We have been addressing how the weakening of the call to follow Jesus has produced weak followers. This is not the only contributing factor to this, but it is a big one. The teaching found in most churches in the West, which focuses more on the benefits and blessings of believers in place of Christ, is another. 

       These teachings may be true, but when out of balance, they only feed the self-centeredness from which the Lord has delivered us. We will not become who we are called to be by focusing on ourselves....

         When the civil powers of Israel threatened the apostles if they continued to preach in Jesus’ name, they did not pray for more miracles, healing, or prophetic words so they could be more persuasive. They prayed for more boldness (see Acts 4:23-31). Boldness is the willingness or ability to be decisive and take risks. When we recognize the difference between the two trees in the garden, we can boldly make the right choices between them. 

         A basic choice everyone must make is to trust the Lord and believe His Word or trust the...

     The Lord said the end of this age will be “the harvest.” As we see in the book of Revelation, the whole earth, including every nation and tongue, will be a part of this. It will be the biggest ingathering ever. One reason for this will be another event the Lord said would come at the end of this age—the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom throughout the world. 

     The gospel of the kingdom is different from what is considered “the gospel” today, which is about our redemption through the cross. The good news...

          From the beginning, God has allowed man to choose who He will serve. According to psychological studies, making choices is a challenge about 80% of people do not want to face. They would rather be told what to do than to make a choice, even when it involves their own destiny. To walk with the Lord begins with the most difficult and important choice we will ever make, and no one can make it for us. How will the 80% who resist making choices make such a radical choice? 

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     To enable mankind’s return to our original purpose of fellowshipping and walking with God and participating in the cultivation of creation, He created the most glorious and wonderful Way. He requires us to walk out this restoration process amid a world in chaos. This makes the contrast even more obvious as a demonstration of how glorious and wonderful God’s ways are compared to anything man could create without Him. As conditions in the world get darker, the brighter those who are walking in the Light will become. 

     Proverbs 28:1 says, “The wicked flee when no one...