This time of year it is difficult to travel in any community without seeing church billboards advertising their Fall Revivals. A definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I believe that we have been misled by the organized church into believing that a revival is something every church does in the Spring and in the Fall. They call in a special speaker and have special music, meet for a series of consecutive nights usually other than their regularly scheduled weekly meetings and call it revival. The spiritual results and lasting fruit in people’s lives produced from these meetings is more often than not little to none, yet we keep doing it over and over again expecting a different result. INSANE!
I believe that Bill Johnson, Senior Leader of Bethel Church in Redding, California has it right. By the way, they have produced an ongoing, seriously fruitful revival in their church for over 10 years now that has not only radically changed the Redding congregation, but has crossed denominational lines worldwide. Bill defines revival this way, “Revival is not a series of meetings. Revival is when the Spirit of God has arrested the people of God, the Presence has become the principal focus of the people of God, and the effects manifest conversions, healings, and deliverances. The effects of revival brings change to the culture. The revived culture then becomes the culture of the Kingdom.”
I want my life to become the life of the Kingdom of God here on earth as it is in Heaven. My prayer is, “Father, bring true revival in my heart today and everyday. I surrender everything in my unsurrendered soul (my mind, will and emotions) to Your perfect will and plan for my life today. I commit to allowing you to change and shatter any stronghold in my life that impedes this process. In Jesus Name, Amen.” I hope this will be your prayer as well.
I know full well that I will no doubt ruffle some religious attitudes and may offend some with this article, but I truly want to see the Body of Christ maturing and growing up to become His true Sons and Daughters. It isn’t about another series of meetings, it’s about Him in me… and in you… every single day we are here on earth!
Have a blessed Fall Harvest season,
Gerri