To:
Terry Harper;
Seth Polk;
Greetings,
I wanted to touch base with you over a few things to consider before November.
1. A note needs to be sent out to and through WVCSB about ‘The Response.’ The prayer and fasting on August 6 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX. Gov. Perry called for this and has invited other governors and states to participate. It is a simulcast event and pastors, churches and concerned Christians can hook up or hosts this 6 hour prayer meeting. I think our convention should respond and at least posts the info.
http://theresponseusa.com/
2. In Hampshire county, where I pastor both churches, August 6 is also the first county wide prayer meeting for revival. I have gathered other pastors, across denominational lines to join in one prayer petition - For Revival. A Serious Call to Prayer among WV must begin. And why not with us? My suggestion is to bounce off this nation wide call of Gov. Perry’s and encourage churches to be proactive in stepping out to pray in August, September, October and November. Perhaps using Delton Beall’s 10:2 prayer initiative.
There should be content of: the need of God’s Holy Spirit leading, directing, empowering and filling us; a prayer for the lost 1.4 million; a prayer for the churches; a prayer for families; a confession and repentance of sins.
3. Seth, you made reference to use Claude King’s, ‘Consecrate the People’ for a prayer agenda. I don’t know when the next newsletter goes out, but August should be used to set up prayer times all over the state, for those that would gather to pray for November. Ask the pastors or churches to open their doors for prayer. We cannot control whether they come or not, but we can obey to do it.
AS you may know, my concern that Kevin Ezell and NAMB removed the office of prayer and spiritual awakening. They are currently working on a prayer status for NAMB. I have no idea what that will look like. Frank Page and the executive committee downsized and removed Ken Hemphill and EKG , which was its discipleship program. Lifeway removed theirs along time ago. There must be a return to prayer and spiritual discipleship. Prayer link has been the catalyst to generate prayer among Southern Baptist. Its current role is uncertain. I am working now to revise it and revive it however the Lord might do this.
Let us believe God for an awakening among our 200 some odd churches. Let us lay before the Lord His Holy Name sake to reach the lost. We are not the only Christians in this state, but there is no reason why God can’t come to a people that is dry and thirsty and ‘pour water on the dry and thristy’ and fulfill His promise of giving us the fullness of His Holy Spirit. That we would be set on fire for His glory and see our churches filled and overflowing. And that truly we wouldn’t have to worry about downsizing and minimizing, but we would have to worry about building churches and accommodating the 100,000’s that would come to Christ in a short space of time.
Let us trust the Lord for these things. Let us do it the way He commanded ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit. To revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’
Until,
Dan Biser
Rdbiser@live.com
Friday, July 29, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
HE WENT IN
"And Noah went in . . .into the ark, becuase of the waters of the flood." Genesis 7:7
"There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark. . ." v. 9
"And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, where is the breath of life." v. 15
"And they went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in." v. 16
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Matthew 6:6o
HE WENT IN
One of the most confessed sins today in the church is the sin of neglect. There is much across our lives that we seem to be missing. We will attest, we know it should not be this way. But to repent and change our actions of service unto the Lord still seems to be missing. A holy desire to please God is a hard thing to find among the church today. We should know that sin abounds, judgments come and lostness prevails when God's people are neglecting His commands.
The command comes to pray without ceasing. We are to give ourselves to seek Him, to find Him and to call upon Him. One of our greatest delights, as a Christian, is to pray. Prayer is the very fabric of which God moves and works among the sons of men. His Spirit raises up a spirt of prayer; He hears prayers; He answers prayers; He is glorified through such prayers. The whole duty of man is to bring glory unto God. Prayer, right praying, accomplishes that. And in order for this to happen, to be true, of us, we must pray.
Yet, the saddest confession to so mamy that would agree with these statement, will be the first to attest that they have not prayed. It seems to be the biggest neglect among God's people today. During our days of 'Broken Before the Throne' it was and is the most confessed sin among the people of God, 'I don't pray like I ought to.' Many have been honest and open, 'I don't ahve a prayer life.' this is not the heathen and sinners, it is the body of Christ being disobedient and sinful to one of our greatest weapons of warfare against hell and Satan - PRAYER.
Jesus is preaching the Sermon on the mount in Matthew 5 - 7. Here in chapter 6 we read of the verse by verse instructions for a follower of Christ. 'Enter into the secret closet.' How often doyou enter in? When was the last time you entered in? We are to maintain a daily time alone with God. We are to be before Him and with Him. 'Be still and know that I am God.' One of the reasons why God's people don't know any more about God than they do, is because they have not been still. They have not prayed rightly. They have not 'entered in' before Him and with Him.
"There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark. . ." v. 9
"And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, where is the breath of life." v. 15
"And they went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in." v. 16
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Matthew 6:6o
HE WENT IN
One of the most confessed sins today in the church is the sin of neglect. There is much across our lives that we seem to be missing. We will attest, we know it should not be this way. But to repent and change our actions of service unto the Lord still seems to be missing. A holy desire to please God is a hard thing to find among the church today. We should know that sin abounds, judgments come and lostness prevails when God's people are neglecting His commands.
The command comes to pray without ceasing. We are to give ourselves to seek Him, to find Him and to call upon Him. One of our greatest delights, as a Christian, is to pray. Prayer is the very fabric of which God moves and works among the sons of men. His Spirit raises up a spirt of prayer; He hears prayers; He answers prayers; He is glorified through such prayers. The whole duty of man is to bring glory unto God. Prayer, right praying, accomplishes that. And in order for this to happen, to be true, of us, we must pray.
