BOLD Ministry

Traction is one word that I would feel very comfortable using to describe R.T. Kendall. In it's eighth printing already, Kendall's "God Meant It for Good" is 200 page 'must-have manual' using the life of Joseph (Genesis 37-50) as a basis to unpack the processes that God uses for personal sanctification. The depth of Kendall's understanding is underscored by his skillful application through his own 'personal laboratory' that being his life. It comes together very nicely to make this a must read for anyone seeking to pursue a level of sanctification and consecration concomitant with the great leaders of the Bible.

This is NOT a Woe is me, I am undone religious exercise but rather the heart of a coach, cheering those on the gridiron of life to get up and play with the vigor and resilience of a champion.

He touches upon themes and subjects very close to the heart of ministry such as: vindication, the cycles involving God-given dreams, and the uniqueness of every person's walk with God. Whereas many Christian 'How to" books proport to give you the skinny and fast track to spiritual greatness, Kendall pulls back on our spiritual reins to keep us from galloping over the closest cliff.

He writes, "It is that God sovereignly ordains for a specific purpose that which drives us to our knees and to tears. The tasks to which we are called may be unique. Therefore, the preparation we need will also be unique. There may be no precedents to which we can point in order to explain what is going on. The biblical word for it is 'chastening' (see Hebrews 12:6-11). p.12.

His use of anecdotes moves the read ahead quickly at times. One such excerpt is:

"A sculptor was going to make a horse out of a big block of marble and somebody came along to him and said, 'How are you going to do that?'
He replied, 'It's simple. I just start chipping away, and I chip away anything that doesn't look like a horse!' And so it is with God."

Kendall later on notes, " This is why James said, '...count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations' (James 1:12). May I suggest this? The next times a trial comes, rather than battle it out or try to be ride of it, or grumble the whole time, accept it graciously. See what God does....When I look back on my life, it is my suffering that I cherish most - not the blessings, not the bouquets, not the compliments, but suffering." p.18

It seems that we all personally battle to eliminate, extricate and annihilate all discomfort, delay and denial in our lives. I must confess to waging my own personal war against these and a few others. Kendall's insights inject into my heart that very necessary dose of patience and confidence.

"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" Philippians 1:6.

"As the "gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Romans 11:29) with every call, comes a crucible, and with every gift comes the surrender of what in in my hand in order to accept what is in His.

You can buy it online @ Amazon here.