A Vision of the Lost

Written by William Booth

 

On one of my recent journeys, as I gazed from the coach window, I was led into a train of thought concerning the condition of the multitudes around me. They were living carelessly in the most open and shameless rebellion against God, without a thought for their eternal welfare. As I looked out of the window, I seemed to see them all... millions of people all around me given up to their drink and their pleasure, their dancing and their music, their business and their anxieties, their politics and their troubles. Ignorant- willfully ignorant in many cases- and in other instances knowing all about the truth and not caring at all. But all of them, the whole mass of them, sweeping on and up in their blasphemies and devilries to the Throne of God. While my mind was thus engaged, I had a vision.

I saw a dark and stormy ocean. Over it the black clouds hung heavily; through them every now and then vivid lightening flashed and loud thunder rolled, while the winds moaned, and the waves rose and foamed, towered and broke, only to rise and foam, tower and break again.

In that ocean I thought I saw myriads of poor human beings plunging and floating, shouting and shrieking, cursing and struggling and drowning; and as they cursed and screamed they rose and shrieked again, and then some sank to rise no more.

And I saw out of this dark angry ocean, a mighty rock that rose up with it’s summit towering high above the black clouds that overhung the stormy sea. And all around the base of this great rock I saw a vast platform. Onto this platform, I saw with delight a number of the poor struggling, drowning wretches continually climbing out of the angry ocean. And I saw that a few of those who were already safe on the platform were helping the poor creatures still in the angry waters to reach the place of safety.

On looking more closely I found a number of those who had been rescued, industriously working and scheming by ladders, ropes, boats and other means more effective, to deliver the poor strugglers out of the sea. Here and there were some who actually jumped into the water, regardless of the consequences in their passion to "rescue the perishing." And I hardly know which gladdened me the most- the sight of the poor drowning people climbing onto the rocks reaching a place of safety, or the devotion and self-sacrifice of those whose whole being was wrapped up in the effort for their deliverance.

As I looked on, I saw that the occupants of that platform were quite a mixed company. That is, they were divided into different "sets" or classes, and they occupied themselves with different pleasures and employments. But only a very few of them seemed to make it their business to get the people out of the sea.

But what puzzled me most was the fact that though all of them had been rescued at one time or another from the ocean, nearly everyone seemed to have forgotten all about it. Anyway, it seemed the memory of its darkness and danger no longer troubled them at all. And what seemed equally strange and perplexing to me was that these people did not even seem to have any care- that is any agonizing care- about the poor perishing ones who were struggling and drowning right before their very eyes... many of whom were their own husbands and wives, brothers and sisters and even their own children.

Now this astonishing unconcern could not have been the result of ignorance or lack of knowledge, because they lived right there in full sight of it all and even talked about it sometimes. Many even went regularly to hear lectures and sermons in which the awful state of these poor drowning creatures was described.

I have always said that the occupants of this platform were engaged in different pursuits and pastimes. Some of them were absorbed day and night in trading and business in order to make gain, storing up their savings in boxes, safes and the like.

Many spent their time in amusing themselves with growing flowers on the side of the rock, others in painting pieces of cloth or in playing music, or in dressing themselves up in different styles and walking about to be admired. Some occupied themselves chiefly in eating and drinking, others were taken up with arguing about the poor drowning creatures that had already been rescued.

But the thing to me that seemed the most amazing was that those on the platform to whom He called, who heard His voice and felt that they ought to obey it- at least they said they did- those who confessed to love Him much were in full sympathy with Him in the task He had undertaken- who worshipped Him or who professed to do so- were so taken up with their trades and professions, their money saving and pleasures, their families and circles, their religions and arguments about it, and their preparation for going to the mainland, that they did not listen to the cry that came to them from this Wonderful Being who had Himself gone down into the sea. Anyway, if they heard it they did not heed it. They did not care. And so the multitude went on right before them struggling and shrieking and drowning in the darkness.

And then I saw something that seemed to me even more strange than anything that had gone on before in this strange vision. I saw that some of these people on the platform whom this Wonderful Being had called to, wanting them to come and help Him in His difficult task of saving these perishing creatures, were always praying and crying out to Him to come to them!

