Greetings Brothers,
I see that the last post on this blog was Jan/08. Wow...how time flies by! I was reminded by a recent email from Alec, that our primary focus on prayer has not been addressed by anyone in the group, despite the fact that the two revival conference planned for this year are just a few weeks away.
So I asked myself, "Well, what have you been doing since Jan. 08, and (more importantly) what are you currently doing to prepare your heart for Atlanta in Oct.? Sadly, I must confess that I have been distracted and disorganized in so many areas for the past months. My last post in Jan. hinted (or maybe screamed) a growing disatisfaction with the established institution that we call "church". That uneasiness continues to this day and I can't help but think that somehow this institutional structure has become more important than our true calling as the Bride of Christ.
I wish I had answers but as of this date I do not. I know the ONE that has the answers but for now we see through this glass darkly. What would authentic fellowship and relationship and community look like as Christ envisioned and intended? Surely it can't be anything remotely similar to the disjointed and fractured mess that we currently call "the church".
I hope some brothers (or sisters) from the CPU will sign in and get us moving in the right direction as we prepare for the coming events. Time is short and I feel that there is still so much that the Holy Spirit want to do in and through us...but we must be vessels that are usable for His service...and that requires holiness and a focused intensity on hearing that "still small voice."
I hope to hear from you soon.
Your brother, Steve
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
25 and Counting...Is doing "Church" bringing revival?
I believe at times it is helpful to be completely honest and critically evaluate the things that I do simply out of habit and ask, "is this profitable?" This is done in the business world all the time. The Canton Prayer Union is committed to praying for revival so, in light of our stated goal I must ask, "is what I am doing now leading towards revival?" I want to first examine this thing we call "going to church".
Yesterday I fulfilled my Christian duty and went to church. My family has regularly attended church all of our lives but for some reason, we can now count 25 churches that we have attended for different periods of time. Some changes were necessitated by a physical change in residence but, the majority of these moves are the result of an unsettled searching for some small glimpse of the abundant life that Christ promised to His disciples.
Yesterday a traveling evangelist brought his introductory message for a week-long series of meetings on prayer. I have been looking forward to this series of messages since I long for a deeper and more powerful prayer life. His opening message came from Romans 1 and, in kindness, I won't go into any more detail. He preached the Word but did it in such a way that I was constantly looking at my watch and battling to pay attention. He spoke passionately about the importance of the upcoming election and the importance of coming back for all the meetings to show your love and commitment to God. I don't plan on going back. If I was going to preach a full week of messages I would definitely make sure that my first message was my 'A" game. If this was the "A" game I don't have much hope for the others.
Is the church preparing the soil for revival in America? I say "No". It is my experience that the vast (99+%) majority of Christians in North America have never experienced revival and probably never will in their lifetimes. The few that have experienced revival have probably left the established church and are living in revival somewhere in the world where the Holy Spirit is not being quenched by the twin evils of materialism and complacency. I read blogs from Christians in other parts of the world and it looks remarkably like the Book of Acts. I go from church to church and it looks remarkably like a book of bedtime stories lulling me back to sleep.
What is the church supposed to be doing? I feel like my Christian life is an endless elementary school where for over 40 years I have attended, sitting in class and hoping graduation day would arrive. But, it never arrives. I sit in the pew week after week and hear sermon after sermon and sing song after song but what is the purpose? Am I learning all of this for some purpose or is the reason I go to church the same as the reason I went to school...to learn and gain knowledge. What am I supposed to do with this knowledge? Is it not reasonable to expect that at some point I am to graduate and go "out into the world?" In North America it seems perfectly acceptable to spend ones entire life in school and never leave...just keep learning, keep praying, keep singing....just stay in kindergarten for your entire life. Naps every day and snacks! Is this what Christ envisioned for His bride?
