At full gallop ∙∙

At full gallop ∙∙

Love each other deeply – 1 Peter 4:8

1 Peter 4:7-9

 7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

 8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another because love covers a multitude of sins.

 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint

The Inspiring Story of Wilma

Wilma was born on June 23, 1940, in St. Bethlehem, Tennessee, as the 20th of 22 children. Her early life was filled with incredible challenges. Born prematurely, she faced serious health issues as a child, including polio, scarlet fever, and double pneumonia. For many years, she was paralyzed and had to wear a leg brace.

Despite the bleak prognosis from her doctors, Wilma’s mother gave her hope. Wilma later remembered, “My doctors told me I would never walk again. My mother told me I would. I believed my mother.”

By the age of 12, Wilma had regained her ability to walk and began pursuing athletics. Just eight years later, she achieved what seemed impossible: at the 1960 Rome Olympics, Wilma Rudolph became the first Black woman to win three gold medals at a single Olympics. She won the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay events, breaking three world records in the process.

She strained to win. Her journey was one of perseverance, determination, and striving toward victory, a powerful metaphor for the Christian life.

Straining to Love: A Call to Action

Wilma’s story of straining to win mirrors the exhortation of the apostle Peter to children of the King. Peter urged children of the King in 1 Peter 4:8 to “Love each other deeply.” That is, “to maintain their brotherly love at full strength, even in the face of hardship.”

The Greek word ektenes, translated as “deeply” or “fervently,” literally means “extended” or “stretched out.” Cranfield observes that the term denotes “the taut muscle of strenuous and sustained effort, as of an athlete.” It evokes “the image of a runner straining every muscle to reach the finish line or a horse at full gallop.”

The kind of love Peter advocates for is not passive or sentimental. It is energetic, demanding, and sacrificial. As Barclay explains, Christian love requires everything we possess, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. It means:

  • Loving the unlovely and unlovable.
  • Loving despite insult and injury.
  • Loving even when love is not returned.

Love in Times of Trial

Peter wrote his letter during a time of great suffering and persecution for Christians. He believed that the end of all things was near and that this was a time for believers to love each other more fervently than ever.

In light of eternity, Peter urged Christians to preserve their:

  • Sanity: Maintaining a clear mind amid chaos.
  • Self-control: Living with discipline and focus.
  • Prayers: Staying connected to God in all circumstances.
  • Love: Straining to love deeply, even when it hurts.

This kind of love is not natural; it is supernatural. It is only possible because God has poured His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul writes, Romans 5:5, “For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

REFLECT & PRAY

Loving as Jesus Christ loved is not merely difficult, but it is impossible without God’s enabling power. However, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to love with the same fervent and sacrificial love that He exemplified.

Father, thank You for pouring Your love into my heart through the Holy Spirit. Help me to strain to love others, even when it is difficult or painful. Teach me to love with the same energy and sacrifice as Jesus, so that my life may reflect Your grace and glory.

INSIGHT

Straining to Love

When a brother or sister fails, how do you react? Do you cover their shortcomings with love, or do you expose them? The apostle Peter asserts that, in 1 Peter 4:8,“Love covers a multitude of sins.”

Love Covers a Multitude of Sins – An Explanation

This verse is often misunderstood as implying that love ignores sin or turns a blind eye to it. Love conceals, covers up, or pretends sin isn’t there. However, that is not the case. Instead, “covering sin” refers to “recognizing, acknowledging, properly addressing, and forgiving it.”

The idea that love can cover a multitude of sins is contrasted with the notion that hatred intensifies conflict. This perspective is expressed in Proverbs 10:12, which states, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”

Love promotes forgiveness and unity, in contrast to the destructive effects of hatred, which exacerbate conflicts and divisions. Helm offers a vivid metaphor: “Love takes the oxygen out of sin the way a blanket chokes the air from one caught on fire. Similarly, as long as oxygen is present, forest fires rage. But if we could take the air away, the blaze would settle down.”

The Hebrew verb ur, translated as “stirs up,” means “to arouse, awaken, or incite.” In this context, it refers to “discord, conflict, disharmony, quarrels, and fighting between people.”

Regarding sins, Lenski elaborates on this beautifully, “Love hides them from its own sight and not from God’s sight. Hate does the opposite; it pries about in order to discover some sin or semblance of sin in a brother and then broadcasts it, even exaggerates it, gloating over it.”

