Preparing for Revival: Message 6: The Results of Revival
Revival is brewing in our land! George Barna – a man whom I have mentioned frequently, released his annual survey of religious behavior and beliefs this week. Here’s a few highlights:
April 3, 2006
(Ventura, CA) – New data from the annual tracking survey of religious behavior and beliefs conducted by The Barna Group reveals that there has been a significant increase in religious activity related to five of the seven core religious behaviors studied by the company.
• Bible Reading: 47% of adults read the Bible during a typical week, up from a 20 year low of just 31% in 1995.
• Church Attendance: 47% of adults attend church services during a typical week, up from just 37% in 1996.
• Involvement in a Small Group: 23% as opposed to just 17% in 1996
• Volunteering Service in a Church: 27% as opposed to 20% in the mid nineties.
This information was released this on April 3rd. Interesting, for also on April 3rd the Lord spoke to me and said:
“Doug, the plans I have are nothing but good and I am pleased that you are beginning to believe me in this as well as beginning to see my plans for what they really are. Hold on to me tightly and all that I’ve planned will become reality. You will see and will enjoy the blessings of a life in Christ. The difference between life in the Spirit and in the flesh is massive and is life versus death. You are choosing life and life will be the result. I am pouring out life into any vessel that will receive it with gladness of heart and with open arms. So long as my people seek to hold on to anything else other than me, they will not have life. The letting go is death that leads to life. The letting go is necessary to Lordship. I cannot work the way that I desire to in the life of a person who still wants to determine outcomes. But when surrender and abandon to my will occurs than my power is able to flow in mightily.” – Personal Journal, April 3, 2006
And as I considered what the Lord spoke, I realized that He is helping us to realize that not only is revival coming – but – He is showing us what the results of revival will be.
God, help us to not only be preparing even now for the revival that You desire to bring, but help us to see with eyes of Faith through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit what the results of revival will be. Use this word from you as a tool to clarify our eyesight. In Jesus Name – Amen.
So, let’s take this prophetic word apart – idea by idea – and then compare it to the Written Word of God to see precisely what God says the results of revival can be…
1. God Says: Revival Results In A Positive Outcome For All Involved In It! – Jeremiah 29:11
Jeremiah 29:11 is a familiar text of scripture. The context of this passage is God speaking to the people of Israel during their time in captivity in Babylon. The people had grown accustomed to listening the false prophets who were telling them that they’d soon be out of captivity and out of trouble. But God calls those prophets ‘liars’ and then in verse 11 He tells them precisely His plans…
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Revival only happens when we say – the only thing that we want is for God’s plans to be fulfilled. But, when we get in alignment with God’s Will – than God says in response to us what His plans are.
The first thing that I want you to notice is that God says:
• “I know the plans I have for you…” – literally: “I have certainty of purpose for you!” – Even on our best days, we only have a vague idea of what our plans are, and those plans can be changed on a moments notice. God’s plan are certain and secure.
Secondly He describes the quality of His plans for us as being:
• “plans to prosper you…” – The Hebrew word used here is ‘shalom’ which means ‘completeness, wholeness, prosperity and safety’ – Therefore, when God’s plans come into our lives – they produce a positive outcome for us – we are made whole, complete, lacking no good thing and absolutely safe from any harm that isn’t within His plans!
Thirdly, He says what His plans aren’t:
• “not to harm you…” – God is never the Source of harm, evil, or destruction. That isn’t in His nature. God is good. But God takes a lot of heat for the bad things that happen in this world. Folks – that’s one of the oldest tricks of the enemy. Satan wants you to believe that God is the source of evil. No – that’s simply not true! God is good. Don’t listen to the liar!
Next, He tells that His plans include an offer…
• “to give you hope…” – When revival is happening, people start to experience a sense of expectation that the outcome of their lives will be excellent! Isn’t it amazing how when God shows up, everyone is lifted! That’s hope – a sure sign that He is there. If you are feeling hopeless, you should start looking around for demonic activity – because God offer hope to all who will call upon Him!
And with hope comes this final plan of God…
• “to give you a future…” - The end is sure. Be confident that no matter what happens in your life, you end is secure. Nothing this world can do – nothing that Satan can set up – nothing that disease can take away – can possibly stop the plans of God from being fulfilled in your life! Your future is secure! Your future is set in stone by the Promise of God.
God said to me: “Doug, the plans I have are nothing but good and I am pleased that you are beginning to believe me in this as well as beginning to see my plans for what they really are.”
Clearly, this word is backed up by the Written Word – Revival Results In A Positive Outcome For All Involved In It!
The next part of the prophetic word He gave me goes on to say… “Hold on to me tightly and all that I’ve planned will become reality. You will see and will enjoy the blessings of a life in Christ.”
