The Great Experiment, Day 5

Tuesday, November 5 - Day 5 of The Great Experiment, November 1-10, 2019

Transcript:

Hi, Matt Bennett here with Christian Union Day and Night. Our ministry is to adults in New York City and other cities, and also through this website to people across the United States, but also to students. We minister at some of the most difficult and challenging universities in the world. We minister at Harvard, at Princeton, at Yale, at Stanford, at Cornell, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, some of these places. These places are wonderful in many ways, but also there are strong challenges to the faith.

It makes me think of this passage here I want to read to you in Colossians. It says in verse eight of chapter two, "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

There are ways of thinking taught in these universities, but not just in these universities. Through the media, through liberal and conservative media, there are ways of thinking about the world, these elemental principles, that are in contrast to the way of the world, the true spiritual nature of the universe. We have to be very thoughtful and careful about that, because of that. We combat that by limiting what we hear through social media and other means. We still engage, we still listen in here, but we don't let it dominate us. We are careful about all that we let in. Some people let their emotions get so engaged in these things. They get swept away with whatever's on their Instagram or Twitter feed, or Facebook, or whatever else. If it's having this effect on you, I encourage you to turn away from it. Repent from your addiction or idolatry of it and set it aside. But instead, meditate on the things of God that please Him. Read the scriptures all the time.

Even Billy Graham would say, around his house, he would leave the Bible open so he could go by and just read it and be refreshed by the Word. If Billy Graham needed it, then so do we. We need the Word going in us. So, reading a lot of the Bible, even if you have an Instagram or Twitter account, follow people who love the Lord and pass along things; famous Christian evangelists or teachers. We want to steward our mind and so we have God's purposes come in our minds. We want the mind of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that means from time to time extended times of seeking the Lord.

A number of us have been gathering together recently and we are spending 14 hours every day praying and fasting. Part of that is each of us take two hours off on our own and read a whole book of the Bible and then come back and share what we learned about what God is like. We need that mind renewal so we can have the mind of our Lord Jesus Christ. We need to be reminded of what our Heavenly Father is like.

During these ten days, take time to do that. I promise you, you will be glad to do it. Whatever else would have taken the time, watching a video here or there, or checking sports scores, or whatever it is, checking your portfolio if that's what you do, whatever it is, whatever could have taken that time, you won't miss it. You'll be glad that you spent the time in the scriptures.

May the Lord bless you as you seek Him. Let me pray for you. Lord, we love you and need you. Father, strengthen us here in the United States that we would be able to dive into Your scriptures, walk in holiness and faith, and believe every good thing that You have for us. Help us, Lord. We pray in Jesus' name. May the Lord bless you. May He strengthen you in every way. May you have the mind of Christ and His priorities. May by His strength you put to death everything that's displeasing to him, and during these ten days, go to a new level of your faith and love in Jesus Christ. The Lord bless you.

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Here is your guide for the “Five Rs” of The Great Experiment, November 1-10, 2019.

1. Read and Pray
Spend 30 minutes every morning reading the Bible and praying, and also spend time in the evening doing the same. To intensify your devotional times, consider fasting for some of the days. We have created a daily 30-minute devotional that you can use. Today’s devotional

2. Repent.
What sins do I need to repent of today? What hindrances to my devotion to Christ can I remove today?

3. Respond to the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, what is the one thing you most want me to do today? (Write it down, and do it today).

4. Represent Christ. 
How will I bear witness to Christ today? With whom shall I share the Gospel today?

5. Raise Your Faith.
Be bold and courageous in living out your faith. Choose from one of the following options for a “Joshua Faith Challenge”:

1. Host an all-night prayer meeting. Set a date during November 1-10 and invite friends to come and pray with you for revival in America.
2. Every day, pray for ten friends and family members to come to faith in Christ and look for opportunities to share the gospel with them.
3. Share an evangelistic post on social media every day from November 1-10.
4. Anything else the Lord burdens you to take on that will require courageous faith.