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Books List After Christendom As Christianity moves beyond its privileged place in Western culture, Alan and Eleanor Kreider invite believers to rediscover the character of the early church. They present a vision of Christian witness rooted not in political influence but in faithful discipleship, hospitality, and the transforming life of God's Kingdom. Read More How did race become so deeply intertwined with American Christianity? Drawing on history, data, and personal experience, Robert P. Jones explores the legacy of racism within the American church and its continuing influence today. Whether readers agree with every conclusion or not, this thought-provoking book challenges Christians to examine the relationship between faith, history, and justice. Read More Missionary anthropologist Paul Hiebert demonstrates how deeply our worldview shapes the way we understand God, culture, and everyday life. Combining biblical insight with anthropology, he offers practical guidance for communicating the gospel across cultures without confusing Christianity with Western assumptions. A foundational resource for missions and Christian leadership. Read More The financial collapse of 1929 reshaped the modern world and continues to influence economic thinking today. Through compelling storytelling, Andrew Ross Sorkin examines the decisions, personalities, and events that fueled one of history's greatest economic crises. An insightful reminder of how economics, leadership, and human choices affect entire societies. Read More Francis Schaeffer traces the history of Western civilization, showing how ideas shape cultures and nations. He argues that biblical truth provides the only lasting foundation for freedom, justice, creativity, and human dignity. A modern Christian classic that encourages believers to think deeply about faith's influence on every area of life. Read More Charles Colson explores how Christians can faithfully engage a rapidly changing culture without compromising biblical convictions. Addressing issues ranging from ethics and politics to education and family life, he calls believers to live as thoughtful, compassionate witnesses in the public square. A practical guide for Christian citizenship and cultural engagement. Read More Every person views the world through a worldview, whether consciously or not. James Sire introduces the major philosophies and religions that shape contemporary thought while explaining the distinctiveness of the Christian worldview. Clear, balanced, and accessible, this book equips readers to understand both their own beliefs and those of others. Read More What does wholehearted devotion to Christ look like in everyday life? Robert Nicklaus invites readers to move beyond superficial religion toward a life centered on the lordship of Jesus. With biblical insight and practical wisdom, this book encourages believers to pursue authentic discipleship and lasting spiritual transformation. Read More What does it mean to follow Jesus when political power, nationalism, and cultural influence compete for our allegiance? Gary Fairchild examines the New Testament in its first-century setting to help believers distinguish the Kingdom of God from the values of empire. A timely invitation to recover Christian faithfulness in an age of competing loyalties. Read More The good news of Jesus extends far beyond personal salvation to the restoration of lives, communities, and societies. Drawing from Scripture, history, missions, and humanitarian experience, Gary Fairchild explores how the Kingdom of God transforms every dimension of human life. An invitation to see the world through the lens of God's redemptive purposes. Read More Peter Zeihan argues that globalization is giving way to a dramatically different world shaped by changing demographics, energy, and geography. His analysis explains why nations, economies, and supply chains may look very different in the decades ahead. An engaging resource for understanding the global forces reshaping our future. Read More No modern Bible version can match the beauty of the English language of the King James Version. Read More This research volume is a must for any pastor's library. Bible study software is very popular and useful, but this volume is also quick and sometimes more flexible than computer searches. Read More My first Bible was a pocket New Testament. It's good to carry with you and reading while on work breaks, or on a quiet walk in the forest. Read More The ESV is an excellent version: accurate, and readable. This study version includes lots of notes, historical data, and is great for journaling. Read More When preaching, I prefer implicit authority of the printed Bible rather than reading from an iPad or iPhone. I used the NIV for its accuracy and readability. The leather binding is enduring. Read More Good intentions alone are not enough to overcome poverty. Corbett and Fikkert challenge common approaches to missions and charity, offering a biblical framework that emphasizes dignity, relationships, and long-term transformation. An essential resource for churches, missionaries, and anyone committed to helping others wisely and effectively. Read More Drawing on the life of Peter after the resurrection, Henri Nouwen reflects on the temptations of power, popularity, and success in Christian ministry. He calls leaders to embrace humility, prayer, and loving service as the true marks of spiritual leadership. A timeless invitation to lead with the heart of Christ. Read More Jesus' question, "Can you drink the cup?" becomes an invitation to embrace both the joys and the sufferings of following Him. Nouwen explores how gratitude, sacrifice, and hope shape a life of faithful discipleship. A deeply personal and encouraging meditation on living with Christ through every season of life. Read More Miriam Adeney explores God's concern for the nations throughout Scripture, showing how the biblical story consistently points toward His redemptive purposes for every people group. Rich in missionary insight and biblical theology, this book encourages Christians to embrace God's global mission. Read More Rooted in the rich spiritual heritage of John Wesley, Paul Chilcote offers practical guidance for developing a vibrant and disciplined prayer life. Blending biblical teaching with Wesleyan spirituality, he encourages readers to grow in holiness, love, and daily dependence on God. Read More Journalist Tim Alberta examines the growing relationship between American evangelicalism and political power, raising important questions about faith, identity, and public witness. Through extensive reporting and personal experience, he invites readers to consider where allegiance to Christ may differ from allegiance to political movements. Read More N. T. Wright presents Jesus within the historical world of first-century Judaism, revealing the significance of His life, teaching, death, and resurrection. By recovering Jesus' original mission, Wright helps readers see the Kingdom of God with fresh clarity and depth. A compelling introduction to the heart of the gospel. Read More F. F. Bruce traces the fulfillment of Old Testament promises in the life, death, resurrection, and mission of Jesus Christ. With his characteristic clarity and careful scholarship, he demonstrates the remarkable unity of Scripture and God's unfolding plan of redemption. Read More Compiled by Jonathan Edwards, the journals of missionary David Brainerd offer a moving portrait of deep devotion, sacrificial service, and unwavering commitment to Christ. His ministry among Native Americans continues to inspire generations of believers with a vision for prayer, holiness, and missionary faithfulness. Read More George Müller's remarkable life demonstrates what it means to trust God completely. Known for caring for thousands of orphans through prayer and unwavering faith, his story continues to encourage believers to rely on God's provision and faithfulness in every circumstance. Read More Set in apartheid-era South Africa, this moving novel tells a story of loss, forgiveness, justice, and hope amid deep social division. Paton's unforgettable characters reveal both the tragedy of injustice and the possibility of reconciliation. A powerful reminder of the biblical call to love, mercy, and human dignity. Read More ohn Lewis Gaddis provides a masterful overview of the global struggle between democracy and communism that shaped the twentieth century. Clear, balanced, and accessible, this history explains the political, military, and ideological forces that continue to influence today's world. Read More Written while hiding from Nazi persecution, Anne Frank's diary offers a deeply personal account of courage, hope, and resilience in the face of unimaginable evil. Her words continue to remind readers of the value of every human life and the enduring power of hope, even in history's darkest moments. Read More This gripping history exposes one of the greatest humanitarian tragedies of the modern era: the exploitation of the Congo under King Leopold II of Belgium. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Adam Hochschild reveals the devastating human cost of colonial greed and the courage of those who exposed it. An unforgettable account of injustice that continues to shape conversations about missions, human rights, and global responsibility. Read More Caroline Elkins uncovers the hidden history of Britain's detention camps during the struggle for Kenyan independence. Drawing on extensive archival research and eyewitness testimony, she challenges long-held assumptions about colonial rule and its lasting consequences. A sobering reminder that history must be examined honestly if justice and reconciliation are to flourish. Read More What does it mean to affirm the God-given dignity of every human being? This thoughtful collection explores human rights from a biblical perspective, addressing issues of justice, religious freedom, refugees, and the protection of vulnerable people. A valuable resource for Christians seeking to engage today's social challenges with both conviction and compassion. Read More James Hefley recounts the stories of believers who remained faithful to Christ despite persecution, imprisonment, and even death. These powerful testimonies remind readers that courage and perseverance have marked the church throughout history. An inspiring challenge to live with unwavering faith regardless of the cost. Read More Jacques Ellul examines the powerful influence of wealth and political authority on both individuals and societies. With penetrating biblical insight, he challenges Christians to recognize the spiritual forces behind the pursuit of money and power and to embrace the radically different values of God's Kingdom. A profound and thought-provoking critique of modern culture. Read More How did a small movement of first-century believers become a global faith? Sociologist Rodney Stark explores the historical, social, and cultural factors behind Christianity's remarkable growth, demonstrating that the gospel transformed lives, families, and entire communities. An insightful look at the practical impact of Christian faith on history. Read More *On Call* tells the remarkable story of Dr. David Thompson and his wife, Beckie, whose lives were shaped by the sacrifices of missionary families during the Vietnam War. Choosing a path of service rather than safety, they devoted decades to medical missions in Gabon, helping establish one of Africa's leading teaching hospitals while training generations of physicians and healthcare professionals. Their story is a powerful testimony to perseverance, sacrificial love, and the transforming impact of Christian service. Read More Tozer reminds readers that our understanding of God shapes everything else about the Christian life. With reverence and clarity, he reflects on the character and attributes of God, calling believers to deeper worship and greater awe. A timeless devotional classic that continues to inspire spiritual growth. Read More Max Weber's influential study explores the relationship between Protestant beliefs and the development of modern capitalism. Whether readers agree with all of his conclusions or not, his work remains essential for understanding the interaction of faith, economics, culture, and social change in the modern world. Read More Economist Jeffrey Sachs examines the structural causes of global poverty while proposing practical strategies for sustainable development. Combining economic analysis with firsthand experience around the world, he argues that extreme poverty can be significantly reduced through thoughtful partnerships and long-term investment. An important resource for anyone seeking to understand the challenges of global human flourishing. Read More David Hollinger explores how American Protestant missionaries profoundly influenced education, healthcare, humanitarian work, and international engagement during the twentieth century. Moving beyond common stereotypes, he demonstrates how missions helped shape both global Christianity and American society. An important contribution to understanding the broader legacy of Protestant missions. Read More Charles Finney recounts the dramatic experiences that shaped his ministry during the Second Great Awakening. His passion for evangelism, revival, and personal transformation continues to inspire generations of Christian leaders. A fascinating firsthand account of one of America's most influential evangelists. Read More Charles Finney recounts the dramatic experiences that shaped his ministry during the Second Great Awakening. His passion for evangelism, revival, and personal transformation continues to inspire generations of Christian leaders. A fascinating firsthand account of one of America's most influential evangelists. Read More Tony Campolo challenges readers to take Jesus' teachings seriously, especially His call to love, compassion, forgiveness, and justice. With warmth, humor, and prophetic conviction, he demonstrates that following Christ is more than believing the right doctrines—it is embracing a radically different way of life. An engaging call to authentic Christian discipleship. Read More Tony Campolo challenges readers to take Jesus' teachings seriously, especially His call to love, compassion, forgiveness, and justice. With warmth, humor, and prophetic conviction, he demonstrates that following Christ is more than believing the right doctrines—it is embracing a radically different way of life. An engaging call to authentic Christian discipleship. Read More Ross Campbell offers practical, biblical guidance for building healthy relationships between parents and children. Emphasizing unconditional love, emotional security, and wise discipline, he provides timeless principles that help families nurture both character and faith. A trusted resource for Christian parenting. Read More Among the Sawi people of New Guinea, missionary Don Richardson discovered an unexpected cultural bridge that illuminated the meaning of the gospel. His remarkable story demonstrates how God prepares every culture to understand His truth and offers valuable insights into cross-cultural missions. A modern missionary classic. Read More Bruce Olson recounts his extraordinary ministry among the Motilone people of Colombia, where years of patient service transformed lives on both sides of the cultural divide. His story illustrates the power of the gospel when it is lived with humility, perseverance, and genuine love. An inspiring testimony to the enduring work of Christian missions. Read More Why do some societies flourish while others struggle? This collection of essays examines the influence of culture on economic development, political stability, education, and social progress. While readers may debate individual conclusions, the book raises essential questions about the relationship between values, institutions, and human flourishing. Read More Written as the global AIDS epidemic unfolded, this book examines one of the greatest humanitarian and public health challenges of the modern era. Combining medical knowledge, Christian compassion, and practical ministry experience, the authors encourage churches and relief organizations to respond with both truth and mercy. A significant contribution to Christian humanitarian ministry. Read More Meredith Long explores the biblical relationship between physical health, spiritual wholeness, and the coming of God's Kingdom. Drawing on years of missionary medical experience, he demonstrates how healing ministry reflects God's compassion for the whole person. A thoughtful resource for integrating evangelism, healthcare, and holistic mission. Read More This inspiring biography tells the story of pioneering missionaries who faithfully served Christ in the Arabian Peninsula under challenging circumstances. Through personal sacrifice, perseverance, and unwavering trust in God, their lives demonstrate the enduring impact of faithful witness across cultures. A remarkable account of one family's missionary legacy. Read More Dewi Hughes examines poverty through the lens of biblical theology, exploring how God's reign shapes Christian responses to injustice, development, and human need. Combining careful scholarship with practical application, he challenges believers to pursue both compassion and justice