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.

New from Mark Cahill

Couple of newer teaching videos from our brother in Jesus Christ, Mark Cahill. Good encouragement to all soul winners and concerned, caring Christians. Second video based on "Pray for BOB."

 

In Mark's message, "Pray for BOB", this is not a person's name, but an acronym...

• B stands for BURDEN: Pray to God for a burden about the lost around you. Do you care about lost people ? Get your head up out of your phone, and look around you: every person has an eternal soul, and will be alive forever either in the presence of God with unspeakable joy, or separated from the love of God in a real place of torment called Hell. Do you care? Do you care enough to do something about that?
• O stands for OPPORTUNITY; God gives each of us 24 hours in a day. Pray that during your 24 hours, God will give you opportunities to share the gospel with lost people. In your neighborhood, at the gas station, at work, etc. And by the way, there are lots of good ways to open doors of opportunity with people: for example, gospel tracts, or just striking up a conversation about normal, everyday things with someone, then swinging the conversation to a spiritual focus with a goal of sharing the gospel.
• B stands for BOLD: now that you've got a burden for the lost, and you've cried out to God for opportunity, go out there an live a Bold life for Jesus Christ, and let the chips fall where they may. Through the leading and power of the Holy Spirit, tell as many people about Jesus Christ as you can, until he comes to catch us away, or you go to be with him!