Pray for Revival
If you were roughed up by the authorities on a mission trip and put in jail, what would you pray for? I think I would be praying for a miracle to happen to release me from that jail so I could return home safely. Let’s just say that an earthquake were to suddenly set you free, would you see this as a divinely orchestrated escape route? By all means, that would have been the first thought in my mind. I want to look at a story in Acts 16:16-36, where the outcome in the minds of Paul and Silas was a lot different from what mine would have been.
I think this story has a lot of material to run with. What about the annoying girl who followed Paul and just got under his skin? She was an uninvited announcer who wore out her welcome and was just plain annoying. It ended up being an evil spirit that was living in the girl causing this commentary. Paul casts out this spirit in the name of Jesus Christ. I will let you fill in the blank concerning annoying people. The owners of the slave girl didn’t like it too well because they were not able to make money any longer. They accused Paul and Silas with causing havoc and putting the city in an uproar by promoting customs unlawful to the Romans. They were eventually stripped, beaten, and thrown into jail.
Now the tendency to complain would be the first reaction of most people. I have been in less stressful situations where I have complained about the inconveniences. What is Paul and Silas' reaction? They begin to pray and sing hymns to God. It was almost like they didn’t care where they were. Nothing was going to hold the joy of the salvation down. What a lesson in itself.
Suddenly, a violent earthquake came and shook the jail. All of the doors to the jail were opened and their chains fell off. This would have been an opportunity to run in their newly found freedom. But this was not the response of Paul and Silas. Their response was amazing. Their original goal was to reach the lost in Philippi for Jesus Christ – so this unusual event was viewed, not as their road to freedom, but as a marvelous opportunity to tell the jailer about Jesus.
There is a man named Leonard Ravenhill who wrote a book entitled, “Revival Praying.” He was a great writer. He influenced the lives of people like the singer Keith Green, Bill Gothard, Ravi Zacharias, and many other successful authors and speakers. In his book, he tells of a person of fervent prayer and focused evangelism – Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1843). “His short but powerful ministry was spent at the church of St. Peter in Dundee, Scotland. He was offered more prestigious positions but graciously turned them down. He was contented with his lot because no church could offer him more time for prayer. After this saintly pastor’s death, a visitor went to see the great church. The sexton showed him around. Some of McCheyne’s books were still there. ‘Sit down here,’ said the canny sexton, leading the young visitor to the chair where McCheyane used to sit. ‘Now put your elbows on the table.’ The visitor obeyed. ‘Now put your face in your hands.’ The visitor again obeyed. ‘Now let the tears flow. That was the way Mr. McCheyne used to do it!’”
A clear sign that the church today is truly experiencing revival is an increase in the number of tearful prayers about others coming to faith in Jesus Christ. Leonard Revenhill had many quotes attached to his name. One of them is simply, “The only reason we don’t have revival is because we are willing to live without it.”
“Lord, raise up a Paul and Silas in our generation. We desperately need your intercession…”
Let’s continue to pray for our Nation as we lead up to Call 2 Fall this Sunday.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
Feelings of Nostalgia
This week I am at St. Mary’s Campgrounds where I used to come as a kid. Yes, many years ago when I was in Junior High, I came to church camp right here is St. Mary’s. I remember getting in trouble at night and having to go sit in the bean patch with only my shorts on. Those counselors were in their early twenties and got in trouble for that devastating punishment on junior high boys. The ironic thing is that they are pastors today. Don’t worry, I have forgiven them. I’m not going to let something that small stand in the way of God’s forgiveness for me. I have had a lot of fun through the years with these men over their lack of judgment.
Other memories include the notes passed to a cute girl during lunch or chapel asking if they would sit with me during service that night. All they had to do was circle yes or no. If those notes fell in the wrong hands, you were toast the rest of the week. Those were the days.
One memory I think of the most is going to an altar to ask forgiveness of my sins. As the evangelist shared this week, “It was my John 3:16 experience.” I also had a Galatians2:20 experience as well. A Christian who has only had the John 3:16 experience doesn’t quite know how to live a victorious life without dying to themselves. Galatians 2:20 says,“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” It is one thing to accept the free gift of salvation. It is the decision that needs to happen to begin a relationship with Jesus. In order to mature in the faith and continue a forward movement, we have to deal with the self centered issue that is prevalent in all of our lives. I praise the Lord that I can die daily so He can live in and through me.
Another thing I like to do is to bring my kids. We usually stay in a room and experience camp together. For me, it is like taking them to Disney World. I have much more fun experiencing a theme park through my kids. As I attend the services and converse with the people, I love doing it with my kids. From the time I dedicated them to the Lord, I promised the Lord in front of the church, that I would bring them up in Christ, nurture them, protect them the best that I knew how, and get them to rub shoulders with God-fearing believers. I get to do all of that at camp meeting. As the Word is being preached, they are hearing it in a setting that is conducive to being open to the Spirit of God as it moves in their life. It is exciting to see the love they have developed for camp week.
If you are reading this and have never been to a camp meeting service or environment, then I want to encourage you to come and bring your kids. If you don’t have kids, come anyway. It is good for everyone and God is wanting to get you away from the normal routine of life to pour Himself into you. What are you waiting for? Camp is happening the rest of this week and evening on Sunday at 6 p.m. Another bonus in our very own Jessica Myers will be getting ordained on Thursday night.
Today is day eight of our focus on prayer leading up to July 4th. If you don’t have a copy of the days of Scripture and Prayer, then go to our website (findlayfirstnaz.org) and click on the information tab. You can download the paper from there and have a time of reading and prayer for our Nation.
