World Challenge Pulpit Series Newsletters

The Church’s Greatest Hour is Still Ahead

chris_wigginton — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:27:34 -0600

Dearly Beloved:

I believe that if this ministry is going to be a blessing to you, here is how it will happen. You will read the prayer-saturated, no-compromise, unflinching gospel message we prepare for you each month — and you'll allow the Holy Spirit to awaken, quicken and transform your heart.

America is, in many places, suffering a famine of the Word of God. My heart breaks over the church's tolerance of easy believism and watered-down pabulum, and the trivializing of the weighty matters of a holy and glorious God. I take the proclamation of the gospel as a holy trust — whether preaching it to my church or sharing it with you in written form.

The pulpit that God has provided to this ministry was not given to tickle ears, to entertain while the world is in the throes of horrific suffering, to put ourselves at ease while the lost go without hearing the gospel. This platform for proclaiming Jesus was not given to make money, to build offices and staff or to make much of ourselves. It was given to us so that we might contend for the faith — that we might cry out in the wilderness, and call God's faithful into a radical, unflinching, passionate zeal for the fullness of Christ Jesus.

Some may call this approach a "hard gospel." I beg to differ. I believe a hard gospel is one that leaves people in their sin and tolerates milk-drenched, undernourished, immature Christians — Christians who know little joy because they know little of gospel truth. A hard word is one that leaves hardened hearts in the pew. A biblically saturated word from heaven is never a hard word — but a word of victory, deliverance and freedom.

It is my ambition to faithfully bring to you, as God enables, a fresh revelation of Jesus and his marvelous, wonderful, magnificent beauty. World Challenge began well over forty years ago. As I step into the leadership of this ministry, I pray that many readers will continue to be blessed — that your life will be greatly enriched by reading these messages, by hearing of God's great works around the world, and by having an opportunity to share in his work. I believe we will see greater things in these last days.

For more information on the many global outreaches of World Challenge, visit our missions page.

Yours in Christ,
GARY WILKERSON

P.S. If you would like to read my father's daily devotionals, you may view them online, or you can subscribe online to receive them by e-mail.

Jesus Versus Satan

chris_wigginton — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:51:05 -0600

A Word from Pastor Gary Wilkerson, President of World Challenge

What a great joy it is during this wonderful Christmas season to share with you the message below, which my father penned just before his going to be with Christ. I know that he prayed over every word, and he was deeply honored to have the opportunity to minister to you. Also included is a message I delivered to my church that I believe speaks to the true meaning of this season, a meaning we often miss. I trust the revelation about the warfare that the Incarnation initiated will be a blessing.

Yours in Christ,
Gary Wilkerson

Dearly Beloved:

GOD DELIGHTS IN YOU!

The Holy Spirit gave David a revelation that is the key to all deliverance. David could say, "The reason God delivered me from all my enemies — from all my sorrows and the powers of hell — is because I am precious to him. My God delights in me!" "He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me" (Psalm 18:19, my italics).

Do you need deliverance? From lust, temptation or trial? From a problem that is mental, spiritual, emotional or physical? The key to your victory is in this verse from David: God delights in you. You are precious to him!

In the Song of Solomon, the Lord says of his bride, "How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!" (Song of Solomon 7:6). Three of the Hebrew words in this verse are synonymous: fair, meaning "precious"; pleasant, indicating "pleasure"; and delights. All these words describe Jesus' thoughts toward his bride as he beholds her. He looks at her and says, "How beautiful, sweet and delightful you are. You are precious to me, O love."

In turn, the bride boasts, "I am my beloved's, and his desire is towards me" (7:10). The meaning here is, "He runs after me with delight. He chases me because I am so precious to him."

You may think, "You mean I am precious to the Lord? How sweet — but it is merely a lovely thought." No, beloved, this truth is the very key to your deliverance. It is the secret to being freed from every battle that rages in your soul — the key to entering into the rest God has promised you.

This verse is literally God's Word to you. Until you lay hold of it — until it becomes a foundation of truth in your heart — you won't be able to withstand the trials of life. Pray it at the start of every day: "He delivered me, because he delighted in me" (Psalm 18:19).

In Christ,
DAVID WILKERSON
(Letter written before his death)

P.S. If you would like to read David Wilkerson's daily devotionals, you may view them online, or you can subscribe online to receive them by e-mail.

A Passion for Christ

chris_wigginton — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:57:45 -0600

A Word from Pastor Gary Wilkerson, President of World Challenge

In the past six months, since my father's passing, we have been deeply touched by the continued expressions of gratitude for the impact his ministry had on so many lives. Just this past week as I was traveling, I met a pastor and his wife who were saved through the Teen Challenge ministry and have had decades of effective ministry.

