Revive Us Again, Part 4
Dave Andrews • April 21, 2021
Remember Who You Are
Yesterday morning on the Bible Quiz, we discussed 2 Timothy 2:9, which reminds us the amazing attribute of God’s Word…it is unchained, unfettered, and unleashed. We may be in that metaphorical prison of our own making, bondage to sin or fear, cooped up at home, or even a literal prison; the good news is, God is out and about free and mighty…still alive and well and active--as is His Word.
In fact, the Word of God and the Christian life are inseparable. It teaches us who we are, and Who we are about. While the world would rather you be afraid to take a stand, to share your faith, to leave your home, to be in pain, God says, believer in Christ, that you are enlightened and empowered. You belong to the Alpha and Omega, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the One Who will throw sin and death into the fire, and He has won you the victory!
Little Christ.
If you confess Jesus as Lord, repented of your sins, and placed your faith in the real Christ of Scripture, you are a Christian. In the original Greek, that means “little Christ.” Of course, we know we are not God and will never be God (sometimes we forget). But we follow in His footsteps. We are His disciples. We get to enjoy the benefits, such as the Holy Spirit, the Fruits of the Spirit, the Armor of God, peace that surpasses all understanding, His protection, His companionship, His joy, His provision, His blessing, and His seal. It also means that we walk that same road of self-sacrifice, carrying His cross, and bearing His stripes. We can endure through pain by his gifts of joy, power, love, self-discipline, sound mind (focused on the Word), and Kingdom perspective.
Charles Sheldon challenged generations to revival through true discipleship. In his book, In His Steps, Sheldon asked “what would Jesus do?” How can you better emulate Christ
in this day and age? Are you a faithful disciple?
Servant of the King.
“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” -1 Corinthians 4:1-2
What a privilege it is to be a servant
of the Most High King! We get to carry the torch the great ones who came before us. We modern day servants have been called from and to different backgrounds and occupations. We have been placed in unique positions and given unique personal gifts
and talents. And as His servants, He has given us unique tasks to fulfill in our lifetime. As a matter of fact, it was all planned long ago! Ephesians
says God planned you long ago, for good works. However one of the great challenges to His will for our life...is us. Sometimes we get busy, apathetic, and forget Who this is all about. We forget that time is short on this earth, and eternity is ahead. We forget that it is all about Him and not about us. I am personally grateful for a patient God! We are all works in progress.
Even in our failure, the good news is we can start today in a small way. I would love to challenge you today, that if you are not sure if God is leading you to some small form of service
for Him, to take a quick baby-step out in faith. If He opens the door…great! If He closes it, great! It is still a success, since it is all about willingness and faithful to glorify the Father, and not simply look for results.
Child of the King.
We call ourselves servants of God because we have a task to do. But in honesty, we are so much more. We are not some mere chained slave, forced to into ceaseless labor for a harsh task-master. We are a child of the Most High Almighty God! Romans 8:15 says,
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,
but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Full disclosure here, my wife and I have spent some time considering the possibility of adoption in our family. Those online “gotcha day” adoption videos
get me every time; and every now and then I email my wife Susun one or two of those just to be ornery. Those videos are powerful because adoption is really a powerful thing…everyone can agree, believer or non-believer. We all want a place to belong. But have you ever looked into how much adoption costs? It is quite a lot!
Our adoption cost Christ quite a lot too. And so when I say He paid a heavy price for you, please do not take that lightly. You are bought at the greatest of price. You are not something that He is going to throw away lightly. You are invaluable to God. He has a plan for you, even yet. He grafted you into His chosen people and Kingdom, not really because of who you are, or anything you could do or bring to the table, but because of His love for you. Now you have a place to belong and Someone who loves you more than your mind can comprehend.
Our commitment to Christ and ministry to Him is one that comes out of a loving family relationship. And if you are serving God out of a sense of obligation
rather than love, I want to encourage you to focus on the love of God
right now. How can we start to love God better? One of the best pieces of advice for that comes from my pastor actually. Start telling God you love Him. Something about that act of telling Him solidifies it in our minds, feelings, and hearts. I can say I have experienced this first hand. You will be amazed how that opens up a whole new world!
