4-22-20    THOUGHTS

My mind and heart are excited for RENEWAL and REVIVAL.  We’ve talked about a “closer walk with God.”   If we don’t diligently pursue MORE OF GOD...  who are we?  As shown below, it starts in the heart.  
Prov 4:23       Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it [flow] the springs of life.
A beautiful song came from  Ps 139:23-24   Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;  24  And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

Psalm 51:7-17     (most think this followed David’s sin with Bathsheeba)
Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8  Make me to hear joy and gladness,  Let the bones which You have broken rejoice. 9  Hide Your face from my sins And blot out all my iniquities. 10  Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11  Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit. 13  Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You. 14   Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation; Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness. 15  O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare Your praise. 16  For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. 17  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

The RELEASE of a soul to DECLARE GOD’S GOODNESS is seen above.  
A clean heart, a steadfast spirit, God’s presence Spirit, the joy of God’s salvation and a willing spirit...    These David asked for!   He promised open lips and an open mouth in exchange.
He then gave us a great definition of sacrifices to God...
                  “A broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart...”
Ps 95:6   Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.

My Prayer:
Oh God, we desire clean hearts and willing spirits.  Please restore the joy of your salvation to each of us.  Revive our souls and give us excitement as we seek YOU.  In our renewal Lord, cause our hearts to sing of your greatness to a lost and dying world.  Pull us together Father that we may enjoy fellowship in this eternal endeavor.
            In the name of precious Jesus                    Amen