You Can't Out Give God!

I have struggled with whether or not I should give this testimony. A lot of people love to jump to conclusions and misrepresent your every move and this is one area that I don't want my motives to be misconstrued. The thing is God has done some amazing things and I want to share them with the hope of encouraging some of you. So, here it goes.

Lu 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

We evangelists aren't getting rich (maybe some, but none that I know), so every dollar we get is a great blessing. I want to testify to you that the greater blessing comes from giving it back and letting Him multiply it.

Several weeks ago we were preaching a revival in Florida. A sister there gave my wife $30.00 to spend on herself, to buy clothes, etc. My wife really appreciated it, but she felt very strongly that she should give it to a widow lady who has a prison ministry, so she did. A couple Friday nights ago, after I had preached at a church in Kentucky, a lady handed my wife a $50 bill. We were able to send it off to pay bills immediately. $30.00 became $50.00 simply by giving it to God.

A few weeks ago we were needing to travel to a certain place to attend a youth camp that we have attended for 8 years straight, but did not have the funds to do so. I really didn't know what we were going to do, but a pastor that was there (who knew nothing of our financial plight) gave us $100.00 which was just enough for us to make the trip. But as soon as he handed me the money the Lord told me to give it to the night speaker of that meeting, so I did. Back to square one! Saturday morning, the day after the campmeeting ended, I heard a knock on our camper door. A preacher that I met in the meeting told me that as he passed by our camper the Lord told him to give me a piece of money. Guess how much? $100.00. God gave it back in just a day or two.

This past week we were atttending another campmeeting in Alabama. The offering plate was passed every night, but we had nothing to put in. It troubled me terribly bad, so I asked God to bless us. Just a few hours later a lady handed my wife a $20.00 bill. We were then able to give in the offering. The next night, a pastor handed me $50.00 more dollars; he said a lady had given it to him to give to us!

Today, we arrived in Waynesboro, Mississippi. After we parked our trailer, we left for town. When we pulled in to a parking lot I noticed a young man walking toward my window. It was a pracher that I hadn't seen for many years. I have no idea what he was doing in this area, but he said as we passed by the Lord told him to give us $50.00. I'd like to know how much that young man's $50.00 turns into for him.

Here is the most amazing thing that happened today. After we got back to the trailer, I began leveling it. As I did so, a car pulled up in the parking lot. A lady I have never met stepped out. I thought it was a member of the church, so I jokingly asked, "Did you bring us some money?" To my surprise, she said, "Yes". She was weeping. She said, "I don't know who you are, but God told me to give you everything in my purse." It was $28.00. I asked her if she was a member of the church I'm preaching revival at this coming week. She said, "No". She was a local pastor's wfe. She was still weeping when she got back into her car. Before she shut the door, she said, "God is going to bless you." That was worth more than the $28.00. So, $20.00 turned into $128.00 simply by giving to God.

I intentionally left out another very important story that happened to me about two months ago. It really places the finishing touch on this lesson. We were pulling our trailer down through Florida, trying to get to another revival. We pulled into a gas station. As I did, I noticed a friend of mine walking to his car. He came over to me and we began to talk. As we talked, he handed me a $50.00 bill; he said the Lord told him to do so. You need to understand that $50.00 is a MAJOR blessing to us.$50.00 is a step closer to us getting our bills paid when we often don't know how they're going to be so. We concluded our conversation and we parted ways.

A couple of weeks later he came to a service that I was preaching. After the service was over, we stepped outside the church and we began to talk. He said he had something he needed to tell me. He referred me back to the night he gave me the $50.00. He said he had three denominations of money in his front pocket: a $20 bill, a $50 bill, and a $100 bill. He said God told him that whatever he gave me, God would bless him 10 fold. If you remember, he gave me the $50 bill. At church the next Sunday, after he gave me the money, he was given $500.00. He told me he wished he had given it all. I chuckled to myself because I wished he had too! LOL!

The moral of the story is this: you can't outgive God! I know that the money I've mentioned isn't a whole lot, but it was to us and knowing that God is watching over us is the greatest blessing of all.

If you need a financial blessing, try giving someone else a blessing. You may have to ask God to give you some money in order to give some money, but it will be well worth it.

