SHOULD WE USE the MEDIA??
by Marilena Fackerell
Our God is a God who says that in the last days we need to go
to the highways and byways and compel them all to come in.
What a better way to do it but through media.
You see, we did not believe that TV and media can be effective
either. Till God spoke to us and revolutionized our lives. He spoke
to us about the fact that He wants us to proclaim His deeds to
all people every day (Psalm 145). He said that the watchmen blow
the trumpet to warn a whole population at once of impending
danger and that's what TV does, reaches people all at once, faster
than one on one. The trumpet was simply ancient media technology,
a way to send a message, now we have airwaves, TV and internet.
He also told us that what we hear in the ear we need to proclaim
from rooftops. In jewish times the roof tops were the way to make
announcements. He is saying make a public announcement,
broadcast what I am telling you secretly in the ear. Proclaim
what I am teaching you to the masses.
Media and TV is simply a bigger microphone that reaches more
people than just a few thousands in a church building and it
reaches behind closed doors to people who might not ever go to
a church or can't because of sickness. It reaches those who
would not open the door to you if you went to evangelize them
but they do turn the TV on. Movies are ways to capture the
imagination of people and make them live the truth you are trying
to present. That way the truth comes to life for them and there
are greater chances it will leave a more lasting impression.
All the sensory effects of sound, image, music produce greater
learning than just sound only. Many will stop for a movie but would
switch the channel if they saw a preacher. God is not bound by
just one method in how He works, just look at His creation and
you will see He is very creative, He will not limit Himself to only
one way of doing things so why should we limit Him?
-PLEASE COMMENT on this topic at the following website-
http://www.revivalschool.com/
Sabtu, 29 November 2014
CLASSIC WORDS from A.W. TOZER
CLASSIC WORDS from A.W. TOZER
[-From the foreword to the wonderful book 'Why Revival Tarries']-
Great industrial concerns have in their employ men who are needed only
when there is a breakdown somewhere. When something goes wrong with
the machinery, these men spring into action to locate and remove the
trouble and get the machinery rolling again.
For these men a smoothly operating system has no interest. They
are specialists concerned with trouble and how to find and correct it.
In the kingdom of God things are not too different. God has always had
His specialists whose chief concern has been the moral breakdown,
the decline in the spiritual health of the nation or the church. Such
men were Elijah, Jeremiah, Malachi and others of their kind who
appeared at critical moments in history to reprove, rebuke and exhort
in the name of God and righteousness.
A thousand or ten thousand ordinary priests or pastors or teachers
could labor quietly on almost unnoticed while the spiritual life of
Israel or the church was normal. But let the people of God go astray
from the paths of truth and immediately the specialist appeared almost
out of nowhere. His instinct for trouble brought him to the help of
the Lord and of Israel.
Such a man was likely to be drastic, radical, possibly at times
violent, and the curious crowd that gathered to watch him work
soon branded him as extreme, fanatical, negative. And in a sense they
were right. He was single-minded, severe, fearless, and these were the
qualities the circumstances demanded. He shocked some, frightened
others and alienated not a few, but he knew who had called him and
what he was sent to do. His ministry was geared to the emergency, and
that fact marked him out as different, a man apart.
To such men as this the church owes a debt too heavy to pay. The
curious thing is that she seldom tries to pay him while he lives, but
the next generation builds his sepulcher and writes his biography, as
if instinctively and awkwardly to discharge an obligation the previous
generation to a large extent ignored...
-A.W. Tozer.
[-From the foreword to the wonderful book 'Why Revival Tarries']-
Great industrial concerns have in their employ men who are needed only
when there is a breakdown somewhere. When something goes wrong with
the machinery, these men spring into action to locate and remove the
trouble and get the machinery rolling again.
For these men a smoothly operating system has no interest. They
are specialists concerned with trouble and how to find and correct it.
In the kingdom of God things are not too different. God has always had
His specialists whose chief concern has been the moral breakdown,
the decline in the spiritual health of the nation or the church. Such
men were Elijah, Jeremiah, Malachi and others of their kind who
appeared at critical moments in history to reprove, rebuke and exhort
in the name of God and righteousness.
A thousand or ten thousand ordinary priests or pastors or teachers
could labor quietly on almost unnoticed while the spiritual life of
Israel or the church was normal. But let the people of God go astray
from the paths of truth and immediately the specialist appeared almost
out of nowhere. His instinct for trouble brought him to the help of
the Lord and of Israel.
Such a man was likely to be drastic, radical, possibly at times
violent, and the curious crowd that gathered to watch him work
soon branded him as extreme, fanatical, negative. And in a sense they
were right. He was single-minded, severe, fearless, and these were the
qualities the circumstances demanded. He shocked some, frightened
others and alienated not a few, but he knew who had called him and
what he was sent to do. His ministry was geared to the emergency, and
that fact marked him out as different, a man apart.
To such men as this the church owes a debt too heavy to pay. The
curious thing is that she seldom tries to pay him while he lives, but
the next generation builds his sepulcher and writes his biography, as
if instinctively and awkwardly to discharge an obligation the previous
generation to a large extent ignored...
-A.W. Tozer.
TWO OLD WOMEN and MIGHTY REVIVAL!!
TWO OLD WOMEN and MIGHTY REVIVAL!!
by Duncan Campbell
There are two things that I would like to say in speaking about the
revival in the Hebrides. First, I would like to make it perfectly clear
that I did not bring revival to the Hebrides. It has grieved me beyond
words to hear people talk and write about the man who brought
revival to the Hebrides. My dear people, I didn't do that. Revival
was there before I ever set foot on the island. It began in a gracious
awareness of God sweeping through the parish of Barvas.
Then I would like to make it perfectly clear what I understand of
revival. When I speak of revival, I am not thinking of high-pressure
evangelism. I am not thinking of crusades or of special efforts
convened and organized by man. That is not in my mind at all.
Revival is something altogether different from evangelism on its
highest level. Revival is a moving of God in the community and
suddenly the community becomes God conscious before a word
is said by any man representing any special effort.
Now I am sure that you will be interested to know how, in November
1949, this gracious movement began on the island of Lewis. Two
old women, one of them 84 years of age and the other 82-one of
the stone blind, were greatly burdened because of the appalling
state of their own parish. It was true that not a single young person
attended public worship. Not a single young man or young woman
went to the church. They spent their day perhaps reading or walking
but the church was left out of the picture. And those two women
were greatly concerned and they made it a special matter of prayer.
A verse gripped them: "I will pour water on him that is thirsty and
floods upon the dry ground." They were so burdened that both of
them decided to spend so much time in prayer twice a week. On
Tuesday they got on their knees at 10 o'clock in the evening and
remained on their knees until 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning--two
old women in a very humble cottage.
One night, one of the sisters had a vision. Now remember, in revival,
God works in wonderful ways. A vision came to one of them, and
in the vision she saw the church of her fathers crowded with young
people. Packed to the doors, and a strange minister standing in
the pulpit. And she was so impressed by the vision that she sent
for the parish minister. And of course he knowing the two sisters,
knowing that they were two women who knew God in a wonderful
way, he responded to their invitation and called at the cottage.
That morning, one of the sisters said to the minister, "You must
do something about it. And I would suggest that you call your
office bearers together and that you spend with us at least two
nights in prayer in the week... Well, that was what happened,
the minister called his office bearers together and seven of them
met in a barn to pray on Tuesday and on Friday. And the two old
women got on their knees and prayed with them.
Well that continued for some weeks--indeed, I believe almost a
month and a half. Until one night... one young man, a deacon in
the church, got up and read Psalm 24. "Who shall ascend the
hill of God? Who shall stand in His holy place? He that has clean
hands and a pure heart who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity
or sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing (not a blessing,
but the blessing) of the Lord." And then that young man closed h
is Bible. And looking down at the minister and the other office
bearers, he said this- "It seems to me to be so much humbug
to be praying as we are praying, to be waiting as we are waiting,
if we ourselves are not rightly related to God." And then he lifted
his two hands... and prayed, "God, are my hands clean? Is my
heart pure? " But he got no further. That young man fell to his
knees and then fell into a trance. Now don't ask me to explain
this because I can't. He fell into a trance and is now lying on
the floor of the barn. And in the words of the minister, at that
moment, he and his other office bearers were gripped by the
conviction that a God-sent revival must ever be related to holiness,
must ever be related to Godliness. Are my hands clean? Is my
heart pure? The man that God will trust with revival - that was the
conviction.
When that happened in the barn, the power of God swept into the
parish. And an awareness of God gripped the community such
as hadn't been known for over 100 years. An awareness of God -
that's revival, that's revival. And on the following day, the looms
were silent, little work was done on the farms as men and women
gave themselves to thinking on eternal things gripped by eternal realities.
by Duncan Campbell
There are two things that I would like to say in speaking about the
revival in the Hebrides. First, I would like to make it perfectly clear
that I did not bring revival to the Hebrides. It has grieved me beyond
words to hear people talk and write about the man who brought
revival to the Hebrides. My dear people, I didn't do that. Revival
was there before I ever set foot on the island. It began in a gracious
awareness of God sweeping through the parish of Barvas.
Then I would like to make it perfectly clear what I understand of
revival. When I speak of revival, I am not thinking of high-pressure
evangelism. I am not thinking of crusades or of special efforts
convened and organized by man. That is not in my mind at all.
Revival is something altogether different from evangelism on its
highest level. Revival is a moving of God in the community and
suddenly the community becomes God conscious before a word
is said by any man representing any special effort.
