REVIVALTALK

The Promise of Pentecost

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Acts 2:17-18 – “‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.

Pentecost is promised in both the Old and New Testaments. In Luke 24:49 Jesus shared this promise, “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” John the Baptist prophesied of this mighty outpouring in Matthew 3:11, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

The following Old Testament Scriptures promised the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:

· Isaiah 28:11 – “For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people.”

· Isaiah 32:15 – “Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, And the fruitful field is counted as a forest.”

· Isaiah 44:3 – “For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring;”

· Ezekiel 39:29 – “And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord God.”

· Joel 2:28 – “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.”

· Joel 2:29 – “And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”

The beginning of this mighty outpouring is recorded in Acts 2:1-4, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

This is a powerful day. There were thousands of people in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost. The morning reading in the Temple was from Ezekiel 1:4, I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north, an immense cloud with flashing lightening and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal."

Imagine the scene, thousands of Jewish worshippers leaving the Temple after the morning service having just read this passage of Scripture. Suddenly some of these manifestations of the Holy Spirit started to appear before their eyes. They heard the wind. They saw the fire. What was going doing? He was revealing His glory and fulfilling the promise of Pentecost. We have this same promise today.

Back to Pentecost

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Acts 2:1-4 – “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

God is calling His people back to Pentecost. I am not sure about how you feel, but I am believing for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit like the early New Testament church experienced beginning on the day of Pentecost. What is meant by the term, “back to Pentecost?” It is a prayer for God’s intervention, bringing transformation. I have heard it said many times, “we cannot finish in the flesh what God began in the Spirit.”

We cannot accomplish our assignment without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. What does it mean to be a Pentecostal? We are a Spirit filled people. Ephesians 5:18 says, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.”

As Pentecostals we believe that the Holy Spirit is active in the world today. We believe in the manifestation of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Spirit. I Corinthians 12:7-11 says, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”

There are some in the Body of Chris who believe the gifts of the Spirit are not for today. Hebrews 13:8 says, “- Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. There is no expiration date on the gifts of the Spirit. Acts 2:39 says, “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” We must get back to Pentecost.

A Container Prepared for His Presence

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 26 May 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Matthew 9:17 – “Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.””

For the past several weeks the Lord has dealt with me about having the right container. Jesus reveals an important principle in this passage of Scripture, “You cannot put new wine into an old wineskin.”

So often we focus so much on an outpouring of God’s Spirit, which the new wine represents in this passage of Scripture, that we neglect the container.

Without a proper container we cannot keep what is being poured out. Containers are very important. If a canned good is not perfectly sealed the food it contains will spoil.

God has been visiting us as His people to prepare a container. Before He pours out the new wine of His Spirit He first has to prepare the container. If we short circuit this process we will not be able to contain what He desires to pour out into our lives.

Listen to the words of Jesus, “You cannot put new wine into old wineskins.” The purpose of visitation is to prepare us to carry His presence in a greater way. Why do we need a visitation of God’s Spirit? Judges 2:10 reveals the reason; “When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel.”

In Ezekiel 37, the Prophet Ezekiel has an experience in a valley filled with dry bones. Verse 1, “The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.” In this passage there is a pattern that reveals how God prepares a container for His presence.

In Ezekiel 37:3 the Lord asks the prophet a question. “Can these bones live?” What was the answer from Ezekiel? “O Lord God, You know.” In His instructions to the prophet he gives instructions to how He brings revival to His people.

He first prepares the container. In verse 7 the prophet prophesied to the scattered bones. What happened? “There was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone.”

Verse 8 continues, “Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.” Here stands an exceedingly great army, but there is no breath.

God brought together the container and then commands the Prophet to prophesy to the wind. In verse 10 the prophet prophesied and the breath came into this exceedingly great army and they lived.

We must allow God to prepare us to retain His life giving Spirit. Why have so many revivals ended in confusion? Perhaps, because the container wasn't properly prepared for His presence.

Pentecost, A Door of Hope, a Door of Harvest, and a Door of Power

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 19 May 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Revelation 4:1 – “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

We are in a time of shaking. What has been going on? God is bringing realignment. Most believers I know have been engaged in spiritual warfare. The enemy has come against God’s people. John 10:10 says, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” The Bible reveals the enemy as an adversary and the destroyer. He is called a liar, and a murderer. He seeks your demise and destruction.

We are engaged in a war over three things:

1. Worship – one of the very first conflicts was a war over worship/sacrifice.

2. Wealth – the enemy wants to keep you from your provision and keep the church in a poverty structure.

3. Power Structures – who is going to rule?

God is opening new doors. 1 Corinthians 16:9 says, “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” We must stand in faith as we move through these new doors He is opening. Pentecost is about changing times and changing seasons. Isaiah 43:19 from the The Passion Translation says, “I am doing something brand new, something unheard of. Even now it sprouts and grows and matures. Don’t you perceive it. I will make a way in the wilderness and open up flowing streams in the desert.”

