Sodom Had No Bible

[stmatthew]

I just received the book titled "Sodom Had No Bible" today, and will be reading it over the next day or so. I usually finish a book within a few days.

Yet, even as I think of the title of the book, i know that it will prompt me to a greater realm of prayer for this hour. The fact is that while Sodom didn't have a bible, and didn't have a preacher, we in America have had this glorious gospel fed to us at any given time. We (hopefully) listen to christian music, read christian books, listen to tapes and cd's of the best of the best preaching. We have church several times per week.

Yet we pray less than our forefathers. Our children do not know what an all night prayer meeting is. Fasting is no longer a regular practice. Miracles and healings are no longer common occurances in the church. We now have to have music to move the pews.

Yes, there are about 3 threads on the subject of discontent now. I am starting another, not to complain, but just to speak from my heart of something that I see that has been lost in the shuffle of church life and christian living.

We are drunk on the cares of this life and getting as much temporal pleasure as humanly possible. We have replaced the concept of "This World is Not My Home" with a love for the world.

I am not speaking of standards or the lack thereof. I am speaking of kingdom building within the church. You can dress as conservatively as humanly possible and still be in love with power, control, and money. You can be as liberal as the day is long but have a spirit of "I will".

[Neck]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

I just received the book titled "Sodom Had No Bible" today, and will be reading it over the next day or so. I usually finish a book within a few days.

Yet, even as I think of the title of the book, i know that it will prompt me to a greater realm of prayer for this hour. The fact is that while Sodom didn't have a bible, and didn't have a preacher, we in America have had this glorious gospel fed to us at any given time. We (hopefully) listen to christian music, read christian books, listen to tapes and cd's of the best of the best preaching. We have church several times per week.

Yet we pray less than our forefathers. Our children do not know what an all night prayer meeting is. Fasting is no longer a regular practice. Miracles and healings are no longer common occurances in the church. We now have to have music to move the pews.

Yes, there are about 3 threads on the subject of discontent now. I am starting another, not to complain, but just to speak from my heart of something that I see that has been lost in the shuffle of church life and christian living.

Because in our midst so many ministers have sounded and looked like goofs.

Then they stand tall about how to live.

Then when they fall they fall big.

Then that keeps hundreds of folks out of any organized church.

[stmatthew]

This alone should set some of us to hungering for something greater.


I offer it as my considered judgment that the main reason why we do not have heaven-born, spirit operated revival in our day is that WE ARE CONTENT TO LIVE WITHOUT IT.

Lesser "blessings" make us happy. Another buss for Sunday School is all that some ask. A bigger attendance this year at Easter and Christmas elevates the joy of many promotion-geared churches. Others boast in a bigger offering for missions.

But I warn you again that the devil and hell fear none of these paltry flesh-born goals. Revival alone shakes the devil's kingdom, breaks his power, robs him of eternal possessions, and releases his captives. Out of revival alone springs a vanguard of men who will eagerly hazard their lives for His dear sake.Revival alone inspires men to carry oversized loads without murmur, as did their Lord, men who will blaze new trails where souls by the MILLION NOW SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH.

BRETHREN! WHEN WE GET HUMBLE ENOUGH, AND LOW ENOUGH, AND DESPERATE ENOUGH, AND HUNGRY ENOUGH AND CONCERNED ENOUGH, AND PASSIONATE ENOUGH, AND BROKEN ENOUGH, AND CLEAN ENOUGH, AND PRAYERFUL ENOUGH, THEN GOD WILL SEND US A REVIVAL THAT EQUALS AND SURPASSES THE AWAKENING THIS COUNTRY EXPERIENCED IN THE DAYS OF CHARLES FINNEY.

[sola gratia]

excellent book - I'd love to know your thoughts on it

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by sola gratia

excellent book - I'd love to know your thoughts on it

I have been putting off reading it because I know that it will demand change within me. I just read the 1st chapter today, and will be posting on it in another thread.

Anything Leonard Ravenhill wrote will challenge the status quo in a persons life. He was truly a man that called men to be men. He, along with EM Bounds should be required reading for ministry. If someone is not challenged by reading any of his books, I don't know what it would take to move you. I searched him out when I read the book, "Why Revival Tarries". My dad had the book, and after he died, my mom gave it to me. It saddened me that LR had died just months prior to my reading it. I would have hopped on a plane and met him in person.

As I read through it, I will comment here, and in other threads.

[Trouvere]

Matt,
I have read most of Ravenhills books.(I wanted to mail them to MFBlume for his collection of books by trinitarian authors if he is reading this) This topic was a good one.I was just thinking lately that if things do not change in the body of Jesus Christ worldwide we will end up like the catholics and those who have the gifts moving in them will suddenly be celebrated and put in a dictionary of saints and the rest of the folks in years to follow will be left feeling as though they will
never arrive.Thank God for prayer and that He is still at work in our midst today.
We do have hope.

[Barb]

I have never heard of him...

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by Barb

I have never heard of him...

Barb,

You will very much enjoy any of his books. This is the only one I have not read. Get his book "Why Revival Tarries". It is a very heart challenging book, as are all of his writings.

[Rico]

http://www.ravenhill.org/