Grace For The Journey

  I don’t know any Christians who don’t want revival.  We would all like see God “revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You.”  (Psalm 85:6).  But what happens when genuine, God-sent revival occurs?  Many times what happens is much different than we think.   I believe God adds some things and takes away some things.  The title for today’s blog came from a joke I heard some time ago that went something like this:

Two pastors were exchanging the latest news. One said, “Did you hear about the revival we had at our church?”  “No,” replied the other pastor. “How many new members did you add to your rolls?”  “None,” the first pastor exclaimed, “but we had some very helpful and necessary subtractions!”

Here is a word of exhortation for us all.

If we ever find ourselves in the midst of a revival,

Let’s make sure we are on the side of addition and not subtraction!

The book of Acts shows us that the early church was marked by both kinds of “revival,” as the Sovereign Lord both added to and subtracted from His church.

You might remember the account as told in the Book of Acts where 3,000 souls were added to the church (Acts 2:41), and then latter 5,000 more (Acts 4:4).  What a revival that must have been!  But we must never overlook the growth of the church that took place by divine subtraction also.  In Acts 5:12-11 we read about Ananias and Sapphira, who came under the divine discipline of the Almighty and were removed from the church.

Revival isn’t a matter of collective church growth only; it begins in the heart of the believer.  We can start our own revival by adding something to our personal walk with Christ or by subtracting something.  Here are a few examples of some good things to add that can strengthen our walk with Christ:

• Daily devotional time.
• Consistent prayer.
• Regular church attendance.
• Volunteer for an outreach or ministry project.
• Join a small Bible study group.
• Regular resting in Jesus.
• Go on a mission trip.
• Share Jesus with those you know.
• Daily exercising you faith.
• Growing in your faith and knowledge of the Lord Jesus.

Here are a few things that are good to subtract that just might be hindering our walk with Christ:

• Television time.
• Internet time.
• FaceBook Time.
• Burning the candle at both ends.
• Spending more than we make.

There may be several other things you can identify to add or subtract in your own life. Take some time to consider just how God would have you start your own revival in your life.  You can be certain of two things: it will be for your ultimate good and bring ultimate glory to God!  Let’s be open to what God wants to do in our lives this coming year that will answer our longing for God to “revive us again . . . “

This is God’s Word For Today … This Is Grace For The Journey

Rest and Rejoice in this eternal truth!

Pastor Terry

Ephesians 4:7 – “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”