There are three doors that are being opened. First, a door of hope. Romans 15:13 says, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” He is releasing hope in the midst of hopelessness. James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” God is not limited by our circumstances. Hebrews 10:23 instructs, “let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” God is faithful and He is opening a door of hope.

Second, God is opening doors of harvest. There is a harvest to reap. Galatians 6:7-9 says, ““Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” We are entering into due season. This is our appointed time to reap. In Genesis 26:12 Isaac sowed in a time of famine and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The Lord is opening doors of harvest.

Third, He is opening a door of power. In Acts 1:8 Jesus made this powerful promise, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The Holy Spirit empowers us for the work of the kingdom. God releases power in our lives to make us effective witnesses to a lost and dying world.

God is opening a door of hope, a door of harvest, and a door of power. We must move through these open doors prayerfully.

Be Filled with the Holy Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 12 May 2026 05:30:00 +0000

In the early twentieth century, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit forever changed the world. This revival that gave birth to what was later called the Pentecostal movement. The Pentecostal-Charismatic movement today numbers approximately six hundred million.

This revival had its roots in the holiness movements of the late 1800s and the revival that began in Topeka, Kansas, and later spread to the Asuza Street Mission in Los Angeles, California.

One of the characteristics of this revival was the Infilling of the Holy Spirit accompanied by speaking with other tongues. This experience is defined in the Bible as the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit.” What does it mean to be baptized in the Holy Spirit? It means to be immersed into the Holy Spirit, to be in-filled with the power of the Holy Spirit so that we might live an overcoming life.

In Matthew 3:11 – John the Baptist gave this prophecy, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” In Acts 1:5 Jesus told us before He ascended into heaven “John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

The Full Life Study Bible commentary reads, “The Baptism of the Holy Spirit will bring personal boldness and power of the Holy Spirit into the believer’s life in order to accomplish mighty works in Christ’s name and to make the believer’s witness and proclamation effective!”

How many of you would like to experience that personal boldness in your Christian walk today? Then I want to invite you to seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Since the outpouring of the twentieth century, the phenomenon of speaking with tongues has been a subject of great interest, as well as great controversy. The Bible teaches that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a gift that is available to every believer.

In Acts 2:1-4 we learn that the Holy Spirit was poured out upon 120 men and woman as they prayed and earnestly sought what Jesus called the “Promise of the Father.” In verses 3 - 4 it reads, “There appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.” “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Why does God use the tongue? In James 3:6, the Apostle writes, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by hell.”

When we speak with tongues we yield what James 3:8 calls the unruly member that no man can tame. When we speak in tongues we give evidence that the whole person is yielded to God. God uses the most unruly member of the body as a symbol of the Spirit’s complete control of the believer.

God chooses tongues because He desires to tame our tongues. On the Day of Pentecost at the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit, He tamed the untamable, and the uncontrollable human tongue. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit will cause you to be bold in the things of God. Why not seek to experience this wonderful infilling of the Holy Spirit today?

To See is to Survive

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 05 May 2026 05:30:00 +0000

In 1 Samuel 22, David finds himself in an interesting situation. He was on the run from King Saul and hiding in the cave of Adullam. We know previously David had killed a lion and a bear and had become popular in a face-off with Goliath.

Now, the honored sling man, singer, shepherd, warrior was suddenly hated, feared, lied about, and plotted against by Saul. David was running through the fields, slimy riverbeds, watery pits, deep ditches, miry mud, and briars. He was half-naked, filthy, stumbling, crawling, and clawing his way into a cave.

What a change from the freedom he had known as a shepherd, singing, and worshipping God everyday, being from a good family with food, shelter, and all his needs met. Now, he was in a dark, wet, cold, stale cave, hungry, exhausted, broken, and alone. David had a destiny of becoming King of Israel, but he was more like Robin Hood surviving day after day. Saul had been successful as King until he began to disobey the laws of the Lord. His half-hearted obedience led to his failure.

David’s popularity and reputation as a wise warrior incited jealously in Saul. After escaping Saul’s spear, David was forced to run for his life. David could have defended himself and split the Kingdom but he chose to trust in the Lord and hide in the shadow of His wings until the calamity had passed. (Ps. 57) David already had experience in dealing with the enemies. He was able to operate with insight. He knew he had to do things God’s way or the outcome would not be positive.

