God would also raise up a faithful priest.

Private Disobedience = Public Powerlessness:

The tragedy of Shiloh reminds us that private sin always has public consequences. Hophni and Phineas’s hidden corruption led to national defeat. Likewise, the modern church can cling to traditions, programs, and institutions, yet if the Presence of God has departed, we are powerless. We often blame government or culture, but revival begins with our own repentance.

The key to victory is not the ark—it is obedience. Without it, the lamp goes out and the Presence departs.

Ezekiel 22 describes a nation where princes, politicians, prophets, priests, and people all turned from God, tolerating corruption and injustice. God searched for someone to “stand in the gap” but found none.

Today, our own lamp is flickering. God is looking for a righteous remnant—those who will keep the oil in their lamps, honor His Word, and obey His commands.

Like Noah, who “moved with godly fear” and prepared an ark (Hebrews 11:7), we are called to prepare in three ways:

In Matthew 25, five virgins were wise, keeping their lamps full of oil. The five foolish ones allowed their oil to run out and missed the Bridegroom’s arrival. Today, much of the church resembles the foolish virgins—unprepared and without the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 12:27 tells us that God allows shaking so only what cannot be shaken will remain. In the days of Eli’s corrupt sons, God was already raising up Samuel. In our day, He is preparing a new prophetic generation—voices of courage, righteous judges, leaders of integrity.

We must resist “cosmetic Christianity”—all shine, no substance. Without the Presence, our celebrations are powerless. As Leonard Ravenhill said, “Many want an Upper Room experience, but they’re unwilling to humble themselves at the Cross.”

The path to public power runs through private humility. One of the highest forms of worship is obedience. Prayerlessness in private always becomes powerlessness in public.

God is calling princes, politicians, priests, prophets, and people to love Him and others more than themselves. From pulpits to political offices…and all in between, we need a revival of character.

Before the lamp goes out and the glory departs, may a new Samuel generation rise to lead with holiness, courage, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

We Need a Holy Spirit Outpouring, a Corporate Heart-Awakening

One of the primary goals of education is to teach children how to read. Obviously, reading paves the way for holistic learning and is essential in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding, regardless of the discipline. When teaching children how to read, however, we must also be very mindful of the medium for their learning. What children are reading is just as important as teaching them how to read.Content is key. In many cases, it is king. Content has the capacity to rule the minds of readers, especially when they are children. This is why the American church must wake up and pay attention to what children are reading because far too often they have been learning how to read from sources clearly contrary to Biblical values and even, at times, common sense.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">As a kid, I wasn’t much of a reader. I was known as a “talker” and often in trouble for socializing far too much. So, regarding reading… I had to be flat-out bribed. But when I first opened The Chronicles of Narnia in fourth grade for a class assignment, something changed almost instantly. The magic of this story drew me in long before I came close to discovering any meaning. As a nine-year-old girl, I reluctantly stepped into this mythical wardrobe, convinced I was just reading another children’s story. But within minutes, this literary classic transformed me. Reading wasn’t boring homework anymore. It became an exciting adventure through a winter wonderland. Immediately, I went from a reluctant reader, who would much rather chat with almost anyone about the latest jelly shoes and Trapper Keepers, to one completely entranced by a fantasy world filled with anthropomorphic creatures engaged in an epic battle.</blockquote>C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe awakened my imagination. It also offered me an escape into a world far removed from the world around me. Page by page, the adventures of Lucy, Peter, and Mr. Tumnus brought me joy far sweeter than any Turkish Delight. I couldn’t grasp the deeper symbolism embodied within the text, but the seeds of truth were already being planted in my mind one chapter at a time.A couple of decades later, I made my first trip to Oxford (Lewis’s intellectual headquarters for many years) and the location commonly believed to be his source of inspiration. Arriving at Oxford was like stepping into another wardrobe. This wardrobe, though, led to Lewis’s world.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">The first few days in Oxford took my breath away. As I strolled past the palatial college buildings, I found myself constantly in awe at the impressive stone towers. Block by block, I became increasingly enthralled by these massive works of craftsmanship built without the luxuries of modern technology. Every majestic tower, chapel, archway and courtyard, regardless of the college they belonged to, were powerfully symbolic indicators of centuries of tremendous intellectual and spiritual growth. One thing was clear in this old English city… There once was a time when Christianity dominated culture.</blockquote>This was especially obvious the day I explored the college where Lewis spent much of his career. I wandered through the cloisters of Magdalen College, taking in the abundance of white hydrangeas in full bloom, picturing Lewis walking and nerding out about philosophy and the meaning of life with Tolkien and Dyson along Addison’s Walk. While enjoying fish and chips at the Lamb and Flag pub, I imagined the Inklings discussing theology and literature at a corner table in a room reserved for their weekly fireside chats. I felt the weight of his legacy when I stared up at the red flowers in the window boxes of Lewis’s old residence within the “New Building.” He was more than a professor. He was a pilgrim on his own journey of faith who used his mastery of language to help millions navigate the uncertainties and complexities of life. Walking where Lewis once walked, I sensed the immense gravity of his calling: to translate eternal truths into tales that encourage wonder, shape virtue, and foster faith.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">C.S. Lewis once wrote to his goddaughter, 'Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.' His insight is more than nostalgia; it’s a reminder that imagination is essential, not childish. In many ways, fairy tales are temporary escape routes from reality. But they are also windows into some of the most profound and meaningful realities of life.</blockquote>Re-reading this classic as an adult, especially after exploring Oxford, made Aslan’s sacrifice resonate with the power of Christ’s own. The battle between good and evil within the text no longer felt like an allegorical lesson; it was a poignant reminder of the spiritual struggle, the cosmic battle that the Bible describes. Lewis’s genius was that he didn’t force these realities on readers through his fictional writing, but instead, invited readers of all ages to discover these truths for themselves.What began for me as a childhood escape has evolved into an adventure of faith. It also became a conviction to share: We need a new generation of storytellers today, people who know how to artistically communicate the truth with boldness and love.We need Christian writers, like Lewis, who can awaken wholesome wonder and imagination because we live in a world where both are becoming increasingly warped by secular culture.We need a renewed commitment to inspire children (and the child in us), with exciting stories that reinforce basic moral principles, instill timeless virtue, and convey absolute truth.We need literature that creatively and courageously highlights the obvious differences between fact and fiction and, at the same time, clearly distinguishes right from wrong.Our nation, and the world for that matter, is hungry for beauty, meaning, and significance. C.S. Lewis created a realm where these coalesced together in a profoundly impactful way while leading others to the only One who can truly satisfy.We need creative and godly thinkers like Lewis who will carry the torch, pick up the pen, and take minds through new wardrobes.And we especially need to provide our children with literature in all of our schools, public, private, and within the home that will teach them (and remind us) of who we are, Who we belong to, and how He expects us to live in this amazingly adventurous and beautiful world.

Through the Wardrobe Again - Balancing Imagination with Truth

Becky and I join with Americans all across the nation in expressing our shock and outrage at the senseless murder of Charlie Kirk.No one more epitomized the American Way than Charlie. His ability and passion to stand in the public square and debate the values he believed in with anyone who disagreed raised up a massive youth movement that was turning the nation around. The cost… his life.How tragic that this is where we are as a nation.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">May the sacrifice of his life become the catalyst that will return us to a people of Godly values.</blockquote>May what he passionately practiced in his faith in Jesus, his love for his family, his engaging wit and knowledge, his courage to stand up and speak up and challenge everyone else to do the same cause all of us to fight for the future of our nation as he did.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">May the Lord hold his wife and family in His everlasting arms and grant His peace and comfort.</blockquote>In talking with Charlie privately and interviewing him publicly, I was so impressed by this young man that God had raised up to be such a profound and courageous young voice to speak to our day.As in His life and now even more so in his death, may all of us courageously stand against the evil that so abounds in our day.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">May our voices resonate those same values Charlie stood for and has now died for.</blockquote>Thank God for Charlie Kirk. He was the voice of his generation.During my public interview with him at one of our weekly prayer meetings, Charlie made it unmistakably clear where he stood:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Evil should not be tolerated in the American church.”“Courage is doing the right thing regardless of the cost.”“If the American church stood boldly and courageously, we retake the lead in the culture war.”“Cowardly pastors have to resign and righteous, bold pastors have to be raised up to preach the Word of God and to defend liberty in a time such as this.”“You as a Christian are not allowed to despair. You are not allowed to engage in cynicism. We are a hopeful people because we know the battle is already won.</blockquote>Charlie’s words are not only a challenge—they’re a blueprint.They echo the very ideals of FORGE itself:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Shaping Pastors Who Will Shape the Nation</blockquote>Forge is about molding leaders who thunder from their pulpits with courage and call their congregations to engage the culture with unwavering biblical conviction.This is why we do FORGE… because the future of the Church, and the future of our nation, depends on pastors who will stand as Charlie stood and stand as he described—boldly, uncompromising, and filled with hope.

