REVIVAL ON MT CARMEL
Revival on Mount Carmel:
Hello, friends! I want to share some personal reflections from my recent sermon, "Revival on Mount Carmel." The life of Elijah has always been close to my heart, and I believe it holds a powerful message for us today.
As I prepared for this sermon, I was struck by the boldness of Elijah. Imagine walking into the palace of a king who has turned his back on God and declaring that it won't rain until you say so! Elijah's courage and faith are inspiring, and they challenge me to consider how I can stand firm in my own faith, even when the world around me seems to be going in a different direction. Imagine a prophet so bold, that he kicked in the door of the Whitehouse and prophesied to the president. That's why I love Elijah!
Reviving the Altars of Our Hearts
The heart of the message is about revival—revival that starts with us. Just as Elijah repaired the altar on Mount Carmel, we are called to repair the altars of our hearts. This means taking a hard look at our lives and asking ourselves, "What have I allowed to come between me and God?" It could be anything—work, hobbies, or even relationships. For me, it's often the busyness of life that distracts me from spending time with God.
Steps I'm Taking:
1. Reflecting on My Priorities:
I've been asking myself what truly matters. Am I putting God first, or have I let other things take His place? We can all get so caught up with family, career, and life that we forget our priorities. This reflection has been eye-opening, and I'm committed to making changes where needed.
2. Committing to Prayer and Worship:
I set aside specific times each day to pray, read, and worship. It's not always easy, but I've found that even a few minutes of focused prayer can make a huge difference in my day.
3. Engaging with My Community:
I'm blessed to be part of a wonderful church community, and I'm making an effort to connect more deeply with others. Whether it's through a quick phone call, or just grabbing coffee with someone, these connections are vital.
4. Seeking God's Presence:
I'm learning to be more intentional about seeking God's presence. Whether it's through reading Scripture, listening to worship music, or simply being still, I'm finding new ways to invite God into my daily life. Sometimes that is listening to a sermon instead of music while driving. Sometimes it is sitting still and listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit instead of TV. I don't know what that looks like for you, but I encourage you to make time to host the presence of God in your life.
Conclusion
The story of Elijah on Mount Carmel is a powerful reminder that God is ready to move in our lives, but we must be willing to take the first step. I'm excited to see how God will work in my life and in our church as we seek Him together. What about you? What steps will you take this week to make room for God?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the story of Elijah and the reminder that You are a God who answers by fire. Help us to rebuild the altars of our hearts and remove anything that stands between us and You. Fill us with Your Spirit and bring revival to our lives, our families, and our communities. In Jesus' name, Amen.
By His Grace & For His Glory,
Pastor Brandon Marshall
Hello, friends! I want to share some personal reflections from my recent sermon, "Revival on Mount Carmel." The life of Elijah has always been close to my heart, and I believe it holds a powerful message for us today.
As I prepared for this sermon, I was struck by the boldness of Elijah. Imagine walking into the palace of a king who has turned his back on God and declaring that it won't rain until you say so! Elijah's courage and faith are inspiring, and they challenge me to consider how I can stand firm in my own faith, even when the world around me seems to be going in a different direction. Imagine a prophet so bold, that he kicked in the door of the Whitehouse and prophesied to the president. That's why I love Elijah!
Reviving the Altars of Our Hearts
The heart of the message is about revival—revival that starts with us. Just as Elijah repaired the altar on Mount Carmel, we are called to repair the altars of our hearts. This means taking a hard look at our lives and asking ourselves, "What have I allowed to come between me and God?" It could be anything—work, hobbies, or even relationships. For me, it's often the busyness of life that distracts me from spending time with God.
Steps I'm Taking:
1. Reflecting on My Priorities:
I've been asking myself what truly matters. Am I putting God first, or have I let other things take His place? We can all get so caught up with family, career, and life that we forget our priorities. This reflection has been eye-opening, and I'm committed to making changes where needed.
2. Committing to Prayer and Worship:
I set aside specific times each day to pray, read, and worship. It's not always easy, but I've found that even a few minutes of focused prayer can make a huge difference in my day.
3. Engaging with My Community:
I'm blessed to be part of a wonderful church community, and I'm making an effort to connect more deeply with others. Whether it's through a quick phone call, or just grabbing coffee with someone, these connections are vital.
4. Seeking God's Presence:
I'm learning to be more intentional about seeking God's presence. Whether it's through reading Scripture, listening to worship music, or simply being still, I'm finding new ways to invite God into my daily life. Sometimes that is listening to a sermon instead of music while driving. Sometimes it is sitting still and listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit instead of TV. I don't know what that looks like for you, but I encourage you to make time to host the presence of God in your life.
Conclusion
The story of Elijah on Mount Carmel is a powerful reminder that God is ready to move in our lives, but we must be willing to take the first step. I'm excited to see how God will work in my life and in our church as we seek Him together. What about you? What steps will you take this week to make room for God?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the story of Elijah and the reminder that You are a God who answers by fire. Help us to rebuild the altars of our hearts and remove anything that stands between us and You. Fill us with Your Spirit and bring revival to our lives, our families, and our communities. In Jesus' name, Amen.
By His Grace & For His Glory,
Pastor Brandon Marshall
4 Comments
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This is fire!!:))
If there’s three things I know, it’s my wife, the city of okc, and the life of Elijah.
Bwahahaha
nIf there’s two things I know……