Shoulder To Shoulder #1332 -- 3/7/23 ---- "Is Another Spiritual Awakening Eminent? -- (Part 4) The Central Focus of Revival (B)
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER is a weekly letter of encouragement Bob has written since 1997, covering many topics selected to
motivate people to be strong students of the Word and courageous witnesses of Jesus Christ. It is a personal letter of
encouragement to you, written solely to help "lift up hands that hang down".
"The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything." -- Albert Einstein
“There is a common, worldly kind of Christianity in this day, which many have, and think they have -- a cheap Christianity which offends nobody,
and requires no sacrifice, which costs nothing, -- and is worth nothing.” – J. C. Ryle
Shoulder To Shoulder #1332 -- 3/7/23
Title: "Is Another Spiritual Awakening Eminent? -- (Part 4) The Central Focus of Revival (B)
My Dear Friend and Fellow Kingdom Seeker:
Even though I'm a day or two later than usual today, it is still a beautiful day in Yuma -- a bit more cloudy than most days this time of year, but still a good day. I write with an incredible mix of emotions -- once again (seems to be a habit) -- what with all the things going on in this very confused and topsy-turvy world. It further verifies our desperate need for revival and spiritual awakening. Ukraine had another attack of 81 Russian missiles yesterday, our friends there continue suffering and living under horrible conditions, deception and corruption continue being exposed in our country, anarchy is becoming increasingly bold, and we are trying to focus on finishing well as we draw closer to the end of the season here at Chapel de Oro (CDO).
The "mercy drops" of revival are beginning to show here at CDO. I have preached for three consecutive weeks on the topic, and with only three more Sundays remaining in the season, I will probably do the same for those Sundays, urging our "members" from two countries and 20+ states to consider themselves to be "igniters" of prayer as they go back home. I'm challenging them to see themselves as on a divine mission to be used of God to help perpetrate prayer for revival, and ultimate revival where they live.
Today's men's prayer and Bible study breakfast is an example of what God seems to be doing in the Chapel, preparing some of them to that end. Our leader, "Ked", shared how, as older men, we need to "not grow weary" as we draw closer to the end of the race. He related some of his own burdens and episodes of weariness brought on by "old age", and how easy it is to be tempted to retreat from the front line and simply turn into an observer. As we closed, one of our men shared his burden for the spiritual, marital, and physical state of one of his sons. Several of our men could apparently identify with the request because they got a little "misty eye" as he shared the request.
It happened that our wonderful server, Renee', came in about that time and overheard the request. Immediately, with tears welling up in her eyes, she interrupted and asked if we would pray for her son as well. Obviously we unanimously agreed. When "Ked" asked one of the men to close in prayer, he declined because he was too emotionally impacted. This group of men is having "heart preparation" along the same line that the weekly women's Bible study has been experiencing for several weeks.
All of this is characteristic of the pathway to revival that leads to awakening. That notwithstanding, I personally continue battling the attacks of the enemy to dissuade me from continuing the look at revival and spiritual awakening. It happens regularly both in sermon preparation as well as in writing my letters to you. Often I am bombarded with a mental dullness, a sense of weariness, or a volley of distractions. Today is no different. This should be no surprise -- and is not. So, . . .
Today I want to continue describing exactly who the focus of revival really is -- God, Himself. So, let's get to it, right after you consider . . . .
THIS 'N' THAT:
+ Franklin Graham in Vietnam: Last week Franklin Graham preached an evangelistic crusade in Vietnam with thousands coming to faith in Christ. Vietnam remains a strong Communist country. The power of the Gospel cannot be stopped by circumstances, disasters, government, oppression, persecution, or repression. We can see it, but cannot explain it other than to acknowledge that, according to Paul, the Gospel of Christ, ". . . is the power of God bringing salvation." You can't win against God. https://www.charismanews.com/world/91685-thousands-get-saved-at-graham-crusade-in-communist-vietnam-get-saved-at-graham-crusade-in-communist-vietnam.