as expressions of God's Kingdom. Read More Rebecca Finger offers a fresh reading of the early church by examining the social, economic, and theological significance of caring for widows. Her study highlights how hospitality, generosity, and shared community reflected the transforming values of God's Kingdom. A valuable resource for understanding the practical life of the New Testament church. Read More Jemar Tisby traces the often-overlooked history of racial compromise within the American church, challenging believers to confront both the failures and the opportunities of Christian witness. Grounded in historical research and biblical conviction, the book calls the church toward repentance, justice, and reconciliation. Read More Renowned geneticist Francis Collins explores the relationship between scientific discovery and Christian faith, arguing that the two need not be in conflict. Drawing from his own journey from atheism to belief, he presents a thoughtful and accessible case for seeing science and faith as complementary ways of exploring God's creation. Read More Gill Odendaal examines how Christians can respond faithfully to those living in situations of poverty, injustice, and vulnerability. Combining biblical reflection with practical ministry experience, he challenges believers to serve with humility, compassion, and a commitment to lasting transformation. Read More In the post-Christian world "reuniting worship and mission" will be the model for church to engagement with world. Read More Drawing on the experiences of African Christianity, Emmanuel Katongole challenges Western believers to see the church through fresh eyes. His reflections on reconciliation, suffering, community, and hope demonstrate how the global church enriches our understanding of the gospel and God's mission. Read More Adeney offers practical guidance for working with impoverished communities. Read More Immigration and refugees are among the defining issues of our time. Matthew Soerens and Jenny Yang examine these questions through the lens of Scripture, offering a compassionate, balanced, and biblically grounded perspective on hospitality, justice, and the dignity of every person. Read More Through a series of imaginative letters from a senior demon to his apprentice, C. S. Lewis exposes the subtle temptations that draw people away from God. Filled with wit, wisdom, and spiritual insight, this Christian classic remains one of Lewis's most enduring works. Read More Barbara Tuchman's Pulitzer Prize-winning history chronicles the opening month of World War I, revealing how political decisions, military strategies, and human misjudgments changed the course of history. A compelling reminder of how leadership and unintended consequences can reshape the world. Read More Bryant Myers presents a deeply biblical vision of transformational development that addresses both material poverty and broken relationships. Integrating theology, community development, and decades of field experience, he demonstrates how Christian mission seeks the restoration of individuals, communities, and creation itself. Read More Originally delivered as wartime radio broadcasts, *Mere Christianity* presents the essential beliefs of the Christian faith with clarity, reason, and grace. Lewis's thoughtful defense of Christianity continues to introduce readers to the intellectual and spiritual foundations of biblical faith. Read More For centuries, believers have turned to this devotional classic for guidance in pursuing humility, obedience, and intimacy with Christ. Thomas à Kempis calls readers to a life centered not on outward success but on faithful devotion to Jesus. Read More Why did civilizations develop so differently across the globe? Jared Diamond argues that geography, environment, agriculture, and technology played decisive roles in shaping human history. Whether readers agree with every conclusion or not, this influential work provides valuable insight into the historical forces that have shaped nations, cultures, and global development. Read More Brother Lawrence's simple reflections reveal how ordinary work and daily routines can become acts of worship through continual awareness of God's presence. His timeless wisdom encourages believers to cultivate a life of quiet faithfulness and constant communion with God. Read More John Bunyan's classic allegory follows the journey of Christian as he travels from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. Rich with biblical imagery and spiritual insight, it continues to inspire readers to persevere in faith despite the trials of life's journey. Read More Written in the shadow of Nazi Germany, Dietrich Bonhoeffer's classic calls Christians to reject "cheap grace" and embrace wholehearted obedience to Jesus Christ. His powerful reflections on the Sermon on the Mount continue to challenge believers to courageous and costly discipleship. Read More Part spiritual autobiography and part theological reflection, Augustine's *Confessions* tells the story of his restless search for truth and his transforming encounter with God's grace. One of Christianity's greatest classics, it continues to inspire readers with its honesty, wisdom, and profound love for God. Read More In this updated edition, Peter Zeihan revisits his influential analysis of geography, demographics, energy, and global power. Assessing how recent events have confirmed or challenged his earlier predictions, he provides fresh insight into the changing international landscape and the forces likely to shape the decades ahead. Read More

This site offers my books for sale, highlights other books that can be bought. There are bi-weekly devotionals. There is also an index of relevant articles. All the material chosen to guide faithful discipleship and understanding of a Christian worldview. Be a Matthew 25er In these troubled times, a Matthew 25er sees the truth, loves his neighbors, and plants for a better future. That is what Jesus taught in Matthew 25: 31-46. This website provides articles, devotionals, books and other practical resources to help Christians to live faithfully in our time. Come. Walk this way . See the Truth Love your Neighbor Plant for the Future Start Here Featured Matthew 25er Learn about the amazing work of Dr. David Thompson and his wife Beckie building and expanding a hospital and health services in Gabon, Africa. Dr. David Thompson Learn More About Thompson Campaign | Bongolo Friends Featured Book David Hollinger explores how American Protestant missionaries profoundly influenced education, healthcare, humanitarian work, and international engagement during the twentieth century. Moving beyond common stereotypes, he demonstrates how missions helped shape both global Christianity and American society. An important contribution to understanding the broader legacy of Protestant missions. Buy Now Good News for Our Time is a ministry of Gary Fairchild, drawing on decades of pastoral ministry, cross-cultural mission, and humanitarian service. He invites readers to see that the Kingdom of God has arrived—not yet in its fullness, but already at work, restoring what sin, fear, and the powers of this world have broken. Learn More This website contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you

< Back Notes from Cambodia Cambodia's people have suffered. Christ is bringing His Kingdom there. Notes from Cambodia Two lasting impressions emerged from my visits to churches in Southeast Asia and Africa. First, I found a deep desire to see the gospel authenticated through ministries of compassion to the poor. Second, I found an equally strong desire for churches to work together in partnership rather than in isolation. Wherever these two realities came together, churches came alive with fresh spiritual vitality, and communities began to experience new life. I witnessed this vividly in Cambodia. On the outskirts of Phnom Penh we visited a small support group of fifteen people living in a desperate slum. Twelve of them were HIV positive. At first glance, it seemed like a place where despair would be overwhelming. Instead, I encountered hope. Most of the group members were receiving antiretroviral medications and were responding well to treatment. But what struck me most was not their physical condition—it was their spirit. They laughed together. They talked about the future. They encouraged one another. Their hope did not come merely from medicine, but from the love they had found in Christ and the support they experienced through their church community. One woman especially captured my attention. She appeared gravely ill. Slowly and through tears, she told us her story. Her first husband had infected her with HIV and