Focus

March 29, 2011 at 7:11 am (Focus)

                                      

                                Rev. E. Anderson

THE CRY OF OUR HEARTS

“I cry out to God Most High. Psalm 57:2

It’s a common question: How can a follower of Jesus survive in a work environment that is filled with non-believers? There are all sorts of settings that are hostile to people who acknowledge their faith in Jesus. The hostility can come from owners, managers, co-workers, or even subordinates. It can come from a few bitter individuals, from a large group, or from formal policies. It can be found in privately owned companies, publicly held companies, non-profit companies, and all branches of  government.

What does this type of situation look like?

David describes it often, but he expresses it particularly well in Psalm 57:4: I am in the midst of lions; I lie along ravenous beasts-men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords”.

Notice the enemy’s weapon. It’s not a club or a gun; it’s words.

Words, too, are our weapon. But to whom do you direct your words during times of trouble? To the government? (‘Fix this with a program!’) To your parents? (Why did you raise me with so much baggage ?’) To your boss? (I can’t work with that woman!’) To your friends or your spouse? (Everyone at work is out to get me!).   

Seeking wise counsel is one thing, but whining is another. And whether you are seeking counsel from friends or just venting your frustration, ask yourself: Have I first cried out to God Most High?

                             

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Christian Testimony

March 29, 2011 at 7:08 am (Christian Testimony)

                              

                              Alex Bowler

HOPING TO STRIKE A

CHORD WITH GOSPEL

AS a rock musician, Alex Bowler always dreamed of playing to massive crowds in the world’s biggest stadiums.

Alex played bass guitar in McKenna’s Gold, the band led by Ted McKenna, from the legendary Sensational Alex Harvey Band.

But just when he was heading for music stardom, Alex, 46, swapped his guitar for the gospel and now fills packed auditoriums – talking about Jesus.

The Derbyshire-born guitarist tours the world, and has conducted missions on behalf of the Luis Palau evangelistic Association.

After years of playing small gigs and holiday camps, Alex was asked to start a new band with ex-Thin Lizzie star, Gary Moore’s brother, Cliff Moore.

STARDOM

That eventually led to a meeting with another music giant, Ted McKenna, from the Sensational Alex Harvey Band but just as rock stardom beckoned, Alex’s world fell apart.

“I was 28 and thought I really ‘ had it all,” he ibid.

“We were getting attention from the music industry and I really believed I was on the verge of rock stardom.

“Suddenly, I lost my girl- friend and the band fell apart. My whole world crumbled and I didn’t know where to go”.

Shortly after this disaster, he moved from his home in Taunton in Somerset to a flat in London in the summer of 1989.

Sitting at home dreaming of what might have been, Alex was flicking through the TV channels one night when he came across Terry Wogan interviewing Billy Graham. “I’d grown up in a church environment, but it was all fairly mechanically,” he explained.

“As I listened to Billy Graham, I decided to go and hear him preach. I felt excited as i travelled to Upton Park and, as I sat in my seat, memories of Sunday school and Christian youth camps came flooding back.  Before the meeting ended,I knew I had to hear Billy Graham preach again”.

A few days later Alex Went to Crystal Palace stadium to hear the American evangelist.

“When Dr Graham asked people to get out of their seats and come to the front, 1 did so.

As I walked down the steps and across the grass, I knew that I was making a  journey that would lead to the change also desperately needed”.

Standing in thy vast crowd, Alex felt the weight of his selfishness, his pride and his sin. He knew he needed to turn from his own self-centred life and turn to Jesus.

“I just surrendered my life to him,” he said. Alex left that meeting with a glow in his heart he had never felt before.

Shortly after this life-changing experience he moved back to Taunton. Soon, he was knocking on the door of the local vicarage in Taunton and told the vicar he wanted to start working for God.

Since those early days as a Christian, Alex has spend much time preaching in the towns and cities of the South West of England, Where he worked as a team Evangelist with the Evangelization Society for seven years.

 As well as undertaking missions we signs in tents and. town halls, he has also spent much time witnessing in the open air.

In 2005 Alex felt led by God to form the Alex Bowler Evangelistic Association, which has the vision to take the gospel to the world.

                                   

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Message by Rick Warren

March 29, 2011 at 7:03 am (Messages By Rick Warren)

                              

                               Rev. Rick Warren

GOD DEVELOPS US SLOWLY

“The Lord your God will drive those nations out ahead of you little by little. You will not clear them away all at once ….” Deuteronomy 7:22 (NLT)

Although God could instantly transform us, he has chosen to develop us slowly.

