Many believers carry a deep sense that they were made for more.

They don’t just want to attend church or participate in a few ministries. Deep inside, they know their faith is meant to matter beyond the walls of the church—to bring truth, hope, and transformation into the places where they live and work. There is a quiet conviction that their lives are meant to make a difference.

But this is where many people get stuck.

Even with that desire—and even with a growing understanding of who they are in Christ—there is often hesitation when it comes to actually stepping forward. Without realizing it, many begin to believe that influence starts somewhere else—somewhere bigger, more visible, or further down the road.

Influence Doesn’t Start Somewhere Else

Jesus taught something very different.

In Matthew 5:13–14, He said, “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” Not someday. Not when you feel more prepared. You are—right now.

Influence doesn’t begin “out there.” It begins right where you are.

In Matthew 13:33, Jesus describes the Kingdom as yeast working through dough. It doesn’t draw attention to itself. It works quietly, almost invisibly—but over time, it transforms everything it touches.

That’s how the Kingdom moves.

What It Looks Like in Real Life

Influence rarely begins with something big. More often, it starts in moments that feel ordinary:

• A conversation where you bring encouragement instead of negativity

• A situation where you choose humility instead of reacting

• A decision to lead with integrity when it would be easier not to

• A prompting to pray for someone in the moment

• A simple act of kindness that shifts the atmosphere

None of these feel dramatic. But this is exactly where real influence begins.

When Knowing Becomes Living

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve talked about knowing who you are and not walking out your desire to disciple nations alone. Both matter deeply. Identity keeps you from striving, and community keeps you from isolating.

But even with both in place, many people never take the next step.

They don’t move.

James 1:22 says, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” There comes a point where what we know has to become what we do. Otherwise, we remain inspired—but unchanged. Our churches are filled with this.

Faithfulness in the Small Is the Pathway

We often think impact comes through big platforms, but Scripture points us in another direction.

In Luke 16:10, Jesus says, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”

Faithfulness in the small is not insignificant—it is the way of the Kingdom.

The Kingdom is built through people who show up consistently in everyday moments and live biblically right where they are.

This Is How the World Actually Changes

Too often, we measure success by attendance and how big our platform or gatherings are. But in the Kingdom, success is measured by influence, often in the small; everyday believers who know who they are, walk with others, and begin to live that out in real, tangible ways. That’s doable!

This is where influence grows. This is where transformation begins.

And more than ever, people are waking up to this. There is a growing hunger for a faith that doesn’t just ‘pump us up” but actually changes how we live, lead, and influence the world around us.

An Invitation to Go Further

If this resonates with you, if you can see how influence begins right where you are, but you also know you don’t want to stay there, you’re not alone.

Many believers are stepping into this right now. They’re realizing their faith was never meant to stay contained within a Sunday experience, but to be lived out in everyday life.

But here’s the tension:

• Knowing this is one thing.

• Living it out consistently is another.

And that’s where the right environment matters.

That’s one of the reasons we created WorldChangerHQ—a community designed to help believers grow in their identity, walk this out in real life, and move forward together. It’s a place where faith becomes action, where conversations lead to clarity, and where people begin to see the impact of living as salt, light, and leaven.

If you’ve been looking for something like that, I’d love for you to explore what we’re building. Join the waitlist.

👉 Check Out the Webpage - WorldChangerHQ

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Blessings!,

Greg

P.S. We officially open the doors on Monday, April 6. If this is stirring something in you, this is a great time to lean in and be part of it from the beginning.

The Power of Community in Changing the World

Many believers carry a quiet conviction in their hearts.

They know there is more to their faith than simply attending church or participating in a few ministries. Deep inside, they sense that God has called them to influence the world around them—to bring truth, the gospel, and transformation into the places where they live and work.

They want their faith to matter beyond the walls of the church.

But there’s one problem.

They often feel like they’re trying to figure it out on their own.

Passion without connection often leads to frustration. Vision without community can leave people stuck. You may know what burns in your heart, but without the right people around you, it can feel difficult to take the next step.

In many cases, isolation doesn’t just slow us down—it actually keeps us from stepping into the fullness of what God has called us to do.

God Designed Us to Move Forward Together

From the beginning, Scripture shows us that God never intended His people to walk alone.

In Ecclesiastes 4:9–12, we read:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor…

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

There is strength in shared purpose.

There is resilience in partnership.

When believers come together around a common calling, something powerful begins to happen. Courage grows. Faith strengthens. Ideas begin to form. What once felt unclear begins to take shape.

God often advances His purposes through communities of people who are moving forward together.

The early church understood this well.

In Acts 2:42, the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship. They didn’t simply gather to receive teaching—they built a community where their faith was strengthened, encouraged, and activated together.

Teaching matters.

But community is often what activates the teaching.

Content Inspires, But Community Activates

We live in a time when there is no shortage of Christian content.

There are sermons, podcasts, books, and teachings available everywhere. These resources can inspire us and help us grow in understanding.

But content alone rarely produces lasting transformation.

Transformation often happens when people walk together, encouraging one another, sharing what God is doing, and helping each other move forward in faith.

The writer of Hebrews captures this beautifully:

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

— Hebrews 10:24

Notice the language: spur one another on.

Faith grows stronger when we move forward together.

A Community for Those Called to Influence

This is one of the reasons we created WorldChangerHQ.

Not simply to provide teaching, but to bring together believers who share a common passion—to live from their identity in Christ and to influence the world around them as Christ’s Ekklesia.

Many believers feel called to impact culture through the places God has positioned them—business, education, media, government, family, the arts, and beyond. Yet too often they feel isolated in that calling.

WorldChangerHQ exists to change that.

It’s a global community where believers connect across cities, states, and nations—sharing ideas, encouraging one another, praying for one another, and discovering how to bring Kingdom influence into everyday life.

Together, we grow through conversations, shared experiences, live gatherings, guest speakers, and weekly challenges that help move faith from inspiration into action.

But perhaps most importantly, we grow through relationships.

Because when people who carry the same passion come together, something begins to shift.

Clarity increases. Courage rises. Momentum builds.

You Weren’t Meant to Carry the Call Alone

If you’ve ever felt the tension of knowing there is more—but not knowing how to move forward—you’re not alone.

Many believers feel that same stirring.

The truth is, the call God places on our lives was never meant to be carried in isolation. Often, the next step forward begins when we find others who share the same hunger to see God’s Kingdom move beyond the walls of the church and into the world around us.

Sometimes what we need most is not more information.

Sometimes what we need is the right community to walk with.

And when that happens, passion no longer stays an idea.

It begins to change the world.

An Invitation

If this resonates with something in your heart—if you’ve sensed that there is more to your faith than simply attending church, and you long to see God move through your life to impact the world around you—you’re not alone.

There are many believers who carry that same desire.

WorldChangerHQ is a new community of people who are choosing to step into that calling together. People who want to grow in their identity, learn how to walk in their Kingdom purpose, and encourage one another as we bring God’s influence into everyday life.

It’s not about building a platform.

It’s about building a community of believers who want to see the Kingdom of God advance in real and practical ways.

If that’s something you’ve been looking for, you’re welcome to explore what we’re building.

👉 WorldChangerHQ

You don’t have to walk this journey alone.

