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Post by Jules on Apr 16, 2006 21:11:40 GMT -5
I was talking to this man in my church this morning who had the blessed opportunity many years ago to hear Leonard Ravenhill preach in San Antonio. There was a large crowd, and he said the Spirit was so thick in the room that he was moved to tears during the preaching, God was pressing on his soul in a great way, and he cried out in the middle of the sermon, interrupting Ravenhill - I'm a sinner! I want to be saved! I don't think I am saved!
To which Ravenhill calmly replied something along the lines of "Son, we'll get to that soon enough, just keep listening"
That cracks me up ! This man today is such a testimony of God's grace. He is the one who encourages me to preach to those on drugs and drunks, as he remembers a woman who preached to him when he was stoned on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. He knows now God was always "on his tail" to repent, even when he was in rebellion against him. While some criticise me for going to 6th street in Austin to talk to drunks and fornicators about their sin and need for repentance, this man encourages me to keep on preaching the truth, as none of it is in vain.
Today he raises his hands in absolute love and wonder at his savior as he praises Him, he cries out in prayer, and has a desperate love for the Lord I have never seen matched in another believer. He was truly delivered from the bondage of sin and death and is such a blessing to know.
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Post by josefurban on Apr 17, 2006 17:11:54 GMT -5
Praise God!
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Post by Miles Lewis on Apr 20, 2006 0:20:57 GMT -5
Wow! That is a blessing to hear.
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Post by Josh Parsley on Apr 20, 2006 8:54:01 GMT -5
Few few preachers today would have the wisdom to say such a thing. Most would not allow them to sit under conviction.
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Post by elwing96 on Apr 21, 2006 21:44:10 GMT -5
i would just like to say that when i read the subject line, i thought it said ravenel, and i was about to be very angry. but it didn't. so all is well. nice story.
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Post by repentcanada on Apr 23, 2006 17:49:45 GMT -5
thanks for this post
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Post by Jules on Apr 24, 2006 19:18:33 GMT -5
I just found out that Leonard Ravenhill used to live in this area before he died. My pastor knew him and met and prayed with him every week during that time (early 80's I think) small world. It explains in part why my pastor is also a man of prayer and earnestly prays for revival. Awesome.
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Post by Josh Parsley on Apr 24, 2006 19:25:25 GMT -5
Yeah, I believe he was in Tyler, TX for the last part of his life.
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Post by Grant on Apr 24, 2006 23:46:28 GMT -5
My bro at work was under Keith Green for years where they had Leonard preach to them often. Pratney was also a part of that clique.
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Post by Jules on Apr 24, 2006 23:52:38 GMT -5
seems the Remnant is smaller than we thought it is strange that the same names, people, ideas, passions, callings, etc. all keep coming up time and again. not strange really, just evidence of the Spirit at work.
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Post by Jules on Apr 27, 2006 0:09:00 GMT -5
man, this Ravenhill connection keeps getting better and better - my associate pastor tonight showed me a book Leonard Ravenhill gave him, inscribed inside, with a photo and letter - it was from 1977 or so. He preached at a church in my hometown turns out and every week my assoc pastor would go and listen to him preach for over two hours. He was involved in New Tribes Missions at the time as well.
I read this typed letter - the old typewriter kind, before computers, by Ravenhill encouraging my associate pastor (who is an evangelist and was in his early 20's then) about his calling. What to expect, what to do, etc. IT WAS AWESOME! The book he gave him was called "The Hidden Life of Prayer" by D.M. M'Intyre. At that time you could not get it in print, but he told me now you can. Ravenhill said it was the only book he would ever need aside from the Bible and to keep it the rest of his life. So 30 years later, he still has it of course. Just encouraging to hear all the stories and see the passion. God truly blesses, and blesses again, and again, and again!
I'm excited because I see that same revival fire rekindling again in this area and so many are praying for it.
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