Now I am sure that you will be interested to know how, in November
1949, this gracious movement began on the island of Lewis. Two
old women, one of them 84 years of age and the other 82-one of
the stone blind, were greatly burdened because of the appalling
state of their own parish. It was true that not a single young person
attended public worship. Not a single young man or young woman
went to the church. They spent their day perhaps reading or walking
but the church was left out of the picture. And those two women
were greatly concerned and they made it a special matter of prayer.
A verse gripped them: "I will pour water on him that is thirsty and
floods upon the dry ground." They were so burdened that both of
them decided to spend so much time in prayer twice a week. On
Tuesday they got on their knees at 10 o'clock in the evening and
remained on their knees until 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning--two
old women in a very humble cottage.
One night, one of the sisters had a vision. Now remember, in revival,
God works in wonderful ways. A vision came to one of them, and
in the vision she saw the church of her fathers crowded with young
people. Packed to the doors, and a strange minister standing in
the pulpit. And she was so impressed by the vision that she sent
for the parish minister. And of course he knowing the two sisters,
knowing that they were two women who knew God in a wonderful
way, he responded to their invitation and called at the cottage.
That morning, one of the sisters said to the minister, "You must
do something about it. And I would suggest that you call your
office bearers together and that you spend with us at least two
nights in prayer in the week... Well, that was what happened,
the minister called his office bearers together and seven of them
met in a barn to pray on Tuesday and on Friday. And the two old
women got on their knees and prayed with them.
Well that continued for some weeks--indeed, I believe almost a
month and a half. Until one night... one young man, a deacon in
the church, got up and read Psalm 24. "Who shall ascend the
hill of God? Who shall stand in His holy place? He that has clean
hands and a pure heart who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity
or sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing (not a blessing,
but the blessing) of the Lord." And then that young man closed h
is Bible. And looking down at the minister and the other office
bearers, he said this- "It seems to me to be so much humbug
to be praying as we are praying, to be waiting as we are waiting,
if we ourselves are not rightly related to God." And then he lifted
his two hands... and prayed, "God, are my hands clean? Is my
heart pure? " But he got no further. That young man fell to his
knees and then fell into a trance. Now don't ask me to explain
this because I can't. He fell into a trance and is now lying on
the floor of the barn. And in the words of the minister, at that
moment, he and his other office bearers were gripped by the
conviction that a God-sent revival must ever be related to holiness,
must ever be related to Godliness. Are my hands clean? Is my
heart pure? The man that God will trust with revival - that was the
conviction.
When that happened in the barn, the power of God swept into the
parish. And an awareness of God gripped the community such
as hadn't been known for over 100 years. An awareness of God -
that's revival, that's revival. And on the following day, the looms
were silent, little work was done on the farms as men and women
gave themselves to thinking on eternal things gripped by eternal realities.
Selasa, 25 November 2014
Today's Quotes
More GREAT QUOTES
-SermonIndex
"Preaching is God's great institution for the planting and maturing of
spiritual life. When properly executed, its benefits are untold. When
wrongly executed, no evil can exceed its damaging results."
-E.M. Bounds
"After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone, and children sift
through all we've left behind;
May the clues that they discover, become the light that leads them to
the road we each must find."
- Sung by Steve Green " Find US Faithful"
"I said to myself if Christianity is dead, I will sit at its tomb
and will weep until it arises again"
-Richard Wurmbrand
"God never denied that soul anything that went as far as heaven to
ask for it." - John Trapp
"It has often been said that prayer is the greatest force in the
universe. This is no exaggeration. It will bear constant repetition.
In this atomic age when forces are being released that stagger the
thought and imagination of man, it is well to remember that prayer
transcends all other forces." - F. J. Huegel
"They who pray not, know nothing of God, and know nothing of the
state of their own souls." - Adam Clarke
-SermonIndex
"Preaching is God's great institution for the planting and maturing of
spiritual life. When properly executed, its benefits are untold. When
wrongly executed, no evil can exceed its damaging results."
-E.M. Bounds
"After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone, and children sift
through all we've left behind;
May the clues that they discover, become the light that leads them to
the road we each must find."
- Sung by Steve Green " Find US Faithful"
"I said to myself if Christianity is dead, I will sit at its tomb
and will weep until it arises again"
-Richard Wurmbrand
"God never denied that soul anything that went as far as heaven to
ask for it." - John Trapp
"It has often been said that prayer is the greatest force in the
universe. This is no exaggeration. It will bear constant repetition.
In this atomic age when forces are being released that stagger the
thought and imagination of man, it is well to remember that prayer
transcends all other forces." - F. J. Huegel
"They who pray not, know nothing of God, and know nothing of the
state of their own souls." - Adam Clarke
HOLY DESPERATION
HOLY DESPERATION
by Carter Conlon
You and I are living in what I call "an hour of holy desperation."
Our society is degenerating very rapidly, and horrific crimes are
occurring so often that we are becoming dulled to it all. The
abnormal is becoming normal; evil is becoming good. As you
look around perhaps you wonder, "How do I fit into this moment
in time? What can God do through my life? And if He is going
to do something, why is it that my prayers, that I know are
according to His Word, have not yet been answered?"
To help address some of these questions, let´s look at
another time in history when a desperate hour came upon a
nation. The book of First Samuel speaks of a season when
there was no clear word or vision. The priesthood that was
supposed to represent God was instead deeply compromised
(see 1 Samuel 2:22-24, 3:1). God´s character, purpose, and
mind were hidden from the people, leaving them without
answers to the questions in their hearts: "What is happening
in our society? Where are we going?"
This situation was very similar to the day in which we live
when it seems as if the presence of God-His power and
provision that we have known throughout our history-is
suddenly gone. It appears that the enemies of God now
have the upper hand, dictating to us when we can pray,
what we can teach our children, what is right and what is
wrong. As a result, a deep cry is beginning to form in the
hearts of the people.
Psalm 107 speaks of these seasons of holy desperation that
recurred throughout history. The psalmist describes a people
who were wandering, hungry, fainting and held captive. It was
a time marked by a foolish handling of the truth of God. Yet it
is in these very moments of desperation that the general
population begins to cry out to God, as is beginning in our day.
There is a cry rising in this generation-a cry not necessarily
heard by the natural ear, but God hears it. It is like the time He
came to Moses and said, "I have heard the cry of the people
and I have come down to deliver them" (see Exodus 3:7-8). In
other words, I have heard their groans of hopelessness. Today
the Lord hears the cries of those whose dreams have been
shattered, of parents whose children have gone astray, of those
who ask, "What happened to us?"
"I have surely seen the affliction of my people . . . and have heard
their cry" (Exodus 3:7).
-Source-
http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/27799
by Carter Conlon
You and I are living in what I call "an hour of holy desperation."
Our society is degenerating very rapidly, and horrific crimes are
occurring so often that we are becoming dulled to it all. The
abnormal is becoming normal; evil is becoming good. As you
look around perhaps you wonder, "How do I fit into this moment
in time? What can God do through my life? And if He is going
to do something, why is it that my prayers, that I know are
according to His Word, have not yet been answered?"
To help address some of these questions, let´s look at
another time in history when a desperate hour came upon a
nation. The book of First Samuel speaks of a season when
there was no clear word or vision. The priesthood that was
supposed to represent God was instead deeply compromised
(see 1 Samuel 2:22-24, 3:1). God´s character, purpose, and
mind were hidden from the people, leaving them without
answers to the questions in their hearts: "What is happening
in our society? Where are we going?"
This situation was very similar to the day in which we live
when it seems as if the presence of God-His power and
provision that we have known throughout our history-is
suddenly gone. It appears that the enemies of God now
have the upper hand, dictating to us when we can pray,
what we can teach our children, what is right and what is
wrong. As a result, a deep cry is beginning to form in the
hearts of the people.
Psalm 107 speaks of these seasons of holy desperation that
recurred throughout history. The psalmist describes a people
who were wandering, hungry, fainting and held captive. It was
a time marked by a foolish handling of the truth of God. Yet it
is in these very moments of desperation that the general
population begins to cry out to God, as is beginning in our day.
There is a cry rising in this generation-a cry not necessarily
heard by the natural ear, but God hears it. It is like the time He
came to Moses and said, "I have heard the cry of the people
and I have come down to deliver them" (see Exodus 3:7-8). In
other words, I have heard their groans of hopelessness. Today
the Lord hears the cries of those whose dreams have been
shattered, of parents whose children have gone astray, of those
who ask, "What happened to us?"
"I have surely seen the affliction of my people . . . and have heard
their cry" (Exodus 3:7).
-Source-
http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/27799
"WOE to THOSE WHO CALL EVIL GOOD"
NOTE: Sadly, I believe the below word applies to the entire
western world - not just America... - Andrew.
"WOE to THOSE WHO CALL EVIL GOOD"
by Darren Smith
I am sickened at the state of this country and truly sad that it's at
a point of no return. The tide has turned and those who seek
justice and righteousness are no longer the majority. Now we are
at the time to confess that we let America and what she stands for
slowly slip away while we sought after comfort and prosperity and
self fulfillment.
Our land has become a place of greed and self promotion, shallow
and spiritless. I know as soon as I send this out many will
say to "remove me from your list" or call me unpatriotic, but I'm
beyond the point of restraint and holding back words because they
are controversial and offensive. Political correctness means nothing
to me and I will not be quiet any longer.
Isa 5 is a perfect picture of America today - a nation that lost it's
soul. We need to admit where we are and what we have become
and quit walking in step with the false notion that we are a "just
nation". I want to start with the gay issue that dominates our media
today. The very fact that you can't say that being gay is against
God's Word is ridiculous, but now as a nation we call - in fact we
promote homosexual activity - call it good. Woe unto a nation
that calls evil good!
