But when they did not them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too…” Acts 17:6. NKJV.
I for one feel we could use some explosiveness like this now, including some upside- downness.
A visitation in revival by the Holy Spirit puts those in leadership in a role requiring wisdom in “handling” such explosiveness. It is important that the purpose of God’s revival be fully accomplished; here are a some suggested guidelines:
Follow the life of the Holy Spirit. If we respond to the revival in fear (quenching the Spirit) or presumption (seizing initiative God has not given us), we grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thess. 5:19).
Determine not to “control” the revival. Seek God in prayer for distinction between “leading” and “restricting”; monitor the visitation, but stay submitted to Him. Present wise stewardship to the gracious move of the Spirit 1 Cor. 4:1,2; James 4:7; 1 Peter 2:21).
Receive council from experienced gifted ministries, each submitting to and complementing the other as God has designed His church to work together (Pro.11:14; 1 Cor.12:1-28; 14:32; Eph.4:11,12).
Always compliment the experiential side of the visitation with the consistent, systematic teaching of the Word of God (Luke 24:27; Acts 17:11; Eph.6:17, Heb.4:12).
Always place the focus of the revival on God, not “Things that happen.” In a genuine move of God, people will need to be led to worship God and glorify Him as the Initiator and Sustainer of such blessing and the source of wisdom and power to walk wisely in it.
Tomorrow: Offenses, the dead frog in the supply line of water from Him.
Jul 19, 2013 @ 02:29:10
Hi Manny.
I agree that “we could use some explosiveness like this now, including some upside- downness.”
You have given us many wise suggestions, instructions, and Bible verses to help us understand how to handle a revival. Thank you. It is needed in this upside-down world.
I did a post with almost the exact same title, but it looked at the negative side of upside-down. You can see it here:
http://chrisreimersblog.com/2013/04/12/the-world-is-upside-down/?preview=true&preview_id=5233&preview_nonce=15dd0aeaad
I think you’ll enjoy the picture at the top of the post as much as I like the ones you have pictured here.
God’s blessings my friend…
Jul 19, 2013 @ 03:09:59
That is amazing—the same topic but months apart. I just felt led to do revival. There is so much going on in the news in general. I should have kept Kairos open. Oh well.