later died. Her second husband fathered a child and then abandoned the family. Eventually she became too weak to care for herself or her children. It was during that darkest season that members of this small church reached out to her and introduced her to Jesus Christ. As she spoke, tears streamed down her face. Quietly, others in the group reached over to stroke her arm, embrace her, and assure her that they would continue caring for her. They knew they might soon face the same future themselves, yet the atmosphere was filled not with fear but with hope. It was, in the truest sense, new life in the midst of death. Two middle-aged men sat quietly at the edge of the group. They had only recently learned that they too were HIV positive. Unlike the others, they were not yet believers. As they shared their stories, they also wept—but their tears were different. They spoke of shame, regret, fear, and uncertainty. They had come because they had heard this group possessed something they desperately needed, though they could not yet describe it. Patiently, local Christian workers explained the hope found in Jesus Christ. Around the circle, the other members nodded gently in agreement. Their words carried weight because their lives gave credibility to the message. As I watched, I found myself thinking, This is holistic ministry. The physical and the spiritual were inseparable. Medicine cared for diseased bodies. The church cared for wounded hearts. The gospel brought hope that reached beyond both. The transformed lives of these believers authenticated the message they proclaimed. One other lesson became increasingly clear during this journey. The Holy Spirit seems to be impressing upon church leaders around the world the necessity of working together. The challenges confronting today’s communities—poverty, disease, broken families, violence, and injustice—are too large for isolated congregations to address alone. They require the whole church working together to demonstrate the whole gospel to the whole community. Where churches unite around both evangelism and compassionate service, remarkable transformation follows. I became convinced that this partnership offers one of the greatest hopes for confronting crises such as HIV/AIDS. As I reflected on these experiences, my thoughts returned to John the Baptist. From prison, John sent messengers to ask Jesus, “Are you the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus did not answer with an argument or a theological treatise. Instead, He pointed to what was happening around Him. “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” In other words, Jesus allowed His works of compassion to authenticate His identity as the Messiah. That is exactly what I witnessed in Cambodia. People found hope for their bodies, hope for their relationships, hope for their future, and ultimately hope for eternal life through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their transformed lives became living evidence that Christ was present among them. The gospel was not merely being preached. It was being seen. Previous Next

Reflections List Whatsoever Things are True Truth is a stubborn thing. Society depends on truth in order to function, even in the face of many who undermine it. Read More The Wisdom of Wisdom, Part IV Wisdom starts here: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Read More The Wisdom of Wisdom Part III The Book of Proverbs teaches that part of wisdom is choosing what is better among many choices. Read More The Wisdom of Wisdom, Part II The writer of Proverbs provides insight pass on through the generations that hold true today. Read More The Wisdom of Wisdom Part I The Proverbs say that wisdom is knowing how to live. Read More The Temptions At the beginning of His ministry Satan tempted Jesus through appetites, wealth, and power. Read More The Love of God: Part III David looks inward and see himself as the object of God's love. Read More The Love of God: Part II David recognized the love of God in God's law. Read More The Love of God: Part I The love of God for His people is displayed in His creation. Read More Notes from Cambodia Cambodia's people have suffered. Christ is bringing His Kingdom there. Read More Immigration in the Bible Jesus was a migrant. In fact, the Bible is a history of the migration of Israel. Read More Grace A Muslim man describes grace. Read More Gathering Together Growing the church not only is "going out" but also gathering in. Read More Compassion--A Better Way Imagine the culumative affect of millions of people choosing compassion over violence, power, and weallth. Read More Breakthrough A Javanese congregation comes to understand that the Gospel of Jesus is for them. Read More After the Wave Follow the details of the Indonesian tsunami and the transformation the response has made. Read More Advent Conspiracy Consumerism has overtaken Christmas. Have you ever thought of as a conspiracy to counter that. Read More A City Waiting for the Gospel The Apostle John was a skilled communicator using the Greek and language and culture relay the message of Jesus. Read More

Good News for Our Time celebrates evangelism and human flourishing under God's reign. This is the Kingdom of God at work in the world. Jesus calls us to see people as He does. Jesus, in a parable, compliments people who see and feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, welcome strangers, clothe the needy, care for the sick, and visit prisoners (Matthew 25:31–46). "Matthew 25ers" See the Truth Love their Neighbor Plant Hope for a Better Future A Matthew 25er is not about earning God's favor. It is about living faithfully in response to God's grace through Jesus Christ. In Matthew's Gospel, this parable of the judgment of the sheep and goats stands at the climax of Jesus' public ministry. Immediately afterward, the story moves toward His arrest and crucifixion. Matthew's sequence is striking: • The triumphal entry • The cleansing of the temple • The confrontations with the religious leaders • The Olivet Discourse • The judgment of the nations (sheep and goats) • Then the plot, arrest, trial, and crucifixion After Matthew 25, Jesus is no longer primarily teaching the crowds. The story moves inexorably toward the Cross. The final public picture Matthew gives us of the King's expectations is not a theological examination or religious performance. Instead, Jesus asks how people responded to the hungry, thirsty, stranger, sick, and prisoner. "I was hungry..." "I was thirsty..." "I was a stranger..." "I needed clothes..." "I was sick..." "I was in prison..." The King so identifies with the vulnerable that service rendered to them is counted as service rendered to Him. That is not the whole meaning of Matthew 25, but it is difficult to read Matthew's narrative and miss the emphasis. Matthew intentionally places this teaching at the threshold of Calvary. The One who is about to bear the sins of the world reminds His followers that genuine allegiance to Him will be revealed by how they treat those who are most easily overlooked. A Matthew 25er sees this truth, loves his neighbor, and plants hope for a better future because Jesus went to the Cross with the vulnerable on His heart. The Gospel of Jesus inspires His followers to love others through action. Some teach and write to inspire younger generations. Others respond to disasters, dig wells, feed the hungry, heal the sick, visit prisoners, care for orphans, and welcome strangers and immigrants. This website is dedicated to helping Christ-followers become Matthew 25ers. You can: Browse through the Book Store . Read one more of the Devotionals and reflect on the questions. Learn about and get involved with on organizations serving in Christ name in Plant for a better Future on the Matthew 25 page. Let's talk . Use to form below to connect with us. We'd love to encourage you on your journey following Jesus as a Matthew 25er. Blessings, Gary gary@goodnews4ourtime.com Back Contact us First name* Last name Email* Write a message I’m in. Check to join Matthew 25ers and receive devotionals directly Submit Matthew 25 Home

This site helps people understand and adopt a Christian Worldview and become a Matthew 25er, who, tell the truth, love their neighbor, and plant for a better future. Devotional Gary's Bi-Weekly Devotionals Gary's Bi-Weekly Devotionals Gary's Bi-Weekly Devotionals Gary's Bi-Weekly Devotionals If you'd like to join a growing community of Matthew 25ers—people committed to seeing the truth, loving their neighbors, and planting hope for the future—fill in your name, email address, and check "I'm in" in the adjacent form to receive devotionals directly rather than through social media. Contact us First name* Last name Email* Write a message I’m in. Check to join Matthew 25ers and receive devotionals directly Submit Sermon on the Mount Devotionals Day 5 Matthew 5:6 Read More 7/10/26 The Hunger Beneath Hungers BACK TO TOP Day 4 Matthew 5:5 Read More 6/26/26 Blessed are the Meek BACK TO TOP Day 3 Mathew 5:4 Read More 6/12/26 Blessed are those who Mourn BACK TO TOP Day 2 Matthew 5:3b Read More 5/29/26 Blessed are the Poor BACK TO TOP Day 1 Matthew 5:3 Read More 5/15/26 Blessed BACK TO TOP

