This was posted by billy Creighton - Extracts from a message Steve Lawson preached at a Shepherds Conference….
"The problem with preachers today is no one wants to kill them anymore" – A. Rogers.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Soul winning and the Holy Spirit- a letter from William Booth
Hello soldiers, friends, and fellow followers of Jesus, .
Just going through some readings that always encourage me and I saw this... it is still every bit as true as when the Founder of God's great Salvation Army wrote it to his troops back in 1869... read it, believe it, seek it, and be blessed.....
---------
To the Brethren and Sisters Labouring for JESUS
by General William Booth
letter, published in The East London Evangelist , 1 April 1869
in connection with the Dunedin Hall Christian Mission, Edinburgh
BELOVED FRIENDS Though I have not been privileged to see you in the flesh, yet I have heard with great thankfulness from time to time of your work of faith and labour of love: and I rejoice greatly in the abundant blessing granted to your labours, and bless God for every brand plucked from the everlasting through your instrumentality. I earnestly pray that you may be made a hundredfold more useful in the future than you have been in the past. The work in which you are engaged is the most important that can engage the attention or call forth the energies of any being...
Success in soul-winning, like all other work, both human and divine, depends on certain conditions... If you want to succeed you must be careful to comply with these conditions...
I desire to give a few brief practical hints...And, first and foremost, I commend one qualification which seems to involve all others. That is, the Pentecostal baptism of the Holy Ghost. I would have you settle it in your souls for ever this one great immutable principle in the economy of grace, that spiritual work can only be done by those who possess spiritual power. No matter what else you may lack, or what may be against you, with the Holy Ghost you will succeed; but without the Holy Spirit, no matter what else you may possess, you will utterly and eternally fail.
Many make mistakes here. Aroused by the inward urgings of the Holy Spirit, they endeavour to comply with the call which comes from the word and the necessities of their fellow men; but being destitute of this power, they fail, and instead of going to the Strong for strength, they give up in despair. Again aroused, again they resolve and venture forth, but having no more power than before, they are as impotent as ever. And fail they must, until baptised with power from on high.
This I am convinced, is the one great need of the Church. We want no new truths, agencies, means, or appliances. We only want more of the fire of the Holy Ghost. ...
O what zeal, what self-denial, what meekness, what boldness, what holiness, what love, would there not be? And with all this, what power for your great work? The whole city would feel it. God's people in every direction would catch the fire, and sinners would fall on every side. Difficulties would vanish, devils be conquered, infidels believe, and the glory of God be displayed...
You do desire to see signs and wonders wrought in the name of Jesus. To see a great awakening among the careless crowds around you....
This baptism then, is your first great need. If you think with me, will you not tarry for it? Offer yourselves to God for the fullness. Lay aside every weight...
Hold on! Though your feelings are barren, your way dark, and your difficulties be multiplied, steadily hang on the word of God.
Expect the baptism every hour; wait if he tarry. 'This kind goeth not forth but by prayer and fasting'; and the Lord whom you seek shall suddenly come to his temple.
I have more to say to you, but must wait another opportunity. Yours in the fellowship of the Gospel.
WILLIAM BOOTH
--------------
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just going through some readings that always encourage me and I saw this... it is still every bit as true as when the Founder of God's great Salvation Army wrote it to his troops back in 1869... read it, believe it, seek it, and be blessed.....
---------
To the Brethren and Sisters Labouring for JESUS
by General William Booth
letter, published in The East London Evangelist , 1 April 1869
in connection with the Dunedin Hall Christian Mission, Edinburgh
BELOVED FRIENDS Though I have not been privileged to see you in the flesh, yet I have heard with great thankfulness from time to time of your work of faith and labour of love: and I rejoice greatly in the abundant blessing granted to your labours, and bless God for every brand plucked from the everlasting through your instrumentality. I earnestly pray that you may be made a hundredfold more useful in the future than you have been in the past. The work in which you are engaged is the most important that can engage the attention or call forth the energies of any being...
Success in soul-winning, like all other work, both human and divine, depends on certain conditions... If you want to succeed you must be careful to comply with these conditions...
I desire to give a few brief practical hints...And, first and foremost, I commend one qualification which seems to involve all others. That is, the Pentecostal baptism of the Holy Ghost. I would have you settle it in your souls for ever this one great immutable principle in the economy of grace, that spiritual work can only be done by those who possess spiritual power. No matter what else you may lack, or what may be against you, with the Holy Ghost you will succeed; but without the Holy Spirit, no matter what else you may possess, you will utterly and eternally fail.
Many make mistakes here. Aroused by the inward urgings of the Holy Spirit, they endeavour to comply with the call which comes from the word and the necessities of their fellow men; but being destitute of this power, they fail, and instead of going to the Strong for strength, they give up in despair. Again aroused, again they resolve and venture forth, but having no more power than before, they are as impotent as ever. And fail they must, until baptised with power from on high.
This I am convinced, is the one great need of the Church. We want no new truths, agencies, means, or appliances. We only want more of the fire of the Holy Ghost. ...
