Kingdom Surrender

Posted to FaceBook Nov 11, 2020

KINGDOM REVIVAL 3

Hello, Kingdom

At the onset of this pandemic, many pastors, prominent and otherwise, began preaching on Psalm 91, 2 Chronicles 7:14, and others, which address God healing our lands. Pastor Robert Morris, Gateway Church joined in a movement in praying 2 Chronicles 7:14 every day at 7:14 a.m. and 7:14 p.m. (Unite 7:14.) Pastor Tony Evans, The Urban Alternative, gave a series of sermons titled “Revive Us Again.” I caught the tail end of one of those sermons on the way home from work one night, and intrigued by the title, ordered the CD series. The first sermon focused on the need for revival, built around Psalm 85. The second gave the requirements for revival, centered on 2 Chronicles 7:14.

The first four chapters of 2 Chronicles, concerns the building of the Temple by Solomon to house the Ark. That Ark is placed in the completed Temple in Chapter 5, and the praising of God began. Solomon begins to address the Israeli people in Chapter 6, and then launches into the dedication of the Temple. Chapter 7 starts with the offering of sacrifices and continues with a feast for 7 days. We will pick up in Verse 12:

“12 Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.” 2 Chronicles 7:12-15

As Pastor Evans points out, the recipe for revival is contained in this passage, specifically verse 14. Verses 12 and 15 give added weight to prayer and tie the Old Covenant with the New Covenant. The Temple of the Old Testament was a physical structure, built to very specific detailed plans. Access to the innermost sanctuary, where the Ark rested, was restricted to a very few. We, each one of us, in the New Testament, are the living temple of God. Each of us is unique, yet built to very specific detailed plans, each different. And we each hold the Spirit of God within us, with unrestricted access to Him.

The Lord is telling Solomon that He has heard his prayers and will dwell in the Temple Solomon has built as a house of sacrifice. He later reiterates that He will be paying particular attention to prayers made in the Temple. That promise holds true in today’s New Covenant times, as we pray to God from our personal temple, built to His exacting specifications.

Those were heady times, following the completion of the Temple. People were excited, rejoiceful and thankful. Yet God gave Solomon a warning of tough times ahead. He says “When,” not “If,” speaking of stopping the rain, unleashing locusts or sending pestilence among His people. This was a warning for a time when His people have turned away from Him so far that only a return to the basics will save them, a revival of their commitment to Him. So, along with the warning, came the recipe for revival:

– Humble themselves: surrender to God and heed His Word (Scripture)

– Pray- Seek God’s face: Listen to His voice and direction (Holy Spirit)

– Turn from their wicked ways: Repent

God promised His people that should they do these things, He would hear their prayers, forgive their sins and heal their land. That promise holds true today, only instead of through sacrifices offered at the Temple, they would be coming from within us individually, from His living temple in each of us. God may not have caused this pandemic, but He is using it for His Good. He allowed His church to be shuttered, with the intent of us turning to Him personally and beginning, developing or enriching our personal relationship with Him, to draw closer to Him. How many of us did that, or did we get distracted with resisting the government’s efforts at “restricting religious freedom?”

We may have missed the boat, but that ship has yet to sail. It’s not too late to respond to God’s call for revival. He’s giving us every opportunity to begin our personal revival journey. Only after we begin our personal revival, can we then begin a revival for our community, the Church. But we must take that first step. MOVE!

Be Blessed!

Posted on FaceBook Nov 9, 2020

KINGDOM REVIVAL #2

HELLO, KINGDOM!

Revival (Merriam-Webster):An act or instance of reviving; the state of being revived, such as:- Renewed attention to or interest in something- A new presentation or publication of something old- A period of renewed religious interest- An often highly emotional evangelistic meeting or series of meetings

Biblical revival (Dictionary.com):- Restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength, etc.- Restoration to use, acceptance, or currency- An awakening, in a church or community, of interest in and care for matters relating to personal religion- An evangelistic service or a series of services for the purpose of effecting a religious awakening

As mentioned previously, I began the year on a physical and spiritual journey towards personal revival. Acknowledging that my body is the living temple of God, I needed to take care of it. 4 surgeries and many adjustments later, I’ve come a long way, but have a bit more to go. Spiritually, I needed to draw closer to God. I confirmed my surrender to God’s will, then COVID-19 struck. As churches shuttered, I (along with Pat) increased church “attendance” through on-line media, viewing not only our home church but several others every weekend and on Wednesdays. We worked on strengthening our personal relationship with God through on-line worship with our Christian brothers and sisters around the world. I continued with my increasingly longer Hello Kingdom “blogs” on Facebook. We continued with our GriefShare and DivorceCare ministries, by using Zoom. Instead of taking 4 months off in the summer, we started new cycles immediately after the first cycles in April ended and only took 2 months off. Apparently, that wasn’t quite enough, because Pat and I contracted COVID-19 and were isolated in our bedroom for the month of July. We drew closer together and in our covenant relationship with God. My “blogs” became shorter by breaking them into a series (Truth in Love) after the racial issues rose to center stage. And God placed on Pat’s heart to start a nightly Evening Prayer video series, which ended shortly after our quarantine ended and I returned to work (Pat had worked from home the entire time.) God then inspired me to post daily Morning Songs on Facebook, to give hope to all who would read and listen. That continued for two months. Then for the several weeks leading up to the election, I went through a period of deep personal connection with God, one of clarity and revelation.

