Spiritual Revival

Spirit Dove in Flight

I am sure that we would all agree the Lord’s people need Spiritual revival in a society which is increasingly becoming more decadent. This is something that we all need to pray will become a reality. This is not just for other people; it is for us as individuals and as a church that we might show forth the praises of Him for His wonderful works toward the children of men. We ask the Lord for many things in our lives, and the Lord is gracious enough to provide those things according to His will just as a son would ask His father for a piece of bread who would not turn and give Him a stone; or if he ask a fish, he will not give him a serpent. What has this to do with the Spirit? Jesus uses this illustration of a son asking his father, and then says in Luke 11:13: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” This is not the imparting of the Holy Spirit in regeneration but is a mighty manifestation of the Spirit in the lives of the people of God, individually and collectively.

Spiritual revival will not come when gross negligence of the commandments of God are prevalent. The children of God are called upon to use their God given faith to please their Heavenly Father. Jesus always set the perfect example as He always did that which was pleasing to His Father. Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized in the river Jordan and the Bible then says, “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:” (Matt. 3:16). Luke tells us that the Spirit descending was in the bodily shape of a dove. Jesus then heard something: “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:17)

I don’t think we can visually see the Spirit descending today but we surely can feel the Spirit as it descends and fills our hearts to the fullest. Once again, this is not going to happen when gross disobedience is the prevailing practice. Praying for the Spirit is an act that is pleasing to God, and the promise is that He will send it if we ask and ask in the right way. When we assemble in the worship service, I trust we have been praying for the Holy Spirit to visit the minister and each worshiper so that revival can take place. Lukewarmness does not lead to revival but rather a rebuke from the Lord as He told the church at Laodicea: “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” (Rev. 3:16). The remedy for Spiritual revival was expressly stated to the church at Laodicea who felt they had need of nothing. What was it? “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20). The Lord cannot and will not sup with His children in just any condition. Hear His voice and open the door to an entrance of the visitation of the Holy Spirit and revival will take place.

The dove is also a symbol of peace and the Spirit surely brings peace of mind. Remember to pray and make your requests known to God including a petition for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. God’s word then says, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7).

The Lord Jesus is not here in person in the assembly of the saints but is there in the person of the Holy Spirit as He ministers to them in that person and through the word of God which also came by the Holy Spirit. The Lord visited Jacob as he lay on a rock for a pillow in the form of a ladder let down from heaven. He awoke with this thought: “And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.” (Gen. 28:16). When the Lord visits with His Spirit, we are more blessed than Jacob as we can say with assurance, “Surely the Lord is in this place and I KNEW it!” We felt His presence and were blessed beyond measure. May it ever be so!–May 13, 2014–Elder Larry Wise

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About wisepb

Pastor: Bethany Primitive Baptist Church
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