Revival

We were never meant to focus on revival. We were always meant to focus on Jesus. Revival will always come in a new way. The Spirit is like the wind, and those born of it are like the wind. It's unpredictable. It never repeats. Its like fire...its always consuming and changing...dancing, even when confined to a hearth.

Jesus is always the same. If I focus on His heart as He revealed it, I'll catch on fire...but what that fire will look like, how far it will spread, how hot it will burn or high it will reach....no one knows.

We don't know when or where revival is coming, but we always know where Jesus is and when He wants to speak with us.

Contending for revival in the current church culture has become, in many ways, contending for what man gets out of Jesus' presence.

Contending to be more like Jesus is contending for what Jesus gets out of man's presence.

I'm learning to contend to be obedient, yielded, patient, kind... If revival never happens, Jesus will still get as much of me as I can give Him with His help. If revival does happen, I'll be ready to endure it with more of His heart.

In Acts 2, the disciples weren't waiting for fire and wind. They were waiting for God...however He might want to visit them. They didn't know what to expect.

Neither do we. But we do know what is expected of us.

In the name of contending for revival, we can't give license for selfish behavior for the greater good of "what God wants to do" or the impending "move of God" promised to revival leaders.

It is important to be clear that what God wants to do is make us more like His Son. No one can own, or stop, or start a move of God...we can only get ready for it...we can only wait for it. Revival puts people in the spotlight as leaders, not the other way around. Don't be mislead by those who think leaders usher in revival. It's actually never happened that way. The obedient and compliant willing to sit and wait are present when revival happens.

This is why we tarry: to obey Jesus and become more like Him. We seek first the kingdom AND ITS RIGHTEOUSNESS and all the rest is added.

Galatians 5:16I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

17For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

20idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,

21envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

24And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Luke 24:46Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,

47“and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

48“And you are witnesses of these things.

49“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

50And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.

51Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.

52And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,

53and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.