I can hear some right now saying that I just need to get off my blessed assurance and get out and impact my world for Christ...my workplace is my mission field, my co-workers, my neighbors etc. I guess what hinders my zeal in getting "out there" is the nagging suspicion that I have never really seen or experienced the abundant life that Jesus promised. Jesus connected the abundant life directly to the overflow of the indwelling Holy Spirit. If I haven't experienced what Christ promised, what is wrong? There are only a couple of possibilities:
1. I am not truly saved, therefore I am not entitled to receive the abundant life. (I discount this based on the testimony of the Holy Spirit in my life)
2.Something I am doing or not doing is quenching the Holy Spirit. (This seems very likely to be the cause.)
Read John MacArthur's definition of the mission of the church:
There is only one reason the Lord allows His church to remain on earth: to seek and to save the lost, just as Christ’s only reason for coming to earth was to seek and to save the lost. “As the Father has sent Me,” He declared, “I also send you” (John 20:21). Therefore, believers who are not committed to winning the lost for Jesus Christ should reexamine their relationship to the Lord and certainly their divine reason for existence.
Fellowship, teaching, and praise are not the mission of the church but are rather the preparation of the church to fulfill its mission of winning the lost. And just as in athletics, training should never be confused with or substituted for actually competing in the game, which is the reason for all the training.
(see MacArthur's complete article here:http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/16/inward-upward-or-outward/
Are we stuck in training? How do we get in the game? Should we continue to endlessly go to school (church)? What is quenching the Spirit who wishes to impart the abundant life? If the church no longer prepares one to get in the game should we continue to attend? When do we leave the church and enter the playing field? Is it enough to just cover all the basics and be a good Christian husband/wife, father/mother, and employee or, does God expect more?
Sorry I don't have many answers today...but, maybe if we start to honestly ask some questions we can avoid the greatest tragedy of all....a wasted life and regret when we meet our Savior.
If we are not moving in circles that are preparing us for revival, are we in the right circles?
Prayerfully moving forward, Steve
Yesterday I fulfilled my Christian duty and went to church. My family has regularly attended church all of our lives but for some reason, we can now count 25 churches that we have attended for different periods of time. Some changes were necessitated by a physical change in residence but, the majority of these moves are the result of an unsettled searching for some small glimpse of the abundant life that Christ promised to His disciples.
Yesterday a traveling evangelist brought his introductory message for a week-long series of meetings on prayer. I have been looking forward to this series of messages since I long for a deeper and more powerful prayer life. His opening message came from Romans 1 and, in kindness, I won't go into any more detail. He preached the Word but did it in such a way that I was constantly looking at my watch and battling to pay attention. He spoke passionately about the importance of the upcoming election and the importance of coming back for all the meetings to show your love and commitment to God. I don't plan on going back. If I was going to preach a full week of messages I would definitely make sure that my first message was my 'A" game. If this was the "A" game I don't have much hope for the others.
Is the church preparing the soil for revival in America? I say "No". It is my experience that the vast (99+%) majority of Christians in North America have never experienced revival and probably never will in their lifetimes. The few that have experienced revival have probably left the established church and are living in revival somewhere in the world where the Holy Spirit is not being quenched by the twin evils of materialism and complacency. I read blogs from Christians in other parts of the world and it looks remarkably like the Book of Acts. I go from church to church and it looks remarkably like a book of bedtime stories lulling me back to sleep.
What is the church supposed to be doing? I feel like my Christian life is an endless elementary school where for over 40 years I have attended, sitting in class and hoping graduation day would arrive. But, it never arrives. I sit in the pew week after week and hear sermon after sermon and sing song after song but what is the purpose? Am I learning all of this for some purpose or is the reason I go to church the same as the reason I went to school...to learn and gain knowledge. What am I supposed to do with this knowledge? Is it not reasonable to expect that at some point I am to graduate and go "out into the world?" In North America it seems perfectly acceptable to spend ones entire life in school and never leave...just keep learning, keep praying, keep singing....just stay in kindergarten for your entire life. Naps every day and snacks! Is this what Christ envisioned for His bride?
