Using 1 Samuel 8 as the basis of his morning devotion, General Superintendent Emeritus Gerald Johnson linked the story of Israel¿s desire to have their own king to the challenges facing the church today. Johnson drew analogies between ancient Israel and the Nazarenes. The Israelites were people of purpose who wanted, however, to be like their neighbor. Johnson said, ¿Israel lost their greatness because they not only wanted to be like their neighbors, they eventually conformed to the standards of their neighbors.¿

Johnson said, ¿We are a holiness church and the proclamation of this message is our special calling. We must not be tempted to conform to the standards of our neighbors with the global ecclesial community.¿

He concluded his challenge by asking, ¿Could we lose our distinction? Could we forget who we are and why we are here?¿
--NCN News