Revival in Lancaster PA!

Its all happening! It really is happening!!! The school of the Circuit Rider was held last week in Lancaster PA, and it was truly amazing. I have never seen such unity and courage in one room before. Lancaster county has an amazing history of revival and deep wells of faith and family. It is the most generous mission sending and giving county in the world. The Lord was revealing his heart for the time we are living in. He is calling us to radical love and love for the family of Jesus. Its so radical because its so simple! It has always been the call and command of Jesus, that “we love one another.” No more skepticism, no more disunity, no more unbelief, just love love love love for Jesus and His family. The time is now. We will not delay any longer. We will rally around the person of Jesus Christ and the powerful simple Gospel. Just Jesus. It really is that simple.

As a result of this unity we hit the streets of Lancaster and saw 320 people in two days trust in Jesus for salvation! Calling people to Jesus is different than anything else the world offers. Jesus said, “behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me”-Revelation 3:20. Inviting people to know Jesus is not calling them to a set of rules, a philosophy, a belief system, but a real and abiding relationship with the living God, Jesus Christ. The invitation is the great banquet table of Jesus! When people put their trust in Jesus they are adopted into the family of God. A Jesus people family. A family of redemption, that encompasses the whole earth. Amen!!!

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Another Jesus People Movement?

 

I love hearing people tell stories about the Jesus People Movement of the early 1970’s. My buddy said it best, “there was really something in the water back then.” People got saved in droves! It has been said of the time that “you could just say the name of Jesus and people would get saved.” People were disillusioned with the destructive nature of drug induced peace and love, so they went looking for a new kind of peace, and found it in the Prince of Peace! Following Jesus also offered a comunal style of living wich made the transition somewhat smoother for some hippies. People began moving into comune style houses and properties all over the country. Attempting to share everything they had was the mode of operation. A strong emphasis was made on evangelism, signs and wonders, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. When you talk to a guy or gal who got saved back then they can tell ya, “I got saved  July 21st 1972 at 8pm!” Yes I love that! Salvation encounter all the way, the day and the hour. No doubt it hasn’t been total smooth sailing since then, but thats when they set sail for Kingdom shores, back in 72!

I believe were in the throws of another Jesus People Movement. This one will be global. This one will pick up where the other left off. Right now Christianity is exploding in China with the underground house church. Other parts of Asia and Africa are swelling with revival and salvations. Uganda is now considered a revived nation. In downtown Campala you can see “Jesus is Lord plumbers” on a random street corner. All this is on its way to the U.S. Jesus is the same yesterday and forever. The Gospel has been, and is, good news! The ancient wells of the 1st and 2nd Great Awakenings that swept this country are rising again. As I write this 24-7 prayer and worship houses are popping up all over the country. House churches and community houses are becoming common again among believers. People are responding to the Gospel where some thought they never would. The harvest is ripe! What is going on? Its another Jesus people revolution!

“Lift up your heads, O you gates!”

All over scripture you find references to, ancient doors, ancient paths and ancient ways. What are these ancient ways that we might walk in them? Who holds the keys to these ancient doors? Psalm 24 declares, “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? Indeed, who is this King of glory? Jesus gives us and idea in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He goes further speaking of his own glory in John 17:5, “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” Who is this King of glory? Jesus, the King of glory indeed! In Matthew 11:28, Jesus holds out the offer to, “come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16 declares, “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” lets walk in this ancient path and find rest for our souls.