Growth has a pattern and a blueprint, mostly not able to trace or fathom but its reality and its fruitfulness cannot be hidden. Life without growth and maturity will always lead to futility.

The creator places the tendencies and potentials in its creation to enable its creatures mature and growth to reflect that the creator is competent enough to reproduce his abilities because every creature is just a replica of its creation

Biological growth is the only growth that needs no special parameters and blueprints to happen, you just have to be alive to be experience biological growth and enlargement. Is the approach of biological growth the best way spiritual growth and maturity can find expression? Are there some specific requirements needed to be able to nurture growth and produce a finished product that has the credential of having attained a full stature?

1 Peter 2:2 You must crave pure spiritual milk so that you can grow into the fullness of your salvation. Cry out for this nourishment as a baby cry for milk (NLT)

As simple as milk is, it has essential fatty acids such as Omega 3, Calcium, Vitamins A and D which in effects enable maturation, vision and growth of the baby. The word of God has a portion that can be likened to milk and it is able to become a foundational food to fast truck maturation, good vision(perspectives) and the ability to be skillful to be able to discern right and wrong.

Spiritual growth is a conscious effort that can be attained if we consciously feed our selves in the word as children crave and cry for milk

Many of us wonder why is it that wicked and evil people are allowed to thrive, prosper and live long lives while the righteous and those who do what is good often die young. Although that appears to be an unjust thing, the reason why that happens will come as a surprise even to many Christians:

It’s because of the goodness of God.

‘The Goodness of God?’

Yes, the goodness of God. I used to wonder about this matter myself. I hear stories of wicked people, those who do wrong and deceive people into thinking that what they do is right, attaining prosperity. On the other hand, we hear stories of well-meaning people doing great things in service of God, yet they are often hungry.

The Bible even shows us stories of such injustice. We read about John the Baptist being beheaded at the command of a man in high position. We read about how Elijah was miraculously fed through ravens, angels, and a poor widow while fighting against the nation’s honoured deceiver, Jezebel.

And surely we have read about Jesus Christ, who was unjustly persecuted, ridiculed, betrayed and put to shame, at the urgings of respected religious leaders.

So how can we say that it’s because of the goodness of God? How could we call it “God’s goodness” that the wicked prosper while the godly die unjustly treated, poor, and young?

God’s Grace for the Wicked Is for Salvation

Friends, we must keep in mind that it is the Lord’s will for all men to be saved and come to a full knowledge of the truth (see 1 Timothy 2:4). It is with this desire that God allows such things to happen.

God allows wicked people to live long, in order that somehow someone will bring the gospel to them. 2 Peter 3:15 says, “Remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.”

If God extends His patience for their salvation, we must hope, pray, and share the gospel to them for their salvation, too.

What About the Death of the Righteous?

Knowing that God extends His grace for the wicked to be saved, we must then understand that God wants the righteous to remain righteous until death. Because of His love, He protects His people from the evil that might befall them.

“The righteous perishes, and no man takes it to heart; merciful men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous is taken away from evil. He shall enter into peace; they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.” (Isaiah 57:1-2)

Some might misinterpret this as brutal, but it is actually merciful. Consider the pains of this world and its wickedness, and compare them to the beauty of God’s presence in heaven. Pretty sure our sleeping brothers in Christ are already happy with Him in His presence.

This, however, should not be a reason for us to want to die before our time. We must serve God in our generation before He calls us home (see Acts 13:36). Remember, Christ said “it is finished” before committing His spirit into God’s hands and breathing His last. (see John 19:30; Luke 23:46)

Social Media has changed forever with the rise of TikTok, which is now officially the most opened and watched app in the social media ecosystem. It has become so successful that Meta, YouTube, and Twitter have altered the way they function in order to maintain their footing-and that’s a good thing for the gospel.

First, a bit of my experience as an evangelist on TikTok. When I jumped on in July 2021, I was skeptical—seeing the constant money grab and little return on investment on other social platforms over the years.

Here are five things I’ve learned that can be applied to many, if not all, algorithm-based platforms for your ministry.

