Justyn Smith • A Heart For Revival

  Thanksgiving In India Thanksgiving In India It was November 25th, 2010, and the Tesseneers (our missionary friends to India) and our Indian friend were wonderful hosts! Thanksgiving looked different for us that year. ->We weren’t around blood family (and we missed them), but we were around God’s family! ->We didn’t have turkey, but we had food! ->We weren’t in America, but we were in India! I am reminded of 3 points to chew on as I think about that Thanksgiving Day 8 years ago: I. To REJOICE! We rejoiced to see the mission-field of India where God was and still is doing a great work. We were honored to rejoice in God's goodness with our missionary friends and newly found Indian friends. We enjoyed BBQ-ed Chicken roasted over the fire. We prayed together, sang together and enjoyed great fellowship in the Bible College's Living Quarters. ->Take a moment to look around at all that you have-your friends and family, your material possessions and even the money you may ...

  Reflection Lake - Alaska Photo Credit: Justyn Smith - 8.29.18 Lessons Learned from Reflection Lake  // Listen to the message preached on this very topic by clicking here. \\ My thoughts on life application lessons learned from my first time visiting reflection lake. Reflection lake is one of many beautiful spots to walk in the state of Alaska. It’s found just outside of Palmer and Wasilla, and I’d encourage anyone passing by to take the time to stop and walk as you’re able. I would like to make some spiritual applications to our quick trip to reflection lake. *Note: it wasn't my intention to receive spiritual applications, but a couple days after the walk the Lord began giving me life lessons from our little trip. :-) #1 - I didn't know what to expect. I didn’t know how long the walk around the lake would be. I didn’t know there be a wonderful spot to skip rocks. I didn’t know how clear the water was going to be. I didn’t know that there was a beautiful man made tower that i...

  Take Opportunity Photo Credit: Josh Appel on Unsplash Take Opportunity It’s always exciting to take opportunity to do something we always wanted to do...for instance... Maybe a dream vacation comes our way – we take opportunity. Maybe something that we’ve always wanted to buy falls into our price range – we take opportunity. Maybe a certain advancement in work or play comes our way – we take opportunity.  I wonder how we are dealing with the opportunities that God brings across our paths? Especially when these opportunities pertain to doing something good to/for someone else... Galatians 6:10 KJV [10] As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Sometimes, we don’t have to make opportunities happen, the opportunities present themselves before us! Notice, when the opportunity presents itself, the reaction on our part is to do good to two types of people: —>All men We shouldn’t base the fulfillment or...

  Give And See God Will Open The Windows of Heaven Photo credit: Gariay Thomas on Unsplash This blog is also a 12 minute video. Here's the video ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Give, And See God Will Open The Windows of Heaven! IT'S AMAZING to be a part of a Church family that loves God and the things of God. One of the spiritual things they testify to love as I look over income and expense reports is their/our love to be gracious with the finances that God has blessed with! God can open the windows or Heaven. God will open the windows of Heaven. Will God shut those windows soon? How long will He keep them shut? Malachi 3:10-11a  "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground......

  Sharpen Your Skills Photo Credit: Malte Wingen on Unsplash Dear Preachers (there's a tidbit for the non-preacher in this blog too!), SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS. I haven't arrived, and you haven't either. There's work to do, for He is worthy. Rest satisfied in yesterday's outcome (you gave it your all), learn from yesterday's weak points (there's always something to learn), and plan for tomorrow's successes (let's purpose to be effective by the Spirit for Christ's sake)! It has been said, "A Pastor is called to: 1.  Pastor People ,  Preach to People  and establish  Programs for Reaching People. " You can scan the Pastors of present day and say, "This one is great at PASTORING people...This one is great at PREACHING to people....This one is great at creating PROGRAMS for reaching people, but it's difficult to find a Pastor that is successful at all three." HEED now... -> A Pastor doesn't have to be the best at all three to...

  Go to the Ant, thou Sluggard Created with Adobe Spark —> Go to the Ant, thou Sluggard We can all learn from an ant today. It’s a very small creature with a powerful example displayed! Proverbs 6:6-11 KJV [6] Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: [7] Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, [8] Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. [9] How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? [10] Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: [11] So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. —> When you note your own LAZINESS, observe the ant. Study the ant. Consider how an ant gets along in life. vs 6 —> An ant doesn’t need a LEADER to provide for it. We don’t need any authority over us to tell us that we need to get busy now so we will “have” later. vs 7-8 —> We will suffer LOSS LATER if we are LAZY now. vs 8-11 >>Ge...

  Time Is Of The Essence Photo Credit: Aron from Unsplash The phrase, “TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE” makes its roots in the legal field. It was used in “contract law” in countries like England, New Zealand, Australia, Wales, Canada and other commonwealth countries and the Untied States. The phrase express, "the need for timely completion.” We must understand that the coming of Christ is on the Horizon, and, therefore, TIME is of the Essence. We need timely completion of the reason why God has each of us here. BELOW, we note how Christ responded to tackling life for the glory of God, and the example Christ leaves us in John 9:1-7 should be the "WHY" behind what we do. Why do we live fervent lives for the glory of God...because Christ did! JOHN 9:1-7 (1) And as  Jesus  passed by, he saw a man which was blind from  his  birth. (2)  And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? (3)  Jesus answered,...

  When Jesus Was 33 When Jesus Was 33 Some 10 to 15 years ago I was young and fervent in the ministry, and I started thinking about my 33rd year of life and ministry. What will it be like?  Jesus was 33 when He gave up all for all, and what will my 33rd year be like? What will it feel like? What kind of fervor or zeal will I have for the things of God? Where will I be serving? etc. I can never be Jesus or even come close to doing the things Jesus did, but I most certainly look up to Him and strive to be like Him…Oh, how I wish the desire were even greater! Here is what I have gleaned from thinking about Jesus’ 33rd year as I compare it to my 33rd year. I pray it will be a help to you regardless your age: I. He submitted fearlessly to the will of God, even when death was part of it - will I do so? I’m thinking about the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed to God, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42 ...

  Pastoral Problems Pastoral Problems Today is my 33rd Birthday, and, today, I’m reminded of what I call "Pastoral Problems,” and sense I’m a Pastor it’s very fitting and helpful to think on these things. Each of these Pastoral Problems are probably not what you are thinking. Much of my “Pastoral Problems” are not because of others, but because of self. You’ll gather what I mean as you read. Here are a few Personal Pastoral Problems above many that could arise (and I’m sure they can be found in any child of God’s spiritual life, as well): I. The Elijah Syndrome  - a.k.a The "I’m the only one doing anything for God” syndrome. This is prideful and inconsiderate of the many who are faithful to God’s call.  “[13] And it was so , when Elijah heard it , that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? [14] And he said, I have been very jealous for the...