Did You Know the Meaning of One Key Word in this Classic Hymn?

We “dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.” If we do that very thing, putting our full trust and hope in Him and leaning only on the life-transforming power of His grace, we will never be disappointed or shaken.

Did You Know the Meaning of One Key Word in this Classic Hymn? | Articles | The Line of Fire

If you grew up singing the classic, evangelical hymns, then you surely sang, “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand” written by Edward Mote in 1834. But do you know what one key phrase actually meant when you sang the words, “I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name”? 

I asked A.I. Claude this question and was thrilled with the answer: 

“The phrase "sweetest frame" refers to any human construct, feeling, or experience - even the most pleasant or seemingly reliable ones. In the context of this hymn, "frame" refers to any earthly foundation or support structure, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual."

The writer is expressing that he won't put his ultimate trust in:

Pleasant emotional or spiritual experiences

Even though these things might be "sweet" (good and valuable), the hymn writer is saying they are ultimately insufficient as a foundation for spiritual hope. Instead, he places his complete trust ("wholly lean") on Christ.

This reflects a core Protestant theological principle that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone, rather than through human merit or experiences, no matter how positive those might be.

To follow up, I asked Claude, “So ‘frame’ as in part of a building?”

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Has God Failed You - Finding Faith When You are Not Even Sure God is Real

Recently, while studying the Psalms about overcoming fear in the midst of devilish attacks, I was struck by how often the Hebrew verb “TO TRUST” came up . . .

Moving from Faith to Trust | Articles | The Line of Fire

How wonderful it is to trust the Lord! As Isaiah proclaimed, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)

The Hebrew for “perfect peace” is shalom shalom. No matter what you’re going through, if you truly trust in your God and you are in right relationship with Him, you can have a double dose of His shalom. How wonderful!

As for the Hebrew verb for trust, it speaks of a firm reliance leading to absolute confidence and certainty. 

To paint a picture, it can be terrifying when God says to us, “Close your eyes, take My hand, and jump into thin air. I’ve got you!”

But when we know He is speaking (through the Scriptures and through our own relationship with Him) and when we are certain that He is good and He has our backs, we can jump with perfect peace. “God, I trust You! I’m even going to enjoy the ride!”

Some years ago, a close friend was going through a severe trial of faith . . . 

How to Cope with Rejection for the Gospel

If we are conducting ourselves in a Christlike way, sometimes the uglier things get, the better we are doing our job – and many others are watching too. Keep your composure, walk in grace, and some will come out of darkness into the light. . .

How to Cope with Rejection for the Gospel | Articles | The Line of Fire

Nobody likes rejection. Nobody likes being excluded or put out. 

That’s because God created us to be social people, with families and friends and coworkers and teammates. That’s why it feels good to be appreciated, to be accepted, to be valued, to be honored, to be respected. 

In sharp contrast, rejection stings – often very deeply. 

What happens, then, when our friends or family members or coworkers reject us because of our moral and spiritual convictions? How do we suffer rejection and yet remain emotionally and spiritually healthy? Here are some simple principles that will help you not only to endure rejection but also to thrive and grow in the midst of it.

The first thing you need to remember is that this is not about you. . . 

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This is the fruit of a real move of God, coupled with solid ministry training. Year in and year out, even decade in and decade out, the fire continues to burn. May the Lord send a fresh wave of revival to His people in America ...and beyond!

The Lasting Fruit of a True Move of God | Articles | The Line of Fire

This past weekend, we celebrated our 25th annual missions conference, thanking God for the amazing testimonies from our faithful workers who have served on the mission field worldwide, often quite sacrificially. 

This missions’ movement was birthed directly out of our ministry school, Brownsville Revival School of Ministry, and then FIRE School of Ministry, which in turn was birthed out of the Brownsville Revival in Pensacola, Florida (1995-2000). This is the best answer to the critics who claimed that the fruit of the revival would not last. 

One critic claimed that Brownsville was “not really. . . a revival, but lunatic fringe Christians from other places responding to altar calls,” also referring to it as a “spiritual cesspit.”

A prominent American pastor described the revival as a “mindless, emotional orgy marked by irrational, sensual and fleshly behavior produced by altered states of consciousness, peer pressure, heightened expectation or suggestibility.”

Surely, these emotions would quickly fade!