1. Metrics

The Algorithm only cares about one thing. Watch time that converts to followers. With the data I get from TikTok, I can objectively see when viewers scroll away, how many watch to the end, and with clear calls to action, I can see exactly how many are responding to the gospel in the comment section. Clear metrics are good for me but they are also really all the algorithm cares about, except, of course, obeying the terms of service (so don’t get banned for violations!).

2. Consistency

The Algorithm wants consistency in messaging and content: I post 3-5 short videos a day, on a variety of things—mostly basic doctrines of sin, judgment, righteousness and addressing common struggles like pornography, anxiety, fears, family pressures and the like. The algorithm can depend on my account to provide fresh, engaging content on a specific niche (Christianity) and, in turn, it pushes my content to the ‘For You Page,’ or FYP.

Normally, over 80% of the views on my posts are not coming specifically from my followers but from views on people’s curated FYP’s. Here’s a recent comment: “You popped up on my FYP and now I’m following you everyday. You’ve changed my life and I’ve grown so much!”

3. Value

I have a very consistent following base I can push private content to and go deeper in discipleship with because I provide something unique in their lives—biblical teaching with an evangelistic edge. One follower recently wrote these words, “Before I found your account, I didn’t know anything about God. Now I am a Christian and am getting baptized!”

4. Residual Returns

I’ve spent nearly 30 years traveling the world preaching Christ. Countless hours hoping when I got to the destination, there would be people to preach to, that there would be fruit. I’ll never give that up but there has not been a single day where I’ve not seen decisions for Christ on TikTok.

I wake up everyday to comments like this, “You don’t know me but I prayed to become a Christian months ago on your account. I want you to know that I have my first Bible and will be getting baptized next week.” That comment was posted on a video I had uploaded months before. The library of content continues to be viewed 24/7/365. Posts don’t die on TikTok, they live on. The delayed residual return on TikTok makes it unique from many other platforms.

5. Spiritual Power & Authority

Just like in-person preaching, gospel proclamation engages powers and principalities in digital spaces and requires the evangelist to rely on the Holy Spirit and focus on the authority of Scripture and the Gospel. This is one of the ways my account has prospered and suffered some persecution. There are real people on the other side of the screen and the enemy is at work in them and through them to thwart the gospel. Using the name of Jesus and stewarding the power of that name has proven time and time again to bear much fruit.

While I could teach a seminar on how the algorithm works and the tricks of the trade, none of that is nearly as important as the power of the Word of God-it is unstoppable. God is using TikTok in a powerful way to reach Gen Z with the gospel. Gen Z is NOT tuning into Christian radio or satellite TV, the eyes and ears right now are undoubtedly on TikTok and so this is where we bring the unction of the Spirit of the Living God. We may not be able to pray in schools, but every single day I get to speak 6-12 inches away from the eyes a 14 year old sitting in the back seat of his mother’s SUV after school and tell him that Jesus loves him and that he can be born again through repentance and faith. There is no greater honor or joy for an evangelist!

One of the greatest commands of Christ to believers is to show compassion to the needy and disadvantaged because that represents the heart of God to the world. God is the ultimate provider who provided for mankind’s deepest need which is the need for a Saviour. Whilst the world was lost in sin, Jesus Christ gave His life for the world so that through His death and resurrection, we might also have access to eternal life.  (John 3:16)

In the same way that God provided for our deepest need, God also expects us to provide for the needs of the poor and disadvantaged. Indeed to fast and pray without showing compassion and care for the needy is mere religion which is unacceptable in the sight of God.- “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking  wickedness, If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. (Isa 58:6-11 NKJV)

It sometimes seems that believers and missionaries in general neglect this aspect of ministry. Usually, the focus becomes the preaching of the word and prayer to the neglect of showing care to the vulnerable in the society or the people we are called to serve. Remember that giving to the needy is a form of preaching love to the unsaved.  Read what the Apostle James said; If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? (James 2:15-16)

Providing for the needy is an urgent ministry in these times when the world is filled with so much greed and wickedness. Believers must rise and answer this urgent call to minister to the needy and disadvantaged persons by engaging with their communities to identify these needs. There are many ways of providing for the needy and disadvantaged in society. These include

• Defending the right of the poor to justice- Psalm 82:3, Prov 31:8-9, Isaiah 1:17,
• Providing for their physical needs such as the right to shelter, food, clothes and medicine-Mark 8:2
• Providing them with compassion, love and care- Matt 9:36
• Providing education to the community to empower them in knowledge and in skills.

