Faithful Praise Amidst Trials: Embracing Revival's Journey
Summary
In today's message, I felt led to share a word of encouragement and caution as we stand on the brink of a significant revival. We are entering a season where the Spirit of God is moving powerfully among us, and I believe we will witness miracles, healings, and the restoration of families. However, as we celebrate these blessings, we must also be mindful of the challenges that lie ahead when the praise is over.
Praise is a powerful expression of our faith and gratitude, but it can also be seductive, leading us to believe that everything is perfect when, in reality, life outside the church walls can be difficult. We must be careful not to let the euphoria of praise blind us to the real world, which is filled with distractions and challenges. Our faith must remain steadfast even when the music fades and the service ends.
Drawing from Exodus 15, we see the Israelites praising God after their miraculous escape from Egypt. Yet, just days later, they faced the bitter waters of Marah and began to complain. This story reminds us that life is marked by both triumphs and trials. The key is to maintain our faith and trust in God, even when we encounter bitter waters.
God has promised to be with us through every trial, and He will turn our bitterness into abundance. Just as He provided sweet water for the Israelites, He will provide for us. Our task is to keep praising, keep believing, and keep trusting, knowing that God is leading us to a place of abundance. We must look beyond the immediate challenges and trust that God has already prepared wells of blessing for us.
As we move forward, let us embrace this season of revival with faith and anticipation, knowing that God is with us and will lead us to victory. Our praise has purpose, and it will guide us through the trials to the abundance that God has promised.
Key Takeaways:
- Revival begins in the heart and spirit of the church before it can reach the community. It is more than a catchphrase; it is an experience that transforms us from within and prepares us to be a light to the world. [02:07]
- Praise is essential, but it can be deceptive if it leads us to ignore the realities of life. We must be vigilant and grounded in our faith, recognizing that true spiritual growth occurs when we face and overcome challenges. [07:01]
- The story of the Israelites teaches us that life is a journey of both praise and trials. When we encounter bitter waters, we must remember that God is with us and will provide a way through. Our faith must remain strong, even when circumstances are difficult. [23:16]
- God's provision is always present, even when we cannot see it. The wells of abundance are already prepared for us, and we must trust that God will lead us to them in His perfect timing. Our task is to keep moving forward in faith. [31:49]
- Our praise has purpose, and it is a declaration of our trust in God's promises. When the praise is over, we must continue to praise, knowing that God will turn our bitterness into abundance and lead us to victory. [28:58]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:07] - Revival in the Church
[04:31] - A Year of Miracles
[05:29] - A Word of Caution
[07:01] - The Nature of Praise
[08:48] - Reality Beyond Praise
[09:36] - The Song of Moses
[11:45] - Israel's Journey
[15:11] - Recounting God's Works
[16:37] - The Necessity of Praise
[19:49] - From Praise to Complaint
[20:33] - The Question of Faith
[23:16] - Bitter Waters of Life
[25:59] - Trusting God's Provision
[28:58] - Purpose in Praise
[31:49] - Wells of Abundance
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Exodus 15:1, 23-24
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the initial reaction of the Israelites after their escape from Egypt, as described in Exodus 15:1? How did they express their gratitude? [09:36]
2. What challenge did the Israelites face shortly after their celebration, according to Exodus 15:23-24? How did they respond to this challenge? [09:36]
3. In the sermon, what caution is given about the nature of praise and its potential pitfalls? [07:01]
4. How does the sermon describe the transition from praise to complaint among the Israelites? What does this reveal about human nature? [20:33]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might the Israelites have found it difficult to maintain their faith when faced with the bitter waters of Marah, despite their recent miraculous deliverance? [23:16]
2. The sermon suggests that praise can be seductive. In what ways might praise lead believers to ignore the realities of life? [07:01]
3. How does the story of the Israelites at Marah illustrate the importance of trusting in God's provision, even when circumstances seem dire? [25:59]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between praise and faith during times of trial? How can believers ensure their faith remains strong when the "praise is over"? [28:58]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a spiritual high, similar to the Israelites' praise after crossing the Red Sea. How did you handle the challenges that followed? [19:49]
2. The sermon warns about the seductive nature of praise. How can you ensure that your worship remains genuine and grounded in reality? [07:01]
