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A Word from THE WORD

Good Morning Happy Church,

Today is Tuesday, March 15^th 2016. Today is the 75^th Day of 2016.

Today is Hope Walker’s Birthday

Today is Stacy Clough’s Birthday

Today is the “Ides of March”

There are only 291 days left in this year; and, there are only 26 Days Left until Our Spring Revival Meetings Begin!

We will begin the Revival Meetings on Saturday, April 9^th with a Banquet and Sermon at 6pm.

Sunday, April 10^th, we will hear Bro Bobby at 10am and again at 6pm.

Monday and Tuesday, April 11^th and 12, we will hear Bro Bobby at 7pm each night!

Please clear your schedule to attend as many of these meetings as possible.

As I often say, “The two things you have to invest to be blessed are your Attendance and your Attention!”

Please be in prayer for Dr. Bobby and Sandra Boyles as they travel here and back.

Pray that God will pour out HIS SPIRIT on us as never before!

Pray for the salvation of the lost; repentance and renewal in the life of God’s people; new people to become part of our Church Family; the calling out of ministers and missionaries; a spiritual awakening in our area; and, for Jesus Christ to be glorified in all that we do!

Joel was a Prophet to Israel just after the end of the Babylonian-Media-Persian Captivity that ended around 516 BC.

The people had not completely turned back to Jehovah and HE responded to their continuing rebellion with continuing judgments – primarily through a devastating plague of Locusts. (Joel 1:1-2:11)

Here is God’s inspired action-plan for revival:

¹⁵ “Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly;
¹⁶ gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.
¹⁷ Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, “Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

Joel 2:12-15

(1) “Blow the trumpet in Zion!”

(2) “Consecrate a Fast!”

(3) “Call a Solemn Assembly!”

(4) “Gather the People!”

(5) “Consecrate the Congregation!”

(6) “Assemble the Elders!”

(7) “Gather the Children, even Nursing Infants!”

(8) “Bring the Newlyweds!”

(9) “Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, “Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

Let us commit ourselves to doing all 9 of these preparatory steps; for today, I want to focus on Step #7 – “Gather the Children, even the Nursing Infants”

Anyone who has ever gone door-to-door talking to people about the LORD and HIS Church will have some funny stories to tell.

I am no exception to that rule…

One of the things you hear over and over are excuses for why people don’t want to accept the LORD now; or, why they just do not have time for Church.

One afternoon after asking a man why he did not attend Church any longer, he replied, “Because I have wire wheels on my Buick.”

I had to admit to him that this was a new one on me; so, I asked him what on earth the wheels on his car had to do with him not attending Church…

“Nothing. Nothing at all Preacher” he replied. “But, one excuse is as good as another.”

He was exactly right.

There is simply no excuse for walking away from the LORD and HIS Church.

Think about our passage for today. If anyone ever had “a good excuse” for not attending a four-day series of revival meetings, it would be those who are mothers of small children.

Raising small children is the hardest thing in which I have ever taken part, and I know it was much harder for Lin that it was for me.

BUT, TAKE CLEAR NOTICE HERE: God will not even accept that excuse.

“Gather the children, even Nursing Infants.”

Load up the family and head to Church. The Solemn Assembly is to be a family affair.

Moms are tired, tired, tired, and children are busy, busy, busy. (We should know; since by the grace of God we have a church nearly FULL of them).

Any compassionate person, even the Pastor, would likely give a hard-working Mom a pass on getting the kids ready and getting out to Church for FIVE MEETINGS in just FOUR DAYS.

But not God.

You and I may not see the importance of renewing God’s people in the same way that God does; but, HE obviously puts great importance on the idea of EVERYONE attending – even Children and Nursing Infants.

Obedience. Simple obedience.

God always has blessed and HE will always bless HIS obedient people.

REMEMBER: Our Revival Meetings begin in only twenty-six days!

Get ready now… set aside the time now… Start praying now… DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY to experience a great moving of God!

Revival CAN happen, it really CAN happen!

Will we really have revival?

Carpe Diem!

A Word from THE WORD

Good Morning Happy Church,

Today is Monday, March 14^th 2016. Today is the 74^th Day of 2016.

There are only 292 days left in this year; and, there are only 27 Days Left until Our Spring Revival Meetings Begin!