David’s insight preserved him from danger. Interestingly, other fugitives began to gather in the cave. Unsolicited, they came: thieves, liars, complainers, faultfinders, rebellious, haters of the King – 400 men to be exact. Saul was so hard on the people until they became indebted and downcast. These men were a result of what was going on in the kingdom.

During his time in the cave, God dealt with David as He faithfully did when he was just a shepherd.

Psalm 37 records David’s words, “Do not fret because of evildoers… trust in the Lord and do good, feed on His faithfulness… commit yourway to the Lord and He shall bring it to pass… rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him… He was now looking to the future. He had developed foresight. Foresight is prophetic in nature. It operates out of faith - present confidence in God and hope - future confidence in God. Foresight is sight by the knowledge of God.

David demonstrated this as he was relegated to become “Captain of the Outcasts.” His test came as Saul unknowingly sought shade for a nap in the very cave David and his men were hiding. In foresight, David waited on God instead of giving into the pressure of the men around him as they challenged him to kill Saul. The men wanted to react instead of respond to the situation. They were angry and emotional because of Saul’s treatment of their people. They wanted to take matters into their own hands and resolve the situation, as they wanted.

But, David foresaw that it was God’s place to deal with Saul because he did not have authority over Saul. During that time, David showed true leadership. He influenced the men for good and not evil. He would not be provoked into acting out carnally. The results were amazing. Four hundred unruly, vile men became “Mighty Men of Valor” and David eventually took his reign as Saul was killed in battle. David reigned for 40 years and Israel prospered during those years.

At the end of his life David records a prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:17, “I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You.” At the end of his life, David operated in hindsight as he remembered the goodness of God. To see is to survive anything!

Beth Bailey

Everything Changes

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:30:00 +0000

II Peter 1:2-4 – “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

What happens when we experience salvation? We are born again. Everything in our life changes. John 5:24 says, “we pass from death to life.” The Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 1:13, “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” II Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Things change when we meet the Savior. Our lives are no longer the same. We have a newfound desire for the things of God. Ephesians 4:22-24 says, “that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

The following are things that change when we enter into a relationship with the Lord:

We will have a spirit of excellence. We cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us.
We have a new sense of purpose in our lives.
Our eyes are open to things we could not see before.
We love we like we have never loved before.
We deal with selfishness in our lives.
We see through a different set of eyes.
We will give differently than we gave before.
We live a sacrificial life.

The moment we receive Christ everything changes. 1 Peter 2:10 says, “who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” The change is for the better. We are now the children of God.

Preparation

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Psalms 85:4-7 – “Restore us, O God of our salvation, and cause Your anger toward us to cease. Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy, Lord, and grant us Your salvation.”

The Psalmist asks the question, “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Then He follows up with this prayer, “Show us Your mercy, Lord, and grant us Your salvation.” We are asking the same question, “will you not revive us again?” Will you show us Your mercy? Many of us are praying for our families and friends to experience true salvation.

We need divine intervention. We need true revival. Revival is a sovereign move of God. We cannot make it happen, but we can prepare for it. How do we prepare? We need to have a spirit of expectancy. This is faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

We act on our faith by preparing for revival. Joshua 3:5 we learn how Joshua prepared the children of Israel to enter the Promised land. Verse 5 says, “And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” Different translations say “consecrate or dedicate yourselves. “Consecration involves setting oneself apart for a holy purpose. In the Old Testament, this often-included rituals such as washing clothes, abstaining from certain activities, and offering sacrifices. This act of consecration signifies spiritual preparation and purification, emphasizing the need for holiness when approaching God.”[i] To sanctify ourselves means to separate from the things that defile us. Lori Wilke defines sanctification in her book, The Costly Anointing as “to be clean, dedicated, and holy.”[ii] Ronald Mehl writes, “The people were asked to divorce themselves from anything that was unclean and to devote themselves wholly to the Lord.”[iii]

God is calling us to separate ourselves from anything that hinders us, anything that keeps us from fulfilling the call of God in our lives, and anything that holds us in bondage. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

John the Baptist ministry was to prepare the way of the Lord. How do we prepare? We remove distractions and we make our devotional life a priority.

[i] [i] https://biblehub.com/study/joshua/3-5.htm

[ii] Wilke, Lori, The Costly Anointing, Destiny House Publishers, Shippensburg, PA, 1991.

[iii] Nelson, Thomas. NKJV, New Spirit-Filled Life Bible: Kingdom Equipping Through the Power of the Word (Function). Kindle Edition.

Winds of Pentecost

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Acts 2:2 – “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.”

There is a fresh new wind from heaven blowing on the Body of Christ today. This wind is the wind of revival. After Jesus ascended to heaven there were 120 who gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem. They were praying and waiting on the promise of the Father. Jesus had instructed the disciples in Luke 24:49, “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalemuntil you are endued with power from on high.”

