ChosenRebel's Blog

Wednesday is for Prayer

“How can a man preach who does not get his message fresh from God in the closet? How can he preach without having his faith quickened, his vision cleared, and his heart warmed by his closeting with God? Alas, for the pulpit lips which are untouched by this closet flame. Dry and unctionless they will ever be, and truths divine will never come with power from such lips. As far as the real interests of religion are concerned, a pulpit without a closet will always be a barren thing.”

E.M. Bounds, Power through Prayer

Church Planter and Pastors:

Every  church planter, every pastor, every preacher of God’s word needs to own, to be saturated with the reality of these words from E.M. Bounds. There is a way to preach that is entertaining, engaging, interesting, even moving, but nevertheless, lifeless, corrupt and dangerous to both preacher and hearer. Don’t let yourself fall into the trap of thinking that because people

like you,
prefer you,
compliment you,
appreciate you, 
smile with affection at you, 
and thank God for you

that you are powerful, mighty and significant for God. 

It just might be an illusion both to you and your hearers. Be a man of prayer … or suffer a surprising conflagration of all your wood, hay and stubble on the great and terrible day of the Lord. His word is clear.

¹¹ For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— ¹³ each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. ¹⁴ If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

(1 Cor. 3:12)

“Lord, help us to be disciplined in prayer. Help us to draw near to You in private and frequent prayer. Speak to us as we study Your word. Make us mighty men in private places that others might be moved by You, Your spirit and Your word and not just our personality or skill. Bend our hearts to Yours. Bow our spirits to You that we might forget ourselves and speak only of You. Make us decrease that You might increase in the hearts of Your people. In Jesus name, Amen.”