Psalm 85 Prayer - Faithful God, encourage the weary

Faithful God, 

We know your power and presence shines on all your devoted lovers and your glory always hovers over all who bow low before you. Your mercy and truth, your righteousness and peace, and your faithfulness and righteousness shine on us, as you keep raining down blessing after blessing.  Your deliverance goes before us, preparing our paths for the abundance you want to give us. You are faithful.  And, yet, the circumstances of our lives, our nation, and your Church can seem so dim.  Help us in our weakness to pray.  Intercede for us, Holy Spirit, through wordless groans.  Help us to wait for your grace and divine strength.  Rise us up on wings to fly like eagles, to run our race of life without growing weary, and to walk through life without giving up.  Help us be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord. Help us to remember that our labor for your Kingdom is never in vain.   When we are weary of the spiritual warfare around us, when we are tired of praying and seeing no change, when we are ready to quit trying because of the attacks hurled against us, help us remember what you have done in our lives, our nation and your Church.  You show favor and restore fortunes as you forgive guilt and cover our sin.  We plead with you, God of our salvation, to restore us - to revive us - so your people may continue to rejoice in you.  Show us your mercy, Lord, and grant us your salvation.  Speak peace back to your godly people so they do not turn back to foolishness.  Give us what is Good - what is of you - as we seek you and your Kingdom first and follow the Way of your footsteps. May your Glory dwell in our individual hearts, in our churches, in our counties and states, in this nation, and in your Church universal.   In the strong name of Christ we pray, Amen. 

Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Cor. 15:58 NASB)

But those who wait for Yahweh’s grace
    will experience divine strength.
    They will rise up on soaring wings and fly like eagles,
    run their race without growing weary,
    and walk through life without giving up. (Isaiah 40:31 TPT)

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  (Romans 8:26 NIV)

1 Lord, You showed favor to Your land;

You restored the fortunes of Jacob.

2 You forgave the guilt of Your people;

You covered all their sin. Selah

3 You withdrew all Your fury;

You turned away from Your burning anger.

4 Restore us, God of our salvation,

And cause Your indignation toward us to cease.

5 Will You be angry with us forever?

Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?

6 Will You not revive us again,

So that Your people may rejoice in You?

7 Show us Your mercy, Lord,

And grant us Your salvation.

8 I will hear what God the Lord will say;

For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones;

And may they not turn back to foolishness.

9 Certainly His salvation is near to those who fear Him,

That glory may dwell in our land.

10 Graciousness and truth have met together;

Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

11 Truth sprouts from the earth,

And righteousness looks down from heaven.

12 Indeed, the Lord will give what is good,

And our land will yield its produce.

13 Righteousness will go before Him

And will make His footsteps into a way. (Psalm 85 NASB)

1 You, Lord, showed favor to your land;

    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

2 You forgave the iniquity of your people

    and covered all their sins.

3 You set aside all your wrath

    and turned from your fierce anger.

4 Restore us again, God our Savior,

    and put away your displeasure toward us.

5 Will you be angry with us forever?

    Will you prolong your anger through all generations?

6 Will you not revive us again,

    that your people may rejoice in you?

7 Show us your unfailing love, Lord,

    and grant us your salvation.

8 I will listen to what God the Lord says;

    he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—

    but let them not turn to folly.

9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,

    that his glory may dwell in our land.

10 Love and faithfulness meet together;

    righteousness and peace kiss each other.

11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,

    and righteousness looks down from heaven.

12 The Lord will indeed give what is good,

    and our land will yield its harvest.

13 Righteousness goes before him

    and prepares the way for his steps. (Psalm 85 NIV)

For I know your power and presence shines on all your devoted lovers.
    Your glory always hovers over all who bow low before you.
10 Your mercy and your truth have married each other.
    Your righteousness and peace have kissed.
11 Flowers of your faithfulness are blooming on the earth.
    Righteousness shines down from the sky.
12 Yes, the Lord keeps raining down blessing after blessing,
    and prosperity will drench the land with a bountiful harvest.
13 For deliverance goes before him,
    preparing a path for his steps. (Psalm 85:9-13 TPT)

February 23, 2021 Prayer - God of Revival

God of Revival,

We've seen what you can do and your power, majesty and glory.  You can break prison walls, move mountains, raise and heal brokenness; all things are possible with you.  Today we pray for a great outpouring of your Spirit upon us and upon this nation.  Holy Spirit, revive, renew, restore, and reform your People and your Church so we can be Light and Salt for a world that desperately needs You.  Come, awaken your churches, your cities, your counties, your states, and this nation to the Goodness of who you are and to your Righteousness and Love.  We pray in Jesus's name, Amen. 

"Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all." (1 Chronicles 29: 11 NIV)

“The fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground.” (Ezekiel 38:20 NIV)

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." (Matthew 5:13 NIV)

"God of Revival"

by Brian Johnson & Phil Wickham

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOdvmbtPGcY

Verse 1
We’ve seen what You can do, oh God of wonders
Your power has no end
The things You’ve done before in greater measure
You will do again
 
Pre-Chorus
There’s no prison wall You can’t break through
No mountain You can’t move
All things are possible
There’s no broken body You can’t raise
No soul that You can’t save
All things are possible
 
Chorus
The darkest night
You can light it up
You can light it up
Oh God of revival
Let hope arise
Death is overcome
You’ve already won
Oh God of revival
 
Verse 2
You rose in victory and now You’re seated
Forever on the throne
So why should my heart fear what You defeated
I will trust in You alone
 
Bridge
Come awaken Your people, come awaken this city
Oh God of revival pour it out, pour it out
Every stronghold will crumble, I hear the chains hit the ground
Oh God of revival pour it out, pour it out

• © 2019 Phil Wickham Music (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])
• Simply Global Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])
• Sing My Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])
• Bethel Music Publishing

February 9, 2021 Prayer - Refreshing, revival, break the power of the wicked

God of Revival,

Thank you for your faithfulness, your ever-present help in time of trouble, and the reality that you never grow weary.  God, many of us are weary of the battles we've faced in the last year.  Even if the world wasn't battling politically, culturally, or medically, many of us have faced battles in our own families, relationships, health, employment, etc.  We warriors are weary.  But you are the one who renews our strength so we can walk, run, and even soar on the power of Holy Spirit.  So, renew us in this day and move us into the places you need us to work.  Just as the people in Nehemiah's time guarded their walls while they worked on them, help us to be daily renewed and rebuilt in your Presence so we can guard our spiritual walls and do the work you need us to do for such a time as this.  You told us that when we are honest with a little, you will entrust us with much.  Help us to be good stewards of the time, resources, talents, abilities, strength, and Spirit you have given to us.  But give us courage to fight for righteousness in this nation and Awakening in her people.  Give us holy boldness and fire to pray for revival in your Church and renewal in her people.  There's no prison wall you can't break through; no mountain you can't move.  We pray you would bring to light what is hidden in darkness and expose the motives of the heart in all areas of society.  You said that those who are dishonest with little will be dishonest with much and we see that dishonesty, corruption, lies, wickedness, and outright evil in so many aspects of our society.  Those cups of iniquity must be now have been filled; God, pour out your justice on the evils in society.  You said that the power of the wicked will be broken, so we command that the strength, power, and tenacity of wickedness would be completely broken off the people of this nation in the name of Jesus.  We believers may feel that we are against a Red Sea - trapped between an army that wants to kill us and a sea that wants to drown us.  But God!  Stretch out your hand to split the sea - do a miracle in our time - and then destroy the power of the enemy that attacks us.  Keep us from fretting about the power of the enemy by focusing the eyes of our hearts only on you and your power and deliverance.  We believe that you laugh at the wicked and you uphold the righteous, so we pray for your protection over the righteous. We pray that you would stir up a hunger for righteousness in the nation's entire population.  Come awaken this township, this city, this county, this state, this nation!  May there be so many that come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ - may your Spirit draw all men and women unto you - that we see mass conversions and revivals.  Fill your Spirit-led churches with believers of all origins, men and women who know they are radically saved by the covenant blood of Christ and radically empowered by Holy Spirit to boldly go forward in the work you have us do to redeem the world.  Destroy those who hope in evil, and cause those who hope in you to inherit this land.  And give us peace that guards our hearts and minds as we wait for you to act. We pray all this in the powerful, mighty, and victorious name of Jesus Christ, Amen! 

