Christ First Forum

I have been reading the sequel to The Light and the Glory, a book titled From Sea to Shining Sea, by Peter Marshall and David Manuel.

After reading the first book, I began to understand how God's Holy Spirit moves in people who fast and subject self to Him. IN reading this second book, I have read places that make me laugh with delight at how God moved on this country in it's earlier days. Today it is difficult to think that those kind of things actually happen, except in some churches whose door I would not darken. Why? Because what they are doing is not of nor from God.

I have typed out an excerpt from this second book and hope to get a little more down so that we can better discuss this matter.

You see, I have come to believe that in spite of being told these are the last days and that God is done with America, that if we ask Him for His Holy Spirit to visit us again, that He will do so. We have not because we ask not. I want to have that pouring out of His Holy Spirit visit me personally, and anyone else who is willing to participate in asking Him to do so, and even in fasting, if you can manage it.

Pg. 101, 102
“From Sea to Shining Sea”
By: Peter Marshall & David Manuel

To the influence of the American was, succeeded that of the French Revolution, still more pernicious, and I think more general.
One Yale undergraduate summed it all up in a brief entry in his diary for May 3, 1797: “The world is coming either to Christianity or infidelity.” From all available evidence, it seemed that darkness had clearly gained the upper hand and would soon vanquish the Light entirely. Then once again God intervened. This time the lightening [Holy Spirit] fell sporadically at first, but everywhere it hit, small revival fires broke out – East Haddam and Lyme in 1792, Farmington and New Hartford in 1795, Milford in 1796. The fascinating thing was: it happened in churches where the same minister had preached in the same die-hard evangelical fashion for years. One Sunday morning heads would be nodding and yawns stifled and children squirming, and the next Sunday, the congregation was suddenly attentive, aware of the presence of God and coming under conviction. At such times, no one would be more surprised than the minister himself!

A thrill of excitement ran through the towns as local revivals began to break out and then spread and join others all over Connecticut. Ironically it was Litchfield County, the very seat of the “New Divinity,” which had so restricted access to salvation that now experienced the greatest revival. Said the Reverend E.D. Griffin: “I saw a continued succession of heavenly sprinklings . . until in 1799 I could stand at my door in New Hartford, Litchfield County, and number fifty or sixty contiguous congregations laid down in one filed of divine wonders, and as many more in different parts of New England. - - - The holy Spirit was on the move, just as He had been three generations before!

Soon the lightening spread across Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, up into Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. In Shaftsbury, Vermont the local minister wrote this account of what happened in his congregation in 1797:

In the month of April last, there appeared nothing among this people but the most
rapid increase of every species of vice and immorality, and even professors had
grown cold as to religious exercises. Then, towards the end of that month, it pleased
God to visit my poor soul with some sense of my own vileness and shortcomings
and how little I had done for God and the good of souls. At this time I think I had a
of the infinite character of Jehovah, which made me shrink into nothing in my own
esteem. Then to my astonishment, my soul was strangely drawn forth at particular
times, in secret prayer for the salvation of sinners. Repeated exercises of this kind
gave me a strong confidence that the Lord would soon work salvation in this place.

There were however, no favorable symptoms among the people until the month of
July, when a young woman who had been converted some years before was stirred
up and came forward in [for] baptism. Her conversion was made the means of the
awakening of a number of young people, and thus the work began. In August four
more persons were baptized. In September I baptized seventeen. . . The whole
number added to this church since last May is 175.”

All is possible with God!

I do believe everything and anything can happen with God but I dont feel as if we will ever do that. The love of many have waxed cold and without love, you cannot have revival.

I am not giving up hope that God will not still shed His Spirit on some of us, if we ask Him to do so.

This was the next paragraph after my post above.

Three aspects of this account (in post above), so typical of narratives recorded in New England at that time, are significant: first, earnest prayer for revival preceeded the move of the Holy Spirit. Second, God did not require a “superstar” evangelist to come in from outside, to act as the lightening rod. He used the same shepherd whom He had planted there, Third, the wind of the Holy Spirit did not come in as a tornado, as it was doing at the same time out in Kentucky; it came in almost as a gentle breeze - uniquely suited to the temperament of the Congregational churchgoers, who would have been frightened and put off by the power unleashed at the huge camp meetings of Cane Ridge and elsewhere. - - The point was, lightening was falling, churches were coming alive, and the Second Great Awakening was underway in the East.