During the revival, I would say to these critics, “Well, this person has been walking solidly with the Lord now for one full year. What does that indicate about the validity of their conversion?”

The reply would be, “One year? That proves nothing!”

What about several years later, when they graduated from our ministry school with a burning heart to reach the nations? What about several years after that, as they relocated their whole families to serve outside the USA? And what about now, when some of our grads have been on the mission field for 25 years? I would call that lasting fruit!

Eric was a youth pastor who struggled with porn and had to step down from ministry. He visited the Brownsville Revival, experienced deep repentance and complete deliverance, graduated from our ministry school, and has now served on the mission field in Asia with his family for more than 20 years.

Last year, we commissioned one of his daughters to go as a missionary to Japan. This year, we commissioned another daughter to serve in the Philippines. 

Andy and his wife Karyn were powerfully touched in the revival, graduated from our school, and were the very first missionaries to sign up. They have served in Mexico for the last 25 years, continuing to bear great fruit and with all their children serving the Lord.

“We are about to send out a Mexican couple to Asia in 2025; we are super excited about that! We continue to visit the homeless downtown and throughout the streets of Guadalajara, bringing them the Gospel in creative ways from giving food, providing wound care as a nurse, and [more]. . . .

“Has it been worth it? Absolutely 100%. By Life or By Death.  We have had death threats, rocks pelting me in the head, our churches burned down, stranded vehicles in the middle of nowhere, and insects infesting my toes with eggs.  Would we do it all again? Absolutely 100%. Through it all God has been so faithful.  It’s just who He is.”

This is God’s answer to the critics and mockers. 

This is the lasting fruit of a true move of God.

Leann had friends who were powerfully touched in the revival and decided to relocate to Florida and attend our school, enrolling in 2000.

After graduating, she moved with some other grads – mainly single women, like herself – to the Ukraine, where she remains until this day, right in the midst of the war.

“I have seen Jesus do so much in Ukraine in the past twenty-one years, it’s been an adventure and a journey.  Jesus is alive and well, and changing lives across this land. . . .

Ministry began all those years ago, traveling from village to village, gathering all the villagers together, and preaching the Gospel.  Our team saw withered hands restored on several occasions, spines healed, a babushka who was completely hunched over get miraculously healed and start running down the road, as well as deaf ears opened.  Many of those living in villages are elderly and they were so thankful that we came, as they felt forgotten.  We would bring gifts of food and pray with them, they were so touched but the Lord.  Many gave their lives to Jesus in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.”

“There were years of ministry in orphanages, children’s shelters, children’s rehab centers, and children’s camps.  So many children were introduced to the Bible and Jesus through our ministry.  Many of the orphans I knew that were once little are now adults, and some are living their lives for the Lord to this day.  I still have connection with some of those I ministered to 20 years ago. . . .

“I was sharing Jesus recently at a meeting for refugees and an older man named Kolya, in his 60s, was in tears the entire time.  I prayed with him, and he told me his whole life he has been searching for something that is true.  He joined the communist party when he was young and saw that it was empty, he tried lighting candles at the orthodox church and he said it was empty. Now, because he has lost his home and came to our city, he met me and for the first time in his life he heard something that is actually true.  Kolya said ‘I have waited my whole to hear this truth about Jesus.’  He finally found the truth he longed for his entire life in his 60s!”

“I have experienced many hardships since the war began.  But, I know I am in the place where I am supposed to be, and that’s the safest place for me.  Even though we hear explosions every week, sometimes every day.  Even though air raid sirens blare off and on every day.  Even though we have lived without power and water, mobile service, and internet for long periods of time.  I am in the right place.  There is such darkness and hopelessness, but I am here to shine the light of Jesus and help destroy the works of the enemy.”

Leann recently got married, but only after her husband-to-be was miraculously protected while on the frontlines of the very worst part of the war. Now, together, they are serving God courageously in that battle-weary land.

This is the fruit of a real move of God, coupled with solid ministry training. Year-in and year-out, even decade-in and decade-out, the fire continues to burn.

May the Lord send a fresh wave of revival to His people in America and beyond!

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May God grant us a deeper hunger for Him. If we ask for it earnestly, confessing our weakness and shallowness but refusing to quit until He answers us, He will take us deeper. 

