Today's Passage - 1 Thess 1:4-5

1 Thessalonica 1:4-5   For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.   According to Paul, in order for the Gospel to completely spread out in one place, there needs to be several things.  First, it must be done with word.  If the word is not spoken, how can it be heard?  If we wish the whole world to turn to the Lord, we must be willing to stand before God and let us become vessel for the Gospel.  May God use our mouth to speak the word of God and spread the testimony for the Lord, so that those around of us may hear the Gospel.  Faith comes from the word of God, and word of God comes from hearing.  We need to hear God's word in order for us to produce true faith.  Therefore, there must be channel for God's word in order for the gospel to be spread, so let us be willing to become such channels before God.   Second, we need authority.  We're not fighting a war of the flesh, but like the Bible says we're fighting with the principalities of the heaven.  People of the world are often controlled by devil Satan, thus their hearts and souls cannot be released.  We can only defeat all the strongholds with the authority of victorious Jesus.  When Jesus resurrected and before He ascended to heaven, He said that "all authority in heaven and on earth have been given to me."  And then, He sent the disciples with "go make disciples of all nations."  By the authority of our victorious Lord Jesus Christ, we can enter the world around us and overcome all the authority of the enemy through prayer.   Third, we need the Holy Spirit.  Only when the Holy Spirit fills us will we carry His power and bear the fruit of the Spirit, and then we will draw people to turn to Christ and bring out power in our ministry.  Holy Spirit gives us all kinds of gifts, and when the gifts are exercises signs and wonders will follow those who believe.  When the gifts of the Spirit are exercises, the name of Christ is uplifted.  When hearts and souls of people are touched by the Holy Spirit, they will turn back to God.   Four, we need faith.  Our entire belief is based on our faith.  In order to believe in God's word and power, we must first have genuine faith in God.  If a person has no faith, no matter what you says to him, there won't be any impact.  We must come to God by faith in order to receive all the grace that He's giving us.   Five, we must have good deeds.  When your life carries testimonies, you have the power to touch others without even saying much.  When the love of Christ is flowing out from your life, others will be touched.  Brothers and sisters, we need to have word, authority, power of the Spirit, faith and testimony life.  May God use us to become a fully-equipped channel for the gospel!   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you because in you there is power and authority to overcome.  May the Lord help us to depend on you, make us channels for the gospel in our daily life, and let your will be satisfied in our lives to the fullest extent.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!     Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow the project on Facebook ! Help us to reach our Phase I Target, and witness how God expands His Kingdom on earth!  Click here to donate online.