RSS

Tag Archives: revival

Is Your Schedule Bleeding Time?

16 Jun

Parking MeterIn my last post I talked about the Sabbath as a tithe of our time. I believe the violation of this principle is causing many Christians to be ineffective for the Lord.

The prophet Haggai had to rebuke Israel for their disregard of the Lord’s work. When they returned from Babylonian captivity, they immediately went about building themselves huge, comfortable homes while ignoring the temple of the Lord. They should have been able to accomplish both.

Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”
Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”
Haggai 1:3-6

This could be said about our current generation in regards to our time. God’s people are always busy. But their time is never enough. In spite of all this busyness, not much is being accomplished in the Kingdom of God.

I remember when I was younger. Our church met on Sunday. The whole day revolved around going to church.

There was a morning and evening service. After the service, we would spend an hour or so just praying around the altar. We wanted the things that we heard in the message to become a part of our lives. We wanted the Word of God to take root deep in our hearts.

Now, it seems to me, that to many, the Sunday worship service is merely a formality. It’s something that we need to get out of the way in order for us to get on with what we really want to do.

I realize that’s a huge generalization. It’s not true about all churches or believers. But as I look out across what we call “the church” in America, it’s the modern trend. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but I heard one leader say that among those who claim that they’re committed to a local church – it means that they attend at least twice a month. That’s the new commitment in our generation.

Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
1 Peter 1:17

This verse tells us that we are not a part of the world system. It literally says that we should live in holy fear, overturning, turning up-side down, the time. What we do with our time will determine the future of the church.

Here’s the bottom line. Time is the new commodity in the body of Christ. We would ten times rather give God our money than our time. But I believe that time is what we need to spend if we want revival.

I’ve heard people say that America needs revival. We do. Do we really want revival, knowing the cost? We are going to have to purchase revival for our nation with time turned over to God.

Question: How much of your time are you willing to spend on revival?

© Nick Zaccardi 2014

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on June 16, 2014 in Power of God, Revival, The Church

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

There’s Time for Sale – But it’s Expensive

11 Jun

ClockI’ve been taking a few posts to talk about understanding our present time. We live in spiritually dangerous times. We need to live carefully, like no other generation before us.

Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16

In this passage, we are once again told to be careful, to live wisely, and to pay attention. The days we live in are evil, hurtful.

Please understand that these days are not evil by character. A day by itself cannot be evil or good. The times we’re living in are evil by influence and effect.

We are told that we should be making the most of every opportunity. That literally means purchasing, buying time in the Greek.

God has set times where He wants to accomplish things through the church. But the times are evil. That means that it’s on us to redeem time.

We have been redeemed – from the law and the curse. Now we must redeem time from the curse. We must set aside times for God’s purposes.

We must purchase the time through prayer. That’s what he means by redeeming or purchasing the times.

We live in dangerous days. We want to see the hand of God at work. We must set the foundation through prayer and prayer in the spirit.

That’s why Paul goes on to say…

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:17-18

I’ve heard it said that we must pray the price. I never understood it until now. It’s time. Time to pray and purchase the appointed times for the move of God.

That’s what revival is going to take – time in the Lord’s presence. That’s where we find out what God’s will is. That’s where we receive His strategies for the days ahead.

It’s all based upon the prayers of His people. America desperately needs revival. Time set apart to Christ is the only way we’ll bring that to pass.

The unfortunate thing is that this generation seems to be extremely stingy with their time. If I said that a revival would cost a million dollars, we’d probably raise it pretty quick. But if I say it will take a week of meetings and prayer, where we clear our schedules for the move of God, few would take part in that.

It takes time to purchase revival. Those who want to discern the times and reap the harvest will redeem the time. We must pray the price, buying the time.

Question: How much time are you willing to clear up from your schedule for a move of God?

© Nick Zaccardi 2014

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on June 11, 2014 in Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

America at the Crossroads

26 May

FlagcrossToday is Memorial Day. It’s a day to remember the sacrifices that so many men and women have made so that we can live in freedom. It’s sad to see how far we’ve fallen from the original plan of the founding fathers.

