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by E.M. Bounds

“Study universal holiness of life. Your whole usefulness depends on this, for your sermons last but an hour or two; your life preaches all the week. If Satan can only make a covetous minister a lover of praise, of pleasure, of good eating, he has ruined your ministry. Give yourself to prayer, and get your texts, your thoughts, your words from God. Luther spent his best three hours in prayer.” – Robert Murray McCheyne

WE are constantly on a stretch, if not on a strain, to devise new methods, new plans, new organizations to advance the Church and secure enlargement and efficiency for the gospel. This trend of the day has a tendency to lose sight of the man or sink the man in the plan or organization. God’s plan is to make much of the man, far more of him than of anything else. Men are God’s method. The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. “There was a man sent from God whose name was John.” The dispensation that heralded and prepared the way for Christ was bound up in that man John. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” The world’s salvation comes out of that cradled Son. When Paul appeals to the personal character of the men who rooted the gospel in the world, he solves the mystery of their success. The glory and efficiency of the gospel is staked on the men who proclaim it. When God declares that “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him,” he declares the necessity of men and his dependence on them as a channel through which to exert his power upon the world. This vital, urgent truth is one that this age of machinery is apt to forget. The forgetting of it is as baneful on the work of God as would be the striking of the sun from his sphere. Darkness, confusion, and death would ensue.

What the Church needs to-day is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use — men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men — men of prayer.

An eminent historian has said that the accidents of personal character have more to do with the revolutions of nations than either philosophic historians or democratic politicians will allow. This truth has its application in full to the gospel of Christ, the character and conduct of the followers of Christ — Christianize the world, transfigure nations and individuals. Of the preachers of the gospel it is eminently true.

The character as well as the fortunes of the gospel is committed to the preacher. He makes or mars the message from God to man. The preacher is the golden pipe through which the divine oil flows. The pipe must not only be golden, but open and flawless, that the oil may have a full, unhindered, unwasted flow.

The man makes the preacher. God must make the man. The messenger is, if possible, more than the message. The preacher is more than the sermon. The preacher makes the sermon. As the life-giving milk from the mother’s bosom is but the mother’s life, so all the preacher says is tinctured, impregnated by what the preacher is. The treasure is in earthen vessels, and the taste of the vessel impregnates and may discolor. The man, the whole man, lies behind the sermon. Preaching is not the performance of an hour. It is the outflow of a life. It takes twenty years to make a sermon, because it takes twenty years to make the man. The true sermon is a thing of life. The sermon grows because the man grows. The sermon is forceful because the man is forceful. The sermon is holy because the man is holy. The sermon is full of the divine unction because the man is full of the divine unction.

Paul termed it “My gospel;” not that he had degraded it by his personal eccentricities or diverted it by selfish appropriation, but the gospel was put into the heart and lifeblood of the man Paul, as a personal trust to be executed by his Pauline traits, to be set aflame and empowered by the fiery energy of his fiery soul. Paul’s sermons — what were they? Where are they? Skeletons, scattered fragments, afloat on the sea of inspiration! But the man Paul, greater than his sermons, lives forever, in full form, feature and stature, with his molding hand on the Church. The preaching is but a voice. The voice in silence dies, the text is forgotten, the sermon fades from memory; the preacher lives.

The sermon cannot rise in its life-giving forces above the man. Dead men give out dead sermons, and dead sermons kill. Everything depends on the spiritual character of the preacher. Under the Jewish dispensation the high priest had inscribed in jeweled letters on a golden frontlet: “Holiness to the Lord.” So every preacher in Christ’s ministry must be molded into and mastered by this same holy motto. It is a crying shame for the Christian ministry to fall lower in holiness of character and holiness of aim than the Jewish priesthood. Jonathan Edwards said: “I went on with my eager pursuit after more holiness and conformity to Christ. The heaven I desired was a heaven of holiness.” The gospel of Christ does not move by popular waves. It has no self-propagating power. It moves as the men who have charge of it move. The preacher must impersonate the gospel. Its divine, most distinctive features must be embodied in him. The constraining power of love must be in the preacher as a projecting, eccentric, an all-commanding, self-oblivious force. The energy of self-denial must be his being, his heart and blood and bones. He must go forth as a man among men, clothed with humility, abiding in meekness, wise as a serpent, harmless as a dove; the bonds of a servant with the spirit of a king, a king in high, royal, in dependent bearing, with the simplicity and sweetness of a child. The preacher must throw himself, with all the abandon of a perfect, self-emptying faith and a self-consuming zeal, into his work for the salvation of men. Hearty, heroic, compassionate, fearless martyrs must the men be who take hold of and shape a generation for God. If they be timid time servers, place seekers, if they be men pleasers or men fearers, if their faith has a weak hold on God or his Word, if their denial be broken by any phase of self or the world, they cannot take hold of the Church nor the world for God.

