When You Look, What Do You See

Today one of the problems that captivates most people, including believers, is image. Just standing in the checkout line of most stores, all you see is tabloids and magazines concerned with how one looks. Basically image deals with how one projects themselves, which in turn becomes what people think you are. Although this issue has been present throughout man's history, since the mid 1990’s it has had a profound affect on the church. There is a greater concern about image that unfortunately is at the expense of integrity. What do I mean by this?

Today many church leaders seemed to have adopted various worldly concepts and have brought them into the "Body of Christ." Some of these concepts are; the church building needs to look appealing and non-threatening to an unbeliever meaning, remove anything that presents a Christian view (banners, scripture verses, etc.); church members need to refrain from using certain Christian phrases that may make unbelievers uncomfortable; the church needs world class entertainment to keep people interested and coming back; music must be upbeat only with a time limit; worship means maybe one slow song but no true expression of worship; and sermons also known as a message, are to be short and sweet to make people happy and feel good about themselves (this type of sermon is considered to be "relevant" for today). The thinking is that if the church does these things, we then can expect to reach unbelievers and have a successful ministry.

Naturally we should have clean facilities, but are we representing Christ or the local coffee shop? One of the things that separates believers from the world is how we talk and act. When the presence of the LORD begins to touch lives during a service believers should be shouting the name of Jesus. When Jesus entered Jerusalem look at the response of the people, the religious leaders and Jesus Himself...

"Then they brought the colt to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: "'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!'  Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out."

(Luke 19:35-40)

Notice that "the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice." This was a multitude of disciples not unbelievers. To keep believers from shouting or speaking "Christian Phrases" is to deny God the honor that He is worthy of. It is ignorance motivated by fear in church leaders that want to squelch believers from verbalizing their excitement about Jesus because it may offend an unbeliever or make them feel uncomfortable. Though the people may not be shouting out the praise due to the LORD one day the stones supporting the building may.     

There is certainly nothing wrong with doing drama or having special music during a church service. The problem lies when we saturate people with entertainment to keep them interested and coming back to "Our Church". The following is the entertainment that the LORD provided in the church to multiply the number of believers...

"And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all." (Acts 4:33

"And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed." (Acts 5:14-16)

"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people." (Acts 6:8)

"And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city." (Acts 8:6-8)

Not to belittle or make light the power of God in any way shape or form, this is the entertainment that unbelievers truly desire. They do not want Broadway plays and concerts, but a demonstration of the Spirit and power. (1 Corinthians 2:4). However, this takes faith in an all powerful God who has not changed. It also take courage for church leaders to step away from the pressures that the world wants to conform the church to, and let Jesus build His church through His people.

Music is a powerful medium especially during church gatherings (not to exclude any other time). It is a means to usher in the presences of the LORD as we exalt and magnify Him through singing. David tells us, "...In Your presence is fullness of joy..." (Psalm 16:11) and "But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Your people". (Psalm 22:3) Why would any church leader want to exclude Gods presence as to not offend an unbeliever or to make them feel uncomfortable? I have been in numerous congregational and small group meetings where unbelievers were so taken by Gods presences that some were saved, some healed, some delivered and some a combination of them all. I have been in other meetings where the presence of God was so strong that the praise and worship continued unplanned for two hours. There was no preaching during this time and in the LORDS presence time seemed to stop. It was extremely power having such an affect on both believers and unbelievers that many still talk about the experience today. To exclude and intimate time of ministering to the LORD through worship or to place a limited time frame on worship is to say that God is not worthy of our admiration and we do not need His presences to have a successful church service.

I find it very interesting how church leaders advertise that they share a "Relevant Message" at their meetings but rarely preach from the Bible or use the Word of God in context. Honestly, the gospel (God's Word) has always been, is and will always be the only relevant message that the world will ever need to hear.  Church leaders must stop being ashamed of the gospel of Christ and begin to preach and teach God's Word without reservation or apologizing for what it says. Paul says,  "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." (Romans 1:16) Notice that the unadulterated Word of God has the power to save all people. To not preach and teach God's Word is to deny Jesus the preeminence in His Church. He is the Word!!! (John 1:1-2, 14, Revelation 19:13) 

When the Prophet Samuel was sent by God to the house of Jesse to anoint a king to replace king Saul He made this statement concerning David, "...For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, (Image) but the LORD looks at the heart (Integrity)." (1 Sam. 16.7) We should not be concerned as to how we match up with the worlds image, but realize that Gods presences and glory far surpasses the best the world has to offer. We should concern ourselves with being a people of integrity as we serve the one true God, more than trying to adjust our image with worldly concepts that are motivated by Satan and infested with sin that only appeal to the flesh.     