I'll conclude this little message with the following story:

We were completely broke and had a bill due. God told me to go to a certain church and he would bless us, so I did. I had one dollar to my name; I put it in the offering plate. As I left the church that night, I was confused as to why no one had given us any money. I heard the door open and man came running after me. He handed me a $10.00 bill. I didn't know what it was; I just stuck it in my pocket. I thanked him and told him that it was a great blessing; that we had a bill due and I didn't know how I was going to pay it. He hung his head, ran his hand back into his pocket, and said, "Man, I knew I should have given you this." He handed me a $100.00 bill. $1.00 became a $110.00 simply by giving it to God. And that gentlemen could have saved himself $10.00 if he had of gave what God told him to in the first place.

So, if you're struggling financially, find somone to bless and God will multiply it! You can't outgive God!

David Lamb

The Burden Of My Heart (Revival)

When I speak of revival, I mean a couple of different things. Revival is simply bringing that which is dead back to life, or restoring something back to usefulness. So, revival could happen in an individual's life, in a family, in a church, or in a community. What I am ultimately longing for is another awakening in America as a whole.

I don't mean to be a pessimist, but the American church of today is not what it was a hundred years ago; much less what it was in the book of Acts 2,000 yrs ago. True Godly, powerful Christianity is dying in this country. I have dedicated my life to seeing it revived.

As I travel the country preaching week after week, I find that some want revival, some don't, and some don't think they need it. But whether we see it or not, our churches are losing their hunger for the lost and are almost powerless. Where are the signs, wonders, and gifts of the Spirit? Revival would restore the church to what it's supposed to be. And if the country as a whole will not seek God for revival, then I'm looking for congregations, or individuals that want revival.

Revival will come when we adhere to 2Chronicles 7:14. And if the American church does adhere to it, we may see another great awakening.

This is just a brief description of the burden of my heart.

The Hebrides Revival

The Hebrides Revival

In the year 1949, in a small cottage by the roadside in the village of Barvas lived two elderly women, Peggy and Christine Smith. They were eighty-four and eighty-two years old. Peggy was blind and her sister almost bent double with arthritis. Unable to attend public worship, their humble cottage became a sanctuary where they met with God. To them came the promise: "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground," they pleaded this day and night in prayer. One night Peggy had a revelation, revival was coming and the church of her fathers would be crowded again with young people! She sent for the minister, the Rev. James Murray MacKay, and told him what God had shown her, asking him to call his elders and deacons together for special times of waiting upon God. In the same district a group of men praying in a barn experienced a foretaste of coming blessing. One night as they waited upon God a young deacon rose and read part of the twenty-fourth Psalm: "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord." Turning to the others he said: "Brethren, it seems to me just so much humbug to be waiting and praying as we are, if we ourselves are not rightly related to God." Then lifting his hands toward heaven he cried: "Oh God, are my hands clean? Is my heart pure?" He got no further, but fell prostrate to the floor. An awareness of God filled the barn and a stream of supernatural power was let lose in their lives. They had moved into a new sphere of God realization, believing implicitly in the promise of revival.

When the movement was at its height Peggy sent for Duncan Campbell, asking him to go to a small, isolated village to hold a meeting. The people of this village did not favor the revival and had already made clear they weren't getting involved. Duncan explained the situation to Peggy and told her that he questioned the wisdom of her request. "Besides," he added, "I have no leadings to go to that place." She turned in the direction of his voice, her sightless eyes seemed to penetrate his soul. "Mr. Campbell, if you were living as near to God as you ought to be, He would reveal His secrets to you also." Duncan felt like a subordinate being reprimanded for defying his general. He humbly accepted the rebuke as from the Lord, and asked if he and Mr. MacKay could spend the morning in prayer with them. She agreed, and later as they knelt together in the cottage, Peggy prayed: "Lord, You remember what You told me this morning, that in this village You are going to save seven men who will become pillars in the church of my fathers. Lord, I have given Your message to Mr. Campbell and it seems he is not prepared to receive it. Oh Lord, give him wisdom, because he badly needs it!" "All right, Peggy, I'll go to the village," said Duncan when they had finished praying. She replied, "You'd better!" "And God will give you a congregation." Arriving in the village at seven o'clock they found a large bungalow crowded to capacity with many assembled outside. Duncan gave out his text: "The times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." When he had finished preaching, a minister beckoned him to the end of the house to speak again to a number of people who were mourning over their sins - among them, Peggy's seven men!