Yet, the saddest confession to so mamy that would agree with these statement, will be the first to attest that they have not prayed. It seems to be the biggest neglect among God's people today. During our days of 'Broken Before the Throne' it was and is the most confessed sin among the people of God, 'I don't pray like I ought to.' Many have been honest and open, 'I don't ahve a prayer life.' this is not the heathen and sinners, it is the body of Christ being disobedient and sinful to one of our greatest weapons of warfare against hell and Satan - PRAYER.
Jesus is preaching the Sermon on the mount in Matthew 5 - 7. Here in chapter 6 we read of the verse by verse instructions for a follower of Christ. 'Enter into the secret closet.' How often doyou enter in? When was the last time you entered in? We are to maintain a daily time alone with God. We are to be before Him and with Him. 'Be still and know that I am God.' One of the reasons why God's people don't know any more about God than they do, is because they have not been still. They have not prayed rightly. They have not 'entered in' before Him and with Him.
Posted: 7/26/11
Thursday, July 21, 2011
A CALL FOR PRAYER
I was asked recently, 'What is the end result of all my calling for prayer?' I answered, 'The end result is revival, real revival. Revival where the manifest Presence of God comes down upon His people.'
You worry over the state of our Baptist churches, membership, lack of holiness and indifference to the power of God. In 1857, 1,000's of baptists where leaving the church, yet when revival came, the very next year there was a 13% increase. In one prayer meeting, the first petition for prayer was from a wife desiring her husbands salvation. Immediately 6 husbands stood within 3 minutes confessing it was them, that they was far from God and their wives were praying for them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80JdBg_Cn3Q - video of 'What Revival Is?' by J. Edwin Orr
Isn't this what we need? Isn't this the answer? Isnt' this where the energy should be toward? Isnt' this what brings glory to God?
I am asking for leadership to call for prayer unlike we have never called for it before. Call for another solemn assembly date. Call for monthly prayer meeting like Gov. Perry did for Aug. 6. Call for every state convention, every association to have times of prayer for the power, for confession for our sins until God comes down. Call for prayer so that in 20 years, if God tarries, that it will be said one thing about your edicts and our decisions, 'They prayed. They called for prayer. They prayed.'
Goforth, 'The history of revival shows plainly that all movements of the Spirit have started in prayer.'
Begin an historical crescendo of prayer among Southern Baptists. I mean literally every conversation, every written article, every message, every action let it be said, 'I give myself unto prayer'. For I know God is honoring to such that will live and breath in prayer. Our history shows the truth of this. WE are known as 'people of the Book'. Let us add to that description, as 'people of prayer'.
Wesley Duewel said it this way, 'Our God is a pent up revival waiting for a peopel to pray for it.' Let us be a people that God explodes upon with this pent up revival to win the 250 million in North America. To win the 6 billion on the planet without Christ.
Until,
dan biser
rdbiser@live.com
You worry over the state of our Baptist churches, membership, lack of holiness and indifference to the power of God. In 1857, 1,000's of baptists where leaving the church, yet when revival came, the very next year there was a 13% increase. In one prayer meeting, the first petition for prayer was from a wife desiring her husbands salvation. Immediately 6 husbands stood within 3 minutes confessing it was them, that they was far from God and their wives were praying for them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80JdBg_Cn3Q - video of 'What Revival Is?' by J. Edwin Orr
Isn't this what we need? Isn't this the answer? Isnt' this where the energy should be toward? Isnt' this what brings glory to God?
I am asking for leadership to call for prayer unlike we have never called for it before. Call for another solemn assembly date. Call for monthly prayer meeting like Gov. Perry did for Aug. 6. Call for every state convention, every association to have times of prayer for the power, for confession for our sins until God comes down. Call for prayer so that in 20 years, if God tarries, that it will be said one thing about your edicts and our decisions, 'They prayed. They called for prayer. They prayed.'
Goforth, 'The history of revival shows plainly that all movements of the Spirit have started in prayer.'
Begin an historical crescendo of prayer among Southern Baptists. I mean literally every conversation, every written article, every message, every action let it be said, 'I give myself unto prayer'. For I know God is honoring to such that will live and breath in prayer. Our history shows the truth of this. WE are known as 'people of the Book'. Let us add to that description, as 'people of prayer'.
Wesley Duewel said it this way, 'Our God is a pent up revival waiting for a peopel to pray for it.' Let us be a people that God explodes upon with this pent up revival to win the 250 million in North America. To win the 6 billion on the planet without Christ.
Until,
dan biser
rdbiser@live.com
Thursday, July 14, 2011
LETTER FOR SBC LEADERS - JULY
July, 2011
Greetings brothers,
‘The devil considers it a complete triumph if he can strip away the saint's armor and bribe him away from steadfast in his holy profession. The devil would rather see Christians defiled with sin and unrighteousness than defiled in blood and pain, for he has learned that persecution only trims the church, which soon comes back up all the thicker, it is unrighteousness which ruins it. ‘ William Gurnall
We are in a great dilemma these pressing months. I know that there was much accomplished for ’your agenda’ at the convention. But I continue to hear and read of more dissent and rejection to leadership. The above statement of our unrighteousness as a body of believers in Southern Baptists, is more pleasing to Satan than our successes. I believe these things must be put right before moving ahead with agendas.
I see 3 areas that need to be addressed immediately:
1. The lack of prayer; You have heard me on this before, if you have given any heed to my letters, emails and phone calls. But prayer has continued to be systematically removed from all areas of SBC life as I see it. Brothers, we cannot continue without prevailing prayer. I am not talking about those that ‘say prayers’. I am talking about those that intentionally pray and prevail. TW Hunt has always reassured me, ‘That God always has His remnant.’ Praise His Name for this truth! But when I look about some of the great prayer warriors of old, like Bertha Smith, Culpepper, TW Hunt, Henry Blackaby and such like, I see those that have died, and those that are getting older and very frail. This generation has yet to produce the like to match their caliber of prevailing and seeing the same results as they saw. As was shared at the SBC with all the many needs for 1. Reaching the unreached people groups; 2. Money for supporting missions; 3. Unity among Southern Baptists; and 4. New church plants across North America. Where was the time given to pray over such things?
