Revival In Tavares, Florida
On May the 23rd of 2010, we started what was scheduled to be a two week revival at the Covenant Holiness Church in Tavares, FL. where Brother J. R. Smith is the pastor. Although two backsliders came back to the Lord, for the most part, it was the polar opposite of the meeting we held in Busy, Ky. just prior to it. In Busy, I preached to the lost every night, seeing nearly seventy souls turn to Christ; in Tavares, God directed me to preach to the church.
When I came in the first Sunday morning I figured it would be business as usual; preaching on prayer, revival, drawing close to God, witnessing, etc.–messages provoking the lukewarm to repentance, causing them to cry out to God for the fire of the Holy Ghost. After I had preached and ministered around the altar, I sat down. It was at that point the Lord began to speak to my heart about the direction He wanted the revival to go. He told me to look upon the faces of the people. As I looked into each face, I discerned deep hurt and grievous pain. He revealed to me some very intimate details about each one of them, and then He thundered the following words into my heart and mind: “They have terrible wounds and I want to heal them. And if they will reveal it, I will heal it.”
When I came back to the Sunday night service, I preached about our marvelous God and His capacity to heal the wounded. On Monday night the Lord directed me to preach about God’s unfathomable love. On Tuesday night, I preached that there must come a point in our life that we divert our eyes off of our own selves; a point that we must stop the perpetual autopsy of a living person, and get our eyes upon the Christ. God used those three messages to catapult us into a mighty move of God; into a true revival.
Over the next three weeks, God healed hearts and minds in unspeakable ways. Great repentance and reconciliation took place night after night. We had several one hour, and even two and a half hour, altar calls. They were often without the accompaniment of music or singing; the only sound being the weeping of saints crying out to the Almighty God, asking Him to renew them and fill them with His Holy Spirit! I marveled as a six year old boy lay prostrate in the floor, weeping for over an hour. The second Sunday night service of the revival lasted nearly five hours! We experienced wave after wave of God’s glory; much of the congregation claimed to having been refilled with the Holy Ghost; three of the pastors children in one night! Great confession of sins was prominent, many of which the person said they didn’t even know they harbored within their hearts prior to God revealing it to them in that meeting. Backsliders, including a preacher, came back to Christ. And pretty much every member of the church professed to having experienced God in a deeper way than they had ever experienced Him before.
My heart leaped for joy after hearing the testimony of a precious sister. She said she had lost her hunger for lost souls. She had allowed her burden to be extinguished by the cares of this life. I wish you could have seen the excitement in her face, the sparkle in her eyes, as she told how God had placed a new fire within her to reach the lost at any cost! It was precious indeed!
I am presently thinking about the testimony a particular preacher offered up one night in testimony service. He said that before the revival, his prayer life, Bible study, witnessing, and zeal for the things of God were zero. In so many words, he conceded that he had been operating in a backslid condition, but proclaimed that God had restored him, that he was now praying and seeking God continually. The truth is there were many similar testimonies.
No one but God can get the glory for the things which happened in Tavares. In fact, my family was just as much recipients of that move of God as anyone else. One night, I rejoiced as my nine year old daughter was kneeling and crying out to God. When she got up from where she was praying, I asked her if God had helped her. She said, “Yes”. I asked her how and she said, “I can’t explain it. He just made me interested again”! Oh, how God made men interested in Him again during that revival!
On another night, as I knelt at the altar, crying out to God, I felt a very little person kneel down beside me. I looked down and saw my little pip-squeak-six year old daughter Rebecca Eden kneeling beside me. She can melt my heart in unspeakable ways already, but she was weeping which made it worse. I took her up and cradled her in my lap. I asked her if the Lord had helped her. With tears running down her cheeks, she said, "My heart hurts." I said, "My heart hurts too. Let's pray for the lost." So my six year old baby and I wept for the lost together, sitting in the floor of Covenant Holiness Church. It was a good day.
Honestly, I could go on and on telling all the wonderful things that God did amongst that precious people. The pastor told me that God not only restored the church, but put it in a higher place than it had ever been. God brought revival to the Covenant Holiness Church. He restored that which needed to be restored. He healed everything that was revealed. He put them back into a state of usefulness.
The Covenant Holiness Church had a real REVIVAL, now it’s time for them to seek God and do those things necessary to see an AWAKENING in Tavares, Florida. It’s time for them to go on the offensive, wreaking great havoc upon the enemy’s kingdom! Will they do so? I don’t know. Will they sustain the fire that God has placed in their hearts and lives? I don’t know. I believe they can and I hope they will; but they, just like you and me, have to make a conscious decision every day to be men and women of God; to be consistent; to never go back to their comfort zone; to choose everyday to be prayer warriors and intercessors for the souls of men. Yes, they must choose.
