-The Story of the Bakers: "Miracles in Mozambique"

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Here’s an article posted in Ministry Today Magazine by Hope Flinchbaugh– “Miracles in Mozambique”. It tells the story of the revival started by the Bakers in Mozambique:

The deaf hear, the lame walk, the blind see, the dead are raised to life, and tens of thousands have surrendered their lives to Christ–all of this is happening in the southeast African country of Mozambique, a nation suffering the squalor of extreme poverty in the aftermath of a prolonged civil war.

When missionaries Heidi and Rolland Baker of California arrived in Mozambique in 1995, they struggled to begin a church and a dilapidated orphanage housing 80 children, a center previously run by communist leaders. Today the Bakers’ Iris Ministries (IM) cares for thousands of orphans and is approaching the point of having a church in every single village in large areas of central Mozambique and southern Malawi.

<<Read the whole article>>            

-TheCall–A Prophetic Cry for Revival

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Revival was a major subtext and focus of TheCall in San Diego on November 1st. There was a repeating call to prayer for revival in America and California during the 12 hour event. It was particularly intense during the final hour.

The significance of California in the beginning of number of major revivals and movements was cited and recalled as we looked forward to and prayed for God to move once more across this state and the entire country:

A 1890’s Holiness Movement, Azusa Street/Pentecostal Movement, Aimee Semple McPherson/Four Square Movement, Latter-Rain/Healing Movement, Bill Bright/Campus Crusade, Billy Graham/LA 1950, Jesus People Movement/Colleges/Calvary Chapel, John Wimber/Vineyard Movement…all had ties and beginnings in California.

During the last hour there was tremendous unction for revival prayer. Prophetic words were given over a call for light to spring forth from the darkness of San Francisco and Berkeley in particular.

The rebellion that typified my generation–the baby boomers, started in San Francisco in the 60’s with the Hippies and in Berkeley at the University of California.

There was a call for a new generation to rise up and reverse what happened in our American culture that started in the 60’s. A Call for revivals to spring up in San Francisco and in the California colleges and Universities, starting with Berkeley.

Interestingly, there were quite a few young folks there from the universities, probably 7-8,000 in attendance, including a student Christian group from Berkeley. The U. of California campus now has a majority student body of well disciplined Asian-American kids and lot’s of them are Christian. A real contrast to the 60’s.

The last 1/2 hour, there was a call for high school, college, and university students to dedicate themselves to God in a new more radical way, a call for prayer and fasting for revival on their campuses and in their cities.

From where I was siting, I could see the Holy Spirit blow through that group of 8-10,000 kids which was on the field standing in front of the stage–it was a sight to see–a real blessing and hope for the future.

There was a real response–followed by songs of rejoicing and celebration–which I will never forget, I’m still singing!

-October 31: Celebrate Reformation Day!

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(Church Doors in Wittenburg via Wikipedia)

No, I am not talking about trick or treating or goblins and pumpkins! This is a good time for prayer and for praising the Lord in order to balance out all of the dark festivities associated with this day in American culture.

On this Day

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted Ninety-five Theses on the doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany and began the Protestant Reformation. Now that is something to celebrate about! The beginning 0f a sovereign work of God that transformed the world.

-Hebridean Revival 1949: An Incredible Account

(Duncan Campbell- “You met God on meadow and moorland; you met Him in the homes of the people. God seemed to be everywhere…” –running time: 10:26)

An old recording of Duncan Campbell recalling the night in 1949 when revival fell on the Isle of Lewis, Hebridean Islands, Western Scotland.

This is one of the most inspirational videos that I have ever watched! At the end I was in prayer seeking God’s face for my own nation. Anyone interested in real actual revival needs to take 10 1/2 minutes and listen to this account, it will blow you away and put you on your knees also. A good way to start the day.

-Links to articles on the Hebridean Revival 1949-1952:

The Intercessors of the Hebrides Revival of 1949

When God Stepped Down From Heaven

-Revival: It begins with You!

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Here’s part of a message by Jill Austin on revival– “You Can Transform Your Nation“(link NLA):

“Revival is not born out of mass movements but out of a series of solitary decisions. …

He is going to begin His work with you. Revival starts today. Revival starts with you.

He has hand-chosen you, before the foundations of the world, to embark on a journey into the fullness of your destiny. Do you want to be His voice rather than man’s echo? If so, will you return to Him as your first love? Remember, God must first set our hearts ablaze with radical passion for Jesus. Intimacy is what ignites revolution.

Is the presence of the living God fully taking up residence in your heart? If that has not happened, then why are you expecting that to happen in some kind of public meeting? Revival starts with you! Personal transformation must precede city transformation. Let a revolution begin today—and may it begin with you!”

Response: Lord let it begin with me, bring revival to my house and neighborhood. Let it begin with you, bring revival to your house and community. Let it begin with us Lord, bring revival to our land, in Jesus name, Amen.

