“After the Reign Has Passed”

I vigilantly sought God’s directive on when the revival was to end. It was crucial not to end prematurely as in Florida. On November 30, 2006 the 40-day revival at Indiana Avenue Baptist Church came to an end. We stopped because I knew with clarity God had desired “40 days.” Someone that has never had this type of experience may assume there would be a certain gladness and feeling of accomplishment to be ending. This is not the case at all. I, as well as others, were consumed by tremendous guilt with the ending of the last service. It is not the kind of guilt associated with shame or fault, but more of a guilt derived from remorse. There is great sorrow in thinking that the next day would not be spent like the last 40: basking in the glory and presence of God; being cleansed and stripped of the flesh in order to more clearly reflect God’s image; experiencing an overflow of joy while building and purifying our church, the Corporate Body of Christ. Those that have partaken in an extended period of fasting can most likely understand how difficult it is to stop. While you feel guilty for stopping you know you must go forward with the assurance that you have been obedient to God. It is obedience out of love that God is wanting from us; not mundane activity that risks becoming more of a routine than a robust devotion to God. Entangled in the sorrow and sadness was apprehension as to what life would be like after the revival, both individually and corporately. Knowing that we have just experienced a life-changing event there are many uncertainties. Will we truly be different, and how will we have changed? Will God’s presence be removed; and if not, will it ever be felt as strongly as during the last 40 days? Will we each have the faith, perseverance and will to be obedient to God’s calling? Will we remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit so that we will continue to know God’s direction? And I say hesitantly, but with all sincerity, will we be able to overcome the many temptations and snares that Satan is bound to send our way? Or will we succumb like Ananias and Sapphira and forfeit the position in which God has placed us? And ultimately, will we impact the Kingdom of God as a result of this revival? What do we do now that the “Reign” has passed? Today, more than a year since the revival, I can tell you that when the people of our church come together we can still experience the presence and power of God to a strong degree. I define revival as a sovereign move of Almighty God among His people. And considering that definition I know that revival has not stopped; it has simply changed design. God is still moving among us. As stated earlier, God has impressed upon us our purpose of being a “House of Prayer.” If we are to be a people of prayer, we have to be a “House of Prayer.” We have committed to making prayer a priority in our church. We collect prayer requests throughout the week and every Sunday night our congregation assembles in small groups, comprised of 5 to 10 people. Prayers are lifted up to the Lord. The intimacy and genuineness of these prayers and this time is amazing. People are unadulterated in their requests to the Lord. Prayers are not made to sound eloquent, nor are they phony. People are coming together to truly pray in the Spirit with disregard to the time and surroundings. They are exposing their vulnerabilities and expressing their dependence upon God to do what they have either failed at doing, or to do what only He can do. There is also much praise and thanksgiving expressed. You can literally feel God’s good pleasure during this time. And God has showered blessings upon us in response to these prayers. People have interrupted prayer to accept God’s calling to become His child; countless prayers have been answered; people have been healed, forgiven, restored and so much more. Since the revival, we have stopped doing certain things that are deemed “customary or standard” of church services and denominational programs. In exchange we have begun listening more intently as to what God is telling us to do. Even the things that we were doing before are now done with a different anointing. They now have new meaning. We cry freely shedding tears of joy and praise. Hands are unreservedly stretched towards the heavens demonstrating to all the magnificence and love of God. The altar is now a common place of sanctification, not an inaccessible temple reserved only for the pastor. Hearts are opened and poured out in order to be mended by the love of God and His people. People are being encouraged during their walks in the valleys. Others are giddy sharing their views from the mountaintops. It is different! A new standard has been established as to how close we want to be with God; and there is an intense hunger to know His heart and be obedient to His will. God is continuing to touch and raise up new people to minister in areas of their giftedness. Doors of opportunity have been implausibly opened to share the Word of God and the story of revival. These doors have been as small and as close as in our own community; and as big and far away as in the “Heart-Cry” conference in South Africa in 2007 and in Ireland in February 2008. And there are still other opportunities standing before us. It is unfathomable to know what all God has planned; but one thing we have learned from our 40 day revival is not to limit our expectations of what all God can and will do. We will proceed forward step-by-step capitalizing on each opportunity afforded to us. We will continuously strive to maintain a keen awareness of when God is initiating the impossible through us.