Once again we are excited to be able to report that God is living up to His tremendous title – "The Lord will provide" (Genesis 22).
With some additional contributions from churches and individuals now received, we have breached the £33,000 barrier (one third of the distance) and now have a grand total of £37,000.
Plus, ... news on the grapevine tells me that more cheques are already 'in the post'!
Many thanks to every contributor!
Vision Solutions NI have completed work on the banners that advertise our 'Consider Christ' Campaign.
These have been made available to churches to display – a tremendous method of getting the vital message of the Gospel of Christ to the many people who will be passing our church buildings.
In most cases, an additional line has been inserted at the bottom of each banner that relates to Special Meetings that have been planned for the local congregation.
After a quick-fire round of 'exchanges' between Jonny Aiken (pic above) and myself, Tract #1 is ready for its print run on Monday. This will be delivered into 741,000 households throughout Northern Ireland, commencing Monday, 7 September.
On a further positive note, the Royal Mail personnel who have read this tract in preparation for their 'Door-to-Door' drop have made some very complimentary comments about it – "the best we have ever delivered on this subject."
We pray that our God will greatly use its contents to the conversion of many who are lost.
The 'Doing Something More For God' Campaign Fund has breached the £25,000-barrier.
This means we are one quarter of the way to our target of £100,000.
I am encouraged by this as offerings from only 10 churches are included in this amount. Others have taken up offerings but, due to holidays, etc., have not yet sent the cheques through.
Special envelopes have been circulated through our churches for the designated purpose of contributing to this fund. If you (or your church) have not yet received this, please be in touch.
A big thank-you to those who have already contributed ... keep watching this space for further updates.
The tract to be delivered by the Royal Mail to every household in Northern Ireland during the week commencing Monday, 7 September 2009, has cleared some important hurdles today.
• Final amendments have been made,
• A PO Box has been secured,
• The Royal Mail has received a copy of the tract and delivered a glowing approval on it.
It should be rolling off the presses of the Revival Movement Association any day now ... .
I was thinking about the Campaign today when Alan MacArthur sent me an email. In it he explained how he, "thought that I was reading the 17 July Evening reading of Spurgeon's 'Morning and Evening' when in fact I was reading the 17 June.
I was glad I did. It was a blessing. I thought that I would share it with you."
I too am glad that he read the 'wrong' devotional – and that he took the time to share it with me. I can now share it with you ... .
“Then Israel sang this song; Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it.”
Numbers 21:17
FAMOUS was the well of Beer in the wilderness, because it was the subject of a promise: “That is the well whereof the Lord spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water.”
The people needed water, and it was promised by their gracious God. We need fresh supplies of heavenly grace, and in the covenant the Lord has pledged Himself to give all we require.
The well next became the cause of a song.
Before the water gushed forth, cheerful faith prompted the people to sing; and as they saw the crystal fount bubbling up, the music grew yet more joyous.
In like manner, we who believe the promise of God should rejoice in the prospect of divine revivals in our souls, and as we experience them, our holy joy should overflow.
Are we thirsting?
Let us not murmur, but sing. Spiritual thirst is bitter to bear, but we need not bear it—the promise indicates a well; let us be of good heart, and look for it.
Moreover, the well was the centre of prayer.
“Spring up, O well.” What God has engaged to give, we must inquire after, or we manifest that we have neither desire nor faith.
This evening let us ask that the Scripture we have read, and our devotional exercises, may not be an empty formality, but a channel of grace to our souls. Oh that God, the Holy Spirit, would work in us with all His mighty power, filling us with all the fullness of God.
Lastly, the well was the object of effort.
“The nobles of the people digged it with their staves.”
The Lord would have us active in obtaining grace. Our staves are ill adapted for digging in the sand, but we must use them to the utmost of our ability.
Prayer must not be neglected; the assembling of ourselves together must not be forsaken; ordinances must not be slighted. The Lord will give us His grace most plenteously, but not in a way of idleness.
Let us, then, bestir ourselves to seek Him in whom are all our fresh springs.
PLEASE keep praying for the 'Consider Christ' Campaign each day @ 12 noon
I was sifting through material on my hard drive tonight when I came across an original concept sketch for the design work on our posters, billboards, etc..
Rather amazing to think that the artwork came from such poor beginnings. Many thanks to Jonny Aiken (Vision Solutions NI) for applying his expertise to this project. As you can see, he didn't have much off which to work!!
