R.T. Kendall's Blog

13th July 2025, Today I am 90!

“Hitherto hath the LORD helped us” – 1 Samuel 7:12 (KJV).
“The LORD has helped us to this point” (CSB).

Dear Friends,

Today I am 90.

Over twenty years ago at age 68 John Paul Jackson (d.2015) said this to me at dinner in Key Largo, Florida:

                  “R T, you will live to a ripe old age. But if you don’t get in shape physically,  you won’t be around to enjoy it”.

If I had lived only to age 80, I would have considered John Paul’s prophetic word to be accurate. In the meantime, I took John Paul’s advice.  TR bought me a diet book. I now weigh myself daily (168 pounds – 12 stone). My publisher Steve Strang gave me exercises to do and urged me to get a trainer (which I did). I do the same exercises daily to this very day (e.g. 21 push-ups not Olympic standard since my nose doesn’t touch the floor, my stomach does) but perhaps not bad for my age, also I do12 sit-and-stand exercises with my hands outstretched – plus others). I call it “Stronger with Strang”. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (my chief mentor) used to say to me that Paul’s word, “Bodily exercise profiteth little” (1 Tim.4:8 – KJV) really meant to stress the advantage of physical exercise not to diminish it since he added that pursuing godliness is more important.

I am so very grateful to God for His goodness to Louise and me. Despite my age I still get invitations from England, South Korea, Hong Kong, Shanghai, New York, Texas and Florida and other places. I am on TBN UK three times a week. I do sixty second tweets daily. I have been sitting to preach these days, prompted by vertigo which is so unpredictable. But my consolation is that Jesus “sat” when he preached (Matt.5:1, Matt.13:2). I pray to be like Jesus in other ways!

If John Paul (and others) got it right in their prophetic words to me, I will be around a while longer and still have some things to look forward to. Time will tell.

Thank you for your prayers. SO APPRECIATED. TR travels with me most of the time, Louise some of the time.

Warmest greetings.

R. T. John 5:44.

New Year’s Letter 2025

                                    “In the multitude of counselors there is safety” – Prov.11:14 NKJV

I have been lovingly cautioned for a good while that I am not using my resources wisely. These bits of counsel have come from people of the highest caliber and highest profile in the church. My dad (who died at the age 94 in 2002) used to quote Proverbs 11:14 all the time. This came home when – out of the blue without remotely thinking of things like this – friends gave me a wake-up call about how God can use me in my old age.

The good news is that at age 89 I am the busiest of my life. To my amazement I still get invited to places all over the world – UK, USA and Far East.  The not so good news is that I have been plagued with moments of vertigo lately. I am now speaking for the most part from sitting. But Jesus sat when He taught, didn’t He!

I have a lot to share in the way of my past preaching – 3,250 sermons preached at Westminster Chapel, 100 TV talks on TBN UK, over 1,000 tweets not to mention other avenues of ministry. We need wisdom how to make these available to more people.

Perhaps it should not bother me that I ask you to pray for me. But Paul asked for prayer all the time. I need wisdom more than ever and will dare to ask you to pray for me as I listen to godly advice.

Louise is 85, enjoys having the grand children around when I am on the road. TR traveled with me this year from all over the U.S. to the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

God bless you all.

Warmest greetings and appreciation.

RT and Louise and the Kendall family – John 5:44.