Throughout the Bible wind is figuratively used to represent the Holy Spirit. In John 3:8 Jesus used the wind to describe the Holy Spirit, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” The wind can be described in different ways. It can be a still balmy breeze bringing comfort on a hot dry summer day. This would be a refreshing wind.

The wind can also be fierce and blow violently. When I was a young teen I remember witnessing a sudden unexpected windstorm that picked up a neighbor’s large metal building and effortlessly threw it across a field. I remember the violence and power of the wind on that day. The wind in Scripture speaks to us of the Holy Spirit and His manifestations. Sometimes He is soft, comforting, assuring, pleasant and peaceful. At other times His moving is fierce bringing change. This change could change the whole course of a person’s life.

In Acts 2 there was a sudden wind storm and it filled the house where the 120 were gathered. This happened during the Feast of Pentecost. The city of Jerusalem was filled with pilgrims who had come for Pentecost. The Scripture reading in the temple was from Ezekiel 1:4, “I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north, an immense cloud with flashing lightening and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal."

This wind blew into the upper room and touched the men and women who were gathered in prayer. These 120 men and women began to speak in a language that was foreign to their understanding. They were accused of being drunk. Peter stood and declared, “these are drunk on new wine.” The wind of Pentecost will empower us. We will be filled with power. We will become emboldened in our witness. This wind will cause us to be consumed with a passion for Jesus.

On the Day of Pentecost this powerful wind compelled them out of the place where they were gathered and into the streets to witness and share the good news. Peter stood with the eleven and preached with a new found power. The Scriptures reveal three thousand believed and were converted.

This wind can be heard, but not be seen. It can be felt, but not touched. It can be tracked, charted, but not controlled. We can look into the trees and see its power. We need this wind of Pentecost today. This wind will blow into the lives of those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. The wind will come to those who are yearning for the touch of the Lord and His tender care.

Spring Cleaning

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:30:00 +0000

Exodus 12:19 – “For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses…”

Several years ago I met this gentlemen who lived alone. He had been married, but had lost his wife to illness. He was blessed with several sisters who loved and cared for him. They would come and clean his house each week, but several times a year they would come and give the house a good spring-cleaning.

What is spring-cleaning? It is cleaning the house from top to bottom. It usually occurs when the season changes and the weather gets warmer. One thought is that it originated with the Jewish people when they would give their homes a thorough cleaning leading up to Passover.

In the days before Passover the family will clean the house and remove any leaven (a substance like yeast or baking powder). In Exodus chapters 12 and 13 Moses instructed the people to eat unleavened bread for seven days and to remove leaven from their homes and property.

Leaven can represent any corrupting influence. The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the church at Corinth, “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:8).

The Jewish feast of Passover is celebrated in spring of the year around the same time as Easter is celebrated on the Christian calendar. During this holy season we should have a spiritual house cleaning. As we enter into this season why not ask the Lord to search our hearts and lives. May our prayer be that He will forgive us of our sins, and remove any corrupting influences from our lives? 1 John 1:9 offers this encouragement, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Jesus Passion Week - Good Friday - The Cross a Symbol of Victory

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Galatians 6:14 - “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

The cross stands today as a symbol of victory. It represents victory over sin, victory over death, and ultimate victory for the believer through the Lord Jesus Christ. When Christ suffered on the cross, He did so for humanities sin. He died so that we can live a life of victory and freedom.

In John 10:10 we learn that “Christ came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly.” What does it mean to experience abundant life? The Amplified Bible reads, “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”

The cross stands today as a symbol of victory. Is it possible to enjoy life? It is possible to experience abundant life. Where do we find this kind of life? We find it in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Have you been crucified with Christ? Jesus gave us this admonition in Luke 9:23, “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” If we are going to enter into the abundant life that Christ provides through His sacrificial death, then we must be willing to take up His cross and deny ourselves

Jesus Passion Week - Holy Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Thursday night of the Lord’s Passion Week is filled with different events. Jesus shares the Passover Seder meal with His twelve disciples in an Upper Room in Jerusalem. The Christian world refers to this day as Maundy or Holy Thursday. It is the time set aside on the Christian calendar to commemorate the Lord’s last Supper.

It was during this supper that He instituted Holy Communion or as it is called in some churches, “The Lord’s Supper.” At the Passover meal we learn that He broke the bread, distributed it to His disciples, and said, “This represents My body which will be broken for you.” He then took up the cup and told them, “This cup represents my blood that will be shed so that a new covenant will be instituted. Christian’s today celebrate Holy Communion and commemorate the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord.

