"Ramblings of this Old Man"

Knowing a man by the books he keeps.

This Old Man’s Library tells on him;

“As you are what you believe.”

Sharing with you where my treasures were found.

The first section of my library is Prayer and here is where I offer you the first opportunity to become a fellow treasure hunter.

Good Hunting and my prayers will be with you !

The Lord’s Prayer, R.T. Kendall

Credo, Ray Pritchard

Beyond all you could ask or Think, Ray Pritchard

Too Busy Not To Pray, Bill Hybels

Prayer the Great Adventure, David Jeremiah

The Prayer Matrix, David Jeremiah

Prayer, Richard J. Foster

Prayer, Philip Yancy

A Praying Life, Paul E. Miller

The Prayer of Jabez, Bruce Wilkinson

Beyond Jabez, Bruce Wilkinson

The Circle Maker, Mark Batterson

Experiencing Prayer with Jesus, Henry & Norman Blackaby

Talking with my Father, Ray C. Stedman

The Power of Prayer, R.A. Torrey

With Christ in the School of Prayer, Andrew Murray.

"The Ramblings of this Old Man"

One of my favorite devotionals;

“My Utmost for His Highest”

Excerpt from today’s reading “Held by the Grip of God” :

"Remember your call is not simply to convey your testimony, but also to preach the gospel."

Philippians 3:14 (KJV)
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

To this I ask with lovingkindness; will you be with me ?
brother george (gospel speaker)

Listen now, "God is Calling"

Romans 10:15 (KJV)
¹⁵ And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

We must take God's great message of salvation to others so that they can respond to the Good News.

How will your loved ones and neighbors hear it unless someone tells them?

Is God calling you to tell them and to take a part in making his message known in your community?

Think of one person who needs to hear the Good News, and think of something you can do to help him or her hear it. Then take that step as soon as possible.

Lifestyle Evangelism (one's living proclaims the gospel) and Confrontational Evangelism (declaring the message).  Both should be used together in promoting the gospel.

Because we have been reconciled to God, we have the privilege of encouraging others to do the same. When we are united with Christ as members of his body, we join in his priestly work of reconciling God and people. We are given that responsibility of bringing others to him.

Excerpts & paraphrases from the Life Application Study Bible.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

What did Paul say; Unknown Languages - Tongues ?

Paul says;1 Corinthians 12:13 (KJV) “ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. ”      

Paul says;1 Corinthians 14:2 (KJV) “ For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Paul says; 1 Corinthians 14:4 (KJV) ” He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Paul says, 1 Corinthians 14:14 (KJV) “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.”

Paul says; 1 Corinthians 14:19 (KJV) ” Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.”

Paul says;1 Corinthians 14:20 (KJV) ” Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.” 

Paul says; 1 Corinthians 14:28 (KJV) ” But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.” 

Those who speak in tongues should follow the guidelines; those who do not speak in tongues ought not seek the gift as a sign of salvation or of special closeness with God, for it is neither. It is a gift of God, given only to whomever God chooses. If a person has not experienced the gift of tongues, he or she ought not seek it but seek what gifts God has given. 

(Life Application Study Bible)

To Profit from Classics & Spiritual Giants # 9

Reuben Archer Torrey (1856 – 1928)
(Note; February 2012 issue of “DECISION” published Torrey’s Classic Sermon “The Gospel for Today”)

Torrey served as superintendent of the “Moody Bible Institute” and pastor of the Chicago Avenue Church which was the “Moody Church”. He also conducted evangelistic meetings for many years and served as Dean of the “Bible Institute of Los Angeles” also pastoring the Church of the Open Door.

Torrey preached classics such as “Ten Reasons Why I Believe the Bible is the Word of God”

Torrey an Evangelist and Bible Teacher once challenged a skeptic student to earnestly search for the truth by offering this prayer: ”Oh, God, if there be any God and thou dost answer prayer, show me whether Jesus Christ is the Son, and if He is, I will accept Him as my Savior and confess Him before the world.”

Torrey further requested in the spirit of an earnest search for the truth that the skeptic should read a few verses from the gospel of John slowly and thoughtfully daily each time asking God before he read to give him the light. Soon this skeptic found that by putting oneself into the right attitude towards God he came to a place where he received the direct testimony of the Holy Spirit that this Bible is God’s Word.

1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)
 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Psalm 119:105 (KJV)
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

To Profit from Classics & Spiritual Giants #8

Edward McKendree Bounds (1835 – 1913)

Methodist Pastor, Itinerant Evangelist, Attorney, Author of 8 classic books on prayer.

He served as Chaplin in the confederate States Army and was taken prisoner twice.

Bounds was known to spend many hours daily on his knees in fervent prayer and considered prayer the highest form of ministry.

E.M. Bounds once stated; “What the church needs are people whom the Holy Spirit can use – people fully surrendered to God, people devoted to holiness, people willing to sacrifice all for the cause of Christ.”

The spirit of devotion puts God into all things.

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV)
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 2:5 (KJV)
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

To Profit from Classics & Spiritual Giants #7

Dwight Lyman Moody (1837 – 1899)
D.L. Moody was on the battlefield during the Civil War serving with the U.S. Christian Commission holding gospel meetings and distributing tracts.

After the war he became president of the Y.M.C.A. and built one of the largest congregations in Chicago. However in 1871, “The Great Chicago Fire” destroyed a third of Chicago including the Y.M.C.A. building also Moody’s church and home.

Thus began Moody’s Evangelistic crusades and he enjoyed preaching from;
1 Corinthians 1:26-27 (KJV)
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

“Brothers think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were influential, not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”

D.L. Moody established a school for evangelist that he named “The Chicago Evangelization Society”, however after his death it was renamed “The Moody Bible Institute”.

D.L. Moody once said,  “ I lack many things, but I’m doing the best I can with what I’ve got.” 

Now let us ask ourselves,
“What am I doing for the Master with what I have got ?”