A Story of Love in Action

The story is told of two nurses working the late shift on a cold, snowy night in Columbus, Ohio. As their shift was ending, a young couple arrived in a disheveled and needy condition. The woman’s clothes were worn and torn.

One nurse hesitated, distracted by the circumstances and unsure of what to do. The other nurse, however, quietly retrieved a blanket and covered the young woman.

Who, in this moment, loved at full gallop, straining for the tape at the finish line? Who demonstrated love for the unlovely and the unlovable, covering a multitude of sins with a simple act of kindness?

Love: The Badge of a Child of the King

As Wiersbe reminds us, “Love is the badge of a believer in this world” (John 13:34-35). Especially in times of testing and persecution, Christians are called to love one another and remain united in heart.

This kind of love does not come easily. Just as athletes do not become world-class Olympians without determination, effort, practice, and discipline, the children of the King cannot love as the Lord Jesus Christ loved without similar diligence. Yet, that is precisely what we are commanded to do.

The Impossible Command

We are called to love with great passion, aiming to love as Christ loved. However, this is not merely difficult; it is impossible without divine assistance. Thankfully, the Father has poured His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:5).

May we gallop, straining with all our spiritual muscles taut, to cover the sins of others with grace and kindness, and to love the unlovable with determination and discipline.

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© Dr. H 2025

The story of why ∙∙

The story of why ∙∙

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. – John 8:32

To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. – Job 12:13

James 1:2-5

 2 When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking

Why Do We Suffer?

How many times have we experienced hardship, difficulty, tragedy, or unmet expectations and then asked WHY? The Scriptures rarely provide a direct answer to this question. Instead, they guide us on how to endure suffering with faith and the proper response to our Father in heaven.

However, there is an entire book of the Bible that was written to address the question of “why?”. It investigates why people suffer, how they learn from suffering, and what is happening behind it. You have probably guessed which book of the Bible it is: the Book of Job.

The Book of Job offers profound insight into the nature of suffering, the lessons it teaches, and the unseen spiritual realities that lie behind it.

The Depth of Job’s Loss

Job’s suffering and loss were horrendous and almost unimaginable. In the material world, he lost virtually everything of value:

  • His Children: All of his beloved children were taken from him.
  • His Possessions: His wealth and property were destroyed.
  • His Livelihood: His means of providing for himself and his family was gone.

If you have your health, you have everything, right? Well, Job soon lost his health too.

What remained?

  • A few “helpful” friends who offered confusing and useless advice, devoid of godly wisdom.
  • A distraught, grieving wife who, in her own pain, became a source of discouragement.
  • His faith was tested to its very core.

Job’s Initial Response

Despite his overwhelming grief, Job’s initial response was remarkable. He demonstrated unwavering faith: Job 12:9-10: “The hand of the LORD has done this, in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.”

His following response echoes down the millennia Job 13:15, “Though He slay me, I will trust Him.”

His faith was systematically tested. He was almost crushed. Job’s words reveal a man caught in the tension between trust and fear. He mourned deeply, consumed by grief, yet as a man of faith, he clung to his confidence and trust in the Father.  

If we were there, I am convinced we would hear him weeping, if not wailing. He was mourning and consumed with grief.

He is trapped in the twilight zone between trust and fear. His thoughts reverberated again and again, WHY, WHY, WHY?

The Backstory: What Job Didn’t Know

If we began reading Job’s story in Job 1:13, where his suffering begins, we would have no idea what was happening behind the scenes. Job himself did not know about the events described in Job 1:1-12, where the Father allows Satan to test Job’s faith. He had no idea what was going on. He had no idea what the cause of his trials was. He had done nothing wrong. Yet tragedy after tragedy befell him.

Job’s trials were not a result of wrongdoing but of his righteousness. The Father had confidence in Job’s faith and allowed him to be tested to demonstrate the depth of his trust.

Does This Make Sense?

From a human perspective, it may seem illogical that Job’s suffering was a result of his goodness. But in the Father’s kingdom, suffering often serves a greater purpose, refining faith, revealing God’s glory, and deepening trust.

Lessons from Job’s Suffering

So often, we ask the wrong question, “Why?” when we face trials. But even if we knew the answer, it would not change the reality of our situation. The better question is: “How should I respond?”

