REVIVAL OF SPIRIT Part 1

7 30 12 Revival of Spirit  Part 1
Don’t forget to pray. Ask God for insight and an understanding of his Word. This insight or enlightenment is a work of grace and a ministry of the Holy Spirit. Pray you will have eyes to see and ears to hear the marvelous ways that God is showing his love to all his creation but especially to his family of believers.

Scripture: Revelation 2:4-7 (NIV) Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Note: Last week I read two very interesting articles in light of what’s going on in our nation, a nation that has forsaken its love for God. It grieves my heart to make that statement. If we, as the people of God, don’t open our eyes and see what is going on around us and respond to this battle that is being waged, we will be held accountable by God. Notice the text. It is believers that have forsaken our first love, not unbelievers.  Unbelievers do not have, nor ever have had, a love for God. They cannot forsake something they’ve never had. Only believers who have had a love for God can forsake it.

The first article I would like to share with you is a Poll conducted on 7- 20- 12 by OneNewsNow.com., a website site that describes itself as providing, “Your Latest News from a Christian perspective.” OneNewsNow asked a question on their website that was responded to by 4,854 people.  The Poll question follows an opening statement:

“Many say that only a spiritual revival will change things in America. Question: “What key area needs to change for that revival to take place?”  Below are the choices made by the respondents with the percentage for each choice indicated to the right.
  “What key area needs to change for that revival to take place?”

• Our politics - 9.48%
• Our churches – 9.46%
• Our homes – 12.03%
• Our hearts – 69.04%

The majority of the respondents got it right. Without a change of heart by believers there will never be a change in the homes, in the churches, in politicians. A change of heart is the evidence of God’s Holy Spirit bringing revival into the believer’s heart.  As you look at those around you who claim to be Christian, how many of them are living out their faith? Is there a noticeable difference between them and non-believers?  Do they seem to enjoy their relationship with Christ and other believers? How many are visibly living out “The Biblical Faith” revealed to us in the Word of God?  How many openly express their love of Jesus Christ, and their willingness to live a life of godliness and holiness? How many do you know who have forsaken the love of God and have openly embraced the love of the world? Understand, to embrace the world is to embrace Satan. To follow the world is to follow Satan. To love the world is to love the things of the world and those are the things that are a stench in the nostrils of God. As believers we truly do stand at a fork in the road.

Word from the Lord:  “Beloved, you are at a fork in the road. You have a choice to make. One choice leads to death, the other leads to life. Are you willing to turn your back on the gods of this world? Have you worshipped at their altars long enough to know they are altars of gods who have no power and provide no peace. All they offer are empty illusions based on lies, lies that imprison and destroy. These lies are ultimately seen for what they are---lies of Satan. Since you accepted me as Savior and Lord have you made much progress in relinquishing your heart and its desires to me. Ask yourself, is Jesus really Lord of my life; is he Lord of all? Choose this day who you will serve. Is it to be the gods of this world or the God revealed in the Holy Scripture? Others may choose whatever god they desire to serve, but what about you, who do you choose to serve?”

 Did the Lord speak to you today?  Why not write it down and claim it for His Glory.

 Prayer:  What do you need to pray to the Lord today? Listen to your heart. He loves you!

If you are not interesting in receiving these devotionals please let me know and I will remove you from the list. I hope you enjoy them and that they encourage you to faithfulness. David