At the SBC convention, when the video was shown about Joplin and other ravaged areas for disasters, and the program was running ahead of schedule. I went forth to the stage and sent a message that instead of just saying, ‘Pray for these areas and relief workers. Since we are ahead of schedule take the time to pray.’ Bryant, I don’t’ know whether you did that on your own, or whether you responded to my message, but you did take time to pray in small groups for a few minutes.
But considering the enormous tasks ahead for us, more time should have been spent in prayer together. I would like to show you in our history, almost 100 years ago, time was made and spent in prayer at the SBC convention: (forgive me for the length of this but it is important)
Culpepper’s book, ‘In April 1923, we applied to the Foreign Mission Board. The Southern Baptist Convention met in Kansas City in May of that year. Dr. J. F. Love, the Executive Secretary of the Board, reported to the convention there were seventy-five candidates to go, but the Board did not have funds to send anyone. The news shocked the entire convention. The leaders of the convention realized that they could not afford to send the volunteers that year. They called the convention to prayer. The strongest leaders, such as Dr. Truett, Dr. Gambrell and Dr. Mullins, spoke in very strong terms the absolute necessity of sending missionaries. In this prayer meeting, which lasted until nearly midnight, individuals and churches subscribed enough funds to send ninety-two missionaries.’ They prayed, they stayed and God provided. Is not all our hope found here in this truth? When God’s people pray rightly, God works wondrously for His glory!
2. The lack of discipleship that keeps new believers strong and sure in their faith and walk with the Lord. I don’t know how much to go into this, except to say, that Lifeway is at the root of this. They have removed most of their discipleship literature and programs. We want spiritual churches, families, evangelistic and mission minded, yet we strip away the very formation of spiritual discipleship. Henry Blackaby has said often, ‘This is the most biblically ignorant generation that has ever been.’ WE have more of everything but depth in Christ.
One of the products of real Revival is that God’s people feast on God. They cannot get enough of His Word. They cannot get enough of His people in church fellowship. They cannot get enough of prayer. I don’t know whether you agree with Finney on this or not, but his conclusion is that the church can be brought closer to the place of sustaining revival when these ‘spiritual disciplines’ are maintained. But if we remove and lose these things then we are removing ourselves from His Presence. The Assembly of God denomination has taken our products of discipleship from the 1970’s and 80’s and incorporated them into their mainstream. And that is why they are growing and we are declining. We must ‘repair the breaches’ of spiritual discipleship among our convention.
3. WE need to have a time of corporate repentance. WE are in July and have adequate time to approach the state conventions for such a prayer time. Act now; to seek for reconciliation, forgiveness and restoration among our own. WE need to have a time to call upon the Lord in repentance for our neglects, missed opportunities and squandering of time and money to reach our nation and the world. Have a time to repent of sins in our nation, our churches, our families, and our own personal lives.
I continue to read and hear of these states that, in their fall state meetings, they are heading for fracture and conflict. NAMB’s approach to DOM’s to be done by the end of the year. In essence, you have six months till you are out, is not a show of love and respect in any fashion. It is much in comparison when Abraham was forced by Sarah, to give Hagar and Ishmael a bottle of water and sent out into the wilderness. Yes, God said, ’Do it’; and God provided for them. But is this the best way for us to act and do this?
*Deleted Section for Frank Page only;
Jonathan Goforth, 'At the breakfast table, on the sixth morning, Dr. A------ told me that that night two of the Chinese leaders, one of whom was the evangelist already referred to, had wakened him up long after midnight to get him to pray with them. 'Mr. Goforth has been here five days already,' they said, 'and yet there has been no real sign of revival. We're so troubled by the thought that the Lord might pass us by that we can't sleep.' When I heard that I was greatly encouraged. I felt sure that God's time for favor was close at hand.’
In conclusion, I think there is much urgency beginning to arise among us. This is very healthy that God is stirring us for His work. I know a few that match this comment of Goforth’s, ‘We’re so troubled by the thought that the Lord might pass us by that we can’t sleep.’ God is working and moving. But let us be sure we are where we are supposed to be; doing what we are supposed to do; in the right way. Let us be sure that holiness is our objective and not self-agendas, with humanism at its helm. ‘There is a way that seemeth right unto man.’ But God says, ‘Here is the path, now walk in it.’
There are two things in which I am asking of you.
1. First, I am asking you to respond to this. Some of you are quite offended by my writings, that I am ‘too accusing of the brethren’ and judgmental. I have tried to express to you that I am simply trying to state the reality of our situation. We are not a spiritual people, as would seem. These are simply suggestions and ideas that would elevate our pursuit of holiness. The song says, ‘Greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city’. These are to be done by ‘growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord’ through these 3 suggestions. Please, don’t take my words as leveling condemnation but merely seeking to raise standards of holiness among us.
2. Secondly, I am asking for a plan and simplistic purpose of agenda to present to the state conventions to fulfill these things. Is it possible? Is it right? Should we not expect some attention to these things to pursue righteousness? If the states, associations, churches, entities and schools reject it - so be it! But at least make the effort to apply these spiritual truths to our daily living for Christ. That in all ways we may be like Him, our blessed Lord and Redeemer and Savior. That we may know Him and learn of His fullness.
This is written with my burden to prevail in prayer; to see real revival in our day and to know that ’God has come down.’