Job’s story teaches us that, in the end, we must trust the Father’s wisdom and goodness, even when we don’t understand His plans.

Job 42:2-3: “I know that You can do anything, and no one can stop You. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions My wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I, and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me.”

REFLECT & PRAY

So often, we ask why. It is a perspective transformation when we realize that even if we knew why, it would change nothing. We would still have to trust the Father no matter what. We would have to take it by faith that He has our best interests at heart.

Father, there have been many times when I have asked, “Why?” in the face of suffering. Help me to trust You, even when I don’t understand. Teach me to respond with faith and endurance, knowing that You have my best interests at heart. May I echo Job’s words: “Though You slay me, yet I will trust You.”

INSIGHT

The Rest of the Story

Job 1:6-12 provides a rare glimpse into the spiritual realm, where the Father and Satan engage in a conversation that sets the stage for Job’s trials: Job 1:6-8: “One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the LORD, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. ‘Where have you come from?’ the LORD asked Satan. Satan answered the LORD, ‘I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.’ Then the LORD asked Satan, ‘Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless, a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.’”

Satan’s Challenge

Satan, the Accuser, questions Job’s motives for righteousness, claiming that Job’s faithfulness is only due to the Father’s blessings and protection: Job 1:9-11: “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him, his home, and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

The Father’s Permission

In response, the Father allows Satan to test Job, but with limits: Job 1:12 “All right, you may test him,” the LORD said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.”

Job’s trials begin not because of wrongdoing but because of his righteousness. He is guilty of nothing but faithfulness, yet he is pushed to the very limits of human endurance.

The Father Intervenes

In the midst of Job’s suffering, the Father personally intervenes and speaks to him one-on-one. However, instead of answering Job’s questions, the Father asks His own.

  •  

Job 38-41 is filled with questions that reveal the vastness of God’s wisdom and the limitations of human understanding. The Father reminds Job of His creative genius and sovereign control over all creation.

Job’s Realization

Through this encounter, Job gains a deeper understanding of the Father’s greatness:

  • The Father knows what He is doing.
  • He has a purpose for everything, even if it is beyond human comprehension.
  • His wisdom and power are unmatched.

Why Do We Suffer?

Suffering as Part of God’s Plan. The story of Job teaches us that suffering is not always a punishment or a sign of failure. Instead, it is often part of the Father’s plan for our lives. Rather than asking “Why?”, we should ask: “What would You have me learn from this, Father? How can I draw closer to You through this experience?”

Turning to the Father

In painful and distressing circumstances, the best response is to turn to the Father for wisdom, strength, and guidance. As Peter said: John 6:68, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Stanley asserts, Either God is worth trusting completely, or He is not worth trusting at all.

Job’s Final Response: Humility, Faith, and Repentance

After his encounter with the Father, Job reaches a place of total faith and confidence. He realizes that knowing why changes nothing. Instead, he humbles himself before the Father and repents.

Job 42:5-6: “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore, I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.”

Job’s journey ends where it began, with faith in the Father. His suffering deepened his understanding of God’s greatness and strengthened his trust in Him.

Lessons from Job’s Story

Rather than living through Job’s struggles, we can learn from his story and apply its lessons to our own lives:

  • Trust in the Father’s Sovereignty: Even when we don’t understand His plans, we can trust that He is in control.
  • Seek Growth Through Suffering: Ask what the Father wants to teach you through your trials.
  • Humble Yourself Before God: Recognize His greatness and submit to His will.

Take Baby Steps of Faith

Developing great faith and confidence in the Father doesn’t happen overnight. Start now by taking small steps of trust and obedience. Job’s story reminds us that suffering is not meaningless. It is part of the Father’s plan to refine our faith, deepen our trust, and draw us closer to Him.

While we may never fully understand the reasons behind our trials, we can rest in the assurance that the Father is sovereign, wise, and good. Like Job, may we learn to trust Him completely, knowing that He is always working for our good and His glory.  

James 1:2-3: “When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

May we, like Job, learn to trust the Father in all circumstances, knowing that His plans are good and His purposes are perfect. Even in the darkest moments, He is working for our good and His glory.

