You are currently browsing the monthly archive for March 2010.
It’s hard to believe we’re already in the 3rd month of 2010. Christmas has come and gone, the New Year is already here and I have been busy as usual on the road from the middle of January, into February and now as we are getting into March, I am in the South. I started off with meetings in Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia [I visited family while there] and now I’m in Florida for two weeks before heading home. Once there I will be heading to upstate New York to preach a Revival Meeting. I have seen souls saved and God working in every service.
Well folks are full of fear and uncertainty concerning Health Care. “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord in Jerusalem and to pray before the Lord.” (Zechariah 8:20-22).
WHERE IN AMERICA ARE WE GOING?
People are coming to Jerusalem from other Nations because they want to seek the Lord of hosts. The rumor was that in Jerusalem the Lord is there. That’s the way it should be in America, by the way. Nations ought to seek America because they know the Lord reigns supreme here. The verse ends, “To pray before the Lord.” Now verse 23: “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; in those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.”
Strong Nations should come to seek the Lord because they have heard that God is with us. If we had a prayer for our Country it should be that Nations should come seeking this Nation because the Lord, God of the Bible, rules supreme here. I am not sure that He does: I am saying that He ought to…I want to give you some facts concerning some things that I believe are important concerning our Country.
PRINCIPLE THING:
The first thing is the principle that has built America. In our Country there are two philosophies. We call it saved and unsaved, but it is more than that. Our Country was founded and based upon a philosophy. It was founded upon the fact that America was a good Nation of people because God is good.
You go back to our founding Fathers and you will find that whether they were born-again Christians or not, most every one of them believed that God existed and that He was real! All good things must be based upon the God of the Bible. It was that philosophy that this Nation was founded upon-that God is good, and that man is a sinner.
There is a 2nd philosophy in the Country that is running as strong as that 1st philosophy and it states there is no God, and if there is, He is not that important. And since God is not that important, man becomes the ultimate good. Therefore, we should take our laws and invest basically in the Government, since man is the ultimate good. But the Bible says that God is the ultimate good and you and I are sinners. There is a big difference there.
HUMANISM:
If our Country continues to go along the way that it has been going-with Humanism as the standard, this world has no hope for the Gospel. There are 2 reasons for that. (1.) It is because this Nation is the chief Nation of Liberty. (2.) Most of the Missionaries that go out and evangelize other countries come out of this Country. Seventy-five percent of all Mission Giving goes through the United States. That fact in itself is a good reason why God is going to keep this country pure. There are folks in Washington D.C. right now who want to see Humanism take over. You may not want to accept it, but the truth is that the public school systems are based upon humanism. This is the way our country is going right now…
DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM:
There are two basic enemies that we face today. (1.) One is Democratic Socialism…Which is let’s give all the power to the Government and let it control us. (2.) The second is Communism…The communists want to covertly creep in and take over this Country. You ask, “What is the Answer to All of This?” I will tell you the biggest answer. It is Spiritual Revival amongst Christians. That is nothing new. Preachers have been saying this for the past 3 or 4 years.
We need a Revival in America, because a Revival among God’s people will automatically shift us back to the Judaeo Christian ethics that this Country was founded upon. Now if some folks don’t like America the way it is, then my suggestion is this: leave America and go somewhere to find what you believe in. It shouldn’t be too difficult because humanism and communism are serving almost 80% of the globe. If you chose to believe this socialist philosophy, then go, and let Liberty Stand.
Let me ask you something, if communism is so much better, how come they have to put up the chains, the barbwire fences, and let the dogs out, to keep people in Russia. We don’t have to do that in America. We are free to come and go as we please.
As Americans we have an absolute right to defend ourselves, to defend our families and our moral values. Now I believe in being kind and helping folks, but in America we are letting our Government take over and passively surrendering to a socialist agenda. Passiveness is not taught in the bible. Christian American policy should defend our founding fathers’ intent “One Nation Under God”. We must defend our Country and stand firm on that foundation.