A Deeper Spiritual Hunger | Articles | The Line of Fire

There are many promises in the Bible addressed to those who are spiritually hungry and thirsty. 

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) He also said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink” (John 7:37). 

In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah cried out, “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” (Isaiah 55:1) And the psalmist proclaimed that God “satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things” (Psalm 107:9). 

But are we hungry and thirsty for Him – really and truly?

I have sometimes given ministry school students a test to evaluate their level of love and hunger for God Word. It’s a test I have used on myself, and I’ve found it to be quite revealing.

Get alone with your Bible, without distraction. If you can get on your knees as you read, better still. Then read through Psalm 119 out loud – it’s by far the longest chapter in the Bible, and it extols the Word of God – and see if you feel like a hypocrite. 

I confess that sometimes I have felt like a hypocrite when I have repeated words like these out loud (Psalm 119:14, 20, 54, 72): “I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.” Really?

And, “My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.” Is it?

And, “Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.” Honestly?

And, “The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” Truly? 

Is this really how we live and feel? Are these really our priorities? 

The Sad State of Contemporary Cessationism

From a biblical viewpoint, cessationism is completely indefensible. And experientially, as the Spirit continues to move powerfully all over the earth, it is becoming harder and harder to defend. Simply pointing to charismatic extremes and errors will not stem the tide of the real, glorious, moving of the Spirit. ..

The Sad State of Contemporary Cessationism | Articles | The Line of Fire

Pastor P. Yesupadam is one of my closest friends in the world and the truest Christian I know. 

But he was not always a follower of Jesus. 

To the contrary, although his father gave him the name Yesupadam, meaning “the foot of Jesus,” he grew up hating that name and hating the caste system of India. That’s because he was born into an untouchable family, suffering terrible deprivation and almost dying of starvation as a boy.

Then, at the age of 11, he was recruited by a radical Maoist communist (called a Naxalite). This gave him a sense of purpose for the first time. Now, he would fight against the caste system, taking from the rich – violently, if needs be – and giving to the poor.

By the time he was in his early 20s, he was considered a lost cause by most who knew him. 

In short, he was an atheist, an alcoholic, and a terrorist.

But his Christian wife and some other believers were praying for him (his marriage was arranged, of course, as per Indian custom), and it was then that God intervened in his life.

As he sat on his chair one afternoon, he saw something in the sky that got his attention, but it was somewhat distant. Then as the vision drew close to him. He realized it was Jesus that he was seeing. Yesupadam saw the pierced and bloody hands, which were now stretched out. And he heard the Lord say, “Son, I have done all this for you. Now, what will you do for me.”

At that moment, Yesupadam was radically and dramatically born again, going out on the street and clapping his hands and shouting, “Have you heard? Jesus died and rose from the dead!”

Since then, he has done more good in more tangible ways than any man I know on the planet, planting 10,000 churches in previously unreached tribal regions in India, raising and educating thousands of orphans and needy children, caring for the elderly and the handicapped, building hospitals, and more. 

And he has replicated his work in other continents as well.

I should also mention that he has been stoned for preaching the gospel, that many, if not most of his workers have been physically attacked for the gospel at least once, and that at least 5 of his pastors have been killed for their faith. 

In fact, in virtually every case, these martyrs were men whom I sent out as well in one of my annual trips to India, commissioning them with Yesupadam to preach the gospel by life or by death.

For the cessationist, though, Yesupadam’s conversion story is bogus, even if, somehow, he is truly saved today. That’s because these cessationists do not believe that the Lord has appeared to anyone since New Testament times. (You may be shocked to hear this, but yes, that is their position.)

Sadly, it is not only Yesupadam’s conversion story that is bogus to the cessationist. Millions of other dramatic testimonies must also be questioned, including the countless Muslims to whom Jesus has appeared in dreams and visions, pointing them to the Scriptures.

To give one case in point, one of the grads from our previous ministry school who has been serving in Iraq for more than a decade, shared this with me firsthand. He met a Muslim woman to whom Jesus had appeared years earlier, telling her to get a Bible. But she had no access to a Bible and didn’t know where to get one.

Years went by, and then she met our missionary. She described to him what Jesus looked like, and he showed her an Arabic Bible, pointing to the description of the risen Christ in Revelation 1. To her absolute shock, that is exactly how she had described the Lord to our grad. Now, when she saw who He was in the Bible, her whole life was rocked.

