Introduction

When the sun rises over the horizon, or for that matter begins to fall, people are always speechless because of the beauty and majesty of colors, attractiveness, and splendor of creation.

In the same way, when the Son rises over the horizon of sin and brokenness for a lost person, and they begin to realize the potential of what can happen in an instant, they are often speechless as well. While the Holy Spirit works in their heart and they repent and call upon the Name of the Lord for salvation, they may see hope and happiness for the first time in years. They are experiencing the new birth, and trusting Jesus Christ as the “Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

The world is still broken, but they are no longer of the world. The world is still sin-filled, but theirs are washed away. The enemy is still real and will be a formidable foe, but they have been freed forever from his eternal grip. 

The lost will tell us, “Things are improving, inner-city murders have decreased, tobacco sales are down, crime and burglaries have fallen, and social security payments are up. All while human trafficking, sex trafficking, organ harvesting, terrorist bombing, chronic illness and obesity rates are climbing through the roof. 

There is no fix for our world other than Jesus Christ. Band-Aids and patches won’t work. Legislating morality always fails. Peace talks are temporary, at best. God made the world perfect; willful humanity ruined it; God has a plan to fix it. And His plan includes you.

Imagine if all of God’s children around the world decided to live for Him with everything they are. No more stubbornness, no more ignoring the Holy Spirit, no more worldly and wicked influence (TV, news, ridiculous social media, killing via computer war games, lust-filled movies and music); everyone just living for Jesus with every fiber of heir being. What do you think the result would be? 

Alas, many followers of Jesus are still holding on to the world, just in case. They fail to understand their true identity in Christ. They don’t have time to invest in the ministry. They don’t respect the temple of the Holy Spirit, and fill it will chemicals and processed junk. They rejoice, pray and give thanks when they think about it. They struggle to be happy. Their financial life is chaos. They have a limited definition of love. They focus more on today than on eternity. 

This is a mess, and is exactly what this book is all about:

To help believers realize their True Identity in Christ. Why? So we can praise and worship God in spirit and in truth, and serve Him fully. How? By minimizing our damaging ego, by being an effective ambassador, by ignoring our deceptive self-image, and by understanding what God truly thinks of us. 

To help believers Understand the Importance of the Work of the Ministry. Why? Christ told us to continue what He started and bring others into the Kingdom. How? By understanding exactly what He did, what our commission is, the gifts and talents we have been given, why there is no “I” in teamwork, and how to sow seeds which will eventually grow.

To help believers Comprehend Health & Wellness for Believers. Why? Our health & wellness impacts everything we do and can either help us to or prevent us from living the abundant Christian life.

How? By learning how to avoid toxicity, understanding reasons for sickness, choosing a healthy lifestyle, and realizing why infirmity can be good.

To help believers see that Rejoicing, Praying, and Giving Thanks Continually is a lifestyle. Why? To live a life pleasing to God, while testifying to a lost and broken world. How? By allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us, empower us, teach us, and help us understand what God is doing in our lives.

To help believers find the joy in Thinking Your Way to Happiness. Why? Everyone wants to be happy, but so many are not; you can focus on God's goodness or on doom and gloom. How? By realizing that our original design is to be happy, that we can be happy by choice, that our old nature wants to take our happiness, and that happiness can be easily attained.

To help believers understand the Conflict of the Unrighteous Mammon and serving God. Why? To lift up and worship Jesus Christ rather than money. How? By removing our financial handcuffs, comprehending what money truly is, realizing the value of true treasure, and finding the benefits in giving.

To help believers Understand the Relationship between Love & the Human Heart. Why? One of our hearts influences our behavior, whether good or bad. The other one keeps us alive. How? By understanding and experiencing God's love, various applications of love, when love can and can't wait, our two hearts, and traits of righteousness.

To help believers Comprehend Eternity with Jesus Christ. Why? To know that we do what we do for the Kingdom of God, because we know we will be there with Jesus forever. How? By learning about heaven and paradise, by hearing those who have possibly gotten a glimpse, and by fully understanding eternity.

While the book has eight chapters and numerous sub-chapters, the chapters are not sequential, therefore the reader can start anywhere their interest may lie, or start at the beginning and read straight through. 

As soon as I finished Volume One of this same title, and laid down in bed that night, I recall taking a deep breath and saying, “Wow, I can’t believe that’s done; this is great!” And the Lord quietly whispered two words in my heart: “Volume Two.” My response was: “Volume Two?” and then, “Ok Lord.” 

My prayer is that God will use this second volume to encourage you to live the life Jesus described in the Scriptures. That you will take advantage of and use the Power you already have within to impact the world around you. That people will see a significant difference in you and in how you live; in your joy, in your rejection of sin and worldly choices and rebellion; and they will ask you about it. And that you will build and maintain an amazing relationship with your Creator, both now, and in preparation for the world to come. 

May Jesus Christ be praised and honored and glorified by all that we say, all that we think, and all that we do.

H.K. Holevinsky