Looking and Waiting For Revival

Looking back on the great revivals of the past and in the revivals of recent, people are seeking what causes a great revival to happen. There are also those waiting for revival and looking around every corner for it. They hop churches and follow people to see if they can come across it. I must admit I at times have been looking, waiting, wondering, running, and then looking again. What I have finally discovered has been true revelation to me. Revival can be found in the heart of a person. It will spread like fire when that person pours out into others the passion and love of God. It changes people. Grips there heart and gets them to start asking questions and seeking a closer relationship, key word here...relationship with God. Walking hand in hand with him talking to him closely as a friend. People have often let me know of their disappointment in my choices in life. I love those people because in their disappointment of me, it has changed me. It has brought me to the place I am at right now. Seeking for more of God. For the truth. To experience more of God's awesome wonder and power. In early March of 2006 I fell apart in my apartment. I crumpled to the floor crying out to God. I said, "God here I am, my miserable self, have mercy on me and change me." Things in my life were difficult and I was wondering why I could not truly find a repentant heart in myself. I wanted to know where the revival was. I wanted to know why my family was in its state and wanted to be different, to see different, and to love different. I begin to slowly sing to God. Quietly crying and praying in the Spirit. I begin to sing the words of a song. At the time I thought they were for calling on revival in my father's church. I have come to realize now this song was God showing me to seek revival in my own heart. In the story of Jacob and his dream. God lets him know that the temple of the Lord is you. You are His temple and you can be the light that can shine through to others. Here are the words... Revival Is Now Verse 1 The Word of the Lord says “Pray believing” Hebrews eleven shows how He carries through Sarah called Abraham, “Father of Many” Are you ready for what God will call you Our people are in bondage sickness and strife So many we love have fallen from Christ Then, there are those that still need to know His Truth and Love meant for their soul ~ Church, grab hold of one another, Let’s speak this promise of God’s Pray, Believe, and receive, we want to please you Lord. Were asking for Revival, a spiritual awakening on this very ground Lord, take the deed to this land, Were believing for Revival now Chorus People of Faith, gather yourselves Grab hold of the altar of God People of Faith, lift up your hands revival is here for us all People of Faith, give thanks with your mouth Let the cloud of His glory fall Oh, people of Faith, gather yourselves Revival is here for us now! Call forth hearts of worship Call forth dancing feet, Call forth all praise and glory to our King Verse 2 The Bible is our weapon, The scriptures our spiritual sword Getting us ready for the battle In this great army of the Lord Now is an awakening God’s nature expanded into man The time of transformation Overtaking this Land Miracles, signs, and wonders Even, this song a prophecy Salvation, healing, and deliverance All here to be received Lets unite together All the parts of the body one Let’s rejoice and Welcome this Revival The Almighty is come! Chorus Bridge In the Glory of the Lord The Spirit is moving In the Glory of the Lord There is healing In the Glory of the Lord His love is overflowing In the Glory, In the Glory Revival is Now! Chorus Again -This song has powerful meaning to me. I often sing it quietly to God. Revival starts in the hearts of people, even people we may not recognize as moving in God's power. Yet, they are. They have His heart and want others to know how awesome and cool He really is. We can go looking or be drawn to a certain place because God is calling us there for a reason. However, we can find revival everyday in our lives reaching out to others in God's love.

God's Love Not Limited To The Morally Righteous

Watching a popular TV program yesterday evening, I was struck by the comments of a woman claiming to be a christian and morally righteous. The things she said came across with hatred and the belief that if you are anything other then like her you are going to hell. I thought to myself, how many times I've witnessed others make those type of comments right in front of me and have never stood up to counter their religious bigotry with the biblical truth of God's love.

She made statements that if a person is a homosexual then they are going to hell, in fact anyone who has not asked Jesus into their heart is going to hell. It was sad to realize that this beautiful lady has been so mislead by some religious leaders in her life. Her interpretation of God's Word is lifeless as it comes out of her mouth stinging with hatred anyone in it's path.