3. When faced with "bitter waters" in your life, how do you typically respond? What steps can you take to trust in God's provision more fully during these times? [23:16]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of continuing to praise God even when circumstances are difficult. What practical ways can you incorporate praise into your daily routine, especially during challenging times? [28:58]
5. Consider the idea that God has already prepared "wells of abundance" for you. How can this perspective change the way you approach current struggles or uncertainties in your life? [31:49]
6. How can you support others in your community who may be struggling to maintain their faith when the "praise is over"? What role can you play in encouraging them to trust in God's promises? [27:05]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about revival beginning in the heart. What personal changes can you make to prepare yourself for a season of spiritual renewal and growth? [02:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Revival Begins Within
Revival is not just a movement; it is a transformation that starts within the heart and spirit of the church. Before it can reach the community, it must first ignite a personal and collective renewal among believers. This revival is more than a catchphrase; it is an experience that transforms individuals from within, preparing them to be a light to the world. As the Spirit of God moves powerfully among us, we are called to embrace this transformation, allowing it to shape our actions, thoughts, and interactions with others. This internal revival equips us to carry the message of hope and love beyond the church walls, impacting the world around us. [02:07]
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit." (Psalm 51:10-12, ESV)
Reflection: What specific area of your life needs revival today, and how can you invite God to begin that transformation within you?
Day 2: The Dual Nature of Praise
Praise is a powerful expression of faith and gratitude, yet it can also be deceptive if it leads us to ignore the realities of life. While praise is essential, it is crucial to remain vigilant and grounded in faith, recognizing that true spiritual growth occurs when we face and overcome challenges. The euphoria of praise should not blind us to the difficulties outside the church walls. Instead, it should strengthen our resolve to remain steadfast in faith, even when the music fades and the service ends. By acknowledging the dual nature of praise, believers can maintain a balanced perspective, celebrating blessings while preparing for life's challenges. [07:01]
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: How can you ensure that your praise remains genuine and grounded, even when faced with life's challenges?
Day 3: Journey Through Bitter Waters
The story of the Israelites teaches us that life is a journey of both praise and trials. After their miraculous escape from Egypt, the Israelites praised God, but soon faced the bitter waters of Marah and began to complain. This narrative serves as a reminder that life is marked by both triumphs and trials. When encountering bitter waters, it is essential to remember that God is with us and will provide a way through. Our faith must remain strong, even when circumstances are difficult, trusting that God will turn our bitterness into abundance. By maintaining faith and trust in God, believers can navigate life's challenges with hope and resilience. [23:16]
"And the Lord said to Moses, 'Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground.'" (Exodus 14:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: When you face your own "bitter waters," how can you remind yourself of God's presence and provision?
Day 4: Trusting in God's Provision
God's provision is always present, even when we cannot see it. The wells of abundance are already prepared for us, and we must trust that God will lead us to them in His perfect timing. Our task is to keep moving forward in faith, knowing that God has already prepared blessings for us. This trust in God's provision requires patience and perseverance, as we look beyond immediate challenges and focus on the promises of abundance. By keeping faith and trusting in God's timing, believers can experience the fullness of His blessings and provision in their lives. [31:49]
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust in God's provision, and how can you actively practice that trust today?
Day 5: Purpose in Praise
Our praise has purpose, serving as a declaration of trust in God's promises. When the praise is over, it is essential to continue praising, knowing that God will turn our bitterness into abundance and lead us to victory. This ongoing praise is not just an expression of gratitude but a testament to our faith in God's faithfulness. By understanding the purpose of praise, believers can maintain a spirit of worship and trust, even in challenging times. This purposeful praise guides us through trials, leading us to the abundance that God has promised. [28:58]
"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." (Hebrews 13:15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate purposeful praise into your daily routine, especially during times of difficulty?
