Saturday, May 04, 2013

Undivided ...

Undivided is an interesting word. It isn't really used a lot, or at least I don't hear it used a lot. In fact as I sit here typing I can only think of one way in which I usually hear it used. That is when it is connected to the word attention, as in "undivided attention". When we want our hears to listen to us and really focus on what we are about to say we might tell them "I want your undivided attention". The flip side of that is when we want someone to know that we were really listening and focused on something, or someone, we say "I gave it/them my undivided attention".

Is there any other way in which you use "undivided"?

I found another one that should be used a lot more often. I found it in scripture, in Psalm 86:11 "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name."

An "undivided heart"is not a normal heart. We usually operate with a very divided heart. We divide our heart, our attention and our affections in many directions.We often operate in this divided state by often "loving" whatever, or whoever, we are with at the moment. While working we love our work, or while participating in a hobby we love that hobby, or when at home we love our family and when at church we love the Lord and at least like our church. The fact is that this way of living leaves us divided. In fact, we usually aren't even momentarily undivided in our attention or affection. We find ourselves thinking of our family while working, or our hobbies while with our families and about everything while at church. We don't even live undivided in short bursts. It seems that we are always looking ahead and beyond our current circumstances.

I am beginning to understand that this is not how Christ desires for me to live. I am to live undivided, with Christ being who has my attention and affection. This translates into Christ being my focus. It means that Christ is not the first among many in my life, but that he is the one. It means making sure I don't operate with a multi-seated throne in my life, but a single-seated throne with Christ alone on it. It means loving my wife and family better because Christ is in control. It means being a better worker because Christ is in control. It means living a life of true joy because there are no divisions in my heart or life.

So how are you living? Is your heart divided? If your heart is divided then so is your life. Imagine what you could do if you lived undivided.

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

We can have a revival ...

Our church has scheduled some special services that we call revival. I have been emphasizing that we have simply set aside some times and invited a speaker and a musician to come and lead these services. But whether or not we have revival is our choice. Each individual must seek revival of their own hearts. God can use special speakers and singers, but we must still be willing. There has been a group that has been meeting for a few weeks studying about revival and praying for our scheduled time of revival.

I am encouraged in my study that God really desires for us to have revival. I am encouraged that at least a handful of people are praying for us to have revival. I am encouraged by things God is showing me personally for my own revival and I certainly need one. I am encouraged that our scheduled time is just a few days away.

I am discouraged by the fact that only a handful of people have been praying for revival. I am discouraged that it appears there are a lot of scheduled distractions that can keep people away during these scheduled times. I am discouraged and praying not to stay that way.

I have been rereading some older books from my library about revival such as "Revival Fire", "Critical Mass", "Revive Us Again" and some others. In my reading I came across this poem and I believe it summarizes what is needed for revival and it is all doable if we will do them. It requires a humbling, a confessing and a choosing to begin with personal revival in order to see corporate revival. I am praying for this to be true.

We Can Have a Revival by Frank Knox
If all the sleeping folk will wake up
And all the lukewarm folk will fire up
And all the dishonest folk will confess up
And all the disgruntled folk will sweeten up
And all the discouraged folk will cheer up
And all the depressed folk will look up
And all the estranged folk will make up
And all the gossipers will shut up
And all the dry bones will shake up
And all the true soldiers will stand up
And all the church members will pray up
And all that are in debt will pay up.

So let's have revival. Will you join me?