Revival Fire Fall

God spoke to me through the Word in December, specifically about revival for Wilson College (where I teach) and the city of Bombay. The verse He pointed to was 1 Kings 17:14. It’s the story of the widow of Zarephath. The Bible says that there was a miracle of abundance in her house for her and her family as well as Elijah in the face of famine and drought. This is the revelation that God gave and that everyone can claim in Jesus name -  

“For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour (spiritual food – the Word of God) will not be used up and the jug of oil (the anointing and the talents that God has placed in our lives) will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain (revival) on the land.’ ”

Let us not forget that one day we might not have the freedom to worship or to read the Bible as we do today. Even here in India, though there is persecution, we constitutionally have the freedom to worship God, which is absent in so many nations. So let us take the opportunity that we have to pray and to spread His love to as many people so that the Spirit of God would blow on our land and that the nation may come to know Jesus whose name is above all names.

Here is something that happened in America recently and it lifted my spirit to see what God is doing in different parts of the world. Read on….

In what might prove to be the crowning achievement of an illustrious career in ministry, the 87-year old evangelist, Billy Graham shocked the 16,300 in attendance at the Celebration of Hope crusade in New Orleans Arena on Sunday Night. Touted in advance as possibly his last evangelistic crusade, Graham invited the packed house of evangelical Christians and the hundreds of new converts to join him on the one mile walk from the arena to New Orleans‘ infamous Bourbon Street. “While we have seen God do tremendous things here the past couple of evenings. Yes, it is true that a great healing and a great many salvations have occurred within the confines of this auditorium. Still yet, there lies a great mountain in this city which needs to be conquered.” Then taking from the Biblical Book of Joshua Chapter 14 he read, “I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this Day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day,” his voice suddenly sounding more forceful than during his 22 minute sermon. “I last preached in the City of New Orleans in 1954 and I felt then that there was some unfinished business. Tonight, in what very well might be my last evangelistic service, I aim to finish that business and lead as many of you that would follow me to the multitude of lost souls that fill Bourbon Street. That is my mountain! That is where we shall see the harvest!” said Graham as the stadium erupted in cheers that lasted the next several minutes.

Utilizing a waiting mobility scooter, the elder Graham joined his son and heir to the ministry, Franklin across the Arena floor and through the opened doors leading towards the French Quarter. In a show of solidarity and determination reminiscent of civil rights marches of the 1960’s, nearly the entire capacity crowd joined in the 20 minute trek while singing, “When the Saints Go Marching In”. As the march crossed Canal Street and headed northward towards Bourbon Street, many onlookers stood in stunned silence as the massive crowd of people began singing in unison the Christian hymn, Amazing Grace. Upon entering the west end of Bourbon Street, Billy Graham was soon recognized by partiers. Soon those joining in the march began to approach those partying on Bourbon Street with the Gospel message that they had heard preached just a half hour before. Graham himself joined with a group of local street evangelist in ministering to a man who had survived Hurricane Katrina in the lower 9th Ward.

Within 30 minutes the entirety of Bourbon Street was packed with Christians and the once blaring music of nightclubs and strip joints had been replaced by weeping and worship as people poured out their drinks and sought prayer from the Christians who were now reaching out to them. “I have never seen anything like this in my life,” said 20 years New Orleans Police Department veteran, Tom Phillips. “This is unbelievable! We thought a riot was going to break out, but this looks more like a revival than a riot!”

Two hours later, a glowing Graham sat back down on his scooter and smiled. “Now I know how the Apostle Paul must have felt at the end of his ministry. Do the work of an evangelist; make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

Hours later hundreds of Christians remained on the street ministering to the many people eagerly waiting to receive prayer and ministry. New Orleans will never be the same. And the press remained mute on this “news item”! Did anyone see it on TV/hear it on radio/read it in the paper? Why are we not surprised? Can’t have THAT just prior to a major election, now, can we? Well, just on a whim, spread the news, anyway. It cost our elder brother, Billy Graham, more than any of us know to make that effort. The least we can do it publicize it.

Remember the favour of God is on you!
JESUS IS LORD!!