What is Revival?

A revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God. - Charles Finney

During true revival, thousands of lost people are suddenly swept into the Kingdom of God. Scenes of the lost coming to the Savior in great, and unprecedented numbers, are common. - Henry Blackaby

The coming revival must begin with a great revival of prayer. It is in the closet, with the door shut, that the sound of abundance of rain will first be heard. An increase of secret prayer with ministers will be the sure harbinger of blessing. - Andrew Murray

We want a revival to come just in our way. You never saw two revivals come just alike. We must let them come in God’s way. People are ashamed to admit they need a revival. - Mordecai Ham

A true revival means nothing less than a revolution, casting out the spirit of worldliness and selfishness, and making God and His love triumph in the heart and life. - Andrew Murray  

Revival is falling in love with Jesus all over again.  - Vance Havner

Revival is the visitation of God which brings to life Christians who have been sleeping and restores a deep sense of God’s near presence and holiness. Thence springs a vivid sense of sin and a profound exercise of heart in repentance, praise, and love, with an evangelistic outflow. - J.I. Packer

Revival is when God gets so sick and tired of being misrepresented that He shows Himself.  - Leonard Ravenhill

Jim Cymbala

"Your church will never be a house of prayer until you become a man of prayer."

Turning Criticisms into Lessons

Paul used the criticisms of his enemies as an opportunity to learn, articulate, and teach the following:

1. The benefits of suffering
2. The schemes of Satan
3. How to identify false teachers 
4. The sufficiency of God 
5. The folly of ministerial boasting
6. The judgment of believers by Jesus Christ
7. The joy of generosity
8. Persevering in Christian service.

2 Corinthians is a wonderful epistle and it shows that a bad situation can be a good learning opportunity.

What difficulties are you going through today? And what lessons is God trying to teach you?

An Ancient Modern Story

In Acts 18 Luke tells the story of Paul starting the church in Corinth. It is an ancient modern story familiar in so many ways.

1. ALL NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES SHARE A SIMILAR MESSAGE (repent and believe)
2. ALL NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES FACE SIMILAR OPPOSITION (external and internal resistance)
3. ALL NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES ENJOY SIMILAR COMFORT (saints and scriptures).

The struggles we face today are nothing new. Like our spiritual forefathers, we are still proclaiming Jesus to a hostile world, and still receiving divine strength to carry on.