–Wayne D. Dundee  (Rainrock Reckoning)

       “We, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.”

                    –Romans 12:5-6 (ESV)
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I’ve been in the Assemblies of God since I was two years old, my mercy, that means over seventy years.  In saying that I have seen wondrous workings of the Holy Spirit:  miracles, healings, exhortations.  There have also been many abuses that I have seen over the years regarding the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Most of the time these occur because of ignorance, but sometimes for lack of humility, or for the gaining of power or prestige.  Because of that some churches refuse to have the workings of the Holy Spirit in their midst, while others allow them to work without instruction or guidance.
       This morning I am going to do something that I seldom ever do and that is share a devotion by Alistair Begg.  I ask you to ponder and contemplate the thoughts.

          Spiritual gifts are tools, not toys.  They are not to be played with or used to attract people to ourselves but employed by God, through us, for His purpose and for His glory.
          Whatever our gifts may be–be they abilities to do with speaking or with serving–they are given for the well-being of the church.  God gives these gifts in order that, as we use them as He intends, the body of Christ as a whole might be strengthened.  They’re not given as an opportunity to advance an individual’s cause or for displays of greatness but in order that the unity, harmony, and progress of all God’s people might be strengthened.  That is why we have gifts that differ:  so that we would learn to serve each other and depend on each other.
          Yet God’s gifts are only able to promote harmony and well-being when they are exercised in a spirit of genuine humility.  The body of each local church grows only to the extent that “each part is working properly” (Ephesians 4:16).  Before encouraging his readers to use their gifts, Paul had already prefaced his discourse on spiritual gifts by mentioning humility, urging everyone “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment” (Romans 12:3).  Without humility, spiritual gifts can lead to chaos.  We would not give power tools to teenagers without proper instruction and oversight, nor would we give them chain saws to run around with–unless we wanted absolute havoc!  Similarly, spiritual gifts must be used for their proper function and in the right manner so that mayhem does not ensue.  So Paul tells the Corinthian church–a church full of gifts but not full of wisdom about how to use them–that while it is good to desire and celebrate spiritual gifts, the “more excellent way” to put them to use is to do so patiently, kindly, and humbly–that is, with love (1 Corinthians 12:31-13:7).
          We must remember that gifts are gifts.  Their source is God; therefore, boasting as if they are our own is foolish, and using them for our own benefit is inexcusable.  If, however, we practice humility as we use them and learn to live in harmony with one another, then we will see the fruit of God’s work in and through us.  In what ways has God gifted you?  Rejoice in that.  In what ways is He calling you to use those gifts for the good of your church and for the glory of His Son?  Go do that.  (Truth for Life, The Good Book Company, 2021)

       The gifts of the Spirit (Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12) are not to be shunned or feared, but are to be used to edify, exhort, and comfort the church.  The pastor is responsible for the proper administration of the gifts, yet there is often a lack there.  If a gift is used, “out of order”, often the pastor is hesitant to give proper instruction and guidance for fear of offending the user of the gift.  However, the person using the gift should understand that they are to be humble and accept his instruction.
       More could be said on the subject, but that is for another lesson.  However, recognize that the gifts are to be used, and as Begg started, they “are tools, not toys.”  They are not to be disregarded, nor trivialized, but to be used for the edification of the saints and the glory of God.

                    –Louis L’Amour  (The Proving Trail)

       “For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.”
                    –Psalm 107:9 (NKJV)
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Psalm 98 begins with singing a song.  Now to hear me sing would definitely be an experience.  But there is a song given to us with the new birth.  We no longer sing the songs that belong to the old nature, we have a new song in our heart, the songs of heaven.  I also believe that when we finally arrive in heaven that we will again sing a new song.  Derek Kidner writes about Psalm 91, “There are two levels to the scene; one, God’s day of power, at His coming; the other, its anticipation in every act of worship.  The psalms we sing now are a rehearsal, and God’s presence among His worshipers is a prelude to His appearing to the world.”

