We live in a time where we brag about the move of God we have in our lives. The wonderful services, the shouting, running and rejoicing. We sing the songs of Zion, and lift up our voices unto God. We worship and attend church. But when we walk out of the church doors what are we applying to our lives? Are we walking in the will of God in the lifestyle that we lead? It's very easy to lose focus and forget what this is all about. Sometimes we worry so much about what we aren't going to do that we forget what we should do. God is only honored by a life lived in Him. The true sign of having the presence of God abiding in our lives should be the ability and desire to reach out to the lowest and most helpless in this world with a hand of love and compassion. Paul addressed this issue to the Corinthian church. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and thought I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. (1 Cor 13:1) We are sometimes guilty of thinking that once we are saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost we might as well be raptured! The church is the only life system for a dying world, what more perfect time will we ever have to show the love of God then now? Too many times the natural things blind our sight.

Jesus told the disciples, "I must needs go through Samaria." The disciples were men of God, but they were hungry and tired, and all they could see was their natural need. If theirs ever been a time we need to look past material things and the wealth of this world, it is now. The world is looking for answers and too many times the only ones not reaching out to them is the church of God! Jesus was no doubt tired also, but he knew a woman was in need of spiritual help. Charity led him to this woman, not just for her but for the community. He cared for the salvation of their souls. that's why, while we can obtain many spiritual gifts, if we lose charity we having nothing to offer. That's the word of God!

Church members, swept away by the preaching of prosperity, no longer have any desire to be at our true posts of duty. What post is that? The gutters, the low places where man is in need and can't find any help in himself. Man is dead, condemned in his sins. We have got to the place that if they don't pick themselves up, come to church, and find their way to an altar of salvation then we leave them for dead! We must do better, charity demands that we do better. We must pull ourselves off of the padded pew and go out into the world and find them. We are at ease in Zion!

Paul went on to write, "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." Upon first reading this I didn't understand, if you give your goods o the poor, isn't that charity? I began to pray and God helped me.

What is charity? According to Paul, "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in eh truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

To bestow your goods is an act of charity, but true charity is more than an act. Charity produces a way of life, a life dead to self, sin, and the world. Having charity is when we truly love others as ourselves. Charity is spending so much time with God's Son that you look more like him than yourself! The church needs to be saturated with the power of God and remember our true purpose.

Souls are born into this world, lost and confused, struggle with broken homes and broken lives and then end up dying without ever hearing about the love of God from us! The alternative to heaven is still hell, and God help us when we lose the burden to reach those who need our help before it's too late.

Note: I don't have the last part of this article at the moment due to computer problems, I apologize.