O what zeal, what self-denial, what meekness, what boldness, what holiness, what love, would there not be? And with all this, what power for your great work? The whole city would feel it. God's people in every direction would catch the fire, and sinners would fall on every side. Difficulties would vanish, devils be conquered, infidels believe, and the glory of God be displayed...
You do desire to see signs and wonders wrought in the name of Jesus. To see a great awakening among the careless crowds around you....
This baptism then, is your first great need. If you think with me, will you not tarry for it? Offer yourselves to God for the fullness. Lay aside every weight...
Hold on! Though your feelings are barren, your way dark, and your difficulties be multiplied, steadily hang on the word of God.
Expect the baptism every hour; wait if he tarry. 'This kind goeth not forth but by prayer and fasting'; and the Lord whom you seek shall suddenly come to his temple.
I have more to say to you, but must wait another opportunity. Yours in the fellowship of the Gospel.
WILLIAM BOOTH
--------------
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Praises from Bible Study and scriptures to consider
Hello soldiers, friends, and followers of Jesus,
Just quick praises from last night's bible study and our topic of personal evangelism (and some scriptures to consider).
1. One of our men reported God's obvious change in his life that his friends, family, and boss are noticing that is leading to questions as to WHY and HOW? He also said this week he made a step to move toward verbally sharing his faith at his work-site. GOD IS GOOD - let's pray he shares boldly about Jesus, and all his co-workers find Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 3:15-16 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Is your life posing questions? If so you will have chances to share the verbal message of Jesus. Live holy - preach Jesus!
2. A college studend said that at his college people are always "talking about what they believe" without hesitation, and he realizes that each time that happens, he has an open door to share his belief in Jesus Christ with every bit as much boldness and matter of fact power since his belief is the TRUTH that can save them from hell to heaven.
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
3. That same young man said he just read through the bible amazed at all the stuff he hadn't seen before that now seems all so clear, true, and simple. Just a reminder that anyone seeking God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, can learn more about the bible than any "theologian" who studies simply for "knowledge". Read your bible and ask God to show you the truth of who He is in a way you can understand.... then do what it says.
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
John 5:39-40 Jesus said You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
in John 20 - John wrote ... 29 Then Jesus told him (Thomas), "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Spend some time in the Word of God today...
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just quick praises from last night's bible study and our topic of personal evangelism (and some scriptures to consider).
1. One of our men reported God's obvious change in his life that his friends, family, and boss are noticing that is leading to questions as to WHY and HOW? He also said this week he made a step to move toward verbally sharing his faith at his work-site. GOD IS GOOD - let's pray he shares boldly about Jesus, and all his co-workers find Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 3:15-16 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Is your life posing questions? If so you will have chances to share the verbal message of Jesus. Live holy - preach Jesus!
2. A college studend said that at his college people are always "talking about what they believe" without hesitation, and he realizes that each time that happens, he has an open door to share his belief in Jesus Christ with every bit as much boldness and matter of fact power since his belief is the TRUTH that can save them from hell to heaven.
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
3. That same young man said he just read through the bible amazed at all the stuff he hadn't seen before that now seems all so clear, true, and simple. Just a reminder that anyone seeking God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, can learn more about the bible than any "theologian" who studies simply for "knowledge". Read your bible and ask God to show you the truth of who He is in a way you can understand.... then do what it says.
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
John 5:39-40 Jesus said You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
in John 20 - John wrote ... 29 Then Jesus told him (Thomas), "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Spend some time in the Word of God today...
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Just a great quote today...
Today just a great quote by Charles Haddon Spurgeon...
“Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.”
Mark 16:15 He (Jesus) said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."
Go be obedient to our Savior and preach the gospel to the world. The world is waiting for you to point them toward Jesus, who alone can save them from their sins and hell, and give them abundant and everlasting life.
BE A MISSIONARY TODAY!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
“Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.”
Mark 16:15 He (Jesus) said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."
Go be obedient to our Savior and preach the gospel to the world. The world is waiting for you to point them toward Jesus, who alone can save them from their sins and hell, and give them abundant and everlasting life.
BE A MISSIONARY TODAY!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - I want to know Christ MORE!
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here.
For a basic manuscript of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For a basic manuscript of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
A prayer thought for meditation this Sunday
I know I posted this once before, but it is still true today....
John Burton, Jr. (1803-77) writer of songbook #588 "I often say my prayers" penned these words to consider while you pray and seek God's face today...
I often say my prayers; but do I ever pray?
And do the wishes of my heart go with the words I say?
I may as well kneel down and worship gods of stone,
As offer to the living God a prayer of words alone.
For words without the heart the Lord will never hear;
Nor will he to those lips attend whose prayers are not sincere.
Lord, show me what I need, and teach me how to pray;
Nor let me ask thee for thy grace, not feeling what I say.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
John Burton, Jr. (1803-77) writer of songbook #588 "I often say my prayers" penned these words to consider while you pray and seek God's face today...
I often say my prayers; but do I ever pray?
And do the wishes of my heart go with the words I say?
I may as well kneel down and worship gods of stone,
As offer to the living God a prayer of words alone.
For words without the heart the Lord will never hear;
Nor will he to those lips attend whose prayers are not sincere.
Lord, show me what I need, and teach me how to pray;
Nor let me ask thee for thy grace, not feeling what I say.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
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