/ Force / Stärke / Resistenza / Força / Fuerza
but those who wait for the LORD [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to Elohim] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. [Heb 12.1-3] - Isaiah 40.31
Amazingly, a glove can do all sorts of things, pick up a book, wave good-bye, scratch my head, pat someone on the back, or slap somebody in the face.
A glove can do nothing if you take your hand out of it, however. All it does is lie there. You can yell at it, get mad at it, try to teach it lessons, but to no avail. It can do nothing on its own. Without your hand inside, the glove is nothing more than an ordinary piece of cloth (or leather or whatever it's made of).
People, like this glove, can do little of real consequence on their own. In the flesh we are weak, but with Christ we are strong. When your hand is inside the glove, the glove can do anything your hand wants it to do. InPhilippians 4.13, Paul teaches me that I am like a glove. On my own I can do nothing. But with Christ in me, I can do whatever Christ wants me to do. He is the one who gives me the strength and the ability to do it. We can be sure that if we obey Christ, He will be with us and give us the strength to do His will.
Edited from Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice (wayne@uyt.com) Copyright 1994 by Youth Specialties, Inc. http://www.gospelcom.net/ys/
Most people probably have heard of Billy Graham, but how about Chuck Templeton? What about Bron Cliffort? Have you heard of them? Did you know that they were also packing out auditorium in 1945 when Billy Graham first preached to large crowds? Here are some thoughts prompted from the book FINISHING STRONG by Steve Farrar.
All three of these young men rose to prominence in their middle twenties. One seminary president after hearing Chuck Templeton a brilliant, dynamic preacher - called Him the most gifted, talented young preacher in America. Templeton and Graham became very close friends. Then started preaching together with the Youth for Christ Organization.
Most observers thought that Templeton will be the one who go to the top. One magazine wrote a features article calling Templeton the ;Baby Ruth of evangelism.;
Bron Cliffort was another gifted, young fireball evangelist. Many believed that Cliffort was the most gifted, powerful preacher to come up in the church for may centuries. People lined up for hours to hear him preach.
When he went to Baylor University to give a discourse, they actually cut the ropes of the bells of the tower. They wanted nothing to interfere with his preaching. For two and half hours the students of Baylor sat on the edges of their seat as he gave a dissertation on Christ and the Philosopher's stone; At the the age of twenty-five, Cliffort touched more live, influenced more leaders, and set more attendance records than other clergyman in American history. National leaders yield for his attention. He was tall, handsome, dashing, intelligent and sophisticated. Hollywood actually tried to cast him in the role for the famous movie, THE ROBE. He seemed to have everything.
Graham, Templetion and Cliffort launched out of the starting block like Olympic gold medallist in 1945. Why haven't you heard of Chuck Templeton and Bron Cliffort? the answer may surprise you.
By 1950 Templeton had left the ministry. He pursued a radio career. He became an announcer and a newscaster, telling the world that he no longer believed Jesus Christ was the son of God. He become an atheist. By 1950, this future Babe Ruth of preaching was not even in the ball game.
By 1954 Cliffort had lost his family, ministry and health. Eventually he lost his life because of his addiction to alcohol. Financial irresponsibility left his wife and their two Downs-syndrome children penniless. This once famous preacher died of cirrhosis of the liver at the age of thirty-five in a rundown hotel on the edge on Amarillo. He died unwept, dishonored, and unsung. Some of the pastors from Amarillo, Texas, got together and collected and collected enough money to buy a cheap casket. They shipped his body back to the east coast, where he was buried in a pauper's cemetery.
In 1945 all three of these young men with extraordinary gifts were preaching for the purpose of multiplying the church by thousands of people. But within ten years only one of them was still on track for Christ.
In CHRISTIAN Life it's not how you start but it's how you finish. A recent survey shocked me, it's reported that only one out ten who start ministry at the age of 21 serve the Lord to age 65. They fall away from ministry due to immorality, discouragement, liberal theology, and love for wealth and the things in this world.
Probably you will say ;it is a really an interesting story but I can't relate to it because I'm not in ministry;. May I respond by suggesting that if you are Christian and are serious about Jesus Christ, then you are in the ministry. All Christians are in the ministry (Eph 4:11, Col 3:23). Whatever your profession, you work for Jesus. Jesus said that you are salt of the earth and light of the world (Matt 5:13-14). You are only thing flavoring and saving this world. We are co workers for Jesus.
Here are questions for you:
* Will you finish strong for Christ?
* Will you be a multiplier for Him throughout your life?
What will keep you from being one who leaves the race?
You see, those who finish strong are the exceptions. Why? because when it comes to finishing strong, there so many strong odds against you. The devil is against you and so are the flesh and the cares of this world. You could become your own enemy as you place your personal wants and desires above seeking the kingdom of God. Although not impossible, finishing strong is possible. You will be required to make some tough choices.
The church need Christians who are committed to the
call of Christ and the Great Commissions. Such Christians
will choose:
* Marriage and family over divorce and brokenness.
* Teaching children God's way and not the World's way.
* People over policies and programs.
* Enlarging instead of reducing their circle of love.
* Risking much for God rather playing it safe.
To finish strong, we must choose.....
* To Multiply not just add disciple.
* To stand for truth when critics are the loudest.
* To release not control people in ministry.
* And to Pray and fast and pray again.
Multiplication is the last great end-time revival. Reaping will come quicker that we can sow. Harvest time will require more work and workers than we can imagine. And the risk will be greater than anyone who has ever undertaken. God continue to ask the soul-winning, soul-searching question, ;WHOM shall I send?
Those who finish strong are needed more than ever as church multiplies disciples in the last days. Multitudes await the gospel. Will you be the multiplier proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ who goes to the waiting masses? I urge you to respond to God's call; HERE am I: SEND ME;.
GO AND FINISH STRONG FOR CHRIST!
(there *is* a difference)
It takes strength to be firm.
It takes courage to be gentle.
It takes strength to stand guard.
It takes courage to let down your guard.
It takes strength to conquer
It takes courage to surrender.
It takes strength to be certain.
It takes courage to have doubt.
It takes strength to fit in.
It takes courage to stand out.
It takes strength to feel a friend's pain.
It takes courage to feel your own pain.
It takes strength to hide feelings.
It takes courage to show them.
It takes strength to endure abuse.
It takes courage to stop it.
It takes strength to stand alone.
It takes courage to lean on another.
It takes strength to love.
It takes courage to be loved.
It takes strength to survive.
It takes courage to live.
~~author unknown~~
"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, from whom he whole family in heaven
and earth is named. that he would grant you according to
the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might
through his spirit in the inner man, that Christ may
dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being
rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend
with all the saints what is the width and length and
depth and height--to know the love of Christ which passes
knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness
of God. Now to him who is able to do exceedingly
abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to
the power that works in us.....
To him be the Glory in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
Ephesians 3:14-21
Iron is strong, but fire melts it.
Fire is strong, but water quenches it.
Water is strong, but the sun evaporates it.
The sun is strong, but clouds can cover it.
Clouds are strong, but wind can drive clouds away.
Wind is strong, but man can shut it out.
Man is strong, but fears cast him down.
Fear is strong, but sleep overcomes it.
Sleep is strong, yet death is stronger.
But the strongest is kindness. It survives death.
Paraphrased from The Talmud
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