But I guess the real question isn’t will THEY do it, but will YOU and I do it?
David Lamb
Monday, June 14, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
What's Happening While You Sleep
One night, a preacher and his 6-7 yr old son were coming home from church. They came upon an overpass, upon which there were a great number of ambulances, firetrucks, and police cars-there had been a terrible wreck. The man got his son out of the vehicle and walked up the embankment to see if there was anything he could do to help. When he came to the top of the embankment, he beheld, to his shock and unbelief, the mangled, lifeless corpse of an individual who had been thrown from a vehicle during the wreck. He covered the eyes of his son, picked him up, and carried him back down the hill as fast as he could. He tried to explain to his son what they had just witnessed in an attempt to comfort his little heart.
Once they got home, the father prayed for his son, hugged and kissed him, and then sent him to bed. At about 2 o'clock in the morning, the dad got up. He noticed that his son's bedroom light was still on. He opened door and reached for the light switch, but noticed that his son was still fully dressed, sitting on the side of the bed, quietly weeping. His dad asked him why he wasn't asleep. His son replied with these heart crushing words, "Dad, how can we sleep when people are dying?"
That's my question for you today: How can we sleep when people are dying lost and going to hell? While we sleep, hell fills! While we sleep, the enemy works! While we sleep, the enemy sows his seeds of confusion and death!
My cry for the American church is as follows:
Isa 51:9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake...
What will happen when we wake from our sleep?
Lu 9:32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory...
When the church decides to wake from her slumber, we'll see the glory God! When the church repents for allowing her heart to grow lukewarm, and for some, cold and indifferent, we'll see God rend the heavens and come down! When we humble ourselves, confessing we're not where we're supposed to be with God, confessing that we can do nothing without God, we'll see a breaking in our churches. When the American church spends more time in prayer, supplication, and intercession than they do in basketball practice, gospel sings, and self promotion, the sound of battering rams will be heard crashing the gates of hell. We'll have revival in no time. We'll see sinners being born again on our altars! We'll see saints refilled with the power and glory of Holy Ghost! We'll see lethargic church members burning with the fire of God.
Wake up brothers and sisters! It doesn't matter who you are, what your name is, how long you've been saved, or what church and denomination you belong too, we're all the same while we sleep!
David Lamb
Once they got home, the father prayed for his son, hugged and kissed him, and then sent him to bed. At about 2 o'clock in the morning, the dad got up. He noticed that his son's bedroom light was still on. He opened door and reached for the light switch, but noticed that his son was still fully dressed, sitting on the side of the bed, quietly weeping. His dad asked him why he wasn't asleep. His son replied with these heart crushing words, "Dad, how can we sleep when people are dying?"
That's my question for you today: How can we sleep when people are dying lost and going to hell? While we sleep, hell fills! While we sleep, the enemy works! While we sleep, the enemy sows his seeds of confusion and death!
My cry for the American church is as follows:
Isa 51:9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake...
What will happen when we wake from our sleep?
Lu 9:32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory...
When the church decides to wake from her slumber, we'll see the glory God! When the church repents for allowing her heart to grow lukewarm, and for some, cold and indifferent, we'll see God rend the heavens and come down! When we humble ourselves, confessing we're not where we're supposed to be with God, confessing that we can do nothing without God, we'll see a breaking in our churches. When the American church spends more time in prayer, supplication, and intercession than they do in basketball practice, gospel sings, and self promotion, the sound of battering rams will be heard crashing the gates of hell. We'll have revival in no time. We'll see sinners being born again on our altars! We'll see saints refilled with the power and glory of Holy Ghost! We'll see lethargic church members burning with the fire of God.
Wake up brothers and sisters! It doesn't matter who you are, what your name is, how long you've been saved, or what church and denomination you belong too, we're all the same while we sleep!
David Lamb
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
The Hebrides Revival
The Hebrides Revival
In the year 1949, in a small cottage by the roadside in the village of Barvas lived two elderly women, Peggy and Christine Smith. They were eighty-four and eighty-two years old. Peggy was blind and her sister almost bent double with arthritis. Unable to attend public worship, their humble cottage became a sanctuary where they met with God. To them came the promise: "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground," they pleaded this day and night in prayer. One night Peggy had a revelation, revival was coming and the church of her fathers would be crowded again with young people! She sent for the minister, the Rev. James Murray MacKay, and told him what God had shown her, asking him to call his elders and deacons together for special times of waiting upon God. In the same district a group of men praying in a barn experienced a foretaste of coming blessing. One night as they waited upon God a young deacon rose and read part of the twenty-fourth Psalm: "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord." Turning to the others he said: "Brethren, it seems to me just so much humbug to be waiting and praying as we are, if we ourselves are not rightly related to God." Then lifting his hands toward heaven he cried: "Oh God, are my hands clean? Is my heart pure?" He got no further, but fell prostrate to the floor. An awareness of God filled the barn and a stream of supernatural power was let lose in their lives. They had moved into a new sphere of God realization, believing implicitly in the promise of revival.