Do you not know?
    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 no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;

    they will run and not grow weary,

    they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV)

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." (Luke 16:10 NIV)

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

(Philippians 4:7 NIV)

Do not fret because of those who are evil

    or be envious of those who do wrong;

2 

for like the grass they will soon wither,

    like green plants they will soon die away.

3 

Trust in the Lord and do good;

    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

4 

Take delight in the Lord,

    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 

Commit your way to the Lord;

    trust in him and he will do this:

6 

He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,

    your vindication like the noonday sun.

7 

Be still before the Lord

    and wait patiently for him;

do not fret when people succeed in their ways,

    when they carry out their wicked schemes.

8 

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;

    do not fret—it leads only to evil.

9 

For those who are evil will be destroyed,

    but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

10 

A little while, and the wicked will be no more;

    though you look for them, they will not be found.

11 

But the meek will inherit the land

    and enjoy peace and prosperity.

12 

The wicked plot against the righteous

    and gnash their teeth at them;

13 

but the Lord laughs at the wicked,

    for he knows their day is coming.

14 

The wicked draw the sword

    and bend the bow

to bring down the poor and needy,

    to slay those whose ways are upright.

15 

But their swords will pierce their own hearts,

    and their bows will be broken.

16 

Better the little that the righteous have

    than the wealth of many wicked;

17 

for the power of the wicked will be broken,

    but the Lord upholds the righteous.

18 

The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care,

    and their inheritance will endure forever.

19 

In times of disaster they will not wither;

    in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

20 

But the wicked will perish:

    Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,

    they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.

21 

The wicked borrow and do not repay,

    but the righteous give generously;

22 

those the Lord blesses will inherit the land,

    but those he curses will be destroyed.

23 

The Lord makes firm the steps

    of the one who delights in him;

24 

though he may stumble, he will not fall,

    for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

25 

I was young and now I am old,

    yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken

    or their children begging bread.

26 

They are always generous and lend freely;

    their children will be a blessing.[b]

27 

Turn from evil and do good;

    then you will dwell in the land forever.

28 

For the Lord loves the just

    and will not forsake his faithful ones.

Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed[c];

    the offspring of the wicked will perish.

29 

The righteous will inherit the land

    and dwell in it forever.

30 

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,

    and their tongues speak what is just.

31 

The law of their God is in their hearts;

    their feet do not slip.

32 

The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,

    intent on putting them to death;

33 

but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked

    or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

34 

Hope in the Lord

    and keep his way.

He will exalt you to inherit the land;

    when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.

35 

I have seen a wicked and ruthless man

    flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,

36 

but he soon passed away and was no more;

    though I looked for him, he could not be found.

37 

Consider the blameless, observe the upright;

    a future awaits those who seek peace.[d]

38 

But all sinners will be destroyed;

    there will be no future[e] for the wicked.

39 

The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;

    he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

40 

The Lord helps them and delivers them;

    he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,

    because they take refuge in him. (Psalm 37 NIV)

"God of Revival" - Bethel Music

We’ve seen what You can do, oh God of wonders

Your power has no end

The things You’ve done before in greater measure

You will do again

 

There’s no prison wall You can’t break through

No mountain You can’t move

All things are possible

There’s no broken body You can’t raise

No soul that You can’t save

All things are possible

 

The darkest night

You can light it up

You can light it up

Oh God of revival

Let hope arise

Death is overcome

You’ve already won

Oh God of revival

 

You rose in victory and now You’re seated

Forever on the throne

So why should my heart fear what You defeated

I will trust in You alone

 

Come awaken Your people, come awaken this city

Oh God of revival pour it out, pour it out

Every stronghold will crumble, I hear the chains hit the ground

Oh God of revival pour it out, pour it out

 

