Month: March 2014

They’re Everywhere

by Dale, posted in Discipleship

Yesterday after the service, we did something that I am grateful does not happen very often.  Since Andrew and Allison wanted us to look at an apartment with them, we ate our Sunday dinner at a restaurant.  We usually eat at home which is our preference. Nevertheless, on this Sunday, I’m so glad we ate out.  There they were, everywhere . . . people.  One that stood out in the crowd was our server.  She had a most pleasant personality and a ready, “ . . . and I’m here to take really good care of you.”  And that she did.

When our meal arrived, I said to our server, “All of this has come from the good hand of the Lord and we are going to thank Him for it by prayer.  How can I pray for you?”  After a moment of silence and tears starting to well up in her eyes, she said, “I’ve made some bad decisions and messed up. . . I need prayer.”

Yes, you see, they are everywhere; people.  People who are hurting.  People who need the Lord.  People who need someone to listen to them.  People who are so empty.  They come in every form and fashion.  They come with baggage from their past.  They have broken hearts, broken homes and broken lives.  They are everywhere.

As we were so vividly reminded last week in our revival meetings, people bring people to Christ; people point people to Christ.  Who’s serving you at the restaurant?  Who’s scanning your groceries? Who’s standing in line with you at the checkout?  Who’s taking your payment for your gasoline?  Who’s next door?  Who’s sitting next to you at the ball game?  People.  They are everywhere.

This dear server listened as we shared Jesus with her.  She acknowledged that she was a true believer, but had run away from the Lord.  The tears continued.  We left her with a tract, a word of encouragement and the offer to reach out to us in the future.

Yes, they are everywhere.  Who’s standing next to you right now?  Who will cross your path today?

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.  Then saith He unto His disciples, “The harvest truly is plenteous” (Matthew 9:36-37a).

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #40

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Not Really the End

What a journey this has been!  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting has been that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!  Looking back over the past 40 days, what is different about your life today?  Has your passion for prayer increased?  Have you found that you are more aware to take the next right step?  Has the beauty of Christ become more compelling in your life?  Has glorifying God become the major motivator in your life (1 Cor. 10:31)?  God has done a real work in my heart.  The plowing of the Spirit’s conviction was difficult at times, but I am grateful for His conviction that has led to change.

Now, we must press on for Christ!  Whatever distractions that caused you to be cold and indifferent, keep them in their proper place.  Whatever sin has easily beset you, it’s under the blood.  Walk in the victory that is already ours in Christ (1 Cor. 15:58; 2 Cor. 2:14).  Live in the reality of standing before Christ at the Judgment Seat (2 Cor. 5:9-11) and the horror for every unbeliever at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15).  Every morning, arise, meet with Jesus, and as Dr. Farrell reminded us, “Report for duty!”

Praise the Lord for souls saved this week as we saw six men, one lady and a boy received Christ!!  Many other decisions were made as well for God’s glory!!  The Gospel still changes lives because the Word is alive and still works!!

This is the end of our 40 days, but it really is not the end.  Let’s not be satisfied.  Let’s keep praying, sowing, growing, and making much of Christ!!  Keep on keeping on!!   Let’s have at it for Jesus!!

See you Sunday morning at 8:15 a.m. for Men & Ladies’ Prayer Meeting!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #39

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Revival Quotes to Ponder

When the pulpit directs its deliverances to catch the popular ear, when it tones down its awful and solemn truths to the level of a pleasant entertainment, it is a fallen pulpit… The spirit of prayer cannot be in harmony with the spirit of entertainment in the Church of God. The feeble phase of holiness, the dulling effect of sin, the secularization of the church, the worldliness, the sensationalism, the absence of the spirit of worship, all these tend to destroy the forces that convict the sinner of sin. (E.M. Bounds)

Whenever the beauty of Christ, the pain of repentance, the shame of guilt, the fear of hell, and humility are lacking—it is a counterfeit revival. It is these deceptive, delusive, and entertaining features that distinguish the real from the false. (Harold Vaughn)

What kind of revival has been going on in your heart this week, in these past days?

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #37

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Oh! men and brethren, what would this heart feel if I could but believe that there were some among you who would go home and pray for a revival—men whose faith is large enough, and their love fiery enough to lead them from this moment to exercise unceasing intercessions that God would appear among us and do wondrous things here, as in the times of former generations. – C. H. Spurgeon

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!   

