Henry Blackaby says Christians should figure out where God is at work and simply join Him there. Well, God is definitely at work at the start of these meetings. And by His grace, we mean to join Him here!
The devil is always ready to distract, derail, and otherwise annoy us when we're in the employ of the Almighty. But God always wins. Last Thursday, for example, we suddenly ended up without Internet for about 16 hours. It was critical for me because my graphic artist and I have to communicate constantly, sending files back and forth, as we prepare for these meetings. In addition, my computer got so bogged down (likely with invisible programs running behind mine courtesy of some virus) that after each click I made it took four eternal seconds to respond! It was nearly impossible to work that way, and the clock was ticking. We were one day away from opening night and found ourselves far behind in preparation. We needed the basic slides, edit them all, make a final copy, and practice it. And all that for each of the 28 presentations! Days of work had to be done in hours (I'm not including in this story all the variables that led to this situation).
And then my computer simply refused to save anything anymore. That Thursday night I went into deep depression and self-pity. It is hard putting into words the darkness that surrounded my soul. Lisa went to the other room and prayed earnestly for Jesus to save me. And the Lord came to my rescue just in time. Mysteriously, the vital program that could not be saved was saved after I came back from a walk on the parking lot with Jesus. I cannot account for what happened because no one touched the computer during that time.
I had ordered a new computer two weeks ago because I saw these problems coming, but something happened and the order was never placed. They finally shipped one overnight, and I received it about four hours before my first NET session. The new computer has been working well, and we praise the Lord for His intervention!
We had a very good opening weekend at the live site in Madison Campus, in Nashville. We estimate about 900 people came to the two meetings, and between 350 and 400 of them are guests. We have some beautiful people coming: some who'd come to previous meetings such as archaeology, or creation, or the Easter series last April. A lady cut short her attendance to a funeral last night and drove 90 miles to be with us. We have a number of young adults, post-modern people, very interested in the subjects. We heard from my home church that they had to keep adding more and more chairs to an otherwise packed house. We've received a number of notes from life-long SDAs who are very encouraged from what they've heard, telling us they now understand things they had never quite understood from the Bible before. The people's courage is high. There is a spring in their step. And many of our guests have sensed this is really worth coming to.
So, please keep praying. I tell my evangelism students that when we do these meetings "every day counts." Not one of them can be spared. If we miss visiting, or connecting, or praying for them, that might be the day they make decisions contrary to the loving will of the Lord. The success of meetings number one and two do not in any way imply success for any of the rest. Every day counts. Every day we must lift our petitions before the throne of grace.
Here are our most urgent needs:
1. PRAY FOR THE 640 CHURCHES. A number of these are small. If they have 20 coming and 4 are guests, any attendance drop by Monday will be very significant. Pray their courage remains high and their members continue to pray for their meetings. Pray for good attendance in every church come Monday night and the rest of the weeknights.
2. PRAY FOR THE MEMBERS. Some members always criticize or boycott any efforts made to evangelize with the gospel. This is a sad reflection on their priorities and lack of love for others and for God. Pray that their hearts be changed, and that if they won't be changed shortly, for Satan not to use them as his tools to dishearten or annoy. Pray, in fact, pray that many members may actually come closer to Jesus as a result of these meetings!
3. PRAY FOR THE PASTORS. Pastors sometimes get distracted with "minor matters," as Ellen White puts it. Pray that they remain extremely focused on the soul winning opportunities available to them over these next few weeks.
4. PRAY FOR THE GUESTS. Many long for answers. Pray that they'd be given every opportunity to obtain them from the Bible, as they attend meetings, as they visit with members and pastors. May they be thoroughly impressed this is the church of God today, and the one Jesus is calling all to join before He comes.
5. PRAY FOR THE MESSAGES. I have spent many hours on these messages, but with new graphics and editing, I need to spent 15-20 hours on each message still, along with leading, teaching a seminary class, writing, and preaching twice each night. Pray the my schedule will allow it. Pray for my graphics team to be wise, and expedient, as they help me with these presentations. Pray that the Holy Spirit be in total control, especially when I preach, so God may be heard in the hearts of people.
