THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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A chicken and a hog were walking past a church building one day when they noticed the Sunday morning sermon posted on the outside bulletin board, "Helping the Poor."
They walked a ways when the chicken suddenly came across with a suggestion. "Say, Brother Hog, why don't we give all the poor people a nice breakfast of ham and eggs?"
The hog thought a moment and replied, "That's all right for you to say because for you it is only a contribution, but for me, it's total commitment!"
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1 John 1:7
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
KJV
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Last night, our devotion leader asked, "What do churches NEED in America today? What does OUR church need today?"
The greatest need in American churches today is REVIVAL. Revival is not a program where the church tries to reach lost souls. It is a planned retreat of saints for the purpose of renewing commitment to Christ.
We hear much about revival these days, but the heart of revival is the Lordship of Christ. A mere emotional upheaval, a spurt of religious excitement, is not revival. When Christians become convicted of rebellion against the rule of Christ in their lives, confess their sins, renounce self, take up the cross and let Jesus have the first and last word in everything, that is revival, by whatever name you call it.
Can we ever attain the point where we "walk in the light" as Christ is in the light? No, because "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5)
The young artist, barely beginning, can hardly hope to draw or paint like an Angelo or Rembrandt. But he must have a worthy GOAL, else he will only attain the ordinary. Goals stretch our being to more than we expect of ourselves. A goal that is a little out of reach makes us try harder. The young artist must try, and try again and again in order to master the painting strokes.
The Christian has a worthy GOAL! To be like Christ is the goal! That goal is set for commitment and dedication more than for full attainment. We shall never grow to adulthood, and be able to disciple others, if we do not commit to trying.
Today, let us walk in the light of the Son. And though we may not attain His brightness, let us TRY!
THAT'S REVIVAL!
And that is the only way that Christians and the church can help the poor and the lost.
Love ya,
Bruce