Then there is the matter of Bible Morality. It is a proven fact, and Washington has shown this, that many folks in mental institutions are there because they have unconfessed sin in their lives. Much of the unconfessed sin has to do with morals. Homosexuality, lesbianism, adultery and fornication are now becoming acceptable. It takes next to nothing to get a divorce today, that’s no big deal to society anymore. A lot of the shame that used to come when a man and a woman were living together unmarried, this has been taken away from our society. We need a Revival and Regeneration of good old-fashioned ethics, and getting back to the Bible principles about the home and moral problems.
THE POOR:
There is also the poor…There is nothing wrong with helping folks who need help. But, a lot of folks living off the Government could get a job. The Holy Spirit said through the Apostle Paul, that if a man doesn’t work, he shouldn’t eat either. It is our Country’s responsibility to see that our Welfare and all these other departments set down some strong standards which we don’t have now. Can you see what is going on? We have these two philosophies of Life battling each other. The philosophy of life that says, man is the ultimate good doesn’t care what God says. If there is a God, He is nonexistent as far as we’re concerned. And when we have that kind of philosophy, we have no where to go, but down the tube…
Good Christians will follow God’s plan. Stand against the ERA, the Woman’s Lib movement, and all the other wicked movements that are destroying the morality of this country.
SOUL-WINNING BY GOD’S PEOPLE:
Here’s the answer folks… It is to win them one by one. Let’s get at it! Wake up! Tell folks that there is only one way through Jesus Christ. It is Christians who built this great Nation and it is only Christians that can save this great Nation…I love our Country and I’m not ready to give up on her. It’s time to make a difference…If not me…WHO? And if not NOW…WHEN?
May God Bless You and Your Ministries
Bro. Randy Davis
It is hard to believe that another year has gone by, and another one has begun. After returning from our meetings in the Midwest in December, I am now preparing for our meetings in the South. In a couple of weeks I will start off by preaching in Maryland. The second week of March, I will be in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and then finishing up in Florida. The third week of March, I start a revival in Bangor, New York. Now that I have told you how God is using us to serve him. I want to talk to you about…
A RIGHT START FOR THE NEW YEAR:
Traditionally, as many folks look back over the past year and see things in their lives they do not like, they make New Year’s Resolutions. They want to change and have a New Beginning. But the problem with “turning over a new leaf” is that the winds of adversity blow them back over again in a chaotic pile. If you are tired of making yourself promises and failing, then listen carefully to what God has to say to you. You need to realize that you cannot overcome any bad habit or past failure by your own determined resolution. As a matter of fact, the harder you try, the worse it becomes. “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as the leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6 ). You also need to realize that you cannot change your past simply by having a positive attitude or by changing your environment. The problem is fixed within your own heart. Self reformation is always doomed for failure. “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool” (Proverbs 28:26). A drowning man cannot save himself by trying to pull himself up by his own shirt. There must be somebody who is stronger than himself to save him, and this is where Jesus Christ steps in (Romans 8:3).
You cannot have a new life apart from Jesus Christ, who gives life. Jesus said of Himself, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6). And, once we possess spiritual life, we become a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). We can only change as we yield to the God who can change us. Are you yielded today?
FIRST, A RIGHT START FOR THE NEW YEAR-STUDY GOD’S WORD: (Psalms 1:1-6).
The Bible is our spiritual food (1 Peter 2:2). It is our light (Psalm 119:105). It is our joy (Jeremiah 15:16). (Psalm 1:1) plainly tells the believer, how to have a Happy New Year, because the word “Blessed” in verse one, means happy. The Happy Believer is somebody who delights in the Word of God and meditates therein day and night. (v.2) As a result, the blessed, happy person will not follow the counsel of the ungodly, nor will his circle of friends be among the sinful and or scornful (v.1). “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” (Psalm 119:165). HOW WE NEED SUCH PEACE THIS NEW YEAR. Do you want Peace, Joy and Direction for the coming year? Study God’s word.
