Friday, February 28, 2014

Article: Christian Prosperity by Jason Goldtrap 03.02.14

Christian Prosperity
Evangelism in the current American culture is a real challenge. For decades now the media has saturated us with spiritually dangerous concepts: 1. God is a feeling, 2. Church is something you do, 3. Fun is a path to spiritual enlightenment. Add to that portable electronic entertainment, opulence and a lack of discernment and evangelism seems to be impossible but it not insurmountable to those who “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
     Christ’s message of hope is timeless. In 1895 Franklin Edson Belden eloquently summarized the Divine Path of Life with these words, “O heart bowed down with sorrow! O eyes that long for sight! There’s gladness in believing, in Jesus there is light.” ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”  
     Effective evangelism does not necessarily come from the Godly leadership of elders; it springs from the heart of the average Christian who: 1. distinguishes that what he believes is doctrine, not tradition 2. has a clear, pure method to pursue his inspiration, 3. confidently communicates that vision to others.   

     God blesses those who combine conviction and creativity, passion and permanence, constancy and constitution. This is why our church prospers. May the work of God continue to transform lives. May the Church be a shining city on a hill. May fear be a pebble and not a mountain. May God bless His one, true body of believers here on this globe. JG

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