The Hebrides Revival didn't start with a preacher; it didn't begin with a big name evangelist. It began in the hearts of two elder women who loved God and were deeply concerned with the spiritual condition of their community! It began in the hearts of some working men who were seeking God in an obscure barn. You can move the hand of God too, but it will require more than just an occasional "polly-wanna-cracker" prayer that has no heat and no heart. You may have to do like the Smith sisters and start praying from early afternoon until two and three in the morning, but it will be worth it when it comes!

Let's pray for revival!

Revival in Busy, Ky.

I have spent a considerable amount of time promoting revival. It’s the burden God has laid upon me. I have grown weary with these special meetings that we label “revival”. Now, don’t get me wrong, they are fun, people get help, the fellowship is usually great, and the food is almost always fantastic, but they aren’t really revival. I have seen true revival spring forth out of these meetings, but generally as a rule, they are just good meetings. Real revival changes things. It changes people. Real revival is a drawing into God; it is a renewing of life within the heart of the believer; and ultimately the congregation. True revival changes people in such a way they can no longer remain silent. They are filled with God and want to tell everyone they see about what God has done in them. In revival, God steps down. Revival happens on many different levels and often takes different forms. A single individual could have revival within themselves, or it could break-out, spreading through a church, community, or even an entire nation. But regardless of what degree revival comes, there is always a drawing into God; a heart rekindled by the Spirit.

May 9th through May 20th of 2010, God allowed me to partake in a genuine revival. It was at the Hickory Gap Pentecostal Church, a small church in the mountains of Busy, Ky. where my friend, Larry Gross, is the pastor. I had already preached a meeting there in November of 2009. We had several good services and the people were encouraged, but almost immediately things went back to the way they were before I came–unfortunately most of today’s so-called revivals are this way. As far as the pastor could see, nothing eternal had taken place, but we found out later that something eternal had indeed taken place.

The church had a van that was hardly ever used, so Pastor Gross decided the best thing to do was sell it and use the money for something else. Come to find out, a young man named Jamie had been stirred by the meeting in November and got hungry to see the lost saved. God placed it upon his heart to start a bus ministry, so he and his wife did just that. They knocked doors and filled the bus up with children, teenagers, and parents. At the same time, Pastor Gross felt like having a weekly prayer meeting to prepare for our upcoming services, so for five weeks prior to my coming they met on Wednesday nights and prayed for revival. Meanwhile, the bus ministry exploded. Jamie and his wife Melissa were having to make two trips per service. This prompted Pastor Gross to buy a second church van; Brother Jamie and Sister Melissa were each driving a separate van.

This all took place five to six weeks prior to me coming. In November, they had about eighteen to twenty-five people attending each service, but when I got there in May they were busing in as many as forty people a night. Before the revival was over we were seeing anywhere from seventy-five to a hundred people attending every service; the bus ministry had nearly doubled. Most nights Bro. Jamie and Sis. Melissa were having to make two trips a piece!

I am giving you these details so you will understand that I had very little to do with what I am about to tell you. I don’t want someone to hear about what happened in Hickory Gap and think I’m some kind of great evangelist that carries revival around in his briefcase because I’m not. Revival broke out because some people were hungry for it. Revival broke out because of a pastor who was willing to call a five week prayer meeting. Revival broke out because a couple of people were willing to go into the highways and hedges to compel sinners to come to church. Revival broke out because God is faithful and unbelievably merciful.

When I opened the altar up the first night, I knew something special was taking place. I would say half a dozen or so lost souls came down to the altar seeking God; at least three of them professed to being saved that Sunday evening. I found out later that the young people that were coming had not been in any of the main services; they were always placed in a children’s church environment and had not been preached to. I was the first preacher many of them had ever heard!

Night after night, for eleven nights, three, four, five, as high as fifteen lost souls came to the altar with great weeping and brokenness. I’m not really into evangelistic statistics, but I’d guess there were sixty-five to seventy sinners that came forward for salvation. I saw a ten year old girl weep so intensely that she nearly soaked the entire front of her shirt. It wasn’t uncommon to see twenty teenagers on the altar crying out to God. We saw sinners weeping in the parking lot after church, still under conviction. One night, a school teacher and one of her students got saved at the same time! It was beautiful. I watched a fifteen year old girl weep, almost uncontrollably, for thirty straight minutes while I was preaching.