Some wanted Him to come and stay with them, and spend His time and strength in making them happier. Others wanted Him to come and take away various doubts and misgivings they had concerning the truth of some letters He had written them. Some wanted Him to come and make them feel more secure on the rock- so secure that they would be quite sure that they should never slip off again into the ocean. Numbers of others wanted Him to make them feel quite certain that they would really get off the rock and onto the mainland someday: because as a matter of fact, it was well known that some had walked so carelessly as to loose their footing, and had fallen back again into the stormy waters.

So these people used to meet and get up as high on the rock as they could, and looking towards the mainland (where they thought the Great Being was) they would cry out, "Come to us! Come and help us!" And all the while He was down (by His Spirit) among the poor struggling, drowning creatures in the angry deep, with His arms around them trying to drag them out, and looking up- oh! so longingly but all in vain- to those on the rock, crying to them with His voice all hoarse from calling, "Come to Me! Come, and help Me!

And then I understood it all. It was plain enough. The sea was the ocean of life- the sea of real, actual human existence. That lightening was the gleaming of piercing truth coming from Jehovah’s Throne. That thunder was the distant echoing of the wrath of God. Those multitudes of people shrieking, struggling and agonizing in the stormy sea, was the thousands and thousands of poor harlots and harlot-makers, of drunkards and drunkard makers, of thieves, liars, blasphemers and ungodly people of every kindred, tongue and nation.

Oh what a black sea it was! And oh, what multitudes of rich and poor, ignorant and educated were there. They were all so unalike in their outward circumstances and conditions, yet all alike in one thing- all sinners before God- all held by, and holding onto, some iniquity, fascinated by some idol, the slaves of some devilish lust, and ruled by the foul fiend from the bottomless pit!

"All alike in one thing?" No, all alike in two things- not only the same in their wickedness but, unless rescued, the same in their sinking, sinking... down, down, down... to the same terrible doom. That great sheltering rock represented Calvary, the place where Jesus had died for them. And the people on it were those who had been rescued. The way they used their energies, gifts and time represented the occupations and amusements of those who professed to be saved from sin and hell- followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The handful of fierce, determined ones, who were risking their own lives in saving the perishing were true soldiers of the cross of Jesus. That Mighty Being who was calling to them from the midst of the angry waters was the Son of God, "the same yesterday, today and forever" who is still struggling and interceding to save the dying multitudes about us from this terrible doom of damnation, and whose voice can be heard above the music, machinery, and noise of life, calling on the rescued to come and help Him save the world.

My friends in Christ, you are rescued from the waters, you are on the rock, He is in the dark sea calling on you to come to Him and help Him. Will you go? Look for yourselves. The surging sea of life, crowded with perishing multitudes rolls up to the very spot on which you stand. Leaving the vision, I now come to speak of the fact- a fact that is as real as the Bible, as real as the Christ who hung upon the cross, as real as the judgment day will be, and as real as the heaven and hell that will follow it.

Look! Don’t be deceived by appearances- men and things are not what they seem. All who are not on the rock are in the sea! Look at them from the standpoint of the great White Throne, and what a sight you have! Jesus Christ, the Son of God is, through His Spirit, in the midst of this dying multitude, struggling to save them. And He is calling on you to jump into the sea- to go right away to His side and help Him in the holy strife. Will you jump? That is, will you go to His feet and place yourself absolutely at His disposal?

A young Christian once came to me, and told me that for some time she had been giving the Lord her profession and prayers and money, but now she wanted to give Him her life. She wanted to go right into the fight. In other words, she wanted to go to His assistance in the sea. As when a man from the shore, seeing another struggling in the water, takes off those outer garments that would hinder his efforts and leaps to the rescue, so will you who still linger on the bank, thinking and singing and praying about the poor perishing souls, lay aside your shame, your pride, your cares about other people’s opinions, your love of ease and all the selfish loves that have kept you back for so long, and rush to the rescue of this multitude of dying men and women.

Does the surging sea look dark and dangerous? Unquestionably it is so. There is no doubt that the leap for you, as for everyone who takes it, means difficulty and scorn and suffering. For you it may mean more than this. It may mean death. He who beckons you from the sea however, knows what it will mean - and knowing, He still calls to you and bids to you to come.

