We continue this study with Revelation 7:1:

          “After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the  earth, so that no wind should blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.”

The Holy Spirit is now releasing into the church that which will ultimately accomplish more than any other outpouring of the Holy Spirit since the Day of Pentecost. He is releasing a consuming passion for Jesus that will return the church to her first love. There is nothing on earth as contagious as this passion for the Son of God; those who have it will infect everyone they come in contact with. The church is about to fall so in love with the Lord she will cover the world with the knowledge of him like the waters cover the sea.

         One goal I have for my writings is to take what I acquired from many hours, sometimes years, of study and condense it for those without the time for such research. Even so, knowing and appreciating that many like to go deeper with their own research, I would like to briefly share some great sources for studying Revelation.

         Last week, I brought up a few aspects of Count Zinzendorf’s life that I think made him one of the extraordinary Christians of the church age. We will continue surveying other great Christian lives, but first I want to review why studying them can reap benefits beyond mere inspiration.

This coming year, the Lord is going to again impart grace for His people to keep their New Year's resolutions. Many experienced breakthroughs this year and started to taste real victory after years of defeat in some areas. Many did not embrace this grace from the Lord, but it is being extended again for 2007. Those who will seize it with faith and patience will experience victory and will begin a new life marked by victories rather than defeats.

The next "work of the flesh," noted in Galatians 5:20 is translated "heresies," or "factions." We often relate heresy to teaching a false doctrine, but a heresy is actually creating a division or faction in the church.

Last week we discussed how change is a fundamental characteristic of all who are growing. This week I want to discuss a couple of ways that we have implemented change as a lifestyle in our churches, which we believe has had remarkable fruit.

As we learn from biology, the cells in a body are constantly being renewed. Even at the most basic level there are changes happening continually, with some organs of a healthy body actually being renewed every month or so. Others may take a bit longer, but are still being renewed continually. How does this apply to the church?