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The sweltering summer heat got me thinking about this intriguing "no sweat" message in the Bible. Can you relate? WHAT'S SO BAD ABOUT A LITTLE SWEAT? If you live anywhere in the northern hemisphere, you’ve probably been dealing with sweltering temperatures in recent weeks. Here in the Carolinas, we’ve had several days near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and my Pakistani friends have had it even worse. There has been abundant heat and lots of perspiration this summer! Against this current backdrop, I was stunned by an intriguing Old Testament passage about the priests who would minister in the temple: “When they enter the gates of the inner court they are to wear linen garments; they must not have on them anything made of wool when they minister at the gates of the inner court and within it. They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists” (Ezekiel 44:17-18). Hmmm… So, what’s the big deal about wearing linen instead of wool? The passage continues with this explanation: “They are not to put on anything that makes them sweat.” This may seem like an insignificant difference to you, but it’s not. We all sweat, so perspiration is an inevitable part of our physical lives. But sweat in this passage is emblematic of something much deeper—God’s curse pronounced after Adam sinned: “You will eat bread by the sweat of your brow until you return to the ground” (Genesis 3:17-19). This was a profound change from the life Adam and Eve originally had in the Garden of Eden. The Lord had lovingly placed them in a garden already abounding in food and other necessities (Genesis 2:8-9). No work on Adam’s part was necessary. All he had to do was partake of God’s gracious, unmerited gift. It was a wonderful life, and no sweat was required! The temple priests in Ezekiel’s day were supposed to model this same reality: salvation and provision based on grace rather than striving. In contrast, “wool” would have been symbolic of human effort and religious works—the very opposite of what Jesus later revealed in the gospel. When we see the marriage supper of the Lamb at the end of time, it shouldn’t surprise us how the bride will be dressed: “She was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure” (Revelation 19:7-8). Notice that her wedding dress was a GIFT, something she was “given.” Personal Application I find myself quite challenged by this “no sweat” message. Those of us who “work for God” often perspire far too much. Instead of relying upon the power of the Holy Spirit, we exert our own fleshly effort. Rather than trusting in the Lord, we lean on our own expertise and ingenuity (Proverbs 3:5-7). Jesus taught that fleshly effort is unfruitful in bringing about eternal fruit (John 15:5, 15:16). Even worse, the thing it does produce is SWEAT. And although I don’t want to be too graphic, what does our sweat inevitably produce: BODY ODOR! Are you getting a clearer picture of why God’s holy priesthood should be clothed in “linen” garments instead of wool? Religion always ends up stinking! Let’s be brutally honest here. The world is tired of breathing the fumes of our religious perspiration. Instead, they’re craving a much different fragrance: the sweet aroma of Christ: “Thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14). Thanks be to God, indeed. This amazing supernatural transformation will impact our own lives and everyone around us. Yes, the Bible teaches that God’s grace will motivates us to work hard (1 Corinthians 15:10). However, the secret to the Christian life is not hard work but “Christ in us” (Galatians 2:20, Colossians 1:27). That’s the only way we can experience victorious, no-sweat Christianity. Some of us are due for a refreshing shower of God’s love to remove the stench. And let’s not forget to ditch the stinky religious attire infused with our sweat. Praise God, fresh linen garments are our future! www.JimBuchan.com

Beyond Our Limits: See the World as God Sees It In these days, as the world stumbles deeper into chaos, war, and sin, the limitations of human vision are more obvious than ever. Men think their view is all that is; leaders make decisions in darkness, and the masses follow after whatever they can see and understand. Arthur Schopenhauer once wrote, “Every man takes the limits of his own vision for the limits of the world.” This is not just philosophy—it is prophecy. We are living in days when men trust only what is before their eyes and reject the counsel of God. But the Lord says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8–9, NKJV) The world’s vision is failing. Sin abounds. Selfishness and pride blind leaders and entire nations. Men fight for power and control, yet have no control even over their own hearts. The wars and rumors of wars we see today are not simply the product of politics or economics—they are the direct result of men living within the boundaries of their own corrupted vision, refusing to seek the wisdom that only comes from God. The Church, however, must not follow this blindness. We are called to see as God sees, not as the world sees. We are called to lift our eyes above the noise, above the threats, above the confusion. We must recognize that behind every war, every act of violence, every surge of lawlessness, there is a spiritual battle raging—a battle for the souls of men. “Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1–2, NKJV) The darker the world, the brighter the Church must become. We are not called to curse the darkness but to bring the Light. We are not called to shrink back in fear, but to stand firm—unshakable, unwavering, a beacon of stability and hope in a world that has lost its way. Begin Where You Are Let us be clear: The problems we see are bigger than governments, ideologies, and what any man can solve. But they are not bigger than our God. Still, before we can expect revival in the world, each Christian must take responsibility for the light in their own home, their neighborhood, and their circle of influence. True change always starts at home. • Fathers and mothers, disciple your children in the Word, model godliness, and create a culture of prayer and truth in your household. • Reach your neighbors not only with words but with works—acts of kindness, integrity, and genuine care that point to Christ. • Let the Gospel be evident in your personal life and in every relationship you have. Only when the light shines in our own homes and communities can it spread to cities, nations, and the world. Practical Prophetic Call: • Refuse to be defined by what you see on the news or social media. • Take every crisis as an opportunity to shine for Christ. • Intercede for the nations—pray with authority, believing that God hears and acts. • Speak the truth of God’s Word without compromise. • Stand for righteousness, even if you stand alone. • Be a voice of peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation wherever there is hatred and strife. • Start by loving and leading your family in the ways of the Lord. • Be present in your neighborhood as a witness, a servant, and a peacemaker. Final Word: The world’s vision is limited, but God’s is not. Let the Church rise up with the eyes of faith, the wisdom of the Word, and the power of the Holy Spirit. When the world is shaking, let us be found stable, steadfast, and shining bright with the hope of Christ—beginning in our homes and spreading to the nations. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7, NKJV) Lord, lift our eyes above the chaos and teach us to see as You see. Break the limits of our human vision and fill us with Your wisdom, Your perspective, and Your boldness. Let Your Church be the light in the darkness, a place of peace in a world of war. May we be found faithful, starting first with our own families, then our neighbors, and beyond. Empower us to be a beacon of hope and truth wherever You have placed us. In Jesus’ name, Amen. #AriseForChrist