Blessings!

P. Greg

After over forty years of ministry, I’ve come to know that most believers genuinely want to serve God.

Yet many struggle to understand the fullness of who they really are in Christ.

And when identity is unclear, calling becomes confusing.

For many Christians, faith has quietly settled into something smaller than it was ever meant to be. It becomes something practiced mainly within church services, small groups, or ministry activities. These things are good and important, but they were never meant to be the full expression of the Christian life.

Faith Was Never Meant to Stay Inside the Church

The New Testament paints a much bigger picture.

Jesus spoke about His followers as salt, light, and leaven—people whose lives influence and transform the culture around them.

Not just inside gatherings, but in:

• homes

• workplaces

• communities

• entire nations

But this kind of life doesn’t begin with activity.

It begins with identity.

Identity Changes Everything

When believers begin to understand their true identity, something shifts internally.

Life changes. Ministry is enjoyable. Rest returns.

The Christian life was never intended to be lived driven by striving, performance, or trying to prove something to God. Instead, it begins to flow from relationship, knowing the Father, living from His presence, and seeing life from His perspective.

I often say to people, " Stop trying to live for God and start living from God.” When you live from God, you will be living for God.

And from this place, clarity begins to emerge. This is crucial.

I often say it this way:

If you know who you are, you’ll know what to do. And the world changes when a believer knows both.

Identity brings direction.

God Has Already Placed You Somewhere

When believers awaken to their full identity in Christ, they begin to see their everyday lives differently.

• Their work matters.

• Their relationships matter.

• The environments God has placed them in matter.

Think about where God has already placed you.

• your workplace

• your neighborhood

• your friendships

• the people you interact with every day

Those places are not accidental. They are the very environments where the influence of the Kingdom of God is meant to be expressed through your life.

Faith was never meant to stay within the walls of the church.

They begin to recognize that they are not just attending church—they are part of Christ’s Ekklesia, His people called to carry His kingdom into the world.

When Identity Awakens, Influence Follows

And this is where things begin to change.

The world does not change merely because believers gather.

The world changes when believers awaken to both who they are and what they have been entrusted to do.

When this happens, faith naturally moves beyond the walls of the church, not out of duty but from identity. It’s here we nfluence culture, and transform communities in practical ways.

It’s not about becoming louder or more aggressive.

It’s about becoming clearer.

Clear about:

• Who we are

• Why are we here

• And what each of us is assigned to do.

When believers awaken to the fullness of their identity, something significant follows.

• Their lives, and those of others, change.

• Communities change.

• We begin to fulfill the Great Commission.

And often, it begins slowly and quietly, one life at a time for God’s glory.

One believer awakening to the fullness of who they are changes the world!

The Call to Awaken

Maybe that’s why Scripture repeatedly calls us to wake up, to arise, to see clearly again.

Because when believers awaken to their identity, something powerful begins to move.

When we truly awaken to who we are, the world begins to change.

Perhaps one of the most important questions every believer must eventually answer is this:

Do I truly know who I am in Christ?

Because when identity becomes clear, purpose begins to follow. And when believers begin living from that place, they can no longer live as church attenders but as world changers.

A Place to Grow in This Journey

Over the past few years, I’ve been building a global community around these ideas called WorldChangerHQ.

It’s designed to help believers:

• grow in awakened identity

• live intentionally where God has placed them

• bring kingdom influence into everyday life

The doors will be opening soon.

If you’d like to hear when it launches, and if you haven’t yet joined, you can join the waitlist here:

👉🏼 Join the Waitlist

Blessings!

P. Greg

WorldChangerHQ will officially open later this month, and I wanted to share where things stand.

Hey friends,

Over the past few weeks, I shared that our beta season for WorldChangerHQ officially wrapped up and that we were preparing to open the doors to the world.

We’re now just about there.

What began as a simple vision—to create a space where believers could grow in their awakened identity and learn how to bring Kingdom influence into the real world—is now ready to step into its next season.

For months, we’ve been building quietly behind the scenes.

Listening.

Adjusting.

Refining.

Testing what works.

The beta season helped us shape something that is now clear, focused, and ready for people who want more than just inspiration. The heart of WorldChangerHQ is simple:

A community where followers of Jesus grow in Sonship, learn to function as His Ekklesia, and step into their calling to influence the spheres of society where God has placed them.

Not someday.

Now.

Because the world doesn’t just need more information.

It needs believers who know who they are and are ready to live from that identity.

That’s what this community is being built for.

The Launch Window

WorldChangerHQ will officially open its doors later this month, no later than the first week of April.

When we open, we’ll have standard membership pricing along with a limited-time Founder’s Price for those who choose to join early. Founder members will lock in that lower rate for as long as their membership remains active and will help shape the early culture of the community.

Want to Be Notified When We Open?

If you’d like to hear when the doors open, you’re welcome to join the waitlist.

Joining simply means you’ll receive updates as we move toward launch and you’ll be among the first to know when membership becomes available.

You can learn more and add your name here:

👉 worldchangerhq.com

A Personal Note

One thing I’ve been reminded of through this entire process is that God often begins significant things with a small number of people who simply respond to what He is doing.

Thank you for following along, encouraging the journey, and praying for what God might do through this.

My hope is that WorldChangerHQ becomes a place where believers grow in the fullness of their identity in Christ and step into their calling to bring the life and truth of Jesus into the world around them.

More soon.

Blessings,

Pastor Greg

Hey friends,

I wanted to share a meaningful update with you.

After months of prayer, refinement, and hands-on building, I’m grateful to say that we have officially completed our WorldChanger HQ beta season. And before saying anything else, I want to pause and say thank you to every person who stepped into that beta window with us.

Your feedback, engagement, encouragement, and belief helped shape what WorldChanger HQ has become—and what it’s now ready to be.

The Big News

WorldChanger HQ will officially open its doors to the world the first week of March 2026.

This isn’t a soft launch.

This isn’t a test run.

This is the real beginning.

What started as a vision has now become a clear, focused, and grounded global community built for people who want to live from an awakened identity and bring Kingdom influence into every sphere of society.

About Pricing

When we open in March, WorldChanger HQ will have standard pricing—and for a limited time, a special Founder’s Price for those who join early. These are proposed prices, and they could change, though it is highly unlikely!

Standard Pricing (launch price):

• $39 / month

• $99 / quarter

• $369 / year

Founder’s Pricing (limited-time):

• $29 / month

• $79 / quarter

• $299 / year

Founder’s pricing is locked in for as long as your membership remains active. If a membership is canceled and later restarted, it would return at the current standard rate at that time.

Founder pricing is our way of honoring those who believe early and choose to build with us from the beginning.

Stay Connected + Join the Waitlist

If you haven’t joined the waitlist yet, you’re welcome to do so today.

Joining the waitlist means:

• You’ll be added to our mailing list

• I’ll keep you updated as we move toward launch

Click the link below to visit the WorldChangerHQ website, get all the details, and join the waitlist.

👉 worldchangerhq.com

Looking Ahead

Thank you for being part of the journey, whether you’ve been watching from a distance or walking closely with us along the way.

I’m genuinely excited for what’s ahead—and I’d love to have you with us as we officially open the doors.