You must do it! You cannot hold back. You have enjoyed yourself in Christianity long enough. You have had pleasant feelings, pleasant songs, pleasant meetings, pleasant prospects. There has been much of human happiness, much clapping of hands and shouting of praises- very much of heaven on earth.

Now then, go to God and tell Him you are prepared as much as necessary to turn your back upon it all, and that you are willing to spend the rest of your days struggling in the midst of these perishing multitudes, whatever it may cost you.

You must do it. With the light that is now broken in upon your mind and the call that is now sounding in your ears, and the beckoning hands that are now before your eyes, you have no alternative. To go down among the perishing crowds is your duty. Your happiness from now on will consist in sharing their misery, your ease in sharing their pain, your crown in helping them to bear their cross, and your heaven in going into the very jaws of hell to rescue them.

 

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One Death Won Life: An Easter Invitation

For Christians, our Easter celebration starts on Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified. Our celebration begins with death, and not just any death, but the death of our Lord and Savior. And we call it good! How can this be?

Leading up to Easter, we see Jesus enter Jerusalem, scold the wicked, heal the sick and prepare His disciples for His upcoming death. The night before Good Friday, Jesus celebrated the Passover feast at a table with His disciples. Many important things happen at this meal, and what is most important is that God reveals Himself through Jesus and lets us in on the work He’s been preparing since the beginning of time.

What happens on this night, at this meal? Let’s look at just two things Jesus says:

1.     Jesus comforts His disciples

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." (John 14:1-4 NIV)

2.     Jesus promises the Holy Spirit

 "If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:15-18 NIV)

As Jesus explains to the disciples that He will soon be betrayed and put to death, He says, "Don't let your hearts be troubled by this! It is good that I leave you, because when I do, I will not only prepare a place for you in heaven, but I will also send my Spirit to guide you while you are here on earth."

And then, it happens. Jesus is arrested and put on trial the next day. Religious leaders and an angry crowd convince Pilate, the Roman leader of Judea, to have Him crucified. Jesus is mocked, beaten and spit upon before being nailed to a cross to die. His disciples, even if they believed everything Jesus said the night before, must have found it extremely difficult to understand Jesus' pain and suffering as good. Jesus death, as gruesome and unjust as it was, is the greatest thing to ever happen to you, me and the entire world.

We can rejoice because Jesus' one death won life for all of us. The story of Easter doesn't end on Good Friday. In fact, it ends with a beginning.

In Matthew chapter 28, we see Mary Magdalene approach Jesus' tomb three days after His death, only to find that his body is no longer there. Shortly thereafter, Jesus appears to Mary and later to the disciples. And He's not some ghostly apparition – It's really Jesus, flesh and bone, alive! Through the work of God, Jesus has conquered death and spends the next 40 days with His disciples before ascending to be with the Father.

When Jesus went to the cross, He knew that God's power would triumph over death, and not just triumph to raise Him again but to raise us all.

What does this mean? When Jesus died on Good Friday, all of our sin (everything that separates us from God) died with Him. This means that every bad decision I've made or will make in the future is forgiven through Christ. Before Jesus' death and resurrection, I’d be dead meat! I've always been a sinner. Even as a Christian, I am still a sinner. I wrong my God in one way or another every day. We all do. But now, it's no longer held against us. It's gone, buried with Christ.

Jesus resurrection on Easter Sunday is an awe-inspiring illustration of not only God's power over death but also His power to give life. As Jesus explained at the Last Supper, after He ascends, God sends His Holy Spirit down to live within the disciples and all who believe in Him. This is God saying, "There is no separation between us anymore. I love you so much that I want to be with you forever, all day, every day."

Easter bridges the gap for us. Christ's death and resurrection leads us away from an old life of death and sin to a new life of forgiveness and fullness.

So, what has this meant to me personally? How has Easter transformed my life? Let's look at a passage from 1 Peter:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV)

This scripture states that as a believer and follower of Jesus, I am a completely new person with an inheritance of eternal life. This means that God loves me and my sins aren't counted against me. It means I can love others the way I was meant to, like Jesus did. And it means that when I die, my life is not over. The pain, struggles, and disappointments of life here on earth aren't all there is. There is so much more.

What is new birth like?