We will begin the Revival Meetings on Saturday, April 9^th with a Banquet and Sermon at 6pm.

Sunday, April 10^th, we will hear Bro Bobby at 10am and again at 6pm.

Monday and Tuesday, April 11^th and 12, we will hear Bro Bobby at 7pm each night!

Please clear your schedule to attend as many of these meetings as possible.

As I often say, “The two things you have to invest to be blessed are your Attendance and your Attention!”

Please be in prayer for Dr. Bobby and Sandra Boyles as they travel here and back.

Pray that God will pour out HIS SPIRIT on us as never before!

Pray for the salvation of the lost; repentance and renewal in the life of God’s people; new people to become part of our Church Family; the calling out of ministers and missionaries; a spiritual awakening in our area; and, for Jesus Christ to be glorified in all that we do!

Joel was a Prophet to Israel just after the end of the Babylonian-Media-Persian Captivity that ended around 516 BC.

The people had not completely turned back to Jehovah and HE responded to their continuing rebellion with continuing judgments – primarily through a devastating plague of Locusts. (Joel 1:1-2:11)

Here is God’s inspired action-plan for revival:

¹⁵ “Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly;
¹⁶ gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.
¹⁷ Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, “Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

Joel 2:12-15

(1) “Blow the trumpet in Zion!”

(2) “Consecrate a Fast!”

(3) “Call a Solemn Assembly!”

(4) “Gather the People!”

(5) “Consecrate the Congregation!”

(6) “Assemble the Elders!”

(7) “Gather the Children, even Nursing Infants!”

(8) “Bring the Newlyweds!”

(9) “Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, “Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

Let us commit ourselves to doing all 9 of these preparatory steps; for today, I want to focus on Step #6 – “Assemble the Elders”

Dr. Lee Roberson was Senior Pastor of the Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee for 43 years. During those 43 years, there was never a year that he did not baptize at least 1,000 people. There were some years where he baptized over 4,000 in one year.

While there, he founded and led Tennessee Temple to an average attendance of over 5,000 students per year with over 100,000 graduates during his lifetime.

He is surely famous for all of that; but, that is not what he is most famous for… Dr. Lee Roberson is most famous for saying, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”

I think he said that multiple times every week of his life. I have seen that sentence quoted by hundreds of people over the years.

And, of course, it is absolutely true.

The Prophet Joel continues his call for a “Solemn Assembly” by admonishing the people to “assemble the Elders.”

Anyone would know that if a people are going to experience a great revival, the leaders of the Church must be involved.

I want you to know that your Elders are praying for and will fully participate in these upcoming Revival Meetings.

It is an honor beyond words that you have entrusted us with the leadership of the Church; and, we intend to faithfully pray for revival and fully participate in these meetings.

We are praying for Bobby and Sandra Boyles; for each of you; and, we are praying for the marvelous moving of the Holy Spirit of God upon HIS people over these upcoming four days.

By the way, I think it is way cool that in the providence of God the devotional on revival that covers the command to, “assemble the Elders” is being typed a half hour after I get home from our monthly Elders meeting.

I thank God for the men you have elected to serve as our Elders; and, I thank God to be the servant of our Church.

Your Elders will assemble together for the revival meetings… I hope that we will see you there.

REMEMBER: Our Revival Meetings begin in only twenty-seven days!

Get ready now… set aside the time now… Start praying now… DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY to experience a great moving of God!

Revival CAN happen, it really CAN happen!

Will we really have revival?

Will we?

Carpe Diem!

A Word from THE WORD

Good Morning Happy Church,

Today is Saturday, March 12^th 2016. Today is the 72^nd Day of 2016.

Today is David Ard’s Birthday!

There are only 294 days left in this year; and, there are only 29 Days Left until Our Spring Revival Meetings Begin!

We will begin the Revival Meetings on Saturday, April 9^th with a Banquet and Sermon at 6pm.

Sunday, April 10^th, we will hear Bro Bobby at 10am and again at 6pm.

Monday and Tuesday, April 11^th and 12, we will hear Bro Bobby at 7pm each night!

Please clear your schedule to attend as many of these meetings as possible.

As I often say, “The two things you have to invest to be blessed are your Attendance and your Attention!”

