FUEL For Your FAITH

A Highlight of the week at the General Council for the Christian and Missionary Alliance is the Missions Rally. As the service is started our missionaries parade around the auditorium carrying the flag of the country in which they serve. For me it is a reminder of what makes the C&MA so great. From the beginning, the C&MA has always been a movement of people dedicated to preaching the gospel to the nations. In Matthew 24:14, Jesus reminds us that the spreading of the gospel is not just a task for a select few — it’s the heartbeat of God’s plan for the world. The gospel of the kingdom is not just good advice; it is good news that through Jesus, people from every nation can find life, hope, and salvation. This is the Mission of Jesus and  as His followers, we’re invited to participate in this great mission. Whether by going, sending, praying, or giving, we each have a role. This verse assures us that God’s purposes will be fulfilled. The gospel will reach all nations. Scrip...

Last night at the General Council of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, we had a communion and healing service. It was a great time of reflection on how Jesus is not only our Savior, but through His own suffering and death, he also brings healing to our lives. Life often leaves us with wounds—some seen, many hidden.  But Scripture points to a Savior who not only sees our pain but enters into it with us. Jesus, the Great Physician, does more than mend our brokenness; He transforms it.  Isaiah 53 tells us that by His wounds, we are healed. That means our healing is intimately tied to the suffering Jesus endured on our behalf. Healing might not always be instant, but it is always available to those who seek Him. Emotional, spiritual, and even physical wounds are not beyond His reach. And while scars may remain, they no longer define us—they testify to His mercy. Scripture: Isaiah 53:5 - But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The ...

Last night at the General Council of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, the speaker was Charles Galbreath. He is the pastor at Alliance Tabernacle in Brooklyn, NY. He spoke from John 12:21. In this passage some people come to Jesus' disciples with a request. They said, "We want to see Jesus". Here are my thoughts as I reflect on the message. I believe there’s a deep longing in the heart of every believer to experience the presence of Jesus in a way that satisfies our soul beyond what the world can offer. This desire is not just about a future hope of heaven; it’s a present need to see Him in our daily lives.  We often find ourselves distracted by the noise of life, consumed by responsibilities, relationships, and routines that can dull our spiritual hunger. Yet within us is a deep desire to experience the presence of Jesus. When we fix our eyes on Him, we are changed.  Many of us struggle with spiritual dryness, wondering where Jesus is in the midst of hardship or sil...

The speaker from last night's service at the General Council of the Christian and Missionary Alliance was our president, John Stumbo. Something he said really struck me. He reminded us that God is both God of the good times as well as the bad times. As he spoke I began to think of how life is a mixture of mountaintops and valleys—moments of joy and seasons of pain. It’s easy to see God’s hand in the good times, but what about the hard days? God doesn’t change based on our circumstances. He is just as present in the storm as He is in the sunshine. God walks with us through every chapter of our story. He celebrates with us in our victories and holds us close in our sorrow. His love is constant, His presence unshakable. Ecclesiastes 7:14  suggests that we should rejoice in good times, but also acknowledge that both good and bad times are a part of God's plan. Today, whether you’re in a season of joy or struggle, take a moment to thank God. Not just for what He’s done, but for who ...

This week I am in Columbus, OH for the general council of the C&MA. This year's theme is HIS . As I sit here this morning thinking about what this week will hold, here are my thoughts on what it means that we are His. In a world where identity is often based on achievement or approval, it’s easy to feel insecure. We might ask: Who am I, really? Where do I belong? The answer, for every believer, is profoundly simple and beautifully reassuring: We belong to Jesus. Psalm 100:3 reminds us that we are created, known, and claimed by the God of the universe. He formed us, not by accident or out of necessity, but with intention and love. We are not orphans in this vast world—we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Belonging to Jesus means that our value is not tied to our performance or our past. It’s rooted in His unchanging character and unfailing love. It means we are never alone. He watches over us like a good Shepherd, guides us, disciplines us, and walks with us through ev...

  The selection of Matthias in Acts 1:21-26 may seem like a small administrative task, but it reveals a profound principle: revival requires godly leadership. Before the Spirit came, they sought to ensure the leadership was healthy, Spirit-led, and scripturally sound.   Even though they prayed and cast lots—a method not used after Pentecost—they understood something we often forget: God cares deeply about who leads His people.   As we seek revival, we must examine and pray for our leaders. Are they biblically grounded? Spirit-filled? Humble? Mission-minded? And if we are leaders ourselves, are we walking in holiness and dependence on the Spirit?   Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-2 - First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.   1 Timothy 4:12 - Let no one look down on your youthfuln...

When the disciples faced confusion about Judas and the future, they turned to Scripture. Acts 1:15-20 shows us that they not only knew the Word but applied it to their situation. Revival is not emotionalism; it is grounded in the truth of God’s Word.   In the waiting room of revival, the Word is our anchor. It gives context to our confusion and direction to our prayers. Peter knew what to say on Pentecost because he had spent time in the Word. His sermon in Acts 2 wasn’t a spontaneous speech—it was a Spirit-filled exposition of prophecy fulfilled.   Today’s revival must be rooted in the Bible. If we want to see God move, we need to understand what He’s already said. Revival is not a new revelation—it’s a renewed attention to the old one.   Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.   Psal...

Revival is always preceded by prayer. Before the Holy Spirit came, before Peter preached his first sermon, before thousands were saved—there was prayer.   Acts 1:14 emphasizes that the disciples were “continually united in prayer.” They were not just waiting; they were praying.   Prayer aligns our hearts with the heart of God. It humbles us, sharpens our focus, and stirs our spiritual hunger.   Jonathan Edwards and many others throughout history believed that great movements of God are born out of prayer.   But prayer is often the first thing we neglect. We’re too busy, too distracted, or too tired. We may even doubt its power. Yet when believers gather to seek God with urgency and unity, the atmosphere shifts. Mountains move. Hearts awaken. Revival comes.     Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.   Application: Set aside a dedicated time of prayer today—alone...

