What is revival?

F.B. Meyer told of a revival meeting that was dragging along without signs of success until one evening an elder arose and said, "Pastor, I don't believe there is going to be a revival as long as Brother Jones and I don't speak to each other." He went to Jones and said: "Brother Jones, we haven't spoken for five years, let's bury the hatchet. Here's my hand." A sob broke from the audience.

Soon another elder arose and said, "Pastor, I've been saying mean things about you behind your back and nice things to your face. I want you to forgive me."

Many arose and confessed their wrongs and God began to visit them. A revival swept over the community for three years.

The word "revival" is a very misunderstood word. It is not: a series of messages at a designated time, a stirring of religious excitement, or, something that we can work up.

It is an invasion from heaven by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The word "revival" comes from two Latin words: "re" which means "again" and "vivo" which means "to live." Literally it means, "to live again."

Dr. Kevin Meador said "when revival comes and the Holy Spirit invades a persons' life, that person will experience a:

-- Fresh and overwhelming sensation of the Holy Spirit.

-- Readiness to hear from God.

-- Deep conviction of sin.

-- Heartfelt repentance, and

-- He will see a genuine change in peoples' lives

Gypsy Smith was once asked how to start a revival. He answered, "Go home, lock yourself in your room, kneel down in the middle of your floor. Draw a chalk mark all around yourself and ask God to start revival inside that chalk mark. When He has answered your prayer, the revival will be on."

Matthew Henry said, "When God intends great mercy for His people, the first thing He does is set them praying. Prayer is the main ingredient."

The Lord said in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Do you need revival? Have you been "born again?" Seek God while He can still be found. Attend a Bible preaching church this Good Friday or on Easter Sunday and hear the good news about what God has done and is doing!