Fiercely Loved
Welcome to Peniel CrossRoads, where we embrace Jesus’s heart and together live out the call to biblical unity!
Like many of you, this last week has been one of awe-inspiring wonder as we watch and pray for the Asbury revival 2023, that it would catch fire and spread across our nation…that young adults—Oh, God bless them!—would be the matches that spark a fire of renewal in the U.S. and across the world…
This week has also been a whirlwind for us in Illinois, as concurrently our church hosted Rev. Deirdre Brower Latz for revival services in partnership with Olivet Nazarene University. The students were curious, hungry, thirstily longing for more, and the services were graced with lingering in the Spirit’s presence.
Then Tuesday afternoon Chris left for an overnight visit to Wilmore, KY. He arrived back at our home church for the last service of Olivet’s revival…we’re still processing all that he experienced, but the one thing most evident at Asbury was how hungry the students were for more of God. We see a similar hunger in the students here, and we pray that it grows deeper and wider.
But this is what I know, what I received this week from Dr. Deirdre’s messages:
We are fiercely loved. Before we hear the Good News about a God who died to save sinners (the consequence of our sin), we need to know and believe the Good News that we are beloved in the heart of the Father. “For God so loved the world…”
As the Beloved of God, we are His fragrance to a dying world. So, we will be hated. Thus, every single moment of every day we are to develop our muscle memory of Love, so that when hate comes against us, we cry out to God, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!”
Father God delights in our feeble attempts to communicate with Him. He created us to abide with Him, every moment of every day.
The Holy Spirit in us is always wooing, always fortifying, always praying, protecting, guiding and restoring. The Holy Spirit “belovings” us!
As the Beloved of God, we are God’s love letter to the world. Let’s not stay lost in the post office, let’s allow ourselves to be broken for--and sent to--the world for Jesus’ sake!
And, in Christ, we live “shalomed.” The Holy Spirit wants us to bring the Shalom of God—His perfect peace, wholeness, healing, restoration, and rest—to the world. And as we remain in God like this, we can ask whatever He wants, and He will give it to us, for God’s glory!
What about you? What has word of revival stirred up in you?
God of Revival, we need more of You! Holy Spirit, come and quench our thirsty souls. Take us deeper in intimacy with You, the kind of intimacy that Enoch, Moses and Elijah had with you. Cause our hearts to burn with desire for You! We are here, Lord, to respond however You call us to. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
For Jesus’ Sake,
Chris & Julie