Jonathan Edwards was considered one of the greatest preachers in American history. It is said that he and George Whitefield and other great preachers of there time (early to mid 17th century) were responsible for the great birth and strong foundation of the nation known as America. Jonathan Edwards's ministry and life was changed forever by a revival that hit his Northhampton congregation in 1934 through 1935. Here is what one of his biographers wrote about the man and his life.
What are the lessons for today from Jonathan Edwards? No man is more relevant to the present condition of Christianity than Jonathan Edwards. None is more needed. Take all we have been considering, and on top of that take the treatise he wrote in 1748 with the title An Humble Attempt to Promote Explicit Agreement and Visible Union of God's People in Extraordinary Prayer for the Revival of Religion and for the Advancement of Christ's kingdom on Earth. Some friends in Scotland had been meeting together to pray in this way, and they wrote to Edwards and told him about this. They asked whether he agreed with this and whether he would write about it. So he wrote this great treatise pleading with people to join together, and to agree to do so once a month and in various other ways. He argues and pleads very specially in terms of what he and they regarded then as the nearness of the second coming of Christ and the glory that was to be revealed. It is a mighty and a glorious statement. Surely revival is the only answer to the present need and condition of the church.
An apologetic which fails to put supreme ,emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit is doomed to be a complete failure. But that is what we have been doing. We have brought out an apologetic which is highly philosophical and argumentative. We have argued about modern art, modern literature, modern drama, politics and social views as if this is what is needed. What is needed is an effusion, an outpouring of the Spirit; and any apologetic which does not finally bring us to the need of such an outpouring will ultimately be useless. I believe we are again in much the same position as that which obtained before those great things happened in the 30'S of the eighteenth century. The Boyle lectures had been instituted in the previous century to provide an apologetic, and to defend religion and the gospel. And we have been doing the same with much assiduity. Not only so, Bishop Butler's famous Analogy had appeared in defense of the gospel in a different manner. But these were not the factors that changed the entire situation. It was revival; and our only hope is revival. We have tried everything else, Edwards reminds us once more of the supreme need of revival.
Let us be clear as to what he said about this. We must know what revival means. We must know the difference between an evangelistic campaign and revival. They are not to be compared. We must realize the difference between experiencing the power of the Spirit in revival and the calling of people to make a decision. Some years ago a certain well-known and prominent Evangelical leader at the time was urging me to attend a certain evangelistic campaign, and full of enthusiasm said, 'You must go. It's marvelous. Wonderful! People go streaming forward. No emotion. No emotion!' He kept on repeating 'No emotion'. He had not read Jonathan Edwards! We should be seriously concerned if there is no emotion. If people can take some supposed decision for Christ with no emotion, what is it that really happens? Is it conceivable that a soul may realize the danger of spending eternity in hell, know something about the holiness of God, and believe that the Son of God came into the world and even died on a cruel cross and rose again from the dead that he might be saved, and yet feel no emotion?
Read Edwards on revival. The term he used always is ‘an outpouring of the Spirit'. Today, we are hearing much about what is called 'renewal'. They dislike the term revival; they prefer 'renewal'. What they mean by that is that we have all been baptized with the Spirit at the moment of regeneration, and that all we have to do therefore is to realize what we already have and yield ourselves to it. That is not revival! You can do all they teach and derive many benefits; but you still have not had revival. Revival is an out-pouring of the Spirit. It is something that comes upon us, that happens to us. We are not the agents, we are just aware that something has happened. So Edwards reminds us again of what revival really is.
That leads to a warning to those who are quenching the Spirit; and there are many who are guilty of that at the present time. A book by the late Ronald Knox on Enthusiasm has become popular among certain Evangelicals. He was an intellectual Roman Catholic ignorant of these things. He, of course, mentions Edwards and the famous sermon. The New Testament warns us against 'quenching the Spirit'. We can be guilty of doing so in many ways. We can quench the Spirit by being exclusively interested in theology. We can do so also by being concerned only about the application of Christianity to industry, to education, to art, to politics etc. At the same time Edwards gives similar warnings to those who emphasize experience only. Nothing is more striking than the balance of this man. You must have the theology; but it must he theology on fire. There must be warmth and heat as well as light. In Edwards we find the ideal combination - the great doctrines with the fire of the Spirit upon them.