How did this happen? First of all, we have to understand that God treats nations differently than He deals with individuals.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.
Psalm 33:12

God will bless a nation that follows His ways.

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Proverbs 14:34

To the extent that America followed God’s ways – we were blessed and exalted. We saw the abundance of God, and then thanked Him for it. Our people had wisdom to create wealth, inventions, and many other great achievements.

But there came a time when we started to leave the path.

Does he who disciplines nations not punish? Does he who teaches man lack knowledge?
Psalm 94:10

The truth is that God disciplines nations. Of course, this requires understanding God’s ways. The world is the Lord’s, and all of the land that exists is His. Nations, themselves, cannot be saved or unsaved. As such, nations are under law, not grace.

We know from Scripture that the power of sin is the law (I Cor. 15:56). That means that the enemy’s kingdom is powered by the law.

This principle was the basis of the law given to Moses.

…for all these things were done by the people who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled. And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you.
Leviticus 18:27-28

In effect, the law gives the devil permission to attack a nation that defiles God’s land. It’s not God cursing a nation. It’s a nation cursing itself by inviting the enemies’ attack.

How is the land polluted? A few things listed in the Bible are: Bloodshed (Numbers 35:33-34); Corruption (Ezra 9:11); Sexual Sin (Leviticus 18:25); Prostitution (Jeremiah 3:2); and Idolatry (Jeremiah 16:18). The devil has permission to attack polluted lands.

It grieves me to admit that America is a defiled land. I’m sorry for sounding so down about the USA. The truth is that there’s nowhere else on earth that I’d rather live. I love this nation. But without a proper diagnosis, there can be no healing.

There is a remedy for the problems we face in our culture.

…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

I have heard this verse emphasized in America since the sixties. But rather than humble themselves, pray, seek, & turn – God’s people have either protested the moral landslide or joined right in with them.

It’s time for us to take God’s holy prescription for this nation. It’s time for the church to remember where we came from, and fervently seek revival.

Question: What would a national revival of the church look like?

© Nick Zaccardi 2014

 
1 Comment

Posted by on May 26, 2014 in Prayer, Revival

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Locked Up Church

19 May

LockedIn my last post I talked about the picture of the church that the Lord gave me from Acts, chapter 16. In that passage, Paul and Silas are in prison, chained up, in the dark. Yet they were praying and singing as if nothing were unusual.

I said that much of the church is in that condition today. We go on praising God every Sunday, yet having no effect on the world the rest of the week. How did we get into this position?

I believe that it’s because we didn’t heed the warning that Christ gave us during His ministry.

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.”
Luke 21:34

Here Jesus tells us of three weights that can hinder us from fulfilling our destiny. They are called dissipation, drunkenness, and anxieties. We will never reach our true potential in Christ if we try to run with these hindrances.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Hebrews 12:1

We are warned to throw off the things that hinder. Probably the worst is dissipation. We allow the best parts of our life to be dissipated.

The world has so many distractions these days. Classes we could take, recreational opportunities, athletic events, and entertainment. All of these things, in and of themselves, add to our enjoyment of life. They’re good things.

“Everything is permissible for me” – but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me” – but I will not be mastered by anything.
1 Corinthians 6:12

Yes, they are all good things, permissible things, but they’ve become the masters of our lives. They dictate our schedules. They tell us what we can and can’t do for God.

We fill up our time with all these good things. Then, more often than not, God gets the leftovers. Our leftover time, strength, and resources.

What happens when God says, “I want you to take a week to meet together and experience my work of revival in you.”?

“Sorry, that won’t work for me. I have a class on Monday night. Tuesday is my bowling league. Thursday I have to get the kids to their Karate lessons. I just can’t make it out to weekday meetings.”

Where does all the time go? Dissipation. We have allowed the distractions of the world to dissipate the time that should belong to the Lord. Our schedules have become mastered by the good things of the world.

In this way the church has become a prisoner to our permissible things. We are in chains and in the dark. We need to be set free by the power of God.