I can hear some right now saying that I just need to get off my blessed assurance and get out and impact my world for Christ...my workplace is my mission field, my co-workers, my neighbors etc. I guess what hinders my zeal in getting "out there" is the nagging suspicion that I have never really seen or experienced the abundant life that Jesus promised. Jesus connected the abundant life directly to the overflow of the indwelling Holy Spirit. If I haven't experienced what Christ promised, what is wrong? There are only a couple of possibilities:
1. I am not truly saved, therefore I am not entitled to receive the abundant life. (I discount this based on the testimony of the Holy Spirit in my life)
2.Something I am doing or not doing is quenching the Holy Spirit. (This seems very likely to be the cause.)
Read John MacArthur's definition of the mission of the church:
There is only one reason the Lord allows His church to remain on earth: to seek and to save the lost, just as Christ’s only reason for coming to earth was to seek and to save the lost. “As the Father has sent Me,” He declared, “I also send you” (John 20:21). Therefore, believers who are not committed to winning the lost for Jesus Christ should reexamine their relationship to the Lord and certainly their divine reason for existence.
Fellowship, teaching, and praise are not the mission of the church but are rather the preparation of the church to fulfill its mission of winning the lost. And just as in athletics, training should never be confused with or substituted for actually competing in the game, which is the reason for all the training.
(see MacArthur's complete article here:http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/01/16/inward-upward-or-outward/
Are we stuck in training? How do we get in the game? Should we continue to endlessly go to school (church)? What is quenching the Spirit who wishes to impart the abundant life? If the church no longer prepares one to get in the game should we continue to attend? When do we leave the church and enter the playing field? Is it enough to just cover all the basics and be a good Christian husband/wife, father/mother, and employee or, does God expect more?
Sorry I don't have many answers today...but, maybe if we start to honestly ask some questions we can avoid the greatest tragedy of all....a wasted life and regret when we meet our Savior.
If we are not moving in circles that are preparing us for revival, are we in the right circles?
Prayerfully moving forward, Steve
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Recent Edits in an effort to focus this blog
Greetings friends,
I have made the difficult decision to delete several posts from this blog in an effort to get this blog back into focus. I notice that post-Canton, we started to drift and general discussions started to creep into our posts. I know there is benefit in having discussions about things that concern all of us but this is something that did not happen in the many days that we prepared for Canton. So I ask, why is this happening now?
I will confess that I was looking too much towards Canton as an "event" where something dramatic would happen to change the course of my life, or, at least, give me some specific direction. Therefore, my prayers and posts in the months leading up to the conference were clearly focused on preparing my heart to hear from God. God did not disappoint us. God spoke His word clearly. I found some notes from the conference and I was shocked at the clarity of the message that screamed from the pages.
Perhaps it would be helpful to go back and listen again to what God spoke to us in Ohio. It has now been over 80 days and the memory is already fading. Thanks to Sermonindex we can go back and listen again to what God said through His messengers. I for one am going back to listen again. I expect the Holy Spirit will reveal much to me that the enemy has already pushed to the background. Looking at my notes, I see that I probably need to start with Keith Daniel and learn again the dangers of living the compromised life.
God Bless You All....Let's move FORWARD!
Steve
I have made the difficult decision to delete several posts from this blog in an effort to get this blog back into focus. I notice that post-Canton, we started to drift and general discussions started to creep into our posts. I know there is benefit in having discussions about things that concern all of us but this is something that did not happen in the many days that we prepared for Canton. So I ask, why is this happening now?
I will confess that I was looking too much towards Canton as an "event" where something dramatic would happen to change the course of my life, or, at least, give me some specific direction. Therefore, my prayers and posts in the months leading up to the conference were clearly focused on preparing my heart to hear from God. God did not disappoint us. God spoke His word clearly. I found some notes from the conference and I was shocked at the clarity of the message that screamed from the pages.
Perhaps it would be helpful to go back and listen again to what God spoke to us in Ohio. It has now been over 80 days and the memory is already fading. Thanks to Sermonindex we can go back and listen again to what God said through His messengers. I for one am going back to listen again. I expect the Holy Spirit will reveal much to me that the enemy has already pushed to the background. Looking at my notes, I see that I probably need to start with Keith Daniel and learn again the dangers of living the compromised life.
