Layman's Lounge

REVIVAL IS A CONSTANT PLACE

ACTS 2:16 but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 17 'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' God says, 'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; 18 EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy,,,

 

Friends,

It has never been more clear that we are in the last days of this Grace dispensation.  Prophecy is being revealed in an unparalleled pace!  Truly, the Lord is soon to return.  My wife and I want to remind you of something related to God's outpouring.  He said it above - I will pour forth OF my Spirit on ALL mankind...and we need to learn that this outpouring is not something that is going to be once and done.  This outpouring is to be compared to the RIVER of living waters that spring from the throne of God.

REV 22:1 Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 

God is consistent.  If we believe his throne is eternal, it follows then that this river is as well.  It flows continuously from his throne, and is now pouring out upon us.  In the past few months, we have seen great things!  We have participated in baptizing most of our Bible Study group, seen someone filled with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost, seen several renew their vows to the Lord, and watched miraculous healings of cancer and other ailments!  Praise God! 

But this brings to mind the need to remind you, friends, that instead of seeking REVIVAL as some momentary or upcoming event, we need to walk in REVIVAL every day!

1 COR 15:31 I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily

Our friend Paul makes it abundantly clear that Jesus resurrects (and IS the resurrection) of the dead!  Therefore, if he dies daily, as is stated above, then it follows that he must be REVIVED daily!  Revival must be a constant place in which we find ourselves!  Why do we long for the camp-meeting experience?  Because of the excitement of being with people of like precious faith?  Yes and no.  We long for that experience because we come away from the camp refreshed, invigorated, and ready to do a work in Christ all over again.  But, what if we learned as Paul did that we could walk in revival DAILY?

2 TIM 1:6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline....

Notice he doesn't say "God has given us a spirit of preaching"...that may in fact be a calling, but the writer is saying that we have received the gift of power, love and discipline.  Why discipline?  So that we can learn to STIR IT UP every day and walk in a constant state of revival!  Revival must become more than an emotional response.  Revival must become a truth of our being!  It has to be that we begin to see God in the light of constant renewal.  Live every day as though you have not served God well enough yesterday!  Do better than you have done.  Stir up the gift of power.  Stir up the gift of love.  Stir up the gift of discipline!  It is through these mediums that God will begin to show you the truth of living for Him, as opposed to living for the next big emotional rush.

A consistent Christian is one who does not move from high to high alone, but is able to walk through the valleys.  An emotional Christian needs to be propped up with things that stir his/her emotions.  A consistent Christian, one who dies daily, needs only to stir themselves up and realize that today is yet another day to please God!  Don't let your emotions lead you.  Let God!  Don't let the time go by without excercising your God-given gifts!  It is a shame if you do.  Revival is so much more than emotion.  It is the stirring up of a great and powerful Spirit which seeks to flood yours with his love, power, and hope!

We encourage you today to research revival.  Link it then to your daily death, as Paul said.  Watch what happens when you realize that revival is not an emotional response, but a love connection with God, that can keep you when your emotions fail.  Men's hearts will fail them for fear these last days, friend.  Can you then rely upon yours?  We say no!  Stand up and get into the constant place of REVIVAL!  Die daily, and be RENEWED in the newness of life!

In Love,

Elders Mark and Dana Neddeau