Oo – oh oo – oh, God of revival

CCLI# 7133285

Written by Brian Johnson, Phil Wickham

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFWF9rSAWF8

January 21, 2021 Prayer - The Power of Spirit-Filled Believers

All Powerful God,

Thank you for heroes in our police officers, other law enforcement, 911 operators, paramedics, nurses, doctors, and other first responders who form a first line of help in the event of trouble.  Thank you for heroes in detectives, lawyers, and others who investigate, collect evidence, and work to convict lawbreakers in order to break the power of corruption, fraud, lawlessness, and wickedness.  Thank you for the many heroes of our faith, the men and women whose courage, conviction, and actions have led generations of Christ-followers so that the Good News has been shared in almost every people group on this planet.  Thank you for the power of your Holy Spirit that empowered your Church at Pentecost and continues to empower those who seek you first and desire to be filled with your Spirit.  Today we pray that you would raise up a new generation and hero for this day and age - Christians who are full of the fire of God!  Where we have been cooped up, let us get fed up!  Where we have been locked up, let us get fired up!  Where we have been swallowed by despair or fearful of what other people think, let us get freed up!  Where we are frustrated, let us channel that frustration into Spirit-filled prayer, preaching, and actions!  It is not an accident that a "nobody" like William Seymour who had "none of our advantages" saw the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Azusa Street that led to a worldwide movement millions strong.  It is not an accident that much of today's "Church" has none of the results of Azusa Street.  We often don't allow your Holy Spirit's fire to purify us, to convict us of sin and save us, to free us from demons, to heal us from our diseases and iniquities, to do "signs and wonders" that show your POWER.  We know there is no one more powerful and unstoppable than a person - and a Church - who is filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit and carries your Spirit and your Glory into every aspect of their lives.  So, today, we pray you would awaken, O Lord, the greatest heroes in the world—the Spirit-filled believer and Spirit-filled church of Jesus Christ! May your Glory shine through us so that all will come to your Light and know you as Lord and Savior.  In Christ's name we pray, Amen.

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."  (Proverbs 29:25 NIV)

"Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praisemore than praise from God." (John 12:42-43 NIV)

“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;

I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,

to open eyes that are blind,

to free captives from prison

and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

“I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. (Isaiah 42:6-8 NIV)

"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit...." (Acts 2:1-4a NIV)

"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39 NIV)

"This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will." (Hebrews 2:3-4 NIV)

Storms and resurrection

¹ He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

² I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

⁹ If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

¹⁰ then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

¹⁴ "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

¹⁵ He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." (Ps. 91 NIV)

I have had a lifelong fear of storms that has only somewhat abated as an adult. Growing up in Central Illinois meant experiencing some nasty, green-yellow-black thunderstorms and the not-so-rare tornado. I remember spending many thunderstorms cowering on the floor under my parents' bed, seeking safety. These last handful of days have seen several storms go through West Michigan, some with tornadoes, and all waking my young children up - children who have the same fears I had of storms.

This weekend I got to thinking about storms and how they can have good results. An average thunderstorm usually brings rain which is generally good for the land and crops. A severe storm can be good when it pulls down dead limbs or trees or makes room for new growth. Even a storm that creates massive human devastation can have long term "good" results, if you think in the "all things work together for good for those that love God..." vein.*

Our lives often have metaphorical storms - an illness, a life-changing decision, a betrayal, socio-economic upheaval, etc. Some of those storms come as a result of our choices and others are a result of our circumstances. These types of storms are never fun when you are in them, but when we entrust our lives to God, at least we have hope that the storm will not last forever and that after the storm there will be new life and new growth.

This weekend I saw Nicole Sponberg in concert and she sang one of her signature songs, "Resurrection." I've found that when I'm going through a time of storm or when I've just come through one, I have a sense of needing renewal and resurrection. Maybe you've had this same experienced need or maybe you know someone who is there right now. If so, take some time to savor this song and pray the lyrics for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOEGPQZWlR4

I'm at a loss for words, there’’s nothing to say
I sit in silence wondering what led me to this place
How did my heart become so lifeless and cold
Where did the passion go?