Please be in prayer for Dr. Bobby and Sandra Boyles as they travel here and back.

Pray that God will pour out HIS SPIRIT on us as never before!

Pray for the salvation of the lost; repentance and renewal in the life of God’s people; new people to become part of our Church Family; the calling out of ministers and missionaries; a spiritual awakening in our area; and, for Jesus Christ to be glorified in all that we do!

Joel was a Prophet to Israel just after the end of the Babylonian-Media-Persian Captivity that ended around 516 BC. The people had not completely turned back to Jehovah and HE responded to their continuing rebellion with continuing judgments – primarily through a devastating plague of Locusts. (Joel 1:1-2:11)

Here is God’s inspired action-plan for revival:

¹⁵ “Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly;
¹⁶ gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.
¹⁷ Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, “Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

Joel 2:12-15

(1) “Blow the trumpet in Zion!”

(2) “Consecrate a Fast!”

(3) “Call a Solemn Assembly!”

(4) “Gather the People!”

(5) “Consecrate the Congregation!”

(6) “Assemble the Elders!”

(7) “Gather the Children, even Nursing Infants!”

(8) “Bring the Newlyweds!”

(9) “Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, “Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

Let us commit ourselves to doing all 9 of these preparatory steps; for today, I want to focus on Step #5 – “Consecrate the Congregation”

“Consecrate” means the exact same thing as “Sanctify” and this word is often translated that way. It literally means, to set someone or something apart as being “holy” or “sacred” for the LORD and for HIS use.

Sadly, we do not often think of our “Congregation” as being consecrated, or sanctified; but, that is exactly what God calls us to be.

Like the people of Israel, we (as the people of God) should always live holy and sanctified lives. But, since we are human and therefore do not always live holy and sanctified lives, we need to prepare ourselves for a special act of God – or, as in this case in Joel 2 – a special meeting with God.

Revival meetings are no more special than any other time we meet as a Congregation with God; except that God clearly commands HIS people to set aside these special times and to prepare themselves for these special times of meeting with HIM.

So, what does this mean for us? As we prepare for these special days of meetings, we need to carefully and prayerfully seek to come to this time with clean minds, clean hearts, and clean hands.

(Of course, I am speaking spiritually.)

OK; so, how do we do this.

Prayer; conviction; repentance; and obedience.

Prayer. We need to earnestly pray that the LORD will reveal to us those things in our life that displease HIM and can keep us from experiencing all that HE plans to do in our life.

We rarely see all of these things, so we pray that HE will reveal them to us.

Conviction; no one enjoys this, but we need to ask the LORD to burden us about our spiritual health. Pray that HE will make the true condition of our spiritual condition clear to us.

Repentance; since this is a gift of God, we must pray that God will grant us to not only see what is wrong in our life; but, that HE will grant us the grace to forsake what is wrong in our life.

Finally, Obedience. Once we see where we are spiritually weak, we must seek to begin again (be revived) to walk in obedience to Christ and HIS will and HIS work.

Consecration is much more than a formal prayer at the beginning of a service; it is an act by the people of God to set ourselves apart for HIS Word and HIS use.

By HIS grace and for HIS glory, let us start today.

Our Revival Meetings begin in only twenty-nine days!

Get ready now… set aside the time now… Start praying now… DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY to experience a great moving of God!

Revival CAN happen, it really CAN happen!

Will we really have revival?

Carpe Diem!

A Word from THE WORD

Good Morning Happy Church,

Today is Friday, March 11^th 2016. Today is the 71^st Day of 2016.

There are only 295 days left in this year; and, there are only 30 Days Left until Our Spring Revival Meetings Begin!

We will begin the Revival Meetings on Saturday, April 9^th with a Banquet and Sermon at 6pm.

Sunday, April 10^th, we will hear Bro Bobby at 10am and again at 6pm.

Monday and Tuesday, April 11^th and 12, we will hear Bro Bobby at 7pm each night!

Please clear your schedule to attend as many of these meetings as possible.

As I often say, “The two things you have to invest to be blessed are your Attendance and your Attention!”

Please be in prayer for Dr. Bobby and Sandra Boyles as they travel here and back.

Pray that God will pour out HIS SPIRIT on us as never before!

