3. GUIDANCE AND KNOWING THE WILL OF GOD
Dr Lloyd-Jones acknowledges that this is not as easy as it sounds. He acknowledges, “I was for over two years in a state of uncertainty and indecision before leaving medicine for the pulpit. But in the end it was made absolutely and perfectly clear, mainly by means of things which God did. These are the rules which I would advise you to observe:
1. Never speak to anyone about it. Don’t tell people what you are feeling and discuss it and ask for advice. That always leads to still more uncertainty and confusion. Make an absolute rule of this at all costs. Say nothing until you are absolutely certain, because we are all subject to self-suggestion.
2. Do not even think about it and discuss the pros and cons with yourself. Once more this leads to auto-suggestion and confusion. Believing as I do that God does ‘call’ very definitely, and in a distinct and definite doctrine of a call, and that a vocation is distinct from ‘the need is the call’ idea, I believe that God will always make His will and His way plain and clear. With reverence therefore, I say leave it to God entirely as regards purpose, time and all else. All you have to do is to tell God that you are content to do His will whatever it may be and, more, that you will rejoice to do His will.”
4. EXPERIENCES OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD
When he was 26 years of age in Easter 1925, he was alone one day in the small study he shared with his brother Vincent in their Regency Street home. There “he came to see the love of God expressed in the death of Christ in a way which overwhelmed him. Everything which happened to him in his new spiritual life was occurring because of what had first happened to Christ. It was solely to that death that he owed his new relationship to God. The truth amazed him and in the light of it he could only say with Isaac Watts:
"Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.”
Iain Murray records and suggests that that was not an isolated incident. The Doctor himself told me that in his room at Bart’s he had some great times, and he has gone on record, “I must say that in that little study at our home in Regency Street, and in my research room at Bart’s, I had some remarkable experiences. It was entirely God’s doing. I have known what it is to be really filled with a joy unspeakable and full of glory”
It is in the light of this that we must approach his exhortations to know a baptism with the Holy Spirit. That this did not manifest itself in tongue speaking we know because he wrote to an inquirer very plainly, “I have never spoken in tongues either in private or in public.” So the Doctor could not be described as a Pentecostal because their definition of the evidence for the baptism of the Spirit is made in that precise way. What then would be the signs and manifestations of baptism with the Spirit in Lloyd-Jones' judgment?
In the book Joy Unspeakable he gives six marks:
1. a sense of God’s glory and presence
2. an assurance of God’s love for us in Christ
3. the element of joy and gladness
4. love toward God
5. a desire to glorify the Father and the Son
6. light and understanding of the truth
This is what he was referring to when he told me that he had had ‘good times’ in his room at the hospital. He believed these times were an experience of baptism with the Holy Spirit. There is, for example, an incident that took place at Christmas 1929: “The memory of that night never faded for those who were present. Mrs Lloyd-Jones recalling it, said: ‘As we knelt in prayer, I seemed to be full of a warm golden glory, an indescribable joy and a hope that the consciousness we then enjoyed of the presence of God might never pass away.'”
Such experiences were not the prerogative of the study alone, or with members of one’s family, but also that in a church the Spirit of God could come upon a congregation gathered together praying. He recounts one such meeting, presumably in Aberavon, when a man got up to pray and it became clear that soon ‘something most extraordinary’ was taking place; “ . . . suddenly this man was entirely transformed; his voice deepened, a power came into it, even in his speech, and he prayed in the freest most powerful manner I have ever heard in my life . . . the prayer meeting continued without intermission and the freedom that had accompanied this man’s prayer was given to all the others . . . one felt that one was outside time, that one was in heaven; one was really lifted up to the spiritual realm.” One thinks of some of the prayer meetings of ministers gathered at Bala in Wales in the annual conference where such experiences might be occasionally known.
It is for preachers to know such immediate experience of this grace that the Doctor is most exercised, to have a baptism which enables him to preach powerfully and movingly. He longs that the gospel of Jesus Christ should come propelled to their hearers through Spirit-filled men. How do we preachers recognise this when it is happening? He replies, “It gives clarity of thought, clarity of speech, ease of utterance, a great sense of authority and confidence as you are preaching, an awareness of a power not your own thrilling through the whole of your being, and an indescribable sense of joy. You are a man ‘possessed’, you are taken hold of, and taken up. I like to put it like this — and I know of nothing on earth that is comparable to this feeling — that when this happens you have a feeling that you are not actually doing the preaching, you are looking on. You are looking on at yourself in amazement as this is happening. It is not your effort; you are just the instrument, the channel, the vehicle: and the Spirit is using you, and you are looking on in great enjoyment and astonishment. There is nothing that is in any way comparable to this. That is what the preacher himself is aware of. What about the people? They sense it at once; they can tell the difference immediately. They are gripped, they become serious, they are convicted, they are moved, they are humbled. Some are convicted of sin, others are lifted up to the heavens, anything may happen to any one of them. They know at once that something quite unusual and exceptional is happening. As a result they begin to delight in the things of God and they want more and more teaching.”
Such experiences while preaching the Word had been his from the beginning to the end of his ministry. In a letter written when he was 26 to his future brother-in-law Ieuan Philips, he described speaking in his church in London and records, “It is not for me to say anything about the paper – all I shall say is this. The people who count at Charing Cross all liked it, while I myself was moved to an extent that I have never experienced before.”
From his gatherings of similar experiences of preachers from the Puritan time until today, Lloyd-Jones is firmly in the tradition of experiential Calvinism. He was not a ‘closet Charismatic.’ His godliness reflected that whole living tradition of intense personal communion with God, power in prayer and in preaching. No ‘sign gift’ was ever insisted upon or even suggested. He was a cessationist; for example for him there was no possibility or need of the gift of apostles being bestowed again upon the church. It was a foundational gift which, when Scripture had been written, ceased to exist. The living Bible was enough; “There is thus no successor to the apostles. By definition, there never can be or has been a successor to the apostles.” That was also his conviction for prophets and evangelists. There is thus only the remotest connection between himself and the supporters of the Charismatic Renewal movement, a coincidence of terminology. When we protested to him about his use of the phrase ‘baptism of the Spirit’ because of its takeover by Pentecostals and Charismatics, he replied that our fathers had used it in the way he was using it and that though it might have been hijacked by others, he was not going to cease using that phrase. There was nothing in his teaching that would have been heretical to preachers from Calvin through to Kuyper. The great theme of his book of sermons on the gifts of the Spirit, Prove all Things, is not anti-cessationism but the sovereignty of the Spirit in his operations.
