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“Won’t you revive us again?” (Psalm 85:6) Some of my earliest memories of hearing preaching as a young Christian was in relation to revival. I heard stories of the Lewis Revival of 1949. I heard of miraculous moving’s of God through men and women like David Wilkerson and Kathryn Khulman. God was on the move. As I listened to these stories, something of the glory of God, “something other”, broke in upon us and permeated the atmosphere. The beauty of His character was emblazoned on my heart. On two occasions in recent weeks, I have experienced again these echoes of revival atmosphere. The first happened in a morning church service at Teen Challenge. A retired Elim minister was speaking to us from the verse “Show me your glory” Exodus 33:18 (ESV). He recounted times in his life when, in particular need, God revealed Himself to him and His glory, the kindness and beauty of His character broke upon him.. As he spoke, the atmosphere in the room changed. What had started as a ‘normal’ meeting became charged with the glory of God. I felt the love of God, His care, His compassion, His bigness, His power. A spark of revival fire kindled upon us. The second memorable moment occurred when I was in church in the north of Scotland one Sunday morning. The preacher started by talking about being ‘chosen’. He told a story of how, as a child, he was always chosen last to be part of a football team. One day though, he was chosen first and couldn’t have been happier. He had been chosen first!!! He went on to encourage the company to seek to be chosen by God. “Choose me” he exclaimed. “Choose me!” He then spoke about revival. Once again, that divine spark was ignited, and I felt that ‘something other’ come into the atmosphere. We can each experience a revived life through living obediently to God daily. We can be available to God to be transmitters of His presence. However, national revival doesn’t need to be a thing of the past. We can open ourselves to be channels of God’s Spirit and pray for that “something other” to move in the churches in our land again. Don’t you long for a fresh moving of revival? I do! "O LORD, I have heard the report of you, and your work... In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known.” (Habakkuk 3:2) There’s a sound upon the waters, There’s a murmur in the air, For a wave of coming glory moves my soul; There’s the sign of a revival All ye saints, prepare for war; For the hosts of God are marching to the goal. J Flanagan Pauline Anderson
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I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds. (Psalm 77:11-12) The book of Deuteronomy is filled with Moses’ farewell speeches to the children of Israel. He has led them for over 40 years and they are about to cross over the Jordan under new leadership. Much of what he says was the result of their recent failures, and the lessons they must take to heart and carry with them in the days ahead in Canaan. He will not be there to lead, support, chastise and encourage them. His speeches remind the people of the importance of following God’s commands and the consequences if they don’t. But he also exhorts them to ‘remember’. Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live… Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb. (Deuteronomy 4:9,10,12) There are times in our walk with God when we face immense trials and difficulties too numerous and varied to mention. We can feel a sense of sadness, regret, anxiety or fear and the devil is very quick invade our thoughts and emotions, using these to mercilessly torment us. So how can we ‘fight’ this? One way is to “remember the deeds of the Lord”.
Let these encourage you to keep looking up and moving forward. Let them spur you on to never give up. Remember. Remember. Remember. “Remember the goodness of God in the frost of adversity.” C H Spurgeon Pauline Anderson
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Struthers Memorial Church is a registered Scottish Charity No. SC 006960 | Struthers Memorial Church is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in Scotland Company No SC335480 | Registered Office: 33 West Stewart Street, Greenock, PA15 1SH. |