Pray for the salvation of the lost; repentance and renewal in the life of God’s people; new people to become part of our Church Family; the calling out of ministers and missionaries; a spiritual awakening in our area; and, for Jesus Christ to be glorified in all that we do!

Joel was a Prophet to Israel just after the end of the Babylonian-Media-Persian Captivity that ended around 516 BC. The people had not completely turned back to Jehovah and HE responded to their continuing rebellion with continuing judgments – primarily through a devastating plague of Locusts. (Joel 1:1-2:11)

Here is God’s inspired action-plan for revival:

¹⁵ “Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly;
¹⁶ gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.
¹⁷ Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, “Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

Joel 2:12-15

(1) “Blow the trumpet in Zion!”

(2) “Consecrate a Fast!”

(3) “Call a Solemn Assembly!”

(4) “Gather the People!”

(5) “Consecrate the Congregation!”

(6) “Assemble the Elders!”

(7) “Gather the Children, even Nursing Infants!”

(8) “Bring the Newlyweds!”

(9) “Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, “Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

Let us commit ourselves to doing all 9 of these preparatory steps; for today, I want to focus on Step #4 – “Gather the People!”

We have already seen in our Ephesians study last week that there is a manifestation of the presence of God in HIS assembled people!

We have called for a series of meetings to praise, pray, and hear the Word of God together for four consecutive days. There is no more important thing in which we can take part than seeking to hear God speak through HIS Word; to sense HIS presence; and, to be transformed more and more into the likeness of Jesus.

Gathering people together for Church is hard enough on Sunday Mornings. We have about 160 different people (counting children) who attend Morning Worship here at least two times per month.

But, like the average Southern Baptist Church, we have a weekly absentee rate of about 20%.

That means that on just about any LORD’s Day we will have 25 to 30 people absent from the services and about 130 people in attendance.

Certainly, from time to time almost everyone will be absent from Church, including me…

But, over the past several years we have an average attendance to “Revival Services” (excluding Sunday Mornings) of between 40 and 50 people.

That means that we have an absentee rate at these services of about 115 people, or about 70%.

Certainly, no one needs to be here “just to be here.” You need to be here because God speaks to HIS people and works in our life through the work of HIS Word.

1^st Thessalonians 2:13

“And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.”

The Word of God works in those who believe it. But, you cannot believe it if you do not hear it…

Remember this…

Our Revival Meetings begin in only thirty days!

Get ready now… set aside the time now… Start praying now… DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY to experience a great moving of God!

Revival CAN happen, it really CAN happen!

Will we really have revival?

Carpe Diem!

A Word from THE WORD

Good Morning Happy Church,

Today is Thursday, March 10^th 2016. Today is the 70^th Day of 2016.

Today is Steve Senseney’s Birthday!

There are only 296 days left in this year; and, there are only 31 Days Left until Our Spring Revival Meetings Begin!

We will begin the Revival Meetings on Saturday, April 9^th with a Banquet and Sermon at 6pm.

Sunday, April 10^th, we will hear Bro Bobby at 10am and again at 6pm.

Monday and Tuesday, April 11^th and 12, we will hear Bro Bobby at 7pm each night!

Please clear your schedule to attend as many of these meetings as possible.

As I often say, “The two things you have to invest to be blessed are your Attendance and your Attention!”

Please be in prayer for Dr. Bobby and Sandra Boyles as they travel here and back.

Pray that God will pour out HIS SPIRIT on us as never before!

Pray for the salvation of the lost; repentance and renewal in the life of God’s people; new people to become part of our Church Family; the calling out of ministers and missionaries; a spiritual awakening in our area; and, for Jesus Christ to be glorified in all that we do!

Call a Solemn Assembly!

Joel was a Prophet to Israel just after the end of the Babylonian-Media-Persian Captivity that ended around 516 BC.

The people had not completely turned back to Jehovah and HE responded to their continuing rebellion with continuing judgments – primarily through a devastating plague of Locusts. (Joel 1:1-2:11)

Again, God commands them through HIS Prophet to…

¹² “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; ¹³ and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
¹⁴ Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God?” Joel 2:12-14 (ESV)

They, like the United States in the 21^st Century, were a people very much in need of a revival!

