“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Prov. 23:7 NKJV)

Probably one of the most interesting and powerful passages in the Bible is this one, which says you are what you think. The reason this is so powerful is because you can change the way you think, and by doing so, you can change who you are!  

How to change how you think

·      Set your mind on things of the Spirit

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Rom. 7:5-6 ESV) 

·      Capture your thoughts to obey Christ

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” (2 Cor. 10:5 ESV) 

·      Think about praiseworthy things

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil. 4:8 ESV)

·      Transform your mind to conform to the good, acceptable, and perfect, will of God

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2 ESV)

Therefore

“Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.” (1 Tim. 4:15 ESV)

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm. 19:14 ESV)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matt. 28:19 ESV)

St. Patrick’s shamrock illustration

A popular story about St. Patrick, is that he used the shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity, three persons in one God, to an unbeliever by showing him the three-leaved plant with one stalk. Traditionally, Irishmen have worn shamrocks, the national flower of Ireland, in their lapels on St. Patrick’s Day.

Who was St. Patrick?

Even though we happily celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and many of us wear green on this day, most don’t know much about who St. Patrick was.

The patron saint of Ireland

St. Patrick was credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland and was probably responsible in part for the Christianization of the Picts and Anglo-Saxons. He is known only from two short works, the Confessio, a spiritual autobiography, and his Letter to Coroticus, a denunciation of British mistreatment of Irish Christians.

Before the end of the 7th century, Patrick had become a legendary figure, and the stories have continued to grow. One of these would have it that he drove the snakes of Ireland into the sea to their destruction. Patrick himself wrote that he raised people from the dead, and a 12th-century hagiography places this number at 33 men, some of whom are said to have been deceased for many years. He also reportedly prayed for the provision of food for hungry sailors traveling by land through a desolate area, and a herd of swine miraculously appeared.

Separating fact from fiction

While it can be challenging to distinguish fact from fiction in many instances, it has been asserted that his strong proclamation of the gospel and his efforts to serve God honestly were both totally factual.The following passage commands us to carry out that action. Perhaps we should focus on that when we think of St. Patrick’s Day.

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Col. 3:17 ESV)

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isa. 40:28-31 ESV)

Four things we learn about God from the above passage

1)    God is everlasting.

2)    He is the Creator of the ends of the earth.

3)    He does not faint or grow weary.  

4)    His understanding is unsearchable.

Six promises for you in the above passage

1)    He gives power to the faint.

2)    He increases strength to him who has none.  

3)    He renews strength to those who wait on Him

4)    Those who wait on Him shall mount up with wings like eagles.

5)    Those who wait on Him shall run and not be weary.

6)    Those who wait on Him shall walk and not faint.

 Blessed are those who wait on him 

“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” (Isa. 30:18 ESV)

“So the LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.” (Isa. 30:18 NLT)

“Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isa. 55:6-7 NLT)

The passage above gives four commands, (things you must do), with a great promise at the end (what God will do in response to your obedience).

Four things you must do

1) Seek the Lord while you can find him. This is a warning to act immediately because this may be a time sensitive situation for you and may not last. Jesus tells a story about a wealthy man who had so much that he decided to build bigger storage barns to hold it all, then planned to live extravagantly in comfort. But he died that night without warning (Luke 12:16-21). The point is, we are going to die someday, usually without warning, so prepare ahead for it, while you still have time.

2) Call on Him now while He is near. This second line in the passage above is basically saying the same thing as the previous line with more urgency. Repetitiveness is not unusual in Scripture.Words and phrases are often repeated to emphasize importance. Jesus used this method when He repeated the word truly twice in John 3:3: “Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” The point is, it’s critical to call on God immediately while you still can.

3) Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. This is about repentance in behavior and in thoughts. Jesus said repentance is absolutely necessary to be saved. “I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:3 NIV) and the Apostle Paul said, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Rom. 8:5-6 ESV)

4) Let him return to the Lord. The forth command is a charge to return to the Lord. This command can be found sun many places throughout the Bible.  

“Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Return to Me,” declares the Lord of hosts, “that I may return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.” (Zech. 1:3)

“If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored; If you remove unrighteousness far from your tent,” (Job 22:23)

 Here’s the promise 

5) That he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

“I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.” (Jer. 24:7)

Therefore

“Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil.” (Joel 2:13)

“Let us examine and probe our ways, And let us return to the Lord.” (Lam. 3:40)

“Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually.” (Hos. 12:6)

“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.” (ACTS 4:29-35 NLT) 

What does revival look like?