He Chose Me My Testimony “You do stutter, you know.” That was my high school guidance counselor’s response when I told him I wanted to go to college to prepare for Church ministry. He stated the obvious: I did stutter. I was aware! It was 1958 when my parents responded to an invitation to attend the Wesleyan Church in Malone, NY. It was through the ministry of that church that I came to know the Lord and received my call into the ministry. It happened one evening during my junior year in high school. Before climbing into bed, I knelt to pray about my future. I told the Lord, “If I become a history teacher, please make me a good one because I love history. But if You desire that I enter the ministry, I need help because I stutter!” That calling was confirmed with the promise from John 15:16. Jesus said, “You did not choose me, I chose you and ordained you that you should go and bear fruit, fruit that will remain, and whatsoever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” There were times, particularly in college, when intellectual and academic questions shook my confidence in the Scriptures and/or in God Himself. But I could not doubt or forget that meeting with the Lord on that cold January evening when He called me into Christian Ministry: “You did not choose me, I chose you….” When I was growing up on a Dairy farm in northern New York State, my parents and five younger siblings never mentioned that I stuttered. I attended a one-room schoolhouse where 22 students never mentioned that I stuttered. And neither did Mrs. Hastings, my teacher. I must have started stuttering as a toddler. I was a severe stutterer. I could not say my name because the hard “G” in my first name was impossible to get around using a substitute word or some other trick I learned. As I got older, I practiced speaking all the time—especially when I was old enough to work in the fields, harrowing or raking hay. I sang and preached long sermons I made up in my head. I repeated the difficult sounds over and over. No one ever heard those practice sessions due to the tractor’s roar. When I attended the Brushton-Moira centralized Middle/High School, my teachers and fellow students never mentioned my stuttering. Mr. Hennessy, a guidance counselor, and my homeroom teacher, Mrs. Potter, were the only adults in my life who raised the “stutter problem.” It was on the last day of school, as we waited for our bus, that my teacher announced to the homeroom students: “Gary stutters less now as a senior than he did as a freshman.” When I entered Houghton College in 1965, none of the professors or the students mentioned my stutter. The only person who mentioned my stuttering was Connie Mangham. We met at Houghton College, and she eventually became my wife. She says I stuttered severely when we met but it gradually began to subside. We both believe that true love and acceptance was the cure. Connie’s parents were missionaries in Vietnam where she was born. Beginning in first grade, she left home for months at a time to attend boarding school. Upon graduation, like me, she applied and was accepted to attend Houghton College. Connie introduced me to the global ministry of the Christian & Missionary Alliance. We married after graduation and in the fall of 1969, I enrolled in the Jaffray School of Missions (its name was eventually changed to the Alliance Theological Seminary). This year-long graduate program was a prerequisite to missionary service with the C&MA. In June of 1975, before we left for Indonesia, the C&MA sent us to the Toronto Institute of Linguistics (TIL) to introduce skills for language-learning. The first evening at TIL we attended a faculty/student reception. The director of the program, Dr. Donald Larson, made the rounds, introducing himself to each student. When he met me, he said, “Oh, you are the guy who stutters; it will be interesting to see if you can learn to speak a foreign language!” To be fair, I do not think that any of the people mentioned above were intentionally hurtful. I have been a minister of the Christian & Missionary Alliance since 1970. Our service has been three-fold: 12 years in Pastoral ministry, 13 years of Missionary service, and 15 years of Humanitarian work. Connie and I went to Indonesia and were the first missionaries to be assigned to work among the Javanese in Surabaya in East Java and in Jogyakarta, Central Java. (I never never stuttered while speaking Indonesian.) The Lord worked in amazing ways to open congregations in these major cities and in the surrounding regions. I also taught part-time at the Jakarta Theological College, initiated by Dr. Yakob Tomatala. In 1988, God led our family back to Wheaton, Illinois. I joined Wheaton Youth Outreach’s team and Connie joined World Relief’s staff. We eventually moved to pastor churches in Connecticut and the suburbs of Washington DC. The D.C. church, an international congregation, included 22 language groups representing the diverse business and government offices there. In 2005, World Relief, the humanitarian arm of the National Association of Evangelicals asked if I would return to Indonesia for six months to assist in responding to the tsunami disaster that occurred in northern Sumatra, Indonesia. I spoke the language and had maintained contact with my former Indonesian colleagues. My primary task was to help World Relief connect with local denominations and local churches willing to enter Ache, a strictly Moslem enclave, in order to help restore homes, schools and businesses impacted by the Tsunami. World Relief asked me to organize a meeting of all the major Christian evangelical denominations in the country to rally support for the disaster response. I reached out to my friend and former church planting colleague, Dr. Yokob Tomatala. In the 15 years since I had left Indonesia, Dr. Tomatala had become a professor-leader, teacher, and mentor to many of the evangelical ministers in the country. When he sent an invitation to church leaders, asking them to join a “tsunami response strategy meeting,” they all came. It was a defining moment for humanitarian ministries led by Evangelical churches in Indonesia. While we were not successful in the sense that all of those denominations assisted in the World Relief’s response to the tsunami. It did, however, inspire many of those denominations to make humanitarian assistance and disaster response a core outreach in their church ministry portfolios. Indonesia sits on the “ring of fire,” vulnerable to earthquakes, volcano eruptions, floods, and landslides. Over the next 10 years I represented World Relief’s outreach and ministries to Evangelical Churches in Europe and Asia supporting WR in its disaster response, while Connie led the fundraising team focused on inspiring interest and giving (through visits, proposals and reports) from evangelical foundations and major donors. We also accompanied donors on site visits to review the ministry projects throughout Africa and Asia. Today, looking back on 40 years of ministry, I can only say that it is indeed a miracle that God would call a stuttering farm boy to serve him as a missionary, pastor, and international humanitarian worker. I am humbled and grateful. He chose me! Amazing. Rev. Gary Fairchild