SECOND, A RIGHT START FOR THE NEW YEAR-TESTIFY OF CHRIST: (Acts 1:8).
Believers who long for a Happy New Year cannot afford to miss this special joy promised to those who “draw water out of the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3). In these days of so many false witnesses and the preaching of a false gospel, those who preach the true Gospel are many times vilified, maligned and even persecuted. But, that should make no difference to the Bible-Taught Believer who has been promised that, they that sow in tears shall reap in joy, “and those who go forth, even with weeping, bearing precious seed of God’s word will doubtless come again with rejoicing” (Psalms 126:5,6). It is more important than ever to proclaim the existence of truth and the content of truth. God promised that his word will never return void (Isaiah 55:11). Keep giving out the word. Do not miss this special Joy that comes only to faithful witnesses!
THIRD, A RIGHT START FOR THE NEW YEAR-SEPARATION: (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
No true believer can experience genuine happiness by trying to live with and justify any unequal yoke -any ministry endeavor that either those who do not know Christ as Savior or who disregard the truth of God’s word. Satan’s program of “Unity” at any price and especially the present attempt to yoke believers with unbelievers in evangelism is very popular but wrong! A genuine believer may sometimes find himself yoked with unbelievers without knowing it at first, but he will never be satisfied to remain in any forbidden relationship once he becomes aware of his unscriptural position. The Bible is very clear, we cannot be unequally yoked with false teachers (2John 7-11), with the world (first John 2:15-17) or with brethren who are following a course of disobedience (2Thessalonians 3:6,14). The Word of God does not get any more clear! We must obey the Lord in this regard if we are to truly have a Happy New Year.
FOURTH, A RIGHT START FOR THE NEW YEAR-FORGIVENESS: (Ephesians 4:29-32).
The way in which believers use their tongues makes a big difference in their own happiness and determines whether they are a blessing to others. The Lord says that we must “Let No corrupt communication come forth out of our mouths but that which is good” (v.29). Only in this way can we edify [build up] and minister God’s grace to others. (v.31) commands us to put away [all] “bitterness” [not just some] as well as all “wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking” [and malice]. Failure to obey this important instruction grieves the Holy Spirit Who dwells within us (v.30), something that no believer should deliberately do. Furthermore, (Titus 3:2) commands us to “speak evil of no man,” a reference of this same kind of fleshly, unkind speech. We must never speak in a malicious way; willingly intend to harm others through our words spoken to them or about them.
At the very heart of this matter is God’s pleading in (v. 32) “for His children to be kind, tender hearted and forgiving one to another.” That is not always easy to do, and many times it is impossible to do apart from the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts. As children we might have been taught that words cannot hurt us. But as adults we realize that this is only partly true. Some of the deepest hurts come from unkind words and unjustified criticism. May we never be guilty of saying, or even thinking, “I can never forgive you for this.” Thank God he has never dealt with us according to these terms! Though it is sometimes hard and difficult, let us have a forgiving heart like that of our merciful God.
So as we begin a New Year a right start for all of us would be to begin by…Studying God’s word, Testifying and Witnessing for Christ, Guard our separation and start Forgiving others, like Christ has forgiven us.
May God Bless you and your ministries during this challenging and fruitful New Year.
God Bless You Is Our Prayer
Bro. Randy Davis
It is now December, and I have just returned home to New England from holding meetings during the whole month of November in the Midwest, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. God really blessed the meetings as we saw some make decisions for Christ while others rededicated their lives.
Anyway, it is so good to be home. Christmas is always a special time of year for me. It is a time to be with family, friends and our home church with our pastor and church family. Recently in my devotions, I was reading (Luke 2:1-7) and I thought about Christmas of the Past and as I continued to read (Luke 2:1-20) I thought about Christmas Today or Christmas of the Present.
CHRISTMAS OF THE PAST: (Luke 2:1-7).