Although it wasn’t the case with all of them, many of the young people came in dirty, hair unkempt, and wearing ragged clothing. I found out that the vast majority of them were from broken homes; living in very poor conditions. Several of them had fathers that were in jail and had mothers that were drug addicts. Numerous were in abusive homes, having guardians that couldn’t have cared less about their future. As each night went by my heart grieved more and more for them. The more I learned about their pitiful lives, the more burdened I became. I was able to feel the burden of the Lord and some of the love He has for them. If I ever saw the love of the Lord Jesus to sinners, I saw it during that eleven night span.

If I had to choose one characteristic that made this revival unique, it would be the number of young people that prayed. It was very obvious that God was reaching out to those children in a very special way. I have had as many as a hundred sinners pray in a single revival, but never so many broken young people. Don’t get me wrong, there were adults that got saved too, but the vast majority of those that were saved were teenagers and young children! The pastor projected that twenty-five percent of the local elementary and middle school were on his altars praying for salvation.

Here’s the thing about all the young people that were coming: there were no gimmicks or ploys. Typically, the pastor would have his wife sing two congregationals, an usher take up the offering, and then give me the floor to preach. There were no hotdogs, hamburgers, or fun-in-games. They came to hear the gospel preached! And with that said, the longer the revival went on, more and more young people came. It amazed me at how quiet they would get while I preached; you could hear a pin drop. The Holy Ghost captivated them; He arrested their minds night after night. It was incredible!

Well, I could go on and on about individual occurrences, but I would like to share one last experience with you; an experience that changed my life forever. There was a young lady there named Megan; she attended nearly every night of the revival. I pulled and pulled for her, but it seemed she wasn’t going to break. But on Thursday night, the last night of the revival, she came down to the altar. It was while I was playing the piano and my wife was singing that Megan changed my life. Overtop of all the noise in that church, I heard the most beautiful sound I had ever heard: Megan was weeping. She was weeping with such brokenness, such travail that I couldn’t do anything but weep with her. She cried with such anguish I could feel her pain. I found out later that she came from a terrible environment; a background so painful most of us couldn’t even fathom it. But she poured her hurts and pains out to Christ. She begged him for forgiveness with such anguish we all knew heaven was standing at attention for this broken little lady. I became instantly addicted. In an hour where people profess to get born again in less time than it takes me to wash my car, I will never be satisfied except I hear that sound again and again. She wanted to be baptized the following Sunday, but when the van pulled up to her house she was standing on the side of the road weeping; her father wouldn't allow it. Please, pray for these children.

That was our revival at Hickory Gap Pentecostal Church in a nutshell. I hope it stirs your heart and makes you hungry to see the same in your home church.

Monitoring Your Motives

“Mastering Your Motives” or “Monitoring Your Motives”

--For the most part, we do things without really thinking about why. Sure, we think about the how(s), when(s), and where(s), but the why(s) of our deeds are often ignored. Why we do something is called “motive”. The official definition for the word motive is “a factor inducing a person to act in a particular way”. There should be a conscious purpose behind everything we do and say; a particular intent that drives our actions. Nothing is more aggravating than talking to someone who has absolutely no idea why they are saying the things they are saying; they are talking heads, just talking to be heard. And although there are plenty of people like that–people who lethargically drift through life seemingly without purpose–there is always a motive behind people’s actions, whether they take the time to think about them or not.

--In most areas of life we can get by with ignoring our motives, but when it comes to our walk with God, there is no escaping it: they are vitally important. Our motives will determine whether we spend eternity in heaven or hell. Motive will determine whether God answers our prayers or not. Really, in the spiritual realm, our motives will determine everything.

--Let me get to the crux of the matter. The Bible says in Colossians 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
Why? Because Colossians 1:16 states, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, AND FOR HIM:”

--Everything that exists (time, space, and matter) exists for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. The heavens and the earth were created by Jesus and for Jesus. Revelations 4:11 states that even you and I were created for Jesus’ pleasure. 1John 2:12 tells us that our sins are forgiven, not for our sakes, but for Jesus’ sake. That’s right! God didn’t forgive you of your sins so you’d feel better about yourself; He forgave you of your sins because it pleased Jesus. This can only mean that everything we do in this life must be done in the name of Jesus and with Him in mind.

