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Last week, we looked at the College Campus Revivals throughout the Jesus Movement.  It was such an amazing thing to read about and get a better understanding of what evangelism looked like on a college campus.  This week, I want to examine at a very familiar individual who people think about when it comes to evangelism: Billy Graham.  I’m not talking about the famous wrestler “Superstar” Billy Graham.  I’m referring the famous Christian speaker who travelled all around the world growing the Kingdom of God.  Before he started his crusade, he had served as a college president at Northwestern College in Minneapolis and attended an annual conference for Christian colleges and met three different people: Chuck Templeton, Henrietta Mears, and J. Edwin Orr.  I will go more further about those individuals next time.  After he had attended this conference, he decided to begin a crusade to bring people to the Lord.  The day before the crusade started, He had partaken in an interview with Stuart Hamblin, whose was a well known West Coast radio personality, where Graham invited him to a gathering and Hamblin endorsed Graham’s mission.  Not only that, but Hamblin gave his life to the Lord that morning.  Because of this conversion, Graham took it as a sign from the Lord and continued his crusade.  

Challenge

I want to challenge you to step out in faith but don’t step in the circle.  When we start doing this, we will begin to see what God is trying to reveal to us and what we need to do to stay in tuned or in lined with Him.  If Billy Graham had the confidence to go and share the word with other people all around the world, then we can have the confidence to share His word with others in our own backyard.  I recognize that it’s easier said than done, however, we need to remember that we are all servants for the Lord and it is our responsibility to equip the saints for the work of service (Ephesians 4:12).  Jesus said that the Son did not come to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45).  Let’s serve for the Lord as the church.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for Your continuous strength and wisdom as we continue to do the things that You have called us to.  As we grow Your Kingdom, let us not be ashamed of it.  Instead, let us embrace it and let Your word shine before others so that the darkness will flee and Your light will shine through.  In Jesus name I pray, amen.  

Last week, we looked at several people throughout the Jesus Movement from the 1960s and the 1970s.  I would encourage you to dive deeper into this movement because there is a lot of great information.  This week, we are going to look at a different movement known as The College Campus Revival from the early 1970s.  It was interesting to examine and look at because it happened on a college campus.  Most of the time, we would hear some negative news coming out of a college campus, but this time is different.  This specific revival came out of Asbury College in Wilmore Kentucky.  It started off like any other day by students attending chapel and diving deeper into His word and seeking His understanding.  This chapel was led by Dean Custer Reynolds.  He started and then he asked other students by sharing their personal testimony.  Once he finished, then more students shared their testimony with the school.  One by one, the students asked for a spiritual renewal in their lives. The chapel was filled and people were waiting in lines to share.  Because of this, classes were canceled for the week and had a revival for 144 hours.  Because of the popularity of this revival, there were sessions led by Reynolds and a few others.  As a result of the sessions, 2,000 witness teams went out and spoke to nearly 130 college campuses.  

Challenge 

I want to challenge you to think about what it means to step out in faith.  I remember watching an episode of the TV series “The Chosen” and there was a scene where Matthew and Philip are having a dialogue about what it means to be on the outside of the circle.  This stuck out to me because so often we want to be included and inside the circle, but sometimes it is good for us to be on the outside of the circle.  Here’s what I’m saying: you can step out in faith without stepping into the circle.  In other words, we cannot be conformed to the patterns of this world, but instead we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).  I want to challenge you to step out in faith but don’t step in the circle.  When we start doing this, we will begin to see what God is trying to reveal to us and what we need to do to stay in tuned or in lined with Him.  If those students have the ability to go and share the word with other colleges, then we can have the confidence to share His word with others.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for Your continuous strength and wisdom as we continue to do the things that You have called us to.  As we grow Your Kingdom, let us not be ashamed of it.  Instead, let us embrace it and let Your word shine before others so that the darkness will flee and Your light will shine through.  In Jesus name I pray, amen.  

Intro: God calls us by name and pursues us for a relationship in order to lead us on the righteous path for our lives. Yesterday, we looked at the call of Abram; to leave what was familiar in order to go to the unfamiliar with God. Today, we look at the call of Moses; to return to an oppressive environment (Egypt) in order to lead more people to the liberating God. Abram’s call was a vocational challenge to build his faith. Moses’ call was a complete reorientation of his life to build God’s people in faith.

