There are many of us Christians who have had burdens for lost souls, a heart for revival, and a passion to see the church built up and edified. We may have at one time labored in the strength of the Lord to see these things accomplished for Christ.
It seems like we often let other things slip in and get us off track. We let our urgency wane. We grow lazy in our prayer life, our zeal for the service of the Lord grows cool.
Paul exhorted Timothy not to neglect the spiritual gift that was within him (1 Timothy 4:14). It is so easy to neglect the spiritual gifts that God has placed within each one of us. The world clamors to get our attention. Christian! God has gifted you. Do not neglect it!
If it has been lying dormant in your life you need to fan it into flame once again (2 Timothy 1:6). Get filled afresh with the spirit of God, and walk in your calling! Let God use you for His kingdom and glory.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Determination.
The account of Elijah and Elisha in 2 Kings 2:1-14 contains a great lesson for us. Look at the determination of Elisha as he follows Elijah from place to place. At each stop Elijah asks him to stay, but Elisha is determined to go on with him.
We see why when Elijah asks what he could do for him before God took him. Elisha wanted a double portion of the anointing of God that rested upon Elijah. If he was not persistent in his pursuit of God's anointing, he would have never received it!
This is the same principle that Jesus taught us through the example of the Syrophoenician woman's persistent faith (Matthew 15:21-28).
If we would prevail with God, if we would receive the blessing, if we would see God pour out His Spirit upon us, upon our churches and communities, we must come with a bold determination that will not let go until the blessing comes (Genesis 32:26).
We see why when Elijah asks what he could do for him before God took him. Elisha wanted a double portion of the anointing of God that rested upon Elijah. If he was not persistent in his pursuit of God's anointing, he would have never received it!
This is the same principle that Jesus taught us through the example of the Syrophoenician woman's persistent faith (Matthew 15:21-28).
If we would prevail with God, if we would receive the blessing, if we would see God pour out His Spirit upon us, upon our churches and communities, we must come with a bold determination that will not let go until the blessing comes (Genesis 32:26).
Saturday, August 9, 2014
White Hot!
Jesus would have us to be white hot in our service to Him. In Romans 12:11 we are exhorted to be diligent, and fervent in spirit.
To be fervent in spirit is to be on fire for Christ. Someone who is white hot will set those on fire who are around them. A Christian full of the Holy Ghost and fire will accomplish much for the kingdom of God. Souls will come under conviction of sin, repent and be saved. Backsliders will be reclaimed. The dry will be kindled into flame!
Get full of the Spirit! Be white hot, on fire for Christ! Spread revival fire wherever you go!
To be fervent in spirit is to be on fire for Christ. Someone who is white hot will set those on fire who are around them. A Christian full of the Holy Ghost and fire will accomplish much for the kingdom of God. Souls will come under conviction of sin, repent and be saved. Backsliders will be reclaimed. The dry will be kindled into flame!
Get full of the Spirit! Be white hot, on fire for Christ! Spread revival fire wherever you go!
Friday, August 8, 2014
Inhabited By God.
Our love for Christ is proven by our obedience to Him. We live to please those we love. those who love Christ in this way are the ones who experience the abiding fellowship of the presence of God in their lives. The very presence of the indwelling Christ burning deep within the soul (John 14:23).
We are deluded if we think we can abide in Christ and He in us apart from this love.
We are deluded if we think we can abide in Christ and He in us apart from this love.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Rend The Heavens.
Oh, That You would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would quake at your presence- as fire kindles the brushwood, as fire causes water to boil...
Isaiah 64:1-2 NASB
We cry out to you in holy desperation, we are dry, we are thirsty, we need a mighty outpouring of the Holy Ghost! Send the fire, or we die...
Isaiah 64:1-2 NASB
We cry out to you in holy desperation, we are dry, we are thirsty, we need a mighty outpouring of the Holy Ghost! Send the fire, or we die...
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Godly Sorrow.
What is our reaction to all the sin we see around us? Does it bother us to see the world overrun by gross wickedness, or have we grown insensitive to the moral filth around us?
