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- Written by: Don Goulding
But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew … (Acts 4:4) (NIV)
As nearly 3,000 humans met their death in the Twin Towers on September 11th, 2001, there were jubilations from sewer breathed demons in the realm next-door. Then the heroes strode in—firefighters, rescue workers, and volunteers who sacrificed their assurance of living another day by sifting through unstable rubble. Public applause surrounded these selfless champions, but the media overlooked one bright and shining group.
In churches all around the world, pastors responded to the 9/11 attack with messages of hope. From Jim Cymbala in New York to Peter Blackburn in Queensland, preachers readied souls for more attacks by helping them believe in Jesus. This side of paradise, it’s impossible to know how many were snatched from the enemy, but the estimates are amazing. Most evangelical churches reported at least one conversion as a direct result of 9/11. The total number who found eternal salvation quickly surpassed 30,000, or ten times the number of lives taken by the terrorists.
From an eternal perspective—and that’s the important one—9/11 was a decisive victory for the kingdom of God.
I can hear the demons in their debriefing—
“Which one of you tail chasing dogs planned this debacle? This was supposed to result in thousands of unprepared humans swept down here.”
“Um, sir, we did bring new souls into hell.”
“Yes, you maggot filled idiot, but at what cost? You let their side claim ten times our take. Heads are going to roll for this infernal stupidity!”
Prayer: Omniscient Father, we celebrate your eternal victories.
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- Written by: Don Goulding
For everyone who does evil deeds hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed. But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, so that it may be plainly evident that his deeds have been done in God. (John 3:20-21)
Six-year-old Alexis ran giggling into her pastor’s arms, only to pinch her nose and say, “Pee yew, stinky breath.”
I was the pastor.
A three-year-old boy named Mateo was one of my best friends in Fiji, even though he often sat on my lap just so he could play with the waddle under my chin.
Children are painfully honest. They haven’t yet adopted our jaded and guarded worldview.
For us adults, the joy of living inside the bright circle of truth is only for the few who tenaciously pursue honesty. I must fully admit my past, present, and future mistakes. Sin left in the dark breeds a fungal power over my heart.
I must confess to myself first, and that with the brutal honesty of Alexis and Mateo. Second, I confess to God for forgiveness (1 John 1:9), because I need forgiveness more than I need my next breath. Finally, I go to a church shepherd, counselor, or partner who prays for my release from the secret’s bondage (James 5:16).
I’ve learned the hard way that blabbing my specific sins to everyone only gives the devil fodder for greater evil. But the fungus of shame will continue to plague me until the secret passes out of my mouth. So I must find a praying confidant and disclose every shred of guilt, nothing held back.
Honest living requires monumental work, but the reward is a return to the pure freedom of a child’s heart. And who wouldn’t want to live with the joy of Alexis and Mateo?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me live honestly in your light.
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- Written by: Don Goulding
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)
I walked through San Francisco’s financial district wearing a custom tailored, sage-green suit. To the casual onlooker, I had the mark of success. I owned a respected business, loved a beautiful family, and gave liberally to charity. It was the American Christian dream.
In reality I was in bondage to the world system. I was a free son of the Most High God, voluntarily performing hard labor for my former warden. When Satan said worry, I lost sleep fretting. When he said act selfishly, I squandered my dignity on guilty pleasures. I had only given God my past and future, the devil controlled my present.
There are two brands of freedom. Only two. Freedom to serve a loving God or freedom to be enslaved to a vengeful devil. The version of freedom where we serve ourselves is false marketing, it’s Satan’s brand repackaged.
When I live within God’s moral boundaries, I’m liberated to love and dance inside a safely fenced yard. Those outside my protective barrier wag their heads and say I’m too hemmed in. But I tried living out there. I was tied up in fretfulness, snared by human acceptance, and a marionette beneath temporal pleasure.
I say, “No thank you,” to the devil’s brand. I am running to the one who calls me into his playground of freedom.
Prayer: Jesus, I choose freedom in you.