REVIVAL TALK

Mark 4:39 – “Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still! ”And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”           We are living in unprecedented times. In just a few short days everything has changed. The World Health Organization has declared the COVID-19 virus a Pandemic. People are fearful. Across the nation businesses are closing and store shelves are empty of the necessities we need. As believers we do not have to be afraid. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” God is our source. He alone is able to meet our needs. He promises in Hebrews  13:5 “to never leave us or forsake us.”               In Mark 4:35-39 Jesus and His disciples were caught in a life-threatening storm on the Sea of Galilee.  Verse 37 says, “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.”  The disciples woke Jesus and said, “Do you not care that

John 20:19 – “Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” John the beloved disciple records the words of Jesus in one of His post-resurrection appearances. In this chapter, Jesus finds His disciples in hiding behind locked doors.  They are bewildered and filled with fear.  Verse 19 in the New Living Translation reads, “That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said.” Oftentimes we find ourselves in the same state as these disciples.  Like the disciples, we often do not understand what God is doing.  The disciples didn’t expect the One they followed to be crucified and die.  They could not see God’s overall plan of redemption. Many times when we are transitioning f

Psalms 91:1-16 – “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.   I will say of the  Lord , “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.   He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.   You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,   Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.   A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.   Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.   Because you have made the  Lord , who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place,   No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;   For He shall give His

Matthew 12:37 – “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Our words are important.  The words we speak to our children and others can determine their destiny.  We learn in Matthew 12:34, “….  for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Our words should be encouraging and uplifting. Ephesians 4:29 instructs, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” The Bible has a great deal to say about the words we use ·       Proverbs 15:4 from the New Living Translation , “Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” ·       Proverbs 18:4 – “The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.” ·       Proverbs 20:15 – “There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.” ·       1 Peter 3:10 – “For He who would love life And see good d