26-0713P_CONVINCED THEN CONCERNED (HE WILL EVER BE MINDFUL OF US)

Joh 1:15  John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 

Joh 1:16  And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 

Joh 1:17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 

Joh 1:18  No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. 

Joh 1:19  And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? 

Joh 1:20  And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. 

Joh 1:21  And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. 

Joh 1:22  Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? 

Joh 1:23  He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. 

Joh 1:24  And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. 

Joh 1:25  And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? 

Joh 1:26  John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 

Joh 1:27  He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. 

Joh 1:28  These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. 

Joh 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 

Joh 1:30  This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 

Joh 1:31  And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. 

Joh 1:32  And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 

Joh 1:33  And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 

Joh 1:34  And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. 

Joh 1:35  Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 

Joh 1:36  And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! 

Joh 1:37  And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 

Joh 1:38  Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 

Joh 1:39  He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. 

Joh 1:40  One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 

Joh 1:41  He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 

Joh 1:42  And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. 

Joh 1:43  The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. 

Joh 1:44  Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 

Joh 1:45  Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 

HOW.CAN.I.OVERCOME_  JEFF.IN  V-4 N-12  SUNDAY_  63-0825M

  17      Just think of it, just a moment, before we start our lesson. That's where you're headed. What are you struggling for? So you can live. What are you living for? So you can die. Wouldn't it be most foolish if we didn't accept God's provision for Eternal Life? What could we think about? What--what could be on our mind, that would attract our attention from... to anything? What if you owned a hundred million dollars, and you owned the state of--of Indiana, or any other state, or even a nation, or, as far as that concern, the entire world?

You live long enough, you've got to come to that, too. See? And constantly, day by day, every time your heart beats, you're going right straight to that. See? You, there's no winning for you. You're on the losing side, and, you, you've got to lose. But remember the promise, that, "He that'll lose his life for My sake shall find it." Now, what would be any more of a treasure to find than Life, though you found the whole world to be yours? But, if you--if you find Life, you found the greatest thing that could be found. I want to...

*YOU HAVE TO BE CONVINCED BEFORE YOU CAN BE CONCERNED.

CONVINCED.THEN.CONCERNED_  S.PINES.NC  V-3 N-3  SUNDAY_  62-0610E

  10-5    Concerned is now, "Just come and join the church." Or a great concern is support some radio mission or some television affair, and making that some kind of a show (and all for the good, of course, sure); big buildings, building great schools, and so forth like that. It seems to be that is the--the concern now. Kinda lost the vision of that prayer and constraining and like they used to have. There's something has happened. I would just like to know what it was.

CONVINCED.THEN.CONCERNED_  S.PINES.NC  V-3 N-3  SUNDAY_  62-0610E

  11-1    There's something wrong somewhere. Still doing the same thing; still the same Gospel, I've never changed a bit since I started. I just started with the naked, bare Word of God, and I stayed right on It ever since. Thirty-two years I've been behind the pulpit and never taken anything back or changed anything; stayed just the way I started. I can't take it back; It's God's Word. And I--and if I say it just like it said here, the next time I have to say the same thing, 'cause here's the way it's wrote here. See? So just can't do nothing else about it. And the Holy Spirit's still doing the same things. So... But it looks like there's not enough concern. Now, I'm--wonder why.

CONVINCED.THEN.CONCERNED_  S.PINES.NC  V-3 N-3  SUNDAY_  62-0610E

  11-2    Why isn't there a concern like there used to be? It's... I believe the reason that if there's not as much concern as there used to be; they're not as convinced as they used to be. You have to be convinced before you can be concerned. Not concerned--you take the time now...

You know what I believe? I believe that the people is not convinced that Jesus is coming soon. I don't believe that they're convinced that He's coming in this age. And I believe that's the reason that they're not concerned, because they're not fully convinced. That's right. They're not convinced that He's with them. If they were, they would come back to the Word. That's right.