When the movement was at its height Peggy sent for Duncan Campbell, asking him to go to a small, isolated village to hold a meeting. The people of this village did not favor the revival and had already made clear they weren't getting involved. Duncan explained the situation to Peggy and told her that he questioned the wisdom of her request. "Besides," he added, "I have no leadings to go to that place." She turned in the direction of his voice, her sightless eyes seemed to penetrate his soul. "Mr. Campbell, if you were living as near to God as you ought to be, He would reveal His secrets to you also." Duncan felt like a subordinate being reprimanded for defying his general. He humbly accepted the rebuke as from the Lord, and asked if he and Mr. MacKay could spend the morning in prayer with them. She agreed, and later as they knelt together in the cottage, Peggy prayed: "Lord, You remember what You told me this morning, that in this village You are going to save seven men who will become pillars in the church of my fathers. Lord, I have given Your message to Mr. Campbell and it seems he is not prepared to receive it. Oh Lord, give him wisdom, because he badly needs it!" "All right, Peggy, I'll go to the village," said Duncan when they had finished praying. She replied, "You'd better!" "And God will give you a congregation." Arriving in the village at seven o'clock they found a large bungalow crowded to capacity with many assembled outside. Duncan gave out his text: "The times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." When he had finished preaching, a minister beckoned him to the end of the house to speak again to a number of people who were mourning over their sins - among them, Peggy's seven men!
The Hebrides Revival didn't start with a preacher; it didn't begin with a big name evangelist. It began in the hearts of two elder women who loved God and were deeply concerned with the spiritual condition of their community! It began in the hearts of some working men who were seeking God in an obscure barn. You can move the hand of God too, but it will require more than just an occasional "polly-wanna-cracker" prayer that has no heat and no heart. You may have to do like the Smith sisters and start praying from early afternoon until two and three in the morning, but it will be worth it when it comes!
Let's pray for revival!
In the year 1949, in a small cottage by the roadside in the village of Barvas lived two elderly women, Peggy and Christine Smith. They were eighty-four and eighty-two years old. Peggy was blind and her sister almost bent double with arthritis. Unable to attend public worship, their humble cottage became a sanctuary where they met with God. To them came the promise: "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground," they pleaded this day and night in prayer. One night Peggy had a revelation, revival was coming and the church of her fathers would be crowded again with young people! She sent for the minister, the Rev. James Murray MacKay, and told him what God had shown her, asking him to call his elders and deacons together for special times of waiting upon God. In the same district a group of men praying in a barn experienced a foretaste of coming blessing. One night as they waited upon God a young deacon rose and read part of the twenty-fourth Psalm: "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord." Turning to the others he said: "Brethren, it seems to me just so much humbug to be waiting and praying as we are, if we ourselves are not rightly related to God." Then lifting his hands toward heaven he cried: "Oh God, are my hands clean? Is my heart pure?" He got no further, but fell prostrate to the floor. An awareness of God filled the barn and a stream of supernatural power was let lose in their lives. They had moved into a new sphere of God realization, believing implicitly in the promise of revival.
When the movement was at its height Peggy sent for Duncan Campbell, asking him to go to a small, isolated village to hold a meeting. The people of this village did not favor the revival and had already made clear they weren't getting involved. Duncan explained the situation to Peggy and told her that he questioned the wisdom of her request. "Besides," he added, "I have no leadings to go to that place." She turned in the direction of his voice, her sightless eyes seemed to penetrate his soul. "Mr. Campbell, if you were living as near to God as you ought to be, He would reveal His secrets to you also." Duncan felt like a subordinate being reprimanded for defying his general. He humbly accepted the rebuke as from the Lord, and asked if he and Mr. MacKay could spend the morning in prayer with them. She agreed, and later as they knelt together in the cottage, Peggy prayed: "Lord, You remember what You told me this morning, that in this village You are going to save seven men who will become pillars in the church of my fathers. Lord, I have given Your message to Mr. Campbell and it seems he is not prepared to receive it. Oh Lord, give him wisdom, because he badly needs it!" "All right, Peggy, I'll go to the village," said Duncan when they had finished praying. She replied, "You'd better!" "And God will give you a congregation." Arriving in the village at seven o'clock they found a large bungalow crowded to capacity with many assembled outside. Duncan gave out his text: "The times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." When he had finished preaching, a minister beckoned him to the end of the house to speak again to a number of people who were mourning over their sins - among them, Peggy's seven men!
