revival

Testing Her Religion

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I had a Monday morning hair appointment scheduled. I arrived a few minutes before my stylist, so I waited. When she walked in, she told me that she was sitting in her car reading. We both are hobby readers, so I asked what she was reading. She said she had started reading about the forty days of Jesus. And she had inspired a group of coworkers in the salon to read the book with her. She was on day two, but she wasn’t sure if the others had started their reading yet. She also mentioned a couple other Christian books that she’s reading. She’s all shook up about the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk. Because of it, she said she’s testing her religion and wants to help her co-workers understand the Bible more.

In the few months I’ve been seeing her, I’ve learned that she is politically conservative. We’ve had some interesting conversations about politics in our state and country. We agree on some things, but not everything. And we don’t really dig deep into our agreements or disagreements. We’re cordial in our discussions. She’s talked about God and the Bible and church. She’s expressed interest but made no outward signs of getting back in church. At one point, she mentioned that she wanted to start reading the New Testament. When I followed up with her a month later, she admitted that she hadn’t opened the Bible.

I’ve read that there is a spiritual surge happening in our nation since the assassination. Many people are returning to church and seeking solace in God in answer to the harmful rhetoric and violence that’s continuing to roar loudly in our country. People are seeking to be filled with something more than hatred and anxiety. They’re looking for something to fill that deep longing of the heart. They’re searching for the meaning of life. Honestly. They’re searching for God.

Just as multitudes are turning to church to find the answer, so is my hair stylist. Oh. She knows a lot of the answers. She’s attended church. She’s read parts of the Bible. She’s familiar with Christianity and Bible stories. But she’s searching for more. And she’s searching in the right places. Oh. We’ve had conversations about church and God. I’ve invited her to my church. When I saw her earlier this week, she said she’s back in church. She and her kids. I guess her husband hasn’t had the awakening that she’s had. She’s hungry for biblical truth. I pray that she finds a deep and fulfilling relationship with her Creator. And I pray that she keeps seeking that close relationship with Him.

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3:15-17

The sad truth is that regardless of how many turn to God in these early days of awakening revival, many others will harden their hearts. They will want nothing to do with God. They will seek vengeance and resistance to the God of truth. Some will turn to violence and criminal activities. Others will harbor bitterness and hatred in their hearts. Many will numb themselves with alcohol and drugs or just plain scrolling. Others may end their lives and even the lives of others. God help us.

For those of us who come face to face with those who have experienced this renewed attention to spiritual matters, let’s keep the door of conversation open and civil. Let’s hear what they have to say. Let’s listen to their questions as they seek truthful answers. Let’s guide them to the ultimate truth, the Savior of the world. Let’s follow up with them in their search. They may need help in getting to the truth and may not really know where to turn. Let’s not be afraid to share the gospel with them. Because if we don’t share the message of salvation that we know to be true, someone who doesn’t know the truth may misguide them. We who have experienced the saving grace of our Lord and Savior must speak up. We must live our faith boldly in front of those who are searching and in front of those who are condemning us. We can’t look the other way and hope someone else takes up our cross. We must willingly take up the cross ourselves. Each of us. It’s our call. It’s our responsibility.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14-15

Regardless of where we’re sitting, be it a crowded hair salon or a quiet coffee shop, and someone asks us a spiritual question, let’s not shy away from the answer we know in our heart of hearts. Let’s share boldly. Even if others around us hear our conversation, let’s speak up. God is working in the hearts of many, and we each have a part in responding accordingly. People are opening up to the truth of Christianity, so we must speak it out loud. It’s not the time to be shy. God does not give us a spirit of timidity but of hope and power and self-control. Let’s spread the Good News in the power of the Holy Spirit.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his purpose and grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. 2 Timothy 1:7-9

For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. 1 Thessalonians 1:5

Send A Great Revival

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

Hezekiah was only twenty five years old when he became king of Judah. He had succeeded his father, Ahaz, to the throne. King Ahaz was a wicked man who demanded that the doors of the Temple be closed to worship. And when Hezekiah inherited the throne, he reopened the doors of the Temple within the first month of his reign. Hezekiah had a heart for God, and he repented of the evil deeds of his father’s administration.