On this busy night we learn that before they sat down to share in the Passover meal that Jesus took off His outer garment and wrapped up in a towel. He took a basin of water and washed the feet of His disciples. Listen to the conversation between our Lord and Simon Peter in John 13:6 – 8 – “Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, are You washing my feet?’” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

Why did Jesus wash the feet of His disciples? John 13:14 – “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” He was demonstrating the role of a servant. He was showing His love for His disciples. One of the many ways He demonstrated His love was by serving others.

In Matthew 20:28 we learn, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” The world today is looking for greatness, promotion and position, but Jesus reveals a kingdom principle about greatness. Matthew 20:25-26 – “But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.’”

We are never greater than when we serve others. Our challenge today is to find a place of service that brings glory to our risen Lord. Let me encourage you to ask the Father to help you find a place where you can introduce others to the blessings of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Jesus Passion Week - Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Luke 22:1-6 – “Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people. Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.”

The events of this passage of Scripture took place on Wednesday of the Passion Week of our Lord. In these verses, we learn that Judas conferred with the chief priests and officials to betray the Lord for money. Verse six reveals that Judas “sought opportunity to betray Him.”

Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Him. He was one of the twelve. He had traveled with our Lord and he knew who Jesus was. He had seen him in all kinds of situations. He had witnessed the healing of blind Bartimaeus on the roadside. He had been with Jesus when the lame walked, the deaf ears were opened, and the dead were raised to life again, yet he sought an opportunity to betray Him.

I wonder how many times we seek an opportunity to betray Him. How do we betray Him? When we succumb to temptation. With our eyes or our speech. What we touch and where we go. When I was growing up in children’s church we use to sing a little song, “Oh be careful little eyes what you see.” “Oh be careful little ears what you hear.”

Have you betrayed Him by what you’ve heard? What you’ve seen? Or what you’ve touched? Romans 6:13 reads, “And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”

Jesus Passion Week - Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Luke 21:1-4; Mark 12:41

One of the most fascinating studies in the Word of God is the study of what transpired on each day of our Lord’s passion week. On Sunday He rode into Jerusalem on a lowly donkey to exuberant praise. On Monday He cleansed the Temple and overturned the tables of those who were exchanging money and selling doves.

On Tuesday, the next day, He is again in the temple. In Mark’s Gospel we learn that Jesus sat near the offering box and He observed how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. We learn that those who were rich gave large gifts. In verse 42 from the Message Bible we learn, “One poor widow came up and put in two small coins – a measly two cents.”

In verse 43 this became a teachable moment. “Jesus called His disciples over and said, ‘The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together.’” Most today would scoff at such an insignificant gift. We would celebrate the large contributions and honor the generous donors.

God’s ways are different. Listen to how Jesus describes her gift in verse 44 from the Message Bible, “All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford – she gave her all.” We are in a season that celebrates the fact that “Christ gave His all.” He gave His best at the cross of Calvary.

How can you be extravagant in what you give to God today? Are you extravagant in your praise? Have you made Jesus Lord of everything in your life? Have you given your best to Him? William McDowell wrote a song entitled, “I Give Myself Away.” It is a popular song that is being sung in churches all around our nation. The words to the second verse read:

“Take my heart
Take my life
As a living sacrifice
All my dreams all my plans
Lord I place them in your hands”

Why not make the words of this verse your prayer today? What do you need to give to God? What do you need to place in His hands?

Jesus Passion Week - Monday

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Jesus Passion Week – Monday

Matthew 21:12-16

On Monday of His passion week, Jesus entered into the Temple at Jerusalem. The Jewish Temple was very important in the life of the Jewish believer. It was the center of their worship. The Jewish male was required to come to the Temple at least three times a year to worship, offer sacrifices, and to celebrate the different feasts the Lord had given to them in the Law of Moses.

This event is recorded in three of the four Gospels. We learn that He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves. The outer court of the Temple had become a place of merchandising. The merchants were profiting from God’s people at the expense of their worship.

Notice Jesus words, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” The reference to “den of thieves,” has to do with those who would hide themselves in caves and steal from innocent people as they passed through the mountainous areas around Jerusalem.

What happens when Jesus enters the Temple? He restores prayer to its rightful place. In this week that remembers His sacrificial death and His victorious resurrection why not ask God to restore your personal temple. The Apostle Paul teaches that our bodies are now the “temple of God.”

Let me challenge you to invite Christ to cleanse your temple today. What will He find? What will He turn over? And then ask Him to restore your prayer life. He longs to communicate with us in prayer. He longs to fellowship and commune with His children.

What happened when Jesus cleansed the Temple? Prayer was restored to its rightful place and became a priority in God’s house. The blind and the lame were healed, and the children began to cry out in praise to God.

The same will happen in our lives. When Christ visits us individually and corporately prayer will become a priority, we will experience His healing power, and our children and those around us will cry out in exuberant praise to God.