2. God Says: Revival Results In Blessings For All Who Stay Connected to Christ! - John 15:5
Look at John 15:5 – Jesus is talking about the necessity of relationship with Him if you want your life to count for anything. If we will hold on tightly to Christ, the blessing of being in relationship with Christ will flow into our lives!
Jesus says:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Jesus says: “I am the vine” – the vine is the Life source.
Jesus says: “You are the branches” – branches don’t have a life source outside their connection to the vine.
Jesus says; “If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – The secret to enjoying a life of blessing is to stay connected to Christ!
The word ‘remains’ – ‘abide’ in KJV - means to ‘continue to be in a place…’ What is that place of abiding? In Christ! For it is as you abide in Christ that His life flows into you. And as His life flows into you, the evidences – or fruits – of His life become evident!
Jesus also said in John 14:12…
“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12
How will we do greater things than Christ? By staying connected to Christ!
When Revival comes, God brings blessings to all involved.
Now – turn to John 6:63… As you are doing so, allow me to read the next part of the prophetic word I received – and then we will see how it measures up to the Written Word…
“The difference between life in the Spirit and in the flesh is massive and is life versus death. You are choosing life and life will be the result. I am pouring out life into any vessel that will receive it with gladness of heart and with open arms.”
John 6:63 – Jesus says…
“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” John 6:63
3. God Says: Revival Results In Life – Not Death! – John 6:63
There has never been a genuine revival that wasn’t accompanied by two things:
1. Repentance of fleshly living.
2. Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Where people are living in the flesh – there will be death.
Where people are living in the power of the Holy Spirit – there will be life.
It’s that simple. Flesh gives birth to death. The Spirit gives birth to life.
Do we want life? Than we must choose it.
When the people of Israel were about to enter the Promised Land, Moses gathered the people before him and said:
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
Deuteronomy 30:19, 20
Now choose life.
That’s what revival is all about. Choosing to live fully alive in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Life is available to any and all who will choose it. Christ offers it today. You can have it. You are eligible. It’s right here. Choose it.
Turn to Matthew 16:21
The next part of the prophetic word speaks to this process of choosing…
“So long as my people seek to hold on to anything else other than me, they will not have life. The letting go is death that leads to life. The letting go is necessary to Lordship. I cannot work the way that I desire to in the life of a person who still wants to determine outcomes. But when surrender and abandon to my will occurs than my power is able to flow in mightily.”
An interesting thing happens in Matthew 16 – Jesus is explaining that in order for True Life to come, He is going to have to die. He is teaching that before life can happen, there is a necessary death. Let’s look at verse 21…
“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
How do we get life? By faith in the death – and subsequent resurrection of Christ. We know that, because we are on this side of it historically. But, imagine how tough it was for Jesus’ friends to understand in advance. So difficult that Peter spoke up and said: “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!” Peter didn’t understand that death preceeds life.
And Jesus gives him a rather stern rebuking: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
This is vitally important that you understand. Revival comes when we keep the things of God in the forefront, even when it goes against what conventional wisdom says! God doesn’t exist to serve the priorities of man – we exist to serve the priorities of God!
4. God says: Revival Results in God’s Plans Being Fulfilled! – Matthew 16:21-27
And then Jesus explains in verse 24…
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.” Matthew 16:21-27
In order to participate with God in His coming revival, I must put to death my wishes and desires – and pursue His plans, purpose and priorities!
We only live a short time on this earth – how tragic it is to waste our lives in selfish pursuits when we can use this life to get to know God and to advance His plans!
Choosing life in Christ – requires that we choose to die to ourselves daily. This isn’t a negative thing. The natural man – the flesh – cannot participate with God, but can only seek to fulfill animal desire. But, when I am walking in the power of the Holy Spirit – I am entering into the realm of the Supernatural! I am entering into the realm of God! I am never more fully alive than when I am moving in the power of the Holy Spirit and serving the eternal purposes of God!
Jesus says that He is returning in GLORY and He is bringing presents! I want to hear my Savior say: “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into your Master’s joy!”
Acts 13:36 says of King David:
“For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed.” Acts 13:36
What greater thing can be said of any human being?
I ‘googled’ the words: “Azusa Street Centennial” and was told that there are ‘about 84,000’ pages containing those words. The Christian world is stepping up to remember what God did 100 years ago – in hopes that He’ll do a new work of revival world-wide in 2006.
When God brings revival -
There is A Positive Outcome For All Involved In It!
There are Blessings For All Who Stay Connected to Christ!
He brings Life – Not Death!
Ultimately, Revival Results in God’s Plans Being Fulfilled!
And the greatest plan of God is that…
“…everyone (would) to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9, NIV.
As I asked last Sunday:
• Are you certain of your salvation?
• If you died today – are you sure you’d go to Heaven?