Question: What will it take to shatter these chains from the church?

© Nick Zaccardi 2014

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on May 19, 2014 in Revival, The Church

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Quartermaster Ministries May Newsletter

08 May

Dedicated to walking in revival!

April was a busy month

Last month I had a great time in the back woods of New York. I was a part of the leadership team running a convention for Christian high school students. It’s always refreshing to see the passion and enthusiasm that young people have for the things of God. My desire is to see that same zeal for Christ spill over into the lives of adults.

I’ve also been continuing to renew my ministry and my focus in God’s presence. My desire remains to see God’s people move into revival.

God has placed His message in my heart. I am seeking to bring this Word of encouragement to any congregation or group who will invite me. It’s time for God to once again move upon His people through a series of special meetings. I know that this runs counter to our busy society, but the rewards in Christ are tremendous. I’m beginning to see the fruit of this calling.

I am also available for single meetings as well.  If you want more information about having me speak at your church or group, you view my Speaker Page or you can e-mail me at Revzacc@comcast.net .

Prayer for the Ministry

I ask that you stand with me in the place of prayer.

Pray for doors of ministry to open up for us to bring the message of revival to the church.

Pray for us to be effective in the field God has given us.

Pray for the resources and finances to come in so that we can bring God’s Word to places that can’t afford to pay our way to them. Specifically, I have been invited to minister in other countries, but at this time lack the money to get there.

My Books

These are some books that I’ve written. My prayer is that they would be a blessing to you.

Breaking Free Cover-001

 

 

 

 

Jesus Speaks Thumbnail

 

 

 

 

 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

© Nick Zaccardi 2014

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on May 8, 2014 in Newsletters

 

Tags: , , , ,

Cultivating Your Soul for Revival

14 Apr

agricultureEverybody says that they want revival. Few understand what it is or how it comes about. The spirit of revival starts in the lives of individuals before it ever sweeps the church.

What I’ve found is that there are five realizations that we must come to for revival to get a foothold in our lives.

King David understood this. The following is taken from Psalm 51. You may want to read it before looking at the rest of this article. It’s David’s cry for repentance after his sin with Bathsheba.

(Verses 1-5) Realization #1 – I’m not walking in the fullness of my calling. We need to take a long, hard, look at ourselves. No comparisons, no excuses, and no justifications. We must see the life that Christ has called us to live, compared to how we’re walking. This alone should drive us toward repentance.

(Verses 6-9) Realization #2 – Cleaning my life is something only God can do. It’s not enough to simply say that I’m sorry and then trying my best to do better next time. I must come to the point where I know I will never attain a godly life on my own. I need the power of the Holy Spirit working in me.

(Verses 10-12) Realization #3 – I WANT God to change me. Knowing that I need to change, and wanting it, is a big difference. There are too many believers that cry over their sin on Sunday, and then run back into it the rest of the week. We must cry out for the change that the Lord wants to accomplish in us. Change will only come when we open the door of our heart to the wind of God’s Spirit.

(Verses 13-15) Realization #4 – I must lead others to the point of revival by my example. The sad thing is that we like to wait for someone else to experience it first, before we jump in. It’s getting too late for that. The time is now. We desperately need revival.

“Start the work in me, Lord.”

That should be our attitude.

(Verses 16-17) Realization #5 – God doesn’t want my stuff, He wants me. We sometimes get the idea that it’s about what I can contribute to the Kingdom. It’s not your money, time or resources that God is looking for – He wants you. The Lord knows that if you willingly lay down your life at His feet, then anything else will be freely given.

The rest of the Psalm shows the move from personal to corporate revival. That’s what it’s all about. The only way to a move of God that sweeps through His church, is when He moves in the lives of individuals. The road to revival is an alignment of our attitudes with the Word.

Seek a revival in your soul that will lead to a waking up of God’s people.

Question: What is God seeking to change in your life?

© Nick Zaccardi 2014

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on April 14, 2014 in Revival, The Church

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Quartermaster Ministries – April Newsletter

08 Apr

Dedicated to walking in revival!

