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How can we as believers in Christ see a spiritual revival take place in this country like never before? By having a spiritual revival take place like never before right in our own heart. What is a revival anyway? The dictionary definition of revival is : “an improvement in the condition or strength of something.” Another definition is: “an instance of something becoming popular, active, or important again.” It’s almost as if for some of us we have become so demoralized by our mistakes, failures and sins, that we have given up on the idea that life can be any better for us. John 10:10 says: The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy,” i'm afraid he has stolen valuable memories from some of us of a life once lived in harmony with God. He has so lied to us that we have forgotten what the truth is! Do you remember a time when you followed the Lord in obedience? Remember the peace that you had? What about the joy and the strength that you knew in the Lord? We wandered off the straight and narrow path and exchanged the good life in Christ for the good lie the world offers! I remember when I was caught up in a pattern of “sin-confess-sin-confess-sin-confess…I became so defeated that I got tired of even confessing anymore. The truth is that I was living out of harmony with God and living for my own selfish desires, I was living two distinct lives and as a result I was shackled in shame, a slave to sin and miserable! Friends God wants all of our life, not just a small compartment, and if you and I are willing to give him all of our life…He will create a revival like this world has never seen! It will start with us! Are you ready to exchange this battered and broken life for an abundant, victorious life in Christ? First thing we need to do is repent. Look at how King David prayed in Psalm 51:4 “ against you, you only have I sinned…” Now we need to ask God to allow us to see ourselves as he sees us. He sees us as righteousness because of Jesus. Then it’s time to dust ourselves off, stand up and stand firm in him! Let’s not forget the days are evil and we are in a battle and the battle belongs to the Lord. Let’s hold up the mighty shield of faith in one hand and the word of God and word of our testimony in the other hand and start to live life the way God called us to! Friends, let’s never forget that it only takes a spark to get a fire going. Pray tonight with me that God will do a new thing in each of us, that we will truly become his hands and feet. That our lives will be a testimony of His miracle working power! No matter where we have been or what we have done, the Bible says in Romans 8:39 “neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thanks for letting me share. Randy Young
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Psalm 27 Is a great reminder for all when we feel like we are under attack. King David in the midst of battle wrote: The Lord is my light and salvation, so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? “ Can you hear yourself saying words like this to yourself if you were under attack? Almost like trying to reassure yourself…hoping that if you believe hard and long enough you will convince yourself? Friends, this is what faith really is all about. That is why it is so important to meditate on God’s word and allow him to write it on the tablet of our hearts. That way when the battles of life come…we can fight back with the Word of God! (Even Jesus when confronted and tempted by the Devil, quoted scripture as a response to the enemies attack.) King David goes on to say “When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked I will remain confident. Where is our confidence tonight? Are we looking for solutions everywhere else? Are we overwhelmed with worry, fear and torment? Maybe tonight you find yourself in great despair, you need help. King David knew who he was, and more importantly he knew who he belonged to! When we call on God and place our trust in Jesus we he is ready, able and willing to help ! King David finishes Psalm 27 in verse 14 by saying “ wait patiently before the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. “ Thanks for letting me share.
Romans 3:23 ---
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; “ We have all sinned. We are all sinners, from the best of us down to the worst of us. Before the Holy God who created all things we are all morally guilty, because we cannot, on our own, live up to the Holy life God expects of us. Romans 5:8 -- But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Chris...t died for us. But even though we are sinners, guilty before a Holy God, God loves us very much, and has actively lavished His love upon us by sending his only Son, Christ Jesus, into this world to identify with us as a man, and to die in our place as payment for our sins. When we accept Jesus Christ as our lord and savior we are pardoned from the penalty of sin...death! So when we are tempted to boast because we are "doing better," or tempted to judge another because of their mishap or struggles….may we never forget that it was our sin that nailed Jesus on that cross. And out of a grateful heart may we respond by extending His grace and mercy to others. Nothing will change a person for the better like a healthy dose of unmerrited favor and agape love. Father please help us show your love to a hurt and broken world! Amen! Thanks for letting me share.  “A man’s got to know his limitations…” a wise man once said. Okay, you caught me! I am quoting Inspector Callahan, aka: “Dirty Harry.” Those words are true for all of us as we approach this new year with excitement and enthusiasm. What’s great about a new year is that it is a clean slate! This is a chance to change course, set goals and get on the right track. I think it is healthy to self- assess and see areas that need our attention and improvement. Most of the time we tend to focus on the most obvious things, i.e.: physical areas like our waist line and weight. Some of us make life-altering proclamations and shed bad habits, etc. Kudos to you all who are using this new year as a vehicle to a healthier life. Remember though, “you got to know your limitations!” What do I mean? I am sure you can take this any number of ways, yet what I am referring to here is our limited condition. If we realize how limited we truly are it opens up the opportunity for a limitless God to empower us into an abundant life. You see in order to truly catapult forward into victory, we must first start by surrendering our life and knowing our limitations. Yes, no matter how powerful you might be…you are limited. Let’s consider our limitations. First, we cannot save ourselves from death, we are not immortal. Second, we all sin and are guilty according to God’s law which states that the wages of sin is death! The Bible says that our righteousness is as filthy rags and that God is no respecter of man. Wow, are you beginning to see our “limitations?” Now, take all your best efforts, noble intentions religious dogmas and duties and fast forward a lifetime… you will still be guilty and sinful before God! Tonight, if you are willing you can change the ending of your own life-story. You can accept the greatest gift God ever gave to you and me, Jesus Christ. He is the Prince of Peace, Everlasting, Emanuel and He is willing to give to you and me the abundant life that we all long for! You see, an abundant life is a life with peace that ONLY comes from the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. May God bless us all as we surrender to Him and follow Him every day for the rest of our life! Thanks for letting me share. Randy Young
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Randy YoungQuiet Moments Archives
March 2014
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