Today's Prayer

Dear Father:

Visit us. Search our hearts, restore our priorities. Empower us to rebuild the broken altars in our lives. Reveal the little foxes who spoil the vine. We long to experience Your healing.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Expectation

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 04:30:00 +0000

Psalms 85:4-7 – “Restore us, O God of our salvation, and cause Your anger toward us to cease. Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy, Lord, and grant us Your salvation.”

I believe we have reached a place in our culture where we need to pray, “Show us Your mercy, Lord, and grant us Your salvation.” We have been in a season of warfare. The enemy has attacked our bodies, our minds, our finances, our emotions, and our families.

The Apostle Paul writes concerning this warfare in Ephesians 6:10-13 says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” This defines the battlefield and the hierarchy of spiritual opposition.

The enemy loves to wear out the saints. He loves to play mind games. Jesus said in John 10:10 says, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” When we are engaged in a prolonged spiritual battle we need to experience refreshing from the Lord.

Acts 3:19 says, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Refreshing comes from the presence of the Lord. Psalm 16:11 says, we experience fullness of Joy in the presence of the Lord. God is visiting His people. He is visiting us with power. He longs to revive us again. We are believing God to position us for the last day harvest.

We must raise our expectations. Expectation means to wait for something in suspense, to wait in hope. Habakkuk 1:5 says, “Look among the nations and watch— Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days Which you would not believe, though it were told you.” God invites His people to expect the unexpected. We must expect God to do something new.

John 3:16 — I Don't Understand It, but. . .

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:24:00 +0000

In the city of Chicago one cold night many years ago, a blizzard was blowing in. Young Tom was on the corner trying to sell newspapers. It was so cold, the people were hurrying past him to their warm, cozy homes, so he was not selling very many. After a while Tom went up to a policeman and said, “Mister, you wouldn’t happen to know where a boy who doesn’t have a home could find a warm place to sleep tonight, would you? I sleep in a box around the corner in the alley, and it sure does get cold in there at night! Be nice to have a warm place to sleep tonight!”

The policeman looked down at the boy and said, “Son, you go down the street to that big white house and knock on the door, and when they answer, say ‘John 3:16.’ ” So that’s what Tom did; he walked down the street to the big white house and knocked on the door. Finally, a lady answered, and when she did, Tom said, “John 3:16,” and she said, “Come on in, son.” She took him inside and led him to a warm fire in the fireplace. She sat him in a cozy chair and left the room.

As he sat there Tom thought, John 3:16, I don’t understand it, but it sure makes a cold boy warm.

A little later the lady came in and asked if he was hungry. He said, “Well, yes ma’am, I believe I could use some food. You see it’s been a few days since I’ve eaten . . . I am kind of hungry.” She took him to a big table full of good, warm food. He ate, and he ate, and he ate . . . until he couldn’t eat any more! He sat there and thought, John 3:16, I don’t understand it, but it sure makes a hungry boy full.

After he finished, the lady took him upstairs to a bathtub full of warm, sudsy water. She left, and as he was soaking he thought, John 3:16, I don’t understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy clean. I don’t reckon I’ve had a real bath in my whole life, except when I stood in front of the fire hydrant when they were flushing it out.

After he finished, the lady had him get ready for bed. She led him to a big feather bed. He climbed in and she pulled the covers up close to his chin and kissed him goodnight on the forehead. As she left the room, she turned off the lights and closed the door.

He lay there and looked out the window. It was dark and cold out there and the snow was coming down, and he thought, John 3:16, I don’t understand it, but it sure makes a tired boy rested.

The next morning the lady came and got him up. She took him back downstairs to that big table. After he had eaten, she took him back to the cozy chair in front of the fireplace. She took her Bible down from the mantel and said, “Son, do you understand John 3:16?” He said, “No ma’am, I sure don’t. The first time I’d ever heard it was last night when the policeman told me to use it.”

So the lady opened her Bible to John 3:16 and began to explain to him about Jesus. And right there in front of that fireplace, Tom gave his heart and life to Jesus. After a little while he said, “John 3:16, I don’t understand it, but it sure makes a lost boy saved.”

You know, I have to confess, I don’t understand it either. How could God love me so much that He would send His only Son to die for me, and how would Jesus be willing to do such a wonderful thing? You know, I don’t understand it, but it sure makes a lost person saved.

