Rhythms for Revival: Rehearse

Rehearse Truth.

What we choose to fix our thoughts and our minds on matters. 

Paul writes in Colossians 3:1-2, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”  

He goes on to write in verse 10, “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him.” 

Neuroscientists have found that our brains are pliable like plastic. They’re moldable. So our thoughts and habits actually wear physical ruts into our brains - I’ve heard many authors and speakers teach on this concept and the summary is:

“nerves that fire together wire together.” 

Our thoughts matter.

Our habits matter.

Our experiences matter.

Because when those neurons fire together, they wire together, and ultimately pave a physical pathway in your brain.

What do the pathways (or ruts) in your brain and body look like? Is it time to pave new pathways?

Author & speaker Rebekah Lyons, writes in her book Building a Resilient Life,

“The brain has the potential to continue to grow and develop for the entirety of our lives, particularly for those who are willing to put in the effort of rewiring our brains through lifelong growth and learning…neurogenesis is our brain's ability to grow entirely new neurons, even in adulthood. Just as amazing is the promise of neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to rewire and form new connections…in short, we have the power to change.”

Change is possible.

God has literally given us the ability to change within our brains - physically, emotionally, mentally, relationally, and spiritually. 

The more we spend time with God, the more our lives will be transformed.

Not by our own effort but by the work of the Holy Spirit. 

The Holy Spirit will bring truth to mind and help us rehearse truth to pave new pathways within our brain and body. 

And where do we find truth? God’s Word.

If we are not spending time in God’s Word, how will the Holy Spirit bring verses of truth to mind when we so desperately need it?

We have to be depositing truth into our minds in order to withdraw truth when we need it to resist the enemy. 

Look at these verses on revival from Psalm 119 which is a wisdom psalm…

Psalm 119:25, “I lie in the dust; revive me by Your word.”

Psalm 119:49-50, “Remember your promise to me; it is my only hope. Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.”

Psalm 119:149, “In your faithful love, O Lord, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations.”

Psalm 119:156, “Lord, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations.”

Revival will come through God’s Word, His promises, and following the guidance and conviction of the Holy Spirit - our Spirit of Truth.

Remember the neuroscientist’s findings about our brains? Change is possible.

At any age. In any season.

Even if our circumstances don’t change (and they may not!)...we can change.

Because when we receive the Spirit of Truth, He will supernaturally bear fruit within us. Breathe life within us. Revive us.  

Many of you may remember from my message at our Spring Retreat that my youngest sister Emily was born with a rare genetic disorder called Aicardi Syndrome. Aicardi Syndrome is a rare birth defect where part (or in her case - most) of the brain is missing. When doctors discovered her disability and rare condition after she was born (which was a miracle in and of itself!), they told my parents she would surely die within days and actually advised my parents to let her die.

My parents chose to resist the enemy of despair, discouragement, and hopelessness and instead chose to pave a new pathway of truth and wisdom led by the Holy Spirit. They spoke love and life and TRUTH over Emily’s life.

We moved here to Minnesota where we could be close to Mayo Clinic and Children’s Hospital in the Twin Cities - close to doctors and nurses who actually cared for her and helped us care for her - and Emily lived for four beautiful years.

Her years were filled with love, loads of kisses, hugs, and attention from our family, and music - lots of music.

And do you know what doctors found after doing an MRI of Emily’s brain?

Her brain grew. It grew and developed little by little and she would respond to us - especially our singing.

The last time I held my baby sister in a rocking chair at the hospital, I remember singing her favorite song - “Gentle Jesus” - the song our mom always sang to us girls. My last memory with my baby sister is of worship.

Music is powerful. Worship is powerful.

Worship moves us from earth to eternity. It changes us, grows us, revives us.

Revival is possible. Rehearse this truth to yourself now. Revival IS possible.

Listen to Paul’s advice in Colossians 3:16, “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”

We were made to worship. Here on earth and for all eternity. 

Our revival journey over these past few months has been the overarching theme of WORSHIP.

We worship through each of our revival rhythms because each of them help us to refocus and recenter on God as first and only - and ultimately all of our revival rhythms lead to REJOICING (article coming next month!).

We remember Psalm 85:6 that says, “revive us again, that we may rejoice in You!” 

We release our burdens at the foot of the cross and make room for Him within our lives,

we remember Whose we are and give thanks to Him for His faithfulness and goodness.

We choose to remain in Him above all else,

we receive the power and presence of the Holy Spirit within us,

and we rise up to resist our enemy

by rehearsing God’s truth which literally paves new pathways within our brain and body.

This is the journey of REVIVAL. 

The same God of the Israelites in the wilderness is the One we belong to and worship today - the God that inspired Isaiah 43:19 which reads “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

Allow the Spirit of Truth access to your mind, body, and soul today. Rehearse truth from the Word of God over your life and the lives of those around you - uproot lies from the enemy, resist his attacks, and rehearse truth - I am chosen, set apart, a daughter of the King, redeemed, restored, and worthy because of His love, grace, and mercy. He is doing a new thing in me!

It’s time to allow the Spirit of Truth to pave new pathways in your brain and body - will you begin to yield to Him today? Receive His love and listen to His voice of truth as He convicts areas of your life where new pathways need to be created - new habits, new health routines, more time with God….

Allow Him to lead you on a journal of restoration and revival.