News & Blog

What is Revival?

I’ve had revival on my heart for the last several weeks as I know many of you have, too, but I had a moment today where I had to ask myself, “Just what is revival?  What is it I’m looking for to happen?” 

It’s not that I don’t know what revival is or even what I am asking the Lord for during this time, but…I don’t know…I just had a moment…, “Lord, remind me again.”

I have experienced church revival before, very powerfully—in a life changing way.  And though I truly do know what the word means and have experienced it before, I still felt compelled to look it up…the exact definitions. 

Here are some of the words and phrases used by dictionaries:  restoration to life, an awakening, improving strength, something becoming active again, reawakening of fervor, renewed interest, and more.

Honestly, when I read the definitions, it gave the feeling of death…that something had died or the life had been drained out of it, and that which had died or been drained was being brought back to life or restored.

Then I had to ask the Lord, “Did something die in me?  Do I need to be awakened, my strength improved, to become active again in some spiritual ways, reawakened in fervor…?”  And truthfully, the short answer is “yes”.

When I did a little digging on scriptures about revival, what I found did indeed seem to be connected to the idea that someone or something was either physically or spiritually dead or they were completely devoid of strength…but mostly…because of sin.  Take a look at a few:

“And it will be said:  ‘Build up, build up, prepare the road!  Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.’  For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy:  ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”  Isaiah 57:14,15

“…revive us, and we will call on your name.  Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.”  Psalm 80:18b-19

“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?  Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation.”  Psalm 85:6,7

When you look at these scriptures in context, sin was very much the issue.

Is it possible that we need a time of revival because—whether we are aware of it or not—our strength and fervor for the Lord has been dulled or even squashed because of a lack of repentance on our part?  Is it possible that our sins—little, big, or secret—are actually the cause of our “blah” attitude and lack of growth?

Today, as we begin our time of revival services, let’s pray and ask God to reveal our sin to us.  Let’s ask Him and allow Him to break our hearts over our sin.  If we truly want to hear from God and see things change, we must have repentant hearts, and the blessing is, as Isaiah 57 said, God lives with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit.

Katie Botello
FBC Aztec Member

Getting Dirty with Evangelism

When I was a little girl, I struggled with being shy.  I’ve always been more quiet-natured, and making social connections growing up was difficult.  I was able to be out-going at home with my immediate family, but the moment I went out—or even if someone I did not know well visited our home—the painful shyness would overtake me.  In fact, it was my deepest desire in those moments to fade away into the background and just observe, but others would inevitably try to get me to open up and talk (to my chagrin) prompting me with questions or kind comments; my cheeks would fill with a crimson flush and my voice would barely be audible as I fumbled through my responses.  

Thankfully, as I grew up, through my teaching career, faithful friends who challenged me to take risks, and learning to “bravely” take-on opportunities that caused me to step out of my comfort zone, I have been able to overcome, to a great degree, a lot of that bashfulness…but there are still moments.  When I consider why that was ever an issue (or occasionally still is), I realize it’s a fear thing.  Yes, there are naturally quiet personalities, but when it gets to the point that an individual becomes paralyzed and is no longer able to hazard taking a chance, that’s an issue…and actually, when it comes to spiritual matters, it can actually lead to disobedience.

Moses comes to mind when I consider this:

“Moses said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.’  The Lord said to him, ‘Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?  Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.’  But Moses said, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.’  Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses…”  Exodus 4:10-14a

This makes me laugh.  This was Moses’ fourth and final attempt to dodge the mission God was giving him.  He kept trying and trying to get out of it and when it didn’t work, he just finally cut to the chase and begged the Lord:  “Oh please, please, please send someone else.  Please, pllleeeaassee!!!”  But the sobering part is that it made God angry.  God had ALREADY chosen Moses.  It was not a matter of:  “Hey Moses…if you happen to be free…would you mind moseying on over to Egypt to run an errand for me?”  It was a solemn and holy calling to go to Egypt to lead the captive Israelites to their freedom.

And what about us?  God has called us to go down into peoples’ personal Egypts and proclaim the love of Christ, to witness of His Great and Magnificent gift to us, and to watch as God releases them from the Pharaoh of their heart.  But are we willing?  What holds us back?  Shyness, fear, busyness, apathy, spiritual laziness…?

Today, as we consider “Getting Dirty with Evangelism”, let us contemplate what is keeping us from actively going out to fulfill our calling to go into the world and make disciples.  Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to show us potential blockages in our heart that keep us from walking forward in this and then let’s repent and go out with passion and zeal telling people about God’s wonderful gift.

Katie Botello
FBC Aztec Member

The Daniel Fast

The Daniel Fast…what have I learned from it?  Several things…I’ve learned that my body responds better to healthier food—more fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, etc.  I’ve learned that while Dr. Pepper is undoubtedly my favorite beverage, adding more water to my liquids intake has been beneficial and not too bad.  I’ve learned that my body needs a period of time to detox…apparently I don’t eat as healthily as I thought…and I’ve learned that, yet again, my flesh is incredibly “whiny”.

I have fasted before with only water and no food for part of a day (or even a few days), and I have (I’m sure like many others) experienced the toddler sensations that occur when fasting like:  “I want to have a hamburger RIGHT NOW!!” followed by some ridiculous internal tears…

Note:  The toddler sensations that occur when fasting are actually just the flesh rising up again—surprise!  It’s still there!  Just when we thought we might have conquered it, fasting unearths the flesh’s naughty self yet again. 