I don't hate homosexuals at all. In fact we reach out to them with
Christ, but I cannot condone their behavior and I will never call it
good when God says it is wrong! Lets move on down the list of
indictments.
Abortion is considered birth control, not murder. Again - our
nation calls it good for women to be able to choose whether
to have a child or to kill it. The argument is that a woman
should have a right to have control over her own body. But
the very reason they use is faulty at the core. If a woman
has a right to choose what she does with her own body
then why does this nation's laws have her arrested for being
a prostitute? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying prostitution
is not wrong, but if you are going to hold the position that a
woman has the right to control her body, then be consistent
with what you believe.
The sad truth is that abortion is a several billion dollar industry
that has bought our leaders and they have spent billions
spreading lies with their partners in the media to numb your
minds. Abortion is murder, cut and dry, and its effect on devaluing
human life cannot be reversed. I have met and prayed with scores
of women that themselves were victims of abortion. I have never
met one that was glad they chose to abort, yet as a nation we
call abortion good. Woe unto a nation that calls evil good!
We still say that we are a chosen nation, even though we
have the highest rates of drug use in the world, the highest
alcohol abuse rates in the world, and the highest crime rates.
Do you realize that you are more likely to be killed in Chicago
and many other major cities than you are in a war zone?
What we are seeing is the breakdown of society playing out
before our eyes. The cheapening of life and the increase of
people with no compassion for others multiply at a mind
blowing rate. Why? Because we call evil good and woe is
befalling us as we speak. Yet we as a people are too busy
seeking comfort and entertainment to open our eyes. We
are far more concerned with sharing our opinion on
Facebook, while we post selfies and try to make our life
look interesting to others.
How did we ever come to a point where selfie could ever
become a word - much less an action - we take pride in?
Jesus tells us to be selfless and not to promote our self
with things. People should find us interesting, if we belong
to Christ, because of our love and our actions. We are at a
point in our land where you can't hold a conversation with a
person because they can't look at you for looking at their
phone.
We celebrate bad behavior by making people famous and wealthy
because we like to watch their bad behavior on TV to entertain
ourselves in a righteous land. Could the Kardashions or Pdiddy or
any others of the hosts be a role model? Would Jerry Springer or
any of the other freakshows get any airplay?... Woe unto a nation
that calls evil good!
We celebrate greed in our nation by our fascination with the
wealthy. Would you trust Donald Trump with your kids? We
give the greedy a prominent position in society because of
what they have and because we are jealous and want or even
think we deserve to have it too.
We have gone so far that we have modeled our churches
after the world and the world's business plan - the bigger, the
better, the more comfortable, the more holy we are. But truth
can't be found in this model, nor can courage, just more
entertainment. We even treat the rich better than others so
we can gain from them. Jesus said in Luke that you cannot
measure a man by the abundance of his possessions. But we
still do.
As a nation, we try to tell the rest of the world how to act
when we are a total mess ourselves. We even export our
greed as well as our false doctrines to anyone who will listen.
I will close with this last point. If God's people would stand for
truth and justice, no matter what the personal cost, we would
make a difference. If men who say they are called to preach
would preach truth instead of feel-good humanism and
prosperity, a fire would ignite that could not be contained.
What has brought us to this point is conforming to the world
instead of conforming to Christ. There is no difference in the
modern church and the world. They are one in the same. The
modern church just feels better about itself after hearing the
motivational speech and the upbeat music a couple times a
week. A real preacher - preaching and living the Gospel - will
cause a stir every time he speaks, instead of not rocking the
comfortable boat he is cruising in.
I really don't care if you think I'm too radical or that I'm unpatriotic.
I cannot yield to this false system any longer. I will not defend
the actions of a nation and government that has turned it's back on
God, nor will I defend a church system that has done the same. I'm
looking for people who feel the same way and are willing to stand,
take action and live the Gospel. We can't wait any longer to act
but nothing good comes without a fight. We need to network
together and make a difference.
-PLEASE COMMENT on this topic at the following website-
http://www.revivalschool.com/
western world - not just America... - Andrew.
"WOE to THOSE WHO CALL EVIL GOOD"
by Darren Smith
I am sickened at the state of this country and truly sad that it's at
a point of no return. The tide has turned and those who seek
justice and righteousness are no longer the majority. Now we are
at the time to confess that we let America and what she stands for
slowly slip away while we sought after comfort and prosperity and
self fulfillment.
Our land has become a place of greed and self promotion, shallow
and spiritless. I know as soon as I send this out many will
say to "remove me from your list" or call me unpatriotic, but I'm
beyond the point of restraint and holding back words because they
are controversial and offensive. Political correctness means nothing
to me and I will not be quiet any longer.
Isa 5 is a perfect picture of America today - a nation that lost it's
soul. We need to admit where we are and what we have become
and quit walking in step with the false notion that we are a "just
nation". I want to start with the gay issue that dominates our media
today. The very fact that you can't say that being gay is against
God's Word is ridiculous, but now as a nation we call - in fact we
promote homosexual activity - call it good. Woe unto a nation
that calls evil good!
I don't hate homosexuals at all. In fact we reach out to them with
Christ, but I cannot condone their behavior and I will never call it
good when God says it is wrong! Lets move on down the list of
indictments.
Abortion is considered birth control, not murder. Again - our
nation calls it good for women to be able to choose whether
to have a child or to kill it. The argument is that a woman
should have a right to have control over her own body. But
the very reason they use is faulty at the core. If a woman
has a right to choose what she does with her own body
then why does this nation's laws have her arrested for being
a prostitute? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying prostitution
is not wrong, but if you are going to hold the position that a
woman has the right to control her body, then be consistent
with what you believe.
The sad truth is that abortion is a several billion dollar industry
that has bought our leaders and they have spent billions
spreading lies with their partners in the media to numb your
minds. Abortion is murder, cut and dry, and its effect on devaluing
human life cannot be reversed. I have met and prayed with scores
of women that themselves were victims of abortion. I have never
met one that was glad they chose to abort, yet as a nation we
call abortion good. Woe unto a nation that calls evil good!
We still say that we are a chosen nation, even though we
have the highest rates of drug use in the world, the highest
alcohol abuse rates in the world, and the highest crime rates.
Do you realize that you are more likely to be killed in Chicago
and many other major cities than you are in a war zone?
What we are seeing is the breakdown of society playing out
before our eyes. The cheapening of life and the increase of
people with no compassion for others multiply at a mind
blowing rate. Why? Because we call evil good and woe is
befalling us as we speak. Yet we as a people are too busy
seeking comfort and entertainment to open our eyes. We
are far more concerned with sharing our opinion on
Facebook, while we post selfies and try to make our life
look interesting to others.
How did we ever come to a point where selfie could ever
become a word - much less an action - we take pride in?
Jesus tells us to be selfless and not to promote our self
with things. People should find us interesting, if we belong
to Christ, because of our love and our actions. We are at a
point in our land where you can't hold a conversation with a
person because they can't look at you for looking at their
phone.
We celebrate bad behavior by making people famous and wealthy
because we like to watch their bad behavior on TV to entertain
ourselves in a righteous land. Could the Kardashions or Pdiddy or
any others of the hosts be a role model? Would Jerry Springer or
any of the other freakshows get any airplay?... Woe unto a nation
that calls evil good!
We celebrate greed in our nation by our fascination with the
wealthy. Would you trust Donald Trump with your kids? We
give the greedy a prominent position in society because of
what they have and because we are jealous and want or even
think we deserve to have it too.
We have gone so far that we have modeled our churches
after the world and the world's business plan - the bigger, the
better, the more comfortable, the more holy we are. But truth
can't be found in this model, nor can courage, just more
entertainment. We even treat the rich better than others so
we can gain from them. Jesus said in Luke that you cannot
measure a man by the abundance of his possessions. But we
still do.
As a nation, we try to tell the rest of the world how to act
when we are a total mess ourselves. We even export our
greed as well as our false doctrines to anyone who will listen.
I will close with this last point. If God's people would stand for
truth and justice, no matter what the personal cost, we would
make a difference. If men who say they are called to preach
would preach truth instead of feel-good humanism and
prosperity, a fire would ignite that could not be contained.
What has brought us to this point is conforming to the world
instead of conforming to Christ. There is no difference in the
modern church and the world. They are one in the same. The
modern church just feels better about itself after hearing the
motivational speech and the upbeat music a couple times a
week. A real preacher - preaching and living the Gospel - will
cause a stir every time he speaks, instead of not rocking the
comfortable boat he is cruising in.
I really don't care if you think I'm too radical or that I'm unpatriotic.
I cannot yield to this false system any longer. I will not defend
the actions of a nation and government that has turned it's back on
God, nor will I defend a church system that has done the same. I'm
looking for people who feel the same way and are willing to stand,
take action and live the Gospel. We can't wait any longer to act
but nothing good comes without a fight. We need to network
together and make a difference.
-PLEASE COMMENT on this topic at the following website-
http://www.revivalschool.com/
Jumat, 21 November 2014
"SLEEPING GIANT"
"SLEEPING GIANT"
by Leonard Ravenhill
Solemnly and slowly, with his index finger extended, Napoleon
Bonaparte outlined a great stretch of country on a map of the world.
"There," he growled, "is a sleeping giant. Let him sleep! If he
wakes, he will shake the world." That sleeping giant was China.
Today, Bonaparte's prophecy of some one hundred and fifty years
ago makes sense.
Today Lucifer is probably surveying the church just as Bonaparte
did China. One can almost behold the fear in his eyes as he
thinks of the Church's unmeasured potential and growls, "Let the
Church sleep! If she wakes, she will shake the world." Is not the
Church the sleeping giant of today?