Here is God’s inspired action-plan for revival:

¹⁵ “Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly;
¹⁶ gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.
¹⁷ Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, “Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” Joel 2:12-15

(1) “Blow the trumpet in Zion!”

(2) “Consecrate a Fast!”

(3) “Call a Solemn Assembly!”

(4) “Gather the People!”

(5) “Consecrate the Congregation!”

(6) “Assemble the Elders!”

(7) “Gather the Children, even Nursing Infants!”

(8) “Bring the Newlyweds!”

(9) “Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, “Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

Let us commit ourselves to doing all 9 of these preparatory steps; for today, I want to focus on Step #3 – “Call a Solemn Assembly!”

We have already seen in our Ephesians study last week that there is a manifestation of the presence of God in HIS assembled people!

We have called for a series of meetings to praise, pray, and hear the Word of God together for four consecutive days.

There is no more important thing in which we can take part than seeking to hear God speak through HIS Word; to sense HIS presence; and, to be transformed more and more into the likeness of Jesus.

As we watch the death of Christian culture in North America, being a Spirit-filled follower of Jesus will continually become harder and harder and much costlier to us.

The best way to be prepared is to be renewed and refreshed in our faith.

That is why we have called for this “Solemn Assembly” together from April 9^th through the 12^th.

Only you can decide what you will do.

Only you.

Our Revival Meetings begin in only thirty-one days!

Get ready now… set aside the time now… Start praying now… DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY to experience a great moving of God!

Revival CAN happen, it really CAN happen!

Will we really have revival?

Carpe Diem!

Ephesians 3:1-13 “The Mystery of the Church – Jews and Gentiles Together in One Body”

¹  For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—
²  assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
³  how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
⁴  When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,
⁵  which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
⁶  This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
⁷  Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
⁸  To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
⁹  and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,
¹⁰  so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
¹¹  This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
¹²  in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
¹³  So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

As the Apostle Paul continues his “Doctrinal” section of Ephesians, he continues his explanation of this “New” thing that God is doing – the Church.

As the LORD allows, I will cover this passage under three headings:

(3:1-6) The Meaning of the Mystery

(3:7-10) The Minister of the Mystery

(3:11-13) The Masterplan of the Mystery

We will see in these verses the reason that God gave Paul this new revelation of HIS plan and purpose for the church. Paul will include some personal information that will help us fully appreciate his Apostleship and why and how God was using him.

Paul tells us several facts about this “New” reality in which he – and we – are living out our lives…

Amazingly, God will include Gentiles in HIS One Body the Church. Not as mere proselytes, as they were in the Old Testament, but, “fellow-heirs” with the Jews as the Elect People of God.

God had made Paul a minister of the gospel by grace just as HE has every minister of the gospel. HE had a work and a plan for that work for Paul.

While ministers today do not write Scripture, it is our work to rightly interpret and apply the Scripture to our life and the life of those whom we serve.

We will see God’s ULTIMATE purpose for doing this: “the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”

One more big thing… God reminds Paul, the Ephesians, and all of us who serve HIM that our service is for others.

I hope that you will prayerfully and carefully read over and pray over these thirteen verses this week to prepare your mind and heart to hear the Word of God on Sunday.

“I hope to see you Sunday with your Bible in your hand, a smile on your face, and your family and friends by your side.”

A Word from THE WORD

Good Morning Happy Church,

Today is Wednesday, March 9^th 2016. Today is the 69^th Day of 2016.

There are only 297 days left in this year; and, there are only 32 Days Left until Our Spring Revival Meetings Begin!

We will begin the Revival Meetings on Saturday, April 9^th with a Banquet and Sermon at 6pm.

Sunday, April 10^th, we will hear Bro Bobby at 10am and again at 6pm.

Monday and Tuesday, April 11^th and 12, we will hear Bro Bobby at 7pm each night!

Please clear your schedule to attend as many of these meetings as possible.

As I often say, “The two things you have to invest to be blessed are your Attendance and your Attention!”

Please be in prayer for Dr. Bobby and Sandra Boyles as they travel here and back.

Pray that God will pour out HIS SPIRIT on us as never before!

Pray for the salvation of the lost; repentance and renewal in the life of God’s people; new people to become part of our Church Family; the calling out of ministers and missionaries; a spiritual awakening in our area; and, for Jesus Christ to be glorified in all that we do!