Once again, the cessationist must protest. “God only speaks through the Bible! The days of dreams and visions have ceased.”

Of course, the Bible itself speaks against that viewpoint categorically, telling us that the Spirit will speak through prophecy, dreams, and visions during the entire period of the last days, meaning from the death and resurrection of Jesus until His return (Acts 2:14-21, 39). 

And Jesus Himself told us that His sheep hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:27; these verbs are present tense and active in the Greek), while Paul wrote of the fellowship we enjoy with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14).

The truth be told, in the time it has taken me to write this article, the Lord has been speaking to His people, leading His people, healing His people, delivering His people, and making Himself known to the lost in innumerable ways. It is a real cause for rejoicing.

For the cessationist, though, this is not a reason to rejoice. Instead, it is a sign of deception, a proof that Satan, not the Spirit, is at work – unless they simply write everything off as make believe or the product of emotionalism.

Today’s hardline cessationist will not even allow for the Holy Spirit to bring a word of comfort to a mourner, unless it is a direct quotation from the Bible. Some even say that we don’t “experience” God in worship or “feel” the Spirit, since God is omnipresent and anything we “feel” is from our emotions.

From a biblical viewpoint, cessationism is completely indefensible. I’m as sure of that as I am of the nose on my face – and it is a conspicuous nose! And experientially, as the Spirit continues to move powerfully all over the earth, it is becoming harder and harder to defend. 

Simply pointing to charismatic extremes and errors will not stem the tide of the real, glorious, moving of the Spirit. By God’s grace, this tide will flood the lives of our cessationist friends too!

That’s why I was not surprised when a caller to my show expressed his shock at the doctrine of cessationism. He was an African Christian newly located to the States. He had no idea that any Christians denied the continuation of the miraculous gifts for today!

That’s also why I plan to write a book to be released in 2026 on the end of cessationism. The doctrine cannot be argued biblically and soon enough, God willing, it will be a forgotten theological relic of the past. 

Thank God for the outpouring of the Spirit!

Playing With Holy Fire - A Wake-Up Call to the Pentecostal-Charismatic Church

A Friendly Invitation to the Speakers at the G3 Cessationist Conference

Let us as leaders have a respectful, face to face discussion, one where we are able to present our views and respond to relevant questions. And rather than try to score points or win a debate, we will present a discussion with the goal of magnifying Jesus, exalting the Word, and building up the people of God.

A Friendly Invitation to the Speakers at the G3 Cessationist Conference | Articles | The Line of Fire

To all the speakers at the G3 Cessationist Conference and to all those who appeared in the Cessationist movie, I want to give you a personal invitation. 

This is not a challenge, and this is not meant to be a provocation. Instead, this is a genuine, heartfelt invitation for the glory of God and the good of His people, an invitation to enter into a serious public dialogue about the cessationist-continuationist controversy. 

Will you please take a moment to read on?

Since 2013, I have offered to debate any of the speakers from the Strange Fire conference on a simple topic: According to the Scriptures, are the gifts of the Spirit – including tongues and prophecy and healing – normative for today? 

To date, none of the speakers responded to my invitation, although I subsequently had debates with Dr. Sam Waldron, Dr. Theodore Zachariades, and (in more limited form) with my friend and colleague Dr. James White.

Last year, at the invitation of Christianity Today, I wrote an article explaining why I was not a cessationist, offering to debate anyone who appeared in the cessationist movie or would be speaking at the conference. Pastor Andrew Rappaport, a Jewish believer in Jesus, like myself, was the only one to respond to the invitation, as he had participated in a previous, smaller cessationist conference and was a supporter of the movie. He actually reached out to churches in Oklahoma near the site of the upcoming cessationist conference area to see if any of them would be willing to host our debate the night the conference ended, but he got no takers.

Hopefully, Andrew and will be able to conduct that debate for the edification of the Church in the days ahead. 

But for now, I want to offer an alternate proposal to any of the G3 speakers or to those who appeared in the movie: Let’s sit down together one on one in a full-length, non-hurried, non-timed discussion where clarity and understanding is our goal.

We will each lay out our positions in a private setting before video cameras, we will make sure we understand one another’s positions, we will have opportunity to challenge one another’s positions in a gracious way and to respond to those challenges. 