Have a comment or question? Drop them in the comments area below.

With appreciation and expectation,

Blessings!

Greg Simas

The Name of Jesus continues to be marginalized by government-led programs in our nation. Workers are told not to avoid using Jesus' name in prayer, instruction, and in many so-called routine conversations.

The Marginalizing Of Jesus' Name In The Early Church

The apostles faced the same problem when Peter and John healed a crippled man.

Acts 3:6 "Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

Peter pulls the crippled man up, his legs strengthen, and he is physically healed! No one could deny he was crippled, and no one can deny he was healed.

The Power In A Name

I find it interesting that in Acts 4, the Sanhedrin (which is a governmental assembly) questions Peter and John about the healing.

Acts 4:7 "They had Peter and John brought before them and began questioning them: "By what power or what name did you do this?"

How strange? Why did they ask by what POWER or NAME the crippled man was healed?

The answer is found in what they all believed is found in a name.

"In Semitic (relating to or denoting a family of languages that includes Hebrew, Arabic, and Aramaic) thought, a name does not just identify or distinguish a person; it expresses the very nature of his being. Hence, the power of the person is present and available in the name of the person."

In Jewish culture, when a person's name is spoken, the nature of his being is released. The power of the person is manifested in the name of the person.

The Lord's very nature and all of heaven are expressed in His Name.

No wonder the Sanhedrin tried to marginalize the name of Jesus because His very nature is released at its mention!

Here is what Peter and John said when the courts of Jewish law told them to stop using the Name of Jesus.

Acts 5:27-29 "The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: 'We must obey God rather than men!'"

The Attempt To Shut Down His Name

It's not a coincidence that mentioning the name of Jesus continues to find itself in the battleground of our schools, military, libraries, and the marketplace.

It's alarming to discover the number of public workplaces and government agencies using the guise of being "politically correct" or "the separation of church and state" to deter believers from sharing their faith and His Name.

Say His Name Often

Realize that the Name of Jesus is far more than a tagline at the end of our prayers. His name changes the atmosphere and releases His world into this one.

Let's say and pray His Name often. Look for opportunities in the marketplace, schools, malls, and anywhere life takes us to share our faith and declare the name that is above every other name — Jesus!

Blessings - P. Greg

What's the goal of the Christian life? Heaven? Success? Persecution? Love? Freedom? Allow me to submit to you that the goal of the Christian life is found in Romans 8:29.

Romans 8:29 (NIV) "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters."

What Does Being "Conformed" Mean?

To be "conformed" means to both "resemble" and "represent." The goal of our lives as sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father is to look like, think like, and live like His son, Jesus, to resemble and represent Him to the world.

Those who don't know Christ generally measure success by position, power, and possessions. But for believers, success is ultimately measured by how we resemble and represent a person, namely, Jesus.

So a good question to ask yourself is, "Am I thinking, living, and looking more like Christ today than I did a month ago, six months ago, or one year ago? Is my life consistent with His?

Though I'm thankful for all that I get access to in heavenly places, that in and of itself falls short in comparison to being molded and fashioned into His image and likeness, representing Him daily to others.

Giving Purpose to Every Trial

When I handle the trial in a godly way, a greater image of Christ is produced in and through me. Being conformed to His image and likeness gives purpose to every trial we face. Why else would James tell us to count it all joy when we encounter various trials (James 1:2).

Closing Thought

Whatever we are currently experiencing, the trial we are encountering, the temptation that is in front of us, the promotion we just received, or the favor we are presently walking in, all of these things should move us into greater levels of resembling and representing Jesus.

When we overcome the trial and humbly manage God's favor, continuing to draw near with thanksgiving and dependency on our Heavenly Father, we resemble and represent Christ more and more. This is our witness to the world and the goal of the Christian life.

Love to get your thoughts on this post. Add a comment below.

The Word of God is given out of love for our highest good. Everything our Heavenly Father does in our lives has our best interest in mind. We might not understand the process or explain the circumstances we are facing, but ultimately we can trust that He will make all things work out for good. 

If we don't have this conviction, we will lack the boldness to share our faith with others or be a voice for crucial moral issues that we are facing today! If we don't see the principles and laws of God as fully good, then we will waffle in voicing God's ways to the culture He has called us to influence. 

An Interesting Conversation

Last week Wendi and I went to see 2000 Mules at a special showing here in Silicon Valley. The movie was eye-opening. I agree with its findings and the need for further investigation on both sides of the table. I can share this in a future post. 

As we were leaving the movie theater, a group of us were approached by a woman running for a congressional seat for the Republican party. She was pleasant and shared her convictions on what needs to change in the school system, namely how we need to teach kids about manufacturing! 

After a while, I had to raise my hand to get a word edgewise. She graciously allowed me to speak. We asked her her view on abortion because this is close to our hearts. She stumbled a little bit, tried to avoid the question, and then said something about not wanting to be a "bible-thumper." Honestly, I did not know what the word meant and had to look it up the following day! 

I Don’t Want to be a Bible Thumper

I discovered that a “bible-thumper” is "one who uses the Bible to attack/defame others' character" (Urban Dictionary). For me, the issue here is not so much her view on abortion as much as how she sees expressing that view as a bible-thumper or someone who is using the bible to attack or defame others who might not share it.

Interestingly, in her thinking, a biblical moral standard, such as a right to life, is seen as a bible-thumping attack on the character of others instead of something that protects and provides life for all.

While I understand that those who do not share our faith or biblical views might feel as if they are being attacked somehow when we share them, yet this should not be a reason for us to withhold those views. Ultimately, we hold and share biblical standards for the highest good of others. This reflects in the character and nature of our Heavenly Father, whom we are called to re-present to the world.

I’m not talking about being obnoxious, insensitive, or arrogant. We speak the truth in love. The amazing thing about Jesus is that He never compromised truth but was a friend to sinners (Mark 2:15-17). He was crucified on the accusations of the religious elite, not the everyday unbeliever.

The Goodness of God

The goodness of God is expressed in the laws and principles of God. They are given for humanity’s highest good because He has created us, knows us, and understands that apart from biblical standards, we short-circuit and self-destruct. We are not designed to live apart from His love and precepts.

I have no problem sharing biblical values with others because my motivation is for their highest good, not just to win an argument. If we who follow the Lord don't hold true to the conviction of His goodness in all things and share this with others, we fall short in helping others see God for who He really is.

I pray that our friend, who is running for public office, will eventually see the moral issues of our day through the lens of God’s goodness and boldly and unapologetically share them with others. I would pray this for her, as well as for each of us.

"One day, a man walking through the forest came upon a logger (lumberjack) who was sawing away at a large tree and not getting very far at all. The man approached the logger as he stopped for a moment to rest and observed that the logger would get further if he sharpened his saw. The logger replied that he didn't have the time to sharpen the saw because he was busy cutting down the tree and returned to his work." 

This is an excellent reminder for us all. With all the news and information out there on Social Media, trying to make sure we are "caught up on things," and with all of life's daily demands in front of us, we can easily neglect the very thing that will keep us anchored, focused, and in a place of faith. We must be intentional to make time to keep the saw sharp in our lives.