• What is the basis of your salvation?
Today – settle your salvation.
Today – determine who is in charge.
April 3, 2006
(Ventura, CA) – New data from the annual tracking survey of religious behavior and beliefs conducted by The Barna Group reveals that there has been a significant increase in religious activity related to five of the seven core religious behaviors studied by the company.
• Bible Reading: 47% of adults read the Bible during a typical week, up from a 20 year low of just 31% in 1995.
• Church Attendance: 47% of adults attend church services during a typical week, up from just 37% in 1996.
• Involvement in a Small Group: 23% as opposed to just 17% in 1996
• Volunteering Service in a Church: 27% as opposed to 20% in the mid nineties.
This information was released this on April 3rd. Interesting, for also on April 3rd the Lord spoke to me and said:
“Doug, the plans I have are nothing but good and I am pleased that you are beginning to believe me in this as well as beginning to see my plans for what they really are. Hold on to me tightly and all that I’ve planned will become reality. You will see and will enjoy the blessings of a life in Christ. The difference between life in the Spirit and in the flesh is massive and is life versus death. You are choosing life and life will be the result. I am pouring out life into any vessel that will receive it with gladness of heart and with open arms. So long as my people seek to hold on to anything else other than me, they will not have life. The letting go is death that leads to life. The letting go is necessary to Lordship. I cannot work the way that I desire to in the life of a person who still wants to determine outcomes. But when surrender and abandon to my will occurs than my power is able to flow in mightily.” – Personal Journal, April 3, 2006
And as I considered what the Lord spoke, I realized that He is helping us to realize that not only is revival coming – but – He is showing us what the results of revival will be.
God, help us to not only be preparing even now for the revival that You desire to bring, but help us to see with eyes of Faith through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit what the results of revival will be. Use this word from you as a tool to clarify our eyesight. In Jesus Name – Amen.
So, let’s take this prophetic word apart – idea by idea – and then compare it to the Written Word of God to see precisely what God says the results of revival can be…
1. God Says: Revival Results In A Positive Outcome For All Involved In It! – Jeremiah 29:11
Jeremiah 29:11 is a familiar text of scripture. The context of this passage is God speaking to the people of Israel during their time in captivity in Babylon. The people had grown accustomed to listening the false prophets who were telling them that they’d soon be out of captivity and out of trouble. But God calls those prophets ‘liars’ and then in verse 11 He tells them precisely His plans…
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Revival only happens when we say – the only thing that we want is for God’s plans to be fulfilled. But, when we get in alignment with God’s Will – than God says in response to us what His plans are.
The first thing that I want you to notice is that God says:
• “I know the plans I have for you…” – literally: “I have certainty of purpose for you!” – Even on our best days, we only have a vague idea of what our plans are, and those plans can be changed on a moments notice. God’s plan are certain and secure.
Secondly He describes the quality of His plans for us as being:
• “plans to prosper you…” – The Hebrew word used here is ‘shalom’ which means ‘completeness, wholeness, prosperity and safety’ – Therefore, when God’s plans come into our lives – they produce a positive outcome for us – we are made whole, complete, lacking no good thing and absolutely safe from any harm that isn’t within His plans!
Thirdly, He says what His plans aren’t:
• “not to harm you…” – God is never the Source of harm, evil, or destruction. That isn’t in His nature. God is good. But God takes a lot of heat for the bad things that happen in this world. Folks – that’s one of the oldest tricks of the enemy. Satan wants you to believe that God is the source of evil. No – that’s simply not true! God is good. Don’t listen to the liar!
Next, He tells that His plans include an offer…
• “to give you hope…” – When revival is happening, people start to experience a sense of expectation that the outcome of their lives will be excellent! Isn’t it amazing how when God shows up, everyone is lifted! That’s hope – a sure sign that He is there. If you are feeling hopeless, you should start looking around for demonic activity – because God offer hope to all who will call upon Him!
And with hope comes this final plan of God…
• “to give you a future…” - The end is sure. Be confident that no matter what happens in your life, you end is secure. Nothing this world can do – nothing that Satan can set up – nothing that disease can take away – can possibly stop the plans of God from being fulfilled in your life! Your future is secure! Your future is set in stone by the Promise of God.
God said to me: “Doug, the plans I have are nothing but good and I am pleased that you are beginning to believe me in this as well as beginning to see my plans for what they really are.”
Clearly, this word is backed up by the Written Word – Revival Results In A Positive Outcome For All Involved In It!
The next part of the prophetic word He gave me goes on to say… “Hold on to me tightly and all that I’ve planned will become reality. You will see and will enjoy the blessings of a life in Christ.”
2. God Says: Revival Results In Blessings For All Who Stay Connected to Christ! - John 15:5
Look at John 15:5 – Jesus is talking about the necessity of relationship with Him if you want your life to count for anything. If we will hold on tightly to Christ, the blessing of being in relationship with Christ will flow into our lives!
