(2 Chr 16:9) "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him . . .
Revival. It means to be revived. It means to come back to life. It means to flourish again. It’s what God’s people need when they have been overcome. It’s what our nation needs after falling so far from God’s ideal. And all it takes is one person to light the flame. Evangelist D.L. Moody used to say, “The world has yet to see what God will do with a man who is fully consecrated to him." God is looking for such a person . . . just an ordinary person like you. Will you be the one?
Towards the mid 1800’s American's moral recovery began when Jeremiah Lanphier, a concerned layman, started a noon prayer meeting for New York businessmen. Only six people came to the first prayer meeting on September 23, 1857 on Fulton Street. By spring daily prayer meetings sprang up in many locations and daily attendance grew to 10,000. America's greatest spiritual awakening was underway.
Evan Roberts was the leader of the Welsh revival in 1904. A coal miner, he was never without his Bible. Roberts prayed and wept 11 years for revival in Wales. Dropping out of ministry school he was compelled by the Holy Spirit, in November of 1904, to return to his home village of Loughor, to share the love of Christ. And fire fell! Evan did not preach. He led the meetings, praying in his native tongue, "Plyg ni, O arglwdd!" "Send us, O Lord!" He would urge others, "Obey the Holy Spirit. Obey!" His church was moved until all Loughor was moved by the Holy Spirit. Taverns were emptied, brothels were closed. Jails were empty; judges had little to do! The churches were filled daily. The fire spread and Wales was revived!
In 1965, Pastor Chuck Smith began his ministry at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Only twenty-five people attended. With a sincere concern for the lost, Pastor Chuck made room in his heart and his home for a generation of hippies and surfers; igniting a movement of the Holy Spirit that spread like fire from the West Coast to the East Coast, bringing thousands of young people to Jesus Christ. What began as a small chapel has now grown into a large church that seats over 2000 and is filled with hungry hearts. From the beginning, Pastor Chuck welcomed all, young and old, without judgment, placing his emphasis on the teaching of the Word of God. His simple, yet sound, biblical approach has drawn thousands weekly and the Calvary Chapel ministry has spread worldwide.
Someone once asked the British evangelist Gypsy Smith, "How do you start a revival?" Smith replied, "Go home and get a piece of chalk. Go into your closet and draw a circle on the floor. Kneel down in the middle of the circle and ask God to start the revival inside the chalk mark. When He has answered your prayer, the revival has begun."
Revival . . . let it begin with me! (Psa 143:11) Revive me, O LORD, for Your name's sake!
Louie
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