February 23, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Need I Say More Series #1 Update

Revivals

For many Christians revival is always on their minds—they want more and more of God. Los Angeles will continue to host events that focus on the regeneration of the Azusa Street Revival of the early 20th Century. I have read about many revivals and no two are the same, but they indeed have common ingredients for their initial start-up and continuance.

I am sure no spiritual awakening can come again to L.A. like the Azusa Street Revival. Why, because the constituency organizing the events need to exhibit the following attributes. Without certain characteristics spiritual renewal cannot take place. Furthermore, pride is something that historically every revival’s leadership did not have. That is why today’s religious leadership cannot produce a revival unless they acquire or avoid the following qualities (their pride will get in the way of the Holy Spirit).

1. Foolishness—Jesus and scriptures state that we need to be ‘fools for Christ’ i.e. what the world considers foolish God considers His will. Too often today, people rather be acceptable in their preaching of the Gospel—they want to be measured by the world’s standards not God’s.

2. Criticism—If one has thin skin and works to avoid criticism on a personal and scholarly level then you will never attain to the best God has to offer. The media is not our friend and neither is religious elitism—so often they are the enemies of Christ.

3. Reputation—So many Christians are doing what the world requires concerning marketing and branding oneself. Jesus on the other hand “did not make himself of any reputation” the Bible says. He did not want people to look to Him but to God, and He was the Son of God. If He did this what should we be doing?

4. Money—Money can get in the way of any revival. Once you depend on money to do more and/or the need for money to do it, then the end of the revival will soon be coming. The ‘love of money’ only gets in the way of God’s presence.

5. New patterns—One need not look to resurrect the past in order to have a future. Every revival is unique and different. Whatever God did in the past He will of course build upon that, but what He now wills to do is to be new with an unbelievable sense of wonder. God is a God of newness and amazement.

6. Hunger—How bad do you want a revival of God’s presence, miracles, healings, and deliverance. Without a hunger for God that consumes everything one does, revival will never take place.

7. Unity—This is the most critical ingredient for a revival. Unity must take place and it does not depend on numbers or quantity. A few in unity will do more that many people agreeing on a particular subject or behavior. Without unity, ‘being as one in one place’ revival will not begin.

8. Humility—The error: “I am important—see what I have done.” God always used no-bodies to begin a revival. Revivals never began with leaders or important people. God is looking to receive all the glory. He does not need you or me; He stands alone and is all-powerful. It is the weak and non-important people God uses—not the somebodies!

9. Resistant—If God sends a revival, He needs to know that we will with-stand the urge to conform to many of the norms that now exist within the greater Christian church. Want revival, we must embrace the change when it comes (though it is not change but rather more of God)—it is just that simple.

10. Persecution—No revival existed without persecution or hatred toward God at some level. If you cannot endure or do not want persecution then you will never be part of any great revival or the miraculous that only God gives.

Revivals do come to an end. One cannot predict the timeframe—30 days, 30 months or 30 years. There will come a time when God says, “Move on.” He wants what you have experienced and learned to be dispersed to other people and nations.

I firmly believe any new revival will be more connected to the Book of Revelation than an extension of the Book of Acts (though the Holy Spirit will always be at the center of any movement). A latter-day revival will be a completion of all what God has done and what He plans to do. It will have more signs of judgment/conviction and addressing/preparing for the return of Christ. A revival of repentance and Holiness within the Body of Christ, the identification and challenging of all that is evil, and the exercise and administration of judgment—preparing for Christ’s return.

Yes, revival can and will come but it will be a greater manifestation of who Christ is—the Christ of yesterday, today and forever!

Come Lord Jesus, come!

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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