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© Dr. H 2025

Godly sorrow ∙

Godly sorrow ∙

The kind of sorrow God wants us to experience produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces spiritual death. – 2 Corinthians 7:10

Lamentations 3:55-57

 55 But I called on your name, LORD, from deep within the pit.

 56 You heard me when I cried, “Listen to my pleading! Hear my cry for help!”

 57 Yes, you came when I called; you told me, “Do not fear.”

The Reality of Sorrow and Grief

Throughout history, the human experience has been marked by injustice, cruelty, death, and destruction. These harsh realities are woven into the fabric of life on Earth. It is both natural and deeply human to feel and express sorrow and regret in response to such pain. For some, this may involve an extended period of grieving, mourning, and lamentation.

The Importance of Expressing Grief

Expressing grief and sorrow is a vital part of emotional and spiritual health. It helps us be honest with ourselves and with the Father. Suppressing sadness or pretending it doesn’t exist serves no purpose, since the Father already knows the depths of our hearts. The Bible confirms this truth: of the 150 Psalms in the Old Testament, about 40% are Psalms of lament. Further, the book of Lamentations is devoted entirely to godly sorrow, highlighting the vital role of lamentation in our spiritual growth and journey.

Lamentation: A Sign of Authentic Faith

Lamentation, rather than being a sign of hopelessness, is a sincere expression of faith. It demonstrates our willingness to confront life honestly and to acknowledge our feelings without suppression. By lamenting, we acknowledge the end of things as they have been, while also looking forward with hope to what is to come.

The Father is present with us during our suffering. He listens, encourages, and assures us of new beginnings. His presence reminds us that we are never alone, even in our darkest moments.

Hope in the Midst of Sorrow

In the book of Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah offers a powerful reminder of hope, even in the midst of despair: Lamentations 3:20-25: “I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’ The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.”

The Depth of God’s Compassion

The Hebrew word racham, translated as “compassions,” highlights the Father’s deep emotional response to the needs of His people. “It conveys a profound awareness of and sympathy for human suffering.” Interestingly, racham is derived from the noun rechem, meaning “womb.” This connection “suggests a nurturing, motherly love, grace, and care that reflect the Father’s willingness to show favor.”

This same word is used in Isaiah to describe the Father’s “comforting, motherly love,” Isaiah 66:13, “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.”

REFLECT & PRAY

Stanleyexclaims, “Do you know the Lord as trustworthy, reliable, and consistent? Or do you question whether God will be there for you in your hour of need? From cover to cover, the Bible proclaims, ‘God is there, and He cares!’ He never abandons us.”

Father, I cherish sharing with You my laments, struggles, joy, and excitement. I know You are always present and act on my behalf.

INSIGHT

How Does the Father Comfort His Children?

When the children of the King are downcast and dejected, the Father God provides comfort in profound and tangible ways. The life of Paul offers many examples of how God’s comfort reaches His people, even in their darkest moments. Paul, who faced relentless challenges, fear, and discouragement, often found himself in a state of being “downcast.” The Greek term tapeinos captures this condition, meaning “low in spirit, depressed, or dejected.” It is frequently translated as “humble” or “lowly in spirit.”

The Lord Jesus Christ described Himself using this word in Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Comfort Through Companionship and Encouragement

At one of Paul’s lowest moments, the Father sent Titus to him. The arrival brought Paul great joy, not just because of their reunion but also because Titus delivered encouraging news about the Corinthians. After Paul’s stern letter urging the Corinthian church to address unethical and immoral behavior, their response was one of loyalty and devotion to both Paul and the Lord Jesus Christ.

As Seifrid notes, “God uses earthly means to provide comfort: He comforted Paul with the arrival of Titus. . . . Of course, it was not so much Titus’s arrival but the news he brought about the Corinthians that comforted Paul. His love for the Corinthians has been reciprocated: they, too, long for him.”

Paul writes, 2 Corinthians 7:5-7: “When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear within. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!”

This passage demonstrates how God frequently uses people and situations to provide comfort to His children. Titus’s arrival and the good news he brought served as instruments of God’s encouragement to Paul.

Comfort That Multiplies

The Father’s comfort is not just for us; we are not the final destination. Instead, it’s meant to flow through us to help others. We are to pay it forward. As Paul explains, the comfort we receive from God prepares us to comfort others in their time of need, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

This divine cycle of comfort builds within the children of the King the ability and the desire to extend comfort to others. As Omanson and Ellington observe, “He comforts us in all our troubles. Because of this, we are able to comfort others, regardless of the kind of trouble they may be facing. We comfort them as God has comforted us.”