Until,
Dan Biser
Rdbiser@live.com
http://dbiser.blogspot.com
http://danbiser.blogspot.com
http://www.brokenbeforethethrone.com
Greetings brothers,
‘The devil considers it a complete triumph if he can strip away the saint's armor and bribe him away from steadfast in his holy profession. The devil would rather see Christians defiled with sin and unrighteousness than defiled in blood and pain, for he has learned that persecution only trims the church, which soon comes back up all the thicker, it is unrighteousness which ruins it. ‘ William Gurnall
We are in a great dilemma these pressing months. I know that there was much accomplished for ’your agenda’ at the convention. But I continue to hear and read of more dissent and rejection to leadership. The above statement of our unrighteousness as a body of believers in Southern Baptists, is more pleasing to Satan than our successes. I believe these things must be put right before moving ahead with agendas.
I see 3 areas that need to be addressed immediately:
1. The lack of prayer; You have heard me on this before, if you have given any heed to my letters, emails and phone calls. But prayer has continued to be systematically removed from all areas of SBC life as I see it. Brothers, we cannot continue without prevailing prayer. I am not talking about those that ‘say prayers’. I am talking about those that intentionally pray and prevail. TW Hunt has always reassured me, ‘That God always has His remnant.’ Praise His Name for this truth! But when I look about some of the great prayer warriors of old, like Bertha Smith, Culpepper, TW Hunt, Henry Blackaby and such like, I see those that have died, and those that are getting older and very frail. This generation has yet to produce the like to match their caliber of prevailing and seeing the same results as they saw. As was shared at the SBC with all the many needs for 1. Reaching the unreached people groups; 2. Money for supporting missions; 3. Unity among Southern Baptists; and 4. New church plants across North America. Where was the time given to pray over such things?
At the SBC convention, when the video was shown about Joplin and other ravaged areas for disasters, and the program was running ahead of schedule. I went forth to the stage and sent a message that instead of just saying, ‘Pray for these areas and relief workers. Since we are ahead of schedule take the time to pray.’ Bryant, I don’t’ know whether you did that on your own, or whether you responded to my message, but you did take time to pray in small groups for a few minutes.
But considering the enormous tasks ahead for us, more time should have been spent in prayer together. I would like to show you in our history, almost 100 years ago, time was made and spent in prayer at the SBC convention: (forgive me for the length of this but it is important)
Culpepper’s book, ‘In April 1923, we applied to the Foreign Mission Board. The Southern Baptist Convention met in Kansas City in May of that year. Dr. J. F. Love, the Executive Secretary of the Board, reported to the convention there were seventy-five candidates to go, but the Board did not have funds to send anyone. The news shocked the entire convention. The leaders of the convention realized that they could not afford to send the volunteers that year. They called the convention to prayer. The strongest leaders, such as Dr. Truett, Dr. Gambrell and Dr. Mullins, spoke in very strong terms the absolute necessity of sending missionaries. In this prayer meeting, which lasted until nearly midnight, individuals and churches subscribed enough funds to send ninety-two missionaries.’ They prayed, they stayed and God provided. Is not all our hope found here in this truth? When God’s people pray rightly, God works wondrously for His glory!
2. The lack of discipleship that keeps new believers strong and sure in their faith and walk with the Lord. I don’t know how much to go into this, except to say, that Lifeway is at the root of this. They have removed most of their discipleship literature and programs. We want spiritual churches, families, evangelistic and mission minded, yet we strip away the very formation of spiritual discipleship. Henry Blackaby has said often, ‘This is the most biblically ignorant generation that has ever been.’ WE have more of everything but depth in Christ.
One of the products of real Revival is that God’s people feast on God. They cannot get enough of His Word. They cannot get enough of His people in church fellowship. They cannot get enough of prayer. I don’t know whether you agree with Finney on this or not, but his conclusion is that the church can be brought closer to the place of sustaining revival when these ‘spiritual disciplines’ are maintained. But if we remove and lose these things then we are removing ourselves from His Presence. The Assembly of God denomination has taken our products of discipleship from the 1970’s and 80’s and incorporated them into their mainstream. And that is why they are growing and we are declining. We must ‘repair the breaches’ of spiritual discipleship among our convention.
3. WE need to have a time of corporate repentance. WE are in July and have adequate time to approach the state conventions for such a prayer time. Act now; to seek for reconciliation, forgiveness and restoration among our own. WE need to have a time to call upon the Lord in repentance for our neglects, missed opportunities and squandering of time and money to reach our nation and the world. Have a time to repent of sins in our nation, our churches, our families, and our own personal lives.
I continue to read and hear of these states that, in their fall state meetings, they are heading for fracture and conflict. NAMB’s approach to DOM’s to be done by the end of the year. In essence, you have six months till you are out, is not a show of love and respect in any fashion. It is much in comparison when Abraham was forced by Sarah, to give Hagar and Ishmael a bottle of water and sent out into the wilderness. Yes, God said, ’Do it’; and God provided for them. But is this the best way for us to act and do this?
*Deleted Section for Frank Page only;
Jonathan Goforth, 'At the breakfast table, on the sixth morning, Dr. A------ told me that that night two of the Chinese leaders, one of whom was the evangelist already referred to, had wakened him up long after midnight to get him to pray with them. 'Mr. Goforth has been here five days already,' they said, 'and yet there has been no real sign of revival. We're so troubled by the thought that the Lord might pass us by that we can't sleep.' When I heard that I was greatly encouraged. I felt sure that God's time for favor was close at hand.’
