Revival

Scripture:  Mark 2:20:  “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.”

Observations:  In Numbers 12, Moses’ sister and brother oppose him, and the Lord calls them out for it.  Miriam (his sister) is turned leprous for 7 days.  There is a lesson there about speaking against the Lord’s anointed…  In Numbers 13, spies were sent out to check out the Promised Land.  They saw a glorious country full of wonderful resources, but when they returned, only Caleb and Joshua declared the Israelites could take the land because of their relationship with the Lord.  Psalm 90 is said to be a Prayer of Moses.  One phrase I really like is verse 12: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”  Amen….  In Mark 2, Jesus heals a paralytic that has been lowered down from the roof.  The Pharisees didn’t like that because Jesus tells the man his sins are forgiven, and since only God could forgive sins, and they didn’t believe Jesus was God, that was blasphemous. Then Jesus calls Levi (Matthew) and the Pharisees accuse him of eating with sinners.  Well, that Is just who Jesus came to serve!  Later Jesus gets slandered for letting his followers pluck grain on the Sabbath.  They were looking for ANYTHING to get mad at Jesus for…  Jesus told them that “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath”

Application:   Fasting seems to have become an unknown practice.  Actually, doctors are now telling us that temporary fasting is healthy.  Fasting just to fast isn’t really of spiritual value though.  To truly fast, means to give up something that satisfies the body, and use the time for communication with the Lord.  That is spiritually healthy and is known for accomplishing much.  Right now in Tennessee there is a statewide Holy Spirit revival happening.  Why?  Because the people of the churches in Tennessee agreed to fast and pray for it.  What if all of us chose a minimum of one day a week to fast even just one meal and pray for revival?  Will you join me?

Prayer:  Lord, we have gotten fat and complacent spiritually.  We somehow believe going to church once or twice a week is all we need.  Lord, that isn’t enough for me.  Since experiencing a true Holy Spirit revival at NACA years ago, I can’t be satisfied with a plain Jane church service.  I am craving a service where the Holy Spirit just takes control like he did at Asbury College 50 years ago.  Do it again Lord, please!  Do it right here in Michigan, or anywhere my friends reading this blog are residing!  Teach us to fast and pray until we are satisfied.  Do it again Lord! Amen.
T
​omorrow’s Reading:  Numbers 14-16; Mark 3