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Category Archives: Saved by Grace Through Faith

Hell’s Real, Hot and Eternal??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #116

02 Wednesday Aug 2023

Posted by Blanche in A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Come to Jesus, Eternity is Long, Hell, Salvation, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin

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Acts 4:10, Come to Jesus while there's still time, Eternity is Long, Hell, Hell's Hot, Hell's Real, Jesus Saves!, John 14:6, John 6:44, Lazarus and the rich man., Luke 17:19-31, No second chances., Romans 8:9, Will you believe., Will you hear the voice of Jesus?

Hell’s Real, Hot and Eternal??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #116

Hell’s real, Hell’s hot, and Eternity is long!  The choice is yours, but the consequence of your choice is already set!

“But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.”  Romans 8:9

The presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit is the New Covenant which Jesus Christ purchased at Calvary; and Paul makes it clear that if “any” person who claims the name of Jesus but doesn’t have The Holy Spirit, “he is none of his”! Are you HIS?  Do you have HIS Holy Spirit?  There is only one way to be HIS and to possess The Holy Spirit (or more correctly to have The Holy Spirit possess you!), and that is to be born again by the blood of Jesus!  I could list scripture upon scripture to show this truth, but I’ll settle for 3 that I pray will help you see JESUS, and come to Him in repentance of your sin, and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice!  No magic words, formula prayers, or church membership will save you–only trusting in God’s grace through faith to deliver you in response to the voice of The Holy Spirit calling you to HIM!

“Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:10

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

“No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me draw him:

and I will raise him up at the last day.”  John 6:44

Jesus gave us one of the most beautiful yet sad pictures of the reality of eternal life-vs-eternal death, and I’d like to share it today.  And just my personal note, I think this is a real story that Jesus told, for He never named a real person in any of His parables!  I also believe that He didn’t name the “rich man” because the people would have recognized it if He had (just my opinion, you decide what you see.). And just a little test for you, this is not long before Jesus’ death, so which part of this story would make even more sense and be of an even more staggering truth with that in mind? (Hint: it’s close to the end! And it’s still true today!)

“There was a certain rich man,

which was clothed in purple and fine linen,

and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus,

which was laid at his gate,

full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs

which fell from the rich man’s table:

moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass,

that the beggar died,

and was carried by the angels

into Abraham’s bosom:

the rich man also died,

and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes,

being in torments,

and seeth Abraham afar off,

and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said,

Father Abraham,

have mercy on me,

and send Lazarus,

that he may dip the tip of his finger

in water,

and cool my tongue;

for I am tormented in this flame.

25 But Abraham said,

Son, remember that thou

in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things,

and likewise Lazarus

evil things:

but now he is comforted,

and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this,

between us and you there is a great gulf

fixed: so that they which would pass

from hence to you cannot;

neither can they pass to us,

that would come from thence.

27 Then he said,

I pray thee therefore, father,

that thou wouldest send him

to my father’s house:

28 For I have five brethren;

that he may testify unto them,

lest they also come into this place

of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him,

They have Moses and the prophets;

let them hear them.

30 And he said,

Nay, father Abraham:

but if one went unto them from the dead,

they will repent.

31 And he said unto him,

If they hear not Moses and the prophets,

neither will they be persuaded,

though one rose from the dead.”  Luke 17:19-31

I pray that you will hear the voice of Jesus today, and that if you don’t know HIM yet, you will bow before Him today and call on HIM for forgiveness of your sin, and salvation/eternal life that HE paid for at Calvary!  If you know HIM and aren’t living for HIM or in HIS power, I pray that you will see eternity all around you.  How many that we love are headed for hell?  What have you and I done to share Jesus’ truth with them?  Let’s get busy, for surely Hell IS real, Hell IS hot, and eternity IS forever, with no second chances! And just a side note, here we see the greatest evangelist of all time, this rich man was more concerned about his family left behind than we often are!  You decide, when will you share the Gospel of Jesus?

Praying for you!

Amen and Amen!!!

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What Saved YOU??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #110

20 Thursday Jul 2023

Posted by Blanche in A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Born Again, By His Grace, Cross, God Who Sees, Gospel, Grace, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin

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1 Corinthians 15:3-5, According to the scripture, Acts 4:12, Be grace are you saved, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 14:6, John 1:12-13, John 3:1-7, John 3:16-18, Matthew 7:20-23, Salvation In Jesus Only, The Gospel--Jesus, What saved YOU?

