The principal danger of the 20th Century will be:
A chicken and a pig went into a restaurant that had only two items on the menu: ham and eggs. "Shall we order?" asked the chicken. "I don't know'" replied the pig. "For you that's dedication, but for me it's total commitment."
An old martyr once said in the face of threatening persecutors: You cannot confiscate my property, for I have laid up my treasure in Heaven. You cannot banish me, for my Lord has said, "Lo, I am with you always", and where He is with me I am always at home. You cannot kill me, for I have been dead these forty years, and my life is hid with Christ in God." (Selected)
Pastors and friends and family may not always be there, or may even let us down. But God is always there. (Sis Joan, Holloways Beach, Qld.)
"The kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matt.11:12)
Faith is volcanic: faith is revolutionary. Moses was violent as an intercessor (Ex.32:32) Elijah on Mount Carmel before Ahab, and Daniel in the lions' den were violent men. Paul before Agrippa was violent when his intensity made the lawyer cry out, "Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad." Luther said of himself, "I was built for storms, and to be boisterous for the faith."
Faith has Vision, Venture, and Victory. Hudson Taylor had the vision for China. We cannot have victory, unless with the daring and courage of reckless faith that takes no denial, we venture out for God.
It is desperate, violent prayer that brings definite, positive answers. Praying Hyde spent days and nights prostrate before God in fervent prayer for India. He fasted and prayed with streaming eyes, "Oh, God, save India". Thousands came to Christ as a result.
The apostles and preachers who have stirred the multitudes- Paul, Luther, Wesley, Booth- awakened their age with truth that was violent. And they were violent in preaching it. Verily, we need truth preached today in a way to shake and shock our nation and the world.
We need the kind of dedication to God that has sacrifice in it. That is the kind of dedication Paul and the martyrs had- they sacrificed their life and their blood. We are too devoted to the easy and the comfortable!
Many of us who were once on fire for God are now extinct volcanoes. Too many of us have to give our testimony in the past tense. We need a new, fresh baptism of fire that will baptise us with the kind of enthusiasm that the disciples had at Pentecost! We not only need a new, heaven-born enthusiasm, but we MUST HAVE IT!
(Built for Storms, George W. Rideout)
We, as God's people can be:
BONDAGE BREAKERS.
People around us are living in bondage. Whether the prison is habitual, sexual,
or emotional, our Lord Jesus Christ can bring His liberating touch.
KINGDOM TAKERS.
Take your authority in Christ to advance and establish God's Kingdom where you
are.
DISCIPLE MAKERS.
Apply yourself to training up new believers into Christ.
DIVINE PARTAKERS.
Lay hold on the divine nature of Christ in your own life (2 Peter 1:3-4).
EARTH SHAKERS.
The Prophet Joel says that in the last days an army will rise up, before whom
"the earth shakes and the sky trembles". Warriors of God, hear His marching
orders for revival!
(Selected)
My shining feet will never run on early morning lawn; My feet were crushed before they had a chance to greet the dawn. My fingers now will never stretch to touch the winning tape; My race was done before I learned the smallest steps to take. My growing height will never be recorded on the wall; My growth was stopped when I was still unseen, and very small. My lips and tongue will never taste the good fruits of the earth; For I myself was judged to be of little worth. My eyes will never sacn the sky for my high flying kite; For when still blind, destroyed were they, in the black womb of night. I'll never stand upon a hill, Spring's wind in my hair; Aborted winds of thought closed in on Motherhood's despair. I'll never walk the shores of life or know the tides of time; For I was coming, but unloved, and that my only crime. Nameless am I, a grain of sand, one of countless dead, But the deed that made me ashen grey floats on seas of red. The Aborted. (Fay Clayton)
Many regard sin more as a cream puff than for the deadly rattle-snake that it is.