Initially, Moses protests God’s call; he is overwhelmed by God’s presence and instruction. Moses experiences the holy One; he sees the supernatural power of God before him in the burning bush that is not destroyed. He feels unworthy to lead God’s people, because he can’t get beyond seeing things from a human perspective. God gives a promise to Abraham; God also gives a promise to Moses. God gives a promise to you and me. Five very important words for us to remember today, “I will be with you!” If God is with you, then you have all you need.

Exodus 3:1-6 NLT Moses and the Burning Bush
3 One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. 3 “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.”

4 When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

“Here I am!” Moses replied.

5 “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. 6 I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.
7 Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. 9 Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. 10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”

11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 God answered, “I will be with you.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the call that rests on your children; you have a plan for each of our lives. We need to follow you and allow your grace to help us because you are all we need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: During this Lenten season, every devotional will begin with a quote from C.S. Lewis (author and theologian), followed by two readings: 1) A passage from the Psalter and 2) a writing from one of the Old Testament prophets or New Testament authors. We will look at both passages as a whole through the fulfilling work and wisdom of Christ—Truth.
With an unquenchable thirst, we open our hearts to welcome the kindness of God and in so doing, we drink from the heavenly Living Water who sets us free from the dry wilderness of sin, guilt, and spiritual barrenness that permeates the world.

“The hardness of God is kinder than the softness of men, and His compulsion is our liberation.” (CS Lewis; Checkmate)

God’s Word or instructions are not only beneficial for humanity if we desire wisdom, it is a delight that nourishes a dry and thirsty soul. God designed and created us to thirst and desire his commands of love, so we can enjoy his presence. Therefore, the instructions of the Lord are the very gifts that revive us and give joy to our hearts. Thinking about God as the Giver of every possible good thing that exists is a proper mindset that will lead us into eternal life with him (James 1:17; Heb 11:6).

Certainly, we can become weighed down in life by guilt and fear, but we do not have to live in the world’s valley of dry bones. God is full of compassion; he is the liberator who comes and not only gives us beautiful and helpful guidance, but issues warnings about spiritual dangers we can avoid. He reveals his character of love and compassion and if we are open to the work of the Spirit, God will pursue and cleanse us from anything unrighteous hiding in our souls. It is important to remember what we say flows from what is in our hearts (Lu 6:45). In our passage today for the Psalter, David sings and asks God to help him with his thoughts and the words he utters. If every human being would invite God to soften and reshape the words we speak to one another, it would change the atmosphere around us. As a beautiful example, David brings his thoughts and words to the altar of God as an offering to receive and redirect.

Psalm 19:7-14 NLT
7
The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
    reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
8 
The commandments of the Lord are right,
    bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
    giving insight for living.
9 
Reverence for the Lord is pure,
    lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
    each one is fair.
10 
They are more desirable than gold,
    even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
    even honey dripping from the comb.
11 
They are a warning to your servant,
    a great reward for those who obey them.
12 
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
    Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 
Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
    Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
    and innocent of great sin.
14 
May the words of my mouth
    and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

In our passage today from the prophet Isaiah, we learn reconciliation with God comes through listening, seeking, and calling on the Lord for salvation. This reconciliation is the only action that will quench humanity’s spiritual thirst. When we connect to Christ, we connect to the Living Water which begins to help us grow and produce the abundant fruit of God’s nature. We may not even know how spiritually dry, parched or thirsty we truly are until we call upon the Lord, he imparts the Living Water to our souls, and our lives begin to change. Only then are we satisfied, made alive with the eternal life of God, and productive for the Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Ro 14:17).

To choose to stay distant from God is to live foolishly and recklessly. We cannot comprehend the utter holiness of God’s thoughts with our human minds. Therefore, we need to align ourselves with his Word which gives us a glimpse of his divine nature and character. Friends, we must remain near to God, because the world has a way of hardening our hearts against the Compassionate One [Jesus] who actually came to liberate us from sin, death, and separation from God. Be reconciled with God, in Christ, and be spiritually alive!