The Hebrides Revival didn't start with a preacher; it didn't begin with a big name evangelist. It began in the hearts of two elder women who loved God and were deeply concerned with the spiritual condition of their community! It began in the hearts of some working men who were seeking God in an obscure barn. You can move the hand of God too, but it will require more than just an occasional "polly-wanna-cracker" prayer that has no heat and no heart. You may have to do like the Smith sisters and start praying from early afternoon until two and three in the morning, but it will be worth it when it comes!
Let's pray for revival!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Revival in Busy, Ky.
I have spent a considerable amount of time promoting revival. It’s the burden God has laid upon me. I have grown weary with these special meetings that we label “revival”. Now, don’t get me wrong, they are fun, people get help, the fellowship is usually great, and the food is almost always fantastic, but they aren’t really revival. I have seen true revival spring forth out of these meetings, but generally as a rule, they are just good meetings. Real revival changes things. It changes people. Real revival is a drawing into God; it is a renewing of life within the heart of the believer; and ultimately the congregation. True revival changes people in such a way they can no longer remain silent. They are filled with God and want to tell everyone they see about what God has done in them. In revival, God steps down. Revival happens on many different levels and often takes different forms. A single individual could have revival within themselves, or it could break-out, spreading through a church, community, or even an entire nation. But regardless of what degree revival comes, there is always a drawing into God; a heart rekindled by the Spirit.
May 9th through May 20th of 2010, God allowed me to partake in a genuine revival. It was at the Hickory Gap Pentecostal Church, a small church in the mountains of Busy, Ky. where my friend, Larry Gross, is the pastor. I had already preached a meeting there in November of 2009. We had several good services and the people were encouraged, but almost immediately things went back to the way they were before I came–unfortunately most of today’s so-called revivals are this way. As far as the pastor could see, nothing eternal had taken place, but we found out later that something eternal had indeed taken place.
The church had a van that was hardly ever used, so Pastor Gross decided the best thing to do was sell it and use the money for something else. Come to find out, a young man named Jamie had been stirred by the meeting in November and got hungry to see the lost saved. God placed it upon his heart to start a bus ministry, so he and his wife did just that. They knocked doors and filled the bus up with children, teenagers, and parents. At the same time, Pastor Gross felt like having a weekly prayer meeting to prepare for our upcoming services, so for five weeks prior to my coming they met on Wednesday nights and prayed for revival. Meanwhile, the bus ministry exploded. Jamie and his wife Melissa were having to make two trips per service. This prompted Pastor Gross to buy a second church van; Brother Jamie and Sister Melissa were each driving a separate van.
This all took place five to six weeks prior to me coming. In November, they had about eighteen to twenty-five people attending each service, but when I got there in May they were busing in as many as forty people a night. Before the revival was over we were seeing anywhere from seventy-five to a hundred people attending every service; the bus ministry had nearly doubled. Most nights Bro. Jamie and Sis. Melissa were having to make two trips a piece!
I am giving you these details so you will understand that I had very little to do with what I am about to tell you. I don’t want someone to hear about what happened in Hickory Gap and think I’m some kind of great evangelist that carries revival around in his briefcase because I’m not. Revival broke out because some people were hungry for it. Revival broke out because of a pastor who was willing to call a five week prayer meeting. Revival broke out because a couple of people were willing to go into the highways and hedges to compel sinners to come to church. Revival broke out because God is faithful and unbelievably merciful.
When I opened the altar up the first night, I knew something special was taking place. I would say half a dozen or so lost souls came down to the altar seeking God; at least three of them professed to being saved that Sunday evening. I found out later that the young people that were coming had not been in any of the main services; they were always placed in a children’s church environment and had not been preached to. I was the first preacher many of them had ever heard!
Night after night, for eleven nights, three, four, five, as high as fifteen lost souls came to the altar with great weeping and brokenness. I’m not really into evangelistic statistics, but I’d guess there were sixty-five to seventy sinners that came forward for salvation. I saw a ten year old girl weep so intensely that she nearly soaked the entire front of her shirt. It wasn’t uncommon to see twenty teenagers on the altar crying out to God. We saw sinners weeping in the parking lot after church, still under conviction. One night, a school teacher and one of her students got saved at the same time! It was beautiful. I watched a fifteen year old girl weep, almost uncontrollably, for thirty straight minutes while I was preaching.