Growth is often painful and scary, but if you want the next ten years to be the best of your life, the work you are doing now will be worth it

Why does it take so long to change and grow? There are several reasons —

WE ARE SLOW LEARNERS. We often have to relearn a lesson forty or fifty times to really get it. The problems keep recurring, and we think, “Not again! I’ve already learned that!”—but God knows better. we need repeated exposure.

WE HAVE A LOT TO UNLEARN. Many people go to a counselor with a personal or relational problem that took years to develop and say, “I need you to fix me. I’ve got an hour.” Since most of our problems—and all of our bad habits—didn’t develop overnight, it’s unrealistic to expect them go away immediately.

Growth is often painful and scary, but if you want the next ten years to be the best of your life, the work you are doing now will be well worth it. There is no growth without change; there is no change without fear or loss; and there is no loss without pain. Even if our old ways are self-defeating, we are tempted to return to them because, like a worn out pair of shoes, they are comfortable and familiar.

You must let go of old ways in order to experience the new, but what God has planned for you is far more than anything you can imagine. Stay steady at it, remembering that “little by little” God is clearing the way for you to grow and change.

                              

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Leadership Factors

March 29, 2011 at 6:59 am (Leadership Factors)

                                  

                              Rev. E. Anderson

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT BEGINS WITH AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

Taken from the John Maxwell Leadership Bible 

Matthew 5: 1-7:29

Jesus most famous message, the Sermon on the Mount, focused on the hearts of His listeners. He targeted His disciples as the audience -Matthew 5:1,2 and proceeded to preach what we now call the ‘Beattitudes’. He called His men to be different, to see the world from God’s perspective, to relate to people in a supernatural fashion.

Jesus demonstrated that leadership development begins with shaping the perspective of the listener. Jesus challenged the normal human perspective on . . . .

  • spiritual poverty and success
  • sadness and mourning
  • meekness and gentleness
  • passion and hunger
  • mercy and compassion
  • purity and integrity
  • peacemaking and revenge
  • persecution and adversity

                              

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A Time to Laugh

March 29, 2011 at 6:56 am (Time to Laugh)

                                        

                                  Rev. E. Anderson

A VOTER’S FUNNY

In Washington, D.C., the application form for federal employment includes this question: “Why did you leave your previous employment?”

One applicant, a former U.S. Congressman, responded: “The express wish of 116,000 voters.”

MARRIAGE FUNNY

The prospective father-in-law asked, “Young man, can you support a family?”

The surprised groom-to-be replied, “Well, no. I was just planning to support your daughter. The rest of you will have to fend for yourselves.”

WOMAN FUNNY

Sometimes women are overly suspicious of their husbands.

When Adam stayed out very late for a few nights, Eve became upset.

“You’re running around with other women,” she charged.

“You’re being unreasonable,” Adam responded. “You’re the only woman on earth.”

The quarrel continued until Adam fell asleep, only to be awakened by someone poking him in the chest.

It was Eve. “What do you think you’re doing?” Adam demanded.

“Counting your ribs,” said Eve.

A SICK FUNNY

A little girl was in church with her mother when she started feeling ill. “Mommy,” she said, “can we leave now?”

“No,” her mother replied.

“Well, I think I have to throw up!”

“Then go out the front door and around to the back of the church and throw up behind a bush.”

After about 60 seconds the little girl returned to her seat.

“Did you throw up?” Mom asked.

“Yes.”

“How could you have gone all the way to the back of the church and returned so quickly?”

“I didn’t have to go out of the church, Mommy. They have a box next to the front door that says, ‘For the Sick.'” 

A FAMILYFUNNY

My mom got mad at my dad the other day and went shopping to relieve her irritation. When she returned home she informed him that she had purchased ten new dresses.

“Ten!” he hollered, “What could any woman want with ten new dresses??”

My mom calmly replied, “Ten new pairs of shoes.”

today’s THOUGHT

I am grateful that I am not as judgmental as all those censorious self-righteous people around me. 