July 13, 2024

“I am able to do all things through him, who strengthens me” – Philippians 4:13.
Dear Friends:
Today is my 89 th birthday. I have to pinch myself to believe I have lived this long!
Twenty-one years ago, the late John Paul Jackson, known for his reliable prophetic gift,
was having a meal with our family in Key Largo, Florida. We had just come back from
Bimini, Bahamas, where I introduced him to bonefishing. He put his knife and fork down,
looked at me and spontaneously said, “R. T., you will live to a ripe old age, but if you
don’t get in shape physically you won’t be around to enjoy it”. I took him seriously. Our
son T. R. bought me a diet book. Steve Strang urged me to get a trainer. I began lifting
weights. I get weighed every day (168 lbs. or 12 stone). I started doing twenty-one
pushups and other exercises daily which I still keep up. I continue to preach all over the
world – UK, Far East and all over the U.S.A., and into 2025. I give God all the glory and
thank Him for leading John Paul to speak to me as he did.
But God would not have given this timely word unless His Name would be glorified. It is
entirely about His purpose and His glory.
A few weeks ago, Dr. Ann Allen Salter, a retired veterinarian in Alabama, who has been
a prayer intercessor for me for twenty years, felt led to give me Philippians 4:13. I read it
every day in addition to my Robert Murray M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan. It is reminder
that I am enabled to travel, preach and write entirely because of His strength. God will
take me to heaven the moment I have fulfilled His purpose. And not before.
Dr. Ronnie Floyd wrote a Day by Day and Night by Night 365 Morning & Evening
Devotions for Leaders. I peeked ahead to see what he said for July 13. Among other
words were these: “You have the influence you have, the job you have, and the
resources you have for one reason alone: God has given them to you”. Yes. All of us
are debtors to His sovereignty alone.
Dr. Robert Jeffress kindly invited me to preach at the First Baptist Church in Dallas this
coming August 4-6. While there I will launch my latest book Their Finest Hour, foreword
by my friend Dr. O. S. Hawkins. In this book I have chosen what I believe to be the
“finest hour” of thirty biblical characters. Not just their defining moment but each’s
greatest accomplishment. I will relaunch my most important book Pleasing God to which
Susie Hawkins wrote the wonderful foreword. I have other books to come out down the
road, one which I will call “What They Didn’t Teach Me in Seminary”.
One birthday gift I will welcome – please: pray for me for an increase of wisdom, love
and power on my preaching and writing. That will be more precious than gold.

That’s it for now. Greetings also from Louise and me in Nashville. Either TR or Louise
travel with me virtually wherever I go.
God bless you.
R T – John 5:44.

Their Finest Hour. Landing Page – Free Chapter.

Theology and Personal Lifestyle

“I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak” (Matt.12:36 – CSB).

“For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed. And nothing hidden that won’t be made known and brought to light” (Luke 8:17 – CSB).

These are my least favorite verses in the New Testament. They are the words of Jesus. Am I to believe them? Are they true? Will all I have said and all I have done be revealed openly on the day of judgment?

I hope not. According to Jesus, it is only a matter of time when all that is knowable about you and me will be out in the open.

Some, however, are getting found out these days in advance of the judgment. It seems that almost weekly some high-profile Christian is being accused of some sort of wrong-doing, often of a sexual nature.  Some people as I write are biting their nails that what is knowable will be revealed in this life. According to Jesus, sooner or later all will be exposed.

Many of us would die a thousand deaths were all that is knowable about us be revealed and reported.

I want to pose a question: is there a theological correlation between one’s doctrinal beliefs and lifestyle? Am I less likely to fall into sin if I am a charismatic (one who believes that the gifts of the Spirit and miracles described in the New Testament are available today)? Am I less likely to fall if I am a cessationist (one who believes that the miraculous gifts “ceased” in the first century of the church)? Is an Arminian (one who believes in free will and that one can lose their salvation after they backslide) more likely to live a holy life than a Calvinist (one who believes that those born again cannot lose their salvation)? Are Anglicans more spiritual than Catholics? Do Pentecostals have a better record than Baptists when it comes to sexual purity? Is one who prays in tongues more likely to have stronger will power than one who does not believe in the gifts of the Spirit? Is a person with a genuine prophetic gift more likely to exemplify godliness and integrity than one who does not have any of the spiritual gifts?

I don’t know if there has been a serious study on the theology of fallen Christians and their corresponding beliefs. I only know of the many reports that are in the public domain.

