Sunday, October 31, 2010
Read Luke 18:9-14
By Curtis Strickland
In Psalm 9, the Psalmist says that “He forgetteth not the cry of the humble.” In our society, it seems that humility is nowhere to be found. We’ve become a proud and arrogant people. Climbing the ladder of success has become the most important thing in some lives. Jesus taught about being a servant. He washed the disciples’ feet as an illustration. Jesus let them know that He came to serve and not to be served.
Isaiah 57:15 reveals God’s values “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with Him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Jesus says in Matthew 18:4: “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Applying the Truth as an Individual
Are you praying humbly?
Applying the Truth as a Church
Can PVBC be characterized as a humble and serving church?
Read Proverbs 22:4
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Revival -- Oneness of Heart
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Read Matthew 18:19
By Curtis Strickland
In Matthew, Jesus stated that if only two shall agree on earth it shall be done for them in heaven. Only two. Think of the revival that would come to PVBC if the hundreds here would be of one heart, praying in one accord. Act 4:32: “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.”
Read the following passages that instruct us on how to enjoy oneness of heart: Isaiah 52:8, Philippians 1:27 & 3:16, I Corinthians 12:12, Ephesians 4:31-32. Try these to enhance your prayer life.
Applying the Truth as an Individual
Are you in one accord with God and your brothers and sisters in Christ?
Applying the Truth as a Church
Is PVBC truly in one accord with God?
Read James 3:14-18
Read Matthew 18:19
By Curtis Strickland
In Matthew, Jesus stated that if only two shall agree on earth it shall be done for them in heaven. Only two. Think of the revival that would come to PVBC if the hundreds here would be of one heart, praying in one accord. Act 4:32: “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.”
Read the following passages that instruct us on how to enjoy oneness of heart: Isaiah 52:8, Philippians 1:27 & 3:16, I Corinthians 12:12, Ephesians 4:31-32. Try these to enhance your prayer life.
Applying the Truth as an Individual
Are you in one accord with God and your brothers and sisters in Christ?
Applying the Truth as a Church
Is PVBC truly in one accord with God?
Read James 3:14-18
Revival -- Faith
Friday, October 29, 2010
Read Matthew 21:18-22
By Curtis Strickland
Faith: the trust in God and in His promises as made through Christ and the Scriptures by which man is justified and saved. (Random House Dictionary). Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Praying is praising and thanking God. It is also petitioning God for certain things in our lives. Praying without faith is just words. In Matthew 21:22 Jesus says “All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” The key word is believing.
Praying for revival in our lives and for salvation for the lost must be done in faith without any doubt. Prayer, with faith, triggers the promises of God. His power is always available and is activated when we pray. We are praying to a God with no limits on what He can do. Read Ephesians 3:20. Revival is not God’s problem. The problem is in our thinking and obeying “with faith” that God will answer our request. Prayers can never deplete God’s power and grace. Our lack of faith hinders our prayers.
Applying the Truth as an Individual
How strong is your faith?
Applying the Truth as a Church
As part of the body of Christ, is PVBC a faithful church in everything?
Read Romans 4:18-21
Read Matthew 21:18-22
By Curtis Strickland
Faith: the trust in God and in His promises as made through Christ and the Scriptures by which man is justified and saved. (Random House Dictionary). Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Praying is praising and thanking God. It is also petitioning God for certain things in our lives. Praying without faith is just words. In Matthew 21:22 Jesus says “All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” The key word is believing.
Praying for revival in our lives and for salvation for the lost must be done in faith without any doubt. Prayer, with faith, triggers the promises of God. His power is always available and is activated when we pray. We are praying to a God with no limits on what He can do. Read Ephesians 3:20. Revival is not God’s problem. The problem is in our thinking and obeying “with faith” that God will answer our request. Prayers can never deplete God’s power and grace. Our lack of faith hinders our prayers.
Applying the Truth as an Individual
How strong is your faith?
Applying the Truth as a Church
As part of the body of Christ, is PVBC a faithful church in everything?
Read Romans 4:18-21
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Revival -- Praise and Gratitude
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Read Job 1:13-22
By Curtis Strickland
God allows difficulties in our lives. They may not be as harsh as Job’s. Praying and depending on God during these times will strengthen our faith and dependence on Him. There was a time when my wife and I went through a very difficult time. She was diagnosed with cancer. We were devastated. Not knowing the severity, we were scared beyond belief. Our faith in God and a simple prayer to ask God to help us eased our fear. God answered that simple prayer. My wife is cancer free and we believe God will not allow it to return. My praise and gratitude cannot be expressed in words. Read Phil 4:4 and I Thes 5:18. If your prayer is to have any effect, then it must come from a thankful heart.
Applying the Truth as an Individual
Examine your life. Are you grateful and praising God for everything?
Applying the Truth as a Church
Does PVBC praise God or just go through the motions?
Read Hebrews 13:15
Read Job 1:13-22
By Curtis Strickland
God allows difficulties in our lives. They may not be as harsh as Job’s. Praying and depending on God during these times will strengthen our faith and dependence on Him. There was a time when my wife and I went through a very difficult time. She was diagnosed with cancer. We were devastated. Not knowing the severity, we were scared beyond belief. Our faith in God and a simple prayer to ask God to help us eased our fear. God answered that simple prayer. My wife is cancer free and we believe God will not allow it to return. My praise and gratitude cannot be expressed in words. Read Phil 4:4 and I Thes 5:18. If your prayer is to have any effect, then it must come from a thankful heart.
Applying the Truth as an Individual
Examine your life. Are you grateful and praising God for everything?
Applying the Truth as a Church
Does PVBC praise God or just go through the motions?
Read Hebrews 13:15
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Revival -- Reverence
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Read Psalm 99
By Curtis Strickland
Reverence: a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe, to honor and adore. (Random House Dictionary). Praying to the God that can speak things into existence, controls history and our lives, demands our reverence. God is holy. He is not the old man upstairs. Psalm 99 commands us to praise, exalt and worship the Lord. Why? Because the “Lord God is King.”
Picture in your mind being ushered into the presence of God. Do you see yourself sashaying before Him with worldly things on your mind? I’m sure that’s not the case. Your attitude in that day will guide your spirit today. If an attitude of reverence prevails, then let that attitude guide you in your daily prayers as you come to the throne of your heavenly Father, the Lord God Almighty.
Applying the Truth as an Individual
Are you living in reverence to God?
Applying the Truth as a Church
Does PVBC truly have a reverent fear of God?
Read Rev 5:11-14
Read Psalm 99
By Curtis Strickland
Reverence: a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe, to honor and adore. (Random House Dictionary). Praying to the God that can speak things into existence, controls history and our lives, demands our reverence. God is holy. He is not the old man upstairs. Psalm 99 commands us to praise, exalt and worship the Lord. Why? Because the “Lord God is King.”
Picture in your mind being ushered into the presence of God. Do you see yourself sashaying before Him with worldly things on your mind? I’m sure that’s not the case. Your attitude in that day will guide your spirit today. If an attitude of reverence prevails, then let that attitude guide you in your daily prayers as you come to the throne of your heavenly Father, the Lord God Almighty.
Applying the Truth as an Individual
Are you living in reverence to God?
Applying the Truth as a Church
Does PVBC truly have a reverent fear of God?
Read Rev 5:11-14
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