HUNGRY FOR MORE

Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend "Cultivate Revival", a conference hosted by Global Awakening.  The leader of that movement is Randy Clark, and he was joined by Heidi Baker, Bill Johnson and others.  The common factor for all the speakers is that they are living out what they shared.  Their ministries are walking in REVIVAL. 

Everything that was shared felt like a punch in the gut, simply because I am hungry for more of God, and the challenge was great.  These people have made choices to give themselves completely to the pursuit of God. They are seeing signs and miracles, as the Holy Spirit moves in and directs the activities in their lives.  The Holy Spirit is moving in power and lives are being transformed to walk in boldness and courage.

The mantra of the conference was, 'Why not here? Why not now? Why not me?' The bottom line is that each one of us must let a hunger for God and His Kingdom consume us. We have to make pursuing His Presence a priority.  Mostly, we tack Jesus on to our already busy lives and fit Him in where it is convenient.  We still pretty much live for ourselves and our priorities.  That has to change!

The story of the Gadarene demoniac was shared more than once.  He roamed the whole territory, naked and dangerous.  Nobody had anything to do with him, as they were afraid of him. Jesus comes on the scene and the demon possessed man falls on his face and the demons cry out for mercy.  The man gets completely delivered and is for the first time in his right mind.  The townspeople arrive and embrace the man, now in his right mind, who they once feared, and instead fear Jesus! They feared His power and His spiritual authority. So Jesus sends the now passionate man, filled with the spirit of God, to testify to the Decapolis (ten cities of the region) of what God had done for him.

We do the same thing today! We cry out for more of God, BUT as soon as the Spirit starts moving in ways that are unfamiliar or challenge our definition of normalcy, we react in fear.  Go away Jesus, Holy Spirit, we want revival to be neat and according to our rules.  That is not how God works! He likes to keep us off-guard!  He challenges us to stretch and grow in the spirit.  We have to crave His Presence over anything else.

Courage is a big deal!  Passion and desire are a big deal!  It was said that we are to be turbo, psycho sheep sent out among wolves, to turn the world upside down!  The fields are white with the harvest!  People are broken, hopeless, discouraged and fearful. We have the answer to all their problems, life with Jesus!  In Matthew 10: 7-8, Jesus told his disciples, "As you go, preach this message: The Kingdom of Heaven is near.  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.  Freely you have received, freely give."

Revival says I am willing to go!  I am willing to be part of what God wants to do on this earth, in any way He deems possible or impossible!  Trusting and walking with Him as my guide. Dependent and intimate with Him.

Help me Lord to be willing!
What do you say?

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