Please, KP family, be praying for an "outpouring of the Holy Spirit." We need it. Our kids need it. our unsaved family and friends need for us to experience it. Our community and our nation's only hope is for us (the church) to experience an outpouring of the Holy Ghost.
-Pastor
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Will My Prayers Be Answered
I felt like someone needed to hear this today...possibly me. Very good word! Have a wonderful day.
by David Wilkerson
I believe in Holy Ghost timing. In God’s own time, all our prayers will be answered—one way or another—but the trouble is, we are afraid to submit our prayers to Holy Ghost scrutiny. Some of our prayers need to be purged because often our faith is misspent on requests that are not mature. We do not know how to pray, “Thy will be done.” We don’t want his will as much as those things permitted by his will.
Abraham exercised his faith to keep reminding himself he was a stranger on this earth. His blessing pact produced only a tent to dwell in, because he put all his faith in that city whose builder and maker is God.
Were some of these faith warriors not living in faith? Did God refuse to answer some of their prayers? After all, not all of them were delivered and not all lived to see answers to their payers. Not all were spared pain, suffering and even death. Some were tortured; others were torn asunder, wandering about destitute, afflicted, and tormented (Hebrews 11:36-38).
Some who had a reputation for having great faith “received not the promise” (Hebrews 11:39). Those who did “obtain promises” used their faith to work righteousness, to gain strength in times of weakness, and to put the enemy to flight.
Don’t worry about whether God is saying “Yes” or “No” to your request. Don’t be downcast when the answer is not in sight and, please, quit concentrating on faith formulas and methods. Just commit every prayer to Jesus and go about your business with confidence. He will not be one moment early or late in answering, and if the answer you seek is not forthcoming, say to your heart, “He is all I need. If I need more, he will not withhold it. He will answer in his time and in his way. And if he does not fulfill my request, he must have a perfect reason for not doing so. No matter what happens, I will always have faith in his faithfulness.”
God forgive us if we are more concerned about getting prayers answered than in learning total submission to Christ himself. We do not learn obedience by the things we obtain but by the things we suffer. Are you willing to learn by suffering a little longer with what appears to be an unanswered prayer? Will you rest in his love while patiently waiting for the promise?
by David Wilkerson
I believe in Holy Ghost timing. In God’s own time, all our prayers will be answered—one way or another—but the trouble is, we are afraid to submit our prayers to Holy Ghost scrutiny. Some of our prayers need to be purged because often our faith is misspent on requests that are not mature. We do not know how to pray, “Thy will be done.” We don’t want his will as much as those things permitted by his will.
Abraham exercised his faith to keep reminding himself he was a stranger on this earth. His blessing pact produced only a tent to dwell in, because he put all his faith in that city whose builder and maker is God.
Were some of these faith warriors not living in faith? Did God refuse to answer some of their prayers? After all, not all of them were delivered and not all lived to see answers to their payers. Not all were spared pain, suffering and even death. Some were tortured; others were torn asunder, wandering about destitute, afflicted, and tormented (Hebrews 11:36-38).
Some who had a reputation for having great faith “received not the promise” (Hebrews 11:39). Those who did “obtain promises” used their faith to work righteousness, to gain strength in times of weakness, and to put the enemy to flight.
Don’t worry about whether God is saying “Yes” or “No” to your request. Don’t be downcast when the answer is not in sight and, please, quit concentrating on faith formulas and methods. Just commit every prayer to Jesus and go about your business with confidence. He will not be one moment early or late in answering, and if the answer you seek is not forthcoming, say to your heart, “He is all I need. If I need more, he will not withhold it. He will answer in his time and in his way. And if he does not fulfill my request, he must have a perfect reason for not doing so. No matter what happens, I will always have faith in his faithfulness.”
God forgive us if we are more concerned about getting prayers answered than in learning total submission to Christ himself. We do not learn obedience by the things we obtain but by the things we suffer. Are you willing to learn by suffering a little longer with what appears to be an unanswered prayer? Will you rest in his love while patiently waiting for the promise?