For me, the transformation of new birth in Christ has been pretty incredible. I think thoughts I've never had before. I make decisions I'd never have made before knowing Him. Whether my thoughts or decisions are "small" like how I spend an afternoon or "big" like how I spend the rest of my life, I now find Jesus at the center of all of them. And that's the Holy Spirit working in me. Does that sound a little weird? Someone else's (God's) spirit living in you, transforming your entire being, how you think and how you act? At first, it is a little weird! Then, it becomes completely natural. Because this new person is who I really am, who I was created to be - a child of God in relationship with my Maker, motivated to do good for Him and others.

What is eternal life?

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3 NIV)

Don't some days, weeks or even years feel like eternity? Things on the horizon seem so far away, yet Jesus says eternity is here. Eternity is now, with Him and in you. All the peace, all the joy, all the good that He has, you have access to right now.

If God created us and God is in us by His Spirit, then whatever He does has to affect us, right? Just like whatever we do has to affect Him. We ignore Him, and He is hurt. We bring Him glory, and He is pleased. There is a real relationship here in which both parties are participants. So, when Jesus died, something in us had to die, too. And what died was death. God triumphing over death, which only He can do, gives us the opportunity to follow Him into eternity.

Because of Christ's resurrection, we can say:

 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" (1 Corinthians 15:55 NIV)

It's gone. God has power over life and death. And for you? He chooses life. He says, "It's here, in me. Come and get it!" God allows us to, in a way, share in His power, by accepting it, and saying, "Yeah, I want that. Lord, what you offer is all that is good. And I could use some good right now. I could use some life!"

Could you use some good? Could you use new life right now? I encourage you to really think about what Christ's death and resurrection means to you. Reflect on your life up to this point. If you believe in your heart that everything in this post is true, tell Him! Whisper to God or shout it from the rooftops! You're forgiven from sin. You're saved from death. You're alive in eternity. Hallelujah!

Written by Elyse Jankowski
Community Relations Associate

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Keep Calm, and I'll Fight

A very popular image being used on posters all over the world is that of a crown with the phrase "Keep Calm and Carry On" written underneath it. This phrase was coined by an unknown civil servant to be a moral boost to citizens of the United Kingdom during the perils of World War II.

Like our friends in England during the Second World War, we too are under siege. The difference is while the British were being bombed, we are at war with sin and hell. Knowing this way back in 1912, General William Booth is reported to have given his famous "I'll Fight" speech.
 
"While women weep as they do now, I'll fight. While little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight. While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, I'll fight. While there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight. I'll fight to the very end!"

Society is changing. Sin is now seen as acceptable. People are justifying sin as a part of society and believe that as society changes, what God views as sin changes along with it. I must emphatically disagree. Malachi 3:6 says, "For I am the LORD, I do not change." Not convinced? How about Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." God's word, God's views, God's love, God's will NEVER changes because God himself never changes. He is perfection, as is his will and his law.

Society is not going to get better without some fighting. Not physical fighting, but true engagement in spiritual warfare. This may scare you. People are afraid to send their children to school, to go to the movies, and even leave their homes let alone engage their secular friends in conversations for Christ. But I have a message for the timid: Keep calm, and I'll fight. I'm not alone in this. The Salvation Army is full of fighters on the streets you wouldn't want to walk down, in the neighborhoods you're afraid to drive through...Where there seems to be no hope, no light, we will fight.

The message is for today's society and future generations. As the chaos of this world consumes you, I'll fight. As sin guides you in your views, I'll fight. While there remains one soul reaching out for the redeeming blood of Jesus, I'll fight. So, everyone just Keep Calm, and I’ll Fight.

Written by Bramwell Applin
Community Relations Manager

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The Friend Zone

In the lush green plains of relationships, two great peaks reach skyward casting a permanent shadow on the valley between them. On the lesser peak stands planted a flag reading "Friendship." Across from it, on a clear day, bursting through cloud nine can be seen another flag which reads "Romance."

Between the two mountains, in that dark and shady valley are the remains of unattained desires scattered about like an elephant graveyard. In its center lies a mound of wants that could not safely make it from one peak to the other. Atop this mound of insecurity, disappointment and 'what-ifs' is planted another flag. Unlike the other flags that boldly flap in the wind, this flag is tattered from the multi-directional winds of the valley. It reads, "The Friend Zone!" 

John 21:15 says: When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." 