< Back A City Waiting for the Gospel The Apostle John was a skilled communicator using the Greek and language and culture relay the message of Jesus. A City Waiting for the Gospel John’s Gospel did not emerge in a vacuum. It was written for particular people living in a remarkable city. Ephesus lay on the western coast of Asia Minor, across the Aegean Sea from Athens. Nearly four centuries earlier, Alexander the Great had conquered the city, spreading Greek language and culture throughout the region. By John’s day, Ephesus had become the second most important city in the Roman Empire, surpassed only by Rome itself. It was a place where commerce, politics, education, religion, and philosophy converged. I have walked its streets. Even after two thousand years, the ruins leave an imprmession. Wide avenues, lined with marble, still stretch across the ancient city. Great public buildings rise from the hillside. Standing there, it is easy to imagine the bustling crowds, the merchants calling from their shops, government officials hurrying to appointments, philosophers engaged in debate, and travelers arriving from every corner of the Mediterranean world. Ephesus was primarily a port city. Its deep harbor made it one of the busiest commercial centers of the empire. Ships carried goods from Europe, Asia, and Africa, bringing not only wealth but also ideas. Although centuries of silt eventually filled the harbor and led to the city’s decline, in John’s lifetime Ephesus was flourishing. It was also an intellectual center. Dominating one end of the city stood the magnificent Library of Celsus. Its elegant façade still stands today, one of the most recognizable landmarks of the ancient world. Historians estimate that it once housed some twelve thousand scrolls, making it one of the great libraries of the Roman Empire. Scholars, teachers, and students gathered there to exchange ideas and debate philosophy. Knowledge was prized in Ephesus. The city also served as the administrative capital of the Roman province of Asia. Roman officials governed the surrounding region from there, and the events recorded in Acts 19 remind us how influential the city had become in the spread of Christianity. Yet Ephesus was known for far more than commerce and government. It was also one of the religious capitals of the ancient world. Towering over the city stood the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Ancient writers tell us it was several times larger than the Parthenon in Athens. Pilgrims traveled from across the empire to worship there, bringing wealth and prestige to the city. Artemis was the goddess of the hunt, fertility, and childbirth. The Temple drew visitors from all over the region and had a huge economic impact on the local economy. When I visited Ephesus, Paul’s words took on fresh meaning. Standing amid the ruins of a city famous for its wealth, idolatry, and moral excess, I found myself reading Ephesians 5 through different eyes. “Wives, submit to your own husbands,” and “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church,” sounded less like an argument about who held authority and more like a call to covenant faithfulness. In a culture where sexual double standards were commonplace and marriage was often devalued, Paul was pointing believers toward something revolutionary: one man and one woman bound together in self-giving love, reflecting the relationship between Christ and His church. During my visit to Ephesus, our guide pointed to an area where archaeologists had uncovered the remains of the public bathhouses. Across the street, excavations were revealing the modest dwellings where many of the temple women had lived. He also explained that the bones of infants had been discovered in the city’s sewer system. Standing there, I was reminded that every civilization, however brilliant its achievements, also bears the marks of its deepest moral failures. The marble streets, magnificent library, and impressive architecture tell only part of Ephesus’s story. The city celebrated human achievement, yet countless human lives were treated as disposable. That contradiction is hardly unique to the ancient world. Every culture reaches extraordinary heights in some areas while revealing profound blindness in others. We build universities and hospitals while tolerating poverty. We celebrate scientific discoveries while struggling to value every human life equally. The forms change, but the human condition remains remarkably constant. John understood the world in which he lived. He did not write to people who were ignorant or uncivilized. The Ephesians admired learning. They appreciated beauty. They valued public debate. They took pride in their accomplishments. But beneath that confidence lay unanswered questions. Who is God? What is truth? What gives human beings their worth? Can reason alone explain the world? Those questions filled the lecture halls of Ephesus long before John arrived. Philosophers had wrestled with them for centuries. Plato had offered one answer. Aristotle another. The Stoics and Epicureans still debated them in the marketplaces of the empire. John knew he could not begin where Matthew had begun, by tracing Jesus’ genealogy back to Abraham. Most of his readers would not have recognized those names. They were not asking whether Jesus fulfilled the promises made to Israel. They were asking far more fundamental questions. What is the source of truth? What is the meaning behind the universe? How can we know ultimate reality? John answered those questions with a single, astonishing sentence: “In the beginning was the Word.” For a Jewish reader, those words echoed the opening of Genesis. For a Greek reader, they carried an entirely different resonance. John deliberately chose the Greek word logos . It was one of the most powerful words in the Greek language. The Word was made flesh and lived among us! Previous Next

< Back Advent Conspiracy Consumerism has overtaken Christmas. Have you ever thought of as a conspiracy to counter that. Advent Conspiracy My wife and I were doing our Christmas shopping one weekend when I found myself thinking about a pastor friend who has challenged our family to see Christmas in a completely different way—not as a shopping season, but as a conspiracy. His point is simple. Somewhere along the way, Christmas was quietly captured by consumerism. Every year we spend billions of dollars on gifts that soon break, wear out, or lose their appeal, often leaving us with debt long after the decorations have been packed away. Our economy depends less on what we produce than on how much we consume. Meanwhile, millions of people around the world struggle to survive on just a few dollars a day. Something has gone wrong. My friend believes the first Christmas invites us into a different kind of conspiracy—a conspiracy of life. That thought reminds me of an insight from C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity . Lewis points out that the New Testament uses two different Greek words for life. The first is bios , from which we derive the word biology . Bios refers to our physical existence—the life that depends on food, water, air, shelter, and constant care. It is precious, but it is also temporary. Everything that belongs to bios eventually wears out, including our bodies and, for that matter, most of the things we buy. The second word is zoe . This is the life that belongs to God himself—eternal, abundant, and inexhaustible. It is the life Jesus possessed and came to share with the world. Throughout John’s Gospel, Jesus met people’s immediate physical needs, yet he always pointed beyond them to something greater. He offered water to a weary Samaritan woman but promised her Living Water that would never run dry. He fed more than five thousand hungry people, yet declared himself to be the Bread of Life. He raised Lazarus from the dead, but then proclaimed, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Finally, through his own death and resurrection, he opened the way for all who believe to receive eternal life. Jesus continually brought zoe into a world limited by bios . That is the true Advent conspiracy. So perhaps we should think differently about Christmas. Instead of asking, “What can I buy?” we might ask, “How can I give life?” Give gifts that carry something of yourself. Write a letter that expresses your love. Create something with your own hands. Spend unhurried time with your children or grandchildren. Share a meal. Tell family stories. Make memories that will outlast the latest gadget or fashion. In other words, give more than presents. Give yourself. There is another way to join this conspiracy as well. If bios is the fragile, temporary life we all possess, consider giving a significant portion of your Christmas budget to organizations that bring both practical help and the hope of Christ to people living in poverty. Meet immediate needs, but also support those who share the life that Jesus came to give. The first Christmas was never about consuming more. It was about God giving himself. Perhaps the best way to celebrate Christmas is to join his conspiracy—by giving life. Advent Conspiracy is an annual Christmas movement that encourages believers to worship fully, spend less, give more, and love all. Learn more at adventconspiracy.org. Previous Next

