Saturday, November 06, 2010

The Lame Shall Walk!!

I was taken aback by a "sovereign surprise" when I got back from the gym today. I turned on the TV and was channel flicking. Normally I tend to whizz past God TV but was caught by something called "Revival - Mobile Alabama". Intrigued I stopped - Mobile is a place dear to my heart because it's where the Ern Baxter Memorial Library is. What I saw on TV was a young evangelist praying for a gorgeous tiny little baby. It looked somewhat similar to Lakeland although I didn't know any of the individuals on stage.

I'm absolutely gutted to say that my initial thought was; "Oh no - not again". What I meant by that was - not another flash in the pan "revival" that will excite for a few months and then be gradually whittled away by cynics and critics - and even possibly the leaders falling into some error.

But then I kept watching and was softly and lovingly rebuked by the Holy Spirit. Dare I ever let cynicism and weariness from unfulfilled promises tarnish our openness to something new? Surely not! I never, ever, EVER want to become one of those Christians I saw and feared becoming back in Dunstable. Who were bitter and resentful and suspicious of anything new - just because they weren't used to it. This Mobile uprising may perhaps be "another Lakeland" - but I really really want my default position to be - I hope not! I hope it's the start of something new that God is doing in our day! There's nothing I dread more than - nothing.

So here's what I know so far:

Nathan Morris - a UK evangelist - came to John Kilpatrick's (former pastor involved in Brownsville in Pensecola) church in late July to close a conference. The power of God broke out and he has cancelled his other commitments and stayed there to this day. There have been some very notable miracles that Charisma Magazine has reported:


This was videoed and has attracted over 100,000 hits on You-Tube! Here it is;


So I don't know what's going to happen - and I don't know how it will all end up. But I'm excited to watch and see what breaks out - and by God's grace get touched by a personal revival myself (because God knows I need it!). I've been listening to Nathan Morris - the evangelist - preach for the last half hour or so and I must say I'm impressed so far by his commitment to mission and the Word of God.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Glad someone in UK has discovered what's happening. And so glad u excited. Here's the statement of faith from the revival - it's encouraging and orthodox stuff:

Statement of Beliefs
We believe...

God

There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19).

Jesus Christ

In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His personal future return to this earth in power and glory (John 3:16; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-6).

Bible

The Bible is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative written Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16).

Repentance

The only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Christ (John 14:6).

The Rapture

In the blessed hope - the rapture of the Church at Christ's coming (Titus 2:13).

Eternity

In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost - the one to everlasting life and the other to everlasting damnation (Revelation 20:11-15).

Healing

The redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides healing of the human body in answer to believing prayer (1 Peter 2:24).

Baptism

In water baptism by immersion (Matthew 28:19).

Holy Spirit

Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for personal salvation (Titus 3:5).

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

The baptism in the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 2:4, is given to believers who ask for it.

Holiness

In the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy life (Galatians 5:16-25).

Family

We believe in the sacredness of marriage between one man and one woman and family commitment. We promote strong family values (Ephesians 5:31-33; Ephesians 6:1-4; Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 19:5 Leviticus 18:22; Genesis 2:24).