“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NIV)
There was a time in the 1900’s when revival broke out in Athens, GA, and the name of Jesus was literally on everyone’s lips! I think this revival lasted 6 weeks! There are still some older folks in our city who not only remember this, but gave their lives to Jesus during those weeks! Let me just say… it is coming again!!!
People are hungry for truth, for Spirit filled churches that don’t simply look like the world dressed in nice clothes! People are sick of going to dead lifeless and powerless churches! They are desperate, and the churches that are bold enough to be open, where the word is be preached, when Jesus is lifted up and the Holy Spirit is regularly and passionately invited, are growing! Though overall, the church is declining in our nation, nevertheless, those who seek God wholeheartedly are finding, and finding Him in large numbers! People are tired of a “form of godliness without the power” of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:5).
Revival happens where the Holy Spirit is not only invited, but desired! When we are desperate we will seek until we find. The difference between churches where the Holy Spirit is welcome look radically different from churches who are simply providing a religious activity. Today, people are not seeking religion, but an authentic relationship with God!
Please be crying out for the churches in Athens (starting with your own) to grow increasingly desperate for more of an authentic experience and relationship with Jesus, where the power of the Holy Spirit is freely present. If need be, confess where you have grown content with a powerless expression of faith. If it is true for your church, cry out for the Holy Spirit to awaken true believers. Cry out for revival, for awakening, for reformation in our city! Cry out for the name of Jesus to be on the lips of every person in Athens!!!
