The word for this week is the title of the new series we're looking forward to at The Spoken Word Church! It is "revival". The word itself is not found in the Bible in any of the usual translations that I've used. The dictionary definition (from various online sources) says: the condition of being revived; a restoration to use, activity, vigor, vitality; to live again, to receive again a life which has almost expired; to rekindle into a flame the vital spark which was nearly extinguished. The dictionary definition for "revived" says: to restore to consciousness; to restore from a depressed, inactive our unused state. Many people think of revival as a time when many people receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. Revival is actually the Church waking up to the things of God, developing a hunger for the Word of God, and returning to their first love! Revelation 2:4 in the Wuest Expanded New Testament says this:
4 But I have [this] against you. Your love [for me], that earliest love, you abandoned. Wuest
When born again believers in Jesus of Nazareth return to their first love, the result is a passion for reaching the lost! We know that God desires that NONE be lost (2 Peter 3:9). We delight Him by sharing the Gospel so that others may hear and be saved. So, people being born again is not revival, but the results of revival! We will be learning in this new series what God does, what we must do and what to expect to see happening because WE are revived! As we stir ourselves up to receive this teaching, we will see results we haven't seen in awhile! I'm ready and I believe that you are, too! Here is a song by Robin Mark called "Revival". As you listen, remember that when WE stir ourselves up to BE revived, He rises up big within us and flows through us to others! When the song says "send revival", it really means "send ME"!
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