The only complete cure to depression, and the shortest, surest way to all happiness is to thank and praise God for everything that happens to you. Don't worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything. (1 Thess 5:18). (Br Norm)
Mr Tan fell dangerously ill, and was hospitalised in Penang, Malaysia. Advanced cancer was invading his intestines, stomach, liver and bones. He also suffered pneumonia, and was incontinent. He vomited frequently, could take nothing by mouth, and was fed intravenously. He had severe nausea, and reacted badly to chemotherapy. His doctor had given him only a matter of weeks to live. His daughter from Australia came to his bedside, as well as some two to ten people at a time, praying, crying, and singing hymns. Many churches were praying for him. The saints were continuing in prayer, and singing praises in Jesus' Name. The doctor was amazed to see a remarkable daily improvement in Mr Tan's health. Mr Tan became well enough to be discharged from the hospital. Neighbouring patients remarked, "How marvellous to see such a rapid improvement in your father! What are you? Who is your God?" Gladly and thankfully, his daughter said, "We are Christians, and the hand of God is with us". Sister Cheah testifies: "Yes, miracles do happen today, and my father is living proof of the POWER OF PRAYERS in Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour. Amen."
Booth said, "Go for the lost, and go for the worst."
Near the end of Booth's life, he was asked: "What should I do with my life?" He answered: I would offer my life up, without a moment's hesitation, on the altar of redeeming love. I would place myself- body, soul, and spirit- at the feet of Jesus Christ, ready and willing to live, suffer, fight, and die for Him. I did that at the early age of fifteen as far as my limited knowledge would allow. But knowing what I know now, I would make the same offering only far more wholeheartedly than I did then- and here is what I would say to God:
quot;O God, let me do nothing and allow nothing in my heart or in my life but what is calculated to promote your interests on earth, to make you famous among men, to answer the purpose for which I am entrusted with my being. No silly wasting of time or strength of facilities or goods or opportunites would satisfy me."
Hurry to the rescue, lift up your heads, fix your eyes on the future, rise to your opportunites. Away with fear; trample hesitation and mediocrity under your feet. Forget the failures of the past, leave them behind you, let the devil have them, and having taken your stand- then on and on and still on.
He signed His Name in granite
As the mountains tall were formed,
He signed His Name in sunlight
And the cold earth slowly warmed.
He signed His Name in water
As He filled the seven seas,
He signed His Name in fertile soil
Where He placed the mighty trees.
He signed His Name in clay made flesh
As He created man,
He signed His Name on the earth
He made According to His plan.
He signed His Name in wrath
As He destroyed the world by the flood,
But to save us from our wicked ways
He signed His Name in Blood.
(Michael D. Blythe, The Evangelist)
Evangelism is not a band aid for a dead church, but it is the natural outreach of a lively church. There seems to be a lack of preaching on Salvation, Sin, Redemption, Conversion, Heaven, Hell, and the Second Coming. Where's the open air meetings and beach rallies? God brings great blessings through those who venture forth. The commission of Christ remains unchanged. When God sees a deep passion in the Australian church for the salvation of the lost, He will reach down and touch our land as it has never been touched before. (Outback Patrol News)
If every local church did its part in local evangelism, we will see the world
reached with the Gospel.
(Comments from Ps Eddie Clothier, Melbourne)
Senator Al Gore, offsider to Us President Bill Clinton, has been described as a New Age Evangelist. He preaches that every man is God, and has God within, and that the creation itself is God. He believes in that a New Age Mother Earth Religion is the "new faith" much needed by mankind, by which he thinks that man can re-sanctify the earth. (Prophetic Alert)
The European Community has approved a national anthem for the coming United States of Europe. The anthem "Ode to Joy" is actually praise to the pagan goddess of liberty, worshipped secretly by the highest level Masons. (Prophetic Alert)
85% of all Bibles printed today are in English for the nine percent of the world who read English.
The Church Jesus called out of this world to be separated unto Himself has, to a great extent, forgotten her reason for existence. "Evangelical Christianity," commented Tozer prophetically before his death, "is now tragically below the New Testament standard. Worldliness is an accepted fact of our way of life. Our religious mood is social instead of spiritual." Real Christian mission always is aware that there is eternal hell to shun and heaven to gain. We need to restore the balanced vision General William Booth had when he started the Salvation Army. He had an unbelievable compassion for winning lost souls. He said: "Go for souls, and go for the worst". Jesus cared for the spiritual side of man first, then the body (eg. Matt.9:2-7). In John 6, Jesus miraculously fed 5000 hungry men plus women and children. He fed them after he preached, not before to attract their attention. (Extracts from "Revolution in World Missions")
The central committee of the World Council of Churches is reported to condemn evangelism of Jews (Australian Evangelical, Dec 92).