Although it wasn’t the case with all of them, many of the young people came in dirty, hair unkempt, and wearing ragged clothing. I found out that the vast majority of them were from broken homes; living in very poor conditions. Several of them had fathers that were in jail and had mothers that were drug addicts. Numerous were in abusive homes, having guardians that couldn’t have cared less about their future. As each night went by my heart grieved more and more for them. The more I learned about their pitiful lives, the more burdened I became. I was able to feel the burden of the Lord and some of the love He has for them. If I ever saw the love of the Lord Jesus to sinners, I saw it during that eleven night span.
If I had to choose one characteristic that made this revival unique, it would be the number of young people that prayed. It was very obvious that God was reaching out to those children in a very special way. I have had as many as a hundred sinners pray in a single revival, but never so many broken young people. Don’t get me wrong, there were adults that got saved too, but the vast majority of those that were saved were teenagers and young children! The pastor projected that twenty-five percent of the local elementary and middle school were on his altars praying for salvation.
Here’s the thing about all the young people that were coming: there were no gimmicks or ploys. Typically, the pastor would have his wife sing two congregationals, an usher take up the offering, and then give me the floor to preach. There were no hotdogs, hamburgers, or fun-in-games. They came to hear the gospel preached! And with that said, the longer the revival went on, more and more young people came. It amazed me at how quiet they would get while I preached; you could hear a pin drop. The Holy Ghost captivated them; He arrested their minds night after night. It was incredible!
Well, I could go on and on about individual occurrences, but I would like to share one last experience with you; an experience that changed my life forever. There was a young lady there named Megan; she attended nearly every night of the revival. I pulled and pulled for her, but it seemed she wasn’t going to break. But on Thursday night, the last night of the revival, she came down to the altar. It was while I was playing the piano and my wife was singing that Megan changed my life. Overtop of all the noise in that church, I heard the most beautiful sound I had ever heard: Megan was weeping. She was weeping with such brokenness, such travail that I couldn’t do anything but weep with her. She cried with such anguish I could feel her pain. I found out later that she came from a terrible environment; a background so painful most of us couldn’t even fathom it. But she poured her hurts and pains out to Christ. She begged him for forgiveness with such anguish we all knew heaven was standing at attention for this broken little lady. I became instantly addicted. In an hour where people profess to get born again in less time than it takes me to wash my car, I will never be satisfied except I hear that sound again and again. She wanted to be baptized the following Sunday, but when the van pulled up to her house she was standing on the side of the road weeping; her father wouldn't allow it. Please, pray for these children.
That was our revival at Hickory Gap Pentecostal Church in a nutshell. I hope it stirs your heart and makes you hungry to see the same in your home church.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Monitoring Your Motives
“Mastering Your Motives” or “Monitoring Your Motives”
--For the most part, we do things without really thinking about why. Sure, we think about the how(s), when(s), and where(s), but the why(s) of our deeds are often ignored. Why we do something is called “motive”. The official definition for the word motive is “a factor inducing a person to act in a particular way”. There should be a conscious purpose behind everything we do and say; a particular intent that drives our actions. Nothing is more aggravating than talking to someone who has absolutely no idea why they are saying the things they are saying; they are talking heads, just talking to be heard. And although there are plenty of people like that–people who lethargically drift through life seemingly without purpose–there is always a motive behind people’s actions, whether they take the time to think about them or not.
--In most areas of life we can get by with ignoring our motives, but when it comes to our walk with God, there is no escaping it: they are vitally important. Our motives will determine whether we spend eternity in heaven or hell. Motive will determine whether God answers our prayers or not. Really, in the spiritual realm, our motives will determine everything.
--Let me get to the crux of the matter. The Bible says in Colossians 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
Why? Because Colossians 1:16 states, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, AND FOR HIM:”
--Everything that exists (time, space, and matter) exists for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. The heavens and the earth were created by Jesus and for Jesus. Revelations 4:11 states that even you and I were created for Jesus’ pleasure. 1John 2:12 tells us that our sins are forgiven, not for our sakes, but for Jesus’ sake. That’s right! God didn’t forgive you of your sins so you’d feel better about yourself; He forgave you of your sins because it pleased Jesus. This can only mean that everything we do in this life must be done in the name of Jesus and with Him in mind.
--Listen carefully. We must guard ourselves from humanism. Humanism is a rationalistic system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. You may say, “I don’t attach prime importance to human matters. I’m so heavenly minded I’m of no earthly good.” Well, let’s see about that. I know you want your husband, or wife, and children saved, but why? So your life will be better? So that your husband/wife will be kinder to you? So your child will respect you more? I’m sure that some of you are sick and want God to heal you, but why? Is it so you can feel better when doing your housework; so you can sleep better at night; or is it so you can be a greater soul winner for Christ? Is it so you can be a more effective soldier in God’s army? Now, I’m not saying that it is wrong to want to be healed in order to feel better in your everyday life, but it is wrong when that is your primary motive. Most people are doing nothing for the kingdom of God and, more or less, want God to heal them so they’ll feel better while continuing to do nothing for the kingdom of God.