Commissioner Israel Gaither brought to my attention that Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him using agape love, an unconditional love, but Peter responds using a philia love, a brotherly love. In other words Jesus ask Peter, "Do you love me?" and Peter responds, "I like you a lot..." planting Christ firmly in the friend zone.

Many of us entertain, even enjoy, a friendship with Christ. We don't mind the occasional chat or benefit from the relationship as if Jesus was that one friend in high school that was invited out only because they had a car. As long as the friendship doesn't inconvenience us, we will even hang out with Him for a bit on Sundays if it will keep Him happy.

Commissioner Gaither said it best, "Jesus doesn’t want us to 'like' Him! He wants us to love Him!" Instead of accepting a meaningful relationship with Christ and giving Him the prominent office in our life, we have made Him the Prime Minister of Justafriendistan! Liking Christ is nice, but loving Him is better! Having a good friendship with Jesus is wonderful start, but He wants more from this relationship.

General William Booth was once asked to reveal the secret of his success. After some hesitation, tears came to his eyes and he said, "I will tell you the secret. God has had all there was of me..." 

Will you allow the walls of fear and comfort to be torn down so that Christ can have all there is of you? 

Written by Lt. Darell Houseton
Newark Ironbound

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Eternal Perspective

The Bible refers to Christians as aliens and strangers in the world (I Peter 2:11).  This world is not our home; we are pilgrims on a journey to a heavenly city where God dwells.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the thrown saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21: 2-4)

It wasn't until I was in my late thirties that I began to think about living life from an eternal perspective rather than an earthly perspective. And it probably wasn't until my mid-forties that I began to practice eternal perspective in my everyday life. While I don't always get it right and I often have to remind myself to step back and re-approach situations from an eternal perspective, here are a few things that I've discovered…

Eternal perspective makes life's difficulties less traumatic.   When stress is high or someone I love has disappointed me, eternal perspective reminds me that God is in control and the distress and pain that I am experiencing will end.  The end of my journey is a place of peace and joy.  With that mindset, I am able to calm myself, place myself into God's hands and follow His lead on how to walk through my difficulty.

Eternal perspective lessens self-critique.  Media constantly portrays perfect looking people living perfect lives, creating a trap for viewers to waste too much time comparing themselves to airbrushed images living fairytale lives that no human can measure up to.  Eternal perspective reminds me that heaven is under the leadership of one who looks at the heart rather than the outward appearance, and that he has promised a new, heavenly body for everyone in his kingdom.  What God has in store for his Church is immeasurably greater than anything the media will ever conjure up.

Eternal perspective evokes celebration, joy, and freedom in worship.    A natural joy and anticipation occurs when I think about spending eternity with God in His glorious city.  In recent years, I have found myself thinking, "I want to be in heaven to see Joni Ericson Tada, a quadriplegic for over 30 years, dancing and leaping before the Lord.  In fact, I want to dance and celebrate with her."  I want to experience wholeness and glorification as God designed and as I'll experience in heaven. As I contemplate and ponder such things, I worship God with greater joy and freedom.

Eternal perspective gives me the courage to preach and share Biblical truth in love.  Much Biblical truth is considered politically incorrect.  Pre-believers do not want to hear that Jesus is the only way to God and eternity or that marriage is between one male and one female for a lifetime.  Yet, that's what the inspired Word of God teaches. When I consider that faith comes by hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word (Romans 10:17), I want to give pre-believers every opportunity to "hear" so that they too may experience eternity.

Eternal perspective enables me to major on the majors rather than the minors.   It is human and earthly to allow the petty things of life and relationships to taint your mood and character.  However, when I view things through the lens of eternity, I am better able to let go of my pettiness or the pettiness of others and move on to what's vital.

Eternal perspective is available to anyone who admits that he is a sinner, believes in Jesus as the bridge-builder between his sinful state and holy God, and turns his life over to God's control by following God's road map outlined in the Bible.

Written by Major Cheriann Stoops

Asbury Park Corps Officer 

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Making the Connection

In my line of work in the IT field, I am always trying to make the connection. When working with others concerning their computer issues, my mind is on what caused the problem. The issue is only a result of what the actual problem is, whether your e-mail isn't working, you can't connect to the internet, the phone is not working, or you can't find the power button on your computer (just kidding on the last one!). There is always a reason why something isn't working or responding the way it was dynamically built.

