RECIPE

 “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

HINDERED

 ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭10:12-13, 16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. And you must always obey the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good. … 16 Therefore, change your hearts and stop being stubborn.” 

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭10:12-13, 16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Hidden 

Interest 

Negatively 

Diverting 

Expected 

Results

Evading 

Detection

Unrealized goals are difficult to manage. Plans that we make are often thwarted by things in our lives that we fail to recognize. I’m not talking about sin. Sometimes, we have motivations that are outside our conscious realization. The most devastating part of the process in dealing with unfulfilled goals is digging through the pile of broken dreams to discover what hindered their fulfillment. Hidden Interest Negatively Diverting Expected Results Evading Detection.

The Spirit of God desires to be an active participant in every area of our lives, but He cannot act without invitation. We believe we want to hear from God. We follow all the prescribed steps, but when we hear His voice, we are somehow hindered. The question we face today is, what hidden interest lies within us that is negatively diverting expected results and evading detection?

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:18-19, 22, 24-25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

18 “You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. …22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. … 24-25 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven!” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:18-19, 22, 24-25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What are the results you’re looking for in your family, church, community and job? I’ve been teaching in some capacity or another since 1992. I’ve been a credentialed minister since 1996 and happily married to my beautiful wife for 26 years and counting. Every aspect of my life has been filled with expectations and agendas. 

My life has been lived leading, guiding, directing, and managing people, events and situations. One thing I’ve learned through it all is that human beings are a stubborn lot. We each have some type of hidden agenda, or interest that may be so deeply buried in our subconscious that we ourselves are unaware it even exists. Yet, when our desired outcome is not in line with God’s plan, we quickly allow our interests to divert the godly results we are expecting. How do we draw these thoughts, attitudes and actions out into the light? How can we stop ourselves from being diverted and evading detection?

The Israelites were literally up close and personal with God, but His presence was so unnerving to them that they begged Him to stop speaking. How often have we done the same, perhaps not in words, but in our actions?

How many of us are “filled with the Holy Spirit”?

God is waiting to move through a willing people. He has promised and in fact has “poured out His Spirit”, but do we act according to His direction or beg Him to stop speaking?

Ezekiel‬ ‭47:1-12‬ ‭NLT‬‬ (emphasis added)

“In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side. The man brought me outside the wall through the north gateway and led me around to the eastern entrance. There I could see the water flowing out through the south side of the east gateway. Measuring as he went, he took me along the stream for 1,750 feet and then led me across. The water was up to my ankles. He measured off another 1,750 feet and led me across again. This time the water was up to my knees. After another 1,750 feet, it was up to my waist. Then he measured another 1,750 feet, and the river was too deep to walk across. It was deep enough to swim in, but too deep to walk through. He asked me, “Have you been watching, son of man?” Then he led me back along the riverbank. When I returned, I was surprised by the sight of many trees growing on both sides of the river. Then he said to me, “This river flows east through the desert into the valley of the Dead Sea. The waters of this stream will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and pure. There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows. Fishermen will stand along the shores of the Dead Sea. All the way from En-gedi to En-eglaim, the shores will be covered with nets drying in the sun. Fish of every kind will fill the Dead Sea, just as they fill the Mediterranean. But the marshes and swamps will not be purified; they will still be salty. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of these trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing.”” 

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭47:1-12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Hidden Interest Negatively Diverting Expected Results Evading Detection. What is God saying in Ezekiel’s vision? How does his vision apply to us?

The Spirit of God is represented in scripture as water. Many of us just love to splash around in the puddles. Those are the waters that are “ankle deep”. Some of us wade out a little bit deeper into the “waist deep” waters. Still fewer of us have gotten into the “waters to swim in”. God has promised an outpouring of His Spirit in the “last days”! Those are the days in which we live. Moving in the Spirit calls us to get into the “waters to swim in”. 

Please don’t take that statement to mean anything goes in terms of, jumping shouting, and going wild in the name of a Pentecostal revival. Scripture is very clear. There is an order. There are God instituted standards, but we’ve stopped teaching on the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. The “river” that flows from the Temple is the Spirit of God. Everywhere the Spirit of God goes, there is life and healing. The angel in the vision asks, “Have you been watching, son of man?”

Did you notice, there are fishermen on both sides of the river? When Jesus called the original disciples, they were fishermen. The “fish of every kind”, in Ezekiel’s vision, represents people from every nation.

‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ ‭KJV

“And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

During the festival of shelters, Jesus was teaching in the Temple. He promised “living water” which was an introduction to the promise of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit flows through us if we’re thirsty, and open to His leading.

‭‭John‬ ‭7‬:‭37‬-‭38‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’””

‭‭John‬ ‭7‬:‭37‬-‭38‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Hidden Interest Negatively Diverting Expected Results Evading Detection. Before reading the next passage of scripture, call back to your mind Ezekiel’s vision.

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬-‭3‬, ‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT

“Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. No  longer will there be a curse upon anything. … 5 For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.””

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬-‭3‬, ‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

John’s vision in Revelation 22, gives us a glimpse into future events. This is a picture of how the world will be when Crist returns to reign. The River of Life flows from His throne and everywhere the Spirit goes life flourishes.  From the River of Life comes the medicine to heal the nations. God has spoken His word through prophecy that there will be an undeniable move of His Spirit in our time and from this area. This is not an exclusive message. This message is for all who will hear and respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

We began today with a passage from Deuteronomy, chapter 10:16. I cannot say how that verse affects your life, but it hits me hard every time. “Therefore, change your hearts and stop being stubborn.” 

When Jesus was speaking to the women at the well she didn’t recognize Him until He identified Himself. How often do we fail to recognize what God desires to do simply because we don’t ask?

‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬, ‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” … 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.””

‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬, ‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God has a gift for you. That gift is the Holy Spirit. We will experience everything God has promised when we yield our individual and collective wills to the Lordship of Christ. We are the temple and the Holy Spirit flows from the throne of God.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If Christ is seated on the throne of our heart, His Spirit will flow through us. We will experience the miraculous when we surrender the Hidden Interest Negatively Diverting Expected Results Evading Detection. 

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬, ‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬, ‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I cannot apologize for the length of this message. All I can do is close it for today with this scripture as a final prayer.

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭KJV‬‬