What a time we had! That's the expression of most people who attended the Empowerment Revival. The feelings of renewal abounded as we reflected upon the experience of last week. It was my prayer, in this season of economic challenge, that God would move in a mighty way to assure us of His love for us and remind us that He is ever-present with us. God heard our prayers and visited us in a powerful way.
Dr. Alvin Bernstine blessed us with the word of God like never before. On Wednesday we were reminded of "The Thirst Factor." Our soul's hunger and thirst for God is like a deer who has been running for his life! It is a thirst that only a relationship with the Living God can quench. Then, on Thursday we were carried to a new dimension as Dr. Bernstine talked about "Empty Vessels and Closed Doors." It was a dynamic message to help the people of God with their economic issues. Pouring into empty vessels becomes a way that we can secure resources for our future, and shutting doors that drain our finances is key to economic stability and growth for individuals and families.
Wow! On Friday we looked into the life of Abraham as he was tested by God to give up what he loved most. "It's Testing Time" was the subject of Dr. Bernstine's sermon of the evening. We were all made aware of how God tests us to verify our loyalty and commitment to Him. Just as Abraham passed the test, we can pass too! We were blessed beyond measure by our time together as we were blessed by the word of God.
The Empowerment Revival was designed to empower us for making an impact in the world. I am always amazed at what God can do! With the real challenges that confront us on a daily basis, we need regular time in the presence of God. Nothing else can substitute for the intimate relationship between us and the true and living God. When we spend time with God we are lifted to brand new levels of life where the stresses of daily existence cannot get us down. We are reminded that we are "more than conquerers."
Minister Darryl Moore lectured each evening of the Empowerment Revival on the book "One Month to Live." We are reading it through the entire Lenten Season. What an awesome
challenge it is to answer the question as to how our lives would change if we only had a month to live. Wow! Empowerment has to be about living life more abundantly. When we are empowered we think and behave in a different way. It is no longer business as usual. "One Month to Live" causes us to think and to pray about ways to enrich our lives for our sakes and for God.
I hope you will continue this journey with us as we take on the future in life and ministry. As we pray together and study together, and work together, I'm trusting God for a flow of miracles that will help us get more and more out of life. We are building the inner lives of God's people for the purpose of changing the world. The call of God is for a changed people who will change the world one person at a time. That's why we are empowered to make an impact!
Pastor E.L. Branch
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3 comments:
The Revival was "Awesome!" I was on such a spiritual high each night that I couldn't even sleep when I got home. My daughter called me about 11:00pm to ask what was the scripture for that evening. She was so excited that she was sharing the message with her friends. Those three nights were life changing. Now the key is to keep the momentum going. It's so easy to forget and fall right back into a spiritual rut. I bought the CDs for each night but I'm also going to make a copy of this blog to remind me of "The Thirst Factor","Empty Vessels and Closed Doors", and "It's Testing Time."
I strive to live a more abundant life so that I can pour what I have into someone else's life.
Thank you Pastor for not only bringing us a "Powerful" word each week but also allowing others to do the same with a different flavor to it.
Empower Me!
I was so glad to hear that you (Pastor Branch) did what I feel the church should be doing and that is benevolent offering to those that are in need. I left right after Pastor Bernstein had asked for the other donation. This made me so happy that a member may be able to save their home. We know that during these economical challenges we are facing, someone made need help. Thanks Pastor Branch you have my support on the Lifestyle campaign now. Although, I was supporting it anyway, I feel more apt to contribute in hopes that the Community Center will be opening soon.
This was truly an EMPOWERMENT revival. Dr. Bernstine and Bill were just awesome! I walked away each night filled with excitement and belief that God will see his people through these challenges times. In the words of Dr. Bernstine "This won't be solved by Obama or yo Mama, this is a spiritual matter... We need a word from the LORD!"
If you missed it get the CD. No better yet the DVD. Sister Essie Moss and Pastor Branch sang at the end
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