Revival
Revival. Pastors dream of it. Church members say they want it. Non-believers wish it would happen too, so Christians will start acting as Christ. I have begged for it to happen in the church I pastor, and even for it to begin in my own life.
And yet this morning in my prayer time I was slapped in the face with a thought on the matter. It’s too much for it to be a Facebook or Twitter post, so I thought I would share it here (my blog) – a place I rarely come to anymore. The following is really more of a hodgepodge of thought that seemed to rush over me like a cold chill:
Revival must begin in the local church if it’s going to ever reach into our community. If we are hungry for revival, then we have to be willing to die to ourselves so we can live in and for God. If we desire God to be the “consuming fire” that we sing or sang so loudly with Third Day, then somewhere there has to be a place where we give ourselves to God so He can metaphorically burn away the things that hinder our relationship with Him. There has to be a place where we allow ourselves to be, so that God can shine us to better reflect His light.
I would call this type of place an altar.
I admit, I don’t know a lot about altars. But, the more I read the Scriptures, what little bit I know about altars, and for that matter God consuming what’s on the altar as an offering, is that there has to be something on the altar for the fire to fall. I guess what I’m saying is, if we want the fire of God, to melt away anything and everything that isn’t of Him in our lives then we must become the fuel of God.
I think this is why Paul essentially says he dies daily (1 Corinthians 15), and why Jesus even says we should pick up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9). In other words, for us to be the people we desire to be, we should present ourselves as living sacrifices on our altar to the Lord.
Elijah, one of the most awesome prophets in the Scripture, never asked God’s fire to fall down on the altar until he had loaded his altar up with fuel and a worthy sacrifice. I wonder if we (and I’m including myself here) have been praying for the fire to fall but there’s nothing on the altar. Not to be a smartellic, but I don’t know if fire falls on empty altars.
John Wesley, was once asked how he got so many people to come hear him preach and how he had such a big following during the First Great Awakening. I’ll never forget the response that I read he said, “ I set myself on fire, and the people come to see me burn.” In essence, he places himself on the altar for God to use.
I wonder if revival will only come to our self, family, community, town, city, state, country, and nation, when we place ourselves on the altar, and ask God to do what He wishes. My prayer is that I’ll stay on the altar.
Thoughts? Would love to hear what you think of this…
You are so right, Matthew. I will add this to my daily prayer list.
Peace
Marty
Pastor Matthew – like Jesus on the cross – you NAILED it. To truly see revival we need repentant hearts and must die to our flesh to live by faith. We cannot manufacture nor manipulate revival but we can be in a better position to watch God work. Yes, we must ask “is our all on the altar.” When we pursue the altar it will alter us. Revival is real and we must get ready. Soon the Lord will return and we won’t have any more time on Earth to reach the lost. What a great blog and what a great Savior. Your passion for Christ & His Church is inspiring and may revival begin with me. Love you brother!
Pastor Matthew, The churches I have attended have long forgotten the experience of revival, and I am not referring to a series of meetings. For too long pastors have moved away from any idea of individuals coming to the altar. These same churches have not taught or practiced prayer and fasting which is the preparation for God’s working in our lives. Without these, there will be revival.
We have had it backwards for years thinking that a series of meeting will = revival. Wrong. Prayer and fasting = revival. I sought revival in my soul, but not until I began praying and fasting during my altar time with God with the attitude found in, 2 Chronicles 7:14 “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,” did I experience revival. And yes, my life has been drastically altered. God did not just alter my behavior, he changed my identity.
One by one as God changes lives in the church, the church will experience revival and as a result the community will experience it too. Holy Spirit come among us and draw us to revival.
PS So glad to see you blogging again.