Consider Samson's fall. He didn't get drunk; he didn't commit
murder; he didn't steal. Samson fell simply because he
succumbed to the natural, and fell asleep.
That one small act put him into captivity, made a false god
popular, and scattered the forces of the true and living God.
Alas that today there is more evidence of religious sensation
before our eyes than evidence of spiritual regeneration and
supernatural phenomenon! Not many Christians today can forget
the fact that the devil goeth about as a roaring lion, but we seem
to have lost sight of the fact that the Lion of the tribe of Judah has
defeated the roaring lion of hell, and therefore every anointed
Samson or Gideon or church can also slay the lion of hell. Though
wicked men are doing wickedly, God's promise to us is that "the
people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits"
(Daniel 11:32).
This much is sure:
If we could merit revival by fasting, there would be many
martyred by starving.
If we could organize revival, we would pool our thinking to outwit
the powers of darkness.
If we could buy this elusive revival with the mammon of
unrighteousness, we could get a score of what we call Christian
millionaires to underwrite the thing for us.
If we could blast the devil from this present world, we would
pledge the politicians for an atom bomb.
God pity us that after years of writing, using mountains of paper
and rivers of ink, exhausting flashy terminology about the biggest
revival meetings in history, we are still faced with gross corruption
in every nation, as well as with the most prayerless church age
since Pentecost.
We need the miraculous but we also need Christ-centered
teaching. Our crucified, exalted Christ must have preeminence
over all other slants of truth, for while the Church is languishing,
the world is perishing. "Awake, awake, put on strength, 0 arm of
the Lord..." (Isaiah 51:9)
Let us remember, too, that Samson, who began in the Spirit, fell
into the flesh, and so had a prison term to bring him to his senses.
Finally, by one last mighty miracle, he finished in the Spirit.
Backslider, this is a word for your recovery, for God can restore
the years that the cankerworm and the caterpillar have eaten. He
who is able delights in mercy.
Is this the dying hour of this dispensation? Many say it is. Some
Christians have already hung their harps on the willows, and yet
others seem to delight in speaking of the Church's present lapse
as a proof of divine inspiration. But I myself believe that if the
Church will only obey the conditions, she can have a revival any
time she wants it. The problem of the Church is the problem in the
garden of Gethsemane - sleep! For while men sleep, the enemy,
sows his seed through his cults. Lest men sleep the sleep of
eternal death, Oh arm of the Lord, Oh Church of the living God, awake!
"The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained
by sudden flight, But they, while their companions slept, were
toiling upward through the night!"
In a brilliant sermon called "Discipleship," G. Cambell Morgan
says, "Jesus Christ could speak to the sorrow-burdened heart of
humanity words so full of mother-love and father-love as to make
men crowd and press round Him. On the other hand, He could
suddenly speak words that flashed and scorched and burned until
men drew back in astonishment." Bracketed in the last group
would be these two commands: "Take my yoke upon you" and
"My disciple, take up your cross and follow me." Both of these
words imply discipline.
After I spoke at a session in the Bible School of Wales, Mrs.
Rees Howells called me for a private talk. We stood on the
veranda of her home overlooking beautiful Swansea Bay I can see
her finger upheld as she said, "Many talk of my husband's buying
this place with a shilling (fourteen cents) in his pocket. What they
forget is that he prayed twelve hours a day for eleven months to
know the mind of God." Brethren, that's discipline!
The storm of the ages is about to break. Let the church call its
crew to a new dedication. Remembering that Christ is at the helm,
and with Christ's Crest as our ensign, let us run into the storm.
After the storm, we, too, shall return-to see upon the shores of
time the battered, piled, wrecked, hell-inspired ideologies of the hour.
by Leonard Ravenhill
Solemnly and slowly, with his index finger extended, Napoleon
Bonaparte outlined a great stretch of country on a map of the world.
"There," he growled, "is a sleeping giant. Let him sleep! If he
wakes, he will shake the world." That sleeping giant was China.
Today, Bonaparte's prophecy of some one hundred and fifty years
ago makes sense.
Today Lucifer is probably surveying the church just as Bonaparte
did China. One can almost behold the fear in his eyes as he
thinks of the Church's unmeasured potential and growls, "Let the
Church sleep! If she wakes, she will shake the world." Is not the
Church the sleeping giant of today?
Consider Samson's fall. He didn't get drunk; he didn't commit
murder; he didn't steal. Samson fell simply because he
succumbed to the natural, and fell asleep.
That one small act put him into captivity, made a false god
popular, and scattered the forces of the true and living God.
Alas that today there is more evidence of religious sensation
before our eyes than evidence of spiritual regeneration and
supernatural phenomenon! Not many Christians today can forget
the fact that the devil goeth about as a roaring lion, but we seem
to have lost sight of the fact that the Lion of the tribe of Judah has
defeated the roaring lion of hell, and therefore every anointed
Samson or Gideon or church can also slay the lion of hell. Though
wicked men are doing wickedly, God's promise to us is that "the
people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits"
(Daniel 11:32).
This much is sure:
If we could merit revival by fasting, there would be many
martyred by starving.
If we could organize revival, we would pool our thinking to outwit
the powers of darkness.
If we could buy this elusive revival with the mammon of
unrighteousness, we could get a score of what we call Christian
millionaires to underwrite the thing for us.
If we could blast the devil from this present world, we would
pledge the politicians for an atom bomb.
God pity us that after years of writing, using mountains of paper
and rivers of ink, exhausting flashy terminology about the biggest
revival meetings in history, we are still faced with gross corruption
in every nation, as well as with the most prayerless church age
since Pentecost.
We need the miraculous but we also need Christ-centered
teaching. Our crucified, exalted Christ must have preeminence
over all other slants of truth, for while the Church is languishing,
the world is perishing. "Awake, awake, put on strength, 0 arm of
the Lord..." (Isaiah 51:9)
Let us remember, too, that Samson, who began in the Spirit, fell
into the flesh, and so had a prison term to bring him to his senses.
Finally, by one last mighty miracle, he finished in the Spirit.
Backslider, this is a word for your recovery, for God can restore
the years that the cankerworm and the caterpillar have eaten. He
who is able delights in mercy.
Is this the dying hour of this dispensation? Many say it is. Some
Christians have already hung their harps on the willows, and yet
others seem to delight in speaking of the Church's present lapse
as a proof of divine inspiration. But I myself believe that if the
Church will only obey the conditions, she can have a revival any
time she wants it. The problem of the Church is the problem in the
garden of Gethsemane - sleep! For while men sleep, the enemy,
sows his seed through his cults. Lest men sleep the sleep of
eternal death, Oh arm of the Lord, Oh Church of the living God, awake!
"The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained
by sudden flight, But they, while their companions slept, were
toiling upward through the night!"
In a brilliant sermon called "Discipleship," G. Cambell Morgan
says, "Jesus Christ could speak to the sorrow-burdened heart of
humanity words so full of mother-love and father-love as to make
men crowd and press round Him. On the other hand, He could
suddenly speak words that flashed and scorched and burned until
men drew back in astonishment." Bracketed in the last group
would be these two commands: "Take my yoke upon you" and
"My disciple, take up your cross and follow me." Both of these
words imply discipline.
After I spoke at a session in the Bible School of Wales, Mrs.
Rees Howells called me for a private talk. We stood on the
veranda of her home overlooking beautiful Swansea Bay I can see
her finger upheld as she said, "Many talk of my husband's buying
this place with a shilling (fourteen cents) in his pocket. What they
forget is that he prayed twelve hours a day for eleven months to
know the mind of God." Brethren, that's discipline!
The storm of the ages is about to break. Let the church call its
crew to a new dedication. Remembering that Christ is at the helm,
and with Christ's Crest as our ensign, let us run into the storm.
After the storm, we, too, shall return-to see upon the shores of
time the battered, piled, wrecked, hell-inspired ideologies of the hour.
Saturday Quotes
More GREAT QUOTES
"It is now possible to live a "christian life" without doing the things
that Jesus commanded us to do. "We have hired people to go
into all the world, to visit those in prison, to feed the hungry, to
clothe the naked, to care for widows and orphans. The average
Christian doesn't have to do it." --Cal Thomas
"Sympathy is no substitute for action." -- David Livingstone,
"Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin, and
desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be
clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell
and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth." --John Wesley
"As a large fire begins with kindling of small twigs and branches,
even so a large revival is preceded by the prayers of a few hidden
seemingly insignificant souls." --Gary Amirault
"To silence a preacher from preaching judgment is like being awoke
from sleep by a fire alarm, and just silencing the alarm, and going
back to sleep." --Unknown
"If I am content to heal a hurt slightly, saying "Peace, peace,"
where is no peace; if I forget the poignant word "Let love be
without dissimulation" and blunt the edge of truth, speaking not
right things but smooth things, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
--Amy Carmichael
"It is now possible to live a "christian life" without doing the things
that Jesus commanded us to do. "We have hired people to go
into all the world, to visit those in prison, to feed the hungry, to
clothe the naked, to care for widows and orphans. The average
Christian doesn't have to do it." --Cal Thomas
"Sympathy is no substitute for action." -- David Livingstone,
"Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin, and
desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be
clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell
and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth." --John Wesley
"As a large fire begins with kindling of small twigs and branches,
even so a large revival is preceded by the prayers of a few hidden
seemingly insignificant souls." --Gary Amirault
"To silence a preacher from preaching judgment is like being awoke
from sleep by a fire alarm, and just silencing the alarm, and going
back to sleep." --Unknown
"If I am content to heal a hurt slightly, saying "Peace, peace,"
where is no peace; if I forget the poignant word "Let love be
without dissimulation" and blunt the edge of truth, speaking not
right things but smooth things, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
--Amy Carmichael
Senin, 17 November 2014
The NEW "EVANGELISM"
The NEW "EVANGELISM"
by A.W. Tozer
The new cross encourages a new and entirely different evangelistic
approach. The evangelist does not demand abnegation of the old
life before a new life can be received. He preaches not contrasts
but similarities. He seeks to key into public interest by showing
that Christianity makes no unpleasant demands; rather, it offers
the same thing the world does, only on a higher level. Whatever
the sin-mad world happens to be clamoring after at the moment
is cleverly shown to be the very thing the gospel offers, only the
religious product is better...
