Are We Going to die in our religion or are we going to die in our devotion?

To be a Christian is to realize that in your sin, you were separated from God's presence, and you deserved nothing but God's wrath.

Caring for the poor is one natural overflow and a necessary evidence of the presence of Christ in our hearts. If there is no sign of caring for the poor in our lives, then there is reason to at least question whether Christ is in our hearts.

Consider what it takes for successful businessmen and businesswomen, effective entrepreneurs and hardworking associates, shrewd retirees and idealistic students to combine forces with a creative pastor to grow a "successful church" today. Clearly, it doesn't require the power of God to draw a crowd in our culture. A few key elements that we can manufacture will suffice.

God stands ready to allocate his power to all who are radically dependent on Him and radically devoted to making much of Him.

Good intentions, regular worship, Bible study, do not prevent blindness. Part of our sinful nature instinctively chooses to see what we want to see and to ignore what we want to ignore.

That is relinquishing control in a culture that prioritizes control and doing what you need to do in order to advance yourself.