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There is much talk right now about the fearful situation our world is in. Nation after nation is troubled, on the brink of economic disaster. Yet amid all the fear and turmoil gripping the world, God is still loving and saving lost souls.

His marvelous work of salvation never changes. It isn’t affected by the economy. His wooing, convicting Holy Spirit isn’t hindered by conditions on Wall Street or by teetering global finances. God’s saving power has never been limited by shrinking bank accounts.

“Being not weak in faith, (Abraham) considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb” (Romans 4:19).

The essence of true faith is found in this single verse. God had just promised Abraham he would have a son, one who would become the seed of many nations. Remarkably, Abraham didn’t flinch at this promise, even though he was well past the age of siring children. Instead, when Abraham received this word from the Lord, we’re told he “considered not his own body now dead (nor)...the deadness of Sarah’s womb.”

The message I’m writing to you now is from the Holy Spirit to me. In fact, I consider it my own personal wake-up call. I realize that many readers may not need the same stirring I do. Yet the Spirit’s stirrings have touched me so deeply that I want to keep these notes ever before me on my desk, to read again and again in the days ahead.

What is the true gospel of Jesus Christ? Even most non-believers know the Bible contains four gospel accounts, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. So, what is the essence of these gospels, or “the good news”? When Christians speak of the gospel of Jesus Christ, what is it we’re talking about?

Scripture gives us several definitions of what this gospel is. And we’re to use these biblical definitions to determine whether the true gospel of Christ is alive in his church. Consider:

As I write this, another bomb has exploded in Israel, killing fourteen people. Thousands of Islamics have lined up to blast themselves into eternity, just to harass the Israelis. Yet Islam has declared war not only on Israel, but on Christianity. America now lives in utter fear. We're afraid of more suicide bombers, germ warfare, even nuclear attack. A pall of death hangs over the nation.

"In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:22). A habitation is a dwelling place. The Greek word for habitation in this verse means "a permanent residence."

Every Christian knows that God doesn't dwell in manmade temples or buildings. Instead, our Lord has chosen to live in human vessels -- that is, in the hearts and bodies of his people. All who are in Christ make up his temple -- his abode, his permanent residence. Every believer can boast with confidence, "God lives in me."

This message is all about the almighty power of God's presence - and how we can lay hold of that power! Scripture provides endless examples of how the presence of God empowers his children to live for him. And one of the most powerful of these is found in the life of Moses.

According to the prophet Isaiah, two kinds of churches will exist in the last days. And I believe these two types of churches are already in existence. We do not have to speculate about what they will be like - because Isaiah gives us a very clear, prophetic description of both.

Isaiah 4 opens with a concise and tragic description of what I call "the church of forgiveness only":

"And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach" (Isaiah 4:1).

I was in the fourth grade when I first heard someone use the word "wimp." That was the name kids called Big Tom, the biggest boy in our class. Tom could have beaten up anybody. He was strong, husky, muscular — and he could lift almost anything. But he simply refused to fight!

I have often heard people say, "God will never depart from America. There are too many praying Christians in this country. Our victory in the war with Iraq is proof God is still with us. We're a Christian nation, the apple of God's eye! World missions depend on us. We've always been a great nation, and the Lord will bless us as long as we exist."