Sunday - August 18 God’s Will and His Word All true spirituality is focused on knowing God and doing His will. John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. Hebrews 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Any so-called “revival” that focuses on experience rather than commitment to obey God’s Word misses the mark completely. The Holy Spirit will never lead us where God’s Word does not. The Holy Spirit leads us into the Word. The Word of God is the foundation and heart of all true revival. 2Timothy 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. What do the following passages in Psalm 119 reveal about revival and God’s Word? List all the spiritual qualities that God’s Word develops in our lives. Ps. 119:25, 28, 49, 50, 67, 81, 105, 116, 130, 154. What do these promises mean in practical terms in our experience with the Lord? Psalms 119: 25 DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. 28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. 49 ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. 81 CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. 105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. 130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. 154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word. In Jesus’ sermon about the Bread of Life, He explained the essence of all revival and the foundation of all spiritual life. He declared, “ ‘It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life’ ” (John 6:63, NKJV). Jesus’ statement is extremely significant. The Holy Spirit, who is the Source of all spiritual revival, speaks through God’s Word in order to give to those who grasp it by faith a deep spiritual life. Revival occurs when the Holy Spirit impresses Jesus’ words upon our minds. This is why the Savior said, “ ‘ “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” ’ ” (Matt. 4:4, NKJV). “In many of the revivals which have occurred during the last half century, the same influences have been at work, to a greater or less degree, that will be manifest in the more extensive movements of the future. There is an emotional excitement, a mingling of the true with the false, that is well adapted to mislead. Yet none need be deceived. In the light of God’s word it is not difficult to determine the nature of these movements. Wherever men neglect the testimony of the Bible, turning away from those plain, soul-testing truths which require self-denial and renunciation of the world, there we may be sure that God’s blessing is not bestowed.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 464. The essence of true revival is discovering God’s will as manifest in God’s Word. Jesus lived a life filled with the Holy Spirit. From His birth to His death, He was led and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Posted on: Sun, 18 Aug 2013 01:25:21 +0000
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