Scripture Focus:
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We lift to those Christian men and women serving in all levels of government. We pray that that you would have your hand of protection upon them. Grant them wisdom, understanding and discernment. Remind them that they are accountable to you for each decision they make. Give them the discipline to seek Your will in all things. We pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen
I’m looking forward to a great day at church on Sunday.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
Where My Help Comes From
“How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the court of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young – a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob. Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.”Psalm 84:1-12
Just a few days from the loss of Mindy Peterson in a tragic automobile accident, I think this Psalm sums up my thoughts and prayers for such a time we find ourselves in. Today there is a husband, 5 children, parents, sisters, extended family, and church family that is just numb over the loss of a dearly loved woman of God. I don’t know how anyone can go through this kind of a jolt in life without a relationship with the Lord, a close family, and the love of a church family to process with. It is during times like these that you really see how blessed you are to have the hand and protection of God surrounding your life. I have been in a series of messages from Matthew called, “Lead Me to the Cross.” This Sunday I will be going in another direction as we look to the God of all comfort before we continue that series. It was just last Sunday that Mindy Peterson was on our praise team singing the song, “Because He Lives” by Matt Maher. She sang it like an angel. Little did we know that she would be singing directly in the presence of Jesus that afternoon. Andy and Mindy have been attending our church for less than a year. They had just recently decided to make Findlay First their church home. Mindy was beginning to sing on the praise team and was preparing to sing a special in July. She was also planning to lead the Vacation Bible Adventure music this summer. How quickly things can change. In the past year as a church, we have seen 9 children lose their mother, a father taken without the opportunity to say goodbye, and other dearly loved brothers and sisters enter the gates of heaven. We don’t question where they are today. We just experience the pain of seeing wonderful, God fearing men and women depart at a young age. This Sunday we will be spending some time praying for the Lord to come and heal the hearts of many hurting people and opening our hearts up as a congregation for God to speak to us. Come this Sunday and plan to bring someone who may be experiencing a hard time through loss or news of an illness or life just spinning out of control. On Sunday, June 28 we will be participating with several other churches in “Call 2 Fall.” It is where we call on the name of the Lord to intercede for our Nation and forgive us for turning our hearts from Him. With the Supreme Court voting on the definition of marriage and other things transpiring in our nation, it is time to come together and plead for God’s Will, forgiveness, and His holy presence. Leading up to that Sunday and the 4th of July, we will be reading Scripture and agreeing together in prayer. You can find the focus on our church website www.findlayfirstnaz.org. Please go to the website and get a copy of the different Scriptures and prayers you can meditate on in the days leading up to Independence Day as we show our dependence on God Almighty. Here is the first day… Scripture Focus:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,In humility we come seeking your face; asking for forgiveness for what we, as Christians have allowed to happen in our nation. Forgive us for sitting silently when we should have been standing boldly. Forgive us for removing prayer from our homes and our schools. Forgive us for allowing the culture to redefine marriage. Forgive us for not fighting more passionately for the unborn and the weakest among us. Because of your great mercy Lord, forgive us and heal our land. For your Glory! Amen
I am anticipating a great day on Sunday as we come and glorify the name of Jesus. Joy in Jesus! Pastor Mike
Spreading Joy
“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:4-8).
The people were scattered because great persecution broke out against the church. This is directly following the stoning of Stephen who was full of the Holy Spirit. He was one of the seven who the 12 disciples chose to help in the distribution of food to allow them to give attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. The Scripture says, “He was full of God’s grace and power, and did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people”(Acts 6:1). Stephen was eventually put before the Sanhedrin and falsely accused of blasphemy. He spoke the Word of God boldly. It cut right to the heart. People were called out and convicted. Their hearts were hardened and they were furious. “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.” The Spirit of God had to be in control of Stephen for him to pray not to hold this sin against them. When the Spirit of God is in control, you will do things that are in direct opposition of what the world would convince you to do.
It seems impossible for the early believers, who were experiencing persecution, imprisonment, martyrdom, while running and being scattered, would be the very ones responsible for bringing great joy to Samaria. Joy is always the hallmark of churches in the midst of revival. H. Elvet Lewis, describes a season of rejoicing in Wales during the 1817 revival: “One day even, while busy haymaking, someone started singing a hymn to himself, another joined in, and another, until the whole band of haymakers, forgetful for a while of their toil, became a band of praying, singing worshipers. This revival continued for three or four years and its influence on the Snowdon district has been carried on to this day. An old survivor, being asked whether he could recall any signs preceding and heralding this revival, replied that he could remember nothing ‘except, that the air for months seemed full of brotherly kindness and love.’”
The joy of the believer knows no bounds. When was the last time you broke out in song and someone out of the blue joined in with you? Ok, maybe you don’t feel comfortable singing in strange places. For some, there may be people thanking you for not doing that. Instead of singing, how about sharing what the Lord is doing in your life? We should not confine our testimony to the church building. Everywhere we go should be an opportunity to spread the love of Jesus. Who knows what will come of the joy you spread by sharing your spiritual journey. Too often we are quick to share other things or miss an opportunity to get in life-changing conversations. Take heart, God will give you the words to say. If you have nothing to share, He will give you a new heart and transform your life through the power of His Spirit. Then you won’t be able to hold it in.
I need to tell you about Noah Wyatt. He is the 12 year old little boy who has spina bifida. He is the kind of kid who always shares what God is doing and is all about ministering the grace of God wherever he is. I have heard of many stories where he would share the spirit and attitude of Jesus with the nurses and doctors in the midst of several surgeries.This Sunday, he and his family will be coming to our service after a small vacation we were able to send them on. Plan to come on Sunday as we honor our graduates and meet the Wyatt family.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
