There is a story that is told of Salvation Army founder William Booth. In his later years and in frail health, he was invited to say a word of encouragement to a convocation. Unable to attend, he sent a telegram with a simple yet powerful message. It had one word on it: “Others.”
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Most would agree that these are trying and confusing times. And as we look at the year before us, how can we know God’s will? By trusting and acknowledging Him in all our ways. Yes, it’s difficult in uncertain days, but remember: His will is not a “roadmap”—it’s a relationship.
READ MOREIf you received a thousand dollars for every soul you led to Christ, would it make a difference? Would it increase your motivation? I want to speak to you about the soul winner's motivation.
The mightiest soul winner I know anything about is the Apostle Paul, and in 2 Corinthians we find out what motivated him to be the greatest missionary the world has ever known. People asked Paul, “Why do you work so hard?”
READ MOREDo you know sorrow and suffering … pain and disappointment? If not, just wait—you will.
Something is desperately wrong in this world! Sickness, war, hate, riots, sorrow, and confusion fill our age. Man longs for a better day, but this millennium has become pandemonium.
READ MOREIf you wanted a study of character, nobility, wisdom, courage, and devotion; you could not find a better man than David. The Bible calls him, "...a man after God’s own heart" (Acts 13:22).
Yet there was a dark chapter in David’s life. Even though he was a great man and loved God, David committed a horrible and egregious sin against Almighty God. He entered into an adulterous affair with Bathsheba. Then, in an attempt to cover his sin, he arranged to have her husband killed.
READ MOREI believe that the greatest Christian who has ever lived was the apostle Paul. Before he was saved, he persecuted the Church of Jesus Christ — hauling Christians into prison and watching while some of them were literally put to death. But he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, and when Paul — who was then called Saul — saw Jesus, he asked Him the two greatest questions anyone can ever ask: “Who are You, Lord?” and “What would You have me to do?” He spent the rest of his life discovering the answers to those two questions.
READ MOREPerhaps you think you’ve sinned too much — that there is no hope for you. But Jesus has always reached out to sinners. In Luke 15:1-2, the Pharisees were questioning Him about this. Then, Jesus answered them with a three-part parable describing a little more about the character of man and a lot more about the character of God.
READ MOREDid you know that everyone ought to have three homes? Everybody needs a heavenly home, a church home, and a family home—and Jesus Christ is the key to all three! Being a “loner” is not God’s plan for us, for He “sets the solitary in families” (Psalm 68:6).
Why families? In them we experience the deepest love, apart from His, we will ever know. The family is our training ground for life. It’s His workshop where the members become some of His best tools to prune, polish, and refine us—sanding down the rough edges of our lives!
READ MORE