If preachers today went to the Doctor and described to him their experiences of the help of the Spirit of God as they prayed and preached, he would assure them, as he did to virtually all, both the students and older men who went to him in London and described what had happened to him, that they had had a baptism of the Holy Spirit. Then let us pace ourselves for the marathon of a life in the ministry, pastoring wisely men and women with their enormous problems, growing in understanding of the truth, becoming more evangelistically fervent and all the more so as we see the Day approaching.
Unless our experiences of God serve to exalt that God before men, we are guilty of a self-indulgent piety. Let me end with my favourite quotation from Lloyd-Jones’ book on preaching. I am sure it is often quoted as giving to ministers the great end of their preaching: “There is one thing I have looked for and longed for and desired. I can forgive a man for a bad sermon; I can forgive the preacher almost anything if he gives me a sense of God, if he gives me something for my soul, if he gives me the sense that, though he is inadequate himself, he is handling something which is very great and very glorious, if he gives me some dim glimpse of the majesty and the glory of God, the love of Christ my Saviour, and the magnificence of the Gospel. If he does that I am his debtor, and I am profoundly grateful to him. Preaching is the most amazing and the most thrilling activity that one can ever be engaged in, because of all that it holds out for all of us in the present, and because of the glorious endless possibilities in an eternal future.”
- Geoff Thomas
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Godliness of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Part 1
[For those who know of and appreciate the British preacher Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who died in 1981, these thoughts need no explanation or reasons as to why they can be beneficial. But for those not familiar with him and have never become acquainted with his ministry or books, I can only encourage you sincerely and earnestly to find his sermons online and listen to them, and also read his books. No theologian, pastor, preacher or author can help or instruct you any more than Martyn Lloyd-Jones. A good place to begin would be his book, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, or some of his volumes on Romans or Ephesians. So begin reading Lloyd-Jones-- it will do you much more good that all the popular authors today.
- Mack T.]
Dr. Lloyd-Jones would preach every two years in Aberystwyth, Wales [where Geoff Thomas pastors] and after one occasion I went to see him for morning coffee. It was a great treat for me to be with him alone. These occasions did not happen often. He always stayed in the home of a local doctor who, when he was a medical student in London, had been converted under Lloyd-Jones' ministry. Henceforth he zealously bought the Doctor’s books as they were produced by the Banner of Truth.
When I entered the parlor, the Doctor was reading his daily portion from a much worn pocket Bible. He laid it aside and we had an hour together. If we are to consider the godliness of Dr Lloyd-Jones, let us start with his approach to Bible reading.
1. READING THE BIBLE
He said to the theological students at Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia, in 1969 that an “essential in the preacher’s life is the reading of the Bible. This is obviously something that he does every day regularly. My main advice here is: Read your Bible systematically. The danger is to read at random, and that means that one tends to be reading only one’s favourite passages. In other words one fails to read the whole Bible. I cannot emphasize too strongly the vital importance of reading the whole Bible. I would say that all preachers should read through the whole Bible in its entirety at least once every year. You can devise your own method for doing this, or you can use one of the methods devised by others. I remember how after I had worked out a scheme for myself and the members of my church in my early years in the ministry, I then came across the scheme that Robert Murray McCheyne worked out for the members of his church in Dundee. It is in his biography by Andrew Bonar. By following that scheme of Robert Murray McCheyne you read four chapters of the Bible every day, and by so doing you read the Old Testament once, but the Psalms and the New Testament twice, each year. Unlike many modern schemes he did not just pick out little sections, or a few verses or small paragraphs here and there, and thus take many years to go through the whole Bible, and in some cases omit certain passages altogether. The whole object of his scheme is to get people to go right through the Scriptures every year omitting nothing. That should be the very minimum of the preacher’s Bible reading. I have found this to be one of the most important things of all.”
Then the Doctor underlined that in this way: “Here, I want to say something that I regard, in many ways, as the most important discovery I have made in my life as a preacher. I had to discover it for myself, and all to whom I have introduced it have always been most grateful for it. When you are reading your Scriptures in this way — it matters not whether you have read little or much — if a verse stands out and hits you and arrests you, do not go on reading. Stop immediately, and listen to it. It is speaking to you, so listen to it and speak to it. Stop reading at once, and work on this statement that has struck you in this way. Go on doing so to the point of making a skeleton of a sermon."
Then there is also this added observation; “For many many years I have never read my Bible without having a scribbling-pad either on my table or in my pocket; and the moment anything strikes me or arrests me, I immediately pull out my pad. A preacher has to be like a squirrel and has to learn how to collect and store matter for the future days of winter. So you not only work out your skeleton, you put it down on paper, because otherwise you will not remember it. You think you will, but you will soon discover that it is not so.”
2. PRAYING
If the essence of godliness is personal communion with God, then what does Dr. Lloyd-Jones have to say to us on praying? There is one section in Preaching and Preachers which is very moving. It is just over two pages in length, and it is the only place in his lectures on preaching that he expands on the theme of prayer. Every sentence is worth reading:
"I approach the next matter with great hesitation, and a sense of utter unworthiness. I suppose we all fail at this next point more than anywhere else; that is in the matter of prayer. Prayer is vital to the life of the preacher. Read the biographies, and the autobiographies of the greatest preachers throughout the centuries and you will find that this has always been the great characteristic of their lives. They were always great men of prayer, and they spent considerable time in prayer. I could quote many examples, but I must refrain as there are so many, and they are well known. These men found that this was absolutely essential, and that it became increasingly so as they went on.
I have always hesitated to deal with this subject. I have preached on prayer when it has come in a passage through which I have been working; but I have never presumed to produce a book on prayer, or even a booklet. Certain people have done this in a very mechanical manner, taking us through the different aspects, and classifying it all. It all seems so simple. But prayer is not simple. There is an element of discipline in prayer, of course, but it surely cannot be dealt with in that way because of its very nature. All I would say is this — and again I am speaking here from personal experience — that once more it is very important for one to know one’s self in this matter. Whether this is a sign of a lack of deep spirituality or not I do not know — I do not think it is – but I confess that I have found it difficult to start praying in the morning.
