Revival is Gods direction for mans reception
By Gil Howard-Browne
When an
Immortal God visits mortal man, something big will happen
A few years ago, we had just completed forty four meetings in 36 days in London,
Ontario, Augusta Georgia, and Winchester Virginia, and had seen God do some wonderful
things in the lives of people. A woman (not born again), who came to an aerobics class at
a church where we were holding revival, was invited to go directly to the meeting in
progress. The Holy Ghost came upon her strongly, and she got filled with holy laughter.
She had been extremely depressed and beat down through years of marital abuse. Her husband
had recently died and left her penniless.
As she staggered out of the meeting, greatly
uplifted and very intoxicated, she wanted to know what had happened to her. The lady who
invited her, told her that God had visited her to show her how much He loved her. She
immediately said that she wanted to come back the next night.
The next night, she got an even greater touch from God, and lay on the floor laughing for
about an hour. Then she sat up and began to cry. I walked over to her and sat on the floor
and asked her if she had ever committed her life to Christ. She said no, and I led her in
the prayer of salvation. She cried / laughed her way to salvation as she met the Master.
What a change came over her countenance.
The point I am trying to make here is that God is
God, and He can use any method He chooses to reach a lost and dying world. Many object to
the disorder of revival, but we have seen great fruit in the lives of people who have been
touched in the 2,200 meetings we have done over the past 7 years. Similar things happen in
every church we go to.
The revival has caused a stir, both positive and negative, all over the world. It has
blessed many, frightened some, and bewildered others. When the "devout and God
fearing" Jews (Amp), witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, they
reacted with astonishment, bewilderment, amazement, and were confounded and in doubt, at
what they saw. Some thought the disciples were drunk and mocked them.
We can debate this passage all we want, but the fact is that the upper room experience was
of such a magnitude that it grabbed the attention of the masses. The bible says, when it
was noised abroad, the multitude came together. We know that God was working
supernaturally, because 3,000 souls got saved that day. (Acts 3:41)
Revival is an attention getter. It will shock people out of their tradition, lethargy,
complacency and doubt and unbelief. In the process, there will be those who question
whether it be of God or not. In the bible, one such a man was Job. He said in Job 42:2
"I know that You can do all things..." Most Christians will admit that God can
do all things. Job continues ".. and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be
restrained or thwarted." Again, most Christians will agree with that statement.
Nothing can stop Gods plan and purpose from being carried out. But as long as it is
contained in writing and remains a profound thought, it is acceptable. As long as man
controls the words spoken or written about the power of God, it is ok. But when God
manifests Himself to His people, it becomes a different matter.
Gods reply to Job is a rebuke. "Who is this that darkens and obscures counsel
(by words) without knowledge?" Words without knowledge, speaks to me of ignorance.
There are many who are ignorant of Gods ways, who are trying to direct His kingdom.
Jobs confession is "Therefore (I now see) I have (rashly) uttered what I did
not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." Don't rashly
utter what you do not understand. You may receive a rebuke from God. The things God is
doing in the earth today, are too wonderful for us to fully comprehend.
My prayer is, "Lord, send the flood. Make it impossible for people to doubt Your
works. Let the Glory flow over every church and denomination in the world, so that there
can be no excuses. Let the world see "things too wonderful to comprehend" coming
from You to them.
God bless you. Gil and Loraine Howard-Browne
Click here for other articles |