The real problem is not trying to reach the unbeliever per se, but how congregations go about it. We must stop reducing the church to a palatable organization where we fit into the world, but once again become a life filled Body that turns the world upside down. The church must begin to operate in faith and return to preaching the full gospel. The apostle Paul makes it clear as to what the full gospel entails, "For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient, in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel..." (Romans 15:18-20) 

As Paul tells us, the Full Gospel is preaching God's Word (the gospel) in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God. This is the churches legacy; this is how multitudes will be saved, healed and delivered; this is church growth Gods way!   

Won’t it be wonderful when the church becomes the envy of all once again. Well I have some good news and some not so good news, you can decide for yourself. We will see the so called "Open Church" (not the name of a congregation, but how they precieve themselves) continue to compromise the truth (God's Word) for the sake of unbelievers who unfortunately never come to Christ. We we see what is known as "Seeker Friendly" church's who currently have thousands of members begin to shrink and some will even be forced to close their doors (this is already happening) because all their programs and entertainment have not truly fixed broken lives. We will see many main line denominations reject sound doctrine and teach such things as Christ not being the only way to eternal life (this also is currently happening). Some will even be deceived by Mormon's, J---- Witnesses, Muslim's or other false religions and join their ranks. 

However, on the other hand, there are some church leaders and congregation that have not bowed their knee to the world for the sake of having a world pleasing image. They have maintained their integrity in Christ and have not compromised God's Word. They are not trying to please the world but save people from the world. They understand and embrace the kind of faith that pleases God which will open the door to many lost souls being saved, healed, delivered and becoming true disciples. We will see reformation taking place in some denominations. Many denominational church leaders will throw away doctrines that they have embraced for years which are contrary to God's Word. They will begin to live in a realm of faith that they have been taught to reject.   

Even now there is a stirring in many believers, young and older, who want more of Christ than they are receiving where they current attend. They have participated in many church programs that are built on psychology rather than the Word of God and they are still not walking in the freedom that Christ has provided. Even now many are seeking a congregation where the Full Gospel (as Paul presents it) is the norm and where true Christian community is experienced replacing the social club atmosphere. Why are these things happening and why will they be? Because the church is Christ's Body which He loves. Even now He is cleansing her so that she will be a "glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:27) The sad news is, many will once again harden their hearts to Him and open their hearts to the world.

As I close I would like to share a quote from General William Booth, Founder of the Salvation Army. Although the church has entered the twenty first century, his statement is still worth pondering…

“The chief danger of the 20th century will be religion without the Holy Spirit, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God and heaven without hell.” (William Booth Quotes) How prophetic...

God is the Masterful Architect

Creation reveals the master hand of the Designer. Blind chance is not the author. Taking an honest, intelligent look at creation will agree that there is nothing left to chance. Creation is governed by fixed laws and these laws apply to the most minute cell, to the highest forms of life as well as all things seen and unseen. There is an intelligent purpose behind all creation and yet the science of evolution (which in most institutions is taught as fact) has not given us any adequate reason for creation, why? because we have forgotten that truth is eternal and theories are based on the opinions of man. Webster defines theory as facts related to one another based on unproved assumption. Also theories are limited by time as seen by the constant revisions made from age to age.

Notice that theories are based on "unproved assumptions." Could this be why when evolution is mentioned educators and evolutionists who believe in this twisted "unproved assumptions" try to avoid using the term "theory of evolution." They know as fact, that it cannot be proven through any means. In short, it is argued that fossil records and biology can prove that evolution is the basis of creation; that life evolved from non-life; and that life as we know it came to exist by chance. However, modern day advancements in technology have concluded beyond question or reasonable doubt, that evolution is a fallacy. I cannot speak for you, but it would take a whole lot of faith and a rejection of logic for me to believe the religion of evolution, especially when it has been PROVEN scientifically (an evolutionists means to test theory) to be false. So if evolution cannot be proven, then why is it taught as fact? The apostle Paul tells us...

"Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things...who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever." Amen.

(Romans 1:21-25)

Every human being whether involved in religions other than a true form of Christianity or even if they profess to be atheist, know that something is not right, so they look for anything that will ease their conscience. Even though they know that Jehovah God exists, they refuse to acknowledge Him as God. But to appease their conscience some will believe that a higher power exists and thereby create a god in their own image, while other who emphatically deny the existence of God, resort to their futile thinking. In either case, they exchange the truth of God for a lie. Those who deny that God exists and yet are driven by the feeling that something is not right, fail to recognize the reason behind their quest. They refuse to believe that God blew His breath of life into the first created man and it was this breath that brought life into man. They cannot perceive that sin caused man to die spiritually and that "he has become flesh.” Nevertheless man still has a spirit and that spirit longs to connect with its creator and until it does, man will always be on a quest to find the answers to life. 

The apostle Paul tells us, "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:14-16) Looking at verse 14, we know another reason why educators and evolutionist hold to the theory of evolution. However, looking at verse 15 and 16, I must ask this question. Why do Christians who use the public school system permit their children to be taught this lying nonsense? Do we get it? The public school system...It is public tax dollars that are paying the salaries of educators to teach Christian children "unproved assumptions" as fact. It id no wonder why so many people in the church today do not know God's true nature, purpose and will?     

I can remember several years ago when our oldest child attended public high school. Before she did, my wife (an educator) and I sought out the principle to discuss the schools curriculum and policies. The school district did teach evolution but our daughter was not subject to any classes that taught it. One of the things we accomplished was getting a student prayer group established with the aid of some Christian faculty members. I believe that it was this student prayer group that kept many of the problems that high schools face from escalating as well as keeping additional perverted curriculum from being taught. 

Next I tried to motivate church leaders from the thirty two churches within the school district at that time to converge on the sidewalk in front of the high school and pray against the "god of this age" that was blinding lost faculty, employees and students from the truth. Believe it or not, only eight people came to participate  (Two of which were my wife and I) and that was only one time (though my goal was to have a church presence at least once a week). Interestingly enough this one time event happened to be on (get this) the National Day of Prayer. There was not one other time that the church leaders (other than myself) took the initiative to be a presences at the high school.  

Another issue that we attacked was that of teenage sex (sex outside of marriage). My wife had developed a curriculum under the guise of "Character Development."  Within the curriculum the issue of sex was a major point of discussion and hidden within that topic was also the issue of abortion (I say hidden within because if blatant then the proponents of abortion would have certainly rejected it). Unfortunately the curriculum was rejected even though it would be strictly voluntary on the part of students and it was to be taught by Christian educators that would volunteer their time. The unfortunate thing was not just that the curriculum was rejected by the school district, it was that the churches in the area did not want to get involved.     

I am not at all trying to toot my own horn. I am concerned with why the church is silent. I am concerned as to why Christians complain but do nothing beyond that. If the church is Gods vehicle to "turn the world upside down;" if the church is backed by the power of God; if it is Gods desire that all people be saved; if the authority of Christ has been delegated to the church, then why is it so difficult to muster a large number of Christians to make our presences known and not only pray down these dark forces but get involved in the community, such as; being on the town/city council or Board of Education, and the like. Let us be honest, we know why. Comfortable Christianity is more appealing than stepping out of the "comfort zone" and believing God. With that said, I only have one last question to ask which Jesus asked several times and one that I ask myself to keep me tracking with Him, "Where is your faith?"    

I Am Different!