--I am reminded of a story concerning two Moravian missionaries who were consumed by a great burden for a particular slave island. The slave master that owned the island and the slaves on that island hated Christianity and would not allow a preacher to come there. Two young Moravian boys sold themselves to that slave master in order to preach to the slaves on that island. They went knowing they would never see their families and loved ones again. They went knowing that they would die as slaves. Why do you think they did such a drastic thing? Is your mind thinking upon the slaves right now? Buckle your seatbelt! That’s humanism: a rationalistic system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters! Fortunately, those two Moravian missionaries weren’t humanists. As their boat sailed away, they called out, “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.” Their primary motive for surrendering their lives into slavery was their unwavering conviction that Jesus paid too great a price for those precious souls to allow them to die and go to hell. Their primary motive for selling themselves into slavery was their love for Christ, not their love for people.
--Why do we do the things we do? Why do we say the things we say? What motives are behind our actions? Humans can be the most selfish, self-centered creatures on the planet and it is motive that determines whether they are self-serving narcissists or selfless Christians living and breathing to please Jesus.
--Would you like to know why so many sinners come to the altar and leave exactly like they came? Motives. They come to the altar for no other reason than they want God to make their lives better. For them to get saved, they must see Christ and the manner in which they have rebelled against Him. Their hearts will have to grieve for transgressing His law. Their hearts will have to be more concerned about how they’ve trampled the blood of Jesus under foot than they are their own predicament. God is no spare tire! Christ will be Lord of all or Lord not at all! All for Christ!
--Please, ask yourself: Why do you pray? Why do you go to church? Why do you memorize the Bible? Why have you chosen the friends you spend time with? Yes. Ask yourself those questions regarding every facet of your life. Why do you do the things you do?
--If God will grant me the gift of brevity, I’ll quickly conclude this blog entry. Please, pay attention to the manner in which you pray. Do you spend most of your time worshiping God; praying for others; or asking God for blessings upon yourself? When you go to church; do you go with a testimony, a song, a piece of money, etc., to bless others, or do you go primarily to get blessed? Do you even think about it before you go? What was the primary subject of your prayers; the kingdom of God or your own personal welfare?
--The reason I write this blog entry–Lord, I pray it’s not humanistic–is Christ wants you. I also want you to draw closer to Christ. I want you to be blessed. I want your prayers to be answered. And in order for you to be truly blessed; and in order for your prayers to be answered, you will have to die to yourself. Your life will have to be wrapped up in Christ and what pleases Him. In Luke 14:26, Jesus said: “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” You must die and live only for Christ. After all, He is worthy.
--What do you think will move the hand of God quicker: praying “God, save my husband/wife/child. Jesus died for them and they’ll be a mighty witness for you”; or “Lord, save my husband/wife/child. I can’t take this anymore”?
--What do you think touches the heart of God more; what do you think would cause Him to be more willing to heal you; praying “God, heal me. I can’t take this pain anymore”; or “God, heal me so I can go into the highways and hedges to bring souls to Christ; to glorify Him in all I do”?
--Now, just saying these things won’t move God, He knows your true motives. Christ’s glory must be your primary concern. Christ’s kingdom must be the driving motive of everything you engage in. Not what’s best for you; what’s best for God.
--Monitor your motives. God may or may not move when you call out for yourself, but when you call out for Jesus’ sake heaven will come to attention.
David
--For the most part, we do things without really thinking about why. Sure, we think about the how(s), when(s), and where(s), but the why(s) of our deeds are often ignored. Why we do something is called “motive”. The official definition for the word motive is “a factor inducing a person to act in a particular way”. There should be a conscious purpose behind everything we do and say; a particular intent that drives our actions. Nothing is more aggravating than talking to someone who has absolutely no idea why they are saying the things they are saying; they are talking heads, just talking to be heard. And although there are plenty of people like that–people who lethargically drift through life seemingly without purpose–there is always a motive behind people’s actions, whether they take the time to think about them or not.
--In most areas of life we can get by with ignoring our motives, but when it comes to our walk with God, there is no escaping it: they are vitally important. Our motives will determine whether we spend eternity in heaven or hell. Motive will determine whether God answers our prayers or not. Really, in the spiritual realm, our motives will determine everything.