I have come to learn certain things about private prayer. You cannot pray to order. You can get on your knees to order; but how to pray? I have found nothing more important than to learn how to get oneself into that frame and condition in which one can pray. You have to learn how to start yourself off, and it is just here that this knowledge of yourself is so important. What I have generally found is that to read something which can be characterised in general as devotional is of great value. By devotional I do not mean something sentimental, I mean something with a true element of worship in it. Notice that I do not say that you should start yourself in prayer by always reading the Scriptures; because you can have precisely the same difficulty there. Start by reading something that will warm your spirit. Get rid of a coldness that may have developed in your spirit. You have to learn how to kindle a flame in your spirit, to warm yourself up, to give yourself a start. It is comparable, if you like, to starting a car when it is cold. You have to learn how to use a spiritual choke. I have found it most rewarding to do that, and not to struggle vainly. When one finds oneself in this condition, and that it is difficult to pray, do not struggle in prayer for the time being, but read something that will warm and stimulate you, and you will find that it will put you into a condition in which you will be able to pray more freely.
But I am not suggesting for a moment — quite the reverse — that your praying should be confined only to the morning when you start your work in your study. Prayer should be going on throughout the day. Prayer need not of necessity be long; it can be brief, just an ejaculation at times is a true prayer. That is, surely, what the Apostle Paul means in his exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 5: 17, ‘Pray without ceasing’. That does not mean that you should be perpetually on your knees, but that you are always in a prayerful condition. As you are walking along a road, or while you are working in your study, you turn frequently to God in prayer.
Above all — and this I regard as most important of all — always respond to every impulse to pray. The impulse to pray may come when you are reading or when you are battling with a text. I would make an absolute law of this — always obey such an impulse. Where does it come from? It is the work of the Holy Spirit; it is a part of the meaning of, ‘Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure’ (Phil. 2: 12—13). This often leads to some of the most remarkable experiences in the life of the minister. So never resist, never postpone it, never push it aside because you are busy. Give yourself to it, yield to it; and you will find not only that you have not been wasting time with respect to the matter with which you are dealing, but that actually it has helped you greatly in that respect. You will experience an ease and a facility in understanding what you were reading, in thinking, in ordering matter for a sermon, in writing, in everything, which is quite astonishing. Such a call to prayer must never be regarded as a distraction; always respond to it immediately, and thank God if it happens to you frequently.
From every standpoint the minister, the preacher, must be a man of prayer. This is constantly emphasized in the Pastoral Epistles and elsewhere, and, as I say, it is confirmed abundantly in the long history of the Church, and especially in the lives of the outstanding preachers. John Wesley used to say that he thought very little of a man who did not pray four hours every day. Nothing stands out so clearly likewise in the lives of people like David Brainerd and Jonathan Edwards, Robert Murray McCheyne and a host of other saints. That is why one is so humbled as one reads the stories of such men."
So here is a theme that appears to recur in Lloyd-Jones’ godliness, that of God’s constant dealings with the Christian, that he is our Father and deals familiarly with his children. Submit to the Spirit of God! Follow God’s promptings in Bible reading and prayer is what he is telling us. This is further seen in his counsels about understanding the will of God for your life.
To Be Continued
- Geoff Thomas
- Mack T.]
Dr. Lloyd-Jones would preach every two years in Aberystwyth, Wales [where Geoff Thomas pastors] and after one occasion I went to see him for morning coffee. It was a great treat for me to be with him alone. These occasions did not happen often. He always stayed in the home of a local doctor who, when he was a medical student in London, had been converted under Lloyd-Jones' ministry. Henceforth he zealously bought the Doctor’s books as they were produced by the Banner of Truth.
When I entered the parlor, the Doctor was reading his daily portion from a much worn pocket Bible. He laid it aside and we had an hour together. If we are to consider the godliness of Dr Lloyd-Jones, let us start with his approach to Bible reading.
1. READING THE BIBLE
He said to the theological students at Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia, in 1969 that an “essential in the preacher’s life is the reading of the Bible. This is obviously something that he does every day regularly. My main advice here is: Read your Bible systematically. The danger is to read at random, and that means that one tends to be reading only one’s favourite passages. In other words one fails to read the whole Bible. I cannot emphasize too strongly the vital importance of reading the whole Bible. I would say that all preachers should read through the whole Bible in its entirety at least once every year. You can devise your own method for doing this, or you can use one of the methods devised by others. I remember how after I had worked out a scheme for myself and the members of my church in my early years in the ministry, I then came across the scheme that Robert Murray McCheyne worked out for the members of his church in Dundee. It is in his biography by Andrew Bonar. By following that scheme of Robert Murray McCheyne you read four chapters of the Bible every day, and by so doing you read the Old Testament once, but the Psalms and the New Testament twice, each year. Unlike many modern schemes he did not just pick out little sections, or a few verses or small paragraphs here and there, and thus take many years to go through the whole Bible, and in some cases omit certain passages altogether. The whole object of his scheme is to get people to go right through the Scriptures every year omitting nothing. That should be the very minimum of the preacher’s Bible reading. I have found this to be one of the most important things of all.”
Then the Doctor underlined that in this way: “Here, I want to say something that I regard, in many ways, as the most important discovery I have made in my life as a preacher. I had to discover it for myself, and all to whom I have introduced it have always been most grateful for it. When you are reading your Scriptures in this way — it matters not whether you have read little or much — if a verse stands out and hits you and arrests you, do not go on reading. Stop immediately, and listen to it. It is speaking to you, so listen to it and speak to it. Stop reading at once, and work on this statement that has struck you in this way. Go on doing so to the point of making a skeleton of a sermon."
Then there is also this added observation; “For many many years I have never read my Bible without having a scribbling-pad either on my table or in my pocket; and the moment anything strikes me or arrests me, I immediately pull out my pad. A preacher has to be like a squirrel and has to learn how to collect and store matter for the future days of winter. So you not only work out your skeleton, you put it down on paper, because otherwise you will not remember it. You think you will, but you will soon discover that it is not so.”
2. PRAYING
If the essence of godliness is personal communion with God, then what does Dr. Lloyd-Jones have to say to us on praying? There is one section in Preaching and Preachers which is very moving. It is just over two pages in length, and it is the only place in his lectures on preaching that he expands on the theme of prayer. Every sentence is worth reading:
"I approach the next matter with great hesitation, and a sense of utter unworthiness. I suppose we all fail at this next point more than anywhere else; that is in the matter of prayer. Prayer is vital to the life of the preacher. Read the biographies, and the autobiographies of the greatest preachers throughout the centuries and you will find that this has always been the great characteristic of their lives. They were always great men of prayer, and they spent considerable time in prayer. I could quote many examples, but I must refrain as there are so many, and they are well known. These men found that this was absolutely essential, and that it became increasingly so as they went on.