Remembering Charlie Kirk

<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mb-4" dir="ltr">Every leader wants to finish well.</h1>Yet, sometimes the challenges and discouragements of life can feel overwhelming. We get tired and distracted. Without realizing it, we settle for less than God’s best.Whether you are just beginning your ministry journey or you’ve been serving for decades and feel weary, ineffective, or ready to quit—it may be time for a Leadership Awakening. Your life can be marked by God’s goodness all the way to the finish line.Through scriptural time-tested principles we can:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Measure leadership success God’s way.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Overcome the opposition godly leaders face.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Display traits that transform your family, workplace, church, and community.</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Equip yourself and others to run the race and finish well.</li></ul>Don’t become another casualty on the battlefield of Christian leadership. You can live an impactful life and one day hear the Lord’s beautiful words:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The Vacuum of Godly Leaders:</h2>General William Booth (1829 – 1912), founder of The Salvation Army, warned well over a century ago:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“I consider that the chief dangers which confront the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and heaven without hell.”</blockquote>We are living in that reality today. There is an erosion of moral foundations and a vacuum of courageous leaders. Education alone does not produce them. Diplomas don’t prove them. Character does.Degrees in leadership are only worth the paper they’re printed on if there’s no substance of godly character to accompany them. Jude challenges us to be spiritually fit to contend for the faith, because only those who are grounded and prepared can stand in the battle for truth.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Commitment and Clarity:</h2>We live in a culture where commitments and agreements are often shallow and unreliable. It used to be that a handshake or a verbal promise carried weight. Now, even with a signed contract, you might still wonder if a person will follow through.Sometimes agreements—even with people we trust—need to be put in writing. Not out of suspicion, but for the sake of clarity. As God said through the prophet Habakkuk:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it” (Habakkuk 2:2).</blockquote>Clarity of vision and clarity of agreement go hand in hand. They minimize conflict and maximize unity.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Kindred Hearts:</h2>The apostle Paul had many coworkers, but when he needed to send someone to the Philippians, he chose Timothy:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare” (Philippians 2:20 NASB).</blockquote>True unity is more than shared doctrine or organizational structure. It’s a matter of having the same heart, spirit, and purpose. You can tie the tails of two cats together, but that won’t bring unity. They may be united, but not in unity —it will only bring chaos.God desires for His Church to awaken, especially now as we see the erosion and unraveling of so many of our moral foundations. I’m not talking about some lowest common denominator of unity, but unity in Christ. Authentic UNITY is not UNIFORMITY, but UNITY that comes from our UNIQUE diversity, yet common relationship in Christ and His Word. He desires for His Church to come together and soar above the many distractions that keep us divided.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">A New Generation:</h2>True intercession is not just hiding in the prayer closet. It’s standing in the gap between the living and the dead. Moses and Aaron provide an example of this, as they grabbed the censers of incense (symbolic of intercession) and ran to stand in front of those who were perishing, begging for God to stop the plague of sin. They cried out for mercy, for God to move on behalf of their people.Genuine unity happens when there’s a shared vision and clear leadership, where love, mutual submission, and proper alignment are present. Take time to assess your key relationships—in marriage, family, business, or ministry. Do you have unity of heart and spirit with those closest to you? If not, begin with prayer. Ask God to change your heart first, and then invite Him to restore your relationships.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Defining the Narrative:</h2>In times of crisis, we need leaders who will speak and live the narrative of the Kingdom. Those who tell the story, define the narrative, and create the history. Our lives tell a story. What is the story we are telling by the way we live?<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The Battle for the Soul of the Nation:</h2>Isaiah 1 warns of the sins that bring God’s displeasure on a nation—shedding innocent blood, moral looseness, injustice, and spiritual compromise. Paul echoes this in 2 Thessalonians 2, warning that when people no longer love the truth, they are given over to deception and strong delusion.This battle is not just political—it’s a battle for the soul of a generation. Sacred truth, marriage, and life itself are under attack. We cannot retreat into “holy huddles” while the culture drifts further into apostasy.President Lincoln once said:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”</blockquote>We must make sure our ideology is defined by God’s character, Word, and Spirit—not our personal preferences or cultural trends.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">A Revival of Character:</h2>From preachers to politicians, from pulpits to public offices, we need a revival of character. The church needs heroes today—men and women like Joshua and Caleb who can see past the giants and hold fast to the promises of God.The prophet Zephaniah described a time when princes, judges, prophets, and priests had all become corrupt. Yet God promised to restore a “pure language” to His people so they could call on Him with one accord. We need that restoration today.Courageous leadership does not acquiesce or bow to public opinion. It holds fast to truth with compassion and conviction. As Peter E. Waldron once said:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“Fortitude is an attribute of character glaringly missing from the pulpit and the pew.”</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Finishing Well:</h2>Leadership success is not just starting the race—it’s finishing well. That requires spiritual, physical, and emotional health, cultivated daily.<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Guard your heart. Most leaders don’t fall suddenly—they drift slowly. Stay vigilant.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Know your real friends. Build relationships on authenticity, not position.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Reject flattery. It manipulates for gain. Speak truth in love instead.</li></ul>The Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:5,<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“Be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”</blockquote><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">The Call:</h2>We are at a crossroads. The Church as an institution will not survive without a fundamental awakening—a return to our spiritual moorings and biblical foundations.As Duncan Campbell said of the Hebrides Revival, “Revival is a community saturated with God.”It’s time for individual heart awakenings that lead to a corporate church awakening—before we face a rude awakening.God is looking for common men and women who will rise above comfort and convenience, who will walk in character, courage, commitment, and honor.Leaders who will love God and people more than themselves.Let us answer the call to courageous and persevering leadership—standing firm in the unshakable kingdom we have received, so that we can say with confidence at the end of our race:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).</blockquote>