In conclusion, I think there is much urgency beginning to arise among us. This is very healthy that God is stirring us for His work. I know a few that match this comment of Goforth’s, ‘We’re so troubled by the thought that the Lord might pass us by that we can’t sleep.’ God is working and moving. But let us be sure we are where we are supposed to be; doing what we are supposed to do; in the right way. Let us be sure that holiness is our objective and not self-agendas, with humanism at its helm. ‘There is a way that seemeth right unto man.’ But God says, ‘Here is the path, now walk in it.’
There are two things in which I am asking of you.
1. First, I am asking you to respond to this. Some of you are quite offended by my writings, that I am ‘too accusing of the brethren’ and judgmental. I have tried to express to you that I am simply trying to state the reality of our situation. We are not a spiritual people, as would seem. These are simply suggestions and ideas that would elevate our pursuit of holiness. The song says, ‘Greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city’. These are to be done by ‘growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord’ through these 3 suggestions. Please, don’t take my words as leveling condemnation but merely seeking to raise standards of holiness among us.
2. Secondly, I am asking for a plan and simplistic purpose of agenda to present to the state conventions to fulfill these things. Is it possible? Is it right? Should we not expect some attention to these things to pursue righteousness? If the states, associations, churches, entities and schools reject it - so be it! But at least make the effort to apply these spiritual truths to our daily living for Christ. That in all ways we may be like Him, our blessed Lord and Redeemer and Savior. That we may know Him and learn of His fullness.
This is written with my burden to prevail in prayer; to see real revival in our day and to know that ’God has come down.’
Until,
Dan Biser
Rdbiser@live.com
http://dbiser.blogspot.com
http://danbiser.blogspot.com
http://www.brokenbeforethethrone.com
Thursday, July 7, 2011
THERE IS A DROUGHT
Genesis 41:47, “And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.”
v. 53, “And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. V. 54, “And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.”
I can remember very fondly, old Junior Hill, an evangelist, preaching at the SBC Pastor’s conference a number of years ago with the word, ‘An out of season.’ ‘Preach the Word, brethren, in season and out of season. It is definitely an out of season.’ As a young man, that message stuck with me. I needed to remember the difference of in season and out of season. What season was I in? What does an in season look like? What does an out of season look like? Here in these verses we find the answer.
There was a time, not so long ago, in the 1950’s and 1960’s, and the churches were growing by leaps and bounds. It seemed as if almost everyone was raised in the church. It was the few who were out of church and the majority in the church. Almost everyone knew of the saving Gospel; almost everyone heard the Gospel presented to them. Prayer was a way of life for many in the church, and the Word of God was revered and held in promenience. The nation had been victorious in WWII and was atop of the world. It seemed as if everything was good. But then. . .
Then came the 1970’s, and across North America there were fires burning of revival. IN Canada, there was the revival in 1971. Soon to follow in other places in the United States were movements across Asbury College and other schools. These places saw the glimpses of God in power. Services and opportunities lingered on and on. And the Jesus movement began to sweep in the young people, taking them away from their drugs and sexual revolution and turning them to whole heartedly serve Christ. Then something happened. . .
During those same years in the 1970's there was a change across our land. the very existence of God was questioned in schools. Sin abounded through drugs, sex and worldly entertainment. It was taking root in the lives of the next generation even though these movements of God were happening.
From the 1980’s on till present day, there has been little seen or experienced that compares to the 1970’s. and nothing of the 1970’s comes close to the Great Awakenings, Hebrides, or the Welsh Revival. Oh, to see the out flow of God coming down, not in judgment but in mercy to revive His people. These were the moves of God that are compared to verse 47, ‘by the handfuls’. Not just a few here and there were born again, but thousands upward toward millions were swept into the kingdom of God and kept here by His mighty power to save and keep. And nothing compares to the Hebrides revival of 1949 in the isles off of England. Duncan Campbell makes this statement, ‘we know nothing of back sliding.’ Whole villages and hamlets, whole households were born again and captured for His glory.
Before the revival fell in the Hebrides, one deacon made that cry, ‘Did you not say, God, that You would pour water on the dry ground? Is it not a dry ground?’ And when he ushered those words of promise back to God Who gave them, revival fell on the people. And by the handfuls they were brought into the kingdom. But do you see the scenario? ‘Is it not dry?’ There had been days and years of famine, of drought and then came the harvest. Are we not in such a manner as this now? And for all these excerpts that I would love to recant to you about those things of days gone by, what does that change for the souls of the perishing today? Nothing. It is an out of season. WE are in the years of dearth. As much as we can give thanks, that we can rejoice, that we can speak of all His wondrous works, the truth is upon us, they are lost. Even tonight, millions upon billions around this world we lay their heads to go to sleep without a Savior, without hope, without an eternal home in heaven awaiting them.
Say the prayer, ‘Now I lay me down to sleep; I pray the Lord my soul to keep; if I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.’ How many have no knowledge that God will take their soul to heaven? How many have no knowledge that if they should die before they wake, they would wake up in heaven? We are in the dearth for such death as is at hand. It is not a question if God can change the drought to plenty; it is not an issue if God can undo the evil of this land; it is only a question of what the Lord’s Sovereign will is. He is the Lord and can do anything He desires or pleases to do for His glory.
Yet, we know that God also allows for us to reap what we sow. How much sin has been sown? How much unbelief? How much evil? I would imagine that other times have been as bad as this society is; I can imagine that the church has been as carnal and powerless; but I don't want too. It is enough to bear the thoughts and faces of so many facing drought even now. So many crying out for the hunger of the bread, and there is none to present it. So many crying out for water, but the Holy Spirit of water has been withheld. It is so dry and far removed from what God desires or ever intended. But it is that which the church has allowed. We are in dearth.
