Canaan Baptist Family Blog

God’s Formula for Spiritual Renewal

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

These last few weeks we’ve explored God’s formula for revival. First we discovered God’s people are the catalyst God uses to bring revival. Then we considered the four prerequisites for renewal. In this article we’ll delve into the incredible blessings we can expect when God sends revival. Certainly the Father longs to send the refreshing rains of renewal to His people who perish for His presence. However, God moves only in response to our hunger for Him. The only reason the rains tarry is that His Children are unwilling to pay the price. I’m praying that the Family of Families will pant for Him as the deer pants for the water.

In response to our humble prayers our loving Heavenly Father longs to pour out His blessings. Our focal passage reveals three results we can expect.

1^st We will hear from heaven

When we genuinely hunger and thirst for righteousness we can expect the Spirit to reveal God’s Truth in a fresh and powerful way. How we need a Word from the Lord!

2^nd God will forgive our sins

Certainly forgiveness is available to the child of God daily

(1 John 1:9). When the winds of revival blow through a church there will be dramatic repentance and renewal experienced by many. Change will evident everywhere.

3^rd The Father will heal the land

The evidence of genuine revival is changed lives, churches and communities. Relationships will be healed, marriages saved and bingo parlors shut down for lack of customers!

God is willing to send revival, are we willing to pay the price?

It has been appropriately said that revival is 99% preparation. I hope you will take the time to allow God to prepare your heart. Pick up Calvary Road in the Children’s Building or foyer for your personal devotional time. Join us at your convenience from 6-9AM to pray for revival. Be sure to participate with your Sunday School class in their Cottage Prayer meeting on Wednesday, October 14^th. Let’s ask and expect God to do great things during our Spiritual Renewal week.

Thank you for praying for us while we were away in revival in Cottondale, FL. I’m looking forward to being back in the pulpit Sunday, October 11^th. I’ll be preaching the second message from the 10 Commandments entitled Our Relationship in the Fellowship. The key hindrance to revival is sin in our relationship with the Father and the folks.

Remember to contact absentees weekly and everyone monthly!

Your grateful partner in the Journey,

Bro Morgan

After Bro. Morgan’s most recent doctor’s appointment, they have determined that another surgery will be the best strategy for him to be cancer free. The spots on his liver have grown slightly, so on Tuesday, July 14th, Dr. Heslin will perform a liver resection. Two tumors will be cut away from the right lower lobe of the liver. Bro. Morgan will then spend eight to ten days in the hospital recouperating. The surgery will be done at UAB, downtown Birmingham. Please lift Bro. Morgan and Mrs. Ritta up in your prayers. Continue to pray for them along with their family and the hospital staff in the upcoming weeks. To God be the glory, great things He has done……and WILL do!

Bro. Morgan went back to the hospital yesterday for his one week post surgical visit. The doctor removed his abdominal tube and has released him back to his regular physician. He will not have to go back to the UAB doctor again until January, at which time they will complete another Cat-Scan to look at the liver. Bro. Morgan had a rough night following the tube removal but is resting this morning. Please continue to pray for him and Mrs. Ritta.