There has been a lot of discussion recently about what a revival should look like. And if what went on during the Jesus Movement during the 1970s and recently at places like Asbury University in Kentucky were movements of God’s revival, spiritual awakenings, or something else. The above passage tells what happened when a group prayed very specifically and the result: “After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” They preached the Word of God with boldness.

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14 ESV) 

Therefore

“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,” (Acts 3:19-20 ESV)

Awake, O Sleeper

“For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, ‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph. 5:14-21 ESV)

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;” (Psalm 19:7 ESV) 

The Jesus Revolution

Susan and I went to see the movie “The Jesus Revolution” as soon as it was released, and it brought back a lot of memories. Both of us were a part of what is now commonly called the Jesus Movement, which took place during the beginning of the 1970s. It was an amazing move of God, and many thousands of young people from coast to coast, especially hippies, turned to Christ spontaneously and seemingly without anyone in charge. It was obvious that it was something that God was doing everywhere at once and that no human could take credit for it. It was Billy Graham who publicly called it the “Jesus Revolution.” And it was.

Revivals spread

An interesting thing about revivals is that they cannot be contained and spread. They catch fire, and soon the coals of revival go to other places, catching fire there as well. At the time of my writing, the Asbury revival in Kentucky had spread to many other schools and institutions. And no one can predict how far and wide its influence will eventually reach. Only God knows the answer. 

“All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.” (Psalm 22:27 ESV) 

God acts for those who wait for Him

“Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence— as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.” (Isa. 64:1-4 ESV)

He revives the spirit and the heart

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isa. 57:15 ESV)

God says, “If my people….”

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14 ESV)

Therefore

“Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!” (Psalm 80:19 ESV)

“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” (Psalm 85:6 ESV)

What does revival look like?

After a small group of Gen-Z students stayed behind to pray and worship after the normal chapel service concluded recently at Asbury Christian University in Kentucky, it caught the attention of other students, who quickly returned to join them. Within a short time the numbers grew, the news spread over social and national media, large crowds began to swarm in from everywhere, and everyone was talking about it. Was (is) this a “revival” sent from God? Many think so, but many don’t. Only God knows for certain.  

My simple observation

The Asbury revival looks to me like young people turning to God with genuine repentance and sincere worship, and honoring and glorifying Jesus in the process. There doesn’t seem to be anyone in particular in charge or orchestrating it. It certainly looks like people are having a revival. Why should we argue about that? Isn’t that what we want to see happening, especially among our youth? I know I feel blessed to see it!

Alive with God’s presence

A genuine revival may look very different than what we think or expect and therefore be surrounded by controversy and questions as people try to figure it out. That’s because revival is something God does by His Holy Spirit. It changes hearts and lives as a result; people who experience it are revived and refreshed.

“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.” (Acts 3:19-21 ESV)

What to do if you are sick

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:14 ESV) 

Why people don’t get healed?

People who don’t ask won’t get healed – “you have not because you ask not.” (James 4:2)

“Ask and you shall receive.” (Matt. 21:22)

“Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.” (Psalms 6.2 ESV)

Expect to be healed when you’re prayed for  

“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.” (Jer. 17:14 ESV)

Because Jesus Never turned anyone down for healing 

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 ESV)

“And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (James 5:15 ESV)

“And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them,.” (Matt. 15:30)

In the New Testament we see that Jesus healed people in different ways such as with mud, spit, fingers placed in ears or on the tongue, and many times He healed with just a spoken word. And I believe He still heals today in various ways, as well. So don’t quit!

Continue with expectancy  

When we don’t see instant results, we can become discouraged and give up without continuing on with prayer and faith. Remember that Jesus prayed more than once sometimes to get the results He wanted. In Mark 24:25, He prayed for a blind man and then asked him if he could see clearly. “The man looked around. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.’ Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly.”

Build up your faith

“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,” (Jude 1:20 NIV)

We can build up our faith to pray for the sick by memorizing healing verses and by observing medically verified examples of how He’s healed others. So we see that God heals today. As I’ve pointed out several times over the past few days, the Bible says “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). The following is a website with lots of medically verified healing stories. Watch them and see what God has done. Become encouraged to pray for the sick with faith and total confidence.

https://www.awmi.net/video/series/healing-journeys/