Once, I was speaking at a meeting near San Francisco. As usual, at the end, I gave the audience the opportunity to ask questions. One woman said, “How can I give up the strong desire I have for materialism?” We all ask similar questions. Remember the parable Jesus told about the man who sold everything in order to buy the “pearl of great price” (Matthew 13:46)? Before he could give up all he had, the man had to see the... Read more
Once, on a 2,000-mile road trip across the American West, I made it a point to listen to Christian radio all along the way. What I heard revealed much about the secret motivations that drive many Christians. Some of the broadcasts would have been hilarious if they weren’t exploiting the gullible—hawking health, wealth and success in the name of Christianity. Some speakers offered holy oil and lucky charms to those who sent in money and requested them. One said he... Read more
One of the most significant hindrances to bringing the love of God to this world is the lack of total involvement by the Church. I am convinced that we have the potential to finish the work God gave us to do. However, many Christians still do not even consider what their part is in His work. How can this be, since this is the work Christ left for us to do? One of the major reasons why the Body of... Read more
Every time I speak about missions to the Church in the West, I try early in my message to ask two very important questions: Why do you think God has allowed you to be born with such privileges, rather than among the desperately poor slums in our world? In light of the blessings you enjoy, what do you think is your minimal responsibility to those in this world who are suffering without the knowledge of Christ’s love? The Only Response:... Read more
If the Apostle Paul had not brought the Good News to Europe, foundational principles such as freedom and human dignity would not be part of the Western heritage. Because the Holy Spirit instructed him to turn away from Asia and go west, Western nations have been blessed with their systems of law and economics—the principles that made them rich and free. Think a moment about the vast difference between your country and the poorer nations of the world. While many... Read more
It is a mistake to think of suffering as just a “necessary evil.” It is not. The willingness to suffer is an awesome weapon— a powerful instrument of war before which Satan is bound. Do you grasp that? Satan is bound by the weapon called your willingness to suffer! Throughout His ministry on earth, numerous times Satan tempted Jesus to avoid suffering and the cross. But in the end, the victory was won, and Satan was eternally defeated. How? Hebrews... Read more
Someone else cannot impose a life of suffering and hardship on you. It is something individually you must choose. Over and over again, Jesus continually made this choice to lay down His rights as the Son of God, ultimately consummating in His death. When the suffering of the cross came, when He was mercilessly beaten, spit on and mocked,instead of calling for legions of angels to come to His aid and stop it all—He chose to suffer. We can say... Read more
If you think carefully about it, I think you’ll come to realize that many evangelical Christians do not really believe the Word of God. And this is especially true of the Scripture passages that talk about hell and judgment. Instead, many believers selectively accept only the portions that allow them to continue living in their current lifestyles. C.S. Lewis, that great British defender of the faith, wrote, “There is no doctrine which I would more willingly remove from Christianity than... Read more
I remember one point during the early days of GFA when I was traveling full-time for the ministry, and the strain was taking a heavy toll both on my family and on me. I was starting to burn out; I almost hated the work. Two factors were wearing me down: I felt like a beggar. It is hard on the flesh to be traveling and asking for money day after day and night after night. It was almost becoming a... Read more
By Gisela Yohannan I would like to share with you a few thoughts about self-centeredness. I believe the Lord desires that we make room in our hearts for each other. Most people’s lives only revolve around themselves, their families and their possessions. Perhaps we grew up with strong family ties, and we were taught that all our efforts, energy and resources should benefit our own family. But when we look in the Bible, we discover that as believers, God has... Read more
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