If we don't make room to sharpen our spiritual lives, we become dull. We work relentlessly only to achieve less and less. It doesn't make much sense. We must take decisive action and war against what one writer called The Tyranny of the Urgent, where the greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important.

Keeping the Spiritual Blade Sharp

Keeping the "spiritual blade" sharp is what Jesus did consistently. In the middle of two of the greatest miracles He performed, the feeding of the 5,000 and walking on water, is an obscure verse that gives us an answer to His amazing life.

Mark 6:46 "After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray."

The two miracles are the direct result of this one verse. We tend to focus more on the miracles themselves rather than the verse that provided the substance for them. Jesus not only lived from a place of communion but went away to commune. He was intentional, leaving behind distractions and disruptions to get the fuel to change history.

I do five things daily to consistently "keep the spiritual blade sharp" in my walk with the Lord.

1. Schedule Intentionally. I have a set time to meet with the Lord daily. Yes, it's actually in my calendar. If I don't make the time, I will lose it. I've created a morning workflow with significant time built-in for Bible reading, prayer, and journaling. It's working well for me.

2. Read Initially. Reading the Bible first creates a focus and a launching pad for me. Part of my reading is a systematic study of God's Word. I know exactly where to begin each day. Then I select scriptures I feel like the Lord is leading me to meditate on.

3. Wait Patiently. I don't rush off to prayer. I close my eyes, focus on the Father's love, and offer thanksgiving and praise. I remind myself that He delights in me and is enjoying our time together. Here I experience His presence and discover His heart. 

4. Share Honestly. I begin to pray back what I sense is on the Lord's heart. I have discovered that I do better when I do this out loud with the understanding and in the Spirit. I have a list to keep me focused so I remember what I've committed to in prayer. I endeavor to be open and honest with my heart. I find this the best place to gain revelation and sense His love and presence within. 

5. Journal Consistently. I have a journal that I keep in the DayOne app. I add testimonies, prophetic words, events, pictures, ideas, and things I sense the Lord telling me. This works great for me. Use whatever tool works for you.

If you do something like this with the Lord daily, you will be more confident, secure, bold, and discerning. Stress will fall off, and tension will decrease as His peace begins to rule your heart. You will be able to give more freely, love more deeply, and live from a place of rest in the middle of these crazy times. You will be more assured about the direction and decisions that need to be made.

More importantly, you will know the closeness of the Father's love, the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, and a growing dialogue and friendship with Jesus.

P. Greg

Your turn: What is your experience in committing daily time with the Lord to keep that spiritual blade sharp? 

You can't fit ministry into a box. The opportunity to bring heaven comes at the most inconvenient, unplanned, and unprepared times. That's difficult for a structured, "have my whole day planned out" person like me!

The feeding of the five thousand is a perfect example. The event is recorded in every gospel (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15). There is much to the story, but I want to layout a principle for your consideration.

"The greatest miracles await us on the other side of inconvenience."

We have the privilege of knowing the end of every Bible event, but the disciples didn't. Jesus did things at the most inconvenient times, but He only did what He saw the Father do.

Feeding of the 5,000 10,000

John the Baptist is just beheaded. Jesus is grieving. The disciples are tired from a long ministry trip. They all need a quiet place to rest and regroup. So they get in a boat and travel to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

The crowds see Jesus step into the boat and follow him around the lake to the other side. It isn't a few hundred people either. By the time Jesus and His disciples arrive on the other side of the lake, the number of people swells to over ten thousand, probably more! This number includes men, women, and children.

For the disciples, that was not encouraging to see, especially since the point of the trip was to rest!

Can the timing be any worse?

“YOU Feed Them”

Jesus sees the crowd, has compassion for them, and welcomes them! The disciples have seen this before. It's going to be a long day.

Jesus spends the entire day speaking to the massive crowd about the Kingdom of God, and then heals those who are sick. That, in and of itself, must have been tiring.

The day ends with 10,000 starving people and no food in sight.

The disciples determine that they have done enough ministry for the day, church service was over, time for everyone to leave and go home.

They tell Jesus to send the crowd away. This sounds reasonable, practical, and even responsible.

Jesus disagrees. "Don't send the people away. You feed them."

I can only imagine the disciples saying, "Haha, good one, Jesus! The best joke of the day." "But you can't be serious about this? Are you serious!!?"

Jesus responds, "Yes, I am. YOU feed them."

What do you do when the Lord requires you to meet a need beyond your ability and financial means? When you're tired, exhausted, and have you have zero faith for? You just want ignore the request and call it a day!

Miracles Happen on the Other Side of Inconvenience.

We know how this story ends; over 10,000 people (more likely the actual number when you include women and children) are fed with two fish and five loaves of bread. Everyone leaves with their stomachs filled and their hearts full.

For Jesus and the disciples, what started as a day for rest, turns into revival!

Sometimes the most incredible miracles await us when we feel the most unqualified and inconvenienced. When we think we don't have it physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Sometimes simple obedience to the Lord carries all the faith needed for the miracle.

The disciples learned a life-changing lesson that day. The supernatural can come at the most inconvenient times.

"Inconvenience attracts miracles."

As Christ's Ekklesia, look for opportunities to serve others and meet needs. Respond to the promptings of the Spirit, even though you feel unqualified or inconvenienced.

When you sense the Lord speaking to you, requiring more than you think is humanly possible, reasonable, or convenient, step out in faith and do it. Offer Him what you have, with the little you have, even if all you have is five loaves and two fish.

P. Greg

Being baptized in the Holy Spirit does not make one believer better than another. There are no inferior believers in God's Kingdom.

But what the Baptism in the Holy Spirit does is create an advantage. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues gives access to greater realms of God, which benefits us deeply and those around us profoundly.

This post is not an apologetic defending Spirit baptism. Still, it's for those who have experienced the fullness of the Spirit and want to go deeper in understanding its power and benefits.

In this article, I'll share with you two lists. The first list defines five general yet essential reasons for what happens when we speak in tongues. The second list gives more specific reasons why it's so important to engage the Spirit by speaking in tongues.

Five General Reasons to Speak in Tongues:

1. When speaking in tongues, we are speaking directly to God.

This answers the, 'who am I speaking to when I pray in tongues?". When speaking in tongues, we speak in a language God has given us to speak to him.

1 Corinthians 14:2 "For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God,"

2. When we speak in tongues, we are speaking mysteries.

Mysteries are invitations into greater depths of God's heart and greater realms of revelation. We begin to get access to these mysteries by praying in the spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:2 "… in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

3. When we speak in tongues, we strengthen ourselves.

When we speak in tongues, we are given the ability to strengthen, i.e., bulk up, the spirit man.

1 Corinthians 14:4 "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself,"

Jude 20 "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

4. When we speak in tongues, we build capacity for God.

Praying in the spirit widens our capacity for the life of God and builds and strengthens our connection with our spirits and God's.

Ephesians 3:16, 19 "that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man… 19 "… to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

5. When we speak in tongues, we experience personal transformation.

The Holy Spirit has empowered the believer and made them more like Jesus. Sin's influence weakens as we make room to strengthen our spirits, ushering us into the Power of Christ within us.

Romans 8:29 "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."