Did you hear about the atheist who complained to a friend because Christians had their special holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and the like, and Jews celebrated their national holidays as the Passover and Yom Kippur? "But we atheists," he said, "have no recognised national holiday. It's unfair discrimination." To which his friend replied: "Why don't you celebrate April the first?" (Maryland Church News).
In Sudan, nearly two million black Christians and animists have been forced into isolated concentration camps by Islamic government forces. Only those who convert to Islam can get food in the camps. Torture and execution are common. Churches have been closed and Christian missionaries expelled. (New Life Newspaper)
Are You Bad Enough... to become a Christian?
The Christian Gospel is for Bad People.
The Bible says "Christ died for the ungodly.. Christ died for sinners... Jesus
Christ came into the world to save sinners: (Romans 5:6, 1 Timothy 1:15).
You need Jesus Christ desperately, because if He does not save you, there is no one else who can (Acts 4:12).
You can never save yourself.
Call upon God to save you from the power and guilt of your sins. (Acts 2:21).
The Man: grew up among us, a carpenter, yet divine. To know Him!
The message: "Come unto Me, you weary. My peace, restoration, salvation."
The promise: "You shall have tribulation, disappointment, hatred- yet hope!"
The rejection: "Away with the message! More miracles, bread." Unbelief.
The arrest: the ignominy of it all. Purple robe, plaited crown; a mockery.
The punishment: Death of the innocent. Cry aloud, "Crucify! Crucify!"
The pain: Forsaken by the Father; suffocating, excruciating. "I thirst."
The purpose: Bridging the gap to God. Sacrifice, settled; "Forgive them."
The prophecy: The grave will not hold; victory, resurrection. Alleluia!
The invitation: "Join the fellowship of suffering. Come share my pain; a cross,
a crown."
(Dorothy Nimchuk)
A holy living, a life of cleansing,
A holy living, in word and deed.
By His blood precious, my soul and body
Is cleansed for ever, holy indeed.
A holy living, lived for the people,
A willing service to all mankind.
Weep with the weeping, joy with the joying,
Forever more my service you'll find.
A holy living, wonderful living,
A life so wonderful to the world.
From death unto life, from sorrow to joy,
Forever more a life of wonder.
(John Sung, Revivalist of China, 1871-1936)
Every Christian who is not winning souls is not obeying the Lord's command. It is sin:
(Sword of the Lord , adapted)
Br David Wilkerson issues a call to repentance and holiness in his book, "Set the Trumpet to thy mouth". The following comments are a condensed collection from this book:
It is time to get our house in order. God is seeking a radical Christianity- radical in service and devotion. Judgment is beginning in the house of the Lord- "The Glory has departed". God's people will be refined in this shaking. Where are those who share the grief of God's heart over the backsliding, the cheating, the tearing apart of our homes? Every true man of God ought to be on his face, crying out to God, repenting and calling people to repentance. This is not a time for tolerance of sin and disobedience.
The Church of Jesus Christ is wounded, raped, and robbed- there is spiritual deadness among God's people. The church is at ease, and the shepherds slumber, fast asleep on the brink of a holocaust. Forsaking the old paths of holiness, they are immoral and lax, liberal, lukewarm and socialising. They set their hearts on success, prosperity, and vanities. They wink at sin and refuse to renounce wickedness in the Lord's house; they are a stubborn, lukewarm, playful people. Many claim to be Christians, yet only a small number are entering the straight gate. There is a supernatural purging and separation going on. God is separating His remnant. He is calling out and calling together all His overcomers. They are being purged and purified- the sincere Christians who repent of lukewarmness, and weep over compromise; who are dead to this world dead to all attachments to earthly things, who hunger for holiness. Only a holy remnant follows the Lord with all their hearts, living in holy surrender and full communion with Him. He will comfort and deliver His people. The Gospel will be published by a great army of witnesses indigenous to every nation on earth; a Gideon's army of poor and simple evangelists from Third World countries. God is sovereignly going to shut up every man of God, put him in His refining fire, and burn up all that is not holy and acceptable to Him. Those who refuse the purging fire will be cast aside as salt that has lost its savour.