Then, we will post the video for free viewing on our respective social media platforms for everyone to watch and evaluate for themselves. 

Recently, on August 20, I did something similar with a brilliant, ultra-Orthodox rabbi. He and I have been engaging in discussion since 2001, exchanging many hundreds of pages of documents and emails over the years along with countless conversations by phone. We’ve also had some limited YouTube interaction, with each of us posting a series of videos where we responded to one another. 

But this was the first time that we sat together and conducted our discussion in public (it amounted to almost four hours of content), where questions were asked of one another and where greater clarification could come. The response to the video has been overwhelmingly positive. People in both the Jewish and Christian community are benefiting greatly by watching this dialogue and witnessing our respectful interaction. 

How much more could we do this as brothers together in the Lord? 

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, I tried to become a cessationist. I didn't want to be Pentecostal or Charismatic anymore for a number of reasons, and I bought books arguing against the Pentecostal-Charismatic position, also dialoguing privately with those who rejected the charismatic gifts for today. 

But the more I studied the Word, the more I was convinced that there was not a stitch of scriptural support for cessationism. 

In fact, it is my belief that there is not a single verse in the Bible that supports the cessationist position and that the doctrine would have been utterly foreign to the Apostles and to the writers of the New Testament. 

My own view is that cessationism is either based on one’s personal spiritual experiences or bad exegesis or faulty theological presuppositions (or all three). 

You, for your part, feel you have very strong and robust Scriptural arguments against my position. You would also question my interpretation of the Word, my theological presuppositions, and my own spiritual experiences.

Fair enough! That’s why we need to have this discussion: the Body of Christ deserves it.

We will not debate contemporary miracles. 

We will simply discuss one question: What does the Bible say?

Surely, you know that the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement is growing rapidly around the world, with an ever-increasing number of Reformed continuationists as well. 

It is my conviction that there is a powerful, glorious wave of the Spirit sweeping the earth that cannot be stopped, mixed with many destructive excesses and even heresies that must be addressed. (For my relevant 2018 book, see here.)

In your view, this is a dangerous movement that is deceiving many that must be confronted as loudly and clearly as possible lest millions of people are led astray. 

Suffice it to say that the stakes are high!

Let us, then, as leaders with platforms in the Body, have a respectful, face-to-face discussion, one where we will be sure that each of us is satisfied that we have been able to present our views and respond to relevant questions. 

I’m more than happy to use the platforms that God has given me to expose viewers to your position, and I hope that you feel sufficiently confident in your point of view that you would be willing to expose your viewers to my position. And I’m happy to come your way to record or to fly you to North Carolina at my expense to record. We have a great studio and our team is ready to go.

And rather than try to score points or win a debate, we will present a discussion between leaders in the Body with the goal of magnifying Jesus, exalting the Word, and building up the people of God. 

Are you in? You can reach out to me here.

Of course, if you are convinced that I am not a brother, I can only pray for God’s grace to flood your hearts afresh. Be assured that I hold no animosity towards you! I do hope, however, that at least one of you will take me up in this invitation. 

May Jesus be glorified and may we all walk in the fullness of the Spirit for today.

Only God is God. The Rest of Us Are Discardable

Could it be that a major reason we don’t see more miraculous outpourings of the Spirit is that we take some of the credit for what God is doing or that we allow people to look to us rather than Him? (God help us to truly get low that all eyes might be on Him...)

Only God is God. The Rest of Us Are Discardable | Article | The Line of Fire

There is only one Creator, only one worthy of adoration and worship, only one whose name will be proclaimed throughout eternity. 

The rest of us are created beings, here for His pleasure and purpose. 

He is eternal. We are here today and gone tomorrow. He is essential. We are dispensable and disposable. 

John the Immerser (the Baptist) understood this, telling the crowds who flocked to his baptism, “‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’” (He was speaking here about Jesus.) He continued, “I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” (John 1:30–31)

That was the whole purpose of his ministry: that Jesus might be revealed to Israel. Once that was done, John’s mission was completed. As John explained to his followers, who seemed concerned that Jesus was gaining more followers than he was, “He must increase. I must decrease” (John 3:30).