The Call for Godly, Courageous and Persevering Leadership 

If there is to be a restoration of the moral laws in America, a comeback to the very foundations of faith, and belief in God as the giver of life and all rights of life, then it will only be possible if the Elijahs of our nation come out of the caves of silence and fear and return to their God-given assignment in leading the nation to justice and righteousness.If every pastor in America, every minister who believes in the authenticity of the Bible as God’s word, rises up and confronts the deception of our times and the dark forces of evil in our nation, then this nation can be saved from the deception and destruction it is being submerged into.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">God told Elijah that he was not alone, for there were still others like him who had not compromised or surrendered their integrity and convictions of truth into the hands of those who were looking to overpower their wills and control their minds.</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him (I Kings 19:18).</blockquote>God was telling Elijah that there was a remnant, an army of men and women who were determined to not be overtaken and forced to worship or serve the gods of the culture of the time they were living.The same is true in America today, as there are many Elijahs in the land who are hiding and remain silent in despair and have lost hope as they believe there is no one else like them.The Elijahs of America are running away from their calling, away from their God-given assignments, and refusing to stand and resist the forces of evil and darkness.Fear as a strong river has overpowered their will to speak and fight for justice.As a result of fear, many Elijahs are hiding in caves today, as Elijah did until God asked him what he was doing there.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, ‘What doest thou here, Elijah?’ (I Kings 19:9)</blockquote>The Elijahs of America are the pastors of every village, every city, every state and throughout the nation who have found a cave where they feel comfortable.They are looking the other way, as if they do not see what is happening in the nation, how the immoral has absorbed the moral, how the unreal has become real, and how sin is the normal in the land.Many have become weak in their preaching and have replaced the teaching of God’s word and its application to everyday issues with words of entertainment and human reasoning based on the ideology of culture and its tolerance for evil and iniquity.They are doing nothing to bring the transforming power of God and his truth to the generations of people who are sitting every week in their church buildings.The only hope for restoration and healing of a divided nation the United States has become is that every pastor in America will stop making the pulpit a cave to hide and speak what the people want to hear, instead of preaching and teaching what God has called them to speak without fear.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10).</blockquote>God raised the church in America to be the gatekeeper of its borders and protect the nation’s spiritual condition while keeping the commandments and truth of his word.The church in America was raised as the prophet Elijah to speak to all Americans that love God and nation to no longer halt between two opinions.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, ‘How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.’ And the people answered him not a word (I Kings 18:2).</blockquote>When the church speaks to the nation and the people do not respond a word as stated in the times of Elijah, it is up to the Elijahs to confront the false prophets of Baal.The time for confronting darkness has come, and the church is standing today at the front line of the battle for America, while giants are destroying our nation and intimidating Christians in America with threats of persecution or destruction of their character, as it commonly happens in the political arena in the pursuit of power.There is, without any doubt, a need for the like Elijahs to come out, even if they think they are alone.The church in America is in the valley of decision, at a point in history where it must decide whether to stay within the walls of its precious buildings or gatherings or come out and engage in the final war against culture that is destroying the nation.It is at the hour of its final destination where, along with the church all over the world, it is preparing for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it as the last trumpet will sound calling the church out before the trumpets of revelation and the great tribulation.However, the church in America is hearing the last trumpet for America these days, and it is the decisive moment in history to either save the United States of America or let it fall in the hands of a godless culture.Darkness will only prevail if the salt has lost its taste and the light remains hidden.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">The prophet Joel prophesied in Joel 3:12-14,Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat:For there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe:Come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow;For their wickedness is great.Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision:For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.</blockquote>The valley of decision is where the church must not waiver between two schools of thought but make up its mind whether to obey and serve God or serve the gods of the world and their culture of deception.It is a time to call upon the Elijahs of America and decide who they will serve.

Where Are the Elijahs in America?

<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mb-4" dir="ltr">The Ten Commandments</h1><a href="https://" rel="noreferrer" dir="ltr">The Ten Commandments were given by God to serve as the foundational code of conduct—a standard of morality for any and all civilizations that desire to be a nation under God, and therefore, blessed. The history of America is one built upon this foundation.</a><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">John Adams wrote to Thomas Jefferson on November 4, 1816:“The Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount contain my religion.”</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">President Harry S. Truman addressed the Attorney General's Conference in February 1950:“The fundamental basis of this nation's laws was given to Moses on the Mount ... I don't think we emphasize that enough these days… If we don't have a proper fundamental moral background, we will finally end up with a totalitarian government which does not believe in rights for anybody except for the State.”</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“The Ten Commandments are not the laws. They are The Law,” stated Cecil B. DeMille on November 8, 1956, at the New York opening of his epic film The Ten Commandments.</blockquote>Released by Paramount Pictures, the movie starred Charlton Heston as Moses and Yul Brynner as Pharaoh Rameses II. Adjusted for inflation, it went on to become the 8th highest-grossing film of all time. While filming on-location in Egypt, Cecil B. DeMille—then 75 years old—climbed a 107-foot ladder to shoot the famous Exodus scene from atop the massive Per Rameses set. In the intense heat, DeMille suffered a near-fatal heart attack.Though doctors ordered him to rest, DeMille finished directing the movie. He never fully recovered and died of a heart condition on January 21, 1959. He had anticipated doing a film on the Book of Revelation.For almost five decades, Cecil B. DeMille produced monumental films in Hollywood, including:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Joan the Woman (1916)</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Male and Female (1919)</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Adam’s Rib (1923)</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The Road to Yesterday (1925)</li><li value="5" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The King of Kings (1927)</li><li value="6" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The Sign of the Cross (1932)</li><li value="7" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Cleopatra (1934)</li><li value="8" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The Crusades (1935)</li><li value="9" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Samson and Delilah (1949)</li><li value="10" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">The Greatest Show on Earth (1952), for which he won an Academy Award.</li></ul>Cecil B. DeMille was educated at Pennsylvania Military Academy and at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.His niece, Agnes de Mille, choreographed films and musicals such as:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Oklahoma! (1943)</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Carousel (1945)</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Rodeo (1942)</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Paint Your Wagon (1951)</li></ul><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Continuing his comments at the 1956 New York opening of The Ten Commandments, DeMille stated:“Man has made 32 million laws since the Commandments were handed down to Moses on Mount Sinai more than three thousand years ago, but he has never improved on God’s law. The Ten Commandments are the principles by which man may live with God and man may live with man. They are the expressions of the mind of God for His creatures. They are the charter and guide of human liberty, for there can be no liberty without the law... What I hope for our production of The Ten Commandments is that those who see it shall come from the theater not only entertained and filled with the sight of a big spectacle, but filled with the spirit of truth... That it will bring to its audience a better understanding of the real meaning of this pattern of life that God has set down for us to follow.”</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">President William McKinley stated in his Inaugural Address, March 4, 1897:“Our faith teaches that there is no safer reliance than upon the God of our fathers ... who will not forsake us so long as we obey His commandments.”</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Alfred Smith, four-term Democrat Governor of New York and the first Catholic Presidential candidate, stated in May 1927:“The essence of my faith is built upon the commandments of God. The law of the land is built on the commandments of God. There can be no conflict between them.”</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Franklin D. Roosevelt stated on December 24, 1942:“We as a nation and as individuals will please God best by showing regard for the laws of God. There is no better way of fostering good will toward man than by first fostering good will toward God. If we love Him, we will keep His commandments.”</blockquote>In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower said:“The purpose of a devout and united people was set forth in the pages of the Bible:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">to live in freedom;</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">to work in a prosperous land;</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">to obey the commandments of God.</li></ul>This Biblical story of the Promised Land inspired the founders of America. It continues to inspire us.”<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">On March 8, 1983, at the National Association of Evangelicals in Orlando, Florida, President Ronald Reagan stated:“There’s a great spiritual awakening in America... One recent survey by a Washington-based research council concluded... 95 percent of those surveyed expressed a belief in God. A huge majority believed the Ten Commandments had real meaning in their lives.”</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Dr. Billy Graham, in accepting the Congressional Gold Medal on May 2, 1996, said:“We have lost sight of the moral and spiritual principles on which this nation was established—principles drawn largely from the Judeo-Christian tradition as found in the Bible... There is hope! Our lives can be changed... The Scripture says, ‘You must be born again’... Think how different our nation would be if we sought to follow the simple and yet profound injunctions of the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount.”</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">On February 5, 1997, Governor Fob James threatened to call out the National Guard to prevent the removal of the Ten Commandments display from a courtroom in Gadsden, Alabama:“The only way those Ten Commandments and prayer would be stripped from that courtroom is with the force of arms.”</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">In 1973, as Governor of California, Ronald Reagan stated:“With freedom goes responsibility. Sir Winston Churchill once said you can have 10,000 regulations and still not have respect for the law. We might start with the Ten Commandments. If we lived by the Golden Rule, there would be no need for other laws.”</blockquote><blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">As President, Reagan stated at a National Rifle Association banquet in Phoenix on May 6, 1983:“If we could just keep remembering that Moses brought down from the mountain the Ten Commandments—not ten suggestions—and if those of us who live for the Lord could remember that He wants us to love our Lord and our neighbor, then there’s no limit to the problems we could solve.”</blockquote>Our nation has a rich history—particularly when it comes to acknowledging the Ten Commandments’ place in our lives. In recent years, the Ten Commandments have been under attack by people of lawlessness.But there is a remnant Church, working to re-elevate God’s laws to their proper place in the life of this land and to remind this country that we are one nation under God. To learn more about William Federer, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" dir="ltr">https://americanminute.com/</a>

The Ten Commandments in America

When we talk about revival, we often imagine packed altars, powerful worship, and miracles breaking out in a room.