The preacher’s sharpest and strongest preaching should be to himself. His most difficult, delicate, laborious, and thorough work must be with himself. The training of the twelve was the great, difficult, and enduring work of Christ. Preachers are not sermon makers, but men makers and saint makers, and he only is well-trained for this business who has made himself a man and a saint. It is not great talents nor great learning nor great preachers that God needs, but men great in holiness, great in faith, great in love, great in fidelity, great for God — men always preaching by holy sermons in the pulpit, by holy lives out of it. These can mold a generation for God.

After this order, the early Christians were formed. Men they were of solid mold, preachers after the heavenly type — heroic, stalwart, soldierly, saintly. Preaching with them meant self-denying, self-crucifying, serious, toilsome, martyr business. They applied themselves to it in a way that told on their generation, and formed in its womb a generation yet unborn for God. The preaching man is to be the praying man. Prayer is the preacher’s mightiest weapon. An almighty force in itself, it gives life and force to all.

The real sermon is made in the closet. The man — God’s man — is made in the closet. His life and his profoundest convictions were born in his secret communion with God. The burdened and tearful agony of his spirit, his weightiest and sweetest messages were got when alone with God. Prayer makes the man; prayer makes the preacher; prayer makes the pastor.

The pulpit of this day is weak in praying. The pride of learning is against the dependent humility of prayer. Prayer is with the pulpit too often only official — a performance for the routine of service. Prayer is not to the modern pulpit the mighty force it was in Paul’s life or Paul’s ministry. Every preacher who does not make prayer a mighty factor in his own life and ministry is weak as a factor in God’s work and is powerless to project God’s cause in this world.

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Abiding

The Cross and the Throne of Grace [podcast]


“Hid with Christ in God”

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

The safest place in the universe is in the cross of Christ: “your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

Our place of protection is in the love walk with the LORD where we express our love for Him in obedience to Him. Jesus commanded that we deny self, take up the cross daily and follow Him. We are full of troubles and so it should be easy to relinquish all to Him!

“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” Job 14:1

In Christ alone is our rest from the toil of this life.

“Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Psalms 17:4

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25

Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ name, please bring me to the end of sinful self. Rebuke and remove the foolishness of this heart! I love You LORD and thank You that I am crucified with You today and that You are raising up this life for Your glory alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Abiding

“I Will Uphold Thee with the Right Hand of My Righteousness” [podcast]


One source notes:

“‘I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness’ is a famous promise from the Bible found in Isaiah 41:10 (KJB). It is a comforting verse offering reassurance against fear, with ‘the right hand of my righteousness’ symbolizing God’s divine power, justice, and support.”

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

Help Me Jesus!

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. … For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:10, 13

“When we are in the fire of affliction it’s easy to feel afraid and wonder if God is there. Many of the great men of the Bible became discouraged and broken. But the secret was they took it to God in all honesty! In Job 3 he expressed a desire to die. But yet he said in Job 19:25 ‘For I know my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:’ David said in Psalm 56:9 ‘When I cry into thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.’ And we know Jeremiah, Jonah, Elijah, etc. all had moments of despair and suffering, but the Lord continued to uphold and encourage them. Their faith did not waver even in the midst of doubt and confusion!” Karen Cochran

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” Psalms 118:6

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39

“in thy presence is fulness of joy”

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11

“at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore”

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Articles

Diminishing Returns or Divine Blessings? [podcast]

The Reason Your Bag has Holes in it [podcast]


Could our diminishing returns could be due to our refusal to put God first which would mean we are putting His work, His agenda, His stated will and mission – the Great Commission – first?

