Did you read the story about Natalie Grant walking out on the Grammy Awards? I didn’t watch the program, but apparently it was so filthy and demonic, Natalie upped and left, tweeting,
“We left the Grammy’s early. I’ve many 
thoughts, most of which are probably better left inside my head. But I’ll say this: I’ve never been more honored to sing about Jesus and for Jesus. And I’ve never been more sure of the path I’ve chosen.”
Was it Katy Perry‘s performance replete with satanic imagery and witchcraft that caused Natalie to bail? Was it Queen Latifah (aka: Dana Elaine Owens) officiating over a mass homosexual wedding to Macklemore (aka: Ben Haggerty) & Ryan Lewis‘s pro-gay marriage anthem ‘Same Love?’ Or could it have been Beyonce‘s (aka: Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter) disgusting dance to open the program?
I suspect it was none of those things, but rather it was the result of her submission and obedience to the Holy Spirit. I’d like to speak with her directly to get her testimony regarding the incident, but it’s my sense that the Holy Spirit was directing her to not attend the award show at all that evening. Of course (and if in fact my hunch is correct), she disobeyed and decided to go anyway. I’m not condemning her for that, but only using it to highlight the fact that in due time, she listened to the Lord’s directive and walked out.
Bravo, Natalie, bravo!
I applaud her obedience. This Bible passage came to mind:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2)
What Really Happened?
I submit to you that what Natalie did is a picture of revival. If you’re not sure what revival is, I like this definition:
Revival refers to a spiritual reawakening from a state of dormancy or stagnation in the life of a believer. It encompasses the resurfacing of a love for God, an appreciation of God’s holiness, a passion for His Word and His church, a convicting awareness of personal and corporate sin, a spirit of humility, and a desire for repentance and growth in righteousness. Revival invigorates and sometimes deepens a believer’s faith, opening his or her eyes to the truth in a fresh, new way. It generally involves the connotation of a fresh start with a clean slate, marking a new beginning of a life lived in obedience to God. Revival breaks the charm and power of the world, which blinds the eyes of men, and generates both the will and power to live in the world but not of the world. (Taken from GotQuestions.org)
Revival is initiated by the Holy Spirit. In other words, it’s not something we can work-up within ourselves. God, through His Spirit guides, instructs, and empowers. Individually it occurs when the believer first recognizes God’s voice, and then decides to submit to His will and obey His directives. I for one believe this is what occurred with Natalie; I doubt she was led by her flesh to leave the show [because] her flesh would likely have told her that the choice could greatly damage her career. She disobeyed her flesh and obeyed the Lord — the first step toward revival.
The question is not whether or not Natalie will keep on walking (I pray she does), but rather if you are willing to take the first step of revival, with the resolve to stay revived in and with the Spirit of God.
Did you walkout on the Grammys?
If you didn’t, you still might be in the world, and therefore not revived. Does that make you sad?
I pray that it does.
“For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” (2 Corinthians 7:8-10)
I feel confident in telling you, my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, that the Lord, by means of His Holy Spirit and His Word the Bible, is telling you it’s time to walk away from all those things that are attractive to your flesh. He’s been telling you all along, but you have been tuning Him out. You know this is true.
Jesus knows you cannot achieve this on your own, which is why He has given you the power to do this! The evidence of your personal revival is going to be a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit which will manifest itself in your changed life.
But it’s hard!
Jesus said it isn’t.
“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30)
Jesus cannot lie. If it’s hard, let me tell you what’s going on — it’s a sign that you are being driven by your flesh and that you need to switch drivers. Praise the Lord that He has given us a method whereby we can easily identify the problem. It is when a Christian allows himself to be led by the Holy Spirit that the words of Jesus spring to life and His truth is experienced.
The Bible tells us the works of the flesh are evident.
“…Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)
Saint, you need to know if your watching these things on TV or the computer, God has said you’re an accessory to the crime — look it up; it’s in Romans 1. The good news is that the Holy Spirit has given you the power to walk away and when you submit and obey the Spirit, it will be easy and the load will be light. It’s a promise of God!
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:16-18)
Be revived
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He Dwells -- The B'log in My Eye 