When reading about revivals that broke out in the past like the first and second Great Awakening, you begin to realize that when it happens, it is a powerful force and spreads quickly. When it began to happen, many were in opposition because it was so new and different. It reminds me of Peter’s friends praying for him to be released from prison and when the Lord answered their prayer they weren’t ready for it and didn’t believe that it happened. So they left Peter outside in disbelief knocking on the door. When you read some accounts of the revival that swept the Nation, you see the worst conditions quickly turning around in a brief period.
This is a secret Israel discovered during the reforms of King Hezekiah. The Bible reads, “Hezekiah, and all the people rejoiced at what God had brought about for his people, because it was done so quickly” (Hezekiah 29:36). This is underscored in James Burn’s 1909 classic, Revivals: Their Laws and Leaders: “Each revival is characterized by the extraordinary swiftness with which it spreads. Once the first words of the new message are spoken, mysterious forces arise, like the wind, and carry them from place to place. The revival spreads like an epidemic. It bursts out in places that have not been in contact with other infected places, and individuals are moved in multitudes.” We talk about the COVID 19 virus spreading. How about being infected with a revival of God’s Spirit coming and overwhelming us with another great revival? This will only happen if we spend an intentional effort at praying and preparing us for revival long before revival itself takes place. God’s Spirit is always active. Is it active in your life? Are you praying for that to happen? When the spiritual outlook appears bleak for you, our Nation, our community, our church, remind yourself that God still listens to the prayers of his people and that events can change both rapidly and dramatically. We sure do desperately need God to move in our church, our community, our schools, and our homes. Let me share with you several things that will usher that in. On Saturday, October 2, there will be a Prayer March happening. Show up at the church at 10:00am and plan to walk downtown where we will pray with other believers at the center of town. If you are able to attend, text “ffcnprayer” to the church (419-422-8660). Don’t put it off, text it now while you are thinking about it. Another opportunity is to join your church for prayer every Wednesday morning at 6:30am beginning next Wednesday, September 8. Finally, pray in your prayer closet for the Lord to prepare our hearts for what He wants to do. Call some friends and pray together for the Spirit of God to move in our midst. Take every opportunity to prepare and pray. We will all see the results together as we seek God with all of our heart. I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday for our services. Joy in Jesus! Pastor Mike
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Rev. Mike McClurgSenior Pastor, Findlay First Church of the Nazarene Archives
March 2020
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