When Jesus left, the early believers could have fractured. They could have argued or disbanded. Yet Acts 1:14 reveals something remarkable—they were “with one mind.”   Fellowship is more than proximity; it’s spiritual unity. They weren’t just in the same room; they shared the same heartbeat.   Unity doesn’t come naturally. Differences in background, personality, experience, and even spiritual maturity can threaten our fellowship. But when revival is the goal, division must die.   The early church remembered their shared purpose: they loved Jesus, loved one another, believed in the Gospel, and were willing to die for it.   We live in a divided world. Even the church is often fractured by personal preferences and non-essential disagreements. But if we want to see revival, we must return to the unity of the upper room—a fellowship founded on love, mission, and humility.   Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6 - Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in ...

Obedience, especially during seasons of waiting, can be difficult. Acts 1:12-13 tells us that after Jesus ascended, the disciples did exactly what He commanded: they returned to Jerusalem and waited. Often times in the waiting we wrestle with doubts—“Did I hear God correctly?” “Why isn’t something happening?” “Is something wrong with me?” But sometimes, the most spiritual thing we can do is wait with faithful obedience. The disciples had just lived through the most chaotic, miraculous, and terrifying days of their lives. They could have scattered, made their own plans, or assumed it was time to act. Instead, they obeyed. And their obedience was not passive; it was active waiting—full of expectation and preparation. As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit, but we still await many things: answers to prayer, healing, breakthrough, revival. This kind of waiting is fertile ground for revival if we choose to trust and obey even when we don’t understand. Scripture: Psalm 37:34 - “Wait for the...

As Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples stood staring skyward, likely overwhelmed and amazed. Then two angels appeared and gave them a powerful reminder: “This same Jesus… will come back” (Acts 1:11). That promise has echoed through every generation since. The return of Jesus isn’t meant to stir fear—it is meant to ignite faith. It reminds us that our time is short and our mission urgent. As Matthew 24:14 tells us, the end will come  after  the gospel is preached to all nations. The mission and the return are inseparable. Sometimes we live like Jesus is never coming back. We get caught up in comfort, career, and distractions. But Jesus’ return should shape how we live today—with urgency, faithfulness, and passion. This is our motivation: the King is coming. And when He does, may He find us faithful.   Acts 1:11  –  “This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Matthew 24:14 ...

Jesus gave His followers a clear mandate—not just to believe, but to go and make disciples. This wasn’t a suggestion; it was a command. Acts 1:8 reveals the scope of that command: Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. That was—and still is—a radical call. What makes this even more remarkable is that Jesus gave it to ordinary people—fishermen, tax collectors, and former skeptics. None of them had formal theological training. But they had something more powerful: the Spirit of God and the message of Jesus. Many Christians today hesitate to share their faith because they feel unequipped. But making disciples doesn’t require a seminary degree—it requires surrender. As Ephesians 4 reminds us, God gives pastors and evangelists  to equip the saints —that’s all of us—for the work of ministry. Discipleship isn’t a task for a few; it’s the identity of every believer.   Acts 1:8  –  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shal...

  The disciples asked a reasonable question: “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” (Acts 1:6). They had expectations rooted in politics, power, and national restoration. But Jesus’ response redirected them from  when  to  what . He didn’t answer their curiosity about timing—instead, He gave them a mission: be My witnesses. We often want answers to our timing questions—when will things change, when will God act, when will Jesus return? But Jesus gently shifts our focus. The mission isn't about charts or timelines. It's about people. Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom that transforms hearts and extends to every nation. This mission is not reserved for pastors or missionaries; it is for every believer. As we live and speak the gospel, the kingdom grows. Every act of obedience, every word of hope, every step in faith contributes to this mission. Our role is not to speculate about the future but to be faithful in the present. The King has ...

Jesus didn’t leave His followers with just a task; He left them with power. The disciples were told to  wait  in Jerusalem. Why wait? Because the mission ahead was impossible without divine help. Jesus had once walked beside them, guiding and empowering them. Now, the Spirit would dwell within them. John 14 and 16 reveal a powerful truth: Jesus’ physical departure meant an even greater spiritual presence. The Spirit would not only comfort but also empower them to do what they never could on their own—live boldly for Christ and proclaim His gospel to the ends of the earth. Waiting tests our faith. It exposes our dependence on God’s timing and provision. But waiting with expectation is not passive—it is an act of faith. As Christians today, we are not asked to wait for the Spirit; He has already come. The same Spirit who empowered the disciples is in us now. The question isn’t  do we have the Spirit? —but  are we relying on Him? Acts 1:8  –  “But you will rec...

Christianity stands on the historical reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Luke opens Acts, he establishes the truth of the resurrection through eyewitness testimony, physical encounters, and personal transformation. For 40 days, the resurrected Christ appeared repeatedly to His followers. They saw Him, heard Him, and even touched Him. These weren’t hallucinations or stories whispered in the dark—they were lived experiences that emboldened once fearful disciples to become world-changing witnesses. It’s tempting for us today to take the resurrection for granted, especially in a world that questions truth and resists absolutes. But if we believe that Jesus truly rose from the dead, then we hold the greatest message ever told. That message isn't meant to be tucked away behind church walls.  As  Vance Havner  put it,  “We do not have a secret to be hidden, but a story to be heralded.”   The resurrection compels us to speak, to live boldly, and to share th...