Consecrate a Fast!

Joel was a Prophet to Israel just after the end of the Babylonian-Media-Persian Captivity that ended around 516 BC.

The people had not completely turned back to Jehovah and HE responded to their continuing rebellion with continuing judgments – primarily through a devastating plague of Locusts. (Joel 1:1-2:11)

Again, God commands them through HIS Prophet to…

¹² “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; ¹³ and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
¹⁴ Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God?” Joel 2:12-14 (ESV)

They, like the United States in the 21^st Century, were a people very much in need of a revival!

Here is God’s inspired action-plan for revival:

¹⁵ “Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly;
¹⁶ gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.
¹⁷ Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, “Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” Joel 2:12-15

(1) “Blow the trumpet in Zion!”

(2) “Consecrate a Fast!”

(3) “Call a Solemn Assembly!”

(4) “Gather the People!”

(5) “Consecrate the Congregation!”

(6) “Assemble the Elders!”

(7) “Gather the Children, even Nursing Infants!”

(8) “Bring the Newlyweds!”

(9) “Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, “Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

Let us commit ourselves to doing all 9 of these preparatory steps; for today, I want to focus on Step #2 – “Consecrate a Fast!”

Fasting may be the least mentioned of all of the “spiritual disciplines.” I think there are several reasons for this…

• Fasting is clearly taught in the Bible, but it is not mentioned often; and there are multiple ways to fast.
• Fasting is serious spiritual warfare and hard work.
• Since many preachers don’t fast often, we don’t teach about it often.
• Since many Pastors do not teach about fasting often, God’s people are ignorant of the subject.
• Fasting has become a “physical health” issue to many rather than a “spiritual health” issue.

Let me take these one at a time…

• While fasting is taught in the Bible, it is not mentioned often and there are multiple ways to fast.

This is true. In fact, it appears that there are only 77 mentions of fasting in the entire Bible.

In the Bible, we see that one can fast from specific foods; all foods; food and water; and, even from being intimate with one’s spouse.

• Fasting is serious spiritual warfare and hard work!

This is also true! This obviously keeps many from fasting.

• Since many preachers do not fast often, they do not teach about it often!
• Since many Pastors do not teach about fasting often, God’s people are ignorant of the subject.

Ouch!

• Fasting has become a “physical health” issue rather than a “spiritual health” issue!

Fasting is often used as part of the process of dieting. I am certainly not against this idea, but, it is not the same thing as biblical fasting.

Biblical fasting is denying the flesh to focus on the spirit.

Whether one is denying themselves food or water; or both; or sexual intimacy with one’s spouse; it is not enough to merely deny oneself something, the real purpose is to focus on the things of God such as prayer, Bible memory, etc.

Christians often fast for a part of a day; or an entire day, or for multiple days. I think that should be left up to the individual Christian.

A word of caution: if you have medically-related physical issues, please consult your physician before making any serious changes to your eating routine.

Many Christians tie fasting and prayer together.

This is a great idea. I hope that all of us who physically can will set aside some time in the weeks ahead to fast and pray for our upcoming revival meetings.

Our Revival Meetings begin in only thirty-three days!

Get ready now… set aside the time now… Start praying now… DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY to experience a great moving of God!

Revival CAN happen, it really CAN happen!

Will we really have revival?

We will soon see!

Carpe Diem!

A Word from THE WORD

Good Morning Happy Church,

Today is Tuesday, March 8^th 2016. Today is the 68^th Day of 2016.

Today is Daniel Faulkner’s Birthday!

There are only 298 days left in this year; and, there are only 33 Days Left until Our Spring Revival Meetings Begin!

We will begin the Revival Meetings on Saturday, April 9^th with a Banquet and Sermon at 6pm.

Sunday, April 10^th, we will hear Bro Bobby at 10am and again at 6pm.

Monday and Tuesday, April 11^th and 12, we will hear Bro Bobby at 7pm each night!

Please clear your schedule to attend as many of these meetings as possible.

As I often say, “The two things you have to invest to be blessed are your Attendance and your Attention!”

Please be in prayer for Dr. Bobby and Sandra Boyles as they travel here and back.