And today, whether you are cold, hungry, dirty, tired or lost in your sins, Jesus can make you warm, satisfied, clean, rested and, most of all, saved from your sins.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Copied from https://bibletruthpublishers.com/john-3-16-i-dont-understand-it-but/messages-of-gods-love-1997/la155373

Overcoming the Spirit of Discouragement

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 17:24:00 +0000

Isaiah 61:3 – “To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

As a believer you have an unseen enemy. You are engaged in a spiritual conflict. The enemy will attack your mind, your will, and your physical body. This enemy comes against you to keep you from growing in your walk and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

In II Corinthians 11:3 the Apostle Paul reveals that the enemy corrupts the minds of individuals. He hates “Christ in you.” When you invited the Lord into your heart you became a new creation in Christ Jesus. The Bible teaches in Colossians 1:13, “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.”

When you became a believer the enemy lost a subject in his kingdom. You became his enemy. Therefore, he will come against you with every weapon at his disposal. He has a number of weapons in his arsenal. He uses fear, worry, accusations and oppression to hold people in bondage.

Perhaps one of his best weapons is discouragement. I believe that Isaiah is referring to this in Isaiah 61:3 as the “spirit of heaviness.” You learn in that passage that you overcome this by putting on the “garment of praise.” David Wilkerson writes, “The spirit of discouragement is Satan’s most potent weapon against God’s elect. Most often, he uses it to try to convince us we’ve brought God’s wrath upon ourselves by not measuring up to his holy standards.”[i]

There are three very important things you can do to overcome discouragements. They are as follows:

1. You bring your proclamation into alignment with the Word of God.

· Revelation 12:11 - “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

· Hebrews 10:22-23 – “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with with pure water. Verse 23 – “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

2. You bring your prayer-life into alignment with the Word of God. To bring your prayer-life into alignment you learn to pray the scriptures.

· 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

· 1 Timothy 1:18 – “This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare.”

3. You bring your praise into alignment with the Word of God.

One of the most effective ways to overcome the enemy is to learn how to give praise to God and use it as a weapon against your enemy. Psalms 150:2 reads, “Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!”

You Need Revival When

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 06:30:00 +0000

Dr. Larry Petton writes, You Need Revival When

1. You are entertained by things that once grieved you.

2. You are silent where you once spoke.

3. Your prayer closet has cobwebs and your Bible is dusty.

4. You have ceased to grieve over your own sin.

5. You have stopped sharing your faith.

6. You are more excited about your personal agenda than doing God’s will for your life.

7. You have to be begged to give and serve the Lord.

8. You question God where you used to trust Him.

9. You don’t long for worshipping God & being with His family.

10. You are obsessed with what others think and not what God says.[1]

[1] https://sermoncentral.com/sermon-illustrations/100607/you-need-revival-when-by-dr-larry-petton

Why is the New Covenant Better than the Old?

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:30:00 +0000

Hebrews 8:13 - “In that He says, ‘A new covenant,’ He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”

The Old Covenant is identified with the Law. God gave the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai after the exodus from Egypt. There are three parts to the Law:

1) The Moral Law – this included the Ten Commandments.

2) The Civil Law – these laws govern the social life of Israel.

3) The Ceremonial Law – ordinances concerning the religious life of Israel.

These three divisions together form the Law as it is expressed in the New Testament.

Kevin Conner writes in his book The Covenants, “The Bible reveals that God is a covenant-making, covenant-keeping and covenant-revealing God. The Bible itself is a covenantal book being divided into two sections, the Old and New Testaments (Covenants), and containing a progressive revelation of eight major covenants. These covenants comprise the purposes of God in both creation and redemption and involve time and eternity.” (1)

The New Covenant was prophesied by the Prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 31:31, “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.” Hebrews 8:6 says, But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, in as much as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.”

The New Covenant is better than the Old Covenant. Hebrews 8:13 says, “In that He says, ‘A new covenant,’ He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” Why is the New Covenant better?

In the Old Covenant access to God was limited. Only the high priest could go into the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement. In the New Covenant the veil has been torn and now every believer has direct access to God. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us there come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.”

The Old Covenant was a shadow of better things. Hebrews 10:1 says, “For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.” We learn in Colossians 2:17 that Christ is the substance.

The Old Covenant required continual animal sacrifices. In the New Covenant, Jesus’ sacrifice once for all time replaces the need for continual sacrifices. Hebrews 9:28 says, “So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” We can rejoice because we have a better covenant build on better promises.

[i] Conner, Kevin, Malmin, Ken, The Covenants, City Bible Publishers, Portland, OR, 1997.

The Rapture Rap -Twas the Night Before Jesus Came

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 06:30:00 +0000

‘Twas The Night Before Jesus Came
Author Unknown

‘Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed.
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter.
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said “it’s not here” my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound.
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There’s only one life and when comes the last call
We’ll find that the Bible was true after all!