Here are twenty reasons why speaking in tongues is so important:

1. Tongues were the visible proof that the disciples received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).

2. Tongues were the sign that Christ's church had been born to the Jew (Acts 2) and the Gentile (Acts 10).

3. Speaking in tongues is what convinced both Peter and the governing church authority (the Apostles) that the Gentiles are saved and could be saved (Acts 11).

4. Speaking in tongues was a vital part of the Apostle Paul's life and teaching (1 Cor. 14:18).

5. Speaking in tongues is tied to the Gospel of Mark's great commission (Mark 16:14–20).

6. Speaking in tongues is the supernatural language given by God to believers. Thus, it is the language of God's Spirit and His Kingdom.

7. Speaking in tongues gives us spirit-to-spirit communication with God (Rom. 8:26-27).

8. Speaking in tongues allows us to access the mysteries of God (1 Cor. 14:2).

9. Praying in tongues is the number one way believers strengthen themselves (1 Cor. 14:2).

10. Speaking in tongues tames the tongue that James says in the most unruly body member (James 3:1–12).

11. Praying in tongues is always the perfect prayer (Rom. 8:26-27).

12. Praying in tongues releases miraculous intercession for people we know and those we don't.

13. Praying in tongues is governmental because it accesses the heart of God and prays what He wants to do on earth (Rom. 8:26-27).

14. The gift of tongues and interpretation of tongues is used by the Holy Spirit to both edify and strengthen the church (1 Cor. 12, 14).

15. Speaking in tongues can lead people to repentance.

16. Praying in tongues is the leading way we fulfill the mandate to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17).

17. Speaking in tongues is part of our spiritual armor (Eph. 6:18).

18. Praying in tongues brings our spirit into unity with God's purposes.

19. Praying in the Spirit renews our minds.

20. Praying in tongues builds the interior life of the believer.

Hopefully, these two lists will help you start and strengthen your journey in living out the Spirit-filled life.

Question: How has praying in the Spirit benefited you? What has been your journey? Are there questions you still have about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?

Revival is a word that is tossed around so much these days. Many churches talk about revival; some might say they are “breaking into revival,” but I only know a few who are truly there.

Revival in Ephesus

The church in Ephesus is one of the New Testament churches that were no doubt in revival.

The Apostle Paul made his trip to Ephesus in 52 AD and stayed there for about three years until 55 AD. Ephesus was a port city having a population of nearly 300,000 people. It was home of the goddess Diana (Artemis) the daughter of the Greek God Zeus. Legend has it that her statue fell out of heaven to Ephesus. Thus the city was known as the Seventh Wonder of the World.

Testimonies of Amazing Ministry and Changed Lives

We see in Acts 19 how powerfully Paul ministered in Ephesus. Here are some of the highlights.

• People were being saved (Acts 19:1)

• People were being baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:6-7)

• Paul preached and taught powerfully (Acts 19:8-11)

• Extraordinary miracles were happening through Paul. Handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured, and evil spirits left them. (Acts 19:12-12)

• Many publicly confessed their evil deeds and publicly burned their occult scrolls worth over 10 million dollars. (Acts 19:18-20)

About five years later, in 60 AD, Paul pens the book of Ephesians while under house arrest in Rome. The church is growing. A staggering amount of people are converting to Christianity. Testimonies keep pouring in.

Yet, 43 years later, a rebuke comes to the church in Ephesus from the Lord (Rev. 2:1-7).

Ephesus is chosen as one of the churches that the Lord rebukes.

What happened?

The church moved from the pinnacle of reformation to having its influence (lampstand) removed altogether. Revival was not sustained into the second generation.

A Look at Pauls Strategic Prayer

When Paul penned the letter to the Ephesians, he prayed two great prayers, Ephesians 1:17-19 and Ephesians 3:16-17. These prayers virtually say the same thing.

Paul knew that the church could never sustain revival by just doing the second commandment alone.

The focus of the first great prayer in Ephesians sees Paul asking the Father to give the church a spirit of wisdom and revelation so that they may know him better.

The focus of the second great prayer is for the church to be strengthened so Christ may dwell in their hearts. To be rooted and established in the love of Christ.

He concluded the prayer by urging them to know His love so that they may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

No rebuke, just a plea to love Jesus more. No programs, just an appeal to continue to discover the depths of Christ.

• Stay Hungry.

• Go deeper.

• Get Revelation.

• Live from the overflow.

That’s it. Keep the affections of the heart squarely on Jesus, and revival will continue to increase both now and into future generations. This is the essence of the prayers prayed.

Shocking Result

What’s alarming is the rebuke that comes to the Church in Ephesus in the book of Revelation.

Rev. 2:4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.

The church had forsaken the very thing Paul had commanded; they left their first love. They missed it!

The affections of their hearts drifted towards doing ministry at the expense of intimacy. The lamp of influence was about to go out.

How sobering.

It must be challenging to keep the priority straight amid rapid city-taking ministry where the raw power of God is being radically displayed, and lives are being drastically changed.

As we move into greater waves of revival, we need the grace to stay steady in pursuing God wholeheartedly.

Ultimately, our goal is not revival but the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29). If we make the daily choice to know Him better, we will have learned the lesson the Ephesian church missed.

Some things the Lord asks us to do are only revealed as we walk it out. It's not clear yet just how things will be done or what it will all look like. That's OK. Be confident that it's God leading you, whether you have all of the plans or just know the first step.

Thank God for Abraham

What if someone asked Abram about his strategy to build a nation from nothing but a promise. What specific plan did the All-Knowing, All-Powerful God tell him?

Ready, here it is.

Genesis 12:1 "...go to the land I will show you".

That's it!

How's that for a breathtaking, earth-shattering strategic plan?

What did Abraham do?

Hebrews 11:8 "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, **even though he did not know where he was going.**"

He starts with one step. All he has is a promise and direction.

Abraham steps out from a place of faith and obedience. His identity and purpose become clear in the journey.

Abraham becomes what God intends through simple obedience. If God builds Abraham, He builds a nation. The journey makes this possible!

The tension of not knowing things keeps us in relationship and makes us dependent.

This is why it's essential to NOT have it all figured out all the time.

Be What You're Becoming

Sometimes vision is simply the call to something and then setting out in obedience to accomplish it.

How are you going to build it? What is it going to look like?

What's your 2-year strategy? 5-year? 10-year?

Sometimes, we just don't know. But we know God is in it.

You're not being lazy but learning about dependence. This creates the tension that keeps you extra close with the Lord. A good thing! As we move forward, we become what God has envisioned. Just like Abraham.

9 Practical Things To Do

Here are nine things I've learned to do. This can apply across the board. Whether it is your church, ministry, business, or a project you're launching. It all counts. I hope this helps.

1. Start moving. You might not have the entire plan but get going.

2. Understand that it's OK to have only a few things figured out. There is nothing wrong with you (especially if you are a leader). It's how God is choosing to work this time around.