We were dynamically built according to Psalm 139:14 which says we were fearfully and wonderfully made with a connection to God, but because of the fall of man in Genesis 3, we became disconnected from God through sin (disobedience).

At times, a computer is not going to perform to its potential if it's not making the connection with other internal hardware and software components. If one component fails, it affects the whole computer. Then, the computer has to be analyzed to determine what caused it not to print, open up a Word Document, and in some cases, not turn on.

I believe, just like computers, people will not work properly if we do not make the connection. Our peace should not be predicated by what is going right in our life but by our connection to the One who gave us life and life more abundantly (John 10:10). Our joy should not be determined by things that happen to us but by our relationship to the One who has written our name in the Lamb's Book of Life (Luke 10:20). Our love should not be measured by mere words but connected to the Word that was made flesh (John 15:13).

The only way that a computer can work properly and perform at its best is to make sure that the hardware is compatible with the software, or else you can expect disappointing results. We as people must also make the connection in order to function properly the way we were designed. I believe until we make the connection with Jesus, we also should expect disappointing results.

Are you tired of being disappointed, hurt, disconnected, abandoned, alone, malfunctioned, or just powered off? I have a connection solution just for YOU! Just repeat these wonderful words: "Father, I know you love me and sent Jesus to forgive me of my sin and to take my place in the judgment of sin.  I want to invite Jesus into my heart. I want to make that connection with Jesus. I want to make that connection to God’s plan for my life, and I want to make that connection with heaven. Thank you, Jesus for making my connection!"

Written by Terrell Curry
IT Help Desk Analyst

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One Year with Christ: Lessons Learned and What Has Changed

This morning, I heard birds chirping for the first time since moving into my apartment in September. You know what that means - Spring is right around the corner, so summer will soon follow! This July will mark two years since I became a Christian. As a "newbie" to faith, I've been keeping track of Jesus' transforming work in my life and was just reminded of a "first year recap" I wrote last summer. Whether you're a new Christian like me or have been walking with Christ for years, see if you can identify with the lessons I've learned. How has the Lord changed you?

Top 3 Lessons Learned

1. Following Christ doesn't mean life gets easier

I started reading the Bible "backwards," meaning New Testament first. I was really excited to learn about who Jesus is and what he did during his time here on Earth. In the four Gospels, I read about Jesus' miracles and healings and thought, "Alright! Sign me up. I could use a miracle in my life!"

Pretty quickly, I learned there’s a lot more to it! In Matthew 16:24, Jesus says to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Deny myself? That doesn't sound fun, and for me, it means to put aside my selfish wants and desires, most of which would be considered "worldly" – like money and clothes – things that the world tells us we should want because they're supposed keys to fulfillment. Spoiler alert: They're not! In reality, placing my heart on Christ instead of trying to please myself with nonsense is the true key to fulfillment. He is my joy, not the world and not myself.

Taking up my cross is Jesus' way of flat-out saying, "This ain’t gonna be easy." It's also a reminder of the cross of Christ, his crucifixion, and how any suffering I endure as a result of following him will be nowhere near as agonizing as what he experienced to save me.

While following Jesus is a tough road that I inevitably wander off of, I'm thankful that he always welcomes me back.


2. I don't have to live in shame or fear

Over the past year, I've learned that I live in shame and fear a lot. Shame from bad decisions I've made, like hurting people, and fear of the future – Will I get that new job? Can I afford that apartment? What if all my plans don't work out?

In the past, those feelings would really eat away at me. I'd go through days, sometimes weeks, of self-loathing, depression and anxiety. I didn't know that there was a God who would take all of that away from me.

In my small group, we started reading 1 John, and 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Now, because I'm walking with Christ, I know that when I start to feel guilty about something, I can and should immediately bring it to him rather than let shame eat away at me. There is power in repentance. When I release a sin to Jesus in prayer, it's like a weight has been lifted off me. I can't describe the incredible feeling of freedom, but I can recommend that you seek it from him!

As far as fear, I really love Psalm 56:3-4, which says, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?"

When I start to feel shame or get scared of something, God invites me to come to him. Trusting him means knowing that fear has no hold on me. Like the Psalmist said, "What can flesh do to me?" What can I be afraid of when I have the Lord on my side? Nothing! There is also power in peace, which I always find when I release my fears to God.


