Does anyone ever have the false assumption that it’s someone else’s turn? I do. Does anyone ever feel like the dial on their motivation is in the red zone? I do. Is the Holy Spirit active in your life as he fulfills what the Lord has called you to do? Or do you feel like He has gone dormant?
Think about it! People like Peter, Paul, Phillip, John, Timothy, Lydia, Priscilla — these, among many others, were the voice of Christ to the first church — and its amazing how these few people expanded the word of Christ throughout the known world.
Think about it! People like Paul Clark, Barry McGuire, Nancy Honeytree, Larry Norman, Chuck Smith, Randy Stonehill — these, among many others, were the voice of Christ to the ‘60s generation. Their prophetic word pioneered a movement that captured and defined the heart of a counterculture and changed the face of Christianity in America and around the world.
It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. Hebrews 11:27
What do you think of when you hear, “He kept right on going”? Pictures come to my mind of a football game and a common practice when a running back or wide receiver makes a big gain. Everyone on the team points downfield with their arms like they are karate-chopping the air signaling a first down. “Go forward!”
Our first revival meeting consisted of spending an uplifting evening with Pooh Bear and Tinker Bell. Those are Disney character names our guests, Barry and Mari McGuire, have taken for themselves, and they appropriately capture the childlike nature of their faith and of the revival of the simple, straightforward truth of the gospel they both embody.
The first revival was held outdoors without a tent by a river called the Jordan. It was conducted by a fiery, unconventional prophet by the name of John, who was calling people to repent and be baptized because the kingdom of heaven was near. And people came from Jerusalem, all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley to see and hear John. “And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.” (Matthew 3:6) And they kept on coming, not only because of John, but because God was drawing them. People came in droves from all over. This was an unprecedented move of God and people everywhere were convicted. This is what a revival is: a move of God upon the hearts of people.
As we anticipate starting a revival this week here at the Catch, I urge all of you who care about this to listen to last night’s BlogTalkRadio interview with my brother, Pastor, Author and Bible School founder, Dr. David Fischer. And if you don’t care, I encourage you to hear the half-hour interview anyway, because after hearing it, you just might.
You’ve heard of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” Well, this is about fear and trembling (in your town).
I’m going to start today where we left off yesterday: “Either you are dead to the grace of God (it’s all still about you) or you are alive (vulnerable, stumbling, weak, but full of faith). There is nothing in the middle.”
It’s not about you. Never was, never is, never will be. And isn’t that good news?
Even though you were a Christian and you went to church, you were ineffective. Because for the longest time you still thought it was about you. Once you were saved, it was about what you were going to do and be for God. You read books, went to seminars, and heard countless sermons about what you could do for God. God was counting on you. All the things you used to do for yourself, you were now going to do for God. It was a noble cause. But it was still all about you.
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone … Hebrews 12:14
This is a very broad blanket statement. There are no qualifications and no exceptions. “Live in peace with everyone” is all inclusive. It includes enemies, strangers, atheists, people of all races and religions, immigrants, and that neighbor of yours who loves to pick a fight on just about anything! At a time when there is so much enmity, we need to focus on peace.
For here we do not have an enduring city … Hebrews 13:14
Here’s where the Christian subculture went off the rails some time ago. Of course by the Christian subculture I’m speaking of that part of the global church that has gained cultural significance as a moral and political force in society — with an issue-oriented message that has overshadowed the gospel message that once rallied Jesus Freaks around Christ. It’s a subculture that is preoccupied with creating its own safe place in the world, and leads with fear and not faith.
John Fischer The Catch 