Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday October 13, 2005

I often wish I had the spiritual courage of the giants of a bygone era. A friend of mine, Evangelist Bobby Lounsberry a man of great accomplishment and even greater pain was preaching in our church and told of a long ago time when Dr. Ford Porter was conducting meetings in the church Bobby Pastored.

Dr. Lounsberry told the story in his unique manner and had the congregation lost in wonder as he alluded to the awe in which held the esteemed Dr. Porter. The tract Dr. Porter wrote titled "God's Simple Plan of Salvation" has been printed and sent around the world to the tune of 561 million! The opening line reads, "My friend: I am asking you the most important question of your life." Hundreds of thousands of lives have been changed as a result of this tract. I knew Dr. Porter to be a man of character who lived a deeply prayerful life.

Bobby Lounsberry said that when Dr. Porter first arrived for the meeting, that he, Dr. Lounsberry asked if the famous preacher needed anything. Here is Brother Porters answer:

"I get up at five o'clock every morning, I pray until nine. I dont want coffee, I dont want breakfast, I dont want to be bothered!"

I think Bobby remembers the time a little different for I recall Dr. Porter rising earlier, but the point is this internationally recognized man of faith set aside time for God. It is a sure bet that if you do not set aside time for God, He will not get any of your allotment!

During lunch Bobby and I talked about the impact of godly men in our life. We also asked the Lord to help us to live such lives that we would have a positive impact on those who are following along the path of faith.

It is recorded in the Bible that Daniel of the Lions Den fame, prayed every morning, noon and night, the emphasis being on every. The three Hebrew captives, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego became famous for refusing the civil command to cease praying to the one true God, even though they were cast into a fiery furnace. If such an order were issued today, most professing believers would not have anything to stop.

Much is written about prayer, more is said about it, but there is actually very little prayer going up from the visible body of Christ, except of course during times of emergency! I wonder if this is the reason we have so many emergencies?

Too many of us, including yours truly, seem to say to the Lord, "I am busy doing religious business, so by all means do not bother me. I will get to you when I am finished with the fluff of life."

And so it goes in the year of our Lord 2005.

Larry Lilly Copyright 2005 Use with credit

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