The very first test of Solomon’s wisdom concerned the respect for life. This is the fundamental test of all true wisdom. Life, in itself, is the ultimate gift, and is greater than any treasure. This is why the right to life, and euthanasia issues are so crucial. Once doctors who have sworn to protect life, and do all that they can to save life, begin to twist their vows in order to take life, the slide into the most tragic and diabolical forms of injustice has begun.

This week, we will look at what I call a “new order of ministry” which is now being raised up, and is in many ways a return to the original order of ministry. This order is the most prevalent in Scripture and history by about 10 to 1 over what has become the most prevalent “concept” of what ministry is today.

One of the most often repeated teachings in recent times has been centered on the biblical prophecies which state that the wealth of the wicked will be given to the righteous. The prophecies actually go further than this and state that the wealth of the nations will be brought to the righteous. Because these are biblical prophecies, we know that they will come to pass. This is about to begin, and we must be ready for it.

As we have discussed, we tend to think of righteousness in terms of morality, which is of course the most basic part of it. However, in the teachings of Scripture, a huge part of the teachings on righteousness are about management—being a good steward of what we have been entrusted with. Righteousness is also caring enough for the things we have been entrusted with to manage them right.

          If you were a little challenged by the last WFTW, I understand. I’ve been challenged often with things I’ve been shown until I had the chance to thoroughly check them out. My goal is to preach the gospel of the kingdom, not promote multilevel marketing, though I do have a high regard for it. Even so, I always cause a lot of controversy when I say that “in some ways” multilevel marketers understand “some” principles of the kingdom better than many church leaders do.

     The earthquakes and volcanic eruptions I have seen coming to our West Coast are coming as the judgment of God. Why would they come to our West Coast when there are many other places that may seem as wicked, or even more so, than our West Coast? We have covered some of this when we addressed what the Lord said about the cities of Israel that would have it harder in the judgment than even Sodom because of the level of light that was rejected. To whom more is given more is required. However, there is another factor we have not discussed yet.

         This week we will begin our study of the church at Thyatira. Please take a moment to read through the Lord’s message to this church as recorded in Revelation 2:18-29:

       And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, “These things, says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 

A few months ago I was on a retreat with several dozen NFL and NBA players. Many of them were All-Stars or All-Pros. For years I have studied leadership and tried to understand what enables some to excel while others with seemingly more talent do not do as well. Just sitting around talking with some of these players led to some of the best answers I have received yet to this question.

George Whitefield
1714-1770

     For a time, George Whitefield was one of the most widely recognized names in the world. He was certainly the best-known religious leader of his time and is credited with the spread of the First Great Awakening. This Awakening not only brought profound changes to Christianity, but to Western civilization as well. It is hard to imagine what the world would be like today without Whitefield’s contribution.