I have always hesitated to deal with this subject. I have preached on prayer when it has come in a passage through which I have been working; but I have never presumed to produce a book on prayer, or even a booklet. Certain people have done this in a very mechanical manner, taking us through the different aspects, and classifying it all. It all seems so simple. But prayer is not simple. There is an element of discipline in prayer, of course, but it surely cannot be dealt with in that way because of its very nature. All I would say is this — and again I am speaking here from personal experience — that once more it is very important for one to know one’s self in this matter. Whether this is a sign of a lack of deep spirituality or not I do not know — I do not think it is – but I confess that I have found it difficult to start praying in the morning.
I have come to learn certain things about private prayer. You cannot pray to order. You can get on your knees to order; but how to pray? I have found nothing more important than to learn how to get oneself into that frame and condition in which one can pray. You have to learn how to start yourself off, and it is just here that this knowledge of yourself is so important. What I have generally found is that to read something which can be characterised in general as devotional is of great value. By devotional I do not mean something sentimental, I mean something with a true element of worship in it. Notice that I do not say that you should start yourself in prayer by always reading the Scriptures; because you can have precisely the same difficulty there. Start by reading something that will warm your spirit. Get rid of a coldness that may have developed in your spirit. You have to learn how to kindle a flame in your spirit, to warm yourself up, to give yourself a start. It is comparable, if you like, to starting a car when it is cold. You have to learn how to use a spiritual choke. I have found it most rewarding to do that, and not to struggle vainly. When one finds oneself in this condition, and that it is difficult to pray, do not struggle in prayer for the time being, but read something that will warm and stimulate you, and you will find that it will put you into a condition in which you will be able to pray more freely.
But I am not suggesting for a moment — quite the reverse — that your praying should be confined only to the morning when you start your work in your study. Prayer should be going on throughout the day. Prayer need not of necessity be long; it can be brief, just an ejaculation at times is a true prayer. That is, surely, what the Apostle Paul means in his exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 5: 17, ‘Pray without ceasing’. That does not mean that you should be perpetually on your knees, but that you are always in a prayerful condition. As you are walking along a road, or while you are working in your study, you turn frequently to God in prayer.
Above all — and this I regard as most important of all — always respond to every impulse to pray. The impulse to pray may come when you are reading or when you are battling with a text. I would make an absolute law of this — always obey such an impulse. Where does it come from? It is the work of the Holy Spirit; it is a part of the meaning of, ‘Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure’ (Phil. 2: 12—13). This often leads to some of the most remarkable experiences in the life of the minister. So never resist, never postpone it, never push it aside because you are busy. Give yourself to it, yield to it; and you will find not only that you have not been wasting time with respect to the matter with which you are dealing, but that actually it has helped you greatly in that respect. You will experience an ease and a facility in understanding what you were reading, in thinking, in ordering matter for a sermon, in writing, in everything, which is quite astonishing. Such a call to prayer must never be regarded as a distraction; always respond to it immediately, and thank God if it happens to you frequently.
From every standpoint the minister, the preacher, must be a man of prayer. This is constantly emphasized in the Pastoral Epistles and elsewhere, and, as I say, it is confirmed abundantly in the long history of the Church, and especially in the lives of the outstanding preachers. John Wesley used to say that he thought very little of a man who did not pray four hours every day. Nothing stands out so clearly likewise in the lives of people like David Brainerd and Jonathan Edwards, Robert Murray McCheyne and a host of other saints. That is why one is so humbled as one reads the stories of such men."
So here is a theme that appears to recur in Lloyd-Jones’ godliness, that of God’s constant dealings with the Christian, that he is our Father and deals familiarly with his children. Submit to the Spirit of God! Follow God’s promptings in Bible reading and prayer is what he is telling us. This is further seen in his counsels about understanding the will of God for your life.
To Be Continued
- Geoff Thomas
Sunday, October 18, 2009
It Happened in a Prayer Meeting
What is the use of a prayer meeting? There are many uses. Believers are encouraged and strengthened; the cause of God is maintained; the truth of God is watered after it is sown; and prosperity is rained down through the opened windows of heaven, according to the Lord's promise.
In the beginning of the year 1799, Thomas Charles of Bala, in Wales, lost a thumb through frostbite. Alarming symptoms arose, and his friends feared that his life was in danger. A special prayer meeting was appointed. Fervent supplications were offered to God on his behalf.
One person in particular, an old man, was much noticed for his very importunate prayer. Referring to the fifteen years added to Hezekiah's life, he entreated the Lord to spare Mr. Charles' life at least fifteen years. He repeated the following words with such importunity that his prayer greatly affected all who were present: 'Fifteen years more, O Lord! We beseech Thee to add fifteen years more to the life of Thy servant. And wilt Thou not, oh our God, give fifteen years more, for the sake of Thy church and Thy cause?'
The prayers of the people were heard, and Mr. Charles set to work again with renewed vigour. He often said he must be diligent, as the fifteen years would soon be up.
As this period drew near to its close, he frequently named it in conversation; and about a year before his death, he spoke freely and fully to the poor man who in 1799 had so fervently asked God to prolong his life. He often expressed a desire to live to see his Welsh Bible printed: 'Then I will be content,' he said, 'to lie my head upon my pillow and die.' He did live to see it completed; and the last words he ever wrote were: 'It is finished,' in reference to that. And, what is remarkable, he died within a week of the close of fifteen years from the date of the poor man's prayer.
It was during this term of fifteen years that Mr. Charles did the most important work of his life - labour that bears fruit all over the world to the present day. He wrote several books, organized Sunday schools throughout Wales, translated the Bible into Welsh, and was instrumental, with others, in the establishment of the Bible Society. It was through him that Wales was supplied with the Word of God; and many distant lands have blessed the name of Thomas Charles. Who can tell the full results of that fervent prayer of that Welsh Christian? This, remember, was at a prayer meeting.
- John Morgan Jones, Wales
Many of the references to prayer in the book of Acts are references to the corporate prayer meeting of the church.
'They gathered--they prayed--they lifted up their voice to God--they were devoted to prayer," etc. It was group praying, believers gathered for prayer. Why was this so and why is it so important to God?
None of us know what God might be doing through our regular and faithful attendance at the prayer meetings of our church. If your church has a weekly prayer meeting, you should attend faithfully, if at all possible. Burdens are lifted, hearts are strengthened, believers are edified, and needs are met, even around the world, simply through the prayers of the saints. God often does more through a weekly prayer meeting of a church that is ever done in bigger meetings or conferences.
The big test of a church is its prayer meeting. Any church that does not have a regular prayer meeting is basically saying to the Lord, "Thanks for the offer of grace, but we can handle things fine ourselves."
