Revival?

Could the revival in Lakeland be a part the major revival that has been prophesied to come from Florida? Anyone familiar with the American charismatic revivals of the last 20 years knows of the prophecy I am referring to. One of a national revival beginning in Florida and then like wildfire spreading throughout the states and the world. Florida would be the 'gun' that fires the revival around the world.

Just like Brownsville the one in Lakeland has its strange happenings, shady beginnings and its over the top leaders. But also just like revivals in the past, through all those things the revival keeps getting bigger.

What do we do now? How do we, as local Christians who don't necessarily agree with all thats happening at the revival, address it?

First off a showing of the movie Leap of Faith always helps. Sorry, I love that movie and it has helped me explain to friends about what some people do at these revivals, not all, but some.

We need to first educate ourselves on all this involved in the revival.

Truthfully, and this will come as a shock to almost all who know me, I truly hope the revival is real. I want to visit it to check it out and to feel it out. I have driven past the church at 11pm those first weeks of the revival and saw the people outside laying hands, praying over people, waving prayer flags, and speaking in tongues. Truthfully I want it to be real, sadly I almost know its not.

I want a revival in America. I think of the writings of Abigail Adams, of walking down the street and hearing people praying in each home. I dream of the day this is true again and wait for it, for it will happen, if not here, then in heaven.

See I want a separation of church and state. I want churches that are focused on God and not being cool. I want a more liberal America that lines up with the rest of the world and the Bible. And I think a revival would do just that. It would get Christians out of being scared, out of trying to force their views on others and refocus on what matters.

Christians in America are in a crisis mode right now. Most believe that their faith is being challenged, their country needs them to save it, and the only way to 'save their neighbor' is by forcing their beliefs on them. A revival would change those thoughts. How?

Well it would show these Christians its not about them. It would show us to focus on God and not the laws of the land. It would help Christians see they should spend more time praying and less time talking, more time in the Bible and less on Fox News, more time in a church pew and less time in front of a abortion clinic. That is my hope, that is why I want a revival!

So where does Lakeland fit in this? (outside of it being the biggest tourist draw to the city in years) Well we as Christians can pray that a true revival comes from it. People are being saved at it, no doubt there, but what kind of Christian will these people be? These people can be the Christians that turn the tide of the current push within the Christian agenda.

I know its insane to think of a charismatic revival being a birthing place of a liberal future, but look at the revivals of the past. The Great Awakenings of Americas past are a direct influence upon the American Revolution, the Abolition movement, and even helped through the Great Depression. The 1st Great Awakening is linking with the American Revolution, personal study of Scripture in America and Pietism (which could really help the more negative focus of the current American Christian style). The 2nd Great Awakening is linked womens rights and the rights of African Americans.

All 3 major Awakenings are linked with modern 'liberal' denominations. All three caused a major change in American and international Christianity and a major change in politics of the day. So its not the far off to hope, to pray, that a major revival again spurs American Christians to what it right.

Spur them to put down their worship CDs and pick up their Bibles, to put down their picket signs and pick up the trash in the streets, put down their motives and pick up the ways of Jesus!

The revival in Lakeland is already spreading. There are reports of students in Belfast being touched by the Lakeland revival and revival at a university from someone associated with the Lakeland revival. Benny Hinn is rumored to be headed to Lakeland. And it is now being broadcast nightly throughout the globe on GodTV. And this is only 2 months in.

Yes we need to be careful, this could be another Kansas City here but then again good has come from bad revivals. The Lakeland revival is already considered by most the biggest revival since Azusa Street (maybe a reason why the AG aren't commenting on this revival?) and is expected to only grow.

So what we can do is pray. Pray that those who go to seek God find Him, Pray that those who need healing are healed and pray that a true revival comes out of it. Pray that a Great Awakening is birthed out of this revival. That America gets onto the path it belongs, that the American Christians refocus on what they should be focused on and that those involved with this revival become true prophets from God.

Revivals do happen, people do change, let this be the example!

I believe there is no doctrine more dangerous to the Church today than to convey the impression that a revival is something peculiar in itself and cannot be judged by the same rules of causes and effect as other things.
Billy Sunday