Revival Fire

Every where I turn, I hear people praying for revival.
Our church is praying.
The religious groups on TV are praying.
Perhaps Jesus is praying;
praying for revival in our homes, our community, our state,
our nation, and the world.

Several years ago, I read something in my Bible about revival.
I printed it out and put it on my wall and read it from time to time.
A few weeks ago, I was in a cleaning frenzy and took off
the faded writing from my bedroom wall.

As I was reading through Thessalonians the other day
I came across the teaching again.
It's taken from a Jack Hayford Study Bible.
I think that anyone who is interested
in experiencing revival in our land
may also be interested in this teaching.


"1 Thess. 5:19-"Do not quench the Spirit."

"Guard Against Dwindling Fires, REVIVAL.

Revival fires wane for various reasons.
Sometimes the purposes of God have been fulfilled
as believers have been quickened to evangelism
and new outreaches have been birthed and carried out.

Other times, genuine revival can be cut short
and the fire of the Holy Spirit quenched through unrealized compromise.

True spiritual fires dwindle
1) when we allow the excitement of crowds and miracles to dull our ears to hearing the foundational truths of the Holy Spirit's counsel;

2) when we look to the visitation of the Spirit to shore up weaknesses in the local fellowship rather than correct problems;

3) when we allow an attitude of pride and showmanship to distort the simplicity of God's workings, and the visitation is reduced to a cleverly publicized event;

4) when we fail to maintain the balance of the pastoral needs of the congregation, substituting the sheer energy of the meetings for shepherd care and faithful feeding of the sheep;

5) when we neglect to make disciples who would have multiplied the effectiveness of the revival;

6) when we allow breakdown of authority and unity in the leadership team through prayerlessness, weariness, or functioning outside the boundaries of individuals' giftings;

7) when we look to "professionals" to further the growth of the church instead of fostering the release of ministries that have bonded to the life and value system of the congregation;

8) when we lose the focus and object of loving worship by using "worship" as a means of stimulating desired responses in people;

9) when we allow the "busyness and excitement" of revival to take priority over vigilance in humble prayer and intercession; or

10) when we see revival as a way to advance a private local "kingdom" (congregation), rather than to benefit the whole body of Christ. "

It is obvious that someone has been through this before, either experiencing it themselves, or observing other's experiences. As we pray for revival, let's use the wisdom of someone who has gone before us, and pray for these concerns as well. ah