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Revival: Get Ready For The Adventure Of A Lifetime
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By Joni Ames
joniames@aol.com
Recently the Ringling Bros. circus announced that it will soon shut down. I got excited in my spirit because the Lord had showed me years ago that those tents would be used for revivals in coming days. Many souls would come in and it would contain a restoration of healing like what happened with Oral Roberts and other great healing ministries of days gone by. But a new thing. A massive and great new revival. Signs, wonders, and miracles for a new generation that hasn't yet seen such.
I called several revivalist friends and told them to call and see how those tents may be obtained. We are about take part in the greatest adventure of our lifetime!
The word revive means “to restore life, consciousness, or strength.” It can also mean to “return something to its former state.”
The church often cries out for revival, but what is really wanted? Obviously, like one who has drowned, it would be good to have life, consciousness, and strength returned to the Body. But, other than that, who would want to return to a former state or status of sin?
Instead, what’s wanted would be to be revived and restored to holiness and to God as Father, and revived and restored to the purpose, call and destiny that He called the Church to walk in, before time even began.
When you think back to the time when you were first saved, it often brings memories of excitement, vigor, joy, and great hope. Sometimes throughout the years, the “shine” of that time can begin to get dull. Years of hope deferred can make the heart sick. The value of attending church, being involved, and enjoying yourself in doing that can even become like drudgery.
What would restore to you that feeling of first love that you had back when you were originally saved? Can we have it – or even greater joy – now that we are walking in greater fullness as a Christian?
Very often, just as in a natural relationship, expectations unfulfilled can cause you to loose heart.
But there is a reality of what God has done in your life that goes beyond feelings. Being revived in one’s inner man goes far beyond hype and laughter. As you mature, a stable “knowing” of God’s goodness in your spirit takes over. There is a seriousness that comes into play as a more mature Christian that has a level headed understanding of His love, grace, and mercy. It’s understanding that life is about growing up and learning to “hold on” even when you don’t feel like it. It’s not about just enjoying the hype of having something new and “exciting” going on. It’s about an eternal adventure yet ahead.
Perhaps the greatest revival the world needs right now is a dose of true common sense, a good work ethic, the ability to “be only strong and very courageous,” and press on even if they don’t “feel like it.” Maybe even a dose of good manners.
Quite recently in the news was the tragic story of how a man that was a church going social worker in Ohio who went on a killing spree, because he lost his girlfriend. A horrible tragedy. America needs a good dose of the reality of how to stick with Jesus to help handle life and keep on going without going berserk.
There has been too much room for excuses being given to people who go through things. The Word of God commands to “Be ONLY strong and very courageous.” It says that overcomers will inherit the Kingdom. Not given to those who crack under pressure.
Nowadays, even in sports, we don’t want anyone to feel like they didn’t achieve something. Everyone gets a trophy. Everyone is told they accomplished something.
Some can say, “Yes, that’s the way it should be! We want everyone to feel good about themselves!” Others argue, “That makes no sense! It doesn’t cause anyone to go for doing and being the best at what they do.”
Likewise, there’s a sloppy grace teaching out there that tries to say that God understands people are human and what Jesus did on the cross covers all sin for all time, so even if we sin again, it’s covered, so go do it. In other words, that what Jesus did bought us the grace TO sin. However, the Word of God clearly denies that. It tells us that, when we willfully continue to sin, we trample the Blood of Jesus. Additionally, with that type of attitude, a person can heal, prophesy, and cast out demons in Jesus’ name, but still end up in Hell.
All of that said, the revival we need might need to begin with a revival of mindsets, a revival of proper teaching of God’s Word, and a revival of healthy mentality. Untaught and unstable people twist the scriptures because they don’t know God. They don’t know His Word. They don’t know His personality or His heart. They don’t know HIM.
There is much time spent on cell phones and ipads. The Good News is that The Bible is still the best selling book on the planet! Did you know that? That kind of news gives one hope for the future of humanity. It is said The Bible is one of the popular phone apps college students are downloading as well. Praise God. Now let’s teach them how to access what they need to know in it. As well as how to spread that Good News to others.