And while those things do happen, Scripture paints a much deeper—and more uncomfortable—picture of what revival really looks like. In Ezra 9, we get a glimpse of revival not through fireworks and celebration, but through heartbreak, repentance, and confrontation with compromise.

Ezra, a Levite priest, was sent by the king of Persia to restore worship in Jerusalem. Think about that: a pagan king recognizes that the God of Israel is a good God and sends His people back to rebuild what had been destroyed. That’s supernatural favor. It’s grace.

And Ezra did it. He brought the vessels back. He reestablished the temple. He had the building, the instruments, the altar, the structure. It was all there—what most would call success.

revival isn’t measured in buildings or budgets. It’s measured in obedience.

Right when everything was “done,” leaders approached Ezra with a heartbreaking report: the people had not separated themselves from the pagan nations around them. Even the priests and Levites—the ones meant to lead in holiness—had intermarried and compromised.

Ezra’s response wasn’t polite disappointment. He tore his clothes. He ripped out his hair and beard. He sat on the ground, shocked. And honestly, we should be too.

Because if the Church doesn’t tremble at its own compromise, it will never carry the weight of revival.

Ezra wasn’t shocked that the world was being worldly. He was broken that the people of God—those who had the law, the temple, the history, the calling—had stopped being set apart. They’d made peace with what God said to destroy. They had welcomed what they were commanded to resist.

This is where we need to pause and take a hard look at our own generation.

The American Church has become comfortable at the altar of cultural relevance. We’ve blurred the lines to avoid offense. We’ve negotiated with darkness in the name of inclusion. And now we’re shocked that the next generation doesn’t know who God is.

Let’s call it what it is: we’ve made covenants with other gods. Not with statues, but with ideologies, movements, philosophies, and lifestyles that oppose the holiness of God. And the result is a nation that’s spiritually confused and morally numb.

Like Israel, we’re guilty of raising a generation that doesn’t know the difference between worship and entertainment, between freedom and compromise.

And just like in Ezra’s day, that spiritual mixture doesn’t just grieve God—it invites judgment.

Ezra’s greatness wasn’t in his preaching or leadership. It was in his response.

He didn’t say, “They sinned.” He said, “We sinned.” He confessed not just the people’s failure but his own complicity.

That’s the posture that invites revival: shared repentance. No pointing fingers. No “us vs. them.” Just a priest on his face at the time of the evening sacrifice, saying, We are guilty. God, forgive us.

And something powerful happens at that moment.

The Turning Point: 3PM and the Grace of God

Ezra breaks down “until the evening sacrifice”—around 3PM. That might seem like a detail, but it’s not. In Scripture, 3PM is a holy hour.

It’s the time Elijah called down fire from heaven.

It’s the hour Jesus cried out, “It is finished.”

It’s when Peter and John healed the man at the Gate Beautiful.

3PM is when God moves. And that’s when Ezra says something that shifts the entire chapter:

Don’t miss this. The people were still in a mess. The culture was still compromised. But because there was a remnant willing to repent, God gave a measure of revival.

Revival is not a moment of hype. It’s a response of heaven to a remnant willing to be honest, broken, and bold.

Ezra talks about being given a “peg in His holy place.” That word “peg” is rich—it’s a stake, a fixture, a silver hook that reflects the glory around it. That’s what the remnant becomes. A reflector of God’s glory in the holy place. Not by might. Not by numbers. But by purity.

Let that sink in: revival begins not with a crowd, but with a remnant. Always has. Always will.

If we want to see true revival in America, we have to start with repentance in the Church. We can’t protect this nation with a Church that’s poked holes in its own umbrella. The rain of confusion, perversion, deception—it’s falling right through the gaps we’ve tolerated.

But here’s the hope: God has built a highway in our bondage. A highway of mercy. Of grace. Of restoration.

Will we confess like Ezra? Will we stand in the gap? Will we be the peg in the holy place?

Because God is ready—not to reward performance—but to respond to repentance.

We’re not too far gone. Not when there’s still a remnant. Not when grace still finds a way. Not when the cross still speaks.

So maybe the question isn’t: Where is revival?

Maybe the real question is: Where is the remnant who’s willing to weep, repent, and reflect the glory of God—no matter the cost?

When Revival Isn’t What We Think: A Measure from Ezra

<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mb-4" dir="ltr">Colossians 1:15-22 is an amazing passage and conveys one of the earliest creeds of the Church–Jesus is Lord. Before we explore this pericope, however, we need to do some background work and reflect upon the biblical context.&nbsp;</h1> The letter to the Colossians was written by the Apostle Paul to the Church in Colossae, a city about 100 miles southeast of Ephesus. Colossae had been well known long before Paul’s time. At one time, it was a thriving commercial and political center. Persian kings like Xerxes and Cyrus favored it as their ancient day vacation get-a-way. But by the first century A.D., the greatness and glory of Colossae had faded. It had become just another ordinary, insignificant, and often harsh ancient city filled with ruins serving as memories of a more vibrant time. For many, the expectations of any return to glory were futile. And yet, the Gospel has a habit of confounding the maps of men. Once this irrelevant, eroded city collided with the Good News, it instantly became eternally significant and welcomed another King—the King of Kings. Many assume Paul started the Church in Colossae. After all, he wrote them this letter. Paul was a church planter, for sure, but he did not plant this one. In fact, Paul never even visited the city. Still, he tremendously impacted this new group of believers. While ministering in Ephesus, another city about 100 miles away, Paul boldly and faithfully preached the message of Christ. God used his ministry to light a fire in the hearts of the Ephesians. Some of those believers carried the Good News to the surrounding cities, like Colassae. Eventually, the message of salvation reached a Colossian man named Epaphras, mentioned in Colossians 1:7. He is the man believed to have started the Church in Colossae. What a simple but profound lesson for Christians today. When we faithfully and passionately share the love and message of Christ, lives will be changed not only in our own community but far beyond. When we disciple and raise up followers of Christ to disciple others, the impact becomes ineffably exponential. The believers in Colossae were initially enthusiastic for Christ and His message of the Kingdom. They grew their Church, but before long, problems surfaced, which isn’t shocking? Every Church has issues. The Church is the Body of Christ and the Body is made up of members, by people who aren’t perfect.&nbsp; The problem in Colossae was the Church’s struggle to overcome cultural resistance to Christianity.&nbsp; Colossae was religiously diverse. Over the centuries, Persians, Greeks, and Romans had brought their gods. The people were accustomed to worshiping many deities. When Jesus was presented to them, the temptation for many Colossians was to fit Him into that system, to treat Him as one more god among the others.This is called syncretism—it’s incredibly dangerous to the health of any Church. At the same time, Gnosticism was beginning to influence the culture and seep into the minds of new believers. This philosophy taught that all matter was eternal and essentially evil. That runs completely counter to Christian doctrine, especially the doctrines of creation and the incarnation. As Christians, we believe matter was created ex nihilo (out of nothing) by God, and that creation was good. We also believe Jesus became flesh, that God Himself in Christ entered creation, and that He is good. The Gnostics rejected this. They claimed Jesus did not have a real body, that He was some kind of spirit being who could not truly die on the cross. Obviously, this is extremely problematic. If Jesus did not die, then He did not save the world from sin and eternal death. These ideas, along with similar heresies like Docetism, were creeping into the Church and diminishing Christ in the minds of many. When Paul heard about this, he was compelled by the Holy Spirit to address the Church in Colossae. He was not going to stand by and let anyone believe Christ to be just another god, that He was not enough, or that He was not real flesh and blood. So, around A.D. 60, Paul wrote what may be his most powerful and Christ-centered passage. He may not have known the Colossians personally, but he knew exactly who he was writing about. In these few verses, Paul drives home one central truth: the supremacy of Christ. Jesus is Lord. Here are a few ways His Lordship is expressed by Paul: <ol class="list-decimal list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Jesus is Lord/God (v. 15) Paul starts with a bold statement: “The Son is the image of the invisible God.” In other words, the God we can’t see has made Himself visible in Jesus. This isn’t just a copy or a vague likeness. This is God Himself in human flesh (John 1:14). If you’ve seen Jesus, you’ve seen God. </li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Jesus is Lord of Creation (vv. 16–17) Paul goes on: “For in him all things were created… all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Jesus is both the maker and the sustainer of everything. Every mountain, every ocean, every star you see at night—He made them. The galaxies keep turning and the smallest atom stays in place because Christ is holding it all together. Creation doesn’t just come from Him; it’s tied up in Him and belongs to Him. </li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Jesus is Lord of Lords (v. 16) Paul says He rules over “thrones or powers or rulers or authorities.” That means every government, every ruler, every unseen spiritual power, heavenly or earthly, ultimately answers to Him. They might not recognize Him now, but one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil 2:10-11). </li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Jesus is Lord of the Church (v. 18) Paul tells us: “He is the head of the body, the church.” That’s not just a title; it’s reality. The head gives life and direction to the body, and Jesus does the same for His church. It doesn’t belong to pastors, elders, or members—it belongs to Him. He leads it, He sustains it, and He measures its health by faithfulness, not by size or programs. </li><li value="5" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Jesus is Lord over Death (v. 18) Paul calls Him “the firstborn from among the dead.” That doesn’t mean He was created—it means He’s first in rank and first in victory over death. Jesus walked into death and came out the other side, alive and triumphant. He’s leading the resurrection parade, and everyone who belongs to Him will follow. </li><li value="6" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Jesus is Lord of Reconciliation and Peace (vv. 19–22) Paul closes with this: “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things… by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” The One who made all things is also the One who can fix what’s broken. Sin has fractured the world, but through His real, physical, willing death, Jesus has brought peace between God and His people. Those who were once far from Him are now holy, clean, and secure in His presence. </li></ol>This letter is a Christological masterpiece. You can’t read it (especially this passage) and walk away confused about who Jesus is according to the Christian faith. Yes, He was a man, but not just a man or a great teacher, an extraordinary ethicist, or a premier philanthropist and philosopher. He is also Lord, the Lord God. Lord of Creation, Lord of Lords, Lord of all, Lord of the Church, Lord over death, and Lord of Reconciliation and Peace. He is Lord in countless ways, but the real question is: is He the Lord of our lives? Most of us would probably say, “Of course He is! I have placed my faith in Christ; I believe He died for my sins and gave me eternal life.” If you can say that, then Jesus is your Savior. Praise God. But I’m not asking if Jesus is your Savior. I’m asking if He is your Lord. Making Jesus your Savior requires faith; it involves no effort beyond believing in Him. Allowing Jesus to be the Lord of your life, however, demands something more. It means willfully setting aside your own desires, will, and ambitions, and submitting fully to His. It means turning over the reins of your life to Jesus every day, giving Him complete control over all that you are and all that you have.