*GOD IS ALWAYS CONCERNED IN LITTLE THINGS, THE SAME AS BIG THINGS. NO MATTER HOW LITTLE IT IS, OR HOW GREAT, IT'S JUST THE SAME IN THE SIGHT OF GOD, ALWAYS THE SAME...

SPIRIT.OF.TRUTH_  PHOENIX.AZ  FRIDAY_  63-0118

  62      Now, I hope this don't sound sacrilegious, but, just to show the--the concern of God. God is always concerned in little things, the same as big things. I want to say this for the benefit of some of these fine preachers. That may be... And I throw myself in it.

63    Now, we would, every one, like to be a Billy Graham, but we... And we'd every one like to be an Oral Roberts. But, we, we're not a Billy Graham or an Oral Roberts. We are God's servant in the field that He has placed us in. See? No matter how little it is, or how great, it's just the same in the sight of God, always the same, to act right in the place where you're at. Always, it's a great thing to follow the Lord.

SPIRIT.OF.TRUTH_  PHOENIX.AZ  FRIDAY_  63-0118

 64      I would rather win... or go and have a church with fifty people in it, in the will of God, than to go have five thousand out of the will of God. Sure. God can do more with a man in His will, in one hour, than He could with a man out of His will, in fifty years. See? He is stumbling and staggering, like shooting in the dark. But when a man is really in the will of God, and knows his calling, he should abide there.

Psa 115:11  Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. 

Psa 115:12  The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. 

Psa 115:13  He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. 

Psa 115:14  The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. 

Psa 115:15  Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. 

Psa 115:16  The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. 

Psa 115:17  The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. 

Psa 115:18  But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD. 

Psa 111:1  Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. 

Psa 111:2  The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. 

Psa 111:3  His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. 

Psa 111:4  He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. 

Psa 111:5  He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. 

Psa 111:6  He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. 

Psa 111:7  The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. 

Psa 111:8  They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. 

Psa 111:9  He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. 

Psa 111:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. 

 

26-0710A_TAKING GOD AT HIS WORD PT-12 (TRUSTING & EXPECTING FROM THE LORD)

2Co 3:3  Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 

2Co 3:4  And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 

2Co 3:5  Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 

2Co 3:6  Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 

Psa 63:1  A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 

Psa 63:2  To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. 

Psa 63:3  Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 

Psa 63:4  Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. 

Psa 63:5  My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: 

Psa 63:6  When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. 

Psa 63:7  Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. 

Psa 63:8  My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. 

Psa 63:9  But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. 

Psa 63:10  They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes. 

Psa 71:1  In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. 

Psa 71:2  Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me. 

Psa 71:3  Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress. 

Psa 71:4  Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. 

Psa 71:5  For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. 

Psa 71:6  By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee. 

Psa 71:7  I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge. 

Psa 71:8  Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day. 

Psa 71:9  Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. 

Psa 71:10  For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together, 

Psa 71:11  Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him. 

Psa 71:12  O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help. 

Psa 71:13  Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt. 

Psa 71:14  But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.

*IF YOU'RE EXPECTING IT, YOU GOT SOMETHING BEHIND THAT YOU BELIEVE THAT GOD HAS PROMISED IT, THEN YOU GOT A RIGHT TO EXPECT IT.

EXPECTATIONS_  LA.CA  MONDAY_  51-0507

  E-27    Now, Simeon believed because the Holy Ghost had promised him. He was looking for it. If you're expecting it, you got something behind that you believe that God has promised it, then you got a right to expect it. Is that right? When God promises it...

Now, I might break my promise, 'cause I'm a man. And your friend might break his promise or her promise, but God won't break His promise. He can't, because He's God. Can you imagine how pure and unadulterated His promises are, how infinite?

Why, if I'd go to a spring and my grandfather drank out of that spring and it was clear, and--and testing the water, it was a hundred percent pure... My father drink out of it; it was hundred percent pure. And all down through life, I'd dranken out of it at a hundred percent pure, why, I'd have enough faith to go back and believe if I take a drink of water, it would be all right. Wouldn't you?