We at World Challenge are overwhelmed that our friends are so graciously standing with us in the work God has called us to around the world. The spiritual DNA of this ministry will continue to reach out to the poorest of the poor, the unreached peoples of this world, the lost and the hurting. In fact, our mission work is increasing month by month. New feeding programs, orphan care ministry, church planting and much more are taking place as I write this today.

The following letter and sermon were written by my father before he went to be with the Lord. We are glad to have these words of encouragement to pass on to you.

Dearly Beloved:

IT IS ONLY BY FAITH.

After all his weeping and crying out to the Lord, David ended up testifying, "But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared" (Psalm 130:4). The Holy Spirit began to flood his soul with memories of God's mercies, and suddenly David recalled all he had learned of the Father's forgiving, pardoning nature. "Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness" (Nehemiah 9:17).

Soon David was rejoicing: "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee" (Psalm 86:5). "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities" (103:3).

With this verse, David has stated one of the foundational promises of the New Covenant that God has made with us. Jeremiah declares, "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more" (Jeremiah 31:34). And Paul adds in the New Testament, "having forgiven you all trespasses" (Colossians 2:13). God has promised us his forgiveness, for every sin!

God's forgiveness can be obtained only by faith. We can't reason it out. Christ's gift to us of his blood atonement is so deep, so gracious, so mysterious, it's far beyond any human ability to understand. We may feel condemnation, fear and guilt over our trespasses, but our heavenly Father stands lovingly beside us at all times, ready to forgive. The blood of Christ, the love of the Father, the Lord's desire to pardon: all these blessings are known only by faith. "The just shall live by faith" (Galatians 3:11).

Thank you so much for remembering our ministry worldwide to the poor, the needy, the widowed and the fatherless. For information on these efforts and others, go to World Challenge Missions.

In Christ,
DAVID WILKERSON
(letter written before his death)

P.S. If you would like to read David Wilkerson’s daily devotionals, you may view them online, or you can subscribe online to receive them by e-mail.

A Different Spirit

tcobb — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:07:55 -0500

Dearly Beloved:

WE ARE ENGRAVED IN THE PALMS OF GOD’S HANDS.

The Lord tells us, “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:16). When we hear all the bad news that comes almost hourly, some of us are tempted to think the world is spinning out of control. Indeed, what we see happening is no small matter—from economic crashes to terrorist attacks to world leaders looking to take control.

I’ve got news for all would-be powers who want everyone under their control: My destiny and future – and the destiny of all God’s people – are in God’s hands only.

Beloved, your destiny is not in the hands of terrorists. It is not in the hands of world leaders. It is not in the hands of your boss, your banker, the Supreme Court, the President, the Congress or any other authority on this planet. The Bible speaks of who is in control—and of his heart toward his people: “Break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted” (49:13). “Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth” (Psalm 86:15).

Yet there are not many people who believe this, according to Isaiah. Even some believers claim, “The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me” (Isaiah 49:14). Indeed, at times in our lives God seems to have forsaken and forgotten us in our desperation. We may cry out, fast and intercede, but the answer is not forthcoming. Doubts and questions arise, and we wonder, “Lord, what about your promises? My situation is desperate. Have I grieved you somehow?” So much confusion floods our souls.

But God answers us with this word: “Others may forget you, but I will not.” “They may forget, yet will I not forget thee…. I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands” (49:15-16). The Lord tells us, “My compassions fail not. They are new every morning.” You are in God’s hands. He had compassion for your sins—why not also for your needs?

Our heartfelt thanks for your continued support of our missions to the neediest around the world. For information on our many outreaches—to the poor, the suffering, the fatherless, the widowed—visit our website: www.worldchallenge.org

In Christ,
DAVID WILKERSON
(letter written before his death)
DW: bbm

If you would like to read David Wilkerson’s daily devotionals, you may go online at http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/view/devotions. Or you may subscribe online to receive them by email at http://www.worldchallenge.org/wc/mailing_list/subscribe.

The Only Hope In The Coming Storm

tcobb — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:09:22 -0500

Dearly Beloved:

GOD WANTS TO TEACH US TO KNOW HIS VOICE.

Our Lord wants us to be absolutely convinced that he desires to talk to us—to tell us things we have never seen or heard before. I remember when God showed me I was still wavering over hearing his voice speak to my soul. Now, I know the Lord speaks and that as sheep we need to know our Master’s voice. But I doubted my ability to hear him. I thought, “A multitude of voices come at us all the time. How can I know whether it is God’s?”

