Everyone has faith! Every person who lives or has ever lived has exercised faith in some measure. You say, “Well, what about the person who doesn’t know Christ?” They have faith, just not the kind of faith that brings them to salvation (at least not yet).

The difference between Christians and non-Christians is not faith: it is the object of faith. In other words, a Christian’s faith is in the person and work of Christ alone. The non-Christian’s faith is in something other than Christ. The faith of Christians is built upon the work of the Holy Spirit and the word of God. The non-Christian faith is built on a different, less eternal foundation.

This week, we focus on a powerful story of redemption and worship. Luke shows us a woman whose life is radically changed by Jesus, and she is not afraid to let others know. More importantly, we see how Jesus responds to people who show their love for Him.
Let’s jump into this powerful story and see how Jesus responds to those who worship Him.

Despair is “the feeling that there is no hope and you can do nothing to improve a difficult or worrying situation.” Often, despair begins with a catastrophic loss or a bewildering circumstance that plants fear in our hearts. Gradually, hopelessness takes root, convincing us that no one, not even God, can help.

As missionaries, it’s easy to slip into despair. Sherry and I are witnesses to the devastating face of poverty. Daily we are barraged by children, mothers, and the disabled who see us as a momentary solution to their dilemma. Our hearts are crushed by the sheer volume of need surrounding us. We have to guard our hearts or be overwhelmed to the point of despair.

The book of Luke is widely known for giving us one of the best accounts of the compassion of Jesus. One of the commentaries I use to study the book of Luke is called Be Compassionate: Let the World Know that Jesus Cares by Warren Wiersbe. Luke records numerous events where Jesus is “moved with compassion.”

So far, I have written about the first six chapters of Luke, including Jesus’s birth, genealogy, temptation in the wilderness, calling of disciples, and major teachings in the Beatitudes and The Sermon on the Plain. Chapter seven signifies a shift from teaching to doing. The seventh chapter gives us a quick-fire introduction to the compassionate Christ.

Last week Sherry and I were honored to attend the Annual General Meeting (General Council) of the Burundi Assembly of God Fellowship (BAGF). The history of the BAGF is short and full of God’s graceful action. Founded in 2001 during the last few years of a prolonged civil war, the BAGF has weathered incredible difficulties and emerged victorious.

Sherry and I spent the last 13 days on Uganda’s eastern border with Kenya, in the town of Tororo. I had the privilege of teaching Old Testament Survey to the executive leaders of the Uganda Assembly of God. These are men and women of God who are laboring well under some very difficult circumstances. They are bearing good fruit! We’ve enjoyed getting to know these co-laborers in the gospel, and learned so much from their input and insights on the Scriptures.