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A Needed Reminder from a Famous Missionary During Missions Conference Week

A Needed Reminder from a Famous Missionary During Missions Conference Week
Not Our Work for the Lord, but the Lord’s Own Work through Us    Source: thegospelcoalition.org

What If God Moved When We Are Focused on Missions?

Today I came across this memory written by Ray Ortlund and, having read it with awareness of our coming week-long missions conference at Rocky, I thought, "What If God moved on us when we are focused on missions this week?"  Here is his memory:

"One Sunday morning when I was maybe twelve years old, as Dad was preaching from the pulpit and I was doodling in my seat, I noticed something.  Dad was minding his own business, preaching Christ, when Ed Fischer, sitting the choir loft, quietly got up from his seat, walked down to the communion table at the front and knelt in silent prayer.  His wife Lita joined him.  Then from all over the church, people started coming forward to kneel at the front and do business with God.

Dad didn't ask them to do that.  He was surprised.  It wasn't even the end of his sermon.  He was making no appeal.  But God came down and took over the service.  When Dad realized what was happening, he stepped back from the pulpit and stood there in reverent prayer.  The organist had the sensitivity to begin playing quietly.  God was meeting with His people.

It was quiet.  It was sacred.  It was an upper-middle class, mainstream evangelical church experiencing non-weird, unscheduled revival.  Our forefathers used to call this "the presidency of the Holy Spirit".  It happened several times through the years.  And it was always precious to my dad.

It sure ruined me.  After experiencing that early on, I cannot help longing for true revival.  I will go to my grave praying for revival."

I agree with Pastor Ortlund. 

I'm not talking about something contrived or scheduled.  It may not be during public worship.  It need not be like Ray Ortlund experienced.  But I long for biblical revival,  Isaiah 57 revival.  May God grant it, for His Name's sake and glory and our good and joy in Him!  "And it shall be said, 'Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstacle from my people's way.'  For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy.  'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'"  (Isaiah 57:14-15)

The Gospel Proclaimed

Missions will be our focus at Rocky, Oct. 23-30, as we consider and celebrate Jesus Christ's promise in Matthew 24:14-- "And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."  Please make it a priority to participate in the Mission Conference events, and pray.

Sun., Oct. 23        Dr. Phil Roberts, President of Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City, preaching in Gathered Worship, 10:15 A.M.

Wed., Oct. 26       Missions focus in AWANA Clubs and Student Ministry, 6:00 P.M.

                           Prayer Meeting for gospel missions and missionaries, 6:00 P.M.

Thurs., Oct 27      Karen van de Voorde, missionary with Heart of the Bride, in Alabanza, 7:00 P.M.

Fri., Oct 28          Real Missions Workshops (2 sessions) with Mike and Libby Wild, 6:30 - 8:30 P.M.

                          Special Real Missions Classes for children, Pre-K - 6th grade 

Sat., Oct. 29       Real Missions Workshops (3 sessions) with Mike and Libby Wild, 9:00 A.M. - Noon

                          Special Real Missions Classes for children, Pre-K - 6th grade

Sun., Oct. 30      Combined Adult Bible Fellowship Hour: Update from Thailand with Ken and Terry Lee, 9:15 A.M.

                          Pastor Carey Olson preaching in Gathered Worship, 10:15 A.M.

                         Evening focus on RBBC Missions and Missionaries, and Missions Fair, 6:00 P.M.

On Oct. 23 and 30, a limited number of copies of "A Holy Ambition: To Preach Where Christ Has Not Been Named", by Dr. John Piper, will be available for purchase.  Cost is $2.00 per copy, one per family please.