A New Life Begins

As many of you know, my church is no longer meeting on Sunday mornings. This means that I have now begun a new season in my life.

I took the month of January to pray, fast, and refocus my direction. I want to make sure that my steps are ordered by the Lord.

In February, I began to actively seek speaking engagements. I’ve contacted some pastors who I’m in relationship with and received a very positive response.

Because of church schedules, being what they are, I will probably begin going to churches around May or June. However, I’m available right now. Please pray for me that the doors of ministry will open up soon in these areas.

The unique message of revival that the Lord has given me is needed in our generation. God wants to prepare His people for a new move of His Spirit.

I’ve added a Speaking Page to the website. It explains the scope of my message, as well as my availability and itinerary.

If you want more information about having me speak at your church or group, you can e-mail me at Revzacc@comcast.net .

Prayer for the Ministry

Now that I’m walking in this new adventure, I’m in need of your help.

The first and greatest need is for you to come alongside us in the spirit, and pray for us. Pray for us to be effective in the field God has given us. Pray for doors of opportunity to open up for us to bring this message of revival to those who are ready to receive. Without the power of the Lord at work in us, we will never accomplish our destiny.

My New Book on Kindle

I have always been an avid hiker. I’ve had some of my best times with the Lord along the trail. As I’ve been out in the wild, meditating on the Word, I’ve received some beautiful thoughts from the Lord. That’s the subject of this book.

It contains nine months of daily devotions for hikers on the trail. Nine months is about how long it takes to walk one of the major long distance trails in the USA.

I want it to be easy for hikers to take it on their Pads or Smartphones. Or they can just print off a few pages at a time and use them on shorter trips.

Check it out on Amazon.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

© Nick Zaccardi 2013

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will help my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
 
Leave a comment

Posted by on April 8, 2014 in Newsletters

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Do We Really Want a Revival?

04 Apr

WaveYou may think that’s a strange question. Of course we want a revival. We pray for revival. We sing about revival. We see the need all around us.

Even though all that is true, it still doesn’t mean that we want a move of God. Why would I make a statement like that? It all comes down to history.

I love history – especially church history. I enjoy reading about the lives of godly men and women who have done exploits for Christ. I encourages me to learn about the past revivals and awakenings that have swept not only our land, but others around the world.

It gives me hope for the future and presses me forward in my calling to prepare us for that next wave. But there is a problem I see looming on the horizon. It’s something that the church is going to need to wrestle with before very long.

It might even be the greatest hindrance to us entering the next move on God’s agenda. It’s something that’s unique to our generation of believers.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:23-25

This passage clearly references the last days when it talks about us seeing the Day approaching. There are some clear commands for us to observe as God’s people.

First, we must hold to our hope in Christ without swerving to the right or the left. We can’t be distracted by what’s going on in the world.

Next, we need to be involved in each other’s lives. Spurring is not comfortable, either for the giver or the receiver. We’d much rather live our lives with any thought to the needs or struggles of those around us.

But it’s the third statement that concerns me the most. The writer is talking to a people in the habit of missing church meetings. I don’t believe he was only talking about Sundays, but all through the week.

What concerns me is this; because he references the last days, he makes it sound like it will become harder and harder to meet together near the end. In fact, that’s exactly what we’re seeing right now.

God’s people have learned from the world to fill up their schedules with so many good things. I fear that many are going to miss out on the best thing that God has planned for us.

From a look at history, it’s obvious that revival isn’t convenient. You can’t add it to your schedule in the free hour you have next Thursday at 4:00.

Revival is a move of God that goes on every day for weeks, months, or even years at a time. Do we really want that? Are we really willing to rearrange our lives to accommodate God’s will?

A bigger question I have is this. Is God waiting for us to simplify our lives in preparation for a move of God? Is He waiting on us to open up our schedules to more fellowship, prayer, and worship activities?

Pray for revival. Pray for a change in the hearts of believers.

Question: How much time do you have in your schedule for a revival?

