Tuesday, March 31, 2009

A Quote to Think About

I was reading a book the other day, Christy, by Catherine Marshall, and though it is fictional there was a part in it that I thought, "Wow! That is so true in our Christian lives. So will post it.

"What do you do when strength is called for and you have no strength? You evoke a power beyond your own (Christ's power in us) and use stamina you did not know you had. You open your eyes in the morning grateful that you can see the sunlight of yet another day. You draw yourself to the edge of the bed and them put one foot in front of the other-and keep going. You weep with those who gently close the eyes of the dead, and somehow, from the salt of your tears, comes endurance for them and for you. You pour out that resurgence to minister to the living." (p.477)
I thought it was neat how God can use anything to teach us a lesson. Sometimes we "know" we can't go on anymore, we just "can't" do it. But we are wrong in one sense, We cannot do it but God can through us. "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." Phil.4:13
Then when we actually do it and we look back, we know the only way we got through that trial was with the Lord's help. I just thought it was neat.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Do We Really Want Revival?

I mean do we really, seriously want a revival that will change our life? Like that of the old days. I am reminded of the time at college when we went up for teen visitation and were told that we were going to stay on campus and pray for the upcoming revival. That was one of the best moments of my life and the lives of others. We spent that time praying, really praying, that God would send revival to everyone but more specifically to us individually. And it was amazing! We spent time searching ourselves for any sin that would be in the way of God getting a hold of our lives and making us more like Him. Why is it we don't have revival? Even my 9 year old brother Josiah, after learning about the Great Awakening in history, said "Why can't we have a revival like the Great Awakening? I wish we had a revival like that." This coming from a 9 year old! Yet you never hear things like that coming from adults. What a sad world we live in and what carnal Christians we are!
I want revival, I want the Lord to change me and make me more like Him. But how can I help make it happen? I mean we have revivals and they are wonderful but they aren't like I believe they could be, so what do we do?
I read a really great book called The High Cost of Compromise & Worldliness by Glen Spencer Jr. and in it he speaks about how we can obtain revival. So I am going to put some quotes from the book and hopefully it will help remind me to do my part in helping to bring about a revival.

"It is only when God's people repent and separate from ungodliness that God can hear from Heaven and pour out a might revival." (p.20)

"Christianity is suffering today because the bible has been replaced by television, pleasure, sports, and just about everything else the Devil has thrown out. What's the solution you ask? A God breathed heaven sent revival is our only hope! How can we have it you ask? Junk the television, movie going, money mongering, jungle jazz music, card playing, public nakedness(mixed bathing), cigarette sicking, cocktail drinking "sipping saints." Then get rid of these pussyfooting, back scratching, ear-tickling, gospel-dodging, compromising, soft-soaping, corner cutting, aim-at-nothing, hit nothing, modernistic, cemetery seminary, manufactured, assembly line preachers, and get some Daniels, John the Baptists, and Elijah's. Then, and only then, will we see an old fashioned, Holy Ghost, sent from Heaven, God-breathed Revival." (p.23)

We need to forsake our worldliness and get focused on doing what God's Word says. And I'm just as guilty as the next person. We never reach that peak of perfection, where we've done it. It's an everyday process of denying the flesh. So pray with me and strive with me to do our part to bring about an old fashioned revival.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Why am I Like I Am?



Does anyone else ever think about that? I mean when I think about myself, not that I'm anything special, I really want to know God's will for my life. Then I look around and see other teens and young people that want the same thing. But sadly there are those that don't really care or they are too distracted by other things to do it right not. What about those who are raised in church, but as soon as they are out of the house you never see them at church, serving God? So what makes the difference?

Of course the greatest contribution is the salvation of a person, not just a profession but a possession. Not only do you need to be saved but you need to grow in the Lord.

Another big factor is when you see your parents living it. You know what I mean by it, you see them living for God, doing His will. How blessed we are to have parents that live the life of the believer, not just talk about it. You know they are in church when the doors are open, you see them reading their Bibles and praying, they drop all their plans and go where God wants them. I know this has to have affected the way that I am. Why else would I have no problem going around the world serving the Lord? Not have a big problem doing my devotions everyday? I have the desire to be in church when the doors are open. Yet I still have situations that I don't understand. Maybe it's something I'll never understand.

How can a pastor's children grow up and forsake all they were taught? It puzzles me. Maybe they aren't really saved I guess or maybe they aren't growing. Maybe they weren't really listening all those times their dad was preaching. Heaven forbid we become like this. This is just something I was really thinking about over in Germany. Just, what makes me what I am? I want to have children someday, but it scares me because of seeing the children of good, strong families stray from God. So think about this: What makes you the way you are?

Monday, March 23, 2009

Singleness Poem




I have so many things I want to post while I can, but right now I'll just post this poem I read that was a blessing to me. So it's dedicated to all those out there who are single still.


The Single Gift
How blessed you are, you single one,
Don't talk of care and woes.
You've got too much to be thankful for,
Oh, what, you'd like to know.

It's no mistake, no misdirection
Of God's perfect plan
That you've not found your special lady
Or you, that certain man.

God loves you so and has much more
To give you than you've ever received.
That He's giving His best to you right now,
You really must believe.

His best is in Himself, do you have it in full
Or only a bit on the side.
No man can meet your needs like God,
Nor can a lovely bride.

If your life's not complete, you know that Jesus is
And your life He will fulfill
If you'll only put Him first each day
And live to do His will.

He's gifted you for undistracted
Devotion to the Lord.
There should be nothing that can interfere
With Him and prayer and the Word.

Unless you let down the guard of your heart
And let others take His place,
Then you'll lack joy and peace and hope
And not experience His grace.

So give your heart right back to God,
Let Him keep it safe for you.
And when its better then is best,
He'll make your one into two.
Donna L. Mihura