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REVIVAL COURSE (#7)

[Fire Shield]

RENEWAL: RE-ASSURANCE OF FAITH

Reviving Your Past Commitment to God

While there is nothing quite like the zeal and excitement of a new Believer, you can still get a good campfire going by scraping together the smoldering embers of yesterday's fire. Moreover, in dealing with Nordics, we find that many of them came from a Godly Heritage and either went to church themselves or were taken to Sunday School by parents (or grandparents). Consequently, they seem to have had a bit of the Fire of the Faith, once, but as they got oler, or time passed, they just slid out of the routine of going. Thus, that fire has pretty much burnt itself out in their lives. They need something that will rekindle it!

WHAT IS RENEWAL?

It would be nice if every Believer was made perfect the moment that he became Saved. Unfortunately, Belief is a growth process. And a process that we can choose to encourage. Or, turn away from and walk off to so called greener pastures. Consequently, over the years, it is quite common for even the most sincere of Believers to wander off on barren tracks.

However, the Holy Scriptures assure us that God is kind and tender hearted. For it is written: "A bruised reed HE shall not break; And a smoking (smoldering) flax (wick) HE shall not quench!" (Matthew 12:20). In fact, that is the whole point of the Parable of the Lost Sheep, that HE is willing to leave the 99 and find that one little lost lamb (Luke 15:3-7). HE wants to bring HIS People back to their Flock!

In turn, this show us our own need. That we need a Good Shepherd, to chase after us (like a loving parent), and bring us back to the safety and security of the Fold (John 10:11-16). For, if we are left to our won choices, we will wander out of the way and get lost. (Or get devoured by the wolves!) Thus, to deal with our own, natural wayardness, we need a way to re-kindle our Faith. And this is what Renewal is all about!

WHY DO WE NEED RENEWAL?

Unfortunately, there is a powerful and popular school of theology out there that says we don't need to stick close to the Lord. That, once we are Saved, we can do anything we want, for the Blood on the Cross will cover it. (Or, as some say: Once Saved, Always Saved!)

However, the Scriptures plainly tell us that we need to FOLLOW ON TO KNOW THE LORD! (Hosea 6:3; Matthew 4:19) And that our Walk with the Lord is a GROWTH, that we need to farm, foster, or encourage (Matthew 13:3-23; Mark 4:28). If we do not do this, then we remain as babes in Christ (Hebrews 5:12-14; I Peter 2:1-3)--immature children of God, or as some say, carnal Christians (I Corinthians 3:1-3). So, let us get on with our growth. Let us mature in the Faith!

Unfortunately, there are all too many who do not listen to this important teaching. Consequently, they wander away from God, and get themselves in all kinds of trouble! This wandering out of God's Way (or refusing to grow) is called Backsliding (Jer 5:6, 8:5-7; Hosea 11:7). Even more dangerous, Backsliding can become so bad that a person loses their Faith and is nolonger Saved--Apostate (Matthew 24:10; II Thessalonians 2:3). And it can reach a point where the person cannot be saved again nor renewed to the Faith (Hebrews 6:4-8)! So, beware! If you forsake God, HE will forsake you (II Chronicles 15:2; Jeremiah 2:19). So, follow on CLOSELY to know the Lord better.

WHEN SHOULD WE SEEK RENEWAL?

In all natural growth processes, there are times and seasons (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). Consequently, everyone of us will go through the joys of Spring and Summer. And then face times of the bitter Winter weather. We all have our times up on the mountain top and wallowing in the dismal valley. This is part of life. And part of growing--both naturally, and spiritually.

But, if you become weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9; II Thessalonians 3:13), then it is time to seek the seasons of refreshing (Isaiah 28:12; Acts 3:19). Or, if you are being severly tempted to doing something wicked or evil (James 1:13-16), then you need to seek God's Power for restraint (I Peter 4:1-4). Or, worse, if you are seriously thinking about turning your back on the things of God, never to return, then you seriously need to seek Renewal!

Another good test is to ask yourself these 3 simple questions. Are you reading God's Word, the Bible, on a daily (or almost daily) basis? Are you praying to God, both thanking HIM for the good things that HE has done for you as well as asking for what you may need? And, are you still attending Fellowship and gathering with other people who Believe in God? If you answer no to any of these (and especially if you answer no to the last one), then you had better get back on the Path to God. For, you are in serious danger of getting lost (and eaten by the wolves of the world).

WHO SHOULD BE RENEWED?

Unfortunately, some Congregations get this snooty attitude that I am OK, so don't rock the boat! But, while they are doing fine, their neighbor may be going through a sever trial, where they really need the Power of God back in their life to handle. And, if all the other members do is stand around and brag about how great life is for them, they will be blocking God from ministering and helping the ones who really need it! So, don't let the braggarts keep you from God's touch.