Quotes
I believe we're embarking as a movement, as an apostolic Pentecostal movement on a season, a next level, an exciting time of revival for the church. I believe that with all of my heart. It's obvious to me that God, is doing something amazing in us and with us. It just stands out to me. There's such an incredible move of the Spirit of God that, thank you very much, that we are experiencing, and we're seeing the result. Now, catch this. We're seeing the result of what a revival looks like when it comes to a church. [00:01:07] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Revival has to first start in the heart and the spirit of the church before it can ever reach into the community and draw them to Christ. The seven laws of teaching, the foundational law is simply this. First, I love my teacher. Then, I love my teacher. Then, I love my teacher. Then, I love my teacher. Then, I love God. And so, the church has emerged or come to a place, I believe, historically, where rather than being judges and jurors of the world, I believe we need to be a net that's cast into a sea of hopeless and lost individuals that are hungry for what we possess. Amen. I'm excited. [00:02:07] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Now let me just pause and say we need to keep watching these doors because I think you're going to see our kids maybe last night sitting on a bar stool somewhere far, far from God. But the wooing of the Spirit and the fateful prayers of a church and mothers and fathers and grandparents are going to reach into their spirit. They may not know it, but He called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. They're going to wake up one Sunday morning. It's not going to be their idea. It's going to be God's idea. And they're going to come to the house of God and find their way back to an altar of repentant church. I believe we are poised and ready and emerging into the greatest revival, the revival of the end time that the apostolic church has ever known. [00:03:30] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
The reality is God has deposited, God has invested something in us. Yes, we are these earthen vessels that have received the treasure of the Almighty, just clay, frail, fragile, insignificant clay called the human family. [00:05:52] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
We step into one at times that even we face destruction. And yet the uncertainty of our tomorrow rests in the hope, and there's that word we've been hearing this morning, in the hope of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. [00:06:31] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Praise can put us in a spiritually euphoric state that will lead you to believe that things are really better than they actually are because reality is not always what goes on in the house of God when we are immersed in praise. [00:07:36] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
We're living in another dimension. We're experiencing the touch of the heavenly. We're living in an atmosphere that the world knows nothing about. But as I said, when we walk from this house to our house, there is a real world that is evil and it is doing everything in its power to pull down the work of God in the day we live in. And what do we do when the praise is over? Amen. [00:07:58] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
The reality in the life of every Christian is summed up in this question that Israel asks in the wilderness. What shall we drink? Nothing wrong with that question. It's a good question. The thing we're going to discover in a moment is not that the question was wrong, it was the response to the question was wrong. In the first 21 verses, we find Israel shouting. [00:20:33] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
now I'm going to again pause and I want you to catch this because this is very important we need to understand we need to remember in all of this no matter what they were going through they were still free God had set them free can I tell somebody right now your response to the struggles of life need to be I'm free regardless in spite of to live is Christ the writer said to die is gain you got to realize Israel you might be going through some stuff there might be some uncertainties facing you you may not understand appreciate or like it but you're free, free, free from this world of sin you need to get up every morning and not look at what is wrong but shout to God praise for what is right for what is right I'm free as [00:22:08] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
And again, I just want to pause and remind somebody and say the life of every Christian is filled with bitter water from time to time. It was Jesus who told the faithful followers that day, in this life, you will have tribulation. But through it all, he gave a promise to every one of his children that he would be with you and he would keep you and he would bless you and he would deliver you. Quit looking at the problem and start seeing the solution. And his name is Jesus. [00:24:45] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
I'm believing God planted me here for a purpose, to be part of the move of God in the end time, the revival that God has purposed for this place. [00:29:34] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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