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IN THE KNOW @ Paula's Hope MONTHLY INSPIRATION Vol. 30 March 2023
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revival noun re·viv·al ri-ˈvī-vəl Synonyms of revival 1: an act or instance of reviving : the state of being revived: such as a: renewed attention to or interest in something b: a new presentation or publication of something old c(1): a period of renewed religious interest (2): an often highly emotional evangelistic meeting or series of meetings 2: restoration of force, validity, or effect (as to a contract) Article by: M. Gillum
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In this day and age after these past few years living with the pandemic, our world and the people in it have been shaken to the core. It has been something that our generation had never experienced before and are still feeling the reverberating effect of its impact on our lives. It is a time most want to forget but can't. People have lost loved ones and still grieve. Fear became a daily emotion fed by the unknown that still haunts many. It is no wonder the world is looking for answers, purpose, healing, and hope. It is as though something within each of us has died and we need to be REVIVED!
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Revival has been the topic lately throughout the Christian world. People have claimed God's Spirit is moving everywhere and is catching fire throughout the United States. It is exciting to imagine what these people are experiencing. How about you? Are you experiencing revival in your life?
What is REVIVAL?
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Revival is an action that requires a stirring up, a renewing, and strengthening of something that has died or faded. Revival is about CHANGE! Changing ourselves, changing our lives, changing our ways, and a spiritual revival is the desire to turn back to God and His ways. Is revival something you need?
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Is there discontentment or lack of peace in your life? Are there feelings or a desire to want more out of life? Is there a stirring in your heart for more? Could these feelings be the Spirit of God showing you it is time for a change? Like the eagle that will stir the nest of its young to make the nest uncomfortable so that they can take the next step in leaving the nest to learn to fly, so it is with God's Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 40:31) He stirs something within us that says, change is needed for our next step in our maturity as his children. For growth to take place change, a renewing, a revival is necessary in our lives. The "Stirring of the Nest". When God's Holy Spirit stirs within us an awakening to come back to Him and His Ways it is up to us to respond to that stirring. We have a part in our own revival, by RESPONDING to the Holy Spirit's prompting. We can know it is the Holy Spirit's work because Jesus said He would lead us to truth and righteousness (John 15:26, 16:8-15) which will always lead us back to God's Word and His Ways that are revealed in scripture. If it doesn't line up with scripture, and there is no change, it is just an experience of an emotional state without validity.
One of the first steps to reviving something is to remember it, evaluate it, and decide what it is that needs to be revived. In scripture it is known as "Repentance". Taking inventory of your life and reviewing what is needed to be revived or removed.
Do you need a revival in your life?
Taking Inventory for your spiritual life:
One of the first steps to reviving something is to remember it, evaluate it, and decide what it is that needs to be revived. In scripture it is known as "Repentance". Taking inventory of your life and reviewing what is needed to be revived or removed.
Do you need a revival in your life?
Taking Inventory for your spiritual life:
- Does your relationship with God lie in a state of dormancy or stagnation?
- Has your love for God, an appreciation of God’s holiness, a passion for His Word and Prayer, grown cold?
- Have you harden your heart to the convicting of the Holy Spirit in regards to awareness of your personal sin?
- Have you lost a spirit of humility, and a desire for repentance and growth in righteousness following God's ways?
Do any of these things need to be revived in your life? Will your hunger for God encourage you to turn back to Him and His ways (Repentance)? Isaiah 55 is titled “Invitation to Abundant Life". Read it with renewed insight as an invitation to Revival for your life. In it you will find an invitation from GOD to COME TO HIM! He invites those who are thirsty, who are hungry, who have no money to buy things or find satisfaction in life (Isaiah 55:1-2). He invites us to draw close to him (Isaiah 55: 3) by learning to walk in HIS WAYS and turn from our ways (Isaiah 55:6-9). He desires a relationship with you. Do you desire a relationship with Him? Will you return to your first love and give your whole heart to him, laying aside your will for His, like Jesus did? Do you desire to know Him, obey Him, and be like Him? He tells us how to love Him in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." In other words, you'll do as He asks in His Word and follow him in his ways. It is how we become like Him. His Word is truth, and it will set us free (John 8:32, Psalms 119:105, John 8:36, John 17:17).