The Psalmist wept tears because people did not keep God's law (Psalm 119:136). He was grieved in his heart because God was being dishonored, His holy name and character were being blasphemed by those who disobeyed Him.
Sin, especially that tolerated by those who profess to know Christ, brings a grievous reproach to our Savior. We should shed the same tears as we see many in the church fall into sin and error. We should weep over the barren condition of so many who once stood so strong for the Lord, but now have fallen away. We should weep like the son's of Korah, when the world says to us "Where is your God?" (Psalm 42:3).
Daniel gives us a wonderful example of one who grieved over the fallen condition of God's chosen people (Daniel 9:1-20). He recognized that they were in captivity for their sin, but that God promised to release them. Read this prayer of repentance. Daniel did not pray "poor us, forgive and let us go!" He prayed "Shame belongs to us, You are righteous and just in all that has befallen us. Forgive for your sake! We are called by Your name!" He recognized that the world looked at them in captivity, for their sin, and that reproach fell upon God!
A sin tolerating form of Christianity brings reproach to the name of the Holy God. Where are our tears?
The Psalmist wept tears because people did not keep God's law (Psalm 119:136). He was grieved in his heart because God was being dishonored, His holy name and character were being blasphemed by those who disobeyed Him.
Sin, especially that tolerated by those who profess to know Christ, brings a grievous reproach to our Savior. We should shed the same tears as we see many in the church fall into sin and error. We should weep over the barren condition of so many who once stood so strong for the Lord, but now have fallen away. We should weep like the son's of Korah, when the world says to us "Where is your God?" (Psalm 42:3).
Daniel gives us a wonderful example of one who grieved over the fallen condition of God's chosen people (Daniel 9:1-20). He recognized that they were in captivity for their sin, but that God promised to release them. Read this prayer of repentance. Daniel did not pray "poor us, forgive and let us go!" He prayed "Shame belongs to us, You are righteous and just in all that has befallen us. Forgive for your sake! We are called by Your name!" He recognized that the world looked at them in captivity, for their sin, and that reproach fell upon God!
A sin tolerating form of Christianity brings reproach to the name of the Holy God. Where are our tears?
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Active Prayer.
There are those who spend their lives praying for lost loved ones, revival, their neighbors, etc. but never do anything about it. They don't witness, they won't give a testimony of God's grace in a church service, they never think to confront a sinning brother in a spirit of love. They believe all that they need to do is to pray, and God will take care of it.
There are also those who plunge into these things, but never pray. They are always busy doing good things, but have no anointing of God on their efforts. They also see little if any results.
Jesus told the seventy to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send workers. He then sends them! (Luke 10:2-3). James tells us that true faith will produce works. What good is it to bless a needy person with good intentions when we have the ability to help them? (James 2:15-17). Likewise, how can we expect God to answer our prayers for loved ones when we have no intention to go to them ourselves?
The truth is we must pray and seek God for His presence and power in our lives. We must be willing to go where He sends us, and to do what He calls us to do, bathing it all in prayer. We go in the strength that He provides.
Who knows, Maybe you are the answer to your prayers for the lost, for the needy, for revival in your church or community?
There are also those who plunge into these things, but never pray. They are always busy doing good things, but have no anointing of God on their efforts. They also see little if any results.
Jesus told the seventy to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send workers. He then sends them! (Luke 10:2-3). James tells us that true faith will produce works. What good is it to bless a needy person with good intentions when we have the ability to help them? (James 2:15-17). Likewise, how can we expect God to answer our prayers for loved ones when we have no intention to go to them ourselves?
The truth is we must pray and seek God for His presence and power in our lives. We must be willing to go where He sends us, and to do what He calls us to do, bathing it all in prayer. We go in the strength that He provides.
Who knows, Maybe you are the answer to your prayers for the lost, for the needy, for revival in your church or community?
Sunday, August 3, 2014
The Great Commission.
I was reading about Joshua this morning. The account of God's commission to Him to lead the nation of Israel into the promised land (Joshua 1:1-9).
