“Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day. You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.”
Early, Solitary, Prolonged Prayer
Jesus was a man of prayer (v35), a man of priority (v38), and a man of personal involvement (v39). It all started with prayer.
Mark 1:35, “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”
The benefits of early, solitary, prolonged prayer are as follows:
Clarifies your priorities, v38
Fortifies your determination, v37 (Luke 4:42-43)
Energizes your ministry, v39
Tenderizes your heart, v41
Makes you attractive, v45
What is Revival?
A revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God. - Charles Finney
During true revival, thousands of lost people are suddenly swept into the Kingdom of God. Scenes of the lost coming to the Savior in great, and unprecedented numbers, are common. - Henry Blackaby
The coming revival must begin with a great revival of prayer. It is in the closet, with the door shut, that the sound of abundance of rain will first be heard. An increase of secret prayer with ministers will be the sure harbinger of blessing. - Andrew Murray
We want a revival to come just in our way. You never saw two revivals come just alike. We must let them come in God’s way. People are ashamed to admit they need a revival. - Mordecai Ham
A true revival means nothing less than a revolution, casting out the spirit of worldliness and selfishness, and making God and His love triumph in the heart and life. - Andrew Murray
Revival is falling in love with Jesus all over again. - Vance Havner
Revival is the visitation of God which brings to life Christians who have been sleeping and restores a deep sense of God’s near presence and holiness. Thence springs a vivid sense of sin and a profound exercise of heart in repentance, praise, and love, with an evangelistic outflow. - J.I. Packer
Revival is when God gets so sick and tired of being misrepresented that He shows Himself. - Leonard Ravenhill
Where God Guides, God Provides
God has a plan for you and He will give you all you need to accomplish His plan. This truth is vividly seen in Matthew 21 when Jesus came into Jerusalem for what we refer to as “The Triumphal Entry”
The Lord told the disciples to go into the village and find a donkey with a foal. Bring the donkey he said, and if anyone asks why tell them, “The Lord has need of them.”
Notice the remarkable provision. See the abundance of God’s provision. The Lord needed transportation and it was easily provided.
Matthew explains the miraculous abundance of God in the following verses. It had been foretold by the prophets of old that the Messiah would come riding on a donkey. Therefore, the provision of the moment was in fact a provision related to God’s eternal plan.
Now study Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.’
Christians have a foreordained destiny. We are God’s masterpiece designed for His glory. If God can give a donkey for a ride, He can also give us everything we need to glorify the Lord in our appointed ministries.
Tell God what you feel you need to do His will, then trust Him to bring it forth.
Free the Church
Pastor Marvin Tharnish gave this definition of church. He said, “A church is a group of baptized believers who have joined together in a commitment to help each other fulfill God’s purpose for their lives.”
This definition is liberating! No stained glass required. Buildings optional. Professional clergy non-essential. This definition makes the church mobile and adaptable. This definition allows the church to soar far above pandemics and persecution. When the church is no longer an institution she is free to be whatever God wants her to be.
What God Does with Our Sins
He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. (Ps 103:10–13).
Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. (Is 1:18).
You have cast all my sins behind Your back (Is. 38:15)
I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake;
And I will not remember your sins. (Is 43:25).
For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more. (Je 31:34).
Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity
And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?
He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy.
19 He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities.
You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea. (Mic 7:18–19).
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (Jn 1:29).
Seven Scriptural Prayer Requests
According to Colossians 1, when praying for others ask God to give them the following:
Spiritual Insight, v 9
A Godly Life, v 10a
Kingdom Success, v 10b
Christian Maturity, v 10c
Supernatural Power, v 11a
Joyful Endurance, v 11b
A Grateful Heart, v 12-14
Source: Dr. Chuck Herring, First Baptist Collierville, TN, July 26, 2020
Safety in the Storm
Personal protection is something important to everyone, especially during these chaotic days. Noah teaches us three important lessons.
Noah was protected because he was righteous (Genesis 6:8-9a)
Noah was righteous because he walked with God (Genesis 6: 9b)
Noah walked with God because he trusted and obeyed God (Genesis 6: 22 & Hebrews 11:7).
To summarize, if you trust and obey God, you will walk with God, and if you walk with God you will live righteously, and if you live righteously God will protect you!
Art Groomes quote
“God always gives the best to those who leave the choice with Him.”
Hope for America
Our nation is in trouble. We are experiencing the judgment of God. Turmoil abounds. Darkness accelerates its hatred. Is it too late for the United States of America? There is still a chance for America and there is a precedent from scripture.
Nineveh was the capitol of Assyria. This wicked nation offended God and His wrath was imminent. But they experienced revival and turned to God.
God used an imperfect prophet. Jonah was a reluctant, hateful, angry person. But God used him!
God used Jonah’s incomplete message. Jonah merely announced, “Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” (Jonah 3:4). God used Jonah’s few words to bring repentance and as a result judgment was averted.
So here’s the point: IF GOD CAN USE AN IMPERFECT PROPHET WITH AN INCOMPLETE MESSAGE TO BRING REVIVAL TO NINEVEH THEN HE CAN USE US ALSO TO BRING REVIVAL TO AMERICA.