We Are Refined for a Purpose: The Five Phases God Uses to Fulfill His Will in Our Lives Throughout Scripture, God reveals a consistent pattern in how He refines His people—shaping them through seasons of challenge, testing, and transformation to fulfill His divine purposes. Like gold purified by fire, God’s chosen are made radiant through trial. The Bible is rich with imagery of refining, as in “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver” (Malachi 3:3, NIV). From Abraham to Paul, the journey to God’s calling often passes through five distinct phases. 1. From Comfort to Calling In “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing’” (Genesis 12:1–2, NIV), God calls Abram away from security and familiarity into an unknown future. This first phase marks the disruption of ease. The comfort zone is rarely where divine purpose. flourishes. God invites us into the unfamiliar—not to harm us, but to awaken in us a deeper trust in His promise. 2. The Wilderness of Refinement The wilderness is God’s workshop. Here, He burns away self-reliance and pride, replacing them with humility and spiritual dependence. As Scripture says, “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction” (Isaiah 48:10, NIV). The wilderness strips us of distractions and idols, preparing us for holy assignments we could not carry in our former state. 3. The Breaking Point Before we can be rebuilt, we must be broken. In this painful yet sacred phase, we are emptied of illusions about our own strength. As the Lord said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV). It is often in our lowest, weakest places that God's voice becomes clearest, and His strength most manifest. 4. Transformation Through Trials Trials are God's chisels, sculpting character, deepening faith, and producing hope. “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3–4, NIV). The fire that once seemed meant to destroy us becomes the very forge in which we are made strong and usable. As Peter wrote, “These [trials] have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:7, NIV). 5. The Place of Power and Purpose After refining comes fruitfulness. In due time, God places His servants in positions of influence, not for their glory, but to fulfill His greater purpose. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20, NIV). Whether we are stepping out in faith, wandering through the wilderness, enduring a breaking point, or being tested by fire, we can rest assured: God is refining us. These phases are not random—they are sacred. Let us remain faithful, trusting that God is turning raw potential into holy purpose—one fire-forged phase at a time. May God richly bless you all you love. Pastor James James Henri Cook, PhD, MDiv, MBA Lead Minister, Spirit of Truth Christian Fellowship - World

Discover Your Purpose in Christ (Philippians 4:8) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Discover Your Purpose in Christ (Philippians 4:8) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Discover Your Purpose in Christ (Psalm 143:1-2) Hear my prayer, O Lord, Give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, And in Your righteousness. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no one living is righteous. (1 Timothy 2:1-2) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Discover Your Purpose in Christ (Psalm 143:1-2) Hear my prayer, O Lord, Give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, And in Your righteousness. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no one living is righteous. (1 Timothy 2:1-2) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Christianity is hard when we are entangled in sin, “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning” 2 Peter 2:20 (NKJV). Staying entangled in sin has consequences, “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment” Heb 10:26-27 (NKJV). Discipline can be found through the strength of Jesus Christ, “Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (NKJV). Faith is a journey that needs the endurance of Jesus Christ to complete, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) I pray that we will be freed from the entanglement of sin by keeping our eyes on Jesus, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” Heb 12:2 (NKJV). May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. https://whyischristianitysohard.com/ #WhyisChristianitysoHard #Christian #Jesus #Disciple #Faith #Grace #Choice #Freewill