Here is another question: will our open sins and secret sins be revealed at the Judgment Seat of Christ? I have believed all my life that all of our sins are “buried in the sea of God’s forgetfulness”, a phrase loosely connected to the Authorized Version translation of Micah 7:19 but not actually in the Bible. I still hope that this interpretation is utterly and absolutely true. I am counting on this. But if it is completely and totally true that God forgets all my sins, how could my idle words be brought to light at the judgment? I think I would drop dead on the spot If my sins would be reported now – not to mention at the judgment. But what about Jesus’ words that “nothing will be concealed” at some stage? Furthermore, if all my sins are buried in the sea of God’s forgetfulness, why should Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Joab, Uzziah or Hezekiah and countless others have their shortcomings revealed in Holy Scripture? In other words, why should I get away with my failures and these people be openly found out in their lifetime? These sins also include being hot-tempered, lying,  having lack of self-control, failure as a parent, jealousy, unforgiveness and a thousand others.

The Apostle Paul believed he would be vindicated at the Final Judgment. His followers in Corinth began to doubt his integrity and apostleship. He replied:

                  “It is of little importance to me that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I don’t even judge myself. For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. It is the Lord who judges me. So don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each from God” (1 Cor.4:3-5).

In other words, Paul was counting on the truth coming out at the Judgment Seat of Christ. He decided to wait until then. I have taken this to mean that I too should wait until the Last Day for the truth of any of my own controversies to come out. God has said, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay” (Rom.12:19). The Bible is clear that we should never vindicate ourselves. This is what God does. When I try to vindicate myself, things invariably get worse. I have learned the hard way to let God do it, but the problem is: we may have to wait a long time!

When I was the pastor of a church in America over fifty years ago, I had some deacons who gave me a lot of trouble. It was an awful time. I was discouraged. I turned to a verse that gave me great comfort. It was about the “persecutions and afflictions” that one was enduring. Paul said, “It is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you also are suffering, since it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you and to give relief to you who are afflicted”. Oh good. Yes! Thank you, Lord. I loved it. But something told me to keep reading. Oh dear. My joy was short-lived. “This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels, when he takes vengeance with flaming fire on those who don’t know God and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thess.1:5-8).

In a word: vindication can be postponed take a long time. That is, if it is external vindication we yearn for. Paul said that Jesus was vindicated by the Spirit (1 Thess.3:16). That was an internal vindication; knowing that God approved. Most of us want external vindication, when everybody is forced to see our innocence.  Most of us have a story to tell – how we have been hurt, betrayed or let down. But vindication seldom comes soon, even if we have vindication coming. The problem is, some of us take vindication always to be warranted in our case! At any rate, Paul counted on the truth to come out at the judgment seat of Christ.

I have taken 1 Corinthians 4:5 – when the truth will come out – to be the standard by which one should live: wait on God to vindicate. It will come at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

My point is this. Paul seems to take the view that, although our sins are forgiven, there will nonetheless be a judgment that will show how Jesus’ words will be applied. Our idle words will be exposed. So will our injustices, cruelties and misdeeds. This should have a definite effect on our lives now. But does it?

I was brought up in a church that believed you could lose your salvation if you give into sin. What always surprised me was that it did not have much effect on lives! I can never forget a man who in my old church in Kentucky who greatly admired a former pastor. When the pastor resigned and went to another church, my friend went into the world and forgot living a life of holiness. But when word got out that his old pastor was coming back to preach, he came to church and sat on the front seat with unashamed confidence. Then when the pastor left town, he went back to his sinful habits. The teaching that he would lose his salvation did not seem to bother him the slightest.

But I also knew a man who believed “once saved, always saved” and who took full advantage of his teaching and lived without much regard toward sexual purity. He would say, “I am saved, I cannot be lost no matter what I do”. He had also been taught that a truly saved person would not live like that. That however did not seem to matter to him.

In a word: above are at least two examples of people who held to opposite theological beliefs but lived in a manner that was clearly against the biblical teaching of holiness. Paul said, “For this is God’s will, your sanctification that you keep away from sexual immorality” (1 Thess.4:3). He added, “the Lord is an avenger of all these offenses” (v.6). This means that those who indulge in sexual immorality and who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ will, sooner or later, be found out and judged. For some it happens in this life. For others, it will come later.

We may imagine that nothing could be worse than being exposed and judged in this life. I would not want to be in the shoes of those who have been found out. I feel for them. But, although I cannot prove this, being exposed on that Day of days will be worse.