                                

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Powerful Quotes

March 29, 2011 at 6:50 am (Quotes)

                                     

                               Rev. L. Goodwin

JESUS QUOTES

“If I might comprehend Jesus Christ, I could not believe on Him. He would be no greater than myself. Such is my consciousness of sin and inability that I must have a superhuman Saviour” – Daniel Webster 

“Our problem is this: we usually discover him within some denominational or Christian ghetto. We meet him in a province and, having caught some little view, we paint him in smaller strokes. The Lion of Judah is reduced to something kittenish because our understanding cannot, at first, write larger definitions”- Calvin Miller

“People talk about imitating Christ, and imitate Him in the little trifling formal things, such as washing the feet, saying His prayer, and so on; but if anyone attempts the real imitation of Him, there are no bounds to the outcry with which the presumption of that person is condemned” – Florence Nightingale

“Even Christ pleased not Himself. He was utterly consumed in the zeal of His Father’s house. As man He ever moved for God. As God He ever moved for man” – Geoffrey T. Bull

“There was no identity crisis in the life of Jesus Christ. He knew who He was. He knew where He had come from, and why he was here. And he knew where He was going. And when you are that liberated, then you can serve” – Howard Hendricks

“The Lord ate from a common bowl, and asked the disciples to sit on the grass. He washed their feet, with a towel wrapped around His waist – He, who is the Lord of the universe!” – Clement of Alexandria

                             

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A Minute Message

March 27, 2011 at 8:25 am (Minute Message)

                                          

                  Evangelist Barry Woodward

WHAT’S YOUR CHOICE?

The story is told of two young boys who heard of a Wise One who lived up in the mountains and decided to go up there to play a prank on him so as to discredit him in the eyes of his followers below. When they saw him (for the Wise One had agreed to grant them an audience), they immediately put him to the test.

‘Wise One,’ one of the boys said, ‘I hold a sparrow in my closed hand. If you are so wise, I ask you, is it alive or is it dead?’ For you see, it was their plan all along that if he answered ‘alive’ that they would crush it to death, and if he answered ‘dead’ that they would release it instead. The audience of onlookers were silent as they awaited the Wise One’s answer.

With sadness in his heart, for he knew the state of their soul, he answered, ‘My child, its life is in your hands.

                                     

                           

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Healing Teaching

March 27, 2011 at 8:20 am (Healing Teaching)

                                     

                        Rev. John Willoughby

A BIBLICAL APPROACH TO DIVINE HEALING

(All scriptures in ‘New King James Version’, unless otherwise stated.)

X. HEALING FOR CHRISTIANS TODAY – WORD, GIFTS AND ELDERS.

 

1/. HEALING THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD. 

Proverbs 4:20-22. God wants His children to receive healing by faith in His promises found in His Word. This can happen in the following ways:

a) Through the preaching of the Word. In Ps 107:19-20 we read, “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble and He saved them out of their distress. He sent His Word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions.”. The sick person may receive by faith a revelation of the Holy Spirit that God has or will heal him.

b) Through righteous living in obedience to His Word. In Ex 15:26 we read, “If you diligently head the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put non of the diseases on you which I brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you”. Some other Scriptures: Ex 23:25-26. Dt 7:12-15. Ps 91:1-3, 9-10. Prov 3:7-8.

c) Through continuous reading, memorising, study and especially meditation of Scripture. The Apostle Paul wrote in Rom 10:17, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God”. Sometimes a gradual healing takes place, as faith rises in the heart. Some of the following Scriptures may be a blessing to memorise or meditate on: Ps 103:1-3. Isa 53:4-5 (Mt 8:17. I Pet 2:24). Acts 3:6. 5:14-16. 9:32-35. 10:38. 14:8-10. 19:11-12.

2/. HEALING THROUGH THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT.

I Cor 12:7-11. Often an evangelist will receive some of these gifts in order to pray for the unconverted (as well as Christians). Also Christians can receive healing through the blessing of such gifts, given to individual members of the body of Christ. Paul wrote, “earnestly desire the best gifts” (v31). These “best gifts” may be the ones most needed at a particular time for a particular need of healing. The gifts of healings (note the plural) may often work together with other gifts of the Spirit such as faith, the working of miracles, the word of knowledge, the word of wisdom and discernment of spirits. Often Jesus caste out a demon of sickness and as a result the person was healed (Mt 4:24). Sometimes the gift of discernment is needed to know whether the root of the sickness is demonic, in which case the demon of sickness can be dealt with by the gift of faith. In other cases a word of knowledge is needed to know whether the sickness was caused by (for example) an event in the past and the word of wisdom may be needed to know how to pray. The gift of miracles would be needed in the case of creating an eye for somebody born blind and the gifts of healings for somebody to receive better sight. It is important to move out in faith and to use the gifts He has given us for the blessing of the body of Christ, giving all glory to Him when there is a healing, but not becoming despondent when the healing is not immediately apparent.

