I am always intrigued by books, movies and personal testimonies on TV that recount what it’s like to go to Heaven and return to earth. Answers Magazine (answersingensis.org) recently presented an article written by Dr. John MacArthur about this very subject. It is a must read. Although the article is a bit lengthy, you’ll be glad you took the time to digest this article.
“Pastor Cunningham?”
“Yes.”
“This is Sarah. I’m calling from Smithville, VA. My pastor gave me your name. I have a relative that was injured in a domestic dispute on Sunday and is in the local hospital. Would you or someone in your church be able to visit him? I’m not sure he is born again.”
“Sarah, I happen to be in the same town that your cousin is in. I’ll be glad to see him.”
“Wow, Pastor Cunningham! God answered my prayer so quickly!!”
After ending our conversation and completing the business at hand, Denise and I headed to the hospital. Upon entering Rich’s room, I was greeted warmly by this hurting man in his 20’s. I shared with him who I was and asked if he had a cousin named Sarah, and that she had requested that I visit with him. That bit of information was the ice-breaker. After talking about the reason for his injury, I asked, “Do you have any spiritual beliefs?” He said, “Yes.” Then I inquired, “Who is Jesus to you?” He said, “He’s the Savior.” I then asked, “If you had been killed last night, where would have gone?” He said, “I’d be in hell right now.” Despite several interruptions, I was able to share the gospel with him and answer his questions. As we proceeded through the plan of salvation, his desire to know more increased. He listened intently. After 15 minutes or so, he looked at me and with tears in his eyes said, “Can I receive Him right now?” And with that, he reached up, clasped my hand, repented and prayed to receive Christ as his Savior and Lord! What an awesome moment!! There is nothing more wonderful, more precious, and more joyful than to see a contrite sinner humble himself and receive Christ as his personal Savior!!
May I add that after writing yesterday’s blog, my heart is overflowing with gratitude and joy in the blessed privilege of pointing a dear young man to Christ. Indeed, people are everywhere! People who need the Lord!! Just make yourself available. God knows where they are. He can connect you with them so you can share the blessed way of salvation. The Gospel still works! The Gospel still saves! Oh the joy of watching an individual be transferred from darkness to light by the grace of God(Colossians 1:13)!! What an awesome exchange! What an awesome moment!!
(By the way, I’ve changed the names and locations.)
Colossians 1:11-14 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.
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).
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!
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!
After last night’s message on being controlled by the Holy Spirit, much evangelism should take place today. Who’s coming with you tonight to the meeting? Dr. Farrell is preaching on Bible prophecy!
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!
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
Here are a few principles from yesterday’s three messages from Dr. Tom Farrell
Today begins our meetings with Evangelist Tom Farrell. Pray for souls to be saved, and Christians to be genuinely revived! Revival Prayer Guide
For more info, go to bcbible.org
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!
