Changing My World...

I get very excited whenever I read about the great revivals in history that began in Jerusalem a few thousand years ago as the 120 disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost and attracted a multinational crowd of questioning, spiritually hungry and utterly amazed individuals who must have literally ran through the streets to get near that upper room to see what was going on!  Through the centuries men and women of God have kept that flame alive as they have learned of and went forth in the power and authority inherent in the name of Jesus.

My wife and I were born in the midst of the great healing revival that swept through our country and into parts of Europe, Asia and Africa following on the heels of World War Two and lasted into the early 1960’s.  This revival was preceded by establishment breaking men and women such as Smith Wigglesworth, John G. Lake and Aimee Simple McPherson. 

It would seem that almost every generation has seen its assortment of well-known and countless lesser known men and women, pastors and laymen alike who have followed the call and carried the torch to “Go ye therefore” (Matthew 28:19 KJV) in the authority and miraculous power available to all believers through the name of Jesus. (Mark 16:15-20)  The New Testament is filled with examples of these same men and women who went forth laying hands on the sick, praying for needs to be met, bringing the miraculous salvation of Christ to the nations and encouraging entire cities by the Words of Christ.

I cannot describe the sense of God’s purpose and plan for humanity that I get when I read the accounts of men and women like John and Charles Wesley, George Whitefield, Francis Asbury, Finney, Moody, Booth, Knox, Luther, Wycliffe, Hus, Woodworth-Etter, Kuhlman, Seymour, Roberts, Dowie, William Branham, A.A. Allen, Kenneth E. Hagin, Billy Graham and the hundreds of others before and after them into today’s generation of modern evangelists, pastors and born-again, spirit led individuals like you and me!

These are people who gained a sense and some level of a working understanding of the power that is in the name of Jesus and put it to use during their lives.  Sure they all took their share of criticism and complaint, but they went on un-deterred by the sceptics of their times.  I would imagine that there may even be a few names on my list above that some of you might disagree with, but an honest investigation into their lives would undoubtedly uncover some miraculous and unexplained events that would simply bogle our senses and lead us into greater revelations of the supernatural moves of God.  These individuals were regular folks just like you me who faced the same difficulties, fought many of the same natural and mental battles that we do, but yet stepped above them to preach, teach and live the Gospel.

Wouldn’t it be cool if another writer in the future listed your name and mine among those great men and women of God who understood the true purpose of the program of God with the authority that He has given “those who believe” in the use of His name to change the circumstances of the world we each live in today?  All I can say is “WOW!” … and “Why not?”

Have a great day!  Stay in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… “In What or Who’s NAME am I expecting to change my world today?”