Pray that God will pour out HIS SPIRIT on us as never before!

Pray for the salvation of the lost; repentance and renewal in the life of God’s people; new people to become part of our Church Family; the calling out of ministers and missionaries; a spiritual awakening in our area; and, for Jesus Christ to be glorified in all that we do!

The Solemn Assembly

Joel was a Prophet to Israel just after the end of the Babylonian-Media-Persian Captivity that ended around 516 BC.

The people had not completely turned back to Jehovah and HE responded to their continuing rebellion with continuing judgments – primarily through a devastating plague of Locusts. (Joel 1:1-2:11)

Again, God commands them through HIS Prophet to…

¹² “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; ¹³ and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
¹⁴ Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God?” Joel 2:12-14 (ESV)

They, like the United States in the 21^st Century, were a people very much in need of a revival!

Here is God’s inspired action-plan for revival:

¹⁵ “Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly;
¹⁶ gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.
¹⁷ Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, “Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” Joel 2:12-15

(1) “Blow the trumpet in Zion!”

(2) “Consecrate a Fast!”

(3) “Call a Solemn Assembly!”

(4) “Gather the People!”

(5) “Consecrate the Congregation!”

(6) “Assemble the Elders!”

(7) “Gather the Children, even Nursing Infants!”

(8) “Bring the Newlyweds!”

(9) “Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, “Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

Let us commit ourselves to doing all 9 of these preparatory steps; and, let’s do them in biblical order beginning with #1:

“Blow a trumpet in Zion; Consecrate a Fast; Call a solemn assembly!”

Believing it to be the will of God, our Elders have set aside Saturday evening, April 9^th; Sunday morning and evening, April 10^th; and, Monday and Tuesday evenings, April 11^th – 12^th as a special time to gather for prayer, praise, and hearing the Word of God!

You have been notified over and over again about these meetings… That is the “Blow a trumpet” part!

As part of our pre-revival efforts, we will be asking that as many of us who can to set aside some time for fasting and prayer that God will bless us and our Church by a special visitation of HIS presence and power… That is the “Consecrate a Fast” part!

We have invited – as you know – Dr. Bobby Boyles to be our speaker for these 5 special meetings.

That is the “Call a Solemn Assembly” part!

The “Solemn” part comes in because of the dramatic nature of the meetings and the awesome possibility of experiencing real revival in our lives both individually and corporately.

“Solemn” does not have to describe the nature of the meetings; indeed, I fully expect them to a joyful time of sweet fellowship and worship!

But, the fact that we so desperately need them; and, the fact of how much hangs in the balance, makes these meetings a very solemn occasion for sure!

Again, this Morning, I want to “Sound the Trumpet!”

Our Revival Meetings begin in only thirty-three days!

Get ready now… set aside the time now… Start praying now… DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY to experience a great moving of God!

Revival CAN happen, it really CAN happen!

Will we really have revival?

We will soon see!

Carpe Diem!

A Word from THE WORD

Good Morning Happy Church,

Today is Monday, March 9^th 2016. Today is the 69^th Day of 2016.

Today is Kelly and Stacy’s Wedding Anniversary!

There are only 297 days left in this year; and, there are only 32 Days Left until Our Spring Revival Begins!

We will begin the Revival Meetings on Saturday, April 9^th with a Banquet and Sermon at 6pm.

Sunday, April 10^th, we will hear Bro Bobby at 10am and again at 6pm.

Monday and Tuesday, April 11^th and 12, we will hear Bro Bobby at 7pm each night!

Please clear your schedule to attend as many of these meetings as possible.

As I often say, “The two things you have to invest to be blessed are your Attendance and your Attention!”

Please be in prayer for Dr. Bobby and Sandra Boyles as they travel here and back.

Pray that God will pour out HIS SPIRIT on us as never before!

Pray for the salvation of the lost; repentance and renewal in the life of God’s people; new people to become part of our Church Family; the calling out of ministers and missionaries; a spiritual awakening in our area; and, for Jesus Christ to be glorified in all that we do!

The Work of the Law in Reviving the Soul

Psalm 19:7

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul…”

Two things…

First, I have pointed out in many of these revival devotions that the Word of God plays a key role in revival.