“The beginning of Haggai’s prophecy finds Israel returning to the land after 70 years under Babylonian oppression (God’s punishment for the sins of Israel’s leaders). Now, a new and younger generation of God’s people are working to rebuild God’s earthly dwelling place, the temple. Long before Haggai’s prophetic ministry, God had promised that when his own presence dwelled among his people, the life-giving power of God would flow from him into their land (Deut. 28:1-14, Haggai 1:1-4). So, in hopes of experiencing God’s promises after a long season of exile, the people begin to rebuild.

Unfortunately, the temple rebuilders quickly become distracted from the project at hand. They stop working on the temple to build their own houses (Hag. 1:1-4). Meeting their immediate needs takes priority over rebuilding God’s temple. But this priority doesn’t work out well for them in the end. Haggai points out that no matter how much they sow in their fields, the returned exiles are reaping less and less. Every day, their rations get thinner, and they feel just a little thirstier (Hag. 1:5-6). Haggai says their diminishing returns are a result of their failure to prioritize rebuilding the temple, the place of God’s presence (Hag. 1:10-11). But he also promises that if they recommit themselves to the temple project, all the blessings and life they hope for will return (Hag. 2:7-8, 18-19). This new generation listens to Haggai and starts making plans for the project’s next phase.”

The rebuilding of the temple in the days of Haggai the prophet is equivalent to the Great Commission work Christ sent us, His “ambassadors” to accomplish as we look for His soon return (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Who is it that gives men the “power to get wealth”? The LORD. Why does He do such? – “that he may establish his covenant.” (Deuteronomy 8:18)

“And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. 19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. 20 As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.” Deuteronomy 8:17-20

Does God still keep His Word to bless those who put Him first with what He grants them the ability to bring in?

If a person chooses to repent of poor stewardship and conform to God’s Word, will the LORD not give that person grace to do the impossible? (Proverbs 3:9-10; Mark 10:27) Are you on your own with your finances? Or, are you dying to human reasoning and excuses and simply obeying the LORD? When we do simply obey Him, we can expect that He will undertake the cause and begin to do things that are miraculous. We see this throughout history, especially as recorded in Holy Writ. Remember the widow who had only a handful of food left to feed herself and her son? Remember who when she obeying the LORD that she was abundantly blessed? (1 Kings 17:10-16) The fact that some wolves have utilized this passage to garner gains for themselves, in no way negates the divine authority in and of this passage of truth. Will the LORD still bless? Has He changed or is our sin hindering His blessings? (Isaiah 59:1-2; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:9)

“Ye looked for much, and, lo it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every m
an unto his own house.” Haggai 1:9

The people of God were experiencing diminishing returns due to their refusal to simply put God first in their lives, hearts, and therefore finances. The LORD blew on their finances and scattered them because they were not putting Him and therefore His work first – but rather their own lives and money were first. Repentance required (Revelation 2:4-5). Read Haggai 1. It’s a very revealing chapter.

The LORD’s Plan to Feed, Protect, and Bless His Saints and to Spread His Good News

It’s interesting and telling to compare the distribution of goods/resources/funds among the earliest believers and the way things are done today. Read Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35. Today, as was so often foretold, the merchandising wolves are living ‘high off the hog’ when the Bible clearly instructs leaders never to “greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.”(Deuteronomy 17:17)

Of course, the Bible teaches that those whom God has called out are to be provided for (1 Cor. 9:1-14; 1 Tim. 5:17-18) and yet, today we have lavish wolves flaunting their multi-million dollar homes in gated communities (insulated from the little guys/the poor). This has nothing to do with and blatantly contradicts the lifestyles of Jesus and His holy apostles. This makes you wonder if those who enable these wolves have even read the Gospels! A second grader knows this is wrong.

Most of us have funded wolves only later to see the light of their greed later. So, should we stop obeying God by giving to further His work? Is it time we understand the LORD’s balance in these things?

Does the Almighty have or need American money in Heaven? No.

The LORD has a plan and following that plan (instead of our own) will result in glorifying Him and seeing many blessed.

***The true disciple of Jesus is not looking for the next trinket to waste his money on, but rather is about His Father’s business of putting that money toward God’s eternal kingdom! (Matthew 6:19-24)

Some who are greedy in heart, serving the god of mammon, do not like biblical teachings on stewardship. They will lash out against the messenger, when those demons that control them are enraged. There are more than 2,500 verses on stewardship in God’s Word and over half of Jesus parables are on stewardship so anyone endeavoring to disclose/teach the full counsel of God cannot dodge that topic.

