I have heard many people speak of revival over the years, and often it sounds something like this: "What we need is revival." "Do you know how long it has been since there was a true revival in our nation?" "Wouldn't you love to take part in a revival?"
As I have been thinking about "revival" in the last few days, there are a couple of misconceptions I feel important to clear up. Revival starts with God's people, not with the world. Revival carries with it the idea that something was once alive and has stopped breathing, or the heart has ceased to function, and revival is necessary to continue living. When we see the deeds and hear the words of those who fear not God, revival is not what they need initially: they need regeneration, salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, to be born again!
For all the times I have heard people lamenting the lack of revival, not one time have I heard someone say, "I need revival." This is the point: revival does not start "out there" somewhere, but takes place in your own heart. True revival starts with you. Yes, you. The wonderful thing is revival is not something to long for but never grasp, but a promise fulfilled when we meet God's conditions! Isaiah 57:15 says, "For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." You want revival? God has given you His word that you may have it. The question is, do you really want it? Are you willing to repent and humiliate yourself before God in complete surrender to Him?
Let's not pray for others to receive what we are unwilling to seek for ourselves. God promises to revive any of His people who are humble and contrite before Him. He is holy, and therefore we must confess our sin and repent in humility. If we being evil give good gifts to our children, how much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit to all who ask Him? When God revives you, He will cease to be contained within you and spill out in fountains of Living Water. Jesus has offered abundant life, free from dry tributaries and stagnant ponds. Humbly come to Jesus Christ in faith as you came to Him at the first, the One who shouted to all, "If anyone is thirsty, let Him come to Me and drink!" (John 7:37-38) The devil loves it when we wring our hands over our lack and neglect to receive ourselves what God has freely provided. Aren't we called to walk by faith and not by sight? Let's break up our own fallow ground and prepare our hearts because it is high time to seek the LORD!
To pine for the revival of nations and not to be revived ourselves is folly. Revival of nations begins when God's people seek and receive the revival according to His promises. I need revival. Do you? It's not a one-time thing. Let us believe, humble ourselves before our God in repentance, and receive.
23 March 2014
19 March 2014
Whose Approval Do You Seek?
Our identity dictates whose approval we seek. Growing up, I was raised in a home by both my parents. Because I identified Mark and Darla as my parents and I was their son, when they gave me tasks to perform I needed to ensure the end results met their standards. I might have thought the bathroom was clean enough, but their approval is what mattered. If I cleaned a window for half an hour, time spent did not grant me their approval. Should the glass remain smeared and streaked, it would not be acceptable. I sought the approval of my parents so I could move on to something fun!
If our identity is in Christ, it is imperative we seek His approval and walk in the way that pleases Him. History proves God's people often lose sight of their identity in Him. It is often written of the children of Israel and certainly applies to God's people today, that they did what was right in their own eyes. Though God brought them out of bondage in Egypt with a mighty hand, it was not long before they wandered from Him. Jesus has purchased us with His precious blood, but the flesh has a way of forgetting we are not our own. When we live seeking our own approval or the approval of others, we have lost sight of our identity and much more still. Consider only some of the implications of living for the approval of anyone but Christ:
Whose approval do you seek? Your life will provide the answer!
If our identity is in Christ, it is imperative we seek His approval and walk in the way that pleases Him. History proves God's people often lose sight of their identity in Him. It is often written of the children of Israel and certainly applies to God's people today, that they did what was right in their own eyes. Though God brought them out of bondage in Egypt with a mighty hand, it was not long before they wandered from Him. Jesus has purchased us with His precious blood, but the flesh has a way of forgetting we are not our own. When we live seeking our own approval or the approval of others, we have lost sight of our identity and much more still. Consider only some of the implications of living for the approval of anyone but Christ:
- We will fall far short of God's plan and purpose for His glory in our lives.
- We will not experience on earth all we could of Him, and remain devoid of His power.
- Our lives will be marked by dissatisfaction instead of contentment.
- We will be unable to be who God designed us to be.
- It will be impossible for us to accomplish the good works God created us to do.
- We will be hamstrung, paralysed by the opinions of others.
- Our reward in heaven will be significantly diminished and we will suffer loss.
- If you do not seek to do God's will, it may be you have not been born again or saved!
Whose approval do you seek? Your life will provide the answer!
