There is a ground-swell of a mighty move of God rumbling across this nation. There is a hunger stirring in the hearts of people from every walk of life. People are being born-again by the tens of thousands. All you need to do is open your mouth and share the love of God, and people desperately accept Christ. The Holy Spirit is moving upon Christians to return to their First Love, get on fire for God and go outside the four walls of the church to reach a hurting world that is lost. This is the heart of God for this nation in this hour. It is the only thing that can turn this nation around.
God is beginning to wake up Christians to what He wants for their lives, which is:
1) The Sprit of the Lord is leading His children to humble themselves, and pray, and turn from their wicked ways, and seek God with all of their hearts (2 Chron. 7:14; 2 Chron. 15:12; Heb. 11:6)!
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 15:12 and they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;
Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.…
2) The Spirit of the Lord wants His children to be freed and healed of the hurts of the past (Acts 10:38; Luke 4:18; Isa. 61:1-3; Ez. 36:26).
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Ezekiel 36:26 a new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.
3) The Lord is causing His children to realize that He is good and to fall in love with Him. When we fall in love with the Lord, He promises that we will be able to walk in His ways and that He will manifest Himself to us! (Jer. 29:11-14a; John 14:15-24)
Jeremiah 29:11-14 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the LORD…
John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—
17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.
20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”
23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
There is nothing like the manifested presence of God! If we do the research on the original meaning of the word ‘glory’ in the scriptures it is referring to experiential knowledge of the manifested presence of God. Just one encounter with the glory and we can’t help but to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength (Ps 16:11; 2 Cor. 4:6; Eph. 3:14-21)!
Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
It has been prophesied in the scriptures that the knowledge of the glory of the Lord is going to cover the earth (Hab. 2:14; Isa. 40:5; 2 Cor. 3:18; Rom. 8:18; Isa. 60:1-2).
Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
God is coming again in this generation to reveal His glory to His people (Isa. 60:1-2; 2 Chr. 5:13-14; I Kings 8:11).
Isaiah60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
2 Chronicles 5:13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endures forever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;
14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.
Technology is making it possible for people to not only witness the glory of God, but also experience it as they watch the revival meetings (like the YouTube channel for revival.com for instance) on their computer or television! The presence of God is coming right into people’s homes and they are having personal encounters with God! God has made a way for Him to touch His people in this generation (Ez. 34:11-16)! People respond to the manifested presence of God in many different ways. All of them are described in the scriptures (I Kings 8:11; Ez. 1:28; Dan. 10:7-19; Ps 126:2; Acts 13:52; I Peter 4:13)
I Kings 8:11 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.
Ezekiel 1:28 as the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
Daniel 10:7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
8 Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength.
9 Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.
10 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”
15 When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.
16 And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength.
17 For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.”
18 Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me.
19 And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
Psalm 126:2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
Acts 13:52 and the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
4) There is an insatiable hunger and thirst for the truth of God’s word that comes with the touch of God. The scriptures become so alive and the fresh revelation is transforming (Acts 17:11; 2 Tim. 2:15; Ps 119:11; 2 Tim. 3:15; 2Cor. 3:13-18).
Acts 17:11 these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed;
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Corinthians 3:13-18 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
5) God’s children are being filled afresh with His Holy Spirit (John 16:7-15; Matt. 3:11; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2:38),
John 16:13 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
Matthew 3:11 (John the Baptist speaking of Jesus) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Luke 24:49 and, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Acts 1:4 and, being assembled together with them (Jesus and His disciples), commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence… 8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 9 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
6) The life transforming experience of an encounter with the glory of God makes it impossible to keep from telling everyone about Jesus (2 Cor. 5:13-20)!
2 Corinthians 5:13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us;…
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
…thus leading people to Jesus and producing eternal fruit! (John 4:34-38).
John 4:34-38 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”
It’s time to make the Main Thing the main thing! We need to return to God’s priorities. We will never be more fulfilled, satisfied, and at peace than when we are walking in God’s destiny for our lives (Matt. 6:33; I Cor. 3:11-15).
I Corinthians 3:11 for other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man builds upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
14 If any man’s work abides which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
So I encourage you to join the ground-swell of the revival that is sweeping our land! Allow the Lord to do a mighty work in your life. As your life is transformed, you won’t be able to keep your mouth shut about it! You will become a blabber-mouth for Jesus! Be sure to log-on to revival.com, taste and see that the Lord is good, and then you’ll want to down-load your free soul winning tools. When you have led someone to Jesus, we want to hear about it! Be sure to log back in, tell your testimony, and post your stats. It will encourage others to do the same. Together, we can take America back, one soul at a time! We all must rise up and do our part, or say ‘good bye’ to America as the Christian nation it once was!
By Gloria Garner