Many today who name Christ as their Savior are saying in their hearts: “I have more important things to fund than YOUR work LORD! After all, the things in my life, to make me feel more comfortable in this fleeting world, are very important. Jesus, please don’t bother me any more concerning funding YOUR work. I have vacations to go on. I have to get a bigger, nicer car so that I, I, I, look better to mere men. I HAVE to run out and see the newest movies, buy the latest fashions, subscribe to magazines from the world to help me me me be in the know, eat out 20 times monthly, put more money in the bank for MY security, get a bigger house to make myself feel better …”

Which World are You Rich In?

“There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.” Proverbs 13:7

Praise God for those who give to the work of Christ!  It is regrettable though that many of those who see God’s work and receive of Him through it as they see those workers of the LORD doing HIS work, do not contribute and do not agree with God that HIS workers “ARE worthy”of financial reward so they can be sustained and furthered in doing HIS HIS HIS work. Many are saying with their inaction that Christ’s workers are NOT worthy of their hire. They are saying “LORD, I know You said that Your servants ARE due financial reward so they can keep doing YOUR work, but I am too busy to take a moment to help, I am too strapped financially, after all, I have the cable TV bill to pay, I have to pay my mortgage, my rent, for food, daily coffee, golf, and for many other essential things. I really don’t think that Your work is important. Winning souls to Your eternal kingdom for who You bled and rose again is not important to me. I am too busy being entrenched in and loving this present sinful world. So, Your kingdom, Your work, and Your people will have to wait till I have so much money that I can keep doing these important things that are important to ME in this life and also throw a token tip your way.”

When is the last time you read 1 Corinthians 9:1-14 and 1 Timothy 5:17-18? Do you know what the LORD is teaching us in these important passages? How can we expect to be blessed of Him if we ignore His instructions?

It is clear that God will bless those who agree with Him – in heart, mind, and in action. We will find amazing, supernatural blessings in our lives if we will put Jesus “first” in our stewardship, in our finances (Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Proverbs 3:10-11). Did He not promise to bless us if we put Him first which means putting His work as a top priority?

The “double honour” financial reward is due to called out Gospel workers and that’s the instruction of the One who has called out and set those workers apart to do (1 Timothy 5:17-18). That money should be there and that’s why God says that those who labor in His Word – learning and feeding His sheep – are to receive “double honour” so that they do not have to be interrupted in doing HIS work.

Jesus says that what we do with our monies is a direct reflection of who we truly love, worship, and serve – self or the Savior. “For where your treasure is THERE will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-24)

Who has God put in your life to feed you HIS Word? What does the Bible say to do to those who feed you God’s Word? (Galatians 6:6)

Is God calling you to get into agreement with His revealed mind? Is He calling you to count His work as a high priority in your life? Will He not open His windows of blessings upon your life? (Proverbs 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11) Will His kingdom blessings now be added to your life if you truly and practically put Him first? (Matthew 6:33) Will your barns not be “filled with plenty”?

“Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

If you are upset, I am sorry. I sure hope this never has to be said again other than in the general teaching of the full-counsel of God which includes the important topic of stewardship.

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Do you begin to realize what is at stake here? Do we begin to understand the implications of sinful omission? Do we begin to realize what great rewards we are forfeiting?

Aren’t the bank accounts that are connected to the work of the LORD worthy to be filled in order to supply for His work to be done?

Are you doing your part to fund those who are truly fulfilling a New Testament purpose?

Is the feeding of the LORD’s people important to you? Do unreached precious souls for whom Christ bled and rose again matter?

Jesus says “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17) Are you personally interested in Christ and His sheep? Are you concerned that His sheep will be fed (nourished) and that more souls will be won to Him before it’s too late? What work or labor in this fleeting, sinful world could possibly be more important than that of the LORD’s business? Are you prayer for His laborers and supporting the work of Jesus? (Matthew 9:35-38)

Do we fit into that last day’s prophetic category of those who have a mere “form of godliness” yet deny the power, the divine authority of God to reign in our daily lives? Are we “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” and are we those who are “lovers of their own selves, covetous …”? May the LORD rebuke and change us now! (2 Timothy 3:1-8)

God is able!

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