I truly don’t want to moralize the reader — I am fully aware my own weaknesses, it seems to me that a lack of the fear of God is what is at bottom of sexual promiscuity. I don’t think theological purity – whether one is charismatic, cessationist, Arminian or Calvinist – will make the difference in one’s character. I believe it will be the fear of God.

I am sure of this. The sin of adultery is displeasing to God. I have wondered if God is rolling up his leaves these days to deal with this issue.  I don’t know how to get this over to the reader, but, if I could, I would lovingly urge you to let this article be a wake-up call for you.

New Year’s Letter 2024

“When you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are unworthy
servants; we’ve only done our duty’” – Luke 17:10.
I have had occasion to apply this verse more than once in 2023. I admit to my turning to the
Lord when I felt tired, jet-lagged and occasionally experiencing some vertigo, wondering if God
would give me a pat on the back or some sense of reward! This verse – Luke 17:10 – keeps
coming to me. It is a rather sobering and humbling reminder that I am doing what I am called to
do and will do this until I get to Heaven!
The truth is, we have had another very good year – still traveling all over America and
internationally (London, Hong Kong, Israel). I am very conscious that most people my age – 88 –
are sitting in a rocking chair. But I am literally the busiest of my entire life – preaching, still on
TV weekly in Britain, constantly writing, preparing fresh sermons and doing zooms and tweets.
As for the vertigo moments, I remember to say with Paul, “I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). I do twenty-one push-ups daily.
I have had two new books out this year – Pleasing God (Susie Hawkins wrote the Foreword) and
Receiving the Isaac Promise (foreword by John Arnott). Pleasing God is based on Hebrews 11:5
– about Enoch who had the testimony that he pleased God (not people). Receiving the Isaac
Promise is putting in print my conviction that the Charismatic Movement is Ishmael but
showing that Isaac is coming and will be the greatest movement of the Holy Spirit since
Pentecost. This is what I stated at the Wembley Conference Centre – the first Word and Spirit
Conference – in October 1992. It was largely rejected, but there is reason to believe that things
have changed.
TR travels with me 90 percent of the time, sometimes Louise travels with me. We have SO
much to be thankful for.
Happy New Year from Louise, TR, Annette, Toby, Timothy, TY, Melissa and Rex.
R T Kendall – Luke 17:10…we are only doing our duty!

‘Dear Justin…’ RT Kendall’s open letter to Archbishop of Canterbury on sexuality

By RT Kendall 26 January 2023. 2 min read

Bible teacher RT Kendall explains why he believes the Church of England must urgently change course on last week’s decision to allow same-sex blessings

Dear Justin,

When we first met and I called you “Your Grace” you insisted that I call you Justin. You will recall that we met at Focus a few years ago, the summer festival of Holy Trinity Brompton. Nicky Gumbel kindly asked me to give Bible talks and one of the great highlights was to meet you.

You overwhelmed me with your kindness and affirmation of my preaching and welcomed Louise and me to come to Lambeth Palace to have coffee with you and Caroline – which we were honored to do at least twice. You shared with me how you wanted us to pray for you and I can honestly say that Louise and I have prayed for you and Caroline daily for over six years.

Soon after we first came England in 1973, I heard Archbishop Michael Ramsey speak at the University Church, Oxford, and asked him to sign my Bible. I never dreamed I would get to know a future Archbishop of Canterbury. You signed my Bible at Focus and I would say we have been friends since then. You may recall that I made you a promise: that I would never ask you to do something for me. I commented that all people who come to see you want something! You agreed! I promised to be an exception. By that I meant that I would never ask for a recommendation, a commendation or foreword to a book. I have valued our relationship and the privilege of praying for you. I wanted nothing more.

I have tried twice to see you in the past year – when I knew I would be in London, but your diary was filled both times. So when I heard the news on television a few nights ago that the Church of England will allow vicars to bless same sex relationships, I was saddened beyond ability to express. Knowing that I will not be in London for a good while, I felt compelled to do a brief video with my Twitter following. I reach several hundred people daily, but I have received an overwhelming response to this one, and thousands of comments keep coming in.