Through the generations, down through several generations, it's been proven one hundred percent pure. Why? Because the stream that's a gushing it up, where it's coming from, its foundations down here, its bed, is throwing up pure water. Now, if it'll test one hundred percent pure, how much more will the promise of God test one hundred percent right. Because the basis of it, God's Word comes from God, which is infinite and pure and holy, and He can't lie, for He's God. There you are.

*YOU'VE GOT TO BELIEVE IT. AND YOU BELIEVE IT TO BE RIGHT. LOOK AT THE RIGHT THINGS, EXAMINE IT RIGHT.

EXPECTATION_  BINGHAMTON.NY  MONDAY_  54-1206

  E-36    Now, we don't have two Holy Spirits. We only have one, the same Holy Spirit, that was on Simeon, is the same Holy Spirit that's here tonight. Men go, the Holy Spirit remains just the same.

Notice. Then we're going to use the of expectation. Usually you get what you expect to. If you come to church tonight, just saying, "I'm going over there, and I... going over there, to find something that I know that's wrong." Don't worry the devil will show you plenty of it. That's right. You usually get what you expect. If you come expecting to get a blessing from God, God will see that you get it. What you expect... You say, "Well, I don't expect it to be." Well, that's the reason it isn't. You've got to believe it. And you believe it to be right. Look at the right things, examine it right.

*GOD NEVER COMES IN GREAT GATHERINGS 'CAUSE IT'S A GREAT GATHERING; HE COMES BECAUSE THE HEARTS ARE IN ONE ACCORD AND EXPECTING HIM TO COME.

THE.UNPARDONABLE.SIN_  JEFF.IN  V-26 N-8  SUNDAY_  54-1024

  38    So the thing of it is, is to see that God doesn't recognize any organization or any groups of people.....He recognizes only an individual (amen) that has been born, regenerated by the Holy Ghost, and made a new creature in Christ Jesus.

He don't recognize organizations. He don't recognize great gatherings. God never comes in great gatherings 'cause it's a great gathering; He comes because the hearts are in one accord and expecting Him to come. Look at Jesus, to the humblest of church, "two or three gathered in My Name."

Now, I said this morning; I'll say it again just now, that our--our little church here, as far as we are concerned, we try to stand on the unadulterated Word of God. It must come from Here.

*AND YOU'LL ONLY GET FROM GOD THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE EXPECTING FROM GOD IN THE WAY YOU APPROACH GOD.

THE.QUEEN.OF.SHEBA_  TIFTON.GA  SUNDAY_  60-0110

  E-9    ...Jesus said, "It isn't I that doeth the works; it's the Father dwelleth in Me. He doeth the work."

And you'll only get from God the things that you're expecting from God in the way you approach God. You approach Him with reverence, with faith, and every Word is true.

*THAT'S THE REASON THERE'S MORE OF GOD FOR YOU. THAT'S THE REASON THERE'S DIVINE HEALING FOR YOU, BECAUSE YOU'RE SEEKING FOR IT.

EXPECTATION_  TUCSON.AZ  SUNDAY_  61-0205M

  E-40    That's the reason there's more of God for you. That's the reason there's divine healing for you, because you're seeking for it. That's the reason there was a God whose... Abraham was seeking after, whose builder and maker was God. He was expecting it, because God had made the promise. Do you see it?

Here... Before there can be a creation, there has to be a Creator to create the creation. And as long as long as you feel that you're believing in divine healing, there's a fountain open somewhere. As long as you're believing that there's a God that'll fill you with the Holy Spirit, there's a fountain open somewhere or you'd never crave it. Others... Many others don't crave it (See?), because it's not revealed to them. But it's revealed to you. Why? By what? (I feel pretty religious right now.) See? What is it? It's revealed to you by the Holy Spirit, the same Holy Spirit that revealed it to Simeon.

And as long as He's revealed it, there's a fountain open somewhere. Oh, if we could just see it! The fountain is open somewhere, for it's revealed to you by the Holy Spirit, God is a healer. Where is that fountain at? God fills with the Holy Ghost. Where is that fountain? See there's a fountain now, or you wouldn't have that craving in your heart. So it... It just makes you lose all your thoughts of anything else, because it overrides everything. It fills your uttermost being with believing it.