17 March 2014
Rest for the Weary
"No rest for the weary," goes the cliche. Now wait a moment, Mr. Cliche maker. Clearly when coining your phrase you did not consider the words of Jesus when He said in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
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Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
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For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." No amount of physical rest will eliminate weariness or the certainty of future aches and pains. But rest for the soul! Life has a way of sucking the "life" right out of us. When our souls become weary of the drudgery of life, the emptiness of religious activity, the pain of rejection, fear of uncertainty, weighed down with guilt and shame due to our sin, Jesus bids us come to Him. The life Jesus offers to all who receive Him is abundant for eternity.
The words of Jesus are ironic. When we think about rest, we likely do not associate it with carrying a yoke. The yoke Christ speaks of was a piece of wood customised to fit around the necks of oxen and attached to a plow. It's a huge amount of work, pulling a plow back and forth across a field all day long. That's why farmers employed oxen to do it! Jesus does not offer us a sedentary life devoid of labour or responsibility, but He will provide rest for our souls. He offers us peace that passes understanding on earth and eternal rest in heaven in the presence of the Father with exceeding joy. God created man to do good works, not seek perpetual leisure. It is only after we are yoked to Christ in relationship by grace through faith that we can taste and see how wonderful rest for our soul is.
Instead of seeking to secure our earthly future, the wise seek to invest in the eternal realm. Once we are born again through the Gospel by the Holy Spirit, our aim is to enter into the good works God has prepared for us to do through His power. Galatians 6:9-10 says, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." Life is hard. Even the bodies and minds of Christians grow weary. The cure to our weariness is found when we tap into the strength supplied by the Holy Spirit, looking unto Jesus for direction and inspiration. Hebrews 12:1-3 tells us, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."
When weariness hits, remember to consider Christ. As a born again Christian, it is His yoke you have volunteered to bear. He will be with you forever, for He has promised never to leave or forsake you. The rest He gives is completely unlike the mirage of "rest" found in this world. Be strong and courageous. Has He not commanded you? He will be faithful to do it!
The words of Jesus are ironic. When we think about rest, we likely do not associate it with carrying a yoke. The yoke Christ speaks of was a piece of wood customised to fit around the necks of oxen and attached to a plow. It's a huge amount of work, pulling a plow back and forth across a field all day long. That's why farmers employed oxen to do it! Jesus does not offer us a sedentary life devoid of labour or responsibility, but He will provide rest for our souls. He offers us peace that passes understanding on earth and eternal rest in heaven in the presence of the Father with exceeding joy. God created man to do good works, not seek perpetual leisure. It is only after we are yoked to Christ in relationship by grace through faith that we can taste and see how wonderful rest for our soul is.
Instead of seeking to secure our earthly future, the wise seek to invest in the eternal realm. Once we are born again through the Gospel by the Holy Spirit, our aim is to enter into the good works God has prepared for us to do through His power. Galatians 6:9-10 says, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." Life is hard. Even the bodies and minds of Christians grow weary. The cure to our weariness is found when we tap into the strength supplied by the Holy Spirit, looking unto Jesus for direction and inspiration. Hebrews 12:1-3 tells us, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."
When weariness hits, remember to consider Christ. As a born again Christian, it is His yoke you have volunteered to bear. He will be with you forever, for He has promised never to leave or forsake you. The rest He gives is completely unlike the mirage of "rest" found in this world. Be strong and courageous. Has He not commanded you? He will be faithful to do it!
16 March 2014
It's Not About You
In our day, the statement "It's not about you" certainly will raise eyebrows and hackles everywhere, both within and without the church. I suspect this is because I have been raised in a cultural platform which says everything is about me! In a society that stresses the potential and value of individuals, that I can be whatever I want to be as I follow my heart, even the suggestion that my life is not about me may seem repulsive, offensive, and ignorant. But the scriptural truth remains undeterred, gleaming ever brighter in a world darkened with humanism. God created all things for His good pleasure, and we exist by His grace for His glory. Our existence is all about God.
The greatest joy for a human being created in the image of the Almighty God is to know and serve Him. Yet when we present the truth of the Gospel, it can be done in a way which emphasises personal benefits and gifts we receive from God more than the worthiness of God Himself. Many times I have heard heaven described in all its glory revealed through scripture: streets made of pure gold like glass, custom mansions prepared for the redeemed, the absence of tears, sorrow, pain, sickness, and death, the granting of a glorified body like the risen Jesus Christ, meeting with loved ones, and the joyous unity to be experienced forever. But heaven is not about you. All those aforementioned benefits of heaven pale in comparison to being in the presence of God and fulfilling His divine purposes. Our entrance into heaven was paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ. He should receive all glory and recognition because the will of the Father has been accomplished. We live, breathe, and have our being on earth by God's grace, and the same will be true in the heavenly realm. We are intended to live on earth for God, and we will live in heaven for God too!
