Revival

FAITH:

God makes a clear provision for revival in His Word if we would only listen to it. Faith still moves mountains.

The clear fact of the matter is that in too many places and in too many churches people are not coming to Christ and growing to maturity, let alone impacting culture and society. Is it because God is not interested in salvation any more? Is it because man’s heart has grown so much harder? Or is it because the church has become compromised and apathetic? The answer is simple. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so we know He still wants people to be saved. Since people are thronging to Christ in other parts of the world, such as in Africa, India, and China, we cannot blame the lack of the Spirit moving in America upon the hard hearts of men. In many ways, it is far darker spiritually in other lands. Even from my own witnessing in America’s heartland, I have seen very open hearts.

After all, isn’t it the postmodern stereotype that people are open to anything and everything? And yet we use postmodernism to say that we can’t reach people with the gospel. Which is it? The issue is the sanctity of the church. If we want to see revival, we need to humble ourselves and open our hearts to the power of Christ working through us to affect such change. A changed and committed church will impact the world.

Revival absolutely is possible because God still moves mountains and calls sinners to repentance. The question is whether we will yield ourselves to be useful instruments that God can use to bring in His harvest.

Consider Nehemiah 8-10. In chapter 8, the people of Israel gather at the public square in Jerusalem and ask Ezra the scribe to read the book of the law to them. It’s difficult to imagine this happening in a church today. Can you picture a group of believers pressuring the pastor to open the book of Romans and to begin reading it publicly verse by verse from sunrise to noon? Can you imagine being out with a bunch of friends and spontaneously deciding to read through Deuteronomy? Such an experience is so far out there to us that it is difficult to relate. If a brother or sister in the Lord did make such an assertion, there would likely be honest groans and complaints or dishonest excuses in an effort to maintain an image of spiritual piety.

But the Israelites at the time had a thirst for God. After they read the law, they began to weep. They rediscovered the feast of booths and celebrated it. In chapter 9, however, they reassembled themselves on their own initiative with sackcloth and dirt upon themselves. They confessed their sins and their fathers’ sins, and they were read the book of the law aloud while they stood in their place for three hours. They stood confessing and worshiping for another three hours. In chapter 10, they resolved to correct the areas in their lives which were not honoring to God, even signing a covenantal agreement between them and God.

A genuine revival happens here. A heart to want to hear the Word read was the initial moving of the Lord. However, the emphasis is clearly on the fact that the Word was read and did its convicting and healing work. The same applies for us today.

If we want to see revival, the preaching and reading of the Word in fullness and integrity must be a fundamental catalyst. by Brenton Barnette


FRIENDS:

Father, help me this day to stand before You with an open heart, an open mind, and an open being. For I want to be changed not into the image of things, but into the image of You. I will have no idols in my life. I own You as my only Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
April 2
Mark 1:9-20; 1 Cor 1:18-31; Psalms 73; Joshua 3-5
April 3
Mark 1:21-34; 1 Cor 2; Psalms 74; Joshua 6-7

~1 Corinthians~
An Indian was walking up a mountain when he heard a voice.

"Carry me with you," it requested.

The Indian turned and saw a snake. He refused. "If I carry you up the mountain you will bite me."

"I wouldn't do that," the snake assured. "All I need is some help. I am slow and you are fast, please be kind and carry me to the top of the mountain."

It was against his better judgment, but the Indian agreed. He picked up the snake, put him in his shirt, and resumed the journey. When they reached the top, he reached in his shirt to remove the snake and got bit.

He fell to the ground, and the snake slithered away.

"You lied!" the Indian cried, "You said you wouldn't bite me."

The snake stopped and looked back, "I didn't lie. You knew who I was when you picked me up."

We hear the legend and shake our heads. He should have known better, we bemoan. And we are right. He should have.

An so should we. but don't we do the same? Don't we believe the lies of the snake? Don't we pick up what we should leave alone?

The Corinthian Christians did. One snake after another had hissed his lies in their ears, and they had believed it. How many lies did they believe?

How much time do you have?

The list is long and ugly: sectarianism, disunity, sexual immorality. And that is only the first six chapters.

But First Corinthians is more that a list of sins, it is an epistle of patience. Paul initiates the letter by calling these Christians "brothers." He could have called them heretics or hypocrites or shirt-chasers (and in so many words he does), but not before he calls them brothers.

He patiently teaches them about worship, unity, the role of women, and the Lords Supper. He writes as if he can see them face to face. He is disturbed but not despondent. angry but not desperate. His driving passion is love. and his treatise on live in chapter 13 remains the greatest essay ever penned.

The letter, however personal, is not just for Corinth. It is for all who have heard the whisper and felt the fangs.

We, like the Indian, should have known better. We like the Corinthians, sometimes need a second chance.


FOOD:

Chicken Spaghetti Bake

4 ounces Spaghetti uncooked
3 slices Bacon chopped
1/2 cup Onion chopped
1 clove Garlic minced
3 tablespoons Flour
2 cups Tomatoes, canned chopped
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 cup Milk
1 cup American Cheese shredded
2 cups Chicken, cooked, cubed
1 package Frozen peas thawed
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Break spaghetti pieces in half & cook according to package directions. Drain. In large saucepan, cook bacon, onion and garlic until bacon is crisp. Blend in flour. Add undrained tomatoes, soup and milk. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Add shredded American cheese and stir till melted. Stir in cooked spaghetti, cubed chicken, and thawed peas. Pour into a 2 1/2-qt casserole and top with Parmesan. Bake uncovered, at 350 degrees F. for 45 minutes.

FUN:

Two women archaeologists are down in Mexico excavating an ancient Mayan burial ground looking for some remains to take back to their museum. Unfortunately, everything they run across is badly decomposed.

Says one: "We don't seem to be having much luck."

The other replies: "Keep on digging, honey A good Mayan is hard to find!"