What Saved YOU??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #110

Just a few reminders of the basics today!  There is so much false teaching/preaching going on today, I just thought we’d take some time today to see what God’s Word says about salvation, where do we get it, how, is it me or something/someone else that provides and imparts it to you and me.  Let’s dive in!

What do YOU think ‘saved’ (saves) you?

If you think it’s ‘works’, you’re wrong:

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-9

(walking in the good works that come out of salvation, not

 saved by them!)

If you think it’s ‘family’, you’re wrong:

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:12-13

(It’s being “born again” into the family of God by the blood of Jesus Christ The Lord!)

If you think it’s religion or ‘spiritual prestige’, you’re wrong:

“There was a man of the Pharisees,

named Nicodemus,

a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus

by night…

… 3 Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

 he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb,

and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born

of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”  John 3:1-7

And some of Jesus’ greatest words to us all–

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world

through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”  John 3:16-18

There’s only One Way and Jesus IS HIM!!!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

 no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

(Jesus gives new birth to all who will come to HIM–in   repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for YOU and ME!

If you think it’s ‘the church’ that saves, you’re wrong:

“Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

(Not man, not institution, not relation, not salvation in “any other”, but in Jesus’ name, work, death, burial, and resurrection, all for sin…”according to the scripture”!)

“For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

(The GOSPEL in a nutshell!)

If you think it’s ‘riches’, ‘success’, ‘fame’ or ‘popularity’–even within the church, you’re wrong:

“Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth

the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied

in thy name?

and in thy name

have cast out devils?

and in thy name

done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:20-23

What are you counting on?  I pray that you will ask God to reveal truth to you, so you know “redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (See Colossians 1:14!).

Amen!!!

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What Do You Remember??? A Word From THE WORD!!! #107

12 Wednesday Jul 2023

Posted by Blanche in A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Salvation, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, The Word

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Blessed Assurance, Do You Belong to Jesus?, Hebrews 13:5-6, John 10:14-30, John 10:9-10, Revelation 3:20, What Do You Remember?

What Do You Remember??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #107

“I am the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me,

even so know I the Father:

and I lay down my life

for the sheep.

16 And other sheep I have,

which are not of this fold:

them also I must bring,

and they shall hear my voice;

and there shall be one fold,

and one shepherd…

25 Jesus answered them,

I told you,

and ye believed not:

the works that I do in my Father’s name,

they bear witness of me.

26 But ye believe not,

because ye are not of my sheep,

as I said unto you.

27 My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able

to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  Portions of John 10:14-30

Are you one of HIS sheep?  Do you remember the call of HIS voice upon your heart?  Have you met Jesus face to face?  I remember the day as if it were yesterday–HE came knocking at the door of my heart and opened my eyes to see my own sin, and I fell before HIM that day in tears of repentance, and asked HIM to save me, for I couldn’t save myself.  He heard, He answered, and HE saved me that day, right in my own living room floor; and I got up a new person–not a perfect person, but one that heard the ’Shepherd’s voice’ and have tried to follow HIM.  I haven’t always succeeded or always responded in obedient faith, but HE has never left me, and I know HE never will.  What do you remember?  Have you had an encounter with Jesus?  Not just walked an aisle?  Not just “prayed this prayer”?  Not just had the experience of baptism?  Not just signed a card or shook a preacher’s hand?  But have you heard the voice of Jesus speaking to your heart–calling you to face your sin and come to HIM.  He still calls, and HE will keep HIS own sheep!

“Let your conversation be without covetousness;

and be content with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”   Hebrews 13:5-6

Jesus is speaking; will you hear HIS call and open the door?

“Behold,

I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

Blessed Assurance (By Fanny Crosby)

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

I pray that you know Jesus and remember that blessed and glorious assurance of HIS presence, mercy, and forgiveness.  HE died to save you!  HE loves you!  HE wants you to share blessed remembrances with HIM.  I can’t tell you all that HE means to me; or even find the words to convince you that HE loves you and the life that HE gives is all you/I need.

