Another Dispatch From Revival

In the 15th chapter of the book of Romans, Paul reminds the readers that Jesus is our source of hope, and has come to bring hope to the world today for those who would call upon His name and be saved.  Romans 15 contains these words:

4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

Later in the chapter, we can read:

9b ...it is written: "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name."
10 And again he says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!"
11 And again: "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!"
12 And again, Isaiah says: "There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope."
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This presents a stark contrast to a prevailing attitude of despair that we can identify in the world today. But, God offers a way out - through identifying with His only Son, who loved the world so much that He was willing to die for fallen humanity so that in Him we might experience His life and encounter His hope. In Him, we can rejoice; in the Lord, we can know the reality of His hope and have joy and peace through faith in Him, according to verse 13.

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In a world where you find that even those who have named the name of Christ have declared that they now reject Christ, I believe you are seeing a tangible wave of people who have discovered the real, vibrant, living, authentic Jesus for themselves. John 6 states:
63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
64 But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.
65 And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father."
66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?"
68 But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

One could make and support the claim that 2023 has been a year in which we have seen the Lord show up in powerful ways through the gathering of His people and the move of His Spirit.  I have reported on the Asbury revival, or "Outpouring," in which a spark of revival was lit in the hearts of college students, a spark that actually was seen on other campuses, as well.  The Jesus Revolution brought a 1970's revival to movie theaters in America and around the world, as well as to homes.

And, I became aware recently through a CBN.com article that a city in Louisiana has been experiencing revival for over eight months now.  It's occurring near the city of Hammond, and the story relates:

What started as a four-day revival event at a local church last fall in the Hammond, Louisiana area, is still going strong under a blue tent.

As CBN News reported in March, it started on Oct. 16, 2022, at the Old Zion Baptist Church located northwest of Hammond on Highway 442.

On the first night of the revival, there were only about 125 people in attendance. But 34 people gave their hearts to Jesus Christ. By the fourth night, the gymnasium was packed.

Then evangelist David R. Harrison of Voice of Hope Ministries set up his 2,500-seat tent in Hammond in order to help accommodate the large crowd.

And, as the story states, "...people kept coming..."

The article goes on to say: "Pastor Harrison updated CBN News in an email that worship services are still taking place under the tent some eight months later." In an e-mail, he said: "The Awakening in Louisiana has truly been life-changing. When God sent me there on October 17, I never would have dreamed we would still be there! It has been the most supernatural event I've ever seen..."  He added:

"Has there been many battles along the way? Yes! But, it truly has been worth it all just to see the thousands of lives who have been changed! I'm so thankful and humbled that God would allow me and my family to experience such an amazing move of the Holy Spirit. To God be the glory, great things HE hath done..."

Meanwhile, the effect of Jesus Revolution continues to progress.  A few weeks ago, I had reported on a mass baptism at Pirates Cove in Southern California, which is where people were baptized during the 1970's Jesus Movement.  Greg Laurie and his wife, Cathe, both experienced that, and another mass baptism occurred at Pirates Cove a couple of weekends ago.  Greg Laurie tweeted out:

Yesterday, we held the Jesus Revolution Baptism at Pirate’s Cove. 

This of course is the Site of the Baptisms of the Jesus Movement. 

I was Baptized there 50 Years ago, as was my wife, Cathe. 

But we never had a baptism like what happened yesterday. 

We baptized 4500 people! 

There was a line of folks waiting by the seawall. People Came from all around the Nation and World! This may be the largest baptism in American history, maybe world history. 

God Knows, but it was AMAZING! 

We give Him all the Glory. 

“Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.” (Acts 2:41)

This came on the weekend following the latest Harvest Crusade, which took place at the Honda Center, an arena in Anaheim.  The Harvest ministry reported in a press release:

Honoring the theme “Jesus Changes Everything” the outreach event drew over 32,000 people in-person and 215,000 streamed online. This was Harvest’s first-ever crusade at the Honda Center in Anaheim where attendees enjoyed two nights of performances from award-winning Christian artists.

Those artists included: Phil Wickham, Passion, Taya, Chris Tomlin, and Michael W. Smith. 

It goes on to say: "Nearly 7,000 people dedicated their lives to Christ over the two-day worship experience. Of these, more than 3,700 professions of faith were in the venue, and over 3,000 were online."

Greg Laurie reported: “There was an electric, revival-like atmosphere in that room both nights. You could sense God’s presence...I want to thank all of those that worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this as many described it as the best Harvest Crusade of all time.”  And, while 32,000 people filled the arena over the 2-night event, Laurie related that thousands were actually not able to get in.

The ways of this world are not working for so many people.  There is discouragement, fear, and anger all around us.  Mental health issues are on the rise, family cohesiveness is on the decline.  These conditions, I believe are motivating people to seek something more.  Jesus gives us reason for hope, because He is the source of hope.  He came to earth, identified with fallen humanity, became our substitute, took our punishment, and rose from the dead!  He offers a love that is sacrificial and secure.

No wonder people are coming to Him - when people are willing to set aside their own ambitions, their own human wisdom, and look to someone greater than themselves, incredible things can happen. And, certainly the numbers are impressive - to the extent that they demonstrate what God has done. And, we can rejoice that He is working and make sure that we are open to the working of His Spirit in our hearts.