Beginning this Sunday, Wilkesboro Baptist Church will host Dr. Greg Mathis in revival services. We look forward to Dr. Mathis joining us and anticipate what God will do as we meet. While we will have meetings, only God can grant a revival. Revival carries the idea that God pours out his Spirit of conviction and holiness, his people confess, repent, and experience the cleansing grace of God. 

According to 2 Chronicles 7:14, we (those who are called by God’s Name) must humble ourselves, pray, seek his face, and turn from our wicked ways. These conditions–humility, prayer, seeking God, and repentance are what we can do if we hope for God to send his Spirit during our meetings. Would you consider taking the time to pray during the next few days as we prepare for the series of meetings beginning on Sunday? 

•  Pray for the Lord to fill Dr. Mathis with the Holy Spirit during the revival.
   Pray that WBC members and attenders would be receptive to God’s Word. 
•  Pray for opportunities and boldness by WBC members and attenders to share the gospel and invite people to attend the revival.  
•  Pray that the Holy Spirit would uncover and convict WBC members of sin
  that we might confess and repent.  
•  Pray that the overflow of changed lives in our church would attract sinners to
  the gospel and that they might be saved.  
•  Pray for church unity, love, and growth as we seek to make disciples.  
•  Pray specifically for lost or wayward people.  
•  Pray that God would send us outward to our neighbors and to the nations to
  share the gospel.

I’ve been reminded recently how important it is to have others around. That’s not so easy for some of us. After all, we are Americans. We tend to be independent. We can manage. It is clear though that we are not to operate individually as a part of the body of Christ. Paul explains in his letter to the Galatians: 

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. – Galatians 6:2

In order to love others, we are to bear their burdens. Paul’s expectation is in the context of correcting sinful behavior. Because each of us is flawed and sinful, we need each other. We need people to lovingly correct us. We need people to come alongside us and teach us. We need others to care for us. We cannot afford to walk this Christian life alone. 

If you are trying to walk with Jesus alone, let me encourage you. Don’t. Find a group, like a Sunday School class where you can belong. Find a friend or a group of friends who you can get to know and can share yourself with. Search out an accountability partner or partners. I can say with utmost honesty that other Christians who have born my burdens by challenging me, encouraging me, or helping me have shaped me spiritually. 

I need others. You need others. Will you bear someone else’s burden?