Dr. Wesley L. Duewel- It is God's wonderful will that you and His church experience maximum blessing. His loving provision of the abiding presence of the Spirit in each believer encourages us to expect the Spirit to be graciously present in the assembling of believers for worship and service.
God is a bounteous Giver in the material realm; how much more He will provide for us in the spiritual realm (Luke 11:13). (Google image, True worshippers)
Revival Is God's Universal Plan
Renewal seems to be God's uniform plan for man, nature, and the church. Food fuels our bodies and gives physical strength; sleep brings rest and restoration to both mind and body. For much of the earth, the cycle of the seasons provides for annual renewal.
What a joy to see the spring buds burst forth on the trees after the barrenness of winter. In much of India and many other tropical lands, men and nature endure the long, dry hot season in anticipation of the coming of the monsoon rains, which revive the parched earth.
For Christians, too, God has ordained times of spiritual renewal characterized by new life and power, spiritual joy and blessing, and new fragrance and fruitfulness for the Lord. We commonly term this experience "revival." These periods of special blessing come all too seldom, and some church groups seem never to experience them.
Even those pastors and people who seek to live in continuing revival tell of times of spiritual dryness which they cannot trace to any specific disobedience or willful neglect. All Christians again and again need a fresh touch of God upon their lives. Indeed, "times of refreshing" come from the Lord (Acts 3:19).
Biblical symbolism of the Holy Spirit encourages us to expect an abundance of His presence and ministry. The anointing oil, symbolizing the Spirit, was poured on Aaron's head in such abundance that it flowed down on his beard and onto his garments (Ps. 133:2).
Water, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, is promised in abundance. God causes it to gush out (Ps. 78:20; 105:41; Isa. 35:6; 48:21). He gives streams and rivers (plural) of blessing (Ps. 46:4; 78:16; 126:4; Isa. 30:25; 33:21; 35:6) The supernatural river of Ezekiel miraculously deepened and widened (Ezek. 47:1-5), bringing life wherever it flowed (vv. 9, 12).
God "pours" out His Spirit on His people like life-giving water. "I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants" (Isa. 44:3; see also Isa. 32:15; Ezek. 39:29; Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:17-18).
The Holy Spirit is not only poured into God's children; He pours Himself out through their lives like streams of water, bringing blessing to others (John 7:38-39).
The more spiritual a person or work, the more urgent it becomes to have frequent visitations of God. It is the difference between mere survival and life abundant; between evangelical orthodoxy and evangelical vitality; between being content with the status quo and experiencing thrilling new anointings of the Holy Spirit and making thrilling new breakthroughs for God.
We all believe in renewal and revival. We know we need it. But do we really want revival badly enough to seek God's face, to pay the price to prepare the way for God's coming in revival: No one can predict revival, no one can program revival, no one can earn revival. We cannot generate revival by faithfulness, busyness, or spiritual activities. God is the only source of revival.
Father, it is wonderful that You lovingly provide Your Spirit for Christ believers, to encourage us to expect to have Your gracious presence with us. You've given the material realm to provide for us, so we're thankful for this spiritual provision, too.
For Christians, too, You have ordained times of spiritual renewal with new life and power, spiritual joy and blessing, from which we derive fresh fruitfulness for the kingdom. These special times of blessing seldom come to some church groups, and some never seem to experience them. All Christians need to have a fresh touch of God upon their lives again and again.
We humbly ask that You prepare our churches to pour Yourself out through. May we begin to experience thrilling new breakthroughs through frequent visitations of Your Spirit.
Today's Bible verses-
Ps. 44:5 (NIV) “Through You we will push back our adversaries, through Your name we will trample down those who rise up against us.”
Josh. 1:9 (NIV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Isaiah 9:6 “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
Today's Popular post-
Dr. Wesley L. Duewel- "The Holy Spirit will add special depth, power, and faith to your prayer. He will not only direct you to pray for special needs, but He will also guide you in how to pray for special needs, but He will also guide you in how to pray for them, will strengthen your faith as you pray, and will anoint and empower your praying."
The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,
located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,
broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15.
Check out the livestream with this link: https://www.cfconline.org/
You can view past services too.
Reveal the Truth
19th- Saturday's post by Lee Forbes
#81 What Do We Mean by Revival"?
22nd- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#82 When Should You Pray for Group Revival?
24th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
The Giver of Good Gifts
26th- Saturday's post by Mary Southerland
Revival
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