3/. HEALING THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH.

Jms 5:14-16. It is always good for us to have the support and prayers of the church leadership, when we are sick. We read in v14, “Is anyone among you sick,” which is addressed to Christians. Let us look at this passage:-

a) v14. The sick person is to call for the elders of the church. Note that the initiative rests with the sick person, not with the pastor or elder.

b) v15-16. The sick person needs to confess sins and faults. There may be sins which are not repented of – perhaps unforgiveness, wrong attitudes or bad feelings towards somebody. The result of acknowledging and confessing sins is to bring them into the open, where they can be dealt with. Healing may be held back, due to a lack of true humility and repentance. The following are important:

* Confession to God. Ps 51:4. We sometimes find it difficult to find fault in ourselves. We must be willing, however, to be honest before God and to allow Him to search our hearts and to put His finger on anything wrong in our lives. It is good to come to Him in a spirit of humility, sincerely seeking forgiveness, not making excuses or blaming others, but rather taking full responsibility for our actions. He is a loving Father who does not want to embarrass or to shame us, but rather that we may be healed.

* Confession to people. I Jn 1:7. It may be good to confess to the elders in private. However, if the sin has effected others, it may be necessary to confess and to ask forgiveness from those we have sinned against or even to do so before the church (if necessary). In some cases it may mean that restitution is needed (Lev 6:1-7).

c) v14. The sick person should be anointed with oil. The Apostles, “anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them” (Mk 6:13). Oil symbolises:

* The Holy Spirit. I Sam 16:13. We are therefore calling upon Him to come upon the person.

* Light. Ex 27:20-21. The candlestick in the Holy Place was actually an oil lamp, therefore it was the oil that gave the light. When we anoint with oil we are saying, ‘Father we recognise that we are doing this in the light of Your Presence and that nothing is hidden from You, for You know all things and nothing dishonest or insincere will escape Your attention. Therefore help us to be completely honest before You and others. If the sick person now seeking You has faults of which they are genuinely unaware, may the light of Your Presence reveal these things that they may be dealt with.’

* Healing. Lk 10:34. The wine was to cleanse and the oil was to heal the wounds. Oil is probably the oldest medicine known to man and has a soothing and healing effect. However, when we anoint with oil, we are not applying it as a medicine, but rather as a symbol of healing, for we look to the Holy Spirit to impart His healing to the person.

* Unity. Ps 133:1-3. We are united in that we are all sinners saved by grace. The person anointing with oil needs God’s grace for healing to the same measure as the one being prayed for.

d) v14-15. The elders must now pray the prayer of faith. To remind us of the importance of faith we read in Heb 11:6, “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”. Our faith must be in God to heal, not in our own ability, experience or manner of praying.

                               

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Message from David Wilkerson

March 27, 2011 at 8:15 am (David Wilkerson)

                                       

                             Rev. David Wilkerson

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU

God has a preconceived plan to deliver us out of our fiery trials. No matter what you are going through, God has a plan tailored for every difficulty. It is a plan that could never be conceived or imagined by the human mind.

Take, for example, the fiery trials facing Israel in the desert. There was no bread, no food of any kind. What committee, what intercession group could have come up with this, “Let’s pray that tomorrow we wake up and discover white flakes of angel’s food covering the ground—with a taste of honey.”

God had a plan—a miracle, inconceivable plan. Incredible!

Then there was no water. The hot desert parched their lips. There was no way to survive, humanly speaking. Hundreds of thousands weeping, facing a life-and-death crisis.

Who could have imagined how God could save the day? Who could have pointed to a big rock and suggested to Moses, “Go; strike it and cause a river of water to flow out”?

But God had a plan—conceived in his mind long before the crisis.

Go back to the Red Sea, with an impassible sea before them—Pharaoh’s army racing toward them. Impossibilities! Hopelessness!

Did God not have a plan all along?

                                

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Sermons of Note

March 27, 2011 at 8:11 am (Sermons)

                                    

                                Rev. E. Anderson

STAYING POWER OR THE

ABILITY TO ENDURE

Reading      Hebrews 12

Texts            12:2; 11:27

Introduction

The biography of a person can often be summed up in the briefest and choicest of words.  It does necessarily require a long chapter or lengthy speech to define and declare a person’s character, life and work. The writer to the Hebrews summarizes Moses life and work in two words: “he endured.” This is what made the man and his ministry and caused him to achieve in his day and generation. A few translation aid here:

Liv. Bible says, ‘he kept right on going.’ 