Could you imagine those that are starving to reject bread? or water? They would take anything and everything. Yet, not so today. The bread is made ready, the water is ready to be poured out; yet these that are starving and perishing refuse and reject all that God would gladly give. I can remember a day when people hungered for the Word. I can remember when so many came to be filled and satisifed. Yet, today they could care less if they receive, or come. They can easily miss church services, prayer meetings, Bible readings and never think a second time about it. Their children and grandchildren are going to hell but who cares. Self is the only god they are interested in pleasing. How callous for anyone to know that their loved one is perishing into an eternal flame of hell and punishment; and never cry a tear, never utter a prayer, never make an effort, never try to save them. We are in the dearth.
So we see that our days of the'seven years' of plenty have come and gone. We see that what ever movement God was beginning has ceased to be. He has withdrawn Himself becuase of our sins. We must remember these Scriptural truths when talking about revival; 'The Lord's hand is not shortened, neither is His ear heavy that He cannot hear. But our iniquities have separated us from Him.' It is our sin and allowance for sin today that has driven the power of the Gospel away from us. That which we see today, would never have been allowed or thought of a few years ago. And God is wondering if His people will ever desire to serve Him and know Him again. Is there such a heart in you? Do you desire Him more now than ever? Oh, how we need the Lord to come and give us 7 years of plenty again. The ground is so dry; the harvest is past; the drought has consumed all growth and vegetation. We need the Lord to rain down on us the power of the Holy Spirit.
I believe for many that during the dearth they deny that it is really happening. Their hope for rain tomorrow is always there. But then suddenly week after week as left them without. They know the need for rain, but that does not mean that it is raining. the church knows the need for revival, but that does not mean that revival is happening. ONe week the green grass turns brown. Soon all vegetation is withering away. Then you begin to hear of wells going dry. Now there is an alaram for the very essence of drinking water has been taken. This stage of alarm has come and gone for the church. They have tried to rally repeatedly, but there is no linger presence to stay before the Lord until He breaks forth.
We could take the calendar and set down and count the 7 years. Figure up that it is 84 months. Know how many days and hours and start clicking it off. Joseph worked and labored during those years of plenty to store up. He used the years of dearth to ration out what he had been led by the Lord to preserve. And also during these days, his restoration was given with his family. His brothers came seeking bread. He had been sent there by the Lord to preserve bread for them to bring them through. God had made a promise unto Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all this was a part of it. It might be that our restoration is needed during this time. A soul seeking desire to know if there be anything for deliverance and forgiveness. For soon the dearth will be over and life of 'normalacy' will begin again.
Update: 7/11/11
Updated: 7/10/11
Posted 7/7/11
v. 53, “And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. V. 54, “And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.”
I can remember very fondly, old Junior Hill, an evangelist, preaching at the SBC Pastor’s conference a number of years ago with the word, ‘An out of season.’ ‘Preach the Word, brethren, in season and out of season. It is definitely an out of season.’ As a young man, that message stuck with me. I needed to remember the difference of in season and out of season. What season was I in? What does an in season look like? What does an out of season look like? Here in these verses we find the answer.
There was a time, not so long ago, in the 1950’s and 1960’s, and the churches were growing by leaps and bounds. It seemed as if almost everyone was raised in the church. It was the few who were out of church and the majority in the church. Almost everyone knew of the saving Gospel; almost everyone heard the Gospel presented to them. Prayer was a way of life for many in the church, and the Word of God was revered and held in promenience. The nation had been victorious in WWII and was atop of the world. It seemed as if everything was good. But then. . .
Then came the 1970’s, and across North America there were fires burning of revival. IN Canada, there was the revival in 1971. Soon to follow in other places in the United States were movements across Asbury College and other schools. These places saw the glimpses of God in power. Services and opportunities lingered on and on. And the Jesus movement began to sweep in the young people, taking them away from their drugs and sexual revolution and turning them to whole heartedly serve Christ. Then something happened. . .
During those same years in the 1970's there was a change across our land. the very existence of God was questioned in schools. Sin abounded through drugs, sex and worldly entertainment. It was taking root in the lives of the next generation even though these movements of God were happening.
From the 1980’s on till present day, there has been little seen or experienced that compares to the 1970’s. and nothing of the 1970’s comes close to the Great Awakenings, Hebrides, or the Welsh Revival. Oh, to see the out flow of God coming down, not in judgment but in mercy to revive His people. These were the moves of God that are compared to verse 47, ‘by the handfuls’. Not just a few here and there were born again, but thousands upward toward millions were swept into the kingdom of God and kept here by His mighty power to save and keep. And nothing compares to the Hebrides revival of 1949 in the isles off of England. Duncan Campbell makes this statement, ‘we know nothing of back sliding.’ Whole villages and hamlets, whole households were born again and captured for His glory.
Before the revival fell in the Hebrides, one deacon made that cry, ‘Did you not say, God, that You would pour water on the dry ground? Is it not a dry ground?’ And when he ushered those words of promise back to God Who gave them, revival fell on the people. And by the handfuls they were brought into the kingdom. But do you see the scenario? ‘Is it not dry?’ There had been days and years of famine, of drought and then came the harvest. Are we not in such a manner as this now? And for all these excerpts that I would love to recant to you about those things of days gone by, what does that change for the souls of the perishing today? Nothing. It is an out of season. WE are in the years of dearth. As much as we can give thanks, that we can rejoice, that we can speak of all His wondrous works, the truth is upon us, they are lost. Even tonight, millions upon billions around this world we lay their heads to go to sleep without a Savior, without hope, without an eternal home in heaven awaiting them.
