“Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the Lord— rejoice in his presence!”
Psalms 68:4 NLT
Repent!
Enthusiastically
Continually
Increased
Presence
Everywhere!
I love to cook and Michele loves to find recipes, but the only thing I want to cook up today is God’s RECIPE for revival. The last message I posted, presented the thought of being hindered in our exercise of spiritual gifts. We all desire to see God meet needs, change lives, and move in miraculous ways. The problems preventing that are found within us. Hidden Interest Negatively Diverting Expected Results Evading Detection. Today I want to present the RECIPE God has given that will overcome anything stopping us from allowing the Holy Spirit to flow through us. We must enter the presence of the Living God.
Psalms 24:3-6 NLT
“Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob. Interlude” Psalms 24:3-6 NLT
If our goal is seeing God meet needs, change lives, and move in miraculous ways, the RECIPE that will allow us to participate begins with repentance. Psalm 24:3 asked two questions, “Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?”
Those questions are answered in verse 4. “Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.” Do you and I truly desire to live and move in the presence and power of God? We must Repent! We start by asking ourselves the question from Psalm 19:12. Honestly ask the question and seek God for His response. He is the only one able to cleanse us.
Psalms 19:12 NLT
“How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.” Psalms 19:12 NLT
In this verse “Cleanse me from these hidden faults” is not a command. It is a heartfelt request. Seeking God, calling out to Him for cleansing and forgiveness places us in a blessed, fruitful, and fulfilling relationship with the Creator and King of the Universe. When we Repent, God is true to His word and removes ALL unrighteousness from us.
He calls us into servanthood. Giving us the responsibility to make Him known throughout the world. Within that calling God grants us gifts and responsibilities.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 NASB1995
“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 NASB1995
Ambassadors are given the delegated responsibility of representing the interests of their homeland. Our homeland and the interests we represent is the Kingdom of Heaven! As ambassadors acting on sound doctrines from a biblical perspective, we should be boldly and enthusiastically living a life of worship. When we repent we are given a fresh start.
In the previous message, I shared a large portion of scripture from Ezekiel chapter 47. The waters of life were flowing out of the Temple and got to such a fantastic depth that they became waters to swim in, too deep to walk across. What stops us from entering into those waters?
Many times the thing stopping us from “moving in the Spirit” is fear. That is not an uncommon reaction. Look at Ezekiel’s calling from Ezekiel chapter 3 and we will see, God had to build up Ezekiel’s courage.
Ezekiel 3:1, 5, 9-11 NLT
“The voice said to me, “Son of man, eat what I am giving you—eat this scroll! Then go and give its message to the people of Israel.” … 5 I am not sending you to a foreign people whose language you cannot understand. … 9 I have made your forehead as hard as the hardest rock! So don’t be afraid of them or fear their angry looks, even though they are rebels.” Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ 11 Do this whether they listen to you or not.”” Ezekiel 3:1, 5, 9-11 NLT
Over and over God gives reassurance to His servants. He reminds us that He has called us, and desires to use us in powerful ways. He even tells us that the response of others to the message is not a reflection on us. Their response is not our ticket to Heaven. We simply speak what God has spoken, “… whether they listen to you or not!”
Ezekiel 33:9 NLT
“But if you warn them to repent and they don’t repent, they will die in their sins, but you will have saved yourself.” Ezekiel 33:9 NLT
Once we have accepted Christ by our repentance and entered His forgiveness, doing what God says, every time He says will yield results! We will participate in the acts carried out in the early church. We can do what they did, if we trust as they trusted.
Acts of the Apostles 3:7-9 NLT
“Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God.” Acts of the Apostles 3:7-9 NLT
So, how do we get there? Enthusiastically offering praise becomes the necessary next step in the RECIPE for revival. The choice is offered to each of us.
Psalms 75:1, 8-10 NLT
1 “We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds. … 8 “For the Lord holds a cup in his hand that is full of foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours out the wine in judgment, and all the wicked must drink it, draining it to the dregs. But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. For God says, “I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly.”” Psalms 75:1, 8-10 NLT
The Lord holds out the cup of judgment to the wicked, but to the righteous He becomes the cup of blessing. We should follow Isaiah’s example in the presence of God. We need to recognize who we are, where we are and begin to serve God from a transformed position.
Isaiah 6:5 NLT
“Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”” Isaiah 6:5 NLT
Repent! Enthusiastically praise God. He has promised to dwell in the praises of His people. Spiritual gifts and revelations of the power of God will be Continually Increased. The River of Living Water will flow from the Presence of God. When we share the blessings of God, speak the word of God and use the individual gifts we have been given, healing and miracles will happen. Everywhere!
Psalms 44:18 NLT
“Our hearts have not deserted you. We have not strayed from your path.” Psalms 44:18 NLT
Enthusiastically embraces the gift God has given to you through the Holy Spirit. Praise God for what He has done. Do not forget His promises. Accept who you are in Christ. God is the artist. We are the materials He has chosen to use.
Psalms 119:16 NLT
“I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.” Psalms 119:16 NLT
Too often we forget what God has done. We walk past His promises because we fail to recognize them. We even discount His prompts within us and in others saying, “That can’t be God.”
We need to join the Psalmist in chapter 26. Examine only ourselves. Recognize the power and presence of God in our own lives. Tell of His wonders and watch the Holy Spirit work everywhere in an increasing measure.
Psalms 26:3, 6-8 NLT
“For I am always aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth. … I wash my hands to declare my innocence. I come to your altar, O Lord, singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders. I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells.”
Psalms 26:3, 6-8 NLT
Recipes only result in success when we follow them. Mixing the ingredients in the proper measurements at the proper time and following the instructions of the master chef guarantees the expected outcome. That’s the truth in cooking and in this case it applies to revival.
By all accounts our lives at times are messy, unpredictable and seem out of control. We may feel imprisoned or trapped physically, but when we Repent and Enthusiastically praise God, He will Continually Increase His presence in our situations. The River of Living Water will flow from the Presence of God. Everyone and Everywhere we are will be blessed.
Acts of the Apostles 16:25-26 NLT
“Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!” Acts of the Apostles 16:25-26 NLT
In a surprising plot twist, the RECIPE for revival has only two steps, Repent and Enthusiastically praise God. I can’t list all the ingredients nor can I tell you the exact measurements because each life is different. God will use you and every situation in your life to impact the world for His glory. Meditate on these 10 closing verses. They will change your life.
Psalms 63:1-5 NLT
“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.” Psalms 63:1-5 NLT
Psalms 100:1-5 NLT
“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalms 100:1-5 NLT