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.”  John 10:9-10

Amen and Amen!!!

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Yes, Jesus Gets You??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 20 No. 04

12 Sunday Feb 2023

Posted by Blanche in A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Almost But Lost, Are you ready?, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Salvation, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Victory IN Jesus!

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1 Corinthians 15:1-5, Culture--Versus--Truth, Don't be deceived, Galatians 5:19-25, Jesus Gets You!, Jesus sacrifice for SIN, Jesus saves--Only Jesus!, John 10:9-11, John 14:6, John 8:23-24, Luke 13:3-5, Matthew 1:21, Matthew 7:9-29, Only ONE WAY! Jesus!, Philippians 2:10-11, Revelation 20:11-15, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 8:9-11, Truth -vs-lies, Unless you repent., What will you beleive, Yes

Yes, Jesus Gets You??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 20 No. 04

 

But not in the way you might be thinking, not the way that the modern-day “false prophets” are proclaiming!  Jesus loves you–YES, but He died for your “forgiveness of sin”, your “life transforming salvation FROM sin” not “in your sin”!  It’s why HE came,

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt

call his name jesus:

for he shall save his people

FROM THEIR SINS.”  Matthew 1:21

Jesus came to save “sinners” FROM their “sin” not IN their sin, it’s called repentance (one of those terms that the “false prophets” of today want to remove from the “Christian” equation); Jesus said it best:

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish…

…5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3 & 5

Jesus makes it very clear in Matthew 7 that His way isn’t easy, popular or ‘one among many’, but that HE is the only way and if you choose the “way of the many” the end is NOT LIFE, but “destruction”!  Read it for yourself.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves…

… 21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth

the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Portions of Matthew 7:9-23

Jesus gives us an amazing example of the difference; yet it is often relegated to only a ‘children’s song’ rather than the truth of our Master, Jesus, THE ONLY WAY!

“Therefore whosoever heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

7 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.

28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them

as one having authority,

and not as the scribes.”  Matthew 7:24-29

The standard is also laid out in Revelation 20, along with the fate of those who make the wrong choice.

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face

the earth and the heaven fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged

out of those things which were written

in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15

Paul tells us how we get our name written in the “book of life” through Jesus, what we must genuinely believe!

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you

the gospel which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory

what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you

first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:”  1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Paul makes it more than clear what we must believe to have real faith:

“that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures…

       that he was buried (because HE DIED!)

       that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures

       that he was seen (alive by many…)”

All “according to the scriptures”, referring to God’s plan from before the foundation of the world.  All because HE created us knowing we would fall into sin, yet HE had already made a plan for Jesus to pay for our sin at Calvary, and only when we see that and are transformed by being “born again” into the Kingdom of God are we forgiven our sin and given eternal life! (See John 3 for the whole story!)

If you go back and look at Matthew 7 and read the whole chapter, you will find that Jesus talks about ‘good trees’ and ‘corrupt trees’ and reminds us that by our fruit we will be known.  What does your fruit say about your relationship with Jesus?  Or do you have a relationship with HIM?  Or do you have a ‘faith’ in your own way, your own goodness?  Paul tells us in Romans the truth of our relationship with a Holy God.

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

And Jesus’ own words:

“And he said unto them,

Ye are from beneath;

I am from above:

ye are of this world;

I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore unto you,

that ye shall die in your sins:

for if ye believe not that I am he,

ye shall die in your sins.”  John 8:23-24

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

So my friends, no matter what you see on TV, or hear on your media sources, Jesus didn’t die to leave you in your sin, HE came to “make you free”; so you can believe Jesus, come to Him in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice for YOUR sin and mine, or you can believe the lies of the enemy of your soul!

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:9-11

Will you receive the Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ, turn from your sin and be born again, or find the destruction at the end of that “broad road”?  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test, and Jesus IS the entrance standard!

Paul describes the difference between fruits. Will you let Jesus transform you or cling to the lies of the enemy.  When you look into the mirror of God’s Word what do you see?

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest,

which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings, and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:19-25

Paul declares the difference between the real and the fake.