That evangelism which draws friendly parallels between the ways
of God and the ways of men is false to the Bible and cruel to the
souls of its hearers. The faith of Christ does not parallel the world,
it intersects it. In coming to Christ we do not bring our old life up
onto a higher plane; we leave it at the cross. The corn of wheat
must fall into the ground and die.
We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public
relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and
the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make
Christ acceptable to big business, the press, or the world of sports,
or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our
message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.
God offers life, but not an improved old life. The life He offers is
life out of death. It stands always on the far side of the cross.
Whoever would possess it must pass under the rod. He must
repudiate himself and concur in God's just sentence against him.
What does this mean to the individual, the condemned man who
would find life in Christ Jesus?... He must forsake his sins and
then go on to forsake himself. Let him cover nothing, defend
nothing, excuse nothing. Let him not seek to make terms with
God, but let him bow his head before the stroke of God's stern
displeasure and acknowledge himself worthy to die... The cross
that ended the earthly life of Jesus now puts an end to the sinner;
and the power that raised Christ from the dead now raises him to
a new life along with Christ.
To any who may object to this or count it merely a narrow and
private view of truth, let me say God has set His hallmark of
approval upon this message from Paul's day to the present.
Whether stated in these exact words or not, this has been the
content of all preaching that has brought life and power to the
world through the centuries. The mystics, the reformers, the
revivalists have put their emphasis here, and signs and wonders
and mighty operations of the Holy Ghost gave witness to
God's approval.
Dare we, the heirs of such a legacy of power, tamper with the
truth? Dare we with our stubby pencils erase the lines of the
blueprint or alter the pattern shown us in the Mount? May God
forbid. Let us preach the old cross and we will know the old power.
-PLEASE COMMENT on this topic at the following website-
http://www.revivalschool.com/
by A.W. Tozer
The new cross encourages a new and entirely different evangelistic
approach. The evangelist does not demand abnegation of the old
life before a new life can be received. He preaches not contrasts
but similarities. He seeks to key into public interest by showing
that Christianity makes no unpleasant demands; rather, it offers
the same thing the world does, only on a higher level. Whatever
the sin-mad world happens to be clamoring after at the moment
is cleverly shown to be the very thing the gospel offers, only the
religious product is better...
That evangelism which draws friendly parallels between the ways
of God and the ways of men is false to the Bible and cruel to the
souls of its hearers. The faith of Christ does not parallel the world,
it intersects it. In coming to Christ we do not bring our old life up
onto a higher plane; we leave it at the cross. The corn of wheat
must fall into the ground and die.
We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public
relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and
the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make
Christ acceptable to big business, the press, or the world of sports,
or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our
message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.
God offers life, but not an improved old life. The life He offers is
life out of death. It stands always on the far side of the cross.
Whoever would possess it must pass under the rod. He must
repudiate himself and concur in God's just sentence against him.
What does this mean to the individual, the condemned man who
would find life in Christ Jesus?... He must forsake his sins and
then go on to forsake himself. Let him cover nothing, defend
nothing, excuse nothing. Let him not seek to make terms with
God, but let him bow his head before the stroke of God's stern
displeasure and acknowledge himself worthy to die... The cross
that ended the earthly life of Jesus now puts an end to the sinner;
and the power that raised Christ from the dead now raises him to
a new life along with Christ.
To any who may object to this or count it merely a narrow and
private view of truth, let me say God has set His hallmark of
approval upon this message from Paul's day to the present.
Whether stated in these exact words or not, this has been the
content of all preaching that has brought life and power to the
world through the centuries. The mystics, the reformers, the
revivalists have put their emphasis here, and signs and wonders
and mighty operations of the Holy Ghost gave witness to
God's approval.
Dare we, the heirs of such a legacy of power, tamper with the
truth? Dare we with our stubby pencils erase the lines of the
blueprint or alter the pattern shown us in the Mount? May God
forbid. Let us preach the old cross and we will know the old power.
-PLEASE COMMENT on this topic at the following website-
http://www.revivalschool.com/
THE COST of SPARING the GOOD THINGS
THE COST of SPARING the GOOD THINGS
by Rodney W.Francis
In 1 Samuel 15 we have the revealing story of the cost of not fully
obeying the voice of the Lord. The first king of Israel, Saul, was
instructed by God to "Go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy
all that they have, and do not spare them" (v.3). Saul heard what
God had spoken to him, yet we discover that he was only partially
obedient to the command. As we read through the chapter we
discover that Saul's decision to "spare the good things" was to
prove very costly for him and his people.
When Samuel the prophet was sent to reprove Saul, we find
that Saul was confessing that he had indeed obeyed the Lord.
But he was in deception ~ the good things of the Amalekites
had deceived him. You will also notice that Saul was hiding
behind a form of spirituality by declaring that they had spared
the good things to "sacrifice to the Lord" (v. 15). How
interesting that human nature seeks to cover its disobedience
to God by declaring the result of that disobedience is "for the
Lord"!! But God is not mocked, and God is not fooled by
our covetousness and desires for "sparing the good things."
It is recorded: "But Saul and the people spared Agag (king
of the Amalekites) and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the
fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling
to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless,
that they utterly destroyed" (1 Samuel 15:9). As a result, God
said to the Prophet Samuel, "I greatly regret that I have set up
Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has
not performed My commandments" (v. 10-11). Saul paid a huge
price for his disobedience that day:
1. He lost his anointing
2. He lost his respect, and
3. He lost his kingship (ruling authority).
Things changed that day for Saul because of his pride in thinking
he knew better than God. Like most disobedient leaders, he blamed
the people for his rebellion against the voice of the Lord.
The "good things" that he spared were the very things that found
him out ~ the "bleating of the sheep" (v. 14)!
In summing up His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made this
statement to His listeners: "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,'
and do not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:47). He then went
on to tell us of the wise and foolish man. The wise man was wise
because he listened to Jesus and obeyed what He said; while the
foolish man only listened to Jesus, but did not apply and do what
He said. The difference between the two men was success for
the wise man and total loss for the foolish man. Maybe the foolish
man "spared the good things", like Saul did?
The foolish man paid a very high price for his disobedience!
This is a huge challenge and lesson for every Christian today. So
many of us are wanting to have the "good things" of life, but if God
has asked us to sacrifice them for His sake, then we need to do
that, because God always has our best at heart ~ He wants us to
enjoy the best, but with His way of providing it, and in a way that
He gets the glory. This message explains one reason why the
Christian Church seems to be so powerless in these days ~ not
much anointing, not much respect, and not much authority. We
have spared the good things ~ things that God wants us to give
up for Him. We have compromised with the ways of the world,
and it has cost us dearly. In Christianity, "having the best of
both worlds" does not work! God is trying to get us to the place
where we will totally trust whatever He says to us, and that we
will obey Him without question ~ because we have learned that
"the Word of the Lord is right"; that there is nothing more sure
and accurate than that which God speaks. But we have to trust
and obey what He says in order to see the fulfilment of His
promises to us! And that means a total commitment to
whatever He says.
GOD TESTS Our COMMITMENT
We need to know that God does test our commitment to Him.
When we say that He comes first in our lives, then He will test
us to see if we really do put Him first before anyone and
everything else. When we demonstrate to God that He is, indeed,
"Number One" and we value Him above all else, then He can trust
us with assignments that clearly show the handiwork of God that
are accompanied by supernatural signs, wonders and miracles.
Let's face it:
If we have the Living, Supernatural Jesus Christ residing within
us, then surely there should be some evidence of a Supernatural
God at work in and through us??!!
The world is sick of religion ~ it is crying out for a demonstration
of the risen, Living Lord Jesus Christ manifest in and amongst His
people. If we do not learn this lesson, then we will go the way of
Saul and finish up with nothing of eternal value to show for our lives.
Let the voice of God guide you into all truth, and into a life of total
commitment that has no regrets!
-PLEASE COMMENT on this topic at the following website-
http://www.revivalschool.com/
by Rodney W.Francis
In 1 Samuel 15 we have the revealing story of the cost of not fully
obeying the voice of the Lord. The first king of Israel, Saul, was
instructed by God to "Go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy
all that they have, and do not spare them" (v.3). Saul heard what
God had spoken to him, yet we discover that he was only partially
obedient to the command. As we read through the chapter we
discover that Saul's decision to "spare the good things" was to
prove very costly for him and his people.
When Samuel the prophet was sent to reprove Saul, we find
that Saul was confessing that he had indeed obeyed the Lord.
But he was in deception ~ the good things of the Amalekites
had deceived him. You will also notice that Saul was hiding
behind a form of spirituality by declaring that they had spared
the good things to "sacrifice to the Lord" (v. 15). How
interesting that human nature seeks to cover its disobedience
to God by declaring the result of that disobedience is "for the
Lord"!! But God is not mocked, and God is not fooled by
our covetousness and desires for "sparing the good things."
