In 1865, William and Catherine Booth started what would become known as the Salvation Army. They fed the poor and opened lodging houses to shelter the homeless from London’s bitter winters. As their work expanded, William began the practice of sending a telegram of encouragement each Christmas Eve to his “soldiers” around the world. In what would be his last telegram, he realized that because of the cost, his message would have to be brief. He decided to send only one word: “OTHERS.”  This Christmas season, allow Christ to dwell in you and live through you—and have a merry, OTHERS-minded Christmas!

If a branch of a tree is abiding in the life of that tree, that means its connection to that tree is stable and fixed. When we are truly abiding in Christ then our connection should be stable and fixed, so like a healthy branch, we will grow, strengthen, and produce fruit!

You are not what you appear to be as you go about your day. Never forget that you are empowered by the living God, and that same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives within you!

What is the position we take when we have unanswered prayers? We stand firm and never quit! Elijah prayed 7 times for it to rain. He didn’t quit at the 6th time and start teaching his disciples why God doesn’t always answer. No! He persisted and received rain the 7th time!  1 Kings 18:42-44

Are you still asking God to do what He told us to do? Or have you stepped over into the joy and adventure of obedience by partnering with Him and doing what He has instructed YOU to do?

I have walked the ‘be strong and of good courage’ path for many years with nothing more than the Word of GOD in my heart, a positive confession in my mouth, and a small band of committed partners. I have seen His miracles and I KNOW that GOD will never fail us! He is true to HIS Word!

Ephesians 1:6 says that we are seated together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That’s not a future promise, it’s a present reality that will help you greatly as you navigate the tribulations on this earth. Our position in Christ is secure, and as we look at ourselves from His perspective we will rise above the mountains and the enemies before us!

This is Christianity’s finest hour! There will be no better time than this to awaken the Body of Christ and demonstrate to the spiritual seekers that the Jesus we speak of is not another dead prophet, but a resurrected Lord who is calling out to them to give them life while there is still time!

Breathe the air of expectation! God has a lot to do in a little amount of time with us. Expect to see Him around the corner. Expect to hear Him and expect that He will speak through you when you open your mouth. We are all He has to work with, so expect Him to use you!

The church has been very good at creating events WITHIN the church. We have wonderful food and entertainment, air-conditioning and flowers, and can teach and preach amongst ourselves without a problem. But the table we set is not supposed to be for ourselves…it is supposed to be for others who have not yet experienced the joy, peace, and beauty of being in the family of God. SET THE TABLE FOR THE WORLD!