Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “A Fresh Encounter”
Our Bible verse for today: “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “God wants to revive us.”
At Oak Hill Baptist Church we’re beginning a new Sunday night Bible study series entitled “Fresh Encounter” by Henry and Richard Blackaby. It’s all about personal spiritual renewal and church-wide revival.
In the introduction to the study Henry makes this observation, “Many churches are filled with professing Christians who are not experiencing the power of God in their lives.” He then goes on to say, “There are lifeless, powerless churches dotting the landscape which are making little difference for God’s kingdom.”
That’s a shame and it should not be. Many individual Christians, and consequently many churches, are not experiencing the power of God as they should be.
There’s actually a cyclical pattern which is easily observable and which repeats itself over and over again. First God draws people to Himself; they respond to Him; they are excited and passionate about their relationship with Him; but then their passion cools and they get lukewarm and begin to drift; God then disciplines them in some manner; they cry out and repent; they return to God; and once again He blesses them.
It is a sad and unnecessary pattern that’s repeated over and over again and at some point most of us go through it. But God never gives up pursuing His people and calling them back into a deep and healthy relationship with Himself. Jeremiah 33:3 is just one of numerous passages which remind us that God calls us to Himself and when we respond, He blesses us.
Throughout the month of April I’ll share with you in these devotional messages some of the lessons we’re learning in our small group time at Oak Hill Baptist. Oak Hill is a wonderful little church which has actually been in a condition of slow, steady, progressive revival for the last 2-3 years. Just the other night some members were marveling and giving God glory for the healthy changes He has brought into our church life during that time.
But as good as those things are, we recognize that God always has more for His people. No matter how much individuals or churches have changed and grown, with God there is always something more, always something new, always something better. The adventure never ends. So we continue to seek those fresh encounters with Him and, we invite you to join us. I’m looking forward to sharing insights with you and growing together as we seek spiritual renewal and revival.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 