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Survey: 72% of Millennials 'more spiritual than religious'
I thought this was a great article today in the USA Today. It says a lot about the state of the church today. I have taken the liberty to put in bold some of the findings that really should concern us as disciples of Christ. Things that we should be praying about.
By Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA TODAY
Most young adults today don't pray, don't worship and don't read the Bible, a major survey by a Christian research firm shows.
If the trends continue, "the Millennial generation will see churches closing as quickly as GM dealerships," says Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources. In the group's survey of 1,200 18- to 29-year-olds, 72% say they're "really more spiritual than religious."[You can interpret the word "religious" here for "doctrinally sound."]
Among the 65% who call themselves Christian, "many are either mushy Christians or Christians in name only," Rainer says. "Most are just indifferent. The more precisely you try to measure their Christianity, the fewer you find committed to the faith."
Key findings in the phone survey, conducted in August and released today:
•65% rarely or never pray with others, and 38% almost never pray by themselves either.
•65% rarely or never attend worship services.
•67% don't read the Bible or sacred texts.
Many are unsure Jesus is the only path to heaven: Half say yes, half no.
"We have dumbed down what it means to be part of the church so much that it means almost nothing, even to people who already say they are part of the church," Rainer says.
The findings, which document a steady drift away from church life, dovetail with a LifeWay survey of teenagers in 2007 who drop out of church and a study in February by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, which compared the beliefs of Millennials with those of earlier generations of young people.
AGE 18 TO 29: 'Less religious,' not necessarily 'more secular'
DROPOUTS: Young adults aren't sticking with church
The new survey has a margin of error of +/-2.8 percentage points.
Even among those in the survey who "believe they will go to heaven because they have accepted Jesus Christ as savior":
•68% did not mention faith, religion or spirituality when asked what was "really important in life."
•50% do not attend church at least weekly.
•36% rarely or never read the Bible.
Neither are these young Christians evangelical in the original meaning of the term — eager to share the Gospel. Just 40% say this is their responsibility.
Even so, Rainer is encouraged by the roughly 15% who, he says, appear to be "deeply committed" Christians in study, prayer, worship and action. [VERY TRUE...EVEN IN CINCINNATI!]
Collin Hansen, 29, author of Young, Restless, Reformed, about a thriving minority of traditionalist Christians, agrees. "I'm not going to say these numbers aren't true and aren't grim, but they also drive people like me to build new, passionately Christian dynamic churches," says Hansen, who is studying for the ministry. He sees many in his generation veering to "moralistic therapeutic deism — 'God wants you to be happy and do good things.' ... I would not call that Christianity, however." {WOW IS THAT EVER TRUE...I THINK WE KNOW WHO THESE NATIONAL PREACHERS ARE!}
The 2007 LifeWay study found seven in 10 Protestants ages 18 to 30, both evangelical and mainline, who went to church regularly in high school said they quit attending by age 23. And 34% of those had not returned, even sporadically, by age 30.
The Pew survey found young people today were significantly more likely than those in earlier generations to say they didn't identify with any religious group. Neither are Millennials any more likely than earlier generations to turn toward a faith affiliation as they grow older.
We need revival! Our church...your church...God's church in America! May we weep, cry, and pray for a move of God before its too late!
-Pastor
By Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA TODAY
Most young adults today don't pray, don't worship and don't read the Bible, a major survey by a Christian research firm shows.
If the trends continue, "the Millennial generation will see churches closing as quickly as GM dealerships," says Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources. In the group's survey of 1,200 18- to 29-year-olds, 72% say they're "really more spiritual than religious."[You can interpret the word "religious" here for "doctrinally sound."]
Among the 65% who call themselves Christian, "many are either mushy Christians or Christians in name only," Rainer says. "Most are just indifferent. The more precisely you try to measure their Christianity, the fewer you find committed to the faith."
Key findings in the phone survey, conducted in August and released today:
•65% rarely or never pray with others, and 38% almost never pray by themselves either.
•65% rarely or never attend worship services.
•67% don't read the Bible or sacred texts.