--Listen carefully. We must guard ourselves from humanism. Humanism is a rationalistic system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. You may say, “I don’t attach prime importance to human matters. I’m so heavenly minded I’m of no earthly good.” Well, let’s see about that. I know you want your husband, or wife, and children saved, but why? So your life will be better? So that your husband/wife will be kinder to you? So your child will respect you more? I’m sure that some of you are sick and want God to heal you, but why? Is it so you can feel better when doing your housework; so you can sleep better at night; or is it so you can be a greater soul winner for Christ? Is it so you can be a more effective soldier in God’s army? Now, I’m not saying that it is wrong to want to be healed in order to feel better in your everyday life, but it is wrong when that is your primary motive. Most people are doing nothing for the kingdom of God and, more or less, want God to heal them so they’ll feel better while continuing to do nothing for the kingdom of God.

--I am reminded of a story concerning two Moravian missionaries who were consumed by a great burden for a particular slave island. The slave master that owned the island and the slaves on that island hated Christianity and would not allow a preacher to come there. Two young Moravian boys sold themselves to that slave master in order to preach to the slaves on that island. They went knowing they would never see their families and loved ones again. They went knowing that they would die as slaves. Why do you think they did such a drastic thing? Is your mind thinking upon the slaves right now? Buckle your seatbelt! That’s humanism: a rationalistic system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters! Fortunately, those two Moravian missionaries weren’t humanists. As their boat sailed away, they called out, “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.” Their primary motive for surrendering their lives into slavery was their unwavering conviction that Jesus paid too great a price for those precious souls to allow them to die and go to hell. Their primary motive for selling themselves into slavery was their love for Christ, not their love for people.

--Why do we do the things we do? Why do we say the things we say? What motives are behind our actions? Humans can be the most selfish, self-centered creatures on the planet and it is motive that determines whether they are self-serving narcissists or selfless Christians living and breathing to please Jesus.

--Would you like to know why so many sinners come to the altar and leave exactly like they came? Motives. They come to the altar for no other reason than they want God to make their lives better. For them to get saved, they must see Christ and the manner in which they have rebelled against Him. Their hearts will have to grieve for transgressing His law. Their hearts will have to be more concerned about how they’ve trampled the blood of Jesus under foot than they are their own predicament. God is no spare tire! Christ will be Lord of all or Lord not at all! All for Christ!

--Please, ask yourself: Why do you pray? Why do you go to church? Why do you memorize the Bible? Why have you chosen the friends you spend time with? Yes. Ask yourself those questions regarding every facet of your life. Why do you do the things you do?

--If God will grant me the gift of brevity, I’ll quickly conclude this blog entry. Please, pay attention to the manner in which you pray. Do you spend most of your time worshiping God; praying for others; or asking God for blessings upon yourself? When you go to church; do you go with a testimony, a song, a piece of money, etc., to bless others, or do you go primarily to get blessed? Do you even think about it before you go? What was the primary subject of your prayers; the kingdom of God or your own personal welfare?

--The reason I write this blog entry–Lord, I pray it’s not humanistic–is Christ wants you. I also want you to draw closer to Christ. I want you to be blessed. I want your prayers to be answered. And in order for you to be truly blessed; and in order for your prayers to be answered, you will have to die to yourself. Your life will have to be wrapped up in Christ and what pleases Him. In Luke 14:26, Jesus said: “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” You must die and live only for Christ. After all, He is worthy.

--What do you think will move the hand of God quicker: praying “God, save my husband/wife/child. Jesus died for them and they’ll be a mighty witness for you”; or “Lord, save my husband/wife/child. I can’t take this anymore”?

--What do you think touches the heart of God more; what do you think would cause Him to be more willing to heal you; praying “God, heal me. I can’t take this pain anymore”; or “God, heal me so I can go into the highways and hedges to bring souls to Christ; to glorify Him in all I do”?

--Now, just saying these things won’t move God, He knows your true motives. Christ’s glory must be your primary concern. Christ’s kingdom must be the driving motive of everything you engage in. Not what’s best for you; what’s best for God.

--Monitor your motives. God may or may not move when you call out for yourself, but when you call out for Jesus’ sake heaven will come to attention.

David

Do You Desire a Desire?

Do You Desire a Desire?