Say the prayer, ‘Now I lay me down to sleep; I pray the Lord my soul to keep; if I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.’ How many have no knowledge that God will take their soul to heaven? How many have no knowledge that if they should die before they wake, they would wake up in heaven? We are in the dearth for such death as is at hand. It is not a question if God can change the drought to plenty; it is not an issue if God can undo the evil of this land; it is only a question of what the Lord’s Sovereign will is. He is the Lord and can do anything He desires or pleases to do for His glory.
Yet, we know that God also allows for us to reap what we sow. How much sin has been sown? How much unbelief? How much evil? I would imagine that other times have been as bad as this society is; I can imagine that the church has been as carnal and powerless; but I don't want too. It is enough to bear the thoughts and faces of so many facing drought even now. So many crying out for the hunger of the bread, and there is none to present it. So many crying out for water, but the Holy Spirit of water has been withheld. It is so dry and far removed from what God desires or ever intended. But it is that which the church has allowed. We are in dearth.
Could you imagine those that are starving to reject bread? or water? They would take anything and everything. Yet, not so today. The bread is made ready, the water is ready to be poured out; yet these that are starving and perishing refuse and reject all that God would gladly give. I can remember a day when people hungered for the Word. I can remember when so many came to be filled and satisifed. Yet, today they could care less if they receive, or come. They can easily miss church services, prayer meetings, Bible readings and never think a second time about it. Their children and grandchildren are going to hell but who cares. Self is the only god they are interested in pleasing. How callous for anyone to know that their loved one is perishing into an eternal flame of hell and punishment; and never cry a tear, never utter a prayer, never make an effort, never try to save them. We are in the dearth.
So we see that our days of the'seven years' of plenty have come and gone. We see that what ever movement God was beginning has ceased to be. He has withdrawn Himself becuase of our sins. We must remember these Scriptural truths when talking about revival; 'The Lord's hand is not shortened, neither is His ear heavy that He cannot hear. But our iniquities have separated us from Him.' It is our sin and allowance for sin today that has driven the power of the Gospel away from us. That which we see today, would never have been allowed or thought of a few years ago. And God is wondering if His people will ever desire to serve Him and know Him again. Is there such a heart in you? Do you desire Him more now than ever? Oh, how we need the Lord to come and give us 7 years of plenty again. The ground is so dry; the harvest is past; the drought has consumed all growth and vegetation. We need the Lord to rain down on us the power of the Holy Spirit.
I believe for many that during the dearth they deny that it is really happening. Their hope for rain tomorrow is always there. But then suddenly week after week as left them without. They know the need for rain, but that does not mean that it is raining. the church knows the need for revival, but that does not mean that revival is happening. ONe week the green grass turns brown. Soon all vegetation is withering away. Then you begin to hear of wells going dry. Now there is an alaram for the very essence of drinking water has been taken. This stage of alarm has come and gone for the church. They have tried to rally repeatedly, but there is no linger presence to stay before the Lord until He breaks forth.
We could take the calendar and set down and count the 7 years. Figure up that it is 84 months. Know how many days and hours and start clicking it off. Joseph worked and labored during those years of plenty to store up. He used the years of dearth to ration out what he had been led by the Lord to preserve. And also during these days, his restoration was given with his family. His brothers came seeking bread. He had been sent there by the Lord to preserve bread for them to bring them through. God had made a promise unto Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all this was a part of it. It might be that our restoration is needed during this time. A soul seeking desire to know if there be anything for deliverance and forgiveness. For soon the dearth will be over and life of 'normalacy' will begin again.
Update: 7/11/11
Updated: 7/10/11
Posted 7/7/11
Friday, July 1, 2011
JULY PRAYER LETTER
July, 2011
July Prayer Letter
MINISTRY UPDATES:
--Zoar and Fox’s Hollow services continue weekly; VBS at Zoar July 25- 29, Fox’s Hollow will have the one day with the convention trailer on July 30;
--July 3 is Call 2 Fall at both churches; this marks our 1 year anniversary for an hour prayer service the first Sunday of every month; we are seeking to return to a “His house being a House of Prayer’;
--July 17 I will preach at Danville Community for the morning worship service;
--July 1 launches my prayer times for Sermonindex Conference in October; I have 10 prayer partners thus far joining me; we will be pryaing daily for the next 4 months for this time to be saturated in prayer;
--July 1, Sermonindex Conference call tonight for prayer;
--July 2, prayer meeting in Hampshire county with pastors at 8 PM; this is the first gathering for prayer for revival for our county; we have a group of pastors that want to see revival and God’s fullness upon our churches, families and county;
--July 18 meeting with Terry Harper and Seth Polk for discussion on the future of our state convention;
--July 26 metting with Tom Elliff in Richmond about prayer for missions;
It is going to be a busy, crazy month.
