Revival For Canada

God said, "In the last days (the days between the ascension and return of Christ) I will pour out My Spirit upon all people." The purpose and effectiveness of this must never be minimized. There is nothing of eternal significance done in the Church or in the lives of God's people that does not directly involve the Holy Spirit. This certainly true of genuine revivals. How we respond to the Holy Spirit will determine His effect on and in the Body of Christ. This is an amazing thing! Just as individuals are capable resisting the Holy Spirit's work in their lives so a local church, or the national church can resist what he wants to do.

If we're wanting to grow and mature we need to find out what the Lord wants to do in us and in "faith agreement" move in that direction. We need to know what the Holy Spirit purposes to do today in the living Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amos 3:3 - Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? (NLT)

When to actually walking out God's "prophetic vision" our expectation and anticipation, our active faith must have its roots deep in the Word of God. When it comes to the ministry of the Holy Spirit, both in our personal life as well as the Church today we understand clearly what the possibilities are.

Zerubbabel was an integral part of the Temple Restoration Movement. In order for him to effectively carry out God's purposes he needed a Word from God. The task was hug. There was virtually nothing left of Salmons grand worship center. The Babylonians had taken all the valuables out, burned it, and torn it down. The task of rebuilding was phenomenal. How was this impossibility going to be realized in his generation? The word he got from the LORD is the word we need to hear today. Zech.4:6,7 - "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. 7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of 'Grace, grace to it!'"

How great are the obstacles hindering revival today? How large is that mountain hindering you from personal revival? What are the difficulties? Mark 10:27 - …all things are possible with God. Revival isn't about us. It's about God. It's about the Holy Spirit doing for us what we are incapable of doing for ourselves.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to first draw the unsaved to Christ and as a result growing, numerically, the spiritual Body of Christ. It's important for us to see that Jesus name will be exalted in the earth. Ps. 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

We also know that the Gospel must be preached in every nation of the world before Jesus returns. The purpose in mentioning this is to draw our attention to the fact that as long as the Gospel is being preached in the earth the Holy Spirit will be actively drawing people. Jn.16:8 - And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: The Holy Spirit is the unseen force behind every salvation and with Him at work upon the hearts of people there is no salvation. Pr.14:28 brings out a very valid truth with respect to souls being added to the Kingdom in the last days. "In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined." Jesus is worthy of many subjects. This is true in every generation. What should we be calling out to God for today? Souls! Souls for Jesus, that He may receive the glory due His name. It remains the Father's will to glorify His Son therefore this is something all of God's people can be in agreement with and looking to God for today.

The clearest evidence of Holy Spirit today is His activity in the Believer and the Church. Difference is what makes true Christians stand out in the world. They're to be the light in a dark place. They're to be living examples of Christ's life changing power. This all thrives in the realm of possibility because of the Holy Spirit. When considering genuine revival one must consider the powerful working of the Holy Spirit. His drawing us to Christ is merely the beginning. Once we're saved and truly "Born Again" the Holy Spirit effects every area of our life.

---* He lives in us (1Cor.3:16)

---* He's the One who guides us into the truth of God's Word (Jn.16:13)

---* He changes us into the image of Christ (2Cor.3:18)

---* He produces spiritual fruitfulness in us (Gal.5:22,23)

---* He anoints us with power for service (Acts 1:8; Acts 2:39)

---* He puts God's love in our heart (Rom.5:5)

---* He gives us power to put to death the passions of the old sin nature
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Rom.8:13)

---* He prayers through us for our needs according to God's will
--------------------------------------------------------------------- (Rom.8:26)

---* He speaks to the Church (Rev. 2:11)

NOTE:
I feel the important thing for us to understand is that the Holy Spirit has been poured out for the full duration of the "last days". Therefore we should, and can, expect Him to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ in our generation. We should, and can, fully expect the Holy Spirit to fulfill the "prophetic vision" of God today. What the Holy Spirit did in the book of Acts can be realized today. Jesus is still building His church and He does this through the power of the Holy Spirit that He released into the world and into the Church on the day of Pentecost.

We're reminded of Jesus words in Jn 14:12, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. In Jn. 7:38 He also said, "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" The context of this verse makes it very clear that Jesus was talking about the effects of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life. All this is for today.