The computer age has made it such that the Great Commission allows each and every person the opportunity to spread the Gospel to all ends of the earth. Anyone who wants to can get on line and begin to do a blog, newsletter, or website to spread the Word of God and start revival.
You can address any age group, ethnic group, or people group of any kind. You can address drug addicts, prostitutes, gamblers, the depressed, oppressed, rich, poor, anyone!
God said His Gospel will be spread to the entire earth before Jesus returns, and the internet is truly one of the “nets” that He is and will be using to bring revival and reel in the Harvest.
You don’t have to have a phD, ordination, or anything else. Just know Jesus, and there you go!
If God could use a little run down store front on Azusa Street, know that He can and will use YOU and your testimony and the internet to catch many fish.
He will even use your artistic gifts. Because as you get out there and show others what God gives you, it will spur on other skilled artisans to come forth in the beauty of the skill He has placed within them as well. Post your songs, dances, paintings, drawings, photos of pottery, designs of clothing, hair styles, whatever skilled artistry God has given to you. Use it, along with your testimony, to reach those of like mind and skill. You are the one who can reach, with authority, the ones in the category that you also occupy.
Don’t get me wrong, we can all reach everyone, but there is nothing like hearing from or seeing someone who has either been through a similar situation as you or has a similar mindset or skill as you, use it for the Lord.
I love what Rick Joyner says, “In the very area where you’ve been wounded, once healed, you then have authority to heal others.” The Bible says, “Satan is defeated by the Blood of the Lamb and word of your testimony.”
So you see, strange creature that you may be, you were born to be different so that you could reach others who are “different.” It’s part of your gifting. You were not born to hide. Like Dr. Sues says, “Why fit in when you were born to stand out.”
As you “stand out,” you will do outstanding things in the Kingdom and bring in many.
May God revive – bring back to life – all the creativity that He put in you as He revives and brings back to life your heart, mind, and spirit. What an adventure you have ahead of you as that happens!
Much has been said about Donald Trump’s campaign slogan, “Make America great again.” Well the way to make America great again is to make the Church in America great again. Revive it. Restore it. Breathe life into it. Bring it back to being a living, breathing, full functioning organ again. Put prayer back in the schools. Speak the name of Jesus without fear.
When you put Jesus back in the schools again, the guns and drugs and stupidity have to go. There’s no way it can survive where Jesus is.
One way to make the Church in America great again is to bring the HOLY Bible back into it instead of political correctness. Unashamedly preach and teach it and let people know what sin is and how to defend one’s self against it. As well as how to get out of its’ snare if entrapped in it.
Holiness isn’t a religious spirited thing. Holy is the first name of Holy Spirit.
If we want revival and restoration, we must have an understanding of what is profane and what is Holy. There must be a restoration of the plumb line of holiness so that we know what our proper boundary lines are. No blurry lines. Clear blood of Jesus lines.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. We must have a revival and restoration of The Truth. Not a feel good, let’s all say how wonderful it is that we are all so different and we all believe so different mentality. If it’s different than the Bible, it’s not of Him. Period. No blurry lines in that Book. Sin is sin and you can go to Hell for it.
Jesus died to save and protect us from sin. He didn’t die and get raised again to raise sin up as an example of who and what we should be or follow.
May God truly revive and bring back to life a Holy and Spotless Church for a Holy and Spotless Bride to be joined to Her King in.
Get ready! We are about to witness and be a part of the greatest adventure of our lifetime!
Love and blessings,
Joni
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If my life and ministry are a blessing to you and you'd like to sow a financial gift at this time, you may do so any of the ways listed below. Your support is greatly appreciated. Thank you! Bless you!
Thank you for your prayers!
Love & blessings,
Joni
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JONI AMES
P.O. Box 36667
Rock Hill, SC 29732
JoniAmes@aol.com
Newsletters: http://www.joniames.net/
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