--Let me get to the crux of the matter. The Bible says in Colossians 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
Why? Because Colossians 1:16 states, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, AND FOR HIM:”
--Everything that exists (time, space, and matter) exists for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. The heavens and the earth were created by Jesus and for Jesus. Revelations 4:11 states that even you and I were created for Jesus’ pleasure. 1John 2:12 tells us that our sins are forgiven, not for our sakes, but for Jesus’ sake. That’s right! God didn’t forgive you of your sins so you’d feel better about yourself; He forgave you of your sins because it pleased Jesus. This can only mean that everything we do in this life must be done in the name of Jesus and with Him in mind.
--Listen carefully. We must guard ourselves from humanism. Humanism is a rationalistic system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. You may say, “I don’t attach prime importance to human matters. I’m so heavenly minded I’m of no earthly good.” Well, let’s see about that. I know you want your husband, or wife, and children saved, but why? So your life will be better? So that your husband/wife will be kinder to you? So your child will respect you more? I’m sure that some of you are sick and want God to heal you, but why? Is it so you can feel better when doing your housework; so you can sleep better at night; or is it so you can be a greater soul winner for Christ? Is it so you can be a more effective soldier in God’s army? Now, I’m not saying that it is wrong to want to be healed in order to feel better in your everyday life, but it is wrong when that is your primary motive. Most people are doing nothing for the kingdom of God and, more or less, want God to heal them so they’ll feel better while continuing to do nothing for the kingdom of God.
--I am reminded of a story concerning two Moravian missionaries who were consumed by a great burden for a particular slave island. The slave master that owned the island and the slaves on that island hated Christianity and would not allow a preacher to come there. Two young Moravian boys sold themselves to that slave master in order to preach to the slaves on that island. They went knowing they would never see their families and loved ones again. They went knowing that they would die as slaves. Why do you think they did such a drastic thing? Is your mind thinking upon the slaves right now? Buckle your seatbelt! That’s humanism: a rationalistic system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters! Fortunately, those two Moravian missionaries weren’t humanists. As their boat sailed away, they called out, “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.” Their primary motive for surrendering their lives into slavery was their unwavering conviction that Jesus paid too great a price for those precious souls to allow them to die and go to hell. Their primary motive for selling themselves into slavery was their love for Christ, not their love for people.
--Why do we do the things we do? Why do we say the things we say? What motives are behind our actions? Humans can be the most selfish, self-centered creatures on the planet and it is motive that determines whether they are self-serving narcissists or selfless Christians living and breathing to please Jesus.
--Would you like to know why so many sinners come to the altar and leave exactly like they came? Motives. They come to the altar for no other reason than they want God to make their lives better. For them to get saved, they must see Christ and the manner in which they have rebelled against Him. Their hearts will have to grieve for transgressing His law. Their hearts will have to be more concerned about how they’ve trampled the blood of Jesus under foot than they are their own predicament. God is no spare tire! Christ will be Lord of all or Lord not at all! All for Christ!
--Please, ask yourself: Why do you pray? Why do you go to church? Why do you memorize the Bible? Why have you chosen the friends you spend time with? Yes. Ask yourself those questions regarding every facet of your life. Why do you do the things you do?
--If God will grant me the gift of brevity, I’ll quickly conclude this blog entry. Please, pay attention to the manner in which you pray. Do you spend most of your time worshiping God; praying for others; or asking God for blessings upon yourself? When you go to church; do you go with a testimony, a song, a piece of money, etc., to bless others, or do you go primarily to get blessed? Do you even think about it before you go? What was the primary subject of your prayers; the kingdom of God or your own personal welfare?
--The reason I write this blog entry–Lord, I pray it’s not humanistic–is Christ wants you. I also want you to draw closer to Christ. I want you to be blessed. I want your prayers to be answered. And in order for you to be truly blessed; and in order for your prayers to be answered, you will have to die to yourself. Your life will have to be wrapped up in Christ and what pleases Him. In Luke 14:26, Jesus said: “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” You must die and live only for Christ. After all, He is worthy.
--What do you think will move the hand of God quicker: praying “God, save my husband/wife/child. Jesus died for them and they’ll be a mighty witness for you”; or “Lord, save my husband/wife/child. I can’t take this anymore”?
--What do you think touches the heart of God more; what do you think would cause Him to be more willing to heal you; praying “God, heal me. I can’t take this pain anymore”; or “God, heal me so I can go into the highways and hedges to bring souls to Christ; to glorify Him in all I do”?
--Now, just saying these things won’t move God, He knows your true motives. Christ’s glory must be your primary concern. Christ’s kingdom must be the driving motive of everything you engage in. Not what’s best for you; what’s best for God.
--Monitor your motives. God may or may not move when you call out for yourself, but when you call out for Jesus’ sake heaven will come to attention.