*HE WANTS THE MEMBERS IN THERE TO BE LIVELY STONES BUILT UP INTO A HOUSE OF FAITH. BELIEVE HIM, ACCEPT HIM, TAKING HIS WORD.

EXPECTATION_  TUCSON.AZ  SUNDAY_  61-0205M

  E-37    Women, don't be like the world. Don't dress like the world. Don't be these modern things, and all this stuff that they're doing. Keep away from it. You're a daughter of the King. Gentlemen, you brethren, you don't have to be beat down and pushed off to the corner. You're sons of the King. Yes, stand up throw your chest out, meet it. Certainly it is...

We're expecting God to do something for us. He can't do nothing for us when we're just all drooping around like something about half dead. He wants a lively church. He wants the members in there to be lively stones built up into a house of faith. Believe Him, accept Him, taking His Word.

*IF MEN AND WOMEN WILL DO THAT MUCH, TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD, AND BE EXPECTING HIM TO DO WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD DO.

EXPECTATION_  SHAWANO.WI  SATURDAY_  55-1001

  E-37    But look at Mary, when the Holy Ghost told her, "You're going to have a child, knowing no man." She didn't reason it. She just took Him at his Word. There you are. And she went around testifying that she was going to have a baby, knowing no man, before she was positive of anything. Oh, I hope you see it. She took God at His Word. She didn't wait. Excuse this expression. You'd listen to a doctor; I'm your brother. She didn't wait till she felt life; she didn't wait till something taken place, that she could see naturally that she was going to be mother. She just took the Angel's Word. When the Angel said, "You're going to have this baby knowing no man..."

She said, "Behold, the handsmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to Thy Word."

And she went around rejoicing, that she was going to have the baby before she had one evidence that the baby was coming, outside the Word of God. Oh, sister, do that tonight, you, and you, and all of you. Take God at His Word and start rejoicing. Saying, "God said so; that settles it. I will rejoice anyhow. I don't have to feel nothing or nothing else; I just believe it." Oh, and you'll see an old fashion revival sweep this country, burning out sin. And every church will fill up and what a time it will be. If men and women will do that much, take God at His Word, and be expecting Him to do what He said He would do... You're the children of Abraham; that's only to the promise.

*STAY RIGHT WITH IT. HE DON'T BE CARRIED ABOUT BY EVERYTHING; STAND STILL AND WATCH HIM.               

STAND.STILL_  SASKATOON.SK  SATURDAY_  57-0518

  E-26    One day, when the children of God was coming in by the Word of God, taking the land that God had given... Now, remember. God gave them the land down in Egypt. Said, "That land is yours, every bit of it." Now, the people today are expecting God to reach down and get them by the neck. Say, "Yes, that's right. You bring me out, clean me off, heal me, and I'll believe You." God doesn't do His business that way. He--He gives you the promise, but you have got to fight for every inch of ground that you possess.

Why didn't God go over there and just run out all the Amorites, and Hittites, and Perizzites, and--and all them, why didn't He just run them all out? No, Israel had something to do. And you've got something to do. God said, "That land is yours. Go and possess it."

STAND.STILL_  SASKATOON.SK  SATURDAY_  57-0518

  E-27    "Go and possess it; it's yours." And they had to fight every inch of their way. But it was assured that it would be given to them, no matter what the results, what the circumstance looked like, it was theirs. God gave it to them. And they looked at the promise instead of the circumstance.

Healing is yours. Salvation is yours. The Holy Spirit is yours. The real Holy Spirit is yours.

   ...If God calls you, He intends for you to have it. But you'll have to fight every inch of the way to get it. You certainly will.

STAND.STILL_  SASKATOON.SK  SATURDAY_  57-0518

  E-29    That's the reason God can't get them still. When God wants to do anything, He wants you to keep still. Stand still; believe His promise. Stay right with it. Don't be carried about by everything; stand still and watch Him.

