The Third Result of Revival is Generosity

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 31:5-10

As soon as the order spread, the sons of Israel provided in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of all. The sons of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of sacred gifts which were consecrated to the Lord their God, and placed them in heaps. In the third month they began to make the heaps, and finished them by the seventh month. When Hezekiah and the rulers came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord and His people Israel. Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok said to him, “Since the contributions began to be brought into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat with plenty left over, for the Lord has blessed His people, and this great quantity is left over.”

Insights:  Our final Thoughts by Scott this week is the third evidence or result of revival.  We have learned that joy and holiness are experienced when true revival has come.  The third element is generosity.  Look at today’s verses and notice how many times the word tithe is used.  Up to this point the priests were doing ministry on a shoe string budget.  It was not because resource were not available, but because the people were selfish and refused to give.  The same thing happens in church life as well.  People get their feelings hurt or they don’t like the direction the pastor is leading the church or they just don’t like the preacher himself and when these kinds of scenarios happen many people stop giving to the local church.  People haven’t changed much over the centuries.  The same thing was happening in Judah until this revival started.  Once the revival fell on the people they were compelled to give their tithes.  As a result, the priest had more resources than they had ever had and were, for a brief moment, uncertain as to what ought to happen.  I am fairly confident, they began to use the resources for ministry of the people.  Could you image what local churches would look like and how they would minister if people actually trusted the Lord and gave generously to Him.  Statistics tell us the average church attender gives only two percent of their income to the Lord.  God, send a revival and change this statistic!

Questions:

1.  How generous are you?

2.  How would your friends describe your generous attitude?

Prayer: Father, all too often I could be characterized as a little child who says, “MINE!!!” all of the time.  Lord, please forgive me of this sinful attitude.  I desire my life to be one that is known for its generosity.  Change my heart O’ Lord and let me and let me bring You glory. Amen.

The Second Result of Revival is Holiness

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 31:1-4

Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah, broke the pillars in pieces, cut down the Asherim and pulled down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the sons of Israel returned to their cities, each to his possession.  And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and the Levites by their divisions, each according to his service, both the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister and to give thanks and to praise in the gates of the camp of the Lord.  He also appointed the king’s portion of his goods for the burnt offerings, namely, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths and for the new moons and for the fixed festivals, as it is written in the law of the Lord. Also he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites, that they might devote themselves to the law of the Lord.

Insights:  Yesterday we learned the first evidence or result of revival is the joy we have in the Lord.  In today’s verses we discover the second evidence or result of revival is holiness.  Notice that for the first time in any kings reign the people destroyed all high places and altars which were used for worship of false gods.  The people returned to the worship of the Lord for all of the festivals which had not happened since king David reigned.  In other words, these people had a righteous indignation toward sin.  They recognized the evil that it was and treated it for the vile thing it is.  Whenever they noticed sin, they dealt with it.  They purged their land of the evil sinfulness of these pagan gods.  Beloved, this makes me think about the verse in James which states, “friendship with the world is hostility toward God (4:4).”  The church is full of people who have compromised with this world and are trying to be “good Christians” on Sunday, but live just like the world the rest of the week.  This kind of life is NOT holy.  It is depraved and puts us in the position of being in hostility towards the Lord.  May the Lord God grip His Bride, the Church, and transform our hearts and lives.  May we desire holiness and purity more than the fleeting pleasures of this earthly world.

Questions:

1.  Do you tolerate and make excuses for your sin in your life?

2.  Are you in friendship with this world?

Prayer: Father, You have a holy disdain for sin.  Transform my heart I pray and let me equally have a hatred toward my sinfulness.  May my life be characterized by holiness and a constant pursuit of You.  Amen.

The First Result of Revival is Joy

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 30:21-27

The sons of Israel present in Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy, and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day after day with loud instruments to the Lord. Then Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good insight in the things of the Lord. So they ate for the appointed seven days, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the Lord God of their fathers.  Then the whole assembly decided to celebrate the feast another seven days, so they celebrated the seven days with joy. For Hezekiah king of Judah had contributed to the assembly 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep, and the princes had contributed to the assembly 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep; and a large number of priests consecrated themselves. All the assembly of Judah rejoiced, with the priests and the Levites and all the assembly that came from Israel, both the sojourners who came from the land of Israel and those living in Judah. So there was great joy in Jerusalem, because there was nothing like this in Jerusalem since the days of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel. Then the Levitical priests arose and blessed the people; and their voice was heard and their prayer came to His holy dwelling place, to heaven.

Insights:  Yesterday we talked briefly about our need for revival in the church of America and for an awakening in the life of our country.  I then proceeded to explain the three results, or better stated evidences, of a revival.  In chapters leading up to the thirtieth in second Chronicles we discover a revival had started in Judah under the rule of king Hezekiah.  In today’s verses we see three references to the specific word joy and several references to rejoicing and attributes associated with joy in one’s life.  The point is when revival comes down upon us from the glorious One, joy is the first by product.  Think a moment about David.  After his sin with Bathsheba and his confession in Psalm fifty-one, he cries out for the Lord to restore to him the joy of his salvation.  So many in the body of Christ look as if they were baptized in vinegar and sucking on lemons all day.  Our faces, our tone of voice, our actions ought to display a life change as a result of being in the Lord’s presence, which is what revival is all about anyway.  Beloved, ask the Lord to restore the joy of your salvation just like David.  Evaluate your life and be honest with yourself regarding your joy level.  May your joy reflect Christ Jesus!