© Nick Zaccardi 2014

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on April 4, 2014 in Revival, The Church

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

The Greatest Roadblock to Revival

07 Mar

Give UpLet me start by apologizing.  I don’t usually want to air my dirty laundry in these posts.  But since the goal of this blog is to promote a revival in our generation, I felt that I needed to say this.

So, I’m sorry for letting my emotions get the better of me, but today’s post is coming from a heart that desires to see change.  The body of Christ needs to wake up, from the leadership on down.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”  So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Acts 13:2-3

This verse talks about a prayer meeting that was held at the church of Antioch.  During this meeting, Saul (later to become Paul) and Barnabas were called into a missionary work.  Their work changed the world forever.

This morning I was at a prayer breakfast hosted by an association of churches that we are involved with.  It was called because of some needs and transitions that our churches are experiencing.  It was to be an hour of prayer, with a half hour of breakfast provided beforehand.

There are just over 100 churches in our association.  All of the pastors and leaders were called and invited to the meeting.  What do you think the response was?  There were 8 of us there to pray.

Just 8.  Of those 8, 4 of them were on the committee that hosted the prayer.  At this point, I have to say that it was a wonderful time of prayer.  Those who attended were there to seek God.  We had a great time in the spirit.

But on the way home, I had to think about what we’re missing.  We need revival in our land.  We know that.  We talk about it.  When someone brings it up we all nod our heads in agreement.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t give birth to revival.  Prayer brings it about.

In the above verse, Saul went to this meeting.  I’m sure he had other things to do.  At that point he was vocational.  He was a tent-maker who taught at his local church.  What if he decided that he was too busy to get to that prayer meeting?

I hear pastors complain all the time about the prayerlessness of their people.  “We can’t get them to come out to the prayer meetings we call.”  Where are these pastors when they are called to pray?

To be fair, I understand that many have vocational jobs during the week and they can’t take the time off.  I understand that others may have some transportation or health issues.  I don’t have a problem with these.

But 8 – out of all the pastors and leaders of 100 churches.  Where’s the revival we seek?  It’s in our hands.  We must remove the roadblocks.  One of the biggest is the lack of prayer from the top down.

Again, I ask your forgiveness for my ranting in this post.  But my heart’s desire is to see a move of God sweep this nation in my lifetime.  Whatever it takes.  Even the “sacrifice” of prayer.

Question: How often do you pray for revival in our nation?

© Nick Zaccardi 2014

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 7, 2014 in Prayer, Revival, The Church

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

Quartermaster Ministries – January Newsletter

17 Jan

Dedicated to walking in revival!

Stepping Out in a New Phase of Ministry

Many of you know that I’m a Senior Pastor in Watertown, MA.  Because of a series of events, our church has now become a home Bible study on Wednesday nights.  For a few years now, God has been preparing me to step out in a traveling ministry.  I believe that this is the push that I needed to get me started in that direction.

Very soon I will be adding a speaking page to my blog.  This will describe the unique message of revival that the Lord has given me, as well as my availability and itinerary.  If you want more information about having me speak at your church or group, you can e-mail me at Revzacc@comcast.net .

New Book Now Available on Amazon

Jesus Speaks ThumbnailI am pleased to announce that my new book, Jesus Speaks to Pastors – Finding the “Lost” Letters of Christ is now for sale on Amazon.  This book is written for pastors and church leaders, to encourage them in the ministry.  It’s taken from the book of Revelation, chapters 2-3.

In that section of Scripture, Jesus dictates seven letters to specific pastors.  Because we have misinterpreted them as being written to churches, we have lost a great deal of valuable truth concerning our ministries.

The Kindle version should be released soon.

Prayer Cover

With all of these new things happening in my life, I ask you to add this ministry to your prayer times.  I want the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit to be evident in all that I do.  Please join with me in trusting God for a revival to sweep through His church in our nation.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

© Nick Zaccardi 2014

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”.  This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will help my readers.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
 
Leave a comment

Posted by on January 17, 2014 in Newsletters

 

Tags: , , , , , , ,

← Older posts
Newer posts →