The Heart of Revival

The Asbury revival has been on the minds of many Christians over the past few weeks. What God is doing in Asbury - the outpour of His Spirit is the desire of many churches and Christian groups around the world. But even before this encounter at Asbury, many of us have been sensing the coming of a great move of God.
Throughout the history of the church, revivals have happened many times. Each is unique in its way - according to how God wants to visit His people and provide direction for His kingdom's purposes.

And, although God can do whatever He wants to do, whenever he wants to do it, I believe revivals don’t happen as a surprise to those who are waiting for it.  Someway somehow, God’s people will sense something coming before it does.
I once heard a preacher say “when God is about to do something, He puts it in the hearts of his people to pray”. A perfect example of this is the story of Pentecost in the book of Acts (Chapter 2).
Since I (and many of us) strongly believe we are at a similar stage in history, let me share a few insights from the Pentecost experience to help us in our season of prepping and waiting for His next great move.

• Be Obedient

“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me”- Acts 1:4 (NKJV)
Before His departure, Jesus gave the disciples a command to wait in Jerusalem until they were endued with power for the assignment He gave them. He did not add any timelines to the command. He just said, “wait for the Promise”! We can say the command was clear, but the details were missing. Some of the disciples might have thought: “for how long?”, “how many hours in a day?”, or “how many days in a week” should we wait? The command was simple – WAIT! I believe this was quite frustrating for some. But 120 disciples obeyed.
Radical obedience always precedes any great move of God. In this season, our anthem should be “whatever He tells us to do, we will obey.”

• Be of One Heart

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place”. Acts 2:1 (NKJV)
We read from the story that they were all in one accord - meaning they had one heart or were in agreement. Once again, before Jesus left, he did not provide any specific leadership structure for the disciples. Cultural differences, special interests, and group cliques could have divided them. Competition for power could have easily set in. We are aware of when James and John upset the other disciples with their unguarded desire for positions even when Jesus was around. Yet in His absence, they all agreed to be one. “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction” Amos 3:3 (NLT).
If there is a time for the body of Christ – at a global level, and even at specific congregational units to lay aside our differences to seek after the main thing, it is now. The heart of REVIVAL is not divided.

• Be Ready for Whatever is Coming. 

 “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance”. Acts 2:1-4
The disciples had never experienced anything like the Pentecost revival before the Pentecost revival came. The truth is, they did not even know HOW the Holy Spirit was going to come upon them. But one thing was sure - they were ready. For Peter to have referenced Joel 2 after the outpour of the Spirit, means they were familiar with the scriptures concerning the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Waiting and being ready for anything God brings is not idleness. In the waiting, we do everything Jesus has commanded us to do, with a pure, sincere, and hungry heart. As we do this, it is none of our business to try to figure out how He will move. That is all His.
Asbury Revival is different, Azuza Street Revival is different, and Toronto Blessings is different… because our God works in different ways.
A heart of revival is hungry for more. A heart of revival is expectant. A heart of revival waits with obedience, unity, and readiness for whatever the Master brings. Are you ready? If you are not, get ready, for something is coming.