What a year to pay attention to the voice of Christ.
- there are wars and rumors of wars
- we face a world economy and stock markets that continue to stumble
- healthcare costs seem to soar faster than jet fighters in air show maneuvers

Thankfully, we can count on a few constants, places to find safety and clear direction. But listening is awfully important.

Do you remember how easy it was for you as a kid to ignore your mother's voice when she called you for dinner right in the middle of the baseball game of your life?

The pull of the game - for the moment - was much stronger than the call of her voice.

And so it can be for us in our adult years when we faintly hear the voice of Christ.

The pull of the game
of the job
of the next goal
of success
of religious activity
of peer approval

can be much stronger than the call of his voice.

Unless . . .
Unless we determine to pay attention.
Unless we resolve to respond.
Unless we yield our will to His Spirit.

"Listen and hear my voice, pay attention and hear what I say,' says the Lord."
(Isaiah 23:23)

"My sheep," declares Jesus, " listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me."
(John 10:27)

We are a movement of persons who are staking our very lives on the trustworthiness of his voice, his truth, his direction.

That's why we look forward to worship gatherings. That's why we evangelize.

That's why we turn away from what does not please Him and pursue what honors him and blesses people.

It's not about self-righteousness; it's about his righteousness and our desire to hear his voice and live the choice.

No question about it - there are a great many other voices calling us to follow:

voices trying to lure us into self-centered pleasure,
acquisitiveness,
pride and power;
even into the sweet deception of self-congratulation and the siren song that "everything will be all right in the end if we just try to be good and decent, moral and nice."

But in the end,
in the middle and for all eternity,
there will be only one voice worthy of our undivided hearts and our full obedience:

His.

And if we are his, living out this choice . . . . is all that we desire.

Dr. John P. Williams, Jr.
General Superintendent, EFC-ER

Reaching Our World With Christ

"The Power Of Servant Love" (Mark 8:22-38)

Here in Mark 8:22-26 we see one of the only two gradual healings we know about in the ministry of Jesus. Progressive healing was not the norm for Him. Do I need to tell you that most healings today don't happen instantly? Can we still see them as from His hand and still call them miracles? If you have a lingering illness, hurt or need that hasn't been healed YET, remember Jesus isn't done (James 5:13-20 tells us to "keep praying...keep confessing..." and Jesus, Himself, keeps saying we should "ask").

Into the spiritually soaked setting of Caesarea Philippi (Baal, Pan, Caesar) Jesus asks: "WHO do men say I Am?" In every conversation where there's even a smidgen of interest in things spiritual this should be the question you're headed toward. It's in this question the fundamental issue of His leadership in your life is addressed: "Who calls the shots in your life?" Jesus wants to be your life leader, your Lord. Will you let Him?

Will you accept Him as your life leader if He doesn't meet your expectations, like HE didn't meet the political, military expectations of either the Pharisees or disciples? That's why Peter rebukes Him. The reason He rebukes Peter is Peter sounds just like Satan did when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4): "Take the easy way, the way of sacrificial love isn't the way to get men to follow you."

But sacrificial love unleashes God's power in incredible ways to draw people to Him. That's what the cross did (John 12:34; I Corinthians 1:18-25). That's what we do every time we give a cup of cold water in Jesus' name. We do this through "Fun Day" in our inner city, through roofing projects, through giving meals or "Coats for Kids" in Jesus' name, and through all kinds of simple, creative ways Jesus will lead us if we're open to His leading. Love people by listening, giving a word of encouragement, a hug or a prayer.

Have you underestimated the power of sacrificial love to draw people to the Savior, especially simple, small acts done in His love and leading? Repent! Do you need a healing? Ask, as Jesus tells us to do so many times. Remember He works gradually most of the time, instantly in a few cases. Thank Him for both. Claim both as miracles!

Pastor Rick Sams