Last week, my family and I were on vacation and did not have good enough service to post anything. I apologize for the absence! But we had a wonderful time of family fellowship, and enjoyed seeing some wonderful sights of God’s glorious creation. Here is this weeks’ version of “Monday Minutes.” Enjoy!

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the blessings we have enjoyed in Kingdom fo God in this area over the past few years.  When you stop and think about it, it almost “blows my mind!”

Who would have dreamed that Zion Primitive Baptist Church would be meeting so often over the past nine years or so (we meet twice every Sunday, and two Wednesday nights per month)?  Who would have dreamed that the Lord would send so many of His little sheep our way, both to encourage us and to edify us with the growth and fellowship?  I certainly could not have conceived of it – a mere nine years ago, I was laboring to decide whether to move from this area and relocate to pastor another church.  I had already made the decision to go, but God in His mercy dissuaded me of that idea and showed me clearly that my gospel labors were to be in this area.

My brother, Elder Tim McCool, shared the following Psalm with me as it became clear that the Lord wanted me at Zion church:

Ps 126

1 When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. 3 The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 4 Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

As he and I read that Psalm, he wept, and so did I.  He had experienced this at Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church already, and he had a vision that the same thing could happen at Zion.  Boy, was he ever right!

For many years, this precious church seemed to be dying, at one point dwindling in numbers down to only ONE member. But by the grace of God, we have experienced such a wonderful revival in the last nine years!  What a testimony to the longsuffering and love of a sovereign God!  For many years, I passed the church meetinghouse and shook my head in sadness, wondering what would we do with the building one day when the last member had died.  Unbeknownst to me, Christ was still walking amidst the candlestick of this precious place, just like in John’s day (Rev. 1).

And when the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion – when He led the old church back to the right paths, and to the green fields of promise – my brother and I truly were like them that dream.  As a matter of fact, a dear brother said from the pulpit one night, “If I’m dreaming, don’t wake me up!”  Amen and amen!  And since that time, our mouths have been filled with laughter and our tongue with singing!  The Lord truly has done great things for us, whereof we are glad.

On the first Sunday night in October 2011, I joined this precious little flock.  I was the third member at the time.  By the wondrous mercy and power of God, our ranks have swelled to over fifty members since that time.  I mention this not to boast in the power of men, because men did not bring this to pass.  Rather, I boast in the power of our great God to bring revival upon His people.

I love the song, “Lord, Revive Us,” penned by the great hymn-writer John Newton (who also wrote “Amazing Grace”).  I am including it below in the hope it will encourage us all to reflect upon God’s bountiful blessings, His guiding providence, and His awesome ability to bring revival where it is needed.  Many years of sowing in tears have yielded a bountiful harvest of joy in our lives!  He is the One to Whom all glory is due, not just for His work in eternity, but also for His work daily in the lives of His children!  He has truly done, and continues to do, exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or think.

May the Lord bless you this month. In Christ, 

Elder Chris McCool

LORD, REVIVE US

Author:  John Newton, 1725-1807

Savior, visit Thy plantation, Grant us, Lord, a gracious rain!
All will come to desolation, Unless Thou return again.

Keep no longer at a distance, Shine upon us from on high;
Lest, for want of Thine assistance; Every plant would droop and die.

Surely, once Thy garden flourished, Every part looked gay and green;
Then Thy Word our spirits nourished, Happy seasons we have seen!

But a drought has since succeeded, And a sad decline we see;
Lord, Thy help is greatly needed, Help can only come from Thee.

Where are those we counted leaders, Filled with zeal, and love, and truth?
Old professors, tall as cedars, Bright examples to our youth!

Some, in whom we once delighted, We shall meet no more below;
Some, alas! we fear are blighted, Scarce a single leaf they show.

Younger plants—the sight how pleasant, Covered thick with blossoms stood;
But they cause us grief at present, Frosts have nipped them in the bud!

Dearest Savior, hasten hither, Thou canst make them bloom again;
O, permit them not to wither, Let not all our hopes be vain!

Let our mutual love be fervent, Make us prevalent in prayers;
Let each one esteemed Thy servant, Shun the world’s bewitching snares.

Break the tempter’s fatal power, Turn the stony heart to flesh;
And begin, from this good hour, To revive Thy work afresh.

Chorus

Lord, revive us, Lord, revive us, All our help must come from Thee;Lord, revive us, O revive, All our help must come from Thee.