100 Verse Challenge - Week 23

We're back! Time to resume the 100 Verse Challenge! Is anyone here? Anyone? Anyone? Just kidding! I am pretty sure there are a few of you still here, and the truth is, if it's just me and you, God says "where two or three are gathered in His name," He's in the midst of us. And I don't think that truth is deterred by the fact we're together through the internet.

As always, God's timing is interesting to me. I love His efficiency. I had intended to do some catch up on the verses that I was not religious about memorizing over the previous few weeks in the Challenge, but I wasn't. So I am going to have to take up the grace I offered to all of you when we started this thing. Just keep going! So I am ready this week to just keep going!

On Valentine's Day, I shared a blog about the impression I felt God was laying on my heart as we are moving toward the season before Easter. I felt strongly that He was observing me to explore new ground by observing Lent. As I prayed I felt more and more certain that He was asking me to give up Facebook for that season. I'm going to be honest, it will be a HUGE challenge for me. But I know it is what God is asking of me. I need a personal revival, to get connected with the Lord, and get my focus righted. It's not that I am in sin or have wandered from the Lord, but there is an impression about going deeper, growing. Like in labor, it feels like it's time to push. And removing Facebook is going to help me push.

This morning the Lord gave me confirmation to exchange Facebook for what my pastor called "Face time," time seeking the Face of God. I am excited and hopeful about what might lie ahead.

Then today I opened 100 Verses Everyone Should Know By Heart by Robert J. Morgan, and interestingly enough, even our scripture fr this week feels like another confirmation, because it is in essence, a scripture about revival.

Typically the verse is referenced to be talking about "national revival," but I believe the promise could be held to on a personal level as well, and as I am meditating on the verse this week and memorizing it as Lent begins this Wednesday, I am even more excited about what God may do since I am confident this fast is one He has called me to.

So here is our verse this week:

(If) My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

Morgan points out in his book that there are 4 requirements of revival, and three promises to it in this passage.

Four Requirements:1. Humble yourselves. Pride (me-centered-ness) has got to go.
2. Pray.
3. Seek His face. (Face-time)
4. Turn from your wicked ways. Sometimes we get blinded to our own sin (remember, sin is just missing the mark) and we need to remove the distractions around us to really hear what the Lord is speaking.

Three Promises:
1. I (God) will hear from heaven. It's nice to know that Face-time is something God will show up for.
2. I (God) will forgive their sin.
3. I (God) will heal their land. I know this is a promise for a nation, but I am believing God will do healing in me and in my life as well. But even if that's not what this upcoming season is about, I know God has some good purpose in it. He is faithful!

So I am glad we are back, and I pray that meditating and memorizing God's Word together is a blessing and an encouragement to you as well!

Blessings!