December 2016

A Priceless Act of Revival

 

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. You shall multiply the nation, You shall increase their gladness; they will be glad in Your presence As with the gladness of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian. For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult, and cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire. For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.

                           (Isaiah 9:1-7, NASB)

 

Last month, our church participated in twenty-one days of fasting and prayer. The fasting was to help focus our minds and thoughts on what God has in store for Emmanuel and our ministries – to help us love, serve and reach more energetically and effectively. And, the prayer – that’s the key to seeing our Kingdom efforts succeed. In order to give our very best to God, we have to totally immerse everything we do in prayer. We have to pray that God will reveal His will to us, and guide us toward His plan for us as individuals, and our church as the corporate body of Christ.

 

I hope that, if you participated in this endeavor, you emerged on the other side of it energized and ready to accept His assignments with power and passion. I know it really helped narrow my focus to diligently, persistently seeking God’s will for my life, ministry, and my role in the church. Remember, we’re not all meant to do the same thing – but we are all meant to be about the business of doing what God has for us to do. He will reveal it – we have to be willing to listen and be obedient.

 

I believe that God has great plans for us that are just waiting to be discovered. And, that discovery begins and ends with tenacious prayer. Do we want revival? We’ve fasted and prayed for it, now let’s be open to God’s bringing a fresh wind of renewal to our lives and our church. Do we want, truly want, to do the ministry work that God has planned for you? We have to be ready to answer affirmatively when God reveals it to us – no putting-off, negotiating, or reluctance. We as the church have sat silently for too long – now is the time for us to reassert ourselves in our culture, and share the Gospel without fear or shame. We are children of the one true King – let’s begin acting like it! And, that begins with expectant, fervent praying.

 

This year, let’s look expectantly toward Christmas – a time of hope, of victory – of revival. Think about the act of revival that took place on that night so long ago: God entered time and history to bring us back to Himself. He changed us, and eternity, with that one act. If that’s not revival, I don’t know what is!

 

My prayer for you and your family, from me and mine, is that you have a safe, happy Christmas season – and that we never forget the priceless act of love that brought Christ to earth.

 

In His Love,

Bro. Heath

 

 


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