3. Don't feel the pressure to have all the answers. Like me, sometimes you will just have one (at least for now).

4. Intentionally, spend more time with the Lord and never stop asking for direction regarding the next move.

5. Submit yourself to godly counsel. There is wisdom from mature leaders who are looking from the outside in.

6. Trust that the decisions you make are in-line with God's heart.

7. You're going to make mistakes—breath in, breath out. Lower the expectation to be perfect. ;)

8. Learn to live in the tension. It keeps you dependent.

9. Keep a journal. Document what you are learning.

Last Thought

Enjoy the journey. Remember that Abram landed in the Hall of Faith by simply hearing, and obeying. Sometimes, this is all that’s needed.

Love to get your thoughts in the “comments” section below.

As leaders, if we are to sustain revival successfully in our own lives and ministries, we must prioritize Acts 6.

In Acts 6, the Apostles had to make a massive decision in prioritizing the Word and prayer over the ministry within the church.

Through the first five chapters in the book of Acts, we witness the church exploding with power and the presence of the Lord. With the needs of the new church increasing, problems surfaced. The people's needs required attention.

The Apostles made an all-important decision, one that we can all learn from. The church problems they faced were not ignored but rightfully administrated without losing their focus on keeping the first commandment (Mark 12:30) in first place.

Acts 6:2-4 "So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the Word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them, and we will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word."

The decision was crucial, for it became the catalyst to increased and sustained revival! Prioritizing prayer and the ministry of the Word over the personal involvement of meeting needs in the body paved the way to great multiplication in the city.

Acts 6:7 "Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith."

Though taking care of ministry needs are essential, it should never move us away from continual, ongoing encounters with the Lord through prayer and the Word.

But throughout church history, we have seen how ministry demands gobble-up time away from the Lord. Many Pastors and leaders are suffering from burnout, leading to negative consequences.

Keep the focus strong and the priority solid. The first commandment must always be first! Active and vibrant!

Later we see the Apostle Paul pen these words to the church at Ephesus:

Ephesians 4:11-13 "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

The Ephesian 4 mandate will not soar unless we have an Acts 6 priority.

We are all leaders and influence others to one degree or another. It is vital to be examples of a first commandment living, to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, much like the Apostles did.

So let us be intentional and prioritize quality time in prayer and in the Word to grow and sustain revival in our hearts, developing a history in God!

Blessings! - Greg

I have exciting news to share: You can now read Greg Simas in the new Substack app for iPhone.

Read Greg Simas in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

With the app, you’ll have a dedicated Inbox for my Substack and any others you subscribe to. New posts will never get lost in your email filters, or stuck in spam. Longer posts will never cut-off by your email app. Comments and rich media will all work seamlessly. Overall, it’s a big upgrade to the reading experience.

The Substack app is currently available for iOS. If you don’t have an Apple device, you can join the Android waitlist here.

rs

Mark 12:30 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

Loving the Lord with all our strength is the final way Jesus himself commands us to love Him.

1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

To love the Lord with all our strength means to love him "exceedingly," "richly," "lavishly," with reckless abandon through simple devotion.

Loving Him with all our strength is to love the Lord with our resources, our abilities, and our time. To fully love Him with what we find our hands to do, our eyes to see, our ears to hear, our feet to go, and our mouths to speak.

1. Love Him with what we find our hands to do.

We are to serve the Lord diligently, being His hands extended to our world. We love Him by giving a cup of cold water to those in need (Matt. 10:42). By feeding the poor. By laying hands on the sick. By lifting our hands in worship. By playing an instrument. By writing an article. By working our jobs with excellence. The list can go on and on. Our hands serve a significant purpose in loving God with all our strength.

2. Love Him with our eyes and what they see.

The eyes are the gateway to the heart. We are made to gaze on His beauty (Ps. 27:4), to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author, and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). Our eyes come in contact with so much during the day, yet we love Him well when we see what pleases Him. We become what we behold.

3. Love Him with ears to hear.

Jesus said many times, "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." Kind of a funny statement but a powerful one. What He is saying is listen to be transformed. Listen to be changed. Listen for more than information; listen for revelation. When we gain access to His voice, we love Him well. Listen to others share their story, hear their thoughts, and hear their pain. Walk away from gossip, slander, backbiting, and negative discussions.

4. Love Him with feet to go.

Where our feet take us on the journey in life says a lot about how we love the Lord. Jesus laid it out when he said to "go and make disciples" (Matt. 28:19). The great commission is about going. When we go and serve, go to church, go to a friend in need, go the extra mile, we love Him with all our strength. Be led by the Spirit, and let Him lead you into amazing places and divine opportunities.

5. Love Him with our mouth to speak.

May the words we say bring glory to the Lord. When we edify, encourage, comfort, honor, support, and bring life (Prov. 18:21) to others with our words, we create access for them to discover God's kindness. When we worship and declare His praise, when we boldly share our faith with others (Eph. 6:19) and when we instruct, coach, and counsel others, it all counts in loving the Lord with all our strength by what we say.

What a privilege we have to love the Lord with all our strength, with a reckless abandon expressed in a sold-out life.

Until Next Time.

- P. Greg

I have exciting news to share: You can now read Greg Simas in the new Substack app for iPhone.

Read Greg Simas in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

With the app, you’ll have a dedicated Inbox for my Substack and any others you subscribe to. New posts will never get lost in your email filters or stuck in spam. Longer posts will never be cut-off by your email app. Comments and rich media will all work seamlessly. Overall, it’s a big upgrade to the reading experience.

The Substack app is currently available for iOS. If you don’t have an Apple device, you can join the Android waitlist here.

Mark 12:30 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

The renewed mind plays a vital role in loving Jesus. The Lord said that if we are to ever understand the Kingdom, our minds need to be constantly renewed (Matt. 4:17). In Romans 12:2, Paul states that a major part of being transformed into the image and likeness of Jesus requires our minds to be renewed. It's a big deal.

Let's look at the mind. The language of the mind is images. Often, our mind is an ongoing movie screen that provides endless pictures and words. We find ourselves constantly seeing images being played for us or holding a conversation in our mind, sometimes all at the same time. So much of our life is lived in our minds.

The Lord created us this way for constant communion with Him. It is the continual reality and stream of our life. When our body sleeps, our mind stays active, dreaming through the night.

To love God with all our mind is a supernatural possibility. Though the mind is never meant to rule the heart, it can be used to love the Lord affectionately. The Holy Spirit releases supernatural activity to love Jesus more as our mind is renewed.

Here are four unique ways to love the Lord with our minds.

1. Reason

Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD:"

To reason is to think, understand and form judgments through logic. For guys like me, this is a relief. I enjoy strategic thinking and order. God has given this as a gift.

I must note, though, that reason should never trump revelation. The mind is the learner, not the leader. The heart is the leader. The heart often receives from the Lord first, and the mind cannot make sense of it, at least initially. Eventually, the mind catches up with what the heart received.

We have a God made in our own image and likeness when we prize reason over revelation. Faith, in many ways, goes beyond reason. It looks to the impossible and trusts in the All-Knowing God.

Yet reason is powerful. We can systematically and logically look at the ways God has intersected our lives and give Him praise.

2. Knowledge

Heb. 10:16 "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."

To love God with all our mind involves taking time to fill our mind with God's Word and to agree with who He is. When we grow in truth, we gain knowledge.

A. W. Tozer once said,

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."

When we come into agreement with God, it awakens love in us. Love itself includes great depths of knowledge. Loving God is continually refueled when the mind encounters truth over and over.