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #36

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

If revival is being withheld from us, it is because some idol remains still enthroned; because we still insist in placing our reliance in human schemes; because we still refuse to face the unchangeable truth that “It is not by might, but by My Spirit.”  – Jonathan Goforth

Oh, that we would sincerely get a hold of this truth!!  Lord, send the revival!!

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!

Praises From Yesterday

  • Praise the Lord for the salvation of two college students who received Christ as Savior yesterday morning!  They were in our area visiting with friends while on spring break!  As we heard so much yesterday, “The Gospel still works,” and “People bring people to Jesus” (Mark 2).
  • Praise the Lord a daughter burdened for her dad’s spiritual condition, and he came to the service last night!
  • Praise the Lord for the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and folks stepping forward for Christ to make some decisions that will glorify y Him!
  • Praise the Lord for faithful believers who are praying, seeking God’s face, and believing God for what He can do!!

Here are a few principles from yesterday’s three messages from Dr. Tom Farrell

  • If you don’t witness, you are unsaved or unsurrendered!
  • When it comes to witnessing, you have ability through Christ, authority by Christ, and accountability to Christ.
  • God sends trials to develop us.  Satan sends temptations to destroy us.  If we do not respond biblically to trials, they will become temptations.
  • In reference to revival, do you want a meeting or a moving of God?

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #34

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Move Forward!

Yesterday, I read Numbers 13-14 and was reminded of God’s plan for us to keep moving forward in faith and courage for Him.  Ten of the twelve spies gave a fear-filled report of the land and its inhabitants (13:26-29, 31-33).  Only two men, Joshua and Caleb, had the courage and faith in God’s word to stand against the fear-mongers and say, “We can!  We must! Move forward!  The land is already ours!” (13:30; 14:6-9).  Sadly, the children of Israel paid an awful price because they chose to listen to men and retreat.  They should have stepped out in courage and moved forward!

Another example we have been studying here of late of moving forward against the foe of doubt, ridicule, fear and criticism is Nehemiah.  He kept on praying and going forward!  How about Abraham?  How about Noah?  What about Peter and John?  What about Stephen?  How about Paul?  All these and many more did not retreat but are known as people of faith who moved forward for God!

Tomorrow begins our revival meeting. Are you advancing?  Are you moving forward for Christ?  Are you more intentional to grow in grace, to memorize the Word, to live in worship, to step out in faith and take risks, to connect with people who need to know Christ, to earnestly pray, to make that visitor at church feel welcome, to follow Christ at any cost, to disciple no matter how hard or how much time it takes, to invite someone to your home to go through The Exchange Bible Study, etc?

Take note of Caleb’s example and words as recorded in Numbers 13:30, Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”  That’s moving forward!!

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!

Another Reminder:  MOVE YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD AN HOUR!!  Don’t dwell on the hour you lost, but look at what you gain!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #33

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Who Will Come To Christ Because You Prayed?

We are just days away from the beginning of our meetings next week and especially this Sunday’s service where we are praying and seeking to see many come to Christ.  May I encourage you to continue praying earnestly, fervently and biblically for souls to be saved this Sunday (1 Timothy 2:1-6)?

So, you want to be like Christ?  Pray for the salvation of unbelieving sinners.  Jesus did while hanging on the cross (Luke 23:34), and His prayer was answered at Pentecost (Acts 2).  What powerful words are found in Isaiah 53:12, Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.  How many souls have been saved due to Christ’s prayer on their behalf? 

What about Stephen while being stoned?  In his final moments, we read in Acts 7:59-60, And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.  Who was saved as a result of Stephen’s prayer?  Saul (Acts 8:1; 9:1-22).

Also, do not only pray and not act on your prayers!  Be intentional and persistent in inviting!!  Follow the example of the four men who gave all to get the paralytic man to Jesus (Mark 2:1-12)!  Remember, people bring people to Jesus!

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day 32

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

One Man changed your life.  Now, you say  what He says; teach what He taught; do what He did; and live as He lived.  In so doing, there is something more about your life that matters above all else.  You are being used to change lives through that Man, the Man Christ Jesus.  That brings awesome glory to God!!

As you watch  Something More, consider how Christ is working through you to reach someone for Him.  Who is coming with you to church this Sunday to hear the Gospel?   After all, there is something more to you–you say what He says; teach what He taught; do what He did; and live as He lived.

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!