Because of the Crown Money Map Seminar being held all day at church on Saturday, I am writing my blog on Friday evening this week. There is an often repeated truism that we will be the same people in the future as we are now except for the people we meet, the books we read, the things we hear, and the experiences we have. In other words the things most likely to influence and change us are the four things mentioned above. Each of these things proves true when it comes to our relationship with Jesus Christ. Our encounters with the Lord and fellowship/accountability with other believers, sermons and lessons we hear, influences of reading the Bible and inspirational books, and the life-changing experiences we go through, all can produce powerful changes in us. I have found one of the most potent change agents in my life is reading the biographies of great men and women. Their personal experiences, examples, and life instruction move me toward greater faith, devotion, boldness, character, and faithfulness. For example consider the testimonies of these great saints of God in their experiences of personal revival in their lives. D.L. Moody was wholeheartedly seeking God when God's presence so overwhelmed him while walking down the street one day, he fled to a private place to fully experience the presence of the Lord as it flooded his life. John Wesley was praying in an all-night prayer meeting with 60 others when God filled his heart and life with revival. When George Whitfield knelt before the altar during his ordination and bishop Benson laid his hands in dedication and prayer upon him, he experienced the fullness of God's presence and overwhelming revival in his life. Savonarola sat in his pulpit for five hours as the mighty presence of God swept upon him and he was revived through and through. Similar personal revival was experienced by Billy Sunday, Charles G. Finney, Johnathan Edwards and scores of others recorded in their biographies and autobiographies. Try reading as many of the testimonies of the great saints of God as you can. You will never be the same if you do.
Sunday's sermon is another in the series on Revival. I hope you will not miss this message.
Mel Brown