DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT – WEDNESDAY WARRIOR! #6.

When we are in hand-to-hand conflict with the world, the flesh, and the devil himself, neat little Biblical confectionery is like shooting lions with a pea-shooter; God needs a man who will let go and deliver blows right and left as hard as he can hit, in the power of the Holy Ghost. Nothing but forked-lightning Christians will count. – C.T. Studd.

Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well; - 1 Timothy 1:18.

There should be no doubt in any Christians mind, that we are at war with Satan, for the souls of men, women, and children. It is a war that must be fought if we are to stand before Jesus, and hear His wonderful words… "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' - Matthew 25:23.

One of the best examples of a good and faithful warrior is… C.T. Studd.

Wealth and luxury surrounded C.T. Studd as he grew up in the 1870's on the family estate in Wiltshire. C.T. received the finest education, attending Cambridge University, where he also enjoyed an illustrious athletic career. As captain of the cricket team and best all around player of the Cambridge Eleven, C.T. Studd was considered by many to be, "England's greatest cricketer." But God had a different plan for the life of C.T. Studd, one that would require him to sacrifice wealth and prestige and to dedicate his life to foreign missions.

One night C.T. Studd went to hear D.L. Moody speak, and following the message C.T. made the decision to devote his life to missionary service. His decision created a sensation, and he with six other students, who were dubbed the "Cambridge Seven", sailed to China together to serve under China Inland Mission. "Never before in the history of missions," wrote a newspaper reporter, "has so unique a band set out to labor in the foreign field." To many people the decision of the "Cambridge Seven" was a rash move and a tremendous waste of intellect and ability. But to Studd and the other six it was using their ability to the fullest.

Studd's tenure in China was less than a decade, but it was filled with activity. He met and married Priscilla Steward; and had four daughters born to him on Chinese soil. "For five years", wrote Studd, "we never went outside our doors without a volley of curses from our neighbors." But their ministry tarried-Priscilla with her evangelistic work with the women and C.T. in his work with the opium addicts.

Illness forced Studd to come back to England in 1894, and for the next six years he spoke throughout the United States and England. His words were spoken in conviction to students, and according to J. Herbert Kane, "… student by the thousands flocked to his meetings, sometimes six a day… and hundreds, caught up in the revival movement, volunteered for missionary service." Studd then moved to India for six years and again back to England where spoke to thousands of students.

But while he was in England, Studd heard that there were hundreds of thousands of tribal people in Central Africa who had never once heard the gospel because, "no Christian had ever gone to tell of Jesus." "The shame," according to Studd sank deep into his soul. So, Studd, against the advice of his doctors left for Africa. He preached the gospel and won many to the Lord and his efforts opened the doors for missionaries to reach those remote peoples.

C.T. Studd sacrificed his life for the work of the Lord and stood for the conviction of his spirit. He was a man who served God and lived to bring hope to the hopeless.

What a powerful man of God C.T was, what a great example to follow into battle!

Here are further quotes from the mighty warrior…

Funds are low again, hallelujah! That means God trusts us and is willing to leave His reputation in our hands.

Christ's call is to save the lost, not the stiff-necked; He came not to call scoffers but sinners to repentance; not to build and furnish comfortable chapels, churches, and cathedrals at home in which to rock Christian professors to sleep by means of clever essays, stereotyped prayers, and artistic musical performances, but to capture men from the devil's clutches and the very jaws of Hell. This can be accomplished only by a red-hot, unconventional, unfettered devotion, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to the Lord Jesus Christ.

A lost reputation is the best degree for Christ's service.

We Christians too often substitute prayer for playing the game. Prayer is good; but when used as a substitute for obedience, it is nothing but a blatant hypocrisy, a despicable Pharisaism... To your knees, Christian! And to your Bible! Decide at once! Don't hedge! Time flies! Cease your insults to God, quit consulting flesh and blood. Stop your lame, lying, and cowardly excuses. Enlist! – C.T. Studd.

Loving Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to be a mighty warrior for you, and for the extension of your Kingdom, help me to follow the example of great warriors like C.T. Studd. I ask this in the wonderful Name of Jesus. Amen .

Be encouraged!
GBYAY