The first thing I said was that if you, Justin, were to climb down from this position, you would, in my opinion, be regarded as the greatest Archbishop of Canterbury in English history. You certainly would. No archbishop – at least since Thomas Cranmer in 1555 – has shown such courage of conviction. The issue you are facing is more fierce and heated than the theology of the Eucharist that cost Cranmer his life.

They don’t burn people at the stake nowadays, but the ostracism, the pain, the hate and vitriol you and Caroline would endure would be beyond imagination. But God would be with you. He would honour you. You could also be encourager number one in the world for those who uphold the biblical view of sexuality. We have no recognisable leader in America; the Billy Grahams of this world are gone.

I realise you would not perform a same sex marriage, or even use these blessings yourself. But we can see clearly the direction of travel the church is embarking on. I fear the next generation will compromise on biblical truth and begin to conduct gay marriages. You are in the position to stop it.

I need to add that as soon as I said what I did in the video about your being regarded as great, I caught myself and realised that this would not work with you! Having spent time with you, I realise you are not an ambitious man. I was barking up the wrong tree.

I therefore am not particularly appealing to your place in history but your love for God and the Bible. Forgive me if I am a little presumptuous, but you would not like my preaching if you did not love the Bible! I know things you have shared with me about your devotional life. You are a good man. I know this. I doubt there is an ambitious bone in your body and I think the goodness in you is why you want to affirm same-sex relationships. If I have got this right, I get this and appreciate you for this.

But I plead with you on bended knee, Justin, please don’t allow the Church of England to continue down this path, which will end with same-sex marriage being allowed. It goes right against the eternal principle of marriage laid down in Genesis 1:27 and 2:24-25. The last thing you need from me is to quote the Bible to you. You know this as well as I do. But in a day in which holy scripture is more and more minimised in the pulpit throughout the Western world and the northern hemisphere, your robust stand will glorify God and affirm Christians of all denominations at a time this is desperately needed. If you don’t, Justin, no one will. I regard you as the last hope.

I am indebted to England – I owe my ministry to Britain and the Church of England – strange as the latter may seem to some. But it is the truth. The Thirty-nine Articles are solid and you could be the last major leader to take a stand for theological integrity.

God bless you, Justin and Caroline.

Much love.

RT Kendall

2023 New Year’s Letter

“I will praise you, Lord, among the peoples; 
I will sing praises to you among the nations”.
Psalm 57:9.

Dear Friends,

I have racked my brain over what I should say, if I write at all, in this year’s letter to our friends. I want a letter like this, if possible, to do more for you than for us. But how do I write a letter like that. We are so blessed it is embarrassing. Here we are – Louise at 83, I am 87 – and still with a lively ministry. Not only that; I am as busy today as I was twenty years ago. I don’t understand this; I only know that I am totally undeserving and unworthy. I write this to caring friends to whom I say that I pray the same health, joy and energy for you. 

We love our condominium here in Nashville. If you follow our daily tweets, you know we have a spectacular view of the skyline. We are so thankful to be independent and, so far, not a burden to our children. My international ministry has opened up again, now that Covid appears to be behind us. Thanks to the kindness of Pastor Tim Dilena, our monthly preaching at Times Square Church continues. I also share our School of Theology lessons regularly with TSC. I have two more books coming out this year – Pleasing God, and The Isaac Promise. I am writing another – Their Finest Hour – to come out in 2024. When I am not on the road we attend Long Hollow Church near here, led by Dr. Robby Gallaty. With T. R.’s techy ability, in addition to daily sixty second tweets we send weekly thirty-minute Word and Spirit programs that continue to be used three times a week on TBN UK in the United Kingdom. 

Louise truly enjoys our apartment. We are the happiest since living in our flat in London. With T. R. and me traveling regularly, one of our grandsons stays with Louise. Two of them – Toby and Timothy – have become really good at jiu jitsu. Annette home schools our three grandsons,  manages their little farm and has been working often assisting a midwife. 