But we are always lifting up people. We are like the followers of Whitefield who wanted him to perpetuate his memory by forming a denomination under his name. They were concerned that others would get credit for his work. But his reply was always the same: 

“No, let the name of Whitefield die, so that the cause of Jesus Christ may live. . . Let the name of Whitefield perish, but Christ be glorified . . . I have had enough popularity to be sick of it.”

May we learn to be sick of popularity too. A glimpse into eternity would cure us of our shortsightedness. And a glimpse at God’s throne would remind us who He is and who we are not.

Have we forgotten that, in ourselves, we are wretches and the only good that comes out of us is because of Him?

Have we forgotten that “we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7)?

Have we forgotten that God will not share His glory with flesh and blood?

Or do we crave popularity? Do we long for the affirmation of people? Do we live for praise and recognition?

I.V. Neprash related that, during the Welsh Revival of 1904-1905, 

“One of [Evan Roberts’] severest trials during the revival was his being the object of men’s worship. A friend of his once told me of finding him lying on the floor crying to the Lord to bring this to naught so that all the glory should go to God alone.”

Speaking of The Day of the Lord, the prophet Isaiah declared that, “The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.”

“The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled), for all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty, and all the oaks of Bashan, for all the towering mountains and all the high hills, for every lofty tower and every fortified wall, for every trading ship and every stately vessel. The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day” (Isaiah 2:11–17).

I actually feel a holy terror as I write these words, lest I or any of us try to take the glory or credit or honor that belongs to Him alone.

“On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, ‘This is the voice of a god, not of a man.’ Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died” (Acts 12:21–23).

Hopefully, our own situations are nowhere near this extreme. But could it be that a major reason we don’t see more miraculous outpourings of the Spirit is that we take some of the credit for what God is doing or that we allow people to look to us rather than Him?

God help us to truly get low that all eyes might be on Him. 

And may our superstar-producing, man-centered version of the faith be replaced by a cross-centered, flesh-killing faith.

In 1989 I wrote that, “Instead of producing self-effacing ministries that exalt the Lord, we have created man-centered, flesh-exalting, personality cults.” Would you agree that things are much worse today than back then?

Paul rebuked the Corinthians for their carnality and immaturity – he actually called them “infants” – writing, 

“since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly [or, carnal]? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not mere human beings?”

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (1 Corinthians 3:5–7).

It is true that ministry leaders “are co-workers in God’s service” (1 Corinthians 3:9) and that, one day, all of us will be rewarded for our labor (1 Corinthians 3:8). We will even receive praise from God if we are faithful (1 Corinthians 4:5). How remarkable and humbling. Almighty God will express His appreciation for us and say, “Well done!”

It is also true that we should honor those who serve us in the Lord, treating them with respect and appreciation (Philippians 2:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). But there is a world of difference – no, a universe of difference – between the honor we give to a person and the honor that we give to the Lord. 

That’s why, when we pray the Lord’s prayer, we ask that His name, not ours, be hallowed. And that’s why, when we stand before His throne, no one will be pointing at any of us, saying, “Look! It’s So-and-So! He’s [or, she’s] my favorite!” Instead, all eyes will be on the King, and it is His name alone we will be praising throughout eternity.

As for our time here on earth, it is only as Jesus is lifted up that people will be saved.

May we learn to get out of the way so He can have His way, and may we learn, from the heart, to point all people to Him.

To read about times of spiritual outpouring on the campuses of America is to be inspired, challenged, and filled with hope. Are we in the early stages of a holy outbreak on our campuses today?

God Is Moving on Our University Campuses | Articles | The Line of Fire

God is always working in the hearts of university students throughout the campuses of America. 

But there are times when the Spirit’s work intensifies, leading to campus awakenings. To read about these times of spiritual outpouring is to be inspired, challenged, and filled with hope. 

Are we in the early stages of a holy outbreak on our campuses today?

Many Americans heard about the Asbury Revival which began on February 8 last year, and it was certainly the most notable in terms of garnering attention. But it was not the only significant outpouring on a college or university campuses.

A February 27, 2023 report from Regent University, a Christian school, began with these words: 

“As revival moves to college campuses across the nation, Regent University students, faculty, and staff are experiencing a miraculous move of God. The Holy Spirit is stirring hearts, prompting repentance, and pouring out spiritual renewal on the Regent University campus and surrounding community.”