Jesus Is Lord: One of the Earliest Creeds of the Church

We live in the greatest nation on earth—actually, the greatest nation in the history of the world. But we’re not great because we’re so smart, or strong, or moral. We’re great because God has been good to us. Throughout our history, God really has shed His grace on us.

This country is also great because, from the very beginning, there’s always been a remnant in America—a people who honored His Word, walked in His ways, and cried out to God on behalf of the nation. Even when the majority turned away, God always had a faithful few who gathered together, frequently, and said, 

Another Founding Fire? Preachers who weren’t afraid to speak the truth. The British called these providers and proclaimers of the Gospel the Black Robe Regiment. They caused quite a stir and made quite the impact. In fact, this group of courageous preachers were credited by the British as one of the primary reasons for American Independence and the sort of government this nation formed.

But after we won independence, something shifted. We gained freedom from the king of England—and started acting like we were free from the King of Kings too.

Our history isn’t perfect, and if you step back and look, you can see patterns that look parallel to Israel’s story in the Old Testament. Righteousness, rebellion, retribution, and restoration. It’s a cycle–not just for Israel, but for humanity. Immediately after the British were defeated, God was no longer needed for many of the victors. Church attendance dropped. Pride crept in. The Enlightenment that traversed the Atlantic pushed God to the periphery within the collective American Mind. Reason was elevated over revelation. And once again, the cycle repeated.

But God wasn’t finished with this nation. God stirred the waters again. The Second Great Awakening sprang up and swept across the land. Circuit riders spread the Gospel to the masses, riding thousands of miles on horseback. Preachers like Richard Allen, Harry Hoosier, and Francis Asbury began, through the power of the Holy Spirit, lighting fires in the hearts of the people again. God moved. People repented. The nation began to find its moral compass again and, finally, abolished the sin of slavery.

The nation was broken. The Church was split. Families were destroyed.

This became the central prayer for the remnant in the land, which paved the way for a late 19th century, early 20th century movement of the Holy Spirit–The Holiness movement. It was a new, fresh Pentecostal outpouring. Revivals such as the one on Azusa Street, fanned the flame within thousands of believers and won over thousands more. The people of this land became hungry for more of God. The Church was revived and new expressions of the Christian Faith erupted, forming holiness centered denominations and associations.

But over time, the church got quiet again, especially after WWII. The people of God in America became complacent. Materialism consumed the majority. God was forgotten by many and the results were devastating.

Prayer was taken out of schools. Abortion was legalized. Most Christians said nothing. In that silence came the sexual revolution, a new wave of Marxism, the beginning of moral relativism, and the rise of postmodernity.

We now live in a culture that believes truth is subjective.

Over the last few years, these destructive ideologies and perspectives have coalesced, resulting in identity politics, spreading hostility and confusion and, ultimately, creating a colossal identity crisis for thousands.

Now here we are today, with a window of opportunity to see a movement of God, another Great Awakening that will make the first two seem like weekend retreats.

I’m telling you—we’ve got a chance. It’s not over. Not if we humble ourselves. Not if we pray. Not if we draw that circle and say, “Start with me.”

Let Us Pray

If there’s one passage in Scripture that captures both the beauty and the power of unity among believers, it’s Psalm 133.

Just three verses long, this psalm—attributed to David—is short but weighty. It reveals not only how God sees unity, but also how He responds to it.

This passage doesn’t just describe unity—it celebrates it. It reveals what unity does in the Spirit. And if we look closely, it shows us three divine movements that happen when believers walk together in harmony.

1. Unity Produces a Sound That Pleases Heaven

The Hebrew word used for “harmony” in verse 1 implies a musical blending—a sweet, pleasing sound. In other words, unity is audible to heaven. It’s not just a concept or a doctrine; it’s something that makes noise. When the people of God gather with one heart and one spirit, it creates a resonance that’s pleasant to the ear of the Lord.

Imagine the sound of a symphony tuning up—disjointed, chaotic, uncertain. That’s often what it feels like when we walk in division. But when unity arrives? The notes align. The dissonance fades. A melody begins to rise.

Unity is a spiritual frequency, and God listens for it.

That’s why disunity is so disruptive. It’s not just relational dysfunction—it’s noise pollution in the spiritual realm. It silences what should be a holy sound. But when we humble ourselves and choose oneness, our gathering becomes a song. A sound that heaven cannot ignore.

The psalm takes us from sound to substance:

This is priestly imagery. The oil mentioned here is not symbolic—it’s literal, sacred oil reserved for anointing the High Priest of Israel. When it was poured out, it didn’t trickle. It ran freely. From the head, down the beard, over the robe. That oil represented consecration, empowerment, and divine appointment.

And in this passage, unity is compared to that kind of anointing.

That means when the Body of Christ walks in harmony, the same sacred oil that once anointed Aaron begins to flow again—this time from our eternal High Priest, Jesus. The anointing of Christ doesn’t remain locked in heaven. It flows through His Body—through us.

But catch this: the oil only flows when the Body is united.

Disunity creates blockages. It cuts off the flow. But when brothers and sisters come together in humility, grace, forgiveness, and mutual honor, the oil begins to run again—freely, generously, supernaturally.

This anointing is not just for goosebumps or good feelings. It’s the enabling power of God to do what we cannot do in the natural realm—To heal, to reconcile, to preach, to deliver, to build, to endure.