Every prophetic utterance concerning the birth of the Messiah was fulfilled perfectly by Jesus. How could that be? The answer is simple: Jesus Is God! The perfect plan of God involves no accidents or coincidences. God provincially chose Bethlehem as Joseph’s birth city. God provincially caused a census to be taken, thus bringing Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem (vv 1-5). God had them provincially arrive just in time for Jesus’ birth. God’s promises in the Old Testament were fulfilled perfectly in the New Testament. The history of Jesus’ birth is accurate and supported by both secular and religious writers. Many witnesses testified to the verity of Christ’s birth.
The Shepherds likely were anticipating the coming of the Messiah, for the angels chose them to be the recipients of the glorious message (vv 9-17). Shepherds who were attending their flocks had the wonderful privilege to behold “The Lamb of God.” (v. 16 cf. JN 1:29, 36). Likewise, old Simeon in the temple was waiting for the consolation of Israel (v 25) and then there was Anna, who was around the age of 100. When she saw Jesus, she “spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (v 38). Nearly 2 years passed before the wise men came from their distant country seeking Jesus the King. They sought him and found him in the house [not the stable] with Mary his mother. Having bowed their knees in worship to him, “they presented unto him gifts; gold and frankincense, and myrrh”(Matt. 2:11). Are you seeking him as well?
CHRISTMAS TODAY: [In the Present] (Luke 2:1-20)
It was no accident or coincidence that the visitors to the manger in Bethlehem were humble Shepherds. These were godly men who were looking for the Coming of Christ, in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. When the angel announced, “for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (v 11), but Shepherds knew this was the one for whom they had been waiting. In like manner, the wise men from the East had studied the writings of the Old Testament and knew that the time of the Savior’s birth was near. When the star appeared, they knew that its purpose was to announce the coming of the long promised Messiah. These wise men traveled nearly 100 miles, bringing gifts to the Christ child, while at the same time; the inhabitants of Jerusalem itself were ignorant of Jesus’ birth. The word of God also included the account of an aged man Whose Faith in the Savior’s prophesied coming was rewarded with the promise that he would not see death until he had seen “The Lord’s, Christ.” (v 26). When the Christ child was placed in Simeon’s arms, the old man declared, that he was ready to die peacefully, “For mine eyes have seen Thy Salvation.” (v.30).
Those who by Faith, looked for the first coming of the promised Savior were not disappointed, for God always keeps His Word. Those Today Who are looking for Christ’s Return can be equally sure that God will keep His promise to them. Christmas 2009 brings us one year nearer to the fulfillment of that promise. Are you like the Shepherds and the wise men, looking for the coming of Jesus? Are you ready for Christ’s imminent return to receive to Himself all who truly have been saved through his precious Blood?
MERRY CHRISTMAS: (John 1: 11-12).
When Jesus was born, there were only a few who celebrated His birth, the angels, the Shepherds and the elderly Simeon and Anna. But for the most part, folks were not expecting the birth of the Messiah. Nearly 2 years later, wise men from the East came to worship Jesus, now a young child. We do not know how many men there were, but they were strangers and foreigners. Those that should have come to worship Jesus were not there. Those who should have been anticipating and ready for the coming of the Messiah were oblivious of Him. These wise men exercise faith believing that this child was no ordinary child. They were willing to give everything they had in order to come and worship him.
They spent countless days traveling in order to give their valuable gifts to the child. They believe this child was the “King of the Jews”. But when they arrived in Jerusalem and asked where this King had been born, Nobody knew. Herod even sought to kill him (Matt. 2:1-18).
Many folks today are just as ignorant of Jesus Christ. They do not understand that the reason why he came was to be the sacrificial Lamb for the sins of the world. Many do not know that the forgiveness of sins comes only through faith in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. Many folks today still reject him. But Christ is your only Hope (JN 14:6; Acts 4:12). If you refuse Jesus as your Savior, you will die in your sins (3:18).