Isaiah 55:1a, 8-13 NLT
1
Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink—
8
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
    “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so my ways are higher than your ways
    and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
10 
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens
    and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
    producing seed for the farmer
    and bread for the hungry.
11 
It is the same with my word.
    I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
    and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
12 
You will live in joy and peace.
    The mountains and hills will burst into song,
    and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
13 
Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
    Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;
    they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being the Living Water that quenches our spiritual thirst. This world is a wilderness that leaves humanity dry, empty, and fruitless; but you provide your powerful Spirit to quench our thirst and fill us with your amazing presence when we seek you and your Kingdom. Thank you for the righteousness, peace, and joy you bring our lives every day. Continue to help us grow and prosper in the Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: At Connect2Christ Church, Lent is a time of prayer—a 40 day journey (not including Sundays) where we acknowledge and praise God for his merciful love that restores us in the Truth—Christ. During Lent, we will reflect on the Truth for our lives found in God’s Word, be willing to repent from our sin against the Truth, renew our commitment to be lead by the Spirit of Truth, and invite the Lord to revive us by his love and grace to grow in the Truth.

During this Lenten season, every devotional will begin with a quote from C.S. Lewis (author and theologian), followed by two readings: 1) A passage from the Psalter and 2) a writing from one of the Old Testament prophets or New Testament authors. We will look at both passages as a whole through the fulfilling work and wisdom of Christ—Truth is a Person.

“The greater the sin, the greater the mercy: the deeper the death,
the brighter the rebirth” (C.S. Lewis, Miracles).

In our passage from the Psalms today, God offers a choice between two paths for human life: A righteous path built on obedience to God’s Word and a wicked path built on sin and the desires of human flesh. God’s love and mercy for us is great; therefore, he wants us to flourish and prosper in every area of our lives.

Psalm 1:1-3 NLT
1
Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2
But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.

In our passage from the Apostle Paul and his letter to the Romans, we are reminded the whole of creation has been affected by Adam’s fall into sin leaving humanity spiritually barren and unable to bear righteous fruit. We are also reminded of God’s promise—found in Christ—to lead us out of sin and into blessing. The Holy Spirit is our Helper who will cause us to prosper and produce the fruit of righteousness. Therefore, we must follow the powerful God-life of the Spirit every day into greater growth and victory.

Romans 8:22-27 VOICE
22 For we know that all creation groans in unison with birthing pains up until now. 23 And there is more; it’s not just creation—all of us are groaning together too. Though we have already tasted the firstfruits of the Spirit, we are longing for the total redemption of our bodies that comes when our adoption as children of God is complete— 24 for we have been saved in this hope and for this future. But hope does not involve what we already have or see. For who goes around hoping for what he already has? 25 But if we wait expectantly for things we have never seen, then we hope with true perseverance and eager anticipation.

26 A similar thing happens when we pray. We are weak and do not know how to pray, so the Spirit steps in and articulates prayers for us with groaning too profound for words. 27 Don’t you know that He who pursues and explores the human heart intimately knows the Spirit’s mind because He pleads to God for His saints to align their lives with the will of God?

Christ Quote: “Those people who are listening to Me, those people who hear what I say and live according to My teachings—you are like a wise man who built his house on a rock, on a firm foundation” (Mat 7:24).

Prayer: Lord, help us to put to death the desires of our flesh that are not aligned with your will for our lives. Holy Spirit, thank you for praying for us and helping us walk each day in newness of life on your path of righteousness. Revive and restore us through the power of your love as we place our hope for total redemption in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

January 31, 2023

Intro: Every day, as children of God, we have an opportunity to respond with faith to the evil permeating the world.  When human beings fail to value the Creator and his good and righteous character, then those individuals have wandered into evil’s camp to feed on unrighteousness.  For this reason, James instructs believers, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” [4:7]. We must prepare for these times, so we can handle them wisely. 