Why Does God Comfort Us?

When trials come, we can trust that God will help us through them. Why are we so sure? It is at the heart of His nature; it is Who He is: God of all comfort.

As Stanley puts it, “When trials hit, we can always be sure that God will come to our aid. Why? (1) It’s His nature – He is ‘the Father of mercies’ and the ‘God of all comfort.’ (2) He’s training us to comfort others.”

The Father’s comfort is a gift that transforms not only our own hearts but also the lives of those around us. When we experience His comfort, we are called to share it, becoming vessels of His love and encouragement to others.

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© Dr. H 2025

Touching heaven and changing earth ∙

Touching heaven and changing earth ∙

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. – James 5:16

James 5:17-18

 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!

 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain, and the earth began to yield its crops.

Finney: Revivalist and Prayer Warrior

Charles Grandison Finney was born on August 29, 1792, in Warren, Connecticut, and grew up on a farm with eight siblings. At the age of 29, while studying law, Finney became deeply concerned about the state of his soul. On October 10, 1821, he retreated to the woods near his home to come to terms with God. That night, he experienced a dramatic conversion, describing it as feeling “waves of liquid love throughout his body.”

Finney: A Leader of the Second Great Awakening

Charles Finney was no ordinary minister. He went far above and beyond. He became one of American history’s most influential (and controversial) revivalists. He became a central figure in the Second Great Awakening, a revival movement that swept across the United States. Known for his passionate preaching and innovative methods, Finney is credited with converting an estimated 500,000 people (Christianity Today). His influence extended far beyond the pulpit, shaping the nation’s spiritual landscape.

Finney’s Belief in the Power of Prayer

Finney was a man of deep prayer and conviction, believing that prayer was the key to revival and spiritual transformation. He emphasized the importance of quality over quantity in prayer, as well as the necessity of humility and obedience to God. Finney believed in the power of prayer and in trusting God to work in His time.

Here are some of his most well-known statements on prayer, revival, and Christian living:

  • On Prayer
  • “Prevailing prayer is that which secures an answer. Saying prayers is not offering prevailing prayer. Prevailing prayer does not depend so much on quantity as on quality.”
  • “Nothing tends more to cement the hearts of Christians than praying together. They never love one another so well as when they witness the outpouring of each other’s hearts in prayer.”
  • On Revival
  • “If the presence of God is in the church, the church will draw the world in. If the presence of God is not in the church, the world will draw the church out.”
  • “Revival is a renewed conviction of sin and repentance, followed by an intense desire to live in obedience to God. It is giving up one’s will to God in deep humility.”
  • “A revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God.”
  • On Evangelism and Christian Living
  • “There can be no higher enjoyment found in this world than is found in pulling souls out of the fire and bringing them to Christ.”
  • “When you come back to God for pardon and salvation, come with all you have to lay all at his feet. Come with your body to offer it as a living sacrifice upon His altar. Come with your soul and all its powers, and yield them in willing consecration to your God and Saviour.”

REFLECT & PRAY

Charles Finney’s life and teachings highlight the power of prayer and the importance of fully surrendering to God. As Leonard Ravenhill once said, “No child of the King is greater than their prayer life. The two prerequisites to successful Christian living are vision and passion, both born in and maintained by prayer.”

Father, how I desire to touch heaven and change earth. Teach me and strengthen me to be a person of prayer and passion like Elijah. May I hear Your voice clearly and follow Your direction faithfully.

INSIGHT

The Power of Effective Prayer

Insight from James 5:16, “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

In the original Greek, the word translated as “effective” is energoumen, which can also be translated as “energized.” The English word “energy” is derived from this root. This means that successful prayer is not passive or lifeless; it is energized prayer, full of purpose and power.

The Test of Prayer: Results

Effectual prayer is prayer that accomplishes something. More specifically, it brings about the will of the Father on earth. It’s not about our personal desires or ambitions; it’s about aligning ourselves with God’s purposes.

Finney exemplified effective prayer, reaching heaven and transforming earth.