          1 — Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!  For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.
          2 — The LORD has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.
          3 — He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
          4 — Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
          5 — Sing to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of a psalm,
          6 — With trumpets and the sound of a horn; shout joyfully before the LORD, the KIng.
          7 — Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell in it;
          8 — Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills be joyful together before the LORD,
          9 — For He is coming to judge the earth.  With righteousness He shall judge the world, and the peoples with equity.  (NKJV)

       John Calvin wrote, “The first foundation of righteousness undoubtedly is the worship of God.”  One reason there is rejoicing in heaven when a sinner is born again is because of the “glorious triumph of His sovereign grace.” (Steven Lawson)  There is the recognition of all the miracles that took place at the crucifixion, all the miracles that take place with the bestowment of grace–therefore, the majesty of God is revealed.  “In the divine act of regeneration, the redeemed become worshippers of the one, true, living God.” (Lawson)  Singing is one thing, but we must always remember that true worship involves an ongoing lifestyle–every moment of every day should be worship; it should be living for the glory of God.  
       Let me relay some thoughts from the late George O. Wood regarding life and this psalm.

               “Before singing to the Lord a new song, perhaps you need to sing an old one.  It’s appropriate and helpful to meditate upon your own history with God, from the womb to the present.
               I have personally found great strength in present trials by rummaging through my past and finding specific instances or processes in which God met me.  I remember times I did not think I could make it, but He brought me through.  Those experiences of the Lord’s help are permanently etched into the pathways of my own personality.
               It’s today we often have difficulty trusting Him.  As Christians we have a wonderful yesterday and a secure tomorrow–but the here and now frequently finds us failing to connect God’s past and future help with our present need.”

God has done wonderful things in the past, for us, for our family, for our nation, and we see His wondrous works in the Bible.  “The fact that God remembers His love and faithfulness assures us He is the one constant in our lives that cannot be taken from us.” (Wood)
       No, this psalm is not “New Age,” but it does show that creation is under the control of the Creator.  Right now the earth is moaning in sin, the ground was cursed, things changed at the fall in Eden.  One day, it will be renewed and rejoice as well.  Note, there is a word of prophecy in the last verse.  One day the Lord will be back to judge the earth and the inhabitants thereof.  I wonder, if the words penned by Isaac Watts, there was thought of the Creator and this psalm when it was written.  It would do us good to get it into our soul and not sing it just as Christmas-time.

               “Joy to the world!  the Lord is come;
               Let earth receive her King;
               Let every heart prepare him room,
               And heaven and nature sing.”
                     –Isaac Watts

                    –Job 26:12 (NKJV)
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I’m not a seaman.  With that said, I can imagine what some of those early voyages must have been like.  In my mind, those sailors were extraordinary.  When I think of the expanse of the water and on the horizon all you can see is more water, well, I don’t think I’d like it much.  I had two uncles who joined the Navy during World War II.  One stayed in for over twenty years–he was a die-cast sailor.
       I’ve read many of the Hornblower stories, and especially like the books by Alexander Kent.  Warfare on the sea, battles on the sea, danger from wind, waves, and weather.  Nope, I’ll stick to the mountains.  In fact, in my later years, I don’t care much even for the beach.  Oh, there was a time, in my twenties when I went deep-sea fishing in Florida.  Annie and I with Granny and Pappy would walk along the bay and scoop up crabs which made fine eating, and I will grant the sea that point, there is plenty of good eating there.
       Jesus must have enjoyed the sea.  I wrote from Matthew yesterday, that “Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.” (13:1).  The sea, if there aren’t many people around, is a good place to sit and contemplate.  Watching the waves rush to shore, hearing the sound; it’s easy to think of the majesty of God.  Easy to put things aside and ponder the things of God.  Jesus did it, so there’s nothing wrong with it.  He didn’t even mind the storms.  Put him in a boat, He’d go to sleep and sleep right through the tempest that was raging.  He didn’t even mind getting his toes in the water.  Remember that time He decided to take a stroll?
       Two thoughts I want to leave with you that I came across in my reading.  One is from Brendan the Navigator.  I didn’t know who he was but found he was also called Brendan the Voyager.  He was an “Apostle of Ireland,” born in the fifth century.  He said this, “Do not fear.  God will be of our crew, be at our helm, act as our pilot.  Ship sweeps. Leave set the sail.  We are His company, this His ship.  May He use us all to His will.”  That should give us some comfort.  When the storms of life assail, I can depend upon the Lord to keep me.  When the waves crash into the ship, my feet may get wet, but I will be upheld by His strong arm.  That might have been the thoughts of Paul, when he went through the three shipwrecks. (2 Corinthians 11:25).  Shipwrecked!  Imagine, alone in the deep, fish, monsters of the deep, sharks and Paul was there once for a night and a day.
       The second thought comes from life.  Put yourself out on a small ship, a frigate of days gone by.  You have your destination, but the wind changes.  Do you complain, or depend upon the captain?  Listen, in life sometimes there comes up quite a gale.  The winds may reach hurricane force in your life.  Do you moan, groan, despair or trust and depend upon the Captain?  Listen to the voices around you, what do you hear?  “The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.” (John Maxwell)  
       