It is recorded: "But Saul and the people spared Agag (king
of the Amalekites) and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the
fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling
to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless,
that they utterly destroyed" (1 Samuel 15:9). As a result, God
said to the Prophet Samuel, "I greatly regret that I have set up
Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has
not performed My commandments" (v. 10-11). Saul paid a huge
price for his disobedience that day:
1. He lost his anointing
2. He lost his respect, and
3. He lost his kingship (ruling authority).
Things changed that day for Saul because of his pride in thinking
he knew better than God. Like most disobedient leaders, he blamed
the people for his rebellion against the voice of the Lord.
The "good things" that he spared were the very things that found
him out ~ the "bleating of the sheep" (v. 14)!
In summing up His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made this
statement to His listeners: "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,'
and do not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:47). He then went
on to tell us of the wise and foolish man. The wise man was wise
because he listened to Jesus and obeyed what He said; while the
foolish man only listened to Jesus, but did not apply and do what
He said. The difference between the two men was success for
the wise man and total loss for the foolish man. Maybe the foolish
man "spared the good things", like Saul did?
The foolish man paid a very high price for his disobedience!
This is a huge challenge and lesson for every Christian today. So
many of us are wanting to have the "good things" of life, but if God
has asked us to sacrifice them for His sake, then we need to do
that, because God always has our best at heart ~ He wants us to
enjoy the best, but with His way of providing it, and in a way that
He gets the glory. This message explains one reason why the
Christian Church seems to be so powerless in these days ~ not
much anointing, not much respect, and not much authority. We
have spared the good things ~ things that God wants us to give
up for Him. We have compromised with the ways of the world,
and it has cost us dearly. In Christianity, "having the best of
both worlds" does not work! God is trying to get us to the place
where we will totally trust whatever He says to us, and that we
will obey Him without question ~ because we have learned that
"the Word of the Lord is right"; that there is nothing more sure
and accurate than that which God speaks. But we have to trust
and obey what He says in order to see the fulfilment of His
promises to us! And that means a total commitment to
whatever He says.
GOD TESTS Our COMMITMENT
We need to know that God does test our commitment to Him.
When we say that He comes first in our lives, then He will test
us to see if we really do put Him first before anyone and
everything else. When we demonstrate to God that He is, indeed,
"Number One" and we value Him above all else, then He can trust
us with assignments that clearly show the handiwork of God that
are accompanied by supernatural signs, wonders and miracles.
Let's face it:
If we have the Living, Supernatural Jesus Christ residing within
us, then surely there should be some evidence of a Supernatural
God at work in and through us??!!
The world is sick of religion ~ it is crying out for a demonstration
of the risen, Living Lord Jesus Christ manifest in and amongst His
people. If we do not learn this lesson, then we will go the way of
Saul and finish up with nothing of eternal value to show for our lives.
Let the voice of God guide you into all truth, and into a life of total
commitment that has no regrets!
-PLEASE COMMENT on this topic at the following website-
http://www.revivalschool.com/
TODAY'S GREAT QUOTES
More GREAT QUOTES
-Sermonindex
"Deliverence from believing lies must be by believing truth."
- Jessie Penn-Lewis
"Our most pressing obligation is to do all in our power to obtain a
revival that will result in a reformed, revitalized, purified church."
-A.W. Tozer
"If a man is born again, hates sin, and depends upon the Savior
for life and grace, I care not whether he be an Arminian or a
Calvinist. If he be not born again, he is nothing, let him be called
by what name he will."
-John Newton
"That which lasts forever is reality,
and unless it lasts forever,
God says it is not real."
- Darrel Champlin
"If we once get above our Bibles, and cease making the written Word of
God sole rule both as to faith and practice, we shall soon lie open to
all manner of delusion, and be in great danger of making shipwreck of
faith and a good conscience. Our blessed Lord, though He had the
Spirit of God without measure, yet always was governed by, and fought
the devil with, 'It is written.'" -George Whitefield
-Sermonindex
"Deliverence from believing lies must be by believing truth."
- Jessie Penn-Lewis
"Our most pressing obligation is to do all in our power to obtain a
revival that will result in a reformed, revitalized, purified church."
-A.W. Tozer
"If a man is born again, hates sin, and depends upon the Savior
for life and grace, I care not whether he be an Arminian or a
Calvinist. If he be not born again, he is nothing, let him be called
by what name he will."
-John Newton
"That which lasts forever is reality,
and unless it lasts forever,
God says it is not real."
- Darrel Champlin
"If we once get above our Bibles, and cease making the written Word of
God sole rule both as to faith and practice, we shall soon lie open to
all manner of delusion, and be in great danger of making shipwreck of
faith and a good conscience. Our blessed Lord, though He had the
Spirit of God without measure, yet always was governed by, and fought
the devil with, 'It is written.'" -George Whitefield
WHEN YOU HEAR the ROAR OF THE LION
WHEN YOU HEAR the ROAR OF THE LION
by David Wilkerson
When I was a young preacher, I didn´t give much thought to spiritual
warfare. I thought anyone who walked in victory shouldn´t have any
problems at all against the devil. To me, it was simply a matter of
resisting him. But soon I found a roaring lion pouncing on my
weaknesses with all his might and I felt helpless to do battle with him.
All too often I see the devil doing the same thing to other sincere
Christians. I know multitudes of godly servants-people pure in
heart, walking in grace-overwhelmed by demonic floods of
confusion and despair.
Such Christians can labor diligently for the Lord for years. Then,
one day, Satan suddenly injects accusing thoughts into their
minds. Overnight they are overcome with awful troubles-
unexpected temptations, covetousness, depression. Their trials
are so deep, strange and mysterious that these saints have no
idea where they came from.
I believe there is only one explanation: Their troubles are a demonic
onslaught. Time after time I have seen this happen to Christians
who are growing by leaps and bounds. At the very peak of their
spiritual growth, Satan puts an old seduction in their path. It may
be an old lust, something they thought they had overcome years
before. But now, after years of living in victory, they´re walking a
tightrope, teetering on the brink of an indulgence that could lead
them back into terrible bondage.
I have experienced this flood. And multitudes of believers are being
caught up in it right now. They´re being flooded with persecutions,
physical attacks, mental harassment, fiery temptations out of hell,
friends turning against them as enemies. Satan has aimed an all-
out, last-days assault meant to sweep us away in utter despair.
How do we resist Satan´s power? John gives us the answer in
Revelation 12: "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and
by the word of their testimony" (verse 11). When you hear the roar
of the lion-when the flood crashes in and you're overwhelmed-
simply run to the holy of holies. By faith, enter into the very
presence of God on His throne because the Lamb has made a
way for you, through His blood.
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by
the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath
consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh"
(Hebrews 10:19-20).
-Source-
http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/27586
© 2012 World Challenge. All rights reserved. PO Box 260, Lindale,
by David Wilkerson
When I was a young preacher, I didn´t give much thought to spiritual
warfare. I thought anyone who walked in victory shouldn´t have any
problems at all against the devil. To me, it was simply a matter of
resisting him. But soon I found a roaring lion pouncing on my
weaknesses with all his might and I felt helpless to do battle with him.
All too often I see the devil doing the same thing to other sincere
Christians. I know multitudes of godly servants-people pure in
heart, walking in grace-overwhelmed by demonic floods of
confusion and despair.
Such Christians can labor diligently for the Lord for years. Then,
one day, Satan suddenly injects accusing thoughts into their
minds. Overnight they are overcome with awful troubles-
unexpected temptations, covetousness, depression. Their trials
are so deep, strange and mysterious that these saints have no
idea where they came from.
I believe there is only one explanation: Their troubles are a demonic
onslaught. Time after time I have seen this happen to Christians
who are growing by leaps and bounds. At the very peak of their
spiritual growth, Satan puts an old seduction in their path. It may
be an old lust, something they thought they had overcome years
before. But now, after years of living in victory, they´re walking a
tightrope, teetering on the brink of an indulgence that could lead
them back into terrible bondage.
I have experienced this flood. And multitudes of believers are being
caught up in it right now. They´re being flooded with persecutions,
physical attacks, mental harassment, fiery temptations out of hell,
friends turning against them as enemies. Satan has aimed an all-
out, last-days assault meant to sweep us away in utter despair.
How do we resist Satan´s power? John gives us the answer in
Revelation 12: "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and
by the word of their testimony" (verse 11). When you hear the roar
of the lion-when the flood crashes in and you're overwhelmed-
simply run to the holy of holies. By faith, enter into the very
presence of God on His throne because the Lamb has made a
way for you, through His blood.
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by
the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath
consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh"
(Hebrews 10:19-20).
-Source-
http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/27586
© 2012 World Challenge. All rights reserved. PO Box 260, Lindale,
Minggu, 16 November 2014
This Week Great Quotes
More GREAT QUOTES
-SermonIndex
"The old cross slew men; the new cross entertains them. The old
cross condemned; the new cross amuses. The old cross destroyed
confidence in the flesh; the new cross encourages it."
-A.W. Tozer
"The one thing that is said to have suprised God is that the voice of
intercession had ceased. 'And he saw that there was no man, and
wondered thatthere was no intercessor' (Isaiah 59:16)."
- Samuel Chadwick
"There is nothing so permanent as a short-term compromise."
- Ron Bailey
"Oh to fully realize the littleness of time and greatness of
eternity!" - Thomas Chalmers
"When you're safe on eternity's shore will you wish you could live
your life o'er? When He asks for the fruit of your labors will you
offer Him idle hands?"
-anonymous
"Half a dozen men on their knees for 60 minutes waiting upon the Lord
with the absolute conviction that they have no answer, that their
human ideas and programmes are ineffective and bankrupt - they will
accomplish more than 50 men around a table discussing problems
for a whole year." -- Alan Redpath
-SermonIndex
"The old cross slew men; the new cross entertains them. The old
cross condemned; the new cross amuses. The old cross destroyed
confidence in the flesh; the new cross encourages it."
