Fires of Revival

 

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

  I Chronicles 7:14

     Summer months are here and passing quickly.  This is the time for campfires and barbecues.  As a child ( and honestly, even as an adult!), it was so hard for me to wait until the fire was "ready" to cook my hotdog, marshmallow, or biscuit over the fire.  When those first flames shot up through the kindling, I wanted to rush over with my food and shove that stick into the flames.  I gradually learned that that first flash flame was not the best for cooking.  Oh, it might char the outside of the hotdog, but those flames died down quickly and did not produce much heat to do a good job of  cooking my food through.  If I waited until there was a good coal bed, and the adults put some larger fuel on the fire, I could get that hotdog, marshmallow, or biscuit cooked to perfection!  (Ever cooked a biscuit on a stick over a fire?  If not, you are missing out on a delicacy! Soooo yummy!)  There was a heat source prepared that was ready to spread to larger pieces of wood, which in turn created a bed of coals that was ready to light more fuel.  

     As we look at the state of our nation, our churches, and our families today, it doesn't take much more than a glance to realize the desperate need for God's intervention.  We often use the term "revival" when we call out to God for His salvation for our society.  Today thoughts are on revival.   

    First, revival is for the people of God!  Often, we view it as a focused 5 days, or special time of evangelism.  Revival is the result of God's people poking those coals and finding new flames, a renewed burning of God's Spirit within them.  This is where the heat source is found that will spread to new believers who will in turn burn brightly and become a source of light and heat in a cold, dark world.  It starts in the hearts of God's people who are fully committed to living for their Savior.  

    Psalm 85:6 says, "Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?"  I Chronicles says, "If MY people...." (God is speaking here) not "if everyone" or "if the wicked."  The focus of revival is for Christ followers to find renewed passion, love, and focus on their Creator and his calling for each of us.  God's people will be so hungry for the Word, that it consumes them and they are "on fire" for God.   Fires of revival fueled by the Word and the Spirit cannot be put out.  

    Many of you have witnessed, as I have, the fast growth of many mega-churches across the country.  Living in the "Bible-belt" we are not really surprised at polls that say that 65% of Americans claim to be Christians (Pew Research, 2020).  But statistics like those that Pastor Rob shared on Sunday, in which approximately 12% of youth pastors possess a Biblical worldview are alarming (Barna, Arizona Christian University, May, 2022).   The results of church leadership without a Biblical basis for their teaching (syncretism, as Pastor Rob discussed on Sunday) are those bright flashes or flames that  quickly die because they lack a good heat source, or coal bed. They spread to many small twigs or leaves which flash and die out.  They do not create a solid bed of hot coals that will burn large logs, providing heat and light. 

      I have been challenged to seek revival in my own heart, and pray fervently for revival in our church and nation.  It starts with time spent in God's Word and in prayer.  As we yield our lives and minds to Him, with open hands and hearts, He will start a revival among us.  This will spread and  will produce the type of revival that will change a nation. This calls for individuals that are fervent in prayer and seeking God's face.  Our hearts must be burdened and broken before Him.  Only then He can light the fire of revival.  You see, He is the source of revival.  Not us.  Our God can and will use us if we open up our hearts to learn of Him and be used by Him. His Spirit will burn within us and we will not be able to contain it.  We will not be satisfied with merely going through some motions on Sunday. This will be a consuming passion, a lifestyle of living and learning for Jesus --every day, every moment focused on  bring glory to our Savior.  Through people such as these, God will bring our churches and nation back to Him. 

I pray we are willing to be used for this purpose!

💓Heather Sparks💓