< Back The Wisdom of Wisdom Part I The Proverbs say that wisdom is knowing how to live. The Wisdom of Wisdom Reflections on Proverbs Part One: Learning How to Live Some books of the Bible tell a story. Others proclaim God’s message through prophecy. Some record the history of God’s people. The Book of Proverbs does none of these. Instead, it asks a simple but profound question: How should we live? The opening verses introduce the purpose of the book: “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair… The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” These words are much more than an introduction. They are Solomon’s invitation to a lifetime of learning. When most Christians think about the Old Testament, they naturally think first of Genesis, the Exodus, David and Goliath, Elijah on Mount Carmel, or Isaiah’s great prophecies of the coming Messiah. Those are the stories we learned as children, and rightly so. They form the great narrative of God’s work among His people. Yet tucked quietly into the center of the Old Testament lies another collection of books that often receives far less attention. Scholars call them the Wisdom Literature. They include Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. Collectively they occupy nearly as much space in the Old Testament as the five books of Moses. Yet many Christians spend little time reading them beyond the familiar Psalms and an occasional proverb quoted in a devotional. That is unfortunate. The Wisdom Literature was Israel’s handbook for everyday living. The Law told Israel what was right and wrong. Wisdom taught them how to live wisely within those boundaries. The Ten Commandments tell us not to steal. Proverbs teaches us how to become trustworthy. The Law commands us not to bear false witness. Wisdom teaches us when to speak, when to remain silent, and how words can heal or destroy. The Law condemns greed. Wisdom teaches us contentment. One reveals God’s standards. The other teaches God’s people how to embody those standards in ordinary life. That is why Proverbs is unlike almost any other book in Scripture. It contains no sustained storyline. Its chapters move from one subject to another with surprising speed. One verse may discuss money, the next friendship, the next anger, then laziness, honesty, marriage, justice, pride, or speech. At first glance the book can feel almost random. But only at first glance. As you read through Proverbs, certain themes begin appearing again and again like familiar landmarks on a journey. They become the threads that weave hundreds of individual sayings into one beautiful tapestry. Three of those themes appear repeatedly throughout the book. The first is the tender invitation, “My son…” Solomon uses this expression over and over again as though an aging father were sitting beside a younger friend, patiently sharing what life has taught him. The second is the word “better.” Again and again Proverbs compares one way of living with another. Better a little with righteousness than great wealth with injustice. Better patience than power. Better humility than pride. Wisdom continually reminds us that the best things in life cannot always be measured by money, influence, or success. The third theme is the phrase, “The fear of the Lord.” It appears so often that it becomes the foundation upon which every other proverb rests. Wisdom does not begin with intelligence, education, or experience. It begins with reverence. Together these three themes answer life’s greatest questions. Who should I listen to? How should I choose? Upon what foundation should I build my life? Those questions are no less important today than they were three thousand years ago. Our age has accumulated astonishing knowledge. We can communicate instantly around the globe, map the human genome, explore distant planets, and place nearly all the world’s information into a device that fits inside a pocket. Yet knowledge alone has never guaranteed wisdom. We know more than any previous generation. Whether we live better is another question altogether. The modern world suffers no shortage of information. It suffers from a shortage of wisdom. Perhaps that is why Proverbs feels so surprisingly contemporary. Solomon understood that the greatest decisions we face are rarely between obvious good and obvious evil. More often they are choices between what is merely attractive and what is truly better. That is the wisdom Solomon longs to pass along. And perhaps that is the wisdom we need most today. Previous Next

< Back The Wisdom of Wisdom, Part IV Wisdom starts here: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” The Wisdom of Wisdom Part IV Wisdom Begins If someone asked me to summarize the Book of Proverbs in a single sentence, I would probably choose the verse Solomon places near the very beginning: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” That statement appears again and again throughout Proverbs. It is the foundation beneath every other proverb. Without it, wisdom eventually becomes little more than cleverness. But what does Solomon mean by “the fear of the Lord”? Many people hear the word fear and immediately think of terror. Certainly there are moments in Scripture when human beings tremble before the overwhelming holiness of God. But the fear Solomon describes is something deeper and richer. It is reverence. It is awe. It is the humble recognition that God is God and we are not. It is living every part of life with the awareness that we answer to Someone greater than ourselves. Connie and I have always enjoyed visiting museums. There is something deeply satisfying about standing before a masterpiece and allowing yourself simply to look. I remember the first time I saw Claude Monet’s Water Lilies in New York City. No photograph had prepared me for its size. The painting seemed almost to surround me. The colors, the light, the perspective—it was breathtaking. I found myself wondering less about the painting itself than about the artist who could imagine such beauty. The work led me to admire its creator. The same thing happened when we visited the immersive Van Gogh exhibit. His paintings filled the walls around us. Sunflowers . The Bedroom . The Starry Night . Everywhere I looked I found myself entering the imagination of a remarkable artist. Then there was the Salvador Dalí Museum in Florida. One particular display has remained in my memory. Standing close to the enormous image, I saw nothing but rectangles of green, gray, and black. They appeared almost random. I could make no sense of them. Then I stepped backward. Suddenly the scattered shapes merged into a magnificent side profile of Abraham Lincoln. The picture had not changed. My perspective had. That experience reminds me of Proverbs. When we read individual proverbs one at a time, they can seem disconnected. One speaks about money. Another about friendship. The next about speech. Then humility. Then justice. Then work. Then family. At first they appear unrelated. But when we step back and look at the whole picture, a single image begins to emerge. The Book of Proverbs is painting the portrait of a wise life. And at its center stands the fear of the Lord. Only from that perspective do all the individual pieces begin to make sense. The New Testament invites us to step back even farther. The Apostle Paul writes something remarkable to the believers in Corinth: “Christ Jesus…has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” That statement transforms everything. The wisdom Solomon described is no longer merely a collection of sayings. It has become flesh. Jesus is wisdom embodied. He teaches us not only what wisdom says. He shows us what wisdom looks like. When the world admired wealth, He blessed the poor in spirit. When society honored power, He welcomed children. When His enemies demanded revenge, He forgave. When the powerful exalted themselves, He humbled Himself, even to death on a cross. The wisdom of God looked like foolishness to the world. And yet it changed the world forever. That is why Proverbs continues to matter. It prepares our hearts to recognize Christ. It teaches us to admire humility instead of arrogance. Integrity instead of success. Justice instead of exploitation. Mercy instead of vengeance. Truth instead of convenience. Love instead of selfish ambition. The older I become, the more convinced I am that our greatest need is not more information. Every day we are overwhelmed with news, opinions, statistics, arguments, and endless streams of information. Knowledge has never been more abundant. Wisdom has rarely been more scarce. Perhaps that is why Proverbs feels so remarkably modern. It reminds us that life is not measured by how much we know. It is measured by how faithfully we live. Wisdom is not the ability to answer every question. It is learning to ask the right ones. It is not merely understanding God’s truth. It is allowing God’s truth to shape our character. It is choosing what is better instead of merely what is easier. It is investing ourselves in the next generation. It is walking humbly with our Creator. The fear of the Lord is not the end of wisdom. It is the beginning. Everything else grows from there. When I finish reading the Book of Proverbs, I find myself praying a very simple prayer. “Lord, make me wiser than I was yesterday. Help me to listen more carefully. Choose more thoughtfully. Love more deeply. Serve more faithfully. And leave behind a little more wisdom than I received.” If that prayer becomes our own, then Solomon’s purpose has been fulfilled. For wisdom is never measured by what we know. It is measured by the life we leave behind. Previous Next