Did you know that there is NO mention of the word "REVIVAL" in scripture, but the term is implied throughout them? We see the word "REVIVE" in scripture often and when it is mentioned it is usually used denoting a state of DIRE NEED (Psalm 85:6, Psalm 71:20, Psalm 69:32-33, Isaiah 57:15). Does that describe you? It surely would describe our world. With as many needs that people have; and there are many, what is the one thing we have need of most?
Did you know that there is NO mention of the word "REVIVAL" in scripture, but the term is implied throughout them? We see the word "REVIVE" in scripture often and when it is mentioned it is usually used denoting a state of DIRE NEED (Psalm 85:6, Psalm 71:20, Psalm 69:32-33, Isaiah 57:15). Does that describe you? It surely would describe our world. With as many needs that people have; and there are many, what is the one thing we have need of most?
GOD!
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Why God?
Because in Him EVERYTHING we have need of, He provides. (Psalms 23: 1 "The LORD is my shepherd I have what I need.") God is the only one that knows our hearts and thoughts. He knows everything about each one of us, the good and the bad and loves us still. What is it that keeps us from pursuing God in our lives? Our sins keep us from pursuing God even though He is the only one that can free us from the sin that so easily besets (troubles consistently) us (Hebrews 12:1). If this is the case, then we have a dichotomy. Our guilt makes us want to "Hide from God" and yet He is the only one who can remove that guilt. Romans 7:24 tells of our dire need. How can we be set free from this death that lies within us? How can we find freedom from our guilt and shame? |
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~THERE IS HOPE~
In the very next verse we find our Hope! Romans 7:25, "THANKS BE TO GOD, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!..."
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When we realize our ways aren't working and that God's ways are for our good, this can turn us around (repent) and we can start anew with Him! We can REVIVE our lives in Him! It frees us to come boldly before Him without the shame and guilt we once felt. It deepens our faith and opens our eyes to HIS truth in a fresh, new way. We can have a new beginning of a life lived in obedience to God no longer burdened with our sin and no longer be drawn to the charm and passions of the world giving us both the will and power to live in the world but not of the world. To be set apart, holy unto Him. When we do this, we truly become as Jesus, reviving our hearts, our lives, and our world for God's glory and His Kingdom! Let us experience a REVIVAL in our lives today!
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Prayer Corner |
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The Value of Giving Up
This time, it was different. This time, I was giving up something that has controlled me for a very, very long time.
I wanted to fast from something that was controlling me, distracting me. I wanted to replace my desire for it, with a new desire for closeness with God. I wanted to lean in to God, like I have never done before.
In the last 40 days, I have seen God come through for me and my family in ways that seemed impossible. Learning to lean on Him more fully, to believe His Word and His promises and trust what He has said, have been life changing. He is who He says He is. Trust Him in this, test Him in this, and see how much you gain, when you give it all up. Kari Hodges Prayer Team Coordinator Paula's Hope |
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Whose Hands it's in...Makes the difference!
A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.
A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Mark McGwire's hands is worth about $19 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.
A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Venue Williams' hands is a Championship Winning.
It depends whose hands it's in.
A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal.
A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it's in.
A sling shot in my hands is a kid's toy.
A sling shot in David's hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it's in.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God's hands will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands it's in.
Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it's in.
As you see now, it depends whose hands it's in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationship
in God's hands because...
It depends whose hands it's in.
- AUTHOR UNKNOWN
A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.
A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Mark McGwire's hands is worth about $19 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.
A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Venue Williams' hands is a Championship Winning.
It depends whose hands it's in.
A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal.
A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it's in.
A sling shot in my hands is a kid's toy.
A sling shot in David's hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it's in.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God's hands will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands it's in.
Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it's in.
As you see now, it depends whose hands it's in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationship
in God's hands because...
It depends whose hands it's in.
- AUTHOR UNKNOWN
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