God Bless You All....Let's move FORWARD!
Steve
Monday, December 17, 2007
grace of God
Quick Update....
What struggle we face but should I be suprise at them?
What praise will I sing? What song is in my heart?
Although the pain does not stop, I am I to stop praising His name?
Although there is no call for prayer, will I stop praying?
Although few will gather will my fire die?
Although few will gather and few will come. Few will understand and few will weep. Will I then stop my tears? Is this it I would ponder, we came we met and wept we left? But if then our fire dies then it was in vain? But if we are stired and will not give up until in he Comes then Amen.
For hearts that are stired to praying yet I have seen soon fire fades. But why? Life seems to be answer. We come busy and caught up in other things. Oh may it never be, but this day our would grow hoter for love of Christ. Our depth and understanding of prayer would grow.
Indeed there there is a greater meeting still. Who is eager for such a day?
Eager for God can and will do today in our lives? What grace he has given us, praise his name. He is worthy of our lives. our ways our hearts. Our everything, why then hold back, but give all and die at the cross..
So wherever you are, prayer meeting or not, don't give up press on.
Whom do we pray too? Is he able to make a praying Church?
But don't give up, but learn to wait and pray alone. Or maybe this what God keeps telling me. I have struggle what part do I have here at this Church? All I know for the last three years was prayer, and serving the Church in that manner. But they in some ways to hold off for big prayer meeting. I was upset and didn't understand the reason in it all. I still struggle with this, trusting God is more then able. And just need wait and pray.
My heart so heavy, if I be here please let there be a few I can meet with and pray.
And indeed today he blessed my prayer. and brought three lady who will meet on Saturday at 10 am. but before and even now, sometimes I fail to see Gods grace working. There is hope. I find my the best place to be is to thanking God, and praiseing him for what he will do and is doing now.
God has been showing the real and applyable ways to encourage my Church family to prayer. But the task seem hard and I am weary just thinking about it. But God grace can help me. I need his grace to walk and obey and to see what is he doing.
I read some great verses...
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified" 1 Corn 9:24-27
Two keys things for me.. Self- Control .. and discipline. With what I eat.
Some times I think I have the right to eat what I want. Or I can as long as I do in under control. I seen that the lust of my flesh for sugar and other things I shouldn't eat all, has taken over and given birth to sin and lack of self - control. I know the facts and effects of even slipping once here and there. ( Note I am not eating it everyday. But even once is deadly in some ways) Why I say one time can be deadly is it open the door for more times, and soon it grows.
As John Owen says "" you must always be at it while you live; do not take a day off from this work ; always be killing sin or it will be killing you."
As part of my reason, just a rest here and there, but putting to death my ways it seems it needed everyday.
This hits home in such a real way. My sin of eating these food here and there I sure will not kill me this day, but the cause and effect it can have my body can be big. So idea or thought of sin killing us. Is so real to me this week. What I sometimes call little or not important is in fact big.
"When sin lets us alone, we may let sin alone; but sin is always active when it seems to be the most quiet, and its waters are often deep when they are calm." John Owen
This again is so true for me this week. I can't give up. I must be at war always. but I am always thankful God showed that I can't do this with out Christ.
"Sin’s expression is modest in the beginning but, once it has gained a foothold, it continue to take further ground and presses on to the greater heights. This advance of sin as it continues to grow." John Owen
" To neglect of this duty makes the inner mad decay instead of renewing him" John Owen
So I reason that I can eat this if I give more Med. What wrong thinking. a cover up for what I shouldn't have in the frist place. For some reason, if I could make so My blood sugar dosn't go up then I can eat. But I fail to remeber that is hurts others things that sometimes can't be seen. Same in my life I can't sin and use grace to cover it up. The heart motive is still there.