Priest of God.
1 Peter 2:9
tells us that we are a chosen people, and a royal priesthood…a special possession of Christ, that we may declare the praise of the One who brought us out of the darkness
(which the world
is in), and into His light! Did you know you are a priest? You are a representative of the light of Jesus, a mediator between the world and Christ (the Great Mediator). How does that change your perspective about yourself?
I always get a chuckle when a pastor walks into the room and all of a sudden, people become much more cautious about what they are doing or how they are speaking. I recently saw a video of Billy Graham
on Johnny Carson in the 70s. Carson was never known to be the cleanest talk show host, even in his day. But he sure was treading careful with THE Billy Graham! And Graham was his usual God-centered self, simply fulfilling who he was and what he did, which was preach the Gospel. So how are you ministering before the Throne? Do people take notice when you, God’s priest, enter a room? If they “act differently” around you, and in a good way, chances are it’s a sign you are on the right track. Continue to be faithful as a priest of God, even when the world acts as it is expect to. We need more like you.
As we seek revival together, I want to encourage you to not fear as the world fears, not think as the world thinks, and not act as the world acts. We are different. We are true disciples, servants, and adopted royalty with full fledged rights as children of the Most High Almighty King. We act different, think different, look different. We are the chosen, the priests—on the winning side. We are bold in our stand for Him because He will and already has secured our victory. Let’s together remember Who we are, be who we are, and minister before God as representatives of Christ, wherever He has placed us.
-Dave Andrews
KJOL Station Manager
Our April Spring Friendraiser is officially underway! From time to time on the air, you might hear a gentle reminder to support KJOL in 2026…it’s not a Sharathon…just a time to encourage new friends to come alongside us in ministry to proclaim the Good News of Jesus and God’s Word across the Western Slope.
Fifteen Incredible Easter Songs! Every Easter, I love hearing the wonderful Easter songs, starting with (and ending with) Charles Wesley’s Christ The Lord Is Risen Today . Here are a few of my other favorites that you will hear on KJOL on Easter Sunday. You can no doubt think of many other songs. 2nd Chapter of Acts (also Keith Green) Easter Song Don Francisco He’s Alive Lenny LeBlanc Above All Matt Redman The Cross Has Said It All Newsong Arise My Love Can’t Keep A Good Man Down Phillips, Craig & Dean Crucified With Christ Robin Mark The Wonder of Your Cross (10 minute version!) Ron Kenoly & Hillsongs Australia Jesus Is Alive Larnelle Harris & Sandy Patti I’ve Just Seen Jesus Twila Paris Lamb of God Dallas Holm Rise Again Hillsongs Australia My Redeemer Lives Greg Long Mercy Said No
Many KJOL listeners have indicated they enjoy songs with a country music flair. As it turns out, there are some great songs out right now that fit that description. John Waller & Eric Lee Brumley “ Surprise Me” John Waller is a former worship leader at a church in Parker, Colorado. His songs have been featured in several movies by the Kendrick Brothers: “Fireproof” ( While I’m Waiting ) “Courageous” ( As For Me And My House ) “War Room” ( Crazy Faith ) Eric Lee Brumley grew up in Rhode Island. His life was turned around when he got involved with Teen Challenge and began writing songs. He sings “blue, rock and Americana Gospel.” Caleb & John “ Finished ” Caleb & John are an unlikely collaboration. Caleb Crino is a pastor’s kid who studied classical piano at Belmont University, while John Secker is a self-taught guitarist. John’s style “leans toward the gritty, rootsy side” while “Caleb’s sweet spot is in pop melodies.” They met through a mutual friend while performing with CAIN and Anne Wilson. Their big hits are “ Somebody Like Me ” and “ Hallelujah Feeling .” Ben Fuller & Carrie Underwood “ If It Was Up To Me ” Last October, Ben Fuller was a guest at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, singing his new song “If It Was Up To Me.” Then he introduced a surprise guest on stage: Carrie Underwood. Their voices blended perfectly in a spellbinding performance (which you can see in the link above). The Band Reeves “ My Country ” The Band Reeves is two brothers, Jeramy and Cody Reeves of East Texas. Their newest song is “a heartfelt anthem celebrating faith, family, and the everyday values that define Band Reeves — two brothers who are everyday family men with calluses on their hands and Bible verses in their songs.” They arrived on the music scene in 2022 with their hit “ Higher Than The Heavens .”