There are many ways by which the Hebrew word for “Word” is translated in the Old Testament. All are based on one Hebrew word. The different way of translating it comes from how it is used in the context of the sentence of paragraph.

In this passage, it is the aspect of God’s Word as HIS Law Code that the psalmist has in mind.

God forbid that we forget that God’s Word is Law!

The Word expresses HIS will and it is our sincere obligation to obey HIS will.

A clear aspect of revival is when HIS people who are not living obedient lives begin AGAIN to live obedient lives!

Second, please note the role of the SOUL in revival.

It is important to distinguish between body, and soul, and spirit when considering the life of a person.

The body is easy. It is the material part of a person. It is basically an, “earthsuit” in which we must live while we are in this present world.

However, the SOUL and SPIRIT are often confused…

The SPIRIT is that eternal, “imago dei” or “the image of God” in people where our spiritual nature is formed.

It is in the human spirit that the HOLY SPIRIT lives when HE comes into a person at the time of regeneration. The spirit is manifested by the mind, the emotion, and the will of a person.

The soul is the “BEINGNESS” of a person. It is the life force within the person. It is the center of the five senses and the personality of an individual.

The psalmist tells us that it is not just the spirit (mind, emotion, and will) that are revived, but, the soul itself is revived by the Law of God!

Of course, a genuine experience of revival will affect our spirit; but, it will also bear an impact on our soul.

The five senses, (how we physically experience life) and our personality will be impacted by the SPIRIT OF GOD when we experience revival.

All are tied to seeing God’s Word as Law to be obeyed.

When we become; or become again; “doers of the Word” the Law of God will revive our soul!

Will we be revived? We can be!

But, will we be revived?

Revival CAN happen, it really CAN happen!

Will we really have revival?

We will soon see!

Carpe Diem!

A Word from THE WORD

Good Morning Happy Church,

Today is Saturday, March 5^th 2016. Today is the 65^th Day of 2016.

There are only 301 days left in this year; and, there are only 36 Days Left until Our Spring Revival Begins!

We will begin the Revival Meetings on Saturday, April 9^th with a Banquet and Sermon at 6pm.

Sunday, April 10^th, we will hear Bro Bobby at 10am and again at 6pm.

Monday and Tuesday, April 11^th and 12, we will hear Bro Bobby at 7pm each night!

Please clear your schedule to attend as many of these meetings as possible.

As I often say, “The two things you have to invest to be blessed are your Attendance and your Attention!”

Please be in prayer for Dr. Bobby and Sandra Boyles as they travel here and back.

Pray that God will pour out HIS SPIRIT on us as never before!

Pray for the salvation of the lost; repentance and renewal in the life of God’s people; new people to become part of our Church Family; the calling out of ministers and missionaries; a spiritual awakening in our area; and, for Jesus Christ to be glorified in all that we do!

Some time ago, the Men’s Bible Class did an extended study of Psalm 1. I heard lots of great things about that study, so, I want to use this passage for a few devotional ideas about revival in general; and, our upcoming revival meetings in particular!

Psalm 1:1-6
¹ “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
² but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
³ He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
⁴ The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
⁶ for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”

How to Perish

In verses 5 and 6, the writer gives a heart-breaking picture of the final judgment of the wicked.

Here, again, is why we need to be revived over and over again.

Because wickedness is the “default” position of the human spirit, it is all too easy to fall back into old patterns of walking with the wicked; standing with sinners; and, sitting with the scornful.

When we do, there is ONE way out. A refreshing and restoring move of the Holy Spirit upon our life!

AKA: Revival!

While a believer does not need to fear that we can lose our salvation and perish in the same way that an unbeliever will perish, we do need to fear that our witness and our value in the LORD’s Kingdom work will perish.

This is a Psalm of contrast. Good versus evil. Wickedness versus righteousness. Spiritual prosperity versus perishing.

None of us want to stand before the LORD with handfuls of chaff to offer HIM as the fruit of our life.

What’s past is past; but, what is ahead is still ahead!

We cannot change the past; but, we can change our future because we can be changed!

We can allow the Holy Spirit to renew and refresh our spirit and our living.

We can.

But, will we?

Revival CAN happen, it really CAN happen!

Will we really have revival?

We will soon see!

Carpe Diem!