< Back Compassion--A Better Way Imagine the culumative affect of millions of people choosing compassion over violence, power, and weallth. Compassion: A Better Way When people look at a tree, they rarely notice its roots. Hidden beneath the soil, the roots quietly provide everything the tree needs for life. Yet what captures our attention are the leaves. They are the visible evidence that the tree is alive. For several months our church explored this simple picture of a tree as a way of understanding the Christian life. The roots represented the character of God. God is gracious, merciful, and just. These are the unchanging truths upon which our faith is built. The trunk represented what God values. Through the prophet Micah, God tells us what is good: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Him. The branches represented what we do. Faith is never merely believed; it is lived. Justice is not simply admired—it is practiced. But what do people actually see? They see the leaves. A single leaf is remarkable. Through the miracle of photosynthesis, it transforms sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into the oxygen that makes life possible. Yet one leaf alone changes very little. It is the millions upon millions of leaves working together that sustain life on earth. Connie and I have always loved the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. Standing among forests stretching for miles in every direction, I often think about the unimaginable power contained in those countless leaves. Together they continually renew the atmosphere and make life possible for the rest of creation. Followers of Christ are meant to have that same kind of collective impact. Individually, each act of kindness may seem small. Together, however, millions of acts of compassion can change the world. That was certainly true of Jesus. Again and again the Gospels tell us that Jesus “was moved with compassion.” The Greek word is splagchnizomai . It describes something much deeper than sympathy. It literally refers to being moved in one’s deepest inner being—to feel another person’s suffering in the pit of the stomach. But in the New Testament compassion is never merely an emotion. It is always an emotion that moves someone to action. When Jesus saw hungry crowds, He fed them. When He encountered lepers, He touched them. When blind men cried for mercy, He restored their sight. He healed the sick, comforted grieving widows, delivered the demonized, welcomed the rejected, and embraced the outcasts of society. Compassion was not simply something Jesus felt; it was what people saw. In fact, the New Testament uses this powerful word only a handful of times, and almost every occurrence is connected directly with Jesus. Compassion is uniquely His way of seeing people. It is one of the defining characteristics of His Kingdom. After delivering the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus immediately demonstrated what He had just taught. Matthew chapters 5 through 7 are the classroom; chapters 8 and 9 are the laboratory. As Jesus descended the mountain, He met an astonishing variety of people: a leper, a Roman centurion and his servant, Peter’s fever-stricken mother-in-law, a paralytic, Matthew the tax collector, a grieving father whose daughter had died, a woman suffering from chronic illness, blind men, and those oppressed by demons. They came from different backgrounds, occupations, and social classes, yet they shared one thing in common. They were vulnerable. These were the people Jesus described as the harvest. The Roman Empire offered little hope for such people. Most of the population lived in poverty. Disease was everywhere. Medical care was almost nonexistent. Average life expectancy was barely into the thirties. Sickness and death seemed permanently joined together. Jesus refused to accept that as the final word. Instead, He sent His disciples into that harvest with astonishing instructions: heal the sick, cleanse lepers, cast out demons, proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven has come near. His Kingdom would advance not through coercion but through compassion, not through fear but through love. History shows just how revolutionary that vision became. Francis of Assisi once admitted that nothing filled him with greater disgust than the sight of a leper. Then one day he encountered one while riding his horse. Instead of turning away, he dismounted, embraced the man, gave him money, and kissed his diseased hands. Later Francis wrote that what had once filled him with revulsion became the source of both spiritual and physical consolation. He had learned to see people through the eyes of Christ. The same transformation has been repeated countless times throughout history. The Franciscans became known for serving society’s forgotten people. The Salvation Army earned its reputation by caring for the poor and marginalized. They became known by their leaves. I witnessed this same compassion firsthand after the devastating earthquake on the Indonesian island of Nias in 2005. As I surveyed village after village, I discovered that many children were stunted by malnutrition while preventable diseases spread through contaminated wells and poor sanitation. Wells stood only a few feet from latrines. Rainwater carried contamination directly into drinking water. Mosquitoes bred unchecked because basic sanitation was absent. The solution was not dramatic. It was compassionate. Safe water, proper sanitation, child-survival programs, and better nutrition prevented diseases before they began. In many villages, Scripture itself became the motivation for these changes. As people understood Christ’s concern for the vulnerable, they embraced healthier practices that transformed entire communities. This, too, is the work of the Kingdom. Jesus did not eliminate every disease during His earthly ministry, nor did He raise every person from the dead. Yet He forever broke the assumption that sickness and death must simply be accepted. His example inspired generations of physicians, nurses, scientists, and relief workers whose calling has been to preserve life and relieve suffering. Every hospital, vaccination campaign, clean-water project, and humanitarian effort that reflects Christ’s compassion bears witness to His continuing influence upon the world. I have experienced that personally. My own doctors possess knowledge and skills that I do not. Through them, God has repeatedly extended my life. After my first battle with cancer, I made a promise to the Lord that I would not surrender anything unnecessarily—not even life itself. We would face illness realistically, but we would fight it faithfully. If suffering came, we would seek to suffer well. Christ came not only to give eternal life but also to affirm the value of this earthly life He created. Perhaps the clearest evidence that compassion changes hearts came from another Indonesian pastor named Wijayah. He planted a church in one of the poorest neighborhoods of Bandung, a predominantly Muslim city. Rather than beginning with arguments, he began with compassion. Church members contributed the equivalent of a fraction of a penny each week. Together they bought milk for infants, helped poor families purchase school uniforms, created jobs, and quietly served their neighbors year after year. Then came the threats. An extremist group demanded that the church close its doors and threatened to burn the building and kill the pastor. Christians around the world prayed. International leaders urged the Indonesian government to protect its citizens. But the most remarkable response came from the neighborhood itself. The Muslim families whose children had been fed and clothed by the church poured into the streets to defend it. Even a local street gang agreed to guard Pastor Wijayah and his congregation. Some of those young men eventually became followers of Christ. That did not happen because the church won an argument. It happened because the people had seen the leaves. Compassion had become visible. That is still Jesus’ better way. Previous Next