I have heard people talk about prayer or gifts through the Holy Spirit as a source of power to be tapped into, almost like a government grant of free money just waiting to be snatched up by those who fill out the forms and meet the criterion. But neither prayer nor spiritual gifts are about you. Prayer is not a handy way to obtain your every desire, but to accomplish God's will in and through your life. Gifts of the Holy Spirit are not merely for your edification, but more importantly the glory of God and the edification of the church. God did not make us the light of the world so we could bask in our own glow, but so we would be a light to all who are in the world so they might come to Him for salvation. If you think ANY gift of the Holy Spirit is just for you, you are wrong. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is always associated with increased service and praise unto God. The gifts and talents provided by God are to be invested for His glory and the good of others. Of course we too receive great benefits and increase of our faith through the exercise of gifts, but that is not the primary purpose. All we are and all we possess is by God for God, and we are not our own.
When we realise our life is not about us, what freedom is ours by God's grace! When we see a group photo in which we are included, our eyes quickly move to find our face. This is often true when we look into scripture, and this is not a bad thing. We should seek to discover who we are in Christ and the many blessings and promises He has freely offered to us. There is so much we are called to enter into now! But more important than focusing on how a relationship with God or the future promise of heaven will benefit us, we must step back from the photograph and ask: "Why this glorious assembly? Whose vision created this seemingly impossible future for me? How should I be included in a picture with such heavenly glory?" Let us turn our eyes upon Jesus once more and realise it's not about us. God deserves all our affections, desires, and praise. To look forward to the golden streets or the people we will meet in Heaven is to look forward to a gourmet meal because of the extra knives and forks. On earth Christ is to be our Main Course, and in Heaven He is our Royal Host. It's all about Him!
The greatest joy for a human being created in the image of the Almighty God is to know and serve Him. Yet when we present the truth of the Gospel, it can be done in a way which emphasises personal benefits and gifts we receive from God more than the worthiness of God Himself. Many times I have heard heaven described in all its glory revealed through scripture: streets made of pure gold like glass, custom mansions prepared for the redeemed, the absence of tears, sorrow, pain, sickness, and death, the granting of a glorified body like the risen Jesus Christ, meeting with loved ones, and the joyous unity to be experienced forever. But heaven is not about you. All those aforementioned benefits of heaven pale in comparison to being in the presence of God and fulfilling His divine purposes. Our entrance into heaven was paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ. He should receive all glory and recognition because the will of the Father has been accomplished. We live, breathe, and have our being on earth by God's grace, and the same will be true in the heavenly realm. We are intended to live on earth for God, and we will live in heaven for God too!
I have heard people talk about prayer or gifts through the Holy Spirit as a source of power to be tapped into, almost like a government grant of free money just waiting to be snatched up by those who fill out the forms and meet the criterion. But neither prayer nor spiritual gifts are about you. Prayer is not a handy way to obtain your every desire, but to accomplish God's will in and through your life. Gifts of the Holy Spirit are not merely for your edification, but more importantly the glory of God and the edification of the church. God did not make us the light of the world so we could bask in our own glow, but so we would be a light to all who are in the world so they might come to Him for salvation. If you think ANY gift of the Holy Spirit is just for you, you are wrong. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is always associated with increased service and praise unto God. The gifts and talents provided by God are to be invested for His glory and the good of others. Of course we too receive great benefits and increase of our faith through the exercise of gifts, but that is not the primary purpose. All we are and all we possess is by God for God, and we are not our own.
When we realise our life is not about us, what freedom is ours by God's grace! When we see a group photo in which we are included, our eyes quickly move to find our face. This is often true when we look into scripture, and this is not a bad thing. We should seek to discover who we are in Christ and the many blessings and promises He has freely offered to us. There is so much we are called to enter into now! But more important than focusing on how a relationship with God or the future promise of heaven will benefit us, we must step back from the photograph and ask: "Why this glorious assembly? Whose vision created this seemingly impossible future for me? How should I be included in a picture with such heavenly glory?" Let us turn our eyes upon Jesus once more and realise it's not about us. God deserves all our affections, desires, and praise. To look forward to the golden streets or the people we will meet in Heaven is to look forward to a gourmet meal because of the extra knives and forks. On earth Christ is to be our Main Course, and in Heaven He is our Royal Host. It's all about Him!
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