In every genuine manifestation of God’s Spirit sparking renewal of His Church, beginning in a region and even spreading across a nation or nations, we can be confident that the evil one, Satan, and his gofers will have some advantage in radiating doubts, fears, propagating dissonance, and causing confusion among a few of God’s people under the banner of caution, many of those holding seats of honor, man-devised degrees and doctorates, perhaps imitating distant links of ancient Pharisees or Scribes. Yes, in a fallen world there are some rotten fruits; but when a majority of the fruit expressed and seen is unmistakably fruit of the Spirit renewing souls, get on board.
In the Asbury University spiritual expression, we see and hear much evidence of the devil’s devices to hinder God’s renewal powers. Some seemingly worship the place of God’s activity, others worship the power displayed in God’s activity, even try to imitate the power. The truth is, and forever will be that God’s Spirit will not be swayed; nor His powers overcome, but alas, some in the midst will by their own deluded conclusions, miss the Presence and the renewal. “Awake, thou that sleepeth.”
Beloved, from the beginning God’s greatest purpose for man has been to experience utmost blessing in Him. That is what Adam and Eve received and enjoyed while in the Garden alone, while the holy dew was still on the roses. The supreme fragrance in the Garden was the Divine Presence of the Creator. While in the maximum blessing of God, they were deceived into thinking there was more to be possessed. They reached for more.
After the fall, renewal or revival is God’s universal plan to awaken His people, and other doubters, to their created hunger for Divine Presence. Revival! Renewal! Awakening! This is happening and spreading. Do not be Satan’s dupe. Do not grieve or quench the Spirit’s desired work in you. “Come and see.”
These times of renewal are far too infrequent in the history of man. God’s soul train is coming through your land; get on board. God is doing a work of renewing a people.
“Revival is a manifestation of the holy, sovereign, almighty God. It is God visiting His people with special and renewed blessing. Revivals usually bring a new God-consciousness, a new revelation of God, a new sensitivity to God, at times an awesome sense of God’s holiness and righteous demands. . .. Revivals are sudden interventions of the sovereign, supernatural working of God in the life and witness of the Church.” (Wesley Duewel)
What is the church’s role? It is as always, “Watch and pray”; pray and receive; pray and obey! I have often in praying for revival, asked for: “Supernatural spiritual climate changes within the Church of our LORD Jesus Christ.”
Beloved, see the maps indicating God using “man’s” technology to cause His revival to spread worldwide rapidly. He’s on the move! Pray On!