ARE WE CONFUSED ABOUT REVIVAL!

Dear beloved in the Lord,

The word “revival ‘ is in the mouth of every believer in Meghalaya. Some have personally experienced the touch of God and some haven’t . People are confused and shocked! Every day as I read the local newspaper , people are reacting & expressing it in various ways. Are We Confused about REVIVAL?????

The word ‘revival’ never occurs in the entire bible. The term ‘revive’, ‘revived’, & ‘reviving’ do appear- 16 times

• 14 times in the Old Testament

• 2 times in the New Testament

Revivals are not promised for this dispensation. Neither is there a FORMULA for revival. Revival although a historical reality is not a biblical certainty i.e. they are not guaranteed by following a Bible prescribed FORMULA. Rather they are divinely appointed and God sent, they come at the hour of His choice and sometimes in answer to the prayers of faithful believers.

God may send Revival to shock and shake us into the “NORMAL” Christian walk. On October 3, 2006 which was the last evening of the NCF Youth Evangelistic Bible Camp I entered the Church. I had no particular sense of expectation, this was just another meeting. As a Pastor, I should attend. But how glad I am that I didn’t miss THAT particular gathering! I shall always remember the deep moving of the Spirit of God. An almost unbearable conviction of sin came upon the heart of the kids, young and old during that hour, making even simple, so called trivial matters i.e. chewing betel nut, smoking, anger, lust, inattentivenss to the Word of God etc which Christians usually regards as inoffensive loom up as huge mountainous and heinous sins against Holy and Righteous God. I was in the midst of a great revival. Seeing the low spiritual tide in NCF the Holy Spirit wrought a deep conviction of sin upon the church youths- one that defies description. Sin has never seemed more awful and the Holy Spirit’s convicting power never greater. The young people acknowledged their sins and shortcomings to God and made public confessions.

Revival is that special season of spiritual refreshing when believers experience a deep, Holy Spirit conviction of sin, causing them privately and publicly to confess and renounce such sin, and all of this resulting in renewal of their dedication to God and the whole experience bearing fruits in the salvation of lost souls.

Revival is God appointed. God arranged, God sent, and when it comes, God accomplishes His purpose in the believer’s life. It is well to remember however that the Lord MAY as he wills send revival in response to the prayer of His faithful children.

We desperately revival today, but remember, it can NOT be worked up, it can NOT be forced down; there is no magic formula’ to induce it; in fact God has not even promised revival for this church age. God has reveled in His word, however, that you as an individual believer may experience personal spiritual refreshing day by day

Eph 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

Gal 5:16 ¶ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Gal 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Gal 5:25 ¶ If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Phil 4:8 ¶ Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Phil 4:9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

These verses do not promise a great revival, but do set forth the way to daily personal spiritual vitality and fruitfulness.

Are we still confused about revival!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Robert W. DeHaan clarified in four simple steps.

1^st, let us be sure we are in accord as to terminology. The expression ‘revival’ is not the same as evangelistic campaign- evangelistic campaign is a special effort primarily designed to wins souls to Christ.

Duncan Campbell: ‘It takes the supernatural to break the bonds of the natural. You can make a community mission-conscious. You can make a community crusade-conscious. But only God can make a community God-conscious.’ Duncan Campbell’s succinct definition of revival is: ‘A community saturated with God.’

2^nd I do believe with all my heart in REVIVALS. History itself bears record to their reality and transforming effect in the lives of Christ (Great revival in Wales-1904-05)

We as Christians have a definite obligation to do everything in our power to herald the good news of the Gospel to the needy world.

3^rd, Although Revival is needed, it should be never be considered as a means to bringing about the final solution for our world’s ills. Spiritual awakenings in the past have not permanently stopped the general increase of wickedness. Although they have temporarily deterred the forces of evil in the area and age of their influence, the world continues to go right on its downward way. This trend of circumstances, we believe, is in harmony with the Bible teachings concerning the source of this age.

1 Tim 4:1- “ But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,”

2 Tim 3:1- “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come”

2 Tim 3:13- “ But evil men and impostors will proceed {from bad} to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

Only the personal presence of the King Himself will bring peace and righteousness, for then,

Hab 2:14- "For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea.

4^th , ideally, revival should not be necessary. By this, I mean that the proper spiritual level should be maintained DAILY. A congregation needs a quickening only when it is spiritually SUBstandard. A church which has grown cold and powerless is revived when, through a deep, Holy Spirit conviction, individual members are awakened to their low spiritual ebb and shaken into awareness and an acceptance of their “standard” spiritual responsibilities.

Many folks have the mistaken notion that revival is intended to elevate believers to an ABNORMALLY high plateau of spiritual attainment. Instead, such an awakening is designed to raise the child of God from his SUBNORMAL spiritual status to the NORMAL... and the ‘normal experience for the Christian is that which God expects from us every day of our lives. It is that walk which is characterized by implicit faith, unwavering obedience, and loving service.’

What a thrill if revival should come to your church and mine today! But Christian, you don’t have to wait for some great demonstration to be blessed yourself! God has provided for the spiritual needs of His Children, and as we appropriate His gracious resources, we can be “on fire” every day of our lives

Showers of blessing, showers of blessing we need, mercy drops are falling, but for the showers we plead”( Daniel Whittle)

God bless you,

PRABHAT