          “Others went to sea in ships, conducting trade on the vast waters.  They saw the LORD’s works, His wonderful works in the deep.  He spoke and raised a tempest that stirred up the waves of the sea.  rising up to the sky, sinking down to the depths, their courage melting away in anguish, they reeled and staggered like drunken men, and all their skill was useless.  Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress.  He still the storm to a murmur, and the waves of the sea were hushed.  They rejoiced when the waves grew quiet.  Then He guided them to the harbor they longed for.”
                     –Psalm 107:23-30 (HCSB)

                    –Matthew 13:1 (Phillips)
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In my Pastor’s sermon last Sunday, two terms caught my eye.  REVIVE–REFRESH, and I want to add a third this morning, REKINDLE.  
       Revival, we hear that often these days among believers.  “Oh, Lord send a revival,” but I ask, is it a half-hearted plea?  We know that there will be a great revival before the Day of the Lord, but don’t be too quick to judge.  We tend to think only of America, and not rightly unso for we do want revival in our own land.  However, there is a major revival going throughout most of the world, save western nations.  
       This country has had tremendous revivals in our history from the very foundation of our country.  The Great Awakening came at just the right time in our country’s history.  Not only was it a great spiritual revival, but it is important to note that this is when those whom we call the “Founding Fathers” were growing into manhood.  They were greatly influenced by this national revival.  On I could go about the revivals in our history, but let me stop to say two things:  first, we must consider the sovereignty of God.  He doesn’t want any to perish, that’s a fact, but also He also knows the hearts of men, He knows the state of the union, so to speak.  Perhaps, it will be judgment that will bring revival to America.  Second, revival is very much an individual thing.  Yes, it is corporate, for the whole Church, but it is in the heart of each individual person that there must be revival.

               “Revive us again; fill each heart with Thy love,
               May each soul be rekindled with fire from above.”
                         –William P. Mackay

Revive means “to flourish anew,” or “to regain life, is used of a moral revival.”  If we, as believers, find ourselves beginning to wilt we need to revive our spirits.  We need to get into the word of God, pray, and let our lives begin to flourish again.
       The second word, Refresh, makes us “feel good.”  Think of a refreshing rain, a refreshing shower, a refreshing vacation.  Vine’s translates, “refresh” as “to give intermission from labor, or to give rest.  Another term for refresh means, “to make cool, refresh”, in other words to relax.  It can be used to obtain relief.  How in this crazy, confused, evil world can we be relaxed and rested?  By focusing on Christ.  My taking time to rest in His word.  In the frenzy of this world we need to stop and cool down.  Have you ever had your car overheat?  If so, what is it that you do?  First, you let it sit and cool down before any other action.  When you are going, going, going, then what is the first step, stop and cool down–be refreshed.  Grant to us a refreshing, O Lord, as we honor Your word.

               “‘There shall be showers of blessing:’
               Oh, that today they might fall,
               There shall be seasons refreshing,
               Sent from the Saviour above.”
                          –Daniel W. Whittle

       The final word, Rekindle, is not found in the New Testament, yet it is implied.  We are to keep our lamps lit.  Do not let the flame go out, but if it does make sure you have oil enough to relight it.  Don’t be like the foolish virgins, who begged, pleaded, and wanted to borrow more oil.  The oil of the Holy Spirit is sufficient for each individual; He provides for each one individually.  Another place we see the fire burning is when Jesus said that you don’t hide your flame under a bushel.  Keep it on fire, don’t let it go out.  Finally, Paul brings the idea of “rekindle” to Timothy.  In 2 Timothy 1:6, Paul tells Timothy to “stir up” the gift.  It means “to kindle afresh, or keep in full flame.”  Let the refreshing breeze of the Holy Spirit move over you and let the flame appear.  Keep your life aflame with the Holy Spirit.

               “O Lord, send the pow’r just now, O Lord, send the pow’r just now,
               O Lord, send the pow’r just now, And baptize ev’ry one.”
                            –Charlie D. Tillman

               “‘Tis burning in my soul, ‘Tis burning in my soul;
               The fire of heav’nly love is burning in my soul,
               The Holy Spirit came, All glory to His name!
               The fire of Heav’nly love is burning in my soul.”
                            –Delia T. White