The Works of The Lord Sought Out (Psa. 111:2)

Read Psalm 111:2.

1.  Seek out demonstrations of His work.  What does it look like?  What are the dominant patterns?

2.  Seek out descriptions of His work.  Based on the evidence or the patterns, the work of the Lord is _____.

3.  Seek out duplication of His work.  It is refreshing to study His works in the past.  What about His works today and tomorrow?  He isn't done working!  He still does what He's always done.  Hab. 3:2.

Quote By A. W. Tozer

"Every move of God in an individual heart 

begins with a deep sense of discontent."

Tozer, A. W.  Voice Of A Prophet.  Ed. James L. Snyder.  Minneapolis, MN:  Bethany House, 2014.  p. 46.

He Got It Right! Amen!

You have to see this video.

Lu. 3:4-6 (Part 3)

JESUS, THE LORD, IS COMING ON A PREPARED WAY. 

How can you prepare the way for the Lord to come to you? (This preparation is both personal and corporate.)

Fill up the low places.  This is a call to come up, a call to maturity.

Tear down the high places.  This is a call to come down, a call to humility.

Straighten out the crooked places.  This is a call to come clean, a call to purity.

Smooth out the rough places.  This is a call to come together, a call to unity.

If You Want Revival (Psa. 85:6) > Part 6

CONCLUSION

There is no revival without a return of God's presence. Recall the translation I mentioned in part one:  "Will you not return and revive us so that your people might rejoice in You?"

Before there can be revival, there must be a return of God to His people. What does it take for God to return to His people?  “...'Return to Me,' declares the LORD of hosts, 'that I may return to you,' says the LORD of hosts" (Zech. 1:3).  For God to return to His people, His people must return to Him.

One of the ways you can return to God is to position yourself where His Holy Word is proclaimed.  Go to church today.

If You Want Revival (Psa. 85:6) > Part 5

IF YOU WANT REVIVAL, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THE END RESULT.

"Will you not return and revive us so that your people might rejoice in You?"

• According to this verse, the primary result of revival is not that people are saved, although that will happen and should be expected.
• According to this verse, the primary result of revival is not that communities are transformed, although that is desirable and should be expected.
•  According to this verse, the primary result of revival is that there would be a new level of delight between God and His people – a resurgence of joy (that will lead to reignited faith, lifestyle obedience and committed service).

Now, God has never lost joy over His people!

• "The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior.  He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy." (Zeph. 3:17)

We must admit God's people can lose joy over Him.  It doesn't have to stay that way.  His joy brings a needed refreshing and His refreshing resupplies depleted joy. "Rejoice in the Lord always" (Phil. 4:4).

If You Want Revival (Psa. 85:6) > Part 4

IF YOU WANT REVIVAL, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND IT COMES BY PRAYER.

"Will you not return and revive us so that your people might rejoice in You?" Doesn't that sound like a prayer?

Prayer is appealing to God for what you need, based upon reality. Prayer is expressing to God your dissatisfaction with the status quo. Such prayer is not an act of ungratefulness; rather, such prayer admits there is more in store and you want everything God has prepared for you.

Now we're back to the problem – Not everyone wants revival. Why? Revival can be messy, disruptive and inconvenient.

 Okay, back to prayer.  The reality is that prayer meetings are under-attended. Where there is no prayer, there is no power. Where there is no prayer, we should not assume God's presence. To experience all God has prepared for us and to accomplish His will on earth as it is in heaven, we must pray.  Keep praying in secret to your Heavenly Father, but don't neglect corporate times of prayer.

 

When the next prayer meeting is announced at your church, will you be there?  Commit yourself.

If You Want A Revival (Psa. 85:6) > Part 3

IF YOU WANT REVIVAL, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE LIFELESS AND IN NEED OF A STIRRING.

 Let's define the word "revive." To "revive" means "to make alive again." There is a difference between existence and life. Not everyone who exists is truly living.  "...I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (Jn. 10:10).  Peter talked about "joy inexpressible and full of glory" (1 Pet. 1:8).  Is that your current reality?

We will not experience revival while ignoring the reality of spiritual decay!  Some agree with me that we need a stirring.  Others might pretend everything is fine.  Revival doesn't come to those who believe the status quo is acceptable. Contented people have no use for revival. (They have no use for revival, but that doesn't mean they have no need for it.)

If You Want Revival (Psa. 85:6) > Part 2

IF YOU WANT REVIVAL, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND IT IS SENT DOWN AND NOT WORKED UP.

The first noun in Psalm 85:6 is the word "You" (w/ a capital 'Y').  The pronoun "You" refers to God.  Unless God acts, His people can only talk about revival.

Make no mistake about it -- some church people are content only to talk about it. Revival is fine if and when it happens, but there is no urgency to experience it. Might we be hoping in secret that God doesn't send revival?

• When He sends revival, services get longer.
• When He sends revival, people get uncomfortable.
• When He sends revival, priorities get rearranged.
• When He sends revival, His people step into the work He has called them to do.

God is interested in revival! God wants to revive His people!  Notice that I said God revives people.  Revival is not about services, ministries, public relations or church growth.

The fact remains -- people cannot revive themselves. It doesn't matter how long the service is, how loud the singing is or how animated the preacher gets – we cannot manipulate God into sending revival. We can pray for revival and prepare for revival, but we cannot produce revival.

Who will join with me and pray, "Oh God, send a revival"?

If You Want Revival (Psa. 85:6) > Part 1

Here is a more informative translation: "Will you not return and revive us so that your people might rejoice in You?
 
My subject for August 4 was revival -- more specifically "understanding revival."
 
While the word "revival" thrills some people, it repels others. For some people, revival is another word for extremism, silliness or craziness. Consider this comment offered in response to one of Perry Stone's posts on Facebook:

 "Revival is another term used by Charismatics to describe a hyped up pep rally fitted with entertainment, manufactured miracles, all designed to make you have a religious experience while they empty your pockets."

For other people, the word "revival" stirs images of intense meetings with God and, as a result of such interaction, life transformation. Regardless of your reaction, the word "revival" appears in the Bible, so we can't ignore it.

Since I'm writing primarily to church-going people, who have heard or experienced the word "revival", how many would be honest and say, "I need revival"? Yes -- I need revival, you need revival, we need revival.
 
We agree wholeheartedly with hymnist William P. Mackay: "Revive us again; fill each heart with Thy love, may each soul be rekindled with fire from above."

God, Give Us a Blowout!

What a prayer meeting last night! The five of us asked God for a no-holds-barred Pentecostal blowout this Sunday. We did this not just because Sunday is Pentecost Sunday but because we need it. I need it. The church needs it. The community needs it.

"Will You not revive us again that Your people might rejoice in You?" (Psa 85:6)

If you missed last night's prayer meeting, there is another tonight at 7:00.