Many are unsure Jesus is the only path to heaven: Half say yes, half no.
"We have dumbed down what it means to be part of the church so much that it means almost nothing, even to people who already say they are part of the church," Rainer says.
The findings, which document a steady drift away from church life, dovetail with a LifeWay survey of teenagers in 2007 who drop out of church and a study in February by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, which compared the beliefs of Millennials with those of earlier generations of young people.
AGE 18 TO 29: 'Less religious,' not necessarily 'more secular'
DROPOUTS: Young adults aren't sticking with church
The new survey has a margin of error of +/-2.8 percentage points.
Even among those in the survey who "believe they will go to heaven because they have accepted Jesus Christ as savior":
•68% did not mention faith, religion or spirituality when asked what was "really important in life."
•50% do not attend church at least weekly.
•36% rarely or never read the Bible.
Neither are these young Christians evangelical in the original meaning of the term — eager to share the Gospel. Just 40% say this is their responsibility.
Even so, Rainer is encouraged by the roughly 15% who, he says, appear to be "deeply committed" Christians in study, prayer, worship and action. [VERY TRUE...EVEN IN CINCINNATI!]
Collin Hansen, 29, author of Young, Restless, Reformed, about a thriving minority of traditionalist Christians, agrees. "I'm not going to say these numbers aren't true and aren't grim, but they also drive people like me to build new, passionately Christian dynamic churches," says Hansen, who is studying for the ministry. He sees many in his generation veering to "moralistic therapeutic deism — 'God wants you to be happy and do good things.' ... I would not call that Christianity, however." {WOW IS THAT EVER TRUE...I THINK WE KNOW WHO THESE NATIONAL PREACHERS ARE!}
The 2007 LifeWay study found seven in 10 Protestants ages 18 to 30, both evangelical and mainline, who went to church regularly in high school said they quit attending by age 23. And 34% of those had not returned, even sporadically, by age 30.
The Pew survey found young people today were significantly more likely than those in earlier generations to say they didn't identify with any religious group. Neither are Millennials any more likely than earlier generations to turn toward a faith affiliation as they grow older.
We need revival! Our church...your church...God's church in America! May we weep, cry, and pray for a move of God before its too late!
-Pastor
Monday, April 26, 2010
Some Thoughts on the National Day of Prayer Issue
What do you think is God's take on the National Day of Prayer issue? Is He for it or against it? Is He concerned about more than just one day a year when Americans promote the practice of prayer?
These are questions I have asked myself recently. Here are some thoughts to consider:
1. The National Day of Prayer is a wonderful proclamation every year promoting the practice and the importance of prayer. For the most part, people gather around the nation to talk about the importance of prayer and some actually do some praying. It was first proclaimed by President Lincoln with the idea that Americans were to pray to the one true God of the bible, not just any god of any religion. However, our nation has become proud of its pluralistic beliefs and now it is assumed that this is a day for all religions to pray to their own god. So I really wonder how the one and only true God really feels about a National Day of Prayer where He is just considered one of many gods that people can direct their prayers to? Just a thought!
2. Jesus did not emphasize the practice of public prayer in his ministry. Matter of fact, he scorned at the idea of people praying in public to be seen and recognized by men (Matthew 6:5). Now I know this is not the intent of the National Day of Prayer, but on the other hand it happens. On this day, it is popular for many politicians, pastors, business leaders, and others to come together for the purpose of giving the impression that we are a very patriotic and religious people...to be seen by men. But it is to be a National Day of Prayer - not a national day of patriotism, thanksgiving, fellowship, or even a religious holiday. It is a day when the people of America should really pray to the one and only God who will hear us when we pray according to His Word. Yes, we should pray prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude, but also prayers of confession - especially confession...and petitions and intercessions as well. If we as God's people (Christians) would just take one day and really pray, fast, and cry out to God...can you imagine the power and what might springboard from that?
3. What Jesus taught more than anything was "closet praying" or "private praying." Jesus said Matthew 6:6 "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Notice the word "secret" it means "hidden." Just the opposite of "public." This does not mean there is not a time and place for prayers to be made in public. However, Jesus says that we as His followers are to be people who constantly practice "hidden prayer." In the next few verses in Matthew, verses 9 through 15, He even gives us an outline to use when we pray hidden away from the world...He teaches us how to pray. How cool is that!