Jesus is the Truth. Knowing truth and loving God are deeply connected. As our mind grows in the knowledge of Jesus, we are liberated to love Him more.

3. Memory

Isaiah 63:7 "I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us."

The Bible is filled with commands to remember. Memories lead to gratefulness and worship. We love God with our remembrance. When we use our minds to remember His kindness, faithfulness, patience, peace, etc., we build a foundation of faith, hope, and love.

For some, we cannot forget the adverse events of the past because the past has a voice. We must triumph over it with truth. Don't allow your past to freeze you; instead, let it lead you into the depths of God's love. Our thinking about the past can affect us positively by remembering the truth about God's goodness toward us in forgiving, delivering, and providing for us.

4. Imagination

Psa. 8:3 "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon, and the stars, which you have ordained."

Isa. 55:8 "My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine."

God has given the mind the power to imagine. Some call it dreaming big dreams. Some say get a "picture" of your future, while others say if you can see it, you can be it. Imagination sees, creates, and thinks outside the box.

In our imagination, heavens thoughts can come to us and be captured. With our imagination, we can extend our knowledge to explore our possibilities in God in all areas of our lives. This releases love that is anchored in faith.

We have the mind of Christ. Let's love Him with it!

Phil. 4:8 "And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable, and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

Your Turn: Why do you think Jesus made sure the mind was a big part of loving and keeping our affections on Him?

NOTE:

We have exciting news to share: You can now read Greg Simas in the new Substack app for iPhone.

Read Greg Simas in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

With the app, you’ll have a dedicated Inbox for my Substack and any others you subscribe to. New posts will never get lost in your email filters, or stuck in spam. Longer posts will never cut-off by your email app. Comments and rich media will all work seamlessly. Overall, it’s a big upgrade to the reading experience.

The Substack app is currently available for iOS. If you don’t have an Apple device, you can join the Android waitlist here.

Luke 10:27 "He answered:" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind...'"

How do you love the Lord with all your soul? We need to determine the answer to this because it is one of the four things Jesus said we need to do to love God completely.

We love the Lord with all our soul by living a life of faithfulness to all that the Lord has required of us. While loving the Lord with all our heart has to do with affection, loving the Lord with all our soul has to do with devotion.

The soul is the part of us that defines who we are. The essence of the biblical definition of the soul means life, personality, the inner self, and our identity. It's where we make our decisions and choices that ultimately decide our lifestyle and behavior. Think of the soul as the "core you."

To love the Lord with all your soul means to love Him in the way we live, in the choices we make, and in the behavior and lifestyle we adopt.

Here are three predominant ways to love God with all our soul:

1. Love the Lord with all your soul by making godly choices.

Our lives are the sum of the choices we make. Our choices show what we are committed to, reflecting our core values, defining us, and displaying our lifestyle before the world.

Choices flow from what we treasure most. We do what we value. If we treasure our relationship with the Lord, our choices will mirror the treasure.

Ask yourself: How do I spend my money? What do I do with my time? What kinds of things do I read? What programs do I watch? What do I do for entertainment? Where do I go for relaxation? What things give comfort in difficult times? What kind of friends do I have?

These results demonstrate how we are loving God with all our soul.

2. Love the Lord with all your soul by pursuing obedience to His Word.

John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command."

Love is demonstrated. When we keep His commandments, when we live by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God, we are tangibly expressing our love for the Lord.

I've been happily married for over 37 years. In those 37 years, I have made decisions based on love that I did not feel like making, but I did it anyways. I am obedient to the covenant that I made 37 years ago to unconditionally love whether I feel like it or not.

In the Kingdom, obedience usually comes first and feelings second. Sometimes we will not feel like loving God, but we do it out of love for God, nonetheless. That's why this second part of the First Commandment is vital.

3. Love the Lord with all your soul by pursuing a life of humility in attitudes and speech.

Embracing humility is the stage to express our love to the Lord. Jesus taught us how to love from a place of meekness, serving us unto death.

"Meekness is power and privilege under control. It speaks of restraint in the use of power except to promote love. Meekness is not to be confused with weakness which is the absence of strength." Mike Bickle

This meekness is expressed most dynamically in our attitudes and speech. What we say and how we say it enhances or quenches our ability to love the Lord by the power of the Spirit. Wrong speech will ultimately affect our spiritual lives and work against our love for the Lord.

Matthew 12:34 "For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks."

Proverbs 18:21 "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

When Jesus is our Great Treasure, our affections are captured. This is how we love God with all of our hearts.

When our affections are captured, choices become god-centered, and a lifestyle of humility and godliness is born. This is loving God with all your souls.

Until next time. Blessings! - P. Greg

Think about the many things people sink their time and energy into, from hobbies and interests to relationships. We don't want to live passive, empty lives but long to find meaning and purpose. God knows this. He has put this desire in every person.

People are looking for things to captivate them and bring a sense of fulfillment. It's interesting that when Jesus lays out the most important commandment for humanity, He starts with loving the Lord with ALL of your heart and then continues down the shortlist.

Mark 12:30 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

If we are told to love the Lord with all our hearts, I would think that we ought to pursue its meaning. What does that mean to love God with all our hearts, and how do we go about doing it? These are huge questions that need to be answered.

RECOGNIZE THAT OUR AFFECTIONS DETERMINE OUR DEVOTION

First, let's determine what the heart is all about. The arena of the heart contains powerful emotions, affections, and desires. Our affections are deep currents that steer our lives. Think of our affections as a rudder of a ship that directs our lives.

Affections wait to be captured. They long to cling to someone or something, and wherever these affections are found, our hearts will be. To determine where our affections lie, we have to discern what occupies our time, what motivates our actions, what shapes our aspirations and their rewards.

UNDERSTAND THAT OUR AFFECTIONS FOLLOW WHAT WE TREASURE

The devotion of our hearts is determined by what or whom we value as our greatest treasure.

Matt. 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be."

Reread this slowly. "Where your treasure is...your heart will be." 

I would suggest memorizing this short phrase. Jesus just gave us the answer on how to love God with all our hearts. The heart loves what it treasures! We have to seek a great treasure, and when we discover it, the affections of our heart follows. Ironic. The treasure comes first, and the heart comes second.

Matt. 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then, in his joy, went and sold all he had and bought that field."

For the heart to love Jesus completely, it must treasure Him supremely. Our affections are the outcome of what we treasure. When we truly encounter the Lord in His glory and worth, loving Him with all our hearts will be the result.

AIM TO MAKE JESUS YOUR GREATEST TREASURE

For the Apostle Paul, THE treasure of his life was Christ. The loss of everything else was nothing compared to gaining Christ.

Phil. 3:8 "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ."

Eph. 3:8 "...this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."

Here is a picture of a man who found a treasure that exceeds all others - Jesus. Nothing else comes close! The glory of Jesus is so amazing and satisfying that once discovered; all else pales in comparison. When we divert our attention away from the Lord, our love will begin to grow cold. It's that simple.

Hearts with misplaced affections lead to stagnant lives and church. The greatest treasure is lost, and it is no longer Christ but something or someone else.