The Seven I AM Statements of Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 06:30:00 +0000

John 8:58 – “Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

In Exodus 3 Moses encounters the Angel of the Lord in a burning bush. The story is recorded in Exodus 3:1-2, “Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.” The Angel of the Lord or the “Angel of Jehovah,” is used to describe a pre-Bethlehem appearance of Christ. We know this because in Exodus 3:5 He instructs Moses to remove his sandals because He is standing on holy ground. Revelation 22:8-9 reveals that angels are not be worshipped.

In Exodus 3:10 He commissions Moses to go and lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian enslavement. In verse 13 Moses asked a question, “Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” In verse 14 the Lord answers, “I AM WHO I AM, Tell them I AM has sent me to you.”

The theme of the Gospel of John is the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. He records seven I Am statements that prove that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. These seven statements reveal His character and ministry. The seven statements are as follows:

John 6:35 – “I am the bread of life.”
John 8:12 – “I am the light of the world.”
John 10:7 – “I am the door of the sheep."
John 10:11 – “I am the good shepherd.”
John 11:25 – “I am the resurrection and the life.”
John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth and the life."
John 15:1 – “I am the true vine.”

Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Just as God revealed Himself to Moses on Mount Sinai, Jesus reveals Himself to us today.

Entering into 2026 - The Covenant Name of God

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:30:00 +0000

Exodus 3:14-15 – And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’”

In praying about this new year, the Lord began to speak to me about three things, covenant, commitment, and commissioning. In the Word of God, the number 26 is the numerical equivalent of the name of God in Hebrew. It is the sum of the Hebrew letters, YHWH. Yod = 10, Hei =5, Vav = 6, Hei = 5 = 26. This is the personal name of God. In English we add vowels and get the names, Yahweh or Jehovah.

When God reveals His name to Moses in Exodus 3:14–15, He identifies Himself as “I AM WHO I AM.” The phrase “I AM WHO I AM” in the Hebrew text carries multiple shades of meaning, including “I will be what I will be” or “I am the One who is.” It conveys the idea of God’s self-existence and absolute independence from creation. The name Yahweh (YHWH) is closely connected to this concept. Its root resonates with the Hebrew verb “to be,” revealing that God is the ultimate Being, subject to no other force or authority. [I]

In Exodus 3:15 the Lord identifies Himself to Moses as “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” David Guzik writes, “God revealed Himself to Moses by declaring His relationship to the patriarchs. This reminded Moses that God is the God of the covenant, and His covenant with Israel was still valid and important. This wasn’t a ‘new God’ meeting Moses, but the same God that dealt with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”[ii]

The name Yahweh or Jehovah is the covenant name of God. It is not a title, but the personal name of God. It carries meanings like, He is the Self Existent One, The Eternal One, The One Who was, Who is, and Who will be. He is the covenant keeping God.

In Hebrews 8:6 we learn that we have a better covenant, which was established on better promises. We need to understand our covenant and the promises God has made to us in His Word. As you make a commitment to study the Scriptures this year you will grow in your walk and relationship with the Lord.

[i] Retrieved from the internet 1/5/2026, https://biblehub.com/q/what_did_god_mean_by_'i_am_who_i_am'.htm

[ii] Guzik, David, Enduring Word Commentary, https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/exodus-3/.

Prayer Your Income Will Equal What You are Willing to Tithe

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 06:30:00 +0000

Leighton Farrell was the minister of Highland Park Church in Dallas for many years. He tells of a man in the church who once made a covenant with a former pastor to tithe ten percent of their income every year. They were both young and neither of them had much money.

But things changed. The layman tithed one thousand dollars the year he earned ten thousand, ten thousand dollars the year he earned one-hundred thousand, and one- hundred thousand dollars the year he earned one million. But the year he earned six million dollars he just could not bring himself to write out that check for six-hundred thousand dollars to the Church.

He telephoned the minister, long since having moved to another church, and asked to see him. Walking into the pastor’s office the man begged to be let out of the covenant, saying, "This tithing business has to stop. It was fine when my tithe was one thousand dollars, but I just cannot afford six-hundred thousand dollars. You’ve got to do something, Reverend!"

The pastor knelt on the floor and prayed silently for a long time. Eventually the man said, "What are you doing? Are you praying that God will let me out of the covenant to tithe?" "No," said the minister. "I am praying for God to reduce your income back to the level where one thousand dollars will be your tithe!" (1)

(1) Ford, Leighton, Pastor Highland Park Church, Dallas, TX, https://www.preaching.com

The Covenant Name of God

noreply@blogger.com (RevivalTalk) — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 06:30:00 +0000

[i] Retrieved from the internet 1/5/2026, https://biblehub.com/q/what_did_god_mean_by_'i_am_who_i_am'.htm

[ii] Guzik, David, Enduring Word Commentary, https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/exodus-3/.