“But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you,

the body is dead because of sin;

but the Spirit is life

because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus

from the dead dwell in you,

he that raised up Christ from the dead

shall also quicken your mortal bodies

by his Spirit

that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:9-11

Will you receive JESUS’ truth, or ‘die in your sins’ (after you’ve lived a life in them)?  But remember, choose wisely there is a test, and we will all give an account to GOD!

“That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:10-11

Amen and Amen!!!

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What Can’t REvive??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 20 No. 02

29 Sunday Jan 2023

Posted by Blanche in 'Come unto me, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Born Again, God's Faithfulness, God's ways are not our ways, Good News, Jesus Saves!, Restoration, REvival, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith

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Born Again, Born Again by God's Spirit, Ephesians 2:1-6, Hot or cold?, Jeremiah 20:9, John 1:12-13, Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 85:6-8, Revelation 3:20, Revive US again, Revive us oh Lord?, What can't be revived

What Can’t REvive??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 20 No.02

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead

in trespasses

and sins;

2 Wherein in time past

ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also

we all had our conversation

in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature

the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love

wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together

with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:” Ephesians 2:1-6

I love God’s Word, it is so true, hopeful, and enlightening to help us see where we have come from, and to see how urgent it is to help others come to Jesus.  The thing I want us to think about today is what does “Revival” mean?  I have prayed for revival for many years and will continue to pray for it until Jesus comes, or HE allows me to see a real Holy Ghost, heaven-sent, knee-bending, sin-confessing, tear-stained altar (and sadly to me, many young people don’t even know what that is!) filling, life changing, church-altering, REVIVAL!  The kind of revivals that I knew and saw as a child and a young adult that brought conviction to bear on believers to the repenting of sin, the recommitment of hearts and lives, then a world that takes note of the change!

But there is a catch!

Revival: restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength, etc. ….an awakening in a church….an evangelistic service or a series of services for the purpose of effecting of a religious (my word is Spiritual) awakening…

The key I want us to note is “restoration”, for to be ‘re’stored, something must exist first; and that is what Paul is pointing out to the Ephesian believers, and to us!  Only when we realize that we are “dead in trespasses and sins” will we see the need to come to Jesus to be “born again”, or as Paul says here in Ephesians 2, that God has “quickened us”, in Blanche’s paraphrase, “God has given us life from the dead”, or as the Apostle John wrote in his gospel:

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe

on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:12-13

It’s like what Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3, we “must be born again” by the power of God through the Holy Spirit!  And my friends, if we haven’t received the new birth–NEW LIFE– from Jesus then we are still “dead in our trespasses and sins” and we can’t be “Revived”! Revival is for those who have received new life in Jesus.  It is for those who know Jesus, but have grown cold toward spiritual things, or have lost their ardor, or just become muddled and confused in the fray of life and need a rekindling of the fire in their heart.  Sort of like a fireplace where the coals are either close to the fire and glowing, or they have become cold with the distance between them and the fire!  Jesus IS our fire!

“Wilt thou not revive us again:

that thy people may rejoice in thee?

7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD,

and grant us thy salvation.

8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak:

for he will speak peace unto his people,

and to his saints:

but let them not turn again

to folly.”  Psalm 85:6-8

God is ever at work conforming His own into the “image of His Son”; our job is to stay near to our “fire” –the fire of Holiness and truth! Jeremiah shared that he had a fire of God’s power in his life, we also have a call, a ministry, a life of obedience, and I think I understand what Jeremiah means, for God’s call is ever on my heart.  I would love to be the one God calls to write the “fluff stuff”, but God has called me to often speak the hard things, may I ever hear his call and like Jeremiah speak as God directs.

“Then I said,

I will not make mention of him,

nor speak any more in his name.

But his word

was in mine heart

as a burning fire shut up in my bones,

and I was weary

with forbearing,

and I could not stay.”  Jeremiah 20:9

So, as I pray for revival amongst God’s own, won’t you join me and seek revival in your own heart–for revival must start with “ME”!  How about you?  And if you don’t know Jesus and are just trying to play the game, use the right words, do the right deeds, be in the right church, or belong to the right group…God wants YOU and YOUR heart not your stuff or your abilities to get to heaven. HE wants you to come through Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice!

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

 Jesus calls us to Himself for rest as well as life–take HIS yoke, and you’ll never walk alone!

“Come unto me,

all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Amen!!!

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