- Mack Tomlinson
In the beginning of the year 1799, Thomas Charles of Bala, in Wales, lost a thumb through frostbite. Alarming symptoms arose, and his friends feared that his life was in danger. A special prayer meeting was appointed. Fervent supplications were offered to God on his behalf.
One person in particular, an old man, was much noticed for his very importunate prayer. Referring to the fifteen years added to Hezekiah's life, he entreated the Lord to spare Mr. Charles' life at least fifteen years. He repeated the following words with such importunity that his prayer greatly affected all who were present: 'Fifteen years more, O Lord! We beseech Thee to add fifteen years more to the life of Thy servant. And wilt Thou not, oh our God, give fifteen years more, for the sake of Thy church and Thy cause?'
The prayers of the people were heard, and Mr. Charles set to work again with renewed vigour. He often said he must be diligent, as the fifteen years would soon be up.
As this period drew near to its close, he frequently named it in conversation; and about a year before his death, he spoke freely and fully to the poor man who in 1799 had so fervently asked God to prolong his life. He often expressed a desire to live to see his Welsh Bible printed: 'Then I will be content,' he said, 'to lie my head upon my pillow and die.' He did live to see it completed; and the last words he ever wrote were: 'It is finished,' in reference to that. And, what is remarkable, he died within a week of the close of fifteen years from the date of the poor man's prayer.
It was during this term of fifteen years that Mr. Charles did the most important work of his life - labour that bears fruit all over the world to the present day. He wrote several books, organized Sunday schools throughout Wales, translated the Bible into Welsh, and was instrumental, with others, in the establishment of the Bible Society. It was through him that Wales was supplied with the Word of God; and many distant lands have blessed the name of Thomas Charles. Who can tell the full results of that fervent prayer of that Welsh Christian? This, remember, was at a prayer meeting.
- John Morgan Jones, Wales
Many of the references to prayer in the book of Acts are references to the corporate prayer meeting of the church.
'They gathered--they prayed--they lifted up their voice to God--they were devoted to prayer," etc. It was group praying, believers gathered for prayer. Why was this so and why is it so important to God?
None of us know what God might be doing through our regular and faithful attendance at the prayer meetings of our church. If your church has a weekly prayer meeting, you should attend faithfully, if at all possible. Burdens are lifted, hearts are strengthened, believers are edified, and needs are met, even around the world, simply through the prayers of the saints. God often does more through a weekly prayer meeting of a church that is ever done in bigger meetings or conferences.
The big test of a church is its prayer meeting. Any church that does not have a regular prayer meeting is basically saying to the Lord, "Thanks for the offer of grace, but we can handle things fine ourselves."
- Mack Tomlinson
Gracious Personal Revivings
Just a little of the blessing I had hoped for from the Lord in the year 1969, from July to September.
It was at the end of June when I feel I had such a sight of my sinful self, and what I was by nature. I felt in a dreadful state. How it made me cry for mercy and upplicate for the forgiveness of my sins! Though I had had it before in times past, I had lost sight of it.
How I did try to plead with the Lord that day, before going to chapel on the Thursday evening, that the Lord would speak to me that night through His servant, our pastor. His text was in Acts 13: 38-39 on forgiveness. It was a wonderful sermon to me, as he spoke about all that I had felt as a sinner, and he put it in words. He then spoke of forgiveness and justification; I felt much helped. I would humbly say I felt I had prayed it out of him, as much as I had been enabled to pray.
Then when I got to bed at night, I lay there about two hours, and the dear Lord came with such power; His felt presence--one cannot explain such love. How promises flowed in, the Father kissing the prodigal, saying, "Put a ring on his finger, and the best robe", etc. How I said with a feeling heart, "My God, my Father, may I call Thee mine?" How I wept! Then of Joshua, "Take away the filthy garments from him. And . . .I will clothe thee with change of raiment." "Let not your heart be troubled . . . I go to prepare a place for you." How I wept tears of humility, so unworthy, why me? But felt,
"I'm blest, I'm blest, for ever blest,
My rags are gone, and I am dressed
In garments white as snow."
"He wept, He bled, He died for you."
The next day after this, I had not much mind for the things of earth. On Saturday I felt, "Could it really be for such as I? Was it real?" But I did try to pray it might be confirmed on the Sunday, and it was. "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" (1 Cor. 1. 30). I felt it.
On the following Thursday evening, the sermon text was 1 Samuel 2. 6-8. How good it was to me, what I had felt! I had Hannah's song and had been raised up.
The next Sunday Mr. Case was preaching and his text was Jabez' prayer. When he spoke of the "indeed blessing," what I was listening for, felt I had it, after many prayers and longings for it.
Then the next Sunday pastor's text was Psalm 119. 174-176. I felt I lived.
The next Sunday was Ephesians 2. 19, 20. Felt comfortable but not so much feeling.
Then the next Sunday, August 3rd, was a special time. Text was Ephesians 1. 5-7. How I felt I was "accepted in the Beloved." When I came home at night. I said to my pastor, "Living tongues are dumb at best; we must die to speak of Christ." Words failed me. Then to my surprise and amazement, he took Ephesians 1:3- 4.
The next Sunday, August 10th, before the sermon, his reading was Numbers 23 concerning Balaam. I said, "Is Thy servant going to tell me I am deceived inwardly?" I said, "O Lord, undeceive me if I am." But O what a powerful sermon it was to me, all "spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ"! I knew not how to contain myself and to hide it from others. Tears ran down my face, full with the blessing of the Lord.
When I began to walk home, I hardly knew how to make it, as it had all taken my bodily strength. When home, I felt "my willing soul would stay, in such a frame as this, and sit and sing herself away to everlasting bliss." Those lines came to me afterwards: "I faint beneath the bliss." In the evening, it was just as good to me. Could not help speaking of it to my pastor and others. Felt a little like what I had read of Joseph Tanner, of whom it was said that he feared to live rather than die. How I feared myself to live and sin against so good a God! I felt the need of prayer more, that I might be kept from pride and self-righteousness. I would be holy, but knew I could not keep myself; I was so afraid of doing anything to cause Him to depart. But the blessing just came down. I could not but believe.
The next Thursday and on the Lord's day, the text was Ephesians 3. 16-20. It was a good time. What a depth there is in it all! I could say, "He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think." It was wonderful how the Lord led His servant into Ephesians as He did, it seemed, for me. In preaching, he would repeat just what I had already felt or was feeling. Once I said prayed silently, "Lord, let him repeat about Joshua," and then he did. No thanks to me, but to the Spirit's work.
