Revive Us Again- Part 2
Dave Andrews • April 6, 2021
Revival and Repentance
As we continue on in the month of April, and our Spring Friendraiser Month, we have already started talking about Revival, which is a part-and-parcel to our chosen theme this year “Revive Us Again: Overcome in ’21.” Previously we have covered “why” revival, but what does revival look like? It looks a whole like
repentance. God’s Word sheds light on this; and I can’t think of a better set of instructions on revival than
2 Chronicles 7:14.
We know what we want…we want His healing of our lives and land in our lifetime. One might presume that it starts with calling out the unsaved. But in this passage, at the very start, we find that revival starts with “my people”...that is God’s people. God’s people are called to go before the Throne in humble repentance…doing a 180 turn away from wickedness.
Revivalist Vance Havner said “We will do anything and everything else in our churches today but repent. Yet a fresh confrontation with God and an outpouring of His Spirit would dispel error and worldliness, meet social issues and produce real unity as no effort in the flesh could do.”
As I broach that subject of repentance, I want you to know I am trying to tread carefully. There are two extremes. One side says…I’m saved, I’ve been a Christian a long time…I’m in good shape. Repentance is easily dismissed. Then on the other hand, another may go too far calling fire and brimstone down on the lowly heathen, lacking mercy and humility, and acting ineffectively a whole like the Pharisees or worse. So as I ask every one of us to repentance, please know that I have more than my hands full with that myself.
As Christians, repentance started on our journey with Christ. However, in the church today, where great Biblical education has occurred, many of the problems we have with sin are found in secret or sins of omission, rather than public in your face types of sin. But even that is changing too. So I would love to ask you to ask the Lord (big step I know) to show you where you are falling short of His calling as a servant of the King.
As a lifelong resident and attendee of the church in the Western Slope, and as someone who hears and knows way more than I would like about churches and ministries locally-- I want to mention a few things to consider as possible topics for repentance.
Idolatry.
It has always been a problem for God’s people…since Moses led the Israelites out of the promised land. This sin of worshipping things which distract us from the true God seems removed from us in this day of “enlightened minds.” But just because we don’t give “worth-ship” to statues of gold and silver doesn’t mean we don’t worship gold and silver. Honestly, our biggest form of idolatry in this day and age comes in the form of plastic. Credit cards, cell phones, TVs, computers…stuff. We can’t get enough. We look to “stuff” and others for our fulfillment. It’s a distraction from the heart of God. Even the beautiful things He has blessed us with can play distractions from our King at times…our families, food, church functions, jobs, and more. But the story of the Rich Young Ruler rings true…we are to give God greatest priority, above everything.
“Lord, show me where I am distracted and help me to focus on you at all times.”
Conformity. We know that we are not to be confirmed to the pattern of this world, and rather “transformed.” Unfortunately, sometimes it’s the world that does the transforming. It can be really hard in our cancel culture. Nobody likes to be viewed as a relic of the past, a “hater,” or “Bible thumper,” or “fundie.” As a matter of fact it has always been a challenge for God’s people to not pick up the sins of the nations around them. Yet we have adopted the social gospel for the actual Gospel (as if the world needs a museum for our good deeds), the popular view vs God’s view (homosexuality, abortion, sexual immorality, evolution, the list goes on), and refuse to take a stand because we “don’t want to come off wrong” (yet the world will hate us either way). Many times, we have good intentions in setting ourselves apart, but because of apathy or business elsewhere, we fail in actual real practice of our faith.
“Lord help me to live as you have called me and to bear the strips you too bore.”
Dissention. I love to joke that my spiritual gift is dissention in the church. In reality, this is a serious problem and is no laughing matter. Scripturally, the Body of Christ is called to be unified. Yet we are not. It’s a problem from leadership down. We isolate ourselves from one another because we are not big enough to let the non-essentials slide. Instead of bickering, we opt for peace by surrounding ourselves with only those of like-mind, or those we just would rather be around, dividing our efforts and effectiveness for the Kingdom. Church leadership and ministry leaders become defensive and jealous of other churches and ministries. Churches become delusional that what we are doing is the only thing going on. It should rather be all about Christ, the head of the body. The body should not be severing limbs, but rather working closely in conjunction with one another. Wouldn’t it be great to see churches and ministries start praying for one another and selflessly and constantly working together simply for the benefit of one another…and all for the purpose of lifting up the Kingdom of God and Christ the head of the body?
“Forgive us Lord for fighting with our brothers and sisters.
Bring us together that you may be glorified for your sake alone.”
Self-centeredness.