No wonder the enemy fights so hard to divide us. If he can kill unity, he can stop the flow.

3. Unity Creates the Climate for Blessing and Life

The final verse gives us the outcome of all this:

There—in the place of unity. There—in the atmosphere of harmony. There—when the Body refuses to tear itself apart, but instead leans in, loves hard, and holds fast.

That’s where God commands the blessing.

Unity doesn’t just attract favor—it activates it. It pulls it down. God doesn’t suggest a blessing. He commands it. He releases something that cannot be undone by the enemy.

That’s why the enemy doesn't have to defeat the Church—he just has to divide it.

But when we protect unity, we step into a realm of divine reward. Not just temporal blessing, but life everlasting. That phrase points to both the now and the not-yet—the abundance of His Spirit today and the inheritance of eternity tomorrow.

When we live in unity, we're rehearsing heaven.

In a world fractured by division, tribalism, and offense, walking in unity is not automatic—it’s intentional. It’s countercultural. It requires maturity. It demands we lay down our preferences for the sake of the mission.

But if we truly want to be a church that carries the presence and power of God, then unity is not optional—it’s foundational.

Let’s be honest: unity is rarely convenient. It means choosing to forgive even when you’re right. It means celebrating others even when you feel overlooked. It means submitting to authority, serving the mission, embracing diversity, and speaking truth in love.

But let’s not forget: it’s also rewarding. Because in that place, God pours out something we can’t fabricate: His anointing. His blessing. His very life.

You don’t have to wait for a conference or a campaign. Unity starts with small decisions that ripple through a community:

These are not minor acts. They are seeds that grow into movements. They are bricks that build altars. They are notes in the melody of harmony.

As we continue through this year, let’s make a decision—not just as individuals, but as a body—to walk in unity. Let our gatherings create a sound that delights the heart of God. Let the oil flow again. Let the commanded blessing be evident among us.

Because when we walk in unity, we’re not just being kind—we’re being priestly. We’re releasing heaven on earth.

And that… is where the Lord commands the blessing.

When Unity Becomes a Sound

<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mb-4" dir="ltr">U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services, Center for Disease Control, and other agencies report that children from fatherless homes are:</h1><ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Five times more likely to live in poverty;</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Nine times more likely to drop out of school;</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Twenty times more likely to go to in prison;</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Higher risk of drug and alcohol abuse;</li><li value="5" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Increased incidents of internalized and externalized aggressive behavioral problems;</li><li value="6" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Greater chance of runaways and homelessness;</li><li value="7" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Twice as likely to commit suicide.</li></ul>The first "Father's Day" was conceived by Grace Golden Clayton. She was inspired by the first Mother's Day observance in 1908. She reminisced of her father, Methodist Reverend Fletcher Golden, who raised her and her siblings after their mother died. Grace was also moved by the West Virginia Monongah Coal Mine explosion, December 6, 1907 - the worst mine disaster in the nation's history. In the town of 1,000 people, 360 men died in the mine, leaving families fatherless. Grace arranged for a single special service at Central United Methodist Church on July 5, 1908, saying:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“It was partly the explosion that set me to think how important and loved most fathers are. All those lonely children and those heart-broken wives and mothers, made orphans and widows in a matter of a few minutes. Oh, how sad and frightening to have no father, no husband, to turn to at such an awful time.”</blockquote>The person responsible for making Father's Day an annual observance was Sonora Louise Smart Dodd. Hearing a church sermon on the newly established Mother's Day, she wanted to honor her father, Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, who had raised six children by himself after his wife died in childbirth. The 28-year-old Sonora Louise Smart Dodd drew up a petition supported by the Young Men's Christian Association and the ministers of Spokane, Washington, to celebrate Fathers' Day on June 19, 1910.With the help of the Y.M.C.A, Father's Day on the third Sunday in June, she helped spread it the next year to Oregon, then Chicago and then around the nation.In 1916, Woodrow Wilson telegraphed a message to the Spokane Fathers' Day service.In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge signed a Father's Day resolution: “to establish more intimate relations between fathers and their children and to impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations."<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">Coolidge stated: "My father had qualities that were greater than any I possess. He was a man of untiring industry and great tenacity of purpose ... He always stuck to the truth. It always seemed possible for him to form an unerring judgment of men and things. He would be classed as decidedly a man of character.I have no doubt he is representative of a great mass of Americans who are known only to their neighbors; nevertheless, they are really great."</blockquote>Coolidge wrote to his father: “I am sure I came to it (the presidency) largely by your bringing up and your example.”In 1966, Lyndon Johnson issued the first Presidential Father's Day Proclamation.In 1972, President Nixon established Father's Day as a permanent national observance, Proclamation 4127, stating:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">"To have a father — to be a father — is to come very near the heart of life itself. In fatherhood we know the elemental magic and joy of humanity. In fatherhood we even sense the divine, as the Scriptural writers did who told of all good gifts corning "down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17)—symbolism so challenging to each man who would give his own son or daughter a life of light without shadow ... "</blockquote>Nixon added: "Our identity in name and nature, our roots in home and family, our very standard of manhood—all this and more is the heritage our fathers share with us … It has long been our national custom to observe each year one special Sunday in honor of America's fathers; and from this year forward, by a joint resolution of the Congress approved April 24, 1972, that custom carries the weight of law ...Let each American make this Father's Day an occasion for renewal of the love and gratitude we bear to our fathers, increasing and enduring through all the years. Now, Therefore, I, Richard Nixon, President of the United States of America, do hereby request that June 18, 1972, be observed as Father's Day."On May 20, 1981, in a Proclamation of Father's Day, President Ronald Reagan stated:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">'Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it,' Solomon tells us. (Proverbs 22:6) Clearly, the future is in the care of our parents. Such is the responsibility, promise, and hope of fatherhood. Such is the gift that our fathers give us.</blockquote>Dr. Ben Carson explained: “The more solid the family … the more likely you are to be able to resist peer pressure …Human beings are social creatures. We all want to belong, we all have that desire, and we will belong, one way or another … If the family doesn't provide that, the peers will, or a gang will, or you will find something to belong to.”On Father's Day, 1988, Ronald Reagan said:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">"Children, vulnerable and dependent, desperately need security, and it has ever been a duty and a joy of fatherhood to offer it. Being a father requires strength ... and more than a little courage ... to persevere, to fight discouragement, and to keep working for the family ..."</blockquote>Reagan ended: "Let us ... express our thanks and affection to our fathers, whether we can do so in person or in prayer."On December 6, 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt addressed Congress:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">"No Christian and civilized community can afford to show a happy-go-lucky lack of concern for the youth of to-day; for, if so, the community will have to pay a terrible penalty of financial burden and social degradation in the to-morrow."</blockquote>These are just a few reminders from our Nation’s leaders of the significance of Father’s Day and the God ordained role fathers are to play in shaping the future. To learn more about William Federer, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://americanminute.com/" target="_blank" dir="ltr">https://americanminute.com/</a>

Father's Day in America

There is one word that transcends culture, language, denomination, and time.

It’s a word that echoes from ancient Israel to the throne room of heaven—A word that survives translation, reverberates through the Psalms, and triumphs in Revelation.

It’s the premier word for praise. A declaration. An exclamation. A cry that rises when human language fails and the soul reaches toward God with fire and awe.

Why does it appear where it does in Scripture?

 And why is this word not only worthy of our study—but essential to our worship?

Let’s follow the path of this divine word and uncover its power, its placement, and its eternal purpose.

Hallelujah comes from two Hebrew words: hallal, which means “to boast, rave, or shine—even to the point of foolishness,” and Jah, the shortened form of Yahweh, God’s sacred name.

It’s not a quiet word. It’s not polite. It’s explosive. Raw. Passionate. It bursts from those who’ve caught even a glimpse of God’s majesty. It’s the shout of those who’ve been rescued, healed, restored. It’s the anthem of the overwhelmed and undone.