So I wonder...is God more concerned about whether we promote prayer one day a year or whether His people actually practice prayer daily?
Did you know the average Christian in America prays less than five minutes a day? (I doubt if that really increases on the National Day of Prayer.) Ouch!
Oh yes, I know there are some who will say if we aren't careful we might lose our right to pray. And I get that...I would hate that for our nation as well. But sometimes I wonder...if that would be a bad thing? Maybe, then, God's people, would pray more than just a few minutes a day. Maybe, then it we would truly be "hidden prayer" like Jesus wanted us to pray rather than "to be seen of men."
Just some thoughts.
Have a great week!
-Pastor
These are questions I have asked myself recently. Here are some thoughts to consider:
1. The National Day of Prayer is a wonderful proclamation every year promoting the practice and the importance of prayer. For the most part, people gather around the nation to talk about the importance of prayer and some actually do some praying. It was first proclaimed by President Lincoln with the idea that Americans were to pray to the one true God of the bible, not just any god of any religion. However, our nation has become proud of its pluralistic beliefs and now it is assumed that this is a day for all religions to pray to their own god. So I really wonder how the one and only true God really feels about a National Day of Prayer where He is just considered one of many gods that people can direct their prayers to? Just a thought!
2. Jesus did not emphasize the practice of public prayer in his ministry. Matter of fact, he scorned at the idea of people praying in public to be seen and recognized by men (Matthew 6:5). Now I know this is not the intent of the National Day of Prayer, but on the other hand it happens. On this day, it is popular for many politicians, pastors, business leaders, and others to come together for the purpose of giving the impression that we are a very patriotic and religious people...to be seen by men. But it is to be a National Day of Prayer - not a national day of patriotism, thanksgiving, fellowship, or even a religious holiday. It is a day when the people of America should really pray to the one and only God who will hear us when we pray according to His Word. Yes, we should pray prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude, but also prayers of confession - especially confession...and petitions and intercessions as well. If we as God's people (Christians) would just take one day and really pray, fast, and cry out to God...can you imagine the power and what might springboard from that?
3. What Jesus taught more than anything was "closet praying" or "private praying." Jesus said Matthew 6:6 "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Notice the word "secret" it means "hidden." Just the opposite of "public." This does not mean there is not a time and place for prayers to be made in public. However, Jesus says that we as His followers are to be people who constantly practice "hidden prayer." In the next few verses in Matthew, verses 9 through 15, He even gives us an outline to use when we pray hidden away from the world...He teaches us how to pray. How cool is that!
So I wonder...is God more concerned about whether we promote prayer one day a year or whether His people actually practice prayer daily?
Did you know the average Christian in America prays less than five minutes a day? (I doubt if that really increases on the National Day of Prayer.) Ouch!
Oh yes, I know there are some who will say if we aren't careful we might lose our right to pray. And I get that...I would hate that for our nation as well. But sometimes I wonder...if that would be a bad thing? Maybe, then, God's people, would pray more than just a few minutes a day. Maybe, then it we would truly be "hidden prayer" like Jesus wanted us to pray rather than "to be seen of men."
Just some thoughts.
Have a great week!
-Pastor
Friday, April 23, 2010
A Few Light Thoughts on Glenn Beck
As a Christian, what do you think about Fox News Glenn Beck? Glenn has had his own show now for over a year and has become very popular among political conservatives and independents. A lot of Christians listen on radio and watch on television Mr. Beck and no doubt identify with many of his ideas and beliefs. As one of his consistent listeners and viewers, let me share a few pros and cons about Glenn Beck. First the positives:
#1 - I sincerely believe God is using Glenn Beck to sound the trumpet and to warn America of its pending doom if we as a nation continue to travel down the path that we are on. Its unfortunate that the church in America has very few national pastors or prophets that are willing to sound such warnings. Mr Beck and his family live under constant scrutiny and has sacrificed his personal privacy because of his bold statements.