Sea to Shining Sea, by Peter Marshall & David Manuel
page 102

While I was reading the affect the Holy Spirit had on the people of this period of time, I was struck with the way this transpired. No one put their hands on those the Spirit was working in.
Man is not needed when the real Holy Spirit is doing the work!

While I was reading the affect the Holy Spirit had on the people of this period of time, I was struck with the way this transpired. No one put their hands on those the Spirit was working in.
Man is not needed when the real Holy Spirit is doing the work!

Amen!
Joi, I have seen and been part of true co-operate revival and their will always be revival in the heart of God's people as long as they are willing to humble themselves and seek His face. The co-operate revivals are few and far between this day and time.

But not impossible. Revival for those of us on this board would be something that could spill out on all the boards.
What is needed are those willing to commit to what it takes to get God's attention.
If we say it can no longer be done, it will not get done.

Misfit wrote:But not impossible. Revival for those of us on this board would be something that could spill out on all the boards.
What is needed are those willing to commit to what it takes to get God's attention.
If we say it can no longer be done, it will not get done.

Would't that be wonderful!

Joi I would like to send you a couple of cd's at no charge on revival. These I have preached in revival services over the years. If you would be gracious enough to accept them? If so, pm me your address and I will try to get them to you next week.

Misfit,

I know in your heart that you want 'revival' so much; however I don't think we're living in a time where there will be revival.

1 Timothy 4

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.

speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.

2 Timothy 3:5
Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away.

However I do believe an 'individual' can have revival by studying God's Word, witnessing, and spending time with our brothers and sisters.

I believe our revival today is seeing someone coming to know the Lord, and the Lord allowing us to be part of it by witnessing to them.

Look up for your redemption draweth nigh~

Jeani wrote:Misfit,

I know in your heart that you want 'revival' so much; however I don't think we're living in a time where there will be revival.

1 Timothy 4

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.

speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.

2 Timothy 3:5
Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away.

However I do believe an 'individual' can have revival by studying God's Word, witnessing, and spending time with our brothers and sisters.

I believe our revival today is seeing someone coming to know the Lord, and the Lord allowing us to be part of it by witnessing to them.

Look up for your redemption draweth nigh~

I agree. . .AMEN!

Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
1 Kings 19:17-19

As for your comments. . .I see.
All this time I had thought it was "them" who were the nay sayers. Now I realize it is us!

So be it.

Misfit wrote:Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
1 Kings 19:17-19

As for your comments. . .I see.
All this time I had thought it was "them" who were the nay sayers. Now I realize it is us!

So be it.

Joi, I don't think anyone is saying that revival is not possible. It is!
I just think God has put it on hold! Jesus said; Why do you call me Lord and not do what I ask you to do! God can Not and will not reward disobedience. One of my greatest desires for the church is to see revival and that is a passion of mine. I could find no greater pleasure than seeing people restored or revived to that place where they found the joy of their salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord! I am constantly seeking if for my life and I believe that should be an on going process in every believers life.

Frank, that is not the way the posts I have been reading sound.
This is the most negative thread I have read on this site, and is down right discouraging. What I see is a whole group of nay sayers.
I know that revival has not been in the USA for a while and at this rate it never will be.
I see that I am alone in asking God for a revival; I can live with that, and it will not stop me asking God to make me a point of light in the prevailing darkness in which we now live.
It only takes one.

This is the most negative thread I have read on this site, and is down right discouraging. What I see is a whole group of nay sayers.

I don't think of things like this as negative, but true!
People don't want to hear about the judgment of God and some might call that negative, but just like God is Love, He is also just.

I see that I am alone in asking God for a revival;

I can't speak for others, but I believe they would tell you the same thing! You are not alone in this. I too am asking for revival, but it all starts with repentance. Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord, Those with clean hands and a pure heart!

Lord, bring revival and may it begin within me. Revive our thirst for you, Father, and for Your Word. Revive our love for Jesus and give us a passion for lost souls so that true revival can happen in this land. All praise and glory to Your Name, Most High God!!