God gave him the incredible task of going in to take possession of the land. He was to drive out the inhabitants of the land, a thing that the Israelites had been to afraid to do years before (Numbers 14:1-10).
To encourage Joshua to be strong and courageous, God assured him that He would not fail, or forsake him. He would be with him wherever he went (Joshua 1:5,9).
This reminded me of the words of Jesus when He was about to ascend to heaven (Matthew 28:18-20). He has given us, His disciples, the commission to win the lost. We are to make disciples of every nation, baptize them, and teach them to obey the words of Jesus.
This is a daunting task to be sure! Who are we to accomplish such a serious charge? Fear cripples so many of us. What will people think of me if I try to witness to them? There are so many to reach. What can I possibly do?
To encourage His disciples Jesus told them That He would be with them to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Take heart! Be strong and courageous! Get the power from on high (Luke 24:49) and go!
God gave him the incredible task of going in to take possession of the land. He was to drive out the inhabitants of the land, a thing that the Israelites had been to afraid to do years before (Numbers 14:1-10).
To encourage Joshua to be strong and courageous, God assured him that He would not fail, or forsake him. He would be with him wherever he went (Joshua 1:5,9).
This reminded me of the words of Jesus when He was about to ascend to heaven (Matthew 28:18-20). He has given us, His disciples, the commission to win the lost. We are to make disciples of every nation, baptize them, and teach them to obey the words of Jesus.
This is a daunting task to be sure! Who are we to accomplish such a serious charge? Fear cripples so many of us. What will people think of me if I try to witness to them? There are so many to reach. What can I possibly do?
To encourage His disciples Jesus told them That He would be with them to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Take heart! Be strong and courageous! Get the power from on high (Luke 24:49) and go!
Friday, August 1, 2014
An Invitation.
"Come now, and let us reason together," says the Lord, "Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool"
Isaiah 1:18 NASB
"Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost."
"Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?"
Isaiah 55:1-2a NASB
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30 NASB
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst."
John 6:35 NASB
"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink."
John 7:37b NASB
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.
Revelation 22:17 NASB
This invitation is for those who are burdened with a load of sin. Repent, lay it down (Isaiah 1:16-17). You will find God's forgiveness. They will be washed away.
Those who hunger and thirst for God will be filled (Matt 5:6). We all have a deep yearning for our God and Creator. Sadly we try to fill this void with material things, vain things, and idolatrous things. We live in selfish pursuit of temporal happiness. Only in Christ Jesus will we find contentment and peace.
We turn to religion, self righteousness, out of fear. We try hard to impress and please others out of the fear of man. Jesus says "Come to Me." He is gentle, His yoke is easy, His burden is light. This is the opposite of all the striving and effort so many of us are burdened with.
The invitation is open to all, but you must come. Lay down your sin and guilt. Lay down your load of empty religion. Lay down your cares and worries. Lay down your life, your all. Come to the waters, come to Jesus.
Isaiah 1:18 NASB
"Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost."
"Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?"
Isaiah 55:1-2a NASB
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30 NASB
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst."
John 6:35 NASB
"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink."
John 7:37b NASB
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.
Revelation 22:17 NASB
This invitation is for those who are burdened with a load of sin. Repent, lay it down (Isaiah 1:16-17). You will find God's forgiveness. They will be washed away.
Those who hunger and thirst for God will be filled (Matt 5:6). We all have a deep yearning for our God and Creator. Sadly we try to fill this void with material things, vain things, and idolatrous things. We live in selfish pursuit of temporal happiness. Only in Christ Jesus will we find contentment and peace.
We turn to religion, self righteousness, out of fear. We try hard to impress and please others out of the fear of man. Jesus says "Come to Me." He is gentle, His yoke is easy, His burden is light. This is the opposite of all the striving and effort so many of us are burdened with.
The invitation is open to all, but you must come. Lay down your sin and guilt. Lay down your load of empty religion. Lay down your cares and worries. Lay down your life, your all. Come to the waters, come to Jesus.
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