Leaders Must Be Readers....

It's a beautiful Saturday here in Central Iowa, and I usually try to get out and share the gospel with my friends, neighbors, and complete strangers on a day like this. But, not today.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I struggle with a lung illness that really knocks me down once or twice a year, and that is certainly the case today! Actually, I've been struggling all week, and have missed some work because of it.

So, I guess the Lord is wanting me to rest my body, meditate on His word, be full of thanks for all the He has done, is doing and will do in my life. I know He's got a new body waiting for me - a glorious eternal home for my soul that will never get sick, run down, or wear out.

But even in rest, we can redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16, Colossians 4:5). An evangelist once wrote,
"Leaders must be readers." 

And frankly, I have been lazy lately. Not with the Bible; I read through the Psalms & New Testament twice in a year, and the Old Testament once. But I've been lazy in reading other edifying books that can help me grow in Christ and be more useful in His service.

Well, no excuses...Mary got me Dave Hunt's "Judgment Day!" for my birthday, and Mark Cahill sent me his latest book, "Reunion" as a gift a while back. And while the Bible comes first, I get the chance to read a couple of good, godly other books now, and trust God will teach me some good truths through these brothers.

Quick question: Where are you leading people?

We all influence other people in this life: friends, family members, neighbors, kids at school, and people we pass on the street or in the store. Are you leading them closer to Heaven by your words & actions? To do that, you have to be saved yourself. If that's true, are you pointing people to the only One who can save them from Hell? That's what I want to do, and I want to encourage you to this end as well.

For those of you brothers and sisters who are not physically unable to be about the Father's business, please reach out to someone with the gospel for me today, will you? I'll be praying for you to boldly share the truth in this dark, dying world, and that many will be turned to our mighty Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

And, prayer for my recovery, strength, health, etc., are greatly appreciated. Paul.

The Gospel of God...Awesome!

I love Dave Hunt. He went to be with the Lord on April 5, 2013, and has left a treasure trove of books, tapes, and teaching videos for those of us who remain on this side of eternity.

I never met Dave, but his "Search the Scriptures Daily" radio program was a great help to me as a new Christian in the mid-1990's.  On Saturday afternoons, I looked forward to listening to Dave and T. A. McMahon on "Search the Scriptures Daily" on our local Christian radio station where we lived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Fond memories...I look forward to seeing him again, and finally meeting him, in Heaven.

This video teaching on "The Gospel of God" is excellent, and shows the powerful, important, and oft-neglected use of Biblical prophecy in both gospel evangelism to the lost, and in exhortation and encouragement of the brethren. Dave's love for the Bible is contagious, and I hope it rubs off on you as it has on me. Enjoy!