#2 - Mr. Beck seems very respective toward the bible and its truths. He speaks often of the importance of prayer in his life and the person of Jesus Christ. He speaks very frankly of his former addiction to alcohol and how God set him free of it. I believe that Glenn Beck claims to be a Christian.
Some negatives:
#1 - Too much bad language on his radio and television shows. As a culture, we are becoming more and more crass. Profanity seems to be an acceptable form of speech today, even among social conservatives and some Christians. The problem for Christians is God's Word calls this a practice of the old nature. Once Christ comes into our lives by His Spirit and changes us, He also changes the way we speak. "You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language"[Colossians 3:7-9].
#2 - He does an effective job of warning Americans of the consequences of our nation's corruption. And I have even heard him encourage Americans to "humble themselves and turn to God." But he seems to ignore the significance of bible prophecy in regards to what the bible says about the rapture, the Antichrist, the Tribulation, and the Second Coming of Christ. I have seen him interview Joel Rosenberg when Rosenberg spoke of some of these coming events. So I know he has some knowledge of such events.
But in spite of a few things, I like Glenn Beck and pray for he and his family. He is a brave and courageous man that God is using in these last days. Whether he is a Christian or not, God uses both for his purposes. I am very thankful for Glenn Beck and the warnings and wisdom that he offers us.
Have a great weekend!
-Pastor
#1 - I sincerely believe God is using Glenn Beck to sound the trumpet and to warn America of its pending doom if we as a nation continue to travel down the path that we are on. Its unfortunate that the church in America has very few national pastors or prophets that are willing to sound such warnings. Mr Beck and his family live under constant scrutiny and has sacrificed his personal privacy because of his bold statements.
#2 - Mr. Beck seems very respective toward the bible and its truths. He speaks often of the importance of prayer in his life and the person of Jesus Christ. He speaks very frankly of his former addiction to alcohol and how God set him free of it. I believe that Glenn Beck claims to be a Christian.
Some negatives:
#1 - Too much bad language on his radio and television shows. As a culture, we are becoming more and more crass. Profanity seems to be an acceptable form of speech today, even among social conservatives and some Christians. The problem for Christians is God's Word calls this a practice of the old nature. Once Christ comes into our lives by His Spirit and changes us, He also changes the way we speak. "You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language"[Colossians 3:7-9].
#2 - He does an effective job of warning Americans of the consequences of our nation's corruption. And I have even heard him encourage Americans to "humble themselves and turn to God." But he seems to ignore the significance of bible prophecy in regards to what the bible says about the rapture, the Antichrist, the Tribulation, and the Second Coming of Christ. I have seen him interview Joel Rosenberg when Rosenberg spoke of some of these coming events. So I know he has some knowledge of such events.
But in spite of a few things, I like Glenn Beck and pray for he and his family. He is a brave and courageous man that God is using in these last days. Whether he is a Christian or not, God uses both for his purposes. I am very thankful for Glenn Beck and the warnings and wisdom that he offers us.
Have a great weekend!
-Pastor
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Called From Before Creation
by David Wilkerson
The apostle Paul says of God, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9).
Every person who is “in Christ” is called by the Lord. And we all have the same mandate: to hear God’s voice, to proclaim his Word, to never fear man, and to trust the Lord in the face of every conceivable trial.
Indeed, God made this promise to his prophet Jeremiah when he called him (see Jeremiah 1:1-10). Like Jeremiah, we don’t need to have a message prepared to speak before the world. He has pledged to fill our mouths with his Word, at the exact moment it’s needed. But that will happen only if we trust him.
Paul tells us that many are appointed as preachers, teachers and apostles, and that they are all going to suffer for that reason. He counts himself among those: “I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things” (2 Timothy 1:11-12). He was saying, “God has given me a holy work to do. And because I have that calling, I am going to suffer.”
Scripture shows that Paul was tested as few ministers have ever been. Satan tried to kill him time after time. The so-called religious crowd rejected and ridiculed him. At times even those who supported him left him abused and forsaken.
But Paul was never confounded before men. He was never dismayed or put to shame before the world. And Paul never did burn out. On every occasion, he had an anointed word to speak from God, just when it was needed.
