The Weekly Epistle 11/10/21

“We cannot organize revival, but we can set our sails to catch the wind from heaven when God chooses to blow upon His people once again.”  What grabs me about those words by G. Campbell Morgan is that we cannot schedule revival.  
 
I remember years ago, at a Promise Keepers conference for pastors when it felt like the speakers were trying to manufacture a revival.  The sense, for me anyway, was that if these powerful speakers could build excitement for revival, that a revival would then take place.  As a fairly young pastor at the time, it got me thinking about revival throughout history and on the pages of Scripture.  
 
What is revival?  In Psalm 85, verse 6 it says, “Will you not revive us again that your people may rejoice in you.”  Other synonyms for that word “revive” might be refresh or restore or reinvigorate or new life.  
 
Who needs revival?  “That your people may rejoice in you.”  God’s people need revival.  It is the church that needs life, renewal, refreshment, and I might add an awakening!  
 
What is the result of revival?  “That your people may rejoice in you.”  There ought to be an overflowing joy in the Lord.  We often think that a revival comes as people are broken over sin that leads to remorse, godly sorry and repentance.  And it is that for sure!  But revival becomes obvious where there is an overflowing joy in the Lord.  It is the joy of releasing our sin to God and walking in the freedom of forgiveness!  
 
So, church, let’s pray that God would revive His people at EBC.  Let’s pray for awakening, renewal, and new life among us here.  If you read of revivals throughout our history, you will always see a direct connection to people gathering for prayer, often called concerts of prayer.  Join with me in prayer on Thursday, November 18 from 7:00-7:30 in the gym.  
 
Do you really want to see a revival begin?  That was the question evangelist Gypsy Smith loved to ask his audiences- “Do you really want to see a revival begin?”  Everyone would nod in affirmation.  Then Gypsy Smith would say, “Then go back to your home and draw a circle three feet around in your bedroom.  Then get down on your knees in the middle of that circle and ask God to change everybody inside that circle.  When you do that, you are experiencing the start of revival.”
 
Praying for revival is fine.  But remember it begins as each of us draws a circle on our bedroom floors and prays, “God, change me!  Lord, let it begin in me.”
 
Blessings to you, Pastor Brian