Dear Friend:
"No one suddenly becomes base."
That statement by F.B. Meyer applies to churches too.
You've seen it happen. Complacency, selfishness, disharmony, and division seep in. Foundations weaken. Grace dissolves. Ministries erode. No church is immune.
Take Ephesus. No one could've predicted that the once-stalwart church founded by Paul himself would warrant our Lord's indictment: "You don't love me or each other as you did at first!" (Revelation 2:4).
Erosion is silent, slow, and subtle.
God designed His church to withstand culture's shifting and sinking sands. He planned for it to be a steadfast place where people rebuild broken marriages, discover godly wisdom, and weather life's fiercest storms.
Few churches meet that standard. Those that do, often crumble later. Paul's instructions to Christians at Corinth are the key to becoming and remaining steadfast:
My dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable.
Always work enthusiastically for the Lord,
for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
. . . Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous.
Be strong. And do everything with love.
(1 Corinthians 15:58; 16:13–14)
For 38 years, Insight for Living Ministries has strengthened those who comprise God's church by teaching the timeless principles set forth in God's Word.
Ours isn't a message for the weak-hearted. It's also not a solo mission. We need courageous partners who abound in love and are strong and immovable in their commitment to Scriptural truth . . . friends who stay on guard and stand firm . . . believers who enthusiastically invest in God's work!
Your financial partnership with us will never be useless. Our partners play an essential role in stemming spiritual erosion in churches and in the lives of people every day.
Will you join our enthusiastic work by giving a generous donation this month?
When you do, please request your copy of The Church Awakening, my book which presents an urgent call for spiritual renewal along with tools to equip you and your church to stand firm against spiritual erosion. If you have already given as a Monthly Companion, please call 1-800-246-2420 to request your gift.
An old preacher once declared, "I may tremble on the rock, but that rock don't tremble under me!"
Your gift will ensure that trembling people around the world can find hope and refuge on the steadfast rock of Christ's church.
With enthusiastic anticipation,
Charles R. Swindoll