REVIVALTALK

  I Corinthians 1:18 – “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  On April 13, 2020, an EF-3 tornado touched down in Seneca, SC. This storm destroyed homes and the BorgWarner manufacturing plant. One individual died and several people were injured, and Destiny Christian Center   on Wells Highway was also affected by the storm. Fox Carolina News reported, “Monday morning’s tornado knocked a section of Destiny Christian Center to the ground, leaving a pile of bricks and debris. A cross sculpture that was on the roof of the church was knocked off during the storm, but the church’s pastor said it landed in front of the building, still standing.” When destructive storms come into our land, the cross still stands.   When evil men and women arise in leadership as pawns of Satan to bring destruction, the cross still stands. When adversity strikes our homes ...

  II Chronicles 7:1 - “When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. God demonstrates His power at the altar. In Genesis 8 when Noah came out of the Ark, he built an altar. Genesis 8:21-22 says, “And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in His heart, “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done. While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.” In Genesis 9:1-3 God pronounces a blessing on Noah and his sons. In II Chronicles 6-7 Solomon dedicates the temple.   In II Chronicles 6:12 Solomon stood before the altar and prayed.   His prayer is recorded in ...

  Hebrews 10:23 - "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” The altar is a place to make declarations of faith. 1 Timothy 6:12 - “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” In Genesis 28:10-12 Jacob journeyed to a place named Luz. Genesis 28:11 says, “So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep.” In verse 12 he dreams of a ladder reaching up into heaven. The angels were ascending and descending on it. In verse 13 the Lord is standing at the top of the ladder. Verses 13-15 records the words of the Lord to Jacob, “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and you...

Exodus 20:24 – “An altar of earth you shall make for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I record My name I will come to you, and I will bless you.” The altar of prayer must become a place of devotion in the believer’s life. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines devotion as “an act of religious fervor: piety. An act of prayer or private worship. A religious exercise or practice other than the regular corporate worship of a congregation. The act of dedicating something to a cause, enterprise, or activity.” The altar is a place of sacrifice and a place to meet with God.   A sacrifice will be costly.   In Exodus 20:24 God promises to meet with us and to bless us. The altar is not a place to visit haphazardly, but it is to be a place of devotion. The following Scriptures encourage us to make the altar of prayer a priority: Psalms 5:3 - My voice You shall hear...

  Outside the old city walls of Jerusalem in an Arab neighborhood is a place called, “Gordon’s Calvary,” or the “Garden Tomb.” It is surrounded by an Arab Bus Station and on the top of the sight believed to be Golgotha, the Place of the Skull, there is a Muslim cemetery.   Outside the walls of this serene place is all kinds of activity. People are consumed with their everyday life. Like any other city in the world, the   people are trying to survive. When we made our journey to what is believed to be the place where Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead, there were several things that captured my attention. There were a number of birds that were singing. There were many signs of life in the garden. I experienced such peace as we spent time in prayer and communion with our guides.    Perhaps those who live in the surrounding neighborhoods only see this place as another tourist stop, but for me it was a place of refuge and rest. It was a place to be still...

Matthew 3:11 – 12 - “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” John the Baptist was a voice crying out in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord.   His birth was announced by the angel Gabriel to his father Zechariah, who was a priest. His birth was a miracle. His mother, Elizabeth, was an older woman and had been unable to have children. She was the cousin of Mary, the mother of our Lord.   His father had lost his voice because he did not believe the angel’s word. Luke 1:22 says, “But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own” I...

  James 5:16 – “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” To say we live in troublesome times is an understatement.   The Bible defines the days we are living is as “dangerous times” (II Timothy 3:1). When we face perplexing problems, they will only be changed by God’s intervention. When we pray, we are inviting the Sovereign God of creation to intervene in our circumstances. Someone has said, “If you are swept off your feet it is time to get on your knees.” James 5:16 says, “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” How do we pray effective prayers? We pray effective prayers when we pray the Word of God over every circumstance that comes into our lives. We need to meditate and memorize the Scriptures. Psalms 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” When we are faced with adverse circumstances and don’t know how...