Astonishing Things Are Happening

The amazing journey I have been on these past few years gets more exciting every day. I believe we are living in the greatest moment in Church History. The exponential increase of the signs and wonders of His Spirit are daily reported across the planet if you care to take notice and know where to look. It is not in the media news. Yet.
Why? Why the increase? I truly believe that it is not because God is pouring out His Spirit in greater measure, rather, I think the church is catching on to what has always been available to us. Because more people are understanding who they are in Him, more is happening!
That is not to say that there is not evidence in history of unusual and seemingly unexplainable outpourings of His Spirit. Done by His will and His design and His purpose alone.
But as a student of Revival History I have discovered that most of these seemingly arbitrary events of great outpouring can all be traced to a few who believed God. They believed God to be greater than their experience and sought Him for the power they read about in the Book of Acts! God was more than willing to answer. The Holy Spirit is attracted to faith.
He always has been. It is irresistible to Him. We did not establish the principle of faith, He did.
It is everywhere HIS word.
Many of these 'revivals' were short lived. Lasting only a few years and confined to certain geographical areas. (Though these revivals had a real 'ripple effect' across the planet the benefits of which are still felt today).
Still there is something different about what is happening now. Thousands of people at all points on the globe are seeing signs and wonders in astounding measure. Healing, deliverance, miraculous provision. The dead are raised, the lepers are cleansed, the hopeless are encouraged.
Young people are finding a reason to live for God. Thousands are being saved. (The reports of the youth leaving the church in droves are drawn from statistics provided by traditional churches. Look to the non-traditional churches and ministries if you want to be encouraged).
Powerless Christianity holds no draw for this generation. We blame a lack of character on their part for their inability to attend a service with 3 hymns and a four point message. "Kids these days have no respect for tradition". "Parents haven't trained them to sit still so maybe they would learn something".
Frankly as a former church 'pastor', I am with the youth, this is my generation, I am as bored with the messages I once preached as they are.
I want Revival, I want God, I want His power, I need His Presence.
By 'revival' I do not mean ol' time religion. I do not mean a tent, an alter call and a 'mourners bench'.
I mean honest to goodness Holy Spirit signs and wonders with the 'wind' of His Spirit and the presence of angels. I mean healing of disease, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the blind see, the dead are raised to life.
I mean a worship service where the atmosphere is thick with the tangible sense of His Presence.
Where lifted hands are covered with oil and chests are pounding with an awareness of His astonishing love.
It is happening whether you are in touch with this news or not.
And the young (and old) love it.

In the Mall last week a group of giggly teenagers gathered around my friend Coelho, my daughter Hannah and a few others from various ministries in our area. They were caught up with amazement as their friends were healed of various ailments. They had stopped giggling when the first healing happened before their eyes. A few ran away, most stayed to talk, several gave their lives to Jesus.
This is revival.
Coelho goes out everyday. He likes to take people with him. But whether alone or with friends he heals the sick shares the gospel and demonstrates its power.
It is just one story but it happening everywhere.
And this is what this generation is looking for.
A wondrous revival that is all over the planet because leaders and preachers have learned that it isn't about them, it is available to anyone who has the faith to believe it. And because many are being encouraged to believe, it only 'appears' to be a great 'outpouring'. It is, in fact, a great 'infilling' that is 'spilling-out' from individuals with the rivers of living water they always had within them.
This is a great moment in history, I am happy to be alive.
This is my generation.