LORD, I NEED REVIVAL

July 22, 2011 - Sunset on East Loon Lake, ON

This beautiful sunset was a reminder to me of the way that God revives His world as he brings each day to a close and brings a new beginning in the morning.

This weekend I had the privilege of spending some time with friends at their camp on the lake, and it was refreshing to body, mind and spirit in a number of ways. Work has been trying at times this week, and I was exhausted from the heat and the busyness of life, so the time at the lake was a welcome reprieve.

Yet I am reminded, especially as I think on the words of Ephesians 5, that we as believers in Jesus Christ are called to live not by the ways of this world or solely influenced by our circumstances, but in a way that brings glory to God.

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma...Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord."

Pastor Kevin spoke on Sunday about how change in our lives and in our relationships begins in our own hearts, not with others. I know this to be true, but we need the transforming power of the Holy Spirit and His grace in order to change this. And I was reminded this week how much I need His revival in my heart so that I live daily setting my "mind on things above, not on earthly things," doing all things "in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father" (Colossians 3) and not living "for myself, but for Him who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2)

I wrote the following poem on May 2, 2005 after a Sunday morning sermon, and I think it is a very important and appropriate reminder of the perspective I need to have as I seek to grow in my Christian walk. I hope this is an encouragement to you as well.

"REVIVAL" (By Darlene Joy Koop

The tears begin to flow as I survey my world,

A place of forgotten beauty and hope.

People are searching for fulfilment and purpose,

While their lives fall apart and they cannot cope.

Disaster, death and fear prevail,

There seems to be no escape from the pain.

"Why can't they see?" my heart cries out,

"There is life and peace if they'll call on Your Name."

We need a revival right across this land;

Freedom from corruption and sin.

How long will it take for the truth to break through?

Then I realize it starts from within.

My own life, I know, often seems darkened

And from struggles I long to be freed.

But when I listen, God speaks to my heart;

For revival to come, it must start with me.

I need to choose daily to serve my God

And allow His work in my life.

I must seek, above all, His ways and His will

And let Him take away the sorrow and strife.

I cannot change the world in which I live,

But I have an opportunity each day

To let Christ's love shine through me -

"Lord, send a revival," I pray.

A HAPPY HEART

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!
I'm glad for what I have, that's an easy way to start!
For a God that really cares.

'Cause He listens to my prayers, that's why I say thanks every day!(VeggieTales, The Thankfulness Song)

This song reminds me of just how blessed I am and how much I have to be thankful for. So I've decided to share with you just a few of the blessings for which I am thankful...

My mom and dad



Sunrises and sunsets



Flowers



The gift of music



The cross

Children



Creativity



Little creatures

 

Yummy food



Friends and laughter

The list could go on...and on...and on....THANK YOU LORD FOR YOUR BLESSINGS ON ME!
I hope that this little post has caused a seed of thankfulness and happiness to grow in your heart as well.

YOUR WILL, NOT MINE

As Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, "yet not my will, but yours be done." This is to be our declaration if we confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives, but it's easier to say than to actually let go of the control we want to have over our choices.

A short while ago, when I returned to Canada from Ukraine, as I prayed about my future, I made a tentative decision based on what I had seen and experienced and what I thought was best for my future. For a couple of days, it seemed that I had made a wise choice, but then God began to challenge me in my spirit.

My pastor spoke that Sunday about surrendering control of our lives to God and he asked a pointed question: How stubbornly determined are we to live our lives the way we want to?

I had no rest in my spirit for several days as I wrestled with the possibility that I had allowed my will, my desires, my thoughts about what was best for me overrule what God wanted to do in and through my life.

I picked up a devotional book on July 9th and it was a devotional on John 7:17 which was exactly what I needed to hear...
To those who say they want to believe but can't, to the Christian who hesitates to launch out in full dependence on the promise of Christ, it offers an experiment. Reduced to its simplest terms that experiment amounts to this: Submit your will to God and you will know. Just as surely as it is impossible for God to lie, so everyone who honestly says to God, "I will do Thy will," will know whether the Lord Jesus spoke divine truth or only a human word. In light of this, it is the unsurrendered will that keeps men from knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. No man can hold full title to his own will and at the same time really know God. Nor can a Christian hold partial title to his own will and realize to the full what God can do in his life.

That night, amid many tears, I confessed my stubbornness and desire for what I wanted my life and ministry to be and surrendered it to God, asking Him to lead me in His plans for me. I had immediate peace and release from the struggle I had been feeling in my spirit all week.

I do not claim to know yet where exactly God is leading me in ministry, but I DO know this: as long as I do not allow my desires, plans, hopes, etc. to take precedence in my thoughts and prayers, and as long as I truly listen for God's voice, I will know what He wants me to do. And that has brought me the peace I sought.

SO THANKFUL...

There is SO much to be thankful for as I reflect on the time I spent in Ukraine...
Here are some of the faces of the kids we were privileged to meet.




God was very faithful to us as a team – we had safe travel during the entire trip, not only in getting to Ukraine, but also while we were there, and no one was seriously sick or injured. We had approximately 24 hours of actual travel there and back and crossed several time zones, as Ukraine is 7 hours ahead of Ontario.

The missionary team we worked with was great and we had a lot of fun together. In the area of Ukraine where we were, Russian is the language that is mainly spoken, so it was really interesting trying to learn a little bit of the language to communicate. Several of the Ukrainians we worked with spoke good English, so that was helpful. Some of the kids we interacted with spoke some English as well, so it was fun to help them and have them try to teach us some Russian.

It was amazing to witness the way the missionaries interact with the children and to see the immense difference that God has made there through this ministry. The first week we spent most of our time with kids and youth at a Rehab Centre, and most of these kids come from very difficult homes (abuse, crime, etc), but they were so sweet and open. It was easy to make friends with them and they were so happy to have us come, and we were privileged to share the gospel with them. The children at the camp for the #9 Orphanage (that we visited the second week) were much the same, and they just need people to be involved in their lives and show them that they are loved and cared for.

The weather was nice and warm for the most part (almost too warm for my liking), but we did have a couple of days where it rained. There were a few things to adjust to – the bathrooms, and the crowded public transit, to mention a couple – but it was a very worthwhile cultural experience.

      On our last day there, we were privileged to have a tour of the surrounding area to learn about the Mennonite history since, for several members of the team, this is where our ancestors came from.


THANK YOU, GOD, for giving me this opportunity!!