What a wonderful priviledge to be a Christian. We have been redeemed from every nation by the LORD God Almighty through faith in His Son our LORD Jesus Christ and to Him we are special...
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (I Peter 2:9-10)

Think about this passage; Jesus tells us in John 15:16 that we did not chose Him but that He chose us (We are a chosen generation), Revelation 1:5-6 says, "...To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father..." (We are a royal priesthood) and in I Corinthians 6:11…But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (We are set apart – a Holy nation) then in
I Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. (We are a special people – Gods private property) and finally Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (A people of praise)

Make no mistake, Christians are different and we need to act upon God's Word and live a Biblically correct life because there is a fallen world filled with the very people the Christ died for. It's sad to think of all the people who attend the various congregations throughout the USA that do not see themselves the way that Gods Word tells us as to who and what we are. Why do so many believers act upon their feelings instead of faith? Why do they say they believe God's Word but their actions and words prove other? Why is it that when some believers say that they are what the Word says they are, that they are considered prideful or boasting about themselves? Could the problem be what Paul tells us in his second letter to Timothy?
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.
(II Timothy 3:1-5)

Although Paul mentions many things I believe that the last of these is the worst and greatest in the lives of most who attend congregational meetings on Sunday, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Unfortunately many people who consider themselves believers are destitute of the life of God in their souls and deny that a life filled with the power of Christ can  be experienced today. But again it takes Bible faith to really understand and live the true Christian life, "The just shall live by faith". This brings us to a very important question that we must ask ourselves, "Do you really believe that what you believe is really true?" Selah...

The Game of Worry

Worry is the state of engaging in chains of thoughts and images of a negative and an uncontrollable nature in which mental attempts are made to avoid anticipated potential threats. In a sense, worry is a game of the mind. One moment a person is worrying about one thing and before you know it something else seems to become more of a potential threat and new negative thoughts and images replace the former ones. However, worry in not a game. Games are designed to be recreational and fun mainly based on pure strategy, chance or a mixture of the two and usually have a goal which a player aims to achieve. The definition of worry deals with torment not fun.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? We certainly have to think about things and even make plans concerning our future. However, the main thought that Jesus is conveying here is God does not want believers burdened with the cares of this life, period.

In Matthew 6:26-30, Jesus wants us to see how much more value people are to God over the animals that God takes care of. He wants us to understand that worry does not add to ones life. We are to consider the beauty of flowers, they just grow, they do not put any effort in and of themselves to do so. How about the most magnificent king of Israel with all his colorful robes and splendor?  Even Solomon magnificence does not compare to Gods creation, yet people, especially His children are more valuable to Him than these splendors. If God is willing to take such care of flowers which grow one moment and are cut down and use for fuel the next, will He not provide so much more for people. "O you of little faith" carries two thoughts.  One is that just a little faith will deactivate worry and is enough to believe God for provision; and or worry becomes a product of those with little or weak faith. Either way, worry takes life away!

Matthew 6:31-32 To worry about the things in which Gods Word says are our in Christ is no different than acting like a lost person who has no hope. Basically worry is sin. God already knows what we are in need of and when we do not believe that what He has promised He is able to perform then we are rejecting His Word and actually believing the devil's lies more than Gods truth.

Finally Jesus tells us a way to get rid of worry. Matthew 6:33 It goes back to the beginning of this passage, ‘Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” A believers duty is to seek, pursue and desire God and His realm not the things of this earthly realm and He promises to take care of us so that we do not lack but that our needs are always met. It is an act of our will and an exercise of faith to give ALL of our concerns to the LORD, but we must be  convinced (have faith) that God will do what He says.

So therefore give ALL your concerns to the LORD and take one day at a time if and when it comes.
(Matthew 6:34)

You Better Hold On

Let's consider the second part of this verse of scripture from I Thessalonians 5:21, "Test all things; hold fast what is good." To hold fast is to guard from loss, hold down, possess, adhere to firmly and retain faithfully. In this verse it implies, adhere to firmly and retain faithfully, Gods Word. Do not accept anything that sounds good but is not inspired by the Holy Spirit, but hold fast to what is good. Applying these definitions to the words "Hold Fast" it should be apparent that a possiblity exists that the Word of God or the things of God can be taken or stolen from a believer. This is also seen in other verses of scripture.

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."
(Hebrews 10:23) Let us guard, adhere to firmly and acknowledge the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Never doubting, being unsteady, wavering in the promises or declarations made to believers in Gods Word through Christ, because God is faithful, He does not nor cannot lie. Again, believers are to hold fast, guard from loss, adhere to firmly and retain faithfully Gods Word. In Revelations 2:25 Jesus speaking to the church at Thyatira says, "But hold fast what you have till I come."

