The Gospel is Powerful!

Rejoicing in the privilege of being able to preach the Gospel on a regular basis all over the United States. This morning I preached the Gospel at my parents' church here in Indiana. Two first time visitors immediately came forward at the invitation to trust Christ. Pastor Holmes spent much of the afternoon with these men, and they both returned this evening to be baptized at the conclusion of this evening's service. Praise the Lord for these two new brothers in Christ - Tristan (15) and Donny (40 something?). "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Joy Is A Gift

“Joy is not to be found when other people love us; joy is to be found when we love other people. It is love, then joy. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit that is produced as you and I engage in love…The source of joy is God. It is important for us to notice that joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Therefore, joy is not something that we manufacture in our lives. Joy is not something that you work up. Joy is something that is given to us as a gift from God. Anytime that you and I try to manufacture joy in our own lives by our own effort, we get nothing more than wax fruit. Wax fruit is not very satisfying.” (Are You So Foolish: A Commentary on Galatians, by Jeff Amsbaugh, pages 399-400)

Only cared about one thing...

The Father of C. T. Studd was saved in a Moody Crusade in England. Mr. Studd was immediately convicted by his conscience about "horse racing," "shooting," "hunting," "playing cards," and going to "theaters" and "balls." Mr. Studd went to Mr. Moody and asked him if he should give these things up, now that he was a Christian. Moody answered, "Mr. Studd, you have children and people you love; you are now a saved man yourself, and you want to get them saved. God will give you some souls, and as soon as ever you have won a soul, you won't care about any of the other things." "Sure enough," Mr. Grubb wrote, "to the astonishment of his children and many others, he didn't care for any of the these things any longer; but only cared about one thing, and that was saving souls."

See As God Sees

"See their hopeless ignorance; they have never heard of a God who loves and cares, they have no conception of holiness or heaven, they have never seen a book. And see yet one step further. See as God sees: see hearts that can be washed that can receive eternal life: see bodies that can be possessed by the Spirit of Christ and all their powers used to show Him forth." From the biography of English missionary, C.T. Studd (C.T. Studd: Cricketer and Pioneer), who faithfully served his master for many years in China, India, and Africa.