The staff and I step into the month of February with a little trepidation but leaning on God. Coming out of maybe the busiest year in my memory, the pattern continues into this month. We look ahead to some challenging projects and hard anniversaries. We would love your prayers.
The new movie “ I Can Only Imagine 2 ” is now showing in Grand Junction. It is a sequel to the highly successful first movie, “ I Can Only Imagine ” (2018) which was inspired by the title song about how MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard reconciled with his alcoholic father. Even before that movie came out, Millard was on tour (2017) with his 15 year old son, Sam, who is diabetic. But while MercyMe was having tremendous success, Millard’s relationship with both his son and his wife was strained. “When you're a parent of a child with any kind of chronic illness, these things don't go away. You have a lot of good days, but some days you feel like you're losing bad. I was in the midst of one of those bad days when 'Even If' was written," Millard recalled. “ Even If ” was co-written with Tim Timmons, who had joined MercyMe on tour. Millard discovered that Timmons was carrying his own hardships and secrets. When film director Andy Erwin (October Baby, Jesus Revolution) heard “Even If” he was blown away. "I never dreamed there was more story to tell — until we heard the story behind 'Even If.' Learning how Tim and Bart co-wrote that song out of deep, lived faith moved us to tears; the honesty and hope woven through each of their journeys are undeniable. (Filmmaker) Brent (McCorkle) and I knew immediately that 'I Can Only Imagine' truly deserved a sequel." A new song written for the movie, “ Make It Well ,” expresses even more pain and struggle. Make it well with my soul Don’t let me face this loneliness alone Make it well with my soul I need a peace that only heaven knows Jesus could you please Just sit and cry with me Till I can sing It is well with my soul I Can Only Imagine 2 opened Feb 19 at the Regal Canyon View theater and The Picture Show in Grand Junction
KJOL added 118 new songs in 2025. That’s a new song every three days! The list included a number of great new artists. Megan Woods ( The Truth ) 24 year old from Massachusetts who overcame an abusive relationship after a friend introduced her to Jesus John Wesley ( Oh, What a Friend ) Not the hymnwriter! John Wesley Honaker is a worship leader in Florida. Rachel Purcell ( Show Up ) A native of Muscle Schoals, Alabama (home of a famous recording studio), Purcell is also a country musician under her maiden name Rachel Wammack Emerson Day ( God Ain’t Finished Yet ) (album version!) She graduated as a “decorated lacrosse player” with a degree in homeland security. But instead, she felt called to pursue Christian music. Jamie MacDonald ( Desperate ) A Michigan native who met Jesus at youth camp, left home and forgot Jesus, returned to the Lord in her 20s. Peter Burton ( Where Would I Be ) He started Thrive Worship at Bayside Church in Sacramento with Lincoln Brewster. Now he is a solo artist with Story House Collective, managed by Matthew West. (Bonus for the guys: the video features a 1975 Chevy Blazer with a custom 409 engine!) Jet Trouble ( I Need You ) The most unusual name in our repertoire! He is a Dallas based musician whose full name is James E. Troublefield (J.E.T.). And he knows about trouble: his father was diagnosed with ALS and died, inspiring “I Need You.” And we can’t discuss 2025 without mentioning one more notable artist. Forrest Frank In July, he was playing with his daughter in his driveway when he crashed his skateboard and broke two vertebrae! While lying in bed, he composed the song “ God’s Got My Back! ” Then two weeks later, tests revealed his back was healed! He later decided not to attend the Dove Awards, saying “I will not receive a trophy for something that is from Jesus and for Jesus.” He swept the Dove Awards anyway: Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year ( Your Way’s Better ).
