[Sunrise, Kauai, Hawaii]
The above title of this post ("Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?") is a direct quote by Leonard Ravenhill. It is on his tombstone ! Ravenhill lived from 1907 to 1994 and was one of England's foremost outdoor evangelists of his time. You may, of course, find out more about him on the Internet; this post wants to focus on his quotes and share an important 13 minute sermon clip by him. The sermon is blunt - he tells it like is - and to the point (which is what we need more of today from our pulpits). Ravenhill does not sugar-coat anything when it comes to the Gospel. Brace yourself for some very convicting comments (convicting to a Christian's heart if he is guilty of sin) in his sermon titled : "John the baptist: the spirit of a prophet". The sermon below speaks very little of John the baptist, and dwells mostly on addressing Christians and what they need to focus on - and more - and chock full of gems spoken by Ravenhill like, for instance, "The greatest sin in the world [is to say and believe] "I can manage my life without God."
It seems fitting to quote here, 2 Timothy 3:1-5:
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
Wow! Talk about telling it like is ! The above verse clearly describes these last days we are currently experiencing.
Some of the other signs of the end times are spoken of by Jesus at Luke 21:25-28 as follows:
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And when these begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."
I encourage you to please read all of Luke 21, as well as Matthew 24, and Mark 13 which also speak of the signs of the last days.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wisely said, " Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act."
"Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" - The Apostle Paul at Galatians 4:16
We are all imperfect and make mistakes; I am no different. But I endeavor to tell the truth. Sometimes a resource used and quoted on this blog may be in error, unfortunately, and when I discover it to be so, I correct the error or delete it. Since we are all imperfect, we should not judge others when they mess up at times. (Unless it is out and out heresy, of course.) We should endeavor to show them their error, and teach them more accurately -- do not judge them unless, that is, it is a deliberate and stubborn heresy, which is repeated often, and which purposely intends to deceive others.
Our time on this earth is short, especially now the way Bible prophecy of the last days is being fulfilled at a tremendously fast pace. And very many are being fulfilled all at once right now - a convergence. Jesus will soon return to take his followers in the Rapture to be with Him in heaven. Our blessed hope!
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ." - Titus 2:13
We should focus on things above and on pleasing the good Lord as best we can. He is our Judge. Jesus is our Redeemer. Our love and gratitude to the Lord should be expressed to Him always. Spend much time in prayer and in reading the Bible. That will enable us to know God and Jesus better, and we will find that our love for Him will grow stronger and stronger as we read about His love and character and attributes in His Holy Word. That, and as we pray several times daily , will enable us to develop a strong, close, intimate, personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus. That is what it is all about, folks! You cannot come to actually know a person unless you spend time with Him and communicate with Him; it is the same way with God. He wants to fellowship with us! God/Jesus is the best friend we will ever have!
Ephesians 5:15-17 tells us: "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
Ephesians 5:15-17 tells us: "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
Below is a 3 minute devotional by In Touch Ministries. It dwells on the topic "Unshakable Faith".
Two wonderful comments especially stand out in the above video. "When we abide in the Spirit, we have the power to endure hardship and suffering." And, "Getting to know God is easier when we approach Him with a humble and genuine spirit."
"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." - Jesus at John 3:19-21
What if you are not saved, not born again? Following are some Scriptures for you:
About asking Jesus to come into your heart.... that is good. However, you must truly repent of your sins, and believe with all of your mind, soul, and all of your very being that Jesus is the Savior and the only way to heaven. Believe that He, as the sacrificial Lamb of God, shed His precious Blood on the Cross, and that by doing so, He paid our sin debt in full . He took our place at Calvary and made a way as the Redeemer for us to be saved and for us to have the hope (a sure hope) of eternal life. There will be a change in you and what you focus on if you are truly saved. When a person is truly saved, the Holy Spirit will reside within him, to guide and teach him, and so much more !
"In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." - Ephesians 1:13
Jesus, at Luke 13:3-5 tells us: "I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower of Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:1-2
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend - and life !!
