Greetings to you in the wonderfully, power-filled name of Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! Wow! what a beautiful autumn morning – after the short rainy season! I trust that you saw the lovely sunrise that greeted us. I trust, as well, that you have had a good week and are excited about the weekend…household tasks to complete, errands to run, a little extra time for yourself, and gatherings with family and friends…and worshipping with your Christian family! I will be praying for you today, asking Father to release a fresh touch of healing and energy and strength and uniquely-designed blessings.
I am reading a newsletter this morning: “With my own two eyes, I’ve seen Him do it. I’ve seen the Lord restore marriages that seem broken beyond repair .. I’ve seen Him bring reconciliations that looked too far gone .. I’ve seen Him reshape hearts of stone into hearts of flesh … I’ve seen Him heal .. I’ve felt Him move ..I’ve watched Him intervene. That’s how I know, deep down in my guts, that He will do it again–the Lord will send revival. He is able to breathe new life into my own heart, my own family, and His own Church in these days…Our unchanging God has been changing hearts for millennia…Who does God revive? Those who choose to seek Him.”
Those words introduced a twelve day prayer challenge that invites participants to focus upward on God – inward at self – outward at the Church and beyond. There seems to be a growing hunger and thirst for spiritual reality and freshness. I have been sensing it in our Monday/Wednesday prayer gatherings and in Sunday worship and in conversations with an interesting ‘divine appointments’ with the most unlikely people…some who don’t even attend church. Something is happening or as an old friend says…”The game is afoot!”
Now, this being Friday – it is new music release day…exciting! I have been thinking about the above newsletter as I listened to a song from a live worship cd. It is about that moment when you are experiencing God’s presence … a divine encounter as you are worshipping with the family. The words go like this: We’ve been waiting for this moment-Now we’re standing in Your presence, Jesus-Gazing into eyes like fire-You’re the only One that matters now-And all our fears are swept away-As we see You face to face — Surrounded by Your love-I found a place of peace-I found a place of praise-Wrapped in Your embrace-And I don’t want to leave-Here in Your presence-Such a sweet release-I can feel Your joy-Rushing over me-And I don’t want to leave — Only You can satisfy us-So we bow to give You worship, Jesus-Holy, holy-You’re the only One that matters now …William McDowell. The best part of this was being able to see this song being performed by the artist on a ‘youtube’ video.
I put these two moments together and I am really anticipating being at worship with the family of faith when the presence of God, which of course is always there, becomes more there than usual and ‘things’ begin to happen – like miracle things, like revival things. What about you…do you sense something in the spiritual atmosphere…in your life, your home, your relationships, your church? Joust a little something to ponder as you head into the weekend.
Blessings!