Revival vs Routine

The word "revival" probably means many different things to many different people. Even in church world it is viewed in different ways. For me, growing up in church, revival was the panacea of evangelism. Hundreds if not thousands of people were suddenly convicted of their sin and started to knock on the church doors begging to be let in.

So "revivals" were preached about, prophesied about, prayed for, fasted for and waited on. And for me in my life I am still waiting for this phenomena. Can God do this? Yes he has, yes he can and yes he will. But sometimes we are so focused on revival we miss the routine.

At the birth of the church we find a crazy example of revival as its been defined to me. 5000 people believe and are baptised all inside one day. That's 5000. Now that would look cool on your churches Instagram post. But its just as cool on Dr Luke's book - Acts!

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. - Acts 2:42-47

These early believers born in revival committed themselves to the routine of the christian life.

The day to day routine of:

• Developing a relationship with God through prayer
• Digging deeper to understand the foundational truths of this new life.
• Creating loving community
• Discovering a new generous way of living
• Regularly attending corporate gatherings
• Doing life together by inviting other believers into their homes.

The result of the "routine" was a continual daily stream of new believers.

Praying for revival is just too easy, maybe we should live "routinely" for revival.

Dependant

Almighty God, as nothing is better for us or more necessary for our chief happiness than to depend on thy Word, for that is a sure pledge of thy good will towards us, grant that, as thou hast favoured us with so singular a benefit, we may be attentive to hear thee and submit ourselves to thee in true fear, meekness, and humility. May we be prepared in the spirit of meekness to receive whatever proceeds from thee, and may thy Word not only be precious to us, but also sweet and delightful, until we shall enjoy the perfection of that life which thine only-begotten Son has procured for us by his own blood. Amen. - John Calvin

Psalms - a real life story

In the psalms I find myself at my worst and my best. Here I can acclaim God with warmth and confidence and hope, but here I can also give vent to those black thoughts that might otherwise lie hidden in the dark and angry corners of my heart. 

Above all the Psalms express the reality of my longing for God and my joy and sufferings in the vicissitude of my search for Him. Sometimes God is close, sometimes distant. I seek Him in the desert and on the mountain, in poverty and in emptiness and in waiting.

Today God is mindful of me, tomorrow he may not visit me. Today I am brought to the mountaintop, tomorrow I am calling from the depths. Today I am radiant, tomorrow I face darkness. Today I enjoy life, tomorrow I feel the hand of death.

- Esther de Waal ( Seeking God )

My Food

This week at HTB Leadership Conference I heard Bobbie Cheema, Senior Treasury Counsel, talk about her faith with Nicky Gumbel.

Bobbie was introduced to the Gospel when she visited a tent mission which was being held in a park in Leeds where riots had broken out some years before.

It is so interesting to me the immense variety of ways that Jesus breaks into peoples lives. In this case he uses a holiday club in a tent mission, faithfully ran by people that probably none of have ever heard of to change the course of a young Sikh girls life.

On becoming a Christian, Bobbie, was not allowed to attend Church so as a brand new Christian, the Bible became her food.

It reminded me again that we often value God's Word in the way that we should. We read, listen & watch so much information but only his Word gives us a true revelation that will build our lives on a secure foundation.

Here are a few other things that I noted down from her talk.
If we are not ambitious as Christians (in the right way, in fear and trembling) then we are selling our God short.

Ambition & humility not mutually exclusive.

The three most important things in leadership: Clarity of Thought, Honouring Others and Courage & Fearlessness.

Always HONOUR those you lead, lift them up, mentor and lay down your life for them.

I go into court at the Old Bailey early each day & pray. I say "Here I am, come on, what are we going to do today"