Joining the Father’s Work

The Father is always at work and invites us to join Him, but this isn’t about our own dreams or plans. The kingdom of God is a theocracy, not a democracy. When called, we should set aside our self-centered aspirations and align with His agenda. As Henry Blackaby explains, “When the Father reveals to you where He is working, that becomes His invitation to join Him in His activity.”

This shift, from being self-centered to God-centered, is the foundation of effective prayer.

The Science of Effective Prayer

Effective prayer is not random or aimless. It is a science with principles that can be learned and applied. At its core, effective prayer is about praying the Father’s will into existence. To pray effectively, we must:

  • Discern the Father’s will: Understand what God intends to achieve.
  • Align with His purpose: Pray for the fulfillment of His plan.

Elijah: A Model of Effective Prayer

James 5:17 reminds us, “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.”

What is the difference between Elijah and us? The answer is simple: Nothing! Elijah was an ordinary man, but he prayed extraordinary prayers because he knew the Father’s plan. He heard God’s voice and prayed according to His instructions.

Elijah’s Example in Scripture

The Father told Elijah what to pray to stop the rain, 1 Kings 17:1,2, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, the God I serve, there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word! The word of the LORD came to him, saying . . .”

The Lord told Elijah, how to make it rain, 1 Kings 18:1, “Now it happened after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, ‘Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the face of the earth.’”

Elijah’s task was simple: to pray what he was told into existence. He did not guess or hope; he prayed with precision because he was aligned with God’s will.

Prayer: A Partnership with God – Not a Shot in the Dark

Prayer is not a random act or a hopeful gamble. As A.W. Tozer explains: “Praying is working with God to fulfill His divine plan.”It is a partnership with the Creator, where we align our hearts and voices with His purposes.

Effective Prayer is a Skill

Any child of the King can learn the skill of effective prayer. It requires practice, discipline, and a heart that is fully surrendered to God’s will. However, prayer can also be one of the most challenging tasks we face. As humans, we often struggle with the temptation to neglect it. Yet, it is through prayer that we connect with heaven and bring about change on earth.

A Call to Action

The Father invites us to participate in His work through prayer. Are we willing to set aside our own plans and align with His? Are we prepared to pray with energy, purpose, and precision?

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© Dr. H 2025

Godspell – what’s missing? ∙

Godspell – what’s missing? ∙

If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. – 1 Corinthians 15:17,19

1 Corinthians 15:13-20

 13 For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either.

 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.

 15 And we apostles would all be lying about God, for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead.

 16 And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised.

 17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.

 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost!

 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.

 20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead.

Godspell – The Opening Declaration

Godspell is a dramatic, musical retelling of the Story of Redemption. The monologue begins with the voice of God, spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ, proclaiming His eternal majesty: “My name is Known: God and King. I am most in majesty, in whom no beginning may be and no end.”

This powerful declaration sets the stage for the unfolding story of redemption.

The Call to Prepare

Suddenly, the sharp cry of a shofar blown by John the Baptist shatters the stillness. He boldly proclaims, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!”

John baptizes the disciples and delivers a brief sermon. The Lord Jesus Christ watches silently before approaching John to request to be baptized. John hesitates, suggesting that Jesus should baptize him instead. Despite this, Jesus insists. This moment marks the start of His ministry.

The cast enters, singing the stirring anthem “Save the People,” a call for salvation and hope.

The Teachings and Parables of Jesus

Jesus begins His teaching by stating His mission: “I have come not to abolish the law and the prophets, but to complete.”

The crowd, initially confused, gradually begins to grasp His message. Through a series of parables, Jesus reveals profound truths about forgiveness, humility, and the kingdom of God.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

The ensemble acts out the story of a servant who owes his master a huge debt. The master shows mercy and forgives the debt. However, the servant, in turn, refuses to forgive a fellow servant who owes him a small amount. When the master learns of this, he condemns the unforgiving servant to prison.

Jesus explains the moral: “Forgive your brothers from your heart.”

The troupe responds with the heartfelt song “Day by Day,” which became a cultural phenomenon, reaching Number 13 on the Billboard pop singles chart in 1972.

The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man

This parable contrasts the lives of a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. On earth, the rich man indulges in feasting while Lazarus suffers and begs for scraps of food. After death, their roles are reversed: Lazarus is comforted in Heaven, while the rich man endures suffering in Hades.