Questions:

1.  How would other people characterize your disposition, one of joy or criticism?

2.  Are you hungry for corporate times of worship?

Prayer: Father, send revival to my life and let my life be characterized as one being filled with joy.  Let my satisfaction be found in You and only in You.  Amen.

The Extremes of God's Love in Promise

Happy 4th of July!!!

Scripture: Hosea 2:16

“It will come about in that day,” declares the Lord,
“That you will call Me Ishi
And will no longer call Me Baali.

Insights:   The final aspect of God’s extravagant love toward us is His promise.  In today’s verse we see Hosea telling Gomer that she will no longer call him Ishi, which means master, but Baali, which means husband.  Remember I mentioned earlier this week that Hosea purchased her at least three times from the slave blocks.  In that purchase what did Gomer become to Hosea?  The answer is she was his slave.  Now did Hosea want a slave?  The answer is a resounding no.  He wanted a wife to love and be loved in return.  In many ways this is the exact same relationship we have with the Lord.  He wants a love relationship with us.  He purchased our lives on the cross of Calvary and as such He is our Master.  God, however, also wants to be our future husband in glory.  So, we see in today’s verse a promise of “in that day.”  “In that day” God will bring us home and He will be our husband and we will be His bride.  We will participate in that wedding feast of eternity and be filled with joy at the prospect of such a union with the One who saved us.  This line of thinking got me to wondering about earthly weddings.  What I mean by that sentence is when a young couple is getting ready to be married what are some of the things they do before the final “I do”?  The prepare for the wedding.  Often times this might mean a physical fitness program to make themselves look the best before the wedding.  It could mean packing up ones belongings in order to merge the two families together.  It means getting all the appropriate paperwork taken care of before the wedding.  It means going to the premarital counseling.  This kind of thinking got me wondering about our preparation for our wedding in glory.  In what ways do we prepare for our final “I do” with the Lord God?  It is my prayer we are striving for holiness and purity.  I pray we are seeking to be vulnerable and pliable in His hands.  I pray we are humble enough to be honest about our weaknesses and short comings.  I pray we are seeking help from our fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus in order to become a more prepared bride before our Lord.  May we look forward to our wedding day with great anticipation.

Questions:

1.  With how much anticipation are you looking towards your wedding feast with the Lord?

2.  In what ways are you preparing for this glorious day?

Prayer: Father, thank You for the promise of taking me home with You to our wedding feast.  Your promise gives me great hope in the midst of a difficult world.  Thank You for the encouragement it brings to me.  Amen.

The Extreme's of God's Love in Passion and Transformation

Scripture: Hosea 2:14-15

“Therefore, behold, I will allure her,
Bring her into the wilderness
And speak kindly to her.
“Then I will give her her vineyards from there,
And the valley of Achor as a door of hope.
And she will sing there as in the days of her youth,
As in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt.

Insights:   In the fourteenth verse we observe Hosea’s passionate love for Gomer.  He leads her away and speaks tender words of love and affection to her.  He lavishes unconditional love on her as an expression of his great joy in her.  None of this amazing love is because Gomer is worthy of this love.  It actually reveals the depths of Hosea’s love not Gomers.  God does the very same thing with us.  He tenderly leads us out of our bondage.  He compassionately speaks tender words of healing to us.  He lavishes His great love on us.  He display’s His ultimate expression of love on the Cross of Calvary through the death of Jesus, His Son.  Verse fifteen points to the transformation of Hosea’s love in Gomer.  In other words, she does change.  She does begin to turn to her husband.  She does change her loyalties and her days of trouble in the valley of Achor are transformed into days of hope and healing.  Once again, the Lord does this very same work in our lives.  We were the rebellious ones and the Lord sent Jesus to take our place on Calvary.  Because of His redemptive and life changing work we now have hope.  We are no longer doomed to days of trouble, but we now have a hope in a future with our glorious King and Lover.  Beloved, if the story of Hosea and Gomer had ended in verse thirteen it would have been a tragic tale, but fortunately for us it did not.  These two verses today and tomorrow’s verse point us to the point of Hosea’s struggle to redeem Gomer.  Or better stated, the Lord’s struggle to redeem us.  Now the story itself is transformed and it is no longer a tragedy, but a redemptive story of hope.  It is my prayer that you have experienced this hope found in Jesus.  If you have not, all you have to do is receive Him as your Lord and Savior and He will change your life for all of eternity.  May your transformed life bring glory to the Lord our God!

