Revival

Today we had an evangelist speak at our church. His name is Morris Gleiser, and he is such a good preacher! He was born in Texas and he has a nice southern accent. He lives in Indiana now. He reminds me of Andy Griffith when he played Sheriff Andy Taylor of Mayberry. He just has a small town, easy going attitude. He has done revival meetings at our church a few times and I really like his easy to understand approach to spiritual renewal. He will speak again tonight at 6P.M.... and then Monday through Weds. at 7P.M. at Calvary Baptist Church in Derby, Kansas. I wish everyone could hear him bring the truth of the word and such a good challenge to move closer to God.

I think we Christians all need a shot in the arm now and then, of good "old time religion". And we need a reminder that we need to "fan the flames" and "rekindle the love that used to burn so fiercely in our souls for our Lord. We too often get lukewarm. The Bible tells us that He wants to spew us out of His mouth if we are neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm,...and I can understand this saying. A lukewarm cup of coffee for instance is so unappealing. A steaming cup of coffee is good, or even an iced coffee, but lukewarm makes me want to spit it out.

Can you imagine what we would feel like if our spouses or our children just had a lukewarm love for us? If we never knew where they stood when it came to loving us, we would be sad and worried that we were losing them. I can see why the Lord wants us to really LIVE out our Christian life with zeal. I can see how we don't make anyone thirsty for Christ when we are just lukewarm Christians.

I don't want to be that kind of a Christian, but I think I am at times. I have been praying for revival for myself, my family, my church, my friends, my country, and the world! But it must begin with me! And it must begin with you, and my family and your family. If our friends and neighbors see Christ in us because we are loving and kind and friendly and helpful,..then this brings glory to God. But if we claim to be Christians but don't walk the walk, then we appear to be hypocrites and we drag Christ's name through the dirt. How can we witness to others and share what we know when we don't even know the Lord as intimately as we should?

When we stand in His presence one day we will give account of the things we did for Him. Will we be ashamed because we haven't done what we should have? I think there are many times we could have shared Christ by yielding to Him and by planting seeds for Him,...but we back off, chicken out, or just aren't on fire for Him the way we used to be. I do desire to rekindle the warm love that I felt when I first came to Christ. Don't you? Remember the excitement we had when we first came to Christ and we felt His forgiveness? It was wonderful!!!! I am desiring renewed excitement and revived zeal in my love for the Lord.

I do believe that all things work together for good to them that love God,...to them who are the called according to His purpose. I am glad that I answered that call years ago,.. and that I came to the Lord and that He accepted me into His family. I have security, and a promise of eternal life with Him. God is faithful even when I haven't been. Some more good news is that He forgives us when we fail, and He gives us another chance to serve Him better, and to walk closer with Him.

I am thankful for my loving Father, and I am thankful for my salvation, and I am thankful for renewal and revival. I am thankful for my church and for my pastor, and for a traveling preacher like Morris Gleiser who goes around the country to so many churches, encouraging people to really love the Lord and live for him.

When Morris speaks and brings the word, you almost expect Barney Phife to come out from somewhere too because he really just makes you feel like your listening to a good ole' boy speaking to you on your front porch in some little town somewhere. I think Jesus was sort of like this in his ministry to the people when He walked on earth. People were drawn to Him. Well, I want to draw people to Christ that way too. I want to just be real and to share Christ with others in a sincere and loving and comfortable way. I want to lift up hope to those who feel down hearted.

The Lord has been so good to me and loved me so much since I have been a Christian. He has brought me through so much. I have been able to turn to Him during the loss of many loved ones in my life and He comforted me and helped me to go on. Through illness and pain, through bad times, He has walked the path with me. And He is always with me in the joys and miracles that have happened in my life. I know He loves me. I know He loves you too. We need to acknowledge His love and give Him more thanks and praise for all that He does for us. And we need to share Him with others.

I am anxious to see where God is going to take me now, and what He has in store for my future. I want Him to use me to encourage someone. I want to stop being lukewarm. How about you?

May we all find revival,....today!

Linda