Your response to the challenge to commit to Forty Days of Prayer for Revival was overwhelming. I asked you to commit to special prayer on one of the forty days. There were 49 names on the list at the end of service and many more told me that they were committed to participate but did not get their name on the list. This kind of commitment to prayer will change our lives, our church, and our community. Thank you.
Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness being prepared for His ministry. He was tempted by the devil and delivered by the Word of God. When He came out of the wilderness Luke 4:14-15 reports: “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues being glorified by all.” That is what we are seeking. We seek the power of the Spirit that sends a message through the surrounding country.
The Word of God has an answer for our struggles. Jesus’ experience points out three major temptations that we all face. We are tempted by pleasure, power, and pride. God’s alternatives are better. God’s eternal purpose outweighs our momentary pleasures. His power in us is greater than any power we could ever hope to achieve in this world. It is better to be obedient to God’s plan for us than to be destroyed by pride.
Visiting house to house on a mission trip stirs up talk in the community. On more than one occasion I have had people catch up with my group and ask us to please visit their house. When we really show Jesus in our lives people want what we have.
We have had revivals in this church that everyone wanted to attend because everyone knew something was happening that only God could do. A good word given in the power of the Spirit can reach a community.
Sometimes we are tempted to give up. Keep praying and keep looking up. When temptations come you know deliverance is on the way. And, with deliverance comes power!
Bro. Robin
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Seasons Change
We have had a great summer here at First Baptist. Our summer programs, Terrific Tuesdays and Tremendous Thursdays, were a huge success thanks to the leadership of Mary Bailey and Regina Morris. Thank you Mary and Regina! They were also surrounded by an army of volunteers including some youth and parents. We have seen several children make decisions to follow Christ this summer and that is always a good sign of God’s favor as His Holy Spirit moves among us.
As I watered the garden early this morning I thought about the heat and how much longer we have until cool weather. This summer has been a hot one. The bugs I have fought for the flowers and the fruit seemed endless! I was glad to see the bugs die off and I know the gardening will slow down soon. The season will come to a close and a new season will start.
The end of summer is marked by events rather than weather at most homes. For us it means the end of summer programs at church. For some it is the end of family vacations. It is also the beginning of things like school and fall programs. Teachers and students prepare to return to the classroom. At church we are preparing for Fall Revival.
The end of summer is a time of change for everyone. A saying attributed to Mark Twain says, “The only person who likes change is a wet baby.” We smile at such sayings and maybe even deny that we are like that. It is everyone else who will not change the way we want! We are all in favor of change as long as we are in control of what changes.
Truth is, we are not in control of any change but the changes we make to ourselves. We can control how we react to change. We can change our attitudes and actions. We cannot change the people around us. We can pray, trust God, and let Him change us first.
Reinhold Niebuhr said, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Revival is the result of prayer. It is just that simple, and just that difficult. As we go through seasonal changes I hope you will take time to consider some spiritual changes we each need to make. Take time to pray for a new vision for your relationship with God. Pray for Revival, personally. Let God be in control of your changes and you will be much better for it.
Bro. Robin
As I watered the garden early this morning I thought about the heat and how much longer we have until cool weather. This summer has been a hot one. The bugs I have fought for the flowers and the fruit seemed endless! I was glad to see the bugs die off and I know the gardening will slow down soon. The season will come to a close and a new season will start.
The end of summer is marked by events rather than weather at most homes. For us it means the end of summer programs at church. For some it is the end of family vacations. It is also the beginning of things like school and fall programs. Teachers and students prepare to return to the classroom. At church we are preparing for Fall Revival.
The end of summer is a time of change for everyone. A saying attributed to Mark Twain says, “The only person who likes change is a wet baby.” We smile at such sayings and maybe even deny that we are like that. It is everyone else who will not change the way we want! We are all in favor of change as long as we are in control of what changes.
Truth is, we are not in control of any change but the changes we make to ourselves. We can control how we react to change. We can change our attitudes and actions. We cannot change the people around us. We can pray, trust God, and let Him change us first.
Reinhold Niebuhr said, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Revival is the result of prayer. It is just that simple, and just that difficult. As we go through seasonal changes I hope you will take time to consider some spiritual changes we each need to make. Take time to pray for a new vision for your relationship with God. Pray for Revival, personally. Let God be in control of your changes and you will be much better for it.
Bro. Robin
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