Through all of it, I felt God was calling us towards a true revival of His church, a revival that begins with a personal commitment. We must be right with God first on an individual, personal level, before we can join with like-minded believers in fellowship for church revival. Surveys indicate that less than 1/3 of the world’s population identify themselves as Christian. In 2015, just over 70% surveyed identified themselves as Christians in the United States, but that has declined every year since 1990, when it was 85%. If 70% of the US population were Christians, then why are Christians being attacked and persecuted so strongly and being made to believe they are in the minority?

God may not have created and unleashed this pandemic, but He has, and is using it for His purposes. Unfortunately, many of us may have missed the boat. Through this pandemic, God has given us an opportunity to draw closer to Him, to revive our personal relationship with Him, a time for His Church to reset, as our Pastor refers to it. Revival starts with each of us individually. A lot of prominent preachers, teachers and evangelists are promoting that. But how do we do it? The answers to that are in His Word. Next time we will look at 2 Chronicles 7:14, referenced by many concerning this pandemic, but there is more to that verse than just that. For now, pray Psalm 85, particularly verses 4-7: “Restore us, O God of our salvation, and cause Your anger toward us to cease. Will You be angry with us forever? Will you prolong Your anger to all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in You?”

Be Blessed!

Posted on Facebook Nov 6, 2020

KINGDOM REVIVAL #1

HELLO KINGDOM! (and by hello, I mean Good very early Morning)

My last KINGDOM post was somewhere around mid-Aug, as God had me focusing on other areas for a while. But now is the time to get back to them, and back to “basics.” But first a recap.

“Lately, I’ve been sensing a revival coming – a back-to-the-basics, grass roots approach. That was part of the reason behind my message (There’s Freedom in Surrender.) Once God calls us to salvation – and we accept the call – we must seal the deal with our complete surrender to His will. It is then, and only then, that God can use us to further His plans.”

I posted this on Nov 5, 2019, a year ago yesterday, a few weeks after a message I delivered at church on a Wednesday night. The following month (on Dec 29, 2019) I revealed my word for the year (REVIVAL) and started the New Year with a series of 3 posts, leading up to the reason for its selection.

Little did I know how the year 2020 would unfold. Today, I’d like to recap how my personal physical and spiritual revival journey has evolved, then sit back and see where God will take us.

PHYSICAL: I have nearly accomplished all the goals I had established for this year. I started with a complete physical evaluation, which revealed a couple issues I was unaware of. I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and began treatment and dietary measures to control it. I also found I had a gall stone, which resulted in removal of my gall bladder (one of 4 surgeries this year.) I also had a surgery to remove a golf ball-sized cyst from my back, an umbilical hernia repair and a venous closure procedure on my left leg (still have the right leg to complete.) I re-established regular routine contact with my specialists and will follow-up next year with completion of the right leg venous closure as well as having my hearing checked and dealt with. That will then lead to an age-appropriate physical conditioning and maintenance program.

SPIRITUAL: This journey has been even more interesting and challenging than the physical journey. It started with a series of REVIVAL posts. Our weekly DATE NIGHT assignments began Jan 29, as a homework assignment from our Rooted In Christ marriage enrichment program at church. We have not missed a week, often a challenge in itself, with our 41st weekly date being this week. I wrote a series of 7 “blogs” on Truth in Love from Jun-August. God placed on Pat’s heart to do nightly Evening Prayers, which we started mid Jul and ending the end of Aug, a few days before I began posting daily Morning Song messages, which ended just a few days ago.

Above all this, however, two events greatly shaped my spiritual journey. The first began in late March with the onset of the pandemic. Churches were shuttered, causing us to worship from home. Not only did we begin watching our own church services on line, but we were able to “attend” other services weekly as well. We even saw spiritual growth in Pat’s girls as they too found their own services to follow on-line weekly, and still do regularly 8 months later. My personal relationship with God became even stronger. My covenant relationship with my wife and God likewise grew deeper and stronger during the three weeks in quarantine, as we weathered isolation in our bedroom following our Covid-19 infection.

All this is just the tip of the iceberg. Instead of distracting me on my journey, it has actually strengthened my focus and resolve to further the cause for REVIVAL. Many prominent preachers and evangelists are speaking to this cause. Our own Pastor Don Leavell calls it a RESET. The Holy Spirit is at work covering this world with His Word. Join us on this back-to-the-basics journey towards REVIVAL!

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2:14

Be Blessed!

Posted on FaceBook Aug 16, 2020

KINGDOM TRUTH IN LOVE 7

HELLO, KINGDOM!

