Thursday, May 2nd, 2024
For the last few weeks at our church, we have been experiencing quite the move of the Holy Spirit. Those that were scheduled to give a sermon haven’t done so because we were led to continue worshiping, pray for specific needs or deliver numerous prophetic words. God is definitely moving in our region, other states and even other countries. It has us wondering if this is the start of the next revival. We know that the only thing that is going to fix the current state of our nation and many of its hurting residents is a fresh out-pouring of Holy Spirit.
The question that has been on my mind is, are our hearts ready for what the revival that we have been praying for might mean? Are we ready to welcome any and all into the church? Are we ready to welcome the alcoholics and drug addicts, those involved in witchcraft, those with gender confusion, homosexuals, and those that are being held together by a string? Our human nature may want to judge them as the pharisees did. Our uncrucified pride may want to keep them from “defiling” our church. But isn’t this who Jesus came for? Weren’t many of us in very similar states not that long ago? Luke 5:30-32 says:
30 And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
I think it’s worth examining our hearts in the coming days to judge our capacity to love whoever may come into our church. If they come it’s because they are looking for something more. Can we lovingly guide them to that answer, or do we push them away because we think they are unworthy? None of us are worthy, but He still died on that cross for every single one of us. I think of it as the way the father reacted to the prodigal son vs. the older brother’s reaction. Do we run towards the hurting and the broken and celebrate that they have come seeking? Or do we take the older brother’s path and try to point out their failures and defend why we are more worthy? It’s not always an easy question to answer.
Final Thoughts…
The most important word I see in all of this is love. God loves every person ever created. His Son died for every person ever created. Are we filled up with enough of that love that it easily flows out from us to others? It’s not our job to judge others or tell them their faults. Jesus says quite simply what our job is in John 13:34-35:
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Lord, we never want to push anyone away from experiencing You and Your incredible love. Help us to get ourselves out of the way so that we can reflect You to a hurting and desperate world. We say yes to being a part of the coming harvest. We say yes to moving whenever and wherever Holy Spirit asks. Come Lord Jesus, come.