I believe three things are required of all who would hear God’s voice:

You must have an unshakable confidence that God wants to speak to you. Indeed, he is a speaking God. He wants you to know his voice so you can do his will. What God tells you will never go beyond the boundaries of Scripture. To understand his voice, all you need is a heart that says, “I believe God desires to talk to me.”
You must have quality time and quietness. You need to be willing to shut yourself in with God and let all other voices hush away. God does speak to us all day long, but when he wants to build something into your life his voice will come only when you have shut out every other voice.
You must ask in faith. We do not obtain anything from God (including hearing his voice) unless we truly believe he is able to convey his mind to us and enable us to understand his perfect will.

Jesus said, “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?” (Luke 11:11-12). In other words: If you ask your heavenly Father for a word—a clear direction, a godly correc tion or a particular need—do you think for a moment he will instead let the devil come and deceive you?

God is not a tease! He will never allow the devil to deceive you. When the Lord speaks, peace follows— and Satan cannot counterfeit that peace. You can go back to God a thousand times and you will receive the same word—because it is truth.

Thank you so much for remembering our ministry worldwide to the poor, the needy, the widowed and the fatherless. For information on these efforts and others, go to www.worldchallenge.org

DAVID WILKERSON
(Letter written before his death)
DW:bbm

A Word from Pastor Gary Wilkerson, President of World Challenge My mother Gwen’s health continues to improve by leaps and bounds. Thank you for your prayers and continued support for this ministry. We are overwhelmed with gratitude that World Challenge continues to stand strong and share the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world.

We are continuing our ministry to pastors nationally and globally. Please join us for one of our next EXPECT Leadership Conferences, in Orlando, Florida on October 6 or in Greenville, South Carolina on October 20-21. For more information or to register, please visit our website: www.worldchallenge.org

The Incredible Blessings Of Being in Christ

ashley_andersen — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:33:06 -0500

Dearly Beloved:

I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE YOKE OF CHRIST.

Jesus beckons us, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28–30). In Jesus' time, the law was a yoke on God's people. The Jews had more than 600 manmade ordinances and the leaders laid those rules heavily on the people. It was a yoke they weren't able to bear.

When Paul preached "salvation by faith alone" the Pharisees challenged him: "There rose up certain of (them)…saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses" (Acts 15:5). Paul and Barnabas refuted this yoke of bondage, having "no small dissension and disputation with them" (verse 2).

I believe these godly men were acting on Jesus' words: "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden — all who are bound by legalism, who think they can be saved by rules, who are burdened down by dress codes for being holy. Take my yoke upon you, for it gives rest."

You may ask, "What is Jesus' yoke? What is his burden?" It is the simplicity of Jesus himself. He urges us, "By faith, come to me for rest. Bring your burden of sin to me. Let there be no more striving about it. You don't need some deep doctrinal training. I have revealed these truths to babes."

Many Christians today are burdened with a self–imposed yoke of condemnation. In Jesus' day people who disobeyed a law lived under great guilt and condemnation. Today, the message is, "Come to Jesus. Confess your disobedience. Trust the Holy Spirit for grace and power to get back on track. Don't go another hour condemning yourself. Cast your burden totally on the Lord."

Thank you for your continued support of our many missions outreaches around the globe, as we minister to the poor, the needy and the fatherless. For more information, go to our website: www.worldchallenge.org.

In Christ,

DAVID WILKERSON
(letter written before his death)

A Word from Pastor Gary Wilkerson, President of World Challenge

After suffering the loss of a loved one, there comes a time when you have to step out in faith and trust the training and influence that person had on your life—and, more importantly, to trust God with the ministry at hand. Scripture shows us clearly that God is present during times of leadership transition, if those taking the helm are willing to fall on their face before him and live in total dependency. Joshua said yes to God, Elisha said yes, and when we as God’s people say yes to God’s call, the Lord provides every resource necessary. Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement and for your continued help in enabling this ministry to touch hungry hearts with the uncompromising message of Jesus Christ. Once again we have for you a message that my father wrote before his sudden passing in April. I know it will bless and encourage you.

If you would like to read my father's daily devotionals, you may read them online. Or you may subscribe online to receive them by e-mail.

With you in Christ,
Gary Wilkerson

Good News For the Lukewarm

ashley_andersen — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:18:10 -0500

Dearly Beloved:

"DO YOU TRULY BELIEVE I SEE WHAT YOU ARE ENDURING RIGHT NOW?"

God asks us a simple question here. Yet I believe his question isn't answered honestly by many Christians.

Perhaps right now you're going through something that calls for God to act on your behalf. The very nature of your problem demands an answer. Do you believe God gladly, even joyfully, monitors your every move, the way a father does with his infant child? Do you believe he is interpreting every thought you think, as a father does? Do you believe he is at work as your loving, caring heavenly Father—bottling every tear, hearing every sigh, hovering over you?

That is exactly the way the Bible describes him: "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry… The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles" (Psalm 34:15, 17). "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7). "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him" (Psalm 103:13).

The word for "pity" here means "compassion." Scripture is saying God cuddles in his arms those who believe in him. He puts his arms around you, strokes your cheeks, holds you to his breast and tells you, "I know all your thoughts, all your concerns, every battle you must face. And I care about it all."

David wrote, "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee" (Psalm 139:17-18). Many Christians go through life thinking God is angry with them. They think they can never please him. How wrong they are. David was not a perfect man; he sinned more grossly than most Christians ever will. Yet David was able to testify, "How precious are your thoughts unto me, O God!"

God is not mad at you. Right now he is thinking precious, loving thoughts about you. He is even cuddling you in his arms. He knows the way you feel—and he cares.

We so appreciate your help in reaching the poor and needy throughout the world. For information on our charitable outreaches, go to our website: worldchallenge.org/missions

In Christ,

DAVID WILKERSON
(Letter written before his death)

A Word from Pastor Gary Wilkerson, President of World Challenge

My mother, Gwen, is still recovering physically three months after the auto accident. I mentioned previously that she is out of a wheelchair and getting around with the assistance of a walker. As I'm sure you can understand, after more than 50 years of life with her beloved husband she still feels the pain of his loss—and yet she is recovering and growing stronger. She is not only being ministered to by the Lord, but she continues her own ministry of encouragement to those in need around her. She has touched the lives of doctors, nurses and many fellow patients. Your prayers have had an amazing impact in her life—she knows she is being undergirded by them. The prayers of the World Challenge family have always released tremendous miracles in our lives. Thank you for continuing to pray for us.

If you would like to read my father's daily devotionals, you may read them online. Or you may subscribe online to receive them by e-mail.

With you in Christ,
Gary Wilkerson

Freedom From Fear

ashley_andersen — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:21:48 -0500

Dearly Beloved:

HOW BIG IS YOUR CHRIST?

Jesus said, "If you ask anything in my name, I will do it" (John 14:14). We show the measure of our Christ by what we ask in his name. We are told to ask largely and to expect great things. And we show forth the greatness of Christ by the greatness of our supplications.

I believe we have so little of Christ because we ask so little. Often we limit our supplications to material things. True, we are to make our physical needs known—but to ask only for food and shelter is to diminish our vision of God's greatness.

We serve a triumphant Christ, and we are called to share in his triumph. Christ did not triumph for himself—he did so for you and me. We get the benefit from it. According to Scripture, the kingdom of God is "joy and peace in the Holy Ghost." So, do you go to his throne asking for joy and peace? Do you ask him in faith for the rest that is promised to his people in Hebrews?

Our Lord has a preconceived plan for every situation in your life. You may be able to think of ways God could solve your crisis—but God's Word tells us that the human mind cannot conceive of his ways. He will not tell us what his plan is. He insists that we have faith in his promises and majesty based on his past miracles on our behalf. His Word to us is this: "Believe!"

God is waiting for and desiring greater requests from us. Asking "in Jesus' name" is an invitation to share in his great goodness laid up for all who believe and ask largely. Beloved, ask today for an ever-increasing spirit of rejoicing, even in your most trying times. There can be no rest for us in our fiery trials unless we fully believe he stands ready to do the impossible. Trust him to perform what he promised!

Thank you so much for remembering our ministry worldwide to the poor, the needy, the widowed and the fatherless. For information on these efforts and others, go to worldchallenge.org/missions.

In Christ,
DAVID WILKERSON
(Letter written before his death)

A Word from Pastor Gary Wilkerson, President of World Challenge

Once again, I'd like to express our thanks for your continuing to stand with us. In the past several months the ministry has been able not only to continue but also to expand our abilities to serve among the most unreached people groups and among the poorest of the poor. My father always taught me that if you will be faithful in giving to the poor you will never be without blessing. I am utterly amazed at the great outpouring of charity and generosity of this World Challenge family of which you are such an integral and faithful part. Also, on behalf of my Family, thank you for continuing to pray for my mother, Gwen. She is now out of a wheelchair and is up and around with the aid of a walker.

Also, if you would like to read my father's daily devotionals, you may read them online. Or you may subscribe online to receive them by e-mail.

With you in Christ,
Gary Wilkerson