      NIV ‘he persevered.’

New Eng. Bible ‘he was resolute.’

Amp. ‘he held staunchly to his purpose.’

      Moffat quaint rend. ‘he never flinched.’

Some choice insights into the quality nature and strength of one of God’s choice saints and leaders.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT:  None would argue in relation to this that endurance is one of if not the supreme virtue that is required if there is to be any real success in Christian life and work. Without this, the matter of achievement will not be realized. If things are to be brought to any great conclusion and fulfilment, then this must be in evidence.

VITAL INGREDIENTS: Like a quality cake,: endurance or staying power has certain ingredients. Endurance is made up of other factors, namely, patience, love, faith, courage, consistency, will, determination.  It is composed of a number of excellent virtues that blended together produce under the right conditions (fire and heat), a most wonderful person with a most effectual ministry and work.

PROTRACTED PERIOD: By the very nature of the word, it is not something that is produced overnight.  It does not suddenly mushroom forth.  It is birthed and produced over a great passage of time and comes through facing the most difficult of situations and circumstances.

Illustration: It is like running a race. It is not the short distance of a sprint but a long marathon with many obstacles.

The Scriptures provide us with many examples of people who could also be in the list of those who persevered and won through. Moses – 1he endured’. They could be announced as ‘the endurers,’ those who never quit in spite of the pressure to do so.

 Illustration: Winston Churchill – ‘Never Give In.’

We are to be encouraged by those who never surrendered to their circumstances or feelings but won through many varied factors and so achieved important stations before God and men. They serve to inspire to exploits, endeavour and enterprise in and with God.

1/. AS A PARTNER WITH GOD ENOCH NEEDED TO STAY WITH IT – Genesis 5:21 -24

God sought to create and cultivate a real and lasting relationship with Enoch following the birth of Methuselah. He found this man ready and prepared to have and hold a true union with Himself in spite of household commitments and busy life v22. God having broken through in his 65th year effected a partnership that was to be very meaningful and fruitful.

Would it last? Had it got the quality of consistency and durability, marked with a delightful freshness? It became a protracted friendship over a period of 300 years and consummated in a unique exit out of this world – Heb. 11: 5.

God is looking for a friendship that has stickability and becomes stronger and sweeter through the procedure of time and multiple trials.

2/. AS A WORKER WITH GOD NOAH NEEDED TO STAY WITH IT Genesis 6 & 7

Noah was given a very difficult assignment in the building of the ark.  God must have known his man thoroughly to place in his hands the enormous task of building such a large boat. The workload entrusted to him was incredible. Noah was going to be extremely busy for God over next possible 100 years in constructing the ark cp. Gen. 5:32; 7:11. There were literally months and years of hard sweat and toil to be put into this major exercise. The temptation was there always to quit. 

Beside this was the scorn and abuse from the onlookers and spectators. He had to endure the verbal abuse of his day and generation and keep at his task. But because he was faithful he received from God the support and strength demanded. He would not fail God – Gen.6: 22. His endurance paid off with success in building and salvation I

3/. AS A PIONEER WITH GOD ABRAHAM NEEDED TO STAY WITH IT Genesis 11-25

What a story of pioneering is revealed in this man who became the founding- father of a unique and special people. He is revealed as a person who was prepared to stick with God and His purposes in order that greater things would flow to the whole world. 

He was ready to leave and branch out with God at the age of 75 – Gen.11. God having revealed Himself to him and calling him out into a life of faith and adventure was immediate in his response.  He was not going to hang back when God was summoning him forth into something new and different. He was going to make a full commitment that would not be called back or into question – Heb. 11: 8. There was to be no permanent dwelling or residence, just a will to move with God and claim the right to the land God had promised and that would later become his offspring.

