Required reading
Life and times of George Whitefield by Robert Philip (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) -Read the rest of Chapter One.
My summary
Today we read of Whitefield's early ministry following his conversion:
- his visits to the poor and prisoners;
- his private devotions (prayer, reading the Scriptures, and reading books such as Matthew Henry's commentary);
- his ordination;
- his early preaching and its effect;
- his move to leave for America.
What grabbed me
It was good to read of Whitefield's hesitation to go into the ministry. One example: 'The shyness of Moses and some other prophets, when God sent them out in a public capacity, I thought was sufficient to teach me, not to run until I was called. He who knoweth the hearts of men, is witness that I never prayed more earnestly against any thing, than I did against entering into this service of the church, so soon. Oftentimes I have been in agony in prayer, when under convictions of my insufficiency for so great a work; - with strong cries and tears, I have frequently said, "Lord, I am a youth of uncircumcised lips: Lord, send me not into thy vineyard yet.'
The ministry is not something to be undertaken lightly and Whitefield certainly is a wonderful example of someone who knew just that.
Next week's reading
Chapters Two and Three.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Life and times of George Whitefield by Robert Philip (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) -
- his visits to the poor and prisoners;
- his private devotions (prayer, reading the Scriptures, and reading books such as Matthew Henry's commentary);
- his ordination;
- his early preaching and its effect;
- his move to leave for America.
It was good to read of Whitefield's hesitation to go into the ministry. One example: 'The shyness of Moses and some other prophets, when God sent them out in a public capacity, I thought was sufficient to teach me, not to run until I was called. He who knoweth the hearts of men, is witness that I never prayed more earnestly against any thing, than I did against entering into this service of the church, so soon. Oftentimes I have been in agony in prayer, when under convictions of my insufficiency for so great a work; - with strong cries and tears, I have frequently said, "Lord, I am a youth of uncircumcised lips: Lord, send me not into thy vineyard yet.'
The ministry is not something to be undertaken lightly and Whitefield certainly is a wonderful example of someone who knew just that.
Next week's reading
Chapters Two and Three.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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