+ New Congressional Family Caucus: A new caucus has been formed in the U.S. House of Representatives designed to promote and advance issues related to traditional family values and oppose far-left WOKE efforts to marginalize the traditional family and promote the numerous unbiblical and culturally destructive views and practices of family life. If this is a caucus your representative should consider, take the time to call or write them and urge their participation. We need "all boots on the ground" in protecting the biblical view of the family. https://washingtonstand.com/commentary/defending-the-family-reps-miller-babin-and-harshbarger-launch-the-congressional-family-caucus.
+ Asbury and "The Jesus Revolution" Still Making Waves: It is impossible to keep up with the rapid spread of the Asbury Revival of last month and the "coincidental" release of the move, "The Jesus Revolution. It has spread not only to hundreds of campuses and churches across the U.S., but also to other countries such as Canada, France, Singapore, and Nicaragua. Check out these four updates, the first of which is an early video report:
https://www.charismanews.com/culture/91689-kelsey-grammer-won-t-apologize-for-loving-jesus
https://godtv.com/inaugural-campaign-nicaragua/
+ Insightful Interview: Here is an interesting interview on the current Asbury Revival as contrasted to other earlier movements of revival in Europe. Go to https://mailchi.mp/joelnews/jni1287?e=947657d957
QUOTES FOR THE WEEK:
Some are repeated from earlier use in this series.
> "There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer." -- A. T. Pierson
> "The great work of intercession is needed for this returning to the Lord. It is here that the coming revival must find its strength. Let us begin as individuals to plead with God, confessing whatever we see of sin or hindrance in ourselves or others. If there were no other sin, surely the lack of prayer is matter enough for repentance, confession, and returning to the Lord." -- Andrew Murray
> "It is a grave error to assume that we can hunger for revival, hope for revival, and promote for revival without meeting the fundamental biblical principles of revival. We want God's blessing and we agonize for revival without doing that which is necessary -- humbling ourselves, understanding our helplessness and hopelessness, and praying. God's instruction to Solomon in II Chron 7:14 was required then, and it is required now. So, let's get about the business of bowing our heads and our wills before Him, and cry out to Him in desperation. He will hear us, -- and He might just release it." -- T. Allen Robburts
> "A revival may be expected when Christians have a spirit of prayer for revival. That is, when they pray as if their hearts were set upon it, when Christians have the spirit of prayer for revival, when they go about groaning out their hearts desire, when they have real travail of soul." -- Charles Finney
> “The coming revival must begin with a great prayer revival. It is in the closet, with the door shut, that the sound of abundant revival will be first heard. An increase in the secret prayer of ministers and members will be the sure herald of blessing.” -- Andrew Murray
> "To desire revival and at the same time to neglect personal prayer and devotion is to wish one way and walk another." -- A. W. Tozer
REVIVAL IS STILL ALL ABOUT GOD:
As I mentioned earlier, revival may to us, and it may be For us, -- but it is never About us. One way to determine whether or not an action, event, or movement is truly revival is to see what the focus is -- who is the central character of what is happen -- who is getting the center of attention. This is one of the characteristics of the Asbury Revival that affirms its legitimacy. From the very beginning there has been absolutely no intended focus on the University, no special speaker or musical group, and no special manifestation.
Clearly there has been no human personality rising to a place of prominence, nor has there been any particular demonstration of a spiritual gift of blessing. No worship team has taken center stage. It is really quite extraordinary. Whether you talk with a student, a professor, a pastor, or a visitor to Wilmore, KY, -- or to just about any other locale to which the revival has spread, it still -- over a month later -- has a quiet atmosphere of waiting . . . of waiting on God. Nobody dares take center stage to direct it or choreograph it -- no one even dares to do such a thing.
You may wonder how such an invasion of spiritual renewal can be maintained without advertising, featured musicians, prominent preacher, and skilled leaders to direct everything.
If you are still question such a phenomenon, then clearly you have not yet discovered the secret -- there IS a personality . . . there IS a spiritual gift, . . . there IS a choreographer, . . . there IS a leader. It is God Himself. The singular focus of true revival is the same today as it was thousands of years ago during the days of Solomon, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Wales, China, Canada, the U.S. and all other times and places. It is God -- always God. If it is anything less or anyone else, then that which is happening is suspect at best.
In my last letter I pointed to three things that Revival -- true revival -- is:
1. When Revival Comes, God Manifests His Presence to His people.
2. When Revival Comes, God Magnifies His Word before His People.
3. When Revival comes, God Makes much of Sin -- Convicting His people of Sin.
Today, then, let's look at the final four:
IV. When Revival Comes, God Meets The Needs of His People:
One of the fundamental essentials of experiencing revival is to recognize one has deep needs -- the awareness of which emerges from a sense of helplessness -- and also hopelessness. Helplessness confesses that you can't fix it; hopelessness confesses that there is no way out. Together those two factors should move one toward desperation -- which is the doorway to revival.
It should be our awareness that we are imperfect and unkempt -- that we are at heart still a sinful independent person filled with pride and a sense of self sufficiency. And, that awareness should bring us to a desperate state that craves to be free from the burden of such a man-made responsibility -- to be able to fix everything, to fix it all, and to maintain it in order and peace.
When we finally come to that condition -- to the end of ourselves, -- then we are in a position to be emptied of everything that does not work and has no value of any kind. At that point, -- when we are helpless, hopeless, and morally, materially, and spiritually bankrupt, -- we become prime candidates for God to intervene, providing everything we need ". . . pertaining to life [in general] and godliness [in particular]." (II Pet 1:3-4).
While there are literally hundreds of scriptures illustrating God's provision and hundreds more assuring us of the fact, let me point to three specifically that lay out the principle itself -- without much commentary.
1. Christ's Divine Calling: Lk 4:18-19 -- "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord."
In those brief affirmations of Christ taken from Isaiah 61, Jesus spelled out the blueprint of His ministry. If you examine them closely, you will find that His provision covers virtually every classification of need that we will ever have -- spiritual, mental, physical, relational, and material. This was Christ's calling -- to meet us where we are and provide what we need. His final statement even covers the areas of recovering that which we may have already lost. The term, "the favorable year of the Lord" is a direct reference to what was called, "the year of jubilee" in the Old Testament -- that 50th year when you were given the chance to buy back what you had been forced to sell and receive back someone you had to indenture into servitude. Take time to study that text and consider the scope of its ramifications.
2. God's Declared Promise: Phil 4:19 (10-19) – 10. "I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
14. "Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. 15. You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16. for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.
17. "Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 18. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
I dare not take the time to plumb the rich depths of this passage -- except to identify five principle necessary in order for God to meet needs.
1) Rejoice! Joy in your current need (10).
2) Relax! Contentment where you are (11-12).
3) Rely! Acting on God's promise (13-16).
4) Receive! Accept what God provides (17-18).
5) Reciprocate! Because you received, be generous in giving (19).
3. Our Distinct Needs: II Cor 9:8-11 (6-15) – 8. "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9. as it is written, 'He scattered abroad, He gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.' 10. Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11. you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God."
Whatever the case may be -- your own needs, or you needs in order to serve or bless others, when true revival comes, God releases His provision upon people. He does it both to you, and also through you. Case in point, -- during the first hours of the Asbury revival a foreign student asked his peers to simply pray for him about a particular financial need he had, an hardly before he had completed explaining his need, other students, faculty, staff, and visitors began to place money on the stage for him.
One of the most tell-tale indicators that real revival has come is when God's people, without coercion or provocation, generously give to the practical needs of others. He meets your needs so you can help meet others'. Generosity and unselfishness are inevitably released when revival comes. God sees to it.
V. When Revival Comes, God Molds His Nature In His Children:
It is virtually impossible to experience revival and not be changed -- radically changed. No one ever -- and I say ever -- comes out of an encounter with Christ in a "back to Bethel" setting the same as they were beforehand. You will ever be dramatically shaped more into the likeness of Christ, or you will resist it and suffer the consequences of having refused what God had offered -- "weeping with great bitterness" over your grave error. God is constantly shaping us into the likeness of His Son, and that process is usually greatly intensified during times of revival.
There is such an overwhelming presence of God, a deep awareness of sin and our unworthiness, an indescribable sense of awe over God's love and mercy, that it is impossible to describe it. No one described it more clearly than did Isaiah as he penned his encounter that day in the temple (Isa 6). We discussed that previously. That process of shaping us into Christ-likeness is based on the following scriptures:
1. Upon our salvation we became a new creation. -- II Cor 5:17 (Rom 6:3-7; Gal 2:20)
2. We are far from what we want to be or ought to be, so we face an unwinnable struggle. -- Rom 7:19, 21-24
3. As long as we remain operating in our own effort we will never please God. We are totally incompatible with Him. -- Rom 8:5-8
4. We are incomplete symphonic poems in the process of being written, changed, corrected, and ultimately completed. -- Eph 2:10
5. It is God Who is at work in us to accomplish His purpose and His plans for us. -- Phil 2:13
6. Because God began that process, He will also complete it. -- Phil 1:6
7. When we give ourselves to Him, which is the logical thing to do, He intends to transform us. -- Rom 12:1-2 (Eph 4:17-24; Titus 3:4-7; Phil 4:4-ff)
When Paul wrote to the Galatian believers, he shared his heart's desire for them. It was a passion he could not shed because he understood God's intent; and he would continue his ministry to them, ". . . 'til Christ be formed in you." (Gal 4:19).
VI. When Revival Comes, God Motivates His People to Obedience:
One cannot experience true revival without it resulting in obedience. Revival and disobedience are a contradiction -- both in terminology and in disposition. I am reminded of the story in Acts where Peter had the vision atop Simon the tanner's house in Joppa of the sheet of non-kosher food coming down from heaven. A voice from heaven commanded Peter to get up and eat some food, but Peter replied, (KJV), "Not so, Lord!"
Numerous authors have point out the fact that one cannot say, "Not so!" and "Lord!" at the same time. If one says, "Not so!", Christ is being rejected as being one's true Lord. If one says, "Lord!", he will never tell Him, "Not so!". As has been so aptly said, "He is either Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all."
On the ICR "Days of Praise" podcast, Henry M. Morris (PH.D.) made the following observation
"This response of Peter to the Lord’s command is a self-contradiction. How could He be Peter’s Lord if Peter felt free to disobey His command? . . . Many Christians who’ve called Him their Savior and Lord nevertheless often feel free to question or disregard His Word. There may be legitimate discussion concerning interpretation of the Word, but there is never justification for questioning its authority, regardless of the pretenses of modern intellectuals or the pressures of public opinion. As the Lord Jesus Christ rebukingly asked, 'Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?' (Luke 6:46)."
That being the case, what are some critical areas where obedience is essential. Let me note five areas without much commentary. These are five fundamental assumptions that obviously would be at the forefront of our lives from the very beginning. Disregard for or disobedience to any of these commands would immediately squelch personal and corporate revival.
1. Walk in consistent holiness. The Greek word is pronounced "hagos" and seems to have a three-fold or three-facet element to it. In some ways it is much like the word "sanctified". It is both a sacred state, a volitional act, and an ongoing lifestyle. It is the act, the mindset, and the lifestyle of being set apart from the world and its contamination, being purified and dedicated, and being set apart to the Lord. In other words, it is to be "physically pure, morally blameless, and ceremonially consecrated."
1) Eph 1:4 -- ". . . just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him."
2) Eph 5:27 -- ". . . that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless."
3) I Pet 1:15-16 -- ". . . but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY'."
4) Eph 5:15-16 -- "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil."
5) I Cor 6:18-20 -- "Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body."
Living a life of holiness before others cannot be overemphasized. If we are indeed "salt" and "light" as Jesus described us, then we cannot allow ourselves to be entangled with anything that diminishes the seasoning effect or diminishes the brightness of the glow in our lives.
2. Make all things right. This was an integral part of Evan Roberts' admonition to his home church that led to the fires of revival springing up in his home church. I don't need to belabor the point on this, even though it is often the most contested of Christ's expectations of those of us who claim Him as our Savior and Lord. Jesus, as did John and other disciples, have serious things to say about being offended and maintaining it, as well as being the offending one. Here are just a few scriptures dealing with the issue:
1) Prov 28:13 -- "People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy."
2) Matt 6:12-13 -- "'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]'."
3) Matt 4:23-24 -- "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering."
4) I John 2:9-11 -- "The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes."
5) Matt 6:14-15 -- "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions."
3. Love unconditionally. There should never be any strings attached to our love for God; neither should there be as conditions for whether or not we love others. We are told up front to love one another (fellow believers) as well as those not yet followers of Christ. He, Himself, told us that was to be the case. One of the chief characteristics of almost all (if not all) revivals and awakenings is the expression of unconditional love. This has certainly been manifested in this recent outbreak at Asbury University. Both social media and news outlets are filled with stories of how people felt loved by others for the first time, and others who quickly made amends and came to love someone with whom they had no love beforehand.
1) Matt 5:44 -- ". . . I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, . . ."
2) Rom 13:8 -- "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law."
3) John 13:34 -- " “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
4) John 15:13 -- " Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
5) I John 4:8 -- "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
6) I Pet 4:8 -- "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
7) John 14:15 -- "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."
If all the areas where obedience seems to be the most prevalent in revivals, it seems that forgiveness and love are high on the list.
4. Minister in compassion. One of the more striking images of the current revival at Asbury is how believers gather around each other to pray for, support, encourage, and minister to each other. It is not common only to Asbury. This is an area of obedience that prevails in true movements of revival. In fact, in almost all revivals that impact a particular culture, almost inevitably various expressions of compassion emerge. Whether you're looking at the revival in the city of Hemut, CA, in the late 1990's, the Shantung Revival in China in the 1930's, or one of the major national awakenings in the United States, acts of kindness and compassion are obvious for all to see.
In fact, in every awakening that was territorial or national in nature, there were expressions of compassionate ministry to needy people that quickly took shape. In the Welsh Revival compassionate care was administered to prostitutes and alcoholics. In the First Great Awakening the Suffrage Movement was formed. In later years the organization, Alcoholics Anonymous, was born. The examples are endless. Those and thousands of others are the acts of obedience by God's people to His command to care for and minister to the suffering, widows, orphans, prisoners, etc.
No more obvious command Jesus expects us to obey is toward those in need.
1) Luke 6:35 -- "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."
2) Eph 4:32 -- "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
3) Zech 7:9 -- "“Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, . . ."
4) Col 3:12 -- "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
5) James 1:27 -- "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."
Sadly, many Christians are first to pass judgment on suffering people. Even worse, though, is that they are also some of the first to "cross to the other side of the street" in ignoring them. When revival comes to a heart, they are quickly moved to obedience, and one of the primary areas of obedience will be to look for ways to pour out God's love upon others from compassionate hearts. It may well be the epitome' of obedience.
5. Share the great news. This is obvious. While a Christian with a hard heart and a self-centered disposition may focus on himself or the world's pleasures, a believer who has experienced true revival will give evidence of it by telling somebody else what has happened to them. You already know all the scriptures commanding us to share the Gospel of Christ, so I'll not bore you with what you already know.
Suffice it to say that on multiple times Jesus' followers are commanded to traverse "the by-ways and hedges" with the message of the Gospel. He promised us that we would have "all authority" and we would "receive power" through the presence of the Holy Spirit. And, in that we understand that the Gospel is an "other world" reality that has penetrated ours, we have a mandate to share it.
But, do we really know what the Gospel actually is? It's not a sermon, although a sermon may describe it. It's not a tract, although a tract may trace its pathway. It is not a personal witness, though a witness can describe its impact. Why most people have never seen this is a mystery to me, but Paul made it crystal clear what the Gospel really is --
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, . . . ." (Rom 1:16)
The gospel is this -- the supernatural transforming revolutionizing power of God has been released into culture for the purpose of forgiving sin, healing disease, bringing eternal life to people of death, sustaining believers through life's journey, and taking them to heaven to live eternally in the visible presence of God Himself.
Like the four lepers outside the city walls in II Kings 7, "we do not do well in keeping this news to ourselves." No wonder it is called the "Good News!" No news is greater. And we are commanded to share it in obedience. If you can warn a person of a burning building, the danger ahead of a bridge washed out in a flood, or throw a lifebuoy to a drowning person, then there is absolutely no reason we should not be sharing the great news. After all, you and I were recipients, . . . why not others???