The fact is, Paul simply wouldn’t be shaken. He never did lose his trust in the Lord. Instead, he testified, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12). He is saying, “I have committed my life fully to the Lord’s faithfulness. Live or die, I am his.” And he urged his young charge Timothy to do likewise: “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (1:13).
The apostle Paul says of God, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9).
Every person who is “in Christ” is called by the Lord. And we all have the same mandate: to hear God’s voice, to proclaim his Word, to never fear man, and to trust the Lord in the face of every conceivable trial.
Indeed, God made this promise to his prophet Jeremiah when he called him (see Jeremiah 1:1-10). Like Jeremiah, we don’t need to have a message prepared to speak before the world. He has pledged to fill our mouths with his Word, at the exact moment it’s needed. But that will happen only if we trust him.
Paul tells us that many are appointed as preachers, teachers and apostles, and that they are all going to suffer for that reason. He counts himself among those: “I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things” (2 Timothy 1:11-12). He was saying, “God has given me a holy work to do. And because I have that calling, I am going to suffer.”
Scripture shows that Paul was tested as few ministers have ever been. Satan tried to kill him time after time. The so-called religious crowd rejected and ridiculed him. At times even those who supported him left him abused and forsaken.
But Paul was never confounded before men. He was never dismayed or put to shame before the world. And Paul never did burn out. On every occasion, he had an anointed word to speak from God, just when it was needed.
The fact is, Paul simply wouldn’t be shaken. He never did lose his trust in the Lord. Instead, he testified, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12). He is saying, “I have committed my life fully to the Lord’s faithfulness. Live or die, I am his.” And he urged his young charge Timothy to do likewise: “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (1:13).
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
A Special Word for Someone Who is About to Give Up
Today, I was impressed to speak to those who are emotionally and intellectually bending beneath a burden too heavy to bear.
The promises of God do not seem to be working for you or your family. You have tried to please God, you pray — you truly love Him — but you are right now at the end of your strength and endurance.
Your trials increase as you hold on to your faith. It seems to you God is silent toward you.
BELOVED, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Multitudes of godly people are suffering in like manner and Satan whispers — God’s word is not true! We know that is the devourer speaking. Don’t fear the powers of hell.
Go to Job 19 - read the whole chapter. Job said “I cry, but I am not heard…God has fenced me in…He has put darkness in my path…He has destroyed me on every side…He counts me as one of His enemies…” (19:7-11).
In the midst of this satanic attack - Job cries out-“For I know my redeemer lives, and he shall stand upon the earth…and though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God…with my own eyes shall I behold Him…” (19:25-27)
God said “Ephraim is given to idols, leave him alone” (Hosea 4:17). No trials, no tests for that tribe. But you are not given to idols. You are still the apple of His eye. God sees something in you worth working on.
God chastens those He loves. It is not pleasant, and it hurts - but it is the Father saving us for His own glory to be revealed in years ahead.
He has never loved you more than now. Take heart - God is still speaking to you.
The promises of God do not seem to be working for you or your family. You have tried to please God, you pray — you truly love Him — but you are right now at the end of your strength and endurance.
Your trials increase as you hold on to your faith. It seems to you God is silent toward you.
BELOVED, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Multitudes of godly people are suffering in like manner and Satan whispers — God’s word is not true! We know that is the devourer speaking. Don’t fear the powers of hell.
Go to Job 19 - read the whole chapter. Job said “I cry, but I am not heard…God has fenced me in…He has put darkness in my path…He has destroyed me on every side…He counts me as one of His enemies…” (19:7-11).
In the midst of this satanic attack - Job cries out-“For I know my redeemer lives, and he shall stand upon the earth…and though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God…with my own eyes shall I behold Him…” (19:25-27)
God said “Ephraim is given to idols, leave him alone” (Hosea 4:17). No trials, no tests for that tribe. But you are not given to idols. You are still the apple of His eye. God sees something in you worth working on.
God chastens those He loves. It is not pleasant, and it hurts - but it is the Father saving us for His own glory to be revealed in years ahead.
He has never loved you more than now. Take heart - God is still speaking to you.
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