I have been posting here now for over thirteen years....and in those thirteen years you could count on the fingers of both hands the number of times that I initiated in a conversation the topic of these posts that I write.....and given the web address to the person that I was talking to. If you are one of those....you are one of the few. I have relatives that I see all the time who have no idea what I do. I only recently gave my pastor this web site....and that solely because I thought it my responsibility to make sure that he knows what someone in his congregation does. I have had the URL printed on the ball caps that I have worn for most of that time.....and I have my bumper stickers.....and I leave Special Dog pens around....and I'm sure that many people visited these posts for those reasons....and I'm sure also that some folks that I know just told other folks that I know.....but overall I have stayed away from actually asking someone to read what I write. The benefit to me in this is that I can write a post like the one I am about to write....and less than 1% of those who read it will have the distraction of another person involved in this message.....for it is them....and God....and no one else.
I tell the readers often to leave these posts.....to go to the wonderful ministries that I recommend....such as John Piper's desiringgod.org....or ligonier.org....or whitehorseinn.org....plant yourself there....and you will be in good hands. Don't stay here....for I am just a messenger!
In such a situation as this I can tell readers how I listen to a sermon just about every day of my life from some great preacher of the past.....or some preacher from today....such as John Piper.....who preaches like great preachers of the past....and thus personalities do not come into play. I read every day in God's Word....slowly.....meditating on every verse.....pleading with God to understand the words of the prophets.....and the words of the apostles when they are writing about the nearness of our Lord's return. I tell you this....hopefully to show you that it is possible to do this....not only possible but necessary....and that maybe you the reader will put two and two together....'Let's see....this man whom I have no idea who he is....listens to what he calls a glorious sermon every day of his life....and this man claims to see that Jesus is near in His return....on His way even....can there be a correlation between the effort he puts in....and the discernment God may give him? Do I not see the nearness of Jesus because I do not really care to know this? Have I missed something vital? Have I taken a wrong path somewhere along the line? I call this man a fanatic....and a pretender....but can it be I that am the pretender?"
Granted....I am a reader.....and since I am retired I have more time....but it has been as if pulling teeth for decades trying to encourage fellow Christians to read more....to read until their eyes hurt....to meditate upon God's Word....and to moderate the trivialities of life in order to pray always....to plead with God for more knowledge of Him....to as if pull on His robe to say bless me with discernment.....to shout as did the blind man for this Jesus walking by to hear him.
To those few who do know me.....have I ever once asked you what you think of these posts? No.....I have never asked anyone that question. This is between you and God. Unfortunately I'm just a stumbling block here. Time is short. Jesus is near. Do you have enough oil? Can you honestly tell yourself that you have been vigilant? Have you told God that you will only hear from those whom you choose to hear from? Friends....this is not a healthy church age.....you must come to realize this. We are but a shell of what we once were not that many years ago....and that was even modest. If you will not consider this now....at least store the warnings away for future reference if need be.
Addendum: Having presented these thoughts let me go right back to where my heart is....pointing you to wonderful ministers of God. It appears that John Piper's desiringgod.org....in his sermon of the day....is embarking on a two week series focusing on.....Exultation In God. Won't you listen in....maybe it will be that you can prove me wrong.....just go to desiringgod.org.....hit on the menu on the upper right.....hit on podcasts....scroll down to sermon of the day....subscribe....(you are not subscribing to anything)....choose most likely Apple Podcasts....and then begin! Folks....it is not just John Piper....it is not a man or any one ministry that we might follow closely....but He to whom that ministry exults in!