David
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Do You Desire a Desire?
Do You Desire a Desire?
To the American church:
--I have been a Christian since 1994 (approximately 16 years). I have preached the gospel for nearly 14 years of that time period. I have met many different people from many different walks of life and have preached in many different types of churches (independent Pentecostal, Church of God, Church of God of Prophecy, Assemblies of God, Baptist, etc). I am no authority on the subject of revival, but I do know that all of these denominations were started with a mighty outpouring of God's Spirit-a revival of religion. The same can be said of every true born again Christian: they were birthed into the Kingdom of God by a life changing encounter with The One. Unfortunately, the revival fires that birthed these great movements are now merely smoke and ashes; and most would be glad to have even that. Now, I'm not saying that there aren't congregations that are experiencing New Testament level manifestations of Divine power, but I will say I don't know of any, and if there are some, they are very few and far between.
--Some will say, "Well, I know of a church with 10,000 people in it. They have to be on fire with God!" No, they don't! People are attracted to personalities. You want proof? It was just today that I heard of a Jimmy Buffett concert that sold out in 6 minutes. 6 minutes! Is Jimmy Buffett on fire for God? Is he full of God? Of course not! (If you answered "yes" to either of those questions you may want to head toward Benny Hinn's website immediately). The truth is any charismatic preacher that will go light on sin and will hire some good musicians can fill a church with gullible souls! It also helps if they have good hair and an attractive smile like Joel "Smiley" Olsteen; a man that admits he doesn't think it is necessary to use the Bible during his sermons or books. Joel makes people feel good by smiling at them and telling them that they are good people. The end product? They stay exactly the same way they have been for years, if not worse.
--Dear reader, the sobering fact of it is there is no revival in America today. Why? What happened? These denominations (and nearly every Christian I know) did not continue doing the things that brought the fire of God into their lives in the first place. Preachers became silvered tongued orators. They quit preaching hell-fire and brimstone messages. They became politically correct in order to keep from offending lukewarm Christians who might withhold their tithe. Churches forfeited their all night prayer meetings. Fasting became non-existent. Their Bibles gathered dust. The concept of the traditional family unit became perverted (men were feminized, women masculinized, and children became head of the house). The end product is a church world full of unregenerate men and women who hate the holiness of God; an American church world that operates quite well with Jesus standing on the porch, knocking, wanting in; a church world that thinks they can build the Kingdom of God with the arm of flesh.
Ga 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
--I'd like to ask you to search your own heart. Can you remember when you first came to God? How your heart was consumed with passion and desire for Christ and the things which pertain to Him? How you sought God day and night for the baptism in the Holy Ghost? How you couldn't get enough of the Word of God? How it grieved your heart if you were hindered from going to church? How you wanted everyone to receive the same life changing experience that Christ gave you? How your heart overflowed with love toward everyone?
--Now, let me ask you if you presently find that these traits are no longer a part of your every day life? That you are simply saved by association? That you claim to be born again because you go to church and no longer smoke cigarettes? Do you find that the love, joy, zeal, and desire you once had is a thing of the past, a relic of days gone by? Have you become entangled with the affairs of this life? Entangled to such a degree that you go days without visiting your secret place of prayer? Days without reading the Word of God? Months without pushing the plate back? Years without winning a soul to Christ? Are you now doing things (sinning) that you one time would never do? Honestly, have you allowed the fire of God to die out of your life? Have you allowed troubles, trials, heartaches, pain, death, sickness, sin, or something else to get the best of you?
--The bottom line is this: are you on fire with God or are you lukewarm? Have you become apathetic and disconnecting from God? Honestly, are you walking in the Spirit?
For the vast majority of you, I know the answer to that question. So I want to ask you whether or not you still care that you are in this condition? Do you even care whether you get up? Do you no longer "feel like traveling on"? Tell me, do you have a desire to get up?
--If you are finding it hard to get up; if you are finding it hard to locate a DESIRE to get up; I want you to do something for me. I want you to pray that God will give you a desire for a desire. I know that sounds strange, but it's not. If you're not willing to do right, become willing to be made willing. God will come to you. He will help you. If you can find even an iota of desire He will place a divine spark in your heart that you can kindle into a holy inferno!
No matter what, you cannot stay like you are. You cannot stay lukewarm. Listen to what the Bible says about the lukewarm soul:
--Re 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
--You will be vomited out of the body of Christ. You are not going to leave here in the rapture! You must get concerned about your soul. Pray that God will give you a desire for a desire. When the desire comes, the rest will be much easier. You will find that God will send a great fire into your hearts. You must maintain that fire or it will go out, leaving you in the same condition you were in the beginning.
God bless!
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