 

*BUT IF YOU'RE LONGING, AND LOVING, AND WILLING, AND EXPECTING, GOD IS HERE TO REVEAL HIMSELF TO YOU.

EXPECTATIONS.AND.LEADINGS.OF.THE.SPIRIT_EDMONTON.AB  SUNDAY_  57-0811E

  E-32    Oh, can you see what I'm trying to get at? Can't you understand that the human heart that are flocking to these great revivals, there's something in you telling you that something's about to take place. It's at the eve. And all this preparation, great spiritual signs and awakenings over the world, it's the coming of the Lord. And the Church ought to make herself ready and be prepared when she comes. She's going away someday.

   ...People come to the meeting; they see the precious Lord Jesus and every power that He used when He was here, move in the people. Some of them say, "I don't see that." No wonder, you wasn't expecting to see it. But if you're longing, and loving, and willing, and expecting, God is here to reveal Himself to you.

*BE EXPECTING IT.

LEADING.OF.THE.SPIRIT.OF.GOD_  CAMPBELLSVILLE.KY  SUNDAY_  55-0807E

  E-16    ...All right, led by the Spirit of God. Be expecting it. Simeon was expecting God to keep His Word. Abraham was expecting God to keep His Word. David was expecting God to keep His Word when he met the giant. Samson was expecting God to keep His Word when he laid his arms around the pole. Samson was expecting God to keep His Word when he picked up a jaw bone of a mule and beat down a thousand Philistines. The Hebrew children was expecting God to keep His Word when they walked into the fiery furnace. Daniel was expecting God to keep His Word when he went in among the lions. The woman that touched the hem of His garment was expecting God to keep His Word. Martha was expecting God to keep His Word when He said, "I am the Resurrection and Life."

 

 

 

26-0706P_HIS UNFAILING WORDS OF PROMISE PT-7 (CONVINCED THEN CONCERNED)

Mat 24:32  Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 

Mat 24:33  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 

Mat 24:34  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 

Mat 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 

Joh 1:15  John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 

Joh 1:16  And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 

Joh 1:17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 

Joh 1:18  No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. 

Joh 1:19  And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? 

Joh 1:20  And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. 

Joh 1:21  And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. 

Joh 1:22  Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? 

Joh 1:23  He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. 

*...BUT I BELIEVE IT'S BECAUSE OF A LACK OF INTEREST, CONCERN--NOT ENOUGH CONCERN.

CONVINCED.THEN.CONCERNED_  TEMPE.AZ  THURSDAY_  62-0118

  E-26    So today, I feel, in the face of... Our nation has more membership-Christians than the nation's ever known of. But did you know, last year according to the statistics that there hasn't--the--no seminary--one just barely compared with the year before, but every other seminary, or school, or Bible school fell under its quota of ministers. Where young people with calls in their life to go out into the field, and so forth, that goes for their training, and so forth, how they used to stand in line to be enrolled in the schools; and now you can hardly persuade them in. There's something wrong somewhere. See? I believe with all my heart, without any, hoping not to be saying anything wrong, but I believe it's because of a lack of interest, concern--not enough concern. There's too much concern about making a atomic bomb, too much concern about who is going to get on the moon first, and--and... I ain't caring about getting on the moon. I want to get in heaven, is where I--I want to get.

 

*...THIS FALLING AWAY IS A LACK OF CONCERN FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST. 

CONVINCED.THEN.CONCERNED_  TEMPE.AZ  THURSDAY_  62-0118

  E-28    Now, this falling away is a lack of concern for the body of Christ. I believe that maybe the right thing hasn't been presented. So many young students that would take a call in life sees so many failures out here, and really see that the order and program of the day has failed. Not... Christ hasn't failed, but the system that we have created has failed. Christ's program hasn't failed, but the people's system has failed. Now, Christ has a program that we must enter in.

 

*THEN THAT LOSES CONCERN, AND AFTER WHILE YOU'VE LOST THE WHOLE--YOU--YOU'VE LOST EVERYTHING.