Jesus says:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Jesus says: “I am the vine” – the vine is the Life source.
Jesus says: “You are the branches” – branches don’t have a life source outside their connection to the vine.
Jesus says; “If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – The secret to enjoying a life of blessing is to stay connected to Christ!
The word ‘remains’ – ‘abide’ in KJV - means to ‘continue to be in a place…’ What is that place of abiding? In Christ! For it is as you abide in Christ that His life flows into you. And as His life flows into you, the evidences – or fruits – of His life become evident!
Jesus also said in John 14:12…
“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12
How will we do greater things than Christ? By staying connected to Christ!
When Revival comes, God brings blessings to all involved.
Now – turn to John 6:63… As you are doing so, allow me to read the next part of the prophetic word I received – and then we will see how it measures up to the Written Word…
“The difference between life in the Spirit and in the flesh is massive and is life versus death. You are choosing life and life will be the result. I am pouring out life into any vessel that will receive it with gladness of heart and with open arms.”
John 6:63 – Jesus says…
“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” John 6:63
3. God Says: Revival Results In Life – Not Death! – John 6:63
There has never been a genuine revival that wasn’t accompanied by two things:
1. Repentance of fleshly living.
2. Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Where people are living in the flesh – there will be death.
Where people are living in the power of the Holy Spirit – there will be life.
It’s that simple. Flesh gives birth to death. The Spirit gives birth to life.
Do we want life? Than we must choose it.
When the people of Israel were about to enter the Promised Land, Moses gathered the people before him and said:
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
Deuteronomy 30:19, 20
Now choose life.
That’s what revival is all about. Choosing to live fully alive in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Life is available to any and all who will choose it. Christ offers it today. You can have it. You are eligible. It’s right here. Choose it.
Turn to Matthew 16:21
The next part of the prophetic word speaks to this process of choosing…
“So long as my people seek to hold on to anything else other than me, they will not have life. The letting go is death that leads to life. The letting go is necessary to Lordship. I cannot work the way that I desire to in the life of a person who still wants to determine outcomes. But when surrender and abandon to my will occurs than my power is able to flow in mightily.”
An interesting thing happens in Matthew 16 – Jesus is explaining that in order for True Life to come, He is going to have to die. He is teaching that before life can happen, there is a necessary death. Let’s look at verse 21…
“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
How do we get life? By faith in the death – and subsequent resurrection of Christ. We know that, because we are on this side of it historically. But, imagine how tough it was for Jesus’ friends to understand in advance. So difficult that Peter spoke up and said: “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!” Peter didn’t understand that death preceeds life.
And Jesus gives him a rather stern rebuking: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
This is vitally important that you understand. Revival comes when we keep the things of God in the forefront, even when it goes against what conventional wisdom says! God doesn’t exist to serve the priorities of man – we exist to serve the priorities of God!
4. God says: Revival Results in God’s Plans Being Fulfilled! – Matthew 16:21-27
And then Jesus explains in verse 24…
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.” Matthew 16:21-27
In order to participate with God in His coming revival, I must put to death my wishes and desires – and pursue His plans, purpose and priorities!
We only live a short time on this earth – how tragic it is to waste our lives in selfish pursuits when we can use this life to get to know God and to advance His plans!
Choosing life in Christ – requires that we choose to die to ourselves daily. This isn’t a negative thing. The natural man – the flesh – cannot participate with God, but can only seek to fulfill animal desire. But, when I am walking in the power of the Holy Spirit – I am entering into the realm of the Supernatural! I am entering into the realm of God! I am never more fully alive than when I am moving in the power of the Holy Spirit and serving the eternal purposes of God!
Jesus says that He is returning in GLORY and He is bringing presents! I want to hear my Savior say: “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into your Master’s joy!”
Acts 13:36 says of King David:
“For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed.” Acts 13:36
What greater thing can be said of any human being?
I ‘googled’ the words: “Azusa Street Centennial” and was told that there are ‘about 84,000’ pages containing those words. The Christian world is stepping up to remember what God did 100 years ago – in hopes that He’ll do a new work of revival world-wide in 2006.
When God brings revival -
There is A Positive Outcome For All Involved In It!
There are Blessings For All Who Stay Connected to Christ!
He brings Life – Not Death!
Ultimately, Revival Results in God’s Plans Being Fulfilled!
And the greatest plan of God is that…
“…everyone (would) to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9, NIV.
As I asked last Sunday:
• Are you certain of your salvation?
• If you died today – are you sure you’d go to Heaven?
• What is the basis of your salvation?
Today – settle your salvation.
Today – determine who is in charge.
posted by Doug Love at 1:35 PM
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