This Christmas can be the day when you change your life and eternal destination. The Lord Jesus Christ will save you from sin and spiritual death, when you receive Him as your personal Savior. Only then can you ever have a truly “MERRY CHRISTMAS.”
I pray that this Christmas you will draw closer to our dear Lord, and among all the activities that are planned you will make Christ the center of your celebrating the season. After all, he is the Reason for the Season…Sandy and I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas.
Love and Prayers in Christ,
Bro. Randy Davis
Well October was so beautiful with the changing of the leaves here in New England, but now it is November, the leaves have fallen and winter will soon be on its way. I am preaching meetings out in the Midwest this whole month and we have already had some snow. I’m sorry, I forgot myself for a minute, back to our newsletter. This month I have such a great burden to write to all pastors young and old, but I want young pastors, who have only been in the ministry for a short time or just being trained in the ministry, to pay close attention.
The Power to Preach:
Please read (Romans 1:15 – 16)
It is my honor and privilege to be mentoring five pastors at the present time. I only mention this because many young pastors have education but no previous training working under a pastor of a local church for a few years before pastoring.
Paul says, “I am ready to preach the Gospel.” It takes some time for a preacher to be ready to preach. Being in a church all your life doesn’t mean that you are ready to preach. The fact that you have attended Bible College or hold theological degrees is No Assurance that you are ready to preach. You don’t get ready to preach overnight. Paul says, NOW…. after my college training at the feet of Gamalliel…NOW…after a siege of temporary blindness on the road to Damascus…NOW…after having had my name changed and my identity altered…NOW…after having been given the thorn in the flesh, this agent of Satan to buffet me…NOW…after having been in jail and holding a prayer meeting with Silas that caused an earthquake in Philippi…NOW…after all this, after all my ups and downs, my trials and tribulations, my poverty and my plenty, my feasting and my famine…NOW…I AM READY TO PREACH THE GOSPEL…
I assure you that I am painfully and personally aware that a preacher is not always ready to preach. It is only after the experiences you learn from being in the ministry for many years that you know that the Lord Himself, will get a preacher ready to preach. There is a difference between being WILLING and being READY to preach.
It is interesting that when Paul says that he is ready to preach the Gospel, he does not use the Greek word usually translated to preach. He uses the word meaning not only to evangelize but to proclaim the Good News. The Greek word Evangelos, is the soldier who comes from the field of battle, with garland on his head and races into the city with his hands raised and cries out “GREETINGS”…WE HAVE WON. I am ready to Preach the Gospel. I am ready to be an Evangelist. I am ready to tell you that WE HAVE WON. What Good News from an imprisoned preacher sitting in a jail cell, sent to the church folks hiding out in caves and catacombs, a man whose condition and disposition are the very definition of doom and defeat. What News…WE HAVE WON…What Good news from a limping, Jewish preacher on his way to Nero’s chopping block, who would soon write WE HAVE WON.
. What wonderful words from a nearly blind, shivering, lonely, forsaken, worn out, burned-out and stressed out preacher…Given to those who would soon make their way into the Roman Coliseum to become food for the Lions. WE HAVE WON…What wonderful words from someone who spent 23 years on three Missionary Journeys establishing churches all over Asia Minor. He had seen churches divided over Doctrine, fractured by jealousy, envy, pettiness and strife, set upon by Satan and Infiltrated by preachers who were imposters, rocked by sexual scandal of incest in the Church, and yet, could still declare The Good News…WE HAVE WON.
Paul’s example is in fact the definition of authentic preaching. The Preacher, the Evangelist and the Missionary is here to tell those who have been dejected and deserted, deceived and deflated, defiled and degraded, demoralized and defeated …THERE IS GOOD NEWS…WE HAVE WON.
So when we look at The Power of the Preacher and his Preaching, year after year, century after century, remember, preachers have been preaching the same sermons about the same Jesus, the same Crucifixion and the same Resurrection. That is why men, women and young people keep coming back Sunday after Sunday, to hear it over and over again.