SPEND TIME WITH THE LORD AND LET HIS LIGHT SHINE IN YOUR HEART

2 Cor. 4:6-7 "For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

Choosing to spend time with the Lord and live connected to Him keeps the fires of our hearts burning. Worship and evangelism come easily. Meaning, purpose, security and confidence are alive and active. We live from the overflow, and those around us know it. 

START NOW - INITIAL STEPS TO CONSIDER

1. We have to decide to pursue Him. Just pray it to the Lord: "Jesus, I long for You to be my ultimate treasure. Help me and give me the power to do so! Fill me your love, and place this desire in my heart." Pray this often.

2. Start with the Bible. Open it and search out what it says about the glory of who Jesus is and what He has done. If you don't know where to start, go to the Gospels.

3. Make adjustments. How will you grow into this reality? The ideas you come up with, I would suggest you write them down and begin acting on them. 

4. Spend time with the Lord. He delights in you. He wants to be with you and reveal Himself to you. He enjoys you! Set time aside to be with Him only.

Before You Go

Question: How valuable do you see this simple truth? How important is this to our foundation in the Christian life? What has the Lord taught you about loving Him with all your heart?

So often, we believe that the measure of God's goodness is found in a life free of trials and problems. This kind of thinking is not biblical. If so, we would have to conclude that the writers of the Old and New Testaments and even Jesus himself fell short of God's goodness.

The truth is, we cannot measure the goodness of God with problem-free living as if to say that the one who has fewer problems is experiencing more of God's goodness. This kind of thinking is pervasive in the minds of so many Christians.

The Goal of God's Goodness

We need to have a firm conviction that the chief goal of the goodness of God is to conform us to the image of Jesus. Making us more like Jesus is the goal of the Christian life and the foundation of God's goodness.

Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

This means that you can be right in the middle of an overwhelming trial and, at the same time, truly know that God's goodness is alive and active in your life. His goodness is leading you to look more like Jesus through the trial.

The goodness of God is discovered in the journey of our painful experiences. We must learn to live in the tension of this reality.

This is why we can thank God in all things because if handled rightly, the problem, trial, or tragedy will serve to make us more like the Lord, which is the goal of the Christian life.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

No Second-Class Believer

I want you to know that you are not a second-class believer because you face problems on every side. The goodness of God is never measured by the number of problems we face.

I don't know where we picked up this thinking. Just look at the life of David, Paul, and so many others in scripture. Each faced insurmountable problems. Yet, David (for instance) continually praises God for His goodness (Ps. 31:19).

Problems don't define us; they refine us (Malachi 3:3).

As long as we stay close to Jesus and walk in humble obedience to His Word, we will go through the valley (Ps. 23:4).

The Fall - Undermining Ones Confidence in the Goodness of God

In the biblical account of the Fall of Adam and Eve, it is significant that Satan's attack was on this dimension of the character of God. It is true Satan virtually called God a liar, but the first attack of Satan was waged against the attribute of His goodness.

Let's take a look at the Fall in Genesis 3:1-5:

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" 2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" 4 "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

The Fall resulted in Satan's seemingly innocent question intended to undermine Eve's confidence in the goodness of God.

Once Eve doubted the goodness of God, disobedience was not far behind. If God is not always acting for Eve's highest good, why should she continue to obey Him? In fact, why not act independently of God in seeking her "good" and reach for the forbidden fruit?

When Satan changed Eve's perspective regarding God's goodness, it became much easier to persuade her to disobey God.

Once we agree that God does not act out of His goodness in every moment of our life, we begin to act independently of God.

We cannot afford to allow this to happen to us.

Be unmoved regarding God's goodness regardless of the trial we face. His goodness will lead us into greater realms of glory and more importantly, grow us up into more of the image of Jesus.

How Can We Stay Confident In God's Goodness When We Face Trials?

1. Stay in agreement that God is good in every season and every moment in your life. Faith is confidence in the goodness of God.

2. Realize that Jesus is with you. His Word promises you that He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5). So pray.

3. Declare His goodness and be thankful in the trail. Stay close to God and work hard to keep your heart un-offended.

4. Trust that the problem you are facing, if handled rightly, will make you more like Jesus.

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Questions: How are you doing with this? Have you struggled with the tension of problems/trials and the goodness of God? Let's talk about it.

If we define leadership as influence, then every person is a leader in some way. With that said, we need to be hearing from Lord as He leads and guides us, leading ourselves and others He has placed in our lives.

Through this Covid season, I have thought a lot about the life of Moses and what he needed to do in being "the guy" to lead Israel out of Egypt and into the promised land. Moses would often head into the "Tent of Meeting" to hear from the Lord. 

The "Tent of Meeting" was a time and place to set aside to communion with God. This needs to be a BIG part of our lives for the very same reasons and cannot be neglected due to life and ministry demands we all face. Having this time set aside for the Lord marked Moses and created the clarity and confidence to lead God's people.

Why Every Leader Needs A Tent Of Meeting

1. The Tent of Meeting gives us the power and wisdom to carry out what He has called us to do.

Ex. 33:7a "Now Moses used to take a tent…."

Moses traveled with God through the desert carrying the tent. This habit was everything to him. He realized that he could not lead God's people independently, and he needed regular communion with Him. The success of his mission depended on these regular meetings with God.

Our daily meeting with the Lord has to be held as sacred. Our leadership grows as we meet daily with God. It's essential that this meeting be the most critical in our day.

2. The tent of meeting frees us from the noise of life and ministry.

Ex. 33:7b "and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the "tent of meeting."

Moses intentionally decided to meet with God away from the busyness of life and ministry. Moses pitched the tent outside the camp, away from the noise. This provided a distraction-free place to commune with the Lord. Talking with God "on the run" is good but daily-focused time with God is vital.

3. The Tent of Meeting creates anticipation in the hearts of those we lead.

Ex. 33:8 “And when Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent."

As Moses entered the tent, a pillar of cloud would descend and rest on top of it. This must have been some sight to see.

This manifestation reveals an essential truth. The people Moses is leading are confident and expectant that their leader was communing with God. This is vital for favor, anointing, and influence in keeping God's people on God's agenda.

I believe the people we lead must be confident in our communion with God. When the demands of ministry take precedence over the "Tent of Meeting," passion wanes, and confidence wavers. It's not long until the fumes we are running on will show themselves before the people we lead.

4. The Tent of Meeting creates a friendship with God.

Ex. 33:11 "The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend."

Moses led millions, but more importantly, he was a friend of God. Moses developed a relationship with God experienced by only a few. The ministry call should lead to an ever-deeper friendship with God. Anything less defeats the very essence of the call.

Wrapping Things Up

The demands of life and ministry serve to grow me up, not burn me out. The Lord wants every one of us to reach our full potential in Him.

Your Tent of Meeting might be at "your" chair early in the morning. It might be late at night when the kids are asleep. Your Tent of Meeting might be in your car at work or a prayer walk in your neighborhood. 

Whether you serve as pastors, ministry leaders, those in the marketplace, or a homemaker, we all need a "Tent of Meeting" with God in our daily lives.

Questions: Love to get your thoughts on this. Agree or Disagree? Do you find ministry, life, and family demands pulling you away from your “Tent of Meeting?” What do you do to keep the "Tent of Meeting" an regular part of your life?