"America – The Spiritual Wilderness"

             America, how long will you thank God for sandals that do not wear out? How long will you kneel and worship the Almighty for His miraculous provision of manna? How long will you keep your arms raised and your head bowed; how long will you bless the Most High for a familiar path to tread? How long will you testify of Sinai, Marah, the Red Sea, and the Lord's mighty works? How long will you remain sick from your consumption of gold, and how long will you lust for garish worship? How long will you carry the Covenant without beholding the all-surpassing glory of Yahweh! How long will you look to the glowing wings of the cherubim and, yet, have your eyes adverted from the loving countenance of your Savior? How long will this continue?

            America, how long will you praise the Lord for the staff of Aaron? How long will you exalt the Creator for the miracles of Moses’ rod? How long will you extol the presence of the Urim and Thummim? How long will you honor the scent incense and the healing of ashes and water? How long will you lift your eyes to the bronze serpent? How long will you offer sacrifices without seeing the Blood of the Perfect Lamb? How long will you search the writing of the stone tablets without seeing the Finger of God! How long, after you passed through the parted sea of self-righteousness, will you enslave yourself? How long will you forget the promises of God? How long will you forget about the Almighty? How long will your forty years last; how long will you make it last?

            America, how long will this continue?  How long will you strike the Rock? How long will you strike the Rock expecting a refreshing stream? How long before you realize it was the Rock who provided your living water? How long before you see Cornerstone upon which you were established? How long before you acknowledge the Foundation upon which you stand? How long before you see the waters of the Jordan? How long before you see the fruit of Canaan and taste of its freedom? How long will you hide yourself in the mountain’s cleft before turning around to see the presence of the Holy One! How long will you let your own fall in the wilderness, when you could live victoriously in the Promised Land?

            America, why live within the territory of purposelessness when God has given you the lands of change and promise? Why be still when you can initiate a movement? Why wander when you can live?

- Dusty

"A True Jewel"

{Phil. 3:16}

            If a jewel is dropped into the dirt, it is still a jewel. Its circumstances do not change what it is. The soil, the depth, the lowly components found therein, none of these things undermine the integrity
or nature of the jewel. Not even the amount of time it has spent hidden in the confines of its earthen-
prison matters; it is still a precious stone. Even if the expensive jewel is dropped into the dirt, it is to
leave its impression in the dust.

Despite what we feel, or what our pasts have led us to believe, the work of God is holy. He is able, completely, to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from the guilt of poor-choices. We devote our lives to following the ways of God, and God provides us with our true identity. He breathes into the dirt and creates a jewel; He establishes us as His children. By the work of God, we are righteous and pure. We are adopted by the Father – given entrance into His family.

It is like we have become a precious, raw stone in the hand of the Jeweler. He crafts and shapes and forms us for His purposes. With the tool of hardship in His hand, the Jeweler carefully sculpts His creation to reveal His mastery. By the end of His work, we are perfect – a polished and honed Jewel. Whether we are to be placed in the jewel studded hallway of the King’s courts, or we are to be delicately fastened to the King’s necklace, we are the magnificent display of the Lord’s glory and splendor.

In the meantime, while we are still being perfected and polished, we are no less than a Jewel. It is, now, in life’s valleys and mountains that we get to “live up to what we have already attained.” It is in this moment that we are enabled, by the work of God, to leave an impression upon the dust. We are given value and deemed worthy of the title, “children of God,” so let us begin living with purpose. Let us adorn the King with acts of kindness and compassion; Let us reveal the beauty of the Lord’s love; let us do something great that will leave an impression upon our circumstances. From a place of understanding our worth, let us live up to what we have already attained.

-          Dusty

A Flame for Heat

What is revival? What is the purpose of experiencing the warm flame of God’s revival fire (Eph. 3:16-19)? We seem aware, enough, of our own need to re-discover life – Christ’s life and the high-valued purpose of our lives. It is not enough for one to state their commitment to such a passion, if no action will follow. Whether it is found in the cerebral functions of the mind or the brawny display of faith, God makes revival accessible to His creatures. It is not like trying to chase the wind while underneath the water. It is simple enough as believing that the sun will rise in the morning. It is achievable by the Spirit of God, through faith (Eph. 2:18; 3:16-17).

While faith in God is the only prescribed requirement, it is beneficial to locate ourselves in a place where we can find revival. In the Lord's presence, you can lift up your soul as a torch to receive the spark of Revival's flame. If, however, you leave that place - not to reveal that reviving work begun within you - you have not actually been touched by a godly revival. Revival is about life. It was intended that life be lived. As believers, now, we have been given a new life. The premise, here then, is that being awakened to Life should incite some living.

We have access to a renewed passion for the things of God; we have access to a new life. Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence that we will receive God’s holy revival, but let us also leave that place that the world may feel the heat of revival’s flame (Heb. 4:16).
- Dusty