And remarkably, this word has never been tamed by translation. In every major language, hallelujah remains pronounced the same. That’s not by accident—that’s providence. It’s as if God has preserved this sound across tongues so that, when all else fails, every tribe and tongue could lift one unified shout.

The word “hallelujah” appears 24 times in the Old Testament—all of them in the Psalms, and all clustered between Psalm 104 and Psalm 150. These are often called the “Hallelujah Psalms.”

Here, we see that hallelujah isn’t just scattered praise—it’s intentional. Strategic. It appears at the start and end of many Psalms (like bookmarks of worship), and always in connection to God’s purpose, power, and providence.

Psalm 104, for example, is a poetic unveiling of God’s creation—His control over wind, water, light, and life. By the time the psalmist finishes describing the majesty of the Maker, he has no option but to exclaim: “Hallelujah!”

Psalm 105 and 106 recount Israel’s history—God’s faithfulness through famine, slavery, plagues, and deliverance. Again, the response isn’t theological analysis. It’s worship. “Hallelujah!” becomes the answer to both victory and failure—because it’s God’s goodness, not ours, that deserves the song.

Psalm 113 tells us He lifts the poor from the dust and seats them among princes. Psalm 115 reminds us that He alone is worthy—not the mute, blind idols of the world. Psalm 146 shouts about how God gives food to the hungry, sight to the blind, and freedom to prisoners.

And then, Psalm 150—six verses, and every one ends with a command to praise. Horns, strings, cymbals, breath—everything that exists is drafted into the hallelujah chorus.

Shockingly, the word hallelujah appears only four times in the entire New Testament—and all in a single chapter: Revelation 19.

Here’s the setting: Babylon—the symbol of a corrupt, idolatrous, oppressive world system—has fallen. Judgment has come. The smoke of evil’s ruin rises.

And in that moment, the redeemed and the angels erupt in a sound like thunder:

Heaven is not quiet when justice rolls down. The long arc of history bends toward a triumphant crescendo—and the name of that crescendo is hallelujah.

Each hallelujah in Revelation carries its own thunder:

Because no other word can do what this one does.

Hallelujah looks backward to creation and the covenant, forward to redemption and reign, upward to glory, and downward to defeated darkness. It speaks to God’s sovereignty, faithfulness, justice, and mercy—all at once.

It is the eternal soundtrack of the redeemed.

And the more we see God clearly—His power, His plan, His heart—the more that word wells up in us without effort.

We don’t just say it. We become it. Our lives, our breath, our witness all echo: Hallelujah!

Handel captured it musically. David captured it poetically. John captured it apocalyptically. But the Church is called to live it daily.

Hallelujah is more than a lyric—it’s a lifestyle.

So let it rise—from your prayer closet, your worship set, your heartbreak, your breakthrough, your waiting season, your victory lap. Let it rise from every church, every city, every nation.

Because whether on this side of eternity or the other, one thing is certain:

Hallelujah: The Eternal Anthem of the Redeemed

<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mb-4" dir="ltr">There is a growing trend in America</h1>one that scoffs at patriotism, mocks our Founding ideals, and denies the spiritual roots that once shaped this nation. At every turn, we hear of America’s flaws. We are told she is racist, oppressive, greedy, imperialistic—even irredeemable.But today, we say: NO to the denigration of America—and YES to an exceptional nation.Let’s be clear: this is not arrogance. It is not blind nationalism. It is not the denial of our failures. It is a sober and holy affirmation of what God has done in this land—and what He still longs to do through it.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Where America Is</h2>We live in strange and sobering days. Liquor stores, marijuana dispensaries, and abortion clinics are called “essential,” while churches are labeled non-essential. Marriage is redefined. Gender is debated. The name of God is scrubbed from military burials and school grounds. In cities like Houston, even a privately displayed Bible has been forcibly removed from public view.The Ten Commandments are ruled unconstitutional. Same-sex marriage is celebrated. Divorces increase. Late-term abortion clinics open their doors, while millions of unborn children are denied the most basic right: life.This is not mere political drift. It is spiritual erosion. The removal of God from the public square has left our foundations crumbling.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">What It Means to Denigrate</h2>To denigrate means to attack the reputation of something—or someone. It is to belittle, defame, and strip away dignity and value. And that’s exactly what’s happening to America.When people describe this land as purely imperialist, racist, exploitative, or irreparably broken, they are not just offering critique—they are tearing down the legacy of what has been one of the freest, most generous, and opportunity-rich nations in history.Do we have stains in our history? Yes. But we also have a long track record of correcting our wrongs and pursuing justice. That is the story that must be told.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Why America Is Exceptional</h2>America is not perfect—but America is exceptional.To say that does not mean we are better than others. It means we are different by design. We were founded not on race, tribe, or geography, but on principles—eternal ones. Our Constitution rests on the belief that all people are created equal, that rights are given by God—not government—and that authority belongs to the governed.<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">G.K. Chesterton once said, “America is the only nation founded on a creed.” That creed, birthed in the Declaration of Independence, proclaims self-evident truths that are just as true today as they were in 1776. These truths are not unique to Americans—they are universal. But America chose to build upon them.</blockquote>We are exceptional because:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">We cherish freedom and individual rights.</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">From freedom of speech to freedom of worship, these liberties are rare and precious. We must not take them for granted.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">We have valued hard work and opportunity.</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">In America, success was not inherited—it was earned. If you worked hard, you could rise. That dream still matters.</li><li value="5" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">We honored God publicly.</li><li value="6" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Our schools, courts, and government once welcomed His name and acknowledged His authority. When we honored Him, He honored us.</li><li value="7" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">We elect our leaders.</li><li value="8" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Unlike monarchies and dictatorships, we have a voice and a vote. We can hold our leaders accountable. That’s a privilege.</li><li value="9" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">We are quick to help others.</li><li value="10" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">Whether in times of disaster or poverty, American generosity is unmatched. Our people give. Our nation responds.</li></ul>No other country has inspired so many to dream of freedom. No other flag has offered more hope to the oppressed. People do not flee to tyranny—they flee from it. And they still run toward America.<h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">What We Must Do</h2>The question is not: Will God bless America? The question is: Will America bless God?It is time for the Church to rise—not in bitterness or bluster, but in righteous resolve. We must do what our forefathers did: call upon the Lord, stand for truth, and rebuild what has been broken.<ol class="list-decimal list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">We Must IntercedeLike Daniel in Babylon, like Esther in Persia—we must cry out for our nation. Pray for our leaders. Pray for our children. Pray for revival. Psalm 122:7–9 says:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels… For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.”</blockquote></li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">We Must Be a Prophetic VoiceWhen God gave Israel a king, He also raised up prophets. Their role? Speak truth to power. Confront wickedness. Call the people back to covenant.We need that voice again today. A church that’s not seduced by politics or silence—but filled with fire and truth. Jeremiah 23:29 declares:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“Is not my word like fire,” says the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”</blockquote>Let the Word be that fire. Let the pulpits burn again.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">We Must Call for Righteous LeadershipJeremiah 22:3 reminds us that leaders must be:<blockquote class="border-l-4 border-gray-300 pl-4 italic text-gray-700 mb-4" dir="ltr">“Fair-minded and just… Help those who have been robbed; Rescue them from their oppressors… Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent!”</blockquote>That’s what a righteous government looks like. That’s what we must pray for. Demand. Vote for. And model.</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">We Must Return to Our RootsThe exceptionalism of America was never about perfection—it was about principles.As Abraham Lincoln once said, these truths are “applicable to all men and all times.” The further we stray from them, the more fragile we become.But it’s not too late.If we return to the Lord… if we repent as a people… if we welcome Him again into our courts, our classrooms, and our culture—He will respond. He is not done with this nation.</li></ol><h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3" dir="ltr">Final Call: Stand and Say Yes</h2>We must raise a mighty voice in our day:<ul class="list-disc list-inside mb-2"><li value="1" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">A voice of resolve that says, “No more. Not on my watch.”</li><li value="2" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">A voice of repentance for our national sin.</li><li value="3" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">A voice of return that cries, “God, we want You! We welcome You back into our government, our laws, our land.”</li><li value="4" class="mb-1" dir="ltr">A voice of renewal that says, “Let revival begin with us.”</li></ul>Let the Church stand. Let the sound of patriotic worship rise again. Let the songs of liberty become cries of repentance and renewal.Let us say NO to the denigration of America—and YES to an exceptional nation.Not because of who we are, but because of whose we are.God, bless America… and may America once again bless You.