The following Sunday, August 31st, his text was Joel 2:25-27. In the week I had been thinking of these and had read them from verses 21 to 27. They were good to me in my young days, before I was baptized, that I should never be ashamed. But I felt now it was being more fulfilled. I felt one morning and I looked up and said, "Lord, I should like to hear it preached from." Then unexpectedly, that Sunday morning, he took them. How I felt what was said! The Lord had dealt wondrously with me, and that "I am the Lord your God," that I should never be ashamed.
Monday, September 1st, Mr. Neville preached about Martha and the resurrection. "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life." He spoke of Him coming to a poor sinner in that power, which I felt He had to me.
That night I went away for twelve days' holiday, which had been arranged before. How I did feel to need to be kept, and not to depart from the dear Lord, which I hope I was in a little measure! I had not the same power felt, but enjoyed reading Ruth and Solomon's Song. Then I returned home on Saturday.
The Sunday morning before the service, I pleaded with the Lord not to let the services be in vain, and not just in form only. Then the words came: "At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar..., and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed" (Ruth 2. 14). How humbled I felt, my spirit softened! I went to chapel with expectation. The text was Psalm 23: 1-2. How good I felt it! "The Lord my Shepherd"; I had been made to lie down in green pastures and beside the still waters. I could go with all that was spoken; truly I was sufficed. Blessed time! How I did say at these times, "Blessed Jesus, precious Jesus."
For thirteen weeks I walked in peace and communion with the dear Lord. Good times I had before getting up in the morning, and often when I lay down at night alone. "What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits?" I cannot praise Him as I would. It was like I felt going over again the days of my espousals when I was young. Not perhaps that ecstasy of joy but (how shall I put it?) that solid peace and rest in believing in an unchanging God. How I looked back at what I hope the Lord had done for me then and had believed the promises!
But now I do not feel that power and feeling as I did. Though not quite left alone, I miss the presence of my Friend, but pray not to be left to unbelief, but to be kept near the dear Lord. Knowing what I am by nature, if left in any measure, I would say as I felt it, "I'm a poor sinner and nothing at all, but Jesus Christ is my All and in all." None need despair since I have mercy found.
I did feel I have heard ministers pray at chapel in such a way that it seemed like it might be heaven begun below. But O to realise it! What an awe and hallowedness felt! All this was after much searchings of heart after the death of my dear husband, much sowing in tears, as it is nearly four years ago; felt the Lord appeared to him. I wanted that "indeed" blessing though I had some help.
Once was after hearing the Word comfortably at chapel, as I walked in home, those lines came to me, "In heaven my choicest treasure lies." What I felt for half an hour I cannot speak of! As I found the hymn and read it down, how I felt each verse and the next hymn. I did not want to speak to anyone. I was alone and said, "What is this world to me? it is not my home."
After the death of my husband, the next Sunday after he was buried, I did feel I wanted a taste below of what he was enjoying above. But I had to wait eighteen months for this again. I feel I can say I did not lose really the sweetness of the blessing for twelve months.
-Mercy Sturgess
It was at the end of June when I feel I had such a sight of my sinful self, and what I was by nature. I felt in a dreadful state. How it made me cry for mercy and upplicate for the forgiveness of my sins! Though I had had it before in times past, I had lost sight of it.
How I did try to plead with the Lord that day, before going to chapel on the Thursday evening, that the Lord would speak to me that night through His servant, our pastor. His text was in Acts 13: 38-39 on forgiveness. It was a wonderful sermon to me, as he spoke about all that I had felt as a sinner, and he put it in words. He then spoke of forgiveness and justification; I felt much helped. I would humbly say I felt I had prayed it out of him, as much as I had been enabled to pray.
Then when I got to bed at night, I lay there about two hours, and the dear Lord came with such power; His felt presence--one cannot explain such love. How promises flowed in, the Father kissing the prodigal, saying, "Put a ring on his finger, and the best robe", etc. How I said with a feeling heart, "My God, my Father, may I call Thee mine?" How I wept! Then of Joshua, "Take away the filthy garments from him. And . . .I will clothe thee with change of raiment." "Let not your heart be troubled . . . I go to prepare a place for you." How I wept tears of humility, so unworthy, why me? But felt,
"I'm blest, I'm blest, for ever blest,
My rags are gone, and I am dressed
In garments white as snow."
"He wept, He bled, He died for you."
The next day after this, I had not much mind for the things of earth. On Saturday I felt, "Could it really be for such as I? Was it real?" But I did try to pray it might be confirmed on the Sunday, and it was. "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" (1 Cor. 1. 30). I felt it.
On the following Thursday evening, the sermon text was 1 Samuel 2. 6-8. How good it was to me, what I had felt! I had Hannah's song and had been raised up.
The next Sunday Mr. Case was preaching and his text was Jabez' prayer. When he spoke of the "indeed blessing," what I was listening for, felt I had it, after many prayers and longings for it.
Then the next Sunday pastor's text was Psalm 119. 174-176. I felt I lived.
The next Sunday was Ephesians 2. 19, 20. Felt comfortable but not so much feeling.
Then the next Sunday, August 3rd, was a special time. Text was Ephesians 1. 5-7. How I felt I was "accepted in the Beloved." When I came home at night. I said to my pastor, "Living tongues are dumb at best; we must die to speak of Christ." Words failed me. Then to my surprise and amazement, he took Ephesians 1:3- 4.
The next Sunday, August 10th, before the sermon, his reading was Numbers 23 concerning Balaam. I said, "Is Thy servant going to tell me I am deceived inwardly?" I said, "O Lord, undeceive me if I am." But O what a powerful sermon it was to me, all "spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ"! I knew not how to contain myself and to hide it from others. Tears ran down my face, full with the blessing of the Lord.
When I began to walk home, I hardly knew how to make it, as it had all taken my bodily strength. When home, I felt "my willing soul would stay, in such a frame as this, and sit and sing herself away to everlasting bliss." Those lines came to me afterwards: "I faint beneath the bliss." In the evening, it was just as good to me. Could not help speaking of it to my pastor and others. Felt a little like what I had read of Joseph Tanner, of whom it was said that he feared to live rather than die. How I feared myself to live and sin against so good a God! I felt the need of prayer more, that I might be kept from pride and self-righteousness. I would be holy, but knew I could not keep myself; I was so afraid of doing anything to cause Him to depart. But the blessing just came down. I could not but believe.
