A New Call and Commitment

So, my friend Shawna gave me a book to read while in the hospital (THANK YOU). Finally this past week I was well enough to start it and I can't seem to put it down. Please read this excerpt then let me know where you're at (come over for a chit chat or blog it). Funny how tonight's message from Pastor Tom and Jimmy's offer of worship all tie into this same thing...don't you love it?

This is taken from the prologue to Women of Awakenings, by Lewis and Betty Drummond with added statements and questions I've been asking myself:

This principle of spiritual awakening involves several important points:

First, there must be a genuine surrender of one's entire will to the will of God (Rom. 12:1-2). In a word, we make Jesus Christ what we call Him: LORD.

Ask yourself, WHO is the Lord of your life?

Second, there must be the constant infilling of the Holy Spirit. True believers receive the Spirit at conversion; revived believers are continually filled with all His fullness (Eph. 5:18) through surrender and by faith, claiming His fullness for service and spiritual fruit-bearing (Eph. 3:14-21; Gal. 5:22-24).

Are you going into the new year Spirit-filled or world-filled?

Third, there must be a walk with God in such depth that one can hear His voice. This demands the discipline of abiding in Christ through prayer, Scripture reading, and keeping one's sins constantly cleansed (John 15:1-4).

Repent! Are you asking only or listening too?

Fourth, thre must be a commitment to serve Christ faithfully and for His glory only, especially sharing one's faith with unbelievers that they might be saved. This is how multitudes come to Christ during a revival: God's revived people do evangelism (Matt. 28:18-20).

Commit to talking to one person each day about Jesus. One, one, one. God made your mouth what are you using it for?

Fifth, there must be a meeting of all human needs as much as possible (Matt. 25:34-40). Virtually every great social movement has grown out of spiritual awakenings. No conflict exists between evangelism and social action. Believers who have been revived simply step into people's lives and meet their needs just as Jesus did.

Other than myself, who's needs am I meeting? Who around me has needs that I am meeting and that I'm not? What social action am I taking? What excuses are keeping me from meeting another person's needs? OUTREACH...flip it to make more sense to me, REACH OUT!

Sixth, thre must be a continuation in all these matters regardless of the sacrifice or difficulties. Isaiah asked, "LORD, how long?" God answered, "Until the cities are devastated and without inhabitant" (v. 11). In other words, we must continue until there are simply no more people with needs. That is real sacrifice. But we serve the Lord Christ (Col. 3:24), not ourselves.

One outreach, one mission trip per year isn't enough for me, is it for you? Is your calendar full already for the new year? Is serving God on there each day? Like that song...do you want to sign HIS name at the end of the day or your name? God only knows how many days we have here...what am I doing with them? Serving myself or serving God?

Finally, in it all, God's honor must be sought (1Cor. 10:31). It is obvious that such movements do not stem from women or men. Revival breaks in on the scene from the absolute sovereignty of Holy God. He does the reviving; we just cooperate with Him. Therefore, to God be the glory, great things He has done.

Not to us...but to your name be the glory forever and ever amen.

Father God, thank you for speaking tonight in so many ways~ through your word, through Pastor Tom's message, through our relationships, through Jimmy's offer of worship~ no coincidences. As we go into this new year, we ask that your will be done in our lives before the world's "appointments" and "calendars" and "schedules." We ask tonight for 2006 to be spirit-filled with divine appointments, for your perfect timing in our lives and that you are at the top of our to-do-lists and your name signed at the end of each of our days. Father God, I keep wanting to yell, "STOP" to those who are struggling! STOP looking around for that perfect life, perfect remodel, cure for every ailment and broken relationship...JESUS, it's YOU. No need to keep looking! All questions answered, all problems solved, all worry diminished~ YOU are all of that. THANK YOU FATHER for being the ALPHA and the OMEGA. For being all knowing, merciful, powerful, loving, healing and wonderful GOD. Help us to be still and remember that you are LORD and that you are enough. We declare victory for your SON JESUS in 2006. AMEN, AMEN, AMEN