CONVINCED.THEN.CONCERNED_  TEMPE.AZ  THURSDAY_  62-0118

  E-48    Convinced and then concerned. Now, Andrew was concerned about his brother as soon as he was absolutely convinced that that was the Messiah. How did he do it? He stayed with Him all night. The trouble of it is, we can't stay with Him five minutes. "Oh, we got to get home. Some television program's on. We've got to see that play. I just can't stay no longer; that's all. I haven't missed that in a long time. It's a serial they're running, you know, and so I can't...?..." That's it. Uh-huh. "I tell you. I just got to do this, or that. I can't do this and do that": no time.

Oh, brother, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness." See? But the thing... Then that loses concern, and after while you've lost the whole--you--you've lost everything. You're not concerned about anything then, but just your own self. That's right.

 

* AND I BELIEVE THAT EVERY MAN, EVERY WOMAN, EVERY BOY OR GIRL THAT EVER STAYS LONG ENOUGH THAT YOU'RE CONVINCED THAT IT IS RIGHT

CONVINCED.THEN.CONCERNED_  TEMPE.AZ  THURSDAY_  62-0118

  E-44    Now, Andrew become very, very concerned, because he stayed with Him all night and was convinced. And then, when he was--become convinced that He was the Christ, then he was concerned about somebody else. And I believe that every man, every woman, every boy or girl that ever stays long enough that you're convinced that it is right, and it is the Holy Ghost, you're burdened so hard in your heart that you can't stand still and let these people die like this in shame and sin. It'll grind the very heart out of you to get out here on these streets.

CONVINCED.AND.THEN.CONCERNED_  CHICAGO.IL  MONDAY_  62-0521

  E-39    After Jacob had wrestled all night, instead of trying to war away that Man, Jacob held onto Him. Oh, I wish we had about a half hour on that, how that wrestling prince... He--he was able to hold on until he got what he was after. He held until... It took all night, but he stayed there. He wanted to be absolutely convinced. And when he stayed, until God changed his walking, he was convinced.

That's the trouble of it today. We don't stay long enough till we get our walking convinced. We don't walk like Christians. If we stay long enough with Him, He will make you walk different, talk different, live different, act different, sleep different, be different. And the reason is we don't stay long enough. We don't hold on. Jacob held on.

He said, "Let me loose. I've got to go."

He said, "I'm not going to leave You until I'm thoroughly convinced." Amen. Then when you take a promise of God and hold on to that un--don't let Him loose, just stay there until you see God come on the scene, then you're convinced. And when you're convinced then you're concerned about others. There's something about it that makes you concerned.

Jacob sent forth cattle, and everything else, to meet his brother. He was concerned about the welfare of his brother, after he was convinced that there was a God, after he'd had some wrestling with Him himself. We need that.

 

* YOU HAVE TO BE CONVINCED BEFORE YOU CAN BE CONCERNED.

CONVINCED.THEN.CONCERNED_  S.PINES.NC  V-3 N-3  SUNDAY_  62-0610E

  11-2    Why isn't there a concern like there used to be? It's... I believe the reason that if there's not as much concern as there used to be; they're not as convinced as they used to be. You have to be convinced before you can be concerned. Not concerned--you take the time now. Instead of evangelizing and trying to do something, everybody wants a great big school or a great big something that they can teach and--and make the ministers have better pulpit manners and so forth.

You know what I believe? I believe that the people is not convinced that Jesus is coming soon. I don't believe that they're convinced that He's coming in this age. And I believe that's the reason that they're not concerned, because they're not fully convinced. That's right. They're not convinced that He's with them. If they were, they would come back to the Word. That's right.

 

* LOVE--LOVE IS--IS DISCIPLINED. YOU MUST DISCIPLINE PEOPLE, IF YOU LOVE THEM.

