Are the Things Your're Living for Worth Christ Dying for?

Leonard Ravenhill, famed British evangelist of a recent past, has the following written on his tombstone:

"Are the things your're living for worth Christ dying for?"

What an excellent question to guage the purpose and quality of your life, isn't it?

Over the last few weeks, I have at times been overwhelmed, discouraged, even upset by challenges brought about by the complexity and enormity of this NET 11 project. You have to do so many things right to do one thing right, and one or two wrong moves can derail or bring about confusion or otherwise upset the whole equilibrium. No wonder only God can be God. There is only One who can do all things well. And my eyes are set on Him.

One thing I'm certain about: this is worth a great sacrifice, my all. Perhaps here is one reason why the enemy of souls will not give us a retreat. He knows God is in it, and that is his problem.

Is God in it?  From my vantage point, there is no doubt He is in it.

1.  Churches Are Coming On Board. As of this morning, 420 churches are on board, a high number this early in the game. We praise God for that! We may end up with close to 500 by month's end. The good news about that is that these churches perceive evangelism as a process more than an event, and that will make a difference!

2.  The Manual and DVD Are Done. This took a long long time, and we went through many troubles, but it is done. These things will be shipped to churches in a few days. Neither the Evangelism Manual nor the Partners in Evangelism DVD are perfect, but they should be helpful, even very helpful.

3.  We Still Enjoy Good Health. As I've heard pastors, leaders, and friends pray for me, the request for strength and health is always included. And the Lord has marvelously provided, and I am very grateful to Him for His kindness to me.

4.  The Archaeology Series Was a Real Success. This is the one Michael Hasel and I did last weekend at Pioneer Memorial Church on the Andrews campus. The 700-800 people that came Friday and Sabbath evening swelled to a packed house in the morning. We had dozens of non-SDAs there--quite a feat in Berrien Springs--and heard nothing but great enthusiasm for the quality of the program and the faith-building results of the meetings. This is a taste of things to come.

Our challenges remain dwindling finances, the content for the upcoming Creation-Evolution program, the rally this weekend, and responding to the many details having to do with this NET. Please pray for these things.

Are the things your're living for worth Christ dying for? If all this brings "many sons to glory," as the Bible says, this is worth engaging in all the way.

"But the Lord was pleased to crush Him [Jesus], putting Him to grief;

If He would render Himself as a guilt offering . . .

As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied . . .

My Servant will justify the many."

Isaiah 53:10, 11