-Looking for Revival: "Where is the God of Evan Roberts?"

In his current (10/15/08) Fire in My Bones article, J. Lee Grady asks:

Where is the God of Elijah? Where is the God of Evan Roberts? Where is the true power of God that can sweep over a city and bring backslidden Christians to repentance and hardened sinners to experience the greatest miracle of all—the miracle of new birth?

Under the title- “Lord Give Us Hot Coals From Your Altar!”–Grady explores the Welch revival of 1904. A great post for everyone interested in revival to read.

He recounts how Evan Roberts often presented the same four-point plan for living the Christian life:

(1) confess all known sin

(2) deal with and get rid of anything “doubtful” in your life

(3) be ready to obey the Holy Spirit instantly; and

(4) confess Christ publicly

These points are still filled with anointing today just as they were in 1904.

Come Lord Jesus, send revival across this land from sea to shining sea, to the North, to the South, to the East, and to the West;  let your Spirit fill the churches and change our neighborhoods and our communities. In Jesus Name, Amen.           

-Update: Lakeland Outpouring is ‘Officially’ Over?

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(Picture by eager sky via Flickr)

The final ‘official’ meeting of the Lakeland Outpouring was held Sunday (Oct.12)at Ignited Church, six months after Canadian evangelist Todd Bentley launched the daily revival meetings in Lakeland, Florida. Gone were the lights, TV  cameras, healing evangelist, and large tent.

But is it really over?

Actually, the effects of the outpouring continue in a number of different venues and locations.

According to a Charisma article (NLA), it continues in a number of different European churches including a significant continuing revival in Dudley, England.

Also, the revival has spread to other churches in the Lakeland area.

-Revival Economy: An Example

(Robert & Aimee Semple via Wikipedia)

This story was sent to me as part of today’s devotional from Charisma OnLine:

A Story & Message from Aimee Semple McPherson:

I remember when Jesus called me to go and preach the gospel, my darling little mother has always stood back of me, God bless her. When I was going out into the work, Mother said, “Aimee (I was about to marry the evangelist under whom I had been converted), who is going to buy your things? You know Robert hasn’t any salary.”

“Mother, I know it.”

“Who is going to buy your shoes, your dresses, and look after you?”

“I don’t know, but I will ask the Lord about it.” I prayed before my open Bible; Jesus spoke from the pages: “Child, take no thought of what you shall eat, drink, or put on. The Lord knows you have need of these things. Consider the lilies, they toil not, neither do they spin, and yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”

I said, “Oh, thank You, Jesus!” And from that day to this I have never worried one second about what I had to eat, drink, and wear.

SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 6:25–34clip_image002

-God’s Revival Economy

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Picture-Wall Street by Still Burning via Flickr

Lately, the economic news in America and Europe has been rather frightening as one bank and financial institution after another closes or faces bankruptcy with hopes of some kind of bailout.

Recently,there have been reports that the churches near Wall Street have seen lots of financial folks lately on their knees in prayer.

I have read a lot of accounts lately about the economy and no one really seems to know how to correct the mess we are in or whether the ‘bailout bill’ just passed by Congress will actually help or not. Some even think it could make matters worse.

I believe that God is calling his church and his people to stand up in faith and participate in his Kingdom/Revival economy.

I believe that a Kingdom/Revival economy is always successful regardless of the world economic condition.

I believe that God can choose to bless his people regardless of the dominant economy.

I believe that there are a number of important economic principles given to us from the teaching and ministry of Jesus.  The Kingdom/Revival economy starts with Matthew 6:33clip_image002 and faith is what makes it all work: Seek ye first the Kingdom.

More on this later.    

-Still Looking for Revival

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I’m Still Looking For Revival

Myself, I am still looking for revival to sweep across all of North America and affect 100’s of churches in hundreds of different places all at the same time. Then like a tidal wave engulf the UK and wash up on the shores of France and Northwestern Europe. A revival coming soon near you.

A revival that crosses all the man-made divisions and denominations. A revival with no ‘superstars’ to elevate or tear down. A revival that looks to Jesus, engages culture, and brings repentance and change. A revival with lots of healing, that brings folks closer to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

So many are looking for Jesus to come for his church, I’m looking for him to come to it. Come to it? What exactly does that mean? I’m not entirely sure what that means except it’s a ‘word’ that I keep hearing in the Spirit and the church is going to get closer to Jesus and his people will hear his voice in a profound way.

I look for a revival that will bring with it ‘a changing of the guard’ and a whole bunch of new young leaders.  A revival that will change the face of the American church–the end of ‘churchianity’ and the beginning of greater outreach to the community.

This is what I was looking for when the Lakeland outpouring started and had hoped it would be the beginning of. In spite of all the controversy and division in the aftermath, I am still looking for revival…

I say, Come Lord Jesus and surprise us!