So, what I am saying here is that we all need to be Renewed from time to time. So, don't let pride stop you from seeking it (Proverbs 16:18). For, we must learn to be humble (I Peter 5:5-6). For, that is when the Lord can work the best in our lives! So, don't let them get you to thinking that you are weird or bad because you need a new touch form God to get you through. We all do, sooner or later. And, it is easier to seek it sooner. Because later can bring with it a lot of pain and sorrow! So, if you find yourself in that boat, you had better get rowing, NOW!

WHERE CAN WE FIND MORE ABOUT RENEWAL?

The Northmen Renewal specializes in bring people back to God and setting them afire for HIM, again. Most of our programs are geared for that function. (That is what this Revival Course is all about!) So, obviously, this would be the best one to get involved with! And, many other people are heeding Our Call, and coming back to God, through us. Perhaps you should be one of them? Then, don't hold back! Get in here and get to growing again!

So, what if there is not a NORDESEL (or ZDK) Group near you? Well, there are a few Evangelists running around, who can do a respectable job getting you Renewed back to God. And, there are a few congregations, here and there, that specialize in Renewal. (Some even have special Renewal Groups to help you.) But, all too often, people think that it is their own Pastor, or their own church that has to do the Renewing. However, if you have Backsliden there, in their pew, the odds are good that you won't get Renewed there, either! You are going to have to get yourself up and go out somewhere and seek it where God is willing to give it to you! so, get at it! And don't delay any more.

HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSE TO GET RENEWED?

Going to a Revival Meeting is the easiest way. There, gathered with other Believers, the Manifestation of God is stronger, and more likely to spill over onto you, while HE is blessing other there, around you. So, if you have a chance to go to one, by all means, give it a try! Your Renewal may jsut come that easy.

However, for most people, it is an individual struggle. You just have to simply make the commitment and keep with it. It may be a bit harder, but you can do it (if you have to). And, with Our Revival Course, you will find that it is not that hard. (We have simplified many things, to make it easier on you.)

So, to start on your trip back to God, let us pray together. Now, you say this following prayer out loud, so that God will know that you agree to it:

Our Precious Heavenly Father, I confess to YOU that I have wandered away from YOU (and Backsliden)! Please forgive me and be merciful to me--so that I can Return to YOU!

I thank YOU for YOUR Son Jesus, who died on the Cross for me, to pay for all my sins and wrongdoings. And I promise to walk more closely with HIM from here on out!

And I thank YOU for the Holy Ghost and ask YOU that HE would re-fill me, and set me on fire to serve YIOU (and help me to do the tings for you that I should).

I pray now, that YOU will Renew me and Revive me and set my life ablaze to be a testimony of YOUR Power to my community and those around me.

Help me pray to YOU more!

And help me read YOUR Word (the Bible)!

And also help me find a good place to Fellowship--at a Group that will help me stay on fire for YOU!

We pray for all these things in the Name of YOUR Son, Jesus. Amen! (So, let it be.)

Now, it is time to get to work! Don't just sit there. We have more growth to farm. And things to learn and do. So, get at it.

[Fire Shield]

THE NEXT STEP...

Well, this is to be the beginning of the Revival Course, for Believers who have been Saved before (but who have just slid away from God). So, don't stop here! You need to turn to Lesson #2 of the Revival Course, on how to get Baptized (or re-filled) with the Holy Ghost.

To get EMPOWER!!! (click here): [Empower Lesson]

[Lit Shield]

NEED MORE DETAILS ON RENEWAL?

So, do we have a future Evangelist, here? Or, are you just wondering and would like to know what else you may learn about Renewal? Well, we do have more details about it, in Our Revival Literature Section, so look it up in Our Web site. Or use the handy links, below, if you really want to know more:

To get a more details on RE-ASSURANCE OF FAITH (click here): [Re-Assurance of Faith Articles]

FURTHER CONTACTS...???

Joining us? Didn't find what you wanted? Or, have a comment or suggestions? Well, if you really do need to reach us, use one of the normal means, below:

Realm Revival Course
ZDK (Shaddox) Foundation
P.O. Box 44
Underwood, WA 98651 U.S.A.

Phone: (509) 493-1674

And, E-Mail us at: zdkf@gorge.net (Please, mark subject box RE-ASSURANCE!)


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COPYRIGHT 1999 (Net) by Daniel Shaddox. All rights reserved.
Appiru. Astaria, Emuspatel, Gahtsk, KRY, KUFOL, Meshianites, Nartan, Nordanity, Nordesel, T.A.D., and ZDK are all trademarks of Daniel Shaddox.

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the media division of the ZDK (Shaddox) Foundation, P.O. Box 44, Underwood, WA 98651 U.S.A.

Or, E Mail us at: zdkf@gorge.net

Phone: (509) 493-1674

(NOTE: limited permission to duplicate this article is extended to ZDK and Nordesel members, for the expressed purpose of recruiting or teaching new members.)

Dated: 5-30-99 . . . Updated 6-27-99