-A.W. Tozer
"The one thing that is said to have suprised God is that the voice of
intercession had ceased. 'And he saw that there was no man, and
wondered thatthere was no intercessor' (Isaiah 59:16)."
- Samuel Chadwick
"There is nothing so permanent as a short-term compromise."
- Ron Bailey
"Oh to fully realize the littleness of time and greatness of
eternity!" - Thomas Chalmers
"When you're safe on eternity's shore will you wish you could live
your life o'er? When He asks for the fruit of your labors will you
offer Him idle hands?"
-anonymous
"Half a dozen men on their knees for 60 minutes waiting upon the Lord
with the absolute conviction that they have no answer, that their
human ideas and programmes are ineffective and bankrupt - they will
accomplish more than 50 men around a table discussing problems
for a whole year." -- Alan Redpath
Sabtu, 15 November 2014
TRUE PENTECOST
TRUE PENTECOST
by Gary Wilkerson
In Acts 11, we read of a historic change in the church that came
through unnamed, Spirit-empowered believers. These were the
first to take the good news of Jesus beyond the barriers of
Judaism to the Gentiles: "There were some of them . . . who
on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching
the Lord Jesus" (Acts 11:20). I love the phrase "some of them"
used here. These faithful, unnamed believers had no idea
of the crucial part they played in history.
Pentecost isn´t just an event that occurred 2,000 years ago
but a living phenomenon still happening around the world.
Somewhere at this moment small groups of people are
crying out to God-and His Spirit is falling on them,
empowering them to be His witnesses to an unsaved
world.
Pentecost is happening right now in Varanasi, a city in
northern India I visited not long ago. Less than one
percent of the population had been churched when a
young Christian woman arrived there a few years ago.
She began leading people to Jesus one by one, and
those converts began leading others to the Lord. This
young woman didn´t keep Pentecost to herself and
now there are thousands of dynamic believers in the
region with a powerful witness for Christ. There are
others just like her all over the world-Christians who
cry out to the Spirit to take the Father´s love further.
On several occasions my father, David Wilkerson, told me
about what grieved him most when he pastored a small
Pennsylvania church in the 1950s. It was a Pentecostal church,
so the services followed a certain course. Sister So-and-So
played the organ and the congregation sang some traditional
songs. Someone stood up and delivered a message in tongues,
followed by another who provided the interpretation. Dad then
preached. Afterward, he offered a prayer and people came to
the altar crying for the Holy Spirit to come down. Then everyone
went home.
This church had no outreach, no ministry of mercy. Very few
people were brought to Christ during the few years my father
pastored there. These were Christians who sought Pentecost
for themselves but never knew the Pentecost God had in mind
for them. My father´s heartbroken prayer said it all: "Lord, if this
is Pentecost, I don´t want it. If it´s about having a `bless me´
club week after week, I´ll have nothing to do with it."
It was out of his desire for true Pentecost that Dad stopped
watching television and spent time praying instead. The rest
is history. These decades later, his book The Cross and the
Switchblade has sold multiple millions, with over 1,000 Teen
Challenge Centers around the world working to rescue the lost
and broken. All of these works proclaim God´s active power
today through the Holy Spirit.
-Source-
http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/25058
© 2012 World Challenge. All rights reserved. PO Box 260, Lindale,
TX 75771-0260, (903) 963-8626
by Gary Wilkerson
In Acts 11, we read of a historic change in the church that came
through unnamed, Spirit-empowered believers. These were the
first to take the good news of Jesus beyond the barriers of
Judaism to the Gentiles: "There were some of them . . . who
on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching
the Lord Jesus" (Acts 11:20). I love the phrase "some of them"
used here. These faithful, unnamed believers had no idea
of the crucial part they played in history.
Pentecost isn´t just an event that occurred 2,000 years ago
but a living phenomenon still happening around the world.
Somewhere at this moment small groups of people are
crying out to God-and His Spirit is falling on them,
empowering them to be His witnesses to an unsaved
world.
Pentecost is happening right now in Varanasi, a city in
northern India I visited not long ago. Less than one
percent of the population had been churched when a
young Christian woman arrived there a few years ago.
She began leading people to Jesus one by one, and
those converts began leading others to the Lord. This
young woman didn´t keep Pentecost to herself and
now there are thousands of dynamic believers in the
region with a powerful witness for Christ. There are
others just like her all over the world-Christians who
cry out to the Spirit to take the Father´s love further.
On several occasions my father, David Wilkerson, told me
about what grieved him most when he pastored a small
Pennsylvania church in the 1950s. It was a Pentecostal church,
so the services followed a certain course. Sister So-and-So
played the organ and the congregation sang some traditional
songs. Someone stood up and delivered a message in tongues,
followed by another who provided the interpretation. Dad then
preached. Afterward, he offered a prayer and people came to
the altar crying for the Holy Spirit to come down. Then everyone
went home.
This church had no outreach, no ministry of mercy. Very few
people were brought to Christ during the few years my father
pastored there. These were Christians who sought Pentecost
for themselves but never knew the Pentecost God had in mind
for them. My father´s heartbroken prayer said it all: "Lord, if this
is Pentecost, I don´t want it. If it´s about having a `bless me´
club week after week, I´ll have nothing to do with it."
It was out of his desire for true Pentecost that Dad stopped
watching television and spent time praying instead. The rest
is history. These decades later, his book The Cross and the
Switchblade has sold multiple millions, with over 1,000 Teen
Challenge Centers around the world working to rescue the lost
and broken. All of these works proclaim God´s active power
today through the Holy Spirit.
-Source-
http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/25058
© 2012 World Challenge. All rights reserved. PO Box 260, Lindale,
TX 75771-0260, (903) 963-8626
Jumat, 14 November 2014
ARE WE MISSING the CHURCH's PURPOSE?
ARE WE MISSING the CHURCH's PURPOSE?
by A.W. Tozer
Some persons, for instance, find church intolerable because there
is no objective toward which pastor and people are moving, aside
possibly from the limited one of trying to enlist eight more women
and 10 more men to chaperon the annual youth cookout or reaching
the building fund quota for the month. And believe me, that can get
mighty wearisome after a while, so wearisome indeed that alert,
forward-looking persons often forsake the churches in droves and
leave the spiritless, the dull and those afflicted with permanent
insouciance to carry on, if a phrase so active dare be used to
describe what they do. To Paul there was nothing dull or tiresome
in the religion of Christ.
God had a plan which was being carried forward to completion,
and Paul and all the faithful in Christ Jesus were part of that plan.
It included predestination, redemption, adoption and the obtaining
of an eternal inheritance in the heavenly places. Gods purpose
has now been openly revealed (Ephesians 3:10,11). It was the
knowledge that they were part of an eternal plan that imparted
unquenchable enthusiasm to the early Christians. They burned
with holy zeal for Christ and felt that they were part of an army
which the Lord was leading to ultimate conquest over all the
powers of darkness. That was enough to fill them with perpetual
enthusiasm.
-Source-
Sermonindex.net
Jumat, 07 November 2014
GOD WANTS our LIFE TO BE an OPEN BOOK
GOD WANTS our LIFE TO BE an OPEN BOOK
by David Wilkerson
God wants our life to be an open book. Therefore, He longs to rid
us of all hidden sin-all dishonesty, underhandedness, deception,
lying, fraud. That is why the Holy Spirit searches out everything
in us that is not like Christ. And if we truly want to change, we´ll
open up to His dealings.
You can forget about getting counseling, seeking self-help or
restoring relationships until you experience God´s change in each
of these areas. Put everything on the back burner until you´re
ready to renounce all your hidden sin. When you have submitted
to God´s Word and the transforming power of His Spirit, you
won´t have to convince others you´ve changed. As you walk in
His truth, the Holy Spirit will commend you to the consciences
of everyone around you.
"But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking
in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by
manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's
conscience in the sight of God" (2 Corinthians 4:2).
The Greek word for commending here means "God´s approval."
Paul says, "You won´t have to impress anybody that you´ve
changed. God will move on their conscience, telling them
inwardly, `This person has my blessing and approval.´"
No argument can refute the inner evidence that God´s Spirit has
put in you. In fact, your change will either attract others or
become a rebuke to them. The aura of Christ emanating from
you will strike their very conscience. And that´s when you will
find the power to influence others-through the changes taking
place in you. You´ll find relationships being restored and you´ll
recover your spiritual authority in your home.
You will no longer dwell on the changes that need to take place
in others. Instead, you will be so encouraged by the changes
God is working in you that you´ll realize, "Lord, I know everything
is in Your hands and I resign myself to Your will. Just do in me
what has to be done."
Now is the time to give all your circumstances over into His hands.
Forget trying to be delivered out of your crisis. Instead, focus on
God´s changes in you as He makes you an overcomer. Stay in
His Word, call diligently on His name, and trust the Holy Spirit.
Make this the constant cry of your heart: "Change me, O God."
-Source-
http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/27421
© 2012 World Challenge. All rights reserved. PO Box 260, Lindale,
TX 75771-0260, (903) 963-8626
by David Wilkerson
God wants our life to be an open book. Therefore, He longs to rid
us of all hidden sin-all dishonesty, underhandedness, deception,
lying, fraud. That is why the Holy Spirit searches out everything
in us that is not like Christ. And if we truly want to change, we´ll
open up to His dealings.
You can forget about getting counseling, seeking self-help or
restoring relationships until you experience God´s change in each
of these areas. Put everything on the back burner until you´re
ready to renounce all your hidden sin. When you have submitted
to God´s Word and the transforming power of His Spirit, you
won´t have to convince others you´ve changed. As you walk in
His truth, the Holy Spirit will commend you to the consciences
of everyone around you.