We humans tend to think that we are the cause of the world’s problems and also the only solution. In a grander sense, yes, we caused sin to come into this world and continue to perpetuate the problem. But only Christ is the solution. He had to come because we are insufficient. He alone paid for our sins on a cross, he alone rose from the dead, and He alone is glorified above all in Heaven; the Kingdom of God is about Him. Sometimes we forget that this world is not our home, nor what we live for. We handed the reigns over to Him when we were saved. So we are to live not for ourselves, but for Him…and for the life to come in His Kingdom.
“Lord, forgive us for selfishness. Help us to live and die unto you.”
Our list of sins are just as unique as we are. Whatever your sin is, and we all have at least one…let’s pray in humble repentance of sin today…for ourselves and on behalf of one another. Then we change and walk away from those. We are to live as true disciples. Keep it up, for we know Christ will present us to the Father one day…and we shall finally really be changed! But let’s start the process now. Let’s seek His face with faith-filled expectation that when we repent, He will truly and most certainly hear us and heal us.
-Dave Andrews
KJOL Station Manager
Chris Tomlin is debuting a new worship song this week which was written around 250 AD. It is being called The First Hymn . The papyrus text was found a century ago among ruins in Egypt, but it wasn’t until recently that Wheaton professor John Dickson realized the First Hymn should be put to modern music. Chris Tomlin teamed with Australian songwriter Ben Fielding (“What A Beautiful Name”, “Mighty to Save”) to craft a modern worship song using the actual words from the original text as translated by Dickson. It includes the earliest mention of the Trinity: Let all be silent, the shining stars not sound forth, all rushing rivers be stilled as we sing our hymn to the Father, Son, the Holy Spirit, as all powers cry out in answer Amen. Amen. Might, praise and glory forever to our God, the only giver of all good gifts. Amen. Amen. You can watch the debut performance from Fort Worth, Texas, on YouTube. Tomlin and Fielding are performing the song and the documentary this week at Biola University and at The Museum of the Bible.
Our April Spring Friendraiser is underway here at KJOL! If you’re new to KJOL, it’s probably not what you think! While most Christian radio stations rely on the ‘ol classic “Sharathon” model for raising funding (interrupting days of programming to beg), as we did for years…KJOL no longer raises funds that way! Instead, we simply rely on God to provide. And we just let you know of our need as it arises. You might ask, “With people moving in and out of the area, how do you let new listeners or people who have never given before know you have this need?” We came up with this Friend-Raiser idea just for that purpose! With the purpose of NOT interrupting programming or even begging annoyingly, we will simply make short quick announcements on the air from time to time in April, letting folks know we need new donors to take up the mantle of service with us. Not only do we need brand new donors, but we still need our faithful monthly and one-time supporters to continue in ministry with KJOL again for 2025. I can tell you from talking to our listeners behind the scenes, KJOL is making a very real and positive impact for God’s Kingdom in our community, as we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus, the Word of God, and encourage Christians around the Western Slope and beyond every day. Each and every one of our supporters has a hand in that. A few highlights for 2025: · Our 2025 theme is Serving Him, By Serving You ; 1 Peter 4:10 · Our New Donor Goal is 30 brand new donors. · Brand New Donors in April with a gift of $25 or more will receive a KJOL branded Nalgene water bottle, graciously provided to us by a generous anonymous donor. · Past donors who make a gift in the month of April will receive a KJOL bookmark/ruler as a thank you gift for your continued faithfulness. · Everyone who donates to KJOL between April 1-29 will automatically be entered to win one of 5 pairs of general admission (both day) tickets to NightVision 2025 ! Our drawing will be held Wednesday, April 30th. Will you personally help provide this radio ministry to our community? When you give to KJOL in 2025, you will be serving our community and the Lord right there alongside of us! Thanks for praying about it. If the Lord leads, you can make a donation right here , respond to our recent mailing, add us to your bank’s bill-pay, or here’s our address: KJOL Radio, 1354 E. Sherwood Dr., Grand Junction, CO 81501 God bless you and thanks for your consideration! -Dave Andrews, KJOL Station Manager