The audience is warned: “Learn Your Lessons Well” or face eternal damnation.

When the rich man pleads for Lazarus to return from the dead to warn his brothers, Abraham responds: “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead.”

Serving God, Not Money

Jesus teaches that no one can serve two masters: “You cannot serve both God and money.”

A cast member recounts the story of a man who spends his life accumulating wealth but dies before experiencing its benefits.

Jesus then reminds the cast not to worry about the future: “Tomorrow will take care of itself. Today has problems of its own.”

The Finale: The Death of Jesus

The finale of The Crucifixion begins with a dramatic shift in tone. In B minor, Jesus cries out: “Oh, God, I’m bleeding.”

The ensemble responds in anguish: “Oh, God, You’re bleeding.”

Jesus dies, and the music fades. The women of the cast sing “Long Live God,” and the men join in with “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord.”The cast carries Jesus offstage, symbolizing His burial.

What’s Missing? The Resurrection!

The story ends with the death of Jesus, but it leaves out the most critical part of the gospel: His resurrection.

As Charles Stanley reminds us: “The physical, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is essential to the truth and power of the gospel. There is no Christianity without His resurrection.”

REFLECT & PRAY

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Without it, there is no victory over sin, no hope of eternal life, and no power in the gospel.

Father, thank You for the resurrection of Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is through His victory over death that we have hope, life, and salvation. Help us to live in the power of the resurrection, proclaiming its truth to the world.

INSIGHT

The Centrality of the Resurrection

Consider the implications if Christ had not risen from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus is truly the bedrock of the Christian faith, providing hope and assurance that shapes the very foundation of belief. Without it, the entire message of Christianity collapses. The Apostle Paul makes this abundantly clear in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.”

The Greek word translated as “useless or futile” is kenos, which “conveys the idea of something worthless, empty, or devoid of benefit.” Without the resurrection, the message of the cross is “pointless, a lie, a deception.” Any faith built upon such a message is equally futile and meaningless.

As Barclay explains: “Paul insisted that, if the resurrection of Jesus was not a fact, the whole Christian message was based on a lie, that many thousands had died trusting in a delusion. Take away the resurrection, and you destroy both the foundation and the fabric of the Christian faith.”

The Consequences of No Resurrection

Faith becomes worthless. Paul reiterates this in 1 Corinthians 15:17, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.”

Here, the Greek word for “worthless” is mataios, meaning “vacuous, devoid of significance, or fruitless.” Without the resurrection, faith lacks substance and results. It is empty of power and incapable of producing forgiveness or salvation.

Mark Taylor clarifies the distinction between the terms translated as worthless:

  • Vain (kenos): Lacking reality or content.
  • Futile (mataios): Lacking results, fruitless, or ineffective.

Without the resurrection, the death of Jesus Christ is rendered meaningless. His sacrifice would not have resulted in the forgiveness of sins. Humanity would remain condemned, guilty, and doomed to face divine judgment.

No Forgiveness, No Hope

The gospel message is simple: “The Lord Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world.”

However, without the resurrection, His death is incomplete. The resurrection is the proof that His sacrifice was accepted and that sin has been defeated. Without it:

  • There is no forgiveness of sins.
  • Humanity remains guilty and condemned.
  • The human race is left to face divine judgment with no hope of redemption.

Paul emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 15:19, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

Without the resurrection, Christianity becomes a cruel hoax, a delusion that leaves its followers in despair.

The Resurrection: Of First Importance

As Wiersbe states, “The Resurrection is not just important; it is ‘of first importance,’ because all that we believe hinges on it.”

The resurrection is not an optional doctrine or a secondary belief;  it is the very foundation of the gospel. Without it, there is no Christianity.

But Thank God, He Is Risen!

Paul does not leave us in despair. He declares triumphantly in 1 Corinthians 15:20, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead.”

The resurrection is neither a myth nor a metaphor; it is a historical fact. Jesus Christ is alive, and because He lives:

  • Our faith is not in vain.
  • Our sins are forgiven.
  • We have hope for eternal life.

The resurrection transforms the message of the cross from tragedy to triumph. It is the ultimate proof of God’s power and love, securing salvation for all who believe. Without it, we are lost. But because He is risen, we have life, purpose, and victory.

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

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© Dr. H 2025