The question is…What is This Power? Why This Power, and how is This Power manifested? There is Power in Preaching because the Gospel has the ability to tell us WHERE WE ARE.
Can you identify with the woman with the issue of blood, maybe you too have been sick and not able to recover and you see the same condition in your life. You say that’s me. It helps to know who you are…can you identify with the man born blind, and suddenly you realize there are some things That You Can’t See. When you become aware of the blindness that causes you to stumble in the darkness and then you realize that you are the man born blind. Can you identify with the Prodigal Son and come to realize that you have spent your inheritance, in riotous, unproductive and unredemptive living. Maybe you too can admit that you have let money run through your fingers like water. You may not like it but it helps to know WHERE YOU ARE…The Gospel will help you to know WHERE YOU ARE. It is important to know when you have been lost. You cannot appreciate being found until first you have been lost. The Gospel has the Power to Create Whole Persons in a Broken World.
The preaching of the Gospel is designed to take broken pieces and remake them according to the purpose of God. The preaching of the Gospel is designed to take ruined lives, subject and restore them to the Redemptive Power of the Holy Spirit. The preaching of the Gospel helps Creates Whole Persons, in a Broken World. The preaching of the Gospel has the ability and the power to make people complete and whole. The Scriptures affirm Wholeness, which comes through the Gospel, as manifested in the Lord Jesus Christ. Folks weren’t just healed but made whole.
The gospel is God’s answer to a Bad Reputation. It always amazed me how most of the folks in the Bible had to deal with problems of a bad reputation. Don’t you find it strange that the book which points folks to righteousness uses examples of men and women noted for unrighteousness? Still the gospel is God’s answer to a Bad Reputation. The gospel is here to let us know that No One is too lost to be found; too low down to be lifted up, too far out to be brought in, too dirty to be washed clean, too hungry to be filled, too thirsty to be satisfied, too soiled to be saved, too repulsive to be redeemed or too endangered to be rescued.
God Himself, knows what it’s like to live with a bad reputation (Phil. 2:7). Also Isaiah says, the Savior’s reputation was bad (Isaiah 53:3-5). God knows what it is like to live with the bad reputation. That’s why he sits in pig pens with Prodigals, sits on death row in Criminal cells, and you’ll also find him down on the Jericho road, where men have been beaten and left for dead. You’ll find him on Calvary where “he who knows No Sin”: became sin…All because, the Gospel is God’s answer to a bad reputation.
Paul says, “I am now ready to preach the Gospel, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” Paul is not ashamed of the Gospel, nor should we be…It is the power of God. [Not a Power] but the Power.
My dear friends and brethren, I stand with Paul in search of that Power to Preach. In whatever church I am in, great or small; I seek the Power to Preach. It is with this Power that we should be obedient to His ultimate and final command.
Sandy and I pray that you and your families have a wonderful Thanksgiving. And remember while we are feasting on all the turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, hot bread, potatoes and dessert that you remember He is the reason for us to be Thankful.
I pray that you have a great holiday and as you plan your meetings you will do so by seeking the Power to Preach. We love you and pray for you and appreciate your ministry so very much.
You are on my mind, in my heart and in my prayers.
Love and Prayers in Christ,
Bro. Randy Davis
It is now September and summer, vacations and summer camps are behind us and the kids are back in school. Fall is coming fast and Pastors are planning Revival Meetings along with their annual Mission Conference. I am looking forward to spending some time in New England this month as I will be holding several Revival Meetings and also a Men’s Leadership Conference…Well enough small talk. As I was seeking God’s face and preparing my heart for God to use me in the Revival Meetings, I prayed we may hear from heaven and not be just another meeting or just greater preaching, but I prayed it would be a time of soul searching.
Recently, in my prayer and worship time with the Lord, He kept bringing to me (Gal. 2:20). I spent several days in this text as God really got a hold of my heart and the Holy Spirit convicted me about my own relationship with Christ. So I would like to share some thoughts with you this month from my soul searching with the Lord.