3. Christianity isn't just about what you do; it’s about why you do it

What I mean by this lesson is that life with Christ isn't just about the good work or deeds you do; it's about being guided by your faith in him.

James 2:14:18 says, "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds."

When you're Christian, there's a relationship between deeds and faith. Before knowing Christ, I certainly did some good deeds, but I usually did them for the wrong reason – to inflate myself, to make myself look good. But doing good works with faith gives God the glory he deserves. Taking the spotlight off me and shining it on him not only opens people's hearts to the grace of God, it helps cultivate the relationship I have with him. 


What Has Changed

1. How I think

Before learning about Jesus, I used to think that some sins, like cursing and gossiping, were totally ok to do. In most cases, everyone else around me was doing them. But let me be clear – I am not placing blame on my friends or anyone else for decisions I’ve made. Because I deemed those things acceptable, my actions followed.

If I got in an argument with someone, I would use derogatory names and curse words to put them down. 1 Peter 3:10-12 says, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech."

I didn't keep my tongue from evil because I just didn't care. I didn't see cursing at someone as a bad thing because it made me feel like a stronger person in that moment. Now, I try to keep my lips at bay and think before I speak. I have no right to tear anyone down and inflate myself.

Which brings me to gossip. Ladies, you know how women can be. And gentlemen, this doesn't mean you're off the hook either! When people around you start gossiping about someone, it's really easy to jump in, right? When I used to gossip (and I still struggle with this!), I would feel a false sense of joy from talking bad about someone. It made me feel better about myself, and it made me feel like I was more of a friend to the person or people also gossiping.

James 4:11 says, "Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it."

This verse is saying that if we speak ill of someone, we're also speaking ill of God and disobeying his command to love. Being a Christian, I want to show obedience to God in every way, including trying to not gossip, because I love and respect him and thus should love and respect everyone he's created.

Now that I've been a Christian for a year, I recognize sin as sin – thoughts and actions that separate me from God – and I make conscious efforts to stop myself from engaging in them.


2. How I feel

I used to feel like life was all about me. Now, I feel God working in me daily to pull me out of my selfish desires. That's not to say I never give into selfishness, because I still do! But I know and feel that my life is to be lived for him, not for me.

I also feel pain from following Christ (which he tells us to expect) because I care about people more than I ever have. And when you're vulnerable with your heart, you can get hurt. I need to remember to put my faith in God and not in people, because we will inevitably let each other down, intentionally or unintentionally. But I know that Jesus will never let me down.


3. How I act

I would have never chosen to use 3-4 days a week to serve and spend time with others before knowing Christ's love. My time was MY time, and I spent it doing what I wanted to do. Now, what I want to do is serve, because I see the blessings that come from it.

In conclusion, following Christ over the past year has profoundly changed who I am and how I relate to other people. It's important to note that as much as I try to run from sin, I am still a sinner. But before knowing God's love, I was just that. Now, I'm a sinner redeemed. I am blessed, loved, chosen, forgiven and free. I can't tell you how incredible that feels, but I can encourage you to discover it for yourself in Jesus!

Written by Elyse Jankowski
Community Relations Associate

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Be Faithful, Not Fearful

"Ultimately, we know deeply that the other side of every fear is freedom." -Mary Ferguson

What happens when you are faithful and not fearful? That's a good question, but honestly, I'm not 100% sure. I do know God is always with us, but I'd be lying if I said fear is not something I deal with.

Right now, I am about to finish school, and I just do not know what the next step is. On an even scarier note, I know what I'd like to do, but I can't properly articulate it because I'm not sure that type of job exists! So, there is a strong sense of fear. What am I going to do with my life? Where will I be doing it? How will I get there? When will it happen? Am I going to be a failure? These are the questions and fears that constantly go through my head. Part of me thinks if I think about this long and hard enough, magically something will happen and all this fixating will have paid off; but in all honesty, I know that is not even close to the truth.

The story of David and Goliath has to be one of my favorites because it is a story about faith. David is someone I want to be like, not only coming from a faith aspect, but David's perspective is something I strive for. Personally, I cannot imagine volunteering to go and fight this nine-foot man. Literally, Goliath was an all-fearing man…except to David.

