From these observations of the setting, we can now see Six Characteristics of Spiritual Renewal from Nehemiah 8-9. 1. Reverence and Love for the Reading of Scripture Chalk Prayer #3: We’re praying for a restoration of our love for and study of the Word. This experience is typical of those entering into spiritual renewal. It...
Cyber Studies
Expository and topical studies: Living a Love LifeLiving Foundations for the ChurchAttitudes and Actions of a Growing ChurchThe book of JamesWorship seriesA series on outreachBiblical character studiesChoose a Study from the menu on the left to get started!
A Case Study: The Water Gate Renewal—a look at the significant revival of Nehemiah’s day Part One
I am continuing to read about some of the major revivals and revivalists/evangelists in history (especially this century). This week I read an article by David Smith about the revival that took place in Wales in the first part of this century. He writes: “As Christmas neared in 1904, the small Celtic country of Wales...
Private Repentance or Public Revelation—a study of Luke 12:1-12
Luke 12:1-12 Christian History magazine tells a number of stories that reveal St. Francis of Assisi’s intense and complex personality. I was particularly struck with how he dealt with temptation and repentance. Once he got sick after eating too much chicken. After regaining his strength of body, he entered the city of Assisi. When he...
A Spiritual Evaluation—Evaluating Ourselves and Our Churches by Jesus’ Evaluation of the 7 Churches in Revelation
Revelation 2 and 3
Part One: Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum
Introduction:
Think with me about some basic but intriguing questions.- What does Jesus think about us individually?
- Is there an evaluation of our spiritual lives only in eternity, or is it also done in the present?
- Does Jesus evaluate and judge a local church, or just its individual members?
- What if an angel from God delivered a letter from Jesus to our church; what would be affirmed and what would be criticized?
A Spiritual Evaluation—Evaluating Ourselves and Our Churches by Jesus’ Evaluation of the 7 Churches in Revelation – Part 2
Revelation 2 and 3 Part Two: Thyatira In Revelation 2-3, John is taking dictation from Jesus Himself to be given to the seven churches in Asia. These letters are very revealing to us about the churches, but they provide great benefit for us as well. In these seven letters, Jesus is giving us some insight...
Questions for the Chalk Revival
In the Chalk Revival, it is only as God's Word penetrates the heart that the conviction of the Holy Spirit will bring brokenness, and the soil of our hearts will be watered with tears of repentance and tears of joy.
Choosing and Keeping the Right Path to the Chalk Revival
Someone has said, "If you want revival, go into your prayer closet; take a piece of chalk; draw a circle around yourself; and pray until revival comes to that circle, to the person in the circle, to you." After you draw that circle, there will be many choices and hindrances as you walk into everyday life. The first set of choices will be the path you walk on each day.
The Seven Chalk Revival Prayers
I want to pray for 1. A revitalization of my spiritual life and also of this church and our nation—2 Chron. 7:14-15; Is. 6:1-8; 57:15 A Spiritual Evaluation—Evaluating Ourselves and Our Churches by Jesus’ Evaluation of the 7 Churches in Revelation 2. A repentance from sin—secret sins—sins that wrap around my feet and trip me...
Hineni (“Here Am I, Send Me”) Part Two—Chalk Prayers and Lessons from Isaiah 6
How does our personal experience end up touching the world? Is the renewal of our individual lives all there is to the Chalk Revival? Scripture has a wonderful example to demonstrate the other side of one person's spiritual renewal. As we study it, we will be reminded that what happens in our personal Chalk Revival potentially has implications in many other lives, and that spiritual influence is the usual outcome of renewal.
Hineni (“Here Am I, Send Me”) Part One—How the Chalk Revival Began at Hillcrest Chapel
Let me begin by sharing a little of my personal journey from September 1996 to August 1997. This will give you a bit of the context for the beginning of the “Chalk Revival” and how the word Hineni influenced my desire for a personal renewal and revival.