David has some answers for us in our passage today.  First, we are reminded to trust the Lord; to lean our whole being in his direction and place our confidence in his integrity, justice, and power to conquer evil by doing good [Ro 12:21].  If we are devoted to doing what is good, then we are devoted to divine wisdom.  Next, we take delight in the Lord; we experience pleasure and joy in his presence because he remains faithful to love us righteously.  Finally, with our trust and delight properly focused, we are able to commit or entrust everything—our lives, families, relationships, jobs, finances, and future—to the Lord because we believe he is the best One to guide our lives.  

God knows us better than we know him or know ourselves.  If our trust, delight, and commitments are in the Righteous One, we will have the help we need.  In the gospel of John, Jesus says, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” [16:33].

Psalm 37:3-5 NLT

3

Trust in the Lord and do good.
    Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

4 

Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you your heart’s desires.

5 

Commit everything you do to the Lord.
    Trust him, and he will help you.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for this wonderful reminder today about the righteous power found in my trust, delight, and commitment to you.  Help me align my soul in these righteous ways, today, so evil gains no foothold in my life.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen

Intro: Yesterday, although it was a busy day as far as appointments and errands are concerned, it was a day full of contemplation. I was preoccupied with an awareness of the goodness of God. Everywhere there seemed to be a residue of the goodness of God surrounding me; not based on anything I had done, but based on who Christ has been made for us as God’s children. If you know and serve Jesus, God’s goodness is there for you, too.

We have been enabled to share God’s divine nature—we can share his righteous qualities. Think about it, God supplements our faith and improves our lives with himself. Let’s define supplement: something that completes or enhances something else when added to it. Christ completes our faith and lives. We are invited to experience God as he transforms us from one level of his glorious nature to another (2 Cor 3:18). When we desire to grow each day in the virtuous character of Christ, we reveal our Lord to the world. So, let the Lord supplement your faith with his generous provision. The psalmist said it well, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Ps 34:8). Have a blessed and God-filled weekend, my friends!

2 Peter 1:1-11 NLT Growing in Faith
3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for offering salvation through faith to all people and for placing us on equal footing as your children. Because we all sin and fall short of your glory, no one is better than another. We are lovingly cared for by you and are free to serve you each day. Therefore, help your children to grow; supplement our faith and cause us to look and act more like you, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Although there are many things that I don’t like in this life, but one of those things is being alone in the dark. Just the thought of being in the dark scares me. You’re all alone and there’s no one there with you except you and your thoughts. What’s interesting to see is when you light a candle or light up a small flashlight in the midst of the dark, the small room isn’t dark anymore. That small amount of light is able to cast away the darkness. That’s how powerful light is. A small amount of light is so powerful that it can light up the entire room. Let me explain about how powerful God’s light is. God’s light is so powerful that it will cast away or remove the darkness from not only within our lives but also within the world. What we need to do is to be a vessel for the light of Christ to be shown through us. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus goes on to say, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (NASB95 Translation). In Ephesians 5:1, Paul reminds us to be “imitators of God.” In other words, we need to be Christ-like because we are His children.

In today’s passage from Ephesians 4:17-32, Paul reminds us how we need to be living as children of light. In other words, we need to be vessels of light so that the world will no longer be in the dark. We need to let people be in the know about Christ. I want to be in the know. I like what verses 21-24 says. The Bible reads: “21. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22. throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24. Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy.” This is very familiar to what Paul wrote to the church of Corinth in 2 Corinthians 5:17 where he says “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” Both of these passages are saying that we need to put away the old self because we are renewed by Jesus Christ. It’s so important for us, as students of the Bible, to have an understanding of what it means to put off the old self. When we are baptized into the possession of Christ, that means that the old self is no longer in effect and the new life is beginning. When it comes to baptism, there’s nothing significant about the water. It’s an act of obedience. As I have said before, something has happened within you that you want to publicly share with others. One pastor said it like this: It’s an outward expression of an inward experience. My two challenges to you is this: 1. Surrender yourself to the Lord. We have been pulled in multiple directions from the culture. Because we are being pulled, there’s the possibility of being conformed. Don’t let it happen. Romans 12:2 says to not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 2. Take some time for self-examination. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.” Take some time and see where you are at in your spiritual walk with the Lord.

Ephesians 4:17-24 (NLT)
Living as Children of Light

17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.as your Father in heaven is perfect.