Have you ever thought about

why a pigeon walks so awkwardly? In a recent devotional reading in Our

Daily Bread, Martin De Haan shared that a pigeon's eyes cannot focus

as it moves, so the bird actually has to bring its head to a complete

stop between steps in order to refocus. It proceeds clumsily - head

forward, stop, head back.

In our spiritual life, we have the same need the pigeon has. It's

hard to focus when we stay on the go, so we need to build "stops"

into our lives that help us to refocus. That's why many churches

build a "revival" into their calendar. A revival gives us a

break from the routine and an opportunity to recharge our spiritual batteries.

It's a time to refocus.

Revival is important, but if revival is to be effective, then it is more

than dates on a church calendar. Having a "meeting" is one thing;

having true revival is quite another. What is the technical definition

of "revival?"

C. E. Autry defined revival as "a reanimating of those who lareadypossess

life. Revival in the strict sense of the word has to do with God's

people. It revives spiritual life that is in a state of declension."

Richard Owens Roberts says that revival "an extraordinary movement

of the Holy Spirit producing extraordinary results."

Stephen Olford writes that revival is that "strange and sovereign

work of God in which He visits His own people, restoring, reanimating

and releasing them into the fullness of His blessing."

McDow and Reid write, "revival is God's invasion into the lives

of one or more of His people in order to awaken them spiritually for Kingdom

ministry."

Revival time can be a real time of personal renewal. How can tell if revival

has come? According to William Sprague, revival is manifest "whenever

you see (spiritual life) rising from a state of comparative depression

to a tone of increased vigor and strength."

When revival comes to an individual, it usually spills over to others

and makes a difference in the life of the church family. Revival creates

an atmosphere of unity and cooperation and people focus on a common direction.

As the church family becomes renewed, that excitement spills over to the

entire community. As God touches lives, people can tell that individuals

have been changed by the power of God. The power of God touching lives

makes the difference.

A lot of good can come out of revival. In 1932, a group of Charlotte businessmen

became concerned about the moral and spiritual decay in their city. They

felt that an all-out evangelistic effort would help, but the local ministerial

association would not support it at that time.

They were disappointed, but still felt that God wanted them to do something,

so they decided to have a day of prayer. Twenty-nine persons gathered

on the outskirts of Charlotte and spent the day in prayer. Other prayer

meetings followed in the months ahead. Out of this effort came a desire

to sponsor an evangelistic meeting in their city.

The men purchased a tent and set it up for preaching services. This effort

was so encouraging that the men decided to undertake a much larger crusade

the following year. An evangelist named Mordecai Ham was invited to preach.

The businessmen had a lot of difficulties to overcome, but they persisted,

and finally the Charlotte Crusade came together in the fall of 1934.

In that meeting, a young boy named Billy Graham, along with many others,

was converted. God touched a life that has been used to touch a myriad

of lives for over 60 years. You never know what can come out of revival.

Our church begins "The Purpose Driven Life Revival" this Sunday

morning. Services will be held Sunday-Wednesday evenings. We invite you

to join us.

(Dr. David L. Chancey is pastor, McDonough Road Baptist Church, 352 McDonough

Road. The church family invites you to join them for Bible study at 9:45

a.m. and worship at 10:55 a.m. and 6 p.m. this Sunday. Services Monday-Wednesday

begin at 7 p.m.)

Back

to News Home Page |