Meet the artists behind three new songs featured on the KJOL Listener Pulse , and tell us what you think! Natalie Lane “All Joy” “ All Joy ” is the title cut of Colorado Springs native Natalie Lane’s debut album. She says joy became the theme of the entire album: “During open conversations with her collaborators, she realized they all had one thing in common: Everyone was going through very real, difficult things, but yet, they were all still managing to find joy and gratitude in the midst of life’s challenges.” I count it all joy when I run into trouble Count it all good when the bad days come ‘Cause I know that you’re always working And I know that you’re still not done So I’m gonna lift your praise through the trial Ain’t no storm gonna stop my voice ‘Cause I’ve lived some life And I’ve learned that I can always Count it all grace, Count it all joy Ryan Stephenson “Preach” Ryan Stephenson says he wrote Preach five years with his old college roommate, but he didn’t feel it was ready until now. His friend Matt Hammitt sings harmonies. “I hope this song is a encouragement for all of us, regardless of what we believe, to not just say things, but to live things, to practice what we preach.” I talk about grace I talk about love I talk about faith But some days I don’t have enough I talk about forgiveness Still learning how to give it Lord, I need your strength to live what I believe I want my life to preach Every breath, every beat I want my life to preach When I’m strong, when I’m weak Through valley lows and mountain highs Every moment testifies Further than my words could ever reach Lord, I want my life to preach Jamie MacDonald “Desperate” Jamie MacDonald grew up in Michigan and met Jesus at youth camp. But she had a troubled home environment and drifted away and fell into a life of partying and drugs. was difficult home life and She left home at 16, but in her 20s had a “wakeup call” and remembered what God had told her at camp. She began reading her Bible, “secretly attended church,” and did mission work. She now lives in Nashville. She says “There’s been so many moments where I’ve felt desperate. I feel like a lot of people get to that low place and don’t know how much God loves them. As my song says, ‘I’m not asking, I’m begging.’ It’s been cool to see God come through in some of my most Desperate prayers.” Oh God, I'm desperate Down on my knees Send help from heaven 'Cause that's what I need Redeem this wreckage Restore my peace I'm not asking, I'm begging Lord, come through for me I need heaven and I'm Desperate Desperate Oh, I need heaven, need heaven and I'm Desperate
You may have noticed we were unable to release an E-News flash last month…it’s been an odd year so far at KJOL! Not only have we been extremely busy here at the ministry, but Ken Andrews (my father and former KJOL Station Manager) and I (the current station manager) have been caring for my mother who has been battling aggressive cancer for well over a year. No doubt if you heard a recent Inside Report or prayed with Zane during Prayertime, you have heard about her condition, even though we didn’t mention her name at the time.
Some Of Our Favorite Songs of 2024 At the beginning of 2024 , I wrote about how KJOL has now surpassed 4000 songs in our library. And then during 2024, you heard another 167 new songs! Some of our favorites include: That’s My King , CeCe Winans --should have been “Song of the Year” How Great Thou Art , Matt Redman & Friends --75 th anniversary edition Heart & Flesh , Taya Smith & Leeland --a beautiful 6-minute appeal to God “My heart and flesh cry out for You” Now That I Know You , CAIN --“The change in me is plain to see, Now that I know You” Prodigal , Josiah Queen --His style may not suit everyone but somebody likes him: 300 million online streams in 2024! (See him at Nightvision in June) Don’t Stop Praying , Matthew West --one of Zane Matthews' favorite songs! And already in 2025 , there are some really fun new songs: Money Can’t Buy , Cochren & Co. --“You fill my life With something money can’t buy “ (Vote for this song in our Listener Pulse survey now!) Oh Death , Mercy Me --“Oh death you scared me to death Oh you ain’t my King though, Oh where did your sting go You ain’t nothin’ but a stone That my Savior rolled away” (don’t miss the video—it’s great!) Dalé (Praise) , Evan Egerer -- Dalé means “give it to him”. It is also a shout to motivate someone. “We give our praise to Yahweh, Dalé Nobody saves like God saves Don’t wait, Corre (run) to the One, come on, dalé ”
Michael Tait , the lead singer for the Newsboys , has left the group . His announcement came January 16, two days before the band was to start its world tour. Tait said his decision came after prayer and fasting, saying it came as a shock even to him. He added “although I am nervous about the future, I am excited about what it holds for both myself and the Newsboys, as we all seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” Adam Agee is the new lead singer . He had previously been the lead singer for the band Stellar Kart, and then became lead singer for Audio Adrenaline for two years, until they disbanded. In 2023, Agee joined the Newsboys on vocals and bass. Newsboys released a statement after Tait’s announcement, saying “As he walks into the next season of life, we are stepping into the next season of Newsboys. We want you to know that Newsboys isn’t going anywhere, we’re going everywhere!” Tait led a revival of the Newsboys when he joined 15 years ago, with chart topping albums such as Born Again and God’s Not Dead. The first release featuring Tait, in 2010, was “ One Shot ” from the “Born Again” album. After the Newsboys performed their first concert on the new tour, Agee posted on Instagram , “Had to step up to the microphone last night. [a reference to a Newsboys song ] When we found out a week ago that our leader singer Michael Tait was leaving the band, we asked ourselves a lot of questions about the future. We got together and worked hard to put on the best show we could last night. I’m excited about the future and everything God has in store for Newsboys.”
