A Revival Is Not Getting A Group Of People Worked Up For God

Acts 19:17-20, “And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”

I am attending a wonderful three-day revival at a local Baptist church in Pensacola, Florida. The revival started Friday night, Saturday and will finish up tonight Sunday. I thank God that He allowed me to find out about this event and attend it. We had a fish fry last night at church and the pastor's father did the cooking. He's from Louisiana and he sure made some delicious fish! I loved it to say the least. A Bluegrass Gospel group came all the way from Jacksonville, Texas to perform throughout the Revival. What a blessing this has all been! I love the banjo, dobro, guitars, string bass, piano and harmonizing voices, all singing praises to our dear Savior!

A revival is not getting a bunch of people worked up for God. A revival is reaching just one person for God. A group of individuals may experience revival in a group meeting, but revival takes place in one individual person at a time. Revival begins with YOU dear reader, and with ME, as individuals. We all need revival in our hearts my friend. I love revivals. Every church needs to have revivals from time to time, to revive our hearts and minds toward the things of God as individual believers. ...

“Trying to run a church without revivals can be done when you can run a gasoline engine on buttermilk.” —Billy Sunday

The most important thing about having a church revival is to prepare one's heart to receive a blessing. No revival can revive a dead church! Last Sunday (a week before the revival) the church pastors prepared the heart's of the congregation, to get us ready to attend the revival. You cannot fill someone's cup who is already full of them self. I'll never forget the elder pastor's powerful message last Sunday, titled: “Yes Sir!” He said that our attitude toward God should always be, “Yes Sir!” I came into this revival with that humble attitude toward God, “Yes Sir!” Not my will but thine oh Lord. Whatever God wants me to do, that is what I want too.

“The backslider likes the preaching that wouldn't hit the side of a house, while the real disciple is delighted when the truth brings him to his knees.” —Billy Sunday

We heard some great Bible-preaching Friday and Saturday night, and again this morning on Sunday. I cannot wait to go back tonight, Lord willing, to hear the next sermon. I want revival in my heart. By God's grace, I want to think right, live right and do right! A revival is not getting a bunch of people worked up for God. A revival is reaching just one person for God. If just one person's life is touched for God at a revival meeting, it was worth all the effort and expense. 

Dear friend, something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it! How much did Christ pay for the sinner? Christ gave His sinless life for my sinful life. How could it ever be!!!! Jesus paid that same price for YOU too my friend!!! WHEW! WHAT A GREAT GOD!!!! If you would have been the only human being ever created by God, Jesus would have died on the cross just for you!!! CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY. Romans 5:6, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Christ was willing to pay for your life dear sinner!!! What does that say? It says that YOU dear reader are worth the life of the only begotten Son of God. Think about that! Jesus gladly paid down His life in death, so that you as a dead sinner could have eternal life. John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

"Old-fashioned, Spirit-filled, Christ-honoring, sin-hating, soul-winning, Bible preaching! It is the hope of the church! It is the hope of the nation! It is the hope of the world!" —Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001)