REVIVAL!

REVIVAL!

Friday, April 19, 2019

  Isaiah [MKJV] 6:5  Then I said, Woe is me! For I am undone; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of Hosts.

  Revelation 2:1-5; 3:1-6

  “Revival” is seldom heard or the scene in these days in the USA. I contribute this largely to what I think of as the sidetracking focusing on MY NEEDS and SELF HELP attitude and practices both in and outside the John 1:12 family of God.

  Revival is not all about feeling better about self, it’s about candid confession with repentance unto lifestyle change pleasing to God (Rom.12:1-3 true worship), searching out all secret and doubtful things, and openly confessing Lord Jesus Christ. Revival does not, cannot be brought about by programs. It begins with one or more individuals listening to the Holy Spirit as they prayerfully study and submit in applying God’s Word.

  Gotquestions.org says: “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.”

  Does revival still occur? Yes, but is largely unreported as once was in the media. (The unbalanced media today primarily emphasizing church controversies and fallen preachers.) And to my knowledge and sight, in small pockets of spiritual resurgence in the USA nothing at all like the Welsh revival: “The 1904–1905 Welsh Revival was the largest Christian revival in Wales during the 20th century. While by no means the best known of revivals, it was one of the most dramatic in terms of its effect on the population, and triggered revivals in several other countries. "The movement kept the churches of Wales filled for many years to come, seats being placed in the aisles in Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Swansea for twenty years or so, for example. Meanwhile, the Awakening swept the rest of Britain, Scandinavia, parts of Europe, North America, the mission fields of India and the Orient, Africa and Latin America." (Wikipedia)

  What was the obvious effect in Wales? There was individual, family and community repentance. Longstanding debts were repaid. Police reported a 50% drop in drunkenness. Women were welcomed to participate. Former prostitutes trusted Christ and started Bible studies. Bars and movie houses closed. Newspapers supportively covered the national story. Rascal husbands began supporting their family. The breaking of national and racial barriers was encouraged.

  You or someone you know has observably enjoyed revival. Let us pray beyond single issues of the day and desire a great awakening beginning in or coming to the USA.

EBB4