FAMILY
--family vacation at the beach this month-, looking forward to that time, as always;
--kids are winding down their sports practices; camping trip with church folks as well as some of their friends;
--Idlewild park trip on July 6;
--Jonathan is very sick with poison ivy; really a bad case;
--still praying and seeking for the kids to have Holy desires for God in His service and studies;
--continue to pray for their spouses to be holy men and women of God; no Eeyores;
PRAYER FOCUS:
--100 lost souls;
--23 marriages in divorce and separation;
--saints;
--July 1 launched prayer for Sermonindex conference; a prayer guide goes with this daily;
--added Hampshire county pastors and prayer time for revival;
--Sermonindex conference call July 1;
--world, us, wv, county maps;
--SBC leadership page; WV state convention page;
--family;
--two church families;
BOOKS:
--finished Praying John Hyde’s book, hated to see this book end;
--at the convention in Phoenix, David Ford gave me Culpepper’s book on the Shantung Revival, truly marvelous; matches everything of John Sung and Jonathan Goforth’s books on revival;
--only a few pages left on Andrew Murray’s, ‘The full blessing of Pentecost’; powerful book on prayer and Spirit filled life;
--have cut back on John Sung; Gurnall and Ambrose books to focus on these others;
--heavily reading ‘Mighty Previaling Prayer’ by Duewel;
--finished June with gaining most of Psalm 119 back;
--start July bible reading through for the 34th time; word study is very exciting to me, ‘I will’ that God says; and ‘will’ as a verb used;
--I continue my devotional blogs http://dbiser.blogspot.com
And my sermons and other quotes and thoughts at http://danbiser.blogspot.com
ANSWERED PRAYERS
--we are seeing great things happen at both churches with members taking witnessing serious; also seeing people brought in by God; this past Sunday at Zoar, a mother, son came in and they was on their way to another church but as they past the church, the son said, ‘Stop mom, go back to that church. That is where we are supposed to be.’ Divine moments;
--seeing 5 other pastors crying, laboring for God’s Presence to come down on us;
--continue to see God’s answer to our financial needs and provvisions;
--safety out and back from Phoenix with Elizabeth; Chip and Joshua safe and sound from Europe; heard last night of man that also went to Europe and was pick pocketed, God watched over and delivered chip and Joshua during their days for protection; Praise Your Holy Name , You are so faithful Lord
Thank you for praying for me. May our prayers together continue to ‘enlarge our coasts’ of His kingdom here on earth to the 4 corners of the earth. There is many things to bring up before Him. Many faces, names, circumstances, lostness, continue to pray that the Spirit of prayer would continue to hold me and lead me deeper for His service of intercession. How blest we are to know Him and be known of Him!
Until,
Dan Biser
Rdbiser@live.com
http://dbiser.blogspot.com
http://www.brokenbeforethethrone.com
http://danbiser.blogspot.com
July Prayer Letter
MINISTRY UPDATES:
--Zoar and Fox’s Hollow services continue weekly; VBS at Zoar July 25- 29, Fox’s Hollow will have the one day with the convention trailer on July 30;
--July 3 is Call 2 Fall at both churches; this marks our 1 year anniversary for an hour prayer service the first Sunday of every month; we are seeking to return to a “His house being a House of Prayer’;
--July 17 I will preach at Danville Community for the morning worship service;
--July 1 launches my prayer times for Sermonindex Conference in October; I have 10 prayer partners thus far joining me; we will be pryaing daily for the next 4 months for this time to be saturated in prayer;
--July 1, Sermonindex Conference call tonight for prayer;
--July 2, prayer meeting in Hampshire county with pastors at 8 PM; this is the first gathering for prayer for revival for our county; we have a group of pastors that want to see revival and God’s fullness upon our churches, families and county;
--July 18 meeting with Terry Harper and Seth Polk for discussion on the future of our state convention;
--July 26 metting with Tom Elliff in Richmond about prayer for missions;
It is going to be a busy, crazy month.
FAMILY
--family vacation at the beach this month-, looking forward to that time, as always;
--kids are winding down their sports practices; camping trip with church folks as well as some of their friends;
--Idlewild park trip on July 6;
--Jonathan is very sick with poison ivy; really a bad case;
--still praying and seeking for the kids to have Holy desires for God in His service and studies;
--continue to pray for their spouses to be holy men and women of God; no Eeyores;
PRAYER FOCUS:
--100 lost souls;
--23 marriages in divorce and separation;
--saints;
--July 1 launched prayer for Sermonindex conference; a prayer guide goes with this daily;
--added Hampshire county pastors and prayer time for revival;
--Sermonindex conference call July 1;
--world, us, wv, county maps;
--SBC leadership page; WV state convention page;
--family;
--two church families;
BOOKS:
--finished Praying John Hyde’s book, hated to see this book end;
--at the convention in Phoenix, David Ford gave me Culpepper’s book on the Shantung Revival, truly marvelous; matches everything of John Sung and Jonathan Goforth’s books on revival;
--only a few pages left on Andrew Murray’s, ‘The full blessing of Pentecost’; powerful book on prayer and Spirit filled life;
--have cut back on John Sung; Gurnall and Ambrose books to focus on these others;
--heavily reading ‘Mighty Previaling Prayer’ by Duewel;
--finished June with gaining most of Psalm 119 back;
--start July bible reading through for the 34th time; word study is very exciting to me, ‘I will’ that God says; and ‘will’ as a verb used;
--I continue my devotional blogs http://dbiser.blogspot.com
And my sermons and other quotes and thoughts at http://danbiser.blogspot.com
ANSWERED PRAYERS
--we are seeing great things happen at both churches with members taking witnessing serious; also seeing people brought in by God; this past Sunday at Zoar, a mother, son came in and they was on their way to another church but as they past the church, the son said, ‘Stop mom, go back to that church. That is where we are supposed to be.’ Divine moments;
--seeing 5 other pastors crying, laboring for God’s Presence to come down on us;
--continue to see God’s answer to our financial needs and provvisions;
--safety out and back from Phoenix with Elizabeth; Chip and Joshua safe and sound from Europe; heard last night of man that also went to Europe and was pick pocketed, God watched over and delivered chip and Joshua during their days for protection; Praise Your Holy Name , You are so faithful Lord
Thank you for praying for me. May our prayers together continue to ‘enlarge our coasts’ of His kingdom here on earth to the 4 corners of the earth. There is many things to bring up before Him. Many faces, names, circumstances, lostness, continue to pray that the Spirit of prayer would continue to hold me and lead me deeper for His service of intercession. How blest we are to know Him and be known of Him!
Until,
Dan Biser
Rdbiser@live.com
http://dbiser.blogspot.com
http://www.brokenbeforethethrone.com
http://danbiser.blogspot.com
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