Thank you, thank you for praying. Let's press on on our knees!
The devil is always ready to distract, derail, and otherwise annoy us when we're in the employ of the Almighty. But God always wins. Last Thursday, for example, we suddenly ended up without Internet for about 16 hours. It was critical for me because my graphic artist and I have to communicate constantly, sending files back and forth, as we prepare for these meetings. In addition, my computer got so bogged down (likely with invisible programs running behind mine courtesy of some virus) that after each click I made it took four eternal seconds to respond! It was nearly impossible to work that way, and the clock was ticking. We were one day away from opening night and found ourselves far behind in preparation. We needed the basic slides, edit them all, make a final copy, and practice it. And all that for each of the 28 presentations! Days of work had to be done in hours (I'm not including in this story all the variables that led to this situation).
And then my computer simply refused to save anything anymore. That Thursday night I went into deep depression and self-pity. It is hard putting into words the darkness that surrounded my soul. Lisa went to the other room and prayed earnestly for Jesus to save me. And the Lord came to my rescue just in time. Mysteriously, the vital program that could not be saved was saved after I came back from a walk on the parking lot with Jesus. I cannot account for what happened because no one touched the computer during that time.
I had ordered a new computer two weeks ago because I saw these problems coming, but something happened and the order was never placed. They finally shipped one overnight, and I received it about four hours before my first NET session. The new computer has been working well, and we praise the Lord for His intervention!
We had a very good opening weekend at the live site in Madison Campus, in Nashville. We estimate about 900 people came to the two meetings, and between 350 and 400 of them are guests. We have some beautiful people coming: some who'd come to previous meetings such as archaeology, or creation, or the Easter series last April. A lady cut short her attendance to a funeral last night and drove 90 miles to be with us. We have a number of young adults, post-modern people, very interested in the subjects. We heard from my home church that they had to keep adding more and more chairs to an otherwise packed house. We've received a number of notes from life-long SDAs who are very encouraged from what they've heard, telling us they now understand things they had never quite understood from the Bible before. The people's courage is high. There is a spring in their step. And many of our guests have sensed this is really worth coming to.
So, please keep praying. I tell my evangelism students that when we do these meetings "every day counts." Not one of them can be spared. If we miss visiting, or connecting, or praying for them, that might be the day they make decisions contrary to the loving will of the Lord. The success of meetings number one and two do not in any way imply success for any of the rest. Every day counts. Every day we must lift our petitions before the throne of grace.
Here are our most urgent needs:
1. PRAY FOR THE 640 CHURCHES. A number of these are small. If they have 20 coming and 4 are guests, any attendance drop by Monday will be very significant. Pray their courage remains high and their members continue to pray for their meetings. Pray for good attendance in every church come Monday night and the rest of the weeknights.
2. PRAY FOR THE MEMBERS. Some members always criticize or boycott any efforts made to evangelize with the gospel. This is a sad reflection on their priorities and lack of love for others and for God. Pray that their hearts be changed, and that if they won't be changed shortly, for Satan not to use them as his tools to dishearten or annoy. Pray, in fact, pray that many members may actually come closer to Jesus as a result of these meetings!
3. PRAY FOR THE PASTORS. Pastors sometimes get distracted with "minor matters," as Ellen White puts it. Pray that they remain extremely focused on the soul winning opportunities available to them over these next few weeks.
4. PRAY FOR THE GUESTS. Many long for answers. Pray that they'd be given every opportunity to obtain them from the Bible, as they attend meetings, as they visit with members and pastors. May they be thoroughly impressed this is the church of God today, and the one Jesus is calling all to join before He comes.
5. PRAY FOR THE MESSAGES. I have spent many hours on these messages, but with new graphics and editing, I need to spent 15-20 hours on each message still, along with leading, teaching a seminary class, writing, and preaching twice each night. Pray the my schedule will allow it. Pray for my graphics team to be wise, and expedient, as they help me with these presentations. Pray that the Holy Spirit be in total control, especially when I preach, so God may be heard in the hearts of people.
Thank you, thank you for praying. Let's press on on our knees!
"And let us not grow weary while doing good,
for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
Galatians 6:9