God honoured this man’s endurance by giving him incredible promises and He purposed to keep them. He would stand out as a pioneer for all time for others to follow. He was the first Pilgrim Father

4/. AS A LEADER WITH GOD MOSES NEEDED TO STAY WITH IT – Exodus 2 – to Numbers

Moses was really one of those men that ultimately endured.  He may have taken flight for 40 years but God was making and shaping him to become an individual of sterling worth and ability so that he could face anyone and anything and not run or quit. It is good to note the things that he did endure 

“He endured, despite the contempt of Pharaoh, the mightiest monarch of that era. No amount of resistance from Egypt’s throne dimmed his determination. He endured, despite the stubbornness of the Hebrews who grumbled, blamed, complained, and rebelled. Nothing they said or did make Moses retreat. He endured1 despite the criticism of Miriam and Aaron, his own sister and brother. Their words cut deeply, but he refused to back off. Misunderstood, maligned, murmured against, and misrepresented, Moses ‘never flinched’. He endured despite the disappointments he encountered. When ten out of twelve spies came back with nay-sayings, Moses stood fast When Korah and Dathan and Abiram led a cold, cunning conspiracy against him, Moses remained ‘resolute’” –  C. Swindoll

Moses became all backbone and remained steadfast to God and his calling in leading the people.  He would see His servant-hood through with and for God whatever the cost.  The consequence of sticking with God and His people finds him in the Promised Land with Christ – Matthew 17.

5/. AS A POSSESSOR WITH GOD JOSHUA NEEDED TO STAY WITH IT – Joshua 1-24     

He never thought, as a young man, when first called by God, that he would assume leadership over God’s People and Nation. It must have been the furthest thought from his mind.  He may have just been delighted that he belonged to such a privileged People that was full of prospect.

There came the challenge in his life when the demand came to stay with it. Chosen to be among the twelve to spy out the Promised Land, he could have been overwhelmed with doubt and fear of the negative ten. But he chose to stay with God and His will – Numbers 13:6-10. 

But then the more onerous responsibility fell upon his shoulders, when he was called to be the successor and leader – Josh. 1. It was now his turn to take over and lead the people into the land. God’s advice right at the outset was to stick with it and His Word.  The final scenario is one of him challenging the nation to having staying power and endurance -Josh.24 :15.

6/. AS A MINISTER WITH GOD JEREMIAH NEEDED TO STAY WITH IT Jeremiah 12: 5

One of the most difficult ministries ever apportioned to a man was given to Jeremiah. He was called at a calamitous time to speak into the degenerate state of the nation. In the minds and hearts of the people there was great indifference towards God and His Word. He had to be the prophetic voice and light amidst the intense darkness. 

He had to have a very encouraging word at the outset so that he would be able to stay with the ministry – 1:17-19. He was made aware of the fact that he would not have an easy time of it.  There would times of great discouragement and despair when no one would seem to take any notice of him or his words. He would labour without any response from his hearers. His lips would be filled with apparent doom and gloom and he would break his heart over this and the ultimate desolation of the people -see the book of Lamentations.

There comes a dark patch and moment in his ministry when there looks to be a bit of weakness and God has to challenge and strengthen him. He faces him up with a powerful question: “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses?” Things are rough and tough and can get more demanding before there is a breakthrough. The need is to brace oneself.

7/. AS A MISSIONER WITH GOD PAUL NEEDED TO STAY WITH IT – 2 Corinthians 11

Paul is usually credited with being the greatest missionary of all time. Incipient on his conversion he makes the question, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?” – Acts 9:6. The Lord had already intimated to Ananias that he was going to show to this man what he was going to have to face and endure – vv15,16 It was one thing to bear testimony for Him before the Gentiles, kings and Israel, but at what cost?

The missionary trail would have to be blazed but at a price – see Acts 13 onwards. There would be all kinds of people and situations to be confronted in the preaching of the Gospel, bearing witness for Christ, planting churches, caring for the converts and leaders. People and problems were his lot and he needed a lot of spiritual grit and determination.

He showed it. There was no way that he was going to back off, down and out. He would manifest a loyalty and fidelity amidst it all. He goes on record with a masterly announcement in Acts 20:22-24. Nothing would make him flinch, budge or make him veer off course.

Illustration:     Margaret Thatcher: The Iron Lady ‘I am not for turning.’

He could say at the end of the day when the time had come for his home-call –2 Tim.4: 6-8. He stuck with it and became a witness of his missionary call and service. He serves as an example on how to persevere and succeed through steadfast ness.

CONCLUSION

Of course, the prime inspiration of all with regard to the ability to endure is Jesus Christ – Hebrews 12: 2. The writer to the Hebrews concludes his list of great people who have evidenced  this quality with the One above all others.        

The supreme endurance test for any person was the cross with all of its pain and conflict. He was invited to give up the idea and the experience of the cross.

Christ was not in a frame and mood to surrender. He had staying power and through it won the greatest battle of all time and won the blessings for all men.

                            

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