Providing for the needy and disadvantaged attracts great rewards from God. God assures us that those who give will always be blessed and God will be a light unto them. – Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ (Isa 58:8-9 NKJV). Interestingly, we find this great assurance embedded in God’s command to us to provide for the needy in Isa 58:6-11. This shows how much God values our ministry to the needy and less fortunate in society.

Beloved in the Lord, we must fulfil our ministry to the needy with all humility and with a heart which seeks to glorify God.  God will certainly reward us for our labour of love-And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. ( Col 3:23-24 NKJV). Therefore we must not seek a reward or praise from man or else we will miss the true blessings of our heavenly father.

May the Lord provide us with wisdom to identify the true needs of the people so that our ministry to the needy will make a resounding impact.

As millions of Christians flee the Middle East and Christianity’s original homeland becomes increasingly bereft of Christians, an odd anomaly is occurring.

Christianity in the Gulf states is surging. Amid a shocking exodus in neighbouring countries, this strictly Islamic region has seen a jump in its Christian population.

Figures show that in both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Christianity was practically non existent just over a hundred years ago. There were only 80 Christians in the UAE in 1910 (0.1 per cent of the population) and 50 in Saudi Arabia, even less than 0.1 per cent, according to a recent study.

However one hundred years later in 2010, Christianity had exploded to 12.6 per cent of UAE’s population and 4.4 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s. Between the two countries alone there are now well over one million Christians. While by no means a majority, this represents a a significant growth in such a conservative Islamic region.

Indeed, this surge is not limited to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Throughout the Gulf, countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar have all seen dramatic increases to their Christian populations.

This growth is even more extraordinary when compared to the mass exodus of Christians from neighbouring Middle Eastern countries. Lebanon, for example, used to be a Christian-majority country with 77.5 per cent of the population identifying as Christian in 1910. Now that figure stands at 30.4 per cent. But even that is healthy compared to Turkey and Syria where Christianity has plummeted from 21.7 per cent and 15.6 per cent respectively to just 0.2 per cent and 2.7 per cent.

But Christianity’s growth in the Gulf is not down to a revival. Converting from Islam to Christianity is

punishable by death in both countries and evangelism is prohibited. In Saudi Arabia any public observance of non-Muslim faiths is illegal and Saudi Christians are forced to worship in private.

While persecution charity Open Doors has highlighted “many reports” of Muslim conversions, the reality is that the vast majority of the Gulf’s new Christians are immigrants. Since 1910, the region has become extraordinarily wealthy. This has brought unprecedented immigration to the extent that in UAE, Christians now number little over 10 per cent of the population.

A high proportion of these immigrants come from heavily Christian countries such as the Philippines. The majority of these are Roman Catholic workers, replacing the original Christian population which were largely Orthodox.

However despite the dramatic increase, it is likely there will be little change to religious tolerance in the region. Hardly any of the new Christians immigrants are citizens and many are low-skilled workers, meaning that their stay is likely to be temporary. Most of the Gulf’s population is highly transient and the Christians are unlikely to be different.

As a result, although the numbers of Christians are significant, they are unlikely to make any political difference. Wahhabism, a strict interpretation of Islam, still dominates Saudi Arabia in particular and even in the relatively liberal UAE, Christian converts face severe persecution and no religious education other than the teaching of Islam is permitted.

The future is therefore uncertain for Christians in the Gulf. But as Christianity loses its most ancient communities in the Middle East, the arrival of Catholics in Islam’s most conservative heartland may be a source of hope to those praying for a revival in the Middle East.