Glimpses of Grace Summer 2016
REVIVAL (Continued) Since there is broad concensus regarding the need for revival in this country and, indeed, the world, we are devoting this issue to that topic. Much is written and preached about the phenomenon, but little is written about the mechanics within a believer so revived. Some of the preconditions are emphasized, such as prayer, confession, and repentance, all of which are vital considerations. Then, our minds swiftly jump to the great awakenings of past years and centuries, such as the Welsh Revival of 1900. Not only were lives transformed, but also the country was affected in a positive way for a short period of time! However, the key understanding of the internal dynamics was lacking, which resulted in cessation of the revival . After its close, Jesse Penn-Lewis was used of God to write about the mechanics or dynamics of the work of the Holy Spirit when lives were so transformed. Her writing was a blessing to Andrew Murray and WatchmanNee, tomentiononly two. After I had experienced revival in 1965, I profited by perusing her writing of such books as The Centrality of the Cross . About the same time, Hannah Whitall Smith was also writing in this vein. Though they seldom, if ever, used the term, revival , the transformation they described fits that appellative. As a direct result of ignorance of the dynamics initiated and accomplished by the Holy Spirit, those who had experienced revival had no knowledge of how to maintain it, to the dismay of leadership. In lesser revivals or awakenings since that time, the same question is often posed, and writing is done on ‘how do we maintain revival ?’ as well as ‘why does revival tarry?’. Since we have seen revival consistently over the past fifty years, in thousands of lives, I believe we have knowledge and experience to share with seeking believers. TRANSFERABILITY I remember a lady with an 8th grade education writing about her experience; she read Handbook to Happiness and the Spirit did a major work in her life. Immediately, she turned around and shared the diagrams with a friend who also had a life transformation—no training except by the Spirit! Another lady, Jewel Campbell, heard me present it in a Saturday seminar and began to share with ladies. She was a retired computer programmer that God used in a major way in southern California. Though she has been with the Lord several years, ‘Jewel’s Girls’ are still being used of the Lord! This has also happened at various points and languages in the world, with the most recent being in Pakistan and Mindanao, with revival having begun! In Pakistan, they are calling it ‘ Wheel & Line ’ ministry, with Handbook to Happiness having been translated in Urdu and 3500 copies published. In Mindanao, it is primarily a ministry to Muslims with the Wheel & Line tract being the method of evangelism. In Mindanao, a Muslim man, 72, was saved and donated a
Since we have taught revival on an individual basis, in the trenches with desperate people, we did not have the luxury of dealing in generalities but were compelled to know and minister the dynamics—especially to those with suicidal ideation. Generalizing, praying, and hoping could easily have resulted in their taking their own lives. Too, those who were less desperate, but just as needy, were candidates to be guided to and through the dynamics of revival —now, not presently! In doing so, the Holy Spirit witnessed to the truth of Galatians 2:20 and lives were transformed in short order— to use this parlance, revival had just been experienced! The same dynamics that resulted in victory could be reapplied so that victory ( revival ) could continue on a daily basis (Luke 9:23,24)! Obviously, the dynamics of revival had to be mastered and applied in the Spirit for revival or transformed lives to be realized with regularity and glory to God. It could be termed counseling, discipleship, or soul care (cure) but God gave me the term, Spirituotherapy ® , since the Holy Spirit was the Agent of change. And, revived individuals could have their on-board Therapist 24/7 or continuous revival ! In this writing, we deviate from generalization and group dynamics but specialize in transformed lives by the Holy Spirit which could merit the term, revival . But, in other articles, I use terms such as victory, transformed lives, filling of the Spirit, all of which are synonymous with Holy Spirit revival , renewal, or awakening. My purpose is to testify of the readiness—not capriciousness—of the Holy Spirit to touch prepared hearts. Having received such ministry, the Spirit-filled believer can learn, in short order, to minister the truth of revival to those about them, so revival continues! parcel of land in the center of Davao for a structure which he insisted was to be called Wheel & Line Church. Neither of the principals, both 36, have had any training except for my books and related materials. Both are seeing lives transformed in their languages. Thus, revival has begun in Pakistan, a Muslim country! The Pakistani brother will be coming for training in August. Bill Bright talked of ‘transferable concepts’; and this is certainly that, with a proven track record! The teaching of GFI, coupled with the many spin-off ministries, has been blessed with thousands of transformed lives, with developing nations leading the way! The languages are different; but the need is the same the world around. But needy nations, like needy people, are more open to the Cross message. Handbook to Happiness is in ten languages with the Wheel & Line tract in 49.
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Glimpses of Grace
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