One final look at speaking truth in love. Sometimes the truth hurts and we don’t want to hear it. And yet, if given properly, it can be good. A friend pointed towards Galatians 2 as just such an example, when Paul rebukes Peter for his behavior towards Gentiles in Antioch. Peter had been fellowshipping with Gentiles, until representatives from James and the Council of Jerusalem came to visit. He then shunned the Gentiles. And Paul called him out for that behavior publicly. But Paul didn’t do that just for the sake of doing it. There was a reason, and it must be put into context with what was going on in Antioch at the time. There were many false teachers in Galatia, that had snuck in and were preaching that the Gentiles, in order to be saved, must first follow the Jewish law and be circumcised. So, Paul had gone to Jerusalem to confer with the Council and received affirmation that all were saved by the grace of God.

Following the Jewish law was no longer the path to salvation. Sometime later Peter, who was preaching the Gospel to Jews, came to live in Antioch with Paul, who was preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. At first, Peter was associating with Gentiles, sharing meals, etc. That is, until James’s representatives came to visit. Peter disassociated himself with the Gentiles. That’s when Paul felt it necessary to rebuke Peter publicly, not to embarrass Peter. There was a larger purpose. Peter’s actions to pull away from the Gentiles gave an appearance of supporting the teachings of the false teachers, concerning following the Jewish law. Paul rebukes Peter’s behavior, gently, but rebukes none the less. He asks Peter a question (Gal 2:14,) “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?”

Scriptures never address what Peter’s reaction was, but Paul continues on to make the point that the Gentiles received the Spirit by faith, and not by the works of the law. Paul doesn’t belabor the point of Peter’s hypocrisy but moves on to the greater purpose of showing all that salvation comes from faith in Christ Jesus, not in works and following the Jewish Law. The writer of Hebrews 12:5-6 says, “And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.’”

And Ezekiel 33:8-9 says, “When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.” Lastly, Galatians 6:1 tells us, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

Scriptures tell us that we must strive in our daily lives to be Christ-like in all we think, say and do. Just as we as parents, discipline our children for their own good, and God does the same to us, we are also called to correct those around us who have strayed from the truth, but do so in a spirit of gentleness, in love. That is not bashing different groups on Facebook, gossiping, getting caught up in heated arguments with family, friends, or even strangers on the streets. Call on God to give you wisdom in responding to all things by speaking the Truth in love!

Be Blessed!

Posted on FaceBook Aug 11, 2020

HELLO, KINGDOM!

Truth in Love Part 6

We’ve covered Love and we’ve covered truth. Now it’s time to cover them together. We touched on it in Part 1, way back on June 18, as Jesus addressed the scribes and Pharisees concerning the adulteress. The world around us is in chaos. The pandemic has spawned hatred. Early on people were thinking of themselves and hoarding essentials at an incomprehensible level. Experts, leaders, people in general are pointing fingers at each other, trying to place blame.

Some pastors are defying government directives, claiming the government can’t tell the church what to do. Some church members are defying government directives, while others are at odds with their pastors who are honoring government directives regarding social distancing and wearing of masks or have shut their doors altogether. As if that weren’t enough, racial tensions have gone through the roof. Protests turn into riots. Properties are destroyed, lives are lost, countless people (participants, innocent bystanders, police, firefighters, etc.) are injured. And again, people are pointing fingers at one another, blaming all but themselves. AND, on top of all that, it’s an election year here in the US. Politicians are pointing fingers at one another, using the chaos to further their own agenda, holding people’s livelihood ransom. There’s a lot of finger pointing going on, in every direction, save one. Not many are pointing up.

One thing is glaringly absent in all this. Very few, if any, are offering solutions, compromise, or any form of effort to resolve any of the issues. Everyone appears bent on making their own pain felt and using that to brow beat everyone else. Nobody seems to have an answer. And there is no source of relief in sight. BUT THERE IS. Scriptures show us that Jesus is the Answer, the Solution, and the Source. Unfortunately, many Christians are distracted and caught up in the worldly issues. There are some Pastors, Christ-Centered servants of God, who are preaching Kingdom responses and solutions. Jesus gives us the two greatest commandments: to love God and to love our neighbor (Matthew 22:35-40, Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:27). 1 John 4:20-21 says, “If someone says, ‘ I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” Matthew 5:44 says, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,”.

We are thus commanded to love all people, just as Christ loved the righteous and the sinner; He hated the sin. But the love is not quite the love of the Hippie movement of the 60’s and 70’s. Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:32, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” In showing love to one another, we must speak reflecting that love, as Paul writes a few verses earlier (29), “let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” James tells us in James 3:1-12 that we must control our tongue, which is impossible for man, but not with God’s help. Earlier in Ephesians 4, Paul tells us to no longer be children but to speak in truth that we may grow up in Christ for the edifying of the community in love (Ephesians 4: 14-16).

Lastly Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:23-26: “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. and a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

God may not have caused the pandemic to occur, but He may have allowed churches to be shuttered and stay-at-home orders to be issued so that we would use the isolation time to draw closer to Him, to develop a more personal relationship with Him. The closer we draw to Him the more Christ-like we become. Had more of us done that, the reactions may not have been as volatile when the Floyd incident occurred. As Christians, we must stop reacting of the world, but act as Kingdom minded Christians, speaking the truth (God’s Word) in love, with tenderness, not confrontational. We must rise up in One Voice to share God’s Word and Love!

Be Blessed!