Now Come Back To Life...

"This son of mine was dead, but has now come back to life. He was lost and has now been found." And they began to celebrate.
-- Luke 15:24 (CEV)

Count it all Joy. (James 1:2-4)
Grateful

Holiness Revival -- Personal And Corporate

Recently I had the opportunity to meet for over a week with church leaders from around the world. Dr. Filimao Chambo, a native regional director for the International Church of the Nazarene in Africa asked our group: How will the lost know they can be found unless we tell them?

Then in five words he gave the #1 secret initiative he believes to be responsible for the rapid growth of the Church of the Nazarene across the continent of Africa:

"Holiness Revival -- Personal and Corporate."

Holiness Unto the LORD!
Grateful

You've Got a Friend!

In John 15:15, Jesus said: I have called you friends...

If you're down and troubled, close your eyes and think of the One Who has called you friend. Yes, You've Got a Friend... in Jesus!

To hear four great voices singing the song, click link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58D4elqQqbg&feature=related

And for a double blessing, listen to Kathryn Scott singing "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" by clicking this second link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaaQC3xPVfE

Oh, What A Friend We've Found...
Grateful

Your Soul's Comfort is Only Found in Me

I brought you to Myself and carried you on eagle’s wings.
-- Exodus 19:4b (NLT)

After reading the soul-comforting message of the Lord in Exodus 19:4, I wrote these words, seemingly from Father God's heart straight to mine:

Why do you weep when the closest of kin
or the dearest of friend leaves you?
Do you ask why?
You don't know why their kinship
or friendship can never satisfy?

When kin or friend deserts you,
it's meant to help you see,
That the deepest comfort of your soul...
Is only found in Me.

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

Returning Home

Repentance is more than being remorseful for our rebellion.
Repentance goes beyond just being sorrowful for our sins.
Repentance is only made complete by returning home.

I believe the greatest piece of literature ever penned is the story Jesus told in Luke 15 about a son lost in rebeliion, a son lost in religion, and their loving, relational father.

In the passionate story, the rebellious son was obviously remorseful for his rebellion but that was not equal to complete repentance. Yes, he was sorrowful for his sins but he was still lost in the filth of the pig pen. His repentance was only nearing completion when he turned his back on his sinning and began walking in the light towards His Father's House and a new beginning. The Prodigal Son went from being totally lost to being totally found by returning home.

Lord, indeed, we must be sorry for our sins, but we must also go beyond our sorrow and leave the sin-pig-pen for the Father's House. Find us returning home where Your embrace of Holiness waits to warmly welcome us in from the frigid far-country of sinning... for forever and today. In Jesus' name. Amen.

IF MY PEOPLE...WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful