What you are about to read brethren I believe is a timely message and a Word in season! A message in the timings of God (going forwards) in 2013
Indeed a message birthed in God by his holy Spirit: for the bible declares that times of refreshment come FROM The presence of God: and revival amongst the people of God would assuredly - and of a (surety) ensure his divine presence in our midst: this I long for, this I desire, this I crave.
Of late these five words that the OP suggests have been constantly and continually pressing upon me, yea even sore upon me: in fact going forwards now in 2013 it's imperative, it's vital, it's a must! Members and guests of SI I beseech you what we need in the church of the living God is none other than a tsunami ... A spiritual tsunami of God's outpoured power and holiness. Friends we need a blessing ... A double portion yea even a triple portion of his anointing. Friends what we need is a heaven sent, God initiated, Spirit breathed, heaven birthed outpouring of his power, we need his grace, his anointing, his fresh power and rain ( poured out upon us)
The consequences and outcome of this would surely be: a church that is consumed, filled, thrilled, quickened, stirred, soaked, drenched, saturated, and moved to action. A church and a people of God that have truly come ALIVE In the Spirit:
(The need ... Our need ...For a revival driven church)
We've all heard of the purpose driven church ... But personally I also like the sound of a "revival driven church" Mmm
Mind you if the church would stop bickering with each other and got on with the job of (jesus and saving the lost at any cost) That would automatically be a church with purpose! Indeed it would be a church with the right focus, and that focus is (souls) but Not only that - but a church that is "revival driven" would NOT be a church that easily slips into lukewarmness or into carnal living. ( well one would think )
(7 immediate reasons ... Why we must have revival)
No1. Because of the Interest in and the proliferation of "the false supernatural" magic - and the curious arts in general.
No 2. Because of the worship of "other" gods instead of the one true God
No 3. Because of the new atheisms and the lies and distortions they spread
No4. Because of increased lawlessness and a total disregard of the law
No5. Because of growing concerns of apostasy and the falling away
No6. Because of the great need for world evangelism and making disciples
No 7. Because the time is short, the hour is late, and the urgency great:
(Nothing will change ... Until we make change happen)
At the risk of being misunderstood there is a view, however, that exists in the church currently that we don't have to do anything - and God does it all
Maybe I'm old fashioned beloved but I have always been of the persuasion that " there is God's part - and there is mans part " ( full stop )
But how foolish of me to think that way? The prophet Isaiah must have got his p's And q's wrong then for saying "here am I send me" but he made himself available! And someone forgot to tell Paul "God does it all" when he penned the words " how shall they hear without a preacher" and how shall they preach, except they be sent" change can happen through willing' obedient' and available vessels:
Change can happen beloved both on an individual and collective basis. Thus we can Go from inaction - to action, from prayerlessness to prayerfulness, from indecisiveness to decisiveness, from no purpose to purpose, from fruitlessness to fruitfulness, from no works to labouring more abundantly than them all: ( no pun intended - but the choice is ours )
( turning the world right-side up)
The early disciples were wrongly accused of turning the world upside down. But what were about as believers in Christ Jesus is About turning things on its head - but (right side up) !!!
We are about wholeness ... About goodness ....about morality and ethics:
We are not evil doers ... But doers of Good. We are right living people:
We have answers, we have the truth:
We know the way, and we have that life:
We are not lost, confused, without direction, or meaning:
We are followers of God in Christ Jesus ... Who intend to make a difference in life ... and turn the world right-side up (and for this we do not apologize)
(The Lord whom you seek shall come suddenly to his temple) Malachi 3:1
When the foundations for true holy ghost revival are in place and the saints have given of themselves through blood, sweat, and tears ( in a manner of speaking) and through prevailing travailing prayers and through unity of the Spirit ... Preferring others to themselves in honor! Then the God who came suddenly on the Day of Pentecost and the God who will come suddenly to his temple can and will once again - visit his people in soul stirring revival.
Once the platform and groundwork for true revival is in place and we have toiled and sacrificed all night long (so to speak) then get out of the way and step back - and expect the God of the suddenly who came with a rushing mighty wind on the day of Pentecost ...to manifest his glory and his power.
Hosea 10:12 " Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy: break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you"
( the one thing we need ... But don't mention that word )
Seriously speaking: how can one have revival without genuine and true repentance being in evidence? For that is like making tacos without the beef mince or making a strawberry milkshake (without real strawberries)
Yet the vast majority of contemporary Christians wants to have a genuine move of God - without repentance. Go figure! How does that work?
No revival will last or be genuine if hearts are not right and if hearts are not purged: the man in acts chapter eight Simon is a classic example of someone who says " give me this power also to lay hands on people " but clearly his heart is not in the right place in the sight of God. No clean hands - no power! (it's that simple) no need to do the Maths on that one!
(how to know true revival ... From that which is counterfeit)
Again the example of Simon from acts chapter eight is for all intents and purposes our lesson as this "hot spot" in Samaria ... Looked on the surface (to have it all going on) to use a phrase from the younger ones. It looked to have it all happening and going down. Afterall Simon had a big audience he had people commenting " this man is the great power of God" but it was false. It was counterfeit. It was the false supernatural at work.
Because he had bewitched the people of Samaria with sorcery:
But then the evangelist Philip showed up in town preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ! Philip was anointed in signs, wonders, and miracles in God. Who when the people of Samaria saw the REAL power of God in demonstration left Simon and turned to Philip and (to God)
True holy ghost trevival does the following things: it changes hearts and lives, it impacts whole towns and cities, it closes down places of sin and iniquity, hell is de-populated and heaven is populated with new souls, the sick are genuinely healed, the oppressed go free, the dead are raised to life again, devils are cast out, books of the curious arts are destroyed and renounced accordingly:
It could be stated that true and lasting revival brings a paradigm shift of biblical and epic proportions. If you ask for an egg - will you get a scorpion?
(He's saved ...the best ... Till last)
An over used cliche (I know) but nevertheless the bible is FULL (chock o block) full of promises about an end time manifestation of his glory and power! To this end then I re-iterate and unapologetically so (he's saved the best for last)
And it shall come to pass in the ( last days ) says God, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh ( all flesh and last days being the operative words ) here
Obadiah 21. Reads " and saviors ( deliverers) shall come "
Haggai 2:9 reads " the glory of this latter house shall BE greater than of the FORMER"
God reserves wrath for his enemies, and has not appointed us to wrath:
He has appointed us to salvation, glory, and deliverance: embrace it:
(the final word)
There is always a final word beloved: and to this end I would say the heart of God is primarily towards world evangelism and lost souls. Jesus came, he came - to seek and to save that which is LOST (full stop)
Revival and the saving of souls (are sisters) hand in glove sisters:
Revival: a genuine move of God should be on our hearts and minds and we should not see it as an option, but rather a divine mandate and holy commission. A quint essential of all Christian living and life (per se)
Brethren I implore you - we simply must have revival! Amen
Upon finalizing this paper for discussion I found the following words coming forth out of my mouth which I will now share " this is the time to rise up, to rise up as eagles, yea as eagles that do soar high above the planes and levels of human mediocrity and complacency. The time has come to put away childish things and put on the breastplate of truth and righteousness , for once more God will not only shake the heavens but the earth also. But these are the days that I will restore you and everything that has been taken away from you and eaten away ... I will restore you and renew you.
I will plant you, I will establish you , I will set you on higher ground. Your labours will not be in vain and your words will not return void unto me. I will manifest my glory and power upon a unbelieving world and shake the heavens once more. And ye shall be vessels fit for my use and vessels of honor. Believe it, recieve it, embrace it, confess it, possess it, its yours:
Thanks
God bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