Thank you for your prayers. When someone says, “I pray for you”, it is the kindest and most encouraging word we can hear.

Warmest greetings.

The Kendall Family.

July 13, 2022

Dear Friends,

                      “Glorious things of you are spoken, Ocity of God” – Psalm 87:3.

Today I am 87. I plan to read Psalm 87 daily for the nexttwelve months. I have read Psalm 86 for the past year. This is a commitment Ihave, for some reason, chosen to make. As I read Psalm 86 yesterday, I amreminded that this has been a roller coaster year for Louise and me. We havehad Covid once, if not twice. Louise has had a serious thyroid condition thatcaused her to lose almost twenty pounds I feared it would be cancer, butthankfully she is well. That said, I am in good health and am busy, if notbusier, than I was twenty years ago. We have so much to thank God for. Our sonTR works full-time with me, travels with me while Louise has the company of ourgrandsons.

I preach monthly for Times Square Church in New York. PastorTim Dilena has opened doors for us that we never dreamed possible. I do sixtysecond tweets daily. Speak all over the U.S.A. as always. I am on TBN UKweekly. I write for Christianity magazine in the UK and Decision hereat home. We go to England for ten days in October to be with Dr. MichaelYoussef who celebrates twenty years of Leading the Way in Britain. I am on hisEuropean Board.

My book Prophetic Integrity has been very wellreceived all over the world. Please pray that it will do some good! By this Imean that it will bring some unity among Christians. I believe that theCharismatic Movement is under God’s judgment; that God has sent a lying spiritto the overwhelming majority of prophetic people. Please pray that some veryproud people will show humility and honesty. Pray that Evangelicals will beless harsh with Charismatics. Pray that Charismatic leaders will climb downfrom defensiveness and will take the lead in pleading with God for mercy.

Paul said, “A wide door for effective work has opened to me,and there are many adversaries” (1 Cor.16:9). I feel that I can say this too. Iam now writing a book called “Pleasing God”. After that I am writing one that Iwant to call “The Big Elephant”. I want to write a book on “The Voice ofJesus”. I have been asked to write a book on Ishmael and Isaac, a position Itake that gives hope for the greatest awakening ever seen.

God bless you all.

Much love,

R T and Louise and family.

January 1, 2022

Dear Friends,

“Find out what pleases the Lord” – Ephesians 5:10 (NIV).

Two Scriptures have gripped me in recent months: (1) Hebrews 11:5, referring to Enoch who had the testimony before his translation to Heaven that he “pleased God”; and (2) Acts 4:13, which speaks of Peter and John having “boldness” and who were “uneducated” but had “been with Jesus”. Next to being ready to go to Heaven, the greatest accomplishment for any human being is to have pleased God – which is possible to do.

When asked what was his secret to winning so many football games, Coach Vince Lombardi replied: “Winning isn’t the main thing; it is the only thing”. So with pleasing God. It is the only thing that ultimately matters in this life. Paul’s admonishment was that we find out what pleases the Lord. Not what pleases people. Pleasing your friends can be hard to do. Pleasing your relatives can be hard to do. Pleasing your enemies is impossible to do. But pleasing God – although costly – is possible to do. If you like, Google “R T Kendall sermon Pleasing God”. I would urge all who read these lines to set as your goal for 2022: find out what pleases God and follow through with this.

Second, if you follow my tweets you will have noticed recently how gripped I have been with this thought: the danger of theological education for ministers. Strange as this may seem to some, I am coming to the conclusion that theological education does more harm than good for those in the ministry and those who plan to go into the ministry. What seminaries don’t teach students is how they might personally please God. They pass on intellectual knowledge rather than experiential knowledge by the Holy Spirit. They teach about God but one doesn’t get to know God by merely learning things about Him. Knowing about Him might even put you off Him! But knowing Him – as Moses (Exod.33:13) and Paul (Phil.3:10) aspired to do will bring you great peace, joy and incalculable satisfaction – and usefulness – whether you are in the ministry or are seen as a lay person.