Yes to an Exceptional Nation

It is traditionally believed that Solomon authored three books: Proverbs – the book of wisdom, Song of Songs – the book on love, and Ecclesiastes – the book debating the meaning and purpose of life. All these books are very interesting books. The book of Proverbs has much to say about wisdom and folly. The wise are contrasted with the foolish. This blog is an attempt to look at the FOOLS in the book of Proverbs. If one can keep the Bible open and read the verses in its entirety it would be very helpful.

What are some of the characteristics of a foolish person according to the book of Proverbs? First of all, a fool “despises wisdom and discipline” (1:7). In fact, “fools hate knowledge” (1:22). Even the personification of folly in chapter 9 (vv. 13-17) is characterized as “loud, undisciplined and without knowledge” (9:13). Also, not only does a fool hate wisdom, knowledge and discipline, he “finds pleasure in evil conduct” (10:23). Hmmm… look at the next characteristic… “every fool is quick to quarrel” (20:3). Also, a fool lacks self-control. “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control” (29:11).

The folly of a fool gushes out through his mouth, often resulting in his own destruction. Proverbs 10:14b “…the mouth of a fool invites ruin.” Twice in the space of three verses the book of Proverbs calls the fool “a chattering fool” (10:10, 13). Proverbs 18:2 “A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.” Again, no control over the tongue. Proverbs 18:6 “A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.” A fool’s greatest enemy is his own mouth… he invites quarrels and beatings with his mouth. “A fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul” (18:7). A fool lays a trap for himself with his mouth. A foolish person also engages in character-assassination or slander (10:18).

A foolish son brings grief to his mother (10:1). In fact, a fool “despises his mother” (15:20). Again, “A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him” (17:25). A foolish son brings ruin to his father (19:13).

Proverbs 3:35 says that God will bring a fool to shame. The book of Proverbs also says that a fool invites ruin for himself, as has been noted above. So also, we have already noted that he invites punishment for himself (18:6; 26:3). A foolish woman will end up destroying her house (14:1). So what exactly awaits a fool? Shame, ruin, punishment and destruction…

Proverbs 14:7-9 “Stay away from a foolish man…” A foolish person is often self-deceived and such a person can lead others also into similar deception. Further, one must deal wisely with a foolish person… “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.” (26:4-5). One must be wise enough to decide when to speak and when not to while dealing with a fool. If one employs a foolish person, the employer may have to pay a price (26:10).

In the book of Proverbs, a fool refers to a rebellious person, who does not submit to authority or listen to instructions. A fool is someone without proper moral direction… one who is inclined to evil. Such a person hates wisdom and discipline, and delights in evil. In the book of Proverbs, a fool is described often in contradistinction to the wise man or woman. Who is the wise man? That is the subject matter for a later blog. We need to examine ourselves… are there any hints of folly within us?

Who Is A Fool According to Proverbs

We live in a world of materialism and consumerism. There is this desire to accumulate things… even when we do not really need them. 

Christians are not exempt from such behavior.

 The way we use money is often a reflection of our spiritual maturity. In this blog, I would like to use the Macedonian church as an example to demonstrate Christian giving.

So, how did the Macedonian Christians give?

The Macedonian churches were extremely poor and in great trial.

Note that this verse does not simply say that they were going through “trial,” or even “severe trial,” however, it says “most severe trial.” Also, they were not just poor, but in “extreme poverty.” What strikes me as amazing is that even amidst such terrible conditions, they had “overwhelming joy” and were “rich in generosity.”

 How can “trial” and “joy” go together? Or, what connection does “poverty” and “generosity” have with each other? They have no connection whatsoever in the natural world. A non-Christian may not be able to even understand how these words can be used together in this manner in a sentence. Paul says that even amidst “extreme poverty” the Macedonian churches were “rich in generosity.” Now, this is what a relationship with Christ can do to you. It makes such paradoxical impossibilities possible. A Christian can go through trial and yet have joy… so also, she can be extremely poor and yet be richly generous.

The Macedonian churches gave beyond their ability to give

Paul says that he can personally testify to the fact that the Macedonian churches gave proportionately to their income… those who had more, gave more… those who had less, gave less. But Paul does not stop there. He says that their giving was sacrificial. They gave beyond what they were able to give. Now that is sacrificial giving. Probably, one family decided not to celebrate birthdays that year or buy new clothes for themselves… they decided to share what they had with the poor brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. 

Giving “beyond their ability” means cutting down their own expenses.

 You have probably heard about the Macedonian call, but this is Macedonian giving.

The Macedonian churches were not forced/lured into giving

The Macedonian believers were not compelled, pressurized or manipulated into giving. Probably Paul was hesitant in asking these churches for money… probably, he even tried to dissuade them from giving much, out of pity for their situation. But, the Macedonian churches “urgently pleaded” with Paul and his friends that they would also be allowed the “privilege of sharing” with the needy saints. Note, that giving for the Lord’s cause was not a burden for them but a privilege. They “pleaded” with Paul that they could give to the saints – people whom they did not know personally. 

The Macedonian giving was the fruit of God’s grace acting on them

This is how Paul begins this passage. The generosity that the Macedonian churches demonstrated was not merely an act of human philanthropy or an act expecting human praise and appreciation. This generosity was the result of the transformation that the grace of God produces in the hearts of its recipients. In the first nine verses of this chapter the grace of God is connected to sacrificial giving (vv. 1, 6, 7, 9).

Paul is using the Macedonian example of giving in order to inspire the Corinthian church to give to the needy saints in Jerusalem. May this blog ignite in you a passion for giving to the Lord and His cause around the world. Let me close with the words of Paul as found in verse 7: 

“But just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us – see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”

Giving Like the Macedonian Church

The time required by the earth to rotate once around its axis is called a day. The time required by the earth to revolve once around the sun is called a year and so on. If someone were to live on Jupiter, he or she would have a different length of time for one day or one year. So, time, as we understand it today, is relative to us earthlings.

In the book of Esther we read of the story of how Mordecai had once saved the life of King Xerxes. Esther 6:2 reads like this:

“It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.”

Usually, when such a conspiracy is exposed, the whistle-blower, especially during the days of kings, would be greatly rewarded. Surprisingly, Mordecai did not receive any such reward. He must have been disappointed. But with hindsight we now realize that God had a purpose in Mordecai not being rewarded then. Pay attention to the amazing timing of God.

We know of Haman’s plot to kill Mordecai. He had gallows prepared, seventy-five feet high, for Mordecai. He only needed permission from the king to execute his plan. He decided to ask for permission the next morning. But that night… the timing of God… the king could not sleep. So guess what he does? He asks his servants to bring the book of chronicles – the record of his reign – to be brought in and to be read to him. (I assume that history was boring to people even back then. The king thought the reading of a history book would put him to sleep.) But the sovereign hand of God that orchestrates events, places, people and timing… brought a particular fact to the attention of the king.

The particular fact that we are talking about is the fact that Mordecai had saved the life of the king from an assassination attempt and that nothing had been done for him. So, the king decided to honour Mordecai for the great help. Bad timing on the part of Haman… because he is the one to whom the question is put: “What should be done for the man the king delights to honour?” The man who plotted the death of Mordecai was forced to lead the honour-parade for Mordecai.

It was good that Mordecai was not rewarded earlier by the king, wasn’t it? If the king had rewarded Mordecai before, he must have given him a bag of gold or something like that. But when the right time had come for God to honour Mordecai, God honoured Mordecai through the king in a way that Mordecai could never have imagined.

God knows the right time for us. Do not be disappointed if you have not received the recognition, accolade, award, promotion, or the raise that you think you are due.

God has his time… and His time is always perfect. Your job is to trust Him and walk with Him in humility. At this moment in time, I Peter 5:6 offers us this promise,

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up IN DUE TIME.”