When all my efforts seem like chasing wind
I've used up all my strength and there’s nothing left to give
I've lost the feeling and I'm down to the core
Can't fake it anymore

Here I am at the end I'm in need of resurrection
Only you can take this empty shell and raise it from the dead
What I’ve lost to the world what seems far beyond redemption
You can take the pieces in your hand and make me whole again

I'm at a loss for words, there’s nothing to say
I’ve used up all my strength and there’s nothing left to give
How did my heart become so lifeless and cold
Can’t fake it anymore

Here I am once again I'm in need of resurrection
Only you can take this empty shell and raise it from the dead
What I’ve lost to the world what seems far beyond redemption
You can take the pieces in your hand and make me whole again

You can take the pieces in your hand and make me whole again

God, thank you for being the rock and shelter in the time of storm. Thank you for the renewal that comes from the storms of life. Thank you for being faithful to your promises and your people. God, for the places in our lives we need resurrection and renewal, give us courage to let you do that work. God, for the people in our lives who need healing, renewal, or salvation, we pray your will would be done. God, we pray for places that are empty shells - raise them from the dead, make us whole again. In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.

* ²⁸And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Rom. 8:28 NIV)

Oxygen mask

If you've ever taken an airplane flight you know that one of the safety announcements is that if you are traveling with a small child and the plane loses pressure, put your own oxygen mask on before helping a child. A few weeks ago one of my older, wiser women friends reminded me to make sure I put my spiritual "oxygen mask" on in the midst of the rest of life. It has been a good reminder.

Maybe you are busy caring for or helping lots of other people. Sometimes it feels like you are low on your own spiritual oxygen - low on God's strength to carry you, God's Spirit to encourage you, God's love and grace to enfold you. Maybe right now is a good moment to just stop, breathe, and listen for God's Spirit.

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46:10 NIV)

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. (1 Kings 19 NIV)

Today, God, we stop.

We breathe.

We wait in stillness, in silence.

By your Spirit, replace our exhaustion, our emptiness, our spent-ness with a renewed energy for your Kingdom. Amen.

New II

[Here's an article for our church's newsletter...]

"Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things..." (Ps. 98:1 NIV)

“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.” (Ps. 40:3 NIV)

October may seem like a strange time to be talking about new things in life, but maybe it's the best time. While a lot of people wait until January 1 to make their New Year's Resolutions or to start new things, I think this is also a good time of year to do some spiritual work. In theory, at least, we are well rested from our fun-in-the-sun this summer and returning to our "normal" activities with renewed energy and vigor. We've already seen the start of a new school year, new football and soccer seasons, and a new program year in the church. We continue to pray for God's wisdom and timing as we await the revelation and arrival of our new lead pastor. We are just beginning a new worship series focused around grace and healing.

And God's word continually challenges us to not just stay in the old and familiar:

This is what the LORD says—he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, "...do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:16, 18, 19 NIV)

Sometimes in the midst of living real life it's hard to see what new thing God may be doing. When we are unemployed - when we are divorcing - when we are lonely - when we are ill - when we are hurting - when we are fearful or worried - when we are concerned for someone - when we are walking through the valley of the shadow - it can be hard to see what God is doing. Yet, Isaiah reminds us of the times when God does something new or unexpected – like giving streams in the wasteland - to show his glory and power and to rescue his people.

Whatever we may be going through, God may be preparing to do - or already doing - something new.This new thing may be something we’ve never even considered or something that is an extreme challenge to us. In John 15 Jesus used the image of a gardener pruning the vine so it can produce more fruit. When God prunes us for greater fruitfulness – spiritually, emotionally, relationally, financially, etc. - it can be uncomfortable, even painful. But Jesus told us in a different story that we must continue to be renewed:

"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins." (Mark 2:21-22 NIV)

Even though it’s “just October,” these scriptures lead us to some questions about God’s renewal in our individual lives and that of our church. What is the new thing(s) that God is calling us to? What is the new "song" God is calling us to sing? What is it about that song that will cause others to see and fear God and to put their trust in Him? Or, to put it another way, what is the "new wine" of our lives that God wants to create? And how is He preparing us to be new wineskins for that wine?

This is what God says, "Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? (Isa. 43 MSG) Let us be new wineskins for God’s new wine and sing a new song of praise!