CONVINCED.THEN.CONCERNED_  S.PINES.NC  V-3 N-3  SUNDAY_  62-0610E

  11-4    And now, many people might misunderstand it. Love--love is--is disciplined. You must discipline people, if you love them. If your little girl was setting out in the road (as I said this morning) making mud cakes, if you really love her, you'd get her off that road.

What if your wife said, "John somebody (whatever your name is)--you know a--a..." You just let her run out with some other man, because you said, "Bless her little heart, she wants to do it, and I just love her so much; I'm going to let her do it." You'd be a poor excuse of a husband. She ought to get rid of you and get somebody that loves her, that'll take care of her. I didn't mean it that way, 'cause you can't do that.

 

* AND GOD'S GOT TO KEEP HIS WORD TO US.

CONVINCED.THEN.CONCERNED_  S.PINES.NC  V-3 N-3  SUNDAY_  62-0610E

  12-1    But what am I trying to get at is this, that what if God would said to Eve, "Poor little Eve, you know you're My child. I--I--I... You didn't mean to do that." 'Course she didn't mean to do it; certainly she didn't, but she did it. And we know she did it. We see the results of it yet. But you see, He--he loved her, and He had to keep His Word to her. And God's got to keep His Word to us. So we must obey His Word. And when we obey His Word and see Him then vindicate what He said He would do, then we're convinced (That's right.), that the Word's right.

 

* YOU MUST ACT IT, BELIEVE IT, BE CONVINCED, AND THEN YOU'LL BE CONCERNED.

CONVINCED.THEN.CONCERNED_  S.PINES.NC  V-3 N-3  SUNDAY_  62-0610E

  12-4    Why? You've got to be convinced first that it is God. Then you know where you're standing. True. Convinced first, then you get your concern. Although people claim God's with them, but they're... It's not all... Mother used to say, "Actions speaks louder than words." Certainly it does. You must act it, believe it, be convinced, and then you'll be concerned.

Jesus said, "If you love Me, feed My sheep." Now, that's where I think we've failed a lot, is feeding His sheep. "If you love Me, feed My sheep." Today it's almost, "shear my sheep." Get them into a place and take everything they've got, and make them pledge their home and all of their old age pensions and everything else. Talk about a shearing; Jesus never said that.

 

*"CAST OUR CARES UPON HIM, FOR HE CARETH FOR YOU."

HE.CARETH.FOR.YOU_  PHOENIX.AZ  V-14 N-5  TUESDAY_  60-0301

  48    I read in the Scripture some time ago, where It said, "Not discerning the Lord's Body." And I thought, "What a statement," found in I Corinthians 11.

... not discerning the Lord's body.

And for this cause many are sick and weakly among you...

The Lord's Body is the Church. And we do not have spiritual discernment enough to care for one another. How can we care then if we can't care for each other? How can we care for the lost and the dying? What hospital can we take them to? "Cast our cares upon Him, for He careth for you."

Man takes this short routes, and what makes them do that is because God, when He made man, He didn't make man to do that. He made man to be happy, to have satisfaction, to be comforted. Man... God doesn't want His children to be uncomfortable. You would not...

HE.CARETH.FOR.YOU_  PHOENIX.AZ  V-14 N-5  TUESDAY_  60-0301

  51    Why, you mothers would get up in the middle of the night, if you were ever so sick; if junior had the cover kicked off of him, and you know that the little fellow might take a cold, you'd struggle some way to get to the bedside to make him comfortable. If one of your loved ones was laying sick with a fever, and you could stay there with a rag and bathe their face in cool water to make them comfortable, you would do it, one of your children. You would set there, though you were sick and you needed to be in bed yourself, you'd still set there; because your children mean something to you. They're a part of you; they're your life.

Lam 3:22  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 

Lam 3:23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 

Lam 3:24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 

Lam 3:25  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 

Lam 3:26  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. 

Lam 3:27  It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. 

Lam 3:28  He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. 

Lam 3:29  He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope. 

Lam 3:30  He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach. 

Lam 3:31  For the Lord will not cast off for ever: 

Lam 3:32  But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. 

Psa 84:11  For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 

Psa 84:12  O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.