Is It Revival?

Greetings from Texas…

O.K… what is it? What in the world is going on lately? Is the “Florida
Healing Outpouring” in Lakeland, with Todd Bentley really revival?

Many are asking questions about what is happening in Lakeland. Some, even some
important people like Lee Grady of “Charisma Magazine” have asked what he
calls, “Honest Questions.” Some are saying that to call this move of the
Spirit true Revival is wrong. And the list of questions, criticism and even
innuendo goes on and on. Even though I consider Mr. Grady’s approach and
his, “Honest Questions” not really honest, I don’t wish to spend time going
down that road. Rather I wish to spend a lot of time looking at the “bottom
line” of what is going on in Florida and the world for that matter.

1. Revival is an “awakening from the dead” that which has once lived and now
is dead. Therefore as Revivalists, we’ve taught that the first step in getting
true Revival is to acknowledge the fact that we as the American Church are dead!
This concept in itself has gotten me in a lot of trouble over the years.
People say, “But you don’t know what’s happening in my church!” Or, “Our
church is doing, ______ and ______ great programs,etc.” Friends, church
programs are a far cry from true Revival and in themselves a very poor
substitute to the moving of the Holy Spirit within a church or region, etc.
Historically when true Revival hits a church the first thing that goes out the
window are all of the “programs!”
2. Revival has been called the “Suddenlies of God!” People often suggest all
types of things that we must do to get Revival. One is we need to pray more!
Another suggestion often is, all the churches have to unify. Both of these
things, plus many other suggested “jobs” we must do to get Revival are works.
If we the Church are dead, then how can we do what is right in order to get
Revival? These things and the others, are actually eventual products of
Revival, and won’t bring it in. Revival shows up at the most dire and
unexpected time. Sure many of us are praying for a move of God, but it’s still
all God’s call as to when and where and even how He wants to bring it! No doubt
about it….what happened in Ignited Church, Lakeland was a “suddenly!”
3. Revival, at least true Revival, is much more than good meetings in a
church! It is a spreading of God’s purposes throughout a region or even a
nation. In today’s standards we see “hot spots” breaking out all over the
world!
4. Revival is accompanied by signs, wonders and miracles. When asked if
Lakeland is of God or not, the only thing that I can point to are the standards
that Jesus used when questioned by John the Baptist (John’s disciples on behalf
of John), “Are you the one or should we seek another?” Jesus, in Mt. 11, says,
“Go tell John what you have SEEN and HEARD, the blind see, the deaf hear, the
lame walk, the dead are raised and the Gospel is being preached to the poor!”
if these things are going on, then we can rest assured that God’s in it!
5. True Revival is far greater than the Revivalist. So many look at the
imperfect vessels God uses to minister in and lead Revival. If you study Evan
Roberts you will find all kinds of personal issues that he had to deal with.
Look at Azusa Street, there was racism that came from those meetings, yet both
the Welsh Revival and Azusa Street changed the entire world! We cannot always
judge a move of God by the people that He chooses to use in it. God always
delights in using less than perfect people. If I recall properly, I think I’ve
read where “God chooses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise!”
Hummmm…. think about it.. how about Todd’s tats? Wow!
6. Revival is way beyond the good meetings! It spreads like wildfire! I’m
more excited about this aspect of Revival than any other! People don’t have to
go to Lakeland, FL to experience Revival. Yet I highly recommend that they do
make the pilgrimage! I would encourage anyone to go. People are saying, “Well
God’s not telling me to go!” Hummm… Is He telling you not to go? For Pete’s
sake… GO! If you can, go! History may be getting made in Lakeland, take
advantage of it! Yet, get ready, hold onto your hats, as this move of God is
spreading like the Fire of God that it is!

I recall the last great move of God. After Toronto broke out, people debated,
“Is it Revival?” Many would say, “No, it’s renewal!” Who cares… it changed
people for ever, Corinne and I included!

Now, we are seeing strong Revival symptoms in our meetings. This week in
north/central Texas we’ve be watching God move in powerful ways. Wednesday
night we were supposed to be ministering in a small, select house meeting
setting. The people came and came and came, and wow… did God move! Corinne
and I were talking on the way home, through a heavy Texas thunderstorm, we
recall a time just a little over a month ago, when you could hardly get anyone
to come to a meeting! Now people were thronging to the meeting, saying, “We’re
here to ‘Get Some!” I recall awhile ago we were told that we shouldn’t have
meetings on Thursday nights because “Survivor” was on TV! I wonder what
“Survivor’s” ratings are now with millions watching God TV!

By the way, isn’t it interesting that God TV is backing Lakeland 100%! It sure
says something to me! May the Lord bless God TV!

Folks, please don’t expect everything that is happening now in Lakeland, FL to
be perfect! Let’s give these people a break! The main thing is that lives are
getting changed, impacted very powerfully! Including mine!

Get ready, REVIVAL, yes, I’m calling it Revival is coming to your town, your
church and more importantly, your heart! I believe you can lay your hands on
your computer screen right now, touch this blog and pray, “Lord, let your Fire
fall on me!” Then get ready… He will and it will!

Yes Friend….It is Revival!

Blessings,

Larry the Revivalist!
my web page: www.larrysilverman.com