I feel like a fraud writing like this. I have had a good education. By the sheer grace of God I somehow avoided falling into the trap Satan sets for those who aspire to please God. My chief mentor Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones had no theological education and often warned against going to seminary. C.H. Spurgeon had no theological education. Uncle Buddy Robinson was the greatest evangelist in the history of the Church of the Nazarene – winning some 200,000 souls to Christ – did not learn how to read until he was twenty. He was utterly uneducated. David Wilkerson, who founded Times Square Church, had minimal education in a Bible college. The man he chose to follow him – Carter Conlon – was a policeman with no theological education. Tim Dilena, chosen by Carter to be the present pastor of Times Square Church, had a secular degree from Baylor University but comparatively little theological training. The last sermon preached by Dr. Michael Eaton, probably the most learned man I have known, urged people going into the ministry not to go to seminary!

My heart is burning unlike any burden I have felt since the day I had the vision in April 1982 to begin our Pilot Light ministry at Westminster Chapel.

At age 86 I must be realistic about how many years I have left. Oh yes, I could live to be 100! But even if I thought I would live that long, I want to spend my time urging people to do two things: (1) know the Bible backwards and forwards and (2) spend much time alone with God. Read good books too – yes, of course, but be careful!

That is how Peter and John got their boldness. The Greek word parresia in Acts 4:13 is variously translated as “boldness”, “confidence”, “courage” or “without fear”. What gives that boldness and fearlessness? Time with Jesus. They were of course filled with the Holy Spirit. One more thing: “they” (meaning the Sanhedrin, the Jewish leaders) were “astonished”, “amazed” at Peter and John. How could uneducated men astonish people like that? Time with Jesus. Mind you, they had three years to be taught by Jesus! They were ready for ministry when Jesus went to Heaven.

I’m afraid no one nowadays – in a wicked world and a sleeping church – is astonished by any of us. So sad. But let us all do our best to find out what pleases the Lord.

My book Prophetic Integrity (Thomas Nelson) comes out in May. Please pray that it will be widely read and will make a difference. I am calling for honesty and true repentance.

Kindly pray for all our family – Louise, T.R., Annette, Toby, Timothy, Ty, Rex and Melissa.

With love and best wishes,

R. T. Ephesians 5:10.

PS – I recommend the Robert Murray M’Cheyne Bible reading plan.
PPS – Please share this letter with anyone you think could benefit from it.

13 July 2021

Dear Friends:

            “Teach me your way, O LORD” – Psalm 86:11

I can hardly believe it myself. I am 86 today. 

I would like to thank God especially for two things: first, John Paul Jackson’s word to me some eighteen years ago. At dinner he put his knife and fork down and surprisingly said: “R. T., you will live to a ripe old age, but if you don’t get in shape physically you won’t be around to enjoy it”. I was 68.

That shook me rigid. Because of his faithful and very accurate prophetic words to me in the past, I took them seriously. T. R. bought me a book The Abs Diet which changed my eating habits. Steve Strang my beloved publisher gave me a series of daily exercises. “Stronger with Strang” became a motto! I hired a trainer. I still get weighed every day; do 21 push-ups daily (not Olympic standards but pretty good for an old man) to this very day. I still travel the world, write books and do all I did twenty years ago. I give God the praise.

Second, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones felt that the KJV translation “bodily exercise profiteth little” (1 Tim.4:8) is sadly a bit misleading, possibly underestimating the need for exercise. He felt that Paul meant that physical exercise was only “little in comparison to godliness”. But that physical exercise is very important indeed!

Now to Psalm 86:11: “Teach me your way, O LORD”. I read Psalm 84 every day from my 84th birthday; Psalm 85 for the last twelve months daily. I will read Psalm 86 daily for the next twelve months, focusing on verse 11. I so want to know more of God’s “ways”. God swore in wrath regarding Israel because they did not know  “my ways” (Heb.3:10). More than anything else Moses wanted to be taught God’s “ways” (Exod.33:13).

I shall continue to get weighed daily, watch my weight and do exercises including push-ups. But most of all I want to know God’s ways in ever-increasing measure. Godliness is most important!

Thank you for your prayers.

Much love to you all.

R T – Romans 8:28.