The next Thursday and on the Lord's day, the text was Ephesians 3. 16-20. It was a good time. What a depth there is in it all! I could say, "He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think." It was wonderful how the Lord led His servant into Ephesians as He did, it seemed, for me. In preaching, he would repeat just what I had already felt or was feeling. Once I said prayed silently, "Lord, let him repeat about Joshua," and then he did. No thanks to me, but to the Spirit's work.
The following Sunday, August 31st, his text was Joel 2:25-27. In the week I had been thinking of these and had read them from verses 21 to 27. They were good to me in my young days, before I was baptized, that I should never be ashamed. But I felt now it was being more fulfilled. I felt one morning and I looked up and said, "Lord, I should like to hear it preached from." Then unexpectedly, that Sunday morning, he took them. How I felt what was said! The Lord had dealt wondrously with me, and that "I am the Lord your God," that I should never be ashamed.
Monday, September 1st, Mr. Neville preached about Martha and the resurrection. "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life." He spoke of Him coming to a poor sinner in that power, which I felt He had to me.
That night I went away for twelve days' holiday, which had been arranged before. How I did feel to need to be kept, and not to depart from the dear Lord, which I hope I was in a little measure! I had not the same power felt, but enjoyed reading Ruth and Solomon's Song. Then I returned home on Saturday.
The Sunday morning before the service, I pleaded with the Lord not to let the services be in vain, and not just in form only. Then the words came: "At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar..., and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed" (Ruth 2. 14). How humbled I felt, my spirit softened! I went to chapel with expectation. The text was Psalm 23: 1-2. How good I felt it! "The Lord my Shepherd"; I had been made to lie down in green pastures and beside the still waters. I could go with all that was spoken; truly I was sufficed. Blessed time! How I did say at these times, "Blessed Jesus, precious Jesus."
For thirteen weeks I walked in peace and communion with the dear Lord. Good times I had before getting up in the morning, and often when I lay down at night alone. "What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits?" I cannot praise Him as I would. It was like I felt going over again the days of my espousals when I was young. Not perhaps that ecstasy of joy but (how shall I put it?) that solid peace and rest in believing in an unchanging God. How I looked back at what I hope the Lord had done for me then and had believed the promises!
But now I do not feel that power and feeling as I did. Though not quite left alone, I miss the presence of my Friend, but pray not to be left to unbelief, but to be kept near the dear Lord. Knowing what I am by nature, if left in any measure, I would say as I felt it, "I'm a poor sinner and nothing at all, but Jesus Christ is my All and in all." None need despair since I have mercy found.
I did feel I have heard ministers pray at chapel in such a way that it seemed like it might be heaven begun below. But O to realise it! What an awe and hallowedness felt! All this was after much searchings of heart after the death of my dear husband, much sowing in tears, as it is nearly four years ago; felt the Lord appeared to him. I wanted that "indeed" blessing though I had some help.
Once was after hearing the Word comfortably at chapel, as I walked in home, those lines came to me, "In heaven my choicest treasure lies." What I felt for half an hour I cannot speak of! As I found the hymn and read it down, how I felt each verse and the next hymn. I did not want to speak to anyone. I was alone and said, "What is this world to me? it is not my home."
After the death of my husband, the next Sunday after he was buried, I did feel I wanted a taste below of what he was enjoying above. But I had to wait eighteen months for this again. I feel I can say I did not lose really the sweetness of the blessing for twelve months.
-Mercy Sturgess
Friday, October 16, 2009
Master, Speak! Thy Servant Heareth
Frances Havergal's hymn is one of my favorite hymns of all. If we sang this to the Lord more often, especially before hearing His Word and if we prayed this more, I wonder how much more we would hear from Him? - Mack Tomlinson
Master, speak! Thy servant heareth,
Waiting for Thy gracious word,
Longing for Thy voice that cheereth;
Master! let it now be heard.
I am listening, Lord, for Thee:
What hast Thou to say to me?
Speak to me by name, O Master,
Let me know it is to me;
Speak, that I may follow faster,
With a step more firm and free,
Where the Shepherd leads the flock,
In the shadow of the rock.
Master, speak! Though least and lowest,
Let me not unheard depart;
Master, speak! For O, Thou knowest
All the yearning of my heart,
Knowest all its truest need:
Speak! and make me blest indeed.
Master, speak! and make me ready,
When Thy voice is truly heard,
With obedience glad and steady
Still to follow every word.
I am listening, Lord, for Thee:
Master, speak! O, speak to me!
- Frances R. Havergal
Master, speak! Thy servant heareth,
Waiting for Thy gracious word,
Longing for Thy voice that cheereth;
Master! let it now be heard.
I am listening, Lord, for Thee:
What hast Thou to say to me?
Speak to me by name, O Master,
Let me know it is to me;
Speak, that I may follow faster,
With a step more firm and free,
Where the Shepherd leads the flock,
In the shadow of the rock.
Master, speak! Though least and lowest,
Let me not unheard depart;
Master, speak! For O, Thou knowest
All the yearning of my heart,
Knowest all its truest need:
Speak! and make me blest indeed.
Master, speak! and make me ready,
When Thy voice is truly heard,
With obedience glad and steady
Still to follow every word.
I am listening, Lord, for Thee:
Master, speak! O, speak to me!
- Frances R. Havergal
Divine Faithfulness in Affliction Always for our Good
Divine Faithfulness in Affliction is Always for our Good
which means
Pain is Often Better for Us Than Pleasure
which means
God's Kindness Is Always Most Wisely Shown Us in Every Denial
which means
God Loves Us Too Well to Give Us Things That Ultimately Would Not Be Best for Us
which means
The Father's Purpose in All His Dealings with Us is our Sanctification, Not our Temporal Pleasure
(How's that for a title? Well, its not any longer than some of the old Puritan book titles or sermons and, for this Daily Thoughts, it does serve its purpose. - Mack T)
"I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are just, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me." Psalm 119:75
Sometimes the ways of God do seem hard,
Our fondest hopes are crushed;
Our fairest joys fade like summer flowers,
And the desires of our hearts are withheld from us.
Yet, if we are God's children, we believe that a blessing is hidden in every one of these losses or denials. It is right here that we get a glimpse into the mystery of many unanswered prayers. The things we seek, which are denied, would not work good for us if we received them, but would bring evil instead. So our Father keeps them from us, even though we desire them. And the things we plead to have removed are, at times, essential to our highest interests.
