Thursday, June 30, 2016

Perspective and praying for revival

Perspective is powerful! Two people can look at the same thing and have two very different perspectives and, therefore, two very different responses.

We see this in Ezra 3. Solomon's temple had been destroyed. But now, under Zerubbabel's leadership (Ezra 3:8), construction on a second temple had started.

But notice the responses as the people look at the size of the foundation of this new temple...

Ezra 3:11:13
With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord: 
“He is so good! 
His faithful love for Israel endures forever!” 
Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord because the foundation of the Lord’s Temple had been laid. 
But many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who had seen the first Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation. The others, however, were shouting for joy. The joyful shouting and weeping mingled together in a loud noise that could be heard far in the distance. 

Many shouted and sang for joy! However, the older folks wept.

Why?

Because this temple was the only temple to God the younger folks had seen. They had no frame of reference. So, they were excited about the construction project.

Yet, older folks had seen the glory of Solomon's temple. They saw its splendor. This new temple paled in comparison to the original in size and beauty. How could they not weep when they saw how inferior this new project was?

Application:
Too many followers of Jesus have not seen Him move powerfully among his people. All they know are lifeless church services and a sense of duty to do what He has called us to do.

Yet there are others, young and old, who have seen God "show up" before. They know what it's like. They've seen the most unexpected people give their hearts to Jesus. They've seen enemies reconcile with tears of repentance flowing down their cheeks. They've seen unfaithful husbands fall on their knees and repent before God and their wives as their marriages were restored. They've seen the joy of the Lord radiate from the faces of those who have experienced God's forgiveness and are enjoying sweet fellowship with him. They've seen followers of Jesus who cannot help but share the gospel with those who so desperately need it. Etc., etc., etc,.

And then they look around them and see that things are not as they once were.

Let us join together and pray that God would move among us again. While we are grateful for what He is presently doing among us, there is so much more of Him to experience and enjoy.

Essentially, let's pray for revival!

Friday, June 3, 2016

When God shows up...

It is quite possible to worship the Lord in our weekly gatherings and not be graced with His presence. The fellowship may be sweet, the music beautiful, the teaching/preaching informative, and yet it all seems to be lifeless. There are no tears of repentance. There is no joy of the Lord. No one gets saved. No one surrenders their life to Jesus' authority. It's just a lot of good, lifeless, religious activity.

But, if and when God shows up in His power, those in attendance will never forget it. Many who are locked in the grips of sin will be broken, will repent, and feel the cleansing forgiveness of God's grace wash over them. Those who are unsaved will be drawn to the Savior. Severed relationships will be mended. Joy will be pervasive.

Simply put, all of the things we really long for, those things that ultimately satisfy down deep in our souls, are only met when we have a meaningful encounter with God.

Let us pray that as each of us approaches Sunday that God would honor us with His powerful, healing presence in each of our congregations.

2 Chronicles 5:13-14
"The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: 
    'He is good! 
      His faithful love endures forever!'
At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God."