David had a completely different perspective than the rest of the Israelites. In fact, the Bible says David ran to go and fight Goliath. He didn’t take his time; he volunteered to go fight him and then ran there. Wow! David literally ran toward everyone else's fear. But that is because David's perspective was different from everyone else's. In David’s eyes, God was the giant not Goliath. Goliath was simply an earthly man challenging the all- mighty God.

Can I ask you a question? When was the last time you ran toward a giant you were facing? For some of us, I know that may be difficult to recall, but that could be due to our perspective. David focused on God not Goliath. We tend to focus on "our giants" and stumble rather than focusing on God and allowing him to make "our giants" collapse. Max Lucado puts that a lot more plainly: "Focus on giants – you stumble; Focus on God – your giants tumble." That is exactly the perspective David had.

Part of me wonders, "When was Goliath actually defeated?" Was it the moment David picked up the sling shot or the moment he cut his head off, or was it the moment when David said he would go and fight him? In my opinion, Goliath was already defeated when David said: "(I) will go." Right there, it makes me see faith is not speaking or worrying about the "giants" - Faith is taking the very first step.

David was fighting a battle that was already won, because it was the Lord's. The same is true for us, and that is something we must always remember. So, today I am choosing faith over fear; what will you choose?

Written by Stephany Suarez
Senior Soldier
The Salvation Army Kearny Corps

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A Volunteer Army

Malachi 3:18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

The Salvation Army, founded in 1865, maintains a strong presence in New Jersey as we constantly strive to meet the wide and varied needs of our residents.  Every year, hundreds of volunteers who are dedicated to make a difference in their local communities partner with The Salvation Army New Jersey Division at our 28 Corps Community Centers, 137 Service Units, residential and day camps, Emergency Disaster Services Program etc.  Our volunteers are often fondly referred to as "the army behind The Army," recognizing the crucial role that our volunteers play in The Salvation Army’s ability to provide quality social services changing lives in every community throughout the State.

Ranging from volunteering at our food pantries or soup kitchens; administrative help; tutoring; mentoring; disaster response; bell-ringing, distributing toys, organizing food drives The Salvation Army has a wide range of volunteer opportunities to suit everyone’s age, interest, availability and skill.

I am thankful for the generosity and dedication of so many New Jersey residents as well as volunteers from throughout the US, who have recognized the great work that we do and have rallied behind us to partner for our Sandy relief efforts.  Over 100 days have passed and the need still exists! The Salvation Army is often the first to arrive and the last agency to leave, ensuring we have done all we can to meet survivors' needs.  Extra volunteers are needed almost daily to help with our Sandy relief effort.

Extra volunteers are also needed for our year-round and seasonal programs.  Those interested should visit www.salvationarmynj.org/volunteer to view our current volunteer opportunities and complete our online application form or email NJVolunteers@use.salvationarmy.org

Written by Judith Anderson
Volunteer Resources Manager

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The Only Way

In 1890, General William Booth released his best-selling book In Darkest England and the Way Out. This book set forth his, and subsequently, The Salvation Army's mission for turning the tide in the war against poverty and a secular society's grip on the people of England. One hundred and twenty-three years later, what is our mission? What is the solution to In Darkest New Jersey, or In Darkest America and the Way Out? The only answer is the same ultimate answer General Booth knew all those years ago: Jesus.


In John 12:46 Jesus says, "I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark (NLT)."

It's so clear, yet as a people, we move further away from this very plainly-stated fact. As we move away from a Christ-centered state, country and world, we move further into darkness. Should it really be surprising to us that as we take away the 10 Commandments from our state houses, prayer from our schools, and Bibles from government-run facilities that our financial and social systems are failing? The more we remove God, the further into darkness we descend.

But hope is not lost! Yet there is only one solution to our struggles as a society. That answer came and died for all who would reach out and be washed in the blood of the Lamb. We know this by the words of John 3:17, "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (KJV)." 

As people cry out for someone to save us, we need to be bold and cry back that our Savior has come! We need to cling to Christ, not a political ideology. No political party or agenda has the answer to moving into the light, certainly not through taxes or public policy. No political figure or personality has all the answers or solutions. There is only one way for us to be in the light. Jesus is the only way.

Written by Bramwell Applin
Community Relations Manager

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