This fast, though, has been different.  This fast does not remove food from my day, but instead forces me to change my lifestyle (believe me, the flesh has had something to say about that, too).  I am pushed into a frame of mind where I must consider my food choices and make choices that are better for me and probably closer to what God intended for my body. 

I actually have to cook more and read labels for ingredients, and believe me there are some days when it is just difficult, inconvenient, and frustrating, and I think to myself, “If I have to eat one more vegetable, I think I’m going to have a fit!”  And there has been some spiritual warfare blocking the way here and there, but truthfully, I wouldn’t trade it.  God is doing something inside of me.

Not only is my outer man being cleansed and detoxed, so is my inner man.  Granted, I have only been able to enact the fast for lunch, dinner, and the snacks in between for the past week (working my way into breakfast as my body slowly detoxes and acclimates to the changes), but already the difference is remarkable.

I have experienced more conviction and repentance, have heard the Lord’s voice a little clearer; there is less clutter in my soul and I feel less sluggish—internally and externally.  God is reminding me of things He has spoken to me before and is stirring up old passions and desires in terms of spiritual giftings, things that I haven’t considered in a while.  Basically, the Daniel Fast is helping me to clean house, subdue the flesh, and make room for the Spirit to work in me:

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.  The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.  Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.  You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you…”  Romans 8:5-9a

Today, join me…let’s allow God to make room in us for the Spirit to work, and then let’s allow the Spirit to move inside of our souls to bring repentance and change.  If we want to see chains broken, strongholds demolished, and experience revival—then we must be willing to do our part and give God room to work.

Katie Botello
FBC Aztec Member

Don’t Forget to “Look Up”

Do you ever look up?  I’m laughing a little in my heart because it’s a funny question to ask and, truthfully, the answer for me is, “No, not as often as I should.”  Three times this week, the Father has caused me to pause and look up.  It’s not that I don’t see the sky or even glance up once in a while, but to really look up and gaze into the sky…not very often.  I’m too busy for that.  Again, I’m smiling inside at the irony…“I’m too busy”…how arrogant.  I’m too busy to stop, look up, behold, appreciate, and just be content in the moment…shame on me.

Today, I reached a pinnacle moment of frustration and found myself retreating to my backyard and taking a seat on the steps of the deck.  And as I sat there, the thought crossed my mind (for the third time this week) to stop and look up.  As I did so, in an instant I was captivated and my soul calmed.  The tall, tall trees lazily swayed their arms in the warm, late summer wind.  Their leaves shimmered, shaking their little heads in some happy delight.  The sun’s rays poured through the dancing boughs and lit everything with a golden glow.  The sky was a perfect shade of azure, not a single cloud to be seen.  It was splendid. 

And my heart chuckles again because…it was so simple.  All the frustrations that had built up over days and so “owned” my thoughts were gone in that moment—instantaneously!  The unhurried way of God’s divine creation, and simply taking a moment to observe the work of His hands, well…it was enough.  After about 20 minutes, I went back inside and, truly, nothing seemed to be as much of an issue as it had been when I had first stepped outside.  I was content.

Consider this passage for a moment:  “But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Though the focus of this passage is money, the heart of it is contentment.  There is nothing so important in this world—no situation or frustration, no thing that we pursue (money, jobs, positions, accolades), no way that we fill our time (sports, TV, games)—that can compare to just simply living in the godliness provided through Jesus’ righteousness, a gift from the Father, mixed with genuine and fruitful Spirit-filled contentment.

Today, join me in slowing down.  Let’s not forget to “look up”.  Let’s remember to consider the Father and His ways.  Let’s not forget to allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with appreciation of what the Father has done and what He has so generously provided for us.

Katie Botello
FBC Aztec Member

Purify Your Heart

Something I feel God is talking to me about lately is learning how to better gauge, monitor, and measure my responses.  And I feel as if He is addressing not only the words that escape my lips but the hidden responses in my heart, too.  His conviction toward me is that even though I may be able to hold my tongue more often than not, the bigger concern is the actual condition of my heart toward others.

Jesus addresses this in Matthew 15:11,18-20:  “What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them…But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.  For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”

His heart in this is that what comes out of our mouths matters and we are accountable for those things that we say because they are a true reflection of the evil stored up in our hearts—remember the “flesh” battle is indeed real.  If we are spewing out ugliness, bitterness, or vindictive, sharp or biting words, we must answer for that before the Lord because it is sin and it truly defiles us and brings pain, discouragement, and sadness to others.

We may say, “But it’s not as bad if we don’t say what we are truly thinking out loud, right?  It’s okay because we didn’t let the words escape our mouths but just kept them locked up in our hearts, right?”  Jesus says that the real issue IS the heart, so even if we think, “Well, I kept my mouth shut.  Doesn’t that make me look more holy because I kept my mouth shut?”  The answer is no…we may have less external consequences because of that, but we should not think we will escape accountability for our “loose”, unresolved, or bitter thoughts.

So what do we do?  The answer is found in 1 John 1:6-9:  “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from allsin.  If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Today, let’s confess our sin before the Lord and ask for Jesus’ forgiveness; let’s allow Jesus to purify our hearts, and let’s commit to walking in the light with the help of the Spirit of God.

Katie Botello
FBC Aztec Member