I read this somewhere and it resonated within me: “The demise of being prepared is an empty barn, the fixation to be prepared is a choice of the better, and the arsenal to receive more is preparedness!”

More than ever, I’ve never felt a greater need for an awakening in the community and society than at a time like this.

Living for the last six decades, witnessing change, economic progress, and shifting values – the very foundation of our way of life is breaking down.

Redeem the time

The new reality of social distancing, the picture of a dispersed Church, global donning of masks, work from home offices, remote home-based learning, gender dysphoria, increased unemployment, and struggling economies are the many obstacles we’ve not confronted before.

Whether it’s global climate change or the geopolitical polarisation, food, clothing and shelter which are the basic needs for a healthy community must be provided for. These challenges ahead will increase, not decrease.

Maybe we’ve placed hope in government leaders, the success of a vaccine, good health, the science community, our medical professionals. All these are good things. They’re all blessings, but any of these could fall apart one day like a cheap card table.

Even at their best, none is able to provide what Jesus can. He said: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

We’re to align ourselves to Christ and be in a posture to receive from Jesus, as sons and daughters of obedience.

We’re exhorted in Ephesians to walk as children of light, to manifest the Spirit in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Paul told us to awake from our sleep and Christ will give us light to walk in wisdom, to redeem the time because the days are evil.

Jesus only

Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf was such a man, born on May 26, 1700, to position, power and piety. He devoted his total commitment to God in pure living, love for others, and doing mission work among the Jews and “heathens”. He began what was called the Moravian Missionary Movement in the 1730’s among slaves.

His motto was: “I have one passion; it is Jesus, Jesus only.”

By 1742, 70 of the 600-member community had become missionaries and, within a few years, there were Moravian communities in 16 countries, from Greenland to South Africa. Their battle cry was: “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.”

In true faith, there must not be head alone but also heart. Zinzendorf influenced John and Charles Wesley, William Carey, William Wilberforce, and many others.

The prayer of John Knox shook the land of Scotland and was the fuel which sparked a revival among God’s people and the ongoing Reformation.

His most quoted prayer was: “Give me Scotland, or I die”. His was not an arrogant prayer but an expression of his great confidence in God. It was a passionate plea revealing his intense desire for the conversion of the people of Scotland.

Mary, Queen of Scots, was reputed to have said: “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.”

Why do you think the Queen said this?

Well, because she saw the impact of Knox’s prayer. His motto? “One man with God is always in the majority.”

In the Welsh Revival, Evan Roberts had this battle cry: “Bend the church and save the world.” The emphasis was on the great need for the Church to bow and yield to the Holy Spirit that He might do His mighty work of renewal and transformation.

Steps to receiving His Spirit 

How do we prepare an arsenal to receive more?

1. Expect

Be in great expectancy, for those who diligently seek God will find Him. God will pour out His Spirit where He finds diligent hearts, for “blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled”. (Matthew 5:6)

2. Come close

Draw near to God and an increase in the power and presence of God will break open. Do not be deceived, repentance is not an obsolete confession as some might think. James 4:8 says: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

When we draw near to God and start to repent, turning our lives over in complete surrender to Jesus, the glory will draw the people in.

3. Pray

Hold prayer meetings, as in the days of the disciples, where we’re faithful in the place of prayer, both corporately and personally. When God’s people gather, as we cry out for a move of God’s Spirit, the seeds of prayers are soaked and sown into the ground.

Jeremiah 33:3 says: “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.”

More prayer meetings will be held as God begins to move. As we stand on this promise, let’s be ready for the great and mighty things the Lord will do!

Bracing for revival

Marked by a great harvest of souls, this is the signpost that God is moving – when souls are being won into the Kingdom of God. The currency of the mind is ideas, but the currency of God is faith.

In Acts 2, 3,000 souls came to the Lord because the Holy Spirit was poured out among those who believed in Him. Where the lost are saved, this harvest of souls coming into the Kingdom will experience the raw power and presence of God through His people like never before!

Revival and outpouring, transformation and reformation are on the horizon for the Body of Christ. The best days of the Church are ahead, not behind!

This devotion first appeared in the Pastor’s Blog by Cornerstone Community Church, and is republished with permission.

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Before revival must come repentance: Pastor Edmund Chan at PraySingapore