Hezekiah maintained his faith in God during his father’s idolatrous reign, and he waited until he was in power to make monumental changes in the country. No doubt, he was troubled by his father’s actions. Along with closing the doors of the church, Ahaz also set up idols to pagan gods in every corner of Jerusalem. He was unfaithful to God, and he encouraged his people to sin. He even offered some of his sons as burnt sacrifices on the altars of Baal. Needless to say, the sweeping changes that Hezekiah ushered in caused a revival for the ages.

Due to the horrible desecration caused by Ahaz, the nation of Judah was at a very low point when Hezekiah was crowned king. Instead of mounting a great political reign, his first act was to reopen the doors of the Temple and bring back the priests and Levities to perform their sacred duties. But the truth is that the priests and Levites didn’t come running back asking to serve. Hezekiah had to call them back. Some of them had even helped Ahaz build an altar to an idol, so Hezekiah knew that not all had kept their faith in God. How low will a nation go when their own holy leaders don’t maintain their faith and commitment to serving God?

But Hezekiah had a heart for God, and that desire to follow God’s commands didn’t start as soon as the crown was placed on his head. Hezekiah had a heart for God that, out of necessity, had stayed behind the scenes as his father allowed idolatry to ruin the nation. The nation was ready for a change, and the changed started immediately when Hezekiah took the throne. Not only did he throw open the doors of the Temple and call the priests and Levites back to work, but he began a campaign to bring the people of Judah back to offering sacrifices to God.

But don’t worry. This wasn’t a forced act of religion and repentance. Not everyone in Judah was willing to partake of the act of returning to God. Only those who were willing gave of their burnt offerings in sacrifice to God. But God performed a mighty act of repentance in the heart of the people. He stirred them to follow the Word of the Lord, and his hand was upon them. The people willingly obeyed the orders of the king. And when the priests and Levites obeyed the king by cleaning out the Temple and preparing it for worship, they were not just obeying the king but they were obeying the Word of the Lord that they had neglected for far too long.

You can read the full story of Kings Ahaz and Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 28-31.

When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. Proverbs 28:2

Let’s imagine that our great nation, the United States of America, elected a leader who declared that religion would come before politics. And not just any religion, but historic Christianity. Imagine the uproar that would take place. Those trying to eliminate Christianity from our country today would loudly cry foul. But just imagine if Christianity took hold today and actually became popular. Imagine the revival that would sweep our land. Imagine the wrongs that would be righted.

The leaders of our country have shown a huge neglect regarding the importance of faith. The changes that have been implemented in recent years have moved our country away from the faith of our forefathers and moved us into a time of moral rot. We must do better than this if our country is to retain any symbol of conscience and morality, not only for the sake of our country but for those countries that depend on our support and leadership. We have failed as a nation, and we are paying for it.

Unfortunately, if sweeping changes aren’t made soon, it may be too late for America. Like Israel and Judah, any nation that turns its back on God will be punished. Why can any nation expect to be shown favor by God when they don’t show favor to Him? It’s time for a revival in our land. It’s time to wake up, America, and repent of our national sins. We must open the doors of our churches and clean out the ungodly teachings that have been introduced, because some churches no longer preach biblical truth. We can no longer count on all churches that call themselves Christian to actually be Christian.

We have to know that God didn’t promise to protect and bless America if we stayed true to him as he did Israel. Israel was and always will be his favored nation, so we have no business claiming that he will honor our nation that has strayed from obeying him. God alone will decide the nations he will bless and the nations he will abandon. That doesn’t mean we can walk away from him at any time and still demand his favor. We must repent and stay true to his calling on our country to follow his commands.

He builds up nations, and he destroys them. He expands nations, and he abandons them. Job 12:23

We must pray that our political leaders and future leaders will lead our nation back to God, after they have repented. It only takes one to start a revival. Let’s pray that one godly leader can be found among us to lead us back to the fold of God’s favor.

When God calls a nation to repent, godly leaders will rise to lead. Those leaders may not be the ones assumed to be the top choice or best representatives, but they will be those who are faithful to God’s call. And God will mold these leaders to be strong in their faith and courageous in their convictions. Then the work must begin in earnest to turn the culture around to true religion and morality in the manner that God intended.

Why not allow the Good News of the Gospel message and clear rational thinking to become the order of the day? It is not too late.

~~Judge Phil Ginn