Health is supposed to be better than sickness. But there comes a time when God's kindness will be most wisely shown by denying us health. He never takes pleasure in causing us to suffer and He is touched by our sorrows. Yet He loves us too well to give us things that would harm us or to spare us the trial that is needful for our spiritual good. It will be seen in the end that many of the very richest blessings of all our lives have come to us through God's denials, His withholdings, or His shattering of our hopes and joys.
We should never forget that the purpose of all of God's dealings with His children is to sanctify us and make us vessels fit for His use. To this high and glorious end, our present pleasure and gratification must often be sacrificed. This is the true key to all the mysteries of Providence. Anything that hinders entire consecration to Christ is working us harm, and though it be our tenderest joy, it is best that it be taken away.
Prayer is not always granted, even when the heart clings with affection to its most precious joy. Nothing must hinder our consecration. We should never think first of what will give us earthly joy or comfort, but of what will fit us for doing the Master's service.
Pain is often better for us than pleasure;
Loss is often better for us than gain;
Sorrow is often better for us than joy;
Disaster is often better for us than deliverance.
Faith should know that God's withholdings from us, when He does not give what we ask, are richer blessings than were He to open to us all His treasure-houses, at whose doors we stand and knock with so great vehemence. Our unanswered prayers have just as real and as blessed answers as those which bring what we seek.
- J. R. Miller
which means
Pain is Often Better for Us Than Pleasure
which means
God's Kindness Is Always Most Wisely Shown Us in Every Denial
which means
God Loves Us Too Well to Give Us Things That Ultimately Would Not Be Best for Us
which means
The Father's Purpose in All His Dealings with Us is our Sanctification, Not our Temporal Pleasure
(How's that for a title? Well, its not any longer than some of the old Puritan book titles or sermons and, for this Daily Thoughts, it does serve its purpose. - Mack T)
"I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are just, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me." Psalm 119:75
Sometimes the ways of God do seem hard,
Our fondest hopes are crushed;
Our fairest joys fade like summer flowers,
And the desires of our hearts are withheld from us.
Yet, if we are God's children, we believe that a blessing is hidden in every one of these losses or denials. It is right here that we get a glimpse into the mystery of many unanswered prayers. The things we seek, which are denied, would not work good for us if we received them, but would bring evil instead. So our Father keeps them from us, even though we desire them. And the things we plead to have removed are, at times, essential to our highest interests.
Health is supposed to be better than sickness. But there comes a time when God's kindness will be most wisely shown by denying us health. He never takes pleasure in causing us to suffer and He is touched by our sorrows. Yet He loves us too well to give us things that would harm us or to spare us the trial that is needful for our spiritual good. It will be seen in the end that many of the very richest blessings of all our lives have come to us through God's denials, His withholdings, or His shattering of our hopes and joys.
We should never forget that the purpose of all of God's dealings with His children is to sanctify us and make us vessels fit for His use. To this high and glorious end, our present pleasure and gratification must often be sacrificed. This is the true key to all the mysteries of Providence. Anything that hinders entire consecration to Christ is working us harm, and though it be our tenderest joy, it is best that it be taken away.
Prayer is not always granted, even when the heart clings with affection to its most precious joy. Nothing must hinder our consecration. We should never think first of what will give us earthly joy or comfort, but of what will fit us for doing the Master's service.
Pain is often better for us than pleasure;
Loss is often better for us than gain;
Sorrow is often better for us than joy;
Disaster is often better for us than deliverance.
Faith should know that God's withholdings from us, when He does not give what we ask, are richer blessings than were He to open to us all His treasure-houses, at whose doors we stand and knock with so great vehemence. Our unanswered prayers have just as real and as blessed answers as those which bring what we seek.
- J. R. Miller
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Announcing 2009 Springfield Bible Conference
Faith Bible Church
4450 Old Jacksonville Rd.
Springfield, Il. 62711
Date: November 20-22, 2009
Conference Theme: A Passion for God
No cost and no registration needed
For anyone living in Illinois or Missouri, we want to encourage you to attend the annual conference at Curt Daniel's church, Faith Bible Church, November 20-22.
Speakers:
Steve Lawson, Pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church, Mobile, Ala, who serves on the board of Masters College and Seminary at John MacArthur's church.
Jeff Pollard, Pastor of Mt. Zion Bible Church, Pensacola, Fl., who also directs the publishing work of Chapel Library.
Curt Daniel, Pastor of Faith Bible Church, the host church.
Scheduled Messages:
- A Passion for God
- A Zeal for the Gospel
- A Passionate Love for Christ
- Rekindling Your Spiritual Fire
- Holy Violence
- An Urgent Challenge to Young Christians
- God's Passion for God
- False Religious Passion
- Passionate Repentance
- Fervent Prayer
There will be an afternoon session for the youth on Saturday afternoon and an informal dinner for pastors and elders on Saturday.
There is no admission for the conference and registration is not necessary.
For more information, please contact Curt Daniel at 217 585 8770 or email faithbible@faithbibleonline.net
Nearby motels include Motel 6 (217 529 1633), Red Roof Inn (217 753 4302), Comfort Inn (217 787 2250) and Fairfield Inn (217 793 9277)
This conference will be well worth attending if you are able.
-- Mack Tomlinson
4450 Old Jacksonville Rd.
Springfield, Il. 62711
Date: November 20-22, 2009
Conference Theme: A Passion for God
No cost and no registration needed
For anyone living in Illinois or Missouri, we want to encourage you to attend the annual conference at Curt Daniel's church, Faith Bible Church, November 20-22.
Speakers:
Steve Lawson, Pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church, Mobile, Ala, who serves on the board of Masters College and Seminary at John MacArthur's church.
Jeff Pollard, Pastor of Mt. Zion Bible Church, Pensacola, Fl., who also directs the publishing work of Chapel Library.
Curt Daniel, Pastor of Faith Bible Church, the host church.
Scheduled Messages:
- A Passion for God
- A Zeal for the Gospel
- A Passionate Love for Christ
- Rekindling Your Spiritual Fire
- Holy Violence
- An Urgent Challenge to Young Christians
- God's Passion for God
- False Religious Passion
- Passionate Repentance
- Fervent Prayer
There will be an afternoon session for the youth on Saturday afternoon and an informal dinner for pastors and elders on Saturday.
There is no admission for the conference and registration is not necessary.
For more information, please contact Curt Daniel at 217 585 8770 or email faithbible@faithbibleonline.net
Nearby motels include Motel 6 (217 529 1633), Red Roof Inn (217 753 4302), Comfort Inn (217 787 2250) and Fairfield Inn (217 793 9277)
This conference will be well worth attending if you are able.
-- Mack Tomlinson
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