New Fire

Psalm 80: 3

Revive us, O God! Let your beaming face shine upon us with the sunrise rays of glory; then nothing will be able to stop us.

This is as clear a revival prayer as you’d ever want to hear. It also mirrors the sentiment that many of us feel, that if God will send revival, everything will be okay. Nothing will be able to stop us when the rays of His glory shine upon us. Who could disagree with that?

The idea of a revival sweeping across the land creates a terrific picture in our minds. Sometimes, though, what we desire, what we need, is a personal revival. Before we can worry about the nation or the world, we need God to touch our lives. We need Him to restore the glory of our salvation to our hearts because it is that warm glow within us which powers us through the work day, all the to-do’s on our list as well as helps us to dream and pray about world-wide goals.

One little touch from Jesus is enough cosmic energy to keep us going for years, at least. In fact, a touch from him can fuel you for the rest of your life. We do get weary at times, though. Life can take its toll on our bodies and psyches. Jesus’ energetic touch sweeps away the fatigue and inspires us to new heights. We begin to remember the things he has done for us in the past and as we remember, our faith is rekindled.

We all need a personal revival now and again. The Christmas season is one of the best times to receive an extra boost of spiritual energy. Let the glory rays shine down upon you. Put yourself in an attitude physically and mentally to let those rays warm your face. Seek them out and be bathed in the Lord’s glory. Be restored and revived!

Revival

Matthew 15: 31

And the crowds marveled with rapture and amazement, astounded over the things they were witnessing with their own eyes! The lame were walking, the mute were speaking, the crippled were made well, and the blind could see. For three days everyone celebrated the miracles as they exalted and praised the God of Israel!

What is most amazing in this passage to you, that the lame, blind and mute were restored or that Israel worshiped and celebrated for three days? I would love to be a fly on the wall, a time travelling fly, so that I could witness their celebration. Wouldn’t it be great to live in a time of great miracles and surrounded by praise? I don’t imagine this all happening in the temple. I imagine feasts and parties taking place in the streets and people’s homes. All the nation was filled with praise and worship. Can you picture this? It makes the spirit soar, does it not?

This verse brings a sense of longing to my heart. The people were astounded because of all the miracles that were happening around them. There was so much of God’s power being manifested that they were in a constant state of amazement which then fueled a constant state of praise. I imagine the praise just bubbled up out of them as they were overwhelmed with all they witnessed. People were, literally, overjoyed! Wouldn’t that be great? I would love to live in such a time.

I know that our blessed Father loves us just as much as he loved the people of that day. In addition, His power has not waned. So, why should we not enjoy the same outpouring? Then I think of some of the events that have happened, such as the Azusa Street event. It was a Pentecostal revival that lasted for nine years. While that is really great, what caused it to end? Why aren’t more of us and more of our churches experiencing revival? When was the last time any of us had a truly spiritual experience with the Father, Son or Holy Spirit? How many of us expect to?

I want to praise like David praised. I want to be overwhelmed with the glory of God. I want all the world to see that our God is the Great King and Almighty God of the Universe, that He is the Creator and that He is Lord. Three men in Wales brought about revival through their steadfast prayer. Perhaps if we became inspired and started praying earnestly, we too could see revival in our cities and in our own time. The devil has done a great job of keeping us busy, though. We worship at the altar of busyness. Who has time to pray for revival? Well, maybe if we can find three people really dedicated to prayer, we too can experience God’s manifested presence pouring out in our generation. Doesn’t that sound good?

Reproach

Hebrews 13: 12 – 13

Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.

I am reading a book by Bill Johnson titled, When Heaven Invades Earth. In chapter 15 he refers to this verse in the course of his explanation about the unpopular position revival often has in the body of Christ. We know that the church leadership did not welcome Jesus with open arms. In fact, they persecuted him. So, Johnson’s assertion that Jesus was outside the popular group rather than inside does not come as a surprise. Still, I found myself rather taken aback by this scripture and the writer of Hebrew’s position that we, too, must be willing to endure reproach in order to meet Jesus where he is.

Of course, this verse refers specifically to the fact that Jesus was crucified “outside the gates” of Jerusalem. It is symbolic of his entire ministry. He never quite fit in with the established church which is amazing in itself. How could God not fit in with the church? Better question, does God fit in at our churches today? That is a frightening question.

Apparently, in order to fit in with God and with Jesus, sometimes you are going to suffer the reproach, or the criticism, of the church. This is not a comfortable suggestion. I don’t want people figuratively throwing tomatoes at me and I am pretty sure you feel the same way.

We all know that to the world of the unsaved, we are peculiar people. There is no surprise if I tell you that you may be estranged from your more worldly friends or that your unsaved family may shun you. The challenge in today’s scripture is that in order to follow the moves of Jesus, you may find yourself an outcast among your church friends. Following Jesus exacts a price and that may mean that you are an outcast among the saved. Jesus isn’t standing still. He has a big picture revelation he is ushering into the world but it comes in one little small revelation at a time. Jesus said, “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now (John 16: 12). This scripture is so big that you just need to see it in some other translations too. Tree of Live version: “I still have much more to tell you, but you cannot handle it just now,” God’s Word translation: “I have a lot more to tell you, but that would be too much for you now,” and finally, the Passion translation: “There is so much more I would like to say to you, but it’s more than you can grasp at this moment.”

You see, Jesus has so much more to show us and tell us. That necessarily means we will have to assimilate new thoughts, new ideas. He wants to and will lead us into all truth but it is more than we can take in at the moment, more than we can absorb at one time. Therefore, he sends bits and pieces and all these are fitting together into his masterpiece. If he showed us the whole painting, it would overwhelm us. Truthfully, the little pieces tend to overwhelm us. In addition, if we truly follow him and accept the revelations he shows us, we will likely be ostracized by the church. Following Jesus tends to foil the traditions of the church. That is why the writer in Hebrews lets us know that if we are sincere about our boast to follow wherever Jesus leads, we should prepare ourselves to be outcasts even amongst our brothers.

This is a bitter pill, I know, but better to be with Jesus, even in the discomfiture of his beliefs than to be cozily ensconced in dead theology and contented church tradition. Remember how Jesus taught about not seeking man’s approval? Well, you get your chance here. As you listen to God in your heart, you are going to discover challenges to your own personal theology. You will also learn new truths in Christ and challenges to our way of doing things. We must be a people willing to follow Jesus wherever he leads and let the chips fall where they may. It ain’t easy, but it is the way!