RETURN-REPENT-RECEIVE-REVIVE
Greetings in the strong name of Jesus! We are so excited to see what the Lord is going to do as we set aside these next few days for revival here at CWC. Wed. Sept 16-Sun. Sept 20 are going to be monumental days for this ministry and we believe, will set the course for the next phase of God’s plans for us.
In my personal time of study, God reminded me of a passage of scripture out of Joel that, while yet prophetic in nature, has very practical application for the New Testament church.Look at Joel 2 (NIV) and verses following—(I have chosen specific verses for times’ sake)
12 “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
17 Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the temple porch and the altar. ?Let them say, “Spare your people, O LORD. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ ”
18 Then the LORD will be jealous for his land and take pity on his people.
19 The LORD will reply to them: “I am sending you grain, new wine and oil, enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations.
23 Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.
24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.
25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten— the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm my great army that I sent among you.
26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.
27 Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.
28 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
32 And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the survivors whom the LORD calls.Here we see 4 things that happen as a people prepare for a fresh outpouring of God’s spirit.
RETURN—v12 and 13—To return is to make a willful choice. And we don’t just decide to return, I also believe it is HOW we return. Joel says that we can’t just give lip service. It’s not just an external returning, but has all to do with returning with our hearts! I can make my grandkids say, “I’m sorry Mimi” but it is means more for them to say it on their own. I have seen people come to an altar—sorry yes, but sorry they got caught! But when their hearts are repentant, and they are sorry for their sins, much more is accomplished. Yes, returning to our first love is important, but coming back with the right heart is all the more, important.
REPENT—v 17—so how do we repent? The temple porch in Solomon’s temple was quite a distance from the altar. It was the place where fasting and praying was required. It wasn’t the place of sacrifice, but it was the place of petition—the starting point, if you will. God’s forgiveness is immediate, but forgiving ourselves is another story! Because we so condemn ourselves, the process of returning may take longer for some than others. That is why the presence of God is so important. It is in that place that we experience His touch, His love, His forgiveness and move ourselves forward to help others experience Him as well. Repenting is turning around and NOT GOING BACK! Close the door on the old and step into the new life He has provided for us. And then, be a part of helping others do the same!
RECEIVE—v 19-27—the benefits, or “blessings” of returning and repenting are numerous! GOD ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS WITH PROMISES! v19 says, “The Lord will reply” and what is His reply? ‘ABUNDANCE’, ‘OVERFLOWING’, ‘REPAYMENT’, ‘PLENTY’. Church, why would anyone choose anything else? I believe we are on the verge of seeing these promises fulfilled. If not now, when, If not here, where? If not us, who? This is what your pastors are praying over this church and its ministries! As we return with the right heart and repent, receiving God’s forgiveness, we posture ourselves to receive in abundance!
REVIVE—v28-32—“And afterward, I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT!” Church, more than we need money, more than we need land, more than we need another bailout, we need God’s spirit!!! If the church in America is going to help usher in the coming of Christ, we must wake up! It is amazing how those of us who contend for the move of God’s spirit each week, seem to get familiar with it and ease back into a place of “dulled ears” and “dimmed eyes”. We cannot be lulled to sleep by the familiar! We must get hungrier and more radical as we press into all God has for us! Are you ready for a fresh outpouring in the church? Your pastors are hungrier today than ever before. Get your eyes off of people and the choices they make, and get your eyes on Jesus!
I’m sure that on the day of Pentecost, some missed out with what they thought were good excuses and valid reasons! City Worship Centre, the Lord says, “This is your time, this is your day of visitation!” “Don’t miss out on what I am about to do, says the Lord of Hosts!”
Return, repent, receive, revive—a simple, yet powerful promise and pattern for the Body of Christ, and those of us here on the SW side of Austin!
This week, in preparation for revival, lets use this outline as our basis for the prayer of agreement.
RETURN TO
•A passion for worship
•A passion for the word
•A passion for His presence
REPENT OF
•Sins that would keep you from “drawing near”
•Thoughts that condemn and sear your conscience
•Words spoken by others or to others that negatively affect your walk with God
RECEIVE
•God’s love and His forgiveness
•God’s Word as the blueprint for your life
•Those God has put in leadership over you
•God’s promises for you—they are yes and amen
REVIVE
•Ask for a fresh outpouring of His spirit in your life
•Ask God for a fresh hunger for worship and the word
•Ask God for a renewed sense of eternity
•Ask God for a renewed hunger to see the lost saved
Church lastly, let’s get some folks on our hearts that need to be in the services during revival and BRING THEM WITH YOU to the house of the Lord. We will see amazing things happen for the Kingdom of God. AMEN!
Love you all,
Ps Joe and Becky and the team