Anyways I had made a cake thing. I left in the house I was going to eat the next day. But brother gave it to the dogs. I was upset at frist then saw Gods grace for me. How weak we are at times.
Blessing in The Lord
charlene
What struggle we face but should I be suprise at them?
What praise will I sing? What song is in my heart?
Although the pain does not stop, I am I to stop praising His name?
Although there is no call for prayer, will I stop praying?
Although few will gather will my fire die?
Although few will gather and few will come. Few will understand and few will weep. Will I then stop my tears? Is this it I would ponder, we came we met and wept we left? But if then our fire dies then it was in vain? But if we are stired and will not give up until in he Comes then Amen.
For hearts that are stired to praying yet I have seen soon fire fades. But why? Life seems to be answer. We come busy and caught up in other things. Oh may it never be, but this day our would grow hoter for love of Christ. Our depth and understanding of prayer would grow.
Indeed there there is a greater meeting still. Who is eager for such a day?
Eager for God can and will do today in our lives? What grace he has given us, praise his name. He is worthy of our lives. our ways our hearts. Our everything, why then hold back, but give all and die at the cross..
So wherever you are, prayer meeting or not, don't give up press on.
Whom do we pray too? Is he able to make a praying Church?
But don't give up, but learn to wait and pray alone. Or maybe this what God keeps telling me. I have struggle what part do I have here at this Church? All I know for the last three years was prayer, and serving the Church in that manner. But they in some ways to hold off for big prayer meeting. I was upset and didn't understand the reason in it all. I still struggle with this, trusting God is more then able. And just need wait and pray.
My heart so heavy, if I be here please let there be a few I can meet with and pray.
And indeed today he blessed my prayer. and brought three lady who will meet on Saturday at 10 am. but before and even now, sometimes I fail to see Gods grace working. There is hope. I find my the best place to be is to thanking God, and praiseing him for what he will do and is doing now.
God has been showing the real and applyable ways to encourage my Church family to prayer. But the task seem hard and I am weary just thinking about it. But God grace can help me. I need his grace to walk and obey and to see what is he doing.
I read some great verses...
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified" 1 Corn 9:24-27
Two keys things for me.. Self- Control .. and discipline. With what I eat.
Some times I think I have the right to eat what I want. Or I can as long as I do in under control. I seen that the lust of my flesh for sugar and other things I shouldn't eat all, has taken over and given birth to sin and lack of self - control. I know the facts and effects of even slipping once here and there. ( Note I am not eating it everyday. But even once is deadly in some ways) Why I say one time can be deadly is it open the door for more times, and soon it grows.
As John Owen says "" you must always be at it while you live; do not take a day off from this work ; always be killing sin or it will be killing you."
As part of my reason, just a rest here and there, but putting to death my ways it seems it needed everyday.
This hits home in such a real way. My sin of eating these food here and there I sure will not kill me this day, but the cause and effect it can have my body can be big. So idea or thought of sin killing us. Is so real to me this week. What I sometimes call little or not important is in fact big.
"When sin lets us alone, we may let sin alone; but sin is always active when it seems to be the most quiet, and its waters are often deep when they are calm." John Owen
This again is so true for me this week. I can't give up. I must be at war always. but I am always thankful God showed that I can't do this with out Christ.
"Sin’s expression is modest in the beginning but, once it has gained a foothold, it continue to take further ground and presses on to the greater heights. This advance of sin as it continues to grow." John Owen
" To neglect of this duty makes the inner mad decay instead of renewing him" John Owen
So I reason that I can eat this if I give more Med. What wrong thinking. a cover up for what I shouldn't have in the frist place. For some reason, if I could make so My blood sugar dosn't go up then I can eat. But I fail to remeber that is hurts others things that sometimes can't be seen. Same in my life I can't sin and use grace to cover it up. The heart motive is still there.
Anyways I had made a cake thing. I left in the house I was going to eat the next day. But brother gave it to the dogs. I was upset at frist then saw Gods grace for me. How weak we are at times.
