The Bridge - Renew, Refresh Rebirth

BY TINA BOYLE WHYTE

Global Music Link Editorial Team

2022 is upon us. Praise God!

Looking retrospectively, I never would have imagined that 2022 would be literally around the corner. In fact, in March of 2020, the year 2022 seemed like an eternity away. After going through these months, many people are saying there is a sound in the earth for revival. Many are saying that God is prompting a REVIVAL for the Body of Christ.

As we look at the beginning of a revival, we must remember it must be born out of prayer. The word reminds us in Chronicles about prayer: “And if My people, who are called by My Name, become humble and pray, and look for Me, and turn away from their evil ways, then I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 ERV).

At my local ministry, we just experienced a convocation with Michael Dow’s ministry, Burning Ones. It was a beautiful time as we experienced the presence of God. The theme of the convocation was READY THE BRIDE! We are the Bride. The ministry team exemplified what it meant to ‘ready the bride’. In preparation for the convocation, the team fasted and prayed as a consecration to God, and His presence was evident as the glory of the Lord filled the place.

As I think about the season we are approaching - the Christmas season and New Year - I am reflecting on being RENEWED, REFRESHED and REBORN. The birth of Jesus was a significant time; His arrival signified a new era. Jesus came to bring light into the darkness that was over God’s people. His arrival was the onset of being renewed, refreshed and the experience of a rebirth.

Jesus’ entry into the world was designed to restore God’s relationship with man and reestablish God’s Kingdom. As we are recovering from COVID, I believe this is a beautiful time to experience revival - a revival in our relationship with Christ. A revival leads you to be renewed, refreshed and a rebirth. Robert Coleman stated that revival is “the awakening or quickening of God’s people to their true nature and purpose.” This is the season of revival; there is a true awakening to our true IDENTITY.

As we shift into this holiday season and New Year, I encourage you to remember your IDENTITY. Our identity in Christ! We must remember what and how God thinks of us. He made us in His image. In Genesis 1:26-27, He was very mindful of us: ‘And God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.’ We have been made in His image. When we reflect on that, it shows us how much we are loved by God. He created us to be in His image and for His glory. How do we honour God? We honour God when we operate how He created us to be.

He created you to have dominion. He created you to have authority. He created you to have power in your words.

How does this apply to our everyday lives? I think about how people are responding to life situations that we have been presented with in these times. People are worried about what will happen to us next. Anxiety and worry as a result of circumstances are at an all-time high, but God never intended for us to succumb to our circumstances. As we have been confronted with circumstances, I am reminded of how Jesus responded to the disciples in the boat in Mark 4.

‘And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, “Master, carest Thou not that we perish? And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, “Peace, be still.” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And He said unto them, “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” Mark 4:38-40 KJV.

We must remember that our relationship is about faith.

When we live a life of faith, we give honour and glory to God. This is a place where we experience victory. In this season, we must remember that God is greater than circumstances.

We give God glory when we rest. Romans 8:28 says: ‘We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love Him.’ These are the people God chose, because that was His plan. This Scripture assures us that everything has worked out for our good.

This past weekend, I experienced online worship with William McDowell and the Deeper Fellowship Ministry. I experienced the presence of God right here in my room. Why is this important? They sang a song about the Prodigals. The song’s lyrics captured my heart, and brought me immediately into the presence of the Father and His love and commitment towards us. REVIVAL is about returning to your place of IDENTITY, where He has designed you to be. The words of worship were ‘I am loved by You, You approve of me, I have found in You my identity, I am home.’ Are you home with the FATHER?

As we think about Christ’s birth, it was truly our new beginning, our Genesis. Where are you? Have you slipped into a certain place and now you have to return home? Have you forgotten who you were created to be? We are reminded in 2 Corinthians 5:17, ‘When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new!’ We were made NEW!

In this season of revival, God is calling us back to Himself. I believe that God wants us to return to our identity that He declared in Genesis. As Christians, we have found ourselves looking just like the world. Many have shifted to walking by sight and not by faith. Seeing is not believing. Also, in this season, many have suffered from shame and guilt. Many have lost their hope and belief. We must return to believing without seeing. The enemy’s sole purpose is to steal, kill and destroy everything that God has created you to be.

God is calling us back to our identity within Him. I am reminded of Genesis 3:9, ‘And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, “Where art thou?”’ Not that God doesn’t know where you are, but He wants us to know that He wants us back. Just like the Parable of the Lost Son in Luke 15. This parable demonstrates how God wants us to return to Him.

Here is our new beginning. When we experience revival, we experience a renewal, refreshing and a rebirth. Choose to be REVIVED! He is calling you back home to Himself.

God bless! Tina Boyle Whyte, Transformation Coach.

Please reach me at tinaboylewhyte@gmail.com. I look forward to the opportunity to help you get from where you are to where you want and need to be.

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95% of under-18s don’t go to church BUT many are open to faith. You can make the most of that opportunity with Scripture Union’s Revealing Jesus 95% of under-18s in England mission framework! and Wales don’t go to church. BUT many are open to faith!

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