"But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking
in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by
manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's
conscience in the sight of God" (2 Corinthians 4:2).
The Greek word for commending here means "God´s approval."
Paul says, "You won´t have to impress anybody that you´ve
changed. God will move on their conscience, telling them
inwardly, `This person has my blessing and approval.´"
No argument can refute the inner evidence that God´s Spirit has
put in you. In fact, your change will either attract others or
become a rebuke to them. The aura of Christ emanating from
you will strike their very conscience. And that´s when you will
find the power to influence others-through the changes taking
place in you. You´ll find relationships being restored and you´ll
recover your spiritual authority in your home.
You will no longer dwell on the changes that need to take place
in others. Instead, you will be so encouraged by the changes
God is working in you that you´ll realize, "Lord, I know everything
is in Your hands and I resign myself to Your will. Just do in me
what has to be done."
Now is the time to give all your circumstances over into His hands.
Forget trying to be delivered out of your crisis. Instead, focus on
God´s changes in you as He makes you an overcomer. Stay in
His Word, call diligently on His name, and trust the Holy Spirit.
Make this the constant cry of your heart: "Change me, O God."
-Source-
http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/27421
© 2012 World Challenge. All rights reserved. PO Box 260, Lindale,
TX 75771-0260, (903) 963-8626
PREACHING REPENTANCE
PREACHING REPENTANCE
by David Wilkerson
What was the first message Jesus delivered after He emerged from
the temptation in the wilderness? Scripture says, "From that time
Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17).
Jesus called people to repent before He even called them to
believe. Mark writes, "Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the
gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled,
and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the
gospel" (Mark 1:14-15). Christ preached, "Repent first-and believe."
Elsewhere Jesus says of His mission, "I am not come to call the
righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Matthew 9:13). And He told
the Galileans, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all
likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).
Jesus´ gospel was all about repentance!
John the Baptist also preached repentance, to prepare Israel for
the coming of Christ. John´s message to the Jews was simple
and straightforward: "In those days came John the Baptist,
preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye: for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:1-2).
People came from everywhere to hear John preach. And he told
them in no uncertain terms: "The Messiah is soon to appear in
your midst, so you´d better get ready to meet Him! You may feel
excited that He´s coming, but I´m telling you, your hearts are not
prepared because you´re still holding on to your sins.
"Outside you appear clean and holy. But inside, you´re full of dead
men´s bones! You´re a generation of vipers, snakes, with absolutely
no fear of God [see Matthew 3:7-12]. Yet you have no concept that
you´re even sinners. I warn you-you must deal with your sin before
you can believe on the Savior and follow Him. So, repent, turn from
your sin and live in a way that reflects genuine change!"
-Source-
http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/26634
© 2012 World Challenge. All rights reserved. PO Box 260, Lindale,
TX 75771-0260, (903) 963-8626
by David Wilkerson
What was the first message Jesus delivered after He emerged from
the temptation in the wilderness? Scripture says, "From that time
Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17).
Jesus called people to repent before He even called them to
believe. Mark writes, "Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the
gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled,
and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the
gospel" (Mark 1:14-15). Christ preached, "Repent first-and believe."
Elsewhere Jesus says of His mission, "I am not come to call the
righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Matthew 9:13). And He told
the Galileans, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all
likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).
Jesus´ gospel was all about repentance!
John the Baptist also preached repentance, to prepare Israel for
the coming of Christ. John´s message to the Jews was simple
and straightforward: "In those days came John the Baptist,
preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye: for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:1-2).
People came from everywhere to hear John preach. And he told
them in no uncertain terms: "The Messiah is soon to appear in
your midst, so you´d better get ready to meet Him! You may feel
excited that He´s coming, but I´m telling you, your hearts are not
prepared because you´re still holding on to your sins.
"Outside you appear clean and holy. But inside, you´re full of dead
men´s bones! You´re a generation of vipers, snakes, with absolutely
no fear of God [see Matthew 3:7-12]. Yet you have no concept that
you´re even sinners. I warn you-you must deal with your sin before
you can believe on the Savior and follow Him. So, repent, turn from
your sin and live in a way that reflects genuine change!"
-Source-
http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/26634
© 2012 World Challenge. All rights reserved. PO Box 260, Lindale,
TX 75771-0260, (903) 963-8626
This Month Quotes
More GREAT QUOTES
"Today's church wants to be raptured from responsibility."
-Leonard Ravenhill.
"A popular evangelist reaches your emotions. A true prophet
reaches your conscience."
-Leonard Ravenhill.
"The last words of Jesus to the church (in Revelation) were 'Repent!'"
-Leonard Ravenhill.
"If Christianity is to receive a rejuvenation, it must be by other means
than any now being used. If the Church in the second half of this
century is to recover from the injuries she suffered in the first half,
there must appear a new type of leader. The proper, ruler-of-the-
synagogue type will never do. Neither will the priestly type of man
who carries out his duties, takes his pay and asks no questions,
nor the smooth-talking pastoral type who knows how to make the
Christian religion acceptable to everyone. All these have been
tried and found wanting.
Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must
be of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God
and has heard a voice from the Throne. When he comes (and I
pray God there will be not one but many), he will stand in flat
contradiction to everything our smirking, smooth civilization holds dear."
~A.W. Tozer
"Some one, then, must undertake the ungracious task of probing
and laying bare the evils of the age; for men must not be allowed
to congratulate themselves that all is well. If others will not, he will.
If others shrink from the obloquy of such a work, he will not. He
loves the age too well; he loves his nation too well; he loves his
fellow-men too well. They may upbraid him; they may call him a
misanthropist, or a prophet of evil; they may ascribe his warnings
to the worst of motives, such as pride, or arrogance, or self-esteem,
or malice, or envy; but he will give no heed to these unjust
insinuations.
He will prefer being thus misunderstood and maligned, to allowing
men to precipitate themselves upon a ruin which they see not.
Rather than that they should perish, he will allow his own good
name to be spoken against. He will risk every thing, even the
hatred of brethren, rather than withhold the warning."
-Horatius Bonar
"Today's church wants to be raptured from responsibility."
-Leonard Ravenhill.
"A popular evangelist reaches your emotions. A true prophet
reaches your conscience."
-Leonard Ravenhill.
"The last words of Jesus to the church (in Revelation) were 'Repent!'"
-Leonard Ravenhill.
"If Christianity is to receive a rejuvenation, it must be by other means
than any now being used. If the Church in the second half of this
century is to recover from the injuries she suffered in the first half,
there must appear a new type of leader. The proper, ruler-of-the-
synagogue type will never do. Neither will the priestly type of man
who carries out his duties, takes his pay and asks no questions,
nor the smooth-talking pastoral type who knows how to make the
Christian religion acceptable to everyone. All these have been
tried and found wanting.
Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must
be of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God
and has heard a voice from the Throne. When he comes (and I
pray God there will be not one but many), he will stand in flat
contradiction to everything our smirking, smooth civilization holds dear."
~A.W. Tozer
"Some one, then, must undertake the ungracious task of probing
and laying bare the evils of the age; for men must not be allowed
to congratulate themselves that all is well. If others will not, he will.
If others shrink from the obloquy of such a work, he will not. He
loves the age too well; he loves his nation too well; he loves his
fellow-men too well. They may upbraid him; they may call him a
misanthropist, or a prophet of evil; they may ascribe his warnings
to the worst of motives, such as pride, or arrogance, or self-esteem,
or malice, or envy; but he will give no heed to these unjust
insinuations.
He will prefer being thus misunderstood and maligned, to allowing
men to precipitate themselves upon a ruin which they see not.
Rather than that they should perish, he will allow his own good
name to be spoken against. He will risk every thing, even the
hatred of brethren, rather than withhold the warning."
-Horatius Bonar
Minggu, 02 November 2014
Quotes That Inspired
More GREAT QUOTES
"I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled
armies of Europe"
-Mary, Queen of Scots.
"Do we know a prayerfulness like that of Luther, who once said, "I
have so much business to do today that I shall not be able to get
through it with less than three hours´ prayer.""
-Henry Fish
"We are weak in the pulpit because weak in the closet."
-John Angel James
"Prayer is the first thing, the second thing, and the third thing
necessary for a minister, especially if he have revivals. Pray,
then, my dear brother, pray, pray, pray."
-Edward Payson
"Why is there so little anxiety to get time to pray? Why is there so
little forethought in the laying out of time and employments, so as
to secure a large portion of each day for prayer? Why is there so
much speaking yet so little prayer? Why is there so much running
to and fro, yet so little prayer? Why so much bustle and business,
yet so little prayer? Why so many meetings with our fellow men,
yet so few meetings with God?"
-William Reid
"I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled
armies of Europe"
-Mary, Queen of Scots.
"Do we know a prayerfulness like that of Luther, who once said, "I
have so much business to do today that I shall not be able to get
through it with less than three hours´ prayer.""
-Henry Fish
"We are weak in the pulpit because weak in the closet."
-John Angel James
"Prayer is the first thing, the second thing, and the third thing
necessary for a minister, especially if he have revivals. Pray,
then, my dear brother, pray, pray, pray."
-Edward Payson
"Why is there so little anxiety to get time to pray? Why is there so
little forethought in the laying out of time and employments, so as
to secure a large portion of each day for prayer? Why is there so
much speaking yet so little prayer? Why is there so much running
to and fro, yet so little prayer? Why so much bustle and business,
yet so little prayer? Why so many meetings with our fellow men,
yet so few meetings with God?"
-William Reid
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