Much of what the church glories in now is an abomination in the eyes of God. The world is about to burn and have its foundations shaken by the almighty hand of God, and Christians sit nonchalantly before their television idol, sacrificing their time to it- wasting precious time. The spirit of the world and of Antichrist now controls secular television. It has become satan's most powerful weapon in these last days against the people of God. The home should be a holy, sanctified sanctuary, a place of rest and peace - and a place where Jesus is real and the Holy Spirit ever present. I see Christians so powerfully addicted to television- I weep over their blindness- squandering precious time before this shrine of hell. The immorality, filth, seductive programs, violence, homosexual actors and producers, the mockery of things sacred, the erotic commercials- secular television has become the abominable, cursed thing in Christian homes. TV is animated by the spirit of satan- it is intrinsically evil, the modern Baal. The TV box is nothing; it is an inanimate piece of furniture. But there is a spirit behind it, animating it, controlling it, influencing the mind toward evil. Prayer time is neglected. Children's tender minds are being warped by cartoons featuring demons and grotesque creatures, and are caused to stumble. In such an hour of impending judgment, can we spare any time in such foolishness? On Sunday nights now the saints are at home, feeding their souls on filth incubated in hell, in place of wholesome, moral standards. Every time the "on" button is pressed, it has horrifying potential for demonic influence and activity.
The church has embraced the music of the world, the music to which they are partying and rocking their way to hell. Punk rock in the holy place? God forbid! Music of devils in the house of God- music borrowed from the altars of Baal- abominable music polluting God's house. These heavy metal and punk rock performers are desecrators of God's holy altar. Rock music among believers is a replica of that which is served up on the altars of satan at wild and heathenish concerts; poor copies of wild, secular garbage- they peddle the filth of the world- indulging in the music of devils. It is heathen ways of worship- false worship (Amos 5:23, 26), it is an attempt by satan to pollute the worship of almighty God. Rock music, as used and performed in Christian circles, is the same satanic seed as that which is called rock, heavy metal, and is performed in devilish rock concerts worldwide. It's the root of the same tree. Rock music was not born in the womb of holiness; not music that is pure and praiseworthy, it was born in the womb of darkness and rebellion. Rock is an evil child, born of an evil seed, of an evil womb. The fruit of this womb is evil. Rock music was born with a particular sound; it was conceived by a spirit, and it continues to be activated by the same spirit that gave birth to it. God will not accept a blemished sacrifice in His house- not the rock music taken from the devil's altars. Where is the good Christ-exalting music (Eph.5:19)? The good, pure, sanctified music, the old songs and hymns with their message and pure doctrine, have been replaced with something light and shallow, with the thrashing sound of rock. God is going to clean it up. God delights in music that soothes the soul and compliments the rest God gives to the inner man. We need the Holy Ghost anointed music that lifts up the name of Jesus, and that inspires towards a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
Where is the fire? We call in the minstrels; we call in the showmen; we call in producers and performers of great spectacles. But where's the fire? The soft preaching, the compromises- all to get the crowds in. Lord, send the fire! Sweep through all these big, dead, dry sanctuaries and purge the whole thing. Burn out the pride and worldliness! Do away with all the showmanship, gaudiness, and worldliness. Expose adultery and fornication!
A perverted, painless gospel is being preached- it does not challenge believers to see their need to rid their lives of sin and coziness with the world. Such deceptive messages have no call to holiness and separation, no call to repentance and humility, no word of brokenness, conviction, intercession, or burden for the damned- they merely soothe and pamper the earthly minded. There is no burden, no blood, no self-denial, no sacrifice, no taking up His Cross, no cry against sin and iniquity.
Oh, the waste of money spent to build buildings and projects that have nothing
to do with repentance and revival. Oh for more holy men of God in this day of
violence and corruption who, like Noah, would give themselves wholly to the
saving of the people of God. Men with a holy boldness, that preach the Cross,
holiness, and separation. Men who make Christ real- who you can see have been
with Jesus! Who speak of sin and judgment. Who seek the face of God, and echo
the call of Christ to deny self and take up the cross. Men who will warn sinners
to flee from the wrath of God- who preach righteousness and repentance. God
will shake out of His holy church all that is man-centred and non-essential.
The Spirit will raise up an anointed body of saints who tremble at His Word
and shake off all the entanglements and cry out for cleansing and separation.
A body of purified saints, dead to the world!
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