NOT I, BUT CHRIST:
If we would die to self we must fall in love with Jesus Christ and let Him become to us the personal reality of Solomon’s sweet Song of Joy. But it is not the love of Christ that we merely want; it is the Living Christ Himself. Many folks have touches of the Love of Christ, but to them He is a Christ way up in Heaven. The Apostles speak of something far mightier. It is Christ Himself who lives inside us and who is big enough to crowd out and keep out the little “I.” There is no other that can truly lift and keep the heart above the power of self but Jesus Christ, The Mighty Lord, stronger than the strong man armed.
Blessed Christ! He is able not only for sin, sorrow and sickness, but He is able for you and me-able to be our very life, moment by moment we shall be conscious that He is in us, fills us with Himself and conquers the self that ruled before. The more you try to fight a self-thought and look to Him; He fills all the consciousness and disperses everything with His own Presence. Let us abide in Him and we shall find that there is nothing else to do.
It is not a new thought, but it is an appropriate thought, that all things that God has used had first been sacrificed. It is a Sacrificed Savior, one who emptied Himself, and made Himself of no reputation that God has so highly exalted, and given Him a name that is above every name. (Phil 2:10). It was a sacrificed Isaac that God made the promised seed and the progenitor of Israel’s tribes. And it was on that very Mount Moriah where Isaac was sacrificed, that God afterwards reared His Glorious Temple. And so it is only when our Isaac is on the altar and our whole being lost in God that He can lay the deep foundations and rear the everlasting walls of the Living Temple which He is the supreme and eternal glory.
I look back today with much thanks and gratitude to the lonely and sorrowful night, when, mistaken in many things, and not perfect in all, my heart’s first full consecration was made, not knowing that it would be death in the most literal sense before the morning light. Yet, with unreserved surrender I could say: “Jesus, I my Cross has taken, all to leave and follow Thee.”
Never before has my heart known such a thrill of Joy as when the following Lord’s Day, I sang those lines with all my heart. If
God has been pleased to make my life in any measure a little temple for His indwelling and for His Glory, and if ever He should be pleased to use me in my fuller measure, it has been because of that hour on July 12, 1964. It will be still in the measure in which that hour is made the keynote of a consecrated, Crucified, and Christ devoted life. Paul said, “I die daily” it’s not a one time experience but a daily experience we must seek to do.
Never, until we become fascinated with Christ’s affections, and won in complete captivity to His Love, shall we cease to live unto ourselves. Then we will follow Him anywhere. We will toil and supper with Him. We will be content without many things that before we felt we must have, because His smile is our sunshine, His presence is our Joy, His love shed abroad in our hearts, is our Heaven, and we cannot speak or think of sacrifice or suffering, our heart is so satisfied with Him.
My dear brothers in Christ, I realize that we all have busy lives and I am no different. This morning as the sweet Holy Spirit brought to my mind and also convicted my heart of the day that I surrendered my life to Him, and then He called me to preach the precious Gospel of Jesus Christ, I thought how easy it is for us to forget that wonderful, sweet relationship that only comes out of a consecrated vessel who has a daily habit of fellowshipping and glorious communion with Him.
Before the Church can have Revival and our folks can have Revival, it must begin with us, the Men of God. How we men of God need fresh manna from Heaven and to experience a fresh Joy and blessing that only comes when we have been in His presence. Today let us commit ourselves to that daily communion with Him, to fall in love with God’s Word and with Him. So as you prepare your meetings this fall make sure it’s not just another meeting, but a fresh presence of Christ and His Glory.
I greatly appreciate all your phone calls and letters about our newsletter and I assure you that as long as God provides we will continue to do so. Those who know me, realize that I have such a heart for pastors, evangelists, and preachers. We love you and appreciate your ministries so much. Keep up the fight, Christ is coming for us soon.
Love and Prayers in Christ,
Bro. Randy Davis
