Revival (part 2) “Prepare Ourselves”
On March 25th, 2021, I wrote on my Pastor’s Blog about Revival. I wrote this when COVID was affecting all aspects of our life and Church attendance by Christians was lacking and it didn’t seem like there was any one lost coming. Christian joy was being affected and it seemed that a lot of discouragement was among God’s people even those that always seemed to be strong in Spirit. Among the verses I mentioned in that writing was what Jesus said in John 15:11, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” I cannot say that as a Pastor that I never feel discouraged, I do. It is not the Lord’s fault, the churches fault, or any single individual’s fault, but mine and mine alone. The Bible tells us that in the last days perilous times shall come (2 Timothy 3) and Christ says in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” The Word of God is our #1 encourager to encourage us to stand strong and face circumstances that we cannot control and to keep our faith in God.
So, what are some spiritual aspects we can do to prepare ourselves to be revived so that we may fight the “Good fight of Faith?”
1. Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
2. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)
3. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: (Philippians 2:14)
4. 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. (Colossians 3:17)
5. Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:1)
I need to be prepared to be revived. When revival comes to my spirit by following the instructions found in the Word of God, I will be able to “teach transgressors thy ways and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” I will leave you with Chapter 35 from the Book of Isaiah. (Meditate on this chapter)
Isaiah 35:1-10
Isa 35:1 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
Isa 35:2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.
Isa 35:3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
Isa 35:4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
Isa 35:5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Isa 35:6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
Isa 35:7 And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
Isa 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
Isa 35:9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
Isa 35:10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
God Bless You, Pastor Shayne Monday
