Pandemic Chronicles #13 - Rally for Revival

God is on the Move and so is the church!

We held our Night of Healing outside of the 4 walls of the church for the first time ever on July 5, 2020!  What a time it was....We had a number of churches in the Bay Area gathered together to repent, worship, pray, and encourage each other as the winds of revival begin.

The Bay Area is probably the least likely place for revival which is why it works.  The only way it can happen with the remnant is by His Spirit. It ain't gonna make it otherwise.  

This was the backdrop of the Revival Rally.  Tell me this doesn't look like a dystopian movie and it's a perfect metaphor.  Blood Shed and the Anarchy symbol on Oakland City Hall.

Finally having the tough conversations

The world is a reflection of the condition of the church. - Pastor Del Augusta

This is a true statement.  For too long the church has turned a blind eye to racism and injustice.  If there was a response then it was half-hearted and mealy mouthed at best.  This time people aren't having it.

If we're going to have revival, then everyone has to be in on it.  There's not going to be a White revival, Black Revival, Latino Revival, and Asian Revival.  Everyone will be together preaching the gospel and if we're going to be united, then we must have tough conversations.

Platitudes and surface level answers aren't going to cut it.

The church is finally having tough conversations and I love to see it.

The above was one of my favorite moments of the Revival Rally when our Pastor Nacho Buernostero of Iglesia Shiloh prayed for our immigrant Brothers and Sisters.  He read the words of Jesus about ministering to the least of these in Spanish which really resonated with me because it emphasized that Jesus is not from the United States.  Jesus is not American and the Bible isn't about America.  

The Lord's church is Global and Universal.  It doesn't belong to the Evangelical Republican Political party.

It's only going to get Hotter as we hit the Fall

I normally like to be optimistic but in this case I am not.  I only see things getting worse and worse in the natural.

• The Virus is still spreading 
• The economy is still closed down
• Eviction protections are ending and more will become homeless
• Kids aren't going back to school and families will be stressed 
• The $600 unemployment is ending and that's a lifeline for many people
• Violence will surge to counter the "defund the police" talk
• The Mess of an Election in November 
• October or Fall Surprise in preparation for the mess of an election in November

What does this mean?  It means the people of God need to get their minds right about what's going on and not get distracted with the counterfeit ideological revival that's happening.

Of course we should speak out about injustice but we cannot afford to be involved in the ideological revival because that's a guaranteed losing battle.  Those folks will turn on one another as they always do.

For that we must be ready.

Worship and Warfare will be our weapons along with Prayer of Course.  If there's no prayer, then it will all be in vain.

Keep on Keeping on

In this year of our Lord 2020, my life doesn't look anything how I planned. There have been times where I have questioned exactly what I am doing and if I'm on the right path.

Tyler Hagan of Anthem Church of Oakland recounted a story of when God first sent him to plant a church in Oakland.  Tyler said that he walked Lake Merritt 5 times and that God began to show him a Fire in Oakland California.  It wasn’t the fire of destruction but a revival fire.  He began to research the history of Oakland and he found that Smith Wigglesworth and Aimee Semple Mcphereson held Revival meetings in Jack London Square where thousands came to Jesus. 

That was enough encouragement for me to keep on keeping on because Sister Aimee is one of my personal heroes. An incredible trailblazer for women in ministry and her legacy as a pastor, preacher, and revialist lives on as Brother Tyler shared.

It's Over: The Righteous Cried out. He will Deliver

While in worship at the Revival Rally I looked up and knew instinctively that the time of influence for the ungodly counterfeits is over. It's done. Sure they will keep the performance going and hang on until the last but it's over. There is no more influence.

Last year when I went to World Changers in Chicago hosted by All Nations Worship Assembly. They sang this song that got me out of my chair and turned into an anthem or war cry for me. Nobody knew what it was called so we just called it The Righteous Cry Out.

Well All Nations released an Album last week called Come Alive and Cry Out is one of the songs. I have been cutting up ever since it came out. For me it's more than a song. It's a prayer and prophetic declaration.

One day I will sing and declare this publicly.

I know the Lord has heard me.

The Righteous Cry Out.

He will Deliver.

The Counterfeit is done.

It is over in Jesus' name

HE IS THE LORD THAT DOES DELIVER!!!