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C.T. Studd: The Chocolate Soldier

October 3, 2011 in Missions, Recommended Resources, Revival with 1 Comment

If you have never read this precious pamphlet, or if it has been some years, I encourage you to be challenged by Studd’s work.  I felt so much faith rise up in me at the challenges he presents here and the biblical characters he highlights.  If you need a good slap in the face . . . this is your medicine.  You will find yourself laughing and cringing at the truths put forth.  It is a delightfully funny, and embarrassingly accurate portrayal of our own excuses and failures in giving all to God.

Read it on the web

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A faith like Noah

September 28, 2011 in Revival with 3 Comments

I have to be honest with you, I am not a big fan of common Christianity (I believe this is an oxymoron).  We say we worship the God who not only created the earth,  our solar system, our galaxy, and our universe, but also exists outside of them as an uncreated creative genius.  Oh and that is just the beginning.  So if this God we serve has no limits, is able to do far more than any of us could ever think or even imagine, then why do we sometimes walk around dragging our rear ends, as if we were helpless against the onslaught of apathy, depression, and crazy debauchery all around us ?  I think this is a good question.  I have been asking this question of myself, asking that God would give me faith that sees Him instead of the obstacles.  It’s as if the common Christian life is expecting God to be good but not THAT good.  We expect God to do miracles, but MANAGEABLE miracles. It’s as if we are waiting for this evil  age to be done so we can just move on to heaven (that is a whole other story).  Is fear and  retreat the best that God has for his people?

One of my favorite faith stories is Noah.  I am sure you remember him from your Sunday school days.  He didn’t cower in fear when God laid out a really unusual and humiliating plan for him.  He did it, and him and his family were saved.  Here are some characteristics that I love about Noah.

1.  Noah walked with God: Of all the men on the earth, Noah was the only one considered righteous.  This is summed up with the phrase “Noah walked with God.”  This is a term of acute intimacy and is shared with Enoch who was literally taken up with God.  Can’t get more intimate than that.  He loved God and set his heart fully to follow him.

2.  Noah obeyed God: It says two times in the text in Genesis that Noah  “did ALL that God commanded him.”  Noah did not pick and choose his obedience.  He heard what God said and he did it.  Period.  Kind of a strange thing to build an Ark when there is no flood let alone rain, but also fill it with animals.  This is really odd.

3.  Noah didn’t fear men: I cannot imagine the mocking that Noah must have encountered while building the ark.  I am supposing the heckling was incessant.  Year after year Noah remembered the command of the Lord and kept at it – building something no one else saw need for.

These are the “days of Noah.”  Will we join him in the Hebrews hall of fame or will we sulk off into the night of spiritual impotence?  In these days will we hear the clarion call of the Savior to prepare for a flood of souls before there is a flood of judgment?  Will we build what God has asked even if it makes no sense and makes us look like complete fools?  Will we share God’s desire that “no one perish” by seeing with eyes of faith 10-20-30-50 years ahead to be prepared for all God desires?  The pounding of Christ’s heart is for all who are lost.  Am I in line with his heart?  Do I hear his heart?  God help me.

The Deeper Experiences of Famous Christians

July 5, 2011 in Recommended Resources, Revival with 0 Comments

I have been a reader of Leonard Ravenhill (and a great admirer of his preaching) since my college years and have consistently been challenged and encouraged by his insights.  It was through this connection that I originally read “Deeper Experiences of Famous Christians” by James Gilchrist Lawson.  This book is included in Ravenhill’s recommended reading list, and thus became of interest to me.  It was two years ago, while being quite sick and not able to get out of bed, that I read this book from cover to cover (figuratively speaking since I read it on my kindle).  I could not put the book down, it greatly engaged my heart and encouraged me believe for greater things in God.

I have included two ways for you to enjoy this book (Written in 1911 so it is public domain):

On your kindle or e-book reader  -  Download Here

Or through a PDF file – Download Here

 

Quick Read: Great Healing Revivalists

July 1, 2011 in Recommended Resources, Revival with 0 Comments

I love to read the biographies of men and women of God who were absolutely crazy for Christ.  I figure if I surround myself with these stories of faith, I will always be reminded to go higher and deeper in my own life.  I want more faith stories of my own!  I have for many years hungered for a deeper experience of the empowering of the spirit and I believe God has much more for me in this area.  I have noticed a trend in the lives of those whom were used mightily of God:

  1. The all recognized their utter helplessness and minimal fruitfulness in ministry on their own strength.
  2. They had a growing recognition that their own life was not aligned with New Testament reality.
  3. They became desperate and longed for change, sometimes stopping all ministry until they had received power.
  4. They deliberately sought God for more of his love and spirit no matter how long it took.

I want to learn a lesson from their desperation!!  If you have a hunger and a thirst for more of Jesus manifest through your life . . . I have a good online booklet for you.  “Great Healing Evangelists” by Andrew Strom is a quick read.    It surveys the lives of Smith Wigglesworth, John G. Lake, Maria Woodworth-Etter, and others.

On Monday I will post a full book that you will find  helpful if you are interested in the ever tantalizing subject of being filled with the Spirit . . .