What is the truth? There is no other clearer message in God's word then, the message of his love. It is not our job to judge another person at all. How are they to experience God's power and salvation if they are being hit in the face with hatred?

We may not like how someone has chosen to live. Yet is through the power of God's message of love that can heal, change, and act as a breakthrough in a person's life. You can minister and pour into someones life moving in God's love more than with any other method.

Is it not better to tell people how awesome and incredible God is as he demonstrates His power through you and into their life. That is an experience they won't soon forget.

Was it not Jesus moving in that very powerful love that set the prostitute free and saved her from death and the hands of judgement. It was that love that set her free, and in that demonstration of love and God's power that forever changed her.

Let's remember that God is our friend. He is our everything and to move in His power for people to be truly healed, delivered, and set free we must first move in His LOVE.

"Christian" A Name No One Wants To Wear.

You say you're a Christian today and it is almost a joke to people. At least being a Buddhist sounds interesting and the chubby little dude with the Buddha belly looks happy. There are so many choices out there that people more often than not cannot commit to any one religion. Everyone is seeking out truth and the spiritual in whatever form makes them feel good and accepted. Notice even within the Christian Faith people don't want to bear a name that carries little or no value to others. They would rather say, "I'm Baptist", or "I'm Non-Denominational". Has the Christian name become so tarnished with religious structure that it leaves a bad taste in the mouth of many who come across it?

The very foundation of The Church and religion is being shaken up by people who will no longer tolerate God's truth to be molded into what is acceptable to those in leadership or those who think they can speak for God and believe in the old covenant way of thinking. How dare anyone with heart or compassion be allowed to enter into God's Holy sanctuary and worship if they are not willing to follow the so called rules. This upsets many so called Christians who believe only those who are perfect following rules and law be allowed to worship.

God, wants to take back the name of Christianity and transform it into a name everyone will be excited to wear. The Lord wants people to experience his true heart for his people and for the believers, to have love for others that extends the hand of grace with unconditional love and truth. For the very name of Christianity to have the spirit of revival released every time it is spoken.

When Jesus walked the earth he preached on love and ministered to people with a gentle hand in true brotherhood. The Pharisees and those in leadership believed people needed to try to be perfect and follow the law to earn their way into God's Kingdom. When we read in the New Testament we clearly don't like the Pharisees and others judging and condemning anyone who speaks of God as loving and gentle (not holding people to live a certain way or be perfect according to law). Is that law not a law man has created over the centuries to oppress the very Spirit of God. Yeah, go ahead and follow the 10 commandments and the rules of the old covenant but don't dare demonstrate Gods power. Why did we ever listen to these harsh, critical people? What authority did we believe they had? I am even guilty of being critical of others for not living the way I thought they should. God is not like that. That person sinned so they should be punished. Or, that person's business failed so that is God punishing them. No, it is not. This way of judgemental thinking can not be tolerated anymore.That is simply their business failing and God could very well be moving them into something better He has for them. It will take God's people with His true heart and vision rising up against those old ideals and Pharisee mentality's.

I will never forget hearing a leader in my church talk about how a young adult came into church with tattoos showing and how disrespectful that was to God. Is he kidding? Did God come down from Heaven and say those who have tattoos are not allowed to worship me? Would Jesus have criticized that young man, or would Jesus have welcomed him with love and honor. Reaching out to him seeing him for what he could be in the Kingdom of God. Who is to say that young man won't rise up in God's army and become a mighty youth minister leading thousands of youth to Christ.

When will we understand it is about having an intimate relationship with God, not following religion. God is not someone far away in heaven that we hope will answer our prayers. The Lord is waiting to draw close to us and be our everything, friend, father, teacher, and the one we run to in every situation believing he answers prayer.

Calling all who desire to see God's power demonstrated, to see great miracles, to see many saved, to see this entire nation transformed by revival, and the presence of God.

It is time for God to give Christianity it's new name. The name He intended for it to represent. On a scale the name now weighs little and cannot even tip the scale for the Kingdom of God. Let's rise up in Spirit and in Truth tipping the scale in favor of the true Kingdom through love, faith, and belief.