Quarterly Journals - Shiloh Baptist Church

QUARTERLY JOURNAL

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I Need a Revival

Posted on Dec 2, 2018 in Quarterly Journal | 2620

“…keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” – Jude 21 ESV

Watching network news one morning, Matt Lauer interviewed a former Secret Service Agent who gave her insight into the issues concerning the welfare and protection of the President and his family. Once again, someone was brazen enough to breech the White House grounds, undetected, who potentially was dangerous. Fortunately, the President and his family were away, but the thinking was that if one could do it, others could too. So, when asked by Matt what she thought the problem was amongst those assigned to guard and protect the security of the President, she said, “complacency,” and the word resonated with me. I had been hearing it a lot. She said that the agents were so used to nothing out of the ordinary happening that they let their guard down. They failed to stay ready, and “while they were seeping” danger crept in. I cringed when I heard it because for the first time, I realized that complacency is what happens to the church when we let our guard down; or have low expectations of what God can do, and even less appreciation for what He is doing; and I confess, I need a Revival.

Spiritual revival is a spiritual awakening from a state of dormancy or stagnation in the life of the believer. It is the resurfacing of a love for God, an appreciation of His holiness, and a passion for His Word and His church. When we fail to come together in prayer-feeling that nothing is going to change; or when we fail to come together around the Study of God’s Word-feeling that what we already know isn’t working; or when we forsake the assembling of ourselves together, in fellowship-feeling that we can’t trust one another, complacency has set in; and I don’t know about you, but I need a revival. Spiritual revival is a convicting awareness of personal and corporate sin, which leads to real humility and a desire for repentance and growth in righteousness. Spiritual revival invigorates and deepens a believer’s faith. I believe that God, through His Holy Spirit, has called us to revival through the authoritative preaching of His Word.

Through Pastor Washington’s obedience in the preaching of “Reclaiming the Faith” (Jude 3) we are now faced with a convicting awareness of personal guilt and the awesome nature of salvation through Jesus Christ. This is a new beginning of life for us who desire to live a life of obedience to God. In revival, the Holy Spirit pulls back the veil that the world has cast over truth, and allows us to see ourselves fully, in light of God’s holiness. It is then that we experience great humility, and awe of God, recognizing His truly amazing grace.

Revival is the time for restoration of broken fellowship with God in a relationship maintained by Him, even when we have become stagnant. When we think about the Individuality of God; His inclusivity and His intimacy with us, I believe this is time called by God, through His Holy Spirit to break the charm of the world in the life of believers. In revival, His great Power opens complacent blinded eyes. In revival, His power generates both the will, and the power to see things from His perspective. Through revival, we can stand with watchful eyes, to see what He’s going to do next. I can’t speak for you, but I need a revival.

Submitted by Deaconess Irene Gardon

Dec '18

From One Generation to Another

Posted on Dec 2, 2018 in Quarterly Journal | 2540

Dec '18

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6 ESV

Faith is never more than one generation away from extinction. That is why it is critical that parents help their children to understand who God is and to take their first steps in walking with Him. There are many ways to do that, including telling stories about the mighty things that God has done. No matter how much you may love and serve the Lord, you cannot believe for your children. Our children must develop their own walk with God. As schools are now open and our children head back to school, some away from home, and others to new places, it is imperative that we give our children instruction in faith, just as we do in their pursuit of higher learning in reading, writing mathematics, and the arts.

You can begin this by knowing the word of God for yourself, before trying to pass it on; do not add anything to the Word; do not forget any of the things God has done; revere Him. You cannot give our children a faith that you do not possess. It’s one thing to talk about religion, it’s another thing to have a vibrant relationship with the True and Living God.

Sunday School and Bible Study are one way for you and your child to begin the legacy of learning God’s ways, but more importantly, the personal experiences in your family and in your home are a good starting place. Moses urged the Israelites to practice the Law so that their children could see it in action, no just hear it recited. He reminded them to live with the perspective that God owns everything. He reminded them to maintain a commitment to integrity by refusing bribes, by ensuring justice for orphans, and showing love and care for strangers. He reminded them to acknowledge the Lord in all life; to worship Him regularly; to keep a singular focus; to talk about the truths of God in everyday life.

As Moses reminded the people of his day to honor God in their families, we are reminded that we are to do the same.

Children quickly see through empty religion. They know instinctively when their parents truly believe, and where their loyalties lie. Therefore, we, as parents, need to model Christlikeness before our children, that they will have the desire to be like Him also. God wants salvation for all. His purpose has been fulfilled through Jesus Christ. We ought to pass on the blessing, beginning with our children and in our own homes first.

Submitted by Deaconess Irene Gardon

Dec '18

Knowing God

Posted on Dec 2, 2018 in Quarterly Journal | 2740

Dec '18

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. – John 17:3 ESV

People speak of “knowing God.” But what do they mean? Scripture seems to suggest two related ways in which a person can “know God.” In part, knowing God means having a personal relationship with Him. Thanks to Christ’s obedience to the cross we can know God intimately. We can know God in that sense because of what Christ did on the Cross to remove the barrier of sin that separated us from Him. However, knowing God in the sense of having relationship with Him goes hand in hand with another sense of “Knowing’ Him. Centuries before Christ came; Scripture described what the sense of personal intimacy with God would be like.

In Jeremiah 3, the Lord privileged Jeremiah with a vision of a new covenant, in His promise that God’s children would know Him, not just about Him. You can establish a personal relationship with Him right now, by calling out to Him, confessing your own sinfulness, and thanking Him for the forgiveness He extends to you as a result of Jesus’ work on the Cross. He promised that His teaching would go beyond a mere collection of laws; that He Himself would be our teacher. A personal relationship with God is based on a faith in Christ. Be careful claiming to know the Lord if you act as if you’ve never heard of Him.

Submitted by Deaconess Irene Gardon