I have just read three biographies, one on the early life and ministry of Jimmy Swaggart, one on the life of John Wesley. I have read biographies on Wesley's life before. This one was written by Basil Miller who picked up on the life of John Wesley when John Wesley was only about 6 years old.
Jimmy Swaggart's story was co-written by himself and Robert Paul Lamb.
I never realised before that Jimmy Swaggart was a first cousin to Jerry Lee Lewis! They inherited the same genes - the same talents - and while both of them developed their talents and Jimmy Swaggart also was offered a contract by Jerry Lee Lewis's agent, he had to make a choice as to whether he was going to serve the same master.
What particularly struck me about John Wesley and Jimmy Swaggart both, though they lived hundreds of years apart, and they were totally different physically and with totally different talents and temperaments, was the fact that they were both rebels as teenagers. Rebels, who although they had handed over their lives to God as children, as teenagers rebelled against those decisions and, for a time, a season, were wayward and living lives totally opposite to that which they had promised God.
Reminded me of my own life...
Reminded me of the life of Saul of Tarsish...
Reminded me of the life of Jonah...
Reminded me of the lives of so many people...
But even as with Jonah, as they were running in the opposite direction to which they were supposed to be going, they could not run fast or far enough to escape the voice of God calling... calling... and both of them, in different centuries, eventually had to pay heed to God's call and obey His calling on their lives.
A couple of truths stuck out like sore thumbs - if there is a calling on your life - there is no escaping it.
The fact that there is a calling on your life does, however, not mean that you are a perfect human being - far from it. Yet, DESPITE the shortcomings, and imperfections, and rebellious nature, God does not give up on you ...
He waits patiently ... because no one knows you as God does. He created us and knows us inside out. He knows there will come a time, He knows exactly when it will be, if He keeps calling, that you will have to halt and heed His voice...
And once you have come to the point where you can do nothing but bow in total submission to His will, then God in His mercy can start forming you, equipping you, annointing you and using you to His glory.
Have you ever wondered what God could achieve through you if you were totally committed to Him?
A few stats from the life of John Wesley:
During 40 years he travelled approximately 250 000 miles (on horseback) - an average of at least 20 miles a day. He wrote more than 200 books, countless hymns with his brother Charles, edited another 200 odd books, owned a book shop for 40 years, - he even wrote an English dictionary! He started the first tract society, and the Methodist Church, of which he was the international leader for about 40 years! He used to get up at 4 in the morning and be busy with God's work until 10 at night. During the 40 years he preached on average 3 times a day!
WOW!
Jimmy Swaggart was a small town preacher when he started off, but in the 1970's his ministry was being broadcast on the air on 550 radio stations and telecasted over at least 200 television networks! He sold a million records a year, and a million tape cassettes a year!
WOW!
What would God be able to do through you and me if we were totally committed to Him? I hear you saying that you cannot sing... you are not musical... or ... you cannot preach ... submit yourself to God and He will use what you have... and add to your talents and abilities...
And it is not only men that God uses ... I also read the biography of Henrietta Mears... a lady whose passion for the Lord and the youth resulted in Sunday School material that she created and developed and which was used all over the world! She also had under her supervision a Sunday School growing from 42 students to 4200 students from which at least 400 young people were eventually ministering God's Word all over the world and four of her students started a movement to win students for the Lord, which eventually resulted in Campus Crusade for Christ being born!
WOW!
Are you perhaps running from your calling even now as you read this?
Are you ready to stop and heed God's voice?
Are you ready to commit your will to God's?
"...do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of
testing in the desert, " Heb. 3:8
Thank You Father God, for your patience with us while we run... knowing there will be a moment in time when we will have to stop and heed your voice. Help us to do so NOW to the glory and honour and expansion of your Kingdom on earth!
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