To the American church:

--I have been a Christian since 1994 (approximately 16 years). I have preached the gospel for nearly 14 years of that time period. I have met many different people from many different walks of life and have preached in many different types of churches (independent Pentecostal, Church of God, Church of God of Prophecy, Assemblies of God, Baptist, etc). I am no authority on the subject of revival, but I do know that all of these denominations were started with a mighty outpouring of God's Spirit-a revival of religion. The same can be said of every true born again Christian: they were birthed into the Kingdom of God by a life changing encounter with The One. Unfortunately, the revival fires that birthed these great movements are now merely smoke and ashes; and most would be glad to have even that. Now, I'm not saying that there aren't congregations that are experiencing New Testament level manifestations of Divine power, but I will say I don't know of any, and if there are some, they are very few and far between.

--Some will say, "Well, I know of a church with 10,000 people in it. They have to be on fire with God!" No, they don't! People are attracted to personalities. You want proof? It was just today that I heard of a Jimmy Buffett concert that sold out in 6 minutes. 6 minutes! Is Jimmy Buffett on fire for God? Is he full of God? Of course not! (If you answered "yes" to either of those questions you may want to head toward Benny Hinn's website immediately). The truth is any charismatic preacher that will go light on sin and will hire some good musicians can fill a church with gullible souls! It also helps if they have good hair and an attractive smile like Joel "Smiley" Olsteen; a man that admits he doesn't think it is necessary to use the Bible during his sermons or books. Joel makes people feel good by smiling at them and telling them that they are good people. The end product? They stay exactly the same way they have been for years, if not worse.

--Dear reader, the sobering fact of it is there is no revival in America today. Why? What happened? These denominations (and nearly every Christian I know) did not continue doing the things that brought the fire of God into their lives in the first place. Preachers became silvered tongued orators. They quit preaching hell-fire and brimstone messages. They became politically correct in order to keep from offending lukewarm Christians who might withhold their tithe. Churches forfeited their all night prayer meetings. Fasting became non-existent. Their Bibles gathered dust. The concept of the traditional family unit became perverted (men were feminized, women masculinized, and children became head of the house). The end product is a church world full of unregenerate men and women who hate the holiness of God; an American church world that operates quite well with Jesus standing on the porch, knocking, wanting in; a church world that thinks they can build the Kingdom of God with the arm of flesh.

Ga 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

--I'd like to ask you to search your own heart. Can you remember when you first came to God? How your heart was consumed with passion and desire for Christ and the things which pertain to Him? How you sought God day and night for the baptism in the Holy Ghost? How you couldn't get enough of the Word of God? How it grieved your heart if you were hindered from going to church? How you wanted everyone to receive the same life changing experience that Christ gave you? How your heart overflowed with love toward everyone?

--Now, let me ask you if you presently find that these traits are no longer a part of your every day life? That you are simply saved by association? That you claim to be born again because you go to church and no longer smoke cigarettes? Do you find that the love, joy, zeal, and desire you once had is a thing of the past, a relic of days gone by? Have you become entangled with the affairs of this life? Entangled to such a degree that you go days without visiting your secret place of prayer? Days without reading the Word of God? Months without pushing the plate back? Years without winning a soul to Christ? Are you now doing things (sinning) that you one time would never do? Honestly, have you allowed the fire of God to die out of your life? Have you allowed troubles, trials, heartaches, pain, death, sickness, sin, or something else to get the best of you?

--The bottom line is this: are you on fire with God or are you lukewarm? Have you become apathetic and disconnecting from God? Honestly, are you walking in the Spirit?

For the vast majority of you, I know the answer to that question. So I want to ask you whether or not you still care that you are in this condition? Do you even care whether you get up? Do you no longer "feel like traveling on"? Tell me, do you have a desire to get up?

--If you are finding it hard to get up; if you are finding it hard to locate a DESIRE to get up; I want you to do something for me. I want you to pray that God will give you a desire for a desire. I know that sounds strange, but it's not. If you're not willing to do right, become willing to be made willing. God will come to you. He will help you. If you can find even an iota of desire He will place a divine spark in your heart that you can kindle into a holy inferno!

No matter what, you cannot stay like you are. You cannot stay lukewarm. Listen to what the Bible says about the lukewarm soul:

--Re 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

--You will be vomited out of the body of Christ. You are not going to leave here in the rapture! You must get concerned about your soul. Pray that God will give you a desire for a desire. When the desire comes, the rest will be much easier. You will find that God will send a great fire into your hearts. You must maintain that fire or it will go out, leaving you in the same condition you were in the beginning.

God bless!