He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’ (Revelation 2:7)
The year 2025 is now upon us. What is the Lord speaking to you; what is the Lord speaking to Lighthouse Evangelism? In listening carefully, we would discover themes such as Revival and Restoration being emphasised, with the added exhortation of God about to do a New Thing in 2025.
How many messages have we heard about Nehemiah and Esther recently? These leaders were prominent during a season when God was bringing Revival and Restoration to a people who were coming out of many years of captivity. Is it possible we are entering a similar time of renewal in our day?
This devotional will, at some points, highlight some key events that transpired during the Restoration era of Israel’s history while seeking to make potential applications towards our day.
Revive and Restore our 1st Love for Jesus
Israel went into captivity primary due to their idolatrous ways. This was a violation of the first of the ten commandments where God’s people were commanded to Love God while having no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:2-3).
Are we guilty of the same sin today? We know God, we go to church, we pray, but is He really our 1st love? Are we guilty of making more time for entertainment, leisure and other pleasures, as opposed to spending more time in His presence?
The letter to the Church of Ephesus in the book of Revelation provides a sobering reminder. Doing many good deeds and standing strong against those who oppose Christ is not enough. There needs to be a rekindling, a reviving, a restoring of that 1st love relationship with Jesus (Revelation 2:1-7). May this prayer of David be our prayer regarding this matter.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. (Psalm 51:12)
Revive and Restore Broken Relationships
This year has featured testimonies of those who have experienced restoration and healing in some of their relationships. We praise God for every miracle of reconciliation. Still, there are so many relationships that have broken down within the home, the church and the nation(s).
Nehemiah undertook a task of great magnitude when he led a group of courageous people to restore the walls and gates around Jerusalem. These walls were broken and abandoned for over 140 years and yet their restoration only took 52 days.
So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. (Nehemiah 6:15)
It’s easy to focus on the impossibility of seeing the healing of relationships, such as broken marriages and parents with their children. Nehemiah chose to take God at His Word and persevere through every tactic of the enemy. God is speaking about doing a New Thing. He is speaking a message of Revival and Restoration. Are we hearing what the Spirit is saying? Our response must be one of Yes and Amen to God, a response of Faith. What are the walls and gates in your life that need Reviving and Restoring?
Reviving and Restoring of Hearts (Repentance)
Reviving of Hearts is the theme for Lighthouse Evangelism in 2025. What does this look like and how can it be applied to our lives and church? A profound event took place that involved Nehemiah, Ezra and the children of Israel. The following verse sums up this powerful encounter.
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. (Nehemiah 8:9)
The people’s hearts were revived as they heard the words of the law being taught by Ezra the priest. This reviving of hearts brought forth remorse and repentance as they came to awareness of how they have not followed God with a whole heart.
The Reviving of Hearts should result in True Repentance. It’s a time when we can assess if God is really our 1st love. Do we love God with all our heart, mind and strength? Do we love our spouses, children and others with the same love God has for us? This realisation will prove to be sobering. However, the message does not end there. The next verse demonstrates the fruits of Revived Hearts and True Repentance.
Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
Let this foundational theme of Reviving of Hearts apprehend you as we commence into 2025. True Revival must first begin in the heart. Hearing and responding to what the Spirit of the Lord is saying will bring repentance, but it will also usher in the blessings of God’s joy and glory. There will be more to share on this topic in future devotionals.
Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, (1 Peter 1:8)
DAILY MEDITATIONS:
Monday: Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Tuesday: Matthew 22:37
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
Wednesday: Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Thursday: Psalm 139:23
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;
Friday: Malachi 4:5-6
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
Saturday: Acts 3:21
Whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.
Sunday: Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
All scriptures are quoted from the New King James Version.
By Pastor Timothy O’Connell