Jesus is pointing out another level of what holding fast indicates. For believers to hold fast to Gods Word implies a struggle that someone or something is trying to wrestle it away from them. In this church Jesus reveals as Jezebel was a self-proclaimed prophetess to king Ahab her husband and the influence that she had over him which influenced Gods people in a negative way, that there were false prophetesses in this church that were influencing many with false carnal doctrine. However, Jesus encourages the ones that had not accepted this false doctrine to guard from loss, adhere to firmly and retain faithfully His Word no matter what it takes until He returns which will mark the end of their conflict with evil. This then brings us back to why it is so important for believers to fully understand the Parable of the Soils. It reveals how much we must gurad ourselves from the wiles of the devil.

And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. (Mark 4:15) Again, it is very apparent that the Word of God can be taken, robbed, stolen from believers if they do not have a foundation of Gods Word to build upon and hold fast to. Believers are in a conflict, a struggle… "Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints."
(Jude 3)

Jude is exhorting believers to strenuously defend, as in a contest, the truth that they had received. Many believers know the LORD as their personal Savior, but they do not always know the privileges and promises that they have in Him and how to receive them. Could it be that many believers do not have a solid foundation of Gods Word in their hearts? Could this be due to Satan coming immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts? Let's face it, faith grows through the very things that the devil comes to steal from the hearts of believers.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)

Let Us Worship Jesus Our King

The word worship means, to honor, revere, adore, pay homage, render devotion and respect. In John 4 Jesus encounters a woman from a city of Samaria called Sychar. The conversation leads to a discussion about worship. We see that the women states that Jews and Samaritans worship God just in different places. But Jesus says that the Father was seeking those who would worship Him not in a specific place but in spirit and truth. It’s not a matter of playing music and singing songs with Godly lyrics, it’s whether believers do it Gods way or not. To worship in spirit, is to allow the Holy Spirit to move upon the believer’s redeemed spirit causing , honor, reverence, adoration, devotion and respect to ascend to God. To worship in truth is to worship according to the Word of God which is Gods way.

We see in Luke 24:53 "And were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen." The early church was able to see God in all things because He is LORD of heaven and earth. God was showing Himself through signs and wonders, He had moved on the hearts of the people where they had a common cause, they participated in mutual assistance, they ate meals together, they were excited and they showed it with an attitude of gratitude. Although this move of God had not been called Christianity yet, it would become a new culture that superseded all other cultures. They were the family, the children of the living God. The church was not an institution made up of buildings in various locations, it was people from various location that formed a living body. That living body was one filled with praise and worship.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16)
"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." (Hebrews 13:15)
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
(I Peter 2:9)

As the early church, we to are called to proclaim Gods glory by ascribing praise and worship to Him continually. So let's lift up our voices, shout it loud and sing praises to whom all blessings flow!!!

Let's Get Happy

Do you know anyone who would like to live from day to day eating their food with gladness and simplicity of heart? Well Acts 2:46 tells us that the early church lived this way. When we look at the depth of this we see that gladness means; Rejoicing that displaces worry and gloom and fills the mind with joy. Simplicity of heart means; Having a satisfied, sincere, thankful and pure heart desiring the things of God and not the things of the world.

Unfortunately many believers today look at the early church and somehow think that their world was problem and trial free, that life was just simple and carefree. This kind of thinking is far from the truth. The early church faced more opposition than believers in the USA have ever faced, yet they had gladness and simplicity of heart. The main reason for this kind of lifestyle is because they took their Christianity very seriously. When they confessed the Lordship of Jesus Christ, they understood that all of their rights, opinions and views were freely forfeited to Christ their King! The Apostle Paul reveals this very thing to the church at Corinth, "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."
(I Corinthians 6:20) We must keep in mind that the first converts were Jews. This means that they would face disfellowship by the religious leaders and family members who feared the religious leaders (See John 9)

On the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) Peter preached Christ and exhorted the people to "Be saved from this perverse generation". Today the world is still very much perverse but God's Word still stands as a guiding light to truth. Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you FREE." (John 8:31-32). Paul tells us, "So then FAITH comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) Gladness and simplicity of heart comes to anyone whose foundation is the Word of God and BELIEVES! This is not a general or unspecifed faith in Christ, but a directed faith the Jesus perfectly reveals the Father's will in actions, attitudes, words and commands and God's will has not changed. What they experienced in the early church should be experienced today! All it takes is faith.