Blessing in The Lord
charlene
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Priorities and the Mysteries of God
Christians everywhere are locked in battle over the proper view of the end times, the proper interpretation of the millenium, the pros and cons of the charismatic gifts etc., etc., etc. I have struggled over the past year with how much time and energy should be expended in searching out answers on these issues. In the closing months of this year it became painfully obvious that I could dig my heels in on any one of these issues and spend huge volumes of time trying to discern answers to so many of these questions. While I fret and study and pray for enlightenment, I am blissfully unaware that I am neglecting the Great Commission that stands apart from these divisive arguments and commands that we simply share the "good news" of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us and, when this seed takes root and regenerates the lost, we are simply to be about the business of discipleship.
It believe Satan is quite happy and content to have us spend hours and days and months and years trying to search out the mysteries of God. Every hour spent in this pursuit keeps us away from the lost who are headed to eternity with him in hell. We have the one thing they need to be saved. The following quote by Spurgeon sums this up quite well.
Preaching on the subject of the "Second Advent" at The Metropolitan Tabernacle in December of 1884, he stated this:
"Some Christians are very curious, but not obedient. Plain precepts are
neglected, but difficult problems they seek to solve. I remember one who used to be dwelling upon the vials and seals and trumpets. He was great at apocalyptic symbols; but he had seven children, and he had no family prayer. If he had left the vials and trumpets and minded his boys and girls, it would have been a deal better.
I have known men marvelously great upon Daniel and specially instructed in Ezekiel, but singularly forgetful of the twentieth of Exodus, and not very clear upon Romans the eighth. I do not speak with any blame of such folks for studying Daniel and Ezekiel, but quite the reverse; yet I wish they had been more zealous for the conversion of sinners in their neighborhoods, and the more careful to assist the poor saints. I admit the value of the study of the feet of the image of Nebuchadnezzar's vision, and the importance of knowing the kingdoms
which make up the ten toes, but I do not see the propriety of allowing such studies to overlay the common-places of practical godliness. If the time spent over obscure theological propositions were given to a mission in the dim alley near the good man's house, more benefit would come to man and more glory to God.
I would have you understand all the mysteries brethren, if you could; but do not forget that our chief business here below is to cry, "Behold the Lamb!" Charles H. Spurgeon
Your brother in this battle, Steve
It believe Satan is quite happy and content to have us spend hours and days and months and years trying to search out the mysteries of God. Every hour spent in this pursuit keeps us away from the lost who are headed to eternity with him in hell. We have the one thing they need to be saved. The following quote by Spurgeon sums this up quite well.
Preaching on the subject of the "Second Advent" at The Metropolitan Tabernacle in December of 1884, he stated this:
"Some Christians are very curious, but not obedient. Plain precepts are
neglected, but difficult problems they seek to solve. I remember one who used to be dwelling upon the vials and seals and trumpets. He was great at apocalyptic symbols; but he had seven children, and he had no family prayer. If he had left the vials and trumpets and minded his boys and girls, it would have been a deal better.
I have known men marvelously great upon Daniel and specially instructed in Ezekiel, but singularly forgetful of the twentieth of Exodus, and not very clear upon Romans the eighth. I do not speak with any blame of such folks for studying Daniel and Ezekiel, but quite the reverse; yet I wish they had been more zealous for the conversion of sinners in their neighborhoods, and the more careful to assist the poor saints. I admit the value of the study of the feet of the image of Nebuchadnezzar's vision, and the importance of knowing the kingdoms
which make up the ten toes, but I do not see the propriety of allowing such studies to overlay the common-places of practical godliness. If the time spent over obscure theological propositions were given to a mission in the dim alley near the good man's house, more benefit would come to man and more glory to God.
I would have you understand all the mysteries brethren, if you could; but do not forget that our chief business here below is to cry, "Behold the Lamb!" Charles H. Spurgeon
Your brother in this battle, Steve
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Another Year Draws to a Close
Brothers and Sisters,
As another year draws to a close and we contemplate and evaluate the activities of the past 365 days, I wonder how many more holiday seasons we have left. Don't worry, I have no doomsday prophecy for our blog but, I have attended numerous funerals this year for men and women who, last year at this time, had no idea they would be in eternity today. What would they say if they could speak to us this day?
