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...