Again, this was one example among many. A December 2023 report noted that, 

“Lee University, a private Christian college in Cleveland, Tennessee is 250 miles away from Asbury University, but students from this small school felt compelled to take part in what was taking place and it began a movement of revival on their campus.”

“An impromptu baptism at Auburn University in Alabama started with one student wanting to be baptized but grew to roughly 200 people who decided to give their lives to Christ.

“In September, Hundreds of students made a public declaration of their new life in Christ by dipping in a lake near Red Barn as spectators watched in awe.”

Last week, I received a text with even more exciting news . . .

It is human nature to become used to the situation we find ourselves in, comparing ourselves to ourselves. This is a major root of self-deception. We think we are healthy and thriving whereas in reality, spiritually speaking, we are morbidly obese. . .

When Churches Grow Fat and Kick | Articles | The Line of Fire

Several days ago, my friend and colleague Pastor Shane Idleman sent me a scripture with a question. The verse, speaking about Israel in the wilderness, said this: 

“Jeshurun [a name for Israel] grew fat and kicked; filled with food, they became heavy and sleek. They abandoned the God who made them and rejected the Rock their Savior” (Deuteronomy 32:15)

Does any of this describe us? Have we grown fat and kicked? Have we become deceived by our riches? Have we mistaken outward success for spiritual health? Have we assumed that material abundance is a proof of the smile of God?

In fact, sometimes, the bigger we are and the more we have the easier it is for us to neglect God, to forget our humble beginnings, to leave our first love, to lose our innocence and purity, to put out trust in the flesh.

We used to fast and pray to reach the lost in foreign nations. Now budgets and buildings have our eye.

We used to live to please the Lord alone. Now popularity and reach consume our thoughts.

Soon enough, even though we appear to be thriving outwardly, we are dying inwardly – and we are the last to know it . . .

How Saved Are We - Has the Church Fallen Asleep in the Enemy’s Lap?

Knowing the Scriptures and Having the Power of the Spirit Are Two Different Things

Have you ever wondered what Jesus said to His 11 disciples when, after His resurrection, “He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45)? These men had already been with Jesus for more than three years, but this day was different. . .

Knowing the Scriptures and Having the Power of the Spirit | Articles | The Line of Fire

Have you ever wondered what Jesus said to His eleven disciples when, after His resurrection, “He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45)? 

Revival in the Church

Did You Know the Meaning of One Key Word in this Classic Hymn?

Moving from Faith to Trust

How to Cope with Rejection for the Gospel

The Lasting Fruit of a True Move of God

A Deeper Spiritual Hunger

The Sad State of Contemporary Cessationism

A Friendly Invitation to the Speakers at the G3 Cessationist Conference

Only God is God. The Rest of Us Are Discardable

God is Moving on Our University Campuses

When Churches 'Grow Fat and Kick'

Knowing the Scriptures and Having the Power of the Spirit Are Two Different Things

Do You Go to a ‘Bible’ Church?

We Dare Not Squander This Moment: An Urgent and Sober Warning

Our Most Powerful Weapons Are Spiritual

A Healthy Church is the Key

Dealing with Sin in the Church: Neither Greasy 'Grace' Nor Haughty 'Holiness'

Now is the Time

Great Is the Mercy of God

Why I Don’t Get into Mudslinging Battles with Destructive Critics

God Gives Grace to the Humble

God Loves Us, But He is Jealous for HIS Glory, Not Ours

A Baptism of Tears

The End of Celebrity Christianity

Great Is the Power of Repentance

We Are Experiencing a Mini-Judgment Day

Judgment Begins with the House of God

A Revival of the Fear of the Lord

Standing on the Solid Rock of Christ

There is No Fear in Love

It’s Important for Christians to Develop a Multigenerational Mentality. Here’s Why.

Only God is God

‘No One Can Change God’s Opinion About You Except You’

When the Holy Spirit Comes, Expect Criticism

The New Mark Driscoll Controversy about the Former Male Stripper at a Church Men’s Conference

A Striking Modern Proof for the Resurrection of Jesus

Celebrating 48 Years of Marital Bliss

Talk About Carey's Savior

God Uses Sinful People, But . . .

How to Hold to Your Convictions Without Becoming Arrogant

A Joint Statement on the Allegations Against Mike Bickle