Finally, . . .
VII. When Revival Comes, God Magnifies His Name in the World:
One of the most profound features of real revival is that much is made of God's name throughout the culture. Just look at what has happened in this recent outpouring of revival that began at Asbury University. Major news personalities -- even unbelievers -- are acknowledging that this had to be supernatural and had to come from God. Sports figures, entertainers, politicians, and people from all ranks of society have been openly talking about God. Frankly, some of it is a little humorous because you and I are hearing people who had nothing good to say about God now discussing Him openly.
Truly, God is intervening in society, intervening in believers and transforming their lives, releasing a new wave of anointed praise and worship, and intensifying and strengthening prayer. Now, you can argue the validity of their prayers, but you cannot deny the fact that even godless unbelievers are praying. Don't judge their motives or their qualifications -- just be grateful that the Holy Spirit is obviously moving them. Whether they recognize it or not, He is stirring them to pray -- even if they don't know Christ. It truly is a stunning development.
It seems that people are talking more about God than I can remember in the past 50 years or more. Prayer movements have exploded. Social media has been a Godsend in making God's name glorious throughout the earth (Ps 66:2). I can't even begin to explain this. It is a mystery -- but more than a mystery. It is a miracle. God has amazing ways by which He magnifies His Name and seems to say -- sometimes with a shout, and sometimes with a whisper -- "I am here! You thought I'd forgotten you -- but I haven't."
Let me simply suggest that, for starters, you check this website out and read these scriptures -- https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Magnifying-God. After you've done that, then do a search on "magnifying the Name of God", "glorifying God", etc. If you take the time, you may find yourself joining the millions of other timid Christians who finally found their voices and have joined all of nature -- mountains, trees of the field, lilies, clouds in the sky, sunrises and sunsets, etc. -- in a big global rally set on bragging on God -- magnifying Him, honoring Him, revering Him, worshiping Him.
That's what happens when revival comes -- God magnifies His name in the entire world . . . and He's really good at it. Join in!
FINALLY:
1. God Manifests His Presence to His people.
2. God Magnifies His Word before His People.
3. God Makes much of Sin -- Convicting His people of Sin.
4. God Meets the needs of His people.
5. God Molds His nature into His Children.
6. God Motivates His people to obedience.
7. God Magnifies His Name to the world.
That being the case, Do we NEED Revival?
Do we WANT Revival?
ENOUGH???
Read this anonymous poem written decades ago, obviously written by someone desperate for revival:
Revival
(Psalm 138:7)
My love is cold, my faith is small,
My zeal is lacking, doubts appall,
My footsteps falter, oft I stray,
And weakness marks me for its prey.
God of Revival, hear my plea,
Empower, endue, revive even me!
(Psalm 85:6)
With all Thine own, in Jesus' Name,
We would confess our common shame,
And humbly bow before Thy face,
To seek Thy pardoning, cleansing grace.
God of Revival, God of love,
Refresh, revive us from above!
(Habakkuk 3:2)
The workers' hearts are filled with dread;
Thy lost are left, Thy sheep unfed;
Thine enemies Thy work defy,
And things are weak, ready to die.
God of Revival, now we pray,
Visit Thy work in this our day!
(Hosea 14:7)
Oh, for Thy Spirit's quickening breath!
Reviving from the sleep of death.
Oh, for Thy mighty, ancient power!
Arousing us this very hour.
God of Revival, Thee we praise,
For signs of blessing in our days!
-- Anonymous
Make This Your Prayer
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way."
-- Psalm 139:23-24
In His Bond, By His Grace, and for His Kingdom,
Bob Tolliver -- Romans 1:11
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"Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness,
examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so." -- Dr. Luke (Acts 17:11)
"A fire kept burning on the hearthstone of my heart, and I took up the burden of the day with fresh courage and hope." -- Charles F. McKoy
Life Unlimited Ministries
LUMglobal
lifeunlimited@pobox.com
Copyright March, 2023
"If Jesus had preached the same message that many ministers preach today, He would never have been crucified." -- Leonard Ravenhill
"The time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the Church will have clowns entertaining the goats." -- Charles H. Spurgeon
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