Questions:

1.  Are you grateful for God’s passionate love for you?

2.  Is your life showing evidence of true transformation in the Lord Jesus?

Prayer: Father, I love to experience Your love for me.  I also love seeing the evidential change in my life due to Your transforming power.  Thank You for Your extreme jesters of love for me.  To Your name be brought glory.  Amen.

The Extremes of God's Love in Punishment

Scripture: Hosea 2:9-13

“Therefore, I will take back My grain at harvest time
And My new wine in its season.
I will also take away My wool and My flax
Given to cover her nakedness.
“And then I will uncover her lewdness
In the sight of her lovers,
And no one will rescue her out of My hand.
“I will also put an end to all her gaiety,
Her feasts, her new moons, her sabbaths
And all her festal assemblies.
“I will destroy her vines and fig trees,
Of which she said, ‘These are my wages
Which my lovers have given me.’
And I will make them a forest,
And the beasts of the field will devour them.
“I will punish her for the days of the Baals
When she used to offer sacrifices to them
And adorn herself with her earrings and jewelry,
And follow her lovers, so that she forgot Me,” declares the Lord.

Insights:   In today’s verses we observe four different punishments Hosea places on Gomer for her life of adultery.  The Father above also punishes us in and for these same four areas.  The first punishment is found in verse nine and it is in regards to Gomer’s provisions.  Basically, Hosea says, “I am done taking provisions over to that man’s house and letting him take the credit.  It is over!”  In regards to Israel, God sent a drought on them which took away their food supply/provisions.  In verse ten we see Hosea punish Gomer for her pride in her appearance and beauty.  God also punishes us for our own self-importance.  In verse eleven we observe Hosea punishing Gomer for her false piety.  In other words, she was still going to Shiloh to worship Yahweh, but her heart was really with the Baal’s.  Hosea stopped her from going to worship the Lord and making a mockery of God’s love for her.  The final two verse reveal Hosea’s punishment on Gomer’s pagan worship.  This final punishment is really the heart of all the other.  In today’s context we may no longer be worshipping a physical idol and giving to it what rightfully belongs to God, but we do worship other things.  Those things can be family, careers, hobbies, toys, etc.  Anything that we turn to in order to fill that void in our heart which was meant only for the Lord is an idol and the Lord will not share His glory.  Beloved, these are four areas in which the Lord disciplines us to bring us back into a right relationship with Him.

Questions:

1.  Has God placed you in the crucible of punishment for your rebellious attitude toward Him?

2.   Have you come to the place where you recognize God’s punishment on you is a form of His love?

Prayer: Father, it is difficult for me to thank You for punishing me when I am rebellious toward You, but I desire to be grateful.  I intellectually understand You are demonstrating Your love for me in times of discipline.  Help me to grow and receive such discipline with grace and dignity in order to bring You glory.  Amen.

The Extremes of God's Love in Patience and Humiliation

Scripture: Hosea 2:7-8

“She will pursue her lovers, but she will not overtake them;
And she will seek them, but will not find them.
Then she will say, ‘I will go back to my first husband,
For it was better for me then than now!’

“For she does not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the new wine and the oil,
And lavished on her silver and gold,
Which they used for Baal.

Insights:   In today’s verses we again see two more aspects of God’s amazing love.  Verse seven reveals to us God’s patience.  Hosea literally is waiting for Gomer to pursue her lovers until she recognizes the false lovers have abandoned her.  In her desperation she determines life was better with Hosea and returns to him.  God, like Hosea, is that patient Father waiting on His prodigal son or daughter, you and me, to return to Him.  At the same time, however, Hosea is active in his pursuit of Gomer.  While he is waiting for her return, he also goes to the house of adultery she is staying and brings her provisions.  You can see the scene as he knocks on the door and when the “man” of the house opens it Hosea introduces himself as Gomer’s husband.  The man steps back, but then Hosea does the unthinkable; he gives the man silver, gold, grain, wine and oil.  He tells him to let Gomer know he loves her and is providing for her, but do you think this vile man of adultery is going to be honorable and tell Gomer from where these current provisions have come?  The answer is a resounding NO!  This man takes full credit and says, “Let’s go worship the Baals with our new found provisions,” and so Gomer is deceived into believing this man is her provider when it was really Hosea.  The same is true of God and us.  We think our jobs or some other means is what provides for our lives, but the truth at the end of the day is the Lord is our provider.  God displayed this ultimate act of humiliation when He left heaven and came to earth in the form of man to pay for our sins.  This single act displays in all His glory God’s amazing love for us. 

Questions:

1.  In what ways have you recognized God’s demonstration of patience toward you while you remained in your sin?

2. In what ways have you recognized God’s humiliation as He has pursued you?

Prayer: Father, I am so grateful You are patient with me.  You lovingly wait on my response to Your drawings and promptings.  You humiliated Yourself in coming to the earth as flesh and bore my cross and shame.  I am unworthy of Your love, but am so thankful You give it to me.  Forgive me for sinning against You and selfishly pursuing my desires.  In the midst of it all, thank You for Your amazing love.  Amen.