Will our group be intact for another year or will 2008 be the year that someone in our union, or in our immediate family will enter eternity? There are no guarantees and when I evaluate the past 12 months, I am so thankful for the way each one of you have challenged me to press on and press in. The let-down after Canton was inevitable but should this be so? Do we not have a far greater event and a far greater reunion coming? 2008 could be the year that I meet my Savior face-to-face. It could be the year that one of my brothers or sisters in this union will make that final journey. Since we poured out our hearts in prayer and fasting leading up to Canton, how can we slip back into the "ordinary" now, knowing that a far greater meeting is on the horizon?
In the same way that we would have been embarrassed to show up in Canton unprepared, let's press on and challenge each other to greater and greater faithfulness in 2008, as this could be the year we make our own journey into eternity. How embarrassing it will be to stand before our Savior and confess we were just too busy to pray, too busy to share the gospel, too busy to read the Word, too busy to love our spouses and children. Let us strip away anything that is weighing us down in this fight.
My prayer for 2008 is that I would finally begin to love Christ more than I love my own flesh. I pray that I would care more for the gospel than for my own beloved image in the eyes of sinful men. I pray that I would invest in the priceless treasure of souls that walk by me every day, blissfully unconcerned that they are headed to an eternity in hell.
Let us continue pressing on and pressing in!
Your brother, Steve
As another year draws to a close and we contemplate and evaluate the activities of the past 365 days, I wonder how many more holiday seasons we have left. Don't worry, I have no doomsday prophecy for our blog but, I have attended numerous funerals this year for men and women who, last year at this time, had no idea they would be in eternity today. What would they say if they could speak to us this day?
Will our group be intact for another year or will 2008 be the year that someone in our union, or in our immediate family will enter eternity? There are no guarantees and when I evaluate the past 12 months, I am so thankful for the way each one of you have challenged me to press on and press in. The let-down after Canton was inevitable but should this be so? Do we not have a far greater event and a far greater reunion coming? 2008 could be the year that I meet my Savior face-to-face. It could be the year that one of my brothers or sisters in this union will make that final journey. Since we poured out our hearts in prayer and fasting leading up to Canton, how can we slip back into the "ordinary" now, knowing that a far greater meeting is on the horizon?
In the same way that we would have been embarrassed to show up in Canton unprepared, let's press on and challenge each other to greater and greater faithfulness in 2008, as this could be the year we make our own journey into eternity. How embarrassing it will be to stand before our Savior and confess we were just too busy to pray, too busy to share the gospel, too busy to read the Word, too busy to love our spouses and children. Let us strip away anything that is weighing us down in this fight.
My prayer for 2008 is that I would finally begin to love Christ more than I love my own flesh. I pray that I would care more for the gospel than for my own beloved image in the eyes of sinful men. I pray that I would invest in the priceless treasure of souls that walk by me every day, blissfully unconcerned that they are headed to an eternity in hell.
Let us continue pressing on and pressing in!
Your brother, Steve
Monday, December 10, 2007
please pray
sorry I am writing again.
I just wanted to ask for prayer for my health
I have been in lots of pain this last week.
It was a really hard day.
Please pray that doors for the Gosple will be open
and God will use to speak of Christ wisly and fearless
I will have much joy in this trail.
Also those around would have a heart to pray, I was in tears today
who wants to come and pray?
Please pray my faith will be strong and my eyes on Christ
thanks
charlene
I just wanted to ask for prayer for my health
I have been in lots of pain this last week.
It was a really hard day.
Please pray that doors for the Gosple will be open
and God will use to speak of Christ wisly and fearless
I will have much joy in this trail.
Also those around would have a heart to pray, I was in tears today
who wants to come and pray?
Please pray my faith will be strong and my eyes on Christ
thanks
charlene
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