I’m Going on

I have watched more than a few Christians complain about the circumstances rather than presenting the gospel. I must confess I have at times. But I have also felt the correction of the Holy Spirit on it. In the book of second Timothy Paul writes a strong letter to the young man he loves…

2 Tim 4:1-5

1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

(KJV)

The part I want to comment on is verse 2. Let me rephrase it for us. Be willing to present the gospel whether things are working right or not.

Each one of us has needs for encouragement, reproof, rebuke, and exhortation at times in our lives and almost all if not all have the ability to provide it at times.

Let me equate what I see here to another experience. In 1949 Theodore Gaylor, a Pastor/Evangelist from Mercersburg PA started a tent meeting in a swamp near Fayetteville PA, right across the road from what is now the Conocodell Golf Club. The ground under the tent was under as much as six inches of water but they still held services. They met in homes for the winter and the next year moved the tent to Pond Bank which is a village adjacent to the Penn National Golf Club. But this was back woods then. We met in what everyone would recognize as a “Mash Tent”. There were plenty of them available Military Surplus at that time.

We had no place to go as winter approached so we continued to use the tent till the week after Thanksgiving. It was COLD that year. But the tent was as full in November as it was in June. Why? Because people saw the reason to be there. As David said when told of the challenge of Goliath, “Is there not a cause?”

1 Sam 17:29

29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

(KJV)

Those people saw a cause.

I would love to tell you that the church is there at Pond Bank and it has over 3000 members today, but it isn’t. They bought land about three miles away at Greenwood, near Route 30. The church is there, but its attendance is somewhat in the 100-200 range the last time I heard. But the influence of that church goes far beyond its walls and numbers. At least a half dozen pastors came from that church. There are many who are living for Christ that were influenced by it.

I remember those tough months. And I know they were worth it. As a 7 year old boy I remember the cold nights at the tent. I remember helping button it up at night when we left.

I remember one night it was raining, the tent was full, I was sitting on the shavings on the ground in front of my dad. He took care of many of the physical things to make these meetings happen. A couple came in very late. There were no seats. She was holding a baby possibly 6 months old. My dad got up and gave the woman his seat and he and the husband stood through the service. At the end the couple gave their hearts to the Lord. He has been the pastor of another church for over 40 years. My wife and I attended there and were fed the word for over 10 years along with many others.

Over the last 35 years my wife and I have gone through a couple of pretty tough times with the church. It has been attractive to quit at times. There have been times we have sat on the sidelines for a time. But there is a song that one of us always brings up when things get tough. I remember Martin and Eileen Stevens every time I see it. They are special to us because of this song.

Chorus..

I’m going on. I’m going on.
I’m going on toward the mark, toward my home.
So many lives depend on what I do.
Give me the strength dear Lord,
I’m going on for you.

The trials come to hinder me,
until the road ahead I cannot clearly see.
But this one thing, I know for sure,
I’m going on toward the mark, toward my home.

We need to remember that as we encourage others, so many lives depend on what we do. This is not pride and ego that we are the greatest. It is a humble recognition that we are part of His plan.

Martin and Eileen, if you ever see this, God bless and thanks.

To those who have encouraged me at times when it seemed the worst, God bless and thanks.

Other Articles by Ralph Brandt

• Casting Out Demons
• Black Hawk Down
• Being Criticed For The Gospel
• I Count All Of This As Dung
• Slicing And Dicing The Word Of God
• Blind, Bound And Going In Circles
• Because He Lives
• Academia Glossary
• Tearing A Page Out Of The Bible
• Taking A Stand Takes Courage – Even In The Church
• God Is Doing A New Thing?
• President Obama, a Victim of The Right
• Obama – Misuse of Presidential Power
• King Bo and Queen Mo
• Obama and The Supreme Court
• Manure Spreader