Watts' Words

The Urgency of Revival and the Call to Shine For the past month, our focus has been on the need for revival. But some may wonder, why all the emphasis on revival? What's the big deal? Well, the truth is, as believers, we are on a journey. From the moment we accepted Christ until the day we step foot on Heaven's shore, we are constantly in need of renewal, restoration, and refreshment. In a sermon by Vance Havner, a 20th-century revivalist, he shared a message that resonated with me. It was based on Ezekiel 21:11-12, which speaks about the Watchman and the night. This message has great relevance for us today, as we find ourselves living in a time of darkness. The Watchman In the Bible, the concept of the Watchman is mentioned over 20 times. Watchmen were assigned to stand guard and protect the community from enemies. They were like sentinels or guards, alerting the people to danger. Today, we too are called to be Watchmen, guarding against the darkness that surrounds

Introduction In this blog post, we will explore the concept of being ready for God. We will dive deep into the transcript of a powerful message and examine the importance of looking upward, inward, and outward in our spiritual journey. Join us as we discover how to prepare ourselves for a personal and intimate connection with God. Looking Upward The message begins with the speaker encouraging the audience to look upward. They talk about how we often look up to people who inspire, correct, and teach us. However, the speaker emphasizes that there is one whom we should all look up to - God. They describe God as being high and lifted up, someone who deserves our allegiance and devotion. When we turn our focus to God and empty our lives of worldly things, we have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of His power, majesty, and glory. Looking Inward Once we have looked upward and encountered God, it naturally leads us to look inward. The speaker reminds us that when we look at ourselve

The Need for Revival Have you ever had a week where everything seemed to be backwards? A week where no matter what you did, it felt like things were just not going the right way? Pastor Jerry opens his message with this relatable experience, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of the need for revival in our lives and in our land. The Three Levels of Hearing Pastor Jerry highlights the importance of listening with understanding, rather than just superficially or for mere facts. He emphasizes that when our emotions are touched, we truly engage our mind and connect with the message being conveyed. This level of deep understanding and connection is what we should strive for when it comes to hearing and internalizing the Word of God. Revival: Breathing Life into the Dead Revival is defined as an encounter with God, a renewal of spiritual life in individuals or among a group of people. It is a restoration, a falling in love with Jesus all over again. Just as life can be breat

 America...without apology, I love this land, the land of the free and the home of the brave. This land, by all human standards, an 'experiment' in democratic governance, did well for over 200 years.  Yes, there were and are some black spots in our history, but the good certainly outweighs the bad and the USA is still the bastion of freedom and opportunity. This is proven by the literal millions who are charging our southern border at a rate not seen and with a fervor that is unmatched.  They are coming because the USA is still the greatest country ever known to mankind. Our Founding Fathers possessed an intellect that seems to far exceeds any of our modern-day leaders and whose selflessness appears in every word they wrote in those founding documents. Those founding fathers taught us much about commitment, sacrifice, and yes, unselfishness. The only way this country will survive is if we, the modern-day Americans, adopt the same attitude as our founding fathers.  The United St

The title says it all.  There are projects after projects after projects in which I find myself immersed.  Many of these are good, but because of time constraints, they can be labeled 'Important.' However, they do not eclipse the importance of my heart before God and the need for a fresh sense of the presence of God leading to a revival among God's people.  Somehow I must make the change, the choice, and/or the transition to keep my heart and life focused on HIM and not on things. Simply stated, "God cannot do a fresh work through me until He has done a fresh work in me. "  I diligently am seeking, likely more seriously than I ever have, God's will, way, and word, for the days ahead.   As I read Acts 1, I am that Peter referred to Psalms 69 as he addressed that flawed business meeting in the upper room. So I turned to Psalms 69 and the first verses hit me in the face; 1  Save me, God, for the water has risen to my neck. 2  I have sunk in deep mud, and there is

When Jesus wrote the letters to the Churches of Revelation, He began with Ephesus. To Ephesus, He offered many good words followed by "I have one thing against you, you have left (lost, abandoned) your first love."  Calling them to repentance, He said, "Remember, Repent, and Return."   Remembering is the first step to any possibility of re-ordering or renewing self.  Today, I received a "REMINDER" from 3 years ago.  How my life has changed in 3 years! How life on planet Earth has changed in 3 years!  In 2020, we were two months deep in a LOCKDOWN because of COVID-19. I was not a Senior Pastor, but a Director of Missions.  The result was that I witnessed the struggle and blessings from outside the church.  What follows is a re-print of my observations from then.  What I wrote is my heart for the church even today.  I pray you'll read the words and hear my heart.  "Since before the founding of this nation, Churches have held a place of prominence, r